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23  WBT  MAIN  STRHT 

WKBSTH,N.Y.  145M 

(716)  •72-4503 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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D 


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□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur6e  et/ou  pellicul6e 


Df: 


n 


n 


Cover  title  missing/ 


titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 

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mais.  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
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Additional  comments:/ 
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Tt 
to 


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modification  dans  la  methods  normale  de  filmage 
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I      I   Coloured  pages/ 


D 
D 

n 

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0 


0 


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obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


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This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


12X 


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26X 


30X 


a4x 


28X 


32X 


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sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  »»>1  meaning  "CON- 
TINt  rS"»,  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 

WhiCih^Vuir    ^vh!'**. 

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originaux  sont  filmte  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniire  imege  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symboie  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film^s  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  f  ilmi  d  partir 
de  I'angle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Cone's  Key,  NA.Birds. 


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R.W.Shuf-eldt.pinx 


ANATOMY  OF  PIGEON. 


Ackermann&Co.  Lith*  Boston. 


1  ■.^'"MY»i,«»*.V.«*r>»w»"!i'i, '■!■•.   .1' 


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•:TH    /W^ERTCAN    Hli^^^ 

..        roNClsm   Ar<  T^VRRv   SPKCUfS   OF    LIVIN^ 

eiHJi  AT   PRESKNT    ^  i  u.i  1 1.  f. 


^fffi'iti'E^Jtlli'ir:. 


Batf,  an\J  Enttrfls  Btlutittcu: 


I'Hi    .««   LNCORrORMEO 


A^i   Ol-'f'V 


GENERAL ;  .0  R  Nil  HOLOGY : 

CLASSIFICATION   OF    BIRDS; 


;^■v   .■v  rnr.  t,tvi  ctv 


A    M.\NL.-.i-    '■•■ 


FIELD    ORMITHOLOGY: 

.    :,1    ARING.    ANi>    PRESEKVING    BIRDS. 


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BOSTON: 

F. stes    and    LAURIAT 

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North  American  Birds. 

CONTAINING   A  CONCISE   ACCOUNT  OF   EVERY   SPECIES  OF    LIVING  AND   FOSSIL 

BIRD   AT   PRESENT    KNOWN    FROM    THE    CONTINENT   NORTH   OF 

THE   MEXICAN   AND  UNITED  STATES   BOUNDARY, 

INCLUSIVE    OF    GREENLAND. 

S(conl)  lEDitton,  l^cbiscli  to  Datt,  anH  Snttrelg  Stttorttttn: 

WITH   WHICH   ARE   IN'CORPORATED 

GENERAL    ORNITHOLOGY: 

AN   OUTLINE   OF    THE   STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION'    OF    BIRDS; 

AND 

FIELD    ORNITHOLOGY: 

A    MANUAL   OF    COLLECTING,    PREPARING,    AND    PRESERVING    BIRDS. 


By   ELLIOTT    COUES,  M.A.,  M.D.,  Ph.D., 

MEMBER  OF  THE   NATIONAL  ACADEMY   OF   SCIENCES,   ETC.,  ETC. 


PROFUSELY    ILLUSTRATED. 


BOSTON: 

ESTES    AND    LAURIAT. 

1884. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1872,  by 

F.   W.  Putnam  and  Elliott  Coues, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 

Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in   the  year  1874,  by 

F.  W.  Putnam  and  Elliott  Coues, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at   Washington. 


Copyright,  1882, 
By  Estes  and  Lauriat. 


Copyright,  1884, 
Bv  Estes  and  Lauriat. 


University  Press: 
John  Wilson  and  Son,  Cambridge. 


'^o 


SPENCER   FULLERTON    BAIRD, 


Nestor  of  American  Ornithologists, 


€:i)ts;  SBotk, 


BEARING  TO   OTHERS  THE  TORCH    RECEIVED   FROM   HIM   IN    EARLIER   DAYS, 


£s  iDe0uateti» 


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§4 
§5 

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§2. 
5  3. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Title ' 

Dedication "' 

Contents ^ 

Historical  Peefacb ^i 


PART  I. 

FIELD  ORNITHOLOGY. 

§  1.    Implements  for  collecting,  and  their  use 1 

§  2.    Dogs 9 

§  3.    Various  suggestions  and  directions  for  field-work 9 

\  4.    Hygiene  of  coUectorship 19 

§  5.    Registration  and  labelling 21 

§  0.    Instruments,  materials,  and  fixtures  for  preparing  birdskius 25 

§  7.    How  to  make  a  birdskin 2S 

\  8.    Miscellaneous  particulars          13 

§  9.    Collection  of  nests  and  eggs 50 

§10.    Care  of  a  collection 51 


PART  II. 


§  2. 
S3. 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Definition  of  birds 59 

Principles  and  practice  of  classification 65 

Definitions  and  descriptions  of  the  exterior  parts  of  birds 82 

a.    Of  the  feathers,  or  plumage 82 

4.     The  topography  of  birds 91 

1.  Regions  of  the  body 91 

2.  Of  the  members ;  their  parts  and  organs 100 

i.    The  bill 100 

ii.    The  wings 106 

iii.    The  tail Ill 

iv.    The  feet     ... 118 


Vi  CONTEXTS. 

PAOF. 

§  4.    All  introduction  to  the  Anatomy  of  birds 133 

tj     Ustcoioffv  :  tlio  osseous  .s_vsti'iii,  or  ftkciftou 134 

1.  Tile  spinal  eoliiimi l''» 

2.  Tiic  thorax:   riii.s  and  slcruuiii 142 

3.  Tiic  pectoral  arcli 145 

4.  Tlie  pelvic  arch 1*7 

5.  The  skull 11» 

6.    Keurolog.v:  the  nervous  system;  organs  of  special  senses 174 

c.    Jlyology:  the  iiiusculnr  system 1W2 

tl.    Aiifreiolofry:  Ihc  vascular  or  circulatory  systems 195 

e.     ruciimatoldgy :  the  respiratory  system 19!) 

/     Splanchiioliifty :  the  digestive  system 209 

ff.     Oology ;  the  urogenital  system 215 

§  a.    Directions  for  using  the  arlilicial  keys 227 

Aktificial  Kty  to  the  Ordehs  and  SrnonnEits 230 

Artificial  Key  to  the  Families 231 

Tabular  View  of  tue  Groups  uiguek  than  Genera 234 


PART   III. 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  OF  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


I.    Onk-r  PASSERES  :   Inst'ssores,  or  Perchers  Proper 238 

1.    Suborder  I'ASSERES  ACROMYODI,  or  OSCINES:  Singing  Birds    ....  240 

/.    Family  Tukdid^  :  Thrushes,  etc 240 

1.  Subfamily  7V/rrf(«i*.-  Typical  Thrushes 243 

2.  Subfamily  il7iw(W;  Mocking  Thrushes 248 

3.  Subfamily  C'iiicliiiif:  Dipjicrs 254 

4.  SnhhmiU  Siuiroliii/e ;  Stone-chats  and  Blue-birds 250 

5.  Snhhmnly  Jif'ffuliiue:  Kinglets  and  Wood-wrens 259 

(1.     Snhlmnily  Poliv/itiliiife:  Gnat-catchers 260 

3.    Family  CiiAM^iDiE :  Wren-tits 2C2 

S.    Family  Pauih.e  :  Titmice,  or  Chickadees 203 

7.  Subfamily  Pffw/zP;  True  Titmice 263 

4     Family  Sittid.e  :  Nuthatches 209 

5.    Family  Certiiiid.s  :  Crecjiers 272 

8.  Subfamily  C(»r///«W;  Typical  Creepers 272 

G.    Family  Troglodytid.e  :  AVrcns 273 

9.  Subfamily  O/wy^pyoz-^/wrAiW/' ;  Fan-tailed  Wrens 274 

10.  S\ih(ei\m\y  Trofflodyliiiie ;  True  Wrens  ., 277 

7.    Family  Alavdii)^  :  Larks 280 

11.  Subfamily  CV//</;/f/n7(«^/".-  Shore  Larks 281 

12.  Subfamily  J/ffwr/iW  .•  Sky  Larks 282 

*.    Family  Motacillid.e :  Wagtails  and  Pipits 283 

13.  Subfamily  MotncilHmi; :  Wagtails 284 

14.  Subfamily  Anfhinee :  Pipits,  or  Titlarks 285 


CONTENTS. 


vu 


PAOB 

9.    Family  Sylvicolid^.  :  Aiiicriciiii  Wiirblers 287 

15.     Subfiiinily  Syleitoliiue :  True  Wiiiblcrs 289 

10.     Subfiiinily  Ir/eriiii/r:  CImts 311 

17.  Subfiiinily  Setophaginir :  Ely-cntcliing  Warblers 312 

10.  Family  CrcREBiD* :  Honey  Creepers 317 

11.  Family  T.\NAOiuD,K :  Taimgers 317 

12.  Family  IIiuuNDiNiD,«:  Swallows 319 

13.  Family  Am PKLiD.K:  Ciiatierers 325 

18.  Subfamily  Ampeliiite:  Wax  wings 325 

19.  SMmuly  Pfiloffona/iiue :  Fly -snappers 327 

20.  Subfamily  MyiadeKlinfC :  Fly-catcliiiig  Thrushes 328 

14-     Family  ViUEONiD.K:  Viieos,  or  Grcenlets 329 

15.  Family  L.vxiiD,*;:  Shrikes 336 

21.  Subfamily  Z^/««(W ;  True  Shrikes 330 

16.  Family  FuixoiLUD.K:  Finches,  ele 339 

17.  Family  IcTEiiiD.K:  American  Starlings ;  Blackbirds,  etc 399 

22.  Subfamily //.y^'/Ww^/';  Marsh  Blackbirds 400 

23.  Subfamily  Stnrimlliiue:  .Meadow  Starlings 405 

24.  Subfamily  iHerbun    Orioles 400 

23.     Subfamily  Qiiimdinie:  Crow  Blackbirds 410 

18.  Family  ConviDiU:  Crows,  Jays,  etc 414 

20.    Subfamily  Coniiiie:  Crows 415 

87.     Subfamily  GarrulbtP:  Jays 419 

19.  Family  Stuunid.k:  Old  World  Starlings 420 

28.  Subfamily  <S////v,/W.-  Typical  Starlings 420 

a.    Suborder  PASSERESMESO.MYOi')!,  or  CLAMATOUES:  Songless  Passeres  .  427 

20.  Family  Tyiiannid.k:  Americi'.n  Flycatchers 428 

29.  Subfamily  7Vn'««<«'^,';  True  Tyrant  Flycatchers 428 

II.     Order  PICAKIiE :   Piearian  Birds 444 

3.  Suborder  CVrSELlFORMES :  Cypseliform  Birds 447 

21.  Family  Capkimijlgid.*::  Goatsuckers 447 

30.  %\Mvi.m\\y  Caprimiilffinie :  True  Goatsuckers 448 

22.  Family  CvpsELiDiB:  Swifts 455 

31.  Subfamily  Ci/pseliiifV :  Typical  Swifts 450 

32.  Subfamily  Chteturintr:  Spine-tail  Swifts 457 

23.  Family  TiiociiiUDiE:  Humming-birds 458 

33.  Subfamily  Trochiliiup:  Humming-birds 458 

4.  Suborder  CUCULIFOUMES:  Cuculiform  Birds 407 

24.  Family  TnoGONiD.E:  Trogons 408 

34.  Subfamily  Trogonime :  Trogons 408 

[ — .    Family  Momotid^  :  Sawbills] 408 

25.  Family  Alcedinid^e  :  Kingfishers 408 

35.  Subfamily  Aleedinulte:  Piscivorous  Kingfishers 40!) 

2Q.    Family  Cuculid.e  :  Cuckoos 470 

36.  Subfamily  Crotophaginte :  Anis 471 

37.  Subfamily  Saurotheriti/e :  Ground  Cuekoos 473 

38.  Subfamily  Coecyf/ina :  American  Cuckoos 474 

6.    Suborder  PICIFORMES :  Piciform  Birds 470 

27.    Family  PiciDiE :  Woodpeckers 477 


w 


Viii  CONTENTS. 

PAOB 

III.  Order  PSITTACI :   Parrots 494 

38.    Family  I'siTTACiD.t: :  Parrots 495 

39.  Sublamily  Ariiue:  Parrots 495 

IV.  Order  RAFIORES  :   Birds  of  Prey 495 

0.    Suborder  STIUGES :   Nocturnal  Birds  of  Prey 498 

29.    Family  Alucoxid.e  :  Barn  Owls 500 

SO.    Family  STiiiGin.K:  Other  Owls 502 

40.  Subfamily  ^Z/vy/W/                 502 

41.  Subl'auiily  Buljoniii(e:                    503 

T.    Suborder  ACCIPITUES :  Diurnal  Birds  of  Prey 517 

31.    Family  Falcoxid.k  :  Vultures,  Falcons,  Hawks,  Eagles,  etc 519 

42.  Subfamily  Circiiur:  lliirriers 521 

43.  Subfamily  Milciiirp:  Kites 522 

44.  Subtamily  Arcipifi-iiire :  Hawks 520 

45.  Subfamily  Fuh-onimc :  Falcons 531 

40.    Subfamily  Poliiborhio! :  Caracaras 539 

47.  Subfamily  jy/z/cowwrt- .•  Buzzards  and  Eagles 54I 

.?~'.    Family  P.^xDioNiD.E;  Fish  Hawks,  or  Osprcys 556 

8.    Suborder  CATII A RTIDES:  Amerieaii  Vultures 557 

S3.    Family  Catiiaetid.u  :  American  Vultures 557 

V.  Order  COLUMByE  :   Columbine  Birds 501 

0.    Suborder  PER1STEH.E:  True  Columbine  Birds 502 

34.  Family  Columiud.e  :  Pigeons 562 

48.  Subfamily  Coliimhiii/r    Typical  Pigeons 304 

49.  Subfamily /rtW(/(W.-  Ground  Doves 560 

50.  Subfamily  ^/ff/v/ffwof/zW;  Quail  Doves 571 

VI.  Order  GALLIXJE  :   Gallinaceous  Birds  ;  Fowls 571 

10.  Suborder  PEUISTEU.E:  Pigeon-toed  Fowls !    {  572 

35.  Family  CuAciD.ii:  Curassows 572 

51.  Subfamily  Pciidopuice:    Guans 573 

11.  Suborder  ALECTOUo'l'ODES:  True,  fowls ....'.'.  573 

36.  Family  Mkleagkidid.e  :  Turkeys 576 

37.  Family  Tktu.voxid.e:  Grouse;  Partridge;  Quail 570 

52.  Subfamily  Ti-li-aoaiiuc:  Grouse 577 

53.  Subfamily  tt/wz/o/j/zonVrt-.-  American  Partridges  and  Quails  .     .     .  5S8 
[— .    Subfamily  Pealiciiice .-  Old  World  Partridges  and  Quaiis  ....  594 

VII.  Order  LIMICOLyE :  Shore-birds    ; sgg 

3S.     Family  CiiAUADiuiD.K:  Plover 597 

54.  Subfamily  Ckiradribifr:  True  Plover 597 

55.  Subfamily  Jp/irkii/rr:  Surf-birds 605 

39.  Family  H,«MAToroDiD.K:  Oystcr.catchers;  Turnstones 000 

50.    Subfamily  IJfrmfi/opof/iiKP .-  Oyster-catchers 600 

57.    Subfamily  ^/,vyMv7ffi/)f/';  Turnstones 60S 

40.  Family  Recukviiuj.stuid.e:  Avoccts;  Stilts !     !  009 

4i     Family  PuALAUoroDiD.i; :  Phalaropes dU 

42.    Family  Scolopacid,*:  :  Snipe,  etc !         "     '  OU 


PAOB 

494 
495 
495 

495 
498 
500 
502 
502 
503 
517 
519 
521 
522 
52f) 
.  531 
.  539 
.  541 
.  556 
.  557 
.  557 

.  5G1  . 
.  562 

562 

564 

566 

571 

571 
572 
572 
573 
573 
576 
576 
577 
5S8 
594 

596 
597 
597 
605 
606 
606 
60S 
609 
612 
614 


CONTENTS.  IX 

PAGE 

VIII.  Order  IIEUODIONES  :   Herons  and  their  Allies (147 

12.  Suborder  llilDES :   Tlie  Ibis  Series ()4S 

^3.     Family  luiDiihf: :  Ibises 648 

Jf^.     Family  PLATALEiD.ii :  Spoonbills 651 

13.  Suborder  PELAllGI :  Tlie  Stork  Series 65;J 

45.     Family  CicoxiiD.E:  Storks 652 

58.  Subfamily /tf«/«//«'C  .•  Wood  Ibises 632 

59.  Subfamily  Cicoiiiime :  True  Storks 653 

14.  Suborder  HEllODII :  The  Heron  Series 654 

4G.     Family  AiiDElD.E :  Herons 654 

60.  ^\i\)[dimAy  Ardeiiue :  True  Herons 657 

61.  ^\xhhm\y  Botaui-iiuc:  Bitterns 663 

IX.  Order  ALECTORIDES  :   Cranes,  Rails,  and  their  Allies 665 

15.  Suborder  GRUIFORMES:  Cranes  and  their  Allies 666 

47.     Family  Giiuid.e  :  Cranes 666 

^S.     Fauiily  Au.oiid.e  :  Courlans 667 

10.     Suborder  RALLIFOUMES  -.  Ralliform  Birds 669 

Jfi.    Family  Parrid.k  :  Jafiiniis 669 

50.  Family  Rallid.i;  ;  Rails,  etc 669 

62.  Subfamily  Ralliiitn:  True  Rails 670 

63.  Subfamily  Galliiiiiliii/p :  Gallinules 675 

64.  Subfamily  FrtZ/'aW .-  Coots 676 

X.  Order  LAMELLIRO.STRES  :   Anserine  Birds 677 

n.     Suborder  ODONTOGLOSS.E :  GrallatorialAuseres 677 

51.  Family  PiicEXicnrTEUiD.E:  Flamingoes 678 

18.     Suborder  ANSERES:  Anseriue  Birds  Proper 679 

52.  Family  Asatid.e  :  Geese,  Ducks,  etc.     . 679 

65.  Subfamily  Cyi/niiirP:  Swans 681 

66.  Subiamily  Aiixeriiifp :  Geese 6S3 

67-    Subfamily  Aiiatiiia:  River  Ducks 689 

68.  Subfamily  Fitliffitliiirr:  Sea  Ducks 698 

69.  Subfamily  Mergiiia:  Mergansers 716 

XI.  Order  STEGANOPODES :   Totipalmate  Birds     . 71 8 

53.  Family  SuLiD.E :  Ganncts 720 

54.  Family  Pelecanid.e  :  Pelicans 721 

55.  Family  "halacrocokacide :  Cormorants 723 

56.  Family  PLOTiDiE :  Darters 729 

57.  Family  Taciiypetid.e  :  Frigates 730 

5S.     Family  PiiAiiTiioNTiD.'5 :  Tropic  Birds 731 

XII.  Order  LONGIPENNES  :   Long-winged  Swimmers 732 

10.    Suborder  GAVL'E :  Slit-nosed  liongwings 733 

59.     Family  Larid.i;  :  Gulls,  Terns,  etc 733 

70.  Subfamily  LestridiiKP :  Jaegers,  or  Skua  Gulls 734 

71.  Subfamily  ZffriW  .•  Gulls 739 

72.  SMiimWy  Slenii/ite:  Terns 754 

73.  Subfamily  RAynciopiiia :  Skimmers 772 


X  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

80.    Suborder  TUBINARES:  Petrels 773 

GO.    Family  Pkocellariid.k  .  Petrels 773 

74.  Subfamily  Dioniedeiiuf  ■  Albatrosses 774 

75.  Subfamily  ProM//tf/7iW. •  Pel  iris 776 

XIII.    Order  PyGOroUES :   Diving  Birds 787 

61.  Family  Colymuid.E  :  Loons 789 

62.  Family  Podicipedid.e  :  Grebes 792 

63.  Family  Alcid.e  :  Auks 797 

76.  Subfamily  P/mlmiliiue :  Parrot  Auks,  etc 800 

77.  Subfamily  .^/«'//<e:  Guillemots,  Murres,  and  Auks  proper      .     .     .  810 


■  i  I 


PART  IV. 

SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  OF  THE  FOSSIL  BIRDS  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 

A.  Tektiary  Birds S22 

B.  Cretaceous  Birds 825 

C.  Jurassic  Birds 829 

INDEX 831 


HISTORICAL  PREFACE. 


Were  a  modem  Hesiod  to  essay  —  neither  a  cos- 
mogony nor  a  theogony  —  but  the  genesis  of  even  the 
least  department  of  human  knowledge,  —  were  he  to 
seek  the  begiunings  of  Ameri(»n  Ornithology,  he  would 
lind  it  only  in  Chaos.     For  from  this  sprang  all  things, 

great  and  small  alike, 
to  pass  through  Night 
and  Nemesis  to  the 
light  of  days  which 
first  see  orderly  pro- 
gress in  the  course 
of  natural  evolution, 
when  is  first  estab- 
lished some  sequence 
of  events  we  recognize 
as  causes  and  effects. 
Then  there  is  system, 
and  formal  law ;  there 
science  becomes  possi- 
ble ;  there  its  possible 
history  begins. 

Long  was  the  time 
during  which  the  birds 
of  our  country  were 
known  to  its  inhab- 
itants, after  the  fash- 
ion of  the  people  of 
those  days,  —  known 
as  things  of  which  use 
could  be  made,  and 
studied,  too,  that  use 
might  be  made  of  them. 
But  this  period  is  pre- 
historic; no  evidence 

remains,  save  in  some  quaint  pictograph  or  rudely  graven  image.     There  followed  a 
period —  shorter  by  far  than  the  former  one,  though  it  endures  to-day  —  when  the  same 


xu 


HISTORICAL  PliEFACE. 


birds  awakened  in  other  men  an  interest  tlioy  could  not  excite  in  a  savage  breast,  and 
tlio  sense  of  beauty  was  felt.  Use  and  liuauty  !  What  may  not  spring  from  such  divinely 
mated  pair,  when  once  they  brood  njion  tlie  human  mind,  like  halcyons  stilling  troubled 
waters,  sinking  the  instincts  of  the  animal  in  the  restful,  satisfying  reflections  of  the 
man  ] 

The  history  of  American  Ornitliology  begins  at  the  time  when  men  first  wrote  upon 
American  binls ;  for  men  write  nothing  without  some  reason,  and  to  reason  at  all  is  the 
beginning  of  science,  even  as  to  reason  aright  is  its  end.  The  date  no  one  can  assign, 
nnloss  it  be  arbitrarily ;  it  was  during  the  latter  ]mt  of  the  sixteenth  century,  which, 
with  the  whole  of  the  seventeenth,  represents  the  formative  or  embryonic  period  during 
which  were  gathering  about  the  germ  the  crude  materials  out  of  which  an  ornithology  of 
Xorth  America  was  to  be  fosliioneil.  As  these  accumulated  and  were  assimilated,  —  as 
the  writings  multiplied  and  books  bred  books,  "  each  after  its  kind,"  this  special  depart- 
ment of  knowledge  grew  up,  and  its  form  changed  with  each  new  impress  made  upon  its 
plastic  organization. 

Viewing  in  proper  perspective  these  three  centuries  and  more  which  our  subject  has 
seen  —  passing  in  retrospect  tlie  steps  of  its  development  —  we  find  that  it  offers  several 
j)hases,  representing  as  many  "  epochs  "  or  major  divisions,  of  very  unequal  duration,  and 
of  scientific  significance  inveisely  proportionate  to  their  respective  lengths.  All  that 
went  before  1700  constitutes  the  first  of  these,  which  may  be  termed  the  Archaic  epoch. 
The  eighteenth  century  witnessed  an  extraordinary  event,  the  consequence  of  which  to 
systematic  zoology  cannot  be  over-estimated  ;  it  occurred  almost  exactly  in  the  middle  of 
the  century,  which  is  thus  sharply  divided  into  a  Pre-LiniKeaii  epoch,  before  the  institu- 
tion of  the  binomial  nomenclature,  and  a  Post-Linii/raii  epoch,  during  which  this  technic 
of  modern  zoology  was  establislied,  —  each  approximately  of  half  a  century's  duration. 
In  respect  of  our  particular  theme,  the  first  quarter  of  the  nineteenth  century  saw  the 
"  father  of  American  ornithology,"  whose  spirit  pointed  the  crescent  in  the  sky  of  the 
Wilsonian  epoch.  During  the  second  quarter,  these  horns  were  filled  with  the  genius  of 
the  Anduhonian  epoch.  In  the  third,  the  plenteousness  of  a  master  mind  has  marked 
the  Bairdian  epoch. 

Clearly  as  these  six  epochs  may  be  recognized,  there  is  of  course  no  break  between 
them ;  they  not  only  meet,  but  merge  in  one  another.  The  sharpest  line  is  that  which 
runs  across  Linmeusat  17o8:  but  even  that  is  only  visible  in  historical  perspective,  while 
the  assignation  of  the  dates  1700  and  1800  is  rather  a  chronological  convenience  than 
otherwise.     Nothing  absolutely  marks  tlie  former ;  and  Wilson  was  unseen  till  1808. 

The  Archaic  epoch  stretches  into  tlie  dim  past  with  unshifting  scene,  even  at  the 
■  g-pnint  of  the  two  centuries  in  which  it  lies.  It  is  otherwise  with  the  rest ;  their 
.pes  have  incessantly  changed ;  and  several  have  been  the  periods  in  each  of  them  dur- 
ing which  their  course  of  develojiment  has  been  accelerated  or  retarded,  or  modified  in 
some  special  feature.  These  changes  have  invariably  coincided  with  —  have  in  fact  been 
induced  by  —  the  appearance  of  some  great  work  ;  great,  not  necessarily  in  itself,  but 
in  its  relation  to  the  times,  and  thus  in  the  consequences  of  the  interaction  between  the 
times  and  the  author  who  left  the  science  other  than  he  found  it.  The  edifice  as  it 
stands  to-day  is  the  work  of  all,  even  of  the  humblest,  builders ;  but  its  plan  is  tliat  of 
the  arcliitects  who  have  modelled  its  main  features,  and  the  changes  they  have  success- 


HISTOBIJAL  PBEFACE. 


Xlll 


ively  wrought  are  the  marks  of  progress.  It  is  consequently  possible,  and  it  will  be  found 
convenient,  to  subdivide  the  epochs  named  (excepting  the  first)  into  lesser  natural  inter- 
vals of  time,  which  may  be  called  "  periods,"  to  each  of  which  may  attach  the  name  of 
the  architect  whose  design  is  expressed  most  clearly.  I  recognize  fifteen  such  periods,  of 
very  unequal  duration,  to  which  specific  dates  may  attach.  Seven  of  these  fall  in  the 
last  century ;  eight  in  the  three-quarters  of  the  prasent  century.  We  may  pass  them  in 
brief  review. 

The  Archaic  Epoch:  to  1700. 
Mere  mention  or  fragmentary  notice  of  North  American  birds  may  be  traced  back 
to  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century ;  but,  up  to  the  eighteenth,  no  book  entirely  and 
exclusively  devoted  to  the  subject  had  appeared.  The  Turkey  and  the  Humming-bird 
were  among  the  earliest  to  appear  in  print ;  the  latter  forms  the  subject  of  the  earliest 
paper  I  have  found,  exclusively  and  formally  treating  of  any  North  American  bird  as 
such,  and  this  was  not  until  1 693,  when  Hamersly  described  the  "  American  Tomineius," 
as  it  was  called.  One  of  the  largest,  as  well  as  the  smallest  of  our  birds,  —  the  turkey, 
early  came  in  for  a  share  of  attention.  The  germs  of  the  modern  "  faunal  list,"  —  that  is 
to  say,  notes  upon  the  birds  of  some  particular  region  or  locality,  —  appeared  early  in  the 
seventeenth  century,  and  continued  throughout ;  but  only  as  incidental  and  very  slight 
features  of  books  published  by  colonists,  adventurers,  and  missionaries,  in  their  several 
interests, —  unless  Hernandez's  famous  "Thesaurus  "  be  brought  into  the  present  connec- 
tion. Among  such  books  containing  bird-matter  may  be  noted  Smith's  "  Virginia,"  1012; 
Hamor's  "Virginia,"  1615;  Whitbourne's  "Newfoundland,"  1620;  Higginson's  "New 
England,"  1630;  Morton's  "New  English  Canaan,"  1632;  "Wood's  "New  England's 
Prospect,"  1634;  Sagard  Theodat's  "Voyage,"  1632;  Josselyn's  "New  England's 
Earities,"  1672  ;  — and  so  on,  with  a  few  more,  —  sometimes  mere  paragi-aphs,  some- 
times a  page  or  a  formal  chapter,  —  but  scarcely  anything  to  be  now  considered  except  in 
a  spirit  of  curiosity. 

The  Pre-Linn^an  Epoch  :  1700-1758. 
(1700-1730.) 

The  Lawsonian  Period.  —  It  may  be  a  bicus  a  non  to  call  this  the  "  Lawsonian " 
period ;  but  a  name  is  needed  for  the  portion  of  this  epoch  prior  to  Catesby,  during  which 
no  other  name  is  so  prominent  as  that  of  John  Lawson,  Gentleman,  Surveyor-General  of 
North  Carolina,  whose  "  Description  and  Natural  History  "  of  that  country  contains  one 
of  the  most  considerable  faunal  lists  of  our  birds  which  appeared  before  1730,  and  went 
through  many  editions,  —  the  last  of  these  being  published  at  Raleigh,  in  1860.  The 
several  early  editions  devote  some  fifteen  or  twenty  pages  to  birds,  —  an  amount  aug- 
mented considerably  when  Brickell  appropriated  the  work  in  1737.  The  Baron  de  la 
Hontan  did  similar  service  to  Canadian  birds  in  his  "Voyages,"  1793;  but,  on  the 
whole,  this  period  is  scarcely  more  than  archaic. 


(1730-1748.) 

The  Catesbian  Period.  —  This  comprises  the  time  when  Mark  Catesby's  great  work 
was  appearing  by  instalments.     "  The  Natural  History  of  Carolina,  Florida,"  etc,  is  the 


xiv 


HISTORICAL  PBEFACE. 


first  really  great  work  to  come  under  our  notice  ;  its  influence  was  immediate,  and  is  even 
now  felt.  It  is  the  "  Audubon  "  of  that  time  ;  a  folio  in  two  volumes,  dating  respectively 
1731  and  1743,  with  an  appendix,  1748;  passing  to  a  second  edition  in  1754,  to  a 
third  in  1771,  under  the  supervision  of  Edwards ;  reproduced  in  Germany,  in  "  Selig- 
mann's  Siimiulung."  1749-70.  It  was  publisiied  in  parts,  the  date  of  the  first  of  which 
I  beUeve  to  have  been  1730,  though  it  may  have  been  a  little  earlier.  Volume  I,  contain- 
ing the  birds,  appears  to  liave  been  issued  in  five  parts,  and  was  made  up  in  1731 ;  it  consists 
of  a  hundred  colored  plates  of  birds,  with  as  many  leaves  of  text ;  a  few  more  birds  are 
given  in  the  appendix,  raising  tlic  number  to  113.  These  illustrations  are  recognizable 
almost  without  exception ;  most  of  the  species  arc  for  the  first  time  described  and  figured  ; 
they  furnish  tlie  basis  of  many  subsequently  named  in  the  Linna;an  system  ;  the  work 
was  eventually  provided  by  Edwards  with  a  Linna>an  concordance  or  index ;  and  alto- 
gether it  is  not  easy  to  ovcrostiuiate  the  significance  of  the  Catesbian  period,  duo  to  this 
one  work ;  for  no  other  book  requires  or  indeed  deserves  to  be  mentioned  in  the  same 
connection,  tliough  a  few  contributions,  of  somewhat  "  arcliaic  "  character,  were  made  by 
various  writers. 


(I748-17i,  u) 
The  Edwardmm  Perind.  —  'I'liis  bridges  the  interval  between  Catesby  and  the  estab- 
lislinient  of  tiie  binomial  nomenclature,  and  finishes  the  Pre-Linna'an  epoch.     No  groat 
name  of  exclusive  pertinence  to  \orth   American  ornithology  appears  in  this  decade. 
But  the  great  naturalist  whose  name  is  inseparably  associated  with  tliat  of  Catesby  had 
begun  in  1741  the  "Natural  History  of  Uncommon  Birds,"  which  he  completed  in  four 
parts  or  volumes,  in  17.51,  and  in  which  the  North  American  element  is  conspicuous. 
This  work  contains  two  hundred  and  ten  colored  plates,  with  accom[)anyiug  text,  forming 
a  treatise  which  easily  mnks  among  the  half-dozen  greatest  M'orks  of  the  kind  of  the  Pre- 
Linna!an  epoch,  and  passed  through  several  editions  in  different  languages.     Its  impress 
upon  American  ornithology  of  the  tim-  is  secontl  only  to  that  made  by  Catesby's,  of 
which  it  was  the  natural  sequence,  if  nut  consequence      It  bore  similarly  upon  birds  soon 
to  be  described  in  binomial  terms,  and  was  shortly  followed  by  the  not  less  famous 
"Gleanings  of  Natural  History,"  1758-04,  a  work  of  precisely  the  same  character,  and  in 
fact  a  continuation  of  the  former.     PMwards  also  made  some  of  our  birds  the  subject  of 
special  papers  before  the  riiilosopliical  Society,  as  those  of  1755  and  1758  upon  the 
Rufled  Grouse  and  the  Phalarope.    It  may  be  noted  hero  that  one  of  the  few  special  papers 
upon  any  American  bird  which  Linna}us  published  appeared  in  this  period,  he  having  in 
1750  first  described  the  Louisiana  Nonpareil  {Passerina  ciris).     This  period  also  saw  the 
publication  of  part  of  the  original  Swedish  edition  of  Peter  Kalm's  "Travels,"  1753-61, 
which  went  through  numerous  editions  in  diff'erent  languages.    Kalm  was  a  correspondent 
of  Linna;us ;  the  genus  of  plants,  Kalmla,  commemorates  his  name ;  his  work  contains 
accounts  of  many  of  our  birds,  some  of  them  the  bases  of  Linntean  species ;  and  he  also 
published,  in  1759,  a  special  paper  upon  the  Wild  Pigeon.     As  in  the  Catesbian  period, 
various  lesser  contributions  were  made,  but  none  requiring  comment.     Thus  Lawson, 
as  representing  the  continuation  of  a  preceding  epoch,  and  the  associated  names  of 
Catesby  and  Edwards  in  the  present  one,  have  carried  us  past  the  middle  of  the  last 
centurj'. 


HISTOmCAL  PREFACE. 


XV 


id  is  even 
spectively 
754,  to  a 
n  "  Selig- 
of  which 
.,  contain- 
it  consists 
birds  are 
cognizable 
d  figured ; 
the  work 
and  alto- 
duo  to  this 
the  same 
•:&  made  by 


d  the  estab- 
No  great 
bis  discade. 
^'atesby  had 
eted  in  four 
30iispicuou8. 
ext,  forming 
[  of  the  Pre- 
Its  impress 
[Jatesby's,  of 
n  birds  soon 
less  famous 
icter,  and  in 
le  subject  of 
i8  upon  the 
jecial  papers 
lie  having  in 
also  saw  the 
!,"  1753-61, 
)rrespondent 
Di'k  contains 
and  he  also 
jbian  period, 
lus  Lawson, 
id  names  of 
I  of  the  last 


The   Post-Linn-ean   Epoch:    1758-1800. 
(1758-1760.) 

The  Linuceaii  Period.  —  An  interregnum  here,  during  which  not  a  notable  work  or 
worker  appears  in  North  American  ornith(ilogy  itself.  But  events  elsewhere  occurred, 
hlie  reflex  action  of  wliich  upon  our  theme  is  simply  incalculable,  fully  requiring  the 
recognition  of  this  period.  The  dates,  1 758-1 7CG,  are  respectively  those  of  the  appear- 
ance of  the  tenth  and  of  the  twelth  edition  of  the  "  Systema  Xutune  "  of  Linntcus.  In 
the  former  the  illustrious  Swede  first  formally  and  consistently  applied  his  system  of 
nomenclature  to  all  birds  known  to  him;  the  latter  is  his  completed  system,  as  it  finally 
left  his  hands;  and  from  tlicu  to  now,  zoologists  and  especially  ornithologists  have  dis- 
puted whether  1758  or  17GG  should  be  taken  as  the  starting-point  of  zoological  nomen- 
clature. In  ornithology,  the  matter  is  still  at  issue  between  the  American  and  the 
British  schools.  However  this  may  result,  the  fact  remains  that  during  this  "LinncDan 
period,"  1758  to  1766,  we  have  tlie  origin  of  all  the  tenable  specific  names  of  those  of 
our  birds  whicli  were  known  to  LiniiiKUS ;  the  gathering  up  and  methodical  digestion 
and  systematic  arrangement  of  all  tliat  had  gone  before.  Let  this  scant  decade  stand,  — 
mute  in  America,  but  eloquent  in  Sweden,  and  since  applauded  to  the  echo  of  the  world. 

Nor  is  this  all.  The  year  1760  saw  the  famous  "  Ornithologia  "  of  Mathurin  Jaccjues 
Brisson  (born  April  20,  1725  — dieil  Juno  23,  1806),  in  six  portly  quartos  with  261  fohled 
plates,  and  elaborate  descriptions  in  Latin  and  French  of  hundreds  of  birds,  a  fair  pro- 
portion of  which  are  North  American.  Many  aro  described  for  the  fii-st  time,  though 
unfortunately  not  in  the  binomial  nomenclature.  The  work  holds  permanent  place ; 
and  most  of  the  original  descriptions  of  Brisson's  are  among  the  surest  bases  of  Linna;au 
species. 

(1700-1785.) 
The  Forsterian  Period.  —  Nearly  twenty  years  have  now  elapsed  with  so  little  in- 
cident that  two  brochures  determine  the  complexion  of  this  period.  John  Reinhold 
Forster  was  a  learned  and  able  man,  whose  connection  with  North  American  ornithology 
is  interesting.  In  1771  he  published  a  tract,  now  very  scarce  and  of  no  consequence 
whatever,  entitled  "A  Catalogue  of  the  Animals  of  North  America."  But  it  was  the 
first  attempt  to  do  anytliing  of  the  sort,  —  in  short,  the  first  thing  of  its  kind.  It  gives 
.302  birds,  neither  described  nor  even  named  scientifically.  But  that  was  a  large  num- 
ber of  North  American  birds  to  even  mention  in  those  days,  —  more  than  Wilson  gave 
in  1814.  Forster  followed  up  this  exploit  in  1772  with  an  interesting  and  valuable 
account  of  58  birds  from  Hudson's  Bay,  occupying  some  fifty  pages  of  the  "Philosophical 
Transactions."  Several  of  these  birds  were  new  to  science,  and  were  formally  named,  — 
such  as  our  White- throated  Sparrow,  Black-poll  Warbler,  Hudsonian  Titmouse,  and 
Eskimo  Curlew.  Aside  from  its  intrinsic  merit,  this  paper  is  notable  as  the  first  formal 
treatise  exclusively  devoted  to  a  collection  of  North  American  birds  sent  abroad.  The 
period  is  otherwise  marked  by  tiie  publication  in  1780  of  Fabricius'  "  Fauna  Groenlandica," 
in  which  some  50  birds  of  Greenland  receive  attention  ;  and  especially  by  the  appearance 
of  a  groat  statesman  and  one  of  the  Presidents  of  the  United  States  in  the  role  of  orni- 
thologist, Thomas  Jefferson's  "Notes  on  the  State  of  Virginia"  having  been  first  pri- 


mi 


HISTORICAL  PREFACE 


m 


vately  printed  in  Paris  in  1782,  though  the  authorized  publication  was  not  till  1787. 
It  coutaina  a  Hst  of  77  birds  of  Virginia,  fortified  witli  I'eferences  to  Catesby,  Linnmus, 
and  Brisson,  as  tiie  autlior's  authorities.     Tliere  were  many  editions,  one  dating  1853. 

The  long  publication  in  France  of  one  of  the  monumental  works  on  general  orni- 
thology coincides  very  nearly  witli  this  period  1  refer  of  course  to  Bulibn  and  hia 
collaborators.  The  "  Histoire  Naturelic  des  Oiseaux,"  by  Butfon  and  Montbeillard,  dates 
in  its  original  edition  1770-1783,  being  in  nine  quarto  volumes  with  264  plain  plates. 
It  forms  a  part  of  tiie  gmnd  set  of  volumes  dating  1749-1804  in  their  original  editions. 
With  the  nine  bird-volumes  are  associated  the  magnificent  series  of  colored  plates  known 
as  the  "Planches  Enluminces,"  published  in  42  fascicles  from  1765  to  1781.  The 
plates  are  1008  in  number,  of  which  973  represent  birds. 

(1785-1791.) 

The  Pennantian  Period.  — A  great  landmark  —  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  of  the 
last  century  —  was  set  up  with  the  appearance  in  1 785  of  the  second  volume  of  Tliomas 
Pennant's  "Arctic  Zoology."  The  whole  work,  in  tliree  quarto  volumes  with  many 
plates,  1784-1787,  was  "designed  as  a  sketch  of  the  Zoology  of  North  America." 
In  this  year,  also,  John  Latham  completed  the  third  volume  (or  sixth  part)  of  his 
"General  Synopsis  of  Birds."  These  two  great  works  have  nnich  in  comm.on,  in  so  far 
as  a  more  restricted  treatise  can  be  compared  with  a  more  comprehensive  one ;  and  in 
the  history  of  our  subject  the  names  of  Latham  and  Pennant  are  linked  as  closely  as 
those  of  Catesby  and  Edwards.  The  parallel  may  bo  drawn  still  further ;  for  neither 
Pennant  nor  Latham  (up  to  the  date  in  mention)  used  binomial  names ;  their  species 
had  consequently  no  standing;  but  they  furnished  to  Gmelin  in  1788  the  same  bases 
of  formally-named  .species  of  the  thirteenth  edition  of  the  "  Systema  Natune,"  that 
Catesby  and  Edwards  had  afforded  Linnii3us  in  1758  and  1766.  Pennant  treated  up- 
wards of  500  nniuiiial  species  of  North  American  Birds.  The  events  at  large  of  this  brief 
but  important  period  were  the  progress  of  Latham's  Supplement  to  his  Synopsis,  the  first 
volume  of  which  appeared  in  1787,  though  the  second  was  not  completed  till  1801  ;. 
the  appearance  in  1790  of  Latham's  "  Index  Ornithologicus,"  in  which  his  birds  receive 
Latin  names  in  due  form ;  and  the  publication  in  1 788  of  the  thirteenth  edition  of  the 
"Systema  Naturcc,"  as  just  said. 

We  are  so  accustomed  to  see  "  Linn."  and  "  Gm."  after  the  names  of  our  longest- 
known  birds  that  we  almost  unconsciously  acquire  the  notion  that  Linnreus  and  Gmelin 
were  great  discoverers  or  describers  of  birds  in  those  days.  But  the  men  who  made 
North  American  ornithology  what  it  was  during  the  last  century  were  Catesby, 
Eilwards,  Forster,  Pennant,  Latham,  and  Bartram.  For  "  the  illustrious  Swede  "  was  in 
(his  case  little  more  than  a  methodical  cataloguer,  or  systematic  indexer ;  while  his  editor, 
Gmelin,  was  merely  an  industrious,  indiscriminate  compiler  and  transcriber.  Neither  of 
these  men  ducovered  anything  to  speak  of  in  this  connection. 


(1701-1800.) 

The  Bartramian  Period.  —  William  Bartram's  figure  in  the  events  we  are  sketching 
is  a  notable  one,  —  rather  more  on  account  of  his  bearing  upon  Wilson's  subsequent  ca- 
wep  than  of  his  own  actual  achievements.     Wilson  is  often  called  the  "  father  of  Ameri- 


HISTORICAL  PREFACE. 


XVU 


till  1787. 

Linnoius, 

1853. 
aeral  orni- 
II  and  his 
larcl,  dates 
ain  plates, 
d  editions, 
tes  known 
781.     The 


nous  of  the 

of  Thomas 

with  many 

America." 

art)  of  his 

>n,  in  so  far 

uc ;  and  in 

.s  closely  as 

for  neither 

lieir  species 

same  bases 

.tune,"  that 

treated  up- 

Df  this  brief 

sis,  the  lirst 

till  1801  ; 

lirds  receive 

ition  of  tlie 

)ur  longest- 
md  Gmelin 

who  made 
■e  Catesby, 
de "  was  in 
!  his  editor, 

Neither  of 


)  sketching^ 
lequent  ca- 
•  of  Ameri- 


can ornithology ; "  if  this  designation  be  apt,  then  Bartram  may  be  styled  its  godfather. 
Few  are  fully  aware  how  mucii  Wilson  owed  to  Bartram,  his  "guide,  philosopher,  and 
friend,"  who  published  in  1 79 1  his  "  Travels  through  North  and  South  Carolina,"  con- 
taining much  ornithological  matter  that  was  novel  and  valuable,  including  a  formal 
catalogue  of  the  birds  of  the  Eastern  United  States,  in  which  many  species  are  named 
as  new.  I  have  always  contended  that  those  of  his  names  which  are  identifiable  are 
available,  though  Bartram  frequently  lapsed  from  strict  binomial  propriety ;  and  the 
question  furnishes  a  bone  of  contention  to  this  day.  Many  birds  which  Wilson  first 
fully  described  and  figured  were  really  named  by  Bartram,  and  several  of  the  latter's 
designations  were  simply  adopted  by  Wilson,  who,  in  relation  to  Bartram,  is  as  the 
broader  and  clearer  stream  to  its  principal  tributary  affluent.  The  notable  "  Travels," 
freighted  with  its  unpretending  yet  almost  portentous  bird-matter,  went  through  several 
editions  and  at  least  two  translations ;  and  I  consider  it  the  starting-point  of  a  distinctively 
American  school  of  ornithology. 

We  have  seen,  in  several  earlier  periods,  that  men's  names  appear  in  pairs,  if  not 
also  as  mates.  Thus,  Catesby  and  Edwards ;  Linmeus  and  Gmelin ;  Pennant  and 
Latham ;  and,  perhaps,  Buffon  and  Brisson.  The  Bartramian  alter  ego  is  not  Wilson, 
but  Barton,  whose  "Fragments  of  the  Natural  History  of  Pennsylvania,"  1799,  closed 
the  period  which  Bartram  had  opened,  and  with  it  the  century  also.  Benjamin  Smith 
Barton's  tract,  a  folio  now  very  scarce,  is  doubly  a  "  fragment,"  being  at  once  a  work 
never  finished,  and  very  imperfect  as  far  as  it  went ;  but  it  is  one  of  the  most  notable 
special  treatises  of  the  last  century,  and  I  think  the  first  book  published  in  this  country 
that  is  entirely  devoted  to  ornithology.  But  its  author's  laurels  must  rest  mainly  upon 
this  count,  for  its  influence  or  impression  upon  the  course  of  events  is  scarcely  to  be  rec- 
ognized, —  is  incomparably  less  than  tliat  made  by  Bartftim's  "  Travels,"  and  by  his 
raentorship  of  Wilson. 

By  the  side  of  Bartmra  and  Barton  stand  several  lesser  figures  in  the  picture  of  this 
period.  Jeremy  Belknap  treated  the  birds  of  New  Hampshire  in  his  "  History  "  of  that 
state  (1792).  Samuel  Williams  did  like  service  for  those  of  Vermont  in  his  "History" 
(1794).  Samuel  Hearne,  a  pioneer  ornithologist  in  the  northerly  parts  of  America,  fore- 
shadowed, as  it  were,  the  much  later  "  Fauna  Boreali-Americaua  "  in  the  narrative  of  his 
journey  from  Hudson's  Bay  to  the  Northern  Ocean  —  a  stout  quarto  published  in  1795. 
Here  a  chapter  of  fifty  pages  is  devoted  to  about  as  many  species  of  birds ;  and  Hearue's 
observations  have  a  value  which  "  time,  the  destroyer,"  has  not  yet  wholly  efl'aced. 

The  Wilsonian   Epoch:   1800-1824. 
(1800-1808.) 

The  Vieillotian  Period.  —  As  we  round  the  turn  of  the  century  a  great  work  occupies 
the  opening  years,  before  the  appearance  of  Wilson,  —  a  work  by  a  foreigner,  a  French- 
man, almost  unknown  to  or  ignored  by  his  contemporaries  in  America,  although  he  was 
already  the  author  of  several  illustrated  works  on  ornithology  when,  in  1807,  his  "  Histoire 
Naturelle  des  Oiseaux  de  I'Am^rique  Septentrionale  "  was  completed  in  two  large  folio 
volumes,  containing  more  than  a  hundred  engravings,  with  text  relating  to  several  hun- 
dred species  of  birds  of  North  America  and  the  West  Indies ;  many  of  them  figured  for 


I 


XVIU 


HISTORICAL  PliEl'ACE. 


the  first  time,  or  entirely  new  to  scioiico.  This  work,  bearing  much  tho  same  relation 
to  its  times  tiiat  Catcsby's  ami  Edwards'  rcspoctivuly  diil  to  tiieirs,  is  said  to  have  been 
published  in  twenty-two  parts  of  six  plates  each,  probably  during  several  years ;  but  tho 
date  of  its  inception  I  have  never  been  able  to  ascertain.  However  this  may  be,  Vieillot 
alone  and  completely  tills  a  jieriod  of  eij^dit  years,  .luring  wliich  no  other  notable  or  even 
nientionable  treatise  njion  Nortii  American  birds  saw  the  light.  Vieillot's  ease  is  an 
exceptional  one.  As  tho  author  of  numerous  splendidly  illustinited  works,  all  of  which 
live;  of  a  system  of  ornitiiology,  most  of  the  generic  names  contained  in  which  are 
ingrained  in  the  science ;  of  very  extensive  encyelopajdic  work  in  which  hundreds  of 
species  of  birds  receive  new  technical  names:  Vieillot  has  a  fame  which  time  rather 
brightens  than  obscures.  Yet  it  is  to  be  feared  tliat  the  wm-ld  was  unkind  during  his 
lifetime.  At  Paris,  lie  stood  in  tlr  shadow  of  t'uvier's  great  name;  Temminck  assailed 
him  from  Holland ;  while,  as  to  his  work  upon  our  birds,  many  years  passed  before  it 
was  appreciated  or  in  any  way  adequately  recognized.  Thus,  singularly,  so  great  a  work 
as  the  "Histoire  Naturelle"  —  one  absoluti-ly  characteristic  of  a  period — luid  no  appre- 
ciable effect  upon  tho  course  of  events  till  long  after  the  times  that  saw  its  birth,  when 
Cassin,  Baird,  and  others  brought  Vieillot  into  proper  perspective.  There  is  so  little 
trace  of  Vieillot  during  the  Wilsonian  and  Audubonian  epochs,  that  his  "  Hirds  of  North 
America "  may  almost  be  said  to  have  slept  for  half  a  century.  But  to-day,  the  solitary 
figure  of  the  Vieillotian  period  stands  out  in  bold  relief. 

(180H-1S24.) 

The  Wilsonian Period.  —  Tho  " Paisley  weaver ; "  the  "Scotch  pedler;"  the  "melan- 
choly poet-naturalist ;"  tho  "  father  of  American  ornithology,"  —  strange  indeed  are  the 
guises  of  genius,  yet  strangei'  its  disguises  in  the  epithets  by  which  we  attempt  to  label 
and  pigeon-hole  that  thing  which  has  no  name  but  its  own,  no  place  but  its  own.  Alex- 
ander Wilson  had  genius,  and  not  much  of  anything  else  —  very  little  learning,  scarcely 
any  money,  not  many  friends,  and  a  paltry  share  of  "  tho  world's  regard  "  while  he  lived. 
But  genius  brings  a  message  which  men  must  hear,  and  never  tire  of  hearing ;  it  is 
the  word  that  comes  when  the  passion  that  conceives  is  wedded  with  the  patience  that 
achieves.  Wilson  was  a  poet  by  nature,  a  naturalist  by  force  of  circumstances,  an  Ameri- 
can ornithologist  by  mere  accident,  —  that  is,  if  anything  can  be  accidental  in  the  life  of 
a  man  of  genius.  As  a  poet,  he  missed  greatness  by  those  limitations  of  passion  which 
seem  so  sad  and  so  unaccountable  ;  as  the  naturalist,  he  achieved  it  by  the  patience  that 
knew  no  limitation  till  death  interposed.  As  between  the  man  and  his  works,  the  very 
touchstone  of  genius  is  there  ;  for  the  man  was  greater  than  all  his  works  are.  Genius 
may  do  that  which  satisfies  all  men,  but  never  that  which  satisfies  itself ;  for  its  inspira- 
tion is  infinite  and  divine,  its  accomplishment  finite  and  human.  Such  is  the  penalty 
of  its  possession. 

Wilson  made,  of  course,  the  epoch  in  which  his  work  appeared,  and  I  cannot  restrict 
tho  Wilsonian  period  otherwise  than  by  giving  to  Vieillot  liis  own.  The  period  of  Wil- 
son's actual  authorship  was  brief;  it  began  in  September,  1808,  when  the  first  volume  of 
the  "  American  Ornithology  "  appeared,  and  was  oit  short  by  death  before  the  work  was 
finished.  Wilson,  having  been  born  July  6,  1766,  and  come  to  America  in  1794,  died 
August  23,  1813,  when  his  seventh  volume  was  finished;  the  eighth  and  ninth  being 


HISTORICAL  PREFACE. 


xix 


no  relation 

have  boeu 
rs ;  but  tlio 
be,  Vieillot 
bio  or  even 

case  is  uii 
1  of  which 

which  ure 
miulrtids  of 
tiiuo  ratlior 

luring  his 
ick  iissailod 
(1  boforo  it 
reat  a  work 
'  no  apj)ro- 
birth,  when 
is  so  little 
(Is  of  Xorth 
tho  solitary 


the  "  niclan- 
leed  are  the 
mpt  to  label 
iwn.  Alox- 
ing,  scarcely 
lilo  he  lived. 
!aring ;  it  is 
>atienco  that 
8,  an  Aiueri- 
n  the  life  of 
ission  which 
)atienco  that 
ks,  tho  very 
ire.  Genius 
r  its  inspira- 
the  penalty 

nnot  restrict 
sriod  of  Wil- 
3t  volume  of 
;ie  work  was 
1794,  died 
ninth  being 


completed  in  1814  by  his  friend  and  editor,  tteorgo  Ord.  Hut  from  this  time  to  1824. 
when  Bonaparte  began  to  write,  the  rci^'uing  work  was  still  Wilson's,  nothing  iippcaiiiig 
during  these  years  to  alter  tlie  comploxiou  of  American  ornithohigy  apiireciably.  \\  ii- 
sun's  name  overshadows  nearly  tlio  wholo  epoch,  —  not  tiiat  others  wore  not  tlicn  ^;ri'al, 
but  that  ho  was  so  much  greater.  This  author  treated  about  2f<0  species,  giving  failhl'ul 
descriptions  of  all,  and  colored  illustrations  of  most  of  them.  Tliere  are  numerous 
editions  of  his  work,  of  which  the  i)rincipal  are  Urd's,  1828-"29,  in  three  volumes  ; 
Jameson's,  1831,  in  four;  Jardine's,  18;}2,  in  three;  and  Brewer's,  1840,  in  one;  all 
tpf  those,  excepting  of  course  the  lirst  one,  containing  Bonaparte's  "American  Orni- 
thology "  and  other  matter  foreign  to  tho  original  "  Wilson."  In  1814,  Just  as  "  Wilson" 
was  linished,  appeared  tho  history  of  the  memorable  ex|)e(lition  under  Lewis  and  Clarke 
—  an  expedition  which  furnished  some  material  to  Wilson  himself,  as  witness  Lewis' 
Woodpecker,  Clarke's  Crow,  and  tho  "Louisiana"  Tanager;  ami  more  to  Ord,  who  con- 
tributed to  tho  second  edition  of  "(lutlirie's  ( leography  "  an  article  ujinn  ornithology. 
Ord's  prominence  in  this  science,  however,  rests  mainly  upon  his  connection  with  Wilson's 
work,  as  already  noted.  Near  the  close  of  the  AVilsonian  period,  'J'homas  Say  ga\o  ua 
important  notices  of  Western  birds,  upon  the  basis  of  material  acquired  through  Long's 
Expedition  to  the  Kocky  Jlountains,  tho  account  of  which  ap]ieared  in  1823.  In  this 
work,  Say  described  sundry  species  of  birds  new  to  science ;  but  ho  was  rather  an  ento- 
mologist than  an  ornithologist,  and  his  imprint  upon  our  subject  is  scarcely  to  be  found 
outside  tho  volume  just  named.  A  noted  —  some  might  say  rather  notorious  —  character 
appeared  upon  the  scene  during  this  period,  in  the  person  of  C.  S.  Hatinosque,  who  seems 
to  have  been  a  genius,  l)ut  one  so  awry  that  it  is  difhcult  to  do  aught  else  than  mis- 
understand him,  unless  we  confess  that  we  scarcely  understand  him  at  all.  In  tho 
elegant  vernacular  of  tho  present  day  he  would  bo  called  a  crank ;  but  I  presume  that 
term  means  that  kind  of  genius  which  fails  of  interpretation  ;  for  an  unsuccessful  genius 
is  a  crank,  and  a  successful  crank  is  a  genius.  For  tho  rest,  the  Wilsonian  period  was 
marked  by  great  activity  in  Arctic  exploration,  in  connection  with  tho  ornithological 
results  of  which  appear  prominently  the  names  of  William  R  Leach  and  Edward 
Saldino. 

As  illustrating  the  relation  between  Wilson  and  Bartram,  which  I  have  already 
pointedly  mentioned,  I  may  quote  a  few  lines  from  Ord's  "Life  of  Wilson."' 

'  "  His  RchooI-hftiiRO  anil  residence  being  but  a  short  illstanco  from  Bartram's  Botanic  Garden,  sltnate<l  on 
the  west  bank  of  the  Scliiiylktll:  a  seqtiestereil  spot,  pOHKcssiiii;  attrnoMons  of  no  onllniirv  kind ;  an  aoqiinlntance 
was  soon  contracted  with  that  renerablu  naturalist,  Mr.  William  liartrnni,  which  grew  Into  an  uncommon  friend- 
ship, and  continued  without  the  least  abatement  until  severed  by  death.  Hero  it  was  that  Wilson  found  him- 
self translated,  If  wo  niay  so  speak,  Into  a  new  existence,  lie  bad  long  been  a  lover  of  the  works  of  Nature,  and 
bad  <lerived  more  hapi>incKs  from  the  contemplation  of  her  simple  beauties,  than  from  any  other  source  of  gratifi- 
cation. But  he  bad  hitherto  been  a  mere  novice  ;  he  was  now  about  to  receive  Instructions  from  one  whom  the 
experiences  of  a  long  life,  spent  in  travel  and  rural  retirement,  bad  rendered  qunllfied  to  teach.  Mr.  Bartram 
soon  perceived  the  bent  of  his  frlcml's  mind,  and  Its  congeniality  to  his  own;  and  timk  every  pains  to  encourage 
him  in  a  study,  which,  while  it  oxpiinds  the  f  icultles,  and  purities  tho  heart.  Insensibly  leads  to  the  contemplation 
of  the  glorious  Author  of  Nature  himself.  From  his  youth  Wilson  had  been  an  observer  of  the  manners  of  birds ; 
and  since  his  arrival  In  America  he  lia<l  found  thera  objects  of  uncommon  Interest;  but  he  had  not  yet  viewed 
them  with  the  eye  of  a  naturalist." 

This  was  about  1800  —  rather  a  little  later.  Wilson's  "  novitiate  "  was  the  Vlcillotlan  period,  almost  exactly. 
Bartram  survived  till  July  22,  ISL'3,  bis  eighty-fourth  year;  the  date  of  his  death  thug  coinciding  very  nearly  with 
the  close  of  the  Wllsouian  epoch  and  period. 


n 


HISTOHICA  L  PliEFA  CE. 


[ 


'?■. 


TiiK  AuDi'DONiAN   Kpocii  :   1824-1853. 
(|H3t-l831.) 

The  ririnapiirtifiti  Perio'l.  —  A  iiiiiinly  iicisni,  dL-stiiifid  to  die  one  of  tho  most 
famous  (>f  iiiDdcrii  iiatiirulist.s  — Cliaflcs  l.iicii'ii  Honiiiwrtc,  uarly  conceived  and  executed 
tilt)  plan  of  continuing  Wilson's  work  in  similar  style,  if  not  in  tlio  samo  spirit.  Ho 
be^ian  by  pul)lialiing  a  series  of  "  Ob.servations  (in  tlie  Nomenclature  of  AVilson's  Orni- 
tholofiy,"  in  tim  "Journal "of  tliu  riiilad.'lpbia  Academy,  1824-25,  repnbiislied  in  an 
octavo  vdiiime,  lH2(i.  Tliis  valuable  critical  commentary  introduced  a  new  feature, — 
decided  clinnges  in  numenciatuve  resulting  from  tiie  sil'linj,'  and  rectification  of  synonymy. 
It  is  here  that  questions  of  synonymy  —  to-clay  tiie  bane  and  drudgery  of  the  working 
naturalist  —  first  accpiiro  prominfinu  in  tiio  iiistory  of  our  special  subject.  Tiiere  had 
been  very  little  of  it  licforc,  and  Wilson  himself,  tho  least  "bookisli"  of  men,  gave  it 
scarcelv  any  attentinn.  iinnaparte  also  in  182.')  added  several  species  to  our  fauna  upon 
material  collected  in  Florida  by  the  now  venerable  Titian  R.  Peale,  —  whose  hoiioreil 
name  is  thus  tho  first  of  those  of  men  still  living  to  appear  in  these  annals.  Bonaparte's 
"■\incrican  Ornithologj',"  uniform  with  "Wilson,"  and  gonemlly  incoqiorated  tiierewith 
in  snbse(|uent  editions,  as  a  continuation  of  Wilson's  work,  was  originally  published  in 
four  large  (piarto  volumes,  running  182.'')-.1.3.  Tho  year  1827,  in  the  midst  of  this  work 
of  Bonaparte's,  was  a  notable  one  in  several  ]iarticu]ars.  Bonaparte  himself  was  very  busy, 
producing  a  "  Catalogue  of  tlie  Binls  of  tlii'  I'nited  States,"  which,  with  a  "  .Supplement," 
raised  tli(!  number  of  species  to  'MCt,  ami  of  genera  to  8.3 ;  nearly  a  hundred  species 
having  been  thus  become  known  to  us  since  Ord  laid  aside  tho  pen  that  Wilson  had 
dropped.  William  Swainson  tlie  same  year  described  a  ntuiiber  of  new  Mexican  sjiecies 
and  gf^nera,  many  of  which  como  also  into  tho  "North  American"  fauna.  But  tho  most 
notable  event  of  the  year  was  tho  appearance  of  the  first  five  parts  of  Audubon's  elephant 
folio  plates.  In  1828-29,  as  may  also  bo  noted,  Ord  brought  out  his  three-vol.  Svo 
etlition  of  Wilson.  In  1828,  Bonaparte  ret\irnod  to  tho  charge  of  systematically  cata- 
logiiing  tho  birds  of  North  America,  giving  now  ,382  species ;  and  about  this  time  he 
also  produced  a  comparative  list  of  the  birds  of  Rome  and  Philadelphia.  His  main 
work  having  been  completed  in  1833,  as  just  said,  Bonaparte  continued  his  labora  with 
a  "  Oeographical  and  fomparative  List  of  the  Birds  of  Europe  and  North  America," 
published  in  London  in  1838.  This  brochure  gives  503  European  and  471  American 
species.  The  celebrated  zoologist  wrote  until  18.')7,  but  his  connection  with  North 
American  birds  was  only  incidental  after  1838.  Tho  period  hei-e  assigned  him,  1824- 
1831,  may  seem  too  short;  but  this  was  the  opening  of  the  Audubonian  epoch  —  a 
period  of  brilliant  inception,  and  one  in  which  events  that  were  soon  to  mature  their 
splendid  fruit  came  crowding  fast ;  so  that  room  nmst  bo  made  at  once  for  others  who 
were  early  in  tho  present  epoch. 


(1831-1832.) 

The  Swaintonio-Richanhoman  Period.  —  The  "  Fauna  Boreali-Americana,"  the 
ornithological  volume  of  which  was  published  in  1831,  made  an  impression  so  indelible 
that  a  period,  albeit  a  brief  one,  must  be  put  here.     The  teclmic  of  this  celebrated 


HISTORICAL  PliEFAVK. 


XXI 


f  tho  most 

il  executed 

spirit.     Ho 

.sun's  Orni- 

slied  in  tin 

feiiturn,  — 

synonymy. 

lie  working,' 

Tiiere  liiul 

nen,  gnvo  it 

■  fiiunu  upon 

oso  honored 

Honuparte's 

il  therewith 

lublislied  in 

of  this  worlt 

IS  very  busy, 

•upph'mcnt," 

idred  species 

.  Wilson  had 

xican  sprcies 

But  tho  most 

on's  elephant 

hree-vol.  8vo 

latically  cata- 

this  timo  ho 

1.     His  main 

is  labors  with 

th  America," 

t71  American 

with  North 

I  him,  1824- 

\\\  epoch  —  a 

mature  their 

or  others  who 


ericana,"  the 
n  so  indelible 
lis  celebrated 


treatise,  moro  valuable  for  its  descriptions  of  now  species  and  (»enera  than  for  its  methods 
of  classification,  was  by  William  Swuin.son,  as  were  tho  elegant  and  accunitn  colured 
plates;  tho  biographical  matter,  l)y  Dr.  (later  Sir)  John  Richardson,  increased  our  knowl- 
edge of  tho  life-history  of  tho  northerly  birds  so  largely,  that  it  became  a  fountain  of 
fatits  to  bo  drawn  upon  by  nearly  every  writer  of  prominence  from  that  day  to  this. 
I'ju'h  of  the  distinguished  authors  had  previously  appeared  in  connection  with  our  birds, 
—  Swainsim  as  above  said;  IJiehardson  in  182."),  in  tho  appendix  to  Captain  Parry's 
"Journal."     Tho  influence  of  the  work  on  the  whole  cannot  be  well  overstated. 

Two  events,  besides  the  appearance  of  tho  "  Tauna,"  mark  the  year  1831.  One  of 
these  is  the  i>ublication  of  tho  first  volume  of  Audubon's  "  Ornitludogical  IJiography," 
being  tho  beginning  of  tho  text  belonging  to  his  great  folio  plates.  Tho  other  is  tho 
coiuphttion  of  tho  bird-volumes  of  I'cter  Pallas'  famous  "  Zoographia  Posso-Asiatica," 
one  of  the  most  important  contributions  ever  made  to  our  subject,  treating  so  largely 
as  it  does  of  tho  birds  of  the  region  now  called  Alaska.  The  same  year  saw  al&u  the 
Jameson  edition  of  "  Wilson  and  Bonapurt(!." 

(1832- 1H34.) 

The  Xuttallian  Period. — Thomas  Nuttall  (born  1 780 — died  18.')9)  was  rather  botanist 
than  ornithologist ;  but  tho  travels  of  this  distinguished  English-.Vnierican  naturalist 
made  him  tho  personal  ac(piaintance  of  many  of  our  birds,  his  love  for  which  bore  fruit 
in  his  "  Manual  of  the  Ornithology  of  the  United  States  and  ( "anada,"  of  which  the  first 
viilumc!  appeared  in  1832,  tho  second  in  1834.  Tlui  work  is  notable  as  the  first  "hand- 
book" of  tho  subject;  it  possesses  an  agreeable  flavor,  and  I  think  was  tho  first  formal 
treatise,  excepting  Wilson's,  to  pass  to  a  second  edition,  ns  it  did  in  1840.  Nuttall's 
name  is  permanent  in  our  annals ;  and  many  years  after  he  wrote,  the  honored  title  waa 
chosen  to  be  borne  by  tho  first  distinctivelj'  ornithological  association  of  this  (Miuntry,  — 
tho  "  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club,"  founded  at  Cambridge  in  1873,  and  still  flourishing. 

(1834-1853.) 
The  Auduhonian  Period.  —  Meanwhile,  tho  incomparable  work  of  Audubon  — 
"the  greatest  monument  erected  by  art  to  nature"  —  was  steadily  progressing.  The 
splendid  genius  of  the  man,  surmounting  every  difficulty  and  discouragement  of  the 
outhor,  had  found  and  claimed  its  own.  That  which  was  alwaj's  great  had  come  to  be 
known  and  named  as  such,  victorious  in  its  impetuous  yet  long-enduring  battle  with 
that  curse  of  the  world,  —  I  mean  tho  commonplace ;  the  commonplace,  with  which 
genius  never  yet  effected  a  compromise,  since  genius  is  necessarily  a  perpetual  menace 
to  mediocrity.  Audubon  and  his  work  were  one ;  he  lived  in  his  work,  and  in  his 
work  will  live  i».  -iver.  When  did  Audubon  die.  We  may  read,  indeed,  "on  Thurs- 
day morning,  January  27th,  1851,  when  a  deep  pallor  overspread  his  countenance.  .  .  . 
Then,  though  he  did  not  speak,  his  eyes,  which  had  been  so  long  nearly  quenched, 
rekindled  with  their  former  lustre  and  beauty ;  his  spirit  seemed  to  be  conscious  that 
it  was  approaching  the  Spirit-land."  And  yet  there  are  those  who  are  wont  to  exclaim, 
"  a  soul  I  a  soul !  what  is  that  1 "  Happy  indeed  are  they  who  are  conscious  of  its 
existence  in  themselves,  and  who  can  see  it  iu  others,  every  instant  of  time  during  their 
lives  1 


xxu 


HISTORICAL  PREFACE, 


! 

i 


,'- 


Audubon's  first  publication,  perhaps,  was  in  1826,  — an  account  of  the  Turkey- 
buzzard,  in  the  "  P^ilinburgh  New  riiilosophical  Journal,"  and  some  other  minor  notices 
came  from  his  pen.  But  his  energies  were  already  focused  on  his  life-work,  with  that 
intense  and  perfect  absorption  of  self  whicli  only  genius  knows.  The  first  volume  of 
the  magnificent  folio  plates,  an  hundred  in  number,  appeared  in  1827-30,  in  five  parts ; 
the  second,  in  1831-3-1,  of  tlie  same  number  of  plates;  the  third,  in  1834-35,  likewise 
of  the  same  number  of  plates ;  the  whole  series  of  4  volumes,  87  parts,  435  plates  and 
10G5  figures  of  birds,  being  completed  in  June,  1839.  Meanwhile,  the  text  of  the 
"  Birds  of  America,"  entitled  "  Ornitliological  Biography,"  was  steadily  progressing,  the 
first  of  these  royal  octavo  volumes  appearing  in  1831,  the  fifth  and  last  in  1839.  In 
this  latter  year  also  appeared  the  "  (Synopsis  of  the  Birds  of  North  America,"  a  single 
liandv  volume  serving  as  a  sj'stematic  index  to  the  whole  work.  In  1840-44  appeared 
the  standard  octavo  e<litiou  in  seven  volumes,  with  the  plates  reduced  to  octavo  size 
and  the  text  rearranged  systematically  ;  with  a  later  and  better  nomenclature  than  that 
given  iu  the  "  Ornithological  Biography,"  and  some  other  changes,  including  an  appendix 
describing  various  \w\v  species  procured  during  the  author's  journey  to  the  upper  Mis- 
souri in  1843.  In  the  original  elephant  folios  there  were  435  plates  ;  with  the  reduction 
in  size  the  number  was  raised  to  483,  by  tiie  separation  of  various  figures  which  had 
previously  occupied  tlio  same  plate  ;  and  to  tiieso  1 7  new  ones  were  added,  making  500 
in  alL  The  species  of  birds  treated  in  the  "  Synopsis  "  are  491  in  number;  those  in  the 
work,  as  it  linally  left  the  illustrious  author's  hands,  are  50C  in  number,  nearly  all  of 
them  splendidly  figured  in  colors. 

In  estimating  the  influence  of  so  grand  an  accomplishment  as  this,  wo  must  not 
leave  Audubon  "  alone  in  his  glory."  Vivid  and  ardent  Wiis  his  genius ;  matchless 
ho  was  both  with  pen  and  pencil  in  giving  life  and  spirit  to  the  beautiful  objects  he 
delineated  with  passionate  love ;  but  there  was  a  strong  and  patient  worker  by  his  side,  — 
William  ^lacgillivray,  the  countryman  of  Wilson,  destined  to  lend  the  sturdy  Scotch 
fibre  to  an  Audubouiau  epoch.  Tlie  brilliant  French- American  naturalist  was  little  of 
a  "scientist."  Of  his  work,  the  magical  beauties  of  form  and  color  and  movement  are 
all  his ;  his  jiage  is  redolent  of  Nature's  fragrance :  but  Macgillivray's  are  the  bone  and 
sinew,  the  hidden  anat(jmical  parts  beneath  the  lovely  face,  the  nomenclature,  the 
classification,  —  in  a  word,  the  technicalities  of  the  science.  Not  that  Macgillivray  was 
only  a  closet-naturalist;  he  was  a  naturalist  in  the  best  sense — in  every  sense  —  of  the 
word,  and  the  "  vital  spark "  is  gleaming  all  through  his  works  upon  British  birds, 
showing  his  intense  and  loyal  love  of  Nature  in  all  her  moods.  But  his  place  in  the 
Audubonian  epoch  in  American  ornithology  is  as  has  been  said.  The  anatomical  struc- 
ture of  American  birds  was  first  disclosed  in  any  systematic  manner,  and  to  any  consider- 
able extent,  by  him.  But  only  to-day,  as  it  were,  is  this  most  important  department 
of  ornithology  assuming  its  rightful  place;  and  have  we  a  modern  Macgillivray  to 
come  ? 

The  sensuous  beauty  with  which  Audubon  endowed  the  object  of  his  life  was  long 
in  acquiring,  with  loss  of  no  comeliness,  the  aspect  more  strict  and  severe  of  a  later  and 
maturor  epoch.  Audubon  was  pmctically  accomplished  in  1844,  the  year  which  saw 
his  completed  work  ;  but  I  note  no  special  or  material  change  in  the  course  of  events,  — 
no  name  of  assured  prominence,  till  1853,  when  a  new  regime,  that  liad  meanwhile  been 


HISTORICAL  PREFACE. 


xxm 


he  Turkey- 
iuor  notices 

,  with  that 
volume  of 
1  five  parts ; 
35,  likewise 
jilates  and 
text  of  the 
pressing,  the 
1839.     In 

1,"  a  single 
44  ajipeared 

octavo  size 
re  than  that 
an  appendix 

upper  Mis- 
he  reduction 
s  which  liad 
making  500 
those  in  the 
nearly  all  of 

Wo  must  not 
s  ;  mateldess 
111  objects  lie 
y  his  side,  — 
tnrdy  Scotch 
Avas  little  of 
lovement  are 
the  bone  and 
nclature,  the 
igillivray  was 
inse  —  of  the 
British  birds, 
place  in  the 
omical  struc- 
any  consider- 
t  department 
icgiilivray  to 

life  was  long 
Df  a  later  and 
ir  which  saw 
of  events, — 
lanwhilo  been 


insensibly  established,  may  be  considered  to  have  closed  the  Andubonian  epoch,  —  the 
Auduhoniun  period  thus  extending  through  the  nine  years  after  1844. 

\Vhil<»  Audubon  was  finishing,  several  mentionuble  events  occurred.  I  have  already 
spoken  of  Bonaparte's  "List"  of  1838,  and  of  the  1840  edition  of  Nuttall's  "Manual." 
Kichardson  in  1837  contributed  to  the  Keport  of  the  Si.xth  Meeting  uf  the  British  Asso- 
ciation for  the  Advancement  of  Science  an  elaborate  and  important  "  Report  on  Xorth 
American  Zoology,"  relating  in  due  part  to  birds.  The  distinguished  Danish  naturalist, 
Keinhardt,  wrote  a  special  treatise  on  Greenland  Birds,  1838;  W.  B.  0.  Peabody  one 
upon  the  birds  of  Massachusetts,  1839.  The  important  Zoology  of  Captain  Boecliey's 
Voyage  appeared  in  1839,  with  the  birds  done  by  N.  A.  Vigors.  Maximilian,  Prince 
of  Wied,  published  his  "Reise  in  das  Innere  Nord-America  "  in  1839-41.  Sixteen  new 
species  of  birds  from  Texas  were  described  and  figured  by  J.  P.  Giraud  in  1841,  and 
tlie  same  author's  useful  "Birds  of  Long  Island"  was  published  in  1844.  This  year 
saw  also  the  bird-volume  of  De  Kay's  "  Zoology  of  New  York."  The  Rev.  J.  H.  Linsley 
furnished  a  notable  catalogue  of  tlio  birds  of  Connecticut  in  1843.  A  name  intimately 
associated  witli  Audubon's  is  that  of  J.  K.  Townsend,  wlioso  fruitful  travels  in  the 
West  in  company  with  Nuttall  in  1834  resulted  in  adding  to  our  list  the  many  new 
species  which  were  published  by  Townsend  himself  in  1837,  and  also  utilized  by 
Audubon.  Townsend's  "Narrative"  of  his  journey  appeared  in  1839;  and  the  same 
year  saw  the  beginning  of  a  large  work  which  Townsend  projected,  an  "  Ornithology 
of  tlie  United  States,"  which,  however,  progressed  no  further  than  one  part  or  number, 
being  killed  by  the  octavo  edition  of  Audubon.  In  1837  I  first  find  the  name  of  a 
friend  of  Audubon  which  often  appears  in  his  work  —  that  of  Dr.  Thomas  Mayi  Brewer, 
who  wrote  on  the  birds  of  ^lassaclmsetts  in  this  year,  and  in  1840  brought  out  his  use- 
ful and  convenient  duodecimo  editiou  of  "  Wilson,"  in  one  volume.  In  1844,  Audubon's 
last  effectual  year,  the  brothers  Wm.  M.  and  i?.  F.  Bairtl  appear,  with  a  list  of  the  birds 
of  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  having  the  year  previously,  in  July,  1843,  described  two  new 
species  of  flycatcliers,  in  the  first  paper  ever  written  by  the  one  who  was  to  make  the 
succeeding  e]joch ;  and  it  is  significant  that  the  last  bird  in  Audubon's  work  was  named 
"Emberiza  hairdii." 

Such  were  the  aspects  of  the  ornitl^ological  sky  as  the  glorious  Audubonian  sun 
approached  and  passed  the  zenith ;  still  more  significant  were  the  signs  of  the  times  as 
that  orb  neared  its  gohlen  western  horizon.  In  tiio  interval  between  1844  and  1853, 
Baird  and  Brewer  continued;  Cassin  and  Lawrence  appeared  in  various  papers;  and 
round  these  names  are  grouped  those  of  AVilliam  ( Jambel,  with  new  and  interesting  ob- 
servations in  the  Southwest ;  of  CJeorge  A.  McCall  and  S.  W.  Woodhouse,  in  tiie  same 
connection ;  and  of  HolbiiU  in  respect  of  Greenland  birds.  The  most  important  con- 
tributions were  the  several  papers  published  by  Gambel,  in  1845  and  subseiiueiitly,  and 
Baird's  Zoology  of  Stansbury's  Expedition,  1852.  But  no  period-marking,  still  less  epoch- 
making,  work  accelerated  the  setting  of  the  sun  of  Audubon. 

The  Bairdiax   Epoch:    1853-18—. 
(1853-1858.) 
The  Cassinian  Period.  —  W^hile  much  material  was  accumulating  from  the  explora- 
tion of  the  great  West,  and  the  Bairdian  period  was  rapidly  Hearing;  while  Brewer  and 


XXIV 


HISTORICAL  PREFACE. 


„> 


::i'^ 


{% 


Lawrence  were  continuing  their  studies  and  writings,  and  many  other  names  of  lesser 
note  were  contributing  their  several  shares  to  tlio  whole  result :  the  figure  of  John  Cassin 
stands  prominent.  Cassin  was  born  September  6,  1813,  and  passed  from  view  in  the 
Quaker  City,  January  10,  18G9.  Xumsrous  valuable  papers  and  several  important  works 
attest  the  assiduity  and  success  witli  which  he  cultivated  his  favorite  science  to  the  end 
of  his  days.  I  think  tiiat  his  iirst  paper  was  the  description  of  a  new  hawk,  Cymindis 
wilsoni,  in  1847.  Among  liis  most  important  works  are  the  Ornithology  of  the  Wilkes 
Exploring  Expedition  ;  of  tlic  Perry  Japan  Expedition ;  and  of  the  Gilliss  Expedition  to 
Chili.  Aside  from  his  strong  cooperation  witli  Baird  in  the  great  work  to  be  presently 
noticed,  Cassin's  seal  ia  set  upon  North  American  ornithology  in  the  beautiful  book 
begun  in  1853  and  finished  in  185G,  entitled  "Illustrations  of  the  Birds  of  California," 
etc.,  forming  a  large  octavo  volume,  illustrated  with  fifty  colored  plates.  His  distinc- 
tive place  in  ornitiiology  is  this :  he  was  the  only  ornitliologist  this  country  has  ever 
produced  who  was  as  familiar  with  the  birds  of  the  Old  World  as  with  those  of  America. 
Enjoying  the  facilities  of  the  then  unrivalled  collection  of  the  Philadelphia  Academy,  his 
monographic  studies  were  puslied  into  almost  every  group  of  birds  of  the  world  at 
large.  He  was  patient  and  laborious  in  the  technic  of  his  art,  and  full  of  book-learning 
in  tlie  history  of  his  subject ;  witli  tiio  result,  that  the  Cassiniau  ])eriod,  largely  by  the 
work  of  (Jassiu  himself,  is  marked  by  its  "bookishness,"  by  its  breadth  and  scope  in 
ornithology  at  large,  and  by  tiio  first  decided  change  since  Audubon  in  the  aspect  of  the 
classiliciition  and  nomenclature  of  the  birds  of  our  country.  The  Cassinian  period  marks 
tlie  cuhuination  of  the  changes  tiiat  wrought  the  fall  of  the  Audiibonian  sceptre  in  all 
that  relates  to  the  technicalities  of  tiio  science,  and  consequently  represents  the  beginning 
of  a  new  epoch. 

The  peers  of  this  period  are  only  three,  —  Lawrence,  Brewer,  and  Baird.  The  for- 
mer of  these,  already  an  eminent  ornitliologist,  continued  his  rapidly  succeeding  papers 
and  was  preparing  his  share  of  Baird 's  great  work  of  1858 ;  though  later  his  attention  be- 
came so  closely  fixed  upon  the  birds  of  Central  and  South  America,  that  a  "  Lawrencian 
period  "  is  to  \w.  found  in  the  history  of  the  ornithology  of  those  countries  rather  than 
of  our  own.  Dr.  Brewer's  various  articles  appeared,  and  in  1857  this  author,  so  well 
known  since  Audubonian  times,  became  the  recognized  leading  oblogist  of  North  America, 
through  the  publication  of  the  first  part  of  liis  "  Xorth  American  OiJlogy  "  —  a  work  unfor- 
tunately suspended  at  this  point.  Though  tluis  fragmentary,  this  quarto  volume  stands 
as  tlie  first  sj-stematio  treatise  published  in  thi.-i  country  exclusively  devoted  to  oology,  and 
giving  a  considerable  series  of  colored  illustrations  of  eggs.  But  a  larger  measure  of  the 
world's  regard  became  his  much  later,  when,  in  1874,  appeared  tlio  great  "  History  of  North 
American  Birds,"  in  tlireo  quarto  volumes,  all  the  biographical  matter  of  which  was  by 
him  ;  and,  even  as  I  write,  two  more  v<dumes  are  about  to  appear,  in  which  he  has  like 
large  sliare.  Tims  closely  is  tlio  name  of  Brewer  identified  with  the  progress  of  the 
science  for  nearly  half  a  century,  —  from  1837  at  least,  to  1884,  some  four  years  after  liis 
death,  which  occurred  January  23,  18S0.     He  was  born  in  Boston,  November  21,  1814. 

Baird  published  little  during  the  Cassiniau  period,  being  then  intent  upon  the  great 
work  about  to  ajipear ;  hut  tlic;  number  of  worlcors  in  special  fields  attests  the  activity 
S.  W.  Woodliouso  published  his  completed  observations  upon  the  birds 

Zadock  Thompson's  "  Natural  History 


of  the  times 

of  the  Soutliwest  in  an  illustrated  octavo  volume, 


fe\ 
en 
atl 
ap 


HISTORICAL  PBEFACE. 


XXV 


of  lesser 

lin  Cassin 

iW  in  the 

ant  works 

10  the  end 

Cymindis 

lie  Wilkes 

|)edition  to 

presently 

;iful  hook 

lalifornia," 

is  distinc- 

has  ever 

if  America. 

adeniy,  his 

world  at 

ok-learning 

foly  l>y  the 

1  scope  in 

poet  of  the 

jriod  marks 

ieptre  in  all 

B  beginning 

I.  The  for- 
ding papers 
ttentioii  be- 
Lawrencian 
rather  tlian 
iior,  so  well 
th  America, 
worlc  unfor- 
lumo  stands 
oology,  and 
isuro  of  the 
ry  of  North 
ich  was  hy 
ho  has  like 
ress  of  the 
irs  after  his 
r21,  1814. 
11  the  great 
;he  activity 
1  the  birds 
ral  History 


of  Vermont"  (1853)  paid  attention  to  the  birds  of  that  state.  Birds  of  Wisconsin  were 
crttidogueil  by  P.  K.  Hoy ;  of  Ohio,  by  M.  C.  Head  and  Robert  Kennicott ;  of  Hlinois,  by 
n.  Pratten  ;  of  Indiana,  by  It.  Haymond  ;  of  ilassachusetts,  by  F.  W.  Putnam ;  and 
various  otlier  "  fauual  lists  "  and  local  annotations  appeared,  including  President  Jeffer- 
son's Virginian  ornitliology,  three-quarters  of  a  century  out  of  date.  Dr.  T.  C.  Henry 
and  Dr.  A.  L.  Heermann  wrote  upon  birds  of  the  Southwest ;  Reinhardt  continued  ob- 
servations on  Greenland  birds;  Dr.  Henry  Bryant  published  some  valuable  papers. 
The  since  very  eminent  Englisli  oTuithologist,  Dr.  P.  L.  Sclater,  appeared  during  this 
period  in  the  present  connection.  The  series  of  Pacific  Railroad  Reports,  whicli  were 
to  culminate,  so  fiir  as  ornithology  is  concerned,  with  tlie  famous  nintli  volume,  were  in 
j)rogrcss ;  the  sixth  volume,  containing  Dr.  J.  S.  ^Newberry's  valuable  and  interesting 
article  upon  the  birds  of  California  and  Oregon,  was  published  in  1837.  Tims  the 
Cassinian  period,  besides  being  marked  as  already  said  in  its  broader  features,  was 
notable  in  its  details  for  the  increase  in  the  number  of  active  workers,  tlie  e.\teut  and 
variety  of  their  independent  observations,  and  the  consequent  accumulation  of  materials 
ready  to  be  worked  into  shape  and  system. 

(18.'>8-18— .) 
The  Bairdian  Period.  —  The  ninth  volume  of  the  "  Pacific  Railroad  Reports  "  was  an 
epoch-making  work,  bearing  the  same  relation  to  the  times  that  tl)e  respective  works 
of  Audubon  and  Wilson  had  sustained  in  former  years.  A  great  amount  of  materia]  — 
not  all  of  which  is  more  than  liinted  at  in  tlio  foregoing  paragraph  —  was  at  tlie  service 
of  Professor  Baird.  In  the  hands  of  a  less  methodical,  learned,  and  sagacious  naturalist, 
—  of  one  less  capalile  of  idaboratiir^  anil  systematizing,  — tlio  result  would  probably  have 
been  an  ordinary  official  report  upon  the  collections  of  birds  secured  during  a  few  years 
by  the  naturalists  of  the  several  explorations  and  surveys  for  a  railroad  route  from  the 
Mississippi  Valley  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  But  having  already  transformed  the  eighth 
volume  of  the  Reports  from  sucli  a  "  public  document "  into  a  systematic  treatise  on 
North  American  Mammals,  this  author  did  the  sanip  for  the  birds  of  North  America, 
with  tiie  cooperation  of  Cassin  and  Lawrence.  Tliis  portly  quarto  volume,  published  in 
ISoH,  represents  the  most  important  and  decided  single  stop  over  taken  in  North  Ameri- 
can ornithology  in  all  that  relates  to  the  technicalities  of  the  science.  It  effected  a 
revolution  —  one  already  imminent  in  consequence  of  Cassin's  studies  —  in  classification 
and  nomenclature,  nearly  all  the  names  of  our  birds  which  had  been  in  use  in  the 
Audubonian  epoch  being  changed  in  accordance  with  more  modern  usages  in  generic 
and  specific  determinations.  While  the  work  contains  no  biographical  matter,  —  nothing 
of  the  life-liistory  of  birds,  it  gives  lucid  and  exact  diagnoses  of  the  species  ai:d  genera 
known  at  the  time,  with  copious  synonj'my  and  critical  commentary.  Various  new 
genera  are  cliaracterized,  and  many  new  species  are  described.  The  influence  of  the 
great  work  was  iiniuediate  and  widespread,  and  for  many  years  the  list  of  names  of  tlie 
738  species  contained  in  the  work  remained  a  standard  of  nomenclature  from  which 
few  desired  or  indeed  were  in  position  to  deviate.  The  value  of  the  work  wi\s  further 
enhanced  in  1 860  by  its  republication,  identical  in  the  text,  but  with  the  addition  of  an 
atlas  of  100  colored  plates.  Many  of  these  plates  were  the  same  as  those  which  had 
appeared  in  other  volumes  of  tlie  Pacific  Railroad  Reports,  notably  the  sixth  and  :enth 


XXVI 


HISTOIilCAL  PREFACE. 


and  twelfth  (the  two  latter  vohinies  Imviiig  appeared  in  1859) ;  others  were  those  con- 
taiuod  iu  tlie  "  Mexican  Boundary  IJejHjrt "  which  had  appeared  under  Professor  Baird's 
editorship  in  1859;  about  half  of  tiieiu  were  new. 

I  liavo  spoken  of  the  collaboration  of  Cassin  and  Lawrence  in  the  production  of  this 
remarkable  treatise.  Considering  it  only  as  one  of  a  series  of  reports  upon  the  Pacific 
Bailroad  Surveys,  I  should  bring  into  somewhat  of  association  the  names  of  those  -who 
contributed  the  ornithological  portions  of  other  volumes,  as  the  fourth,  sixth,  tenth,  and 
twelfth,— Dr.  C.  B.  li.  Kcnnerly,  Dr.  J.  S.  >»'ewberry,  Dr.  A.  L.  Heerniann,  Dr.  J.  G. 
Cooper,  and  Dr.  Cieorgo  Suckley.  Nor  should  it  bo  forgotten  that  numberless  other  col- 
lectors and  contributors,  whose  specimens  are  catalogued  throughout  the  volume,  brcnight 
their  hands  to  bear  upon  the  erection  of  this  grand  monument. 

But  what  of  the  genius  of  this  work?  —  for  I  have  not  measured  my  words  in  speak- 
ing of  Wilson  and  Audubon.  Can  any  work  be  really  great  without  that  mysterious 
quality  ?  Certainly  not.  This  work  is  instinct  with  the  genius  of  the  times  that  saw 
its  birth.     This  work  is  the  spirit  of  an  epoch  emboiliod. 

But  here  I  must  pause.  My  little  sketch  is  brought  upon  the  tiireshold  of  contem- 
poraneous history,  — to  the  beginning  of  the  Bairdian  period,  of  the  close  of  which,  as 
of  the  duration  of  the  Bairdian  epoch,  it  is  not  for  me  to  speak.  When  the  splendid 
achievements  of  American  ornithologists  during  the  past  quarter  of  a  century  shall  be 
seen  in  historical  perspective ;  when  the  brilliant  possibilities  of  our  near  future 
shall  have  become  the  realizations  of  a  past;  when  the  glowing  names  that  went  before 
shall  have  fired  another  gencntidii  with  a  noble  zeal,  a  lofty  purpose,  and  a  generous 
emulation  —  then,  perhaps,  tiie  thread  here  dropped  may  be  recovered  by  another  hand. 


Yet  a  few  words  of  Preface  proper  to  the  present  work  appear  to  be  required.  Tiio 
original  edition  of  the  "Key"  was  published  in  October,  1872,  in  an  issue  of  about 
2,200  copies.  It  was  not  stereotyped,  and  has  been  for  some  years  entirely  out  of  print. 
It  formed  an  imperial  octavo  of  3(11  pages,  illustrated  with  238  woodcuts  in  the  text  and 
6  steel  plates.  It  was  designed  as  a  manual  or  text-book  of  North  American  Ornithology. 
To  meet  this  design,  the  Introduction  consisted  of  a  general  account  of  the  external 
characters  of  birds,  an  explanation  of  the  technical  terms  used  in  describing  them,  and 
some  exposition  of  the  loading  principles  of  classiiication  and  nomenclature.  An  artificial 
"  key "  or  analysis  of  the  genera,  constructed  upon  a  plan  found  practically  useful  in 
botany,  but  seldom  applied  to  zoology,  was  introduced,  to  enable  one  who  had  some 
knowledge  of  the  technical  terms  to  refer  a  given  spcnimen  to  its  proper  genus.  Then, 
in  the  body  of  the  work,  each  species  was  briefly  described,  with  indication  of  its 
geographical  distribution  and  references  to  several  leading  authorities.  The  families  and 
orders  of  North  American  birds  were  also  characterized,  and  a  synopsis  of  the  fossil  birds 
was  appended.  Tiie  work  introduced  many  decided  changes  in  classification  and  nomen- 
clature which  the  then  state  of  the  science  seemed  to  require,  and  systematically  recog- 
nized a  large  number  of  those  subspecies  or  geographical  races  whiish  are  now  indicated 
by  the  use  of  trinomial  nomenclature,  —  a  method  now  fully  established  and  recognized 
as  peculiar  to  the  "  American  school."     The  central  idea  of  the  treatise  was  to  enable  one 


HISTOBICAL  PREFACE. 


XX  VM 


those  con- 
issor  Baird's 

;tion  of  this 
tlie  Pacific 

f  tliose  who 
tenth,  and 

II,  Dr.  J.  G. 

ss  other  col- 

me,  brought 

Is  in  speak- 

inysterious 

les  that  saw 

1  of  contem- 
)f  which,  as 
he  sjdendid 
ury  shall  bo 
near  future 
went  before 
a  generous 
lother  hand. 


[uired.  Tho 
iue  of  about 
out  of  print, 
ihe  text  and 
Ornithology, 
the  external 
'j;  theiu,  and 
An  artificial 
ly  useful  in 
10  had  some 
nus.  Then, 
lation  of  its 
families  and 
B  fossil  birds 
and  nomen- 
(ically  recog- 
tvr  indicated 
I  recognized 
0  enable  one 


to  identify  and  label  his  specimens,  though  he  might  have  no  other  knowledge  of  orni- 
thology than  such  as  the  book  itself  gave  him.  I  have  been  given  to  understand  that 
tho  work  has  answered  its  purpose,  and  has  had  a  useful  career ;  and  I  have  long  since 
been  advised  by  my  esteemed  publishers  that  they  were  ready  to  issue  a  second  edition, 
which  I  have  only  just  now  found  time  to  complete. 

The  present  edition  of  the  "  Key  "  is  conceived  in  the  same  spirit  as  the  former  one, 
to  fulfil  precisely  tho  same  purpose.  But  it  has  been  entirely  rewritten,  and  is  quite 
another  work,  though  the  old  title  is  preserved.  An  author  who  practises  his  profession 
diligently  for  twenty  years  is  apt  to  find  fault  with  his  first  book,  and  seek  to  remedy 
its  defects  when  opportunity  offers.  It  has  become  quite  clear  to  me,  as  it  doubtless  has 
to  others,  that  the  old  "  Key  "  no  longer  turns  in  the  lock  with  ease  and  precision,  —  not 
that  it  has  rusted  from  disuse,  but  that  the  more  comi)licated  mechanism  of  the  lock  re- 
(juires  its  key  to  be  refitted.  During  no  previous  period  has  our  knowledge  gone  faster 
or  farther  or  more  surely  than  in  the  interval  between  the  two  editions  of  the  "  Key  ;" 
there  are  scores  of  active  and  enthusiastic  workers  where  there  was  one  before  ;  scores  of 
important  treatises  have  appeared  ;  the  literature  of  the  subject  has  been  searched,  sifted, 
and  systematized  ;  every  corner  of  our  country  lias  been  ransacked  for  birds,  and  the  list 
of  our  species  and  subspecies  has  reached  about  900  by  the  many  late  discoveries ;  active 
interest  in  this  branch  of  science  is  no  longer  confined  to  professed  ornithologists  ;  the 
importance  of  avian  anatomy  is  as  fully  recognized  as  is  the  beauty  of  the  life-history  of 
birds  ;  a  distinctively  American  school  of  ornithology  has  grown  up,  introducing  radical 
changes  in  nomenclature  and  classification  ;  a  quarterly  journal  of  ornithology  has  reached 
its  ninth  annual  volume  ;  an  American  Ornithologists'  Union,  the  membership  of  whicli 
extends  to  every  quarter  of  the  globe,  has  been  founded. 

So  rapid,  indeed,  has  been  the  progress,  and  so  radical  the  changes  wrought  during  the 
last  few  years,  that  I  doubt  not  this  is  tho  time  to  take  our  bearings  anew  and  proceed 
with  judicious  conservatism.  Neither  do  1  doubt  that  just  at  this  moment  a  new 
departure  is  imminent,  hinging  upon  the  establishment  of  the  American  Ornithologists' 
Union.  It  behooves  us,  therefore,  to  consider  the  question,  not  alone  of  where  we  stand 
to-day,  but  also,  of  whither  we  are  tending  ;  for  we  are  certainly  in  a  transition  state,  and 
not  even  the  near  future  can  as  yet  be  accurately  forecast.  The  pliability  and  elasticity  of 
our  trinomial  system  of  nomenclature  is  very  great ;  and  the  method  lends  itself  so  readily  to 
the  nicest  discriminations  of  geographical  races,  —  of  the  finest  shades  of  variation  in  sub- 
specific  characters  with  climatic  and  other  local  conditions  of  environment,  that  our  new  toy 
may  not  impossibly  prove  a  dangerous  instrument,  if  it  be  not  used  with  judgment  and  cau- 
tion. We  seem  to  be  in  danger  of  going  too  far,  if  not  too  fast,  in  this  direction.  It  is  not 
to  cry  "  halt ! "  —  for  any  advance  is  better  than  any  standstill  ;  but  it  is  to  urge  prudence, 
caution,  and  circumspection,  lest  wo  be  forced  to  recede  ingloriously  from  an  untenable 
position,  —  that  these  words  are  penned,  with  a  serious  sense  of  their  necessity. 

In  the  present  unsettled  and  perplexing  state  of  our  nomenclature,  when  appeal  to 
no  "  authority  "  or  ultimate  jurisdiction  is  possible,  it  is  well  to  formulate  and  codify 
some  canons  of  nomenclature  by  which  to  agree  to  abide.  It  is  well  to  apply  such 
canons  rigitily,  with  thorough  sifting  of  synonymy,  no  matter  what  precedents  be  disre- 
garded, what  innovations  be  caused.  It  is  well  to  use  trinomials  for  subspecific  deter- 
minations.   But  it  is  not  well  to  overdo  the  "variety  business;"  feather-splitting  is 


XXVIU 


HISTORICAL  FliEFACE. 


no  better  than  hair-splitting,  and  the  liberties  of  the  "  American  idea "  must  never 
degenerate  into  licensL-.  Our  action  in  this  regard  must  stop  short  of  a  point  where  an 
unfavorable  reaction  would  bo  the  inevitable  result. 

But  I  have  digressed,  in  saying  a  warning  word,  from  the  point  of  the  conclusion  of 
this  Prefiice,  which  is  simply  to  describe  the  new  edition  of  the  "  Key  "  with  special 
reference  to  its  ditference  from  tiie  former  one.  The  classification  and  nomenclature  are 
materially  different,  in  consequence  of  the  jirogress  of  our  knowledge  during  the  past  twelve 
years.  In  1873,  a  year  after  the  old  "Key"  appeared,  I  ]niblished  a  "  Check  Li.st,"  con- 
formed exactly  with  the  nomenclature  of  the  "  Key."  In  1882,  when  I  had  recast  the  "  Key," 
I  published  a  second  edition  of  the  "  Check  List "  in  conformity  with  the  new  "  Key." 
The  present  work,  therefore,  gives  the  same  names,  with  scarcely  any  variance,  though  with 
a  few  additional  ones;  the  new  "  Check  List"  and  the  new  "  Key"  being  practically  one 
in  all  tiiat  pertains  to  nomenclature,  and  representing  a  particular  phase  of  the  subject. 
The  numbering  of  the  sjiecies,  also,  corresponds  with  that  in  the  "  Check  List." 

Part  1.  of  the  present  work  consists  of  my  "  Field  Ornithology,"  originally  published  as 
a  separate  treatise  in  1874,  anil  now  for  tlie  first  time  incorporated  with  the  "  Key."  It  is 
reprinted  nearly  verl)atira,  but  with  some  little  amplificiition  towards  its  end,  and  the  intro- 
duction of  a  few  illustrations. 

Part  II.  consists  of  the  introductory  matter  of  the  old  "  Key,"  very  greatly  amplified. 
In  its  present  shape  it  is  a  sort  of  "  Closet  Ornithology  "  as  distinguished  from  a  "  Field 
Ornithology  ; "  being  a  treatise  on  the  classification  and  structure  of  birds,  explaining  and 
defining  the  technical  terms  used  in  ornithology,  —  in  short,  teaching  the  principles  of 
the  science  and  illustrating  their  application. 

Part  III.,  the  main  body  of  the  work,  describes  all  the  species  and  subspecies  of 
North  American  birds  known  to  me,  defines  the  genera,  and  characterizes  the  families  and 
higher  groups.  The  descrijjtions  are  much  more  elaborate  than  those  of  the  old  "  Key," 
and  I  trust  that  such  amplification  has  been  made  without;  loss  of  that  sharpness  of 
definition  which  was  tlie  aim  of  the  first  edition.  I  have  kept  steadily  in  vi(>w  my  main 
purpose  —  the  ready  identification  of  specimens.  In  many  cases  I  have  drawn  upon  my 
other  works  —  such  as  the  "Birds  of  the  Colorado  Valley,"  the  "Birds  of  the  North- 
west," and  several  of  my  ^Monographs,  —  for  available  ready-made  descriptions  ;  but  for 
the  most  part  the  matter  of  this  kind  is  new.  Scarcely  any  of  this  part  of  the  old 
"  Key  "  remains  as  it  was.  One  imjjrovement,  I  think,  will  be  found  in  the  removal  of 
the  unnecessary  references  to  authorities  which  closed  the  descriptive  paragraphs  of  the 
ohl  "  Key,"  and  the  utilization  of  tlie  space  thus  gained  by  introducing  terse  biograph- 
ical items,  with  special  reference  to  nests  and  eggs,  to  song,  flight,  migrative  and  other 
habits ;  the  technical  descriptions  of  the  species  thus  also  epitomizing  the  life-history  of 
the  birds.  Geographical  distribution  is  also  more  fully  treated,  as  its  importance  de- 
serves. More  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  description  of  the  phimagos  of  females  and 
young  birds.  The  specific  names  head  their  respective  paragraphs,  instead  of  tailing-off 
the  same ;  they  are  also  marked  for  accent,  and  their  etymology  ia  concisely  stated,  — 
though  for  this  matter  the  student  should  coTitinue  to  use  the  new  "Check  List." 

As  regards  the  artificial  "  key  to  the  genera  "  of  the  old  work,  it  has  proven  that 
too  much  was  attempted  in  undertaking  to  carry  the  student  at  once  to  our  refined  mod- 
ern genera.     I  have  accordingly  substituted  artificial  keys  to  the  orders  and  families ; 


HISTORICAL  PREFACE. 


XXIX 


must  never 
int  where  an 

onclusion  of 
with  special 
enclaturo  are 
0  past  twelve 
k  List,"  con- 
t the  "Key," 
new  "  Key." 
though  with 
actically  one 

the  subject. 

St." 

'  published  as 
'Key."  It  is 
and  tlie  intro- 

tly  amplified, 
•om  a  '•  Field 
cpliiiuing  and 
principles  of 

subsjiecies  of 
e  families  and 
e  old  "  Key," 
sliarpuess  of 
i(!w  my  main 
iwn  upon  my 
f  tlio  North- 
ons  ;  but  for 
t  of  the  old 
le  removal  of 
graphs  of  the 
rse  biograpli- 
ve  and  other 
ife-history  of 
iportance  de- 
^  females  and 
of  tailing-off 
?Iy  stated,  — 
List." 

proven  that 
refined  mod- 
nd  families ; 


and  tliroughout   the  work  have  analyzed  species  under  their  respective  genera,  these 
under  their  subfamilies  or  families,  and  these  again  under  their  orders. 

Part  IV.  consists  of  a  Synopsis  of  the  Fossil  birds  of  North  America,  corresponding 
to  the  apjjendix  of  the  old  "  Key,"  but  augmented  by  later  discoveries.  As  before,  this 
part  of  the  work  has  been  revised  by  Professor  0.  C.  Marsh. 

In  the  mechanical  execution  of  the  work,  it  has  been  my  aim  to  compress  tlie  most 
matter  into  the  least  space  and  leave  no  waste  paper,  in  order  to  keep  the  treatise  within 
a  single  portable  volume  of  convenient  text-book  size.  I  judge  that  there  is  nearly  four 
times  as  much  matter  in  tlie  present  volume  as  there  was  in  the  original  edition,  the 
page  being  much  more  closely  printed,  in  a  smaller  type,  and  on  thinner  paper. 

The  old  "  Key  "  was  msufiiciently  illustrated,  and  the  average  character  of  the  cuts 
was  not  entirely  satisfactory.  The  present  edition  more  than  doubles  the  number  of 
illustrations.  These  are  in  part  original,  in  part  derived  from  various  sources,  all  of 
which  are  duly  accredited  in  the  text.  The  basis  of  the  series  is  of  course  the  cuts  of  the 
former  edition  ;  but  many  of  these  have  been  discarded  and  replaced  by  better  ones. 
About  fifty  of  tlie  most  effective  engravings  were  secured  by  my  publishers  from  Brehm's 
"  Thierlebeu  ;  "  nearly  as  many  more  are  from  Dixon's  "  Rural  Bird  Life,"  the  American 
edition  of  which  is  owned  by  the  same  firm.  A  few  have  been  copied  from  D.  G.  Elliot's 
"  Birds  of  America,"  and  a  few  others  from  the  Proceedings  of  the  Zoological  Society  of 
London.  About  fifty  of  the  prettiest  ones  were  drawn  by  Mr.  Edwin  Siie})pard  aiul  en- 
graved by  Mr.  H.  H.  Nichols,  expressly  for  this  edition.  Another  set — how  many  there 
are  of  them  I  do  not  know  —  are  from  my  own  drawings,  and  liave  mostly  appeared  in 
other  of  my  publications.  Several  of  Mr.  R.  Uidgway's  drawings  have  been  placed  at  my 
service,  through  his  kind  attentions,  and  with  Professor  Baird's  permission.  I  am  in- 
debted to  Dr.  E.  W.  Shufeldt,  XJ.  S.  A.,  for  about  thirty  original  anatomical  drawings,  as 
well  as  for  the  colored  frontispiece.  Mr.  Henry  W.  Elliott  has  kindly  put  at  my  dis- 
position several  of  his  own  artistic  compositions,  and  I  have  received  some  very  beautiful 
engravings  with  the  compliments  of  the  Century  Company  of  New  York. 

It  is  always  agreeable  to  jiay  one's  respects  when  due,  and  acknowledge  assistance 
and  encouragement  received  in  the  preparation  of  one's  books.  Yet  what  an  embarrass- 
ment is  mine  now !  For  there  is  no  writer  of  repute  on  North  American  ornithology, 
and  scarcely  a  leader  of  the  science  at  large,  who  has  not  assisted  in  the  making  of  the 
"  K(!y ; "  and  there  is  no  reader  of  the  work  who  has  not  encouraged  its  author  to  produce 
this  new  edition.  I  am  trebly  in  debt,  —  to  thousands  whose  names  I  know  not ;  to 
hundreds  I  only  know  by  name  and  fame ;  to  scores  of  tried  and  trusted  friends. 

But  let  me  say  how  much  I  am  indebted  to  my  compositors  and  proof-readers  of  the 
University  Press  at  Cambridge  for  the  skill  with  which  they  have  turned  copy  into  jirint, 
and  to  the  proprietors  of  that  justly-celebrated  establishment  for  the  pains  they  have 
taken  in  making  the  book  an  example  of  beautiful  and  accurate  typogi-aphy.  Let  mo 
recognize  hero  the  liberality  and  generosity  of  my  friend,  Mr.  Dana  Estes,  senior  of  the 
firm  of  Estes  and  Lauriat,  in  permitting  me  to  make  the  book  to  suit  myself,  and  in 
sparing  no  expense  to  which  he  might  be  put  in  consequence.  Let  me  not  forget  that 
during  its  preparation,  as  for  many  years  previously,  I  have  enjoyed  to  the  fullest  extent 
the  privileges  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  and  the  National  Museum,  through  the 
courtesy  of  Professor  Baird,  nay  access  to  the  great  collection  of  birds  being  always  facili- 


XXX 


niSTOmCA  L  PliEFA  CE. 


tated  l)y  the  attentions  of  Mr.  iloljoit  lii(lj,'Wiiy,  tlio  Curator  of  Ornithology.  And  may 
tliat  k'sa  tunyiblo  but  not  less  rwil  source  of  streuyth  which  inheres  in  the  synipatlietic 
and  genial  intercourse  ol  a  lifetime  continue  tu  be  mine  to  draw  upon,  for  all  my  works, 
frum  my  warm  iriend,  J.  A.  .Ulen,  tlie  lirst  President  of  the  American  Ornithologists' 
Union. 

"  Prefaces,"  says  some  one,  "  ever  were  and  still  are  but  of  two  sorts;  .  .  .  still  the 
author  keeps  to  liis  uld  ami  wonted  method  of  prefacing,  wlien,  at  the  beginning  of  his 
book  he  ent(!rs,  eitlier  witli  a  lialtcr  about  his  neck,  submitting  himself  to  his  reader's 
mercy  wlietlier  lie  shall  Ix'  lianged,  or  no ;  or  else  in  a  huifing  manner  he  appears  with 
the  halter  in  his  hand,  and  threatens  to  hang  his  reader,  if  he  gives  liim  not  his  good 
word."  liut  I  wish  neither  to  hang  iiur  bo  hanged  ;  I  wish  tlie  work  were  better  than  it 
is,  for  my  n-adci's  sake  ;  1  wish  tlie  author  were  better  than  he  is,  for  my  own  sake  ;  and 
above  all  1  wish  that  every  autlior  may  rise  superior  to  his  best  work,  to  the  end  that  the 
man  himself  be  judged  above  his  largest  achievements.  It  is  well  to  do  great  things, 
but  better  still  to  be  great. 

K  C. 

Smithsonian  Institition, 
Washinoton,    O.  C,   Ai'itiL,   1884. 


And  may 
ynipathetic 
my  works, 
litholoyists' 

btill  the 
niiig  of  liis 
his  reuJer'a 

pears  with 
3t  his  good 
tter  than  it 

sake ;  and 
!iid  that  the 
reat  things, 

E.  C. 


Part   I. 


FIELD    ORNITHOLOGY: 


BEING   A 


MANUAL  OF  INSTRUCTION  FOR  COLLECTING,   PREPARING, 
AND  PRESERVING  BIRDS. 


FIELD  ORNITHOLOGY  must  lead  tlie  way  to  Systematic  and  Descriptive  Ornithology. 
Tiic  study  of  Birds  in  the  field  is  an  iudispeusablc  prerequisite  to  their  study  in  tlio 
library  and  the  museum.  Directions  for  observing  and  collecting  birds,  for  preparing  and  pre- 
serving tliem  as  objects  of  natural  history,  will  greatly  help  tlie  student  on  his  way  to  become 
a  successful  Ornithologist,  if  ho  will  faitlifully  and  intelligently  observe  tlieni.  It  is  believed 
tiiat  the  practical  Instructions  \vhich  the  author  has  to  give  will,  if  fidlowed  out,  enable  any 
one  who  has  the  least  taste  or  aptitude  for  sudi  pursuits  to  become  proficient  in  the  necessary 
qualifications  of  tlic  good  working  ornitliologist.  Tliese  instructions  are  derived  from  the 
writer's  own  experience,  reacliing  in  time  over  twenty  years,  and  extending  in  area  over  largo 
portions  of  North  America.  Having  made  in  the  field  the  personal  accpuiiutanco  of  most 
spe(!ics  of  North  American  birds,  and  having  shot  and  skinned  with  liis  own  hands  several 
thousand  specimens,  he  may  reasonably  venture  to  speak  with  confidence,  if  not  also  with 
autluirity,  respecting  methods  of  study  and  manipulation.  Feeling  so  much  at  homo  in  tlio 
field,  witli  his  gun  for  destroying  birds,  and  his  instruments  for  preserving  their  skins,  he 
wislies  to  put  the  most  inexperienced  student  eqiudly  at  ease ;  and  therefore  begs  to  lay 
furmality  aside,  that  ho  may  address  the  reader  familiarly,  as  if  chatting  with  a  friend  on  a 
subject  of  mutual  interest. 

§1.  — IMPLEMENTS  FOR  COLLECTING,  AND  THEIR  USE. 

The  Double-barrelled  Sliot  Gun  is  your  main  reliance.  Under  some  circumstances 
you  may  trap  or  snare  birds,  catch  them  with  bird-lime,  or  use  other  devices ;  but  such  cases 
are  exceptions  to  the  rule  that  you  will  shoot  birds,  and  for  tliis  purpose  no  weapon  compares 
witli  the  (mo  just  mentioned.  The  soul  of  good  advice  respecting  tlie  selection  of  a  gun  is, 
Get  the  best  one  you  can  afford  to  buy  ;  go  the  full  length  of  your  purse  in  the  matters  of 
material  and  workmanship.  To  say  notliing  of  the  prime  reijuisito,  safety,  or  of  the  next  most 
desirable  quality,  clRciency,  the  durability  of  a  high-priced  gun  makes  it  cheapest  in  the  end. 


2 


FIELD  OliMinOLUGY. 


•■«' 


Stylo  of  finish  is  obvimi.sly  of  little  coiisciinciicc.  vwc^X  as  iiii  index  of  other  (nullities;  for 
iiilerior  guns  rarelv,  if  ever,  display  the  ex(Hiisite  i.iii.ointinents  that  murk  a  iirst-rato  urni. 
There  is  really  so  little  choice  among  good  gnus  tiiat  uothiug  need  be  said  ou  this  score;  you 
cauuot  miss  it  if  you  pay  euougli  to  any  iviaitahl*'  maker  or  reliable  dealer.  But  collecting 
is  a  specially,  anil  some  guns  mv  better  adaiittd  tlian  others  to  your  particular  puri>ose,  which 
is  the  destrncliou,  as  a  rule,  of  small  birds,  at  moderat<'  range,  with  the  least  possible  injury 
to  their  plumiige.  Probably  tlirce-fourths  or  more  of  the  birds  of  a  miscellaneous  collection 
average  undi/r  tho  size  of  a  ipigniM,  and  were  shot  witliin  thirty  yards.  A  hmry  guu  is  there- 
foro  unnecessary,  iu  fact  ineligilile,  tlie  e.\tra  weight  being  useless.  You  \\\\\  (iml  a  gun  of 
7i  to  S  pounds  weight  most  suitable.  For  sindlar  reasons  the  bore  should  be  sunill;  1  prefer 
14  gauge,  and  should  not  tiuuk  of  going  over  12.  To  judge  from  the  best  sporting  authorities, 
kngtii  (if  bund  is  of  less  conse(iuenrc  than  many  sujppose ;  for  mys(df,  I  incline  to  a  rather 
king  barrel,  —  one  nearer  ;j;i  than  2S  inches, —believing  that  such  a  barrel  may  throw  shot 
better;  but  1  am  not  sure  that  this  is  even  the  rule,  while  it  is  well  known  that  several 
circumstances  of  loading,  besides  some  almost  iuaiipreciable  differences  iu  the  way  barrels  are 
bored,  will  cause  guns  apparently  exactly  alike  to  throw  .shot  differently.  Length  and  crook 
of  ntwk  should  of  c<iurse  be  adapted  to  your  figure,  —a  gun  nniy  be  uuide  to  fit  you,  us  well 
as  u  coat.  For  wild-fowl  shooting,  und  ou  some  other  sjiecial  occasions,  a  heavier  and 
altogether  more  powerful  gun  will  be  preferable. 

Brcceli-Lortiler  rs.  JIuzzle-Loader,  a  case  long  argued,  may  be  considered  settled  iu 
favor  <if  tho  former.  Provided  the  mechanism  and  workmanship  of  the  breech  be  what  they 
should,  there  are  no  valid  objections  to  offset  (d)vious  advantages,  some  of  which  uro  these : 
eusc  and  rapidity  of  loading,  and  cnnse<|uently  delivery  of  shots  in  quick  succes.siou;  facility  of 
cleaning;  compactness  and  portability  of  amnumition  ;  readiness  with  which  difl'ereut-sized  shot 
nmy  be  used.  This  last  is  highly  imiiortant  to  tlie  collector,  who  ucver  knows  the  nunnent 
he  may  wish  to  fire  at  a  very  different  bird  from  such  as  he  has  already  loaded  for.  Tho 
muzzle-loader  must  always  contain  the  fine  shot  with  which  nine-tenths  of  your  specimens 
will  be  secured ;  if  in  both  barrels,  you  cannot  deal  with  a  hawk  or  other  large  bird  with 
reasonable  prosjiects  of  success ;  if  iu  only  one  barrel,  the  other  being  more  heavily  charged, 
you  ure  crippled  to  the  extent  of  exactly  one-half  of  your  resources  for  ordinary  shooting. 
Whereas,  with  the  l)reeeh-l(jader  you  will  liabitnally  use  imistard-seed  iu  both  barrels,  und  yet 
can  slip  in  a  different  shell  in  time  to  seize  most  opportunities  re(piiring  lurge  shot.  This  cou- 
sideration  alone  should  decide  the  cfise.  But,  moreover,  the  X'ww  spent  in  tho  field  iu  loading 
an  ordinary  gun  is  no  small  item  ;  while  cartridges  may  be  charged  iu  your  leisure  at  home. 
This  should  become  the  natural  occu]iation  of  your  spare  moments.  Xo  time  is  really  ijained  ; 
you  simply  change  to  advantage  the  time  consumed.  Metal  shells,  charged  with  loose  ammu- 
nition, and  susce])tible  of  being  reloaded  many  times,  may  be  used  instead  of  auy  special  fixed 
amnumition  which,  once  exhausted  in  a  distant  place  (and  circumstances  nuiy  upset  tho  best 
calculations  ou  that  score),  leaves  the  gun  n.seless.  On  charging  the  shells  mark  the  number 
of  the  shot  used  on  the  outside  wad;  or  better,  use  colored  wads,  say  plain  white  for  dust  shot, 
and  red,  blue,  and  green  for  certain  other  sizes.  If  going  far  away,  take  us  nuiny  shells  as  you 
think  can  possibly  be  wanted  —  and  a  few  mure. 

Experience,  however,  will  soon  teach  you  to  prefer  paper  cartridges  for  breech-loaders. 
Tliey  nuiy  of  course  be  loaded  according  to  circumstances,  with  the  same  fucility  as  metal 
shells,  and  even  reloaded  if  desired.  It  is  a  good  deal  of  trouble  to  take  care  of  metal  shells, 
to  prevent  loss,  keep  them  clean,  and  avoid  bending  or  indenting ;  while  there  is  often  a  prac- 
tical difficulty  in  recapping— at  least  with  the  common  styles  that  take  a  special  primer. 
Those  fitted  with  a  screw  top  holding  a  nipple  for  ordinary  caps  are  expeusive.     Paper  cart- 


IMPLEMENTS  FOR  COLLECTING,  AND  THEIR   USE. 


uilitics;  for 
t-mto  arm. 
suDi'i' ;  you 
t  colk'ctinjj; 
IKisc,  wliicli 
ssible  injury 
IS  collection 
iin  is  there- 
Ill  a  gun  of 
11;  1  prefer 
authorities, 
to  a  rather 
throw  shot 
that  several 
barrels  are 
li  anil  crook 
you,  as  well 
heavier  ami 


C(l  settled  in 
)e  what  they 
h  are  these : 
n ;  facility  of 
pnt-sized  shot 
s  the  moment 
led  for.     Tho 
lur  specimens 
irgc  bird  with 
.vily  charged, 
lai-y  shooting, 
irrels,  and  yet 
it.     This  cou- 
dd  iu  loading 
sure  at  home, 
really  gained  ; 
I  loose  amniu- 
jr  special  fixed 
ipset  tho  best 
k  the  number 
!  for  dust  shot, 
!  shells  as  you 


)reecli-loadcrs. 
jility  as  metal 
f  metal  shells, 
s  often  a  prac- 
ipecial  primer. 
Paper  curt- 


ridges  come  already  capped,  so  that  this  bother  is  avoided,  as  it  is  not  ordinarily  worth  wliilo 
to  reload  them.  They  are  made  of  different  colors,  distinguishing  various  sizes  of  shot  used 
without  employ  of  colored  wads  otherwise  r(M(uired.  They  nuiy  be  taken  into  the  field  empty 
and  loadeil  on  occasion  to  suit ;  but  it  is  better  to  pay  a  triHe  extra  to  have  them  loaded  at  the 
sliop.  In  such  case,  about  four-fifths  of  the  stock  should  contain  nuistard-seed,  nearly  all  the 
rest  about  No.  7,  a  very  fc^w  being  reserved  for  about  No.  4.  Cost  of  amnumition  is  hardly 
appreciably  increased ;  its  weight  is  put  in  the  nuist  conveniently  portable  shape ;  the  wliole 
apparatus  for  can-yiug  it,  and  loading  the  shells,  is  dispensed  with  ;  much  tinu)  is  saved,  the 
entire  drudgery  (excepting  gun-cleaning)  of  collecting  being  avoided.  I  was  prepared  in  this 
way  during  the  summer  of  187-5  for  the  heaviest  work  I  ever  succeeded  iu  accomplishing  during 
tlic  same  length  of  time.  In  iluue,  when  birds  were  plentiful,  I  easily  averaged  fifteen  skins 
a  day,  and  occasionally  made  twice  as  nuuiy.  As  items  serving  to  base  calculations,  I  may 
mention  that  in  four  months  I  used  about  two  thousand  cartridges,  loaded,  at  842  per  M., 
witli  seven-eighths  of  an  ounce  of  shot  and  tw<i  and  tliree-fourths  drachms  of  powder;  only 
about  three  hundred  wer((  charged  with  .shot  larger  than  nuistard-.seed.  In  estimating  the  size 
(if  a  collection  that  may  result  from  use  of  a  given  number  of  cartridges,  it  may  not  be  safe  for 
even  a  good  shot  to  count  on  much  more  than  half  as  many  specimens  as  cartridges.  The 
number  is  practically  reduced  by  tlie  following  steps:  — Cartridges  lost  or  damaged,  or  orig- 
inally defective ;  shots  missed ;  birds  killed  or  wounded,  not  recovered ;  specinu'us  secured 
unfit  for  preservation,  or  not  preserved  for  any  reason  ;  specimens  accidentally  spoilt  iu  stutliug, 
or  subse(iuently  dauuiged  so  as  to  be  not  worth  keeping ;  and  finally,  use  of  cartridges  to 
supply  the  tabic. 

Other  Weapons,  etc.  —  An  ordinary  sittgle-harrel  gun  will  of  course  answer ;  but  is  a 
sorry  makeshift,  for  it  is  sometimes  so  poorly  constructed  as  to  be  unsafe,  and  can  at  best  bo 
only  just  half  as  effective.  This  remark  does  not  ajjply  to  any  of  the  fine  single-barrelled  breech- 
loaders now  made.  You  will  find  them  very  effective  weapons,  and  they  are  not  at  all  expen- 
sive. An  arm  now  much  used  by  collectors  is  a  kind  of  breech-loading  pistol,  with  or  without 
a  skeleton  gun-stock  to  screw  into  the  handle,  and  taking  a  particular  stylo  of  metal  cartridge, 
charged  with  a  few  grains  of  powder,  or  with  nothing  but  the  fulminate.  They  are  very  light, 
very  cheap,  safe  and  easy  to  work,  and  astonishingly  effective  U})  to  twenty  or  thirty  yards ; 
nuiking  probably  tho  best  "second  choice''  after  tho  matchless  double-barrelled  breech- 
kiadcr  itself.  The  cane-gun  should  bo  mentioned  in  this  comu'ction.  It  is  a  singlc-baiTol, 
lacquered  to  look  like  a  stick,  with  a  brass  stojiper  at  tho  nuizzlo  to  imitate  a  ferule,  counter- 
sunk hammer  and  trigger,  and  either  a  simple  curved  handle,  or  a  light  gunstock-shaped  piece 
that  screws  in.  The  affair  is  easily  mistaken  for  a  cane.  St)nie  have  acquired  considerable 
dexterity  in  its  use ;  my  own  experience  with  it  is  very  limited  and  unsatisfactory  ;  the  handle 
always  hit  me  in  tho  face,  and  I  gonorally  missed  my  bird.  It  has  only  two  recommendations. 
If  you  apjjrove  of  shooting  on  Sunday  and  yet  scruple  to  shock  jiopular  prejudice,  you  can  slip 
out  of  town  unsuspected.  If  you  are  shooting  where  the  law  forbids  destruction  of  small  birds, 
—  a  wise  and  good  law  that  you  may  sometimes  be  inclined  to  defy,  —  artfully  careless  handling 
of  tlio  deceitful  implement  may  prevent  aiTcst  and  fine.  A  hlow-gun  is  sometimes  used.  It  is 
a  long  slender  tube  of  wood,  metal,  or  glass,  through  which  clay-balls,  tiny  arrows,  etc.,  are 
projected  by  force  of  the  breath.  It  must  be  quite  an  art  to  use  such  a  weapon  successfully, 
and  its  employment  is  necessarily  exceptional.  Some  uncivilized  tribes  are  said  to  possess 
marvellous  skill  in  the  use  of  long  bamboo  blow-guns ;  and  such  people  are  often  valuable 
em]doycs  of  tho  collector.  I  have  had  no  experience  with  tlie  noiseless  air-gun,  which  is,  in 
effect,  a  modified  blow-gun,  compressed  air  being  the  explosive  power.  Nor  can  I  say  much 
of  various  methods  of  trapping  birds  that  may  be  practised.  On  these  points  I  must  leave  you 
to  your  own  devices,  with  the  remark  that  horse-hair  snares,  set  over  a  nest,  are  often  of  great 


4  FIELD  OJIMTIIOLOGY. 

Bcrvico  in  securing  tl.o  parent  of  ojiks  tlmt  n.lKlit  ..flirrwifn  ronmin  unidentified.  I  Inivo  no 
practical  kiioulcd-c  ..f  hinl-limc  ;  I  Lilicvr  it  is  mI.Iuu.  used  in  tl.is  country.  A  mctluid  of 
«e«./ii/ birds  alive,' wliid.  1  liave  tried,  is  JHitii  cisy  and  wurcssful.  A  net  of  fine  ^'reen  silk, 
Bonic  8  or  10  feet  square,  i»  utretclicd  iierpendi.iiiinly  across  a  narrow  i)art  of  one  of  the  tiny 
brooks,  overgrown  with  l)ricrs  and  shnild)cry,  that  intersect  many  of  our  meadows.  Retreating 
to  It  distance,  the  collector  heals  alnn-  the  .iniihlM.ry  making  all  the  noise  he  can,  urging  on 
tho  little  birds  till  they  reach  tlie  almost  invisihh'  net  and  become  entangled  in  trying  to  lly 
through.  1  have  in  this  manner  taken  a  dozen  sparrows  and  the  like  at  one  "drive."  Hut 
the  gun  can  rarely  he  laiil  aside  for  this  or  any  similar  device. 

Aminuiiltloii The  best  immkr  is  that  combining  strength  nnd  eloanlincsa  in  the  highest 

comj)alihle  degree.  In  some  brands  too  mucli  of  tlie  latter  is  sacriliced  to  the  former.  Other 
things  being  <'.|iial,  a  rather  coarse  powder  is  preferable,  since  its  slower  action  tends  to  throw 
shot  closer."  Some  numbers  are  said  to  be  ''too  quick  "  f..r  fiiH'  breech-loaders.  Inexperienced 
sportsmen  nnd  e<.llector8  almost  invariably  use  too  coarse  shot.  When  unnecessarily  large,  two 
evils  result:  the  munber  of  pellets  in  a  load  is  decreased,  the  chances  of  killing  being  eorre- 
epondingly  lessened ;  and  tla^  plumage  is  unnecessarily  injured,  either  by  direct  mutilaticm, 
or  by  subsequent  bleeding  through  large  hides.  As  already  hinted,  shot  cannot  be  too  fine  for 
your  routine  collecting.  Use  "  mustard-seed,''  or  "  dust-shot,"  as  it  is  variously  called  ;  it  \» 
smaller  than  any  of  the  sizes  usually  muubered.  As  tlu)  very  finest  can  only  be  procured  in 
cities,  provide  yom'self  liberally  on  leaving  any  centre  of  civilization  for  even  ii  ecamtry  village, 
to  say  nothing  of  remote  regions.  A  small  bird  that  would  have  been  torn  to  pieces  by  a  few 
large  pellets,  may  be  riddled  with  nnistard-seed  and  yet  be  preservable  ;  moreover,  there  is,  as 
a  rule,  little  or  no  bleeding  from  such  mimUe  holes,  whicli  dose  up  by  tho  ehisticity  of  tho 
tissues  involved.  It  is  astonishing  what  large  birds  may  be  brought  down  with  tho  tiny  pellets. 
I  have  killed  hawks  with  such  shot,  knocked  over  a  wood  ibis  at  forty  yards  and  once  shot 
a  wolf  dead  with  No.  10,  though  I  am  bound  to  say  the  aniimil  was  within  a  few  feet  of  me. 
After  dust-shot,  and  the  nearest  number  or  two,  Xo.  8  or  7  will  be  frauul  most  useful.  Water- 
fowl, thick-skinned  sea-birds,  like  loons,  cormorants,  and  jM-licans,  and  a  few  of  the  largest  land 
birds,  require  heavier  shot.  I  have  had  no  experience  with  the  substitution  of  fine  gravel  or 
sand,  nmch  less  water,  as  a  projectile ;  besides  shot  I  never  fired  anything  at  a  bird  except 
my  ramrod,  on  (me  or  two  occasions,  when  I  never  afterwards  saw  either  the  bird  or  the  stick. 
The  comparatively  trivial  matter  of  mpa  will  repay  attention.  Hrecch-loaders  not  discharged 
with  a  pin  take  a  particular  style  of  short  cap  called  a  "  primer ;"  for  other  guns  the  6es< 
water-proof  lined  ca])s  will  prcsvent  anuDyancc;  iind  disajipoiutment  iu  wet  weather,  and  may 
save  you  an  eye,  for  they  only  split  when  exploded ;  whereas,  the  flimsy  cheap  (jnes  —  that 
"G  I)  "trash,  for  instance,  .sold  in  the  corner  grocery  at  ten  cents  a  hundred  —  usually  Hy 
to  pieces.  Cut  felt  vmh  are  the  only  suitable  article.  Kly's  "chemically  prei)arcd  "  wadding 
is  the  best.  It  is  well,  when  using  plain  wads,  occashinally  to  drive  a  greased  one  through 
the  barrel.  Since  you  may  sometimes  run  out  of  wads  through  an  unexpected  contingency, 
always  keep  a  wad-cutter  to  fit  your  gun.  You  can  make  serviceable  wads  of  pasteboard,  but 
thoy  are  inferior  to  felt.  Cut  them  on  the  Hat  sawn  <'nd  of  a  stick  of  firewood  :  the  side  of  a 
plank  does  not  do  very  well.  Use  a  wooden  mallet,  instead  of  a  hammer  or  hatchet,  and  so 
save  your  cutter.  Soft  i)apcr  is  next  best  after  wads  ;  I  hav(!  never  used  rags,  cottcni  or  tow, 
fearing  these  tiuder-liko  substances  might  leave  a  sjiark  in  tlu-  barrels.  Crumbled  leaves  or 
grass  will  answer  at  a  pinch.  I  have  occasionally,  in  a  desperate  hurry,  loaded  and  killed 
without  any  wadding. 


Other  Equipments.  — (rt.)  For  the  Gun.    A  gun-case  will  come  cheap  in  the  end, 
especially  if  you  travel  much.    Tho  usual  box,  divided  into  compartments,  and  well  lined, 


IMPLEMENTS  FOR  COLLECTING,  AND  TJIEIH   USE. 


Iiiivo  no 

IIK'tllod  of 

trccii  silk, 
f  tin'  tiny 
Kctrcatiiig 
urging  on 
^•inp  to  fly 
ivf."     Hut 


the  liiglicat 
r.     Other 
s  to  throw 
xjierieiieed 
i'  large,  two 
I'iiig  ('(irre- 
iniitilation, 
too  fine  for 
called ;  it  is 
proeined  in 
itry  village, 
L'es  by  a  fcnv 
,  there  is,  as 
iticity  of  the 
tiny  jiellets. 
nd  once  shot 
r  feet  of  ine. 
"ill.     Water- 
largest  land 
no  gravel  or 
bird  except 
or  the  stick. 
)t  discharged 
^inis  the  best 
er,  and  may 
ones  —  that 
—  usually  fly 
}d  "  wadding 
one  through 
contingency, 
iteboard,  but 
he  side  of  a 
chet,  and  so 
)tton  or  tow, 
led  leaves  or 
i  and  killed 


in   the  end, 
well  lined, 


is  the  best,  though  tli((  full  length  leather  or  india-rublier  doth  ease  answers  very  well.  The 
box  hIiouIiI  contain  a  suuiU  kit  of  tools,  such  as  inaiiisiniiig-vice,  niipplc-wicnch,  sciew-driver, 
etc.  A  stout  hard-wood  cleaning  rod,  with  woriner,  will  be  re((uircd.  It  is  always  sate  to 
have  parts  of  the  gun-lock,  especially  nuiinspriiig,  in  duplicate.  For  imiz/le-loaders  extra 
nijiples  and  extra  ntuirod  heads  and  tips  often  conu-  into  use.  For  breech-loailers  the  appara- 
tus for  charging  the  shells  is  so  useful  as  to  be  practically  indispeusablts  (fc.)  For  aiiimuni- 
fidii.  Metal  shells  or  paper  cartridges  may  be  carried  loose  in  the  large  lower  coat  iiocket, 
or  in  a  leather  satdul.  Tlu're  is  said  to  be  a  chance  of  ex]ilosiou  by  sonio  unlucky  blow,  when 
they  aro  so  cari-ied,  but  I  never  knew  <if  an  instance.  Another  way  is  to  fix  tliein  separately 
in  a  row  in  snug  loops  of  soft  leather  sewn  continuously  along  a  stout  waist-bi'lt ;  or  in  several 
such  horizontal  rows  on  a  stjuare  piece  of  thick  leather,  to  be  slung  by  a  strap  ovi'r  the  shoul- 
der. IJut  bi'tter  than  anything  else  is  a  stout  lin<'n  rest,  similarly  furnished  with  loops  holding 
each  a  cartridge;  this  distiibuti's  the  weight  so  perfectly,  that  the  usual  "  forty  rounds"  may 
be  carried  without  fe<'liiig  it.  The  appliances  for  loose  ainuiunition  ari'  almost  endlessly 
varied,  so  every  one  may  consult  his  taste  tu' convenience.  Hut  now  that  everybody  uses  the 
breech-loader,  shot-pouches  and  powder-llasks  an-  among  the  things  that  were,  (c.)  For 
8}icciiiiciix.  You  must  always  vuvry  pa jwr  in  which  to  wrap  up  your  sjiecimens,  as  more  i)ar- 
ficularly  directed  beyond.  Nothing  is  better  for  this  purpose  than  writing-paper ;  "rejected" 
or  otherwise  useless  MSS.  nuiy  thus  be  utilizecl.  The  ordinary  game  bag,  with  leather  back 
and  network  front,  answers  very  well ;  but  a'  light  basket,  fitting  the  body,  such  as  is  used 
by  fishermen,  is  the  best  thing  to  carry  specimens  in.  Avoid  putting  specinu'us  into  jmckcis, 
unless  you  have  your  coat-tail  largely  excavated  :  crowding  them  into  a  dose  pocket,  where 
tla'y  press  each  other,  and  receive  warmth  IVoni  the  person,  will  injure  them.  It  is  always 
well  to  take  a  little  cotton  into  the  field,  to  plug  up  shot-boles,  mouth,  nostrils,  or  vent,  imme- 
diately, if  reiiuired.  (d.)  For  Yoiirnclf.  The  indications  to  be  fullilled  in  your  clothing  are 
these:  Adaptability  to  the  weather;  and  since  a  shooting-coat  is  not  conveniently  changed, 
wliihs  an  overcoat  is  ordinarily  ineligible,  the  refiuirement  is  best  met  by  ditlereut  undercUithes. 
Easy  fit,  allowing  perfect  freedom  of  muscular  action,  especially  of  \\h'  arms.  Strength  of 
fabric,  to  resist  briers  and  stand  wear ;  velveteen  and  corduroy  are  excellent  materials.  Sub- 
dued color,  to  render  you  as  inconspicuous  as  possible,  and  to  show  dirt  tlu^  least.  Multiplicity 
of  pockets — a  perfect  .shooting-coat  is  an  ingenious  system  of  hanging  jiouches  about  the 
person.  lJroad-s(ded,  low-heeled  boots  or  shoes,  giving  a  firm  tread  even  when  wet.  Close- 
fitting  cap  with  prominent  visor,  or  low  soft  felt  hat,  rather  broad  brimmed.  Let  india-rubber 
goods  alone  ;  the  field  is  no  place  for  a  sweat-bath. 

Quallfleatluns  for  Success. — With  the  outfit  just  indicated  you  comnnuid  all  the  reciuircd 
appliances  that  you  can  hut/,  and  the  rest  lies  with  yourself.  Success  hangs  upon  your  own 
exertions;  upon  your  energy,  industry,  and  perseverance;  your  knowledge  and  skill;  your 
zeal  and  enthusiasm,  in  collecting  birds,  nnich  as  in  other  aflairs  of  life.  But  that  your 
cftbrts  —  maiden  attempts  they  nnist  once  have  been  if  they  be  not  such  now — may. be  directed 
to  best  advantage,  further  instructions  may  not  be  unacceptable. 

To  Carry  a  Gun  without  peril  to  human  life  or  limb  is  the  n  &  c  of  its  use.  "There's 
death  in  the  pot."  Such  (constant  care  is  required  to  avoid  accidents  that  no  man  can  give  it 
by  continual  voluntary  efforts :  safe  carriage  of  the  gun  nuist  become  an  unconscious  habit,  fixed 
as  the  movements  of  an  automaton.  The  golden  rule  and  whole  secret  is:  the  muzzle  must 
never  sweep  the  horizon  ;  accidental  discharge  should  send  tlu;  shot  into  the  ground  before  your 
feet,  or  away  up  in  the  air.  There  are  several  safe  and  easy  ways  of  holding  a  piece :  they 
will  be  employed  by  turns  to  relieve  particular  muscles  when  fatigued.  1.  Ilidd  it  in  the 
hollow  of  the  arm  (preferably  the  left,  as  you  can  recover  to  aim  iu  less  time  than  from  the 


r 


i 


6 


FIELD  OEXITHOLOGY. 


right),  across  the  front  of  your  person,  the  liiinil  .m  tlio  grip,  tho  muzzle  elevated  about  45°. 
2.  Hang  it  by  the  trigger  giuinl  liitdied  over  the  forearm  brought  round  to  the  breast,  the 
stock  passing  Ix'hind  the  upper  arm,  the  muzzle  i.ointing  to  ;he  grouud  a  pace  or  so  lu  front 
of  you.  ;j.  Siiouldcr  it,  the  hand  on  the  grip  or  lieel-phUe,  the  muzzle  pointing  upward 
at  least  45°.  4.  .Slioulder  it  reversed,  the  hand  gra.sping  the  barrels  about  their  middle,  tho 
muzzle  pointing  forward  and  downward:  tiiis  is  perfectly  adu.issible,  but  is  the  most  awkward 
position  of  all  to  recover  from.  Always  cani/  a  hailed  gun  at  half-cock,  unless  you  are  about 
to  shoot.  .Most  good  gimsaro  now  fitted  witli  rebounding  locks,  an  arrangement  by  which 
the  hammer  is  thrown  bade  tct  half-cock  as  soon  as  the  blew  is  delivered  on  the  pin.  This 
admirable  device  is  a  great  safe-guard,  and  is  particularly  elij^ible  for  breech-loaders,  as  the 
barrels  may  be  unlocked  and  relocked  witliout  touching  the  hammers.  Unless  the  lock  fail, 
accidental  discharge  is  inii)ossible,  except  under  these  circumstances  :  a,  a  direct  blow  on  the 
nipple  or  ])in ;  b,  catdiing  of  both  liammer  and  trigger  simultaneously,  drawing  back  of 
tlie  former  and  its  release  whilst  the  trigger  is  still  held,  —  the  chances  against  which  aro 
simply  incalculable.  Full-cock,  ticklish  as  it  seems,  is  safer  than  no-cock,  when  a  tap  on 
tlie  iiamnier  or  even  the  heel-plate,  or  a  slight  catcli  and  release  of  the  liannner,  may  cause 
discharge.  Never  let  tho  muzzle  of  a  loaded  gun  point  toward  your  own  person  for  a 
single  instant.  Get  your  gun  over  fences,  or  into  boats  or  carnages,  before  you  get  over 
or  in  yourself,  or  at  any  rate  no  Liter.  Remove  caps  or  cartridges  on  entering  a  house. 
Never  aim  a  gun,  loaded  or  not,  at  any  objirt,  unless  you  mean  to  press  the  trigger.  Never 
put  a  loaded  gnu  away  long  enough  to  forget  whether  it  is  loaded  or  not;  never  leave  a 
loaded  gun  to  \h\  found  by  others  under  circumstances  reasonably  presujiposing  it  to  be  un- 
h)aded.  Never  |iut  a  gtm  where  it  can  be  knocked  down  by  a  dog  or  a  child.  Never  imagine 
that  there  can  be  any  e.\cuse  for  lawituj  a  breecli-loader  loaded  under  any  circumstances. 
Never  forget  that  tlie  idiots  wlio  kill  people  because  tliey  "did  n't  know  it  was  loaded,"  are 
perennial.  Ne\cr  forget  tliat  tliough  a  gunning  accident  may  be  sometimes  interpreted  (from 
a  certain  standpoint)  as  a  "  disi)ensation  of  Providence,"  such  dispensations  happen  ofteuest 
to  tho  careless. 

To  Clean  a  Gun  properly  re(|uires  some  knowledge,  more  good  temper,  and  most 
"  elhow-grease ;  "  it  is  dirty,  disagreeable,  inevitable  work,  which  laziness,  business,  tiredness, 
indilt'erence,  and  good  taste  will  by  turns  tempt  you  to  shirk.  After  a  Jiunt  you  are  tired,  have 
your  clotlies  to  cliange,  a  meal  to  eat,  a  lot  of  birds  to  skin,  a  journal  to  write  up.  If  ytm 
"sub-let ''  tlie  contract  the  chances  are  it  is  but  iialf  fullilled  ;  serve  yourself,  if  you  want  to 
be  well  served.  If  you  cannot  find  time  for  a  regular  cleaning,  an  intolerably  fiud  gun  may  be 
made  to  do  anotlier  day's  work  by  swabliing  for  a  few  moments  with  a  wet  (not  dripping)  rag, 
and  then  witli  an  oiled  one.  For  tlie  fiill  wash  use  c(dd  water  first  ;  it  loosens  dirt  better  than 
hot  water.  Set  the  barrels  in  a  jiail  of  water;  wrap  the  end  of  tlie  cleaning  rod  witli  tow  or 
cloth,  and  pump  away  till  your  arms  ache.  Change  the  rag  or  tow,  and  the  Waterloo,  till 
they  both  stay  cleiiii  for  all  tlie  swabbing  you  can  do.  Fill  the  barrels  with  boiling  water  till 
they  are  well  heated:  jiour  it  out,  wipe  as  dry  as  i)ossil)le  inside  and  out,  and  set  tliem  by  a 
fire.  Fiiiisli  willi  a  Unlit  oiling,  inside  and  out ;  toudi  up  all  the  metal  about  the  stock,  and 
polish  the  wood-work.  Do  not  remove  tlie  locks  oftener  than  is  necessary  ;  every  time  they 
are  taken  out,  something  of  the  e.vcpiisite  fiiting  that  marks  a  good  gun  may  be  h'.st  ;  as  long 
as  they  work  smootlijy  take  it  for  granle.l  they  are  all  right.  The  same  direction  applies  to 
nii.ples.  To  keep  a  gun  well,  under  hmg  disuse,  it  should  have  had  a  particularly  thorough 
cleaning;  the  chambers  sJiould  be  pac'  d  witli  greasy  tow ;  grea.sed  wads  may  be  rammed  at 
intervals  along  the  barrels ;  or  the  barrels  may  be  filled  with  melted  tallow.  Neat's-foot  is 
recommen.le.l  as  the  best  easily  procured  oil ;  porpoise-oil  whicli  is,  I  believe,  used  by  M-at<'h- 
nmkers,  is  the  very  best;  tlio  oil  nuulo  for  use  on  sewing- maehiues  is  exceUcut;  "oUve"  oU 


IMPLEMENTS  FOR   COLLECTING,  AND  THEIR   USE. 


about  45**. 

jrt-ast,  tlio 

o  iu  front 

g  upward 

iiiildlo,  tlio 

awkward 

are  about 

by  wbich 

pin.     This 

rs,  as  the 

lock  fail, 

•\v  on  tho 

g  back  of 

wliich  arc 

I  ta])  on 

may  cause 

<'r.<(in  for  a 

II  get  over 

ig  a  liouse. 

;er.     Never 

vcr  leave  a 

it  to  be  un- 

'ver  imagine 

cunistances. 

loaded,"  are 

jireted  (from 

i])eu  oftenest 


r,  and  most 
ss,  tiredness, 
D  tired,  have 
up.  If  you 
you  want  to 

gun  may  be 
•ippiiig)  rag, 

better  than 

with  tow  or 
•ater  too,  till 
ig  water  till 
I't  them  by  a 
e  stock,  and 
ry  time  they 
ost ;  as  long 
n  ap]dies  to 
riy  thorough 
'  rammed  nt 
feat's-foot  is 
'd  by  watch- 

" olive"  oil 


(uuido  of  lurd)  for  table  use  answers  the  puqwsc.  The  quality  of  any  oil  may  be  improved  by 
|iiitting  in  it  a  few  tacks,  or  scraps  of  zinc,  —  the  oil  e.xpends  its  rusty  capacity  in  oxidizing  the 
metal.  Inferior  oils  get  "sticky."  One  of  the  best  preventives  of  rust  is  mercurial  ("  blue") 
ointment :  it  may  be  freely  used.  Keroseuo  will  remove  rust ;  but  use  it  sparingly  for  it 
"  I'ats"  sound  metal  too. 

To  Load  a  Gun  effectively  re<iuires  something  more  than  knowledge  of  the  facts  that  the 
[xiwder  sliould  go  iu  before  tlie  shot,  and  that  each  should  have  a  wad  a-top.  Probably  the 
most  nearly  universal  fault  is  use  of  too  nuich  shot  for  the  amount  of  powder ;  aiul  tlH>  nest, 
too  much  of  both.  The  rule  is  bulk  for  bulk  of  powder  and  shot.  If  not  exactly  this,  then 
rather  less  shot  than  powder.  It  is  absurd  to  supj)ose,  as  some  persons  who  ought  to  know 
better  do,  that  tho  more  shot  in  a  gun  the  greater  the  chances  of  lulling.  The  projectile 
force  of  a  charge  canmit  possibly  be  greater  than  the  vis  inertiic  of  the  gun  as  held  by  the 
shooter.  The  explosion  is  manifested  in  all  directions,  and  blows  the  shot  one  way  simply 
and  only  because  it  has  no  other  escape.  If  the  resistaiu-o  in  front  of  the  powder  were 
greater  than  elsewhere,  the  shot  would  not  budge,  but  the  gun  would  tly  backward,  or 
burst.  This  always  reminds  mo  of  Lord  Dundreary's  famous  conundrum  —  Why  does  a  dog 
wag  his  tail  ?  Because  he  is  bigger  tlu-ii  his  tail ;  otherwise  the  tail  would  wag  him.  A 
gun  sluiots  shot  because  tho  guu  is  '.'.le  heavier;  otherwise  the  shot  would  shoot  the  gun. 
Every  uimecessary  pellet  is  a  pellet  against  you,  jiot  against  the  game.  The  ex])encnced  si)orts- 
man  uses  about  one-third  less  shot  "'in  tho  tyro,  with  proportionally  better  result,  other  things 
being  equal.  As  to  powder,  niorei.  jr,  a  gun  can  only  burn  just  so  much,  and  every  grain 
blown  out  uuburnt  is  wasted  if  nothing  more.  No  express  directions  for  absolute  weight  or 
measures  o'  cither  powder  or  shot  can  bo  given ;  in  fact,  different  guns  take  as  their  most 
eflcctive  charge  such  a  variable  amount  of  ammunition,  that  one  of  the  first  things  yon  have  to 
learn  about  your  own  arm  is,  its  nornuil  charge-gauge.  Find  out,  by  assiduous  tai'get  practice, 
wliat  absolute  amounts  (and  to  a  slight  degree,  what  relative  proportion)  of  powder  and  shot 
are  required  to  shoot  the  furthest  and  distribute  the  pellets  most  evenly.  This  practice,  further- 
more, will  acquaint  you  with  the  gun's  cap:icities  in  every  respect.  You  should  learn  exactly 
what  it  will  and  what  it  will  not  do,  so  as  to  feel  perfect  coniideuco  in  your  arm  within  a  cer- 
tain range,  and  to  waste  no  shots  iu  attempting  miracles.  Immoderate  recoil  is  a  pretty  sure 
sign  that  the  gun  was  overloaded,  or  otherwise  wrongly  charged  ;  and  all  force  of  recoil  is  sub- 
tracted from  the  imimlse  of  the  shot.  It  is  useless  to  ram  powder  very  hard;  two  or  three 
snuirt  taj)s  of  the  rod  will  suffice,  and  more  will  not  increase  tho  exjdiisive  force.  On  the  shot 
tho  wad  should  simply  be  pressed  close  enough  to  fix  tho  pellets  immovably.  All  these  direc- 
tions apply  to  the  charging  of  metal  or  paper  cartridges  as  well  as  to  loading  by  the  muzzle. 
The  latter  operation  is  so  rarely  required,  now  that  guns  of  c^very  griule  break  at  tlie  breach, 
that  advice  on  this  score  may  seem  quite  anachronistic ;  uev."rtheless,  I  let  what  I  said  in  the 
original  edition  .stand.  When  about  to  rcehargo  one  barrel  see  that  the  hanuuer  of  tho  other 
stands  at  half-cock.  Do  not  drop  tho  ramrod  into  tho  other  barrel,  for  a  stray  shot  might 
iuqiact  between  the  swell  of  the  head  and  the  gun  and  make  it  difficult  to  withdraw  the  rod. 
During  the  whole  operation  keep  the  muzzle  as  far  from  your  person  as  j-ou  conveniently  can. 
Never  force  home  a  wad  with  the  Hat  of  your  hand  over  tho  end  of  the  rod,  but  Imld  the  roil 
between  your  fingers  and  thumb  ;  in  case  of  premature  explosion,  it  will  make  just  the  difi'er- 
ence  of  lacerated  finger  tips,  or  a  blown-up  hand.  Never  look  into  a  loaded  gun-barrel ;  you 
might  as  wisely  put  your  head  into  a  lion's  mouili  to  see  what  the  animal  had  for  diniu'r. 
After  a  miss-fire  hold  tho  gun  u])  a  few  moments  and  be  slow  to  reload ;  tho  fire  sometiuies 
"hangs"  for  several  seconds.  Finally,  let  mo  strongly  impress  upon  you  the  expediency  of 
light  loading  in  your  routine  collecting.  Three-fourths  of  your  shots  need  not  bring  into  action 
tho  gun's  full  powers  of  execution.    You  will  shoot  more  binls  under  than  over  30  yards ;  not 


8 


FIELD  OliNITHOLOGY. 


a  few  yon  must  scoiiro,  if  at  nil,  at  10  or  15  yards  ;  ami  your  object  is  always  to  kill  thorn  with 
the  least  possible  ilaiiiaf;.'  to  the  pliunage.  I  have,  on  particular  ooeasions,  loaded  even  down 
to  ioz.  of  shot  and  Udr.  of  powder.  'J'here  is  astonishing  force  compressed  in  a  few  grains  of 
powder;  au  astonishhig  number  of  pellets  in  the  smallest  load  of  mustard-seed.  If  you  can 
load  so  nicely  as  to  just  drive  the  shot  into  a  bird  and  not  through  it  and  out  again,  do  so,  and 
save  half  the  holes  in  the  skin. 

To  Shoot  successfully  is  an  art  whicli  may  be  acquired  by  practice,  and  can  bo  learned 
only  iu  tiio  sclio(d  of  exiierience.  No  general  directions  will  make  you  a  good  .shot,  any  more 
than  a  proficient  in  music  or  iiainting.  To  tell  you  that  in  order  to  hit  a  bird  yo\i  must  point 
the  gun  at  it  and  press  the  trigger,  i.3  like  .siying  that  to  play  on  the  fiddle  you  must  shove 
tiie  bow  across  the  strings  with  one  hand  while  you  finger  them  with  the  other;  in  either 
case  the  result  is  the  same,  a  noise  —  vox  ct  jmctcmi  nihil  —  but  n<'ither  music  nor  game. 
Nor  is  it  possible  for  every  one  to  become  an  artist  iu  gunnery  ;  a  "crack  slu>t,"  like  a  poet,  is 
born,  not  made.  For  myself  I  make  no  pretensions  to  get^ius  in  that  direction;  for  although 
I  generally  make  fair  bugs,  and  liave  ilestroyed  many  tliousand  birds  in  my  time,  this  is  rather 
owine  to  some  familiarity  I  have  gained  with  the  haliits  of  birds,  and  a  certain  knack,  acquired 
bv  lonsr  practice,  of  picking  them  out  of  tn-es  and  bnslies,  tliau  to  skilful  shooting  from  the 
sportsman's  standpoint ;  in  fact,  if  1  cut  down  two  or  tliree  birds  on  the  wing  without  a  miss 
I  am  W(U-king  (|uite  uj)  to  iny  average  iu  that  line.  Hut  any  one  not  a  purblind  "butter  fin- 
gers," can  become  a  reasonably  fair  shot  by  practice,  and  do  good  c<'llocting.  Tt  is  not  so  hard, 
after  all,  to  sight  a  gun  correctly  on  an  inunovable  object,  and  collecting  differs  from  sporting 
proi)cr  in  this,  that  comparatively  few  birds  are  shot  on  the  wing.  IJut  I  do  not  mean  to 
imply  that  it  requires  less  skill  to  colhrt  successfully  than  to  secure  game;  on  the  contrary,  it 
is  finer  shooting,  I  think,  to  drop  a  warbler  skipping  about  a  tree-top  than  to  stop  a  quail  at 
full  speed  ;  while  hitting  a  sparrow  that  springs  from  the  grass  at  one's  feet  to  flicker  in  sight 
a  few  seconds  and  disappear  is  the  most  difficult  of  all  shooting.  Besides,  a  crack  shot,  as 
understood,  aims  unconsciou.sly,  with  mechanical  accuracy  and  certitude  of  hitting ;  he  simply 
wills,  and  the  trained  muscles  obey  without  his  superintendence,  just  as  the  fingers  form  letters 
with  the  pen  in  writing;  whereas  the  collector  must  usually  supervise  his  umsdes  all  through 
the  act  and  see  that  they  mind.  In  spite  of  the  ]>roportiou  of  snap  shots  of  all  .sorts  j'ou  will 
have  to  take,  your  collecting  shots,  as  a  rule,  are  made  with  deliberate  aim.  There  is  much 
the  same  difference,  on  the  whole,  between  the  sjiortsman's  work  and  the  collector's,  that  there 
is  between  ,shot-gun  and  rifle  ]>ractice,  collecting  being  comparable  to  the  latter.  It  is  gener- 
ally understood  that  the  acme  of  skill  with  the  two  weapons  is  an  incompatibility ;  and,  cer- 
tainly, the  best  shot  is  not  always  the  best  collector,  even  supixising  the  two  to  be  on  a  par  in 
their  knowledge  of  birds'  haunts  and  habits.  Still  a  hopelessly  poor  shot  can  only  attain  fair 
results  by  extraordinary  diligence  and  per.severance.  Certain  principles  of  shooting  may  per- 
haps be  reduced  to  words.  Aim  deliberately  directly  at  an  inunovable  object  at  fair  range. 
Hold  over  a  motionless  id)ject  when  far  off',  as  the  trajectory  of  the  shot  curves  downward. 
Hold  a  little  to  one  side  of  a  stationary  object  when  very  near,  preferring  rather  to  take  the 
chances  of  missing  it  with  the  peripheral  pellets,  than  of  hopelessly  mutilating  it  with  the 
main  body  of  the  charge.  Fire  at  the  first  fair  aim.  without  trying  to  improve  what  is  good 
enough  already.  Never  "pull"'  the  trigger,  but  press  it.  Bear  the  shock  of  discharge  with- 
out flinching.  In  shooting  on  the  wing,  fire  the  instant  the  but  of  the  gun  taps  your  shoulder: 
you  will  iui.Sb  at  first,  but  by  and  by  the  birds  will  begin  to  dntp,  and  you  will  have  laid  the 
foundation  of  good  shooting,  the  knack  of  "covering"  a  bird  nnccmsciously.  The  habit  of 
"p(dsing"  after  a  bird  on  the  winsr  is  an  almost  incurable  vice,  and  may  keep  you  a  poor 
shot  all  your  life.  (The  c(dlector's  freiiuent  necessity  of  poking  after  little  birds  in  the  bush 
is  just  what  so  often  hinders  him  from  acquiring  brilliant   executi(m.)      Aim   aliead  of  a 


SUGGESTIONS  AND  DIRECTIONS  FOR  FIELD-WORK.  9 

living  bird  —  tho  calculation  to  be  made  varies,  according  to  the  distance  of  the  object, 
its  velocity,  its  course  and  tho  wind,  from  a  few  inches  to  several  feet ;  practice  will  finally 
render  it  intuitive. 

§  2.  —  DOGS. 

A  Good  Dog  is  one  of  the  most  faithful,  respectful,  affectionate  and  sensible  of  brutes ; 
(lt'f('ronc(>  to  such  rare  qualities  demands  a  chapter,  however  brief.  A  trained  dog  is  the  indis- 
peiisiilile  servant  of  the  sportsman  in  his  pursuit  of  most  kinds  of  game;  but  I  trust  I  am  guilty 
of  nil  discourtesy  to  the  noble  aninuil,  when  I  say  that  he  is  a  lu.vury  rather  than  a  necessity  to 
the  collector  —  a  pleasant  companion,  who  knows  almost  everything  except  how  to  talk,  who 
converses  with  his  eyes  and  ears  and  tail,  shares  comforts  and  discomforts  with  equal  alacrity, 
and  occasionally  makes  himself  useful.  So  far  as  a  cidlector's  work  tallies  with  that  of  a 
sportsman,  tho  dog  is  equally  useful  to  both  ;  but  finding  an<l  telling  of  game  aside,  your  dog's 
services  are  restricted  to  companionship  and  retrieving.  He  may,  iiuleed.  Hush  many  sorts  of 
birds  for  you;  but  he  does  it,  if  atall,  at  random,  while  capering  about ;  for  the  brute  intellect 
is  liiniteil  after  all,  and  camiot  comprehend  a  naturalist.  The  best  trained  setter  or  pointer 
that  ever  marked  a  quail  could  not  be  made  to  understand  what  you  ar(>  about,  and  it  would 
ruin  him  for  siiorting  purposes  if  he  did.  Take  a  well-bred  dog  out  witii  you,  and  the  chances 
are  he  will  soon  trot  home  in  disgust  at  your  perfornwnces  with  jack-sparrows  and  tomtits.  It 
imjilies  such  a  lowering  and  perversion  of  ii  good  dog's  instincts  to  make  him  really  a  useful 
servant  of  yours,  that  I  am  half  inclined  to  say  ngthing  about  retrieving,  and  tell  you  to  make 
a  companion  o(  your  dog,  or  let  him  alone.  I  was  fidlowed  for  several  years  by  "  the  best  dog 
I  ever  saw"  (every  one's  gun,  dog,  and  ciiihl  is  the  best  ever  seen),  and  a  first-rate  retriever; 
yet  I  always  preferred,  when  practicable,  to  pick  up  my  own  birds,  rather  than  let  a  delicate 
plninagc  into  a  dog's  mouth,  and  sc(ddcd  away  the  poor  brute  so  often,  that  she  very  properly 
returned  the  compliment,  in  the  end,  by  retrieving  just  when  sin;  felt  like  it.  However,  wo 
remained  tho  best  of  friends.  Any  good  setter,  pointer,  or  spaniel,  and  some  kinds  of  curs, 
may  be  trained  to  retrieve.  The  great  jKiint  is  to  teach  them  not  to  "  nnmth  "  a  bird  ;  it  may 
he  accomplished  by  sticking  pins  in  the  ball  with  which  their  early  lessons  are  taught.  Such 
Jogs  are  particularly  useful  in  bringing  birds  out  of  tho  water,  and  in  searching  for  them  when 
lost.  One  point  in  training  should  never  be  neglected:  teach  a  dog  what ''to  heel "  means, 
and  make  him  obey  this  command.  A  riotous  brute  is  simply  unendurable  under  any 
circumstances. 


§3.  — VARIOUS    SUGGESTIONS    AND    DIRECTIONS  FOR  FIELD-WORK. 

To  be  a  Good  Collector,  and  nothing  more,  is  a  small  affair ;  great  skill  may  be  ac- 
quired in  the  art,  without  a  single  quality  comnninding  respect.  One  of  the  most  vulgar, 
hrutal,  and  ignorant  men  I  ever  knew  was  a  sharp  cidlector  and  an  excellent  taxidermist. 
Collecting  stands  much  in  the  same  relation  to  ornithology  that  the  useful  and  indispensable 
olHce  of  an  apothecary  bears  to  tho  duties  of  a  physician.  A  field-naturalist  is  always  more  or 
less  of  a  collector ;  tho  latter  is  sometimes  found  to  know  almost  nothing  of  natural  history 
worth  knowing.  The  true  ornithologist  goes  out  to  study  birds  alive  and  destroys  some  of 
them  simply  because  that  is  the  only  way  of  learning  their  structure  and  technical  characters. 
'I'here  is  much  more  about  a  bird  than  can  be  discovered  in  its  dead  body,  —  how  much  more, 
tlien,  than  can  be  found  out  from  its  stuffed  skin  !  In  my  humble  opinion  the  man  who  only 
irathers  birds,  as  a  miser  money,  to  swell  his  cabinet,  and  that  other  man  who  gloats,  as  miser- 
like, over  the  same  hoard,  both  W(n-k  on  a  plane  far  beneath  where  tho  enlightened  naturalist 
stands.  One  looks  at  Nature,  and  never  knows  that  she  is  beautiful ;  tho  other  knows  she  is 
beautiful,  as  even  a  corpse  may  be;  the  naturalist  catches  her  sentient  expression,  and  knows 


10 


FIELD   ORNITHOLOGY. 


m 


how  beautiful  sho  is!  I  would  hiivo  you  to  know  and  lovo  her;  for  fairer  mistress  never 
swayed  the  heart  of  man.  Aim  higli !  -  press  <m,  and  leave  the  half-way  house  of  mere  col- 
lectorsliip  far  behind  in  your  pursuit  of  a  .Icliglitfiil  study,  nor  fancy  the  closet  its  goal. 

Birds  may  be  souRlit  aiiywiiere,  at  any  tiuu' ;  tliey  should  be  sought  everywhere,  at 
all  times.  Some  com(^  about  your  doorstep  to  tell  their  stories  unasked.  Others  spring  up 
before  you  as  you  stroll  in  the  field,  like  the  flowers  that  enticed  the  feet  of  Proserpine.  Birds 
flit  by  as  you  measure  the  tired  roadside,  leudiug  a  tithe  of  their  life  to  (juicken  your  dusty 
steps.  They  disi)ort  overhead  at  hide-and-seek  with  the  foliage  as  you  loiter  in  the  shade  of 
the  forest,  and  their  uuisic  uow  answers  the  sigh  of  the  tree-lops,  now  rijjples  an  echo  to  the 
voice  of  the  hniok.  IJut  y<JU  will  not  always  so  pluck  a  thornless  rose.  Birds  hedge  them- 
selves about  with  a  bristling  girdle  of  brier  and  bramble  ycju  cannot  break ;  they  build  their 
tiny  castles  in  the  air  surrounded  by  imi)assabl(^  moats,  and  the  drawbridges  are  never  down. 
Tiu'y  crown  the  uuumtain-toi)  you  may  lose  your  breath  to  climb;  they  sprinkle  the  desert 
where  your  parched  lips  may  find  no  coiding  draught ;  they  fleck  the  snow-wreath  when  the 
uippiug  blast  may  nuiko  you  turn  your  back ;  they  breathe  unharmed  the  pestilent  vapors  of 
th(!  swamp  that  mean  disease,  if  not  death,  for  you ;  they  outride  tlie  storm  at  sea  that  sends 
strong  men  to  tlieir  last  account.     Where  now  will  you  look  for  birds  f 

And  yet,  as  slulled  labor  is  always  most  productive,  so  e.\pert  search  yields  more  than 
random  or  blundering  pursuit.  Inipfimis  ;  The  more  varied  the  face  of  a  country,  the  more 
varied  its  birds.  A  place  all  idaiu,  all  marsh,  all  woodland,  yields  its  particular  set  of  birds, 
perhaps  in  jirofusion ;  but  the  kinds  will  be  limited  in  number.  It  is  of  first  importance  to 
remember  this,  when  you  are  so  fortunate  as  to  have  choice  of  a  collecting-ground  ;  and  it  will 
guide  your  steps  aright  in  a  day's  walk  anywhere,  for  it  will  make  you  leave  covert  for  open, 
wet  for  dry,  high  for  low  and  back  again.  Well-wat(n'ed  country  is  more  fruitful  of  bird-life 
than  desert  or  even  i)rairie ;  warm  regi(Uis  are  more  productive  thou  cold  ones.  As  a  rule, 
variety  and  abundauco  of  l)irds  are  in  direct  ratio  to  diversity  and  luxuriance  of  vegetation. 
Your  most  valuable  as  well  as  largest  bags  may  be  made  in  the  regions  most  favored  botani- 
cally,  up  to  the  point  where  exuberance  of  plant-growth  mechanically  opposes  your  operations. 


Search  for  particular  Birds  can  only  be  well  directed,  of  course,  by  a  knowledge  of 
their  special  haunts  and  habits,  and  is  one  of  the  mysteries  of  wood-craft  only  sfdved  by  long 
experience  and  close  observation.  Here  is  where  the  true  naturalist  bears  liimself  with  con- 
scious pride  and  strength,  winning  laurels  that  become  him,  and  do  honor  to  his  calling. 
Where  to  And  i/cnne  ("game"  is  anything  that  vulgar  people  do  not  ridicule  you  for  shooting) 
of  all  th(!  kinds  we  have  in  this  coimtry  has  been  .so  often  and  so  minutely  detailed  in  sporting- 
works  that  it  need  not  be  here  enlarged  upon,  especially  since,  being  the  best  known,  it  is  the 
least  valuable  of  oniithologieal  material.  Most  large  or  otherwise  conspicuous  birds  have  very 
special  haunts  that  may  bt^  soon  learned;  and  as  a  rule  such  rank  next  after  game  in  oniitho- 
logieal di.sesteem.  Birds  of  prey  arc  an  exception  to  these  statements;  they  range  everywhere, 
and  most  of  them  are  worth  securing.  Hawks  will  iniwittingly  fly  in  ycuir  way  oftener  than 
they  will  allow  you  to  aiijiroach  them  when  perched  :  be  ready  for  them.  Owls  will  bo 
startled  out  of  their  retreats  in  thick  bushes,  dense  fcdiage,  and  hollow  trees,  in  the  daytime  ; 
if  hunting  them  at  night,  good  aim  in  the  dark  nuiy  be  taken  by  rubbing  a  wet  lucifer  match 
on  the  sight  of  the  giui,  causing  a  momentary  glinnner.  Large  and  small  waders  arc  to  bo 
fouiul  by  any  water's  edge,  in  open  marshes,  and  often  on  dry  plains ;  the  herons  more  j)articu- 
larly  in  heavy  bogs  and  dense  swamps.  Under  cover,  waders  are  oftencst  approached  by 
stealth  ;  in  the  ojwn,  by  strategy;  but  most  of  the  suuiller  kinds  require  the  exercise  of  no  special 
in-ecautions.  Swimming  birds,  aside  from  water-fowl  (as  the  "  game"  kinds  are  called),  are  gen- 
erally shot  from  a  boat,  as  they  fly  past ;  but  at  their  breeding  places  many  kinds  that  congro- 


SUGGESTIONS  AND  DIRECTIONS  FOB  FIELD-WORK. 


11 


gato  in  viist  numbers  are  more  ri'adUy  reached.  There  is  a  knack  of  shooting  loons  and  grebes 
on  tliii  «'ater ;  if  they  are  to  bo  reached  at  all  by  the  shot  it  will  be  by  aiming  not  directly  at 
them  but  at  the  water  just  in  front  of  tlieni.  Tliey  do  not  go  under  just  where  they  Hoat, 
but  kick  up  behind  like  a  jumpiug-jack  and  plunge  forward.  Rails  and  several  kinds  of 
sparrows  arc  confined  to  reedy  marshes.  But  why  prolong  such  desultory  remarks  ?  Little 
can  be  said  to  the  point  witliout  at  least  a  miniature  treatise  on  ornithology  ;  and  I  have  not 
yet  even  alluded  to  the  diversified  host  of  suuiU  insectivorous  and  grauivorous  birds  that  fill  our 
woods  and  fields.  The  very  existeuce  of  most  of  these  is  unknown  to  all  but  the  initiated  ;  yet 
tlicy  include  the  treasures  of  the  ornithologist.  Some  are  plain  and  luunblc,  others  are  among 
th(^  most  beautiful  objects  in  nature ;  but  most  agree  in  being  ftmall,  and  therefore  liable  to  bo 
overlooked.  Tlio  sum  of  my  advice  about  them  must  be  brief.  Get  over  as  much  ground, 
both  wooded  and  open,  as  you  can  tliorouglily  examine  in  a  day's  tramp,  and  go  out  as  nuuiy 
(lays  as  you  can.  It  is  not  always  necessary,  however,  to  keep  on  the  tramp,  csi)ecially  dur- 
ing the  migration  of  the  restless  insectivorous  species.  One  may  often  shoot  for  hours  without 
moving  more  than  a  few  yards,  by  selecting  a  favorable  locality  and  allowing  the  birds  to 
come  to  him  as  they  pass  in  varied  troops  tlirough  tlio  low  woodlands  or  swampy  thickets. 
Keep  your  eyes  and  ears  wide  open.  Look  out  for  every  rustling  leaf  and  swaying  twig  and 
bending  blade  of  grass.  Hearken  to  every  note,  however  faint ;  when  there  is  no  .sound,  listen 
for  a  chirp.  Habitually  move  as  noiselessly  as  possible.  Keep  your  gun  ulwuijs  ready. 
Improve  every  opportunity  of  .studying  a  bird  you  do  not  wisli  to  destroy;  j-ou  may  often 
make  observations  more  valuable  than  the  specimen.  Let  this  be  tlie  rule  with  all  birds  you 
recognize.  But  I  fear  I  must  tell  you  to  shoot  an  unknown  bird  on  sight ;  it  may  give  you 
the  slip  in  a  moment  and  a  prize  mjiy  be  lo.st.  One  of  the  most  fascinating  tilings  about  field- 
work  is  its  delightful  uncertainty :  you  never  know  what 'sin  store  for  you  as  you  .start  out ; 
you  never  can  tell  wliat  will  happen  next ;  surprises  are  always  in  order,  and  oxcitemeut  is 
continually  w!)('tted  on  the  chances  of  the  varied  chase. 

For  myself,  the  time  is  past,  happily  or  not,  when  every  bird  was  an  agreeable  surprise, 
for  (lewdrops  do  not  last  all  day  ;  but  I  have  never  yet  walked  in  the  woods  witliout  learning 
something  pleasant  that  I  did  not  know  before.  I  should  consider  a  bird  new  to  science 
ample  reward  for  a  month's  steady  work;  one  bird  new  to  a  hicality  would  repay  a  week's 
search  ;  a  day  is  happily  sjtent  that  shows  me  any  bird  that  I  never  saw  alivu  before.  How 
then  can  you,  with  so  much  before  you,  keep  out  of  the  woods  another  minute  i 


All  Times  are  good  times  to  go  a-sliooting;  but  some  are  better  than  others,  (a.)  Time 
of  year.  In  all  temperate  latitudes,  spring  and  fall  — periods  of  migration  with  most  birds  — 
are  the  most  profitable  seasons  for  collecting.  Not  only  are  birds  then  most  numerous,  both  as 
species  and  as  individuals,  and  most  active,  so  as  to  be  the  more  readily  found,  but  they 
include  a  far  larger  proportion  of  rare  and  valuable  kinds.  In  every  locality  in  this  country 
the  periodical  visitants  outnumber  the  permanent  residents ;  in  most  regions  the  number  of 
regular  migrants,  that  simply  pass  through  in  the  sjiriiig  and  fall,  equals  or  exceeds  that  of 
either  of  the  sets  of  species  that  come  from  the  south  in  spring  to  breed  during  the  summer, 
or  from  the  north  to  spend  the  winter.  Far  north,  of  course,  on  or  near  the  limit  of  the  venial 
migration,  where  there  are  few  if  any  migrants  jxissing  through,  and  whore  the  winter  birds 
arc  extremely  few,  nearly  all  the  bird  fauna  is  composed  of  "  summer  visitants  ;  "  far  south, 
ill  this  country,  the  rever.se  is  somewhat  the  case,  thougli  with  nuiny  qualifications.  Between 
tlie.se  extremes,  what  is  conventionally  known  as  "a  season"  means  the  period  of  the  vernal  or 
aiif  uinnal  migration.  For  example,  the  body  of  birds  present  in  the  District  of  Columbia  (where 
I  collected  for  several  years)  in  the  two  months  from  April  20tb  to  May  20th,  and  from  Septcm- 
bcr  lOtli  to  October  10th,  is  undoubtedly  greater,  as  far  as  individuals  are  concerned,  than  the 
total  number  found  there  at  all  other  seasons  of  the  year  together.     As  for  species,  the  number 


12 


FIELD  OnXITIlOLOGY. 


of  migrants  about  equals  that  of  suiuurt  vi.sitMUts  ;  tlu-  prnnancnt  residents  equal  the  winter 
residents,  hotli  these  l.eiiiiilVwiT  tlian  citlier  of  the  first  mentioned  sets;  while  the  irregular  vis- 
itors, or  stragglers,  that  eomidete  tlie  hird  fauna,  are  about,  or  rather  less  than  one-half  as  many 
as  the  species  of  either  of  the  other  categories.  About  Washington,  therefore,  I  would  readily 
undeilake  to  secure  a  greater  varwtij  of  iiinl.s  in  the  nine  weeks  above  sjjecified  than  in  all  the 
rest  of  the  vear;  for  in  that  time  would  he  found,  not  only  all  the  i)erumiieut  residents,  but  nearly 
all  the  migrants,  and  almost  all  tlie  sunuiier  visitants  ;  while  tiie  number  of  individual  birds 
that  lui-'ht  be  taken  exceeds,  by  iiuite  as  much,  the  number  of  those  procurable  in  the  same 
leiiirth  of  time  at  any  other  season.  MuUttia  miitcindix,  it  is  the  same  everywhere  in  this 
country.  I..ook  out  then,  ior  "the  .«eason  ;  "  work  all  through  it  at  a  rate  you  eonld  not 
i)(issii)iy  sustain  tlie  year  around  ;  and  make  hay  whih'  the  sun  shines,  {h.)  Time  of  daij. 
Early  in  the  morning  ami  late  in  the  afterno(ni  are  tlie  best  times  for  birds.  Tiiere  is  a  myste- 
rious siiuiethini;  in  these  diiu'iial  crises  that  sets  bird-life  astir,  over  and  above  what  is  ex- 
idainahle  by  the  simple  fact  that  they  are  the  transiticin  periods  from  repose  to  activity,  or 
the  revers(>.  Subtile  meteondogical  changes  occur;  various  delicate  instruments  used  in 
])hysi(ists'  researches  are  .sometimes  inexplicably  disturbed  ;  diseases  have  often  their  turning 
point  for  better  or  worse;  ]ieople  are  apt  to  be  born  or  die  ;  and  the  suscejjtible  organisms  of 
birds  manifest  various  excitements.  Whatever  the  operative  iuHuence.  the  fact  is,  birds  arc 
particularly  lively  at  such  hours.  In  the  dark,  they  rest — most  of  them  do;  at  nocmday, 
airain,  tliev  are  conqiaratively  still ;  between  these  times  they  are  jiassing  to  u\-  from  their 
feeding  grounds  or  roosting  jilaces ;  they  are  foraging  for  food,  they  are  singing;  at  any  rate, 
they  are  iu  motion.  Many  nigratory  hinls  (among  them  warblers,  etc.)  perform  their  journeys 
by  night ;  just  at  daybreak  they  may  be  .seen  to  descend  from  the  njiper  regions,  rest  a  while, 
and  then  move  about  briskly,  singing  and  searching  for  food.  Their  meal  taken,  they  reeu- 
jierate  by  resting  till  towards  evening;  feed  again  and  are  oif  for  the  night.  If  you  have  had 
some  experience,  don't  you  remember  what  a  tine  spurt  you  made  early  that  morning  ?  — 
how  many  unexpected  shots  offered  as  you  trudged  home  belated  that  evening?  Now  I  am 
no  fowl,  and  have  no  desire  to  ailopt  the  habits  of  tin;  Iwu-yard;  I  hav(!  my  opinion  of  tho.so 
who  like  the  world  before  it  is  aired  ;  I  think  it  served  the  worm  right  for  getting  up,  when 
caught  by  the  early  bird  ;  nevertheless  I  go  shooting  betimes  in  the  morning,  and  wmild  walk 
all  night  to  find  a  rare  bird  at  daylight,  (c.)  Weather.  It  rarely  occurs  in  this  country  that 
either  heat  or  cold  is  luiendurably  severe;  but  extremes  of  temperature  are  unfavorable,  fca'  two 
reasons :  they  both  occasion  great  personal  discomfort ;  and  in  one  extreme  only  a  few  hardy 
birds  will  be  found,  while  in  the  other  most  birds  are  languid,  <lisposed  to  seek  shelter,  and 
therefore  less  likely  to  be  found.  A  still,  cloudy  day  of  moderate  temperature  offers  as  a  rule 
the  best  chance  ;  among  other  reasons,  there  is  no  sim  to  blind  the  eyes,  as  always  occurs  on  a 
bright  day  in  <ine  direction,  particularly  when  the  sun  is  low.  While  a  bright  day  has  its  good 
influence  iu  setting  many  birds  astir,  some  others  arc  most  easily  approached  in  heavy  or  fall- 
ing weather.  Some  kinds  ar('  more  likely  to  be  secured  during  a  light  snowfall,  or  after  a 
storm.  Singular  as  it  may  seem,  a  thoroughly  wet  day  offers  some  peculiar  induceinents  to 
the  collector.  I  cannot  well  specify  them,  but  I  heartily  indorse  a  remark  J<din  Cassin  onco 
made  to  me:  —  "I  like,"  said  he,  "to  go  shooting  in  the  rain  sometimes;  there  are  some 
curious  things  to  be  learned  about  birds  when  the  trees  are  dripping,  things  too  that  have  not 
yet  found  their  way  into  the  boidts." 

How  many  Birds  of  the  Same  Kind  do  yoii  want?  —  All  yon  can  get  —  with  some 
reasonable  limitations;  say  fifty  or  a  hundred  of  any  but  the  most  abundant  and  widely  diffused 
sfiecies.  You  may  often  be  provoked  with  your  friend  for  speaking  of  some  bird  he  shot,  but 
did  not  bring  you,  because,  he  .«ays,  "Why,  you've  got  one  like  that!"  IJirdskins  are 
capital;  capital  unemployed  may  be  useless,  but  can  never  be  worthless,     liirdskins  are  a 


SUGGESTIONS  AND  DIRECTIONS  FOR  FIELD-WORK. 


13 


ill  the  winter 
rrcgulur  vis- 
liiilt'  as  many 
IvoulJ  reatlily 
iiiu  ill  all  tlu; 
|ts,  but  nearly 
ividual  birds 
in  tlic  same 
Ivlicrc  in  tiiis 
mu  fduld  nut 
U'ime  of  (1(1)/. 
p'c  is  11  niysto- 
what  is  ex- 
()  activity,  or 
icnts   nst'J   in 
their  tiirnins^ 
'  organisms  nf 
t  is,  birds  aro 
;  at  noonday, 
or  from  their 
;  at  any  rate, 
their  journeys 
1,  rest  a  while, 
;en,  they  recu- 
you  liave  liad 
t  morning  ?  — 
;  ?    Now  I  am 
liuion  of  those 
tting  uji,  when 
nd  would  walk 
lis  country  timt 
■orablc,  for  two 
dy  a  f(>w  hardy 
L'k  shelter,  and 
offers  as  a  rule 
lys  occurs  on  a 
ay  has  its  good 
I  lieavy  or  fall- 
fall,  or  after  a 
nducements  to 
in  (Jassin  oiico 
hero  aro  some 
that  have  not 


;<  —  with  some 
widely  diffused 
d  ho  shot,  but 
Hirdskins  arc 
lirdskins  arc  a 


medium  of  exchange  among  ornithologists  the  world  over;  they  represent  value,  —  money  value 
anil  scientific  value.  If  you  have  more  of  one  kind  than  you  can  use,  exchange  with  some 
one  for  species  you  lack  ;  botii  parties  to  the  transaction  are  equally  benefited.  Let  me  bring 
tliis  matter  under  several  iieads.  («.)  Your  own  "scries"  of  skins  of  any  species  is  incomplete 
until  it  contains  at  least  one  example  of  each  sex,  of  every  normal  state  of  plumage,  and  every 
normal  transition  stage  of  plumage,  and  further  illustrates  at  least  the  principal  abnormal 
variations  in  size,  form,  and  color  to  which  the  species  may  be  subject;  I  will  even  add  that 
every  different  faiinal  areii  the  bird  is  known  to  inhabit  should  be  represented  by  a  specimen, 
particularly  if  there  be  anything  exceptional  in  the  geographical  distribution  of  the  species. 
Any  additional  specimens  to  all  such  aro  youYonli/  "duplicates,"  projierly  sj)eakiug.  (b.)  Birds 
vary  so  much  in  their  size,  form,  and  coloring,  that  a  "  specific  character "  can  only  be  pre- 
cisely ileteriiiined  from  examination  of  a  largt?  number  of  specimens,  shot  at  different  times,  in 
different  places ;  still  less  can  the  "  limits  of  variation  "  in  these  respects  be  settled  without 
aiiijile  materials,  (r.)  The  rdritij  of  any  bird  is  necessarily  an  arbitrary  and  fluctuating  con- 
sideration, because  in  the  nature  of  the  case  there  can  bo  no  natural  unit  of  comparison, 
nor  standard  of  api)reciation.  It  may  be  said,  in  general  terms,  no  bird  is  actually  "  rare." 
With  a  few  possible  exceptions,  as  in  the  cases  of  birds  occupying  extraordinarily  limited 
areas,  like  sonui  of  the  birds  of  paradise,  or  about  to  become  extinct,  like  the  pied  diu'k, 
enough  birds  of  all  kinds  exist  to  overstock  every  public  and  private  collection  in  tiie  world, 
without  sensible  diminution  of  their  numbers.  "Rarity"  or  the  reverse  is  only  jiredicable 
upon  the  accidental  (so  to  sjieak)  circumstances  that  throw,  or  tend  to  throw,  specimens  into 
naturalists'  hands.  Acccssibiliti/  is  the  variable  element  in  every  case.  The  fulmar  petrel  is 
said  (on  what  authority  I  know  not)  to  exceed  any  other  bird  in  its  aggregate  of  individuals; 
how  do  the  skins  of  that  bird  you  have  handled  comiiare  in  number  with  sjiecimens  you  have 
seen  of  th(!  "  rare  "  warbler  of  your  own  vicinity  f  All  birds  are  common  somewhere  at  some 
season ;  the  point  is,  have  collectors  been  there  at  the  time  f  Moreover,  even  the  arbitrary 
apiireciation  of  "  rarity  "  is  fluctuating,  and  may  change  at  any  time  ;  long  sought  and  highly 
prized  birds  are  liable  to  appear  suddenly  in  great  numbers  in  places  that  knew  them  not 
before  ;  a  single  heavy  "  invoice  "  of  a  bird  fnmi  some  di.stant  or  little-explored  region  may  at 
once  stock  the  market,  and  dejireciato  the  current  value  of  the  species  to  almost  nothing. 
For  example,  Haird's  bunting  and  Sprague's  lark  remained  for  thirty  years  ammig  our  special 
desiderata,  only  one  specimen  of  the  former  and  two  or  three  of  the  latter  being  known.  Yet 
they  are  two  of  the  most  abundant  birds  of  Dakota,  where  in  1873  I  took  as  many  of  both  as 
I  desired ;  and  siiecimens  enough  have  lately  been  secured  to  stock  all  the  leading  museums 
of  this  country  and  Europe.  (<?.)  Some  practical  deductions  are  to  bo  made  from  these 
premises.  Your  object  is  to  make  yourself  accpiainted  with  all  the  birds  of  your  vicinit\',  and 
to  preserve  a  complete  suite  of  specimens  of  every  si)ecies.  Begin  by  shooting  every  bird  you 
can,  coupling  this  sad  destruction,  however,  with  the  closest  observations  upon  habits.  You 
will  very  soon  fill  your  series  t)f  a  few  kinds,  that  you  find  almost  everywhere,  almost  daily. 
Then  if  you  are  in  a  region  the  ornithidogy  of  which  is  well  known  to  the  profession,  at  once 
stop  kiUiug  these  common  birds  —  they  are  in  every  collection.  You  should  not,  as  a  rule, 
destroy  any  more  robins,  bluebirds,  song-sparrows,  and  the  like,  than  you  want  for  yourself. 
Keej)  an  eye  on  them,  studying  them  always,  but  turn  your  actual  pursuit  into  other  channels, 
until  in  this  way,  gradually  eliminating  the  undesirables,  you  exhaust  the  bird  fauna  as  far  as 
|ii>ssible  (you  will  not  quite  exhaust  it  —  at  least  for  many  years).  But  if  you  are  in  a  new 
nr  little-kiu)wu  locality,  1  had  almost  said  the  very  reverse  course  is  the  best.  The  chances 
are  that  the  most  abundant  and  characteristic  birds  aro  "  rare  "  in  collections.  Many  a  bird's 
range  is  quite  restricted  :  you  may  happen  to  be  just  at  its  metropolis  ;  seize  the  opportunity, 
and  get  good  store,  —  yes,  up  to  fifty  or  a  hundred ;  all  you  can  spare  will  be  thaiiUlully 
r(!ccivcd  by  those  who  have  none.     Quite  as  likely,  birds  tliat  are  scarce  just  where  you  happen 


J 


14 


FIELD  OliNITBOLOGY. 


to  be,  are  bo  only  because  you  are  on  the  edge  of  their  habitat,  and  arc  plentiful  m  more  aceea- 
siWo  rogiims.  Mut,  rar.'  or  not.  it  is  iihvnys  a  i.oiut  to  detenniue  the  exact  geographical 
di'*tni)utiou  of  a  species;  and  tiiis  is  fixid  l.cst  i)y  liaviug  specimeus  to  tell  each  its  own  tale, 
from  as  many  diflbrcut  and  widely  separated  localities  as  possible.  This  alone  warrants  pro- 
curini;  one  or  more  speeim.Mis  in  every  locality;  the  commonest  bird  ac(iuires  a  certain  value 
if  it  be  <Mi.ture<l  awav  from  its  ordinary  range.  An  Eastern  bluebir.l  (Sialia  sialis)  shot  in 
Calif.irnia  miglit  he  considered  more  valuable  than  the  "rarest"  bird  of  that  State,  and  would 
certainly  be  worth  .1  imndr.d  .Massachnsetts  skins;  a  varied  thrush  {rimhis  ncroius)  killed 
in  Massachusetts  is  worth  a  lilie  nmnber  from  Oregon.  But  let  all  your  justifiable  destruction 
of  birds  Ipc  ten>iiered  with  mercy;  your  humanity  will  be  contimially  shocked  with  the  havoo 
you  work,  and  should  never  permit  you  to  take  life  wantonly.  Never  .shoot  a  bird  you  do  not 
iiilly  intend  to  preserve,  or  to  utilize  in  some  proper  way.  Bird-life  is  too  beautiful  a  thing  to 
destroy  to  no  purpose ;  too  sacred  a  tiling,  like  all  life,  to  be  sacrificed,  unless  the  tribute  is  hal- 
lowed by  wortliiness  of  motive.      "  Not  a  sparrow  falleth  to  the  ground  without  His  notice." 

I  .should  not  neglect  to  speak  particularly  of  the  care  to  be  taken  to  secure  full  suites  of 
fniKih:^.  Most  miscellaneous  odlections  contain  four  or  more  males  to  every  female,  —  a  dis- 
propiirtion  liiat  should  be  as  far  reduced  as  po.ssible.  The  occasion  of  the  disparity  is  (d)vious  : 
females  are  usually  more  shy  and  retiring  in  disposhion,  and  ccmsequently  less  freipiently 
noticed,  wliile  their  smaller  size  and  plainer  idumage,  as  a  rule,  further  favor  their  eluding 
<d)servation.  The  dill'erence  in  coloring  is  greatest  among  those  groups  where  the  males  are 
most  richly  clad,  and  the  shyness  of  the  mother  birds  is  most  nnnked  during  the  breeding 
season,  just  when  the  mah's,  full  of  song,  and  in  their  nuptial  attire,  bec(mie  most  ccmspicuous. 
It  is  often  worth  while  to  neglect  the  gay  Benedicts,  to  trace  out  and  secure  the  plainer  but  not 
less  interesting  females.  This  jjursuit,  moreover,  often  leads  to  discovery  of  the  nests  and 
eggs,  — an  important  cousideration.  Although  both  sexes  are  generally  found  together  when 
breeding,  and  mixing  indiscriminately  at  other  seasons,  they  often  go  in  separate  flocks,  and 
often  migrate  indciH'udently  of  each  other;  in  this  case  the  males  usually  in  advance. 
Towards  tlie  end  of  the  passage  of  some  warblers,  for  instance,  we  nuiy  get  almost  nothing 
but  females,  all  our  specimens  of  a  few  days  before  having  been  males.  The  notable  excep- 
tions to  the  rule  of  smaller  size  of  the  female  are  among  rapacious  birds  and  many  waders, 
though  in  these  last  the  disparity  is  not  so  marked.  I  only  recall  one  instance,  among  Amer- 
ican birds,  of  the  female  being  more  richly  colored  than  the  male  —  the  phalaropes.  When 
the  sexes  are  notably  different  in  adult  life,  the  youm)  of  botli  sexes  usually  resemble  the  adult 
fennile,  the  young  males  gradually  assuming  their  disthictive  characters.  When  the  adults 
of  both  sexes  are  alike,  the  young  commonly  dift'er  from  them. 

In  the  same  connection  I  wisli  to  urge  a  point,  tlie  importance  of  which  is  often  over- 
looked ;  it  is  our  practical  interpretation  of  the  adage,  "  a  bird  in  the  hand  is  worth  two  in  the 
busli."  Always  keep  the  first  .specimen  you  si.'cure  of  a  species  till  you  get  another;  no  matter 
how  common  the  species,  how  poor  the  specimen,  or  how  certain  you  may  feel  of  getting  other 
better  ones,  keep  it.  Your  most  reasonalde  calculati(nis  may  come  to  naught,  from  a  variety 
of  circumstances,  and  anij  specimen  is  better  than  no  specimen,  on  general  principles.  And  in 
general,  do  not,  if  you  can  hel]i  it,  discard  any  specimen  in  the  field.  No  tyro  can  tell  what 
,  will  prove  valuable  and  M-hat  not ;  while  even  the  expert  may  regret  to  find  that  a  point  comes 
up  whicli  a  specimen  he  injudiciously  discarded  might  have  determined.  Let  a  collection  be 
"  weeded  out,"  if  at  all,  (mly  after  (Uliberate  and  mature  examinatiim,  when  the  scientific  results 
it  affords  have  been  elaborated  by  a  competent  ornitlndogist ;  and  even  then,  the  refuse  (with 
certain  limitations)  had  better  be  put  where  it  will  do  some  good,  than  be  destroyed  utterly. 
For  instance,  I  my.sclf  once  valued,  and  used,  some  Smithsonian  "sweepings";  and  I  know 
very  well  what  to  do  with  specimens,  now,  to  which  I  woidd  not  give  house-room  in  my  o'vn 
oibinet.     If  forced  to  reduce  bulk,  owing  to  limited  facilities  for  transportation  in  tlu'     eld 


SUGGESTIONS  AND  DIRECTIONS  FOR  FIELD-WORK. 


15 


(us  too  often  hiippeus),  throw  away  accordiug  to  size,  other  things  being  equal.  Given  only 
so  many  cuhic  inches  or  feet,  eliniiiuite  the  few  Umje  birds  whii-h  take  tip  tlie  spaee  that  would 
cdiitaiu  fifty  tir  a  hundred  different  little  ones.  If  you  have  a  fine;  large  balil  eagle  or  pelican, 
I'lir  iiistarLce,  throw  it  away  first,  and  follow  it  witii  your  ducks,  geese,  etc.  In  this  way,  the 
hulk  of  a  large  miscellaneous  collection  may  be  reduced  one  half,  perliaps,  with  very  little 
(l(]ii-cciation  of  its  actual  value.  Tlie  same  principle  may  be  extended  to  other  collections  in 
Hiitinal  history  (excepting  fossils,  which  are  always  weighty,  if  not  also  bulky)  ;  very  few  bird- 
skins,  indeed,  being  as  valuable  contributions  to  science  as,  for  example,  a  vial  of  miscella- 
neous insects  that  occupies  no  more  room  may  prove  to  be. 

What  Is  "  A  Good  Day's  Work  ?  "  —  Fifty  birds  shot,  their  skins  preserved,  and  obser- 
vations recorded,  is  a  rerij  good  day's  work;  it  is  sharj)  jiractice,  even  wlieu  birds  are  jdeiitifiij. 
1  never  knew  a  person  to  avertif/e  anywhere  near  it;  oven  during  the  "season"  such  work 
caiiiint  possibly  Ih-  sustained.  You  may,  of  course,  by  a  murderous  discharge  into  a  flock, 
as  (if  blackbirds  or  reedbirds,  get  a  hundred  or  more  in  a  moment ;  but  I  refer  to  collecting 
a  fair  variety  of  birds.  You  will  do  very  well  if  you  avcntfic  a  dozen  a  day  diu'ing  the  seasons. 
I  doubt  wliether  any  collector  ever  averaged  a.s  many  the  year  around  ;  it  would  be  over  four 
tlidusand  si)eciinens  annually.  Tlie  greatest  number  I  ever  iirocured  a lul  prepared  in  one  day 
was  forty,  and  I  have  not  often  gone  over  twenty.  Even  wlien  cidlecting  regularly  and 
assiiltiously,  I  am  satisfied  to  average  a  dozen  a  day  during  the  migrations,  and  one-third  or 
one-fourth  as  numy  the  rest  of  the  year.  Probably  this  iuij)lies  tlie  shooting  of  about  ipne  iu 
five  not  skinned  for  various  reasons,  as  mutilation,  decay,  ov  want  of  time. 


ApproachiiiR  Birds. —  Tliere  is  little  if  any  trouble  in  getting  near  encmgh  to  shoot 
most  birds.  Witli  notable  excei)tions,  they  arc  harder  to  see  when  near  enougli,  or  to  hit 
when  seen  ;  particularly  small  birds  that  arc  ahnost  incessantly  in  motion.  As  a  rule  —  and  a 
curious  one  it  is —  difficulty  of  approach  is  in  direct  ratio  to  the  size  of  the  bird  ;  it  is  perluip.s 
because  large  conspicuous  birds  are  objects  of  more  general  pursuit  than  the  little  ones  you 
ordinarily  search  for.  The  (pnilities  tlnit  birds  possess  for  self-preservation  may  be  called 
ivariness  in  large;  birds,  shyttess  in  snmll  ones.  The  former  make  ott'  kui  '.vingly  from  a  sus- 
picious object;  the  latter  fly  fri)m  anything  that  is  .strange  to  them,  be  it  dangerous  or  not. 
This  is  strikingly  illustrated  in  the  behavior  of  snnill  birds  in  the  Avilderness,  as  contrasted  with 
tlieir  actions  about  towns;  singular  as  it  may  seem,  they  are  more  timid  under  the  former  cir- 
cumstances than  when  grown  accustomed  to  the  presence  of  man.  It  is  just  the  reverse  with 
a  hawk  or  raven,  fin*  instance  ;  in  populous  districts  they  spend  imich  of  tlieir  time  in  trying  to 
save  their  skins,  while  in  a  new  country  they  have  not  learned,  like  Indians,  that  a  white  man 
is  "  nnghty  uncertain."  In  stealing  on  a  shy  bird,  you  wiU  of  course  take  advantage  of  any 
cover  tlnit  may  f)ffer,  as  inequalities  of  the  ground,  thick  bushes,  the  trunks  of  trees  ;  and  it  is 
often  worth  while  to  make  a  considerable  detour  to  secure  imobserved  approach.  I  think  that 
birds  are  more  likely,  as  a  rule,  to  be  frightened  away  by  the  movements  of  the  collector, 
than  by  his  simple  presence,  however  near,  and  that  they  are  more  afraid  of  noise  than  of 
mere  motion.  Craclding  of  twigs  and  rustling  of  leaves  are  sharp  sounds,  though  not  loud 
ones ;  you  nmy  have  sometimes  been  surprised  to  find  how  distinctly  you  could  hear  the  move- 
ments of  a  horse  or  cow  iu  underbrush  at  some  distance.  Birds  have  sharp  ears  for  such 
sounds.  Form  a  habit  of  stealthy  movement ;  it  tells,  in  the  long  run,  in  comparison  with 
lumbering  tread.  There  are  no  special  precautions  to  be  taken  in  shooting  through  higli  open 
forest ;  you  have  only  to  saunter  along  with  your  eyes  in  the  tree-tops.  It  is  ordinarily  the 
easiest  and  on  the  whole  the  most  renumcrativc  path  of  the  collector.  In  traversing  fields  and 
meadows  move  briskly,  your  principal  object  being  to  flush  birds  out  of  the  grass;  and  as  most 
of  your  shots  will  be  snap  ones,  keep  iu  readiness  for  instant  action.     Excellent  and  varied 


16 


FIELD  omnnoL og  y. 


shooting  is  to  1)P  liad  along  tlio  licdgc  rows,  and  in  the  iiiiik  liorbngo  tliat  fringes  fcncps.  It  is 
best  to  li.M'p  at  a  little  distance,  yet  near  enoimh  t.)  arouse  all  llie  birds  as  you  pass:  you  may 
ciiteh  them  on  wing,  or  piek  them  oft'  just  as  tliey  settle  after  a  sliort  iiight.  In  this  shooting, 
two  persons,  one  on  eaeh  side,  ran  together  do  njore  tlian  twiee  as  niucli  work  as  one.  Thiek- 
ets  anil  tangled  undei-growtli  are  favorite  resorts  of  many  birds;  but  when  very  elose,  or, 
as  often  hapix'ns,  over  miry  ground,  tliey  are  hard  places  to  shoot  in.  As  you  come  thrashing 
through  the  brush,  the  Utile  inhabitants  are  scared  into  deeper  recesses  ;  but  if  you  keep  still  fi 
few  minutes  in  some  favurabie  s|M,t,  lliey  are  reassured,  and  will  often  conio  back  to  take  a 
peep  at  you.  A  good  deal  of  standing  still  will  repay  you  at  such  times  ;  needless  to  add,  you 
cannot  be  too  lightly  loaded  for  such  shooting,  when  birds  are  mostly  out  of  sight  if  a  dozen 
yards  otf.  Wlien  yourself  concealed  in  a  tliicket,  and  no  binls  a)ipear,  you  can  often  call  num- 
bers about  you  by  a  simi>!<'  artilice.  A)iply  the  back  of  your  hand  t(p  your  slightly  ]iarted  lips, 
and  suck  in  air;  it  makes  a  nondescript  "  screejiing "' noise,  vaiiable  in  intonation  at  your 
whim,  and  some  of  the  sounds  resemble  the  cries  of  a  wounded  bird,  or  a  young  one  in  distress. 
It  wakes  up  the  wh(de  neighborhood,  and  sometimes  jiuts  certain  birds  almost  beside  themselves, 
particularly  in  tlie  breeding  scasim.  Torturing  a  wounded  bird  to  make  it  scream  in  agony 
aceomidishes  the  same  result,  but  of  course  is  only  permissil)k'  under  groat  exigency.  In  peu- 
etratinj;  s\vam]is  and  marshes,  the  best  advice  I  can  give  you  is  to  tell  you  to  get  along  tlio 
best  way  you  can.  Shooting  on  ]ierfectly  open  ground  oilers  much  the  same  case;  you  must 
be  loft  to  yoiu-  own  devices.  I  will  say,  however,  you  can  ride  on  horseback,  or  even  in  a 
buggy,  nearer  birds  than  they  will  allow  you  to  walk  up  to  them.  Sportsmen  take  advantage 
of  this  to  get  within  ii  sliot  of  tlie  upland  jdover,  usually  a  very  wary  bird  in  jiopulous  districts  ; 
I  have  driven  right  into  a  ftock  of  wild  geese;  in  California  they  often  train  a  bullock  to  graze 
gradually  u])  to  geese,  the  gunner  l)eing  hidden  by  its  body.  There  is  one  trick  worth  know- 
ing;  it  is  not  to  let  a  bird  that  has  seen  you  know  by  your  action  that  you  have  seen  it,  but  to 
keej)  on  unconcernedly,  gradually  sidling  nearer.  I  have  secured  nniny  hawks  in  this  way, 
when  the  bird  would  have  llown  off  at  the  tirst  step  of  direct  approach.  Numberless  other 
little  arts  will  couk^  to  you  as  your  wood-craft  matures. 


Recovering  Uirils.  —  It  is  not  always  that  you  secure  the  birds  you  kill ;  you  may  not 
be  able  to  find  them,  or  you  may  .sec  them  lying,  perhaps  but  a  few  feet  off,  in  a  spot  practi- 
cally inaccessible.  I'nder  such  circumstances  a  retriever  docs  excellent  service,  as  already 
hinted;  he  is  eipially  useful  when  a  bird  properly  "marked  down  "is  not  found  there,  having 
fluttered  or  run  away  and  hidden  elsewhere.  The  most  difficult  of  all  places  to  find  birds  is 
among  reeds,  the  eternal  sameness  of  which  makes  it  iilniost  impossible  to  rediscover  a  spot 
whence  the  eye  has  once  wandered,  wliih;  the  peculiar  growth  aUows  birds  to  slip  far  down  out 
of  sight.  In  rank  grass  or  weeds,  when  you  have  walked  up  with  your  eye  fixed  on  the  spot 
where  the  bird  seemed  to  fall,  yet  failed  to  discover  it,  drop  your  cap  or  handkerchief  for  a 
mark,  and  hunt  around  it  as  a  centre,  in  enlarging  circles.  In  thickets,  make  a  "  bee  line  " 
for  the  sjiot,  if  i)ossihlo  keejjing  your  eye  on  the  spray  from  which  thi^  bird  fell,  and  not  for- 
getting where  you  stood  on  liring;  you  may  require  to  come  back  to  the  spot  and  take  a  new 
departure.  You  will  not  seldom  see  a  bird  just  shot  at  fly  off  as  if  nidiarmed,  when  really  it 
will  droj)  dead  in  a  few  moments.  In  all  cases  therijfore  when  the  bird  does  not  drop  at  the 
shot,  follow  it  with  your  eyes  as  far  as  you  can  ;  if  you  see  it  finally  drop,  or  even  flutter 
languidly  downward,  mark  it  on  the  ])rinciples  just  mentioned,  and  go  in  search.  Make  every 
endeavor  to  secure  wounded  birds,  on  the  score  of  humanity ;  they  should  not  be  left  to  pine 
away  and  die  in  lingering  misery  if  it  can  possibly  be  avoided. 

Killing  Wounded  Birds — You  will  often  recover  winged  birds,  as  full  of  life  as  before 
the  bone  was  broken  ;  and  others  too  grievously  hurt  to  fly,  yet  far  from  death.    Your  object  is 


SUGGESTIONS  AND  DIRECTIONS  FOR  FIELD-WORK. 


tti  kill  tlicin  as  quickly  and  as  painlossly  as  pnssililc,  without  injuring  tlio  plumage.  This  is 
til  bo  accomplished,  with  all  small  birds,  by  sufl'ocatiou.  The  respiration  and  circulation  of 
birds  is  very  active,  aud  most  of  thcui  die  in  a  few  moments  if  the  lungs  are  so  compressed 
lliiit  lliey  cannot  breathe.  Squeeze  the  bird  tightly  across  the  chest,  under  the  wings,  thumb 
(III  one  side,  middle  finger  on  the  other,  forefinger  ])ressed  in  the  hollow  at  the  root  of  the  neck, 
between  the  forks  of  the  merrythought.     Press  firndy,  hard  enough  to  fi.x  the  chest  immovably 

iiiid  ( press  the  lungs,  but  not  to  break  in  the  ribs.     The  bird  will  nnike  vigorous  but  inetfect- 

uiil  efforts  to  breathe,  when  the  muscles  will  contract  spasmodically  ;  but  in  a  moment  more, 
the  system  rela.\es  with  a  painful  shiver,  light  fades  from  the  eyes,  and  the  lids  ch)se.  1 
assure  you,  it  will  make  you  wince  the  fii-st  few  times ;  you  had  better  habitually  hold  the 
poor  creature  behind  you.  You  can  tell  by  its  limp  feel  and  motionlessness  when  it  is  dead, 
without  watching  the  sad  struggle.  Large  birds  obviously  cannot  be  dealt  with  in  this 
way ;  I  would  as  soon  attempt  to  throttle  a  dog  as  u  loon,  for  instance,  \\\w\i  which  all  the 
pressure  you  can  give  nuikes  no  seusibh;  impression.  A  winged  hawk,  again,  will  throw  itself 
on  its  ba(d{  as  you  come  up,  aud  show  such  good  fight  with  beak  and  talons,  that  you  nuiy  be 
quite  severely  scratched  in  the  encounter:  mcunwhilo  the  struggling  bird  may  bo  bespattering 
its  )iluumgc  with  blood.  In  such  a  case  —  in  any  case  of  a  large  bird  making  decided  resist- 
ance —  1  think  it  best  to  step  back  u  few  ])aces  aud  settle  the  matter  with  a  light  charge  of 
mustard-seed.  Any  largo  bird  once  secured  may  bo  speedily  dispatched  by  stabbing  to  tho 
heart  with  some  slender  instrument  thrust  in  under  the  wing  —  caro  must  bo  taken  too  about 
the  bleeding  ;  or,  it  nniy  bo  instantly  killed  by  piercing  the  brain  with  a  knife  introduced  into 
the  mouth  aud  driven  ui)ward  aud  obliquely  backward  from  the  palate.  Tho  latter  method  ia 
[(referable  as  it  leaves  no  outward  sign  and  causes  no  bleeding  to  speak  of.  With  your  thumb, 
you  nuiy  indent  tho  back  part  of  a  bird's  skull  so  as  to  compress  tho  cerebellum ;  if  you  can 
get  deep  enough  in,  without  materially  disordering  tho  plumage,  or  breaking  the  skin,  the 
method  is  unobjectionable. 

Handling  Bleeding  Birds.  —  Bleeding  depends  altogether  upon  tho  part  or  organ 
wounded ;  but  other  things  being  equal,  violence  of  the  htemorrhago  is  usually  in  direct  pro- 
portion to  the  size  of  the  shot-hole  ;  when  mustard-seed  is  used  it  is  ordinarily  very  trilling,  if  it 
occur  at  all.  Blood  flows  oftoner  from  the  orifice  of  exit  of  a  shot,  than  from  tho  wound  of 
entrance,  for  the  latter  is  usually  plugged  with  a  little  wad  of  feathers  driven  in.  Bleeding  from 
the  mouth  or  nostrils  is  tho  rule  when  the  lungs  are  wounded.  When  it  occcurs,  hold  up  the 
bird  by  the  feet,  and  let  it  drip ;  a  general  squeeze  of  the  body  in  that  position  will  facilitate 
the  drainage.  In  general,  hold  a  bird  so  that  a  bleeding  place  is  most  dependent ;  then,  pres- 
sure about  tho  part  will  help  the  How.  A  "  gob"  of  blood,  which  is  simply  a  forming  clot, 
on  the  plumage  may  often  be  dexterously  flipped  almost  clean  away  with  a  snap  of  the  finger. 
It  is  first-rate  practice  to  take  cotton  and  forceps  into  tho  field  to  plug  up  shot-holes,  and  stop 
tile  mouth  and  nostrUs  and  vent  on  tho  spot.  I  fcdlow  tho  custom  of  the  books  in  recommend- 
ing this,  but  I  will  confess  I  have  rarely  done  it  myself,  and  I  suspect  that  only  a  few  of  our 
most  leisurely  and  elegant  collectors  do  so  habitually.  Shot-holes  may  be  found  by  gently 
raising  the  feathers,  or  blowing  them  aside ;  you  can  of  course  get  only  a  tiny  plug  into  tho 
wound  itself,  but  it  should  be  one  end  of  a  sizable  pledget,  tho  rest  lying  fluffy  among  tho 
feathers.  In  stiipping  the  mouth  or  vent,  ram  the  fluff  of  cotton,  entirely  inside.  You  cannot 
couveniently  stop  up  the  nostrils  of  suuill  birds  separately ;  but  take  a  light  cylinder  of  cotton, 
lay  it  transversely  across  tho  base  of  the  upper  mandible,  closely  covering  tho  nostrils,  and 
confine  it  there  by  tucking  each  end  tightly  into  the  corner  of  the  mouth.  In  default  of  such 
nice  fixing  as  this,  a  pinch  of  dry  loam  pressed  on  a  bleeding  spot  will  plaster  itself  there  and 
stop  further  mischief.  Never  try  to  icipe  <)^ fresh  blood  that  has  already  wetted  the  plumage; 
you  will  only  make  matters  worse.  Let  it  dry  on,  and  then  —  but  the  treatment  of  blood- 
stains, and  other  soilings  of  plumage,  is  given  beyond. 

2 


i   i| 


18 


CnrrylnK  Birds 


riELi)  onyniioLOGY. 

Iloiiip  Safe,  —  SiipiHisc  ynii  havo  Hrciircil  a  fiiio  Kpocimon,  very  likely 


itliout 


lilcd  (11-  nilllc.l  tcatljcr:  ymir  iii 


xt  calf  will  1m'  til  liccp  it  sii  till  you  are  ready  tn 


skill  it.     IJiit  if  yiiii  imckct  nr 


liau  it  iliici'ilv.  it  will  ln'  a  snrry-li'iikiiifr  oltjcct  lirfiw  yoii  u''' 


rcsjifctiv 


Kacli  siHriiiiru  iinist  lir  MjiaraKlv  ■•ami  I'.ir,  l>y  wrapiiiiif,'  m  Htmit  \w\>vr ;   wntiiii; 

as  any,  it'  imt  tlir  lust.     It  will  ii'iiay  ymi  to  [irciiair  a  stock  of  iiapcr  Ixforr 

t  sizes  are  tliose  of  a  half-sheet  of  note,  of  letter,  anil  of  ea|> 

I'lilil  anil  cut  newsjiaiKT  t rres]ionil;  besides,  it  is  always 


jiajier  is  as  fjm 

starting'  out ;  yoiir  most  cniiveiian 


Kill 


III'  talie  tlii'sc, 


Wl 


II  to  have  a  irlinli'  news|ia|iir  or  two  liir  lait;e  liinls.     I'lciity  of  paper  will  k"  '•'  <•'<'  l>i'<'ast 


pock<'ts  of  the  sliootillH-coa 


.Malic  a  "corniu'oiiia,"  —  the  simplest  tiling  in  the  world,  Init, 


lik(!  lyin^  a  paiticn 


feutli 


IIS,  and  seein 


knot,  hard  to  e.xidain.  Setting'  the  wiiiffs  closely,  adjiistinj,'  disturlied 
that  the  hill  points  straiiiht  I'orwaid,  tlirnst  the  hird  head  first  into  (ilie 
of  these  paper  cones,  till  it  will  pi  no  further,  heintc  hound  hy  the  liiilj;e  of  the  breast,  l-et 
tlie  cone  be  lait;e  enough  for  the  o|ieii  end  to  fold  over  or  pinch  together  entirely  beyond  the 
tail.  He  particular  not  to  cniniple  or  bend  the  tail  feathers.  Lay  the  jiaper  chsch  in  tlio  giiine 
hai;  or  great  pocket  so  tiiat  they  very  nearly  run  |iarallel  and  lie  horixontal ;  they  will  carry 

better  than  if  thrown  in  at  rami Avoid  oveicrowding  the  jiackages,  as  far  as  is  reasonably 

jiraclicable;  iii.ideratc  jjressiire  will  do  no  harm,  as  a  rule,  but  if  great  it  may  make  birds 
bleed  afresh,  or  cause  the  lliiids  of  a  wonnded  intestine  to  ooze  out  and  soak  the  iduniagc  of 
the  lielly,  —  a  very  bad  accident  indeed.  For  similar  obvious  reasons,  do  not  juit  a  large  heavy 
bird  on  top  of  a  lot  of  little  ones  ;  I  would  .sooner  sling  a  hawk  <m'  heron  over  my  shoulder,  >)r 
carry  it  by  hand.  If  it  goes  in  the  bag,  see  that  it  gets  to  the  bottom.  Avoid  imttiiig  birds 
in  iiockets  that  are  close  about  your  i)erson  ;  they  are  almost  always  unduly  pressed,  and  may 
gain  just  enough  addilional  warmth  from  your  body  to  make  them  begin  to  decompose  before 
you  can  get  at  skinning  them.  Handle  birds  no  more  than  is  necessary,  especially  white- 
phimaged  ones;  ten  to  one  ycair  hands  are  powder-begriined  :  and  besides,  even  the  warmth, 
and  moisture  of  your  palms  may  tend  to  injure  a  deiieate  feathering.  Ordinarily  pick  up  ii. 
bird  by  the  feet  or  bill ;  as  you  need  both  bands  to  make  the  cornucopia,  let  the  8i)eciincn 
dangle  by  the  toes  from  ymir  teeth  while  you  are  so  employed.  In  eatehing  at  a  wounded 
bird,  aim  to  cover  it  entirely  with  your  hand  ;  but  whatever  you  do,  never  seize  it  by  the  tail, 
which  then  will  ol'ten  be  left  in  your  hand.s  for  your  pains.  Never  grasp  wing-tips  or  tail- 
feathers;  these  large  Hat  (juills  would  get  a  peculiar  enm]iing  all  along  the  webs,  very  difficult 
to  ellace.  Finally,  I  would  add  there  is  a  certain  kiuudi  or  art  in  manipulating,  cither  of  a 
dead  bird  or  a  birdskin,  by  which  you  may  handle  it  with  seeming  carelessness  and  jieifect 
iin]imiity ;  whilst  the  most  gingerly  lingering  of  an  ine.xpeiieiieed  per.son  will  leave  its  rude 
trace.  You  will  naturally  aci(iiire  the  correct  touch ;  but  it  can  bo  neither  taught  nor 
described. 

A  Special  Case. —  While  the  ordinary  run  of  land  birds  will  bo  brought  homo  in  good 
order  by  tlie  foregoing  method,  .some  reiitiire  special  precautions.  I  refer  t;;  sea  birds,  such  as 
gulls,  tern.s,  petrels,  etc.,  shot  from  a  boat.  In  the  iirst  place,  the  plumage  of  most  of  them  is, 
in  part  at  least,  white  and  of  e-Vfjiiisite  purity.  Then,  fish-eating  birds  usually  vomit  and 
jiurge  when  shot.  They  are  necessarily  iishcd  all  drijiping  from  the  water.  They  are  too 
large  for  pocketing.  If  you  put  them  on  the  thwarts  or  elsewhere  about  the  boat,  they  u.sually 
fall  off,  or  are  knocked  off,  into  the  bilge  water;  if  you  stow  tlicm  in  the  cubby-hole,  they  will 
assuredly  soil  by  mutual  pressure,  or  hy  rolling  about.  It  will  repay  you  to  pick  them  from 
the  water  by  the  hill,  and  shake  oifall  the  water  you  can;  hold  them  up,  or  let  some  one  do 
it,  till  they  are  tolerably  dry  ;  plug  the  mouth,  nostrils,  and  vent,  if  not  also  shot-holes  ;  wrap 
each  one  .sejiarately  in  a  chlh  {nut  paper)  or  a  mass  of  tow,  iind  pack  steadily  in  a  covered  box 
or  basket  taken  on  board  for  this  purpose.  With  such  precautions  as  these  birds  most  liable 
to  be  soiled  reach  the  skinning  table  in  perfect  order ;  and  your  care  will  afterward  transform 
them  into  specimens  without  spot  or  blemish. 


HYGIENE  OF  COLLECTORSIIIP. 


19 


Ti,  very  liUdy 
nil'  rrinly  to 
c't'nrc  you  jjct 
|Hr;   wriiiiiu 
|>iilH'r  lirfon- 
r,  and  of  fn\t 
s,  it  is  always 
n  tlic  liii'ast 
ic  wiirltl,  but, 
iii^;  (liHturbcd 
first  iutii  one 
breast,     l.ct 
ly  beyond  tllc 
<  in  tlic  ^anid 
icy  will  carry 
s  is  reasonably 
ly  make  birds 
lie  |)lunia|u;o  of 
a  larjje  licavy 
ly  shoulder,  or 
imttiuK  birds 
>ssed,  and  may 
compose  before 
liecially  wliite- 
•cii  tbe  warmth, 
nrily  jiick  up  a 
t  tho  specimen 
:  at  a  wounded 
?.  it  by  tbe  tail, 
ig-tips  or  tail- 
is,  very  difficult 
inj,',  cither  of  a 
ess  and  perfect 
I  leave  its  rude 
ler  taught  nor 

t  home  in  good 
a  birds,  such  as 
nost  of  them  is, 
lally  vomit  and 
They  are  too 
at,  they  usually 
-hole,  they  will 
pick  them  from 
.'t  some  one  do 
lot-holes ;  wrap 
n  a  covered  box 
rds  most  liable 
rward  transform 


§  4.  —  HYOIKNE  OF  COLLKCTOUSIIU". 

It  Is  Unnecessary  to  speiik  of  the  llealthfutness  of  a  pursuit  that,  like  tho  collector's 
(uciipiition,  demands  regular  bodily  exercise,  and  at  the  same  time  stimulates  the  mind  by 
siiiiiilying  an  (diject,  thus  calling  the  whole  system  into  exhilarating  action.  Yet  collecting 
liMs  its  perils,  not  to  be  overlooked  if  we  would  acU'ijuately  guard  against  them,  as  fortunately 
we  may,  in  most  cases,  by  simple  precautions.  The  dangers  of  taxidermy  it.self  are  elsewhere 
noticed;  but,  besides  these,  the  c(dlector  is  exposeil  to  vicissitudes  of  the  weather,  may  eudurc 
(jrcat  fatigue,  may  breatl'..'  miasm,  and  may  be  mechanically  injured. 

Aeclilents  from  tlio  CJiin  have  been  already  treated  ;  a  few  special  rules  will  render 
(itliiis  little  liable  to  occur.  'I'lie  .secret  of  safe  vUmdituj  is  never  to  relax  one  hold  until  another 
is  secured;  it  is  in  spirit  eijually  aiiplicable  to  scrambling  over  rocks,  a  particularly  difficult 
thii  to  ilo  .safely  with  a  lo;iileil  gun.  Test  rotten,  slippery,  or  otherwise  suspicious  holds 
I  trusting  them.      In    lifliug   the   body   up   anywhere,   keep   the  mouth   shut,   breathe 

I  the  nostrils,  and  go  slowly.     In  swinuiiiii;/,  waste  no  strength  unnecessarily  in  trying 

to  .>  1  a  current;  yield  partly,  and  laud  obliiiuely  lower  down;  if  exhausted,  float;  the 
slightest  motiiiii  of  the  hands  will  ordinarily  keep  the  face  above  water;  an  ,  iu  any  event  keep 
your  wits  collected.  In  fording  deeply,  a  heavy  stone  will  strengthen  \  >'  position.  Never 
siiil  a  boat  experimentally  ;  if  you  are  no  .sailor,  fake  one  with  you  or  stay  on  l.iiid.  In  cross- 
ing a  high,  narrow  footpath,  never  look  lower  than  your  feet;  tho  muscles  will  work  true  if 
not  confused  with  faltering  instructions  from  a  giddy  brain.  On  soft  groimd,  see  what,  if 
anything,  has  preceded  you;  large  hoof-inarks  generally  mean  that  the  way  is  safe;  if  none 
are  found,  inquire  for  yourself  before  going  on.  Quicksand  is  tho  most  tretic.horous,  because 
far  more  dangerous  than  it  lordss;  but  I  have  seen  a  mub^'s  cars  finally  disappear  in  genuine 
iinid.  (,'attle  paths,  however  erratic,  commonly  prove  the  surest  way  out  of  a  difficult  place, 
whether  of  uncertain  footing  or  dense  undergrowth, 

Minsm.  —  Unguarded  exposure  iu  malarious  regions  usually  entails  sickness,  often  pro- 
ventalile,  however,  by  due  precautions.  It  is  worth  knowing,  in  the  first  place,  that  miasmatic 
poison  is  most  jiowerful  between  sunset  and  sunrise;  more  exactly,  from  the  damp  of  tbe 
evening  until  night  vapors  are  dissipated ;  we  may  be  out  in  the  daytime  with  comjiarativo 
inipnnity,  where  to  pass  a  night  would  be  almost  certain  disease.  If  forced  to  camp  out,  seek 
the  highest  and  dryest  spot,  put  a  good  lire  on  the  swamp  side,  and  also,  if  possible,  let  trees 
intervene.  Never  go  out  on  an  empty  fomacli ;  just  a  cup  of  coflee  and  a  crust  may  make  a 
deciiled  difference.  Meet  the  earliest  unfavorable  syiniitoiiis  with  (piinine;  I  should  rather  say, 
if  iinac<'liiiiated,  anticipati!  (hem  with  this  invaluable  agent.  Endeavor  to  niaintain  high 
health  of  all  functions  by  the  natural  means  of  regularity  and  temperance  in  diet,  exercise,  and 
repose, 

"  Taking  Cold."  —  This  vague  "  houselndd  word  "  indicates  one  or  more  of  a  long  varied 

train  of  nnideasant  affections,  lU'arly  always  traceable  to  one  or  the  other  of  only  two  causes: 

•iudden  change  of  temperature,  and  unequal  dislrihiition  of  teniiierature.     No  extremes  of  heat 

or  cold  can  alone  effect  this  result;  jiensons  fro/eu  to  death  do  not  "  take  crold"  during  the 

process.     fJut  if  a  ]iart  of  the  body  be  rapidly  coided,  as  by  evaporation  from  a  wi't  article  of 

clothing,  or  by  sitting  in  a  draught  of  air,  the  rest  of  the  body  remaining  at  au  ordinary  tem- 

pinitiire  ;  or  if  the  temperature  of  the  whole  be  suddenly  changed  by  going  out  into  the  colil, 

or,  esjiecially,  by  coming  into  a  warm  room,  there  is  much  liability  of  trouble.     There  is  an 

old  saying,  — 

"  WIioii  llic  (ilr  comps  throiiKli  n  Iiolo 
Say  your  prayers  to  save  your  soiilj" 


f 


11 


20 


FIELD  OltNITHOLOGY. 


and  I  slinuia  tliiiik  almost  any  oup  (■■.ul.l  got  a  "  c"!.!"  witli  a  siiooiifiil  <.f  water  on  llio  wrist 
hdil  to  u  key-hole.  Singular  as  it  may  seem,  smiden  warming  when  cold  is  inoro  daugerons 
than  the  roversfl;  everyone  has  notieed  how  soon  the  handkerehief  is  required  on  entering  a 
hi-ated  n.om  on  a  culd  day.  Frost-hiK;  is  an  extreme  illustration  of  this.  As  the  Irishman 
said  on  picking  him.sell'  uji,  it  was  not  the  Call,  hut  stoi)i.ing  so  (piiekly  that  liurt  him;  it  is 
not  the  lowering  <if  the  temi)eiatiin'  to  the  fre.'/ing  jHnnt,  but  its  subse<iuent  (devation,  that 
devitalizes  the  tissue.  This  is  why  ruhhing  with  snow,  or  bathing  in  e.dd  water,  is  required 
to  restore  safely  a  frozen  p.irt;  the  arrested  circulation  must  bo  very  gradually  re-established, 
or  inllaniniation,  perhajis  iriorlitieation,  ensues.  General  jireeantions  against  taking  cold  are 
almost  self-evident,  in  this  light.  There  is  ordinarily  little  if  any  danger  to  be  ai)i)rehended 
from  M"t  clothes,  so  long  «..  exercise  is  kept  uj) ;  for  the  "  glow  "  about  compensates  for  thi^ 
extra  cooling  by  <  va|-  'ration.  Nor  is  a  complete  drenching  more  likely  to  be  injurious  than 
welting  of  one  part.  Hut  never  sit  still  wet;  and  in  changing  rub  the  body  dry.  There  is  a 
general  tcuvlency,  springing  from  fatigue,  imhdence,  or  inditl'erence,  to  neglect  damp  feet;  that 
is  to  say,  to  dry  them  by  the  lire ;  but  this  iiioccss  is  tedious  and  uncertain.  I  would  say 
especially,  otf  with  the  muddy  boots  and  sodden  socks  at  once;  dry  stockings  and  slippers, 
after  a  limit,  may  make  .just  tlu!  diderence  of  your  being  able  to  go  out  again  <»r  never.  Take 
<!ari!  never  to  check  perspiration  ;  during  this  process,  the  body  is  in  a  somewhat  critical  condi- 
tion, and  sudden  arrest  of  the  functicm  may  result  disastrously,  even  fatally.  One  part  of  the 
business  of  perspiration  is  to  e(iualize  bodily  temperature,  and  it  must  not  be  interfered  with. 
The  secret  of  much  that  might  be  .said  about  bathing  when  heated,  lies  here.  A  person  over- 
heated, panting  it  may  be,  witli  throbbing  temides  and  a  dri/  skin,  is  in  danger  partly  because 
the  natural  cooling  by  evaporation  from  the  skin  is  denied,  and  this  condition  is  sometimes  m>t 
far  froui  a  "  sun.stroke."  Under  these  circumstanc<!S,  a  jierson  of  fairly  good  constitution  may 
plunge  into  the  water  with  impunity,  even  with  benetit.  liut  if  tlie  body  be  already  eotding 
by  sweating,  rapid  abstrac^tion  of  heat  from  the  surface  nniy  cause  internal  congestion,  never 
unattended  vith  danger.  Drinking  ice-water  otfers  a  somi^what  parallel  cjise  ;  even  on  stoop- 
ing to  drink  <it  tht>  brook,  when  Hushed  with  heat,  it  is  w<dl  to  bathe  the  face  and  hands  first, 
and  to  taste  the  water  before  a  full  draught.  It  is  a  well-known  excellent  rule,  not  to  bathe 
immediately  after  a  full  meal ;  because  during  digestion  th(!  organs  concerned  are  compuru- 
tively  engorged,  an  ;  any  suihlen  disturbance  of  the  circulation  nnjy  be  disiustrous.  The 
imperative  necessity  of  resisting  drowsiness  under  extreme  cold  requires  no  comment.  In 
walking  under  a  hot  sun,  the  head  may  be  sensibly  protected  by  grecu  leaves  ur  grass  in  the 
h".t;  they  may  he  advantageously  moistened,  but  not  enough  to  drip  about  the  ears,  llnder 
su';h  circumstances  the  slightest  giddiness,  dimness  of  sight,  or  confusion  of  ideaL<,  should  bo 
taken  its  a  warning  of  possible  sunstndie,  instantly  demanding  rest  and  shelter. 

ilunxor  iin<l  Fntlffiie  an^  more  closely  related  than  they  might  seem  to  be;  one  is  a  sign 
that  the  fuel  is  out,  and  tin?  other  asks  for  it.  Kxtri'me  fatigue,  indeed,  destroys  nppetito  ; 
this  sinqdy  m,  aiis,  temporary  incapacity  for  digestion.  Hut  '  ven  far  short  of  this,  food  is  inoro 
easily  digcLted  and  beltiT  rilished  afleralitlh'  preparation  of  the  furnace  On  coming  bcmio 
tired,  it  is  much  better  to  make  a  leisurely  and  rea.sonably  nice  toilet  than  to  eat  at  <mce,  or  to 
lie  still  thinking  how  lired  you  are;  after  a  change  and  a  wash  you  will  feel  like  u  "  new 
inun,"  and  go  to  table  in  capital  slate.  Whatever  dietetic  irregularities  a  high  state  of  civili- 
zation may  demand  or  lender  practicable,  a  normally  hi'althy  person  is  inconvenienced  almost 
as  soon  as  his  regular  meal-time  pusses  without  foid ;  a  few  can  work  comfortably  or  profit- 
ably fasting  over  six  <;r  eight  hours.  Kat  before  starting;  if  for  n  day's  tramp,  take  a  lunch  ; 
the  most  frugal  meal  will  appease  if  it  do  not  satisfy  hunger,  and  so  postpone  its  urgency.  As 
u  small  scrap  of  practical  wisdom,  I  would  adil,  keep  tin'  remnants  of  tho  lunch,  if  there  uro 
any  ;  for  you  cannot  always  bo  sure  of  getting  in  to  supper. 


REGISTRATION  AND  LABELLING. 


21 


on  tlu!  wrist 

iro  ilauj;orous 

on  cntti'in/;;  ii 

the  Irishiimii 

urt  hill, ;  it  is 

Icvutioii,  tliiit 

cr,  iB  required 

•e-cstublialied, 

king  cold  are 

ajjiirehended 

iisutes  f(ir  tlii^ 

iijiirioim  than 

Tiiero  is  a 

imp  feet ;  that 

I  wouhl  say 

and  slippers, 

never.     Take 

critical  condi- 

110  part  of  the 

uterfered  with. 

\  ])ers(iu  over- 

partly  because 

sometimes  not 

iiiititution  may 

iilready  ciMiling 

iigestion,  m^ver 

)ven  on  stoop- 

iiid  liands  first, 

.<,  nut  to  bathe 

1  am  compara- 

!astrou8.      The 

comment.      In 

ir  grass  in  the 

V  ears.     llii<ler 

lcuL<,  should  bo 


! ;  one  is  a  sign 
troys  apjietito ; 
is,  food  is  more 
I  coming  himio 
it  at  once,  or  to 
«'l  liko  a  "  new 
1  state  of  civili- 
'iiieiiced  almost 
•taldy  or  profit- 
,  take  a  lunch  ; 
»  iirgeiK-y.  As 
ich,  if  tiiere  uru 


Stimulation. — When  cold,  fatigued,  depressed  in  mind,  and  on  other  occasions,  you 
niiiy  feel  inclined  to  resort  to  artificial  stimulus.  Kespecting  this  mauy-t iiled  thct  le  I  have  a 
few  words  to  ofler  of  direct  bearing  on  the  collector's  case.  It  should  be  ci"arly  understood  in 
the  first  place  that  a  stiu'.ulant  confers  no  strength  whatever ;  it  simply  calls  'he  powers  that  bo 
iiitii  increased  action  at  their  own  expense.  Seeking  real  strength  in  stimulus  is  as  wise  as  an 
iilUiipt  to  lift  yourself  up  by  the  boot-straps.  You  may  gather  yourself  to  leap  the  ditch  and 
vdii  clear  it ;  but  no  such  nuHcular  energy  can  be  sustained  ;  exhaustion  speedily  renders  further 
(■xiH'iuliture  impossible.  Hut  now  suppos(>  a  very  powerful  mental  impression  be  made,  sav 
the  ciirumstaDce  of  a  succession  of  ditches  in  fnuit,  and  a  mad  dog  behind ;  if  the  stimulus  of 
t(ii-(ir  be  sulliciently  strong,  you  may  leap  on  till  you  drop  .senseless.  Alcoholic  stimulus  is  a 
]iiii:illel  case,  and  is  not  seldom  pushed  to  the  same  extreme.  Under  its  inthience  you  never 
(Mil  tell  when  you  arc  tired ;  the  expenditure  goes  on,  indeed,  with  unnatural  rapidity,  only  it 
is  lint  felt  at  the  time;  but  the  upshot  is  you  have  all  the  original  fatigue  to  endure  and  to 
recover  from,  ^*/«.s  the  fatigue  resulting  from  over-oxcitatiou  of  the  system.  Taken  as  a  forti- 
licalioii  against  cold,  alcohol  is  as  unsatisfactory  as  a  remedy  for  fatigue.  Insensibility  to  ctdd 
dues  not  imply  protection.  The  fact  is  the  exposure  is  greater  than  before;  the  circulation  and 
rcsiiiriitiipii  being  hurried,  the  waste  is  greater,  and  as  sound  fuel  cauiiol  be  immediately  sn|)|ilied, 
till'  temperature  of  the  body  is  so(Ui  lowered.  The  transient  warmth  and  glow  «»ver,  the  system 
liiis  both  cold  anil  depression  to  endure  ;  there  is  no  usi^  in  borrowing  from  yourself  and  fancy- 
ing you  are  richer.  Sectaidly,  the  value  of  any  stimulus  (except  in  a  few  exigencies  of  disease 
or  injury)  is  in  proportion,  not  to  the  intensity,  but  to  the  e<[uablene.ss  and  durability  of  its 
cll'ict.  This  is  Olio  reason  why  tea,cotree,  and  articles  of  corresponding  qualities,  are  preferable 
t(i  alcoholic  drinks  ;  they  work  no  smoothly  that  their  «'ifec.t  is  often  unnoticed,  and  they  "stay 
by"  well;  tlu*  iViction  of  alcolud  is  tremendous  in  comparison.  A  ghiss  of  grog  may  help  a 
veteran  over  tli(!  fence,  but  no  one,  young  or  old,  can  slioot  all  day  oii  licpior.  I  have  had 
SCI  iiiiich  experience  in  the  use  of  t<d>acco  as  a  mild  stimulant  that  I  am  probably  no  impartial 
jiiilue  of  its  merits:  I  will  simply  say  I  do  not  us(*  it  in  the  field,  because  it  indisposes  to  nius- 
cuhir  activity,  and  favors  rellectiou  when  (diservatiiui  is  recpiired ;  and  becaii.se  temptu'ary 
nlpstiiu'iice  provokes  the  morbid  appetite  and  renders  tlui  weed  more  grateful  afterwards. 
Tliiiilly,  undue  excitation  of  any  physi(al  function  is  followed  by  corresponding  depression,  on 
tlie  simple  principle^  that  action  and  reaction  are  eciual ;  and  the  balance  of  health  turns  too 
easily  to  be  wilfully  disturbed.  Stimulation  is  a  draft  uptui  vital  capital,  when  interest  aloiio 
sliould  siillice;  it  may  be  ne(Mled  at  times  to  bridge  a  chasm,  but  habitual  living  beyond  vital 

ii me  infallibly  entails  bankruptcy  in  health.     The  use  of  alc(diol  in  health  seems  practically 

resliicted  to  purposes  of  sensuous  gratification  on  the  part  of  those  prepared  to  pay  a  round 
price  for  this  luxury.  'I'lie  three  golden  rules  here  are, — never  drink  before  breakfast,  never 
drink  ahuie,  and  never  drink  bad  liiiuor;  their  observance  may  make  even  the  abuse  of 
alcohol  tolerable.  Serious  id)jecti(Uis  for  a  naturalist,  at  least,  are  that  .science,  viewed 
tliniiigh  a  gla.ss,  seems  distant  and  uncertain,  while  the  joys  of  rum  are  immeiliate  and  uni|ues- 
tiniiable;  and  that  intemperauce,  being  an  attempt  to  defy  certain  physical  laws,  is  therefore 
eiiiiiiently  un.scientific. 

§5  — REGISTRATION  AND  LAHKLLING. 

A  nu^rn  Oiitliiio  of  »  Field  NutiiniilHt's  Duties  would  be  inexcusably  iiiC(Uiiplete  with- 
oui  mention  of  these  important  matters;  and,  bi-cause  so  much  of  lh<>  business  of  collecting 
niiisl  be  left  to  he  acipi'red  ill  the  sclnxd  of  experieiii'e,  I  am  the  more  anxious  to  give  explicit 
iliiectioiis  whenever,  as  in  this  in.stance,  it  is  po.ssible  to  do  so. 

Record  your  Oliservntions  Dully.  —  In  one  si'iise  tho  specimens  themselves  are  your 
record, — prinut  facif  evidence  of  your  industry  and  ability;  and  if  labeUed,  as  I  shall  |ireseiilly 


22 


FIELD  ORNITHOLOGY. 


advise,  they  tell  no  small  part  of  tlic  whole  story.  But  t'lis  is  not  enougli ;  indeed,  I  am  not 
sure  that  an  ably  conducted  ornithological  journal  is  not  the  better  half  of  your  operations. 
Under  your  editorship  of  labelling,  specimens  tell  what  they  know  about  themselves ;  but  you 
Cfin  tell  much  more  yourself.  Let  us  look  at  a  day's  work :  You  have  shot  and  skinned  so 
many  birds  and  laid  them  away  labelled.  You  have  made  observations  about  them  before 
shooting,  and  have  ob.served  a  number  of  birds  that  you  did  not  shoot.  Y(ju  have  items  of 
haunts  and  habits,  abiuidance  or  scarcity  ;  of  manners  and  actions  under  special  circumstances, 
as  of  pairing,  nesting,  laying,  rearing  young,  feeding,  migrating,  and  what  not;  various  notes 
of  birds  are  still  ringing  in  your  ears  ;  and  finally,  you  may  have  noted  the  wts^HCC  of  species  yon 
saw  a  wliile  before,  or  had  cxjiected  to  occur  in  your  vicinity.  Meteorological  and  topographi- 
cal items,  especially  when  travelling,  are  often  of  great  assistance  in  explaining  the  occurrences 
and  actions  of  birds.  Now  you  know  these  things,  but  very  likely  no  one  else  does ;  and 
you  know  them  ut  the  lime,  but  you  will  not  recollect  a  tithe  of  them  in  a  few  weeks  or  months, 
to  say  nothing  of  years.  Don't  trust  your  memory  :  it  will  trip  you  up;  what  is  dear  now  will 
grow  obscure;  what  is  found  will  be  lost.  Writedown  everything  M'hile  it  is  fresh  in  3'our 
mind ;  write  it  out  in  full :  time  so  spent  now  will  be  time  saved  in  the  end,  M-hen  you  ofl'er 
your  researches  to  the  discriminating  public.  Don't  be  satisfied  with  a  dry-as-dust  item  ; 
clothe  a  skeleton  fact,  and  breatiie  life  into  it  with  thoughts  that  glow;  let  the  ))aper  smell  of 
tlie  woods.  There 's  a  pulse  in  a  new  fact;  catch  the  rhythm  before  it  dies.  Keep  off  the 
(piicksands  of  mere  memorandum  —  that  means  something  "  to  be  remembered,"  which  is  just 
what  you  cannot  do.  Shun  abbreviations;  such  keys  ru.st  with  disuse,  and  may  fail  in  after 
times  to  inilock  the  secret  that  .should  have  been  hiid  bare  in  the  beginning.     Vm)  no  signs 

intelligible  only  to  yourself:  your  not(!-l ks  nuiy  come  to  be  overhauled  by  others  whom 

you  would  not  wi.sh  to  disappoint.  Be  si)aring  of  sentiment,  a  delicate  thing,  easily  degraded 
to  <lrivel :  crude  enthusiasm  always  hacks  instead  of  hewing.  Beware  of  literary  infelicities  : 
"  the  written  word  remains,"  it  may  be,  after  you  have  passed  away;  put  down  nothing  for 
your  friend's  blush,  or  your  enemy's  sneer;  write  as  if  a  stranger  were  looking  over  your 
shouldcT. 


OruitlioloKioiil  Book-keeping  may  be  left  to  your  discretion  and  good  taste  in  the 
details  of  execution.  Each  may  consult  his  preferences  fur  rulings,  headings,  and  blank  forms 
of  all  sorts,  as  well  as  particular  modes  of  entry.  But  my  experience  has  been  that  tiie  entries 
it  is  advisable  to  make  arc  too  multifarious  to  be  an'ommodated  by  the  most  ingenious  formal 
ruling;  unless,  indeed,  you  nuike  the  conventional  heading  "  Hemarks "  disproportionately 
wide,  and  conunit  to  it  everything  not  otherwise  provided  for.  My  jjreference  is  decidedly  for  a 
plain  page.  I  use  a  strongly  bound  blank  book,  cap  .size,  containing  at  least  six  or  eight 
(piires  vfynod  smootli  paper;  l)Ut  smaller  may  be  needed  for  travelling,  even  down  to  a  pocket 
note-book.  I  would  not  advisi;  a  multiplicity  of  books,  splitting  up  your  record  into  dilfereut 
departments:  let  it  be  journal  and  regi.ster  of  specimens  combined.  (The  registry  of  i/aiir 
OH-n  collecting  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  register  of  your  nihiiiet  ofhirdi,  which  is  sure  to 
include  a  proportion  of  specimens  from  other  sources,  received  in  exchange,  domited,  or  juir- 
cha.sed.  I  speak  of  this  beyond.)  I  have  found  it  c.iuvenient  to  commence  a  day's  record 
with  a  register  of  tlie  sjiecimens  secured,  each  entry  consisting  of  a  duplicate  of  the  bird's  label 
(sec  beyond),  accomjjanied  by  any  further  remarks  I  have  to  offer  respecting  the  particular 
specimens  ;  then  to  go  on  with  the  full  of  my  day's  observations,  as  suggested  in  the  last  para- 
graph. You  thus  have  a  "  register  of  collections"  in  <'hronological  order,  told  off  with  an 
unbroken  series  of  numbers,  checked  with  the  routine  label-items,  and  continually  interspersed 
with  the  balance  of  your  oniithological  studies.  Since  your  private  field-number  is  .sometimes 
an  indispensable  clew  to  the  autlienlication  of  a  .specimen  after  it  has  left  your  own  hands, 
never  duplicate  it.     If  you  are  collecting  other  objects  of  natural  history  besides  birds,  still  huve 


BEGISTBATION  AND  LABELLING. 


23 


ed,  I  am  not 

r  operations. 

ves ;  l>ut  you 

1(1  skinned  so 

them  before 

have  items  of 

ircinnstances, 

various  notes 

of  speeies  you 

d  tojHigraphi- 

le  occurrences 

se  does ;   and 

ks  or  montlis, 

lear  now  will 

fresh  in  your 

vhen  you  offer 

-as-dust  item  ; 

))aper  smell  of 

Keej)  off  the 

,"  which  is  just 

lay  fail  i:i  after 

Us(!  no  signs 

others  wluan 

easily  degraded 

iry  infelicities : 

Wn  nothing  for 

iing  over  your 


)d  taste  in  tlie 
uiii  Itlank  forms 
that  the  entries 
igenious  formal 
i|iroj)ortinnately 
i  decidedly  for  a 
st  six  or  eight 
jwii  to  a  jiocket 
rd  into  diireient 
L'gistry  of  i/i)Hi- 
liich  is  sure  to 
limited,  or  jiur- 
!  a  day's  record 
the  bird's  label 
the  ]iarticnlar 
u  the  last  jiara- 
dd  off  with  an 
lly  interspersed 
er  is  sometimes 
iiir  own  hands, 
birds,  still  have 


hut  one  series  of  numbers ;  duly  enter  your  mammal,  or  mineral,  or  whatever  it  is,  in  its 
jilace,  with  the  number  under  which  it  happens  to  fall.  Be  scrupulously  accurate  with  these 
ami  all  other  figures,  as  of  dates  and  measurements.  Always  use  black  ink  ;  the  "  fancy  " 
writing-fluids,  even  the  useful  carmine,  fade  sooner  than  black,  while  lead-pencilling  is  never 

s;ife. 

Labelling.  — This  should  never  be  neglecteil.  It  is  enough  to  make  a  sensitive  ornitlud- 
(igist  shiver  to  see  a  specimen  without  that  indispensable  appendage  —  a  label.  I  am  sorry  to 
observe  that  the  routine  labelling  of  most  ccdUrtions  is  far  from  being  satisfactory.  A  well- 
aiipiiinted  label  is  something  more  than  a  slip  of  paper  with  the  bird's  name  on  it,  and  is  still 
defective,  if,  as  is  too  often  the  case,  only  the  locality  and  cuHector  are  added.  A  eonipleto 
label  records  the  following  particulars:  1.  Title  of  the  survey,  voyage,  exploration,  or  other 
expedition  {if  any),  during  which  the  specimen  was  collected.  2.  Name  of  the  person  in 
cliaige  of  the  same  (and  it  \iv\,  l-e  remarked  that  the  less  he  really  cares  about  birds,  and  tlio 
less  he  actually  interests  liiMself  to  procure  them,  the  more  particular  he  will  be  about  this). 
H.  Title  of  the  instituticai  or  association  (if  any)  under  the  auspices  or  jiatronage  of  which  the 
s[)eciineii  was  procured,  <  "  for  which  it  is  designed.  4.  Name  of  collector;  partly  to  give 
credit  where  it  is  d'li ,  but  principally  to  fix  resjicmsibility,  and  authenticate  the  rest  of  the 
items.  5.  Collector's  number,  referring  to  his  note-book,  as  just  explained;  if  the  specimen 
afterwards  forms  part  of  a  general  collection  it  usually  ac(piires  anotlier  number  by  new  regis- 
try ;  the  cidlector's  then  becoming  the  "original,"  as  distinguislied  from  the  "current," 
iiiiiiiber.  6.  Locality,  perhaps  the  most  important  of  all  the  items.  A  specimen  of  unknown 
or  even  uncertain  origin  is  worthless  or  nearly  so ;  while  lamentable  confusi(m  has  only  too 
often  arisen  in  ornithological  writings  from  vague  or  ernnieous  iudicatiims  of  hicality  ;  I  should 
say  tliat  a  specimen  "  not  authentic  "  in  this  particular  had  better  have  its  supposed  origin 
erased  and  bo  let  ahine.  Nor  will  it  do  to  say  simjily,  for  instance,  "  North  Ameritia  "  or  even 
"  Tiiited  States."  The  general  geographical  distrihutinii  of  birds  being  according  to  recognized 
faiiiial  areas,  ornithologists  tcenerally  know  already  the  (luarter  of  the  globe  from  which  any 
bird  conies ;  the  locality  of  jiarticular  specimens,  therefore,  .«hould  be  ftxed  down  to  the  very 
Hjiiit.  If  this  be  <d)scure  add  the  name  of  the  nearest  place  to  be  found  on  a  fairly  good  map, 
giving  distance  and  direction.  7.  Date  of  collection , — day  of  the  month,  and  year.  Among 
iitlier  reasons  for  this  may  be  mentioned  the  fact  that  it  is  often  important  to  know  what 
season  a  particular  plumage  indicates.  8.  Sex,  and  if  possilile  also  w/e,  of  the  specimen,  —  an 
item  that  bespeaks  its  own  importance.  Ornithologi.sts  of  all  countries  ar(>  agreed  upon  certain 
sii,'iis  to  indicate  sex.  These  are:  ^  for  male,  9  iov  fvmule,  —  the  symbols  respectively  of 
Mars  and  Venus.  Immaturity  is  often  denote<l  by  the  sign  ^  ;  thus,  $  ^,  young  male.  Or, 
we  may  wriio  9  '«'•>  9  VO-i  ♦""•''  «il'>lt  female,  young  female,  respectively.  •  It  is  preferable, 
Imwever,  to  use  the  l-.iiguage  of  science,  not  our  vernacular,  and  sny  $  jar.  (juceuis,  young). 
"iYi(/(/."  signifies  breeding  plu:.>iage;  " //on(o^"  means  a  hir<l  nf  the  year.  9.  Meiisureiiients 
'if  length,  and  of  'xtent  of  wings;  the  former  can  only  be  obtained  approximately,  and  the 
latter  not  at  all,  fr  )m  a  jirepared  spe-imeu.  10.  Cnhir  of  the  eyes,  and  of  the  bill,  feet,  or 
other  naked  or  soft  parts,  the  tini:;  of  •.t-hicli  may  change  in  drying.  11.  Miscellaneous  partic- 
ulars, such  as  contents  of  stomach,  special  circumstances  of  capture,  vernacular  name,  etc. 
12.  Scientific  name  of  the  bird.  This  is  really  the  hast  important  item  of  all,  though 
Kciierally  thought  to  take  precedence.  But  a  bird  labels  itself,  so  to  sjieak ;  ami  nature's 
label  may  be  deciphered  at  any  time.  In  fact,  I  would  enjoin  upon  the  cidlector  uid  to 
write  out  the  supposed  luiino  of  the  bird  in  the  field,  uidess  the  species  is  so  well  known  as 
to  be  absolutely  unquestionable.  Projier  ideiititication,  in  any  ca.se  to  which  the  slightest 
doubt  may  attach,  can  only  be  made  after  critical  study  in  the  closet  with  ample  facilities  for 
examination  and  comparison.     The  first  eight  items,  and  the  twelfth,  usually  constitute  the 


24 


FIELD  ORNITHOLOGY. 


fivco  of  a  label ;  the  rest  are  commonly  written  <.n  the  back.  Labels  should  be  of  light  card- 
b<.ard,  or  very  stiff  writing,'  \yA\m- ;  they  may  be  dressed  attractively,  as  fancy  suggests;  the 
general  items  (if  ii  large  niiiiibcr  of  specimens  are  best  printed ;  the  special  ones  must  of  course 
be  written.  Shape  is  immaterial;  .small  "cards"  or  "tickets"  arc  prefeired  by  some,  and 
certainly  look  very  well  when  neatly  ajipdinted  ;  but  I  thiuk,  on  the  whole,  that  a  shape 
answering  the  idea  of  a  "  slip"  rather  than  a  "  ticket"  is  most  eligible.  A  slip  about  three 
inches  long  and  two  thirds  nf  an  inch  wide  will  do  very  well  for  anything,  from  a  hawk  to  a 
humming-bird.  Something  like  the  "  shipping  tag"  used  by  merchants  is  excellent,  particu- 
larly for  larger  objects.  It  seems  most  natural  to  attach  the  string  to  the  left-hand  end.  The 
slip  should  be  tied  so  as  to  swing  just  clear  of  the  bird's  legs,  but  not  loose  enough  to  dangle 
several  inches,  fur  in  that  case  the  labels  arc  continually  tangling  with  each  other  when  the 
birds  are  laid  away  in  drawers.  The  ftdlowing  diagrams  show  the  face  and  back  of  the  last 
label  I  happened  to  write  before  these  lines  were  originally  penned ;  they  represent  tlie  size 
and  shape  that  I  find  most  convenient  for  general  punioses;  while  the  "  legend "  illustrates 
every  one  of  the  twelve  items  above  specified. 


g  Explorallons  In  Dakota.             Dr.  Elliott  Coues,  U.  S.  A.  S* 

o  S 

S  No.  2fi5.'>.    Biitoo  borealia(Gm.)  V.  9  jiiv.  ^ 

2    jj 

g  Fort  Uandall,  Missouri  Kiver.                            Oct.  29,  1872.  § 
to 


Obvene. 


23.00  -■  53.00  <  17.60.  —  Eyes  ycllowisli-gray ;  bill  horn-blue, 
darker  ut  tip ;  cere  wax-yellow ;  tarsi  dull  yellowieh ;  claws 
bluisli-black.  Stomach  contained  portions  of  a  rabbit ;  also,  a 
large  tapeworm. 


Reverse. 

Directions  for  Measurement  may  be  inserted  here,  as  this  matter  pertains  rightfully  to 
the  recording  of  specimens.  The  fidlowing  instructions  apjily  not  only  to  length  and  extent, 
but  to  the  principal  other  dimensions,  which  nniy  be  taken  at  any  time.  For  large  birds,  a 
tape-line  showing  inches  and  fourths  will  do ;  for  smaller  ones,  a  foot-rule  graduated  for  inclies 
and  eighths,  or  better,  decimals  to  hundredths,  must  be  used ;  and  for  all  nice  measurements 
the  dividers  are  indisiiensublc.  "  Length:  "  Uistaiicc  between  the  tip  of  the  bill  and  end  of 
the  longest  tail-feather.  Lay  the  bird  on  its  back  on  the  ruler  on  a  table;  take  hold  of  the  bill 
with  one  hand  and  of  both  legs  with  the  other  ;  pull  with  reasonable  force  to  got  the  curve  all 
out  of  the  neck  ;  hold  the  bird  tluis  with  the  tip  of  the  bill  flush  with  one  end  of  the  ruler,  and 
see  where  the  end  of  the  tail  points.  Put  tlie  tape-line  in  place  of  the  ruler,  in  the  same  way, 
for  larger  birds.  "  Extent:  "  Distance  between  the  tips  of  the  outspread  wings.  They  must 
be/H%  outstretched,  with  tlie  bird  on  its  back,  cmsswise  on  the  ruler,  its  bill  pointing  to  your 
breast.  Take  liold  of  right  an.l  left  metacarpus  with  tlie  thumb  and  forefinger  of  your  left  and 
right  hand  respectively,  stretch  with  reasonable  force,  getting  one  wing-tip  Hush  with  erne  end 
of  the  ruler,  and  see  jiow  much  the  other  wing-tip  reaches.  With  large  birds  pull  away  as 
hard  as  you  please,  aud  us<!  the  table,  floor,  or  side  of  the  room  ;  mark  the  points  and  aiiiily 
tape-line.  "  Length  of  wing : "  Distance  from  the  carpal  angle  formed  at  the  bend  of  the 
wing  to  the  end  of  the  longest  primary.  Get  it  with  compasses  for  small  birds.  In  birds  with 
a  convex  wing,  do  nfit  lay  the  tape-line  over  the  curve,  but  under  the  wing  in  a  straight  line. 
This  measurement  is  the  one  called,  for  short,  "  the  wing."     "  Length  of  tail:''  Distance 


MATERIALS  FOR  PREPARING  BlIWSKINS. 


25 


from  fho  roots  of  the  rectricoa  to  the  end  of  the  longest  one.  Feci  for  the  pope's  nose ;  in  either 
a  fri'sli  or  dried  specimen  there  is  more  or  less  of  a  pal]>ablc  lump  into  wliit-li  the  tail-feathers 
sticlc.  Guess  as  near  as  you  can  to  the  middle  of  tiiis  lump;  place  the  end  of  the  ruler  opposite 
tliis  point,  and  see  Mhere  the  tip  of  the  longest  tail-feather  conies.  "  Length  nf  hill :  "  8<ime 
take  the  curve  of  the  upper  maudihle;  others  tlie  side  of  the  upper  mandilde  from  the  feathers; 
other.-  i!ie  gape,  etc.  I  take  the  chord  of  the  culmen.  Place  one  foot  of  the  dividers  un  the 
cuhiien  just  where  the  feathers  end ;  no  matter  whether  the  culmen  runs  up  on  the  forehead,  or 
the  frontal  feathers  run  out  on  the  culmen,  and  no  matter  whether  the  culmen  is  straight  or 
curved.  Then  with  me  the  length  of  the  hill  is  the  shortest  distance  from  the  point  just  indi- 
cated to  the  tip  of  the  upper  mandible  ;  measure  it  with  the  dividers.  In  a  straight  bill  of 
course  it  is  the  length  of  the  culmen  itself;  in  a  curved  hill,  however,  it  is  quite  another  thing. 
"  LoKjthof  tarsus:"  Distance  between  the  joint  of  the  tarsus  with  the  leg  above,  and  that 
with  tlie  first  phalanx  of  tiio  middle  toe  below.  Measure  it  alwaijs  with  dividers,  and  in  front 
of  the  leg.  "  Length  of  toes :  "  Distance  in  a  straight  line  ahmg  the  upper  surface  of  a  toe 
from  the  jioint  last  indicated  to  the  root  of  the  claw  on  top.  Length  of  toe  is  to  be  taken 
■icitliout  tlie  claw,  unless  otherwise  specified.  ''Length  of  the  clmrs : "  Distance  in  a  straight  line 
from  tlie  point  last  indicated  to  the  tip  of  the  claw.  "  Length  of  head"  is  often  a  convenient 
dlnu'iisioii  for  comparis(m  witli  the  bill.  Set  one  foot  of  the  dividers  over  the  base  of  the  eulmeu 
(detenniued  as  above)  and  allow  tlio  other  to  slip  snugly  down  over  the  arch  of  the  occiput. 


§0.- INSTRUMENTS,  MATERIALS,  AND  FIXTURES  FOR  PREPARING  BIRDSKINS. 

Instruments.  —  The  only  indispensable  instrument  is  a  pair  of  scissors  or  a  knife ; 
althougli  practically  you  want  both  of  these,  a  pair  of  spring  forceps,  and  a  knitting-needle,  or 
some  similar  wooden  or  ivory  object,  yet  I  have  made  hundreds  of  birdskins  consecutively 
witliout  touching  another  to(d.  "  Persicon  odi,  puer,  apparatus!"  I  always  mistrust  the 
eni])hasis  of  a  collector  who  makes  a  flourish  of  instruments.  You  might  be  surprised  to  see 
what  a  meagre,  shabby-hxdting  kit  our  best  taxidermists  work  with.  Stick  to  your  scissors, 
knif(>,  forceps,  and  needh'.  But  you  may  as  well  buy,  at  the  outset,  a  common  dissecfing-case, 
just  what  medical  students  begin  business  with ;  it  is  very  cheap,  and  if  there  are  some  unneces- 
sary tilings  in  it,  it  makes  a  nice  little  box  in  wliich  to  keep  your  tools.  The  case  contains, 
ainoii!;  other  things,  several  scalpels,  just  the  knives  you  want  ;  a  "  cartilage-knife,"  which  is 
nothing  but  a  .stout  scalpel,  suitable  for  large  birds;  the  best  kind  of  scissors  for  your  puqiose, 
witli  short  blades  and  long  handles  —  if  "kneed  "at  the  hinge  so  much  the  better;  spring 
fornjis,  the  very  thing ;  a  Idow-pipe,  useful  in  many  ways  and  answering  well  for  a  knitting- 
needle  ;  and  some  little  steel-hocjks,  chained  together,  which  you  may  want  to  use.  But  you 
will  also  require,  for  largo  birds,  a  very  heavy  pair  of  scissors,  or  small  shears,  short-bladed 
and  long-handled,  and  a  stout  pair  of  bone-nippers.  Have  some  pins  and  needles;  surgical 
needles,  which  cut  instead  of  punching,  are  the  best.  Get  a  hone  or  strop,  if  yon  wish,  and  a 
feather  duster.  Use  of  scissors  requires  no  comment,  and  I  would  urge  their  h.abitual  employ 
instead  of  the  knife-blade  ;  I  do  nine-tenths  of  my  cutting  with  scissors,  and  find  it  much  the 
easiest.  A  double-lever  is  twice  as  effective  as  a  single  one,  and  besides,  you  gain  in  cutting 
soft,  yielding  substances  by  opposing  two  blades.  Moreover,  scalpels  need  constant  sharpen- 
in;;  ;  mine  are  generally  too  dull  to  cut  much  with,  and  I  suppose  I  am  like  other  people  — 
while  scissors  stay  sharji  enough.  The  flat,  thin  ivory  or  elxmy  handle  of  the  scalpel  is  about 
iis  useful  as  the  blade.  Finger-nails,  which  were  made  before  scalpels,  are  a  mighty  help. 
Forceps  are  almost  indispen.sable  for  seizing  and  bedding  parts  too  small  or  too  remote  to  be 
grasped  by  the  fingers.  The  knitting-needle  is  wanted  for  a  specific  purpose  noted  beytmd. 
rii(!  shears  or  nippers  are  only  needed  for  what  the  ordinary  scissors  are  too  weak  to  do.  Our 
instruments,  you  see  now,  are  "  a  short  horse  soon  curried." 


26 


FIELD  OBNITIIOLOGY. 


Materials. -(«.)  For  siuffin,,.     "What  .lo  yon  stuff  'em  with?"  is  usually  the  fi,-st 
«,urstu.n  of  idle  curiosity  about  taxidrrmy.  .s  if  that  woro  th.  gr.at  ro'"t ;  v^^icreas,  ho  s  uffiug 
r;..  .nan  a  .nattor  that  1  gcn-ally  n,  ,•,  "anything  oxcpt  bnckbats  !  "     But  zf  stuffing 
bird.  M-.MC  the  tiual  cause  of  Cotton,  that  adnn.able  substance  conl.l  not  be  n.ore  perfectly 
adapted  than  it  is  to  the  purpose.     Ordinary  raw  cotton-batting  or  wadding  is  what  you  want 
When  I  can  u-et  it  I  nev.-r  thi.d;  of  using  anything  else  for  sn.all  bn-ds      I  would  use  it  for  al 
birds  were  ..xnense  n.>  .d.ject.     Here  tow  conies  in  ;  there  is  a  fine,  clean,  bleached  articlo  of 
tow  prepared  for  surgical  dressings ;  this  is  the  b.st,  but  any  will  do.     feouie  say  chop  your 
tow  fine  •  this  is  harndess,  but  unnecessary.     A  cnunpled  newspaper,  wrapped  witli  tow,  is 
first-nte'for  a  lar«e  bird.     Failing  cotton  or  tow,  any  soft,  light,  dry,  vegetable  substance  may 
bo  made  to  answer,  -  rags,  paper,  .■ruu.bled  leaves,  tine  dried  grass,  soft  fibrous  inner  bark 
etc  •  the  down  of  certain  plants,  as  thistle  and  silkweed,  makes  an  exquisite  hllm,-  for  small 
bird's     But  I  will  .lualifv  ni  v  remark  about  brickbats  by  saying  :  never  put  hair,  wool,  feathers, 
or  a,i>/  other  anim.M.  suhstmwc  in  a  hircMiu  ;  far  betttn-  leave  it  empty:  for,  as  we  shall  see  in 
the  sequel,  buus  come  fast  enough,  without  being  invited  into  a  snug  nest,     {h.)  For  preserv- 
inn.    Ahsexi'c,  —  not  the  j-ure  metal  pn.perly  so  called,  but  arsenic  of  the  shops,  or  arsenious 
acid, -is  tlie  great  preservative.      Use  dry  imw.lered  arsenic,  plenty  of  it,  and  nothing  else. 
There  is  no  substitute  for  arsenic  worthy  of  the  name,  and  no  preparation  of  arsenic  so  good  as 
the  simple  substance.     Various  kinds  of  "arsenical  soap"  were  and  may  still  be  in  vogue; 
it  is  a  nasty  greasy  substance,  not  lit  to  handle;  and  although  efticacious  enough,  there  is  a 
very  serious  hvirieV.ic  objection  to  its  use.i     Arsenic,  I  need  not  say.  is  a  violent  irritant  poison, 
and  must  therefore  be  duly  ;/uar,kfl,  but  may  be  used  with  perfect  impunity.     It  is  a  very 
hear;/  substance,  not  appreciably  volatile  at  ordinary  teniperatiiivs,  and  therefore  not  liable, 
jis  some  suppose,  to  be  breathed",  to  any  perceptible,  much  less  injurious,  extent.     It  will  not 
even  at  once  enter  the  jmres  of  healthy  unbroken  skin  :  so  it  is  no  matter  if  it  gets  on  the  fingers. 
The  exceedingly  miuut.'  .piantity  that  may  be  supjxised  to  find  its  way  into  the  system  in  the 
course  of  time  is  believed  by  many  competent  jdiysicians  to  be  rather  beneficial  as  a  tonic.     I 
will  not  coniinit  myself  t..  this;  for,  though  1  have  never  felt  better  than  when  working  daily 
with  arsenic,  I  do  "not  know  liow  much  my  health  was  iniju-oved  by  the  out-door  exercise 
always  taken  at  the  .same  time.     The  simple  precautions  are,  not. to  let  it  lie  too  long  in  con- 
tain witli  the  skin,  nor  get  into  an  abiasi.m,  nor  under  the  nails.     It  will  convert  a  scratch  or 
cut  into  a  festering  sore  of  some  little  severity  ;  while  if  lodged  under  the  nails  it  soon  shows 
itself  by  soreness,  increased  by  pressure;  a  white  s]ieck  ajipears,  then  a  tiny  abscess  forms,  dis- 
charges and  yets  well  in  a  few  days.     Your  precautions  really  respect  other  persons  more  than 
yourself;  the  receirtade  should  be  conspicuously  labelled  "POISON!"      Arsenic  is  a  good 
friend  of  ours:  besides  preserving  our  birds,  it  kee|)s  bnsyboilies  and  meddlesome  folks  away 
iVom  the  scene  of  operations,  by  raising  a  wholesome  suspicion  of  th(!  taxidermist's  surround- 
ings.    It  may  be  kept  in  the  tin  }iots  in  which  it  is  usually  sold;  but  some  shallower,  broader 
receptacle  i.s  more  convenient.     A  little  drawer  say  d  x  (1  iiches,  and  an  inch  deep,  to  slip 
under  the  edii'e  of  tlie  table,  or  a  similar  eomi)artnient  in  a  large  drawer,  will  be  found  handy. 
A  salt-spoon,  or  little  wooden  shovel  whittled  like  one,  is  nice  to  use  it  witli,  though  in  effect, 
I  always  shovel  it  up  with  the  handle  of  a  scal]iel.    As  stated,  there  is  no  substitute  for  arsenic; 

•  "SIrniige  rk  It  iiiiiy  npiKjar  tii  Kcimc,  1  woulil  sny  nvold  especially  all  the  sn-oalled  arsenical  goaps  ;  tlicy 
arc  at  l>CKt  li\it  lillliy  pieiMruliiiii8  ;  besides,  it  s  a  Hut  to  wliiuli  I  can  Lear  pninfiii  toHtlniony  that  tliey  are, 
OKpeclally  wlien  appiieil  In  a  (Sieasy  »kin,  poisnixirs  in  tlie  extreme  I  linve  hcen  W)  liailly  puiguneil,  wliilc  woikiiig 
upon  the  pklnH  nf  wiine  f:it  water  liirds  that  liail  Ijceii  prep:ireil  with  arsenical  map,  as  to  bo  uiaile  Bcriounly  ill.  the 
p(>l.<H>n  having  wcirked  Into  the  cystcin  through  tnine  niiM  wi>ini(l»  or  scratches  on  my  hand.  Hail  pure  nrnenic 
been  used  In  preparing  tlic  skins,  the  efl'ect  would  not  have  hecn  fi.«  had,  althongh  grease  and  arsenic  arc  generally 
a  hloiKl-polsoii  In  Hfiine  degree;  hnf  when  comhineil  with  '  soap "  llu'  ertect,  at  h'ast  as  far  as  my  exi)cricnco  goes, 
is  niiicli  more  injurious."  (MAV>'.\ni<,  iluUle,  p.  12.)  In  endorsing  this.  I  wouhl  add  that  the  combination  is  tlio 
mora  poisonous,  in  ail  probability,  simply  because  the  soap,  belli;:  detersive,  ineclninlcally  facilitates  the  entruiice 
of  tlie  poison,  without,  however,  clicmicaliy  increasing  its  virulence. 


n. 


MATERIALS  FOB  PREPARING  BIRDSKINS. 


27 


but  at  a  pinch  you  can  make  temporary  ahift  with  the  following,  among  other  articles: — table 
salt,  or  saltpetre,  or  charcoal  strewn  plentifully;  strong  solution  of  conosivc  sublimate,  brushed 
over  the  skin  inside  ;  creosote;  impure  carbolic  acid;  these  last  two  are  quite  eificacious,  but 
tlicy  smell  horribly  for  an  indefinite  period.  A  bird  threatening  to  decompose  before  you  can 
get  at  it  to  skin,  may  bo  saved  for  a  while  by  squirting  weak  carbolic  acid  or  creosote  down  the 
throat  and  up  the  fundament ;  or  by  disembowelling,  and  filling  the  cavity  with  powdered 
cliarcoal.  (c.)  For  cleansing.  Gypsum  is  an  almost  indispensable  material  for  cleansing 
soiled  plumage.  "  Gypsum  "  is  properly  native  hydrated  sulphate  of  lime  ;  the  article  referred 
to  is  "  plaster  of  Paris  "  or  gypsum  heated  up  to  ijGO°  F.  (by  which  the  water  of  crystalliza- 
tidii  is  driven  off)  and  then  finely  pulverized.  When  mixed  with  water  it  soon  solidifies,  the 
tiritfiual  hydrate  being  again  formed.  The  mode  of  using  it  is  indicated  beyond.  It  is  most 
conveniently  kept  in  a  shallow  tray,  say  a  foot  square,  and  an  inch  or  two  deep,  which  had 
hotter,  fiu'therniore,  slide  under  the  table  as  a  drawer ;  or  form  a  compartment  of  a  larger 
drawer.  Keep  (jijpsHm  and  arsenic  in  different-looking  receptacles,  not  so  much  to  keep  from 
piii.soning  yourself,  as  to  keej)  from  not  poisoning  a  birdskin.  They  look  much  alike,  and 
sjjiiiiiing  becomes  such  a  mechauical  process  that  you  may  get  hold  of  the  wrong  article  when 
your  thoughts  are  wandering  in  the  woods.  Gypsum,  like  arsenic,  has  no  worthy  rival  in  its 
own  field  ;  some  substitutes,  in  the  order  of  their  applicability,  are:  — corn-meal,  probably  the 
best  tiling  after  gypsum;  calcined  magnesia  (very  good,  but  too  light  —  it  floats  in  the  air, 
and  makes  you  cougli) ;  bicarbonate  of  magnesia;  powdered  chalk  ("prepared  chalk,"  ciWa 
pricpdnttii  of  the  drug  shops,  is  the  best  kind) ;  fine  wood-ashes ;  clean  dry  loam.  No  article, 
however  powdery  when  dry,  that  contains  a  glutinous  principle,  as  for  instance  gum-arabic  or 
flour,  is  admissible.  (</.)  For  tcrapping,  you  want  u  thin,  pliable,  strong  paper ;  water-closet 
jiajjcr  is  the  very  best;  newsi)aper  is  pretty  good.  For  making  the  cones  or  cylinders  in 
whifli  birdskins  may  be  sot  to  dry,  a  stifi'er  article  is  required;  writing  paper  answers  perfectly. 

Naturnlists  habitually  carry  a  Pocket  Lens,  much  as  other  people  do  a  watch.  You 
will  find  a  magnifying  glass  very  convenient  in  your  search  for  the  se.xual  organs  of  small 
hii'<ls  when  obscure,  a's  they  frequently  are,  out  of  the  breeding  season ;  in  picking  lice  from 
jiluniago,  to  send  to  your  entomological  friend,  who  will  very  likely  pronounce  them  to  be  of  a 
"  now  sj)ecies  ;  "  and  for  other  purposes. 


Fixtures.  'When  travelling,  your  fixtures  must  ordinarily  be  limited  to  a  collecting- 
chest  ;  you  will  have  to  skin  birds  on  the  top  of  this,  on  the  tail-board  of  a  wagon,  or  on  your 
la]i,  as  tlie  case  may  be.  The  chest  should  bo  very  substantial  —  iron-b<JUnd  is  best ;  strong 
as  to  hinges  and  lock  —  and  have  handles.  A  good  size  is  30  x  18  x  IS  inches.  Let  it  be 
fitted  with  a  set  of  trays;  the  bottom  one  say  four  inches  deep;  the  rest  shallower;  the  top 
11110  very  shallow,  and  divided  into  compartments  for  your  tools  and  materials,  unless  you  fi.x 
those  on  the  under  side  of  the  lid.  Start  out  with  all  the  trays  full  of  cotton  or  tow.  At 
lutino,  have  a  room  to  youi'self,  if  possible  ;  taxidermy  makes  a  mess  to  which  your  wife  may 
cihjoct.  and  arsenic  must  not  come  in  the  way  of  children.  At  any  rate  have  j'our  own  tau.e. 
I  iii'ol'or  plain  deal  that  may  be  scrubbed  when  required ;  great  cleanliness  is  indispensable, 
especially  when  doing  much  work  in  hot  wesither,  for  the  place  soon  smells  sour  if  neglected. 
I  use  no  special  receptacle  for  oft'al,  for  this  only  makes  another  article  to  bo  cleaned ;  lay 
(liiwn  a  piece  of  paper  for  the  refuse,  and  throw  the  whole  away.  A  perfectly  smooth  surface 
is  desirable.  I  generally  have  a  largo  pane  of  window -glass  on  the  table  before  me.  It  will 
iially  be  found  advantageous  to  have  a  scale  of  inches  scratched  on  the  edge  of  the  table;  only 
a  small  part  of  it  need  be  fractionally  subdivided ;  this  replaces  the  foot-rule  and  tape-line, 
jiist  as  the  tacks  of  a  dry-goods  counter  answer  for  the  yardstick.  You  will  find  it  worth  M-hilo 
to  rig  some  sort  of  a  derrick  arrangement,  which  you  can  readily  devise,  on  one  end  of  the 


28 


FIELD  onxrnioLOGY. 


tabic,  to  hitch  your  hook  t..,  if  you  liang  your  birds  up  t..  «kiu  thom  ;  they  should  swing  clear 
<,f  cvt-rythiuL'.  Thf  table  should  Imv  a  larp.  ^eucnil  dnuver,  with  a  little  drawer  for  gypsum 
and  arseuic  already  n.eutioued,  unless  tlu'se  be  Ivept  els.'where.  Stuffiug  ...ay  be  kept  iu  a  box 
uuder  the  table,  aud  .nake  a  ..iee  footstool ;  or  in  a  bag  sluug  to  the  table  leg. 

Query  :  Have  y<.u  cleansed  the  hir.rs  plumage  i  Have  you  plugged  the  mouth,  nostrils, 
and  veiuf  Have  you  ineasuicl  the  spe.i.nen  and  noted  the  c<dor  of  the  eyes,  bill,  and  feet, 
and  i.repare.1  the  lab.ls.  a.ul  made  the  entry  iu  the  register  f  Have  you  got  all  your  apparatus 
within  arm's  length  1     Then  we  are  leady  to  p.-oceed. 


§7. -now    TO    MAKE   A    BIRDSKIN. 
a.  TiiE  Hkgulau  I'nocEss. 

Lay  the  Bird  on  Its  Back,  the  bill  pointing  to  your  right  >  elbow.  Take  the  scalpel  like 
a  pen,  with  e.li;e  of  blade  uppermost,  and  nm  a  straight  fuirow  th.-ougl.  the  feathers  alo.ig  tho 
middle  line  of  the  belly,  fi-om  end  of  the  breast-bone  to  the  vent.  J'art  the  feathe.-s  coit.- 
pletely,  and  keep  them  parted.^  Observe  a  strip  of  skin  either  perfectly  naked,  or  only  cov- 
ered with  shoi-t  down  ;  this  is  the  line  for  incision.  Take  scissoi's,  stick  iu  the  pointed  blade 
just  over  the  end  of  the  breast- bone,  cut  in  a  straight  line  thence  to  a..d  into  the  vent ;  cut 
e.xtremi'ly  shallow.' 

Take  the  forcej.s  in  your  left  hand,  and  scalpel  in  your  right,  both  held  pei.-wi.se,  and  with 
the  forceps  seize  and  lift  up  o.ie  of  the  edges  of  the  cut  skin,  gently  pressiiig  away  the  belly- 
walls  with  thf  scaljiel-pohit ;  no  cutting  is  lecpru-ed ;  the  skin  may  be  peeled  off  without  ti-ouble. 
Skin  away  till  yon  meet  an  obstacle;  it  is  the  thigh.  Lay  down  the  instruments;  with  your 
left  hand  take  hold  of  the  leg  outside  at  the  shaidi;  put  your  right  forefinger  under  the  raised 
flaji  of  skin,  and  feel  a  bump;  it  is  the  kiicc  ;  \mv[\  up  the  leg  till  this  bump  comes  into  view  ; 
hold  it  so.  Take  the  scissors  iu  your  right  hand  ;  tuck  one  blaile  uuder  the  concavity  of  tho 
knee,  aud  sever  the  joint  at  a  stroke ;  then  the  thigh  is  left  with  the  rest  of  the  body,  while 
the  rest  of  the  leg  is  dissevei'ed  aud  hangs  only  by  skin.  Push  the  leg  further  up  till  it  has 
slipped  out  of  its  sheath  of  skin,  like  a  finger  out  of  a  glove,  down  to  tho  heel-joint.  You 
have  now  to  clear  off  the  flesh  and  leave  the  bo..e  there ;  you  may  scape  till  this  is  done, 
but  there  is  a  better  way.  Stick  the  dosed  points  of  the  scissors  in  among  the  muscles  just 
below  the  head  of  the  bo.ie,  then  separate  the  blades  just  wide  enough  to  grasp  the  bone; 
snip  off  its  head ;  draw  the  head  to  o..e  side ;  all  the  muscles  follow,  being  there  attached ; 
strip  them  downward  from  the  bone ;  the  bone  is  left  naked,  with  tho  muscle  hanging  by  a 
bundle  of  tendons  ("leaders")  at  its  foot;  sever  these  tendons  collectively  at  a  stroke.  This 
whole  performance  will  occupy  about  three  seconds,  after  practice;  aud  you  may  soon  discover 
you  can  nick  off  the  head  of  the  bone  of  a  small  bird  with  the  thumb-nail.  Draw  tho  leg  bono 
back  into  its  sheath,  and  leave  it.  Repeat  all  the  foregoing  steps  on  the  other  side  of  the  bird. 
If  you  are  bothered  by  the  skin-flaps  settling  against  the  belly-walls,  insert  a  fluff  of  cotton. 

>  Reverse  tliisand  foUowinBdlrcctloiis  for  posKimi ,  if  you  nro  left-lmndcd. 

»  The  motion  \»  exiictly  lil<e  stroking  the  rijilit  ami  li^ft  sides  of  a  moustaclio  apart ;  you  vrould  never  dress 
tlic  liairs  smootldy  away  from  tlio  middle  line,  by  poking  from  cnde  to  root;  nor  will  tlio  fentlicrs  Btny  aside, 
unless  strokeil  away  from  base  to  tips. 

"  Tlie  skin  over  tiie  belly  is  tliin  as  tissue  paper  in  a  small  bird;  the  chances  are  you  will  at  first  cut  the 
walls  of  the  Iwily  too,  opening  the  cavity ;  this  is  no  great  matter,  for  a  pledget  of  cotton  will  keep  the  bowels  in ; 
nevertheless,  try  t»  divide  skin  only.  Reason  for  cutting  info  vent:  this  orifice  makes  a  nice  natural  termination 
of  the  incision,  !>uttoidiole-wisc,  and  may  keep  the  end  of  the  cut  from  tearing  around  tho  root  of  the  tail.  Reason 
fur  lieginning  to  cut  orer  the  e<lge  of  tlie  sternum :  the  muscidar  walls  of  the  belly  are  very  thin,  and  stick  so  close 
to  the  skin  that  you  may  be  in  danger  of  attenipliiig  to  remove  them  witli  tlic  skin,  Instead  of  removing  the  skin 
from  them ;  whereas,  you  cannot  remove  anything  but  skin  from  over  the  breast  bone,  so  you  have  a  guide  at  the 
start.    You  can  tell  skin  from  belly-wall,  by  its  livid,  translucent  wliltislincss  instead  of  redness. 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  BIBDSKIN.  29 

Keep  tlic  feathers  out  of  the  wound ;  cotton  and  tlio  moustache  movement  will  do  it.  Next  you 
must  sever  the  tail  from  the  body,  leaviuj;  a  small  "|)oi)e's-U()se"  for  the  feathers  to  stay  stuck 
into.  Put  the  bird  in  tlie  hollow  of  your  li{;htly  closed  left  hand,  tail  upward,  belly  toward  you; 
or,  if  too  large  for  thif,  stand  it  on  its  breast  on  the  table  in  similar  position.  Throw  your 
left  forefinger  across  the  front  of  the  tail,  j)res8ing  a  little  backward  ;  take  the  scissors,  cut  the 
end  of  the  lower  bowel  free  first,  then  peck  away  at  bono  and  muscle  with  c-autious  snips,  till 
the  tail-stumi)  is  dissevered  from  the  rump,  and  the  tail  hangs  only  by  skin.  You  will  soon 
learn  to  do  it  all  at  one  stroke;  but  you  cannot  be  too  careful  at  first;  you  are  cutting  right 
down  on  to  the  skin  over  the  top  of  the  pope's-nose,  and  if  you  divide  this,  the  bird  will  part 
(M)nipany  with  its  tail  altogc^tlicr.  Now  you  have  the  rump-stump  protruding  naked  ;  the  legs 
diini;ling  on  either  side  ;  the  tail  hanging  loose  over  the  bird's  back  between  them.  Lay  down 
scissors,  take  uj)  forceps*  in  your  left  hand;  with  them  seize  and  hold  the  stump  of  the  rump; 
and  with  point  or  handle  of  scalpel  in  the  other  hand,  with  finger-tips,  or  with  thumb-nail 
(l)est),  gently  press  down  on  and  peel  away  skin.^  No  cutting  will  be  required  (usually)  till 
you  come  to  the  wings:  the  skin  peels  off  (usually)  as  easily  as  an  orange-rind;  as  fast  as  it 
is  loosened,  evert  it ;  that  is  make  it  continually  turn  itself  more  and  more  completely  inside 
out.  Work  thus  till  you  are  stopped  by  the  obtruding  wings."  You  have  to  sever  tlio  wing 
from  tlio  body  at  the  shoulder,  just  as  you  did  the  leg  at  the  knee,  and  leave  it  hanging  by 
skin  alone.  Take  your  scisaoi's,^  as  soon  as  the  upiicr  arm  is  exposed,  and  cut  through  flesh 
and  bone  alike  at  one  stroke,  a  little  below  (outside  of)  tl)e  shoulder-joint.  Do  the  same  with 
the  other  wing.  As  soon  as  tho  wings  are  severed  the  body  has  been  skinned  to  the  root  of 
tlie  neck ;  the  process  becomes  very  easy  ;  the  neck  almost  slips  out  of  its  sheath  of  itself;  and 
if  you  have  properly  attended  to  keeping  the  feathers  out  of  the  wound  and  to  continual  evcr- 
sioa  of  the  skin,  you  now  find  you  have  a  naked  body  connected  duinb-bcll-wiso  by  a  naked 
neck  to  a  cap  of  reversed  skin  into  which  the  head  has  disappeared,  from  the  insido  of  which 
tho  legs  and  wings  dangle,  and  around  the  edges  of  whicli  is  a  row  of  plumage  and  a  tail.* 
Here  comes  up  an  important  consideration :  tho  skin,  plumage,  legs,  wings,  and  tail  together 
weigh  something,  —  enough  to  stretch  '  unduly  the  skin  of  tho  neck,  from  the  small  cylinder  of 
which  they  are  now  suspended ;  tho  whole  mass  must  be  supported.  For  small  birds,  gather 
it  in  the  hollow  of  your  left  hand,  letting  tho  body  swing  over  the  back  of  your  hand  out  of  the 


<  Or  at  tills  stnge  you  may  Instead  Htick  a  hook  Into  a  flrm  part  of  tho  rump,  anil  hang  up  the  bird  about 
tho  IcTcI  of  your  breast ;  you  thus  have  l>oth  hands  iVee  to  work  with.  This  Is  advisable  with  all  birds  too  large 
to  be  readily  taken  in  liand,  and  will  help  you,  at  first,  with  any  bird.  But  there  is  really  no  use  of  it  with  a  small 
bird,  and  you  may  as  well  learn  the  best  way  of  working  at  first  as  afterward. 

'  The  idea  of  tho  whole  movement  is  exactly  like  ungloving  your  hand  IVom  the  wrist,  by  turning  the  glove 
inHide  out  to  the  very  linger  tips.  Some  people  say,  piM  off  the  skin;  I  say  never  pull  a  bird's  skin  under  any  cir- 
eiinistanucs:  pnali  it  off,  always  operating  at  lines  of  contact  of  skin  with  body,  never  uiion  areas  of  skins  already 
detached. 

'  The  elbows  will  get  in  your  way  before  you  reach  tho  point  of  attack,  namely,  the  shoulder,  unless  the 
wings  were  completely  relaxed  (as  was  essential,  intlcoti,  if  you  measured  alar  expanse  correctly).  Tldnk  what  a 
difturence  it  would  make,  were  you  skinning  a  man  through  a  slit  In  tho  belly,  whether  his  arms  were  strctchol 
above  his  head,  or  pinned  against  his  ribs.  It  Is  Just  the  same  with  a  bird.  When  properly  relaxed  the  wings 
arc  readily  pressed  away  toward  the  bird's  head,  so  that  the  shoulders  are  encountered  Iwforo  the  elbows. 

<  Shears  will  be  ronulrcd  to  crash  through  a  targe  arm-bone.  Or,  you  may  with  the  scalpel  unjoint  the 
shiiuldcr,  Tlio  Joint  will  be  found  higher  up  and  deeper  among  the  breast  muscles  than  you  might  suppose, 
iinluiis  you  are  useii  to  carving  fowls  at  table.  With  a  small  bird,  you  may  snap  tho  bone  with  the  thumb-nai! 
and  tear  asunder  the  muscles  Id  an  instant. 

'  You  find  that  tho  little  straight  cut  you  ma<Io  along  the  belly  has  somehow  become  a  hole  larger  than  the 
greatest  girth  of  the  bird ;  be  undismayed ;  it  is  all  right. 

0  If  you  have  up  to  this  point  proiiorly  pualied  oil'  the  skin  instead  of  pulling  it,  there  is  as  yet  probably  no 
stretcliiiig  of  nny  consequence;  but,  !n  skinning  tlie  head,  whieli  comes  next,  it  is  almost  impoesible  for  a  beclnner 
til  avoid  stretching  to  an  extent  involving  great  ditmage  to  tho  good  looks  of  a  skin.  Try  your  utmost,  by  delicacy 
of  manipulation  at  the  lines  of  contact  of  skin  with  flesh,  and  only  there,  to  prevent  lenglliieise  stretching.  Cross- 
wise distension  is  of  no  consequence ;  in  fact  more  or  less  of  it  is  usually  required  to  skin  the  bead,  and  it  tends 
to  counteract  the  ill  effect  of  undue  elongation. 


I 


13 


80 


FIKLD  ORNITHOLOGY. 


;  i 


if 


wiiy ;  f.ir  largo  ones,  rPHf  tlic  alFiiir  "u  tho  table  "r  your  lap.  Tc  skin  tlio  hciul,  secure  tho 
iM-ily  ill  til.-  |»mitioii  jiiNt  imiicatcd,  i.y  n.ntiuiiiK  tiio  ii.rk  l.rtwc™  your  left  lliuml.  aud  f<.n- 
liiigcr;  liriiig  tlic  rigiit  fingers  an<l  tliuuib  to  a  cone  over  the  head,  ami  draw  it  out  with  gentle 
loree;  or,  holding  the  head  itself  between  tho  hft  tluunb  and  forefinger,  insert  the  handht  «if 
the  scalpel  between  the  skin  ami  skull,  and  i>ry  a  little,  to  rnlarg.-  the  neek-eyliuder  of  «Uiii 
enough  to  let  the  head  pass.  It  will  generally'  slip  out  of  its  hood  very  readily,  as  far  a.'»  itii 
greatest  diameter  ■. '^  there  it  stieks,  being  in  faet  piniieil  by  the  mrs.  Still  hohling  the  bird  uh 
l)efore,  with  tlie  point  of  the  scalpel  handled  like  a  nut-picker,  or  with  your  thuinb-nail,  detach 
the  delicate  uieuihraiie  that  lines  the  ear-opening  ;  do  the  same  for  the  other  ear.  The  i-kull  \» 
then  shelled  out  to  the  ci/cn,  and  will  skin  no  furthi'r  of  its  own  accord,  being  again  attached 
by  a  mend.rane,  around  the  border  of  the  eye-socket.  Holding  the  scalpel  as  before,  run  its 
edge  aripuiid  an  arc  (a  semicircle  is  enough  to  let  you  into  the  orbit)  of  the  circumference,  dis- 
severing till'  membrane  from  the  bone.  Ueverse  the  .scalpel,  and  .>icoop  out  the  eyeball  with 
the  end  of  the  handle  ;  you  bring  out  the  eytt  betwi.xt  the  ball  of  your  thinnb  and  the  handle 

of  the  instrument,  tearing'  apart  tl ptic  nerve  and  the  conjunctival  tissue,  but  taking  caro 

not  to  open  the  eyeball"  or  lacerate  the  eyelids.  Do  the  same  with  the  other  eye.  The  head 
is  then  skinned  far  enough  ;  there  is  no  use  of  getting  iinile  to  the  base  of  the  lull.  Yini  have 
now  to  get  rid  of  the  brain  and  llesh  of  the  nape  and  jaws,*  aial  leave  most  of  the  skull  in  ;  lh(( 
crani.ildouie  makes  the  only  perfect  "stufling''  for  the  skin  of  the  head.  This  is  all  (ban'  at  once 
by  only  four  particular  cuts.  Mold  the  head  between  your  left  thumb  and  fingers,  the  bill  point- 
ing towards  you,  the  bird's  palate  facing  you  ;  you  obsi'rve  a  s]iace  bounded  behind  by  the  base 
of  the  skull  where  the  neck  joins,  in  front  by  the  lloor  of  the  mouth,  on  either  side  by  tin?  prongH 
of  the  under  jaw,  —  these  hist  especially  jproiuinent.  Take  the  .scissors  ;  stick  (Uie  blade  just 
inside  out?  branch  of  the  lower  jaw,  thence  into  the  eye-socket  which  lies  below  (the  bead 
being  njiside  down),  thencr?  into  the  brain-bo.K  ;  make  a  cut  ]>arallel  with  the  jaw,  just  inside 
of  it,  biiuuing  the  upper  scissor  blade  perpeiali(Milarly  downwani,  crashing  through  x\w.  skull  just 
inside  of  tin- angle  of  the  jaw.  Duplicate  this  cut  on  the  other  side.  Connect  the  anterior 
ends  of  these  cuts  by  a  transverse  one  across  the  floor  and  roof  of  the  mouth,  t'onneet  tho 
posterior  ends  of  the  side  cuts  by  one  across  \\w  back  of  the  skull  near  its  base, — just  where 
the  nape-muscle  ceases  to  override  \\\v  cranium.  You  have  enclosed  an.l  cut  out  a  s.pnirish- 
shaped  mass  of  bonit  and  mns(de,  and,  on  gi'Utly  pulling  the.  lu'ck  (to  which  of  course  it 
remains  attached),  the  whole  aifair  comes  out,  bringing  the  brain  with  it,  but  h'aving  the 
entire  roof  of  tiie  .'-kull  supported  on  a  scairohling  of  jaw-bone.  It  only  renniins  to  skin  the 
wings.  Seize  the  arm-stump  with  fingers  or  forceps;  i\w  upper  arm  is  readily  drawn  from  it.s 
sheath  as  far  as  the  elbow  ;  but  the  wing  mu.st  be  skinned  to  the  wrist  (carpus  —  "bend  of 
the  wing")  ;  yet  it  will  not  come  out  so  easily,  because  \\\v  secondary  (piills  grow  to  one  of  the 
fore-arm  bones  (the  ulna  I,  pinning  down  the  skin  the  wlicde  way  along  a  series  of  points.  To 
break  up  the.se  counec'lions,  hold  the  upper  arm  firmly  with  the  left  thumb  and  forefinger,  the 
C(nivexity  of  the  elbow  looking  towards  you  ;  jiress  the  right  thumb-nail  closely  against  the 
back  edge  of  the  ulna,  and  ship  downward,  .scraping  the  boni'  with  the  nail  the  whole  way. 
If  you  oidy  hit  the  line  of  adhesions,  tiiere  is  no  trouble  at  all  about  this.     Now  you  want  to 

'  Tlio  Hiioolnl  cnnc  of  lioiwl  too  liirgo  for  tlio  nnllliro  of  tlio  nccli  Im  t  roiit(!il  lioyoiul. 

»  Ami  yoii  will  at  oiico  liinl  a  Kruat  apiiarent  liicriasu  of  aiiioiuit  of  free  nkiii  In  your  liaiul,  owliiK  to  rcli-nfio 
iniil  I'xtfiisloii  of  nil  lliat  wan  bofdre  »liortoin'(l  in  luiiKtli  liy  circular  ili>ituiii>iuii.  In  ciilui gt'iuuiit  of  tlio  iicck- 
cyliiidnr, 

"  An  oycl.all  In  miicli  Inrgcr  tlian  It  lookit  from  llinoutnlilo;  If  you  stick  tlio  inatruinent  gtrnl|{lit  Into  tlio 
i«H-kct,  you  may  imiicli  n  hole  In  llio  ball  unci  let  out  llio  water;  a  very  illnai;rcoal>lo  coniplicatlon,  Inshiuiito  llio 
kiiifu-liaiKllu  doiHj  to  llu!  rim  of  the  Hocket,  iiiiil  liii);  tlio  wall  of  tlio  cavity  tliroiiKkoiil. 

«  You  may  of  i-oursu  at  thW  Htaijo  cut  olV  llic  neck  at  the  iiaiio,  ihiikIi  a  liolu  In  tho  Imite  of  tlie  nkull,  dig  out 
thp  liralim,  nnil  Hirii|ie  away  at  tho  Jaw-niuwlcB  till  yoii  are  »all«llcil  or  tlrcil ;  an  uniiecei'Httry  Job,  ilurlinc  wlilcb 
Iho  nkln  may  have  lpe<'oiiio  dry  and  Blirlvollod  uiitl  liurd  to  turn  right  hide  out.  The  oiivruliun  dciicribod  in  tliu 
text  umy  reijuiro  ten  aecondii,  iierhapg. 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A   BIRDSKIN. 


81 


l(iiv(>  in  ono  of  tho  two  fom-ann  boiirs,  to  preserve  Niil!itieiitly  tlie  sJiapo  of  tho  liinb,  but  to 
rciMiive  tlie  iitlicr,  with  tho  iipper-ariii  Ixnie  iiiiil  all  the  tlesii.  It  is  done  in  ii  nioiiient :  Htick  thu 
iidiiit  of  the  Hi'issors  Ix'tween  tiie  heutls  of  th(«  two  fore-iinn  hones,  uuil  eiit  tlie  hiiuh'r  one  ( ulna) 
iiwiiy  from  tho  «'lhow;  tlieti  tho  other  fore-arm  bono  (railin.s),  hearing  nn  its  near  enil  tho 
rlliow  and  tho  whole  upper  arm,  is  to  bir  stiippetl  away  from  the  ulna,  takiiiu;  with  it  the  llesli 
(if  the  fore-arm,  and  to  be  eut  olf  at  its  far  end  close  to  the  wrist-joint,  ime  sindve  severin^j  tho 
lidue  and  all  th<>  ti'ndouH  that  pa8s  over  the  wrist  to  tho  hand  ;  then  tho  ulna,  ban'  of  llesh, 
is  ainiie  left  in,  attarlied  at  the  wrist.  Draw  j^ently  on  the  win;;  from  the  outside  till  it  slips 
liitii  the  natural  position  whenee  you  everted  it.  Do  the  same  Inr  the  otluir  wing.  This 
liiiishes  the  skinuinu;  process.  The  skin  is  now  to  be  turned  right  siiU'  out.  liegin  any  way 
viiM  |>!ease,  till  yiiu  se<>  the  |iiiint  of  the  bill  reappearing  among  the  feathers:  seize  it  with 
liiiirers  or  furceps,  as  ennvenient,  and  use  it  for  gentle  traetinn.  Itut  by  no  means  pidl  it  nut 
by  holding  on  to  the  rear  end  of  the  skin — that  would  infallibly  stretch  the  skin.  Holding 
the  hill,  niak(!  a  eylindiT  of  your  left  hand  and  coax  the  skin  backward  with  a  sort  of  milking 
Miniion.  It  will  come  easily  enough,  until  the  tinal  stage  of  getting  the  head  back  into  its 
skiill-cap;  this  may  reipiire  some  little  dexterity;  but  you  camioi  fail  to  get  the  head  in,  if 
you  renicniber  what  you  did  to  get  it  out.  When  this  is  fairly  accomplished,  you  for  the  first 
time  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  .something  that  lo<d<s  like  u  birdskin.  Your  iie.xt'  care  i.s  to 
apply  arsenic.  Lay  the  skin  on  its  back,  the  opening  toward  you  and  wide  spread,  so  tho 
iiileiior  is  in  view.  Hun  the  .scaliiel-handle  into  the  neck  to  dilate  that  cylinder  until  yiui  can 
see  the  skull;  tiinl  your  way  to  the  orilices  of  the  legs  and  wings;  expose  the  pope's- nose  ; 
lliiis  yon  have  not  oidy  the  general  skin  siu'face,  but  all  the  |ioints  where  some  trai'es  of  llesh 
were  left,  fairly  in  view.  Shovid  in  arsenic  ;  dump  smue  down  the  ne<'k,  making  sure  it  reaclu's 
anil  plentifidly  besprinkles  tho  whole  skull;  dropulilth-  in  (raeh  wing  hole  and  leg  h<de; 
leave  a  small  pile  at  the  root  of  the  tail ;  strew  some  more  over  the  skin  at  large.  The  simple 
nde  is,  put  in  as  much  arsenic  as  will  .s<(('^  anywhere.  'I'hen  close  the  opening,  anil  shake  up 
the  skin  ;  move  the  head  about  by  the  bill ;  rusth'  the  wiugi'  and  nmvo  the  legs  ;  this  distrib- 
utes the  poisiui  thoroughly.  If  yoii  have  got  in  more  than  is  neces.sary,  as  you  may  judge  by 
seeing  it  piled  up  dry,  anywhere,  hold  the  skin  with  tho  opening  downward  over  the  poison- 
liiawer,  and  give  it  a  Hip  and  let  the  suiiertlnous  powder  fall  out.  Now  for  the  "make  up,'' 
upon  which  tho  beauty  of  the  preparation  depends.  First  get  the  empty  .skin  into  good  shape. 
Let  it  lie  on  its  back  ;"  draw  it  straight  out  to  its  natural  length.  ISeo  that  the  skin  of  tho 
head  tils  snugly;  that  the  eyes,  ears,  and  jaws  are  in  place.  Kxpand  tho  wings  to  make  suro 
lliat  the  hone  is  in  place,  and  fold  them  so  that  the  tplills  override  each  othi'r  naturally  ;  set  tho 
tail-feathers  shinglewiso  also;  drawdown  the  legs  ami  leave  them  strathlling  wide  apart. 
(!ive  the  plumage  a  preliminary  dressing;  if  the  skin  is  free  from  kinks  and  creases,  thi'  feath- 
ei's  comtMiatnrally  into  place;  particular  ones  that  may  be  awry  shoiild  be  set  right,  as  may 
he  gonornlly  done  by  stroking,  or  by  lifting  them  free  repi'aledly,  and  h'tting  them  fall  ;  if  any 
(through  carelessness)  remain  turned  into  the  opening,  they  should  be  carefully  picked  out. 
IJeniov(!  all  traces  of  gypsum  or  arsenic  with  the  leather  duster.  Tho  stulliug  is  to  be  juit  in 
tliiough  tho  op(>niiig  in  tho  belly;  the  art  Ih  to  get  in  just  enough,  in  the  right  places.  It 
Would  never  do  to  push  in  pellets  of  cotton,  as  you  would  NtnlF  a  piUow-case,  till  the  skin  is 
tilled  up;  no  suhseiiiu'lit  skill  in  setting  could  remove  the  distorliou  that  would  result.  It 
takes  just  foitr'^  pieces  of  stufting  —  one  for  each  eye,  one  for  the  neck,  and  one  for  ihi-  body; 

'  Siiiiio  direct  tlio  iioIhohIiik  In  Ih)  iloJin  wlillii  (lie  skin  In  still  wroii;;  hMh  out;  .iinl  It  iimy  lir  very  tlimiMiKlily 
ilVeetoil  lit  lluit  HUlge.  I  wiilt,  liiTHiine  (lie  iirKenie  pMuTiilly  strrwH  iivir  llie  tiililu  In  ttio  ii|M'riitliiii  iif  rever»ln({ 
the  kIiIii,  If  you  lino  iiH  iiiueli  lis  I  lliink  »(lvii>ulilu;  itml  It  is  In'ttir  tii  liitvu  ii  c»\  lly  In  put  It  iiilo  tliiiii  ii  Hiirfucu  In 
1.1  lew  It  nil. 

•  Knr  luiy  nrillniiry  Wrd  up  tn  Hie  iili;o  nf  ii  crow.  II  is  nfteii  dlreeleil  lliiil  Hie  leg-lmiicit  lUid  wlnK-I)niic»  lie 
wrnpiicd  wlHiunttoii  nr  low.  I  xlinuld  tint  tliliik  nf  pill  lint;  iinyllilnt;  iimnnd  the  wiiiclmiieHnf  iiiiy  liird  up  !<>  Iliu 
ri/e  nf  iin  englu,  owaii,  ur  fioliuaii.     Exaiuliiiitlnii  nf  i>  Hkliiiied  wlnt;  will  hIiow  Imw  oxtreiiiely  eninp.'iet  11  Is,  exeept 


82 


FIELD  ousrnioLooY. 


wliilo  it  rrtiiiiros  rutluT  l.ss  tlmu  Imlf  as  much  stii»iii!,'  as  an  iiicxiMTienc.'.l  ppmm  niiRht 
flupposc.  Tiikf  11  mIiic.1  nf  c.ttoii  tliat  will  malcc  a  ti^iit  Itall  as  larf,'c  as  i\w.  bird's  cyo;  stick 
it  on  tlic  cud  of  .vmii-  kuittinn-iiccdlc,  and  l)y  twilling  tiio  umllo  wliiUt  tlio  cottou  is  confined 
ill  your  (inucr  tips,  yon  niakr  a  neat  ball.  Introduce  tliis  tlir.iugli  tbo  belly-oi)ening,  into 
tho  eye-socket;  if  you  liave  cut  away  skull  euougli,  as  already  directed,  it  will  go  right 
in;  disengage  the  needle  with  a  reverse  twirl,  and  witlidniw  it.  Take  bobl  of  tho  bill  with 
one  iiand,  and  with  the  forceps  iu  the  other,  dr<  ss  tlu;  eyelids  lu'atly  and  luitiirally  over 
the  elastic  substance  within.  Reiuat  for  the  other  eye.  Take  ae.\t  ii  shred  of  cotton  that 
will  rtdl  into  a  tinu  cylinder  rather  less  than  tbo  size  of  the  bird's  neck.  Koll  it  on  tho 
needle  nnich  as  you  did  the  eye-ball,  introduce  it  in  the  same  way,  and  ram  it  firmly  into 
the  base  of  the  skull  ;  disengage  the  needle  by  twirling  it  tho  other  way,  and  withdraw  it, 
taking  care  not  to  dislodge  tin!  cotton  neck.  If  now  you  peep  into  tho  skin  you  will  see 
the  end  of  this  artilicial  neck  ;  push  it  up  against  tho  skin  of  tho  breast,  —  it  must  not  Ho 
down  (Ui  tlii^  back  between  the  shoulders.*  The  body-wad  comes  next;  you  want  to 
imitate  the  size  and  .shape  of  the  bird's  trunk.  Take  a  nuiss  of  cotton  you  think  will  bo 
enough,  and  take  about  /ik// of  this ;  that  will  bo  plenty  (cotton  is  very  elastic).  It  shcmld 
make  a  tolerably  firm  ball,  rather  egg-shaped,  swelling  at  the  breast,  suniller  behind.  If  ycni 
simply  sipieeze  up  the  cotttui,  it  will  not  stay  compressed  5  it  requires  a  motion  something 
like  that  wliich  bakers  employ  to  knead  dough  into  tho  shape  of  a  loaf.  Keep  tucking 
over  the  borders  of  \.\w  cotton  till  tho  desired  shape  and  firmness  are  attained.  Insert  tbo  ball 
between  the  blades  of  the  forcejis  in  such  way  that  tho  instrument  confines  tho  folded-over 
edges,  and  with  a  wriggling  motion  insinuate  it  aright  into  tho  body.  Before  relaxing 
the  forcei)s,  jnit  your  thumb  and  forefinger  in  tho  bird's  armpits,  and  pinch  tbo  shoulders 
together  till  they  almost  touch ;  this  is  to  make  sure  that  there  is  no  stuffing  between  tho 
shoulders,  —  the  whole  mass  lying  breaatwards.  Loosen  tho  forceps  and  withdraw  them.  If 
tho  ball  is  rightly  made  and  tucked  in,  tho  elasticity  (jf  tho  cottcyn  will  (diieHy  expend  itself  in 
puffing  out  the  breast,  which  is  just  what  is  wanted.  Bo  careful  not  to  push  the  body  too  far 
in ;  if  it  iiujiacts  against  tho  skin  of  tho  neck,  this  will  infallibly  stretch,  driving  the  shoulders 
apart,  and  no  art  will  remedy  the  unsightly  gapo  resulting.  You  see  I  dwell  on  this  matter  of 
the  shoulders ;  the  whole  knack  of  stufting  correctly  focuses  just  over  tho  shoulders.  If  you  find 
you  have  made  the  body  ttw  largo,  pull  it  out  and  nuike  a  smalkr  one;  if  it  fits  nicely  about 
the  shoulders,  but  is  too  long  to  go  iu,  or  too  puffy  over  tho  belly,  let  it  stay,  and  pick  away 
shreds  at  the  open  en<l  till  the  redundancy  is  remodied.  Your  bird  is  now  stuffed.  Close  tho 
opening  by  bringing  the  edges  of  tho  original  cut  together.  There  is  no  use  of  sewing*  up 
the  cut,  for  a  small  bird ;  if  the  stuffing  is  correct,  the  feathers  will  hide  the  ojjening ;  and  if  they 
do  not,  it  is  no  matter.     You  are  not  making  an  object  for  a  show  case,  but  for  a,  naturalist's 


II 


Just  at  the  sliouldcr.  Wlmt  you  rcmovo  will  nurer  mnke  any  difrcreiico  from  tho  outslile,  while  you  would  ulmoiit 
inevitably  get  in  too  muuli,  not  of  rhu  riglit  i<lia|>o,  and  make  an  awkward  bulging  no  art  would  remedy ;  I  say, 
then,  leave  tho  wings  of  all  !>ut  tho  lar|j;e!it  birds  empt;),  an<l  put  in  very  little  under  any  circumstances.  As  for 
legs,  tho  wholo  host  of  small  perching  Iilrds  need  no  wrapping  whatever;  depend  ui)on  it  you  will  make  a  nicer 
skiD  without  wrapping.  But  large  birds  and  those  witli  very  niiiscular  or  otherwise  prominent  legs  must  have 
the  removal  of  Hesli  conipcnsated  for     1  treat  of  these  cases  lieyond. 

•  Altliough  a  bird's  neck  Is  really,  of  course,  in  direct  continuation  of  tho  back-bone,  yet  the  natural  sigmoid 
curve  of  the  neck  is  such  that  it  virtually  takes  departure  rather  from  the  breast,  its  lower  curve  being  received 
l)etween  the  prongs  of  the  niorrythouglit.  This  is  what  we  must  imitate  instcail  of  the  truo  anatomy.  If  you  let 
tho  end  of  the  neck  lie  between  tho  shoiildurs,  it  will  infullllily  press  tlicm  apart,  so  that  the  interscapular  |iluinago 
cannot  shingle  over  tlie  scapular  feathers  as  It  should,  and  a,  gaping  place,  showing  down  or  oven  naked  skin, 
will  result.  Likewise  If  the  neck  be  made  tim  lari/e  (the  chances  are  that  way,  at  llrst),  the  same  result  follows. 
These  seemingly  trilling  points  are  very  ini|portant  indeed ;  I  never  made  a  decent  birdsklu  till  I  learned  to  get  the 
neck  small  enough  and  to  shove  the  end  of  it  against  tho  breast. 

»  But  sew  It  up,  if  you  please,  though  you  may  be  perhaps  giving  the  man  who  subsequently  mounts  the 
bird  the  trouble  of  ripping  out  the  stitches.  StKchea,  however,  will  not  come  amiss  with  a  large  bird.  I  generally, 
ill  such  cases, />i»  the  edges  of  the  cut  iu  one  or  more  places. 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  BIRDSKIN. 


83 


(Mbiiict.  SiipiKtHinj;  you  to  liiivo  bt'cii  8o  fiir  Hucfossful,  little  rmnniiig  to  be  doiio  ;  tho  skiu 
aliriiily  l<Miks  very  iiiucii  likiMi  dnul  bird;  you  hiive  only  to  ^iv^!  tho  fiiiisliiiiiu  toueheg,  uud 
".set"  it.  Fixing;  tlii)  wiii>;s  idcciy  is  a  ^ri'iit  point.  Fold  each  wiiii;  closely;  sec  that  tho 
carpiii  Ik'IiiI  is  well  dt-Kiit'd,  tiuit  tin-  coverts  show  their  several  obliipu'  rows  l^ert■el•tly,  that  all 
till'  iiiiills  override  each  other  like  xhinKles.  Tuck  the  folded  wings  close  up  to  the  body  — 
niilicr  on  the  bird's  ba<'k  than  alon>{  its  sides  ;  see  that  the  winj^  tips  meet  over  tin'  tail  (iinilcr 
llie  tail  as  the  bird  lies  on  its  back);  let  the  carpal  ant;le  nestle  in  the  pbiniaKC ;  have  the 
sliniilders  close  together,  so  that  the  interscapulars  shingle  over  the  .scajiulars.  It'  the  wing  bo 
pressed  in  too  tightly,  the  scapulars  will  rise  up  on  end  ;  there  must  be  neither  furrow  nor 
riilge  about  the  insertion  of  the  wings;  everything  must  lii-  pi'rfectly  smooth.  At  this  stage 
III'  the  process,  I  generally  lift  up  the  skin  gingerly,  and  let  it  slip  head  first  through  luie  haial 
at'ier  till'  other,  pressing  here  or  there  to  corri'ct  a  deformity,  or  uniformly  to  make  tho  whole 
skill  compact.  The  wings  set,  next  bring  tin,'  legs  together,  so  that  the  bones  within  the 
skill  lie  parallel  with  each  other;  bend  the  heel-joint  a  little,  to  let  the  tarsi  ironn  each  other 
alMiiit  their  middle;  lay  them  sidewise  on  the  tail,  so  that  the  naturally  Hexed  toes  lie  Hat,  all 
tlie  claws  nnitually  facing  each  other.  See  that  the  neck  is  [lerfectly  straight,  and,  if  anything, 
slioitened  rather  than  outstretched;  have  the  crown  of  the  head  Hat  on  the  table,  the  bill  point- 
iiiLt  straight  forward,'  the  mandibles  shut  tightly.'''  \ever  attem])t  any  "  fancy''  attitudes  with 
abirdskin;  the  sim|)ler  and  more  compiu-tly  it  is  made  uji  the  better.'  Finally,  I  say,  hang 
over  your  bird  (if  you  have  time i;  dress  better  tho  feathers  that  were  well  dressed  before; 
perfect  every  curve ;  finish  caressingly,  and  put  it  away  tenderly,  as  you  hope  to  be  shriven 
yourself  when  the  time  comes. 

Then^  are  several  ways  of  laying  ii  birdskin.     A  common,  eiusy,  and  slovenly  way  is  to 

thrust  it  head  tirst   into  a  paper  cone;    but  it  nnike.s  a  hollow-chested,  pot-bellied  object, 

luipleasant  to  see,  and  renders  j'oiir  nice  work  on  th<'  make-up  futile.     A  paper  cijliiider, 

corresponding  in  calibre  to  the  greatest  girth  of  the  birdskin,  binds  the  wings  well,  and  makes 

a  good  ordinary  specimen,  —  perhaps  better  than  the  average!,     liemarking  that  there  are  sonic 

detestabli!  practices,  such  as  hanging  np  fi  bird  by  a  string  through  the  nose  (mt.'thods  only  ti> 

he  mentioned  to  be  condemned),  I  will  tell  you  the  easiest  and  best  way,  by  which  the  most 

eli'i.'MMt  Mild  tasteful  results  are  almost  necessarily  .secured.     The  skins  are  simply  laid  away 

i  they  come  from  your  hands.     Take  a  considerabh'  wad  of  cottiui,  make  a 

the  x|ieeimen  in,  and  tuck  it  up  nicely  around  the  edges.     In  effect,  1  gcner- 

,1  -lieet  of  cotton  wadding,  the  sizing  4pf  which  confers  souk^  textile  consistency, 

:p  tl         nl  completely  but  lightly  in  it.     Hy  loosening  or  tightening  a  triHe  here  or 

till        '''yi'ig  iiowu  a  "  pillow"  or  other  special  slight  pressure,  the  most  delicate  cimtour-lines 

II  i,v  lie  preserved  with  perfect  fidelity.     Unnecessary  pother  is  sometimes  made  about  rfr^/i/i*; 


■  KxcejitloiiB.    Won<l|ieckcr!>,  ducks,  and  Bomo  other  blrdit  treated  of  liryond,  arc  bent  set  witli  tlie  head  ttat 


oil  line  kIiIu,  tlie  bill  poliitliig  ubi^ 
tliL'  biril  Iiu8  on  ItB  back. 

-  If  the  iiiiinilibleHgapc,  r 
Injures  tbi-  nostrils  (and  wc  tv 
l,Miiys,  (hiving  It  obliquely  ii 
Jiiw.    A  shred  of  cotton  intr. 

■I  Don't  cock  up  tho  Iiciui 
look  riilleulous.  Don't  lay  tin 
tlie  bird  will  never  perch  nor  Ii 


iy  tu  the  right  or  left;  owls,  with  tho  bill  pointing  straight  up  in  tho  air  us 


iliro.id  through  the  nostrils  and  tie  It  tightly  niiilcr  the  bill.    Or,  since  this 
ly  want  to  cvamine  their  siriu'ture)  stick  a  |>lii  In  uinler  the  bill  close  to  tho 
.date.     Soinetinies  the  skin  of  the  throat  looks  sunken  betwixt  the  sides  of  the 
with  f 'leeps  through  the  mouth  will  obviiile  this. 

ng  to  iinpiirt  a  knowing  air  —  it  eaniiot  be  done,  and  only  makes  the  poor  bird 
II  on  Olio  Hide,  with  the  legs  in  (iciTliing  position,  and  don't  spread  the  wings  — 
gain,  and  the  siiggosllon  is  iinarllstii'  beiause  Incongruous.  The  only  permls- 
siMe  diparturo  from  the  rule  of  .-I'vere  siniiillclly  Is  when  some  s|n'iiiil  ornament,  as  a  line  crest,  nniy  be  naturally 
displayed,  or  some  hidden  markings  are  desired  to  be  brought  out,  or  a  slmim  of  tall  or  wing  to  bo  perpetuated; 
hut  in  all  such  eases  the"tlowery"  Inclination  should  be  s|>aringly  and  Judiciously  Indulgod.  It  is,  however, 
l'ii''iueiitly  desirable  to  give  some  special  set  to  Ao.'i' ,n/(,7«;/,  as  loss  of  plumage,  etc. ;  this  may  often  bo  aceoni- 
plished  very  cunningly,  with  excellent  result.  No  rules  for  this  can  be  laid  down,  since  tlio  iletalls  vary  in  every 
<'ase:  but  In  general  the  weak  spot  may  bo  hidden  by  contracting  the  skin  of  tho  place,  and  then  setting  tho  bird 
in  an  attitude  that  naturally  corrcsiiouds,  thus  making  a  virtue  of  necessity. 

3 


~u 


1- 

1  : 1 


84 


FIELD  OliXnnOLOGY. 


sliins*,  tlio  flirt  hciiiir  tlmt  nmlrr  ordiniiry  cirrmi 


sfiuicps  tlicv  could  not  1k>  kojit  from  dryiiii: 


[wrfi-ctly  ;  and  tln-y  dry  in  ixai 


•tlv  the  !<li:i|M'  tiny  art-  set,  if  not  acciili'ntally  jirfssi-d  upon.     At 


s<« 


•a.  how-cv.T,  or  duiinu'  unusually  iM<.tra.-t.d  w.t  Wfatlicr,  th.-y  ..f  cours.-  dry  slowly,  and  nniy 

ourin^.   fsptrially  in  the  casfs  of  very  lar>rc, 


rf<|iiiri'  some  attiiitiou  to  iiri'vciii  niiMi'W  or 


tliick-skinni-d,  i 
in  tilt'  sun.  wil 


irnnsv  s|Hi-nnius.  riiuroUL'li  poisoniiiu'.  and  dryiuir  l>y  a  fire,  or  placinir 
IwavH  ansuiT.  Very  clos.-  i>ackiui.'  retards  dryinu;.  When  travclliuir,  or 
o|>rratin!.'  uiid.r  ntlur"  cirrunistanci's  rf.|uirini;  tronoiuy  of  space,  you  must  not  cxix-et  to 
tiu-n  out  vonr  eolleetlon  in  elegant  miler.  Perfection  of  contour-lines  can  only  be  secured  liy 
puttiiu;  each  specimen  away  tiy  itself;  undui-  pressure  is  alwi-ys  lialde  to  ju-oduce  unliappily 
outiT  contiiruralion  c.f  a  skin.     Trays  in  a  packin::  l.ox  are  of  u'reat  service  in  limitini;  i.ossi- 


Idlities  of  pressure 


tliev  sliotild  l>e  shallow:   one  four  inches  deep  will  take  a  well  stuH'ed  hel 


hawk,  for  example,  or  accommodate  from  three  to  six  sparrows  a-iop  nf  mie  another.      It  is 
well  to  sort  oiil  vour  s|iecim.   is  somewhat  accoiirmi;  to  size,  to  keej)  heavy  ones  olf  little  ones; 
the  cijiiiks  aiuiind  "lie  former  may  usually  he  economi/ed  with  advantap'  Ity  packiiit; 
iilde  (ir  the  less  neatly  prepared  of  the  latter.     When  limited  to  a  Iravellintr 


tl 


iKUifh 


in    the    h 

chest.  I  iieiiei  lly  pass  in  the  skills  as  last  as  maile,  packing  them  "solid"  in  one  sense,  yet 
huiitim,'  up  a  nice  re>tim.'-place  for  each.  If  each  rests  in  its  own  ...;ion  coHin,  it  is  astonishin<r 
how  idoM'  they  may  he  laid  without  liarni,  and  how  many  ^^ill  u'o  in  a  triveii  space;  a  tray 
Ud  X  IS  X  I  inches  will  easily  Indil  three  hundred  anil  lifty  hirds  six  inches  loni;.  As  a  tray  fills 
iiji.  tlie  drier  ones  first  imt  In  mav  he  siiliiiiitled  to  more  iiressiiie.     .\  sk 


rit;in,<llv  dried  in 


id  shape  may  sulisei|iiintly  l.i>  pressed  perfectly  llat  without  material  injury:  the  mly  tiling' 
to  avoid  heini;  coHliirlinii,  The  wlmle  kn.ick  of  packini.'  hirds  corresponils  to  tiuit  of  fillini;  a 
trunk  xiiliilli/  full  i.f  I'lnthes.  as  may  easily  he  done  without  daniaue  to  an  imnia<'ulate  shirt- 
front.  Filially.  I  Would  >ay.  never  put  away  a  hinl  niilahelled.  not  even  for  an  hour;  you  may 
fnlt'et    it    or  die.       Never  tie   a 

\\ 


lahel  to  a   hiid's  hill,  wiliii.  or  tail  :   tie  it  securely  to  iMifh  leys 


where  they  cross,  and  l 


It  will  lie  just  half  as  lialde  to  Income  detached  as  if  tied  t^ 


I  one  U'fi  only. 

Never  paste  a  lahel,  ur  even  a  iiumher.  ou  a  hird's  plumage.      Never  put   in  tjlass  eyes  before 
nioinitinir.     Never  paint  or  v.iniish  a  hird's  hill  or  feet.     Never  replace  missiiii;  plumat^e  of  one 


bird  with  the  feathers  nf  aiiothei 


not  eviii  if  the  birds 


lit  oftl 


le  same  nest. 


h.     Si'K.t  lAi.  l'mi('Ks.si:s :  ('o.mim.M'Aiiuxs  .\nii  .VcnnKXTs. 

The  KorPKoiiiK  Mi'thoil  of  procedure  is  a  routine  practice  applicabli>  to  tlii-ee-fourths  if 
not  nine-tenths  of  the  "  ueiieral  run  "  of  birds.  Hci  there  are  several  cases  reipiirin^  a  modi- 
fication of  this  pioiiraii'.me;  while  several  circiimstances  may  tend  to  embarrass  your  ojierations. 
The  principal  special  conditions  may  therefore  he  separately  tnaled  to  ynur  advaiitaKi.'. 

Sl/.t'.  Other  ihitiL's  beiiiu'  ei|ua1.  a  laire  bird  is  ninie  dilficiilt  to  prepare  than  a  small 
one.  (n  oiie  ca.se.  ynii  iiiily  need  a  certain  delicacy  uf  touch,  easily  aci|iiired  and  .-iMin  beconi- 
ilii;  mechanical  ;  in  the  other,  deiiiaiid  on  your  slreni;th  may  be  made,  till  your  liiilscles  ache. 
It  takes  loiiu'er.  ton;'  !  cniild  jHit  away  i<  do/en  sparrows  in  the  time  I  should  s|M'nd  over 
an  eaule  ;  and   I   would   rathei   Ierl;.ke  a  hundred  liiimmilitr-birds  than  one  ostrich.      For 

'  Till'  rirnlir  iiiiiv  1k>  riirlmiH  i.i  kii"\v  wmii'tlitiiK  <t  tin-  HliitlHtlcH  nti  llilii  wuri'  — Imw  loiij!  it  iiiit>)it  tn  tako 
Mill  to  pripan-  lui  "plliiiiry  xkiii  II. ■  iiiii  M'lio.ly  liuiijln.'.  rinm  1i|h  Hrxt  hill  mi*  ci|K'riitioiiH.  Iidb  fx|Mirl  lie  miiy 
Imtiiiiii'.  lint  ..Illy  111  l.i'iiiiiy  .if  nnnli.  1ml  III  riiiilillty  .pf  i,.xc.iii|,.ii,  I  Imve  mi-ii  liislileniilHtH  iiiiikit  K'x")  smnll 
Kklim  ill  till-  rnic  .if  ten  uii  li.iiir;  I. ill  tlil»  [s  i.xininr.lliiury  Tlii'  i|iilrki'i.l  work  I  ever  illil  iiiywlf  ww  i-IkIiI  iiii 
liiiiir.  iir  nil  iivitul'i'  "f  wviii  uinl  :i  lialf  iiiliiiitiii  a|.l.ri-.  miuI  fiilrly  u.hhI  xkliiH.  Iliil  I  plckisl  my  IMriU,  all  siiiiill 
iilii'K.  wi'll  hIicI.  liilii-lliil.  iiii'iuiiiri"l.  ami  |ilci/tf<..|  liffciiiliaiiil,  ».■  tlmt  tliii  rule  .if  w.irk  wan  I'X.'cplj.innl,  Ik-kMi'ii 
lii.'lii.lliiK.iiily  111.'  mtiml  iiiaiilpnliiilum  fruin  llri.i  .Mil  l.i  laxliitf  away.  N.i  niii' 'ii'ir.i>/> .«  cIkIiI  IiIhIh  iin  li.iiir,  even 
I'X.n.lliii:  till-  iMioiwaiy  iirilliiiliiiuliK  .if  .l.iaii^liiu.  pliiui-iiiii.  .•!.•.     K.iur  lilr.l«  an  li.mr,  cv.ryllilii«  liiclinlcl.  Is 

K.Hxl  w.irk.     A  Vfry  I'liiiiiiiil  .iniltli.il.iKlHl  ..fllilH miry,  aii.l  an  .'Xiwrl  laxl.I.Tnil«t,  .inre  Ini.l  it  wliliiiHival  waiter, 

tlnit  he  woul.l  skin  aii.l  »lii«  a  lilr.1  iK'f.iri.  a  n-rlaln  fri.'ii.l  .if  IiIh  . <ml.l  pi.  k  all  llic  r«atliiTii  »((  it  kihuIiucii  .if  llic 
wiiiiii  kliiil      I  fMriJi'l  tin'  Hill.',  lint  hi'  w.iii,  uii.l  lilii  friend  atu  c-r.iw,  UUsrally,  tluit  iiiglit. 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  BIBDSKIN, 


86 


"  large  "  hinls,  siiy  anything  from  a.  hen-lmwk  upward,  variuu8  s|)ecial  inanipiilutidus  I  have 
ilirei'teil  may  l)e  t'oregoue,  while  however  you  observe  their  generui  ilritt  ami  intent.  You  may 
(ipiii  the  bird  as  directed,  or,  turning  it  tail  to  you,  cut  with  u  knife.'  Forceps  are  rarely 
ri'i|iiired:  there  is  not  much  that  is  tiNi  small  to  be  Uiken  in  hand.  As  stKin  as  the  tail  is 
ilividi'd,  iiang  u[>  the  bird  by  the  rinnp,  so  you  will  have  both  hands  free.  Let  it  swing  ch'ar 
uC  tlic  wall  or  table,  at  any  height  most  convenient.  The  steel  hodks  of  a  ilissecting  case  are 
lint  always  large  enough;  use  a  sttu'V  lish-hook  with  the  barb  liled  oB'.  Work  with  your  nails, 
a»i.>-li(l  by  till'  scalpel  if  necessavy.  I  know  of  no  binl,  and  I  thiidt  there  is  none,  in  this 
niiiiitiy  at  least,  the  skin  of  which  is  so  intimately  adherent  by  fibrous  or  muscular  tissue  as 
t.i  ri'i|iiire  actual  dissecting  throughout ;  a  i>elicau  comes,  perhaps,  as  near  this  as  any  ;  but  in 
many  cases  the  knife  uniy  be  constantly  employed  with  advantage.  I'se  it  with  long  clean 
.■.vvii'piiii;  s'mUes,  hugging  the  skin  rather  than  the  body.  The  knee  and  shoulder  commonly 
n'i|iiire  disarti<-ulatiou,  uidess  you  use  boiu'-uippers  or  strong  shears;  the  four  cuts  of  the  skull 
may  presii|)pose  a  very  able-bodied  instrument,  even  a  chisel.  Tlw  wings  will  give  you  the 
must  iniuble,  and  they  re(|iiire  a  special  jirocess;  for  you  caimot  readily  breaU  up  the  adhesions 
iif  the  secondary  <|uills  to  the  ulna,  uor  is  it  desirable  that  very  large  feathers  should  be 
(Ir)'rive(l  of  this  natural  supiMirt.  Hammer  or  nip  oH'  the  great  heail  of  the  upper  arm-bone, 
just  below  the  insertion  of  the  breast  muscles;  clean  the  rest  of  that  bone  and  leave  it  in.  Tie 
a  sirimr  around  it  (what  saili>rs  call  "two  half  hitches"  gives  a  secure  hold  on  the  bony 
cyliiider),  and  tie  it  to  the  other  humerus,  inside  tlio  skin,  so  that  the  two  bones  shall  be  rather 
Ic  >s  than  their  natural  distance  apart.  .Vfter  the  skin  is  brought  right  side  out,  attack  the 
wiiius  thus:  Spread  the  wintt  uudir  side  iipperumst,  ami  secure  it  on  the  talde  by  driviui; 
a  lai'k  or  brad  through  the  wrist-ji.int ;  this  ti.\es  the  far  end,  while  the  weight  of  the  skin 
steadies  tli.'  other,  liaise  a  whole  layer  of  the  under  wing-covei1s,  and  make  a  cut  in  the  skin 
thus  exposed,  from  ellmw  to  wrist,  in  the  middle  line  between  the  two  forearm  boues.  I{ai.se 
ihr  llaps  iif  skin  and  all  the  mus<-le  is  laid  bare;  it  is  to  be  removed.  This  is  best  done  by 
liriiiig  each  muscle  from  its  bed  .separately,  slipping  the  liauille  of  the  scal|H'l  under  the 
individual  bellies;  there  is  little  if  any  bony  attai'limeiit  except  at  each  enil,  and  this  is  readily 
severed.  Stri'W  in  arsenic  ;  a  little  cotton  may  be  used  to  till  the  bed  of  uiuscle  removed  from 
a  en/ larije  bird  ;  brinj;  the  llaps  of  skin  together,  and  suioKth  down  the  coverts;  you  need 
ii'it  be  partii-ular  to  sew  up  the  cut,  for  the  coverts  will  hide  the  o|K'ning;  in  fact,  the  operation 
dues  not  show  at  all  after  the  make-up.  Stulling  of  large  birds  is  not  commonly  done  with 
iiiily  the  four  pieces  alreailv  directed.  Tlii'  eyeballs,  and  usually  the  neck-cylinder,  iro  in  as 
licl'me;  the  boily  may  be  tilli'd  any  way  you  plea.-te,  provideil  you  do  nut  put  in  tiHi  mucii 
stulling-  nor  t;el  any  bejtween  the  shoulders.  .\11  lari;e  birds  had  better  have  the  leg-bones 
v\ia|iped  to  nearly  natural  si/e.  Observe  that  the  leu-muscles  do  not  form  a  cylinder,  but  a 
'line;  let  til"  wrappini;  taper  naturally  from  oip  to  bottom.  .Vtteiition  to  this  point  is  neces- 
-aiy  for  all  large  or  mediiim-si/ed  birds  witli  naturally  prominent  leus.  The  large  linely 
t'liiilnnd  lens  of  a  hawk,  for  example,  ought  to  be  well  dis|ilayed  ;  with  these  birds,  and  al.so 
with  rails,  etc.,  moreovr,  imitate  the  liuli.'e  of  the  thigh  with  a  special  wad  laid  inside  the 
skill.  Larue  birds  commonly  re(|uire  also  a  special  wad  infnHluced  by  the  mouth,  to  make 
till'  Nwell  iif  the  throat  ;  this  wad  should  be  rather  lliilIV  than  firm.     As  a  rule,  do  not  till  out 


'  (Vrtaln  aiiiniii;  larger  lilnln  iiro  nfli'ii  him'iu'iI  I'lsowlii're  tliaii  almii;  tlin  lu'lly.  witli  »li:it  i(iIv»iiIi>k<>  I  riiiiiiot 
^:i\  rnnn  my  nwii  i'.\|><-rii<iiri<.  Viirimin  witter  liinln,  siirli  uh  Iihiiih,  KrilH'i',  uuk»,  KoH".  loul  ilmkii  (ill  facl  any 
"whnniiii);  lilnl  witli  iIiiim)  iiiulrr  |i|i.iiiiiKi'i  iiiiiy  l>u  ii|k'Iii'i|  nUnig  tlic  xiili'  liy  a  i  iit  iimlir  tlii<  wIiikh  rrmii  lln- 
■.li'iiililur  iiTor  tilt'  lii|i  In  tint  riiiii|i;  lliu  cut  l»  riiiii|ilutc>ly  lilililcii  l>y  tliu  iiialo'-iip,  ami  tin-  |iliiiiiaKi'  In  iK'Vcr  nirtlixl 
I  ill!  I  «.'«  11(1  iRi'i'hdIly  fur  IIiIh;  iMr,  ii»  a  riili'.  Ilii'  livlly  i>iHiiiiiiK  imii.  ifiliniivil.  !«•  coniplololy  fll'acttl  wllli  ilim  care. 
'IxhikIi  a  wry  Kreany  lilnl  witli  wliili<  iiiiilcr  pliiiiiaiti-  Ki'iiirully  HtaiiiH  ulnri'  <>|h'|u'i1.  in  xpiii'  of  I'M'ry  iirccaiitimi. 
Stirli  liiriln  an  Iihiiih,  ^(ri'ln'it,  iDriiinraiitH.  ami  iiriiuiiiiira  am  nflrii  ii|H>niMl  l>y  a  cut  arnmK  llii'  fiimlaint'iit  rroiii  mio 
ii'i;  111  lliu  hIIiit;  llii'ir  ('oiiriirinalloii  in  t.trt  niggi-iflK  ami  ruvura  tbiii  i>tirrulloii.  I  liiivo  uften  h.i.'Ii  watvr  biriln  »Ut 
tliiwii  tlio  buck;  Init  t  cuimiilor  it  wry  |Hiur  iiriictluu. 


86 


FIELD  OEMTHULOGY. 


I 


lurgr  birds  t.)  tlifir  iiatural  dhncnsioiis ;  they  take;  ui)  too  much  nwin.  Let  the  head,  ueck, 
uud  Irgs  bi!  ai'curiitcly  prepared,  but  U'ave  tlie  main  (.-avity  oue-third  if  not  oue-half  empty  ; 
no  more  is  reipiircd  tliau  will  fairly  suiooth  out  frcascs  in  the  tskiu.  Keduce  bulk  rather  l)y 
tiatteuiug  out  than  by  general  uonipre-ssiou.  Use  tow  instead  of  cottou  ;  and  if  at  all  short  of 
tow,  rcoiioinize  with'  i)ai)er,  hay,  etc.,  at  least  for  the  deejier  portions  of  the  main  stuffing. 
Large  birds  may  he.  "set"  in  a  great  (inantity  of  tow:  \vrai)ped  in  pajjer,  much  like  any 
other  parcel  ;  or  simply  left  to  dry  on  the  table,  the  wings  being  only  supported  by  cushioning 
or  other  suitai)le  means. 

Shape. —  Some  sjjecial  configurations  have  been  noticed  in  the  last  paragraph,  prema- 
turely perhaps,  l)Ut  leading  directly  up  to  further  considerations  respecting  shape  of  certain 
birds  as  a  modifying  element  in  the  process  of  preparation.  As  for  .skhming,  there  is  one 
extri'niely  imjicprtant  matter.  Most  ducks,  many  woodpeckers,  flamingoes,  and  doubtless 
gome  otiiers  with  which  I  am  not  familiar,  cannot  be  skinned  in  the  usual  way,  because  the 
head  is  too  large  for  the  calibre  of  the  neck  and  cannot  be  drawn  through.  In  sudi  cases, 
skin  as  usual  to  the  base  of  the  skull,  cut  otf  the  head  there  (inside  the  skin  of  course i,  and 
operate  upon  it,  afti'r  turning  the  skin  right  side  out,  as  follows:  Part  the  feathers  carefully 
in  a  straiglit  line  down  the  back  of  the  skull,  make  a  cut  through  the  skin,  just  long  enough 
to  jiermil  the  head  to  pa.ss,  draw  out  the  skull  through  this  opening,  and  dress  it  as  already 
directed.  Helurn  it,  draw  the  edges  of  the  cut  nicely  together,  and  sew  up  the  o)'ening  witli 
a  great  many  hue  stitches.  Simple  as  it  may  appear,  this  process  is  often  embal•ras^illg,  for 
the  cut  has  an  unha]i|iy  tendency  to  wander  about  the  neek,  enlarging  it.self  even  under  the 
most  careful  manipulation:  whili'  the  feathers  of  the  ]iarts  are  usually  so  short,  that  it  is  difli- 
cult  to  elface  all  traces  of  the  operation.  I  consider  it  very  disagrei'able  ;  hut  for  ducks  I  know 
of  no  alternative.  I  have  however  found  out  a  way  to  avoid  it  with  woodpeckers,  e.scepting 
the  very  largest  ;  it  is  this:  Hefori"  skimiing,  i)art  the  eyelids,  and  plunge  the  scaljiel  right 
into  the  eyeballs;  seize  the  cut  edge  of  the  ball  with  the  forceps,  and  pull  the  eye  right  out. 
It  maybe  dexterously  done  without  spilling  the  eye-wa  er  on  the  ]>lumage  ;  but,  for  fear  of 
this,  jireviously  put  a  little  pile  of  p'iister  on  the  spot.  Throw  arsenic  into  the  socket,  and 
then  till  it  with  cotttni  poked  in  between  the  lids.  The  eyes  are  thus  disposed  of.  'i'lien,  in 
sUimiint:,  when  you  come  to  tlii'  head,  dissever  it  from  the  neck  ami  work  the  skull  as  far  out 
as  you  can:  it  may  be  sulBciently  exposed,  in  all  ca.s(>s,  for  you  to  gouge  out  the  base  of  the 
skull  with  the  scissors,  and  get  at  the  brain  to  n'Uiove  it.  Apply  an  e.\tra  large  dose  of 
arsenic,  and  yon  will  never  hear  from  what  jaw-muscle  has  been  left  in.  In  all  these  cases,  as 
already  remarked,  the  head  is  preferably  set  lying  on  one  side,  with  the  bill  |)ointing  obliipu'ly 
to  the  right  or  left,  {'ertain  birds  reipiire  a  special  mode  o(  scKitig  ;  these  are,  birds  with  very 
long  legs  or  neck,  or  both,  as  swans,  ^ee.se,  pelicans,  cormorants,  snakebirds,  loons,  and 
esjieciaily  cranes,  herons,  ibises,  and  llamingoes.  Long  legs  should  be  doubled  complel.ly  on 
them.selves  by  bending  at  the  heel-joint,  and  either  tucked  under  the  wings,  or  laid  on  the 
under  surface  ;  the  chief  ])oint  is  to  see  that  the  toes  lie  Ha.,  so  that  the  claws  do  not  stick  up. 
to  catch  in  thing's  or  irel  hmken  otf.  A  loni:  neck  should  be  carefully  folded:  not  at  a  shar|. 
angle  with  a  crea.se  in  the  skin,  but  with  t\  short  curve,  and  brought  round  either  to  the  si<h' 
of  the  bird  .ir  on  its  breast,  as  may  seem  most  convenient.  The  object  is  to  make  a  "  bale" 
of  the  skin   as  nearly  as  may  be.  and  when  it  is  i>roperly  eH'ecterl  it   is  surprisim;  what  little 

space  a  .'rane,  lor  instai occui.ies.     Hut  it  is  rarely,  if  ever,  admissible  to  bend  a  tail  back 

on  the  body,  however  in.-onvenienlly  long  it  may  be.     Special  dilations  of  skin,  like  the  pouch 
of  a  pelican,  or  the  air  sacs  of  a  prairie  hen,  may  be  moilerately  displayed. 

Tlilii  Nkln.  — LooM>  PluniiiKe.   .    It  is  astonisliini;  how  much  resistance  is  ofiered  by 
the  thin  skin  of  the  smalh'st  bird.     Thouirli  no  thicker  than  tissue  pai>er,  it  is  not  very  liable 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  BIRDS  KIN. 


37 


til  tpiir  if  deftly  liaiKllod ;  yet  a  rent  once  started  often  enlarges  to  an  embarrassing  extent  if 
the  skill  be  stretched  in  the  least.  Accidental  rents  and  eiilargeiuents  of  shot-holes  should  be 
iii'iitly  sown  Ills  if  occurring  in  an  exjioscd  jduco  ;  but  in  most  cases  the  plumage  may  be  set 
III  hide  the  oiieiiings.  The  trogons  are  said  to  have  remarkably  thin  and  delicate  skin;  I  have 
iH  ver  handled  one  in  the  tlesli.  Among  our  birds,  tiie  cardinal  grosbeak  and  the  species  of 
Ciiprimiilfiidtc  have,  I  think,  about  the  tenderest  skins.  The  obvious  indication  in  all  such 
ciisis  is  simply  a  little  extra  delicacy  of  manipulation.  In  skinning  most  birds,  you  should 
iidt  loose  more  than  a  feather  or  two,  excepting  those  bxisened  by  the  shot.  I'igeons  are 
]ieciiliar,  among  our  birds,  for  the  very  loose  insertion  of  their  pliniiage ;  you  will  have  to  be 
]i:iiticiilarly  careful  with  them,  and  in  spite  of  all  your  jirecautious  a  good  many  feathers  will 
IMiiliiilily  drop.  As  stripping  down  tlie  secondary  ([uills  from  the  forearm,  in  the  manner 
already  indicated,  will  almfist  invariably  set  these  feathers  free  from  the  skin,  I  recommend  you 
lint  to  attempt  it,  but  to  dress  the  wings  as  prescribed  for  large  birds. 


Fatness.  —  Fat  is  a  substance  abhorred  df  all  di.s.sectors  ;  always  in  the  way,  embarra.^s- 
1  (d)seuriiig  oliservations  :   wliili-  it  is  seldom  worth  examination  after  its 


ill"-  iiiiemtlcms  and 


si  met  lire  has  once  been  ascertained.  It  is  piiilicularly  obnoxious  ♦  ■  the  taxidermist,  since  it 
is  ruble  to  siiil  the  |>liima!.re  during  skinning,  and  also  to  .s<iak  into  the  feathers  afterwards  ; 
and  greasy  birdskins  are  never  ideasini;  cibjects.  A  few  birds  never  seem  to  have  any  fat  ; 
siiiMi'.  like  petrels,  are  always  oily  ;  at  times,  especially  in  the  indolent  autumn  sea.son,  when 
hircis  liave  little  to  do  but  fi'cd,  the  great  majiirity  aciiuire  an  rmhoiijidinl  doubtless  to  their  own 


satisfaction,  but  to  the  taxidermist's  discumfurt.  In  all  such  cases  gypsiiiii  should  be  lavishl" 
I'liipliiyed.  i^trew  plaster  )dentifiilly.  froni  the  first  cut  all  through  the  operation;  dip  your 
liiiu'crs  ill  it  freiinently.  as  well  as  yi'Ur  instruments.     'i"he  invaluable  absorlu.'iit  will  deal  with 


list  <if  the 


iniiig"fat.     When  the  skin   is  roiii]iletely  reversed. 


ive  as  much  of  the 


siiliil  fat  as  possible:  it  is  generally  found  occujiyiiig  the  areohir  tissue  of  particular  definite 
tiacls,  and  most  of  it  may  usually  be  peeled  nr  flaked  off  in  considerable  masses.  Since  the 
siil't  and  oozy  state  nf  most  birds'  fat  at  ordinary  temiieratures  may  be  innch  ini|)roved  by  cold, 

iieaiis 
aiiv 


it  will  repay  you  I"  leave  your  birds  on  ice  fur  a  while  Ix'fore  .skinning,  if  you  have  the  i 
and  time  to  do  so;  the  fat  will  becume  <|iiite  linn.     There  is  a  device  fur  preventing  or  at 


rate  lessening  the  soilinir  of  the  pliimau'e  so  apt  to  occur  along  the  line  of  your  incision  ;  it  is 
iiivaliialile  in  all  cases  of  white  iiliiniage.  Take  a  strip  of  cloth  of  greater  width  than  the 
Iciiutli  iif  the  feathers,  long  enough  to  gn  up  one  side  <if  the  cut  and  down  the  other.  Sew 
ill  around  the  cut,  and  it  will  form  an  apron  to  guard  the  plumage. 


iliis  closely  to  the  ski 

\>'U  will  tiio  fre(|iiently  timl  that  a  bird,  prepared  without  sniliiig  and  laid  away  ajiparently 
-air,  afterwards  grows  greasy  ;  if  the  ]iluiiiage  is  white,  it  .soon  becomes  worse  than  ever  by 
showini;  dust  that  the  grease  catches.  Perhaps  the  majority  of  such  binls  in  our  inuseimis 
slidW  the  dirty  streak  along  the  belly.  The  reason  is,  that  the  grease  has  oozed  out  along  the 
cut.  nr  wherever  else  the  skin  has  been  bndten,  and  infiltrated  the  pliiinag«>,  being  drawn  up 
a|>|iarently  l>y  ca]iillary  attraction,  just  as  a  lampwiek  "sucks  up  "  oil.  Sometimes,  without 
iiliviniisly  soilinir  the  plumage,  the  grease  will  run  alont;  the  thread  that  ties  the  label,  and 
make  a  niiifi>niily  transparent  piece  of  "oil-paper."'  I  have  no  remedy  to  offer  for  this  gradual 
iiililtratiiin  of  the  (ilumage.  It  will  not  wash  out,  even  with  soap  and  water.  Possibly  careful 
and  persistent  treatment  with  an  ether  mitrlif  be  effective,  but  I  am  not  prepared  to  say  it  would 
he.  Itemoval  of  all  fat  that  can  be  gut  off  diiriiii;  skinning,  with  a  liberal  u.se  of  jilaster,  will 
ill  a  measure  prevent  a  difficulty  that  remains  incurable. 

niuoilstulns,  etc.  —In  the  nature  of  the  case,  this  eomplication  is  of  continual  occurreiae; 
fiirtiiiiat  dy  it  is  easier  dealt  with  than  trreasiness.  Much  may  be  done  in  the  field  to  prevent 
bloiidyiug  of  the  plumage,  au  already  said.     A  little  bhHHi  does  not  show  much  ou  u  dark 


88 


FIELD  OBNITHOLOGY. 


I 


plumage ;  but  ii  is  of  course  conspicuous  oi  liiflit  or  white  feathers.  Dried  blood  may  often 
be  scraped  off,  ia  imitation  of  tlic  luitural  jiroress  by  wliicli  a  bird  cleanses  its  ]dninage  with 
the  bill ;  or  be  pulverized  by  geutly  twiddlini,'  the  feathers  between  the  fingers,  and  then 
blown  off.  Hut  feathers  may  by  due  care  be  washed  almost  as  readily  as  clothing ;  and  we 
must  ordinarily  resort  to  this  to  remove  all  traces  of  blood,  esjK'cially  from  white  surfaces.  If 
properly  dried  they  do  nut  show  the  o])eratioii.  With  a  soft  rag  or  jiledget  of  cotton  dipped  in 
warm  water  bathe  the  jiiace  a.ssidiiousiy,  jiressing  dnwii  pretty  hard,  only  taking  care  to  stroke 
the  feathers  the  rigiit  way,  so  as  not  to  crumple  them,  until  the  red  color  disappears  ;  then  you 
have  simply  a  wet  place  to  deal  witii.  I'rcss  gyiisiim  on  the  spot ;  it  will  cake  ;  Hake  it  oil' 
and  aj)iily  more,  till  it  will  no  longer  .stick.  Then  raise  the  feathers  on  a  knife-bhuh;  and 
s])rinkle  gy])sum  in  aniinig  them  ;  pat  it  down  and  shake  it  up,  wrestling  with  the  spot  till  the 
moisture  is  entirely  absorbed.  Two  other  tluids  of  the  body  will  give  you  occasional  annoy- 
ance,—  the  juices  of  the  alimentary  canal  and  tiie  eye-water.  Escape  of  the  former  by  mouth, 
nostrils,  or  vent  is  preventable  by  pluiiging  these  orifices,  and  its  oceuiTence  is  inexcn.>iable. 
IJut  shot  often  lacerates  the  gullet,  cmii,  and  bowels,  and  though  nothing  nuiy  flow  at  the 
time,  Bubsoquent  jolting  or  pressure  in  the  game-bag  cau.«e.s  the  escape  of  fluids  :  a  seemingly 
safe  specimen  may  be  unwrapped  to  .shnw  tin'  whole  belly-plnmagc  a  sodden  brown  nuiss. 
Such  accidents  should  be  treated  precisely  like  Idooilstains ;  but  it  is  to  he  rennirked  that  the.sc 
stains  are  not  seldom  indelible,  traces  usually  persisting  in  white  idumage  at  least  in  spite  of 
our  best  endeavors.  Eye-water,  insignificant  as  it  may  ajjpear,  is  often  a  great  annoyance. 
Tills  iiiiuor  is  slightly  glairy,  or  rather  ghissy,  and  puts  a  sort  of  sizing  on  the  jduniage  dirticult 
to  eflace;  tlie  more  so  since  the  .soiling  necessarily  occurs  in  a  conspicuous  place,  where  the 
l)lumage  is  too  scanty  and  delicate  to  bear  much  liandling.  It  frequently  haiqiens  that  a  lac(>r- 
ated  eyel)all,  by  the  ehistlcity  of  the  coats,  or  adhesion  of  the  lids,  retains  it.s  fluid  till  this  is 
jiressed  out  in  niaiiipiihiting  the  parts;  and  recollecting  how  the  heail  lies  btn-ied  in  pliunage  at 
tiiat  stage  of  tlie  process,  it  will  be  seen  that  not  oidy  the  head,  but  much  of  the  neck  and  even 
the  breast  imiy  become  wetted.  If  the  jiarts  are  extensively  soaked,  the  specimen  is  almost 
irreparably  (Liiiiaued.  if  not  mined.  I'hister  will  alisorb  the  moisture,  but  much  of  the  .Mziuir 
may  be  retain..!  on  tlie  plumage  ;  thm  fore,  tliough  the  ]ilace  seems  simply  wet,  it  should  be 
th<irouglily  washed  with  water  before  the  gypsum  is  apjdied.  I  always  endeavor  to  prevent 
the  accident  :  if  I  notice  a  hicerated  eyeball.  I  extract  it  before  skinninir,  in  the  manner 
desriibid  for  woodpecker.-.  Miscellaneous  stains,  tVoiii  the  jriices  of  plants,  etc.,  may  be 
received  ;  nil  such  are  treated  on  general  princijiles.  Illood  on  the  beak  and  feet  of  rapai-ioiis 
birds,  mud  on  the  bill  iind  le^s  of  waders,  etc.,  etc..  may  be  washed  off  without  the  slightest 
difli.'iilty.  A  land  bird  that  has  fallen  in  the  water  should  l.e  recovered  as  soon  as  possible, 
l>ieked  up  /;//  fhr  hill,  aii-l  sliaken  ;  most  of  the  water  will  run  unless  the  plumage  is  eom- 
jdetely  Soaked.  It  should  be  allowed  to  dry  just  as  it  is,  «  nli<iut  touching  the  )'liiiiia!;e, 
before  beiiii;  wrapped  and  bairsred.  If  a  bird  tlill  in  soft  mud,  the  dirt  should  be  scraped  op 
."napped  off  as  far  as  this  can  be  done  without  pla.-t.nng  the  feathers  d..wn,  and  the  rest 
allowed  to  dry  :  it  may  aftei  wanl  be  riibbeil  tine  and  dusted  off,  when  no  hariii  will  ensue, 
except  to  white  feathers  which  may  require  washini:. 

Mutilation.  —  You  will  often  be  troubled,  e.irly  in  y.mr  practic..,  with  broken  legs  and 
wings,  aii.l  various  lacerations  ;  bttt  the  injury  must  be  very  severe  (such  as  the  carrving  away 
of  a  hmb.  or  bh.winc  off  the  whole  t.q.  of  a  head)  that  cann'ot  be  in  great  mr.nsure  r.'medied  b'v 
enre  and  skill.  .Suppose  a  little  bird,  shot  through  the  n,.ck  or  small  of  the  back,  comes  apart 
while  b,.ing  skinned  :  you  have  only  to  remove  the  hinder  portion,  be  th.at  much  or  little,  and 
go  on  with  the  r,..st  as  if  it  were  the  whole.  If  the  leu  bone  of  a  small  bird  be  broken  near 
the  heel,  let  it  com.,  away  altogether;  it  will  make  little  if  any  difference.  In  ease  of  the 
same  uccident  to  a  large  bird  that  ..ught  to  have  the  legs  wrappd.  whittle  out  a  peg  and  stick 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A   BIBDSKIN. 


89 


It  ill  tlio  hollow  stump  of  tho  bone ;  if  there  is  no  stiiinp  left,  file  a  piecr  of  stout  wire  to  a 
iiiiiut  iiuil  stick  it  iuto  the  heel  joint.  If  the  forcann  bone  that  you  usually  leave  iu  a  small 
liird  i.s  broken,  remove  it  and  leave  the  other  in  ;  if  botli  are  broken,  do  not  clean  the  wings 
mi  thoroughly  that  tjiey  become  detached ;  an  extra  pinch  of  arsenic  will  condone  the  omission. 
Ill  a  large  bird,  if  both  bones  of  the  forearm  are  broken,  splint  them  with  a  bit  of  wood  laid  in 
between,  so  that  one  end  hitciies  at  the  elbow,  tho  other  at  the  wrist.  A  humerus  may  be 
replaced  like  a  leg  bone,  but  this  is  rarely  require*!.  If  the  skull  Im-  smashed,  save  the  i)ieces, 
and  leave  them  if  you  can ;  if  not,  imitate  the  arch  of  tho  head  with  a  firm  cotton-ball.  A 
broken  tarsus  is  readily  splinted  with  a  pin  thrust  up  through  the  sol(>  of  the  foot:  if  too  large 
for  this,  use  a  pointed  piece  of  wire.  There  is  no  mending  a  bill  when  part  of  it  is  shot  away  ; 
for  I  tlciiik  the  replacing  of  part  by  putty,  stucco,  etc.,  inadmissible;  but  if  it  bo  only  fractured, 
tile  pieces  may  usually  be  retained  in  place  by  winding  with  thread,  or  with  a  touch  of  glue  or 
iiiiK'ilage.  It  is  singular,  by  tho  way,  what  uusightliness  results  from  a  very  trilling  injury  to 
tlie  bill:  iiuich,  I  suppose,  as  a  boil  on  a  person's  nose  is  peculiarly  deplorable.  1  have  already 
hinted  how  artfully  various  weak  ))laces  in  a  skin,  due  to  mutilation  or  loss  of  ]dumage,  may  be 
liiiiclen. 


Decomposition.  —  It  miglit  seem  unnecessary  to  sj)eak  of  what  maybe  smelled  out  so 
readily  as  animal  putrescence;  but  there  are  some  useful  points  to  be  learned  hi  this  connection, 
besides  the  imfKirtaut  sanitary  precautions  that  are  to  be  deduced.  Immediately  after  death 
the  various  fluids  of  the  body  betiiu  to  "  settle"  (so  to  s]ieak),  and  shortly  after  the  miiscidar 
.xysteni  as  a  rule  becomes  fixed  in  what  is  teehiiically  called  rif/or  ninrti.s.  This  stifieuiiig 
usually  ficcura  as  the  animal  heat  dies  away  :  but  its  onset,  and  especially  its  duration,  is  very 
viiiiable,  according  to  circumstances,  such  as  cause  of  deatli ;  although  in  most  cases  of  siidih'n 
viiilriit  death  of  an  animal  in  previous  good  health,  it  seems  to  depend  chi(  fly  upon  tenij)era- 
tiire.  being  transient  and  imperfect,  or  altogether  wanting,  hi  hot  wt^ather.  As  it  passes  off, 
tlie  whole  system  relaxes,  and  the  body  soon  becomes  as  "  Huip "'  as  at  tho  moment  of  death. 
Tills  is  the  period  iiiiiiiediatidy  preceding  decomposition  ;  in  fact,  it  may  ho  considered  as  the 
stage  of  incipient  putridity  ;  it  is  very  brief  in  warm  weather,  and  it  slnmld  be  seized  as  the 
last  opportuiiity  if  preparing  a  bird  without  iiicoiivenieiice  and  even  danger.  If  not  skinned 
at  once,  piitn'.sceiice  becomes  established;  it  is  indicated  by  tlie  etUuvhim  (at  the  outset  "sour,"' 
but  ra)iidly  aciiuiriiig  a  variety  of  disgusting  odors)  ;  by  tho  distension  of  the  abdoiiien  with 
gaseous  products  of  decom|i(isition  ;  by  the  loosening  of  the  cuticle,  and  colise<iuelitly  of  the 
feathers;  and  by  other  signs.  If  you  part  the  feathers  of  a  bad-smelling  bird's  belly  to  find 
the  skill  swollen  and  livid  or  greeiiisli,  whih?  the  feathers  conic  off  at  a  touch,  the  bird  is  too 
fa  ycine  to  be  ri'covereil  without  trouble  and  risk  tliat  no  ordinary  specimen  warrants.  It  is 
a  sinyiilar  fact  that  this  early  putrescence  is  more  jioisonous  than  utter  mttenness;  as  physicians 
all'  aware,  a  post-uiorteni  examination  at  this  stage,  or  even  before  it.  involves  more  risk 
tliaii  their  ordinary  dissectinir-rooiii  experience.  It  seems  that  both  natural  and  pathological 
piiisous  lose  their  early  virulence  by  resolution  into  other  products  of  decay.  The  obvious 
didiiction  from  all  this  is  to  skin  your  birds  soon  eiuuigh.  Some  say  they  are  best  skinned 
)ii  rt'eetly  fresh,  but  I  see  no  reason  for  tliis  ;  when  1  have  time  to  chouse.  1  take  the  period  of 
liuidity  as  being  preferable  on  the  whole;  for  the  fluids  have  then  "settled,"  and  the  liiiilis  aro 
n  iidily  ridaxed  by  manipulation.  If  you  have  a  large  bag  to  dispose  of,  and  are  pressed  for 
time,  set  them  in  the  coolest  jiiace  you  can  find,  jireferably  on  ice;  a  slight  lowering  of  tem]ier- 
atiiie  may  make  a  decided  difference.      Disembowellin-.',   which    may   be   accomplished   in  a 

1 ent,  will  materially  retard  d<'coni|iosiliiin.     Injections  of  (U'eo.-'ote  or  dilute  carbolic  acid 

will  arrest  decay  for  a  time,  for  an  indefinitely  lonp  period  if  a  large  (puintity  of  these  aiiti- 
.septics  he  employed.  When  it  becomes  desirable  (i;  can  never  be  inrrssiirif)  to  skill  a  juitres- 
ciiit  bird,  great  care  must  bo  exercised  not  only  to  accomplish  the  operation,  but  to  avoid 


40 


FIELD  OliSirnOLOdY. 


<langor.  I  must  not,  however,  iincoiiscioiisly  lead  you  to  cxafrucriitc  the  risk,  ami  will  add 
that  I  think  it  often  overrated.  I  have  prohahly  skinned  hirds  as  "  gainey  "  as  any  one  has, 
and  reiM'atedly,  witiiout  liein:;  eonseions  of  any  ill  eliects.  1  am  sure  that  no  poison,  ordinarily 
generated  by  decoiupo.-iticn  of  a  body  hedllhij  al  death,  ean  eoniiiare  in  vinilenee  with  that 
conunonly  resullini;  after  death  by  many  diseases.     I  also  believe  that  the  ga.seous  i»roduets, 

however  otiensive  to  the  smell,  are  iimnci s  as  a  niie.     'Hie  danger  jiraetieally  narrows  down 

to  the  absorixinii  .pf  tinids  llimugh  an  aliradiil  surface  :  the  jicison  is  rarely  taken  in  by  natural 
jiores  of  healthy  skin,  if  it  rem.iin  in  eimlaet  hut  a  short  time.  Cuts  and  .serafehes  may  be 
closed  with  a  tilm  of  ciJlodiMn,  »x  n.vercil  willi  isinglass  i.r  eourt  plaster,  or  protected  by 
rubber  cots  i<\\  the  lingers.  The  luin<ls  should,  of  cnurse,  be  washed  with  particular  care 
iumiediately  after  the  operation,  and  the  nails  scru]>idously  dre.ssed.  Having  never  been 
poisiiued  (to  my  knowledire),  I  cannot  give  the  symptoms  from  jiersoual  experience;  but  I 
will  unote  frum  Mr.  Maynard: 

"  In  a  fiw  days  nmuemus  pimples,  which  are  exceedingly  painful,  appear  n])oii  the  skin 
of  the  face  and  other  parts  uf  tin;  person  and,  ujioii  thcise  parts  where  there  is  chafing  nr 
rubbing,  become  hirge  ami  ileep  sores,  'riiere  is  a  general  lani;ucir  and,  if  badly  poisolU'd, 
cciuiplctc  prdslraliou  results;  the  sli^'ljlest  scratch  becomes  a  f(  slei'ing  sore.  Once  ]ioisoned 
in  this  manner  (and  I  .speak  from  exjieriencei,  one  is  never  afterward  able  to  skin  any  aninnil 
that  has  become  in  the  h'ast  putrid,  without  experiencing  some  of  the  synjptoms  above 
described.  J'',veu  birds  that  yoU  handled  befuro  with  impunity,  ynii  caunnt  miw  skin  without 
gn^at  cjire.  The  best  remedy  in  lliis  case  is,  as  the  Jlibcrni.in  wcmld  say,  mil  to  get  poisimed, 
....  ballio  the  jtiirts  fre((iiently  in  cidd  water  ;  and.  if  ciiafed,  sprinkle  the  parts  after  bathing, 
with  wheat  Hour.  These  remi-dies,  if  persisKMJ  in,  will  effect  a  cure,  if  not  too  bad  ;  then. 
laeiUcal  a<lvice  shciuld  be  procured  witlioiit  delay."' 

How  to  iiioiiiit  llli'ds. —  .Vs  Slime  may  imt  improbably  jirocnre  this  volume  with  a 
rea.sonable  expectation  uf  being  laiigiit  to  imtiiiit  birds,  1  ap|iend  the  re(|uired  instructions, 
altliongli  the  work  only  profc.x.ses  to  trc^at  of  the  preparation  of  skins  for  the  <'abinet.  Asa 
rule,  the  purposes  of  scic^nce.  are  best  sub.served  by  not  mounting  specimens;  for  display,  the 
only  I'ud  iittained,  is  not  required.  I  would  strongly  advise  you  not  to  mount  your  rarer  or 
other  ise  jianicMihirly  valuable  s)iecimens ;  .select  for  this  idu'pose  trice,  pretty  birds  of  no 
special  scientific  value.  'l"he  principal  idijectioiis  to  mounted  birds  are,  that  they  take  up 
altogether  too  imicli  room,  re(|uil'u  speciiJ  urrangements  for  keeping  ami  transportation,  and 
camiot  be  hamlled  for  study  with  impunity.  Sona^  mit;iit  su]i]iose  that  a  mounted  bird  would 
give  a  better  idea  of  its  figure  and  general  asjiect  than  a  skin  ;  but  this  is  only  true  to  a  limited 
extent.  Faultless  mounting  is  un  art  really  dillicult,  acipiired  by  few  ;  the  average  work  done 
in  this  line  shows  soniethiiig  of  caricature,  ludicrous  or  re]iulsive,  as  the  ca.se  may  be.  To 
co]iy  nature  faithfully  by  taxidermy  rei|uires  not  only  long  ami  <'lose  stutly,  but  an  artistic 
sense;  and  this  l.i.st  is  a  r.tre  gift.  I'nless  you  have  at  le.ist  the  germs  of  the  faculty  in  your 
composition,  your  taxidi'rnial  success  will  be  inconmiensurate  with  the  time  and  trouble  you 
bestow.  My  own  taxidermal  art  is  of  a  low  order,  decidedly  not  abov«!  average;  although  1 
have  mounted  a  great  many  birds  that  would  compare  very  favorably  with  ordinary  museum 
Work,  few  of  them  have  entirely  answered  my  ideas.  \  live  binl  is  to  me  such  a  beaiililul 
object  that  the  slightest  taxidermal  Haw  in  the  effort  to  re])resent  it  is  painfully  oflenwive  ;  j^ter- 
haps  this  imdies  me  place  the  standard  of  excellence  too  hitrli  for  practicil  imrposes.  I  like  a 
ifood  honest  birdskin  that  does  not   pretend  to  be  anything  el.-e  ;   it   is  far  preferalde  to  the 


'  Avolil  all  nicilinnli'fil  Irrltallnii  of  llie  iiitliiim-il  p;irl»;  inmli  tlic  parlH  llmt  Imvy  iili'criiliil  wllli  imtlik 
nriiiimrriiiiiillc;  tiilto  i»  il.wc  iir»!ili«;  \isi.  h>  nip  iif  llio  i.uU,!,.  ,if  inm,  ,ir  lliiiliiro  ..f  lliiMlilnrliliMif  Iron,  irny  tlilrly 
flriipg  of  citlier,  In  n  wliii'){ln!<»  uf  wiilcr,  lliiiio  iliiily ;  rest  at  llrBl,  exerclxo  (.Tiuliially  an  yoa  can  boar  It ;  ami  skill 
no  birdi  till  you  liav?  cuiiiplelcly  recovereil. 


HOW   TO  MAKE  A   BIBDSKrX. 


41 


oiiiiimry  taxidormnl  nluirtioiiK  <>f  the  sliow-cascs.  But  if,  after  the  \vaniiiij{H  tliat  I  mean  to 
cdiivi'v  ill  this  para^raiih,  ymi  still  wish  to  try  your  hand  in  the  highiT  Jepartnient  of  taxi- 
(liiiiiy.  1  will  exjilain  thr  wlioli'  pi-occsN  as  far  as  nianipnlation  goes;  tlic  art  you  must  diseovcr 
ill  yourself. 

'I'lie  operation  of  skinning;  is  preeisely  the  same  as  that  already  given  in  detail  :  tiieii, 
iii^tcit!  of  stiltling  the  skin  as  direetcd  ai)ove,  to  lie  on  its  hack  in  a  <lrawer,  you  have  to  sliitl' 
it  so  lliat  it  will  stand  up  on  its  feet  and  look  as  much  like  a  live  bird  as  possible.  To  this  end 
a  li  w  iiilditional  inipleinents  and  materials  art?  recpiired.  These  are  :  a,  annealed  wire  of  vari- 
ous iiiniilicrs  :  it  may  I'C  iron  or  brass,  but  must  be  perfectly  annealed,  so  as  to  retain  no 
elasticity  or  "  spring;"  h,  several  tiles  of  dill'erent  sizes  ;  f.  some  slender,  straight,  brad  awls  ; 
il,  ciitliiig  pliers  ;  e,  s(  ttiiig  needles,  merely  sewing  or  darning  needles  stuck  in  a  light  wiMideu 
liandle,  for  dressing  individual  feathers  ;  ,/',  plenty  of  pins  (the  long,  slender  insect  pins  used  by 
ciitoiiiologists  are  the  best)  aiul  sewing  thread  ;  (/,  an  assortment  of  glass  eyes.  (The  fixtures 
ami  <lccorations  are  noticed,  beyond,  as  occasion  for  their  use  arises.j 

Tlicre  are  two  principal  methods  of  mounting,  which  may  be  respectively  styled  xoff  stulf- 
iiiil  and  lifinl  stutling.  In  tla^  former,  a  wire  framework,  consisting  of  a  single  anterior  piece 
|iassiiii;  in  the  middle  lin(*  of  the  body  u]>  through  the  neck  and  out  at  top  of  the  head,  is 
iimiiovalily  Joined  behind  with  two  pieces,  one  i>assing  through  each  leg;  around  this  naked 
forked  frame  soft  stiiHing  is  introduced,  bit  by  bit,  till  the  proper  contour  of  the  skin  is  secured. 
I  have  seen  very  pretty  work  of  this  kind,  particularly  oil  small  binls;  but  I  consider  it  much 
re  dilliciilt  to  secure  satisfactory  results  in  this  way  than  by  hard  stiilling,  and  I  shall  there- 
fore coiiliiie  attention  to  the  latter.  This  method  is  applicable  to  all  birds,  is  readily  practised, 
lac'ililates  setting  of  the  wings,  arranging  of  the  plmnage,  and  giving  of  any  desired  attitude. 
Ill  haiil  sliitliiig,  you  make  a  firm  ball  of  tow  rolled  up<ui  a  wire  of  the  sixe  and  shape  of  the 
iiiiil's  body  jind  neck  together ;  you  introduce  this  whole,  afterwards  running  in  the  leg  wires 
and  clinching  them  immovably  in  the  mass  of  tow. 

Having  your  empty  skin  in  good  sliajie,  as  already  described;  cut  three  pieces  of  wire  of 
till'  riylit  '  size;  one  ]iiece  somewhat  longer  than  the  whole  bird,  the  other  pieces  two  or  tlire<( 
limes  as  long  as  the  whole  leg  of  tins  bird.  File  one  end  of  each  j)iece  to  a  fine  shaqi  (loilit  ; 
try  to  secure  a  three-edged  cutting  jioint  like  that  of  a  .surgical  needle,  rather  than  the  smooth 
piMicliiiig  point  of  a  sewintt-needle,  as  the  former  ]ierforates  more  readily.  Have  these  wires 
perfectly  straight.'''  Itend  a  small  portion  of  (he  untiled  end  of  the  longer  wire  irregularly  upon 
itself,  as  a  convenient  nucleus  for  the  ball  of  tow."     'I'ake  line  clean  tow,  in  loose  dossils,  and 

wrap  it  round  and  round  the  wire  nucleus,  till  you  make  a  firm  ball,  of  the  size  and  sha| f 

tlie  bird's  body  and  neck.  Study  the  contour  of  the  skimicd  body;  notice  the  swelling  bri'ast- 
iiiiiscies,  the  arch  of  lh((  lower  back,  the  hollow  between  the  furciila  into  which  the  neck,  when 
iiatiiially  curved,  sinks.  Kverything  depends  upon  correct  shaping  of  the  artificial  body;  if 
it  lie  misshapen,  no  art  can  properly  adjust  the  skin  over  it.  Firmness  of  the  tow  ball  and 
accurate  contour  may  both  be  secured  by  wrapping  the  nniss  with  sewing  thread,  loosening 
here,  tightening  there,  till  the  shape  is  satisfactory.  He  ])articular  to  secure  a  miiooth  sujier- 
ticies;  the  skin  in  drying  will  shrink  close  to  the  stuffing,  disclosing  its  irregularities,  if  there 
he  any,  by  the  maladjustment  of  the  plumage  that  will  ensue.  Observe  especially  that  the 
neck,  tlioiigh  the  direct  continuation  of  the  ba(-kbone,  dips  at  its  lower  end  into  the  hidlow  of 
the  iiierry-tlmuglit,  and  so  virtually  begins  there   instead   of  directly  between   the   shoulders. 


■  The  rixlit  xlzo  lit  tlio  smnllofit  tlint  will  siipiHirt  tliv  wliolo  wolislit  nf  the  Kliiftliii!  nml  Kklii  wllhoiil  heiidlni.'. 
when  a  |iloci' in  Itilrndiiced  Intocncli  leg.  If  UKliig  tiH>  thick  wire,  yiiu  iiiny  hiivti  tnmlilo  in  thniHtiii);  It  lhriiii);li 
llieli'ifs,  or  may  l)iir»t  tho  taraal  cnvolojic. 

'  If  luulileiitnlly  kinky,  tlio  liner  Mr.en  of  wlro  may  bo  rfla<llly  utralghtomnl  by  drawing  strongly  iiihwi  tli'iii 
xo  nil  to  Ktrctch  thorn  a  little.    Heavier  wlro  iniiHt  Im  haniincrcil  out  Htralght. 

'  Cotton  will  not  ilo  at  all :  It  in  too  Hoft  and  elastic,  and  moreover  will  not  allow  of  tho  log  wires  bvlng  IhniHt 
'  tM  It  and  thoro  clinche<l. 


42 


FIKLD  OJiNiniOLOGY. 


Thr  thrrp  inistnki's  most  likely  t..  1«'  nmdc  by  a  l)fj.'liiiipr  are,  Kfttinji  the  b<Mly  nltogctlipr  too 
liirp',  not  firm  ciiou^h,  au.l  irrctr'ilar.  Wlicii  im.iMTly  mailr,  it  will  clowly  rrscmMc  tin 
biril's  iMHly  iiiid  lu-ek,  with  an  iiali  or  Mviral  iiicln's  of  hhan>-l"'">t<'"'  "■'"'  l>r<>tni<liii>,'  from  tli. 
iiiitcrior  .■xtrnnity  "f  tli<'  ii.rk  of  tow.  Yoii  have  now  to  introduce  the  wliolc  atfair  into 
the  skill.  Willi"  the  l>ii(l>kiii  on  its  liack.  the  tail  pointiiiir  to  your  riftlit  cUiow.  uiiil  tli. 
abdominal  oitouiuj;  as  wide  as  |)ossil)lc.  Iiold  the  tow  body  in  jiosiliim  ridativi-  to  tlie  skin  ; 
enter  the  wire,  pa.s'*  it  ii|>  tliroimli  ilie  nerk,  brinj;  the  sliai'it  iioint  e.\iu'tly  ayain.st  the  middh' 

of  the  .skull,  pierce  .-kiill  and  sUin,  caiisiiiir  llie  wire  to  protrude  so distance  from  the  middle 

of  the  crown.  Then  by  jicntlc  means  insinuate  the  body,  jiailly  jHLsliinir  it  in,  partly  drawinj; 
the  skin  over  it,  till  it  re.Ms  in  its  proper  position.  This  is  just  like  drawing;  on  a  tiu'ht  kid 
ijlove.  and  no  more  dilliciilt.  See  that  the  binly  is  mnijilvteli/  vuvim'i];  you  must  be  aide  to 
dose  the  abdominal  aperture  entirely.  Yoii  have  next  to  wire  the  legs.  Kilter  the  sharp 
point  of  one  of  ihe  lef;-wires  already  prepaif.'d,  exactly  at  the  centre  of  the  sole  of  the  foot, 
ihrilstint;  it  up  iiisiile  the  tarsal  envelope  the  whole  length  of  the  "shank,"  thence  across  the 
heel  joint  '  and  up  aloni;  the  next  bone  of  the  leu,  still  inside  the  skin.  The  jioint  of  the  wire 
will  then  be  seen  within  thi'  skin,  and  may  be  si'ized  and  drawn  a  little  further  through,  and 
you  will  have  jmssed  a  wire  entirely  out  of  siiihl  all  the  way  along  the  leir.  The  end  of  the 
wire  is  next  to  be  fixed  immovably  in  the  tow  ball.  'I'hriist  it  in  at  the  point  where  the  knee, 
in  lite,  rests  atiainsl  lln'  side  of  the  body.'-  ISring  tlie  (loint  to  view,  bend  it  over  and  reinsert 
it  till  it  sticks  fast.  ']'here  are  no  s])ecial  directions  to  be  given  here;  fasten  the  wire  in  any 
way  that  eH'eciiially  prevents  "  wabbling."  You  may  find  it  convenient  to  wire  both  leg> 
before  fasteniiii;  either,  aiiil  then  clinch  them  l»y  twisting  the  two  ends  togetlier.  Hut  remem- 
ber that  the  leg-wires  may  be  fixeil  respecting  each  other,  yet  ])eniiit  a  see-saw  motion  cd"  the 
liody  upon  them.  'I'his  must  not  be:  the  body  and  legs  must  be  fixed  upon  a  jointless  frame. 
Having  secured  tlie  logs,  dose  the  ahdoiuinal  ojieiiiug  niccdy.  either  by  sewing  or  ]>inning;  you 
may  stiid*  jiins  in  anywhere,  as  freely  as  in  a  pin-cushion;  the  feathers  hide  their  lieails.  Stick 
a  pin  lliroiigh  tlii'  pope's  nose  to  fix  tlii'  tail  in  place. 

All  this  while  the  liird  has  been  lying  on  its  back,  the  neck  stretcdied  straight  in  continua- 
tion of  the  biKly,  wired  slitlly,  the  hirs  stradilling  wiiU'  apart.  .Mraii.'bt  and  stitf,  the  wings  lyint; 
loo.-ely,  half-spread.  Now  brini;  the  leus  toL'ether,  ]tarallel  with  each  other,  and  make  the 
sharp  bend  at  the  heel  joint  that  will  bring  the  feet  naturally  under  the  belly  (over  it,  as  the 
bird  lies  oil  its  back).  I'iidi  up  the  bird  by  the  wires  that  ]iri'ject  from  the  sides  and  set  it  on 
its  stand,  by  runniiii;  the  wires  throuu'h  holes  bored  the  proper  distance  iiiiart,  and  t!ieii  .seciir- 
iiii.'  the  ends  by  twisting.  The  temporary  stand  that  you  use  for  this  )Mirpose  should  have  a 
heavy  or  otherwise  firm  support,  so  as  not  easily  to  overturn  during  the  subseipient  manipu- 
lations. At  this  stage  till'  bird  is  a  sorry-lookim;  object  ;  but  if  you  have  stiilfed  correctly  ami 
wired  .H'ciirely.  it  will  soon  iniprovi'.  Heuiu  by  niakiiii.'  it  stiind  jiroperly.  'I'lie  common  fjiiill 
liere  is  ]dacing  the  tarsi  too  neiirly  perpendicular.  I'erching  birds,  constituting  the  majority, 
habitually  stand  with  the  tarsi  more  nearly  horizonUd  than  ]ieriieiidicular.  and  generally  keep 
the  tarsi  parallel  witli  each  other.  Wadinir  and  most  walkini:  birds  stand  with  the  legs  more 
nearly  upright  and  straight.  Many  swininiim:  birds  straddle  a  little;  others  rarely  if  ever. 
See  that  the  toes  cdasp  the  ]ierch  naturally,  or  are  pro] lerly  spread  on  the  flat  surface.  Cause 
the  Hank  feathers  to  be  correctly  ailjusted  over  the  tibia-  (and  here  I  will  remark  that  with 
most  birds  little,  if  any,  of  the  tibia'  shows  in  lifei,  the  heel  joint  barely,  if  at  all,  projectini; 

>  Tlicre  In  nccaKlnnnlly  ilifllciilly  In  Kettliig  tlio  wire  ncroM  till*  Joint,  from  tlio  point  Rticktng  Into  tbo  culnrgcil 
enil  of  tlio  uliln-liiiniv  In  muli  e:iw.  liiku  stniit  plliTs  ami  iilncli  tlm  Joint  till  tins  bone  l«  gtuiiiilK'il  to  frnitinuntii. 
Tlio  wire  will  tliiii  iiims  iiikI  the  roiiuiihuillun  will  not  show,  ir  tliere  in  any  tnmble  in  pnB8ini;  tlio  wlro  tlirouKli 
the  tiirnns,  bore  a  hole  for  It  with  n  brml  nwl 

«  This  point  i»  further  forward  and  more  belly-wnrd  than  you  might  mipiMiso.  Olwerve  the  itkiniiol  Unly 
BRnln,  and  »oo  where  the  lower  end  of  Ihe  thigh  lien.  If  yoii  IniHjrt  the  wlro  too  far  back,  you  caiinut  by  any  iiohiI. 
bllily  lialanee  the  bird  iialnrally  on  Its  |mt(1i;  It  will  look  In  iiuiniiient  danger  of  topidlng  over. 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  BIHDSKIN. 


48 


rrniii  tlif  gi'ucriil  |>liiiiia|i;c.  It  is  a  common  fault  of  Htuffiiig  not  to  draw  tin-  \og»  cloKily 
imumkIi  t"  tlif  body,  Abiivc  all,  ltx»k  out  for  tin;  oi'Utn' of  gravity;  thoiii;h  you  luivo  really 
f^i.-;t<'iii'il  tlio  bird  to  its  pt^rch,  you  iiiUMt  not  let  it  look  as  if  it  would  fall  off  if  the  wires  i<li)i|i('d; 
it  must  appear  to  rest  there  of  its  own  accord.  Next,  give  the  head  and  ueek  a  ])reliuiiuary 
.scttini;,  acccirdiiig  to  the  attitude  you  have  determined  ii|ion.  This  will  bring  tiie  plunuige 
itl>i>ut  the  shoulders  in  proper  position  for  the  setting  of  the  wings,  to  whieh  you  uuiy  at  onee 
iitliiid.  If  the  boily  he  correctly  fashioned  and  the  skin  of  the  shotdders  duly  adjusted  over  it, 
the  wings  will  fold  into  place  without  the  slightest  <litiicidty.  All  that  I  have  said  before 
aliiMit  setting  the  wings  in  a  skin  applies  here  as  well ;  but  in  this  case  they  will  not  sltii/ 
in  place,  since  they  fall  by  their  own  weight.  They  nuist  be  piiun-d  up.  Holding  the  winy 
in  place,  thrust  a  pin  steatlily  through  near  the  wrist  joint,  into  the  tow  body,  .''ouietiiues 
aiiiitliiT  |iin  is  required  to  support  the  weight  of  the  primaries;  it  may  Im'  stuck  into  the  tiank 
of  tiie  bird,  the  outer  <piill  feather  reslinn  directly  upon  it.  With  large  birds  a  sharp  pointed 
wire  must  re])lace  the  pin.  When  properly  .set,  the  wing-tips  will  fall  together  or  symuietri- 
(mIIv  cip]iosite  each  other,  the  ipiills  and  coverts  will  be  .siuiMtthly  ind>ricated,  the  scapular 
.scries  iif  feathers  will  I'e  close,  and  no  bare  space  will  show  in  front  of  the  shoiihler.  Much 
ilcpends  upon  the  Jituil  adjustment  of  the  head.  The  conmuiuest  mi.stake  is  getting  it  too 
till-  Jiway  from  the  body.  In  the  ordinary  attitudes  of  most  birds  little  neck  shows,  the  head 
;ip|i<iiiim:  nestled  ujmiu  the  shoulders.  If  the  neck  appears  too  long,  it  is  not  to  be  contracted 
h\  piisliiiit;  the  head  directly  down  upon  it,  but  by  making  an  S  curve  of  the  ni'ck.  No  jirecise 
liirei-tioiis  can  be  given  for  the  set  of  the  head,  but  you  nuiy  Im-  assured  it  is  a  delicate,  dithcult 
iiiiitter  ;  the  sliuhtest  turn  of  the  bill  one  way  or  another  may  alter  the  whole  expression  of  the 
hinl.  You  will  of  course  have  determined  beforehand  upon  your  attituile,  upon  what  yon  wish 
ilir  bird  to  appear  to  be  doing;  tlu'U,  let  your  meaning  be  pointed  by  the  binl's  bill. 

Oil  the  L'f'ueriil  subject  of  strikiiiij  an  attitinle,  and  givini;  ex)iri'ssioii  t'l  a  stuffed  bird,  little 
(Mil  lie  said  to  uoiiil  purpose.  If  you  are  to  become  |iroticient  in  this  art,  it  will  come  from 
yoiir  own  study  of  birds  in  the  field,  your  own  good  ta.ste  and  appreciation  of  bird  life.  The 
iiKtiiiial  processes  are  easily  described  and  practised  :    it  is  easy  to  grind  paint,  I   suppose,  but 

lint  so  to  be  an  artist.      I  shall  therefore  only  follow  the  above  ai unt  of  the  treneral  processes 

witli  some  special  practical  points.  After  "  attituilinizin^  "  to  your  .satisfaction,  or  to  the  best 
111'  yoiir  ability,  the  plumage  is  to  be  carefully  "  ilre»eil."  Feathers  awry  may  be  set  in  place 
wiili  a  liirht  sprint;  forceps,  or  needles  fi.ved  in  a  handle,  one  by  one  if  lu-ce.ssary.  When  uo 
iiiilividiial  feather  seems  out  of  place,  it  often  occurs  that  the  iieueral  pluniaue  has  a  lon>e, 
>loviiiiy  aspect.  This  i.-  readily  correcled  by  wrappiu;;  with  line  threail.  Stick  a  pin  into  the 
miiliile  of  the  back,  another  into  tlii'  breast,  and  perhaps  others,  elsewhere.  Fasten  the  end  of 
a  spniil  of  sewing  cotton  to  one  of  the  pins,  ami  <'arry  it  to  another,  wiiidint;  the  llinad  about 
aiimiiij  the  pins,  till  tl  •  whole  sin'face  is  covered  with  an  irregular  network.  Tiirlilen  to 
ri'iliire  an  undue  prominence,  loo.-ieu  over  a  depression  :  but  let  the  wrappiuu  as  a  whole  be 
lii;lil,  lirm,  and  even.  This  procedure,  nicely  executed,  will  u'ive  a  smoothness  to  the  pluiiiai.'e 
iini  niherwise  allaiuable,  and  may  be  maile  to  produce  the  most  exipiisite  curves,  paiiieiilarly 
alioiit  the  head,  uvvU,  and  breast.  The  thread  shoiilil  be  left  on  till  the  bird  is  perfectly  dry  : 
it  m.iy  llu'ii  be  unwound  or  cut  ofl',  ami  the  pins  withdrawn.  When  a  particular  pat(di  of  skin 
is  Milt  of  place,  it  may  often  be  pulleil  into  position  and  pinned  there,  ^'oii  need  not  be  afraid 
of  sticking  pins  in  anywhere  ;  they  may  be  buried  iii  the  plumai:e  and  left  there,  or  withilrawn 
when  the  skin  is  dry.  Ill  addition  to  the  main  stiittiiu;,  a  little  is  often  reipiired  in  parti<-ular 
I'laces.  As  for  the  legs,  they  should  be  tilled  out  ill  all  siu'h  cases  as  I  indicated  earlier  in  this 
scctinii ;  small  birds  re((iiire  no  such  stiiHing.  It  is  necessary  to  fill  out  the  eyes  so  that  the 
lids  rest  naturally  ;  it  maybe  done  as  heretofore  directed,  or  by  putting  in  pledgets  of  cotton 
from  the  outside.  A  little  nice  stutiing  is  generally  re<piired  about  the  up|M'r  throat.  To  stiitf 
a  ])ird  \vith  spread  wings  recpiires  a  spei-ial  priK-oss,  in  most  cases.    The  wings  are  to  be  wired. 


44 


FIELD  ORNITHOLOGY. 


pxartly  iis  dim-ted  for  the  Icps ;  tlicy  imiy  tliii  In-  i)laccd  in  any  nhapc.  But  with  most  N!imli 
birds,  and  tli-w  witli  i-hort  wings,  simp!.-  i-luiiing  in  tlif  lialf-sprrad  position  iudii-ating  tliitlcr- 
ing  will  suffice  ;  it  is  readily  aoconiplislud  with  a  long,  slender  inseet  pin.  I  have  already 
spoken  of  fixing  the  tail  l.y  pinning  or  wii  ing  the  jxti'e's  nose  to  the  tow  body  ;  it  may  be  tlins 
H\ed  at  any  desired  eleviitioii  or  depr.ssi m.  There  uri'  two  ways  of  spreading  the  tail.  One 
is  to  run  a  pointed  wire  through  the  ([uills,  near  their  hiise,  where  the  wire  will  be  liidd<'n  by 
the  eoverts  ;  eaeh  feather  may  be  set  ar  any  re«|uired  distanee  from  the  next  by  sUding  it  iiloiig 
this  wire.  This  nietliod  is  applicalde  to  large  birds:  for  small  ones  the  tail  may  be  fixed  with 
the  desired  spread  liy  enrlosiiig  it  I'.ear  its  ha.^e  in  a  split  mateh,  or  two  slips  of  eard-board, 

with  tl nds  tie.l  together.     This  holds  the  feathers  until  they  dry  in  position,  when  it  is  to 

l>c  taki'U  otr.  Crests  may  be  rai.<ed,  npread,  and  displayed  on  similar  ]iriuciples.  A  small 
crest,  like  that  of  a  cardinal  or  cherry  bird,  for  instance,  may  be  held  up  till  it  dries  in  position 
by  slicking  in  behind  it  a  pin  wi'.h  a  little  ball  of  cotton  on  its  head.  It  is  sometimes  neecs- 
sary  to  make  a  bird's  toes  grasp  a  support  by  tying  them  down  to  it  till  they  dry.  The  toes 
of  waders  that  do  not  lie  evenly  on  the  surface  of  the  stand  may  be  tneked  down  with  small 
brads.  The  bill  may  he  pinned  open  or  shut,  as  desired,  by  the  method  already  given.  Never 
paint  or  varnish  a  bird's  bill  or  feet. 

Substitution  of  an  artificial  eye  for  the  natural  one  is  <'ssential  for  the  good  loolt.s  of  a 
specimen,  (ilass  eyes,  of  all  sizes  and  colors,  may  he  purchased  at  a  moderate  cost.  The 
pu]iil  is  always  black  ;  ihe  iris  varies.  You  will,  of  cour.se,  .secure  the  proper  <-oloi  if  it  is 
known,  hut  if  not,  put  in  a  dark  brown  or  black  eye.  It  is  well  uncU'rstood  that  this  means 
nothing;  it  is  ]iurely  eonventional.  Yellow  is  prid)ahly  the  next  most  eommou  cidor;  then 
come  red,  white,  blue,  and  green,  perhaps  apiu'oximately  in  this  order  of  freipiency.  Miit  do 
not  use  these  ."Striking  colors  at  hap-ha/ard;  sacrificing  truth,  jierhaps,  to  looks.  Kyes  are  gen- 
erally inserted  after  the  sp<-cimen  is  dry.  Remove  a  portion  of  the  cotton  from  the  orbit,  and 
moisten  the  lids  till  they  are  perfectly  pliable;  fix  the  eye  in  with  putty  or  wet  plaster  of  Paris, 
making  sure  that  the  lids  are  natinally  adjusted  over  it.  It  goes  iii  iddi<|iudy,  like  a  button 
through  a  button-h<de.  .Much  art  may  be  displayed  in  this  little  matter,  nuiking  a  bird  look 
this  way  or  that,  to  carry  out  the  general  "  ex]iressioi.>.'' 

On  finishing  a  specimen,  set  it  away  to  dry ;  the  time  required  varies,  of  course,  with  the 
weather,  the  size  of  the  bird,  its  fatness,  etc.  The  more  slowly  it  dries  the  belter;  then'  is 
les.s  risk  of  the  skill  shrinking  irregularly.  You  will  often  find  that  a  s|iecimen  sei  away  with 
.smooth  idumage  ai.'d  .satisfactory  curves  dries  more  or  le.ss  out  of  .shape,  perhaps  with  the 
feathers  niseil  in  ]di»ces.  I  know  of  no  remedy  :  it  may.  in  a  measure,  be  prevented  by  scni- 
jmhius  care  in  making  the  body  smooili  and  firm,  and  in  securing  .slow,  eipmble  drying. 
When  i>erfectly  dry  remove  the  wrapjiing,  pull  out  the  superfluous  pins  or  wires,  nip  oH'  tho 
others  so  short  that  the  ends  are  concealed,  and  insert  the  eyes.  The  specimen  is  then  ready 
to  be  transferred  to  its  ]iermanent  stand. 

Fixtures  for  the  dis]day  of  the  (diject  of  cinirse  vary  intenninably.  We  will  take  tho 
sim]ile.st  case,  of  a  larire  collection  of  mounted  birds  fiir  public  exhibition.  In  this  instance, 
uniformity  and  .simplicity  are  desiderata.  "  .Spri-ad  eagle"  styles  of  mounting,  artificial  rocks 
anri  flowers,  etc.,  are  entirely  out  of  place  in  a  c(dlection  of  any  scientific  pretensions,  or 
designed  for  popular  instruction.  Hesich's,  they  take  up  too  much  r<»oni.  Arti.-^tic  grouping 
of  an  extensive  ccdiection  is  usually  out  of  the  riuestion  :  and  when  this  is  unattainable,  half- 
way efforts  ill  that  direction  should  be  abandoned  in  favor  of  severe  simplicity.  Ilirds  look 
best  on  the  whole  in  uniform  rows,  a.s.sorted  according  to  size,  as  far  as  a  natural  classification 
allows.  They  are  best  set  on  the  plainest  stands,  with  circular  base  and  a  short  cylindrical 
cro.ssbar  on  a  liirhtly  turned  upright.     The  stands  sluaild  he  itainte.l  dead-white,  and  be  no 

larger  than  is  m s.sary  for  secure  sujiport  ;  a  neat  stiff  paper  label  may  be  attached.     A  small 

wjllectiou  of  birtls,  as  an  oniament  to  a  private  residence,  offers  a  different  case ;  here,  variety 


MISCELLANEOUS  PAHTICULARS. 


45 


iif  iiitiiiult'  mill  iii)|)r<>itriat('  iinitiitidii  of  tlio  birds'  uiituriil  Hiimiiiiiilin^H  ari(  to  Im<  nocurod.  A 
iiiiiiiatiin'  trrc,  cm  wliicli  ii  iiiniiliiT  <if  liinls  nmy  lni  pliiccd,  is  rciulily  iimdc.  Takt-  xUml  wire, 
anil  liv  Ix'iidiii^  it,  and  attai-liiii^  otlifi-  )»ifi'«'H,  i;('t  tiie  trami'Worii  of  tlic  trcf  of  tin;  di'.sirt'd  si/c, 
sliMiic,  aiKJ  iiiiiidH'r  of  peivliL's.  Wrap  it  i-Ioscly  witii  tow  to  a  projuT  caiilirc,  n-iiit'iniMM-iiit; 
lliat  iIh'  two  forks  of  a  stt'iii  inuHt  Iti-  together  only  about  as  lariii-  as  the  strin  itself,  (iatlirr 
a  iiaskct  full  of  licdii'ns  and  trt'c  moss  ;  reduce  tliein  to  eoarse  powder  by  nibliin^  with  the 
liaiiiU  :  besmear  the  whole  tree  with  inueilaKe  or  tbiii  ^liie,  and  sift  the  liehen  powder  on  it  till 
itir  tiiw  is  completely  hiilden.  This  jirodnees  a  very  natural  eti'eet,  which  maybe  heiji^htened 
liv  separatrlv  alHxin^  larffer  scrajis  of  lichen,  or  little  bunches  of  moss  ;  artiticial  leavi's  and 
tliiwers  may  be  added  at  your  taste.  The  groundwork  may  be  similarly  jirepared  witlin  bit 
111'  lioanl,  mad'/  adhesive  and  bestrewn  with  tlu^  same  substance;  grasses  and  moss  maybe 
aililcd.  If  a  llaf  surface  is  not  di'sired,  soak  stout  pasteboard  till  it  can  be  moulded  in  various 
iiri'i;ular  elevations  and  de|iressions  ;  lay  it  ovitr  tliu  board  and  decorato  it  in  the  same  way. 
Ifdc'Us  may  be  thus  nicely  imitated,  with  the  addition  of  jMiwdered  ijla.ss  of  various  colors. 
Such  a  lot  of  birds  is  generally  enclosed  in  a  (cylindrical  ula.ss  ca.se  with  arched  top.  As  it 
stands  on  a  table  to  be  viewed  from  different  poitits,  it  must  bu  j)resentable  on  all  siiles.  A 
iiidu'  in  jiarlor  or  study  is  often  fitted  with  a  wall-ca.se,  which,  when  artistically  arran;;ed,  has 

a  very  |pleasiiii;  eti'ect.     As  HUch  ca.ses  nmy  1 f  considenible  sizi-,  there  is  opportunity  for  the 

dir;i'ay  of  j;reat  taste  in  ^roupint,'.     \  ]>hu'v  is  not  to  be  found  for  a  binl,  but  a  bird  for  the 

1   the  ground,   percbers   on   lU'ojectiiif;   rests  above. 


I'l 


waders  and   swimmers   belo' 


Tiie  surroundiuKs  may  be  |)repared  by  the  methods  just  indicated.  One  point  deserves  atten- 
tion here;  since  the  birds  are  only  viewed  from  the  front,  they  may  have  a  "' show-side"  to 
which  evcrytliiny  else  nmy  be  sacrificed.  IJirds  are  represented  Hyin;;  in  such  cases  more 
readily  than  uniler  other  circumstances,  supported  on  a  concealed  wire  inserted  in  the  back  of 
liic  case.  I  have  .seen  .some  very  successful  attempts  to  re])resent  a  bird  swinmiini;,  the  duck 
hciiii;  let  down  part  way  through  an  oval  hole  in  a  plate  of  thick  i;lass,  underneath  which 
wire  tixcd  .stuffed  fishes,  .shells,  and  seawef^l.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add  that  in  all  orini- 
niinlal  collections,  labels  or  other  .scientific  machinery  must  be  rigorously  su|ipressed. 

'transportation  of  mounted  birds  ofters  obvious  ditfiitulty.  I'ldess  very  small,  they  are 
hot  ,secur<  d  inunovably  inside  a  bo.x  by  .screwing  the  foot  of  the  stands  to  the  bottom  and 
siiles,  so  tliat  they  stay  in  place  without  toiwhiuj.;  each  other.  Or,  they  may  be  carefully  packed 
ill  cotton,  with  or  without  removal  of  the  stands.  Their  preservation  from  accidental  injury 
ile|«iiils  upon  the  .same  care  that  is  bestowed  upon  ordinary  fragile  ornaments  of  the  parlor. 
'I'lie  lavages  of  insects  are  to  be  provented  upon  tho  principles  to  be  hereafter  giv<ui  in  treating 
of  llie  preservation  of  birdskins. 


§  8.  —  MISCKLLAXKorS  PAHTirULAKS. 

Determiiintloii  of  Sex.  —  This  is  an  important  matter,  which  must  never  be  neglected. 
I'nr  allliiMigh  many  birds  show  une<|uivocal  se.\ual  distinctions  of  si/e.  slnqie,  and  color,  like 
ilio.-^e  of  the  barnyard  cocdj  and  hen  for  instance,  yet  the  outward  characteristics  are  moi'e 
rivipieiitly  obscure,  if  not  altogether  inappreciable,  on  examination  of  the  skin  alone.  Young 
hinls,  moreover,  are  usually  indistingiushable  as  to  se.x,  although  the  adults  of  the  same  species 
iiiay  be  easily  recognized.  The  rule  results,  that  'he  sexual  organs  shoulil  be  examined  as  the 
iiiily  iM''allible  indices.  The  essential  organs  of  ma.sciilinity  are  the  testicIeK  ;  similarly,  the 
iii-dfim  I'ontaiu  the  C8.senco  of  the  female  nattu'e.  However  sinular  the  accessory  sexual  struc- 
iiiiis  nii  y  be,  the  testicles  and  ovaries  are  always  distinct.  The  male  organs  <»f  birds  never 
liave  the  cavity  of  the  belly  to  fill  an  extermtl  bag  of  skin  {scyotuin)  as  they  do  among 
iiiaiiimalia  ;  they  remain  within  the  abdomen,  ami  lie  in  the  same  |)osition  as  the  ovaries 
of  the  female,     lloth  the.se  organs  are  situated  in  the  belly  op])osite  what  corresponds  to  the 


46 


riKLJ)  OUNITHOLDGY. 


"  NinitU  of  tho  »)iirk,"  bound  clcwly  I"  the  siiinr,  rcstim;  cii  the  fnmt  r.f  the  kiilnoys  nrnr  tlipir 
fore  .•ml.  Tlic  trsticlfs  an'  a  pair  <.f  .Hulisiplirrical  or  ralliiT  cllipsoiilal  b<Mlic!.,  UKimlly  of  tlic 
HiiiiM-  Ki/i',  Miapr.  aii.l  color,  and  aro  .•oi.niioiily  of  ii  .lull  opu.iuo  wliitmh  tiut.  They  always 
lio  .-low.  top'th.-r.  A  r.'inarlial.l.'  tart  .•oiin.rtf.l  with  tlirm  is,  that  th.-y  art-  not  alwayH  of  \W 
Mani<'  xi/f  in  the  sani.'  l.inl.  lMiii«  Miliji'ct  to  pcrio.lical  .•iilarj,'rnirnt  during  llic  l.r.'.'dini,'  s.-aw.ii. 
aiKl  (•orrc-poiidiiii;  atrophy  at  oili.T  wasoiis.  Tims  tin-  tcstii-lcn  of  iv  lioiiso  wimiTow,  no  l>ijr>{.r 
than  a  pin's  head  i'l  wiiin'r,  sw.dl  to  the  si/r  of  ix'an  in  April.     Tho  ovary  (for  although  this 

or^an  is  paired  oriiiinally.  only is  usually  functionally  dcvrh.pcd  in  birds)  will  be  r fi- 

niwd  as  a  Hattish  nuws  of  irregular  eiuitour,  and  usually  whitish  cidor;  when  inm-tive,  it 
simply  appears  of  limly  uranuhir  structure  which  may  reipiire  a  hand  lens  to  be  made  (uit  ; 
when'i.roduciiii;  ei;i.'s,  its  appearance  is  uiimistakalde.  Hoth  testis  anil  ovary  nuiy  further  be 
recojjnizeil  by  a  tlirea  1  leading  to  the  end  of  the  lower  bowel,  —  in  one  ejise  the  sperm-duct,  in 
the  other  the  ovidiict ;  »lie  latter  is  usually  miudi  the  more  conspicuous,  as  it  at  times  transmits 
the  perfect  efi.'.  There  is  no  ditficuliy  ill  reaching  the  site  of  thcso  organs.  Lay  the  bird  on 
the  left  side,  its  belly  lovard  you:  cut   with  the  scissors  throuirh  the  belly-walls  diaifonally 

fr anus  to  the  root  of  th  ■  last  rib,  or  further,  snipjiing  across  a  few  of  the  lower  ribs,  if  these 

coiitinui'  far  down,  as  they  do  in  a  loon  for  instance.  Press  the  wludo  mass  of  intestines  aside 
ciilleclively,  and  you  at  once  see  to  the  small  of  the  back.  There  you  observe  the  kidneys,  — 
lari;e,  lobular,  dark  re<ldish  misses  moulded  into  the  concavity  of  the  .sacrum  (or  back  middle 
bone  of  the  pelvis  i;  and  on  thrir  surface,  towards  their  fore  end,   lie  tosti'.s  or  ovary,  as  just 

described.     Tl idy  precautior  required  is,  not  to  itiistake  for  testi(des  a  ])air  of  small  bodies 

cappini:  the  kidneys.  These  lire  the  iiilrnidls  or  "  supi-ii-renal  capsules," — organs  whose 
fun<'tion  is  unknown,  but  with  which  at  any  rate  we  have  nothing  to  do  in  this  coniH'ction. 
They  iM'cur  in  both  sexes,  and  if  the  testicles  are  not  innuediately  seen,  or  the  ovary  not  at 
once  reco;,nii/ed,  they  mifjht  easily  be  mistaken  for  testicdes.  Observe,  that  instead  of  lyini; 
in  ffont,  they  <f//>  the  kitlneys  ;  thai  they  are  nsintlly  yellowish  instead  of  opaque  whiti.sh  :  and 
that  they  have  not  the  linn,  smooth,  regidar  sjdiericity  of  the  testicles.  The  testes,  however, 
vary  more  in  shape  and  cidor  than  night  be  expected,  being  sometimes  rather  (ddong  or  linear, 
and  soiiietinu's  i;rayish  or  livid  blui.-h,  or  reddish,  'i'liere  is  occasionally  but  one.  The  sex 
determined,  use  the  sign  ^  or  9  '"  'hsignate  it,  as  already  explained.  In  the  very  rare  cases 
of  im|M)tence  or  .sterility  among  birds,  of  course  no  organs  will  be  observed ;  but  I  should  dislike 
to  liicoMie  responsible  for  such  labelling  without  very  careful  examination.  The  organs  of  a 
small  bird  out  id'  the  breeding  season  are  never  conspicuous,  but  nniy  always  be  fiuuul  on  (doso 
scrutiny,  mdess  the  parts  are  disintegrated  by  a  shot. 


|{i>e»|{i>ltiun  of  Arp  is  a  matter  of  ornithological  experienee  requiring  in  many  or  most 
cases  ereat  laniiiiarity  with  birds  fur  its  even  approximate  accom])lishment.  There  are,  how- 
ever, some  unmistakable  si^ns  of  inunatin-ity,  even  after  a  bird  has  become  full-feathered,  that 
])ersist  for  at  least  one  season.  These  are,  in  the  first  place,  a  peculiar  soft  Huffy  "  feed"  of  the 
plumaue  ;  the  feathers  laid?  a  certain  smoothness,  density,  and  stitfeiniif;  which  they  subse- 
quently acquire.  Secondly,  the  bill  and  feet  are  softer  than  those  of  the  adults  ;  the  corners  of 
the  mouth  are  putty  and  Habby,  the  edges  and  jioint  of  the  bill  are  dull,  and  tho  scales,  etc., 
of  the  legs  are  not  sharply  cut.  Thirdly,  the  tiesh  itself  is  tender  and  pale  colored.  These  are 
some  of  the  piiints  connuon  to  all  birds,  and  are  independent  of  the  special  nuirkings  that 
ht  lonir  to  the  youth  of  particular  spt  -ies.  Some  birds  are  a<'tually  larger  for  a  while  after 
leaving  the  nest,  than  in  after  years  when  the  franu'  seems  to  shrink  somewhat  in  acquiring 
the  compactness  of  senility.  On  the  other  hand,  the  various  nnunbers,  esi)ecially  the  bill  ami 
feet,  are  iiroimrtioually  smaller  at  first.  Newly  i.'rowin;r  quills  are  usually  recognized  on  sight, 
the  barrel  being  dark  colored  and  full  cd"  li(iuiii.  while  the  vanes  are  incomplete.  In  studying, 
for  e.xamph',  the  shape  of  a  wing  or  tail,  there  is  always  reason  to  suspect  that  the  natural 


MISCELLANEOUS  PARTICULARS. 


47 


|ii<i|HirtiiiiiH  arc  not  yot  prcHcntud,  uuli<88  tho  quill  U  dry,  colork-itg,  iiud  oiiipty,  or  only  <K-ciii)ii'd 
witli  .'•linnikcn  wliitf  pitli. 


K.iitiiiiiiiitlon  of  the  Stoiiincli  frpi|ii('iitly  li'iuli*  to  intfroHting  obwrviitioiw,  and  Im  always 
vviiiili  wliilc.  Ill  tilt'  tirst  |iliicc,  \vi'  learn  iimst  llll<|U('^<tillllallly  tlic  nature  of  tiir  liinl's  Iniul, 
wlili'li  is  a  iii^liiy  ini|Mii'taiit  ilciii  in  its  natural  history.  Si'i'uniliy,  we  uttcii  st'cnri'  vaiiialili' 
s|Hcimt'iis  in  otiier  (leiiartinents  of  z<i<iliii;y,  particularly  ('iitiiiiiiilniry.      IJirds  cnnsiinK'  iucal- 

(Milaliic  niiiiilM'rs  of  insects,  the  harder  kinds  of  which,  siicii  as  I ties,  are  not  seldom  found 

iiilai't  in  their  stomachs  ;  and  a  due  jHTcenta^e  of  these  represent  rare  and  curious  siM-cit'H. 
The  ci/zards  of  hirds  of  prey,  in  particular,  sliouhl  always  he  inspected,  in  search  of  the  small 
niaiiiiiials,  etc.,  they  tie  vonr  ;  and  even  if  the  creatures  are  until  for  jireservation,  went  least 
leiini  of  their  occurrence,  perhaps  unknown  hefore  in  a  particular  region.  Mollusk-feediiii; 
ami  lish-eatinj;  hirds  yield  their  share  (d"  »i>eciniens.  The  alimentary  canal  is  often  the  seat  of 
|>arasites  of  various  kinds,  interesting  to  the  heluiinthologist  ;  other  species  are  to  he  found 
iiikIi'I'  the  skin,  in  the  hoily  of  muscle,  ill  the  hrain,  etc.  Most  hirds  are  also  infested  with 
external  parasites  td'  many  kinds,  so  various  that  almost  every  leading  species  has  its  own  sort 
of  liiiise,  tick,  etc.  Since  these  ci-eatures  are  only  at  home  with  a  Un'  host,  they  will  he  found 
crMwIiiitr  on  tlie  surface  of  the  plunnige,  preparing  for  departure,  as  soon  as  the  hody  oxds  after 
diaili.  There  is  thus  much  to  learn  of  a  hird  aside  fmm  what  the  prepared  specimen 
tcai'hes,  and  moreover  apart  from  regular  anatomical  investigations.  Whenever  practicahle, 
in'icf  items  should  he  recorded  on  the  lahel,  as  already  meutioiied. 

Rostoriitioii  of  Poor  Skins.  —  If  your  cahinot  be  a  "  general "  one,  eoinprising  specimens 
fniiii  various  sources,  yon  will  fre(piently  happen  to  recA'ive  skiuH  so  Imdiy  prepared  as  to  ho 
iiii|iic'asant  ohjects,  besides  failing  to  show  their  specific  chariu'ters.  There  i.s  of  course  no  siip- 
plviiig  of  missing  jiarts  or  plumage  ;  hut  if  the  defect  be  simply  deformity,  this  may  usually  be 
ill  a  measure  remedied.  The  point  is  simply  to  rrhix  the  skin,  and  then  proceed  iw  if  it  were 
fivslily  removed  from  the  binl ;  it  is  what  bird-stuffers  constiUitly  do  in  moimting  birds  from 
pri'|iared  skins.  The  relaxation  is  ettected  by  moisture  alone.  Ueniove  the  sintliiig  ;  till  the 
iiiieiior  with  cotton  or  tow  saturated  with  water,  yet  not  dripping  :  put  piuls  of  the  same  under 
tlie  wings;  wraji  the  bill  and  feet,  and  .set  the  specimeii  in  ii  damp,  cind  phu-e.  SmaM  birds 
sMl'ten  very  readily  and  completely;  the  process  may  be  fiU'ilitnt<'d  by  persistent  nniuii>ulation. 
Tills  is  the  usual  method,  but  there  Is  another,  more  thorough  and  more  effective  ;  it  is  expo- 
Miic  to  a  vapor-bath.  The  appointineiit«  of  the  kitchen  stove  furnish  all  the  apparatus 
i('i|iiired  for  an  extempore  "  steamer ; "  the  regular  fixture  is  a  tin  vessel  much  like  awash- 
hiiiler,   with  closed  lid,  false  bottom,   and  stoiM-oids  at  lower  edge.      On  the  false  bottom  is 

I'lii 1  a  heavy  layer  of  gypsum,  completcdy  saturated  with  water;  the  birds  are  laid  on  a 

|piiforated  tray  above  it;  and  a  gentle  heat  is  maiiitaincd  over  a  stove.  The  vajMir  penetrates 
every  part  of  the  skin,  and  completely  rehixes  it,  without  actually  wetting  the  feathers.  Tho 
time  reipiired  varies  greatly  < if  course;  observation  is  the  best  guide.  The  chief  precaution 
is  lint  to  let  the  thing  get  to<)  hot.  Profes.sor  Haird  has  remarked  that  crumpled  or  bent 
featlieis  may  have  much  of  their  original  elasticity  restored  by  dipping  in  hot  water.  Jinmer- 
sioii  for  a  few  seconds  siitKces,  when  the  feathers  will  he  observed  to  straighten  out.  Shaking 
olf  siiperHiioiis  water,  they  may  be  simply  h'ft  to  dry,  or  they  may  be  dried  with  jdaster.  The 
iiii'thod  is  chiefly  applicabh^  to  the  large  feathers  of  the  wings  and  tail.  Soiled  plumage  of 
dried  skins  may  be  treated  exactly  as  in  the  ca.se  of  fivsli  skins. 

Miiinmiflcation.  —  As  before  mentioned,  decay  may  be  arrested  by  injections  of  carbolic 
iiciil  and  other  antiseptics;  if  the  tissues  bo  sufficiently  permeated  with  these  substances,  the 
body  will  keep  indefinitely;  it  dries  and  hardens,  becoming,  in  short,  a  '•  niuinniy."     Injection 


48 


FIKLD  OUMW  01 UO  Y, 


hliniilil  )..•  .Inn.,  l.y  tin-  iiioiilli  iiii.l  v.'iit,  !>«■  tl  .>roii>:li.  and  i.r  n-jMNitnl  scvi-nil  tiim>«  i\^  tl.c 
lliii.l  .IriiN  ill.  It  Im  nil  ii!iiit'>v<>iiiiiil  I'll  this  t.i  ilix'iii'M.wi  I  ami  till  tlic  Ully  with  saturiilr.l 
Inw  ..r  ii.ttoii.     I»ii<'  <ar<'  sIhmiI.I  !>.•  laki'ii  not  (<>  niil  tin-  fratliiTH  in  any  cium-,  uor  hIiihiIiI  tin 

iMilhilii'  ^..llllinM  i"iiin'  in iii.ri  wiili  il'f  liaii'l>,  fi'i-  ii  i.H  a  |M.\vcrfiil  irrilaiit  iM.i.s.m.      I  nicntion 

ilic  |iiiMT.sM-l.i<tly  t.i  niiicitniu  it  a.'  an  aiii«i"ii^  i.iir;  I  <anii<i(  iiiiaiiiiif  wiial  ■•ircuni.-taiiiM - 
wmilil  r<M iiicnil  it,  whiif  only  an  <'Xtri'nif  i  tiiirifi-ncy ilil  jiiMilV  it.    It  is  furtliiT  ohjiction- 

.■\,\i-  InraiiM'  it  a|>|»'Mi>  !•>  Iiiiil  a  ilihL'V  liMi  to  i^oiiii'  |ilii;iiat:r.-'.  ami  to  dull  most  of  tllrlii 
iH-ri'i'iiiilily.  IlinU  |ir(|>airi|  —  lallirr  iiii|iriiiar(H  -  in  lliis  way,  may  ln'  rrla.xi'il  liy  tin- 
mi-t)i<Hl  jii-t  iliMTil.i-.l.  ami  till  II  skiiiiicil;   Imi  ihr  op  ration  is  iuiIht  tlillicult. 


.  ii'l.ii-iil  .4rrli  I'f  .III' iitiiriiilKnn.  /.>i><i./ih.<  ii//.m<,  ri'iliiciMl ;  h1i<t  \    N<w- 

t.rti.     t,  liil.';:il  vVw,  null  It.,'  I^.iir^  u,..l.l.-  ,|..wh:  •.',  v|..w,..|  (r Uh.w      .1,  MiTi.iiin  ..r  l.r.'.iMlM.i,,..  .IimwIiiu  Iwu 

l.iia^!.n.l.rl.ii.ii,l,,r.,.,«-,;  /.,  ..|i.N  ..f  .1,  riml  ril..;  .■. .  i„l»  ..f  l.um.ru..  „r  ii|.|..r  >iini-l...hr.  ...m- tlir  hl.„iiMiT- 
l.iliil    ./.  ~  M|.nl:»,  .ir  >liimlilitr-liln<l«;  , rii.oM ;  f.  m.  rrj  ilhiiinlii,  i.r  MrnilniM  (.lnvl.li- 

0»l..oh)Kl<-ul  aiKl  ..llMT  (•.■.•piiriiilonii  (lit;,.  !..;{,.  \\\,\\,.  ,..„„, ,|,.to  Nkrictonixinu  "f 
a  l.ii.l  IS  a  s|„.nal  all  of  snmr  .lilli.Mlly,  am!  nv  tl„,i  .1.«.k  hot  fall  »iil,in  t!„  sroi«.  nf  this 
tivatiM',  I  may  iianlioti  two  l.ouy  |)r<  |.ai.,iion*  s.  17  t.a.lily  mmli-,  ami  sMMc.|,ublp  of  n  iid.iiiiK 


MISVELLASEOUS  PARTICULA RS. 


49 


tiini'M  a.s  till 
itli  .Hiituriktrii 

•r    kIiiiIiIiI    till 
I    IllClltinll 

I'lrcuiii^tKiici  - 

[!'[■  iiiijrcliiiii- 
-t   iif  tlli'lij 
laxrd     liy    tlir 

rsftl  ill  sinni 
tlii'ii'  htiitl'iil 
I'liiili  nil  till' 
'\>f  "  liravy  "' 

I'illD'IIH    ill    tilil 
'luillH'll     llil'il.'-, 

Iiiuical  iiiati- 

r>'i'ii:iiiii<'ii<l<'ii, 

I'  <..   /.iiic  witli 

ly      As  ^la.v- 

I'iil  aiiiiiiyaiii')- 

<>|i<'iiini;,   ari' 

in  If  riMiiii  I'm- 

s,  «'tr.      I 'line- 

1   )ilr\iiit    llif 

tine  hlliilllli  III' 
X'  lilliiilii'ircl  to 

M'     llll'lltiti.tllll'. 

alciilml  tVi'i'ly. 
Ili'ii  iiiaki'  fair 
alciiliiil  at  llii' 
Iry  lllltnilclii'tl. 
witli  iilastrr. 


il;  iile<>r  A   Ni'W- 

H.ni',  ulniwIiiK  twn 
ii'iii'thi'  nliiiuliliT- 


;»l«'tuliizilii;   of 
MC11)M'     iif   tliiH 

r^  of  rfiiilt'nii); 


(iriiitlmlojjy  <■'"" 


iitiiil 


I   rrfiT  to  the  Hkill.',  iinil  to  tilt'  lircaMt-lioiii 


ith  it 


s  |>riiici|ia 


liiiii'iiti*.     'I'lii'w  part!*  of  the  Mkt'U'toii  iin-,  an  a  riilr,  so  hiulily  I'liani.ti'ristii-  that  tln'y 


al'ai 

alliii'il    ill    iiioKt   casi'H    iiivalilalilr 

js  III'  irsi'  to  Haci'itiiM'  a  skin,  to 

iiiuiilatcil    or    diTiiyril    ,s|(«'ciiiii'iiH 
in   thin    way. 


The    brcasl-lMi 


tiiijt'il.  ix  always  iircstTvaMf  with 
III  ly  form  its  natural  a<'<'oiii|iaiu- 
wiili  it  ihf  ciiritniiils  i\]\v  stout 
with  tlif  shoiilih'rM,  fi^s.  1.  i,  e), 


iiiifrvciiiiitr 


lifii 


ivi'i'li    tln'st'   lioiii'H, 


il).   all    without   ili'tai-hiiDMit    from 


tiv.'l 


V   con 


Stitlltt-      tin-     "shollllllT- 


iitf  the  lartJi'  lirt'list  liilisrlcs  rlosii 
sirliims  into  the  wiiiu'-lMiiit's  (c)  ; 
that  tic  till' shoiiliirr-Maili's  lo  the 
/))  closr  to  the  sicif  of  the   hri'ast 


iillv  (u 


><l   \v 


Ihi 


lirip|i;{> 


hiilil  iif  llii'  slioiililir.',  ifii»s.  1,  -2, 
alfiir,  iliviilint;  soiiii'  >lii.'ht  coiiiu'c- 
lirhiiiil   it.     'riic   following;    points 


iil'ti'ii 


has    I. 


lit; 


sll'llll 


rr    1 1  loci 'SSI  •« 


iiioii  fiiwl  ami  till'  |ilariiii;;an  arc 
kIiowii  in  till!  ti^iircsi,  liiihlc  to  ho 
sli:i|i|M<l ;  the  shoMl'Irr-lihiili'S  ilsu- 
olf;  the  iiirrry-tlioii^ht  is  soini'- 
Wlii'ii  iravclliiii;,  it  is  ^I'ln'rally  not 


tiiillS     o 


f  lillr 


skull 


lli'sl 


or  sicriiiiiii 
I  ri'iiiovi'il,  anil  hrsiiriii 


[iirfi'i'ily  fli'iincil,  is  |>artii'<ilarly 
IMoiiu'i'il  lioni's  that  hi'mi-  the  jaw, 
jiiwli  on  till'  jialati'  from  hi'hinil. 
.■'|>ri'tiii<.'  till'  iili'iititiralioll   of  tlli'SC 

whii-h  shoiilil  invanalily  hear  thr 
il  hi'loiius ;  tliii  lal.-''I  sliiiulij  lir 
is  iiiori'  likrly  lo  ]»■  ahli'  to  spoak 

"My  ill iM|iaiiirci  l>y  iiskin;  iirvrr- 

cililali'  its  ri'rocnilio'i  slioiiiil  hr 
MI'  ini'ihoils,  w'lO.i  wliirh  i  aiii  not 
|>i'i'|iaiations. 


Jii 


KB 


n- 


J) 


zoiilo^iral  iti-iiis.  To  save  a  skull 
all  iiitt'iits ;  hut  yoii  often  have 
that  are  very  protitaMy  iitilizeil 
(Kt;s.  1,  i,  (i)  exi'e|itiiiK  when  mil- 
the  skin,  anil  for  '•choice"  invoices 
nieiit.  Yoii  want  to  remove  aloiii; 
holies  collliectiliii;  the  hreast-lMinc 
the  iiierry-thoiiKlit  (fim's.  1,  i,  /l 
anil  the  shoiililer-hlailes  (tii;s.  1,  i, 


each  other,  fur  these  I 


lones  collec- 


-.11 


uUi 


fiirille,      or   saijmlar   un 
to  the  lioiH 


Ml 


aid  divide  their  iii- 
8cru|ie  or  cut  away  the  iiiiiiicles 
che»t  :  snip  off  the  rihs  (tims.   1,  i, 


Mllle 


I'Ver   H    toiitih    iiieiiihrai 


of  the  wish-hone;  then,  hy  takiny 
at  ''),  you  can  lift  out  the  whole 


tions    iMiilcnteiilh    the    Ihh 


id 


reipiire  atti'ntioii :  the  hreast-hone 
hehiiid  and  on  the  sides  ithe  coin- 
e.\treiiii'  illu'itraiiuns  of  this,  as 
cut  hy  mistake  for  ribs,  or  lo  be 
allv  t 


y  taper  to  a  point,  lai 
Ic 


ilv  broken 


times  very  delicate  or  defective, 
advisable  to  make  |H'rfi<<-t  prepara- 
ihey  are  best  dried  with  only  siiper- 
kled  with  arsenic.  The  skull,  if 
liablf  to  io.se  the  oild-shaped, 
and  the  freely  movable  ]iair  that 


I'l      ( 


treat  care  slioii 


Id  bi 


ised 


re- 


boiies,    particularly    ilie    steriiiiin, 


nunilior  of  the 


specimen  to  w 


hich 


tied  to  thecoracoid  lioin 
for  it.self.  and,  besidr 


A  skull 
is  not  ilsii- 


theless,  ;iiiy  record  teiidini;  to  fa- 
dtily  entered  on  the  n-jjister.  There 
familiar,  of  kiiukiiii;  vletrant   bony 


I  -III     may    secure 


tni! 


the  I 


iiiiies ;  or,  w 


hat 


i-rhii 


Fi.i.  S.  -Trndin 
wlnil|i)|K'  (i(  till'  iimlo  ri'il 


very  ^imkI   results  by  simply  hoil- 

i/Vr-     better,  inacenitinu  them   in  water 

till    the   llesh   is  complrtely   lotted     f/"»  Mrnl^.r,  uImhii  J  mil.     away,  and  then    bliachilii:  them  in 

llir  Mill.       A  little    polii'.^.'i    or  sihIii 


V^     liri'imlrii  iiiiTiiiiiiMr, 


Hi«i',    \lt'»i'il    frmii    III 


OM'iini.li,  iini'fNi'wii  II.  .1,     hastens  III.'  pr. 


^•ess.     With  breast- 


I' mis,  if  yiiii  can  stop  the  priH-ess    i 

ili->iiKeil  but  the  totii;her  liu'iments 

I'll  p.iration,  as  it  is  called  ;  if  tlic    vwciliiii;  iu'li.w  iiirMknuiiy    liL'amenis    pi   ti 


iiiuiie;    II  II.  ItH  ulliicli-    jiidt  wbeli   the  tieiih   is  complelelv 
iiinMii:   '    I     -  •     ■   ■ 
Intnl   li:    llii'   iiiliMli'   Hint 


remain,    voii   Meciiie   a    "natural' 


p.lllh 


•f 


lafu'e  specii  leii    may  ill 


bii»,    /I  ;  /     A'    iTiiiiililiil 
tilbi.ii,  |{i>Imi'  til  liiii|{N. 


till 


as.sociiile 


wired    together,   those  of  n  small 

"le  K'lied.     1  think   il  best,   with  ' "  skulls,   to   chaii   them    entirely  of 

li«anient  m  well  uh  muscle  :   for  tin    imderneath   parts  are  usually  those  conveyiiiir  the  most 
desirable  inforiimtion,  und  they  should  not  be  in  the  slij;htest  degree  oli.sciired.     Siuci    in  sue) 


50 


FIKLD  ORNITHOLOGY. 


CUSP  the  anvil-shiiiwd  bnncH,  the-  iialatal  cyiiiulfn*  Hlmuly  incnfionr'd,  and  Roirn-tiinoH  ((tlnT 
jiortimis  coiiio  Hjiarl,  iIkj  \\\M<\y  an'  licst  kept  in  u  suitablo  Imx.  I  prt-for  t"  .•*<•<•  u  skull  wiili 
till'  slicatii  of  tlic  lii'uk  rciiiiivcil,  thipiiuli  in  .fonif  i'uwh,  imrticularly  of  liard-liilK-d  liirdit,  it 
iniiy  protiiahly  I'c  left  on.  Tin'  coniiilctcil  i>rciiaratioii.s  slioulil  lie  fully  lalu'llt-U  liy  writinf;  tm 
tlic  bone,  in  iircfcrcnn'  to  an  nccomininyinf,'  or  attia-litil  iiajuT  Bliji,  wliioii  may  be  lost.  Some 
objoct  to  this,  us  otli(ir»  do  to  wiitiuu  on  ti,'g8,  that  it  " dffaws "  the  siteciuieu  ;  but  I  confiss 
I  Bco  in  dry  bones  no  beauty  but  that  of  utility. 

"  In  many  families  of  birds,  as  the  ducks  {Aiwtidir),  the  tmrhvn  or  \vind])i|Ht  of  the  male 
affords  valuable  means  of  clistiutruisliini;  between  the  dillerent  natural  groups,  or  even  8i>eeies, 
ebielly  l>y  llie  form  of  the  bony  labyrinth,  or  India  ossea,  situated  at  or  just  uImivc  the  divari- 
cation of  the  broiicljjal  tubes.  \  little  trouble  will  enable  the  collector  in  all  eases  to  preserve 
this  organ  perfectly,  as  represented  in  the  annexeil  engraving  (tig.  ;i).  Uefore  proei'ediliK  to 
skin  thi'  specimen,  a  narmw-bladed  knife  shoubl  be  introdm-ed  into  its  mouth  and  by  takini.' 
hold  of  tiir'  tonijin'  (.1)  by  the  lingers  or  forceps,  the  muscles  {It  II)  \t\  which  it  is  att4iched  h> 
the  lower  jaw  I'duld  be  .severed  as  far  as  tlii'y  can  be  reached,  care  being  of  course  taken  not 
to  puncture  the  windpipe  (('('):  and  later  in  the  operation  of  skinning,  when  dividing  the 
body  from  the  neck  or  head,  not  to  nil  into  or  through  it.  This  done,  the  windpipe  can  be 
easily  withdrawn  entire  and  separated  from  the  neck,  and  then  the  stenial  ajiparatiis  Ix'ini; 
removed  as  before  described,  its  course  must  be  traced  to  where,  after  b'unching  off  in  a  fork 
( D),  the  liroiiehiul  tubes  (Av'  K)  join  the  lungs.  At  these  latter  jMiints  it  is  to  be  eut  off.  Then 
riiisiiiir  it  in  c(dd  water,  and  leaviiii;  it  to  ijiy  partially,  it  may,  while  yet  pliant,  be  either 
wrapped  naiuil  the  sternum,  or  coiled  up  and  labelled  M'puralejy." —  (.i.  AVif<H»i.) 


50. -COLLKCTION   OF   N'KST.S    ,\M)   K(i<iS. 

(>rnithol0)O'  ami  OiiloRy  are  twin  stu.iies,  or  ratiier  one  includes  the  other.     A  eollec- 

tion  of  nests  and  vciis  is  indispensable  fo:  any  tliorough  study  of  birds;  am'  many  jiersons 
iiiid  jieculiar  ph'asnre  in  formiiuf  one.  Some,  however,  sliiink  from"  robbing  birds'  ni'sts" 
as  soiriethiim   iiariiciilarly  cruel;  a  sentiment   •prim.'ini;,   no  doubt,   from   the  syn:,iathy  and 

"'"'<"''' I'  'hat   the   teuchr  otlice  of  maternity  inspires  ;   but  with    all   proj^'r  respect    for  the 

humane  emotion,  it  may  be  .said  simply,  that  binls'-nestinjj  is  not  n.'arly  so  cruel  as  bird- 
shcM.tinir.  What  I  said  in  a  former  section,  in  eiKh'avoriiu,'  ti.  iruidr  search  for  birds,  applies 
in  substance  to  hnnlj-.u;  for  their  nests;  the  ess.Mitial  diH'erence  i>,  thai  the  latter  are  ..f 
course  .stationary  idijects,  and  consei|ueiitly  niori^  liable  to  be  overhMiked.  "tiier  things  iM'inu 
eipnil,  than  l.;.-ds  themselves.  Must  l.iids  nest  on  Ire.'s  or  bushes;  many  on  ili.  gr.iund 
and  on  rocks;  others  in  ho||,.«>.     Some  buiM  ehi-ant,  elaborate  structures,  eiidh-ssly  varied 

in  details  .,f  t'orin  ami  material;  othi'rs  make  no  neM  wImlev.M-.      In  this  intry,  egging  is 

chielly  practicable  in   .May  an.l  during   the  smnmer;   but  some  s| ies,   parli.'ularly   birds  of 

prey,  beuin  to  lay  m  January,  while,  on  „iir  wmthern  bolder  at  least,  tin-  season  of  repro- 
duction is  protracted  ihioimh  Sepiembe;- ;  .s„  there  is  really  a  long  period  for  spurrh.  I'ar- 
ticuhir  ne.sts,  of  course,  like  the  birds  that  buibi  them,  can  oniy  be  f..i<nd  through  ,.rnitholoi;ical 
kimwledtje:  but  general  search  is  usually  rewar.l..l  with  a  ^  tried  assortm.nt.     The  best  cbw 

to  a  !  idden  nest  is  the  actions  of  the  parents;   patient  watchfulness  is  commonly  si ssfiil  in 

tracing  tl,,.  binj's  home.     As  ih..  s..i..nce  .,f  ,„douy  has  not  progressed  to  the  jHunt   of  deter- 

• "«  '■'■"'"  «'"■  ""''■"*  '""'  '•>f«P'  »■•  «>i«l  bini  th.y  iHdonu,  in  ev..;,  a  tnajori.v  of  ,»ses,  th. 

utmost  ..are  in  authentication  is  indispensable.  T..  1...  wmth  anvthing,  not  to  he  worse 
than  worthl-ss  in  fact,  an  eui;  mii.st  be  i.ientilied  beyond  .pi.slion  ;  must  he  unt  01  iv 
unsiispect.d,  bif  above  suspicion.  A  shade  of  suspicion  is  often  attached  to  dealen.'  .  ■•«h"; 
not  neces..arily  implyint:  bad  (aitb  or  eve,,  ..eu-buence  ..„  the  deal,  rs'  part,  but  from  the  mmiiv 
of  tho  ca»u.     It  13  often  extiemely  ditlicull  i..  umke  »n  un.iuestionable  deterii.iMatio,,,  us  for 


COLLECTION  OF  NEHTS  AND  EGGS. 


51 


iii>taiu'<-  when  nuintxra  of  binlH  of  Himilur  liuliits  are  breeding  rlutic  together;  or  even  iin|H>8- 
silili',  as  ill  ease  tlie  |mri'iit  eliiile^.  observutiou.  SoiiM'tiiiies  the  inoitt  aeiite  observer  may  hf 
!iii>tiii{tii,  eiri'iiiiistanees  ai)|H-ariiig  to  i)rove  a  |mreiitHge  when  Biieli  is  not  tlr  faet.  It  is  in 
;;rii(i;il  udvisubli'  to  ""cure  the  parent  with  the  eggs:  if  shot  or  snared  on  the  ne8t,  tin- 
iiltiitilieation  is  simply  unfjnestinnable.  If  yon  do  not  y<<nr»elf  know  the  species,  it  tlien 
i.if.Miiis  umssiiii/  to  seenre  tlie  specimen,  and  retain  it  with  the  eggs.  It  is  not  iet|Uired  to 
iii;iKf  II  perfect  preparation  ;  the  liead,  or  better,  the  liead  and  a  wing,  will  answer  the  piir|Nise. 
Wlieii  egging  in  downright  earnest,  n  pair  of  climbing  irons,  a  coil  of  g  inch  rope,  and  a  tin 
cipllecliiig  box  tilled  witii  cotton,  become  practically  indispensable;  these  are  the  (fi'y  tield 
iiiipleiiieiits  reiplired  in  addition  to  those  already  speiitied. 


i>re|)»riiiK  Ktign.  For  blowing  eggs,  a  set  of  s]M'cial  t<Hds  is  needed.  These  are  "' egg- 
drills," —  sterl  iiiiplements  with  a  sbari>-iioiiited  conical  bead  of  ras|)ing  surface,  and  a  slender 
s!i;ift :  several  such,  of  different  sizes,  are  needed ;  also,  blow-piiM-s  of  ditterent  sizes,  a  delicate 


Pio.  n.  —  limlniinenliirnr  l>l(>wniKug){i;  aflvr  Niiwtiili.  iij>. 
lilii»'-|iiiH'H,  )  nut  hlxii ;  r,  wirr  ri>r  I'lunnnliiK  lliviii ;  it,  oyrlnKf,  i 
lint.  xUe  Itliu  riiiK  "f  <hi'  liiin<ll»  u<iiiit  \h-  \urgv  <'ii<iii|ih  to  liiwrt 
till*  tliiiul>)i  r,  IiuIIhiiii  lumiftlittur,  Tor  aucknitf  cKKh. 


Km.  4.  —  Kiuilrlllii,  dittureiit  vIzch,  iiat. 
Mil- ;  nner  Kuwtuii. 

tliiii  pair  <  s<-issors,  light  spring  for- 
ceps, some  little  hooks,  and  a  small 
synime.  They  an-  inexpensive,  and 
limy  be  had  of  any  dealer  in  natnr- 
alisls"  siipjdii'S.  (See  figs,  i-7.)  Kggs 
sliiiiilcl  never  be  blown  ill  Jie  old  way  of  making  a  lndi!  at  each  end  ;  nor  are  two  boles  aiiy- 
wlii  re  usually  reipiired.  (tpeniii"  should  bf  (.'tfected  on  one  side,  preferably  that  showing  least 
conspicuous  or  chariicleristic  markings.  If  two  are  inude,  they  should  be  rather  near  together  ; 
oil  tlie  >iiiiie  sill.'  :it  any  rate.  IJiit  one  is  ifenurally  sullicient,  us  tbi;  tliiid  contents  can  escape 
aiiiiiiiil  the  li|o\v-|ii)M'.     Ilidding  the  egg  gently  but  steadily  in  the  fingers,'  apply  the  point  of 

'  Till'  iiHiiiil  niotliiMl  itf  emptying  t'lsg*  (lirmiKli  nnv  Kninil  IiiiIp  h  •ImibileHii  iiuii|m>m.<I  to  be  n  very  mwlorn  trick ; 

ImiI  II  iliiii'H  b.ii'k  III  li'aNl  til  IS'.'H.  when  M.  Diiiikit  |iro|niM>i|  "  ii  iirw  iiii'tlnKl  of  |>ri'|iiiriiitl  ami  pruHuvliiK  e^Ks  Tur 
III'  '  ibliii'l."  wlili'li  Ih  |inii'llri)lly  ll'.i'  iili<>  iinw  rnllowi'il,  lliniiKb  liu  iimiI  it  lliri't>-i'<lt(<'<l  iiutiiljo  In  jirkk  tliii  bnU', 
iii'-ir  III  iirmir  iiinilcni  ilrlll,  iiiiil  ill. I  iml  a|i|ivt>''  to  kimw  khiiic  of  mir  wnyn  of  iiiiiiiiiifiiiK  tin'  I'liiliryo.  I  iimki-  tliix 
I'l'fi'ii'iiri'  t.r  hin  iirtli  '!•  to  rail  a'lriilliui  to  one  of  llii'  linlii  In-  ririiiiiiiii'iiils,  wlilili  I  lliliik  woiilil  (irovu  iiHCfiil.  im 
I'l'liiu'  lii'ltir  ll'iiii  till'  lliiKirK  for  lnlilliik;  an  v^te  iliiiint:  ilrlllliiK  iiiiil  Mnuinu  Tlir  ^llllIlll'  hiKtniiiii'iit  will  Ih'  imi- 
ilir«i....'l  from  :i  ,,lnni,i  ui  ilm  ilifuro  ijhun  In  llio  Xiill.ill  Itullrlln.  ill,  IsT",  ;i  l'.'!  Tlic  o\ul  iiiii{«  arc  roviTwl  « Itli 
tiKlii  I'.ilirlr.  llku  inMiK|iilto-ni'tlln);  or  miinlln.  ami  ilo  not  iiimli  iIm-  vjh.  ulilrli  h  lioM  l||{liily  Imt  wcurcly  In  tliu 
nettlni;.    Tlio  i.i>.l  w.oiM  !.,■  Irll'.lni{,  ami  ilanjiT  nilglit  Itc  iimMi.,!  by  Dungtrit  nii'tli.xl 


52 


FIELD   OlLMTJniLOd  Y. 


I 


:l 


\  t'il 


COLLECTION  OF  NESTS  AND  EGGS. 


F>ii 


r-cdlo  first. 

tlu-  nlifll, 
oquircd  to 
H  it  alwiijs 

Itliiig  tlio 
iinii>ii8  iiiiii 
lilt  all  till' 
y  takiiif;  a 
is  a  ratliiT 


(^ 


IIiHiku  fur  rx- 
•yiiB,  mil.  hI/.«  i 
'I,  /',  r',  iiliiin 
I  liii'ik,  ImvliiK 
uloliK  IIki  <'<>ii- 


holf  tliat  cnii 
'I'S    witli    tlir 

lit  Willi  tlic 
'  tun  "iiiall  ; 
I'll  t'fiiitt,  till' 
•li  prrNisti'iit 
Willi  watiT, 
, ;  carlioiiati' 
it(  jKM'r.'-.sary. 
Iii'ii  ('iiiiitii'ii 


,'iiiil  rinsed,  cffus  Mhotild  bo  Rciitly  wiprd  dry,  and  sot  liolo  downward  on  Idottiiijf-impor  to 
iir;iiii.'  Mroitoii  oi;f;s  laay  Im'  neatly  inonded,  soiiietiiiioH  with  ii  Klin  of  collodion,  or  a  liit  of 
tissue  |i:i|ier  and  imste,  or  the  edijes  may  l>e  simply  stiiek  together  with  any  adhesive  sulistaiire. 
Kvni  when  fiattnientary  a  rare  ejji;  is  worth  jireservint;.  K>;t;s  should  ordinarily  he  left  ennity ; 
iiiiliiil,  the  only  ease  in  which  any  tilling  is  adniissible  is  that  of  a  defective  s|iecinien  to  which 
sdiMc  slii;ht  solidity  can  he  ini|)arted  with  cotton.  It  is  unnecessary  even  to  chise  np  the  lioji'. 
It  is  liest,  on  all  accounts,  to  keep  ej^t's  in  .sr^v,  a  "  set  "  lieinjj  the  natural  clutch,  or  whatever 
|i's>  iMiiiilier  was  taken  from  a  ne.st.  The  most  HcriipiiUms  attention  mii.'^t  he  jiaid  to  accurate, 
i'(ini|>lete,  and  permanent  lahelliiif:;.  So  important  is  this,  that  the  iindeiiialile  defacing  of  a 
s|piciMieii,  liy  writini;  on  it,  is  no  oH'si't  to  the  advaiitai;es  accriiint;  from  such  tixily  of  record. 
It  is  practically  impossible  to  attach  a  labi  ),  as  is  done  with  a  bird-skin,  and  a  loo.se  label  is 
always  in  danger  of  beiiijj;  lost  or  displaced.  Write  on  llio  shell,  then,  as  many  iteinH  uh 
piissjlplc  :  if  done  neatly,  on  the  side  in  which  the  hole  was  bored,  at  least  one  fjood  "  show  side  " 
reiiKiiiis,  All  e^rg  8lioiild  always  hear  the  same  number  as  the  parent,  in  the  collector's 
leiiinl.  In  a  ({enoral  oolloctioti,  where  separate  ornithold^ncal  and  oi'llojrical  registers  are  kept, 
iiliiililieiitioii  of  i'fsp  with  parent  is  nevertheless  readily  secured,  by  mnkint;  one  the  numerator 
the  (itliir  the  deiioiiiinator  of  a  fraction,  to  be  siiii|dy  invert.ed  ill  its  respective  application. 
'I'lnis,  bird  No.  4.')<i,  and  ej;t;  N'n.  I'i.'l,  arc  ideiititied  by  inakiiii;  the  foriniT  ^jj  the  latter  JjjJ. 
.\ll  llieeix/^s  of  a  clutch  should  have  the  same  iiiimber.  11  the  shell  he  laru'o  eufiu^h,  the  name 
(it  ill.'  species  should  be  written  on  it  ;  if  too  small,  it  should  be  accompanied  by  a  label,  and 
may  have  the  iiaiiie  indicated  by  a  number  referriiit:  to  a  certain  catalofjiie.  Accordiiii;  to  my 
"Check  Ijst,"  for  example,  "No.  I  "  would  indicate  Tardus  mi(ji'»Uirins.  The  date  of  collec- 
ticiii  is  a  highly  desirable  item:   it  may  be  ablueviated  thus  ;   .'$  |  (i  |  H-i  uieans  .lime  3,  1SS2.      It 

is  well  to  have  the  i%\i  authenticated  by  tl Hector's  initials  at  least.     Since  "sets"  of  eiru's 

may  he  broken  up  fiU'  distribiilioiis  to  other  cabinets,  yet  permaneiil  indication  of  the  size  of 
the  chilch  be  waiiteil,  it  is  well  to  have  some  method.  A  t;ood  one  is  to  write  the  number  of 
llie  clinch  on  each  ei;^  coiiiposiiii;  it,  (iiviii;;  each  eiry  of  the  set,  morenver,  its  individual 
iniiMlier.  Siippos.iif^  for  example  the  clutch  No.  |'^;J  ciuitained  five  ej;j;s  ;  one  of  them  would 
'"■  \ii  I  ■"*  I  '  •  ''"'  '"''''  Irijf  I  •'•  i  ^'  '""'  ^"  ""•  ""'  '•  •'*houlil  be  remembered  that  all  such 
arliiliaiy  meinoraiiila  must  be  systematic,  and  be  accompanied  by  a  key.  Kirt's  may  be  kept 
ill  cahinets  of  shallow  drawers  in  little  ]>aste1ioard  trays,  each  liohlint;  a  set,  and  contaiiiint;  a 
paper   laliel   on   which    various  items  that  cannot   be  traced  on  the  shell  are  written   in  full. 


'  //( infttrcinij  llir  Fr/i/iihrll  In/nrr  /l/nwini/.  —  Klif.  "  "  hIi'iwk  n  |il<'('«  iif  piiiior,  n  iiiiiiilior  (if  wlilcli,  wlitMi  Kiiiiiined 
(III  to  an  cut;,  "no  "Vi^r  lliu  (illivr,  uml  li/l  In  ilrii.  HtrcMKnii'ii  llic  nlii'll  In  micli  n  iiiiiiiikm'  Unit  Itii'  liiKlriiiiiciilH  iiluivu 
(IcM'rIlx'd  ciiii  liu  inlriHliii'ud  tliniiiKJi  (In'  iiiHTlnrc  In  llic  Inld'llc  unci  wurkcd  In  lln*  licnl  iidvitiitiiKe,  Hint  IIiiin  » 
riilly  rorint'd  cinhryci  iniiy  lie  cut  up.  and  tliu  lilcics  t'xlnuli'd  tlii'(iiii:li  iv  very  nnidcrntnly 
sl/.cil  liiilc;  lilt'  nninlicr  (if  llili  knuHscH  r<'(|ulrcd  di'pfnds,  nf  CdiirKc,  Krciilly  ii|iiin  I  lie  bIzo 
"C  iIk'  <'\iv..  Ill"  IcnuHi  (if  lime  II  tins  Imkiii  Imiiliiili'd.  nnd  Hie  i>r(iiitnvHH  of  Ihu  Hlmlt  mid 
llic  |iii|icr  Klvc  (ir  hIx  Ih  the  IciihI  iiiiinliur  tluit  it  Is  xafrt  tii  iihc.  KiicIi  fiiccc  slKiiild  Iw 
Icfl  III  dry  Ix'fi.ic  III!'  next  Ik  RMinnicd  nn.  Tlni  rIIIji  In  Mm  iinirKln  ciiimc  llicin  In  ict 
prolly  Hiniuillii ',  wlilcli  will  Im)  fniind  very  (Icnlmlilc;  tlic  npiirlnrn  In  Hit'  inldillc  (if  iincli 
limy  lie  i-iit  mil  iIihI,  iir  lliii  wIkiIc  hciIuh  (if  tuyere  niiiy  li«  ilrlllcd  Hininiili  when  llic  IkiIo 
Ik  iiiaiti  In  He  cui;.  Knr  e(inveiili"iie(''  mike,  tin)  piiiH-iH  may  lie  prepared  ali-eiidy  Knmnied, 
mill  ncilHlcncil  when  pill  on  (In  Ihu  miiiio  way  that  iidlicHlvc  (HiMtaije  la'ielii  aro  iiM'dl. 
liiiiiliHcHH.  pnli  licH  (if  lliinn  (ir  eiittdii  ( Inlli  wmild  iiiiHwer  i^qniilly  uoll  When  tlin  (i|H!rn- 
lliiii  Ih  Mvcr,  a  Hlli;lit  appllcatldn  tit  wiitor  (cHiH-elally  If  warm)  tlirdiiKli  Ihu  nyrhiKe  will 
I'Biwii  ihec!  Hd  thai  Hi«y  can  lie  ojinlly  removed,  'iiid  Ihey  can  liii  Bepiinitcd  fmni  nno 
Miiollici,  and  dried  Id  nerve  andllnir  lime.  The  »\iu  n'preminlnd  in  the  Hketeh  Ik  that  Kiiltnlilo  fur  an  eKR  "f  niiHU 
'talc  dinicmildii.  hiicIi  as  Hint  (if  n  Cdmmdii  I'dwi.  The  nidHt  elleeliial  way  nf  a<l(i|illiiK  Diln  metliiHl  nf  uluplyliiK 
('UL'K  Ik  liy  iikIiii,'  m)i  moiiu  liiiiem  i\f  Ihiii  fiiiiirr  din/  i>lfnlji  i>f  Ihuk  jium,  linl  Hilit  Ik.  (if  rniirMO,  the  ninKl  Ir'UniiK. 
Ncvi  rlhcleMK,  it  Infinite  werlli  the  Irniiliie  In  the  ciiKe  (if  really  rare  Kpoclniemi,  and  Ihey  will  lie  mine  Hie  Wdrwi  fur 
(>|N'r:illni;  n|Kin  frnm  the  delay  (if  n  few  dayx  eikUMHl  liy  walling'  fdr  Hie  Kiini  Id  dry  and  Imnlcii.  The  iialiiraliKt 
til  Khdiii  HiIh  inathdil  fimt  iN'eiirred  Imii  fniind  II  aniiwer  remnrkiilily  well  In  every  I'luu!  that  II  hiiH  Ih-cIi  iiwd,  frinn 
the  ('k'K  of  an  eaule  to  that  (d  it  hninmlnit-lilnl,  aiel  aiiKiiit!  KiikIIkIi  (Milu|;inlii  it  hiu  bwll  Kclicnilly  iiddpled  " 
(.(.  A.ic/.iii,  in  SnillliH    Mine.  Cull.  l:i'.i.  Iwui., 


Pni.  K.  —  Nat   iiliie 


84 


FIKLD  OKNITIlOl.Or.Y. 


Siirh  trays  hIiouIcI  all  Iw  of  tlic  naiiu'  ilrj.tli,  —  Imlf  an  iiuli  is  a  convnirH'iit  ili-pth  for  kcih  nil 
piir|>oHPH;  aiiil  of  aHHorfcd  cizi-c,  nay  frmn  niic  iiicli  l>y  oiii-  and  one  lialf  inchi'H  up  to  tlinr  liy 

six  iiichcM;  it  Ih  fonvcniciit  tc  liavr  liu'  ill isionn  rcjiularly  niadiiatfil  liy  a  conKtaiit  fai-tor 

of,  say  half  an  inch,  >»<  thai  thr  litlh'  \»>\vk  may  hi-  n-t  xiiii-  hy  slih',  fillifr  h-ngthwlHc  ci 
crosswise,  witliont  intiTfrniifc.  Kirt's  may  alw.  !»■  k.-pt  Haltly,  iulvanta«<'onHly,  and  with 
attractivi"  I'tfi-cl,  in  the  nrslH  thi'm-i'lvcs,  in  whirli  a  lliltl"  of  n.tton  may  he  placed  to  .steady 
them.  When  not  t<>i«  hidlfy,  too  ln.iHly  cnnMlrni-ted.  or  of  material  iinMiitalde  for  pri'.servalion, 
nests  should  always  he  ccdlci^led.'     Those  that  are  very  closely  attached  to  twitrs  shonhl  not  he 

torn  off.     Ncsi.s  llireiiienini;  I iine  to  jiieces,  or  too  frail  to  he  handled  witliont   injnry,  may 

\hi  secured  hy  sewini;  Ihrounh  and  lhron(,'li  with  line  thread;   indeed,  this  is  an  advif<alde  pre- 
caution in  most  cases.     I'ackinir  euj-'s  for  traiis)>ortatioii  reipiires  much  care,  hnt  the  preoan 
tions  to  he  taken  are  ohvious.     I  will  only  remark  thiit  there  is  no  safer  way  than  to  leave  thern 
in  their  <pwn  ne.sts,  each  wra])ped  in  cotton,  with  which  the  whole  cavity  is  to  he  lijjhtly  filled ; 
the  ncNts  thi-niselves  U'\\\fi  pai-ked  close  enonjjh  to  he  jierfectly  steady. 


!■;■ 


f}  10.  — C.MJK   ol"   .\   ('(iLLKCTION. 

Well  rr<>s<>rve(l  H|ieciiii('iis  will  hi.st  "  I'lirever  and  a  day,"  .so  far  as  natural  decay  is 
cimcrrncd.  I  Ij.i^c  haudlril  liiid>  ill  i.'<Mid  .-.tiite,  >liiil  hack  in  the  twenties,  and  have  no  doiilil 
that  someeiKhteenlh  century  preparations  are  still  exiant.    'I'he  preeaulions  aijain.sl  delilriiiriil. 

lilalioii,  iir  other  mechanical  iiijury,  are  sell-evident,  and  may  l>e  dismissed  with  the  remaii., 

that  h7i(7c  pliimaues,  e.speciiilly  if  at  ,dl  K'''""*)'  i'ei|nire  the  most  care  to  jjuard  af;ain>t  soilini;. 
We  have,  however,  to  fiylit  fur  our  piis.se.--iiiiis  ayaiii.sl  a  liii>l  nf  enemies,  iiidividiially  ile.s|iica- 
hh'  hilt  cidleclively  fnniiid.ihle,  foes  si.  delermiiieil  thai  imlirint:  viyiliince  i.s  riM|iiiiiil  in  ward 
olf  their  attacks  even  temporarily,  whilst  in  the  end  they  prove  invincilde.  It  may  he  said  lli;il 
til  he  ealin  lip  hy  insects  is  llie  iialiiral  end  III'  all  hird-skins  nut  .-miner  desliuyed. 

I  "   I  riiii  fill-  Ihi  Stiiilfi  11/  .\i  »ls,"  tiuulr  li>  Ml    KniiKl.  Iinjirs.ill  hi  lils  cxnlliiil  "  Itliils'-Ni'nlliii:."  Hilllit 

wlilli'  III  ciilli'i'i  iii'hts  -fur  llirri'  urn  iiiaii)  |m'I' 
hi  lllr  I'llliillrl.  An  11  srlililMli  nlllil.N  lllili'  Is  I'm 
sriii'H  iif  i-mi.>.    'Dm-  hrsi  Ih  siiinrlliln^  wUli  wliiili 


I  mil  iIliI  I  will  triiiiM  rllii'  It. 


'  WllllllllT  "f    II 


mills  Willi  iii'Vf r  lilt  sii  —  is,  II  sci'inii  In  iiii' 


'  li  i|iii> 


liiiiiT  iiilviinluuc  til  Ih 


l:iiiii-i|  fi'iiiii  a  simIch  I'l' iirslH 


111 

II 
III 

111! 

1>  U 
if  1 

fn 

111 

II 

III 

111 

111 

ll 

11 

iliil'lli'lrl 


I  ill'  uiiritiiiJiii ;  is  In  II  I'l'rliilii  cxli'iil 


lliii  will  iiiiil  riiiriilrs  iiT  llir  lilnl  urn  iiiiirii'iii  il.  It  i'\|iri'iv. 
nil  liiilrx  III'  its  niiiU  iiiiiHii^  liinls,  -  fur  in  Uriiriiil  tliiisn  ol'  iln-  lilgtirnt  iir^iiiii/.all'iii  iirr  I  In*  Ih-hI  an' lilt  rets,  -  iili>l 
Ifivi*  iiM  It  i;iiiii|iiM'  nf  Mil'  tiitii'h  iiiiiiil  iiiiij  jMiwiT  til  iiiiilnrHiaiiil  aiiil  iniajil  llsi'it'  In  riiaiitfi'ii  ciiiniiliiiiiii  of  lilr.  1  l\i-r 
llii<  niiain'  ami  m  iiaiiii'iiiatl<<ii  nf  an  rau  tlin  iiiril  iiiu<  im  iniiti'ii,  In  iii);  im  uiini'  .liiin  in  );i.vi  111  till'  iiiiillir  than  il 


can  I  III'  urn  will  nf  liM  iH'ak.     'I'lii'ii'  it  iih  iiiiirli  lUirciriiiii  In  nil'.  In  1  ill'  iiili'ii'sl   lns|itii'<i,  lnl  wci'ii  I  lie  iirsl  air 


i    III! 


<'t!l!  nf  a  liirii,  as  IkIwiiii  lis  liraiii  ami  Iln  skull,  -  iisiii)i  tlm  svnnl  laaiii  In  Iiii' in  tiir  sial  nf  liiliiliit.  Tiir  iirsi  in 
ainayn  iiinri'  m  Iish  IIic  nsiili  nf  1  nnwlniis  |ilaiiiiliit(  ami  liili  l!i|{i'iil  wnri,,  i'mii  liimiKli  ||  iIimk  I'niinn  a  liiriililary 
Iniliil  in  Its  stviv,  wliili'  llincmi  in  an  iiiilnniaili'  |irni|iii'linii  var>lii|;,  If  at  ail.  'Hilv  an  tin  wlinln  ni|;aiil/.alliiii  ni 
till' lilrii  iimli>i);in'ii  I'liaiitji'.  Diin't  m  ulci  I  llin  iirnin  tiiiii.  In  lin'iii  ninn  liiaii  aiiywlKH  ri-M' iiin  llic  key  tn  t!ir 
inliiil  ami  llimiKiits  nf  a  lilnl,  — tlm  splril  uliirli  iiilialillH  liial  Inanliinl  liaiiii'  ami  luiiililrs  mil  nf  llial  (("'■'^'■> 
Miniilii.  Ami  lilt  lint  tills  lliiii'r  llfi',  tlilH  liiiinaii  si|{iillli  ami'  in  liinl  iialiin 
iiri)  ail  alniinu  In  illm' 


({lili'il  111  I  III'  Nurfai'ii 

llllH'k  ,    lilC  nlinir'n  Ijf! 


nVlT 

Nil. 

if 

a 

11 

issy 

ai 

ifi 

11 

y  HW 

nis  aru  lioaiilltiil,  Inn.     Wiial  I'aii  siir|iiihn  lim  ili-iir 


liiin  Mill/  nf  iirniliinliiKy,  linil  »ii 
aiy  nf  till'  liiiininliii'-lilril'H  linliic 


lirancli  nr  iiihIIIiik  In  tim  tva 


|iiiliil  nf  a  |H  inii'iil  icaf,  tin'  nIm 


silken  liani- 


ayiiid  imrsn;  llm  lilarklilril'h  iiiihIi'I  liai-kil  in  tim  liar's;  Urn  siiiiu  liilln  caves  nf  tin 


iinrnli  wri'iin;  lim  lii'rniilat|«-liiilH  nf  llio  sliy  \vai{lalln  ami  Ki'ininil-wariili'rs,  tiic  hIhiiI   fnrlr 


nf  Iln 


claiili' 


nvallnws!     Mnri'iivcr,  tlnrn  Is  Iiiin  li  tlial  in  liliflily  iiiirrisliiii}  wlilcli  r aiim  In  lin  liarni'ii  alimit  iii'sts,  anil  wlili  ii 

can  niiiy  iii<  kimwii  iiy  |ia)itii{.  Inni'  ultiiilinii  In  iIii'mi  artWli'  niaslcriili'ii's  nf  Hiihniil  Jirl.  Wn  want  In  Kimw  liy 
wlial  nnrt  nf  nklii  llii'  niJiiiy  iii'nls  arc  wnMii  |n(.(.||i,.r  tliat  we  limi  II  mi  Iniril  even  In  ills,  ii'.inisle;  wc  want  In  kimw 
Imw  IniiK  llivyarii  in  IhiIiik  inilit ;  wrliutliiT  llnri'  In  any  jLirtii  iilar  clmlro  in  ri'S|Hil  In  lis-allnn;  wiiillnr  It  In' a 
mil',  as  Is  Kii|i|H«usl,  that  Ilin  fi'inaio  hlnl  Is  llm  anhltiTt,  l.i  tin,  pxrlnslnii  nf  her  male's  cirnrls  fiirlln'r  lliati  his 
i>ii|i|ilyliiK  II  |iarl  nf  tlm  inatirhils.  Many  sinli  imlnln  niiiain  tn  Imi  iliarcil  up.  Tln'ii  thi'ic  In  llm  i|inslhin  nl 
variatliin,  niiil  lis  .'xlcnt  in  tlm  amliiu-et  nf  liu-  ^anm  sin'iiis  In  ilitl'i'n'iit  .|iiart.'is  nf  its  ranuiiiK  iin  a.  Ilnw  far  In 
tills  i-arrlml,  ami  imw  many  varl«tli'S  can  Is.  rmirdi'.!  fmiii  a  sliiitln  illslrl.l,  wIhtc  tlm  saiim  list  nf  inalirl'ils  in 
I'lHin  III  all  till-  hlrils  iiiiially/  Variallnn  shows  imliviiinal  n|i|iiinn  nr  taste  ainiiiiif  thi'  liiilliicrs  aa  In  tlm  snitHliiilly 
iif  thia  nr  Ihttt  wirl  nf  lliiilmr  or  fiirnltare  f.ir  tlmlr  ilwfli.ims.  ami  olsu'rvnllnn*  nism  It  thus  Imruoiiu  mir  m  nualnl- 
aueo  with  tba  m:u|i«  uf  liloiu  auti  linlill*  clmrucluiistii-  nf  cuch  sixiulcs  nf  htnl" 


CABi:   OF  A    UOLLKCUuy. 


no 


llirci'    liy 

tilllt  I'lirtor 

f^tliwi.sc    III' 

aiiil    Willi 

ti>   ntciiily 

ccrviitiDij, 

•iilil  nut  III 

n.jiiry,  iiiiiy 

.•<illi|(i   |i|r 

H'  jirwiii 

llVl'  tlli'Mi 

tlviillr.l: 


nil  (Icciiy  \* 

I'      III!      lllllllll 

<li'lilrliMlil. 

till'   I'I'lIIMI'lt, 
in.'-t    Mlilillir. 

ly  ili^jiiiM 

ill-<l  til  Uiiiil 

!"■  Miiil  tli.ii 


Ji-mllii;."  Hlllln 
ail'  iiiaii>  |irt 

1>I.\  llliTl'  In  I'lil 
UK  Hllll  ullli  li 
I'lTlaill  rvlrill 

lilli'iti.,  iiikI 
^nllllr.  (ivir 
iimllir  lliiiii  II 
>'  lir»l  iiimI  IIii' 

I.      'I'llr  lli>l   Is 

V  It  lii'ii'illlai) 
i(;iiiil/.atii>ii  nl 
I  111'  ki)  til  111. 
>r  llial  t(iilil>'ii 
iliitt),  Hint  »ii 
tl-lilrilH  lioiiii' 

H  hllkl'll  hlllll 
n  ravr.i  ul"  Ihr 

r  tiio  wM'iiiiiii' 

Ih,  iiiiiI  uIiIi  h 
III  III  kiinn  h) 
uiiiil  ti.  know 
lii'llii'i  II  Ih'  II 
illirr  Hlllll  IiIh 

I'    l|lh*Nllul|      III 

lluw  fiir  In 
r  llllili'li'iln  In 
liu  miitulilllly 

JUr  Hi  i|Ultlllt- 


lnH4t<-t  P«it«  (Fiffs.  !),  IH,  11,  IjJ)  with  wliicli  wi>  hiivo  to  contoml  ltrl(iiij{  imiicipally  to  \\w 
t\\u  i.iiiiiiiim  TiiifiiUf  iiiiil  Ih'niifitUlw  —  tlic  foriiifi'  uri>  iiiiitliK.  tlu'  liittcr  lM'l•tl<'^<.  'I'lit'  nintliH  urn 
ii|'.s|ii'rii-s  iilciiticiil  with,  ami  alliixl  to,  tliu  coiniiioii  rhitlicH  moth,  Tinea  flm'ifrimtfHa,  the  ('ar|M  t 
iiiiilli.  /'  ^(/W.'»7/«,  cti'..  —  !«nmll  Hjit'cii's  ohsiTVi'il  tiyiin;  alioiit  our  apart iiifiits  ami  imuhmiiiis, 
III  May  ami  llurill^  tho  miiiiimut.  The  hcctli's  arc  HrviTai  riitiii>r  Miiiall  tiiick-Hi>t  :<|N'cii>H,  priiifi- 
iiiillv  of  till'  Ki-iioru  IkrmvuteH  ami  Anlhrrims.  \  am  altii-  t>>  ii^iin-  npiriuH  of  th<-iu<  Kciicra, 
with  llii'ir  larval  sta;,'i'M,  ami  nl'two  ollirr  ;;cm'r!i,  I'liinis  ami  Silixlirpa,  throll^li  the  attnitioiis 
of  rrof.  ('.  V.  liiii'V,  thf  ciiiiiU'iit  •'iitoiiiiilo^ist.  'I'lit'  larvii'  ("  ciitiirpillarH"  of  tlio  iiiotlis,  ami 
"  ^nilm"  of  tin-  ln'cth's)  appi'ur  to  In-  the  chiff  agents  of  tin'  ili'ittriicti'iu.  The  pHwiico  of  the 
niaiiiri'  iii.it'rts  Ih  iiHiiiilly  rrailily  ilt'tcctcil  ;  on  ilLstiirhiiiK  an  iiif"sti'ii  suite  of  NprciniiiiiM  tht;  moths 


Flo.  a,  —  Antlinnv  lernfalnHir,  pnlnrgoil ;  tlio  tlinrt  lino  ulinwii  lint.  itio.    >■,  h,  liirvir ;  r,  impii ;  </,  liiinRn. 


Km.  Ill        l>t  rmfittA  ftinliiriitn,  t>u-  l-'li..  11  —  Siioih>-fnt /mitrfi, 

i.iruril     >i,  lurvn; 'Miiiuiiliirgvil  liitlri     i'iiliirKi'<l.     n,  linniiii;  A,  ll.<  *ii- 
..  1.....^..  I..... I... I 


Kilt.  1-.  ■-  I'Hiiiih  liniimeut. 


(',  liiiuiin. 


ti'iiiiii,  iiiiiri!  I'lilitrKt'il. 


tliill 


ri' alioilt,  anil   till'    Im'I'IIi's  crawl  as  far>t  as  thry  can    into  slicltcr,  or  simulate  death.     I'hc 

iii-iiliiiiis  larva',  however,  arc  not  »o  easily  iih.serveil,  luirrowint;  iis  llicy  ilo  aiumii;  the  featlu'rs. 
Ill-  ill  the  interior  of  u  skin  ;  whilst  the  luinute  e^jirs  nn-  coiniiionly  altop'thcr  ovcrlookeil.  Itnt 
llii  "liiii;-'"  arc  not  Ioiih  at  work  without  leaviiit;  tiieir  iinniistakalile  traces.  Shreds  of 
ri'.iihcrs  lloal  olf  when  a  specimen  i-<  liaiidlcil,  or  lly  out  on  Hipping'  the  itkiii  with  the  Kiil'ci's. 
aiiii  III  InuI  cimi's  even  whole  liiimlles  of  pInincN  come  away  at  a  touch.  Sometimes,  IcuviiiK  the 
|iImiii.ii;c  intact,  hiius  eat  away  llir  horny  covcrini;  of  the  hill  and  feet,  iimkiiiK  a  peculiarly 
iniliappy  ami  irreparalilc  iiiiitilatlnn.  I  siippo.-<e  this  piece  of  work  is  done  hy  a  |iarticiilar 
iihsect,  but  if  HO  I  do  not  know  wliut  one.  It  would  appear  that  when  the  Uu^itt  etfcct  liHlf^mcnt 
ill  any  one  Hkin,  they  usually  linish  it  hefore  attacking  another,  iiiiIchm  they  are  in  (treat  for<M>. 
Wc  may  uonHtupieiiily,  hy  ptoiiipt  removal  of  an  iiifectted  upm-iimm.  mivc  further  depredatii'ii.s; 


TiG 


FIIH.H   OHMIIIOUKiy. 


Ill 


v.rll.ili'HH,  ll.r  riHt  lMr..iu.'"niiH|.i(i..iiH,"uu.l  til.' wIm.1.-  .Iruwcr  or  l.-.x  hIkmiIiI  Ih>  .|iiuriiii 

HHi'H  di'miiibrd  liiiyoiid.     Our  liiii'H  of  (li'fi'iiro  ari<  hi'\  • 


third,  if  not  Hiil>iiiill<'d  to  iiiiy  of  tin-  iiriKM 


••ml.      Wr  limy  iiiirliiiniiMlly  »\<\i'<^f  riilriiiiiT  ,<{  l.lir  nini 
odorH  llml  clri\f  I "II,  mc-Iu' lull  Inm,  mid  liiiiiily 


I'liiv  :  \vi'  iiijiy  iiirri  him  with  iihliorri'ut 
k   liiiii  to  dnith.     I   uill 


«■(•    IllilV  I'oo 


liolifl-  llnwl'  lllfthlHln  HIHTI'Hhivrl.V,   l.lluMK 


MMiiii  to  drscrilii'  a  ailiiurl  iiiidiT  hrud  of  thii  lil-Nl. 


CitM'N  for  Hloriinr  or  'rrniiM|Mirtiilloii  KJioidd  lir  latlicr  siiiiill,  lor  Hcvrriil  rniNoiiH.  'I'ln 
mv  liihiiT  to  haiKllr  and  |M.'k.  I'liciv  air  Irw.r  hirds  |.irs«iiiK  rarli  olhur.  I'arli.'iihir  »\»i 
iiii'iiH  arr  iiiMiT  rrai 


Idv  iiai'lird.     UiiuM  iiiiihl  clVi'fl   jiisl  so  many  iiiori-  «i'|ianili'  nitrainTH  |i 


il'i'st  llic  vvlicdc.     •Siiia 
l» 


I  Nhmild  iiol  di'.-<ir)'  a  Imx  ovir 
jll^l  jolii;   rliolli; 


II  lidsai !■  nadily  lilird  lii{lil.     l*'or  ihi-  ordiimiy  run  ofHiimll  hirds 

IS.  |S.  |s,aiMl  vliiiiild  |in  iVr  a  snialirr  oiir  ;   for  lal't;)'  hirds,  a  ho\ 


li   lor  till'  l.i(,'i;rsl  s|Hcinn'ii,  and  of  olliir  iiroiioilioiis  to  conrsii 


md    fairlv 


.St   iliijildi'.      Whali'vir   ihf  diimMiHioiis,  a   |prc.|Mr  lio\   |.iisii|p|>osis  |M'iUTt  Jointing 


III 

anv  sn 


hiK  11 


|ili'ii>n  hi'  tnlfrlaiiicil  on  lliis  s c,  stoni    |ia|MT  slioidd   he   |iaslfd   aloiijj  all   llir  cdnis 


liMth    in>idr  and   onl.      \\i    havr  |.ra.!irally  lo  >lo  « illi  llir 


lid   oiilv.      II'  Ihi'   lot    is   liki'lv    l< 


irniain  loii^  nntonrlii'd,  tl 
others.     \'\:\l 


iir  olliri'  an 


.Mr   may  I..'  srriwi.l    very  rlosr  and   llin  I'rark   jiastril  liki'  ihr 
I  ii^iial  liivniiislaiiirs  Ihr  liil  may  hi'  jirovidrd  with  a  mrtal  hoss  lining; 


a  HiiMivr  lin.'d  with  m.lia  riil.hcr  ..r  lilli.l  with  was.  An  ixrtlhnl  case  may  hr  imnh'  of  lin 
with  tin-  liil  si'cnrni  in  this  manni'i',  and  I'nrlhir  lorlilinl  willi  a  wo.iih'ii  I'asing.  Mirdskins 
inlirtly  I'r.  .■  IV.. in  iiisifls  or  llirir  runs,  I'la'ascd  in  soinr  such  srrnri'  inanni'r,  will  ri'inaiii  intact 
indrliniiciv  ;  l.ni  ilicri'  is  misiry  in  slori'  if  any  hii^s  or  nils  hi'  jiiit  away  with  ihi'iii. 


<'itlillii'lH.        Asa  inaltrr  of  I'arl,  most  I'ollri'ti.ins  air  krjil  ri'ailily  ai'i'rssihir  for  rxainina 
lion,  ilis|ilay,  or  ollur  imtnrdiali'  iisr,  and  this  |irrrhidt's  any  dis|iosili<iii  of  thi'iii  in  "hrrmrli- 

cul "   ••asi's.     'I'll.'    III. .'•I    Ml'   ran   do  is   lo  sri'ini'  lii;lil    lilliiif;   of  nio\ahlr   w Iwork.     'I'hr 

"rahiiirl"  is  most  tliyihlr  for  |irival .Ilri'lioiis.     This  is,  in  rll'rcl,  simply  a  hnrt'iin,  or  I'lnsl  of 

drawiTK,  proli'i'li'd  with  foldiiij,'  doms,  or  a  fi..nl   thai  may  hr  drlachnl,  cithi'r  of  plain  « I  or 


sashin({  for  pan 
I 


IS   ol    i;las 


h 


IS  .simply  asliinishin^  lio\«  many 


hirds 


ins   ..f  avrraur  si/.r  ran 


ic   at'i'oinino. 


lal. 


in  a  lahin.  I  llial  niakrs  in.  iii.'..ii\rnirnl  piri'i  ..f  I'tirnilnrr  for  an  ordinary 
ro..iii.  .\  rahinrt  may  of  conisi'  he  ..f  any  drsinil  -i/r,  sliapr,  and  slylr.  In  ^I'lirral  it  will  hr 
hrlirr  to  put  nioiiry  iiilo  I'M'rllini'r  .if  lining  ralliir  llian  rlr^aiii'i'  of  linisli  ;  thi'  haiidsonii'st 
fi'.mt  dors  II. . I  I'omprnsali'  fur  a  rraik  in  iht'  haik  or  for  a  iliavMr  lliat  liitcin  >.  'riirrr  should 
not  hi'  till'  sli^hlt'sl  Haw  in  ihi'  i>xti'rior,  and  d.iors  should  lit  so  tightly  that  a  pnlf  of  air  may 
III'  frit  on  I'losini;  llirni.  'I'lir  f^rralrst  drsidi'i'atnm  of  thr  inlrrior  work,  nrxt  aftrr  rlosr 
tilting  yrt  snioolli  rnnninu  of  ihr  drawrrs,  is  ci'onomy  of  sjiai'r.  'This  is  sci'iirrd  hy  making 
llir  drawrrs  as  ihin  as  is  ronsislrni  with  slahilily  ;  hy  having  llirm  sliilr  hy  a  hoss  at  rarli  in. I 
lilting  a  ^roovr  in  Ihr  sidr  wall,  iiistrad   of  ii'slin^   on   liori/oiital   partilious;  and    hy   liinL;r.l 

rouiitrrsunk  liaudlrs  iiiNlrad  of  knohs.      I  .1..  n.it  ri nmii'lid,  rxi-rpt  for  a  siliti'  of  tlii>  smallrsl 

hirds,  a    nmllij.lirily  of  shallow   draurrs,  a.r.iiiini..dalinu   rarli    onr   la\rr   of  sprrininis  :   it  is 
hrlirr  to  havr  I'lwrr  ilrrpi  r  iliawr  rs,  iiilo  which  liiiii  shallow  niovahir  Irays  arr  lilird.     'I'lirsi' 


traVH   lirvrr   iirrd    hr  ..I   stiiH'  ,.vi 


I  lulilli  or 


fourth  of  all   inch   thick,  and  m:>v  have 


holt H  of  slid'  paslrhoar.l   t'lur.l  ..r  la.k.  .1  on.      Tliry  may   vary  from   oiir-half  inrh   to   two 

inrhrs  ill  drplh,  hill  this  iliinrnsi..n  sh..iil.l  always  hr  sonir  factor  of  ihr  drplh  of  ihr  diawrr, 
so  that  a  crilain  niiinhrr  of  Irays  may  rxaclly  till  it.  'I'liry  Himuld  hr  jiLst  as  hili^  as  onr 
Iraiisvrrsr  ilinii'iisi..ii  of  tlir  drawer,  and  ralher  narrow,  so  llial  Iwo  or  more  are  Net  hide  hy 
side.      Finally,  thoiiiih  liny  may  he  of  din'riiiit  .hplhs,  lliry  should  hr  <.f  llir  same  h'ti^th  and 


ireaillh,  so  as 


to  hr  inlrrrhaii^rahh'.     They  may  simply  rrst  on  lop  of  riieli  other,  or  nlid i 

parale  projections  in.sidr  Ihr  drawrr.     Such  trays  arr  extrrmrly  handy  for  hohliiiff  partirular 


M'tN  of  Hpeeimeim,  to  he  carried  to  the  Hlndv  lalde  willmul  distiirhinc  llie  rest  of  ll 


diecli. 


If 


illecti 


Ion  hi'  s..  I 


xirnsivr  thai   any  parlnnlar  sprrimi  n  may  nol  hr  rradily  liiililed  up 


rAKK  OF  A  coi.i.Hcnox. 


•>l 


il    will    III'    riiiliiil    •■oMVi'lllcllI    III   liiivi'    llli>  ilrilWi'I'S   lIlcillHrlvCN   IiiIh'IIi'iI    Willi    llic   liiilllt*  iif  llic 

■;ioii|i  W'illiili.      A  nillrrlimi  hIiiiiiIiI  alwiiyH  lif  iiirtlinilinilly  arraiiuni        iiirlrnilily  ii >i'iliiii;  In 

Niiiiir  ii|i|iriivnl  III'  .sii|i|iii.M'il  lialiiral  I'laMrtillralinli  nl'  liil'iU  :  iIiIn  is  alxi  llir  rrailii'st  iiiinlr,  kiihi', 
Willi  NiiMir  riiiiH|iii'iii>iiN  rx<'('|tlliiii.s,  liinlH  iif  tlii>  xaiiic  iialiiral  Kri>ii|i  arc  a|i|>i'iixiiiiiilrly  nl'  llir 
Kiiiir    si:i'.      ir    I    wrrr   ili'Nii'i'il   III  sii^i;rHl    |irii|iiii'liiiiis  fur  a  |ii'i\ali'  I'alijiirl   nl'  iiinxl   i;i'iirral 

iJiUiliililV,  I  1*1 Ill  "iiy  rnill'  Iri'l    U\^U,  liy  llnrr  IrrI  wiilr,  l>y  l«ii  fri-l   ilirp,  in  llir   rlrar  ;    llijs 

iii.ilirH  a  piirlly  yi't  iml  niiwlrlily  InnkillK  nlijrrl.  Il  IK  wiilr  rlii>lli;ll  for  fnliliii^-ilnnrH,  In  lir 
Mrillril  liV  linlls  at  Inp  ailil  linlliilll,  ailil  Inrlt  ;  Iml  Hn  liit;li  llial  llli'  ln|i  iliaw  rl'  \s  linl  Iraillly 
III  III  rli'il  :  anil  III'  |iiii|iiirrniiiali<  ilijilli.     Siirli  a  rasi-  will   lal>< 


V  hrvni  iiia«iis  M\  nil 


lliv.  ill 


I' 


illii'i'  III'  llir  lull   wiillli.  III'  in  Iwn  M'i'ir.s  Willi  a   iiiriliaii   |iaiiilinii ;    tlii'.<«'  ilrawiTN  will   Imlil 
iiivlliini;  n|i  In  an  ra^lr  nr  rniiir.      A   jiarl   nf  llii'iii  at  Irast   ^liniilil   liavi>  a  Inil   rnlii|ilrliirlil   nl' 


•Ir 


siirli  li.iVH  aH  I  liavr  (li'srri 


Hit, 


iliiil. 


MIIV 


III 


rniir  liri's  III'  llii'  blial 


Inwrr  Iravf*,  llnrr  liayr*  in  a 


I'll  alinlll   Iwn  I'l'i'l   InllK  liy  lllinlll  a  I'nnl.  W  iilr  ;    ami  nlir  nr  IWn  lirrs  nl' ili'r|irl'  Irayx. 


'I'll  Dt'Mlroy  ItiiKM.  In  niir  |iri'Ni'iit  i'Mm'  prrvriilinli  is  iml  llir  lirsl  I'mirily,  ^illl|l|y  lic- 
I'iinsr  it  In  iiiiI  iiIwiivh  |ii'ai'lii'ali|i'  ;  in  .M|iilc  nl'  all  iiiri'liaiiii'ill  |iri'i'aiitinii><  llir  liiit;-*  w  ill  nit  in. 
\Vi'  liiivr,  tlirrri'iirr,  In  Nrr  wliiit  will  ilrMlrny  tliriii,  nr  at  Ira.st  ."Inii  tlirir  I'avap'M.  Il  is  a 
^I'lH  ral  inlr  that  any  |iiiiip'nt  aroiniiliR  oilnr  is  nlmoxlniis  tn  ilinn,  ami  tliiit  any  vrry  lii;lit 
iHiwilny  Hiilislani'i'  rrslraiiis  llirir  nmvriiH'iils  liy  i^rtliiii;  iiiln  tlir  jninis  ami  l-nalliini:  |iiiri  h. 
Iliilli  tlii'Mi'  i|nalilii's  arr  Hrrniril   in    tlir  ni'ilinary  "  iiiM'i't   iinuilrr,"  In  lir  liail  nl'  any  Irailiiit; 

ilmuui-i.     il  sliniilil  ill'  lavisiily  Htrrwn  nil  anil  anion);  tiio  diiins,  anil  iaiil  in  tin riirr^  nl'  ilir 

iliavMis  anil  hays.  'I'lins  I'lniilnyni  it  iinivrs  Iii[;1i1y  rirn-.tivr,  ami  is  on  tiir  wlmlr  llir  nmsl 
i'Iil;iIiIi'  snlistam'r  In  list'  wlirli  a  I'lillri'linli  is  I'lilistMiilly  lianiiini.  ('alii|iiinr  is  a  valiialilr  aunit. 
Small  Ira^lni'iitH  iiiuy  Im>  Htn-wii  iiiiniil  tlin  ilniwrrx,  nr  a  liiinp  |iiiini'il   in  iiiimi|iiitii  iirllini;  in  a 

iirr.      |{i'ii/ini'  is  nisn   vrry  nsrriii.      A  Hiiiiili  sanrrr  fnii  may  lir  itrpt  rva|inraliiii;,  nr  tlir 

lii(iiiil  may  lir  s|iriiil(ii'il  — cvni  |Mini'ril  ilirn'lly  nvrr  liir  Hiuiis  ;  il  is  vrry  xnlatilr  ami  Iravrs 
litllr   nr   III)  Ntaill.       It   is,  Imwrvrr,  nlivinllsly    ini'iiu'iiilr   wiirn    a   I'nilrrlinll    Is  ill   cnilHlailt    llsr. 

My  rrirml  Mr.  Alien  infnrins  mr  lir  lias  iisnl  siii|iiiiilr  nf  I'liriimi  wilii  ^r<■al  hiii'i'i'ss.  'j'lir 
iiliji'i'linii  III  litis  ap'iil  is,  lliat  il  is  a  Ntinltiiii;  pnisiin  :  himiilii  iir  iisni  in  llir  ii|irn  air,  In 
i'M'a|ir  till'  im'll'alily  ilis^iislin^  ami  ilrlrlrriniiH  minis,  ami  its  rni|iiiiy  is  |irii|M'rly  rr^lrirlril  In 
rail's  I'nr  Nlnra^r.  Wlirn  llir  iiiil  nr  I'rrt  siinw  lliry  an*  attai'kril,  t'lirtlirr  ■ir|irriialiiiii  may 
III'  |ii'rvi'iiti'il  liy  |iriii'iHini;  willi  a  HtrniiK  Hiiiiiiinii  nf  ciirrnsivr  Miiiiiinatr  ;  a  wraltrr  Miiniinii, 
Hiir  ill. it  Iravrs  nil  wliitr  Iiiln,  mi  ilryin^,  mi  a  iilarii  fratlirr,  may  rvrn  i>r  liriisiinl  uvrr  llir 
wlmlr   iiliiiiia^r.      Mr.  |{iiii;w'ay  li'lls  iiir  lliat  nil  nf  liillrr  aliimmis  is  ri|nally  rllirariniir'.      ilnl 


iiii'iiilirr  llial   tlii'sr  |iiiisiiiis  must  lir  iisi'ii  wilii  nirr. 


irriliirnH   iiia\ 


lir  I. 


iiiriril   III  I'liarsr 


nl'iiM'  liiliai Iruvi'N.     ( Inr  nr  aimtiirr  nl'llirsr  linrs  nf  lirfrnrr  will  I'niiinmiiiy  |ii'n\i'  slll'l'r^.s|'l|| 

ill  ilrslrnyin^  nr  ilrivin;;  nil'  niiitnrr  insri'tv,  ainl  i'^im  in  slll|l|lill^  tlir  rava^l's  nl'  llir  laiAii'; 
Iml  I  ilniilil  llial  any  siicii  iiiraiiH  will  kill  tiir  "liilN."  Willi  tiirsi*  wr  lilllsl  ilral  ntlirrwisr  ; 
.'iinl  llii'ir  lii'slrni'limi  im  less  llial  llial  nl'  liirir  |iai'rnls  is  assiiri'ii,  if  wr  Milijrrt  lliriii  In  a  liii^li 
ti'm|ii'raltnr.  Ilakill^:  liinl  skins  is  rraily  llir  only  jii-ihtss  liiat  can  niakr  iis  IrrI  |ii'rl'rrlly 
sail'.  Inrri'lrii  sprrinirns,  ainiii;  wilii  Hiis|ir<'li'ii  mii's,  siiniiiii  lir  siiliji'rtril  In  it  liry  liral,  I'rmii 
'Jli  I''.  n|i  In  any  lir^jrrr  slmrl  nl'  sint;riiit;  llir  |iiiiiiiaur.  This  is  rrailily  linlir  iiy  |inlliiii;  llir 
Imils  III  a  wnnilrn  tray  in  any  nvrli        liirv  iiiiisl  Imwrvrr  l<r  wali'lini,  nnlrss   ymi   iiavr  s|M'i'ial 


IS  rriiiiirril   is   iim 


ilialil 


V    III 


Iiivaiii'i'?-  I'nr  rrunlaliiiK  II"'  Irniprralnrr.      Ilnw  imii;  a  tiiiir 

^1''!  rrlainrii  willi  |irri'isiiiii  ;  il  will  iir  wril  In  lialir  I'nr  srvrrai  limirH.  Wlini  tlir  lirrllrs  ami 
LiiAM' arc  fiiiiiifi  i'nni|iirlrly  |iari'lirii,  il  iiiiiy  lie  (•(iiiliiiriitiy  iM'lirvnl  lliat  tin'  illmrru  cfsgM  itrr 
'Mil  nf  llir  liali'liini;  way  Inrrvrr.  . 


Two    lt<*lllH.        I  )nr  is,  lliat    arsriiir  lirlps  In  ki'i'|i  mil    llir  iiims,  lirsiiirs  |ii'rvriitiliK  ilri'iiy 
fiii't    thai    slimilil    iirvrr   iir   rnr^'nllrli,  anil   lliat    siinlllii   ^ivr   sliariHT   rii^r    In   my   aihirr 


58 


FiKLiJ  uHsnniiLoa  y. 


rpii|MM-tiiit(  lavWi  iiw  nf  tliP  wibstiintM'  nt  tli itKit.     If  it  U'  tnir,  an  omm'  otato,  tliat  Imii{h  cmi 

i-at  arnriiir  willmiil  ilyiiiit,  it  is  iil«n  Iriif  lliiil  iIh'V  iI"  imt  tv\\>\\  it;  and  in  ••iitcriiijr  u  chim'  «\ 

HkiiiH  till')-  will  linrriiw  l>v  |ii<fci<' in  tiiMW  Imlilini;  llic  iiiisi  of  it.     'riii.-*  fact  in  continuiillv 

t'xiiiliiini  in  lariic  r<i||ieti'>ni<,  \vlnri'  if  two  liinls  la-  hiilc  Iiy  At\v,  >\w  Ixinjf  duly  arw-niciztil 
and  tlif  "llirr  nut  no,  i.nc  will  Im-  takin  and  \\w  olluT  left.  My  HiM-mid  itrni,  with  itH  |iro|M  i 
d<>dtu-ti<in,  will  form,  I  iljinli,  a  tiltiiiu  I'lniilioiiiii  to  tliin  trrali!*)'.  It  is  a  fat't  in  the  natural 
liiMory  of  tlifiM'  onr  |H>ts,  that  tiicy  an'  fond  of  ptiu-i'  and  i|nitt. — tliry  ilo  not  like  to  Im  dic- 
liii-lird  at  tlifir  niralx.  So  tliry  randy  ctfrrt  pcrnianrnt  lodunirnt  in  a  colhrtiou  that  Ih  <'on- 
Htanlly  liandli'd,  tlioiiuli  tlir  doors  stand  o|m'm  for  Iionrs  ilaily.  As  a  consriincnrt',  the  df^ri'i' 
of  onr  diliu'fnrc  in  slinhiiiiii  liinlskiiis  is  likidy  to  lin-onic  tli<'  UD'asnrt'  <d'  onr  succcsh  ill  Jirt'- 
M-rvint'  tlii'in.  I  once  rcjid  a  work,  by  an  rniincnt  and  It'arncil  divini>,  <m  tliii  "  Moral  Hm'h  of 
Park  Tliinu's."  inidiT  wliicli  licad  thr  aullior  inrliicli'd  cvfrytliini;  from  i>Hrthi|uaki's  to  inoM- 
(juitoci.  If  tiii'D'  III'  a  moral  use  in  |Ij<>  ''  dark  lliiiii; "  tliut  ninst'um  |M'sts  ci'rtuiuly  uro  to  uh, 
we  liavr  it  lurr.     i'lic  very  l)uji»  nrp'  on  our  work. 


FiK.  I.'i  -Wilson's  Sinooi.-noi-m:,  vkak  (IhaVs  Fihuy.  riMi.\nKi.i'HiA     From  n  ilrnwlng  tiy  M.  8. 

WVnvcr,  (t.'l.'.'J,  IsU,  iv.civi'd  l.y  KlII^.M  (Nines.  Fi'linmry,  W.>,  frciiii  Malviiiii  l.iiwK.iii,  iliiiielitiT  nf  Ali'XitniliT 

l.ii\VH.iii,  WllsMiis  I'MLTiiviT.     Si',,  iirlli'lii  ih  ll IN'iiii   Mniiilily,"  .lull.'.  IK7;i.  |i.  Mil      Thii  ilriiwInK  wiis  llrst 

(•iil.'nivi'.l  nil  ».".il.  iiimI  i.iiMWic'il.  liy  11 iiih  Mc.'lian.  in  liic  •'(liinli'iiir's  Mniilliiy.'  .\iiifiiHl.  iswi,  p.  •J4s.     Till' 

l.r.'wMl  iiii|ir<'Hi.inii  Ik  troiii  an  .1,  rimiyi f  ilnil  M...i.i-,iit,     Tli..  ,iz..  „f  ||h'  "iii;|ti,il  i»  f,.lii  <  ,1.11.1  IndieH.     Ttiin 

mmludcr  Kfciiriy  ilayH  .if  •■  Kiilil  Uiiiitliiil«Ky  "  in  Ainuiieii  amy  Ihi  riirlliL-r  iilliHltsI  liy  tliu  siKiiuturu  of 


Part    1 1. 


CxENERAL    ORNITHOLOGY: 

AN    ULTI.INK    OK   TIIK 

STUl  (Tl  KK    AM)   (  LASSIMCATION   OF   HIKDS, 


§  1.  — DKKIMTION   (tK   IJIUDS. 

C"^r,Ni;i!Ali  <)l!NI'ril()L()(JY,  liU.'  Fiil.l  ()niilli..l..>;y.  in  a  niiI.j<t|  with  wliidi  ilit- 
y  stiiilriit  iiiiisl  liiivr  s<iiiii>  iiiM|uaiiitaiif(',  it'  lii'  wmilii  liii|H-  In  ilcrivr  liliii'i'  iiIi'mxiiii'  or 
|prolii  frniii  till'  UinlM  nl' N1111I1  Aiiicrira.  Fur  any  iiitclliui'iit  iiiiiii'rstaiiiiiiiu  nf  tlii.s  .hiiIijccI,  \\v 
iiiii>t  lit'i'iiiiir  rraH»ia)ily  raiiiiliar  uitii  tlic  tccliiiiral  Irniis  iiM'ii  in  ilcscriliiiiK  and  I'la.^nilyini; 
liirtln,  and  learn  at  least  en<m>;li  nf  the  slrnetiire  of  tliew  creaUireH  to  a|i|ii'eriale  llie  cliaraeterH 
ii|M>u  whii-h  all  ileseription  and  clax.silieatiiin  is  ha^i'd.  K\ten>i\'e  ami  varied  and  arcinate  as 
niiiv  III'  liiM  randiini  perceiitinn  nt'nlijeet.s  nf  natin-al  hi.stnry,  IiIm  knuwledge  i.s  unt  seieiititic,  hut 

■  ■nly  eni|iirical,  niilii  retlfclini Mies  tii  aid  iihservatiiin,  and  cnneeiitinnH  i>f  the  signiticanei'  of 

uliiii  he  kimwH  are  t'orined  hy  lngieal  |inM'esses  in  the  mind.     For 

Seieiiec  (Lai.  Kt'iir,  to  know)  i.s  knowledge  set  in  order;  knowledu'e  dis|ioseil  after  the 
r^ilioiial  nielhod  that  hest  shows,  or  tends  to  show  hest,  the  true  relations  nf  ohserved  facts. 
SiMind  seieiitilie  faets  are  the  natural  hasis  of  all  |diiloso|diie  truth,  and  the  safest  stejiping- 
stones  to  religions  faith,  -to  that  wisdom  which  comes  oidy  of  knowing  the  relation  which 
material  entities  hear  to  sjiiritnal  realities.  The  orderly  kiiowledue  of  any  |iarticular  class  of 
l.icts  the  methodical  disposition  of  oh^ervatious  upon  any  particular  Net  of  uhjects  —  coiistitutei) 
a  .'special  Sriuiict'.     Thus 


OriiitlioloKy  (Six.  of)vi6oi,  oniillms,  of  a  hird  ;  Xuyos,  Utijini,  a  diwonrse)  is  the  .Scii-iice  of 
lliiils.  Ornithology  coiisi.sts  in  the  rational  arranuenient  and  e.\|iosition  of  all  that  is  known  of 
lili'ds,  and  the  logical  infereiu;e  of  much  that  is  not  known.  Ornithology  treats  of  the  |ihysical 
structure,  physiological  processes,  and  mental  attrihutes  of  hirds  :  of  their  hahils  and  manners  ; 
of  iheir  geographical  distrihution  and  geidogical  succession;  of  their  prohiilde  ancestry:  of 
ilii'ii'  every  relation  to  one  another  and  to  all  other  animals,  includinc  iiian,  —  in  short,  of  their 
.-it'iiiticaiiec  in  Niitiiro  iind  Suporuuturu.  Tho  tirst  husine»8  of  Ornithology  iri  to  detiiie  its 
ground  —  to  iiuHWvr  tho  ipiestiou, 


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23  WiST  MAIN  STRin 

WIBSTIR,N.Y.  14SM 

(716)l7a-4S03 


■^ 


60 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


What  is  a  Bird  ?  — There  is  every  reason  to  belicvo  that  ii  Rird  is  a  greatly  iiiodificd 
Reptile,  being  the  offspring  by  direct  descent  of  some  reptilian  progenitor;  and  there  is  no 
reas(.n  to  suppose  that  any  bird  ever  had  any  other  origin  than  by  due  process  of  batching  out 
of  an  egg  laid  by  its  mother  after  fecundation  by  its  father,  —just  \yhat  we  believe  to  have  been 
the  invariable  method  during  the  period  of  the  world  known  to  human  history.  There  is  no 
reason  to  believe  that  finy  bird  was  ever  originally  created  and  endowed  with  the  chai'acters  it 
now  possesses ;  but  that  every  bird  now  living  is  th.e  naturally  modified  lineal  descendant 
of  parents  that  were  less  and  less  like  itself,  and  UKjre  and  more  like  certain  reptiles,  the 
further  removed  they  were  in  the  line  of  avian  ancestry  from  such  birds  as  are  now  living. 
This  is  the  Darwinian  logic  of  uliserved  facts,  upon  which  the  modern  Theory  of  Evolution  is 
biised,  in  opposition  to  the  tradition  of  the  special  creation  of  every  species  of  animal;  which 
latter  has  no  scientific  basis  wliatever,  and  is  consequently  accepted  as  true  by  few  thought- 
ful perscais  who  are  capable  of  foriiiiug  independent  judgments.     Accordingly, 

Birds  and  Reptiles  —  even  those  of  the  jiresent  geologic  epocii  —  share  so  many  and  so 
important  structural  characters,  that  the  chiefs  of  science  of  our  day  are  wont  to  unite  the  two 
classes,  Arcs  and  Rejjtilia,  in  one  prinuiry  group  of  the  Vertehrata,  or  animai.  '  'tli  a  back- 
bone. This  group  is  called  Saitropsidu,  or  rtptiliform  ;  it  is  contrasted,  on  the  j.^e  m  ■.'  .vith 
Ichthtjoimda,  or  fish-like  vertebrates,  including  Hatrachians  as  well  as  Fishes ;  ai. "  i  the 
other,  with  Mammalin,  the  province  of  the  Vertebrata  which  includes  iSIan  and  all  other 
animals  that  suckle  their  young.     We  find  that 

Tlie  Sauropsida  (Gr.  aavpos,  sauros,  a  reptile  ;  o\|^tr,  opsis,  appearance),  or  lizard-like 
Vertebrates,  agree  with  one  another,  and  differ  from  other  animals,  in  the  following  important 
combination  of  characters,  substantially  as  laid  down  by  Professor  Huxley,  —  some  of  the  char- 
acters being  shared  by  the  Icldhyopsida,  and  some  by  the  Mammalia,  but  the  sum  of  the 
characters  being  distinctive  of  Sauropsida:  They  are  all  oviparous  (laying  eggs  hatched  out- 
side! tiie  body  of  the  parent),  or  ovoviviparous  (laying  eggs  hatched  inside  the  body  of  the 
parent),  being  never  viviparous  (bringing  forth  alive  young  nourished  before  birth  by  the 
blood  of  the  mother).  The  eiubrj'o  develops  those  fcEtal  organs  called  amnion  and  allantois, 
and  is  nourished  before  hatching  by  the  great  quantity  of  yolk  in  the  egg.  There  are  no , 
mammary  glands  to  furnish  the  young  with  milk  after  birth.  The  generative,  urinary,  and 
digestive  organs  come  together  behind  in  a  common  receptacle,  the  cloaca,  or  sewer,  and  their 
products  are  discharged  by  a  single  orifice.  The  kidneys  of  the  early  embryo,  called  Wolffian 
Indies,  are  soon  reiilaeed  functionally  by  jiermanent  kidneys,  and  structurally  by  the  testes  of 
the  male  and  the  ovaries  of  the  female.  The  cavity  of  the  abdomen,  or  belly,  is  not  separated 
from  that  of  the  thorax,  or  chest,  by  a  complete  muscular  partition,  or  diaphragm.  Tiie  great 
lateral  hemispheres  of  the  brain  are  not  connected  by  a  transverse  connnissure,  or  corpus 
callosnm.  Air  is  always  breatlied  by  true  lungs,  never  by  gills.  The  blood,  which  nuiy  bo 
C(dd  or  hot,  has  red  oval  nucleated  corpuscles ;  the  heart  has  either  three  or  four  separate 
chambers,  —  the  latter  in  birds,  in  which  the  circulation  of  the  hot  blood  is  comi)letely  double, 
i.e.,  in  the  lungs  and  one  side  of  the  heart,  in  the  body  at  large  and  the  other  side  of  the  heart. 
The  aortic  arches  are  several  ;  or  if  but  tme,  as  in  birds,  it  is  the  right,  not  the  left  as  in  nuim- 
mals.  The  centra,  or  bodies,  of  the  vertebrte  are  ossified,  but  have  no  terminal  ejnjthijses. 
The  skull  hinges  upon  the  back-bone  by  a  single  median  protuberance,  or  condyle,  and  the 
part  bearing  the  condyle  is  eouipletely  ossified.  The  lower  jaw  consists  of  several  separate 
pieces,  the  articular  one  of  which  hinges  upon  a  movable  quadrate  bone ;  and  there  are 
other  peculiarities  in  the  formation  of  the  skull.  The  ankle-joint  is  situated,  not,  as  in 
mammals,  between  the  tarsal  bones  and  those  of  the  leg,  but  between  two  rows  •■  tarsal  bones. 
The  ekiu  is  usually  covered  with  outgrowths,  in  the  form  of  scales  or  feather     —  Different  as 


DEFINITION  OF  BIRDS.  tl 

are  any  living  mcinbors  of  the  class  of  Birds  from  any  known  Reptiles,  the  characters  of  the 
two  groups  converge  in  geologic  history  so  closely,  that  the  presence  of  feathers  in  the  former 
class,  and  their  absence  from  the  latter,  is  one  t)f  the  most  positive  differences  we  have  found. 
The  oldest  known  birds  are  from  the  Jurassic  rocks  of  Europe,  and  the  Cretaceous  beds  of 
North  America.  These  birds  had  teeth,  and  various  other  strong  pcculiaritiis  of  structure, 
which  no  living  members  of  the  class  have  retained. 

AVE8,  or  the  Class  of  Birds,  may  be  distinguished  from  other  Sauropsida,  for  all  that 
is  known  to  the  contrary,  by  the  following  sum  of  charvicters :  The  body  is  covered  with 
feathers,  a  kind  of  s'.iin-outgrowth  no  other  aninials  possess.  The  blood  is  hot ;  the  circu- 
lation is  completely  double  ;  the  heart  is  pc^rfectly  four-chambered ;  there  is  but  one  (the  right) 
aortic  arch,  and  only  one  pulmonary  artery  springs  from  the  heart;  the  aortic  and  the  pulmo- 
nary artery  have  each  three  semilunar  valves.  The  lungs  are  fixed  and  moulded  to  the  cavity 
of  the  chest,  and  some  of  the  air-passages  run  through  them  to  admit  air  to  other  parts  of  tlie 
body,  as  under  the  skin  and  in  various  bones.  Reproduction  is  oviparous ;  the  eggs  are  very 
large,  in  conseijuence  of  the  copious  yolk  and  white ;  have  a  hard  chalky  shell,  and  are  hatched 
outside  the  body  of  the  parent.  There  are  always  four  limbs,  of  which  the  fore  or  pectoral 
]iair  are  strongly  distinguished  from  the  hind  or  pelvic  pair  by  being  modified  into  icings, 
fitted  for  flying,  if  at  all,  by  means  of  feathers  —  not  of  skin  as  in  the  cases  of  such  mammals, 
re])tiles,  and  fishes  as  can  fiy.  The  terminal  part  of  the  limb  is  compressed  and  roduced, 
bearing  never  more  than  three  digits,  only  two  of  wliich  ever  have  clav.'s,  and  no  claws 
being  the  rule.  There  are  not  more  than  two  separate  carpals,  or  wrist-bones,  in  adult  recent 
birds  (with  very  rare  exceptions)  ;  uor  any  difitinct  intorclavioular  bone.  The  clavicles  are 
complete  (with  rare  exceptions),  and  coalesce  to  form  a  ''  wish-bone  "  or  "  merry-thought." 
The  siertmm,  or  breast-bone,  is  large,  usually  earinate,  or  keeled,  and  the  ribs  are  attached  to 
its  sides  only ;  it  is  developed  from  two  to  five  or  more  centres  of  ossification.  The  sacral  ver- 
tebra' proper  have  no  expanded  ribs  abutting  against  the  ilia  ;  the  ilia,  or  haunch-bones,  are 
greatly  prolonged  forward  ;  the  socket  for  the  head  of  the  femur,m  thigh-bone,is  a  ring,  not  a 
cup ;  the  ischia  and  jmhes  are  prolongc^d  backward  in  parallel  directions,  and  neither  of  these 
hones  ever  unites  with  its  fellow  in  a  ventral  symphysis  (except  in  Struthio  and  Kliea).  Tho 
fibula,  or  outer  bone  of  the  leg,  is  incomplete  below,  taking  no  part  in  the  ankle-joint.  The 
astragnlifs,  or  upper  bone  of  tho  tarsus,  unites  with  the  tibia,oT  inner  bone  of  the  log,  leaving 
tlie  ankle-joint  between  itself  and  other  tarsal  bones,  the  h)wer  of  which  latter  similarly  unites 
with  tlie  bones  of  the  instep,  or  metatarsus.  There  are  never  Tnore  than  four  metatarsal  bones, 
and  the  same  number  of  digits ;  the  first  or  inner  metatarsal  bone  is  usually  free,  and  incom- 
plete above ;  the  other  three  anchylose  (fuse)  together,  and  with  distal  tarsal  bones,  as  already 
said,  to  form  a  compound  tarso-metatarsus.  Recent  birds,  at  any  rate,  have  a  certain  saddle- 
shape  of  the  ends  of  the  bodies  of  some  vfjrtebrre.  Such  birds  have  also  no  teeth  and  no  tteshy 
lijjs ;  the  jaws  are  covered  with  homy  or  leathery  integument,  as  the  feet  are  also,  when  not 
featiiered. 


Tlie  Position  of  the  Class  Aves  among  other  Vertebrates  is  definite.  liirds  come  in 
tho  scale  of  development  next  below  tho  Class  3lai>imalia,  and  no  close  links  between  Birds 
and  Mammals  are  known;  the  most  bird-like  known  mammal,  the  duck-billed  platypus  of 
Australia  (Ornithorhynchus  parado.Tus),  hc'mg  several  steps  beyond  any  known  bird.  Birds 
ai-o  tlio  higher  one  of  the  two  classes  of  Sauropsida  —  the  lower  class,  EepiiUu,  connecting  with 
th(!  Batrachians  (frogs,  toads,  newts,  etc.)  and  so  with  the  Fishes,  Ichthyopsida.  In  this  Vorte- 
l)rate  series,  Birds  constitute  what  is  called  a  highly  specialized  gro\ip  ;  that  is  to  say.  a  very  par- 
ticular off'-shoot,  or,  more  literally,  a  side-issue,  of  the  Vertebrate  genealogical  tree,  which  in 
th(!  present  getdogical  era  has  become  developed  into  very  numerous  (about  10,000)  species, 


62 


GENEBAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


closely  agreeing  with  one  another  in  the  peculiar  sum  of  their  physical  characters.  In  compar- 
ison with  other  classes  of  Vertchrates,  nil  birds  are  much  alike;  there  is  a  less  degree  of 
difference  among  them  than  that  found  among  the  members  of  any  of  the  other  classes  of  Verte- 
brates :  their  likeness  to  each  other  being  strong,  and  their  kind  of  difference  from  any  other 
Vertebrates  being  peculiar,  makes  them  the  ''highly  specialized"  class  they  are  recognized  to 
be.  The  structural  difference  between  a  humming-bird  and  an  ostrich,  for  example,  is  not  greater 
in  degree  than  that  subsisting  between  tlie  members  of  some  of  tlie  orders  of  Reptiles  ;  whence 
some  hold,  witli  reason,  that  Birds  sliould  not  form  a  class  Aves,  but  an  order,  or  at  most  a  sub- 
class, of  Sauropsida,  and  so  be  compared  not  with  a  class  lleptilia  collectively,  but  with  other 
Sauroi)sidan  orders,  such  as  Chelonia  (turtles),  Sauria  (lizards),  Ophidia  (serpents),  etc.  The 
pnictical  convenience  of  starting  witli  a  "  class"  .4i'e.s,  however,  is  so  great,  that  such  classificatory 
value  will  probably  long  continue  to  be  ascribed,  as  heretofore,  to  Birds  collectively.  I  have 
spoken  of  Birds  as  a  particular  "  side-issue  "  or  lateral  branch  of  the  Vertebrate  "  tree  of  life  "  '< 
hence  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  they  are  in  the  direct  line  of  genealogical  descent.  Though 
tliey  stand  as  a  group  next  below  Mammals  in  the  scale  of  evolution,  it  does  not  follow  that 
Mammals  were  developed  from  any  such  (creature  as  a  Bird  lias  come  to  be,  any  more  than 
that  Birds  have  been  evtdved  from  any  such  Reptiles  as  those  of  the  present  day.  It  is  ouv 
of  the  popular  misunderstandings  of  the  Theory  of  Evolution,  to  imagine  that  all  the  lower 
fonns  of  animals  are  in  the  genetic  line  of  development  of  the  liigher  forms ;  that  man,  fiir 
example,  was  once  a  gorilla  or  a  chimpanzee  —  actually  such  an  ape.  The  theory  simply 
requires  all  forms  of  life  to  be  developed  from  some  antecedent  foruv,  presumably,  and  in  most 

cases  certainly,  lower  in  the  scale  of  or- 
ganization. Thus  man  and  tlie  gorilla 
are  both  descendants  of  some  common 
progenitor,  more  or  less  unlike  either  of 
these  existing  creatures.  All  mammals 
are  similarly  tlie  modified  descendants  of 
some  more  primitive  stock,  from  wliich 
stock  sprang  alsit  all  Sauropsida,  medi- 
ately or  immediately;  therefore,  a  Mam- 
mal is  not  a  modified  Bird,  thougli  higher 
iu  the  scale ;  and,  though  a  Bird  is  a 
modified  Reptile,  it  is  not  a  mollification 
of  any  such  snake  or  lizard  as  now  ex- 
ists. The  most  bird-like  reptiles  known 
are  not  the  Pterodactyls,  or  Flying  Rep- 
tiles {Ptcrosauria"),  as  might  be  sup- 
posed; but  of  that  remarkable  order,  the 
Ornithoscenda,  comprising  the  Dinosau- 
riiins,  which  "present  a  large  series  of 
modifications  intermediate  in  structure 
between  existing  HeptUia  and  Aves," 
and  are  therefore  infereiitially  in  the 
direct  ancestral  lino  of  modern  Birds. 


Flo.  14. —Oldest  known  ornllliologU'iil  treatise,  illus- 
trating also  tl  ^  art  of  llthoKrapliy  in  the  .Jnrassic  period, 
engraved  by  An-hivnplvrjir  litlimiroiihiiti.  From  the  oriKlnal 
slab  ill  tlio  British  Museum  ;  after  A.  Newton,  Kncy.  Ilrit. 


Geoloa^c  Succession  of  Birds. — 

Birds  have  been  traced  back  iu  geologic 
time  to  Cretaceous  and  .Jurassic  e]ioclis 
of  the  Mesozoic  or  Mid-Life  period  of 
the  world's  history.     Tiie  earliest  onilth- 


DEFINITION  OF  BIRDS. 


es 


ichnites,  —  the  fossils  so  called  because  supposed  to  indicate  the  presence  of  Birds  by  their 
fddt-prints,  were  discovered  about  the  year  1835  in  the  Triassic  formation  in  Connecticut. 
Hut  the  creatures  which  made  these  tracks  are  now  reasonably  believed  to  have  been  all 
I  )iuosauriau  Reptiles.  The  oldest  ornUhoUte,  or  fossil  certainly  known  to  be  that  of  a  true 
Hinl,  is  the  famous  ArcheBoptenjx,  found  by  Andreas  Wagner  in  18(51  in  the  Orditic  shite  of 
Sdlenhofen  in  Bavaria.  This  has  a  long  lizard-like  tail  of  twenty  vcrtebrie,  from  each  of  which 
springs  a  well-developed /ea</icr  on  each  side;  feathers  of  the  wings  are  also  well  preserved; 


FiQ.  IS.  —  Restoration  ot  Heiperomia  regalit.    After  Mursli. 

bones  of  the  hand  are  not  fused  together,  as  they  are  in  recent  Birds ;  and  the  jaws  Vtcar  true 
teeth.  This  Bird  has  served  as  tlie  basis  of  one  of  the  primary  divisions  of  the  class  Aves ; 
though  it  has  many  reptilian  characters,  it  is  a  true  Bird.  The  great  t;a])  between  this  ancient 
Avian  and  latter-day  birds  has  been  to  8om(!  extent  bridged  by  Marsh's  discovery  and  splendid 
restoration  of  Birds  from  the  Cretaceous  fornnitions  of  North  America,  such  genera  as 
Tchthi/ornis  and  Hesperornis  forming  types  of  two  other  primary  divisions  of  the  class,  Odon- 
totormm  and  Odontolctc,  or  Birds  with  teeth  in  sockets,  and  tliose  with  teeth  in  grooves.  In 
both  genera  the  tail  is  short,  as  in  ordinary  birds.     In  Ichthyornis,  though  the  wings  are 


!| 


64 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


woU  devolopod,  with  ftiscl  metacarpals,  and  the  strni.nn  is  keeled,  the  vertebrae  present  the 
extraordinary  primitive  character  of  being  biconcave.  In  Hesperornis  the  vertebra}  arc 
saddle-shaped,  as  usual,  but  the  sternum  is  flat,  as  in  the  existing  ostriches,  and  the  wings 
arc  rudimentary,  wanting  metacarpals.  Some  twenty  species  of  several  genera  of  other 
American  Cretaceous  Binls  have  been  described  by  the  same  author.  Kemams  of  Birds 
multiply  in  the  next  period,  the  Tertiary.  Those  of  the  Eocene  or  early  Tertiary  are  largely 
and  longest  known  from  discoveries  made  in  the  Paris  Basin,  among  them  the   Gastoniis 


a. 


FiQ.  16.  — Restoration  of  Ichthyortiis  victor.    After  Marsh. 

parisiensis,  at  least  as  large  as  an  ostrich  ;  some  of  these  belong  to  extinct  genera,  others  to 
genera  which  still  flourish ;  none  are  known  to  have  true  teeth,  or  otherwise  to  be  as  primitive 
as  the  reptile-like  forms  of  the  Cretaceous.  The  Miocene  or  Middle  Tertiary  has  proven 
specially  rich  in  remains  of  Birds,  including  some  of  extinct  genera,  but  in  largest  proportion 
referable  to  modern  types.  Later  Tertiary  (Pliocene  and  Post-pliocene)  birds  are  almost  all 
of  living  genera,  and  some  are  apparently  of  living  species.  Extinct  birds  coeval  with  man, 
their  bones  bearing  his  marks,  are  found  hi  various  caves.  Sub-fossil  birds'  bones  occur  in 
shell-heaps  (kitchenmiddens)  and  elsewhere,  of  course  contemporaneous  with  man,  and  some 


PRINCIPLES  AND  PRACTICE   OF  CLASSIFICATION. 


65 


<if  tlu'iii  scarcely  pre-historic.     One  of  the  oldest  of  these  is  the  gigantic  JEpyornis  maximus 

(if  Jhulagascar,  of  which  we  have  not  only  the  hones,  hut  the  egg.     The  iinntenso  Mous,  or 

Dimtniithes  of  New  Zealand,  were  among  the  later  of  tlicse  to  die, 

IKiitioiis  of  skin,  feathers,  etc.,  of  these  great  creatures  having  been 

fciiiiid.     With  the  Moa-reinains  are  found  those  of  Harpagornis,  a 

iniitorial  bird  h'rge  enough  to  have  preyed  upon  the  Moas.    Finally, 

various  birds  have  been  exterminated  in  historic  times,  and  some  of 

tlicui  within  the  life-time  of  persons  now  Uving.     The  Dodo  of 

Mauritius,  Didus  ineptus,  is  the  most  celebrated  one  of  these,  of 

tlio  living  of  which  we  have  documentary  evidence  down  to  1681; 

the  Solitaire  of  Kodriguez,  Pezophaps  solitarius,  the  Geant,  Leguatia 

gigunka,  and  several  others  of  the  same  Mascarene  group  of  islands, 

are  in  similar  case.     The  Great  Auk,  Alca  impennis,  is  supposed 

til  have  become  extinct  in  1844  ;    a  species  of  Parrot,  Nestor  pro- 

ductus,  was  last  known  to  be  living  in  1851 ;  various  parnjts  and 

otiior  birds  have   likewise  disappeared   within   a   very   few  years. 

At  least  one  North  American   bird,  the  Labrador  Duck,   Camp- 

tulccmus  lahradorius,  seems  likely  soon  to  follow.      (A.   Newton, 

Encg.  Brit.,  9th  ed.,  art.  Birds.) 


§  2.  — PRINCIPLES  AND  PRACTICE  OF  CLASSIFICATION. 


Having  seen  what  a  Bird  Is,  and  how  it  is  distinguished 
from  other  animals,  our  next  business  is  to  inquire  how  birds  are 
related  to  and  distinguished  from  one  another,  as  the  basis  of 


Fio.  17.  — Restoration  of 
Leguatia  yigantea.  From 
Puvkard,  after  Schlcgel. 


Classification  :  a  prime  object  of  ornithology,  without  the  attainment  of  which  birds, 
however  pleasing  they  are  to  the  senses,  do  not  satisfy  tlie  mind,  which  always  strives  to  make 
orderly  disposition  of  its  knowledge,  and  so  discover  the  reciprocal  relations  and  interdepen- 
dcucies  of  the  things  it  knows.  Classification  presupposes  that  there  do  exist  such  relations, 
a(;('ording  to  which  we  may  arrange  objects  in  the  maimer  which  facilitates  their  comprehen- 
sion, by  bringing  together  what  is  like,  and  separating  what  is  unlike;  and  that  such  relations 
are  the  results  of  fixed,  inevitable  law.     It  is,  therefore, 

Taxonomy  (Gr.  Ta|is,  ttwis,  arrangement,  and  ko/ios,  nomos,  law),  or  the  rational, 
lawful  disposition  of  observed  facts.  Just  !is  taxidermy  is  the  art  of  fixing  a  bird's  sldn  in  a 
natural  manner,  so  taxonomy  is  the  science  of  arranging  birds  in  the  most  natural  manner; 
ill  the  way  that  brings  out  most  clearly  their  natural  affinities,  and  so  shows  them  in  their 
jinipor  relations  to  each  other.  Tliis  is  the  greatest  possible  help  to  the  memory  in  its 
uttciiipt  to  retain  its  hold  upon  great  numbers  of  facts.  But  taxonomy,  which  involves 
c'iMisideration  of  the  greatest  problems  of  ornithology,  as  of  every  other  branch  of  biology 
(Inology  being  the  science  of  life  and  living  things  in  general),  is  beset  with  the  gravest  difficul- 
ties, springing  from  our  defective  knowledge.  We  could  only  perfect  our  taxonomy  by 
liiiving  before  us  a  specimen  of  every  kind  of  bird  that  exists,  or  ever  existed;  and  by 
tliorc Highly  understanding  how  each  is  related  to  and  difters  from  every  other  one.  This  is 
obviously  impossible ;  in  point  of  fact,  we  do  not  know  all  the  birds  now  living,  and  only  a 
small  number  of  extinct  birds  have  come  to  light ;  so  that  many  of  the  most  important  links 
ill  the  cliain  of  evidence  are  missing,  and  many  more  cannot  be  satisfactorily  joined  together. 
With  these  springs  of  ignorance  and  sources  of  error  must  be  reckoned  also  the  risk  of  going 


66 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


wrong  through  tho  natural  fallibLlity  of  the  mind.  Tho  result  is,  that  the  "  natural  clasgifica- 
tion,"  like  the  elixir  of  life  or  the  i)hiUiHo]»hei''s  stone,  is  a  goal  still  distant ;  and  as  a  matter 
of  fact,  the  present  state  of  the  oi-uithological  system  is  far  from  being  satisfaetory.  It  is 
obvious  that  birds,  or  any  otia'r  objects,  may  be  "  classified "  in  numberless  ways,  —  in  as 
many  ways  as  are  afforded  by  all  their  qualities  and  relations, — to  suit  inu'ticular  purj)oses,  or 
to  satisfy  i)articular  bents  of  mind.  Hence  have  arisen,  in  tho  histoiy  of  tho  science,  very  many 
different  schedules  of  classification  ;  in  fact,  nearly  every  leader  of  ornithology  has  in  his  time 
proposed  his  own  "  system,"  and  enjoyed  a  more  or  less  respectable  and  influential  following. 
Systems  have  been  based  upon  this  or  that  set  of  characters,  and  erected  from  tliis  or  that 
preconception  in  the  mind  of  the  systomatist.  Down  to  quite  recent  days,  the  modifications 
of  the  external  parts  of  birds,  particularly  of  the  bill,  feet,  wmgs,  and  tail,  were  almost  ex- 
dusivly  employed  for  purposes  of  classification ;  and  the  mental  point  of  view  was,  that 
each  species  of  bird  was  a  sepai'ate  creation,  and  as  much  of  a  fixture  in  Nature's  museum 
as  any  specimen  in  tho  naturalist's  cabinet.  Croj)S  of  cliissihcations  have  been  sown  in 
the  fruitful  soil  of  such  blind  error,  but  no  lasting  harvest  has  been  reaped.  Tho  confusion 
thus  engendered  has  brought  about  tho  inevitable  reaction ;  and  the  fashion  of  the  present 
day  is  decidedly  the  opposite  extreme,  —  that  of  coimting  cxterniil  features  of  little  conse- 
quence in  comparison  with  anatomical  characters.  Too  much  time  has  been  wasted  in 
arguing  tho  superiority  of  each  of  these  characters  for  the  purposes  of  classification ;  as  if 
a  natural  classification  should  not  be  based  upon  all  points  of  structure !  as  if  internal  and 
external  characters  were  not  rcciprfical  and  mutually  exponent  of  each  other!  Hut  the 
genius  of  modern  taxonomy  seems  to  be  so  certainly  right,  —  to  bo  tending  so  surely,  even  if 
slowly,  in  the  direction  of  the  desired  consuunnation,  that  all  differences  of  opinion,  we  may 
hope,  soon  will  be  .settled,  and  defect  of  knowledge,  not  perversity  of  tlie  mind,  be  the 
only  obstacle  left  in  the  way  of  success.  The  taxonomic  goal  ia  not  now  to  find  the  way  in 
which  birds  may  be  most  conveniently  arranged,  described,  and  catalogued ;  but  to  discover 
their  pedigree,  and  so  construct  their  family-tree.  Such  a  genealogiod  table,  or  phylum 
(Gr.  <j)i\ov,  phtilon,  tribe,  race,  stock),  as  it  is  c4dled,  is  rightly  considered  the  only  taxonomy 
wort,hy  the  name, — the  only  true  or  natural  classification.  In  attempting  this  end,  wo  proceed 
upon  tho  belief  that,  as  explained  above,  all  birds,  like  all  other  animals  and  plants,  are 
related  to  each  other  genetically,  as  offspring  are  to  parents ;  and  that  to  discover  their  genetic 
relationships  is  to  bring  out  their  true  afiSnities,  —  in  other  words,  to  reconstruct  the  actual 
taxonomy  of  Nature.  In  this  view,  there  can  be  btit  one  "  natural "  classification,  to  the 
perfecting  of  which  all  increase  in  our  knowledge  of  the  structure  of  birds  infallibly  and  inevi- 
tably tends.  Tho  classification  now  in  use,  or  coming  into  use,  is  the  result  of  our  best 
endeavors  to  accomplish  this  purpose,  and  represents  what  apjiroach  we  have  made  to  this  end. 
It  is  one  of  tho  great  corollaries  of  that  theorem  of  Evolution  which  most  naturalists  are 
satisfied  has  been  demonstrated.     It  is  Ui^cessarily  a 


Morphological  Glassiflcation  ;  that  is,  one  based  solely  upon  consideration  of  structure 
or  form  {nop<pri,  morpM,  form)  ;  and  for  the  following  reasons  :  Every  offspring  tends  to  take 
on  precisely  the  structure  or  form  of  its  parents,  as  its  natural  physical  heritage ;  and  tho 
principle  involved,  or  tho  law  of  heredity,  would,  if  nothing  interfered,  keep  the  descendants 
perfectly  true  to  tho  physical  characters  of  their  progenitors  ;  they  would  "  breed  true"  and  bo 
exactly  alike.  But  counter  influences  are  incessantly  operative,  in  consequence  of  constantly 
varying  external  conditions  of  environment^  the  jilasticity  of  organization  of  all  creatures  ren- 
dering them  more  or  less  susceptible  of  modification  by  such  means,  they  become  unlike  their 
ancestors  in  various  ways  and  to  different  degrees.  On  a  large  scale  is  thus  accomplished,  by 
natural  selection  and  other  i^atural  agencies,  just  what  man  does  in  a  small  way  in  producing 
and   maintaining  different  breeds  of  domestic  animals.     Obviously,  amidst  such  ceaselessly 


PRINCIPLES  AND  PRACTICE  OF  CLASSIFICATION.  m 

shifting  scenes,  degrees  of  likeness  or  unlikeness  of  physical  structure  indicate  with  the  greatest 
exactitude  the  nearness  or  remoteness  of  organisms  in  kinship.  Morphological  clmracters 
(icrivcd  from  examination  of  structure  are  therefore  the  surest  guides  we  can  have  to  the 
l)l(p<id-relationships  we  desire  to  establish;  and  such  relationships  are  the  "natural  affinities'' 
wliich  all  classification  aims  to  discover  and  fommlate.  As  already  said,,  taxonomy  consists 
in  tniciug  pedigrees,  and  constructing  the  phylum  ;  it  is  like  tracing  any  leaf  or  twig  of  a  tree 
to  its  branchlet,  this  to  its  bough,  this  again  to  its  trunk  or  main  stem.  The  student  will 
readily  perceive,  from  what  has  been  said,  the  impossibility  of  naturally  arranging  any  consid- 
erable number  of  birds  in  any  linear  series  of  groups,  one  after  the  other.  To  do  so  means 
udtliing  more  or  less  than  the  mechanical  necessity  of  book-making,  where  groups  have  to 
.succeed  one  another,  in  writing  page  after  page.  Some  groups  will  follow  naturally  ;  others 
will  not ;  no  connected  chain  is  possible,  because  no  such  single  continuous  series  exists  in 
nature.  In  cataloguing,  or  otherwise  arranging  a  series  of  birds  for  description,  we  simply 
begin  with  the  highest  groups,  and  make  our  juxta-positions  as  well  as  we  can,  in  order 
to  have  the  fewest  breaks  in  tlio  series. 


Morphology  being  the  safest,  indeed  the  only  safe,  clue  to  natural  affinities,  and  the  key 
to  all  rational  elassificaticm,  the  student  cannot  too  carefully  consider  what  is  meant  by  this 
term,  or  too  sedulously  guard  against  misinterpreting  morphological  characters,  and  so  turn- 
ing the  key  the  wrong  way.  The  chief  difficulty  he  will  encounter  comes  from  physiological 
adaptations  of  structure  ;  and  this  is  something  that  must  be  thoroughly  understood.  The 
expression  means  that  birds,  or  any  animals,  widely  diflFerent  in  the  sum  of  their  morphological 
characters,  may  have  certain  parts  of  their  organization  modified  in  the  same  way,  thus  bring- 
ing about  a  seemingly  close  resemblance  between  organisms  really  little  related  to  each  other. 
For  example :  a  phalarope,  a  coot,  and  a  grebe,  all  have  lohate  feet ;  that  is,  their  feet  are 
fitted  for  swimming  purposes  in  the  same  way,  namely,  by  development  of  flaps  or  lobes  on 
the  toes.  A  striking  but  very  superficial  and  therefore  unimportant  resemblance  in  a  certain 
particular  exists  between  these  birds,  on  the  strength  of  which  they  used  to  be  classed 
together  in  a  group  called  Pinnatipedes,  or  "  fin-footed  "  birds.  But,  on  sufficient  examination, 
these  three  birds  are  found  to  be  very  unlike  in  other  respects ;  the  sum  of  their  unlikenesses 
re(|uircs  us  to  separate  them  quite  widely  in  any  natural  system.  The  group  Pinnatipedes  is 
therefore  unnatural,  and  the  appearance  of  affinity  is  proven  to  be  deceptive.  Such  resem- 
blance in  the  condition  of  the  feet  is  simply  functional,  or  physiological,  and  is  not  correspon- 
dent with  structural  or  morphological  relationships.  The  relation,  in  short,  between  these 
three  birds  is  analogical ;  it  is  an  inexact  superficial  resemblance  between  things  profoundly 
nnlike,  and  therefore  having  little  Iwmological  or  exact  relationship.  Analogy  is  the  apparent 
resemblance  between  things  really  unlike,  —  as  the  wing  of  a  bird  and  the  wing  of  a  butterfly, 
ii.s  the  lungs  of  a  bird  and  the  gills  of  a  fish.  Homology  is  the  real  resemblance,  or  true  relation 
h.'tween  things,  however  different  they  may  appear  to  be,  — as  the  wing  of  a  bird  and  the  fore- 
hg  of  a  horse,  the  lungs  of  a  bird  and  the  swim-bladder  of  a  fish.  The  former  commonly 
rests  upon  mere  functional,  i.  e.  physiological,  modifications ;  the  latter  is  grounded  upon 
structural,  i.  c.  morphological,  identity  or  unity.  Analogy  is  the  correlative  of  physiology, 
hiiinulogy  of  morphology ;  but  the  two  may  be  coincident,  as  when  structures  identical  in 
morphology  are  used  for  the  same  purposes  and  are  therefore  physiologically  identical.  Physi- 
oliigical  diversity  of  structure  is  incessant,  and  continually  interferes  with  morphological 
identity  of  structure,  to  obscure  or  obliterate  the  indicatiims  of  affinity  the  latter  would 
otlierwiso  express  clearly.  It  is  ob\aou8  that  birds  might  be  classified  physiologically, 
according  to  their  adaptive  modifications  or  analogical  resemblances,  just  as  readily  as  upon 
iiiiy  "tlier  basis:  for  example,  into  those  that  perch,  those  that  walk,  those  that  swim,  etc.; 
and,  in  fact,  most  early  classifications  largely  rested  upon  such  considerations.     It  is  also  evi- 


68 


GKNKHA  L   OHNJTH OLOG  Y. 


dent,  that  when  f.motioiml  in.Hlitirutions  hiipi-cn  to  bo  coincident  with  strucjturul  affinities,  — 
as  wlicn  the  turning  <.f  the  lower  hirynx  into  a  iniisie-box  eoincid<'H  with  a  certain  typi^  of 
Btructure,  -  such  moditicalions  are  of  tlie  ^ri  atest  H.Tvice  in  dassification,  as  corroborativ 
evidence  IJut  since  all  sounil  taxonomy  rests  ..n  niorjiholoKy,  on  real  stnictiirul  affiinty,  we 
must  be  on  our  Kuard  against  those  jdiysiological  "appearances"  which  are  proverbially 
"  deceptive."  I  trust  1  make  the  priuciide  clear  to  the  stud(!nt.  Its  prm^tical  ajiplication 
is  another  matter,  only  to  be  learned  in  the  school  of  expericmce.     This  matter  of 

Homology  or  Analogy  may  be  thus  summed  :  IJirds  arc  honwhgicully  related,  or 
naturally  allied  or  affined,  accordiuj,'  to  the  sum  of  like  structural  characters  employed  for 
similar  purposes;  they  are  unalogiculhj  related,  only  according  to  the  sum  of  unlike  characters 
employed  for  similar  purposes.  A  loon  and  a  cormorant,  for  instance,  are  closely  allined, 
l)ecause  they  an-  both  fitted  in  the  same  way  for  the  i)ursuit  of  their  prey  by  Hying  under  water. 
A  .lipi>er  (family  CiiicUd(p)  and  a  loon  (family  Coli/mbidtr)  are  analogous,  in  so  far  as  both  are 
fitteil  to  pursue  their  prey  by  tlying  under  water  ;  but  they  stand  near  opjiosite  extremes  of  the 
ornithological  system  ;  they  have  little  affinity  beyond  their  common  birdhood  ;  very  diflerent 
structure  being  modified  to  attain  the  same  end.  So  again,  conversely,  the  crow  has  vocal 
organs  abnost  identical  in  structure  with  those  of  the  nightingale,  and  the  organization  of  tlu^ 
two  birds  is  in  other  resjiects  very  similar  ;  their  affinity  or  homology  is  therefore  dose,  though 
th(!  crow  is  a  hoarse  croaker,  the  nightingale  an  impassioned  musician. 

The  Reason  why  Morphological  ('lasslflcation  is  ho  imi)ortant  as  to  justify  or  even 
require  its  adojition  has  been  very  clearly  stated  by  lluxley,  whose  words  1  cannot  do  better 
than  quote  in  this  connection.  .Sjjeaking  of  aninuils,  not  as  physi(dogical  ajjparatuses  merely  ; 
not  as  related  to  other  forms  of  life  and  to  clinuital  conditions ;  not  as  successive  tenants  of 
the  earth  ;  but  as  fabrics,  each  of  which  is  built  upon  a  certain  plan,  he  continues :  "  It  is 
ijossible  and  conceivable  that  every  animal  should  have  been  constructed  upon  a  jilan  of  its 
own,  having  no  resemblance  whatever  to  the  jdan  of  any  other  animal.  For  any  reason  w(! 
can  discover  to  the  contrary,  that  combination  of  natural  forces  which  we  term  Life  might 
have  resulted  from,  or  been  niauifesttHl  by,  a  series  of  infinitely  diverse  structures ;  nor  would 
anything  in  the  nature  of  the  case  lead  us  to  suspect  a  connnunity  of  organizati<m  between 
animals  so  different  in  habit  and  in  appearance  as  a  porpoise  and  a  gazelle,  an  eagle  and  a 
erocodilt,',  or  a  buttertly  and  a  lobster.  Had  aninnils  been  thus  indej)endently  organized,  each 
working  out  its  life  by  a  mechanism  peculiar  to  itself,  such  a  classification  as  that  now  under 
eontemjdation  would  be  obviously  impossible;  a  morphidogical  or  structural  classification 
plainly  implying  morphological  or  structural  resemblances  in  the  things  classified. 

"  As  a  matter  of  fact,  however,  no  such  jnutual  independence  of  animal  forms  exi.sts  in 
nature.  On  the  contrary,  the  meiubers  of  the  animal  king(U)m,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest, 
are  marvellously  c(ainected.  Every  animal  has  something  in  common  with  all  its  fellows; 
much,  with  many  of  them ;  more,  with  a  few  ;  and  usually,  so  much  with  sev«!ral,  that  it 
dift'ers  but  little  from  them. 

"  Now,  a  morphological  classification  is  a  statement  of  these  gradations  of  likeness  which 
arc  observable  in  animal  structures,  and  its  ol)jeets  and  uses  are  manifold.  In  the  first  jdace, 
it  strives  to  throw  our  knowledge  of  the  facts  which  underlie,  and  are  the  cause  of,  the  similar- 
ities discerned,  into  the  fewest  possible  general  i)ropositions,  subordinated  to  one  another, 
according  to  tlieir  greater  or  less  degree  of  generality  ;  and  in  this  way  it  answers  the  purpose 
of  a  memoria  ieclmica,  without  which  the  mind  would  be  incompetent  to  grasp  and  retain  tho 
multifarious  details  of  anatomical  science. 

"  But  there  is  a  second  and  even  more  important  as])ect  of  morphological  classification. 
Every  grouj)  in  that  classification  is  such  in  virtue  of  certain  structural  characters,  which  are 


PBINCJI'LES  AND  PliACTICE  OF  CLASSIFICATION. 


69 


not  (inly  common  to  the  members  of  the  group,  but  distinguish  it  from  all  others;  iind  the 
stiitcincnt  of  these  constitutes  the  definition  of  the  group. 

"  'I'iius,  among  animals  with  vertebrsp,  the  class  Mammalia  is  definable  as  those  which 
liiivc  two  occipital  condyles,  with  a  well  ossified  basi-occipital ;  which  have  each  ramus  of  the 
iiiiiiiclihU^  composed  of  a  single  piece  of  bone  and  articulated  with  the  squamosal  element  of  the 
skull  ;  and  which  possess  mannnte  and  non-nucleated  red  blood-c<ir[iuscles. 

"  Hut  tliis  statement  of  the  characters  of  the  class  Mammalia  is  something  more  than  an 
arbitrary  definition.  It  does  not  merely  mean  that  naturalists  agree  to  call  such  and  such 
iiiiimiil^  Mammalia:  but  it  e.^cpresses,  firstly,  a  generalization  bused  upon,  and  constantly 
verified  by,  very  wide  experience;  and,  secondly,  a  belief  arising  out  of  that  generalizatum. 
'I'lic  generalization  is  that,  in  nature,  the  structures  mentioned  are  always  found  associaK'd 
tiigctlier;  the  belief  is  that  they  always  have  been,  and  always  will  be,  found  so  associated. 
Ill  otlier  words,  the  definition  of  the  class  Mammalia  is  a  statement  of  a  law  of  correlation,  or 

( xistence,  of  animal  structures,  from  which  the  most  important  conclusions  are  dediieible." 

(liitrod.  to  Classif.  of  Animals,  8vo,  London,  1869,  p]).  2,  3.) 

But  broad  as  such  laws  of  correlation  of  structure  are,  and  important  as  are  the  conclusions 
(icducible,  wo  must  constantly  be  on  our  guard  against  presuming  upon  the  infallibility  either 
(if  the  (lata  or  of  the  deduction,  as  the  author  just  (pioted  goes  on  to  sliow.  Such  caution  is 
specially  re(]uire(l  where  there  is  no  obvi(jus  reason  for  the  particular  combination  that  may  bo 
found  to  exist.  In  the  case  of  the  ostrich-like  birds  {Ratittp),  for  example,  we  can  understand 
how  a  Hat,  unkeeled  breast-bone,  a  particular  arrangement  of  the  shoulder-bones,  and  a  rudi- 
iiicntury  state  of  the  wing-bones,  are  found  in  combination,  because  all  these  modifications  of 
structure  are  evidently  related  to  loss  of  the  jiower  of  flight ;  and,  in  point  of  fact,  no  excei)tion 
is  known  to  the  generalization,  that  such  conditions  of  the  sternal,  eoraco-scapuhir,  and 
humeral  bones  always  coexist.  But  in  all  known  struthious  (ratite)  birds,  this  state  of  tho 
belies  in  mention  coexists  also  with  a  iieculiar  modification  of  the  bones  of  the  palate,  and  no 
necessary  connection  between  these  two  sets  <if  diverse  characters  is  conceivable.  Now,  if  wo 
(iiily  knew  struthious  birds,  and  found  the  combination  in  mention  to  hold  with  them  all,  we 
sliduld  doubtless  declare  our  belief,  that  any  bird  having  such  palatal  characters  would  also  be 
found  to  possess  such  imperfect  wing-apparatus.  But  this  would  be  going  too  far :  in  fact, 
we  know  that  the  tinamous  {Dromaognailuc)  have  such  a  palate,  yet  have  a  keeled  sternum 
and  functionally  developed  wings.  The  real  use  and  proper  application  of  such  generalizations 
is  to  teacli  the  lesson,  that  creatures  exhibiting  such  modified  combinations  of  characters  are 
^genetically  related  to  each  other  just  in  the  degree  to  which  they  possess  characters  in  common, 
aiid  ar('  genetically  remote  from  each  other  in  the  degree  to  which  they  do  not  possess  characters 
ill  common :  i.  c,  that  their  similarities  and  distinctions  of  structure  are  sure  indexes  of  their  nat- 
ural affinities.  To  take  another  case,  derived  from  consideration  of  a  large  number  of  existing 
it  is  an  observed  fact,  that  a  particular  arrangement  of  the  plates  upon  the  back  of  the 


birds 


tarsus,  a  peculiar  modification  of  the  lower  larynx  or  voice  organ,  and  an  undeveloped  or  abortive 
condition  of  the  first  large  feather  on  the  hand,  are  found  associated  in  a  vast  series  of  birds, 
constituting  the  group  of  Passeres  called  Oscines.  What  possible  connection  there  can  be 
bet\^-een  these  three  sei>arate  and  apparently  independent  modifications  we  cannot  even  sur- 
mise ;  but  that  they  have  some  natural  and  necessary  connection  we  cannot  doubt,  and  that 
tli(^  connection  is  causal,  not  fortuitous,  is  a  logical  inference  from  the  observed  fact,  that 
birds  which  present  this  particular  combination  are  also  closely  related  in  other  structural 
ciiaracters ;  that  is,  that  they  have  all  been  subjected  to  operative  influences  wliich  have 
conspired  to  produce  the  modifications  observed.  Given,  then,  a  bird  with  a  known  osciue 
larynx,  but  unknown  as  to  its  feet  and  wings,  it  would  be  a  reasonable  inference  that 
these  members,  when  discovered,  would  present  the  characters  observed  to  occur  in  like 
cases.    But  the  first  lark  (Alaudida:)  examined  would   show  the  inference  to  be  fallible; 


70 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


for  the  tarsuH  of  siu-h  ii  binl  is  .liffrn-ntly  disposed,  though  a  lark  has  an  elaborate  sii.giiii; 
apparatUH,  uiid  only  uii..^  ii.stea.l  of  t.;u  d.'veloped  priinuno«.     Once  more  :  the  devclopinfiit 
of  ako.'lcd  Htcrnnni,  a  peculiar  saddlo-shapo  of  certain  vortebric,  and  lack  of  true  teoth,  nri' 
characters  coexiHting  in  all  the  higiier  birds ;   and,  as  far  as  these  birds  are  concerned,  wr 
have  no  hint  tliat  sncii  a  combination  is  I'ver  broken.     In  fact,  however,  the  singular  Cretii- 
c(M)U8  Ichthyornis  shows  us  a  pattern  of  l)ird  in  which  a  well-keeled  steminn  and  perfectly 
formed  wing  coexist  with  teeth  in  reptile-like  jaws  and  with  tish-like  biconcave  vertebra'. 
What  we  learn  from  this  case  indeed  breaks  down  one  of  the  most  preiiise  definitions  we 
might  have  made  (and  indeed  did  make)  respecting  birds  at  large ;  but  in  its  failure  we  are 
taught  how  great  is  the  modification  of  geo.'.gically  recent  birds  from  their  i)rimitive  gener- 
alized ancestry;  we  learn  something  likewise  of  the  steps  of  such  modification,  and  of  tlie 
length  of  time  required  for  the  jjrocess.     It  is  the  history  of  attempts  to  frame  definitions 
of  groups  in  zoology,  that  they  are   all  liable  to  be  negatived  by  new   discoveries,  and 
therefore  to  be  broken  down  and  require  remodelling  as  our  knowledge  increases.     It  is  tci 
be  readily  perceived  that  the  ability  to  draw  distiuctiinis  and  make  definitions  of  groups  is  as 
much  the  gauge  of  our  ignorance  as  the  test  of  our  knowledge  ;  for  all  groups,  like  all  species, 
come  to  be  such  l)y  modification  so  gradual,  so  slight  in  each  successive  increment  of  difierence, 
that,  if  all  the  stejis  of  the  process  were  before  our  eyes,  we  should  be  able  to  limit  no  groujis 
whatever  in  a  positive,  unqualified  manner.     All  would  merge  insensibly  into  one  another,  be 
inseparably  linked  in  as  many  scries  as  there  have  been  actual  lines  of  evolutionary  progress, 
and  finally  converge  to  the  one  or  few  starting  points  of  organized  beings. 

Practically,  however,  the  case  is  quite  the  reverse,  — happily  for  the  comfort  of  the  work- 
ing naturalist,  however  sadly  the  philosopher  may  deplore  the  ignorance  implied.  Degrees  of 
likeness  and  unlikeness  do  exist,  which  when  rightly  interpreted  enable  us  to  mark  off  groups 
of  all  grailes  with  much  facility  and  precision,  and  thus  erect  a  morphological  classification 
which  recognizes  and  defines  such  degrees,  and  explains  them  upon  the  principles  of  Evolution. 
The  way  in  which  the  principles  of  such  classification  are  to  bo  practically  applied  gives  occa- 
sion for  some  further  remarks  upon 

ZoSloglcal  Characters.  —  A  "character,"  in  zoiilogical  language,  is  any  point  of  struc- 
ture which  may  be  perceived  and  described  for  the  purpose  of  comparing  or  contrasting  animals 
with  one  another.  Thus,  the  conditions  of  the  sternum,  palate,  tarsus,  larynx,  as  noted  in 
preceding  paragraphs,  are  each  of  them  "  characters  "  which  may  be  used  in  describing  indi- 
vidual birds,  or  in  framing  definitions  of  groups  of  birds.  Morphological  characters,  with 
which  the  classification  we  have  adopted  alone  concerns  itself,  may  be  derived  from  the 
structure  of  a  bird  considered  in  any  of  its  relations,  or  as  affected  by  any  of  the  conditions  to 
which  it  is  subjected.  Thus  embryological  characters  are  those  afforded  by  the  bird  during 
the  progress  of  its  development  in  the  egg,  from  the  almost  structureless  germ  to  the  fully 
fonned  chick.  Such  characters  of  the  embryo  in  its  successive  stages  are  of  the  utmost  signifi- 
cance ;  for  it  is  a  fact,  that  the  germ  of  each  of  the  higher  organisms  goes  through  a  series  of 
developmental  changes  which,  at  each  succeeding  step  in  the  unf(dding  of  its  appropriate  plan 
of  structure,  causes  it  to  resemble  the  adult  state  of  animals  lower  than  itself  in  the  scale  of 
organization.  In  fine,  the  history  of  the  evolution  of  every  individual  bird  epitomizes  the 
history  of  those  changes  which  birds  collectively  have  undergone  in  becoming  what  they  are  by 
modified  descent  from  lower  organisms.  Such  transitory  stages  of  any  embryo,  therefore,  give 
us  glimpses  of  those  evolutionary  processes  which  have  affected  the  group  to  which  it  belongs. 
Any  bird,  for  example,  when  a  germ,  is  at  finst  on  the  plane  of  organization  of  the  very  lowest 
known  creatures,  —  one  of  the  Protozoa.  As  its  germ  develops,  and  its  structure  becomes 
more  complicated  by  the  formation  of  parts  and  organs  successively  differentiated  and  special- 
ized, it  rises  higher  and  higher  in  the  scale  of  being.     At  a  certain  stage  very  early  reached 


PBINCIPLES  AND  PRACTICE  OF  CLASSIFICATION. 


n 


(fur  tbn  ati'ps  by  whicli  it  bi'coinns  liko  any  invcrtcbrato  arc  vrry  siicctlily  pasBCd  ovrr),  it. 
ri'.sriiilili'i)  a  tish  in  ptiHSCSNing  f;ill-liko  slits,  Hovcral  aortiu  ardios,  no  true  kidncya,  nu  amnion, 
oti'.  Further  advan(;t>(l,  lotting  iX»  gills,  gaining  kiJncyg  nnd  amnion,  etc.,  it  rises  tu  the 
ili^nity  of  a  reptile,  anil  at  this  stage  it  is  more  like  a  reptile  than  like  a  bird ;  having,  for 
example,  a  number  of  separate  bones  of  the  wrist  and  ankle,  no  feathers,  etc.  The  nssnnip- 
tliiu  of  its  own  appropriate  eharaeters,  i.  e.  those  by  whieh  it  j)a8se8  from  a  reptilian  creature 
to  beeonie  a  bird,  is  always  the  last  stage  reached.  Wo  can  thus  aiitually  see  and  ni.te, 
inniile  any  egg-shell,  exactly  those  progressive  steps  of  development  of  the  individual  bird 
wliicli  we  believe  to  have  been  taken  on  a  grand  scale  in  nature  for  the  ev(dution  of  the  class 
Ares  from  lower  forms  of  life ;  and  the  lesson  learned  is  fraught  with  significance.  It  is  nothing 
less  tiian  the  demcmstration  in  ontogeny  (genesis  of  the  individmil)  of  Xhixt  phyhgmy  by  which 
groups  of  creatures  conio  to  be.  The  interior  of  any  adult  bird,  again,  furnishes  us  with  all 
kinds  of  ordinary  anatomical  characters,  derived  from  the  way  we  perceive  the  different  organs 
and  systems  of  organs  to  be  fashioned  in  themselves,  and  arranged  with  reference  to  one 
another.  The  finishing  of  the  outward  parts  of  a  bird  gives  us  the  ordinary  external  characters, 
in  the  way  in  which  the  skin  and  its  appendages  are  modified  to  form  the  covering  of  the  bill 
and  feet,  and  to  fashion  all  kinds  of  feathers.  Birds  being  of  opposite  sexes,  and  such  differ- 
ence being  not  only  indicated  in  the  essential  sexual  organs,  but  usually  also  in  modifications 
in  size  or  shape  of  the  body  or  quality  of  the  plumage  and  other  outgrowths,  a  set  of  sexual 
characters  are  at  our  service.  Birds  are  also  sensibly  modified  in  their  outward  details  of 
feathering  by  times  of  the  year  when  the  phunago  is  changed,  and  this  renders  appreciation 
of  .seasonal  characters  possible.  All  such  circumstances,  and  others  that  could  be  mentioned, 
such  as  effects  of  climate,  of  domestication,  etc.,  in  so  far  as  they  in  any  way  affect  the  struc- 
ture of  birds,  conspire  to  produce  zoological  "  characters,"  as  these  are  above  defined.  Sucsh 
charact  'rs,  according  as  they  result  from  more  or  less  profound  iinpressiono  made  upon  the 
organisiii,  are  of  more  or  less  "  value  "  in  taxonomy  ;  being  of  all  grades,  from  the  trivial  ones 
that  se.ve  to  distinguish  the  nearest  related  species  or  varieties,  to  the  fundainenU«l  ones  that 
serve  to  mark  off  primary  divisions.  Thus  the  "  charaetcr"  of  possessing  a  backbone  is  com- 
mon to  oil  animals  of  an  immense  series,  called  Vertebrata.  The  "character"  of  feathers  is 
common  to  all  the  class  Avea  ;  of  toothless  jaws  to  all  modem  birds ;  of  a  keeled  sternum  to 
all  the  sub-class  Carinatm  ;  of  feet  fitted  for  perching  to  all  Passeres  ;  of  a  musical  apparatus 
to  all  Oscines  ;  of  nine  primaries  to  all  Fringillid(E  ;  of  crossed  mandibles  t(»  all  of  the  genus 
LoTia  ;  of  white  bands  on  the  wings  to  all  of  the  species  Loxia  leucoptera.  There  is  thus 
seen  a  sliding  scale  of  valuation  of  characters,  from  those  involving  the  most  profound  or 
primitke  modifications  of  structure  to  those  resting  upon  the  most  superficial  or  ultimate 
impressions.  It  will  also  bo  obvious,  that  every  ulterior  modification  presupposes  inclusion 
of  all  the  prior  ones ;  for  a  white-winged  crossbill,  to  be  itself,  must  bo  a  loxian,  fringilline, 
oseine,  passerine,  carinate,  modem,  avian,  vertebrated  animal.  The  more  characters,  of  all 
grades,  that  any  birds  share  in  common,  the  more  closely  are  they  related,  and  conversely. 
Obviously,  the  possession  of  more  or  fewer  characters  in  common  results  in 


Degrees  of  Likeness.  —  Were  all  birds  alike,  or  did  they  all  dift'er  by  the  same  characters 
to  the  same  degree,  no  classification  would  be  possible.  It  is  a  matter  of  fact,  that  thoy  do 
exhibit  all  degrees  of  likeness  possible  within  the  limits  of  their  Avian  nature  ;  it  is  a  matter 
of  belief,  that  these  degrees  are  the  necessary  result  of  Evolution, —  of  descent  with  modification 
from  a  common  ancestry ;  and  that  being  dependent  upon  that  process,  they  are  capable  of 
explaining  it  if  rightly  interpreted.  For  example :  Two  white-winged  crossbills,  hatched  in 
the  same  nest,  scarcely  differ  perceptibly  (except  in  sexual  characters)  from  each  other  and 
from  the  pair  that  laid  the  eggs.  We  call  them  "  specificiilly "  identical ;  and  the  sum  of  the 
difiercnccs  by  which  they  are  distinguished  from  any  other  kinds  of  crossbills  is  their  "specific 


72 


GENERAL   OliNITHOLOGY. 


character."     All  tho   individnal  crossbills   which  exhibit  this  particular  sum   constitute  a 
"  sijecies."     In  this  case,  the  genetic  relationship  of  offspring  and  parent  is  unquestionable,  — 
it  is  an Observed  fact.    Now  turn  to  the  extremely  oi)posite  case.     The  difference  betvvecu 
our  crossbills  and  the  Cretaceous  Ichthyonm  is  enoruious:  I  suppose  it  is  nearly  the  greatest 
known  to  subsist  between  any  two  birds  whatsoever.     But  the  Ichthyornis  and  the  Loxia  are 
also  separated  by  a  correspondingly  in.niensp  interval  of  time,  and  presumably  by  correspond- 
ingly cuormouH 'differences  in  eonditiom  of  em-ironment,—m  their  physical  surroundings. 
It  is  a  logical  inference  that  these  two  things  —  difference  in  physical  structure,  and  differene(> 
in  physiciil  enviromnent  — are  in  some  way  correlated  and  coordinated.     If  wo  presume,  ni.ou 
the  fiiecry  of  evcdiition,  tliat  despite  the  great  difference,  a  crossbill  is  genetically  related 
to  some  such  bird  as  an  Ichthi/omis,  as  truly  as  it  is  to  its  actual  parents,  only  ihuch  more 
leniotelv,  and  that  the  difference  is  due  to  modifications  impressed  upon  its  stock  in  the  course 
of  time!  conformably  with  changing  conditions  of  environment,  we  shall  have  a  better  expla- 
nation of  the  difference  than  any  other  as  yet  offered, —an  explanation,  moreover,  which  is 
corroborated  by  all  the  related  facts  we  know,  and  with  which  no  known  facts  are  irrecon- 
cilable.    Hilt  to  correctly  gauge  and  fornmlate  the  degrees  of  likeness  or  unlikeness  between 
any  two  birds  is  to  coiTectly  "classify"  them  ;  and  if  these  degrees  rest,  as  we  believe  they  do, 
upon  nearness  or  remoteness  of  genetic  relationship,  classification  upon  sucli  basis  becomes  the 
truest  attainable  fonnulation  of  "  natural  affinities."     It  is  the  province   of  morphological 
classification  to  search  out  thosc^  natural  affinities  which  the  structure  of  birds  indicates,  and 
express  them  by  dividing  birds  into  groups,  and  subdividing  these  into  other  groups,  of  greater 
or  lesser  "  value,"  or  grade,  according  to  the  more  or  fewer  characters  shared  in  common,  — 
that  is,  according  to  degrees  of  likeness ;  that  is,  again,  according  to  genealogical  relationshi[t 
or  consanguinity. 

Zoological  Groups.  —  To  carry  any  scheme  of  classification  into  practical  effect,  natn- 
ransts  have  found  it  necessary  to  invent  and  aitply  a  system  of  groujnng  objects  whereby  the 
like  may  come  together  and  be  separated  from  the  unlike.     They  have  also  found  it  expedient 
to  give  names  to  all  these  groups,  of  whatever  grade,  such  as  class,  order,  family,  genus, 
species,  etc. ;  and  to  stamp  each  such  group  with  the  value  of  its  grade,  or  its  relative  rank 
in  the  scale,  so  that  it  may  become  currency  among  naturalists.     The  student  must  observe, 
in  the  first  place,. that  the  value  of  each  such  coinage  is  wholly  arbitrary,  until  sanctioned 
and  fixed  by  common  consent.     The  tenn  "  class,"  for  example,  simply  indicates  that  natu- 
ralists agree  to  use  that  word  to  designate  a  conventional  group  of  a  particular  grade  or 
value.      Indispensable   as  is  some  such  acceptable  medium  of  exchange   of  ideas  among 
naturalists,  their  groups  are  not  fixed,  have  no  natural  value,  and  in  fact  have  no   actual 
existence  in  the  treasury  of  Nature.     It  cannot  be  too  strongly  impressed  upon  the  student 
that  Nature  makes  no  bounds,  —  Natura  non  facit  saltus  ;  there  are  no  such  abrupt  transi- 
tions in  the  unfolding  of  Nature's  plan,  no  such  breaks  in  the  chain  of  being,  as  he  would  be 
led  to  supiwsc  l)y  our  method  of  defining  and  naming  groups.     Ho  must  consider  the  words 
"  class,"  "  order,"  etc.,  as  wholly  arbitrary  terms,  invented  and  designed  to  express  our  ideas 
of -the  relations  which  subsist  between  any  animals  or  sets  of  animals.     Thus,  for  example,  by 
the  term  the  "  Class  of  Birds"  we  signify  simply  the  kind  and  degree  of  likeness  which  all 
birds  share,  such  being  also  the  kind  and  degree  of  their  unlikeness  from  any  other  animals  ; 
the  word  "class"  being  simply  the  name  or  handle  of  the  generalization  we  make  respect- 
ing their  relations  with  one  another  and  with  other  animals ;  it  represents  an  abstract   idea, 
is  the  expression  of  a  relation.     True,   all  birds  embody  the  idea;  but  "class"  is  never- 
theless an  abstraction.     Now,  as  intimated  earlier  in  this  essay,  the  definition  of  the  idea  wo 
attach  to  the  term  —  the  limitation  of  the  class  Avcs  —  depends  entirely  upon  how  much  wo 
know  of  the  relation  intended  to  bo  expressed.    It  so  happens,  that  no  animals  arc  known 


PRINCIPLES  AND  PRACTICE  OF  CLASSIFICATION. 


T8 


wliicli  cannot  be  decided  to  belong,  or  not  to  belong,  to  the  conventional  class  of  birds,  because 
we  liavo  found  it  convenient  and  expedient  to  consider  tlie  presence  of  feathers  a  fair  criterion, 
cii-  necessary  qualification.  But  what,  when  an  animal  is  discovered  the  covering  of  whose  body  is 
half-way  between  the  scales  of  a  lizard  and  tlic  plumes  tif  a  bird,  and  whose  structure  is  otiier- 
wine  as  equivocal  ?  This  may  happen  -iny  day.  A  feather  is  certainly  a  modified  scale ;  a 
featlier  lias  doubtless  been  developed  out  of  a  scale.  In  the  case  supposed,  we  should  have  to 
niddify  our  definition  of  the  "  Class  of  Birds  "  ;  that  is,  change  our  ideas  upon  the  subject,  and 
alter  the  boundary-line  we  established  between  th(^  classes  of  birds  and  reptiles ;  whereas, 
were  a  "  class"  something  naturally  definite,  independent,  and  fixed,  all  that  we  could  learn 
about  it  would  only  tend  to  establish  it  more  surely.  The  same  obscurity  and  uncertainty  of 
detiiiition  attaches  to  groups  of  every  grade — from  the  Animal  "Kingdom"  itself,  M-liicli 
cannot  be  cut  clear  of  the  Vegetable  "Kingdom" — down  through  classes,  orders,  famihes, 
genera,  species,  and  varieties  —  yes,  to  the  individual  itself  which,  however  unmistakable 
aiiKiiig  higher  organisms,  cannot  always  be  predicated  of  the  lowermost  forms  of  Life. 
Siicli  divisions,  of  whatever  grade,  as  we  are  able  to  establish  for  tlie  purposes  of  classification, 
depend  entirely  upon  the  breaks  and  defects  in  our  knowledge.  There  is  no  such  thing  as 
(Iniwing  "  liard  and  fast"  lines  anywhere,  for  none  such  exist  in  Nature. 


Taxonomic  Equivalence  of  Groups. —  But,  however  arbitrary  they  may  be,  or  however 
(ibsciirc  or  fluctuating  may  be  tiicir  boundaries,  groups  we  must  have  in  zoology,  and  groups 
(if  (litt'ercnt  grades,  to  express  different  degrees  of  likeness  of  the  objects  examined,  and  so 
to  "classify"  them.  It  is  a  great  convenience,  moreover,  to  have  a  recognized  slidiug-scale 
(if  valuation  of  groups  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  and  an  accepted  valuation.  Just  as  in  a 
thermometric  scale,  there  are  "  degrees  "  designated  as  those  of  the  boiling-point  of  water,  the 
lieat  of  the  blood,  the  freezing  of  water,  of  mercury,  etc. ;  so  there  arc  ceitiiin  degrees  of  like- 
ness conventionally  designated  as  those  of  class,  order,  family,  genus,  and  species  ;  always  ac- 
cepted in  the  order  here  given,  from  higher  to  lower  groups.  (There  arc  various  others,  and 
especially  a  number  of  intermediate  groups,  generally  distinguished  by  the  prefix  suh-,  as  suh- 
fiimily ;  but  those  here  given  arc  generally  adopted  by  English-speaking  naturalists,  and 
suffice  to  illustrate  the  point  I  wish  to  make.)  It  may  sound  like  a  truism  to  say,  that  groups 
of  tlie  same  grade  bearing  the  same  name,  whatever  that  may  be,  must  be  of  the  same  value, 
—  must  be  based  upon  and  distinguished  by  cliaracters  of  equal  or  equivalent  importance. 
Equivalence  of  groups  is  necessary  to  the  stability  and  harmony  of  any  classificatory  system. 
It  will  not  do  to  frame  an  order  upon  one  set  of  characters  here,  and  there  a  family  upon  a 
similar  set  of  characters ;  but  order  must  differ  from  order,  and  family  from  family,  by  an  equal 
or  corresponding  amount  of  difference.  Let  a  group  called  a  family  differ  as  much  from  the 
other  families  in  its  own  order  as  it  does  from  some  other  order,  and  by  this  very  circumstance 
it  is  not  a  family  but  an  order  itself.  It  seems  a  very  simple  proposition,  but  it  is  too  often 
ignored,  and  always  with  pnictical  ill  result.  Two  points  should  be  remembered  here :  First, 
that  absolute  size  or  numerical  bulk  of  a  group  has  nothing  to  do  with  its  taxcmomic  value : 
(lue  order  may  contain  a  thousand  species,  and  another  be  represented  by  a  single  species, 
without  having  its  ordinal  valuation  affected  thereby.  Secondly,  any  given  character  may 
iissume  different  inqiortance,  or  be  of  different  value,  in  its  application  to  different  groups. 
'I'lius,  the  number  of  primaries,  whether  nine  or  ten,  is  a  family  character  almost  throughout 
O^cincs  ;  but  in  one  oscine  family  {Vireonidec)  it  has  swircely  generic  value.  It  is  difficult, 
however,  to  determine  such  a  point  as  this  without  long  experience.  Nor  is  it  possible,  in 
fact,  to  make  our  groups  correspond  in  value  with  entire  exactitude.  The  most  we  can  hope 
for  is  ii  reasonable  approximation.  As  in  the  thermometric  simile  above  given,  "  blood  heat  " 
and  other  points  fluctuate,  so  does  order  not  always  correspond  with  order,  nor  family  with 
family,  in  actual  significance.     What  degree  of  difference  shall  be  "ordinal"?    What  shall 


74 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


beaaifference  of  "family"?    What  shall  be  "generic"  and  what  "specific"  differences? 
Such  questions  are  more  easily  asked  than  answered.    They  demand  critical  consideration. 

Valuation  of  Characters.  —  In  a  general  way,  of  course,  the  greater  the  difference 
between  any  two  objects,  the  more  "important"  or  "fundamental"  are  the  "characters" 
by  wliich  they  are  distinguished.  But  what  nuikes  a  character  "  important"  or  the  reverse  f 
Obviously,  what  it  signifies  represents  its  importance.  Wo  are  classifying  morphologically, 
and  upon  the  theory  of  Evolution ;  and  in  such  a  system  -  character  is  important  or  the 
reverse,  simply  as  an  e.\i)onent  of  the  i)rinciples,  or  an  illustration  of  the  facts,  of  evolutionary 
processes  of  Nature,  according  to  the  unfolding  of  whose  plans  of  animal  fabrics  the  whole 
structure  of  living  beings  has  been  built  up.  Why  is  the  possession  of  a  back-bone  such  u 
"fundamental"  character  that  it  is  used  to  establish  one  of  the  primary  branches  of  the  animal 
kingdom  f  It  is  not  because  so  many  millions  of  creatures  possess  it,  but  because  it  was 
introduced  so  early  in  the  evolutionary  process,  and  because  its  introduction  led  to  the  most 
profound  modification  of  the  whole  structure  of  the  animals  which  became  possessed  of  a 
vertebral  column.  Why  is  the  possession  by  a  bird  of  biconc.ivo  vertebrsB  so  significant  ? 
Not  because  all  motlern  birds  have  saddle-shaped  vertebra),  but  because  to  have  biconcave  ver- 
tebra) is  to  be  quoad  hoc  fish-like.  Why  is  presence  or  absence  of  teeth  so  important  f  Not  that 
teeth  served  those  old  birds  better  than  a  horny  beak  serves  modem  ones,  but  because  teeth 
are  a  reptilian  character.  Obviously,  to  be  fisii-likc  or  reptile-like  is  to  be  by  so  much  unbird- 
like ;  the  degree  of  difference  thus  indicated  is  enoraious  ;  and  a  character  that  indicates  such 
degree  of  difference  is  proportionally  "  important "  or  "  fundamental," — just  what  wo  were 
after.  By  knowledge  of  facts  like  these,  and  by  the  same  process  of  reasoning,  a  naturalist  of 
tact,  sagacity,  and  experience  is  able  to  put  a  pretty  fair  valuation  upon  any  given  character ; 
he  acquires  the  faculty  of  perceiving  its  significance,  and  according  to  wluit  it  signifies  does  it 
possess  for  him  its  taxonomic  importance.  As  a  m.itter  of  fact,  it  seems  that  characters  of  all 
sorts  are  to  bo  estimated  chro)iologically.  For,  if  animals  have  come  to  be  what  they  are  by 
any  process  that  took  time  to  be  accomplished,  the  characters  earliest  established  are  likely  to 
be  the  most  fundamental  ones,  upon  the  introduction  of  which  the  most  important  train  of 
cimsequences  ensue.  Feathers,  for  example,  as  the  Archaopteryx  teaches  us,  were  in  full 
bloom  in  the  Jurassic  period,  and  they  are  still  the  most  characteristic  possession  of  birds : 
all  birds  have  them ;  they  arc  a  class  character.  If  they  had  been  taken  on  quite  recently,  we 
may  infer  that  many  creatures  otherwise  entirely  avian  might  not  possess  them,  and  they 
would  have  in  classification  less  significance  than  that  now  rightly  attributed  to  them.  On 
the  other  hand,  we  cannot  suppose  that  the  finishing  touches,  by  which,  in  the  presence  of 
white  bands  on  the  wings  of  Loxia  leucoptera,  and  their  absence  in  Loxia  curvirostra,  these  two 
"  species  "  are  distinguished,  were  not  very  lately  given  to  these  birds.  It  is  a  very  late  stop 
in  the  process,  and  correspondingly  insignificant ;  it  is  of  that  value  or  importance  which  wo 
call  "  specific."  The  same  method  of  reasoning  is  available  for  determining  the  value  of  any 
character  whatever,  and  so  of  estimating  the  grade  of  the  group  which  we  establish  upon  such 
character.  As  a  rule,  therefore,  the  length  of  time  a  character  has  been  in  existence,  and  its 
taxonomic  value,  are  correlated,  and  each  is  the  exponent  of  the  other. 

"Types  of  Structure."  —  In  no  department  of  natural  history  has  the  late  revolution  in 
biological  thought  been  more  effective  than  in  remodelling,  presumably  for  the  better,  the 
ideas  underlying  classification.  In  earlier  days,  when  "species"  were  supposed  to  be  inde- 
pendent creations,  it  was  natural  and  almost  inevitable  to  regard  them  as  fixed  facts  in  nature. 
A  species  was  as  actual  and  tangible  as  an  individual,  and  the  notion  was,  that,  given  any  two 
specimens,  it  should  be  perfectly  possilde  to  decide  whether  they  were  of  the  same  or  different 
species,  according  to  whether  or  not  they  answered  the  "  specific  characters  "  laid  down  for 


PRINCIPLES  AND  PRACTICE  OF  CLASSIFICATION. 


76 


tluMii.  Tho  same  fancy  vitiated  all  ideas  upon  the  subject  of  genera,  families,  and  higher 
groups.  A  "genus"  was  to  be  discovered  in  nature,  just  like  a  species;  to  be  named  and 
dcfiupd.  Then  species  that  answered  the  definition  were  "typical";  those  that  did  not  do  so 
well  were  "sub-typical";  those  that  did  worse,  were  "aberrant."  A  good  deal  was  said  of 
•'  types  of  structure,"  much  as  if  living  creatures  were  originally  run  into  moulds,  like  casting 
type-metal,  to  receive  some  indelible  stamp;  while — to  carry  out  my  simile — it  was  supposed 
that  by  looking  at  some  particular  aspect  of  such  au  animal,  as  at  the  face  of  a  printer's  type, 
it  could  be  determined  iu  what  box  in  the  case  the  creature  should  bo  put ;  the  boxes  them- 
selves being  supposed  to  be  arranged  by  Nature  in  some  particular  way  to  make  them  fit 
l)orf('ctly  alongside  each  other  by  threes  or  fives,  or  in  stars  and  circles,  or  what  not.  How 
much  ingenuity  was  wasted  in  striving  to  put  together  such  a  Chinese  puzzle  as  these  fancies 
made  of  Nature's  processes  and  results,  I  need  not  say  ;  suffice  it,  that  such  views  have  become 
extinct,  by  the  method  of  natural  selection,  and  others,  apparently  better  fitted  to  survive,  are 
now  in  the  struggle  for  existence.  Rightly  appreciated,  however,  the  expression  which  heads 
this  paragraph  is  a  proper  one.  There  are  numberless  "  types  of  structure."  It  is  perfectly 
proper  to  speak  of  the  "  vertebrate  type,"  meaning  thereby  the  whole  plan  of  organization  of 
any  vertebrate,  if  we  clearly  understand  that  such  a  type  is  not  an  independent  or  original 
model  conformably  with  which  all  back-boned  animals  were  separately  created,  but  that  it  is 
one  modification  of  some  more  general  plan  of  organization,  the  unfolding  of  which  may  or 
did  result  in  other  besides  vertebratcd  animals ;  and  that  the  successive  modifications  of  the 
vertebrate  plan  resulted  in  other  forms,  equally  to  be  regarded  as  "types,"  as  the  reptilian, 
the  avian,  the  mammalian.  Upon  this  understanding,  a  group  of  any  grade  in  the  animal 
kingdom  is  a  "  type  of  structure,"  of  more  general  or  more  special  significance,  presumably 
according  to  the  longer  or  shorter  time  it  has  been  in  existence.  An  individual  specimen  is 
"  typical "  of  a  species,  a  species  is  "  typical "  of  a  genus,  etc.,  if  it  has  not  had  time  enough  to 
bo  modified  away  from  tho  characters  which  such  species  or  genus  expresses.  Any  set  of 
individuals,  that  is,  any  progeny,  which  become  modified  to  a  degree  from  their  progenitors, 
introduce  a  new  type;  and  continually  increasing  modification  makes  such  a  type  specific, 
generic,  and  so  on,  in  succession  of  time.  There  must  have  been  a  time,  for  example,  when 
the  Avian  and  Reptilian  "  types"  began  to  diverge  from  each  other,  or,  rather,  to  branch  apart 
from  their  common  ancestry.  In  the  initial  step  of  their  divergence,  when  their  respective 
typos  were  beginning  to  be  formed,  the  difierence  must  have  been  infinitesimal.  A  little 
further  along,  the  increment  of  difference  became,  let  us  say,  equivalent  to  that  which  serves  to 
distinguish  two  species.  Wider  and  wider  divergence  increased  the  difference  till  genera, 
families,  orders,  and  finally  tho  classes  of  Reptilia  and  Aves,  became  established.  In  one 
sense,  therefore,  —  and  it  is  the  usual  sense  of  the  term,  —  the  "type"  of  a  bird  is  that  one 
wliich  is  furtliest  removed  from  the  reptilian  type,  —  which  is  most  highly  specialized  by  differ- 
entiation to  the  last  degree  from  the  characters  of  its  primitive  ancestors.  One  of  tho  Oscines, 
as  a  thrush  or  spaiTOW,  would  answer  to  such  a  type,  having  lost  the  low,  primitive,  gener- 
alized structure  of  its  early  progenitors,  and  acquired  very  special  characters  of  its  own,  repre- 
senting the  extreme  modification  which  tho  stock  whence  it  sprung  has  undergone.  In  a 
broader  sense,  however,  tho  typo  of  a  bird  is  shnply  the  stock  from  which  it  originated  ;  and 
in  such  sense  the  highest  birds  are  the  least  typical,  being  the  furthest  removed  and  the  most 
modified  derivations  of  such  stock,  the  characters  of  which  are  consequently  remodelled  and 
obscured  to  the  last  degree.  Two  opposite  ideas  have  evidently  been  confused  in  the  use  of 
the  word  "  Type."  They  may  bo  distinguished  by  inventing  tho  word  teleotype  (Gr.  rcXcor, 
tcleos,  final,  i.  e.,  accompUshed  or  determined ;  formed  like  teleology,  etc.)  in  the  usual  sense  of 
the  word  type,  and  using  tho  word  we  already  possess,  prototype  (Gr.  rrpurot,  protos,  first, 
loading,  determining),  in  tho  broader  sense  of  the  earlier  plan  whence  any  teleotype  has  been 
derived  by  modification.    This,  Ichthyomia  or  Archtcopteryx  is  prototypic  of  modern  birds, 


76 


GENERAL  OBNITHOLOGY. 


any  of  which  arc  toleotypic  of  their  ancestors.  It  may  bo  further  observed  that  any  form 
which  is  telcotypic  in  its  own  gnuip,  is  prototypic  of  tliose  derived  from  it.  Thus,  tlic 
ArchtEopferi/.r,  so  prototypic  of  luodcni  birds,  was  a  very  highly  specialized  teleotype  of  its 
own  ancestry.  A  little  reflection  will  also  make  it  clear  that  t!ie  same  principle  of  antitypes 
(opposed  types)  is  apidicable  to  any  of  our  groups  in  zoiiloffy.  Ant/  group  is  teleotypic  of  the 
next  greater  group  of  which  it  is  a  member;  prototypic  of  the  ve.rt  lesser  one.  Any  species  is 
teleotypic  of  its  genus;  any  genus,  of  its  family;  any  family,  of  its  order;  and  conversely; 
that  is  to  say,  any  species  represents  one  of  the  ulterior  modifications  of  the  i)lan  of  its  genus. 
Tlie  Class  of  Hirds,  for  e.vample,  is  one  of  the  several  teleotypcs  of  Vertebrata,  i.  c,  of  tlu" 
vertebrate  plan  of  structure ;  representing,  as  it  does,  one  of  several  ways  in  which  the 
vertebrate  jirototype  is  accomplislied.  Conversely,  the  Class  of  Birds  is  prototypical  of  its 
several  orders,  representing  the  plan  which  these  orders  severally  unfold  in  difl'erent  \vays. 
And  so  on,  throughout  any  series  of  animals,  backwards  and  forwards  in  the  process  of  their 
evolution;  any  given  form  being  teleotypic  of  its  predecessors,  prototypic  of  its  successors. 
All  existing  forms  are  necessarily  teleotypic, — cmly  prototypic  for  the  future.  Prototype,  in  the 
sense  here  conveyed,  indicates  what  is  often  expressed  by  the  word  archetype.  But  the  hitter, 
as  I  understand  its  use  by  Owen  and  others,  signifies  an  ideal  plan  never  actually  realized;  the 
"  archetype  of  the  vertebrate  skeleton,"  for  example,  being  something  no  vertebrate  ever  pos- 
sessed, but  a  theoretical  model  —  a  generalization  from  all  known  skeletons.  The  corresjxmd- 
encc  of  my  use  of  "  prototypic  "  with  a  common  employ  (jf  "  archetypic,"  and  of  "  teleotypic ''  as 
including  both  "  attypic"  and  "  etypic,''  is  noted  below.' 

The  actual  and  visible  genetic  relationships  of  living  forms  being  i)ractically  restricted  to 
individuals  of  the  same  species,  —  parents  and  offspring  "specifically"  ideutieal,  —  it  would  seem 
at  first  sight  that  species  must  be  the  modified  descendants  of  their  respective  genera,  in  order 
to  bo  teleotypic  of  any  such  next  higher  group.  But  nothing  descends  from  a  genus,  or  any 
other  group;  everything  descends  from  iudividuals ;  a  "genus,"  like  any  other  group,  is  an 
abstract  statement  of  a  relation,  not  a  begetter  of  anything.  To  illustrate:  the  "genus 
Turdus"  is  represented,  let  us  say,  by  a  score  of  species:  if  these  species  be  rightly  allocated 
in  the  genus,  they  are  all  the  modified  descendants  of  a  form  which  was,  before  they  severally 
branched  oflf,  a  specific  form ;  and  the  "genus  Tardus"  in  the  abstract  is  simply  that  form  ; 
and  that  form  is  prototypic  of  its  derivatives.  In  the  concrete,  as  represented  by  its  teleotypcs, 
the  genus  Turdus  sums  the  modifications  whicli  these  have  collectively  undergone,  without 
specifying  the  particular  modifications  of  any  of  them  ;  it  expresses  the  way  in  which  they  are 
all  like  one  another,  and  in  which  they  are  iill  unlike  the  representatives  of  any  other  genus. 
Thus  what  is  above  advanced  is  seen  to  hold,  though  genera  and  all  other  groups  are  actual 
descendants  of  individuals  specifically  identical. 

Generalized  and  Specialized  Forms.  —  Taking  any  one  group  of  animals — say  the  genus 
Turdus,  of  nmnerous  s]iecies  —  and  cimsidering  it  apart  from  any  other  group,  wo  perceive  that 
it  represents  a  certain  assemblage  of  characters  peculiar  to  itself,  aside  from  those  more  funda- 
mental ones  it  includes  of  its  family,  order,  etc.  Its  particular  characters  wo  call  "generic." 
Among  the  numerous  teleotypic  forms  it  includes,  there  is  a  wide  range  of  specific  variation, 

'  "  Archftiipicnl  clmrnctcrs  are  tliose  wlilcli  a  group  derives  fram  Its  progenitor,  and  wltli  wlileli  It  com- 
inencefi,  but  wlilcli  In  much  inodlHed  descendants  are  lost;  sucli,  for  example,  is  tiie  dental  formula  of  tlio  Kduca- 
billa  (M  J  PJI  }  C  J 1  3  X  2),  —a  formula,  as  shown  by  Owen,  very  prevalent  among  early  members  of  the  group, 
but  generally  departed  from  more  or  less  In  those  of  tlic  existing  faunas.  AUijpicnt  characters  are  those  to  the 
acquisition  of  which,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  we  Hnd  that  forms,  in  their  Journey  to  a  specialized  condition,  tend  .  .  . 
Eti/pical  characters  are  exceptional  ones,  and  which  are  exlilbited  by  an  eccentric  offshoot  from  the  common  stock 
of  a  group."  — (Ci//,  Pr.  Am.  Assoc.  Adv.  Sci.,  xx,  1873,  p.  2!)3.)  To  illustrate  In  birds:  A  generalized  llzard-Ilko 
typo  of  sternum  Is  archeti/pic  of  any  bird's  sternum.  The  sternum  of  the  lizard-like  animals  whence  birds 
actually  descended  i»  prototypic :  the  keeled  sternum  of  a  carlnate  bird  Is  atti/pical  in  most  birds,  etypical  In  the 
peculiar  state  In  which  It  is  found  In  Stringopt;  but  cquaiiy  teleotypic  in  both  Instances. 


PRINCIPLES  AND  PRACTICE  OF  CLASSIFICATION. 


77 


within  the  limits  of  generic  relationship.  Some  of  its  species  are  modified  further  away  than 
soino  others  are  from  the  generic  standard  or  type  to  which  all  conform  more  or  less  perfectly, 
'i'lie  former,  having  more  peituliarities  of  their  own,  arc  said  to  be  the  most  speciuUzed ;  the 
latter,  having  fewer  peculiarities,  are  the  least  specialized.  Those  that  are  the  least  specialized 
are  obviously  the  most  generalized  ;  and  this  means,  that  we  believe  them  to  be  nearest  to  the 
stuck  whence  all  have  together  descended  with  modification.  The  ajiplication  of  this  illustra- 
tion to  great  groiijis  shows  us  the  principle  upon  which  any  form  is  said  to  be  generalized  or 
specialized.  Tlio  Ichthyornis,  with  its  fish-like  vertebne,  reptile-like  teeth,  bird-like  sternum 
and  shoulder-girdle,  is  a  very  generalized  form.  A  thrush  is  the  opposite  extreme  of  a  highly 
specialized  form.  The  two  are  also  separated  by  an  enormous  interval  of  time :  one  being 
very  (dd,  tlio  other  quite  now;  a  chroncdogical  sequence  is  here  perceived.  Since  the  ev(du- 
tionary  processes  concerned  in  the  modification  on  the  whole  represent  progress  fi-om  simplicity 
to  complexity  of  organization,  and  therefore  ascent  in  the  scale  of  organization,  a  generalized 
type,  an  ancient  type,  and  a  simple  type  are  on  the  whole  synonymous,  and  to  be  contrasted 
with  forms  specialized,  recent,  and  complex.     They  therefore  respectively  correspond  to 

"  Low  "  and  "  High "  In  the  Scale  of  Organization.  —  All  existing  birds  are  very 
closely  related,  notwithstanding  tlie  great  numerical  preponderance  of  the  class  in  the  present 
ge(dogical  epoch.  This  outbreak,  as  it  were,  of  birds  upon  the  modern  scene,  is  like  the 
nearly  simultaneous  bursting  into  bloom  of  a  mass  of  flowers  at  the  end  of  one  branch  of  the 
Sauropsidan  stem.  All  modern  birds,  in  fact,  are  strongly  specialized  forms,  so  much  so  that  it 
is  dirticult  to  predicate  "high"  or  "low"  within  such  a  narrow  scale.  The  great  group 
Passeres,  for  example,  comprehending  a  majority  of  all  known  birds,  is  scarcely  more  different 
from  other  birds  than  are  the  families  of  reptiles  from  each  other,  and  among  Passeres  we  have 
little  to  go  upon  in  deciding  "higli''  or  "low"  beyond  the  musical  ability  of  Oscine.i.  It  is 
hard  to  see  mucli  difference  in  actual  complexity  of  organization  between  those  birds  regarded 
as  the  lowest,  as  an  ostrich  or  a  penguin,  and  those  conceded  to  be  higliest,  as  a  swallow  or 
sparrow.  Nevertheless,  in  a  larger  perspective,  as  between  a  fish,  a  reptile,  and  a  bird,  the 
student  will  readily  perceive  the  bearing  of  the  ideas  attached  to  the  tenns  "low  "  and  "high" 
ill  the  scale  of  organization.  Creatures  rise  in  the  scale  by  a  number  of  correlated  modifica- 
tions and  J I  tlie  course  of  time  (for  it  takes  time  to  evolve  a  class  of  birds  from  sauropsidan 
stuck  as  really  as  it  does  to  develop  tlie  germ  of  an  egg  into  the  body  of  a  chick).  Progressive 
(liti'crentiation  and  specialization  of  structure  and  function  in  due  course  elaborates  diversity 
from  sameness,  complexity  from  simplicity,  the  "  high"  special  from  the  "  low"  general  ]dan 
of  orgaiuzation  ;  the  culmination  in  man  of  the  vertebrate  type,  first  faintly  foreshadowed  in 
the  embryonic  Ascidian.  No  one  should  venture  to  foretell  the  result  of  infinitesimal  increments 
in  elevation  of  structure  and  function,  nor  presume  to  limit  the  infinite  possibilities  of  evolu- 
tionary processes,  either  in  this  actual  world  or  in  the  foretold  next  one. 

As  to  "  evidences  of  design  "  in  the  plan  of  organized  beings,  it  may  be  said  simply  that 
every  creature  is  perfectly  "  designed  "  or  fitted  for  its  appropriate  activities,  and  perfectly 
adapted  to  its  conditions  of  environment.  In  fact,  it  must  be  so  fitted  and  ada]ited,  or  it  would 
perish.  Whether  it  so  determines  itself,  or  is  so  detennined,  is  a  teleological  question.  Tlio 
truth  remains  that  every  creature  is  perfect  in  its  own  way.  A  worm  is  as  perfectly  fitted  to  be 
a  worm,  as  is  a  bird  to  be  a  bird  ;  in  fact,  were  it  not,  it  would  either  turn  into  sometliing  else, 
or  cease  to  bo.  A  spade  is  as  perfect  an  organization  of  the  spade  kind,  as  is  a  steam-engine  of 
tliat  kind  of  an  organization ;  though  the  difference  in  complexity  of  structure  and  functional 
capacity,  like  that  between  tlie  lowly  organized  ascidian  generality  and  the  highly  organized 
avian  speciality;  is  enormous. 

One  word  more:  The  class  of  mammals  is  highest  in  the  scale  of  organization.  The 
class  of  birds  is  next  highest.     But  it  dod  not  follow,  from  this  relation  sustained  by  Mam- 


78 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


malia  and  Aves  collectively,  that  every  mammal  must  bo  more  highly  organized  than  every 
bird.  It  is  difficult  to  say  how  a  mole  or  a  mouse  is  a  more  elaborate  or  more  capable  creature 
than  a  canury-bird,  iihysically  or  mentally.  The  relative  rank  of  two  groups  is  deterniiut'd 
by  balancing  the  aggregate  of  their  structural  duiracters.  In  large  series,  the  average  of 
development,  not  the  extremes  eillier  way,  is  taken  into  account ;  so  that  the  lowest  members 
of  a  higher  group  may  be  below  the  higliest  members  of  the  next  lower  group.  The  common 
phrase,  "  below  par,"  or  "above  jiar,"  is  most  applicable  to  such  cases. 

Macbinery  of  Classifleatioii.  —  Tlie  inexperienced  student  may  be  glad  to  be  given  some 
exjdanation  of  the  way  in  whicli  tlic  taxonomic  principles  we  have  discussed  are  applied,  and 
carried  into  practical  effect  in  classifying  birds.  Our  machinery  for  that  jmi-pose  is  our  inherit- 
ance from  those  naturalists  who  held  very  different  views  from  those  which  touch  the  evolu- 
tionary key-note  of  modem  classification.  It  is  clumsy,  and  does  not  work  well  as  a  means  of 
expressing  the  relations  we  now  believe  to  be  sustained  by  all  organisms  toward  one  another  ; 
but  it  is  the  best  we  liave.  Systematic  zoiilogy,  or  the  jtractice  of  classification,  has  failed  to 
keep  pace  with  the  principles  of  tlie  science;  we  are  greatly  in  need  of  some  new  and  shariier 
"  tools  of  thought,"  which  shall  do  for  zoology  what  the  system  of  symbols  and  formulee  luive 
done  for  chemistry.  We  tcant  some  symbolic  formulation  of  our  kno'vledge.  The  invention  of 
a  practicable  scheme  of  classification  and  nomenclature,  which  should  enable  us  to  formulate 
what  we  mean  by  Turdus  migratorius,  as  a  chemist  symbolizes  by  SO4H2  what  he  understands 
hydrated  auijdiuric  acid  to  be,  would  be  an  inestimable  boon  to  working  naturalists.  The 
mapping  out  of  groups  with  connecting  lines  to  indicate  their  genetic  relations,  in  the  form  of  a 
"  phylum,"  is  a  common  practice  ;  but  that,  like  any  other  pictorial  representation  of  a  "  fami- 
ly tree,"  is  not  the  graphic  symbolizatiou  required.  The  first  steps  in  this  direction  have  been 
tentatively  taken  already  by  the  late  Mr.  A.  H.  Garrod  and  others  :  we  already  have  a  mother 
of  the  required  invention  in  the  necessity  of  the  case,  and  may  hope  tiiat  the  father  will  not  be 
long  in  coming. 

Under  the  present  sj'stem.  Birds  are  called  a  "Class"  of  Vertebrates,  and  are  subdivided 
into  "  orders,"  "families,"  "  genera,"  "  species  "  and  "varieties,"  as  already  sufficiently  indicated. 
Groups  intermediate  to  any  of  these  may  be  recognized ;  and  if  so,  are  usually  distinguished 
by  the  prefix  sub-.  Many  other  terms  are  in  occasional  use,  as  "tribe,"  "race,"  "series," 
"cohort,"  "super-family";  but  those  first  mentioned  arc  the  best  estabhshed  ones  among 
English-speaking  naturalists.  Their  sequence  is  fixed,  as  above,  frf)m  higher  to  lower,  in 
relative  rank.*  With  the  exceptions  to  be  presently  noted,  the  names  of  any  groups  are 
arbitrary,  at  the  will  of  the  person  who  founds  and  designates  them.  The  framer  of  a  genus, 
or  the  describer  of  a  species,  calls  it  what  he  pleases,  and  the  name  he  gives  holds,  subject  to 
certain  statutory  regulations  which  naturalists  generally  agree  to  abide  by.  The  exceptions 
arc  the  names  of  families  and  sub-families,  the  former  connnonly  being  made  to  end  in  -idae,  the 
latter  in  -in(C :  family  Turdidee  ;  sub-family  Turdintc.  This  is  a  great  convenience,  since  we 
always  know  the  rank  intended  to  be  noted  by  these  forms.  The  names  of  groups  higher  than 
species  are  almost  invariably  single  words;  as,  order  Passeres ;  but  sometimes,  especially  in 
cases  of  intermediate  groups,  two  words  are  used,  one  qualifying  the  other;  as,  sub-order 
Passeres  Acromyodi,  or  oscine  Passeres.  A  generic  or  sub-generic  name  is  always  a  single 
word  ;  these,  and  the  names  of  all  higher  groups,  invariably  begin  with  a  capital  letter. 

Until  quite  recently,  the  scientific  name  of  any  individual  bird  almost  invariably  consisted 
of  two  terms,  generic  and  specific,  —  the  name  of  the  genus,  followed  by  the  name  of  the 

•  The  expression  "  higher  group,"  in  the  sense  of  relative  rank  In  the  taxonomic  scale,  will  of  course  be  dls- 
tliiguixhcd  fi'oni  the  same  expression  when  applied  to  the  relative  rank  in  the  scale  of  organization  of  the  ohjccts 
claEsified.  An  order  of  birds  is  a  "  higher  group  "  than  a  family  of  birds,  in  the  foriuor  sense,  but  no  higher  than 
an  order  of  worms,  in  the  latter  sense. 


PRINCIPLES  AND  PRACTICE  OF  CLASSIFICATION. 


79 


lian  <>vcTy 
jo  croatiiic 
|t'tc'riiiiii,.,| 
Jveragt'  „{ 
iiit'iiibfr.s 


siiccics ;  as,  Tiirdus  migratoriiis,  for  the  robin.  This  is  the  "  binomial  noinenchittire"  (badly  so 
ciiiliMi,  for  "binominal "  would  be  better) ;  introdueed  by  Liuna-us  in  the  middle  of  the  last  cen- 
tury. It  was  a  great  imjirovement  upon  the  fonner  method  of  givinii  either  single  arbitrary  names 
to  birds,  often  a  mere  Latin  translation  of  their  vernaeular  nickname,  or  long  descriptive  names 
of  several  words;  probably  no  other  single  improvement  in  a  method  of  nomenclature  ever  did 
so  much  to  make  the  technicjue  of  nomenclature  systematic.  To  couple  the  two  terms  at  all 
was  a  great  thing,  the  convenience  of  which  we  who  never  felt  its  want  can  hardly  appreciate. 
To  follow  the  generic  by  the  specific  term  was  itself  of  the  same  advantage  that  it  is  to  luivo 
tlu'  Smiths  and  Browns  of  a  directory  entered  under  S  and  B,  instead  of  by  Johns  and  Jameses ; 
besides  according  with  tiie  genius  of  the  Romance  languages,  which  conunonly  put  the  adjec- 
tiv<!  after  the  noun.  A  Frenchman,  for  example,  would  say,  Bec-croise  mix  ailes  blanches  de 
rAmerique  septcnfrionale,  or  "  Bill-crossed  to  the  wings  white  of  the  America  north,''  where 
we  sliould  say,  "  North  American  white-winged  Cross-bill,"  and  Linnaeus  would  have  written 
Lii.ria  kucoptera.  The  binomial  scheme  worked  so  well  that  it  came  to  have  the  authority 
and  force  of  a  statute,  wliicji  few  subsequent  naturalists  have  been  inclined,  and  fewer  have 
ventured,  to  violate  ;  while  it  became  an  ex  post  facto  law  to  prior  naturalists,  ruling  them  out 
of  court  altogether,  as  far  as  the  legitimacy  of  any  of  the  names  they  had  bestowed  was  con- 
cerned. It  necessarily  rested,  however,  or  at  any  rate  proceeded  upon,  the  false  idea  of  a  species 
as  a  fixity.  Linnaeus  himself  experienced  the  inadequacy  of  his  system  to  deal  binomially  with 
tiiose  lesser  groups  than  species,  commonly  called  "varieties,"  now  better  designated  as  "con- 
species"  or  "subspecies";  and  he  often  used  a  third  word,  separated  however  from  the 
biiioniial  name  by  intervention  of  the  sign  "  var."  or  some  other  symbol.  Thus,  if  he  had 
supjiosed  an  American  crossbill  to  be  a  variety  of  a  European  Loxia  kucoptera,  he  might  have 
cjiUed  it  Loxia  kucoptera,  a,  americana.  Some  years  ago,  in  treating  of  this  subject,  I  urged 
tlic  necessity  of  recognizing  by  luime  a  great  number  of  forms  of  our  birds  intennediate  between 
nominal  species,  and  coimecting  the  latter  by  links  so  perfect,  that  our  handling  of  "  specie'j" 
required  thorough  reconsideration.  The  dilemma  arose,  through  our  very  intimate  knowl- 
edge of  the  climatic  and  geographical  variation  of  "species,"  either  to  discard  a  great  number 
tliat  had  been  described,  and  so  ignore  all  the  ultimate  modifications  of  our  bird-forms;  or  else 
to  recognize  as  good  species  the  same  largo  number  of  forms  that  wo  knew  shaded  into  each 
so  completely  that  no  specific  character  could  be  assigned.  In  the  original  edition  of  the 
present  work  (1872),  I  compromised  the  matter  by  reducing  to  the  rank  of  varieties  the  nominal 
species  that  were  known  or  believed  to  intergrado ;  and  the  original  edition  of  the  "  Check 
List"  (1873)  distinguished  such  by  the  sign  "var."  intervening  between  the  specific  and  the 
subspecific  name.  I  subsequently  determined  to  do  away  with  the  superfluous  term  "  var.,"  and 
in  the  next  edition  of  the  Check  List  (188'2)  reverted  to  a  purely  trinomial  system  of  naming 
the  equivocal  forms;  as,  Loxia  curvirostra  americana.  The  same  system  is  used  in  the  iiresent 
treatise;  it  is  found  to  work  well,  and  seems  likely  to  come  into  general  employ,  at  lea.st  in 
this  country.     It  is  commended  to  the  consideration  of  our  brethren  over  the  sea. 


Tlie  Student  cannot  be  too  well  assured,  that  no  such  things  as  species,  in  the  old 
sense  of  the  word,  exist  in  nature,  any  more!  tlian  have  genera  or  families  an  actual  existence. 
Indeed  they  cannot  be,  if  there  is  any  truth  in  the  principles  discussed  in  our  earlier  paragraphs. 
Species  are  simply  ulterior  modificiitions,  which  onco  were,  if  they  be  not  still,  inseparably 
linked  together;  and  their  nominal  recognition  is  a  pure  c<mvention,  like  that  of  a  genus. 
Mure  practically  hinges  upon  the  way  we  regard  them  than  turns  upon  our  establishment  of 
liiglier  groups,  simply  because  upon  the  way  we  decide  in  this  case  depends  the  scientific 
InhcUing  of  specimens.  If  we  are  speaking  of  a  robin,  we  do  not  ordinarily  concern  ourselves 
\vith  tho  family  or  onlcr  it  belongs  to,  but  we  do  require  a  technical  name  for  constant  use. 
Tiiat  name  is  compounded  of  its  genus,  species,  and  variety.     No  infallible  rule  can  be  laid 


80 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


down  for  (letonniniiij,'  wlmt  sluill  bu  held  to  be  a  .si)(>cies,  whiit  a  conspccies,  subspecies,  or 
variety.  It  is  a  matter  of  tact  and  oxi)erieiice,  like  tlit;  appreciation  of  tbo  value  of  any  other 
group  in  zoiilojfy.  TIktc  is,  liowever,  a  coiiveution  upon  tlie  subject,  which  the  iirescut 
workers  in  oniitliology  in  tills  coiiiitry  find  available;  at  any  rate,  we  have  no  better  rule  to  go 
by.  We  treat  as  "specitic"  any  form,  however  little  diftereiil  from  the  next,  that  wo  do  not 
know  or  believe  to  intergniili'  with  tliat  next  one  ;  between  which  and  the  next  one  no  inter- 
mediate ecpiivocal  specimens  are  fcirtli(foming,  and  none,  conseijuently,  are  sujiposed  to  exist. 
This  is  to  imply  that  the  ditterentiation  is  accmuidished,  the  links  are  lost,  and  the  characters 
actually  become  "specitic."  We  treat  as  "  varietal"  of  each  other  any  forms,  however  differ- 
ent in  their  extreme  iiianifestiition,  which  we  know  to  intergrade,  having  the  intermediate 
specimens  before  us,  or  which  we  believe!  with  any  good  reason  do  intergrade.  If  the  links 
still  exist,  the  differentiation  is  still  incomplete,  and  the  characters  are  not  specitic,  but  only 
varietal,  in  the  literal  sense  of  tlu-se  terms.  In  the  latter  case,  the  oldest  name  is  retained  as 
the  specilic  one,  and  to  it  is  appended  the  varietal  designation :  as,  Tiirdm  migratorins  jiro- 
pinquus.  The  specitic,  and  subsi)ecitic  names  are  pri-ferahly  written  with  a  small  initial 
letter,  oven  when  derived  from  a  ])ersc)n  or  ])lace. 

One  other  term  than  those  just  considered  sometimes  forms  part  of  a  bird's  scientiiio 
name:  this  is  the  sithgemis.  When  introduced,  it  always  follows  the  generic  term,  in  par- 
entheses; thus.  Tardus  (Hi/locivhlu)  musteUnus.  This  is  cumbrous,  espcc-ially  when  there 
are  already  three  terms,  and  is  little  used  in  this  country.  I  have  latterly  discarded  it  altogether. 
There  is  no  real  difference  between  a  subgenus  and  a  genus,  —  it  is  a  difference  of  slight 
degree  merely;  and  modern  genera  have  so  multiplied  that  one  can  easily  find  a  single  name 
for  any  generic,  refinement  he  may  wish  to  indulge. 

It  has  always  been  customary  to  write  after  the  bird's  name  the  name  of  the  original 
de.scriber  of  the  species,  —  originally  and  jiro])crly,  iis  the  authority  or  voucher  for  the  validity 
of  the  species  named.  But  as  genera  multiplied,  it  was  often  found  necessary  to  change  the 
generic  name,  the  species  being  ])laced  in  another  gemis  than  that  to  which  its  original 
namer  referred  it.  The  name  of  tlm  ])erson  who  originated  th<!  new  combination  came  to  lie 
generally  suffixed,  presumably  as  the  authority  for  the  validity  of  the  classification  implied. 
As  this  was  to  ignore  the  proi)riet')rshii)  of  the  original  describer,  it  became  custonniry  to 
retain  describer's  name  in  parentheses  and  add  that  of  tht;  classifier  ;  thus,  Tiirdiis  migratarius 
Limianis  ;  I'hinesticiis  miijntturiiis  (Liun.)  Itonaparte.  The  ])ractice  still  prevails;  it  is  no 
more  objectionaWe  than  any  other  hamile.ss  exhil)ition  of  hunum  vanity.  The  student  will  find 
it  carefully  carried  out  in  my  Check  List,  and  entirely  discarded  in  the  present  work. 

It  would  take  me  too  far  to  go  fully  into  the  ruKs  of  nomenclature:  some  few  points  may 
be  noted.  A  proper  sense  of  justice  to  the  describers  of  new  genera,  species,  and  varieties, 
prompts  us  to  preserve  inviolate  the  names  they  see  fit  to  bestow,  with  certain  salutary 
provisions.  Hence  arises  the  "  law  of  pi-iority."  The  first  name  given  since  1758  is  to  be 
retained  and  used,  if  it  can  be  identified  with  reasonable  certitude;  that  is,  if  we  think  we 
know  what  the  giver  meant  by  it.  lUit  it  is  to  be  discarded,  and  the  next  name  in  jiriority  of 
time  substituted,  if  it  is  "glaringly  false  or  of  express  absurdity,"  — as  calling  an  American  bird 
"  africaniis,"  or  a  black  one  "  albtis."  No  generic  name  can  be  duplicated  in  zoology,  and  one 
once  void  for  any  reason  cannot  be  revived  and  used  in  any  connection.  The  same  specific 
name  cannot  be  used  twii-e  in  the  same  genus. 


The  Actual  Classitlcation  of  Birds  has  undergone  radical  modification  of  late  years, 
though  the  same  machinery  is  emidoyed  for  its  expression.  This  is  as  would  be  expected, 
seeing  how  profoimdly  the  theory  of  Evidution  has  aflected  our  principles  of  classification,  how 
completely  the  moridi(»logical  has  replaced  other  systems,  and  bow  steadily  our  knowledge  of 
the  structure  of  birds,  and  their  chronological  relations,  has  progressed.     Nevertheless,  the 


PPTNCIPLES  AND  PRACTICE  OF  CLASSIFICATION. 


81 


pccies,  (11- 
"iiy  otiicr 
present 

rule  to  fit) 

ve  do  not 
no  inter- 
to  exist. 

'Imructers 

ver  tiltfiT- 
riiiediate 

tlie  liiilis 
>iit  only 

tained  iis 
'MS  pro- 
lyl   initial 


ornitliologieal  system  is  still  in  a  trancition  state,  and  the  classification  implied  by  the  way 
North  American  birds  are  arranged  in  the  present  work  must  be  regarded  as  tentative  an<l 
imivisional.  In  tlie  original  edition  of  the  "  Key,"  the  classification  was  vitiated  at  the  outset 
1)V  ])liysiological  considerations,'  and  in  some  other  respects  was  open  to  decided  improvement,  as 
I  trust  the  present  editi(m  shows.  The  general  arrangement  is,  however,  much  tlie  same.  The 
talilc  given  on  a  succeeding  page  (p.  231)  will  aft"ord  tlie  .student  ncoup  d'aeil  of  the  groups,  from 
subclass  to  subfamily,  which  I  have  been  led  to  ado])t;  it  represents,  as  far  as  it  goes,  a  classiti- 
catiiiu  of  birds  at  largo.  The  principal  groups,  higher  than  families,  which  are  absent  from  the 
Nortl)  American  Fauna,  are:  the  whole  of  tlie  i?a(ite,  or  Struthious  birds ;  the DromaognathtB, 
])rol)ably  an  order,  embracing  the  South  American  Tinamous ;  the  order  or  suborder  of  the 
I'mijuins  of  the  Southeni  Hemisphere,  S2>he>mci :  and  several  small  sujierfamily  groups  be- 
longing in  the  vicinity  of  tiie  Gallinaceous  and  Columbine  birds. 

As  to  the  primary  divisions  of  Aves,  it  seems  certain  that  these  must  be  made  with  special 
rcfcnnicc  to  the  extraordinary  extinct  forms  from  the  Cretaceous,  and  to  the  radical  difterence 
between  struthious  or  Katite  and  Carinate  Birds.  The  arrangement  offered  on  p.  234  has 
j)erhaj)8  some  claims  to  consideration.  The  subclass  Carinatw,  which  includes  all  other  exist- 
ini;  l>irds,  seems  certainly  not  to  be  primarily  divisible  into  a  few  orders,  such  as  were  in  vogue 
but  a  few  years  ago;  but  to  be  sjdit  directly  into  a  large  number — perhaps  about  twenty  — 
groups  of  approximately  equivalent  value,  to  be  conventionally  designated  as  orders,  if  we 
taltc  Carinata)  as  a  subclass  of  the  class  Afes.  The  attemjit  to  force  birds  into  a  few  —  five  or 
six  —  leading  divisions  cannot  be  justified  if  we  arc  to  regard  the  taxonomic  significance  of  a 
number  of  remarkable  forms,  the  peculiarities  of  wliidi  are  now  well  known.  P«sseres  seems 
to  be  one  of  the  most  firmly  established  of  these  ordinal  groups.  "  Picarite  "  is  one  of  the  most 
unsatisfactory  of  all,  and  I  have  no  doubt  it  will  be  abolished. 

Witli  this  glance  at  some  taxonomic  principles  and  practices,  I  pass  to  an  outline  of  the 
structure  of  birds,  some  knowledge  of  which  is  indispensable  to  any  appreciation  of  onii- 
thological  definitions  and  descriptions.  It  is  necessary  to  bo  brief,  and  I  sliall  confine  myself 
mainly  to  the  consideration  of  those  points,  and  the  explanation  of  those  technical  terms,  which 
the  student  needs  to  understand  in  order  to  use  the  present  volume  easily  and  successfully. 
Here,  however,  I  will  insert  a  tabular  illustration  of  a  scquonco  of  zoological  groups,  from 
highest  to  lowest,  under  which  a  bird  may  fall :  —  .  , 

Kingdom,  Animalia:  Animals. 

Branch,  Vertebrata  :  Back-bonod  Animals. 

Province,  Saurojisida :  Lizard-like  Vertebrates. 
Class,  Aves :  Birds. 

Subclass,  Carinata;:  Birds  with  keeled  breast-bone. 
Order,  Passeres  :  Perching  Birds. 

Suborder,  Oscines:  Singing  Birds. 

Family,  TunUdte:  Thrush-like  Birds. 
Subfamily,  TurdincB:  True  Thrushes. 
Genus,  Tardus :  Typical  Thrushes. 

Subgenus,  Hi/locichla:  Wood  Thrushes. 

Species,  ustulatus  :  Olive-backed  Thrush. 
Subspecies,  a/jc»<E;  Alice's  Thrush. 

'  In  primarily  dividing  birds  into  Ai'esaerea,  Avea  terreslns,  ami  ^Ircs  atjtmlictp,  after  Lilljeborg,  I  should 
ill)  myself  tlie  justice  to  say,  liowevcr,  that  the  fact  that  these  divisions  did  not  rest  upon  morphological  characters 
of  any  vunscqueuce  was  expressly  stated  (pp.  8  and  276  of  the  orlg.  od.). 


6 


GENEUAL  OliNITJIOLOG Y. 


§3. -DEFINITIONS  AND  DESCRIPTIONS  OF  THE  EXTERIOR  PARTS  OF  BIRDS. 
a.  Of  the  Feathers,  or  Pluaiaqe. 

Feathers  aro  possi'MSfd  only  by  birds,  und  all  birds  possess  them.  Feathers  are  modlKcd 
scales;  like  scales,  hair,  horns,  plates,  sheaths,  etc.,  they  are  outgrowths  of  the  iiitegument,  .,r 
skin  covering  the  body,  and  therefore  belong  to  the  class  of  epidermic  (Gr.  inl,  epi,  n\w\\\ 
iiptuL,  derma,  skin),  or  exoskektal  (Gr.  if  ex,  out;  <r«X«rdi/,  skeleton,  dried;  in  the  sense  .if 
"  outer  »k<'h'ton  ")  structures.  The  horny  coverings  of  the  beak  aiid  feet  aro  of  the  same  class, 
but  very  differently  developed.  Besides  being  the  most  highly  developed  or  complexly  special- 
ized, wonderfully  beautiful  and  p*>rfcct  kind  of  tegumentary  outgrowth  ;  besides  fulfilling  in  a 
singular  manner  the  design  of  covering  and  protecting  the  body ;  —  feathers  have  their  particular 
locomotor;/  ottice :  that  of  accomplishing  the  act  of  flying  in  a  manner  peculiar  to  birds.  F.ir 
all  vertebrates,  excepting  birds,  that  progress  through  the  air— the  flying  fish  (Exocatus)  with 
its  enlarged  pectoral  fins ;  the  flying  reptile  (Draco  or  Pterodactyl)  with  its  skinny  parachute  ; 
the  Hying  mammal  (bat)  with  its  great  webbed  fingers  —  accomplish  aerial  locomotion  by  means 
of  tegumentary  expansions.  Birds  alone  fly  with  tegumentary  outgroicths,  or  appendages.  All 
a  bird's  feathers,  of  whatever  kind,  collectively  constitute  its  ptilosis  (Gr.  tttiXoi',  ptilon,  a 
feather)  or  pll'mahe  (Lat.  pluma,  a  plume  or  feather). 

Development  of  Feathers.  —  In  a  manner  analogous  to  that  of  hair,  a  feather  grows  in 
a  little  j)it  or  pouch  formed  by  inversion  of  the  dermal  or  true-skin  layer  of  the  integument, 
being  formed  in  a  closed  follicle  or  shut  sac  consisting  of  an  inner  and  outer  coat  separated  by 
a  layer  of  fine  granular  substance.     The  outer  layer  or  "  outer  follicle  "  is  coitposed  of  several 
thin  strata  of  nucleated  epithelial  cells  (cuticle  cells)  ;  the  inner  is  thicker,  spongy,  and  fiUcil 
with  gelatinous  fluid ;  a  little  artery  and  vein  furnish  the  blood  circulation,  very  active  durim; 
the  formation  of  feathers.     The  inner  is  the  true  matrix  or  mould  upon  which  the  feather  is 
formed,  evolving  from  the  blood-supply  the  gelatinous  material,  and  resolving  this  into  cell- 
nuclei;  the  granular  layer  is  the  formative  material  which  becomes  the  feather.     The  outer 
grows  a  little  beyond  the  cutaneous  sac  that  holds  it,  and  opens  at  the  end;  from  this  orifice 
the  future  feather  protrudes,  sprouting  as  a  little  five-rayed  pencil  point.     The  process  is  thus 
graphically  illustrated  by  Huxley :  "  The  integument  of  birds  is  always  provided  with  horny 
appendages,  which  result  from  the  conversion  into  horn  of  the  cells  of  the  outer  layer  of  the 
epidermis.    But  the  majority  of  these  appendages,  which  are  termed  '  feathers,'  do  not  take  th(! 
form  of  mere  plates  developed  upon  the  surface  of  the  skin,  but  are  evolved  within  sacs  fron' 
the  surfaces  of  conical  papillte  of  the  dermis.     The  external  surface  of  the  dermal  papilla, 
whence  a  feather  is  to  be  developed,  is  provided  upon  its  dorsal  [upper]  surface  with  a  median 
groove,  which  becomes  shallower  towards  the  apex  of  the  papilla.     From  this  median  groove 
lateral  furrows  proceed  at  an  open  angle,  and  passing  round  upon  the  under  surface  of  the 
papilla,  become  shallower,  until,  in  the  middle  line,  opposite  the  dorsal  iri-^dxat:  groftve,  they 
become  obsolete.    Minor  grooves  run  at  right  angles  to  the  lateral  furrows.     Hence  the  surface 
of  the  papilla  has  the  character  of  a  kind  of  mould,  and  if  it  were  repeatedly  dipped  in  such  a 
substance  as  a  solution  of  gelatine,  and  withdrawn  to  cool  until  its  whole  surface  was  covered 
with  an  even  coat  of  that  substance,  it  is  clear  that  the  gelatinous  coat  would  be  thickest  at 
the  basal  or  anterior  end  of  the  median  groove,  at  the  median  (aids  of  the  lateral  furrows, 
and  at  those  ends  of  the  minor  grooves  which  open  into  them ;  while  it  would  be  very  thin 
at  the  apices  of  the  median  and  lateral  grooves,  and  between  the  ends  of  the  minor  grooves. 
If,  therefore,  the  hollow  cone  of  gelatine,  removed  from  its  mould,  were  stretched  from  within; 
or  if  its  thinnest  parts  became  weak  by  drying  ;  it  would  tend  to  give  way,  along  the  inferior 
median  line,  opposite  the  rod-like  cast  of  the  dorsal  median  groove  and  between  the  ends  of 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.— FEATHERS. 


88 


the  ciistH  of  tho  lateral  furrows,  as  well  as  between  each  of  the  minor  grooves,  and  the  hollow 
(•(iiic  would  expand  into  a  flat  ui'ther-liite  structure  with  a  median  shaft,  us  a  '  vane'  formed 
(pf '  barbs'  and  '  barbules.'  In  jtoint  of  faef.  in  :'ie  development  of  a  feather  sueh  a  cast  of  the 
(Icriiial  papilla  is  formed,  though  not  in  gelatine,  but  in  tho  horny  epidennic  layer  developed 
u|i<iii  tlie  mould,  and,  as  this  is  thrust  outward,  it  opens  out  in  tho  manner  just  described. 
After  a  certain  jjcriod  of  growth  the  papilla  of  the  feather  ceases  to  bo  grooved,  and  a  continu- 
ous lioniy  cylinder  is  formed,  which  constitutes  tho  '  cpiill.'"     (Intiod.  Classif.  Anini.,  p.  71.) 


OOaOOOO 
O 


Fi().  18.  —  Syinmetricnl  FiKures  from  Forming  Feathers;  o,  dove;  b,  turkey. —  "In  the  summer  of 
ISli!),  whilst  examining  tlie  feather  capsule  of  a  nestling  dove,  the  microBcoplc  slide  was  suddenly  covered  with  a 
niiillitiido  of  oxquisito  forms.  .  .  .  Tho  next  day  my  German  farmer  climbed  to  the  dove's  neat  and  procured  a  few 
more  pin-feathers.  Some  of  tliese  were  cut  into  fine  shreds,  rubbed  in  a  drop  of  water,  and  placed  under  tlie 
iiiicr<)sco|>e.  In  a  short  period  the  figures  of  yesterday  wore  again  before  me.  From  the  cut  surfaces  of  the 
portions  of  the  pin-feathers  I  had  placed  under  the  lens,  granules  appeared  to  stream  forth  like  blood,  covering 
tho  microscopic  slide  in  countless  numbers.  Mingled  with  these  were  numerous  larger  cells  of  a  globular  or  oval 
form,  having  a  transparent  centre.  These  and  the  granules  gave  to  the  water  a  slightly  glutinous  consistency. 
As  the  fiuids  on  the  glass  dried,  lines  at  diflferent  angles  shot  across  the  slide,  looking  much  as  though  an 
unseen  camel's  hair  pencil  had  been  swiftly  drawn  in  opposite  directions,  sometimes  at  right  angles,  but  ft'eqnently 
at  angles  more  acute.  Probably  at  the  moment  of  transition  fVom  a  fluid  to  a  solid  condition,  the  transparent 
iiiiclciitcd  cells  assumed  the  form  of  a  square,  a  lozenge,  a  starry  hexagon,  a  cross,  or  any  other  beautiful  figure 
wliioh  could  be  formed  of  the  parts  which  suddenly  appeare<l  in  the  spherical  cells,  these  parts  seeming  at  first,  in 
sonic  instances  at  least,  to  consist  of  minute  triangles.  At  the  same  moment  the  little  granules  moved  to  onler. 
nnd  tlicro  before  tho  astonished  gaze  were  diamonds  such  as  Aladdin  might  have  envied,  in  form  as  varieil,  but  far 
more  symmetrical,  than  the  frost-work  on  a  window  pane  of  a  winter's  morning."  (Miss  Grace  Anna  Lewis,  in 
Am.  Nat.,  T,  18Tl,p.  675.) 


84 


OENEIUL   OUyiTllOLOG  Y. 


Structure  of  Feathers. —  A  prrfect  fcftthor,  jinssoRRinK  all  tho  pftrts  It  can  have  dovtl- 
opcil,  nmsixtw  111' II  iniiiii  stem,  Hlmft  or  scaix'  (I.at.  mipnii,  a  stalk  ;  tiir.  10,  ml),  and  ii  siip|ili.. 
iiiwntary  Htciii  or  after-shaft  (hi/porhachia ;  V,r.  ino,  hii)m,  uiuh-r,  paxit,  rhnchis,  a  epinn  or  ridfc ; 
fig.  19,  h),  t'acli  IwariiiK  two  wtdis  or  vaiips  ( Lat.  vexillum,  pi.  vexilla,  a  banner ;  fig.  19,  r,  c,  <■). 
on«  on  citlicr  Hide.  Tlie  wlicde  oeape  is  divided  into  two  parts:  one,  nearest  tho  body  of  the 
bird,  the  tube  or  barrel  or  "<iuill"  proj)er  iLat.  calamus,  a  reodj,  which  is  a  hard,  horny, 
hollow,  and  8enii-trans])arent  cylinder,  containing  a  little  pith  in  the  interior;  it  bears  no  weii«. 
One  end  of  this  i|niil  tupers  to  be  inserted  into  the  skin  ;  the  other  |)asse8,  at  a  point  marked  by 
a  little  i)it  (Lat.  umhiliais,  tlie  navel)  into  the  shaft  projier  or  rhnvhis,  tho  second  part  of  tlin 
stem.     The  rhachis  is  a  four-sided  prism,  H(iuarish  in  transverse  section,  and  tajjors  gradually 

to  a  fine  pcunt ;    it  is  loss 

horny  than  the  barrel,  very 

elastic,  opaque,  and  solidly 

pithy;  it  bears  the  vexilla. 

The  after-shaft,  when  well 

doveloi)ed,  is  like  a  du)dieate 

in   miniature  of   tho   main 

feather,    from   tho    stem   of 

which   it  sinings,  at  junc- 

ti(m  of  ealamus  with   rha- 

ehis,  close  by  the  unibili(!us. 

It   is  generally  very  snnill 

compared    with    tho    main 

part  of  the  feather,  though 

quite  as  large  in  a  few  kinds 

of  birds ;  it  is  entirely  want-  *"'"•  20.  -  Two  imrim, 

'  ,  a,  n,ofn  vano,  benrliiR  lui- 
mg  in  some  groups  of  birds ;  terlor,  b,  b,  and  poBterior, 
it  is  never  developed  on  the  c.biirbulesjcnlargoaj  after 
,  .  .    '         ,  .   .,       Nltzsch. 

large,  strong  wing-  and  tail- 
feathers.  The  fa»ie  consists  of  a  series  of  appressed, 
fiat,  narrowly  linear  or  lance-linear  laminae  or 
plates,  set  obliipiely  on  tho  rhachis  by  their  bases, 
diverging  out  from  it  at  a  varying  open  angle,  end- 
ing in  a  free  point ;  each  such  narrow,  acute  jdate 
is  called  a  barb  (Lat.  barba,  a  beard  ;  fig.  20,  a,  a). 
to  Interfere  with  h,  tho  aficr-shaft,  the  whole  of  jj,,^^  jf  ^]^^;^f^  laminffi  or  barbs  simply  lay  alongside 
the  right  vane  of  which  l8  likewise  cut  away.  ,.,,,,., 

each  other,   like  the  leaves  of  a  book,  the  feather 

would  have  no  consistency;  therefore,  they  are  connected  together;  for,  just  as  the  rhachis 
bears  its  vane  or  series  of  barbs,  so  does  each  barb  bear  its  vanes  of  the  second  order,  or  little 
vanes,  called  barbules  (diniiu.  of  barba  ;  fig.  20,  b,  b,  c).  These  arc  to  the  barbs  exactly  what 
the  barbs  are  to  the  shaft,  and  are  similarly  given  ofi'  from  both  sides  of  the  upper  «  .-s  of 
the  barbs ;  they  make  the  vano  truly  a  weft,  that  is,  they  so  connect  the  barbs  togothei  that 
some  little  force  is  required  to  pull  them  apart.  Barbules  are  variously  shaped,  but  generally 
flat  sideways,  with  upper  and  lower  border  at  base,  rapidly  tapering  to  a  slender  thready  end, 
and  aro  long  enough  to  reach  over  several  barbules  of  the  next  barb,  crossing  the  latter  id)- 
liquely.  All  the  foregoing  structures  are  seem  by  the  naked  eye  or  with  a  simple  pocket  lens, 
but  the  next  to  be  described  recjuiro  a  microscope:  they  are  tho  barbicels  (another  dimin.  of 
barba),  also  called  cilia,  or  lashes  (fig.  21);  and  hamuli,  or  booklets  (Lat.  hamulus,  a  little 
hook;  fig.  21).  These  aro  simply  a  sort  of  fringe  to  the  barbules, just  as  if  the  lower  edge 
of  the  barbules  were  frayed  out,  and  only  differ  from  each  other  i'l  that  barbicels  are  plain  bair- 


Fio.  19.  —  A  partly  |wnnaccou8,  partly  pliim- 
ulaceonB  feather,  fVom  Argus  pheasant;  after 
Kitzsch.  ail,  ninlii  Htem ;  il,  calamus;  a,  rhachis; 
r,  e,  r,  vanes,  cut  awiy  on  left  side  In  order  not 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  — FEATHERS. 


86 


m 


lilic  |iroc('S8PB,  while  hiiinuli  arc  hookrd  at  the  end  ;  they  arc  not  found  on  nil  fcnthorg,  nor  on 
all  iPiirtK  of  tfoinf  fcathfi'H.     Harl)ic('l»  occur  on  liotli  iinti'i'lor  und  postrrlor  rows  of  barliulcN, 
though  niri'ly  on  th<>  hitter  ;    hooklt'tt*  aru  fontincd  to  any  an- 
terior Hcries  of  harlitiles,  which,  aH  wo  liave  Hcen,  overlie  tho 
posterior  i'owh,  forming  a  diagonal  inoMli-work.      The  design 
of  this  beautiful  Btructure  Ih  evident ;    tho  harbulen  aro  inter- 
locked,  and  tho  wholo  uiado  a  wub ;  fur  each  h<M>klct  of  one 
harhulo  (Pitches  h<dd  of  a  barhule  from  the  next  barb  in  front, 
^      any  barbulo  thus  holding  on  to  as  many  of  the  barbules  of  tlie 
?      tu'Xt  barb  as  it  has  booklets;  while,  to  facilitate  this  interlock- 
»        ing,  tho  barhnles  have  n  tliickened  upper  edge  of  the  right  siz(» 
for  the  booklets  to  grasp.     The  arrangement  is  shown  in  fig. 
Hi,  where  ci,  n,  a,  a,  are  lour  barbs  in  transverse  section,  viewed 
from  the  rut  surftu^es,  with  their  anterior,  b,  b,  b,  b,  and  pos- 
terior,  c,  c,  c,  c,    barhnles,  the   former   bearing   tho   booklets 
which  catch  over  tho  edge  of  the  latter. 


Fio.  ^2.  — 
Four  liarbg  In 
ITOU  Bcctiun,  >i, 
<i,  <f,  a,  beurini; 
luiterlur,  //,  h,  h, 
li,  and  iHMterlcir 
c,  V,  bar- 


Fro.  21  — 
A  Kiiigle  bar- 


Types  of  Feathery  Structure.  —  But  all  feathers  do  not 
answer  flie  above  descrijition.    The  after-shaft  may  be  wanting, 

as  we  have  seen.     Hooklets  may  not  be  developed,  as  frequently  i,'u|cb,  t'lie'rurm 

happens.     Harbicols  may  bo  few  or  entirely  wanting.     Barb-  ir  bearing iiook- 

nles  may  be  similarly  deficient,  or  bo  defective  as  to  be  only  oy„^  ^l^^  latter; 

biiie,   i)eartng    recognized  by  their  position  and  relations.     Even  barbs  them-  magnlflotl ;  after 

burblcfls    and  °  t      r  i     i  •  •  i       r  au       i    a  NltzscU. 

iiodkictD ;  mag-    selves  may  be  few  or  lacking  on  one  side  of  the  shaft,  or  on 

nifltd  ;  after  ijf,th  sides,  as  in  certain  bristly  or  hair-like  styles  of  feathers.  Consideration  of 
NltzBcb 

these  and  other  inodilicatums  of  feather-structuro  has  led  to  the  recognition  of 

three  tyjies  or  plans:  1.  The  perfectly  feathery,  p^iwoKs,  or  penuaceous  (Lat.  plunta,  a  plume, 

(ir  peuiia,  a  feather  fit  for  writing  with ;   fig.  23),  as  above  described.     2.  The  downy  or 

litiimiihiceotis  (Lat.  plumula,  a  little  plume,  a  down-feather),  when  the  stem  is  short  and 

weak,  with  soft  rhachis  and  barbs,  with  long  slender  thready  barbules,  little  knotty  dilatu- 

tioiis  in  place  of  bnrbi- 

cols,   and    no    hooklets. 

.'1.  The  hairy,  bristly,  or 

fihi  -  plumaceotis     (Lat. 

filitm,   a   thread),  with 

a  very  long,  slender  stem,  Fio.  28  —  A  fcatber  from  the  tall  of  a  kingbird,    Ti/mrfnun  carotinensiii, 

and  rudimontarv  or  very       »linogtentlrelypennaceou»;  no  after-shaft.    From  nature,  by  Cones. 

small  vanes  composed  of  fine  cylindrical  barbs  and  barbules,  if  any,  and  no  barbicels,  knots, 
or  hooklets.  There  is  no  abrupt  definition  between  these  tyj)eB  of  structure  ;  in  fact,  the  samo 
feather  may  bo  constructed  on  more  than  one  of  these  plans,  as  in  fig.  19,  partly  pennaceous, 
partly  pluinulaceous.  All  feathers  are  built  upim  one  or  another,  or  some  combination,  or 
modification,  of  these  types;  and,  in  all  their  endless  diversity,  may  be  reduced  to  four  or  five 


Different  Kinds  of  Feathers.  —  1.  Contour-feathers,  penntB  or  plumte  proper,  have  a 
perfect  stem  composed  of  calamus  and  rhachis,  with  vanes  of  pennaceous  structure,  at  least 
in  part,  usually  pluinulaceous  toward  the  base.  These  form  the  great  bulk  of  the  surface- 
phiinage  exposed  to  light ;  their  beautiful  tints  give  the  bird's  colors ;  they  are  the  most 
uudified  in  detail  of  all,  from  the  fish-liko  scales  of  a  penguin's  wings  to  the  glittering  jewels  of 
tho  humming-bird,  and  all  the  endless  airay  of  the  tufts,  crests,  ruffs,  and  other  ornaments  of  the 
feathered  tribes ;  even  tho  imperfect  bristlc-liko  feathers  above  mentioned  may  belong  among 


86 


GENEBAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


them.     Another  feature  is,  that  they  arc  usually  individually  moved  by  subcutaneous  muscles, 
of  which  there  may  be  several  to  one  feather,  passing  to  be  attached  to  the  sheath  of  the  tuhe, 
inside  the  sltin,  in  which  the  stem  is  inserted.     These  muscles  may  be  plainly  seen  under  tlic 
skin  of  a  goose,  and  every  one  has  observed  their  operation  when  a  hen  shakes  herself  after  a 
sand  bath,  or  any  bird  erects  its  top-kuot.     2.  Doicn- feathers,  plumula,  are  characterized  hy 
a  downy  structure  throughout.     Tliey  more  or  less  completely  invest  the  body,  but  are  alnidst 
always  liidden  beneath  the  contour-feathers,  like  padding  about  the  bases  of  the  latter;  occa- 
sionally they  come  to  liglit,  as  in  the  iieecy  ruif  about  the  neck  of  the  condor,  and  then  usually 
replace  contour-feathers  ;  they  have  an  after-shaft,  or  none  ;  and  sometimes  no  rhachis  at  all, 
the  barbs  then  being  sessile  in  a  tuft  at  the  end  of  the  quill.     They  often  stand  in  a  regular  (Hiiii- 
cuux  (;•;)  between  four  contour- feathers.     3.  Semiphmes,  semiplumcB,  may  be  said  to  unite 
the  characters  of  the  last  two,  possessing  the  pcnnaceous  stem  o."  the  former,  and  the  plumula- 
ceous  vanes  of  the  latter ;  they  arc  with  or  without  after-shaft.     They  stand  among  penna,  as 
the  plumute  do,  about  the  edges  of  patches  of  the  former,  or  in  parcels  by  themselves,  but  are 
always  covered  by  contour-feathers.     4.  Filophones,  filoplumce,  or  thread-feathers,  have  an 
extremely  slender,  almost  invisible  stem,  not  well  distinguished  into  barrel  and  shaft,  and 
usually  no  vane,  unless  a  terminal  tuft  of  barbs  may  be  held  for  such.     Long  as  they  are, 
they  are  usually  hidden  by  the  contour-feathers,  close  to  which  they  stand  as  accessories, 
one  or  more  seeming  to  issue  out  of  the  very  sacs  in  which  the  larger  feathers  are  implanted. 
These  are  the  nearest  approach  to  Imirs  that  birds  have ;  they  are  very  well  shown  on  domestic 
poultry,  being  what  a  good  cook  finds  it  necessary  to  singe  off  after  plucking  a  fowl  for  the 
table.     5.  Certain  down-feathers  are  remarkable  for  continuing  to  grow  indefinitely,  and  with 
this  unlimited  growth  is  associated  a  cont-nual  breaking  down  of  the  ends  of  the  barbs.     Siieli 
plumulae,  from  being  always  dusted  over  with  dry,  scurfy  exfoliation,  are  called  poivder-dotcn ; 
they  may  bo  entitled  to  rank  as  a  fifth  kind,  or  pulviphnnes.     They  occur  in  the  hawk,  parrot, 
and  gallinaceous  tribes,  and  especially  in  the  lierons  and  tlieir  allies.     They  are  always  present 
in  the  latter,  where  they  may  be  readily  seen  as  at  least  two  large  patches  of  greasy  or  dusty, 
wliitish  feathers,  matted  over  the  hips  and  on  the  breast.     The  design  is  unknown. 

Feather  OH  Gland.  —  Birds  do  not  perspire,  and  cutaneous  glands,  corresponding  to  the 
sweat-glands  and  sebaceous  follicles  ao  common  in  Mammalia,  are  little  known  among  them. 
But  their  "oil-can"  is  a  kind  of  sebaceous  follicle,  which  may  be  noticed  here  in  connection 
with  other  tegumentary  appendages.  This  is  a  two-lobed  or  rather  heart-shaped  gland,  sad- 
dled upon  the  "  pope's  nose,"  at  the  root  of  the  tail,  and  hence  sometimes  called  the  uropygial 
(Lat.  %iroptjgium,  rump),  or  rump-gland.  If  there  bo  no  single  word  to  name  it,  it  may  bo 
called  the  elceodochon  (Gr.  iXaio&oxos,  elaiodochos,  containing  oil).  It  is  composed  of  numerous 
slender  tubes  or  follicles  which  secrete  the  greasy  fiuid,  the  ducts  of  which,  uniting  successively 
in  larger  tubes,  finally  open  by  one  or  more  pores,  commonly  u])on  a  little  nipple-like  elevation. 
Birds  press  out  a  drc^p  of  oil  with  the  beak  and  dress  the  feathers  with  it,  in  the  well-known 
ojjeration  called  "  preening."  The  gland  is  large  and  always  present  in  aquatic  birds,  whicli 
have  need  of  waterproof  plumage ;  smaller  in  land-birds,  as  a  rule,  and  wanting  in  some.  The 
presence  or  absence  of  this  singular  structure,  and  whether  or  not  it  is  surmounted  by  a  particu- 
lar circlet  of  feathers,  distinguishes  certain  groups  of  birds,  and  has  como  to  be  made  much  use 
of  in  classification. 


Pterylography.  —  Feathered  Tracts  and  Unf eathered  Spaces.  —  Excepting  certain 
birds  having  obviously  naked  spaces,  as  about  the  head  or  feet,  all  would  be  taken  to  be 
fully  feathered.  So  they  are  all  covered  with  feathers,  but  it  does  not  follow  that  feathers  arc 
everywhere  implanted  upon  the  skin.  On  the  contrary,  a  uniform  and  continuous  pterylosis 
is  the  rarest  of  all  kinds  of  feathering ;  though  such  occurs,  almost  or  quite  perfectly,  among 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  — FEATHERS. 


87 


cortaiu  birds,  as  the  ostrich  tribe,  penguins,  and  toucans.  If  we  compare  a  bird's  skin  to  a 
woll-ltept  park,  part  woodland,  part  lawn  ;  then  where  feathers  grow  is  the  W(Hidland ;  where 
they  do  not  grow  is  the  lawn.  The  former  places  are  called  tracts  or  pteri/lee  (diniin.  from  Gr. 
iTTt^ov,  pteron,  a  plume)  ;  the  latter,  spaces  or  apteria  (Gr.  a  privative,  and  nrtpov)  ,  tlicy 
mutually  distinguish  certain  definite  areas.  Not  only  are  the  pteri/lcB  and  apteria  thus  definite, 
l)ut  their  size,  form,  and  arrangement  mark  whole  families  and  even  orders  of  birds ;  so  that 
pteri/losis  becomes  available,  and  is  indeed  found  to  be  important,  for  purposes  of  classification. 
Ptenjhgraphy,  or  tlie  description  of  this  matter,  has  been  made  a  special  study  by  the  cele- 
brated Nitzsch,  who  has  laid  down  the  general  plan  of  pterylosis  which  obtains  in  the  great 
iiiiijiirity  of  birds,  as  follows:  1.  The  spinal  or  dorsal  triust  (pteryla  sphialis;  fig.  2i,  1), 
ruiiuing  along  the  middle  of  the  bird  above  from  the  nape  of  the  neck  to  the  tail ;  subject  to 
great  variation  in  width,  to  dilation  and  contraction,  to  forking,  to  sending  out  branches,  to 
interruption,  etc.  2.  The  humeral  tracts  {pt.  humerales  ;  Lat.  humerus,  the  shoulder,  or  upper 
arui-b^ne:  fig.  24,  2),  always  present,  one  on  each  wing;  they  are  narrow  bauds,  running  from 
the  shoulder  obliquely  backward  upon  the  upper  arm-bone,  parallel  with  the  shoulder-blade. 


Fio.24.  — Pterylosis  of  Cypielus  apus,  drawn  by  Cones  after  Nitzsch;   rlglit  hand  upper,  lett  hand  lower, 
surface.    1.  spiual  tract;  2.  humeral;  3,  femoral;   4.  capital;  S.  alar;  6.  caudal;  7.  crural;  8.  ventral. 


.'{.  The  femoral  tracts  (pt.  femorales  ;  Lat.  femur,  the  thigh ;  fig.  24,  3)  :  a  similar  oblique 
band  upon  the  outside  of  each  thigh,  but  subject  to  great  variation.  4.  The  ventral  tract  {pt. 
ventralis  ;  Lat.  venter,  the  belly ;  fig.  24,  8),  which  fonns  most  of  the  plumage  on  the  under 
part  of  a  bird,  commencing  at  or  near  the  throat,  and  continued  to  the  vent ;  like  the  dorsal 
tract,  it  is  very  variable,  is  usually  bifurcate,  or  forked  into  right  or  left  halves,  with  a  median 
apterium,  is  broad  or  narrow,  branched,  etc. ;  thus,  Nitzsch  enumerates  seventeen  distinct  modi- 
fications !  The  foregoing  are  mostly  isolated  tracts,  tliat  is,  bands  nearly  surrounded  by  com- 
jilnmentary  apteria ;  the  following  are,  in  general,  continuously  and  uniformly  feathered,  and 
tliiis  practically  equivalent  to  the  part  of  the  body  they  represent :  Thus,  5,  the  head  tract 
{pt.  capitalis  ;  Lat.  caput,  capitis,  head ;  fig.  24,  4)  clothes  the  head,  and  generally  runs 
into  the  beginning  of  both  dorsal  and  ventral  tracts.  6.  The  wing  tract  (pt.  alaris  ;  Lat.  aJa, 
wing ;  fig.  24,  5)  represents  all  the  feathers  that  grow  upon  the  wing,  excepting  those  of 
the  Immoral  tract.  7.  The  tail  tract  {pt.  caudalis  ;  Lat.  cauda,  tail ;  fig.  24,  6)  includes 
tlio  tail-feathers  proper  and  their  coverts,  and  those  about  the  elaodochon,  and  usually  receives 
the  termination  of  the  dorsal,  ventral,  and  femoral  tracts.  8.  The  leg  tract  {pt.  cruralis  ; 
Lai.  cru.t,  cruris,  leg ;  figs.  24,  7)  clothes  the  legs  as  far  as  these  are  feathered,  which  is 
Kfiierally  to  the  heel,  always  below  the  knee,  and  sometimes  to  the  toes  or  even  the  claws.  — 
I  ii'-cd  not  enumerate  the  apteria,  as  these  are  merely  the  complements  of  the  pterylae.     The 


88 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


highly  important  special  "  flight-foathere  "  of  the  wings  and  "  rudder- feathers  "  of  the  tail  are 
to  bo  exauiined  beyond,  in  describing  those  members  for  purposes  of  classification. 

Endysls  and  Ecdysls.  —  Putting  on  and  off  Plumage.  —  Newly  hatched  birds  aro 
covered  for  so:ne  time  with  a  Itind  of  down,  entirely  ditterent  from  such  feathers  as  they  ulti- 
mately acquire.     It  is  scanty,  leaving  much  or  all  of  the  body  naked,  in  most  altricial  birds, 
such  as  are  reared  by  the  parents  iu  the  nest  (Lat.  altrix,  female  uourisher) ;  but  thick  and 
putfy  in  some  AUrices,  and  in  all  Pracoces  (Lat.  preecox,  precocious),  which  run  about  at  birtli. 
Since  many  birds  which  require  to  bo  reared  in  the  nest  are  also  hatched  clothed,  or  very  speedily 
becomr  downy,  a  more  exact  distinction  maybe  drawn  by  using  the  tcnna ptilopeBdic  and^wiYo- 
pcedic  (Gr.  wtiXov,  ptilon,  a  feather;  ^tXds,  psilos,  bare;  and  nais,  pais,  a  child)  respectively 
for  those  birds  which  are  hatched  feathered  or  naked ;  a  chicken  and  a  canary-bird  are  faniiliar 
examples.    It  is  the  rule,  that  the  higher  birds  are  bom  helpless  and  naked,  requiring  to  be 
reared  in  the  nest  till  their  feathers  grow  ;  the  reverse  with  lower  birds,  as  the  walking,  wading, 
and  swimming  kinds  ;  and  a  primary  division  of  birds  has  even  been  proposed  upon  this  physio- 
logical distinction.     It  offers,  however,  too  many  exceptions ;  thus,  no  birds  are  more  naked 
and  helpless  at  birth  than  young  cormorants.     Probably  all  prwcocial  birds  are  also  ptilopa'dic 
and  all  psilopfedic  birds  altricial ;  but  the  converse  is  far  from  holding  good,  many  altrices,  as 
hawks  and  owls,  behig  also  ptilopaedic.    In  other  words,  psilopsedic  birds  are  always  altricial, 
but  ptilopaidic  birds  may  be  cither  altricial  or  praecocial.     In  any  case,  true  feathers  are  soon 
gained,  iu  some  days  or  weeks,  those  i>f  the  wings  and  tail  being  usually  the  first  to  sprout. 
The  acquisition  of  plumage  is  called  endi/sis  (ivSvirit,  endusis,  putting  on).     The  renewal  of 
jiluniage  is  a  process  familiar  to  all,  in  its  generalities,  under  the  tt'rm  "  moult,"  or  ecdi/sin 
(Gr.  ?ic8u(Tir,  ekdusis,  putting  off').    Feathers  are  of  such  rapid  growth,  and  make  such  a  drain 
upon  the  vital  energies,  that  we  easily  understand  how  critical  an*  periods  of  the  change. 
The  first  plumage  is  usually  worn  but  a  short  time ;  then  another  more  or  less  complete 
change  commonly  occurs.    The  moult  is  as  a  rule  annual ;  and  in  many  cases  more  than 
<me  moult  is  required  before  the  bird  attains  the  perfection  of  maturity  in  its  feathering. 
It  is  well  known  how  different  many  birds  are  the  first  year  in  their  coloration  from  that 
afterward  acquired ;  sometimes  changes  progress  for  several  years ;   and  some  birds  ajipcar 
to   have  a  period  of  senile  decline.      All  such   changes  are  necessarily  connected,   if  not 
with  actiuil  moult,  as  is  the  rule,  then  at  any  rate  with  wear  and  tear  and  repair  of  the 
plumage.    The  first  plumage  being  gained,  under  whatever  conditions  peculiar  to  the  species, 
it  is  the  general  rule,  that  birds  are  subject  to  single,  or  annual,  moult.   This  commonly  occurs 
in  the  fall,  when  the  duties  of  incubation  are  concluded,  and  the  well-worn  plumage  most  needs 
rcrewal.     This  once-a-year  moult,  at  least,  happens  to  nearly  or  quite  all  birds.     Many, 
however,  moult  twice  a  year,  the  additional  moult  usually  occurring  in  the  spring-time,  when 
a  fresh  nuptial  suit  is  acquired  ;  in  such  cases,  the  moult  is  said  to  be  double,  or  semi-annual. 
Such  additional  moult  is  generally  incomplete ;   that  is,  all  the  feathers  are  not  shed  and 
renewed,  but  more  or  fewer  new  ones  are  gained,  with  more  or  less  loss  of  the  old  ones,  if 
any.     The  most  striking  ornaments  donned  for  the  breeding  season,  as  the  elegant  plumes 
of  many  herons,  are  usually  worn  but  a  brief  time,  being  doffed  in  advance  of  the  general 
fall  moult.    A  few  birds,  as  the  ptarmigan  {Lagopus),  regularly  have  even  a  third  or  triple 
moult,   shedding   many  of  their  feathers  as  usual    in    the    early  autumn,   then    changing 
entirely  to  pure  white  for  the  winter,  then  in  spring  moulting  completely  to  assume  their 
wedding-dress.     As  a  rule,  feathers  are  moulted  so  gradually,  particularly  those  of  the  wings 
and  tail,  and  so  simultaneously  upon  right  and  left  sides  of  the  body,  that  birds  are  at  no  time 
deprived  of  the  power  of  flight.     The  first  flight-feathers  acquired  by  young  birds  are  usually 
kept  till  the  next  season ;  but  in  those  that  fly  very  early,  before  they  are  half  grown,  as  so 
many  gallinaceous  birds  do,  their  first  weak  wing-feathers  are  included  in  the  general  moult 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  —  FEATHERS. 


89 


tail 


are 


which  occurs  to  young  and  old  in  the  fall.  The  duck  tribe  offer  the  remarkable  ease,  that 
thcv  ih-(ip  their  wiug-quills  so  nearly  all  at  once  as  to  be  for  some  time  deprived  of  the  power 
(if  Jiitrht.  It  is  quite  certain  that  many  birds  change  the  colors  of  tiieir  plumage  remarkably, 
witlidiit  losing  or  gaining  any  feathers,  by  some  process  which  aflfects  the  texture  of  the  feath- 
ers, such  as  the  shedding  of  the  barbicels  and  booklets,  or  its  pigmentation ;  or  by  such  processes 
cdiiiliiiied.  The  male  of  our  bobolink  changes  from  the  buff  dress  of  the  female  to  his  rich  black 
suit  witliout  losing  or  gaining  any  feathers.  It  is  difficult  to  lay  down  any  rules  of  moulting 
fur  partiiuilar  groups  of  birds,  since  birds  very  closely  related  iliffer  greatly  in  respect  to  their 
clumgcs  of  plumage,  and  the  subject  has  not  yet  received  the  attention  its  interest  and  impor- 
tance slioiild  claim  for  it.  The  physiological  processes  involved  are  analogous  to  those  con- 
cerned in  the  shedding  of  the  hair  of  mammals  and  the  casting  of  the  cuticle  of  reptiles. 


Plumage-changes  with  Sex,  Age,  and  Season.  Aside  from  any  consideration  of  the 
way  in  which  plumage  changes,  whether  by  moult  or  otherwise,  the  fact  remains  that  most  birds 
of  tlic  same  species  differ  more  or  less  from  one  another  according  to  certain  circumstances.  The 
ilissiniilarity  is  not  only  in  coloration,  though  this  is  the  usual  and  most  proncunoed  diflference, 
but  also  in  the  degree  of  development  of  jdumes,  — their  size,  fonn,  and  texture.  Since  young 
birds  are  those  which  have  not  come  to  sexual  vigor ;  since  breeding  recurs  at  regular  periods 
(if  the  year ;  and  since  males  and  feiniilcs  usually  differ  in  plumage,  —  nearly  all  the  various 
dresses  worn  by  diflFerent  individuals  of  the  same  species  are  correlated  with  tlio  conditions  of 
tlii^  reproductive  system.  As  the  internal  generative  organs  represent  of  course  the  essential  or 
priiiiiiri/  sexual  characters,  all  those  of  the  plumage  just  indicated  may  be  properly  classed  as 
secondary  .lexiial  characters.  These  are  of  great  importance,  not  only  in  practical  ornithok)gy, 
but  as  the  basis  of  some  of  the  soundest  views  that  have  been  advanced  respecting  the  evolu- 
tion of  specific  characters  in  tliis  class  of  animals.  The  generalizations  may  be  miule  :  that 
when  the  sexes  are  strikingly  different  in  plumage,  the  young  at  first  resemble  the  female ; 
wlien  the  ailults  are  alike,  the  young  are  different  from  either;  when  seasonal  changes  are  great, 
(he  ytiung  resemble  the  fall  plumage  of  the  parents ;  and,  further,  that  when  the  adults  of  two 
related  species  of  the  same  genus  are  nearly  alike,  the  young  are  usually  intermediate,  their 
s[iecific  characters  not  being  fully  devebiped.  Specific  characters  are  often  to  be  found  oidy  in 
the  male,  the  females  of  two  related  species  being  scarcely  distinguishable,  though  the  males 
may  be  told  apait  at  a  glance.  Extraordinary  developments  of  feathers,  as  to  size,  shape,  and 
(•(iliir,  are  often  confined  to  one  sex,  usually  the  male.  The  more  richly,  extensively,  or  pecu- 
liarly the  male  is  adorned,  the  simpler  the  female  in  comparison,  as  the  peacock  and  peahen. 
The  Wis(!  Man  of  Late  has  formulated  the  several  categories  of  secondary  sexual  characters, 
;,'iving  the  following  rules  or  classes  of  cases :  "1.  When  the  adult  male  is  more  beautiful  or 
conspicuous  than  the  adult  female,  the  young  of  both  sexes  in  their  first  plumage  closely 
re.«emblo  the  adult  female,  as  with  the  coramon  fowl  and  peacock;  or,  as  occasionally 
occurs,  they  resemble  her  much  more  closely  than  they  do  the  adult  male.  2.  When  the  adult 
female  is  more  conspicuous  than  the  adult  male,  as  sometimes  though  rarely  occurs  [chiefly 
«ifli  certain  birds  of  prey  and  snipe-like  birds],  the  young  of  both  sexes  in  their  first  plumage 
resemble  the  adult  male.  3.  When  the  adult  male  resembles  the  adult  female,  the  young  of 
both  sexes  have  a  jieculiar  first  phunage  of  their  ovni,  as  with  the  ndiin  [usual].  4.  When  the 
ii(hilt  male  resembles  the  adult  female,  the  young  of  both  sexes  in  their  first  plumage  resemble 
the  adults  [unusual].  5.  'Wlien  the  iulults  of  both  sexes  have  a  distinct  winter  and  summer 
plumage,  whether  or  not  the  male  differs  from  the  female,  the  young  resemble  the  adults  of 
both  sexes  in  their  winter  dress,  or  much  more  rarely  in  their  summer  dress,  or  they  resemble 
tli(*  females  alone.  Or  the  young  may  have  an  intermediate  character ;  or  again  they  nniy 
(lilfcT  greatly  from  the  adults  in  both  their  seasonal  plumages.  0.  In  some  few  cases  the 
yotmg  in  their  first  jilumage  difler  from  each  other  according  to  sex ;  the  young  males  re- 


90 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


scmWing  more  or  loss  closely  tlio  lulult  males,  and  the  young  females  more  or  less  closely  the 
adult  femak's."  — (Diirwiu,  Dcsc.  of  Man,  new  ed.,  ISSl,  p.  4(56.) 

Summary  of  Secondary  Sexual  Characters  of  Birds — The  temptation  to  give  llio 
conclusion  of  tlie  whole  matter  in  Darwin's  own  words,  summary  of  his  views  of  Sexual 
Selection  as  so  important  a  factor  in  Natural  Selection,  need  net  be  resisted.  I  therefore  quote 
again  from  the  work  last  cited,  jip.  496-499. 

"  Most  male  birds  are  Iilglily  pugnacious  during  the  breeding-season,  and  some  possess  weapops  adapted  for 
tIgliMng  with  tbelr  rivals.  But  the  most  pugnacious  and  the  best  armed  males  rarely  or  never  depend  for  suecnss 
solely  upon  their  power  to  drive  away  or  kill  their  rivals,  but  have  siicclal  means  for  cliarmiiig  the  female.  With 
some  it  Is  the  power  of  song,  or  of  giving  forth  strange  cries,  or  Instrumental  music,  and  the  males  In  consequeiuc 
dlBer  iu  their  vocal  organs,  or  In  the  structure  of  certain  feathers.  From  the  curiously  diversillcd  means  for  pro- 
ducing various  sounds,  wo  gain  a  high  Idea  of  the  Importance  of  this  means  of  courtship.  JIany  birds  endeavor  to 
charm  the  female  by  love-dances  or  antics,  performed  on  tlie  ground  or  in  the  air,  and  sometimes  at  prei>are(l  places. 
But  ornaments  of  many  kinds,  the  most  brilliant  tints,  combs,  and  wattles,  beautiful  plumes,  elongated  feathers, 
top-knots,  and  so  forth,  are  by  far  the  commonest  means.  In  some  cases  mere  novelty  appears  to  have  acte<l  as  a 
charm,  'llie  ornaments  of  the  males  must  l>e  highly  important  to  them,  for  they  liavo  been  acquired  in  not  a  few 
cases  at  the  cost  of  increased  danger  from  enemies,  and  even  at  some  loss  of  i)ower  in  flgliting  with  their  rivals. 
The  males  of  very  many  species  do  not  assume  their  ornamental  dress  until  they  arrive  at  maturity,  or  they  assume 
it  only  during  the  breeding  season,  or  tlie  tints  then  become  more  vivid.  Certain  ornamental  appendages  become 
enlarged,  turgid,  and  brightly  colored  during  the  act  of  courtship.  The  males  display  their  charms  with  elabor.ite 
care  and  to  the  best  effect ;  and  this  Is  done  in  the  presence  of  the  females.  The  courtship  is  sometimes  a  pro- 
longed aCfkir,  and  many  males  and  females  congregate  at  an  appointed  place.  To  suppose  that  the  females  do  not 
appreciate  the  beauty  of  the  males,  is  to  admit  tliat  their  splendid  decorations,  ail  their  pomp  and  display,  are 
useless;  and  this  is  Incredible.  Birds  have  line  powers  of  discrimination,  and  in  some  few  cases  it  can  be  shewn 
that  they  have  a  taste  for  the  Iwautiful.  The  females,  moreover,  are  known  occasionally  to  exhibit  a  markeil 
preference  or  antipathy  for  certain  individual  males. 

"  If  It  f>e  admitted  that  the  females  prefer,  or  are  unconsciously  excited  by  the  more  beautiful  males,  then 
the  males  would  slowly  hut  surely  be  rendered  more  and  more  attractive  through  sexual  selection.  That  It  is 
this  sex  whicli  has  been  chieUy  modified,  we  may  Infer  from  the  fact  that,  in  almost  every  genus  where  the  sexes 
differ,  the  males  differ  much  more  from  one  another  than  do  the  females ;  this  is  well  shown  in  certain  eloscly-allieil 
representative  species,  in  which  the  females  can  hardly  he  distinguished,  wlillst  the  males  are  quite  distinct.  Birds 
in  a  state  of  nature  ofibr  indirfdual  differences  which  would  amply  suffice  for  the  work  of  sexual  selection ;  but  \vc 
have  seen  that  they  occasionally  present  more  strongly-marked  variations  which  recur  so  fk-equently  that  they 
would  Inmiediately  l>e  iixed,  if  they  served  to  allure  tlie  female.  Tlie  laws  of  variation  must  determine  the  nature 
of  the  Initial  changes  and  will  have  largely  influenced  the  final  result.  The  gradations,  which  may  lie  observed 
between  the  males  of  allied  species.  Indicate  the  nature  of  the  steps  througli  which  they  have  jiassed.  They 
explain  also  in  the  most  interesting  manner  how  certain  characters  have  originated,  such  as  the  Indented  ocelli 
on  the  tall-feathers  of  the  peacock  and  the  ball  and  socket  ocelli  on  the  wing-featliers  of  tlie  Argus  pheasant.  It  is 
evident  tliat  the  brilliant  colors,  top-knots,  fine  plumes.  &c.,  of  many  male  birds  cannot  liave  been  acquired 
as  a  protection ;  indeed,  they  sometimes  lead  to  danger.  That  they  are  not  due  to  the  direct  and  definite  action 
ef  the  conditions  of  life,  we  may  feel  assured,  because  the  females  have  been  exposed  to  tlie  same  conditions, 
and  yet  often  differ  from  the  males  to  an  extreme  degree.  Although  II  Is  probable  that  changed  conditions  nctlnu 
during  a  lengthened  period  iiavo  In  some  cases  produced  a  definite  effect  on  both  sexes,  or  sometimes  on  one  sex 
alone,  the  more  important  result  will  have  been  an  increased  tendency  to  vary  or  to  present  more  strongly  marked 
individual  dlflferences  :  and  such  diS'erences  will  have  afforded  an  excellent  ground-work  for  the  action  of  sexual 
selection, 

"  Tlie  laws  of  Inheritance,  Irrespectively  of  selection,  appear  to  have  determined  whether  the  characters 
acquired  by  the  mules  for  the  sake  of  ornament,  for  producing  various  sounds,  and  for  fighting  together,  have  been 
transmitted  to  the  males  alone  or  to  both  sexes,  either  permanently,  or  periodically  during  certain  seasons  of  tlie 
year.  Why  various  characters  should  have  been  transmitted  sometimes  In  one  way  and  sometimes  In  another.  Is  not 
in  most  cases  known;  but  the  period  of  variability  seems  often  to  have  been  tlic  determining  cause.  When  the 
two  sexes  have  Inherited  all  characters  in  common,  they  necessarily  resemble  each  other;  but  as  the  successive 
variations  may  lie  dift'erently  transmitted,  every  possible  gradation  may  lie  found,  even  within  the  same  genus, 
from  the  closest  similarity  to  the  widest  dissimilarity  between  the  sexes.  With  many  closely-allletl  species,  follow- 
ing nearly  the  same  habits  of  life,  tlie  males  have  come  to  differ  from  each  other  chiefly  through  the  action  of 
sexual  selection ;  whilst  the  females  have  come  to  differ  chiefly  from  partaking  more  or  lees  of  the  characters  thus 
acquired  by  the  males.  The  eftccts,  moreover,  of  the  definite  action  of  the  conditions  of  life,  will  not  have  been 
maske<l  In  the  females,  as  in  tlie  males,  by  the  accumulation  through  sexual  selection  of  stroiigly-pronouncetl  colors 
and  other  ornaments.  The  Individuals  of  both  sexes,  however  aftccted,  will  have  been  kept  at  each  succcstiivo 
period  nearly  uniform  by  the  (Vee  intercrossing  of  many  individuals. 

"  With  species.  In  which  the  sexes  differ  In  color,  It  Is  possible  or  probable  that  some  of  the  successive  varia- 
tions often  tended  to  be  transmitted  equally  to  both  sexes;  hut  that  when  this  occurred  the  females  were  pre- 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  —  TOPOGRAPHY. 


91 


losely  tho 


Jgivo  tlio 
l>re  quote 


rcnteil  from  ncquirlng  the  bright  colon  of  the  males,  by  tho  destruction  which  they  suffered  during  incubation. 
Tliuro  i»  no  evidence  that  it  is  possible  by  natural  selection  to  convert  one  form  of  transmission  Into  another.  But 
tlicrc  would  not  bo  tho  least  difllculty  in  rendering  a  female  dull-colored,  the  male  being  still  Itept  bright-coloreil, 
by  the  selection  by  successive  variations,  which  were  from  the  first  limited  in  their  transmission  to  the  same  sex. 
Whether  the  females  of  many  species  liave  actually  been  thus  Diodllled,  must  at  present  remain  doubtful.  When, 
tlirougli  tho  law  of  the  equal  transodssion  of  characters  to  both  sexes,  the  females  were  rendered  as  conspicuously 
colored  as  the  males,  their  instincts  ap()ear  often  to  have  been  modified  so  that  they  were  led  to  build  domed  or 
concealed  nests. 

"  In  one  small  and  curious  class  of  cases  tho  characters  and  habits  of  the  two  sexes  have  been  com))letcly 
transposed,  for  tho  females  are  larger,  stronger,  more  vociferous  and  brighter  colored  than  the  males.  They  have, 
nisi),  become  so  quarrelsome  that  they  often  fight  together  for  the  possession  of  the  males,  like  the  males  of  other 
pugnacious  species  for  the  imssession  of  the  females.  If,  as  seems  probable,  such  females  habitually  drive  awuy 
tliclr  rivals,  and  by  the  display  of  their  bright  colors  or  other  charms  endeavour  to  attract  the  males,  we  can  under- 
stand how  it  is  that  they  have  gradually  been  rendered,  by  sexual  selection  and  sexually-limited  truusmissioii, 
more  beautiful  than  the  niales  — the  latter  being  left  unmodified  or  only  slightly  modified. 

"  Whenever  the  law  of  inheritance  at  corresiwnding  nges  prevails,  but  not  that  of  sexually-limited  trans- 
ndsslon,  then  If  the  parents  vary  lote  In  life  — and  we  know  that  this  constantly  occurs  with  our  poultry, 
and  occasionally  with  other  birds  —  the  young  will  be  left  unaffected,  whilst  the  adults  of  both  sexes  will  be 
modified.  If  both  these  laws  of  Inheritance  prevail  and  either  sex  varies  late  in  life,  that  sex  alone  nill  l)e 
modified,  the  other  sex  and  the  young  t>elng  unaffected.  When  variations  in  brightness  or  In  other  conspicuous 
characters  occur  early  in  life,  as  no  doubt  often  happens,  they  will  not  be  acted  on  through  lexual  selection  unill 
tlic  iicriod  of  reproduction  arrives;  consequently  If  ilangerous  to  the  young,  they  will  bo  eliminated  through 
natural  selection.  Thus  we  can  understand  how  It  is  tliat  variations  arising  late  in  life  have  so  often  been  pre- 
served for  the  ornamentation  of  the  males ;  the  females  and  the  young  being  left  almost  unatTectcd,  and  therefore 
like  each  other.  With  species  having  a  distinct  summer  and  winter  plumage,  the  males  of  which  either  resemblx 
ur  ilitt'er  from  the  females  during  both  seasons  or  during  the  summer  alone,  the  degrees  and  kinds  of  resemblance 
between  the  young  and  the  old  are  excce<lliigly  complex;  and  this  complexity  apparently  depends  on  characters, 
first  acquired  by  the  males,  being  transmitted  in  various  ways,  as  limited  by  age,  sex,  and  season. 

*'  As  the  young  of  so  many  species  have  been  but  little  modified  in  color  and  other  ornaments,  we  are  enabled 
to  form  some  Judgment  with  respect  to  the  plumage  of  their  early  progenitors ;  and  we  may  infer  that  tho  beauty 
of  our  existing  s]iecies.  If  we  look  to  the  whole  class,  has  been  largely  increased  since  that  perio<i,  of  which  the 
plumage  gives  us  an  indistinct  record.  Many  birds,  especially  those  widcli  live  much  on  the  ground,  have  undoubt- 
edly been  obscurely  colored  for  the  sake  of  protection.  In  some  instances  the  upper  exposed  surface  of  the  plumage 
hns  been  thus  colored  in  both  sexes,  whilst  tho  lower  surface  in  the  males  alone  lias  been  variously  ornamented 
througii  sexual  selection.  Finally,  fVom  the  facts  given  In  these  four  chapters  [pp.  358-199  of  the  work  in  citation], 
we  may  conclude  that  weaiwns  for  battle,  organs  for  producing  sound,  ornaments  of  many  kliuls,  bright  and  con- 
8]>icuous  colors,  have  generally  been  acquired  by  the  males  through  variation  and  sexual  selection,  and  have  been 
transmitte<l  in  various  ways  according  to  the  several  laws  of  Inheritance  —  the  female  and  the  young  being  left 
comparatively  but  little  modified." 


b.  The  Topography  of  Bieds. 

The  Contour  of  a  Bird  with  tho  feathers  on  is  spindle-shaped,  or  fusiform  (Lat. 
fusus,  a  spindle),  tapering  at  both  ends;  it  represents  two  cones  joined  base  to  base  at  the  middle 
or  greatest  girth  of  tho  body,  tapering  in  front  to  tho  tip  of  the  bill,  behind  to  the  end  of  the 
tail.  The  obvious  design  is  easiest  cleavage  of  air  in  front,  and  least  drag  or  wash  beliiud,  in 
the  act  of  flying.  This  shape  is  largely  produced  by  the  lay  of  the  plumage ;  a  naked  bird  pre- 
sents several  prominences  and  depressions,  this  irregular  contour  being  reducible,  in  general 
terms,  to  two  spindh^s  or  double  cones.  The  head  tapers  to  a  point  in  front,  at  the  tip  of  the 
bill,  and  contracts  behind,  toward  the  middle  of  the  neck,  in  consequence  of  diminution  in 
bulk  of  the  muscles  by  which  it  is  slung  on  the  neck ;  which  last  is  somewhat  contracted  or 
hour-glass  shaped  near  the  middle,  swelling  where  it  is  slung  to  the  body.  The  body  is  largest 
in  front  and  tapers  to  the  tail.     The 


Centre  of  Gravity  is  admirably  preserved  beneath  the  centre  of  the  body,  and  opposite 
the  points  where  it  is  supported  by  the  wings.  The  enormous  breast-nmscles  of  a  bird  are 
among  its  heaviest  parts,  sometimes  weighing,  to  speak  roundly,  as  inu(!h  as  one-sixth  of  the 
whole  bird.  Now  these  are  they  that  etfect  all  the  movements  of  the  wings  at  tho  shoiihler- 
joiuts,  lifting  as  well  as  lowering  the  wings.  Did  these  pectoral  muscles  pull  straiglit,  tho 
lifters  would  liave  to  be  above  the  shoulder-joint ;  but  they  all  lie  below  it,  and  the  lifters 


92 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


accomplish  their  offioo  by  running  through  pulleys  to  ehiinge  the  line  of  their  traction.  They 
work  like  men  hoisting  sails  from  the  deck  of  a  vessel ;  ami  thus,  like  a  sliip's  cnrgo,  a  bird's 
cliief  weight  is  kept  below  tlic  centre  of  motion.  Top-lieaviness  is  further  obviated  by  the  way 
in  which  birds  with  a  long  lieavy  necli  and  head  draw  these  parts  in  upon  the  breast,  and 
extend  the  legs  bcliind,  us  is  well  shown  by  tlie  attitude  of  a  heron  flying.  The  nice  adjust- 
ment of  balance  by  the  variable  extension  of  the  head  and  feet  is  exactly  like  that  produced  in 
weighing  by  shifting  a  weight  along  tlie  arm  of  a  steel-yard  ;  and  together  with  the  slinging 
of  the  chief  weiglit  under  the  wings  instead  of  over  or  even  between  them,  enables  a  bird  to 
easily  keep  riglit  side  up  in  flight.     The 

Exterior  of  a  Bird  is  divided  for  purposes  of  descriittion  into  seven  parts  :  —  1.  The  head 
(Lat.  caput)  ;  -2.  The  neck  (Lat.  colliim)  ;  IS.  The  body  proper,  or  trunk  (Lat.  tnnicus) ;  4. 
Tlie  bill  or  beak  (Lat.  rostrum)  ;  5.  The  Mings  (Lat.  pi.  ahc)  ;  6.  The  tail  (Lat.  cauda)  ;  7- 
The  feet  (Lat.  pi.  links).  Of  these,  1,  2,  'i,  the  head,  neck,  and  trunk,  arc  collectively  termed 
the  hodi/  (.Lat.  corputi),  in  disthiction  from  4,  5,  6,  7,  which  are  the  members  (Lat.  niemhra). 
The  wings  and  feet  are  of  course  double  or  paired  parts.  The  bill  is  strictly  but  a  part  of  the 
head  ;  but  its  manifold  uses  as  an  organ  of  prehension  make  it  functionally  a  hand,  and  there- 
fore one  of  the  "  members."     The 


tm 

(I^ 

«u 

till 


Head  has  the  general  shape  of  a  four-sided  pyramid;  of  which  the  base  is  applied  to  the 
eud  of  the  ueck,  therefore  not  appearing  from  the  exterior,  and  the  apex  of  which  ia  frustrated 
at  the  base  of  the  bill.  The  uppermost  side  is  move  or  less  convex  or  vaulted,  sloping  iu 
every  direction  ;  the  under  side  is  flattish  and  horizontal ;  the  lateral  surfaces  are  flattish  and 
vertical ;  all  similarly  taper  forward.  The  departures  from  any  such  typical  shape  are  endless 
iu  degree  and  variable  in  kind,  giving  rise  to  numerous  general  descriptive  terms,  such  as 
"head  flattened,"  "head  globular,"  but  not  susceptible  of  exact  definition.  The  head  is 
moulded,  of  course,  upon  the  skull,  corresponding  in  a  general  way  to  the  brain-cavity  of  the 
cranium  proper,  both  in  size  and  shape  ;  but  it  differs  in  several  particulars.  In  the  first  place, 
there  is  the  scaft'olding  of  the  jaws ;  secondly,  hirge  excavations  to  receive  the  eye-balls,  and 
smaller  ones  for  the  ear-jinrts ;  thirdly,  muscular  masses  overlying  the  bone ;  and  lastly,  in 
some  birds,  large  hoUow  spaces  in  the  bone  between  the  inner  and  outer  tables  or  plates  of  the 
cranial  walls.  Each  side  of  the  head  presents  two  t)peiiings  for  tlie  eye  (Lat.  oculus)  and  ear 
(Lat.  aurix),  the  jiosition  of  which  is  variable,  both  absolutely  and  in  relation  to  each  other. 
But  in  the  vast  majority  of  birds,  the  eye  is  strictly  lateral  in  situation,  and  near  the  middle  of 
the  side  of  the  head  ;  while  the  ear  is  behind  and  a  little  below  the  eye,  near  the  articulation 
of  the  lower  jaw.  Biit  the  shape  of  the  skull  of  owls  is  such,  that  the  eyes  are  directed  forward, 
and  such  birds  are  said  to  have  ''  eyes  anterior."  Om'Is  also  have  enormous  outer  ears,  in  some 
cavses  provided  with  a  movable  flap  or  conch,  closing  upon  the  opening  like  the  lid  of  a  box ; 
and  iu  many  ciuses  tlu'ir  ear-parts,  and  some  of  the  cranium  itself,  is  unsymmetrical.  In 
most  birds  tJie  ear-opening  is  quite  small,  and  only  covered  by  modified  feathers.  In  the 
woodcock  and  snipe,  owing  to  the  way  the  brain-box  is  tilted  up,  the  ears  are  below  and  not 
behind  the  eyes.  The  mouth  (Lat.  os,  gen.  oris)  is  always  a  fissure  across  the  front  of  the  head. 
The  cleavage  varies,  both  in  extent  and  direction ;  the  latter  is  usually  horizontal,  or  nearly 
so,  but  may  trend  much  downward  ;  the  former  varies  from  a  minimun,  in  which  the  cleft  does 
not  reach  back  of  the  horny  part  of  the  bill,  as  in  a  snipe,  to  the  maximum  seen  in  fissure-billed 
birds  like  the  swifts  and  goatsuckers,  which  gape  almost  from  ear  to  ear.  There  are  no  other 
openings  iu  the  head  proper,  for  the  nostrils  are  always  in  the  bill.     Tlie 

Neck,  in  effect,  is  a  simple  cylinder,  rendered  somewhat  hour-glass-shaped,  as  above  said. 
It  consists  of  a  movable  chain  of  bones,  the  cervical  vertebra:  (Lat.  cerri.T,  the  neck ;  rerto.  I 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.—  TOPOGRAPHY. 


98 


Thoy 
bird's 
e  way 
t,  ami 
idjiist- 
ict'd  in 
iiigiiig 
!)ii'd  to 


turn)  enveloped  in  muscle,  along  which  in  front  lie  the  gullet  (Lat.  asophagus)  aud  windpipe 
(Lat.  trachea),  with  associate  hlood-vessels,  nerves,  etc.  Its  lengtli  is  very  variable,  as  is  the 
ntiinber  of  its  bones,  tlie  latter  ranging  from  8  to  about  26.  Bearing  as  it  does  the  head,  with 
tlio  bill,  which  is  the  true  hand  of  iv  bird,  the  neck  is  extremely  flexible,  to  permit  the  neces- 
sarily varied  movements  of  this  handy  member.  Its  least  length  may  be  said  to  be  that  which 
allows  the  point  of  a  bird's  beak  to  reach  the  uil-gland  on  the  rump ;  its  greatest  length  some- 
times exceeds  that  of  the  body  and  tail  together,  as  in  the  case  of  a  swan,  crane,  or  heron.  The 
length  is  usually  in  direct'  proportion  to  that  of  the  legs,  in  obvious  design  of  allowing  the  beak 
to  touch  the  ground  easily  to  pick  up  food.  The  neck  is  habitually  carried  in  a  double  curve, 
like  an  open  S  or  italic  /,  the  lower  belly  of  the  curve,  convex  forward,  fitting  in  between  the 
forks  of  the  merry-thought  (Lat.  furculuni),  the  upper  curve  holding  the  head  horizontal  at  the 
f>aine  time.  This  "  sigmoid  flexure"  (sigma,  Greek  S),  highly  characteristic  of  the  bird's  neck, 
is  produced  by  the  saddle-shaping  of  tlie  articular  surfaces  of  the  several  bones.  The  mechan- 
ical arrangement  is  such,  that  the  sigma  may  be  easily  bent  till  the  upper  end  (head)  rests  on 
the  lower  convexity,  or  as  easily  straightened  to  a  right  line ;  but  little  if  any  further  deviation 
in  opposite  curvature  is  pcnnitted.  As  a  generalization,  the  neck  may  be  called  relatively 
longest  in  wading  birds,  as  herons,  cranes,  ibises,  etc. ;  shortest  in  perching  birds,  as  the  great 
majority  of  small  Insessores;  intennediate  in  swimming  birds.  But  many  swimmers,  as 
swans  and  cormorants,  have  extremely  long  necks ;  and  some  waders,  as  plovers,  have  very 
short  ones.  A  long  neck  is  a  rarity  among  tlie  higher  birds  (above  the  Gallin<e),  in  most  of 
whicli  the  head  seems  to  nestle  upim  the  shoulders.  The  longer  the  neck,  the  more  sinuous 
and  flexible  is  it  likely  to  be.  Anatomiciilly,  the  neck  ends  before  at  the  articulation  of  the 
atlas  (first  cervical  vertebra)  with  the  skull,  and  behind  at  the  first  vertebra  which  bears  free 
jointed  ribs  reaching  the  sternum.     (See  also  p.  133,  Anatomy.)     The  shape  of  the 


Body  proper,  or  Trunk,  is  obviously  referable  to  that  of  the  egg ;  it  is  ovate  (Lat. 
ovum,  an  egg ;  whence  oval,  the  plane  figure  represented  by  the  middle  lengthwise  sectitm  of 
an  egg ;  ovate  or  ovoid,  the  solid  figure).  The  swelling  of  the  breast  represents  the  greatest 
diameter  of  the  egg,  usually  near  the  larger  end.  But  the  ovoid  is  never  perfectly  expressed, 
and  departures  from  the  figure  are  numberless.  In  general,  the  higher  perching  birds  have  the 
body  nearly  of  the  ovate  shape ;  among  waders,  the  figure  is  usually  compressed,  or  flattened 
vertically,  as  is  well  seen  in  the  herons,  and  still  better  in  the  rails,  where  the  lateral  narrow- 
ing is  at  an  extreme  ;  among  swimmers,  tlie  body  is  always  more  or  less  depressed,  or  flattened 
horizontally,  and  especially  underneath,  that  the  birds  may  rest  on  the  water  with  more 
stability,  as  well  sliowu  by  a  duck  or  diver.  Anatomically  the  body  begins  with  the  foremost 
dorsal  vertebrte,  or  those  that  bear  true  ribs ;  laterally,  it  ceases  quite  definitely  at  the  shoulder- 
joints,  the  wh(de  of  the  fore  limb  being  outside  the  general  content  of  the  trunk ,  behind,  in 
the  middle  line,  it  includes  everything,  only  the  tnW-feathers  themselves  being  beyond  it ; 
behind  and  laterally,  it  includes  more  or  less  of  the  legs,  for  these  are  generally  buried  in  tlie 
common  integument  of  the  body  to  the  knee-joint,  nearly  or  quite  so,  and  sometimes  to  the 
heel-joint ;  thougli  more  strictly  the  trunk  should  be  limited  by  the  hip-joint.  The  rib-bearing 
part  of  the  back-bone,  the  ribs  themselves,  and  the  greatly  enlarged  breast-bone  (Lat.  sternum) 
compose  the  cavity  of  the  chest  (Lat.  ihoraa).  \l\mu  this  bony  box,  which  contains  the 
heart  and  lungs  and  some  other  viscera,  are  saddled  on  each  side  the  bones  of  the  shoulder-girdle 
or  scajiular-arch,  namely,  the  shoulder-blades  (Lat.  scapula),thc  coracoids,  an<l  the  collar-bones 
(Lat.  clavicula),  all  three  of  which  come  together  at  tlie  shoulder-joint.  Tlie  thoracic  cavity 
is  not  separated  by  any  partition  or  diaphragm  from  that  of  tlie  belly  (I^at.  abdomen),  which 
with  the  j)ehns,  or  basin,  contains  the  digestive,  urinary,  and  genital  organs.  The  ))elvis  is 
composed,  in  dorsal  mid-line,  of  so  many  of  the  vertehraB  (^dorso-lumbar,  sacral  proper,  and 
urosacral,  as  become  immovably  joined  to  one  another,  and  laterally  of  the  confluent  haunch- 


94 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


bones.  The  uumorouB  anchylosed  (or  confluent)  vertebnu  compose  the  mcrum.  The  hiiiineli- 
boiies  or  ossa  innominata  consist  on  each  side  of  three  bones,  iVi'mw,  ischium,  and  pubiK,  in  luliill 
hfe  more  or  less  perfectly  anchylosed.  Wlierc  they  all  tiiree  conic  together  is  the  hip-joint. 
The  remaining  bones,  usually  included  among  those  of  tiie  body  proper,  are  the  coccygeal  or 
caudal  v.Ttebra!.     (For  anatomical  detail  see  beyond,  under  Osteology,  vXv.) 

Topography  of  the  Body.  —  Resides  being  thus  divided  into  head,  neck,  trunk,  nndmein- 
bei-8,  the  exterior  of  the  body  is  fmther  subdivided  or  inapiied  out  into  regions  for  the  purposes 
of  description.  It  is  necessary  for  the  student  to  become  familiar  with  the  "topography  "  of  a 
bird,  as  this  kind  of  mapjiing  out  may  be  called,  for  the  names  of  the  regions  or  outer  areas 
are  incessantly  used  in  ordinary  descriptive  ornithology.  Many  more  names  have  been  applied 
than  are  in  cumnum  use ;  I  shall  try  to  define  and  explain  nil  those  which  are  usually  em- 
ployed, beginning  with  the  parts  of  the  body,  and  ending  with  those  of  the  members. 

L  REOIONS  OF  THE  BODY. 

Upper  and  Under  Parts.  —  Draw  a  line  from  the  comer  of  the  mouth  along  the  side  of 
the  head  and  neck  to  and  through  the  shoulder-joint  and  thence  along  the  side  of  the  body  to 
the  root  of  the  tail ;  all  above  this  line,  including  the  ujjper  surfaces  of  the  wings  and  tail,  are 
upper  parts  ;  all  below  it,  including  under  surfaces  of  wings  and  tail,  are  under  parts  ;  for 
whi(!h  the  short  words  "  above  "  and  "  below  "  often  stand.  The  distinction  is  purely  arbi- 
trary, but  so  convenient  as  to  be  practically  indispensable.  It  will  be  seen  how  an  otherwise 
lengthy  description,  enumerating  parts  that  lie  over  or  imder  the  "lateral  line"  can  be 
put  in  so  few  words  as,  for  examjde,  "  above,  green  ;  below,  yellow."  Many  birds  colors  have 
some  such  simple  general  distribution.  These  parts  are  also  the  dorsal  (Lat.  dorsum,  back) 
and  ventral  (Lat.  renter,  belly)  surfaces  or  aspects.  The  upper  parts  of  the  body  proper,  or 
trunk,  have  also  'uccived  tlie  general  name  oinntaum  (Gr.  vuror,  notos,  back) ;  the  under  parts, 
similarly  rcstricte  1,  that  of  gastrmum  (C5r.  yaarrjp,  gaster,  belly)  :  but  these  tenns  are  not 
iiuich  used  now.  These  two  are  never  naked,  while  both  head  and  neck  may  be  variously  ban^ 
of  feathers.  The  only  exception  is  the  transient  condition  of  certain  birds  during  incubation, 
when,  like  the  eider  duck,  they  pull  off  featlu'rs  to  furnish  the  nest,  or  when  the  plumage,  as 
tisually  happens,  wears  off.  The  gastrreum  is  rarely  onuunented  with  feathers  difTerent  in 
texture  or  structure  from  those  of  i\\v.  plumage  at  large  ;  but  such  a  case  is  furnished  by  our 
Lewis's  woodpecker  (Asyndesmus  tnnpiatus).  The  nota!um,  on  the  contrary,  is  often  the  seat 
of  extraordinary  developinc^nt  of  feathers,  either  in  size,  shape,  or  t((xture,  or  all  three  of  these 
(pialities ;  as  the  singularly  elegant  dorsal  plumes  of  many  herons.  Individual  feathers  of  the 
notamm  are  generally  pennaceous,  and  for  the  most  part  straight  and  lancecdate ;  and  as  a 
whole  lie  smoothly  shingled  or  imhricntcd.  The  ventral  feathers  are  usimlly  more  largely 
j)lumulaceous,  and  loss  flat  and  iiribricated,  but  even  more  comi)act,  that  is  thicker,  than  those 
of  the  upper  parts;  especially  among  water  birds,  where  they  arc  more  or  less  curlj',  and 
very  thick  set.     There  are  subdivisions  of  the 


Notaeum.  —  Beginning  when^  the  neck  ends,  and  ending  where  the  tail-coverts  begin 
Csec  fig.  25,  12),  this  jjart  of  a  bird  is  subdivided  into  back  ("Lat.  dorsum;  fig.  25,  11)  and 
rump  (Lat.  urnpygium  ;  tii;.  25,  LS).  Tiiese  are  in  direct  continuafion  of  each  other,  and  their 
limits  are  not  precisely  defined  ;  the  feathers  of  both  are  of  the  pteryla  dorsalui.  In  general, we 
shoidd  call  the  anterior  two-thirds  or  three-fourths  of  notieum  "  back,"  and  the  rest  "  rump." 
With  the  former  are  generally  included  the  scapuliir  or  shoulder-feathers,  scajmlars  or  scapu- 
laries  ;  these  are  they  that  grow  on  the  pterylcf  humerales.  The  region  of  notreum  they  repre- 
sent is   called   scaiwlare  fLat.  scapula,  shouhler-blade),  and  that  part  of  notasum  strictly 


EXTEBNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.-  TOPOGBAPHY. 


95 


(lunch- 
•I  luliilt 

tgeal  or 


liciwi'cn  them  is  culled  tlic  interscapularc  (fig.  25,  10)  ;  it  is  often  marked,  ua  in  tlic  chipping 
sparrow,  witii  streaks  or  some  other  distinctive  coloration.  A  part  of  dorsnin,  lying  between 
intcrsoapulare  and  uropygium,  is  sometimes  recognized  as  the  "lower  back"  (Lat.  tergi<m\;  but 
this  distinction  is  not  practically  useful.  To  uropygium  probably  also  belong  tlie  feathers  of 
tii(^  pteryla-  femorales,  or  at  any  rate  those  are  commonly  ijicluded  with  the  rump  in  descrip- 
tions; but  they  more  properly  represent  the  flanks  (Lat.  ilia,  or  hi/pochondria)  ;  that  is,  sides 
(if  the  rump.  They  arc  sometimes  the  seat  of  largely  developed  or  otherwise  iwculiarly 
iiiixlified  feathers,  as  the  snowy  flaiik  plumes  of  the  white-bellied  swift  {Pawjptila  saxatilis)  or 
violet -green  swallow  (Tachycineta  thalassina),  which  meet  over  the  rump.  The  whole  of 
iKita'um,  taken  together  with  the  upper  surfaces  of  the  wings,  is  called  the  mantle  (Lat.  stragu- 
liim,  a  cloak) ;  often  a  convenient  term,  as  in  describing  gulls  and  terns  for  example.  In  like 
manner,  the 


47  481 


Fio.  25  —  Topography  of  u  Bird.  1,  forehead  (/Vons).  2,  lore.  3,  circumocular  region.  4,  crown  {vertex), 
a,  eye.  6,  hind  head  (occipuO.  7,  nape  (nucAa).  8,  hind  neck  (cerria^).  9,  Bide  of  neck.  10,  Interscapular  region. 
II,  ilorstim,  or  back  proiier,  Including  10.  12,  notaum,  or  ui)pcr  part  of  body  proper,  Including  10,  11,  and  13. 
l.l,  rump  {uropygium).  14,  upper  tall-coverts.  15,  tall.  16,  under  tall-coverts  (triisum).  17,  tarsus.  18,  abdo- 
iiion.  1!),  hind  toe  (Aa//ii.r).  20,  (/nWrrewm,  Including  18  and  24.  21,  outer  or  fourth  toe.  22,  middle  or  third  toe. 
'A  eldo  of  the  body.  24,  breast  (pectus).  25,  primaries.  26,  secondaries.  27,  tertlarles;  nos.  25,  26,  27  are  all 
rcmiges.  28,  primary  coverts.  29,  alula,  or  bastard  wing.  30,  greater  coverts.  31,  median  coverts.  32,  lesser 
niverls.  33,  the  "  throat,"  Including  34,  37,  38.  34,  jHjru/Mm  or  lower  throat.  35,  aurlciilars.  36,  malar  region. 
37,  ;7u/a,  or  middle  throat.  38,  mentum,  or  chin.  39,  angle  of  commissure,  or  corner  of  mouth.  40,  ramus  of 
under  mandible.  4t,  side  of  under  mandible.  42,  gonys.  43,  apex,  or  tip  of  bill.  44,  tomla,  or  cutting  edges  of 
the  bill.  45,  culmen,  or  ridge  of  upper  mnndililo,  corresponding  to  gonys.  46,  side  of  upper  mandible.  47,  nostril. 
48  passes  across  the  bill  a  little  in  front  of  its  base. 

Gnstreeum  is  subdivided  into  regions,  called,  in  general  terms,  breast  (Lat.  pectus  ;  fig.  25, 
21),  Mhj  (Lat.  abdomen  ;  fig.  25,  18),  and  sides  of  the  body  (Lat.  pleura  ;  fig.  25,  23).  The 
"sides  "or  pleurae  belong  really  as  much  to  the  dorsal  as  to  the  ventral  aspects  of  a  bird's 
body ;  but  in  consequence  of  the  underneath -freighted  shape,  the  line  we  drew  passes  so  high 
up  along  them,  that  they  are  almost  entirely  given  over  to  gastrrcinn.     The  breast  begins  over 


96 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


thp  mfirry-thought  whoro  jtigulum  (see  beyond)  ends;  on  either  hand,  it  slopes  up  to  "  sides"; 

behind,  its  extenniou  is  indetiuito.     It  should  properly  reach  as  far  as  the  breast-bone  doi'.s,  \u 

the  limit  of  the  thorax;  but  in  nmny  birds  this  would  leave  almost  nothing  for  abdomen,  ami 

the  limit  would  moreover  fluctuate  with  almost  every  family  of  birds,  the  sternum   being  sn 

variaWe  in  length.     Practically,  therefore,  without  reference  to  the  breast-bone,  "breast"  or 

pectus  Is  restricted  to  the  swelling  anterior  jyart  of  gastra;um,  which  we  call  belly  fir  abtloiiini 

as  Boon  as  it  begins  to  straighten  out  and  Hatten.     Abdomen,  like   pectus,  rounds  up  on  either 

)/i\m\  into  sides  ;  behind,  it  ends  definitely  in  a  transverse  line  passing  across  the  anus.     It  has 

/been  unnecessarily  divided  into  epinuxtrium  or  "  jiit  of  the  stonuieh,"  and  venter  or  lower  belly; 

but  these  terms  are  rarely  used.     (CnsKiim  is  a  word  constantly  used  for  some  indefinite  region 

immediately  about  the  vent;  sometimes  meaning  the  flanks,  sometimes  the  vent-feathers  or 

under  tail-coverts  proixT ;  I  refer  to  it  again  in  connection  with  these  last.)     Though  the.-c 

boundaries  seem  fluctuating  and  not  perfectly  satisfactory,  a  little  practice  will  enable  the 

student  to  ap)ireciate  their  proper  use  in  descriptions,  and  to  empbiy  them  himself  with  sutli- 

cient  accuracy.     The  adjectival  terms  are  respectively  pectoral,  abdominal,  and  lateral.     Thv 

anterior  continuation  of  the  trunk,  or  the 

Neck  (Lat.  collinn)  is  likewise  subdivided  into  regions.  Its  lateral  aspects,  except  iu 
those  birds  that  have  Literal  neck-tracts  of  featliers,  are  formed  by  the  meeting  over  its  sides 
of  the  feathew  that  grow  on  the  dorsal  and  ventral  pteryla',  the  skin  being  usually  nttt  planted 
with  feathers.  Partly  on  this  acu-ount,  perhajis,  a  distinctively  named  region  is  not  often 
exiiressed ;  we  say  simply  "sides  of  the  neck,"  or  "neck  laterally"  (parauchenia,  fig.  25,  9). 
'Y\\v,  neck  behind,  or  the  dorsal  (upper)  aspr-ct,  is  divided  into  two  portions :  a  lower,  the 
"hind  neck"  proper,  or  "scruff  of  the  neck"  (Lat.  cervix ;  fig.  25,  8),  next  to  the  back; 
and  an  upjier,  or  "nape  of  the  neck"  (Lat.  nucha  ;  fig.  25,  7j,  adjoining  the  hind  head. 
These  are  otherwise  respectively  known  as  tin*  cervical  and  nuchal  region  ;  and,  in  speaking 
of  both  together,  we  usually  say  "the  neck  behind."  The  front  of  the  neck  has  been  need- 
lessly subdivided,  and  these  subregions  vary  with  almost  every  writer.  It  suffices  to  call  it 
throat  (Lat.  giila,  fig.  25,  37,  or  jugulum,  34)  ;  remembering  that  the  jugular  portion  is 
lowermost,  vanishing  in  breast,  and  the  gular  uppermost,  running  into  chin  along  the  under 
surface  of  the  head.  Guttur  is  a  term  sometimes  us(;d  to  include  gula  and  jugulum  together  : 
it  is  simply  equivalent  to  "  throat,"  as  just  defined  ;  the  adjective  is  guttural.  Though  gener- 
ally covered  with  feathers,  the  neck,  unlike  the  trunk,  is  frecjuently  partly  naked.  When  naked 
behind,  it  is  usually  cervix  that  is  bare,  as  so  characteristically  occurs  in  herons,  from  interrup- 
tion of  the  forward  exttnisiiin  of  the  pteryla  spinalis.  Nucha  is  seldom  if  ever  naked,  except  as 
an  extension  of  general  bald-headedness.  Gula  is  similarly  naked  from  above  dowmvards,  as 
consjiicuously  illustrated  in  the  order  Stcganojmdes,  comprising  the  pelicans,  connorants,  etc., 
which  have  a  bare  gular  pouch ;  and  as  st.'en  in  many  vultures,  whose  baldness  extends  over 
nucha  and  gula,  and  even  all  around  the  neck,  as  in  the  condor,  whose  nakedness  ends  with  so 
singular  a  collar  of  close-set,  do\niy  foathei-s.  The  lower  throat  or  jugulum  becomes  naked 
in  a  few  birds,  in  which  a  distended  crop  or  craw  protrudes,  ])ushing  apart  feathers  of  two 
briuiches  of  the  pteri/ln  ventralis  as  these  ascend  the  neck.  The  rule  is,  that  the  neck  is  not 
the  seat  of  enlarged  or  otherwise  highly  developed  feathers,  which  might  restrict  the  requisite 
freedom  of  its  motion  ;  but  there  are  some  signal  exceptions,  among  which  may  be  instanced 
the  grouse  fa\nily.  The  ruflii'd  grouse  has  a  singular  umbrella-like  tuft  on  each  side  of  the  neck  : 
the  pinnated  grouse  has  still  more  curious  winglets  in  the  same  situation,  covering  bare  disten- 
sible skin  :  the  sharp-tailed  grouse  is  in  somewhat  similar  but  less  pnniounced  case ;  while  the 
cock  of  the  plains  has  some  extraordinary  jugular  developments  of  feathers  in  connection  with 
bis  subcutaneous  tympanum.  Cervix  projier  almost  never  has  modified  feathers,  but  often  a 
transverse  coloration  different  from  that  of  the  rest  of  the  upper  parts  ;  when  conspicuous,  this 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  —  TOPOGRAPHY. 


97 


is  calloil  "  cervical  collar,"  to  distinguish  it  from  the  guttural  or  jugular  "collars  "  or  rings  of 
ciilor.  Xuelirt  is  frequently  similarly  marked  with  a  "nuchal  band;"  often  special  develoj)- 
iiK  uts  there  take  tlie  form  of  lenpthening  of  the  feathers,  and  we  luive  a  "  nuchal  crest."  More 
|iiirticularly  in  birds  of  largely  variegated  colors,  guttur  and  jugulum  are  marked  lengthwise 
witii  stripes  and  streaks,  of  which  tlioso  on  tlie  sides  are  apt  to  be  ditfercwt  from  those  along 
tlie  middle  line  in  frout.  Jugulum  occasionally  has  lengthened  featliers,  as  in  many  herons. 
Hitliier  uji,  the  neck  in  front  may  have  variously  lengthened  or  otherwise  modified  feathers, 
("duspicuous  among  these  are  the  ruffs,  or  tippets,  of  somt!  birds,  esjjecially  of  the  grebe  family 
(I'lpdicipedidai),  and,  above  all  our  otlier  birds,  of  the  nuile  ruff  (Machetes  pugniu).  But 
tlu'.se,  and  a  few  other  modifications  of  the  feathers  of  the  upper  neck,  are  more  conveniently 
considered  with  those  of  the 


Head.  —  Though  smaller  than  any  of  the  areas  already  considered,  the  head  has  been 
more  minutely  mapped  out,  and  much  detail  is  reijuired  by  the  number  and  importance  of  its 
recognizable  parts  or  regions.  Without  intending  to  mention  all  that  have  been  named,  I 
describe  all  needed  to  be  known  for  nny  practical  piirposos. 

"  Top  of  the  head"  is  a  collectivo  term  for  all  the  upper  surface,  from  base  of  bill  to 
uiipe,  and  laterally  to  about  the  level  of  the  upper  border  of  the  eyes ;  this  is  the  pileum  or 
"cap"  (fig.  25,  1,  4,  6)  ;  it  is  divided  into  three  jjortions.  The  forehead,  or  frontal  region, 
or  simply  "  the  front "  (h-Ai.  frons  ;  fig.  25,  1),  inclades  all  that  slopes  upward  from  the  bill, 
—  generally  to  about  opposite  the  anterior  border  of  the  eyes.  Middle  head  i)T  hvowxl  (Lat. 
corotui)  or  vertex  (Lat.,  fig.  25,  1),  includes  the  top  of  the  head  i)roper,  or  highest  part,  from 
tiie  rise  of  the  forehead  to  the  fall  of  the  hind-head  towards  nucha.  This  slope  is  the  hind-head, 
or  occiput  (Lat.,  fig.  25,  0).  Tiie  lateral  border  of  all  three  constitutes  the  superciliary  line, 
that  is,  the  line  over  tlu;  eye  (Lat.  super,  over;  cilia,  little  hairs,  especially  of  the  brows). 
"  Crown  "  is  often  used  as  the  same  thing  as  pQeum.  The  adjectives  of  the  several  words  are 
frontal,  coronal  or  vertical,  and  occipital :  pileum  has  none  in  use,  coronal  being  said  instead. 

"  Side  of  the  head"  is  a  general  term  defining  itself;  it  presents  for  consideration  several 
regions.  The  orbital  or  circumorhital  region,  or  simply  the  orbit  (Lat.  orbis,  an  orb,  here  the 
socket  of  the  eyeball;  fig.  25,  3),  is  a  snuill  space  forming  a  ring  around  the  eye.  It  includes 
the  eye,  and  especially  the  eyelids  (Lat.  palpebrce).  The  points  whore  these  meet,  in  front  and 
lieliind,  respectively,  are  the  anterior  canthus  and  posterior  canthus  (Gr.  kovBos,  kanthos,  Lat. 
canthus,  a  tire).  The  orbital  region  is  subdivided  into  supra-orbital,  infra-orbital,  ante-orbital, 
and  post-orbital,  according  as  its  upper,  under,  frout,  or  back  portion  is  desired  to  bo  specially 
designated.  The  situation  of  the  orbit  varies  much  in  different  groups  of  birds ;  it  is  generally 
midway,  as  said  above,  but  may  be  higher  or  lower,  jammed  on  toward  the  bill,  or  pushed  far 
uj)  and  back,  as  strikingly  shown  in  tlie  woodcock.  In  owls,  the  orbital  region  is  exaggerated 
into  a  great  disc  of  radiating  feathers,  confeiTing  a  peculiar  physiognomy.  The  attral  or 
auricular  (Lat.  nuris,  or  auriculum,  ear ;  fig.  25,  35)  regicm  lies  about  the  external  opening 
of  the  ear,  or  meatus  auditorius  ;  its  position  varies  in  heads  of  different  shapes,  but  it  nearly 
always  lies  behind  and  a  little  below  the  eye.  Wherever  located,  it  may  be  recognized  at  a 
glance,  by  the  peculiar  texture  of  the  feathers  (the  auriculars)  which  overlie  the  meatus. 
Doubtless  to  offer  least  obstacle  to  sound,  these  are  a  parcel  of  loose-webbed  little  plumes, 
which  may  be  collectively  raised  and  turned  forward,  exposing  the  orifice  of  the  ear;  they  arc 
extremely  large  and  notable  in  those  owls  which  have  complicated  external  ear  parts,  and  in 
such  they  form  part  of  the  great  facial  disc.  The  term  "  temporal  region  "  or  "  temple  "  is  not 
<iften  used  in  ornithology,  not  being  well  distinguished  from  the  post-orbital  space  between  eye 
and  ear,  and  having  nothing  special  about  it.  At  the  lowermost  back  comer  of  the  side  of  the 
head,  generally  just  behind  and  below  the  ear,  may  be  seen  or  felt  a  hard  protuberance  ;  it  is 
the  sharpest  coruer-stono  of  the  head,  being  the  place  where  the  lower  jaw  hinges  upon  the 

7 


98 


GEN  ERA  L   OUXtTIlOLOG  Y. 


Hkiill.  This  is  railed  the  "  iitifflo  of  tlic  jiiw  ;  "  it  w  a  uriod  laiidinarU,  which  innst  by  no  incaiii* 
1m'  (••infused  witli  tlie  "  aiifjle  of  tlio  inoutli,"  whore  the  horny  piirts  t>f  the  lioiik  eoiiie  togetlier. 
'I'lie  lore  (Lat.  Umm,  a  strap,  or  l.ridle ;  lience,  place  where  the  cheek-Ntrap  passes;  fig.  ij,  i^ 
includes  pretty  nuich  all  the  sjiace  hetweeu  tlie  eye  anil  tlu  side  of  X\w  base  of  the  upper 
mandible;  a  consideraWe  part  of  it  is  simply  ante-orbital.  Thus  we  say  of  :•.  hawk,  "Ions 
bristly  ;"  and  examination  of  a  bird  of  that  kind  will  .show  how  hirge  a  space  is  covered  by  the 
term.  Lore,  however,  should  proiierly  be  restricted  to  a  narrow  line  between  the  eye  and  bill 
in  the  direction  of  the  nostrils.  It  is  excellently  shown  in  the  heron  and  jfrebe  families,  when- 
"  naked  btres"  is  a  distinctive  character.  The  lore  is  an  important  jdace,  not  only  from  being 
thus  marked  in  many  birds,  but  from  being  fre(|uently  the  .seat  of  specially  modified  or  specially 
colore<l  feathers.  The  rest  of  the  side  of  the  head,  including  the  space  between  angle  of  jaw 
and  bill,  has  the  name  of  chirk  (F-at.  (jnui,  first  eyelid,  then,  and  generally,  the  prominence 
under  the  eye  formed  by  the  cheidt-bones ;  fig.  25,  'MS).  It  is  bounded  above  by  bmil,  infra- 
orbital, and  anricular  regions;  below,  by  a  more  or  less  straight  line,  representing  the  lower 
e<lge  of  the  bony  prong  of  the  under  mandible.  It  is  cleft  in  front  for  a  varying  distance  by  the 
backward  extension  of  the  gapo  of  the  mouth;  above  this  gape  is  more  properly /yenff,  or  mnhr 
region  (Lat.  mala,  upper  jiiw)  in  strictness;  below  it  is  jaw  (iiin.rill(i),  or  rather  "side  of  tlu! 
jaw."  The  lower  edge  of  the  Jiiw  definitely  separates  the  side  of  the  head  from  the  "  under 
surface"  of  the  head  ;  properly  bounded  behind  by  an  imagiimry  lino  drawn  straight  across  from 
one  angle  of  the  jaw  to  the  other,  and  running  forward  to  a  jioiut  between  the  forks  of  the 
under  mandible.  As  alri'iwly  hinted,  ''throat"  {f/ula  ;  fig.  25,  37)  extends  upward  and  forward 
into  this  space  without  obvious  dividing  line  ;  it  runs  into  chin  (Lat.  mentum  ;  fig.  25,  38),  of 
which  it  is  only  to  be  said,  that  it  is  the  (varying  in  extent)  anterior  part  of  the  under  surface 
of  the  head.  Anteriorly,  it  may  be  conveniently  maiked  off,  opposite  the  point  whore  the 
feathers  end  on  the  side  of  the  lower  jaw,  from  the  feathery  sjiace  (when  any)  between  the 
branches  of  the  upper  uuindible  itself;  this  latter  is  called  XYm  interramal  sjtace  (Lat.  inter, 
between,  ramus,  fork). 

The  head  is  so  often  marked  lengthwise  with  different  ccdors,  apt  to  take  such  definite 
position,  that  these  lines  have  received  special  names.  Median  vertical  line  is  one  along  the 
middle  of  pileum,  from  base  of  bill  to  nucha ;  lateral  vertical  lines  bound  it  on  either  side. 
Siiprcilianj  line  has  already  been  noticed ;  below  it  runs  the  lateral  stripe  ;  that  part  of  it 
Itefore  the  eye,  is  loral  or  ante-orbital ;  behind  the  eye,  post-orbital ;  when  these  are  continn- 
t)us  through  the  eye,  they  form  a  trans-ocular  (Lat.  tram,  across;  oculus,  eye)  line;  belfiw 
this  is  mahir  line,  or  cheek-stripe  (Lat.  frenum,  a  bridle)  ;  below  this,  on  the  under  jaw,  max- 
illary or  suhmaaHlari/  line  ;  in  the  middle  below,  mental  or  gular  lines. 

No  part  of  the  body  has  so  variable  a  ptilosis  as  the  head.  In  the  great  majority  of  birds 
it  is  wholly  and  densely  feathered  ;  it  ranges  from  this  to  whcdly  naked ;  but  nakedness,  it 
should  be  (diserved,  means  only  absence  of  perfect  feathers,  for  most  birds  with  unfeathered 
heads  have  a  hair-like  growth  of  tibiplumes  on  the  skin.  Our  samples  of  naked-beaded  birds 
are  the  turkey,  the  vultures,  the  cranes,  and  some  of  the  heron  tribe,  as  ibises.  Associated  with 
more  or  less  comidete  "  baldness,"  is  the  frequent  presence  of  various  fleshy  outgrowths,  as 
combs,  wattles,  caruncles  (warty  excrescences),  lobes,  and  ^rt;).s'  of  all  sorts,  even  to  enumerate 
whieh  would  exceed  our  limits.  The  parts  of  the  barn-yard  cock  exemplify  the  wlnde;  among 
North  American  birds  they  are  very  rare,  being  confined,  in  evident  development  at  any  rate, 
to  the  wild  turkey.  Sometimes  horny  pMes  take  the  (dace  of  fcathei-s  on  part  of  the  bead  ;  as 
the  frontal  shields  of  the  coots  and  gallinules.  A  very  common  form  of  head-nakedness  marks 
(uie  whole  order  of  birds,  the  Sierjanopodcs,  which  have  mentum  and  more  or  less  of  gnla 
naked,  and  transformed  into  a  sort  of  jiouch,  cxtn'mely  developed  in  the  pelicans,  and  well  seen 
in  the  cormorants.  The  next  commonest  is  definite  bareness  of  the  hires,  as  in  all  herons 
and  grebes  ;  in  the  former  including  the  whole  circum-orbital  region.     A  little  orbital  space  is 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  — TOPOGRA I'll Y. 


09 


liiiic  in  mimy  birds,  h8  tho  vulturinc  hiiwkx,  iind  sotno  ]iigc(mu;  species  of  jfnmw  liiive  a  Imre 
Wiiif y  suiim-orbitiil  space.  Among  water-birds  particularly,  more  or  less  of  tiie  inteniiinal  spiico 
in  ahiiost  always  unfuathercd  ;  the  nakedness  always  proceeds  from  before  backwards.  With 
the  rare  exceptions  of  a  narrow  frontal  line,  and  a  little  space  abont  the  anjfle  of  the  mouth,  no 
other  special  parts  of  the  head  than  those  above  given  are  nuked  iu  any  North  American  bir<l, 
unless  associated  with  general  baldness. 

The  opposite  condition,  that  of  redundant  feathering,  gives  rise  to  all  the  various  crests 
(Lat.,  pi.  crist(c)  that  form  such  striking  ornaments  of  many  birds.  Crests  proper  belong  to 
the  top  of  the  head,  but  nuiy  be  also  held  to  include  those  growths  on  its  side  ;  these  together 
being  called  crests  in  distinction  to  the  ruffs,  rulHes,  beard,  (^tc,  of  gula  or  mentum.  Crests 
may  bo  divided  into  two  kinds:  1,  where  th(^  feathers  are  simjdy  lengthened  or  otberwisi- 
enlarged ;  and  2,  where  the  texture,  and  sometimes  even  the  structure,  is  altered.  Nearly  all 
birds  possess  the  power  of  moving  and  elevating  the  feathers  on  the  head,  simulating  a  slight 
crest  in  moments  of  excitement.  The  general  form  of  a  crest  is  a  full,  soft  elongation  of  the 
coronal  feathers  ctdlectively ;  when  perfect,  such  a  crest  is  globular,  as  in  the  genus  I'ljro- 
cephnlm ;  generally,  however,  the  feathers  lengthen  on  the  occiput  more  than  on  the  vertex 
or  front,  and  this  gives  us  the  simplest  and  comuKmest  form.  Such  crests,  when  more  par- 
ticularly occipital,  are  usually  connected  with  lengthening  of  nuchal  feathers,  and  are  likely 
to  be  of  a  thin,  pointed  shape,  as  well  shown  in  the  kingfisher.  Coronal  or  vertical  crests 
proper  are  apt  to  be  rather  <lifferent  in  coloration  than  in  specially  marked  elongation  of  the 
feathers ;  they  are  perfectly  illustrated  in  the  king-bird,  and  other  species  of  the  genus  Tyran- 
nit.i.  Frontal  crests  are  the  most  elegant  of  all ;  they  generally  rise  as  a  pyramid  from  the 
forehead,  as  e.Kcellontly  shown  in  the  blue  jay,  cardinal  bird,  tufted  titmouse,  and  others.  All 
tiu^  foregoing  crests  are  generally  single,  but  sometimes  double ;  as  shown  in  the  two  lateral 
occipital  tufts  of  the  "  horned  "  lark,  in  all  the  tufted  or  "  hornt^d  "  owls,  and  in  a  few  cormo- 
rants. Lateral  crests  are,  of  course,  always  double,  one  on  each  side  of  the  head  ;  they  are  of 
various  shapes,  but  need  not  be  particularized  here,  especially  since  they  mostly  belong  to  the 
second  class  of  crests,  —  those  consisting  of  texturally  modified  feathers.  It  is  a  general,  though 
not  exclusive,  character  of  those  last  that  they  are  tcmporarij  ;  while  the  other  kind  is  only 
changed  with  the  general  moult,  these  are  assumed  for  a  short  period  only,  the  breeding  season ; 
and,  furthermore,  they  are  often  distinctive  of  sex.  Occurring  on  the  top  of  the  head,  they 
furnish  the  most  remarkable  ornaments  of  birds.  I  need  only  instance  the  elegant  helmet-like 
|)luines  of  the  partridges  of  the  genus  Lophortyx  ;  the  graceful  flowing  train  of  Oreoriyx  ;  the 
somewhat  similar  plumes  of  the  night  and  other  herons.  The  majority  of  the  cormorants,  and 
many  of  the  auks,  possess  lateral  plumes  of  similar  description  ;  these,  and  those  of  the  herons, 
are  probably  —  in  most  cases  certainly  —  deciduous  ;  while  those  of  the-  partridges  above  men- 
tioned last  as  long  as  the  general  plumage.  These  lateral  plumes,  in  nuiny  birds,  especially 
among  grebes,  are  associated  with,  and,  in  fact,  coalesce  with,  the  ruflVi,  which  are  singular 
lengthening  and  modifying  in  different  ways  of  feathers  of  auricuhirs,  gense  and  gula  ;  and  are 
almost  always  temporary.  Beards,  or  special  lengthening  of  the  mental  feathers  alone,  are 
comparatively  rare;  we  have  no  good  example  among  our  birds,  but  a  European  vulture, 
Gypaetus  harhatus,  is  one.  The  feathers  sometimes  bec^nne  scaly  {squamouK),  forming,  for 
instance,  the  extpiisite  gorgelets  or  frimtlets  of  humming-birds.  They  are  often  bristly  (xcta- 
ceous),  as  about  the  lores  of  nearly  all  hawks,  the  forehead  of  the  dabc^hick,  meadow-lark, 
etc.  A  particular  set  of  bristles,  which  grow  iu  single  series  along  the  gajie  of  many  birds, 
are  called  ricM  bristles  or  vibrissfC  These  occur  in  greater  or  less  (leveloi)nient  in  most  small 
insectivorous  birds ;  they  arc  large  and  stiff  and  highly  characteristic  of  the  family  Tyrannidw, 
or  ttycatcliers ;  while  in  some  of  the  goatsuckers  {Caprinmlyida:)  they  are  prodigiously  long, 
and  in  one  species  of  that  family  (Antrostomus  caroUnetisis)  they  have  lateral  filaments.  While 
usually  all  the  imlengtheued  head-feathers  point  backward,  they  are  sometimes  erect,  forming 


100 


GENEEAL  OliNITUOLOGY. 


a  velvety  pile,  or  tliey  may  radiate  in  a  circle  from  a  given  point,  as  from  the  eye  in  most  owl^, 
where  they  form  a  disc. 

In  the  foregoing  paragraph  I  only  uKnition  a  few  styles  of  crests,  chiefly  needed  to  he 
known  in  the  study  of  our  hirds ;  but  should  add  tliat  there  are  many  others,  with  endless 
modifications,  among  exotic  birds  ;  to  these,  however,  I  cannot  even  allude  by  name.  Peculiar- 
ities of  nasal  feathers,  and  others  around  the  hitse  of  the  bill,  are  noticed  below.  Forms  of  crests 
are  illustrated  by  many  of  the  figures  given  jjansim  in  the  present  work. 


2    or  THE  MEMISERS:    THEIIi  PARTS  AND  ORGANS. 
I.   THE  BILL. 

The  Bill  (Lat.  rostrum)  is  hand  and  mouth  in  one :  the  instrument  it's  prehension.  As 
hand,  it  takes,  holds,  and  carries  food  or  other  substances,  and  in  many  instances,  feels  ;  as 
mouth,  it  tears,  cuts,  or  crushes,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  substjinces  taken ;  assuming 
the  functions  of  botli  lijis  and  teeth,  neither  of  which  do  any  recent  birds  possess.  An  organ 
thus  essential  to  the  prime  functions  of  birds,  one  directly  related  to  their  various  modes  of  life, 
is  of  nmch  consequence  in  a  taxonomic  point  of  view;  yet  its  structural  modifications  are  so 
various  and  so  variously  interrelated,  that  it  is  more  important  in  framing  genera  than  families 
or  orders  J  more  constant  characters  must  be  employed  for  the  liigher  groups.  The  general 
shape  of  the  hill  is  referable  to  the  cone  ;  it  is  the  anterior  part  of  the  general  cone  that  we 
have  seen  to  reach  from  its  point  to  tlie  base  of  tlic  skull.  This  shape  confers  the  greatest 
strength  combined  with  the  greatest  delicacy  ;  the  end  is  fine  to  apprehend  the  smallest  objects, 
while  the  base  is  stout  to  manipulate  the  largest.  But  in  mi  bird  is  the  cone  expressed  with 
entire  precision  ;  and,  in  most,  the  departure  from  this  figure  is  great.  The  bill  always  con- 
sists of  two,  the  upper  and  the  lower 

Mandibles  (fig.  26),  which  lie,  as  their  names  indicate,  above  and  below,  and  are  sepa- 
rated by  a  horizontal  fissure,  —  the  mouth.     Each  mandible  always  consists  of  certain  project- 
o   6  c  rf  e      /  a  '"S  skull-bones,  sheathed  with  more  or  less  horny  integument  in  lieu 

of  true  skin.  The  ftame-work  of  the  Upper  Mandible  is  (chiefly) 
a  bone  called  the  intermaxillary,  or  better,  in  this  case,  the  preniax- 
illary.  In  general,  this  is  a  three-pronged  or  trijwdal  bone  running 
to  a  point  in  front,  with  the  uppermost  prong,  or  foot,  implanted 
upon  the  forehead,  and  the  other  two,  lower  and  horizontal,  running 
into  the  sides  of  the  front  of  the  .skull.  The  scaft'old  of  the  Under 
Mandible  is  a  compound  bono  called  inferior  maxillary  ;  it  is  U-  or 
Fio.  26.  — piirts  of  a  Bill.  V-shaped,  with  the  ])oint  or  convexity  in  front,  and  the  prongs  ruu- 
o,  side  of  ujiper  mandible ;  6,  ning  to  cither  side  of  the  base  of  the  skrll  behind,  to  be  there  mov- 
culmeii;   c,   iinsai    fossa;    </,      ,,      ,.         ,       „,,  .         ,  .^i  .    •  ■,  ..    , 

nostril;  c (sec below);/, g.ape,  ''*"'>'  hinged.  Ihese  two  bones.  With  certain  accessory  bones  of  the 
or  whole  eonmiissural  line;  j7,  upper  mandible,  as  the  palatehowa,  etc.,  together  with  the  horny 
rictus;  A,  commissural  point    •  .         .  ^.^  ^    ^i      i  t,  j.  .  .     ,  .   ,  ., 

or  angle  of  the  mouth ;  »,  ra-   "'Vestment,  (Constitute  the  JAWS.     Both  jaws,  m  birds,  are  movable  ; 

muKofunderJaw;j,  tomlaof  the  under,  by  the  joint  ju.st  mentioned:  the  upjKT,  either  by  a 
under    mandible  (the    refer-    ;    ;,.,    „»        „    i      .i      '  i     ^-'-^        r  xi       i  r     .i       ^       ,        ,       .      . 

cnce  lines  ^should  have  been  'l""'^  "*'  '"^  7  *''«  elaijticity  of  the  bones  of,  the  forehead;  it  is 
ilrawn  to  indicate  the  corre-   moved  by  a  singular  iiiusculav  and  bony  apparatus  iu  the  palate, 

diS?T'-^e"o'f'Tny";":  ^"'■'''''''  ""'"^"  "^  ^^''''^•''  '*  f-'i^-'=»  '"'y°"J'  ""'^^•-  '>«»*»  «f  Anatomy 
gonys;  m,  sidecfunderman-  (Osteology).  The  motion  of  the  upper  mandible  is  freest  and  most 
dlblein.  tips  of  mandibles.  ..xtensive  in  the  parrot  tribe,  where  both  fronto-maxillary  and 
l-alato-maxillary  sutures  exist.  When  closed,  the  jaws  meet  and  fit  along  their  apposed  edges 
or  surfaces,  iu  the  same  manner  and  for  tlie  same  purposes  as  the  lips  and  teeth  of  man  or 
other  vertebrate  animals.     All  hills,  thus  similarly  constituted,  have  been  divided  into 


EXTERNAL   PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  —  THE  BILL. 


101 


Four  Classes,  representing  as  many  ways  in  which  the  two  mandibles  close  upon  each 
other  at  the  end.  1.  The  epignaihous  (Gr.  im.  epi,  upon,  yvdOos,  (ftuithos,  ydw)  way,  plan,  or 
type,  in  which  the  upper  mandible  is  longer  than  tlie  under,  and  its  tip  is  evidently  bent  down 
(pvcr  the  tip  of  the  lower.  2.  The  hypognathotis  (Gr.  wro,  hupo,  under),  in  which  the  lower 
iiiiindihle  is  hmger  than  the  other.  3.  The  paragnathous  (Gr.  irapa,  para,  at  or  by),  in  which 
biitli  are  of  about  equal  length,  and  neither  is  evidently  bent  over  the  other.  4.  The  metugna- 
thous  (Gr.  ixtra,  meta,  with,  beside,  etc.),  in  which  the  points  of  tin;  mandibles  cross  each 
other.  The  second  and  fourth  of  these  arc  extremely  rare ;  they  are  exemplified,  respectively, 
hv  tlic  skimmer  and  the  cross-bill  (genera  Rhiiiicboj)s  and  Loxia).  The  first  is  common, 
occurring  throughout  the  birds  of  prey,  the  parrots,  and  among  the  petrels,  gulls,  etc.,  etc. 
The  great  majority  of  birds  exhibit  the  third ;  and,  among  them,  there  is  such  evident  grada- 
tion into  epignathism,  that  it  is  necessary  to  restrict  the  latter  to  its  complete  development, 
exhibited  in  the  intcnnaxillary  bone  divested  of  its  homy  sheath,  whieii  often,  as  among  Hy- 
catchers,  etc.,  forms  a  littU*  overhanging  point,  but  does  not  constitute  epignathism.  These 
cliis.ses,  it  should  be  added,  tliough  always  applicable,  and  very  convenient  in  descriptions,  are 
purely  arbitrary,  that  is,  they  by  no  means  correspond  to  any  four  large  groups  of  birds  ;  but, 
on  the  contrary,  usually  only  mark  famili(!S  and  the  subdivisions  of  families ;  and  the  four 
types  may  be  seen  in  contiguous  genera.     The  general  shape  of  the  bill  has  also  furnished 

Other  Classes,  for  many  years  used  as  a  large  basis  for  ornithological  classification,  even 
for  the  establishment  ()f  orders ;  but  which  the  jjrogress  of  the  science  has  shown  to  be  merely 
as  convenient  as,  and  tmly  less  arbitrary  than,  the  foregoing.  The  principal  of  these  are 
represented  by  the  following  types:  A,  among  land  birds.  1.  Tho  fissirostral  (Lut.  Jisstis, 
cleft,  and  rostrum),  or  cleft,  in  which  the  bill  is  small,  >s/ior(,  and  with  a  very  large  gap  run- 
ning down  the  side  of  the  head ;  as  in  the  swallow,  clumney-swift,  whippoorwill.  2.  The 
ienuirostral  (Lat.  tenuis,  slender),  or  slender,  in  which  the  bill  is  small,  long,  and  with  a  short 
cleft ;  as  in  the  humming-bird,  creeper,  nuthatch.  H.  Tl>e  dentirostral  (Lat.  dens,  a  tooth), 
or  toothed,  in  which,  with  a  various  general  shape,  there  is  present  a  nick,  tooth,  or  evident 
lobe  in  the  opposed  edges  of  one  or  both  mandibles  near  the  end  ;  as  in  the  shrike,  vireti,  and 
some  wrens,  thrushes,  and  warblers.  4.  The  conirostral  (Lat.  coims,  a  cone),  or  conical,  suffi- 
ciently defined  by  its  name,  and  illustrated  by  the  great  finch  family  and  some  allied  ones.  — 
B,  among  water  birds.  5.  The  hngirostral  (Lat.  longus,  long),  or  long,  an  aquatic  style  of 
the  tenuirostral,  best  exhibited  in  the  great  snipe  fiimily.  6.  The  pre.s,siros^r«J  (Lat.  pressus, 
pressed),  or  the  compact,  illustrated  by  the  plovers,  etc.,  and  quite  likely  analogous  to  the 
conirostral.  7.  The  adtrirostral  (Lat.  culter,  a  knife),  cutting,  perhaps  analogous  to  the 
dentirostral,  exemplified  in  the  heron  group.  None  of  these  terms  are  now  used  to  indicate 
natural  groups,  nor  hiive  we  such  absurdities  as  the  "  orders"  Fissirostres,  Tenuirostres,  etc. 
A  swallow,  for  instance,  and  a  swift  are  equally  fissirostral,  though  only  distantly  related  to 
each  other ;  a  swift  is  very  closely  related  to  a  hnmming-binl,  though  the  latter  is  extremely 
tenuirostral ;  and  birds  of  contiguous  genera  may  be  dentin>stral  or  not.  The  words  are 
nevertheless  convenient  incidental  tenns  in  general  descriplions.  Various  other  similar  terms, 
expressing  specijil  modifications,  as  lamellirosfral  (Lat.  lamella,  a  plate),  acutirostral  (Lat. 
acittus,  sharp),  etc.,  are  also  employed  as  common  names,  simply  descriptive  of 


Other  Forms.  —  A  bill  is  called  long,  when  notably  longer  than  the  head  proper  ;  short, 
when  notably  shorter  ;  medium,  in  neither  of  these  conditions.  It  is  compressed,  when  higher 
than  wide,  at  the  base  at  least,  and  generally  for  some  portion  of  its  length  ;  depressed,  wlien 
wider  than  high  ;  terete  (Lat.  teres,  cylindric),  under  neither  of  these  conditions.  It  is  recurved, 
when  curved  upward  ;  decurved,  when  curved  downward ;  bent,  when  the  variation  in  either 
direction  is  at  an  auglo ;  straight,  when  not  out  of  line  with  the  axis  of  the  head.     A  bill  is 


102 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


obtim  (said  chiefly  of  tho  paragnathons  sort)  whou  it  rajiidly  comes  to  an  end  that  tlicrofoiv 
is  not  fine  ;  or  when  tho  enii  is  Iniohhy ;  it  is  acute  when  it  runs  to  a  sharp  point ;  acumiuatp, 
wlion  e(iually  sharp  and  slomlercr ;  attenuate,  when  still  slenderer;  subulate  (awl- shaped), 
when  slenderer  still;  acicular  (needle-shaped),  when  slenderest  possible,  as  in  some  humniiiij,'- 
hirds.  A  bill  is  arched,  vaulted,  turgid,  tumid,  inflated,  etc.,  when  its  outlines,  both  crosswise 
and  lengthwise,  are  notably  more  or  less  convex  ;  and  contracted,  when  some,  or  the  principal, 
outlines  are  concave  (said  chiefly  of  depressions  about  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible,  or  of 
concavity  alont:  the  sides  of  both  mandibles).  A  bill  is  hamulate  (Lat.  hamus,  a  hook),  or 
utipuiciihitc  (Lat.  iinr/nis,  a  daw;,  when  strongly  epignathous,  as  in  rapacious  birds,  wlicre 
the  upper  mandible  is  like  the  talon  of  a  carnivorous  beast;  it  is  dentate,  when  toothed,  as  in 
a  falcon  ;  if  there  are  a  number  of  similar  "  teeth,"  it  is  serrate  (Lat.  serra,  a  saw),  like  a  saw ; 
it  is  cultrale  (knife-like),  when  extremely  compressed  and  sharp-edged,  as  in  the  auk,  skimmer  ; 
if  much  curved  as  well  as  cultrate,  it  is  falcate  (Lat.  falv,  a  reaping-hook  ;  scythe-.shaped) ; 
anil  each  mandible  may  be  ojjjjositely  falcate,  as  in  the  cross-bil  ,  constituting  metagnatjiisni. 
A  bill  mucli  flattened  and  widened  at  the  cud  (rare)  is  si)atulate  (Lat.  spatida,  a  spoon)  ; 
exami)les  :  spoonbill,  sho\eller  duck.  One  is  called  lamellate,  M-hen  it  has  a  series  of  plati  i 
or  processes  just  inside  the  edges  of  the  mandibles ;  as  in  all  the  duck  order,  and  in  a  few 
petrels ;  the  design  is  to  furnish  a.  sifter  or  strainer  of  water,  just  what  is  effected  in  the  wliaie, 
bv  the  "  bone  "  in  its  mouth.  Finally,  tiie  far  end  of  tlie  hill,  of  wJnUever  .shape,  is  called  the 
tiji  or  apcj-  (fig.  26,  n)  ;  the  near  end,  joined  to  the  rest  of  the  skull,  the  base  ;  the  rest  is  the 
continuity.     Some  other  features  of  the  bill  as  a  whole  are  best  treated  under  separate  head  of 


The  Covering  of  the  Bill.  —  (a.)  In  the  great  majority  of  birds,  including  nearly  all 
perchers,  many  walkers,  and  .some  waders  and  swimmers,  the  sheathing  of  the  mandibles  is 
wholly  hard,  horny,  or  corneous  (Lat.  cornu,  a  horn)  ;  it  is  integument  modified  much  as  in 
the  case  of  the  luiils  or  claws  of  beasts.     In  nearly  all  waders  and  most  swinnnei-s,  the  sheatli 
becomes,  wholly  or  pailly,  softer,  and  is  of  a  dense,  leathery  texture.     But  some  swimmers,  as 
among  the  auks,  furnish  bills  as  hard-covered  as  any,  wliile  some  perchers  have  it  partly  ([uite 
soft,  so  that  no  unexceptional  rule  can  be  laid  down  ;  and,  moreover,  the  gradations  from  one 
extreme  to  the  other  are  insensible.    I'robably  the  softest  bill  is  found  auiong  the  snipes,  wiiere 
it  is  skinny  throughout,  iind  in  typical  snipes  and  woodcocks  vascular  and  nervous  at  the  tip, 
becoming  a  trn(>  organ  of  touch,  used  to  feel  for  worms  out  of  -^ight  in  the  mud.    In  all  tin;  duck 
order  the  bill   is  likewise  soft;  but  there  it  is  always  terminated  by  a  hard,  liorny,  unyuis  or 
"  nail,"  more  or  less  distinct ;  and  such  a  horny  claw  also  occurs  in  other  water  birds  with  sottish 
bills,  as  the  pelican.    An  interesting  modificatiim  oeciu's  in  all,  or  nearly  all,  of  the  pigeon  order ; 
these  birds  have  the  bill  hard  or  hardisii  at  tip  and  tlirough  most  of  continuity,  but  towards 
and  at  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible  the  sheath  changes  to  a  soft,  tumid,  skinny  texture, 
overarching  the  nostrils ;  it  is  nmch  the  same  with  most  plovers.     But  the  most  important 
feature  in  this  connection  is  afforded  by  the  parrots  and  all  tlie  birds  of  prey  ;  one  .so  rennirkable 
that  it  has  received  a  distinct  name:  Ci;uK.     Tlie  cere   (].,at.  ('ciy/,  wax  ;   becau.se  it  locdis 
waxy)  is  a  dense  membrane  saddled  on  the  up]ier  mandible  at  base,  so  different  from  the  reM 
of  the  bill,  that  it  might  hi'  ijuesti<med  whether  it  does  not  more  properly  belong  to  the  head  tlian 
to  the  bill,  were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  the  nostrils  open  in  it.     Moreover,  the  cere  is  often 
densely  feathered,  as  in  the  ("andina  paroipiet,  in  the  bill  proper  of  which  no  nostrils  are  seen, 
these  being  hidden  in  the  feathered  cere,  which,  therefore,  migjit  ea.sily  be  mistaken  at  first  sight 
for  the  bird's  forehead.     A  sort  of  false  cere  occurs  in  some  water  birds,  as  the  jaegers,  or  skua- 
gulls  (genus  Stercorarius).     The  tumid  nasal  skin  of  ]iigeons  is  sometimes  called  a  cere;  but 
the  term  had  better  be  restricted  to  tlio  birds  first  above  named.    The  under  nnindible  probably 
never  presents  softening  except  as  a  part  of  general  skinniness  of  the  bill ;  it  may  have  a  nail 
at  the  end.    (6.)  The  covering  is  either  entire  or  pieced,    lu  most  birds  it  is  entire  ;  tliat  is,  the 


EXTERNAL  PAHTS  OF  BIRDS.  — THE  BILL. 


103 


miiiatc, 
lapc(i), 
riniiiiir- 
)ss\vi,sp 
ii«ipnl, 
or  of 
><>k),  or 
where 
,  as  ill 
a  .saw ; 
miller ; 
il.e.1)  ; 
itliisui. 

)0(il|)  ; 

l>lati  i 
II  a  few 
wliale, 
led  the 
t  is  the 
I'ad  of 


sheath  of  cither  mandible  may  be  pulled  off  whole,  like  the  finger  of  a  glove.  It  is,  however, 
ill  many  birds  divided  into  parts,  by  various  lines  of  slight  connection,  and  then  comes  otf  in 
iiieces;  as  is  the  case  with  some  water  birds,  particularly  petrels,  where  the  divisions  are  regu- 
hir,  and  the  pieces  have  received  distinctive  names.  Many  auks  {Alcidie)  have  the  covering 
of  the  bill  in  particular  pieces,  and  it  is  an  extraordinary  fact  that  such  parts  are  of  a  secondary 
sexual  character  (see  j).  90),  being  assuiued  at  the  breeding  season  and  afterwards  moulted 
liiio  feathers.  Such  condition  of  tlie  sheath  of  the  beak,  or  of  special  deveh)])nieiits  of  the 
siuatii,  is  called  cadiicoiin  or  deciduous.  The  entire  covering  of  both  jaws  togetlier  is  called 
rhumphotheca  (Gr.  pa/iipoi,  Itramjyhos,  beak ;  6rjKri,  thekc,  a,  sheath) ;  of  the  upper  alone, 
rhiiiotheca  (Gr.  pit,  hris,  the  nose)  ;  of  the  under,  (jnathotheca  (Gr.  yvaBoi,  gmithos,  jaw)  ;  but 
tliese  terms  are  not  much  used,  (c.)  The  covering  is  otherwise  variously  mailred;  sometimes 
so  strongly  that  similar  features  are  inipress"d  upon  the  bones  themselves  beneath.  The  most 
freniient  marks  are  various  ridges  (Lat.  pi.  carina;,  keels)  of  all  lengths  and  degrees  of  e.'cpres- 
sioii,  straight  or  curved,  vertical,  oblique,  horizontal,  lengthwise,  or  transvei-se ;  a  bill  so 
marked  is  said  to  be  striate  (Lat.  stria,  a  streak)  or  cariiiate  ;  when  numerous  and  irregular, 
they  are  called  rugce  (Lat.  ruga,  a  wrinkle)  and  the  bill  is  said  to  be  corrugated  or  rugose, 
When  the  elevations  are  in  points  or  spots  insteail  of  lines,  they  are  called  [mncta  (Lat.  imnc- 
tum,  a  point) ;  a  bill  so  furnished  is  jiunctate,  but  the  last  word  is  oftener  employed  to  designate 
t]i<!  presence  of  little  pits  or  depressions,  as  in  the  dried  bill  of  a  snipe  towards  the  end.  Larger 
softish,  irregular  knobs  or  elevations  pass  under  the  general  name  of  iracAs  or  jw^j/Zte,  and  a 
bill  so  marked  is  papillose  ;  when  the  processes  are  very  large  and  soft,  the  bill  is  said  to  be 
carunculate  (Lat.  euro,  flesh,  diminutive  carunculus,  little  bit  of  flesh  i.  Various  linear  depres- 
sions, often  but  not  always  associated  with  carinas  are  grooves  or  sulci  (Lat.  sulcus,  a  furrow) 
and  the  bill  is  then  called  sulcate.  Sulci,  like  carina-,  arc  of  all  shapes,  sizes,  and  positions  ; 
when  very  largo  and  definite,  they  are  sometimes  called  canaliculi,  or  channels.  The  various 
kuidts,  "  horns,"  and  large  special  features  of  the  bill  cannot  be  here  particularized.  Any  of 
till'  foregoing  fe-itures  may  iK'cur  im  both  mandibles,  and  they  are  exclusive  of  that  special 
inaiii  of  the  upi)er  the  nasal  fossa  in  which  the  nostrils  oj>eii,  and  which  is  considered  below. 
We  liave  still  to  notice  the  special  parts  of  either  mandible ;  and  will  begin  with  the 
simplest,  the 


Uniler  Mnndible.  —  In  the  majority  of  birds  it  is  a  little  shorter  and  a  lit'le  narrower  and 
not  nearly  so  deep  as  the  upper;  but  sometiincs  quite  as  large,  or  even  larger.  The  upper 
edge,  double  ( i.  c,  there  is  an  edge  on  both  sides),  is  called  the  mandibular  tomium,  or  in  the 
plural,  tomia  (dr.  Tffiv€iv,  temnein,  to  cut;  tig.  "iO,,/!,  as  far  as  it  is  hard;  this  is  received 
against,  and  nsually  a  little  within,  the  corresponding  edge  of  the  upper  mandible.  The 
prongs  already  mentioned  are  the  mandibular  ritmi  (pi.  of  Lat.  ramus,  a  branch  ;  tig.  20,  t'l; 
these  meet  at  some  jioint  in  front,  either  at  a  short  angle  (like  >)  or  with  a  rounded  joining 
(like  tJ  ).  At  their  point  of  union  there  is  a  prominence,  more  or  less  marked  dig.  26,  k) ; 
this  is  the  (iONV.s  (corrupted  from  tlie  Gr.  yow,  gonu,  i\  knee;  hence,  any  similar  protuber- 
ance). That  is  to  say,  this  point  is  gonys  proper;  but  the  term  is  extended  to  ajiply  to  the 
whole  line  of  union  of  the  rami,  from  gouys  projier  to  the  tip  of  the  under  mandible ;  and  in 
descriptions  it  means,  then,  the  under  outline  of  the  bill  for  a  corresponding  distance  (fig.  2(),  /). 
This  important  term  must  be  understood ;  it  is  constantly  used  iu  describing  birds.  The 
gonys  is  to  the  under  mandible  what  tlie  kt.'el  is  to  a  boat ;  it  is  the  opposite  of  the  ridge  or 
culmen  of  the  upper  mandible.  It  varies  greatly  iu  length.  Ordinarily  it  forms,  say,  one- 
half  to  three-fourths  of  the  under  outline.  Sometimes,  ns  in  conirostral  birds,  a  sjiaiTow  for 
example,  it  represents  nearly  all  this  outline  ;  while  in  a  f<^w  birds  it  makes  the  whole,  and  in 
some,  as  the  puffin,  is  actually  longer  than  the  lower  mandible  jiroper,  because  it  extends  back- 
wards in  a  point.     Other  birds  may  have  almost  no  gonys  at  all ;  as  a  ))elicau,  where  tlie  rami 


104 


GENEBAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


only  meet  at  the  extreme  tip,  or  in  the  wluile  duck  family,  where  there  is  hardly  mtirc.  As 
tlif  student  must  see,  the  length  of  the  gonys  is  simply  a  matter  of  how  extensive  is  the  fusion 
of  the  rami,  and  that,  similarly,  tlu'ir  iiuidc  of  fusion,  as  in  a  sharp  ridge,  a  flat  surface,  a 
straight  line,  a  curve,  etc.,  results  in  ('(irrespondiug  modificiitions  of  its  special  shape.  The 
interramal  space  is  complementary  to  length  of  gonys:  sometimes  it  runs  to  the  tip  of  tlie  hill, 
as  in  a  pelican,  sometimes  there  is  next  to  none,  as  in  a  iniffin  ;  while  its  width  depends  iipim 
the  degree  of  divergence,  and  the  straightness  or  curvature,  of  the  rami.  The  surface  between 
the  tomium  and  lower  edge  of  rami  and  gonys  together  is  the  side  of  the  under  mandible 
(fig.  '2fi,  III).     The  most  imp(n-tant  feature  of  the 

Upper  Mandible  is  the  admen  (Lat.  for  top  ()f  anything  ;  fig.  26,  h).  The  culmen  is  to 
the  upper  mandible  what  the  ridgo  is  to  the  roof  of  a  house ;  it  is  the  upper  profile  of  the  bill 
—  the  hir/hfst  middle  lengthwise  line  of  the  hill ;  it  begins  M'here  the  feathers  end  on  the  fore- 
head, and  extends  to  the  tip  of  the  upper  mandible.  According  to  the  shape  of  the  bill  it  may 
b(^  straight  or  convex,  or  concave,  or  even  somewhat  02  -shaped  ;  or  double-convex,  as  in  the 
tufted  puffin  :  but  in  the  great  majority  of  cases  it  is  convex,  with  increasing  convexity  towards 
the  tij).  Sometimes  it  rises  up  into  a  thin  elevated  crest,  as  well  shown  in  the  genus  Cro- 
tophnga,  and  in  the  puffins  {Fratercula},  when  the  upper  mandible  is  said  to  be  Jceeled,  and  the 
culmen  itself  to  be  cultratc  ;  sometimes  it  is  really  a  furrow  instead  of  a  ridge,  as  toward  the 
end  of  a  snipe's  bill ;  but  generally  it  is  simply  the  uppermost  line  of  union  of  the  gently  con- 
vex and  shilling  sides  of  the  upper  mandible  (fig.  26,  «).  In  a  great  many  birds,  especially 
those  with  depressed  bill,  as  all  the  ducks,  there  is  really  no  culmen  ;  but  then  the  median 
lengthwise  line  of  the  surface  of  the  upper  mandible  takes  the  place  and  name  of  culmen. 
The  culmen  generally  stops  short  about  opposite  the  proj)er  base  of  the  bill ;  then  the  feathers 
sweep  across  its  end,  and  downwards  across  the  base  of  the  sides  of  the  upper  mandible, 
usually  also  obliquely  backwards.  Variations  in  both  directions  from  this  standard  are 
frequent ;  the  feathers  may  run  out  in  a  point  on  the  culmen,  shortening  the  latter,  or  the 
culmen  may  run  a  way  up  the  forehead,  i)arting  the  feathers  ;  either  in  a  point,  as  in  the  rails 
and  gallinaceous  birds,  or  as  a  broad  plate  of  horn,  as  in  the  coots  and  gallinules.  The  lower 
edge  (double)  of  the  upper  mandible  is  the  maxillary  tomium,  as  far  backward  as  it  is  hard 
and  horny.     The  most  conspicuous  feature  of  the  upper  mandible  in  most  birds  is  the 

Nasal  Fossa  (Lat.  fossa,  a  ditch),  or  nasal  groove  (fig.  26,  c),  in  which  the  nostrils  open. 
The  upper  prong  of  the  intermaxillary  bone  is  usually  separated  some  ways  from  the  two 
lateral  prongs;  the  skinny  or  horny  sheath  that  stretches  ])etwixt  them  is  usually  sunken 
below  the  general  level  of  the  bill,  especially  in  those  birds  where  the  prongs  are  long  or 
widely  separated  ;  this  "  ditch  "  is  what  we  are  about.  It  is  called  fossa  when  short  and  wide, 
with  varying  depth  ;  sulcus  or  groove  when  long  and  narrow ;  the  fonner  is  well  illustrated  in 
the  galliiniceous  birds ;  the  latter  in  nearly  all  wading  birds  and  many  swimmers.  When  the 
intermaxillary  prongs  are  soldered  throughout,  or  are  very  sh«irt  and  close  together,  there  is 
no  (or  no  evident)  nasal  depression,  the  nostrils  then  opening  Hush  with  the  level  of  the 
bill.     The 


Nostrils  (fig.  26,  d),  two  in  number,  vary  in  position  as  follows :  — they  are  lateral,  when 
on  the  sides  of  the  ui)per  mandible  (almost  always)  ;  culminnl,  when  together  on  the  ridge 
(rare) ;  sujierior  or  inferior  when  evidently  above  or  beh.w  nndway  betwixt  culmen  and  tomia; 
they  are  basal,  M-hen  at  the  base  of  the  upi)er  mandible ;  sub-basal  when  near  it  (usual)  ; 
median  when  at  or  near  the  middle  of  the  ujiper  mandible  (frequent,  as  in  cranes,  geese,  etc.) ; 
terminal  when  beyond  this  (very  rare ;  probably  there  are  now  no  birds  with  nostrils  at  the 
end  of  the  biU,  except  the  Aptei-yx).     The  nostrils  are  pervious,  when  open,  as  in  nearly  all 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  —  THE  BILL. 


105 


birds ;  impervious,  when  not  visibly  opou,  as  among  cormorants  and  otlier  hinls  of  the  same 
oriicr ;  they  are  licrforate  when  there  is  no  septum  (i)artition)  between  them,  so  that  you  can 
I(Hik  through  them  from  one  side  of  the  bill  to  the  otlier,  as  in  the  turkey-buzzard,  eraue,  etc. ; 
impcifornte  when  partitioned  off  from  each  other,  as  in  most  birds  ;  but  different  oruithidogists 
use  these  terms  intercluiugeably.     The  prineiiial  shapes  of  the  nostrils  may  be  thus  exhibited : 

11  line,  linear  nostrils;  a  line  variously  enlarged  at  either  end,  clavate,  club-shaped,  oblong, 

ornte  nostrils ;  a  line,  enlarged  in  the  middle,  oval  or  elliptic  nostrils ;  this  passing  insensibly 
int'i  th('  circle,  round  or  ciVcutor  nostrils  ;  and  the  various  kinds  of  more  or  less  Ihiear  nostrils 
iiiiiy  he  eitlier  longitudinal,  as  in  most  birds,  or  obli(|ue,  as  in  a  few ;  almost  never  directly 
transverse  (up  and  down).  Rounded  nostrils  may  have  a  raised  border  or  ri'w ;  when  this  is 
pmlonged  they  are  called  tubular,  as  in  some  of  the  goatsucker  family,  and  in  all  the  petrels, 
rsiiiilly,  the  nostrils  are  defined  entirely  by  the  substance  surrounding  them;  thus,  of  cere,  in  a 
Ii:iwi{ ;  of  softish  skin,  in  a  pigeon,  plover  or  snipe;  or  of  horn,  in  most  birds  ;  but  often  their 
ciiutdur  is  partly  formed  by  a  special  development,  somewhat  distinct  either  in  form  or  texture, 
anil  this  is  (lalled  the  mtsal  scale.  Generally,  it  forms  a  sort  of  overhanging  arch  or  portico, 
as  well  shown  in  all  the  gallinaceous  birds,  among  the  wrens,  etc.  A  very  curious  case  of 
tills  is  seen  in  the  European  wryneck  (lyn.T  torquilla),  where  the  scale  forms  the  floor  instead 
(if  the  roof  of  the  nostrils.  The  nostrils  also  vary  in  he'mg  feathered  or  naked  ;  the  nasal  fossa 
being  a  place  where  the  frontiil  feathers  are  apt  to  run  out  in  points  (called  antite),  embracing 
the  root  of  the  culmen.  This  extension  may  completely  fill  and  hide  the  fossa,  as  in  many 
grouse  and  ptarmigan  ;  but  it  oftener  runs  for  a  varying  distance  toward,  or  above  and  beyond, 
the  nostrils  ;  sometimes  similarly  below  them,  as  in  a  chimney-swift ;  and  the  nostrils  may  be 
densely  feathered  when  there  is  no  evident  fossa,  as  in  an  auk.  When  thus  truly  feathered  in 
varying  degree,  they  are  still  open  to  view ;  another  condition  is,  their  being  covered  over 
and  hidden  by  modified  feathers  not  growing  on  the  bill  itself,  but  on  the  forehead.  These 
are  usually  bristle-like  (setaceous),  and  form  two  tufts,  dose-pressed  and  directed  forwards,  as 
is  perfectly  shown  in  a  crow ;  or,  the  feathers  may  be  less  modified  in  texture,  and  form  either 
two  tufts,  one  over  each  nostril,  or  a  single  ruff,  embracing  the  whole  base  of  the  upper 
mandible ;  as  in  nuthatches,  titmice,  red-poll  linni^ts,  snow  buntings  and  many  other  northern 
Fringillida.  Bristles  or  feathers  thus  growing  forwards  are  called  retrorse  (Lat.  retrorsum, 
backward ;  here  used  in  the  si'ii>e  of  in  an  opposite  direction  from  the  lay  of  the  general 
plinnage ;  but  they  should  properly  be  called  antrorse,  i.  e.,  forward).  The  nostrils,  whether 
culininal  or  lateral,  are,  like  the  eyes  and  ears,  always  two  in  number,  though  they  may  be 
united  in  one  tube,  as  in  the  petrels. 


The  Gape. — It  only  remains  to  consider  what  results  from  the  relations  of  the  two 
mandibles  to  each  other.  When  the  bill  is  opened,  there  is  a  cleft  or  fissure  between  them  ; 
this  is  the  gape  or  rictus  (Lat.  rictus,  mouth  in  the  act  of  grinning).  But  while  thus  really 
meaning  the  open  space  between  the  mandibles,  it  is  generally  used  to  signify  the  line  of  their 
closure.  Commissure  (Lat.  committere,  to  put  or  join  together)  means  the  point  where  the 
gape  ends  behind,  that  is,  the  angle  of  the  mouth,  angulus  oris,  where  the  apposed  edges  of  the 
mandibles  join  each  other ;  but,  as  in  the  last  case,  it  is  loosely  applied  to  the  whole  line  of 
closure,  from  true  commissure  to  tip  of  the  bill.  So  we  say,  "  commissure  straight,"  or  "  com- 
missure curved  ;  "  also,  "  commissural  edge  "  of  either  mandible  (equivalent  to  "  tomial  edge  ") 
in  distinction  from  culmen  or  gonys.  But  it  would  be  well  to  have  more  precision  in  this 
matter.  Let,  then,  tomia  (fig.  26,  j)  be  the  true  cutting  edges  of  either  mandible  from  tip  to 
iil)posite  base  of  bill  proper;  rictus  (fig.  20,  </)  be  their  edges  thence  to  the  point  commis- 
sure (tig.  20,  h)  where  they  join  when  the  bill  is  open  ;  the  line  commissure  (fig.  26,  /)  to 
include  both  when  the  bill  is  closed.  The  gape  is  straight,  when  rictus  and  tomia  are  both 
straight  and  lie  in  the  same  line  ;  curved,  sinuate,  when  they  lie  in  the  same  curved  or  waved 


106 


GENEBAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


liue ;  angulated,  whoii  they  are  stniifjlit,  or  nearly  so,  but  do  not  lie  in  the  same  line,  mul 
therefore  meet  at  au  angle.  (An  important  distinction.  See  under  family  FmujilUdw  in  the 
Synopsis.) 

'        '  n.     TllK    WING8. 

Deflnitlou.  —  Pair  of  anterior  ov  pcctunil  liicil.s  organized  for  flight  by  means  of  dcniml 
outgrowths.     Used  for  tiiis  purpose  by  birds  in  general;  but  by  ostrieiies  and  their  allies  only 

as  outriggers  to  aid  running; 
by  ])enguins  as  fins  for  swim- 
ming underwater;  u.sed  also 
in  the  latlereapaeily  by  some 
birds  that  Hy  well,  as  divcis, 
cormorants, dippers.  Want- 
ing in  no  recent  birds,  Imt 
imi)eif(!ct  in  a  few,  as  M 
Hutita;  ;  greatly  reduced  in 
the  Emeu,  Cassowary,  iiinl 
Aptery.\  ;  also  in  tiie  .Moas 
{Dinoniis)  ;  in  the  Creta- 
ceous Jlesperornis  only  the 
rudimentary  humerus  is 
known.  To  under.staml 
th»'ir  structure  we  must 
notice   particularly 


struct! 

sioll  o 

fnely 

SCiipill 


The  Bony  Framework 

(tigs.  27,  28,  M).  —  The 
skeleton  of  a  bird's  wing  is 
built  upon  a  jilan  common 
to  the  fore  or  pectoral  liiid) 
of  all  the  higher  vert«d)rate», 
so  that  its  bones  and  joints 
may  readily  be  (;oinpared 
and  identified  with  those 
of  any  lizard  or  mammal, 
including    man.      IJut   the 


Fro.  27.  —Bones  of  liulit  wing  of  a  duck,  Clangula  islaiutica,  from  abore, 
Jnat.  pize.    (Or.  U.  W.  Slmfeldl,  U.S..\.)    .(.  Blioiililer,  ohkw .■  /;,  elliow,  rmraii; 
( ', wrist,  cnriiiis :  J),  I'liil of  |irliirl|>al  tinger ;  A', eml  of  linml  iiroper,  niilncitrpim. 
A  It,  npiK)!-  arm,  Imwliium  :  H(\  forc-arni,  antibrtwliiiim  ;  (' H.  whole  liaml 
or  pillion,  manita:  comiioseil  of  <'^,  hand  proiwr  or  mitucnrpiin,  excepting  tl'; 
A'  /), or  (/ '  (/ ',  (/ *,  lingers, digits. (liyili.    h. hiimirin) :  rd, ratliiiK ;  ul,  iiliia :  nt; 
outer  carpiil,  scn))hnlitnnre  or  rmlktlv ;  cii.  Inner  carpal,  fiiii(';rt>rmc  or  uliKtrf; 
these  two  coniiHisliig  wrist  or  carpuK.     mr,  the  compound  hiind-l>o)ic,  or  niitn- 
varini.t.  eoniiioscil  of  three  metacarpal  lioiies,  bearing  as  many  digits  —  the  outer 
digit  seated  u|H>n  a  protuberance  at  the  head  of  the  metacarpal,  the  other  two 
situated  at  the  end  of  the  bone.    (/ ',  the  outer  or  radial  digit,  commonly  called 
the  thumb  or  ]mlU:r,  composed  of  two  phnlanucit;  il',  the  middle  digit,  of  two 
phalanges;  (/*,  the  Inner  or  ulnar  digit,  of  one  phalanx     (/'-  Is  the  seat  of  the 
feathi-rs  of  the  bastard  irinij  or  alnln.     1>  to  ( '  (whole  pinion),  seat  of  the  lllglit- 
feathers  called  primaries;  r  to /V  (lore  arm),  seat  of  the  secondaries:  at  /i  and 
aliovelt  111  directhm  of  J,  seat  of /cr/inWis  proper;  liclow  .-1,  In  direction  of /i, 
seat  of  xTOyiii/ririi's  (upon  pteryla  hunieralls),  often  calleil  tertlarles     The  wing     member    is    highly   special- 
shown  hall-spread;  complete  extension  woulil  bring  .( /(f ' /Hiito  a  right  line;     .      ,     l.oimr  fittoil  fiirticciiiii 
In  compl.te  folding  fgocstoyt,  and  />  to  /I;  all  these  motions  marlu  In  the     '''">   '"'"h  ""*-" 
plane  of  the  paper.    The  elbow-Joliil  and  wrist  are  such  jierfeet  binges,  that,  In     plishing  flight,  not  only  by 
o|H'iiliig  or  closing  the  wing,  (cannot  sink  below  the  paiier,  nor  />  Hy  nii  above     .i      il<iveloi)ment  of  feathers 
the  pajwr,  as  would  otherwise  be  the  etl'cct  of  the  pressure  of  the  air  upon  the  • 

lllglit-fealhers.  Observe  also:  rd  and  ul  are  two  rods  connecting  //  and  T;  the  but  also  by  modiflcatiolis  iu 
construction  of  their  Jointing  at  /(and  '',  and  with  each  other.  Is  such,  that  they  xi  v,,,|„,g  themstdves.  The 
can  sliile  lenylhwise  a  little  upon  each  other.  Now  when  the  point  r,  revolving 
about  /I,  approaches  A  In  the  arc  of  a  circle,  rd  pushes  on  sc,  while  ii'  pulls  back 
rii ;  the  motion  Is  transmltleil  to  I),  and  makes  this  point  approach  II.  Con- 
versely, In  ojieiiing  the  wing,  rd  pulls  back  sr,  and  ul  pushes  on  eu,  making  /) 
recede  from  11.  In  other  words,  the  angle  A  II  ('  cannot  be  Increased  or  dlmln- 
Islied  without  similarly  increa.«lng  or  diminishing  the  angle  /I  r  J);  so  that  no 
part  of  the  wing  can  bo  ojiened  or  shut  without  automatically  opening  or  shut- 
ting the  rest,— an  interesllng  mechanism  by  which  muscular  (lOwer  is  corre- 
lated and  economized.  This  latter  mechanism  Is  further  llliistrateil  In  llg.  28, 
where  rcanil«f  show  respectively  the  size,  shai>e  and  position  of  the  raillal  con- 
dyle and  ulnar  condyle  of  the  humerus.  It  Is  evident  that  In  the  flexed  state  of 
the  elbow,  as  shown  In  the  middle  figure,  the  radiua,  rd,  Is  so  pushed  upon  that 
its  end  projects  lieynnd  nl,  the  ulna ;  while  In  the  op|ioslte  condition  of  extension, 
shown  in  the  lower  figure,  rd  is  pulle<l  back  to  a  corresponding  extent. 


axes  of  the  bones  have  a 
special  direction  with  refer- 
enct."  to  each  other  and  to 
the  axes  of  the  body;  tin! 
movements  of  the  joints  are 
peculiar  in  some  respects; 
and  the  whole  extremity  of 
the  wing,  from  the  wrist 
outward,  is  jjcculiarly  con- 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  — THE    WINGS. 


107 


sti  iiL'ti'<l,  by  loss  of  some  of  the  digits  that  tivo-fingcred  animiils  possess,  and  by  the  coinpres- 
siiiu  iif  those  that  are  left.  The  wing  proper  begins  at  the  s!n)ulder-joint,  where  it  liingcs 
freely  upon  the  shoulder,  iu  a  shallow  socket  formed  conjonitly  by  the  shoulder-blade  or 
sciipiila,  and  by  the  coracoid 
hdiic ;  these  two,  with  tlie 
cliivicles,  collar-bones  or  mer- 
ry-thought, furculum,  form- 
ing: the  shoulder-girdle,  or 
pciUiml  arch  (figs.  56,  59). 

Tlie  wing  ordinarily  con- 
si>ts,  in  adult  life,  of  ten  or 
ekrcn  actually  separate  bones ; 
iu  the  embryo  (see  fig.  29) 
there  are  indications  of  several 
nil  ire  at  the  wrist-joint,  which 
speedily  lose  their  individual 
identity  by  fusing  together 
and  with  bones  of  the  baud. 
Afiidc  from  these,  there  is 
often  an   accessory  ossicle  at  Fro.  28.  —  Mechanism  of  elbow-Joint.    (See  explniintion  of  ilg.  27.) 

the  shoulder-joint  (tig.  56,  ohs),  .sometimes  one  at  the  wrist-joint,  occasionally  an  extra  bone  at 
the  end  of  the  pruicipal  finger.  The  normal  or  usual  number  is  shown  in  fig.  "27,  taken  from 
u  duck  (Clangula  inlandica),  in  which  there  are  eleven. 

The  upper  arm-bone,  h,  reaching  from  the  shoulder  A 
to  tlie  elbow  B,  is  the  humerus.  In  the  closed  wing,  the 
linnKU'us  lies  nearly  in  the  position  of  the  sanu;  bone  in  nuiii 
when  the  elbow  is  against  the  side  of  tlie  body;  in  (s.xtensiou 
of  the  wing,  the  elbow  is  borne  away  from  the  body,  as  when 
wo  raise  the  ann,  but  carry  it  neither  forward  nor  backward. 
A  peculiarity  of  the  bird's  humerus  is,  that  it  is  njtated  on 
its  a.\is  through  about  the  quadrant  of  a  circle,  so  that  wliat 
is  the  front  of  the  human  bone  is  the  outer  aspect  in  the 
bird.  The  humerus  is  a  cylindric  bone,  straightisli  or  some- 
what italic  /-shaped,  with  a  globular  heatl  to  fit  tlie  socket 
of  the  shoulder,  a  strong  pectoral  ridge  for  insertion  of  the 
breast  muscles,  and  at  the  bottom  two  condyles  (fig.  28,  re, 
uc,)  or  joint-surfaces  for  articulation  M'ith  a  pair  of  succeed- 
ing bones.  The  fore-arm,  cubit  or  antihrachium,  extending 
from  elbow  to  wrist,  B  to  C,  in  fig.  27,  has  two  parallel 
bones  of  about  equal  lengths.  These  are  the  ulna,  ul,  and 
the  radius,  rd ;  the  former,  inner  and  posterior,  the  larger 
of  the  two,  bearing  the  quills  of  the  secondary  series  ;  the 
latter,  slenderer,  outer  and  anterior.  The  enlarged  proximal 
extremity  of  the  ulna  is  called  the  olecranon,  or  "  head  of  the 

Flo.  29,  from  a  young  gronso  (Cenlrocercus  nrnplianianus,  six  months  old),  Is 'lesignctl  to  show  the  coniimsl- 
tion  oftlio  carjiiiH  and  motacarpuB  before  the  dements  of  these  bones  fuse  together:  r,  radius;  m,  ulna;  a,  Kcniih- 
oluiinr  or  rodiale;  o,  cuneiform  or  ulnare;  om,  a  carpal  bone  beiloveil  to  tic  os  magnum,  later  fusing  with  the 
mc-tocarpusj  :,  a  carpal  bono,  supposed  to  be  unciform,  later  fusing  with  metacarpus;  8,  an  unldentiflcil  flflh 
var|ial  bone,  wliioii  may  be  called  imitosteon,  later  fusing  wllli  the  metacarpus;  7,  rnillal  or  outer  metacar|>al 
bone,  bearing  the  jiollex  or  outer  digit,  consisting  of  two  phalanges,  <l  and  k;  0',  pririripal  (median)  metacarpal 
bone,  bearing  tlie  middle  Anger,  consisting  of  the  two  phalanges,  d',  ri"  \  0,  inner  or  ulnar  metacarpal,  lieiiring  a 
digit  of  one  phalanx,  d"f.  The  pieces  marked  om,  z,  7,  8,  0.  all  fuse  with  l^.  (From  nature  by  Dr.  B.  W.  Sliufuldt, 
U.S.A.) 


108 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


elbow."  The  tliird  sogmcnt  of  the  wing  is  the  wrist  or  carpus.  In  ndult  life,  this  norinully 
consists  <it'  two  little  kiioMiy  eiirpal  hones,  extremely  irreguliir  in  shape.cnlled  the  scnphohmiir. 
sc,  luiil  ciiiiciform,  cii.  One  being  at  the  end  of  the  radius,  the  other  at  that  of  the  nlna,  tlicy 
are  also  called  radiuk  and  iibiure.  In  tlie  embryo,  tliere  is  at  least  another  carpal  bone,  that 
early  fuses  with  the  next  segment.  This  fourth  segment  is  the  hand  proper,  or  metacarpus, 
mc,  C'to  E  (exclusive  of  (I  2).  The  single  metacarpal  or  hand-bone  is  very  composite;  that 
is,  compounded  of  several:  for,  besidi's  including  certain  carpal  elements,  as  already  said,  it 
consists  of  three  bones  fused  (in  all  recent  birds  I  in  one,  corresponding  to  the  tln-ee  digits  or 
lingers  that  birds  possess.  In  fact  it  is  tliree  metacarjmls  in  one.  The  metacarpal  corre- 
sponding to  the  princi])al  finger  is  much  the  largest  of  tlie  three  ;  that  of  the  first  finger  is  very 
short,  being  only  tlie  expanded  part  seen  in  the  figure  just  above  the  bone  marked  d  2 ;  that 
of  the  third  finger  is  nearly  as  long  as  the  nniin  metacarpal,  but  much  slenderer,  and  usually 
fused  only  at  its  two  ends,  leaving  between  itself  and  the  main  metacarpal  a  considerable 
s]iace,  as  seen  0|>posite  tlie  letters  mc  in  the  figure.  The  wing  is  finished  oflf  with  three 
fingers  or  ^/iV/ils-,  nnirked  f/ 2,  d '.i,  d  I.  The  middle  one  of  these,  E  to  D  in  the  figure,  is 
uuich  the  largest,  and  forms  the  main  continuation  of  the  hand.  This  digit,  rf  3,  ordinarily 
consists  of  two  bones,  called  phahtngex,  jdaced  end  to  end,  as  in  the  example  before  us ;  but 
occasionally  there  is  found  a  third  ]ihalanx.  The  outer  or  radial  digit,  rf2,  ordinarily  con- 
sists of  two  bones,  of  which  the  terminal  one  is  small,  and  may  bo  wanting.  Tlic  inner  or 
ulnar  digit,  d  4,  consists  of  a  single  snuill  phalanx,  cbisely  bound  to  the  side  of  the  middle 
finger.  Corresponding  to  the  compactness  and  consolidation  of  these  terminal  segments,  the 
digits  enjoy  little  individual  motion.  The  outer  or  radial  digit  is  the  most  independent  one. 
In  the  Arclucoptrri/.r  the  three  metacarpals  were  free  bones,  and  the  whole  hand  more  like 
that  of  a  lizard.  No  bird  now  has  free  metacarpals  in  adult  life;  none  has  more  than  three 
digits.  These  three  are  supposed  by  s(mie  to  correspcmd  to  the  thumb  and  fore  and  middle 
fingers  of  our  hands ;  by  others,  to  the  fore,  middle,  and  ring  fingers,  and  being  consequently 
the  second,  third,  and  fourth  digits,  as  marked  in  the  figure.  The  digit  marked  rf  2  is  com- 
monly called  a  bird's  thumb  or  pollex.  The  Apteryx  and  the  cassowary  have  but  one  complete 
digit.  The  resemblance  to  a  lizard's  or  quadruped's  digits  is  increased  by  the  claios  which 
many  birds  possess.  These  may  be  borne  on  the  enlarged  terminal  phalanx  of  d  2  (k,  in 
fig.  29),  as  is  very  well  shown  in  the  turkey -buzzard  and  other  American  Catluirtida; ;  both  on 
this  and  on  the  terminal  phalanx  of  d  3  (d"  in  fig.  29),  as  in  the  ostrich ;  on  the  latter  alone, 
as  in  the  Apteryx,  cassowary,  American  ostrich,  and  swan.  The  inner  finger,  d  4  (rf'"  in 
fig.  29)  is  not  known  to  ever  bear  a  claw,  excepting  in  Archaopteryx.  The  whole  segment, 
C  to  D,  is  commonly  called  "  the  hand,"  "  pinion,"  or  manus,  though,  as  we  have  seen,  it  consists 
of  hand  proper  (metacarpus),  and  fingers  (digits)  with  their  respective  phalanges.  (Fig.  112  ter.) 
Some  other  hones  itxe  observed  in  birds'  wings.  As  already  said,  there  is  a  little  ossicle  in 
the  shoulder -joint  of  many  birds  ;  it  is  called  the  scapula  accessoria  (fig.  56,  ohs).  At  the  con- 
vexity of  the  elbow  there  may  be  one  or  more  ossicles,  not  pertaining  properly  to  the  wing- 
skeleton,  but  developed  in  the  tendons  of  muscles  passing  over  the  joint :  they  are  sesamoids, 
like  the  human  patella,  or  knee-cap.  In  various  birds  there  is  found  at  the  convexity  of  the 
wrist,  on  the  head  of  the  metacarpal,  an  ossicle  called  the  os  promhteits ;  apparently  a 
sesamoid.  Some  other  ossicles  observed  in  the  wrists  of  young  birds  are  all  supposed  to  be 
cai'pal  elements,  the  exact  homologies  of  which  may  be  still  questioned. 

The  Mechanism  of  these  Bones  is  admirable.  The  shoulder-joint  is  free,  much  like 
our  own,  jtermitting  the  humerus  to  swing  all  about ;  though  the  principal  motions  are  to  and 
from  the  side  of  the  body  (adduction  and  abduction),  and  up  and  down  in  a  vertical  plane. 
The  elbow-joint  is  a  very  strict  hinge,  j)ermitting  motion  in  one  plane,  nearly  that  of  the  wing 
itself.     The  finger-bones  have  little  individual  motioi  .     The  construction  of  the  wrist-joint  is 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.— THE    WINGS 


109 


(luitd  lu'cnliar.  In  tlio  finst  place  tho  two  bones  of  the  forearm  arc  so  fixed  in  relation  to  each 
otiirr,  tiiat  tho  radius  cannot  roll  over  tliu  ulna,  like  ours.  If  you  stretch  your  arm  upon  the 
table,  you  can,  without  moving  tho  elbow,  turn  the  iumd  over  so  that  eitlier  the  palm  or  the 
kniicldes  are  downward.  This  is  a  rotary  motion  of  the  bones  of  the  forearm,  called  pronation 
anil  siqnniUion  ;  tho  prone  when  the  palm  touches  the  table,  supine  when  tiio  knuckles  aro 
downward.  This  rotation  is  absent  from  the  bird's  arm  ;  if  it  couhl  occur,  the  action  of  tho  air 
iipuii  the  pinion-feathers  would  tiirow  them  all  "  at  sea  "  during  the  strokes  of  tho  wing,  render- 
inj?  liight  difficult  or  imi)ossible.  The  hiugeing  of  the  liand  uptm  the  wrist  is  such,  also,  that  tiie 
Imud  does  not  move  up  and  down,  as  ours  can,  in  a  plane  peqiendicular  to  the  surface  of  the 
wing,  but  in  the  same  piano  as  that  surface.  The  motion  is  that  which  would  take  place  in  our 
hanil  if  we  could  bring  the  little  finger  and  its  border  of  the  hand  so  far  aromid  as  to  touch  the 
cun-csponding  border  of  tho  forearm.  It  is  a  motion  of  adduction,  not  of  fiexion,  and  its  o])posite, 
abiliirtion,  not  extension,  by  which  a  wing  is  folded  and  spread.  Such  abduction  is  the  way  in 
wliicli  the  hand  is  "  extended  "  upon  the  wrist-joint,  increasing  and  completing  tho  unfolding 
of  the  wing  tiiat  begins  by  the  true  extension  of  tho  forearm  upon  the  elbow  and  abduction  of 
the  upper  arm  from  tlio  body.  In  a  word,  a  wing  is  spread  by  tho  motion  of  abduction  at  the 
siioulder  and  wrist,  of  oxtensi(m  at  the  elbow  ;  it  is  closed  by  adduction  at  the  shoulder  and 
wrist,  and  flexion  at  the  elbow.  Tho  numerous  muscles  which  unftdd  or  straighten  out  the 
wing  are  called  extensors  ;  those  that  bend  or  close  it  are  flejcors.  Extensors  lie  upon  the  biu-k 
of  the  upper  arm,  and  tho  front  of  the  forearm  and  hand,  their  "  leaders"  or  tendons  passing 
over  the  convexities  of  the  elbow  and  of  the  wrist.  The  fiext)rs  occupy  tho  opposite  sides  of  the 
limb,  with  tendons  in  tho  concavities  of  the  joints.  The  most  powerful  muscles  of  tho  wings 
are  tlie  great  2>ectoral  or  breast  nmscles,  acting  upon  the  upper  end  of  the  humerus  ;  there  are 
several  of  them,  exerted  in  throwing  out  the  arm  from  tho  body,  and  in  giving  both  tho  up  and 
down  wing-strokes.  Tendons  are  generally  strong  inelastic  cords  ;  but  there  is  an  interesting 
arrangement  of  an  elastic  cord  in  a  bird's  wing.  In  fig.  27,  ABC  is  a  deep  angle  formed  by 
tlio  naked  bones,  but  ncjno  such  is  visible  from  the  exterior,  because  tho  space  is  filled  by  a 
fold  of  skin  passing  from  C  to  near  A.  But  C  approaches  and  recedes  from  A  as  the  wing 
is  folded  or  unfolded,  and  a  cord  long  enough  to  reach  A-C  would  bo  slack  in  the  folded  wing, 
did  ncjt  its  elasticity  enable  it  to  contract  and  stretch,  keeping  the  anterior  border  of  the  wing 
straight  and  smooth.     (For  another  automatic  mechanism,  see  explanation  of  fig.  28.) 

Tho  point  G  is  a,  highly  important  landmark  in  practical  ornithology ;  it  rei)resonts,  in 
any  folded  wing,  a  very  prominent  point,  the  di.stanco  from  which  to  the  tip  of  the  longest 
flight-feather  is  a  special  measurement  known  as  that  of  "  the  wing."  It  is  the  convexity  of 
the  carpus,  commonly  called  tho  "  wirpal  angle,"  or  "  bend  of  tho  whig."  Having  thus  glanced 
at  tho  bony  structure  and  mechanism  of  the  wing,  we  are  ready  to  examino  the 

Feathers  of  the  Wing  (tig.  30). — How  important  these  are  will  bo  evident  from  the 
consideration  that  thoy  aro  tho  bird's  chief  organs  of  locomotion  ;  for  without  them  the  wing 
would  be  useless  for  flight.  We  also  remember  that  such  means  of  locomotion  is  tho  great 
specialty  of  birds.  Wing-feathers  are  those  which  grow  upon  the  pteryla  alaris.  They  are 
of  two  main  sorts :  the  flight-feathers  proper,  or  long  stiff  quills,  collectively  called  remiges 
(Lat.  remex,  pi.  remiges,  rowers)  ;  and  tho  smaller,  weaker  feathers  overlying  them,  and  hence 
called  coverts,  or  tectrices  (Lat.  tectrix,  pi.  teetrices,  coverors).  To  these  may  be  added  as  a 
third  distinct  group  the  bastard  quills,  which  constitute  the 

Alula,  or  Ala  Spuria  (Lat.  alula,  little  wing,  diminutive  of  ala,  wing  ;  spuria,  spurious, 
bastard).  The  ''little  wing"  is  simply  tho  small  parcel  of  feathers  which  grow  upon  the 
"thumb"  (8eefig.27,d2;  i9,dandk;  30,  aQ.  Highly  significant  as  these  may  be  in  a  mor- 
phological point  of  view,  as  representing  what  this  part  of  tho  wing  may  have  been  in  early  times. 


110 


GENERAL   OliNITHOLOGY. 


they  are  so  much  reduprd  in  iiuKlern  birds  as  to  he  of  little  aeef>unt  in  practical  ornithdldiry. 
Ill  fact,  the  unpractised  .student  may  fail  to  recognize  them  at  first.  They  form  a  siiuill  ii:ii'l;(.t 
oil  the  fore  outer  border  of  the  pinion  near  the  carpal  angle,  and  lie  smoothly  upon  the  upper 
surface  of  the  wing,  strengtiicning  and  finishing  off  what  would  be  otherwise  a  weak  spot  in 
the  contour  of  the  wing-border.  It  is  ((uite  easy,  on  recognizing  them,  to  lift  them  collectively 
a  little  away  from  the  other  feathers,  owing  to  the  slight  mobility  the  thumb  possesses.  In  fact, 
they  are  sometimes  (piite  obtrusive,  when  faulty  taNidermy  has  discomposed  them.  They  are 
not  often  conspicuously  modified  either  in  size  or  cidor.  In  a  few  birds  {e.g.,  Cathartes),  a  cluiv 
will  be  found  at  the  end  of  the  joint  which  bears  them.  The  student  must  bo  careful  to  dis- 
criminate between  the  use  of  the  word  npurioits  in  the  present  connection  and  its  applieiiticni 
to  a  rudimentary  condition  of  the  first  remex  (see  p.  li;i).     The 


Wlng-Coverts  overlie  the  bases  of  the  large  (piills  on  both  the  upper  and  under  fiurfaccs 
of  the  wing.  They  are  therefore  conveniently  divided  into  an  upper  set  (tectrices  super i< ires) 
and  an  under  set  {tect.  inferiores).     The  former  are  so  much  more  conspicuous  than  the  latter 

that  they  are  always  under- 
stood when  "  upper"  is  not 
.specified.  The  latter  are 
sometimes  collectively  called 
"the  lining  of  the  wings." 
Coverts  include  all  the  siiuill 
feathers  of  the  wings  except- 
ing the  bustard  quills  ;  they 
extend  a  varying  distance 
along  the  bases  of  the  flight- 
feathers.  The  ordinary  dis- 
position and  division  of  the 
upper  coverts  is  us  follows : 
One  set,  rather  long  and  stif- 
fish,  grow  upon  the  pinion, 
and  are  close-pressed  upon 
the  bases  of  the  outer  nine 
or  ten  remiges,  covering 
these  largo  feathers  about  as 
far  as  their  structure  is  plumulaceoiis.  These  are  the  upper  primary  coverts,  or  coverts  of  the 
primaries  (fig.  HO,  j)c)  ;  they  are  ordinarily  th(^  least  conspicuous  of  any.  All  the  rest  of  the 
upper  coverts  are  secoxdary;  they  sjiring  mostly  frfim  the  forearm.  These  are  considered  in 
three  groups  or  rows.  The  greater  upper  .<>econdarg  coverts,  called  simply  the  "greater  coverts "' 
(tectrices  majores,  fig.  30,  gsc,)  are  the  first,  outermost,  longest  row,  reaching  nearest  the  tips  of 
the  flight-feathers ;  they  overlie  the  bases  of  nearly  all  the  remiges,  excepting  the  first  nine  or 
ten.  The  median  upper  secondary  coverts,  shortly  known  as  the  "  middle  coverts  "  (tectricefi 
media;),  are  a  next  row,  shorter  and  therefore  less  exposed,  but  still  quite  evidently  forming  a 
special  series  (fig.  30,  msc).  It  is  a  common  feature  of  these  median  coverts  that  they  shingle 
over  each  other  contrary-wise  to  the  way  the  greater  coverts  are  imbricated,  the  outer  vane  of 
one  being  under  the  inner  vjine  of  the  next  outer  one.  All  the  rest  of  the  ujiper  secondary 
coverts,  fonning  several  indistinguishable  rows,  pass  under  the  general  name  of  lesser  coverts 
(tectrices  miiwres  ;  fig.  30,  be).  The  greater  coverts  furnish  an  excellent  zoological  character  ; 
for  in  no  Passereji  are  they  more  than  half  as  long  as  the  remiges  they  cover,  while  the  reverse 
is  the  case  in  most  birds  of  lower  orders.  Wfiodpeckers,  however,  though  non-passerine,  have 
quite  short  coverts.     The  under  coverts  have  the  same  general  anungeinent  as  the  ujiper ;  but 


FiG.  30.  —  tViitliers  of  a  sparrow's  wing;  nat.  size.  (For  explanation  see  text.) 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  —  THE    WINGS. 


Ill 


l'"''"gy. 

'  upper 
|f<||"t  ill 

cctivi'ly 
Jill  fact, 
I'lfy  lire 
1>  <i  ihiw 
I  to  (lis- 

Hii'aliiiii 


tlify  iirf  more  nlikt!  and  leas  distinctly  disposed  in  rows  or  series;  so  that  for  prncticul  purposes 
lluy  puss  under  the  general  name  of  under  wing-coverts,  or  linhig  of  the  tcing.  Since,  wlicn 
the  "iiig  is  particularly  nuirlied  on  the  under  side,  it  is  tlie  coverts  and  not  the  reniiges  that  are 
liii;lily  or  variously  colored,  the  common  expression  "  wing  Ix'low,"  or  "  under  surface  of  the 
wiiii;,"  refers  to  tho  coverts  more  particularly.  We  should  distinguish,  however,  from  the  under 
I'ovcits  in  general,  tho  axillars,  or  axillary  feathers  (Lat.  aj:illa,  the  arm-pit).  Tiiese  are  tlie 
Iniicrniost  feathers  lining  the  wings,  lying  close  to  the  luuly  ;  almost  always  longer,  stiU'er, 
narrower,  or  otherwise  peculiarly  modified.  In  ducks,  for  example,  and  many  of  tlie  waders, 
as  snipe  and  jjlover,  they  are  remarkably  well  d(iveh)ped.  Tiie  c(dor  of  the  axillaries  is  the 
prini'ipal  distinction  between  some  species  of  plovers.     The 

Rcmlges,  or  Flight-Feathers  (fig.  30,  b,  s,  and  OiJ?'^'"  ''""  wing  its  general  character, 
iiiiiiiily  determining  both  its  size  and  its  shape ;  they  represent  most  of  its  surface  and  of  its 
inner  and  outer  borders,  and  all  of  its  posterior  outline,  forming  a  great  expansion  of  which  the 
linny  and  fleshy  framework  is  insignificant  in  comparison.  The  shape  of  the  wing  is  indeed 
]iriniarily  affected  by  the  relative  lengths  of  its  bcmy  segments,  the  upper  arm  being,  in  it 
liiniiniing-bird,  for  example,  very  short  in  comparison  with  tho  terininal  portion  of  the  limb, 
and  in  an  albatross  again,  both  upper  and  fon'arm  being  greatly  lengthened  ;  still  in  any  case 
it  is  the  flight-feathers  that  mainly  determine  tho  contour  of  tho  wing,  by  their  absolute  degree 
iif  development,  their  lengths  proportionately  to  ono  another,  and  their  individual  shapes.  They 
collectively  form  a  thin,  elastic,  flattened  surface  for  striking  the  air,  quite  firm  along  the  front 
border  where  tho  bone  and  nnisde  lie,  thenco  growing  more  mobile  and  resilient  toward  tho 
jHisterior  border  and  along  the  outer  edge.  Such  surface  may  b(f  quite  flat,  as  in  such  Viirds  as 
cut  the  air  with  long,  pointed  wings,  like  oar-blades  ;  but  it  is  genenilly  a  little  concave  under- 
neath and  correspondingly  convex  above  ;  such  arching  or  vaulting  of  tho  wing-surface  being 
usually  associated  with  a  short,  broad,  rounded  wing,  as  in  tho  gallinaceous  tribe,  and  being 
least  in  birds  which  have  tho  thinnest  and  shai-jicst  wings.  Corresponding  differences  in  the 
mode  of  flight  result.  The  short,  rounded  wing  confers  a  powerful  though  labored  fiight  for 
short  distances,  usually  accompanied  by  a  whirring  noise  resulting  from  the  rapidity  of  the 
wing-beats;  birds  that  fly  thus  are  almost  always  thickset  and  heavy.  The  long,  jiointed 
wing  gives  a  noiseless,  airy,  skimming  flight,  indefinitely  prolcmged,  and  accomplished  with 
more  deliberate  wing-beats  ;  birds  of  this  style  of  wing  are  generally  trim  and  elegant.  These, 
of  course,  uro  merely  generalizations  of  the  extremes  of  modes  of  flight,  mixed  and  gradated 
in  every  degree  in  actual  bird-life.  Thus  the  humming-bird,  which  has  sharp,  thin  wings, 
whirs  them  fastest  of  all  birds, — so  ra])idly  that  the  eye  cannot  fidlow  the  strokes,  merely 
perceiving  a  haze  about  the  bird  while  the  ear  hears  tho  buzzing.  The  combination  of  acute- 
iicss  and  concavo-convexity  is  a  remarkably  strong  one,  confcn-ing  a  rapid,  vigorous,  whistling 
flight,  as  that  of  a  duck  or  pigeon,  or  the  splendid  hurtling  of  a  falcon.  An  ample  wing,  as 
one  both  long  and  broad  without  being  pointed  is  ciilled,  is  well  displayed  by  such  birds  as 
herons,  ibises,  and  cranes ;  the  flight  nnvy  be  strong  and  sustained,  but  is  rather  slow  and 
heavy.  The  longest- winged  birds  are  found  among  the  swimmers,  particularly  the  pelagic 
family  of  the  petrels,  and  some  of  the  whole-webbed  order,  as  pelicans,  particularly  the  frigate- 
pelican.  The  last  named,  Tachypetes  aquilus,  has  perhaps  the  longest  wings  for  its  bulk  of 
body  of  any  bird  whatever,  as  well  as  the  shortest  feet.  The  American  vultures  are  likewise 
of  great  alar  expanse  in  proportion  to  their  weight.  Tiie  shortest  wings,  among  birds  possess- 
ing perfect  remiges,  occur  among  the  lower  swimmers,  as  auks  and  divers,  and  among  some 
of  the  GallinsB.  The  great  auk  is,  or  was,  perhaps  the  only  flightless  bird  with  well-fonned 
flight-feathers,  only  too  small  to  subserve  their  usual  purpose ;  though  certain  South  American 
ducks  aro  said  to  be  in  similar  predicament.  In  the  penguins,  the  whole  wing-structure  is 
degraded,  and  tho  remiges  abort  in  scale-like  feathers,  tho  wings  being  reduced  to  fins  both 


112 


GENEliAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


in  form  and  function.  Thti  wholo  of  tlic  existing  Itatitie  Imvo  niilhiii'ntiiry  or  very  iniiMitVct 
Willis,  iiH  was  tlic  case  with  tlic  C'ri'lactMnw  Jhspcruniis  ;  luit  tiu'  contcniiiorary  of  tlic  latter, 
hthi/onm,  and  tiiu  Htill  more  ancient  ArclDfoptcn/.r,  appear  both  to  havt-  iiad  excellent  ones. 

The  disposition  of  the  remiues  in  their  mutual  relations  is  very  noteworthy.  They  hiivti 
a  rigid  hollow  barrel  of  ^'reat  ri'sistant  powern,  considering,'  the  amount  of  Hubstanci^  —  just 
like  the  eylindrieal  stem  of  the  cereal  phuit ;  a  stout,  Holid,  highly  elastic  shaft;  the  outer  web 
narrower  than  thi!  inner,  with  its  barbs  set  at  a  nioru  Hcuto  angle  upon  the  shaft.  Any  one 
of  these  stiH'er  outer  vanes  ocerlies  tlie  broader  and  more  yielding  inner  vane  of  the  next  outer 
feather,  wliicli,  on  receiving  the  impact  of  air  from  below,  resists  as  it  were  with  the  strength  .if 

a  second  shaft  superimposed.     TI gii  the  "way  of  an  eagle  in  the  air"  was  a  mystery  Vi  the 

wise  man  of  (dd,  tlie  mechanics  of  ordiiuiry  llight  are  now  b(!tter  understood.  Hut  the  siiliuj; 
of  some  birds  for  an  indefinite  h'ugth  of  time,  up  as  well  as  down,  without  visible  motion  of 
the  wings,  and  witlmut  reference  to  the  wind,  remains  an  enigma.  The  Hight  of  the  albatross 
ami  turkey  vulture,  I  venture  to  attirm,  is  iu>t  yet  exi)lained.  The  riddle  of  The  Wing  will  he 
read  when  wi'  know  how  the  ardisaurian  escaped  from  ilus  to  a'ther. 

The  number  of  true  remiges  ranges  from  about  sixteen,  as  i  umming-bird,  to  uji- 

wards  of  fifty,  as  in  the  albatross.     Tiieir  .v/Kfyjt- is  quite  uniform,  letails  aside.     They 

are  the  stiffest,  strongest,  ino.st  perfectly  pnuKtccuun  of  feathers,  wilin  evident  hyporhachis, 
if  any.  Tliey  are  generally  lanceoliite,  that  is,  tapering  regularly  and  gradually  to  an  obtuse 
point,  though  not  infreiplently  more  parallel-sided,  especially  those  of  the  secondary  ami 
tertiary  .series.  Either  or  both  webs  may  be  incised  toward  the  end ;  that  is,  more  or  less 
abru])tly  narrowed  ;  this  is  called  emarginittiim  (see  fig.  279) ;  their  ends  nniy  be  trnnsversely 
or  obli(|iu'ly  truncate,  or  nicked  in  various  ways.  In  a  few  birds,  ai)parently  for  purposes  of 
sexual  ornanu'utation,  they  are  developed  in  bizarre  shap<;s  of  beauty,  with  evident  decrease  of 
utility  as  Hight-feathers.  Those  of  the  ostrich  and  penguin  tribes  share  the  peculiarities  of  the 
general  phuuage  of  these  extraordimiry  birds.  Remiges  are  divided  into  three  classes  or  series, 
according  to  where  they  grow  upon  the  limb,  whether  ui)ou  the  hand,  the  forc-ann,  or  the 
upper  arm.  In  this  distinction  is  involved  one  of  the  most  important  ciHisiderations  of  practical 
ornith(dogy,  of  which  the  student  must  make!  liim.self  nnister.  The  three  classes  of  quill- 
feathers  are:   1.  t\ui  primaries ;  2.  iho  secondaries  ;  'A.  the  tcrtiuries. 


The  Primaries  (Fig.  30,  b)  are  those  remiges  which  grow  upon  the  pinion,  or  hand- 
and  tinger-bones  collectively  (tig.  27,  ('  to  1)).  Whatever  the  total  number  of  the  remiges 
may  be,  in  nearly  all  birds  with  true  remiges  the  Primaries  are  either  nine  or  ten  in  number. 
The  humming-bird  with  sixteen  remiges,  the  albatross  with  fifty  or  more,  each  have  ten 
primaries.  The  grebes  and  a  f(^w  other  birds  are  said  to  have  eleven  i)rimarie8  :  if  this  be  so, 
it  is  at  any  rate  highly  exceptional.  No  instance  of  a  higher  number  than  this  is  known 
to  me.  Again,  it  is  only  anuiug  the  highest  Passeres  that  the  nmnber  nine  is  found,  the 
Oscines  having  indifferently  nine  or  ten.  lu  a  good  many  Oscines,  rated  as  nine-primaried, 
there  are  actually  ten,  though  the  outermost  is  so  rudimentary,  and  even  out  of  alligninent 
with  the  developed  jmiuaries,  that  it  is  not  counted  as  one  of  them.  Among  Oscines,  just  this 
difference  of  one  evident  and  unquestionable  i)i'imary  more  or  less  forms  one  of  the  best  distinc- 
tions between  the  families  of  that  suborder.  So  the  tenth  feather  in  a  bird's  wing,  ccuinting 
from  the  outside,  becomes  a  crucial  test  in  nuiny  cases;  for,  if  it  be  last  primary,  the  bird  is 
one  thing  ;  if  it  be  first  secondary,  the  bird  is  another.  In  such  cases  the  necessity,  therefore, 
4if  determining  exactly  which  it  is  becomes  evident.  Of  course  it  is  always  possible  to  settle 
the  question  by  striking  at  the  roots  of  the  remiges  and  seeing  how  nuiny  are  .seated  on  the 
pinion  ;  but  this  generally  inv(dves  some  defacing  of  the  specimen,  and  there  is  usually  an 
easier  way  of  determining.  Hold  the  wing  half-s])read  :  then,  in  most  Oscines,  the  prinniries 
come  sloping  down  on  one  side,  and  the  secondaries  similarly  on  the  other,  to  form  where  they 


EXTERN AL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  — THE    WIN  (is. 


IIB 


iniTt  11  rci'iitrant  aii^lo  in  tlic  general  rontonr  of  tlie  ]l(l^^te^t)r  bdnlor  of  the  wintj ;  the  feather 
tliiit  <i(Tii|iieH  tliis  iioteli  is  tlie  oiu^  we  are  after,  aiiil  unluckily  it  is  sometiincs  last  ]iriinary, 
sdiiii'tinies  lirst  seennilary.  Hut  uliserve  tliat  i)riinaries  are  sn  tn  siu-ak,  nelj'-annertinp,  enijihatii; 
itnlici:c(l,  reniiges,  stitt",  strouff,  and  obstinate  ;  while  seeonduries  are  retirinij,  wliiKperiiiii,  in 
hrevier,  limber,  weak,  and  yudding.  Their  different  cbaracter  is  ulinost  always  shown  by 
,s'()/»(7/iiH7  in  their  shupo  or  texture  which  the  student  will  soon  learn  to  recognize,  though  it 
ciunicit  well  be  described.  Lot  him  examine  tig.  .'10,  where  h  marks  the  nine  itrinuiries  of  a 
sparrow's  wing,  and  »  indicates  tiio  sroondaries;  ho  will  see  a  difference  at  once.  Tho 
priuiarics  express  tlu'iiiscdvos,  though  with  diminishing  emjihasis,  to  the  last  one  ;  then  the 
sccoiiilaries  begin  to  tell  a  different  tale.  Among  North  American  birds  the  only  ones  with 
Nisr,  jirimaries  are  tlu'  families  Miitdcillidir,  Viirunuhr,  Correhidic,  Sijlrk'iiUd<r,  Iliruudinidtc, 
Tit>i<iijrid(i\  T'rhtijdUdiC,  Icleridtr,  part  of  y'ireoiiidirr,  and  the  genus  Aiiijiclii.  Tlie  condition 
iif  the  Jir.ft  primary,  wlu'ther  npiirioii.s  or  not,  is  often  of  gri'at  help  iu  this  <letermination. 
The  first  jirimary  is  called  "  spmious"' when  it  is  very  short  —  say  oiu'  third,  or  less,  as  long 
as  the  second,  or  longest,  jirimary.  Among  ]'tisscres,  a  spurious  first  primary  only  occurs  in 
certain  ten-i)rimari('d  Osc/ocs;  whence  it  is  evident,  that  to  find  such  short  first  primary  is 
e((iiivalent  to  (h'teruiining  the  presence  df  ten  primaries,  though  not  to  tind  it  does  not  prove 
tin  le  are  oidy  nine  ;  the  count  should  be  made  in  all  eases  in  which  the  outer  prinuiry  is  more 
lliiiii  oue-thini  as  long  as  lb'  urxt.  The  difference  between  inne  primaries,  and  ten  with  tho 
first  spurious,  is  excellently  ,  i-itated  aii  oug  the  species  of  Viri'o.  Any  thrush,  nuthatch, 
tituious4',  or  creeper  shows  a  si)uiious  iirimary  to  advantatje, —  large  enough  not  to  be  over- 
looked, small  enough  not  to  be  mistaken. 


The  St'coiiilaries  (Fig.  t'lO,  .v)  are  those  remiges  which  are  seated  on  the  fore-arm  (tig. 
■27,  B  to  (').  They  vary  in  mnnber  from  six  to  forty  or  more.  'J'hey  have  the  peculiarity  of 
being  attacheil  to  one  of  the  bones  <)f  the  fore-arm,  the 
idiui.  If  an  ulna  be  examined  clo.sely,  there  will  be 
seen  a  row  of  little  juiints  showing  the  attachment ; 
such  are  indicated  in  tig.  il,  along  »l,  and  iu  tig.  'i\. 

,„,  ,     .  (?         >  n       I  ,       „  Fin.  ,11.  — Ulna   of    Cohiiilia  mi'.ru-anitii, 

the  80C(mdarie.s  jw.sent  no  points  necessary  to  dwell  RiiowiiiK  i">liits  of  mtniiimontof  iiionecona- 
npon  here,  after  what  has  been  said  of  the  primaries.  '"'''^*-  (Ur.  U.  W.  Slaifulilt,  u.  s.  A.) 
'i'liey  are  ein)rmously  developed  in  the  Argus  pheasant,  aial  have  oiu'ious  shapes  in  some  other 
exoiic  birds.  They  arc  often  hmg  enough  to  cover  the  primaries  comjdetely  when  tho  wing  ia 
dosed,  as  iu  grebes;  ou  tho  other  hand,  they  are  extrenu-ly  short  in  tho  swifts  and  liunnniug- 
birds. 


The  Tertiaries  (Fig.  30,  t)  are  jiroperly  the  rcmigcs  which  grow  upon  the  upper  ann, 
humerus.  But  such  feathers  aro  not  very  evident  in  nu)st  birds,  and  the  two  or  three  inner- 
most secondaries,  growing  ujxm  the  very  elbow,  and  eonunonly  different  from  the  rest  in  form 
or  color,  pass  under  thi^  name  of  "  tertiaries."  Again,  in  some  ea.ses,  .■scapular  feathers 
(tig.  30,  ■•^cp,)  are  called  tertiaries,  esiu'cially  wln'ii  long  or  otherwise  eonsjncutuis.  Hut 
there  is  an  evident  and  proper  distinction.  lScai)ulars  belong  to  the  pteri/la  hiiiiiemlin  {nva 
p.  87) ;  while  tertiaries,  whether  seated  on  the  elbow  or  higher  up  the  arm,  are  the  innermost 
remiges  of  tho  pteryla  ahnis.  These  inner  ronnges  are  often  shortly  called  tertiuhi ;  though 
the  longer  name  is  more  correct,  besides  being  confonnable  with  the  names  of  the  other  two 
series  of  remige.s.  Tertiaries  often  afford  good  charaetei's  for  deseri))tion,  in  peculiarities  of 
their  size,  shapo,  or  color.  Thus  it  is  very  common  among  Friit<jiUid(C  for  these  feathers  to  be 
parti-colored  differently  from  the  other  remiges.  In  nmny  birds  they  are  long  and  "Howiug"; 
as  in  tho  families  MotacilUdte  and  Alnudidtc,  where  they  reach  about  to  the  end  of  tho 
l)rimaries  when  the  wing  is  closed.     Their  development  is  similar  in  nniny  Scoloi)acid(C.     In 

8 


114 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


such  cases,  the  fpatl.cr-bonlor  of  the  wing  pronounces  the  letter  W  quite  strongly,  — ,,mtT 
lower  angle  at  point  of  primaries ;  middle  upper  angle  at  reentrance  between  primaries  and 
secondaries;  inner  lower  angle  at  point  of  tertiaries. 

The  "  point  of  the  wing"  is  at  the  tii)  of  the  longest  i)riinary.  It  is  best  expressed  when 
the  first  primary  is  longest.  Sometimes  the  end  is  so  much  rounded  off,  that  the  midmost 
primary  may  be*  the  longest  one,  the  others  being  graduated  on  both  sides  of  this  projiTtintt 
point.  In  speaking  of  the  relative  lengths  of  remiges,  we  always  mean  the  way  in  which  tl  lir 
tips  fall  together,  not  the  actual  total  lengths  of  the  feathers.  Thus  a  second  primary,  wh..sf 
tip  falls  opposite  the  tip  of  the  first  one,  is  said  to  be  of  equal  length,  though  it  may  actually 
be  hmger,  being  seated  higher  up  on  the  pinicm.  The  development  of  the  primaries  also 
furnishes  one  of  the  most  important  measurements  of  birds:  for  the  expression  '•  lengtli  of 
wing."  or  simjdy  "the  wing,"  means  the  distance  from  the  "beud  of  the  wing,"  or  carpal 
angle,  to  tlie  end  of  the  longest  prinuiry.  The  integument  of  the  wing  does  not  very  often 
develop  anything  but  feathers.    Occasionally 

Claws  and  Spurs  are  found  upon  the  pinion.  Claws  have  been  already  noticed  (p.  108). 
They  are  jjrojjcrly  so  called,  being  horny  growths  comparable  in  evi-ry  way  to  those  upon  the 
ends  of  the  toes,  like  the  claws  of  beasts,  or  human  nails.  A  spur  (Lat.  cakar),  however,  is 
somethiug  different,  though  of  the  same  homy  texture,  since  it  does  not  terminate  a  digital 
phalanx,  but  is  off-set  from  the  side  of  the  hand.  It  is  exactly  like  the  spur  on  the  leg  of  a 
fowl,  which  obviously  is  not  a  claw.  The  spur-winged  goose  {Pkctropterus),  pigeon  (Didini- 
culiis),  idovers  (Chettiisia,  etc.),  and  the  doubly-spurred  screamer  (Palamedea),  afford  exam- 
ples of  such  outgrowths,  of  which  the  Jasauas  (Parra)  furnish  the  only,  though  a  very 
well-marked,  illustration  among  North  American  birds.    (See  fig.  53  ter.) 


III.   THE   TAIL. 

Its  Bony  Basis.  —  Time  was  when  birds  flew  about  with  long,  lizard-like,  bony  and 
fleshy  tails,  having  the  feathers  inserted  in  a  row  on  either  side  like  the  hairs  of  a  squirrel's. 
Kut  we  have  changed  all  that  distkhoiis  arrangement  since  when  the  Archteoptcryx  was 
steered  with  such  a  rudder  through  the  scenes  of  its  Jurassic  life.  Now  the  true  sejiaratc 
coccygeal  bones  are  few,  generally  about  nine  in  number,  and  so  short  and  stunted  that  they  do 
not  tiroject  beyond  the  general  plumage,  —  in  fact  scarcely  beyond  the  border  of  the  jjclvis. 
Auteri<irly,  within  the  bony  basin  of  the  pelvis,  there  are  several  vertebree,  which,  fusing 
together  and  with  tlie  tru(^  sacrum,  are  termed  urosaa-al  or  false  tail-bones.  To  these 
succeed  the  true  caudal  vertebrje,  movable  upon  each  other  and  upon  the  urosacrum.  The 
last  one  of  these,  abruptly  larger  than  the  rest,  and  of  peculiar  shaiie,  bears  all  the  large 
tail-feathers,  which  radiate  from  it  like  the  bhides  of  a  fan.  The  true  caudal  vcrtebne  col- 
lectively fonn  the  coccyx  (Gr.  k6kkv$,  kokkux,  a  cuckoo;  from  fancied  resemblance  of  ilie 
human  tail-bones  to  a  cuckoo's  bill)  ;  the  enlarged  terminal  one  is  the  romer  (Lat.  romer,  a 
plough-share,  from  its  shape  ;  not  to  be  confused  with  a  bone  of  tlie  .''kull  of  same  name)  or 
jiyyo.styk  (Gr.  jrvv7,  piiye,  rinni>,  and  arv\os,  sliilos,  a  stake,  pale).  The  pygostyle,  however, 
is  a  compound  bone,  consisting  of  several  stunted  coccygeal  vertebne  fused  in  one.  The  b(nies 
are  moved  by  ai)propriate  muscles,  and  upon  the  surface  is  seated  the  eheodochou  (p.  86).  Tiii' 
whole  bony  and  mu.'ciilar  att'air  is  familiar  to  every  one  as  the  "  pope's  nose"  of  the  Christmiis 
turkey;  it  is  a  bird's  real  tail,  of  which  the  feathers  are  merely  apj)endages.  In  descrijitivc 
ornithology,  however,  the  anatomical  [larts  are  ignored,  the  word  "tail"  having  reference  stdely 
to  the  feathers.  These,  like  those  of  the  wings,  are  of  two  sorts:  the  coverts  or  tectrkes,  and 
the  rudders  or  rectrkcs  (Lat.  rcctrix,  ])1.  rcctrkes,  a  ruler,  guider;  because  they  seem  I" 
steer  the  bird's  flight) ;  corresponding  exactly  to  the  coverts  and  remiges  of  the  wings.     The 


EXTERNAL     'ABTS  OF  BIRDS.  — THE  TAIL. 


115 


Tall-Coverts  arc  tho  numerous  cimparativoly  small  and  weak  feathers  which  overlie  and 
nmlcilH'  the  rectriecs,  coviring  the'f  buses  and  extending  a  variable  distance  toward  their 
(■iKi.",  contributing  to  the  lir»nness  and  symmetry  of  the  tail.  They  pass  smoothly  out  from 
tlif  Ixiily,  by  gradual  leiigthenuig,  there  being  seldom,  if  ever,  any  obvious  outward  distinction 
lii'tvvcpu  them  and  feathers  of  the  rnnip  and  belly;  but  they  belong  to  the  pteryla  camlalia 
([).  S7).  Tho  natural  division  of  the  coverts  is  into  an  upper  and  under  set  (tectrices  super- 
iorcs,  tectrices  inferiores).  The  inferior  coverts  art  the  best  distinguished  from  tiie  general 
|ilimi;ige,  the  anus  generally  dividing  off  these  "  vent-feathers,"  as  they  are  sometimes  called. 
It  is  to  the  bundle  of  under  tail-coverts,  behind  the  vent,  that  the  term  crissum  is  most  properly 
apiilied.  Neither  set  is  ever  entirely  wanting ;  but  one  or  the  other,  particularly  the  upper  one, 
may  be  very  short,  as  in  a  connorant,  or  duck  of  the  genus  Erismatura,  exixtsing  the  (luills 
almost  to  their  bases.  While  tho  upper  coverts  are  usually  shorter  and  fewer  than  the  under 
otii's,  reaching  less  than  half-way  to  the  end  of  the  tail,  they  sometimes  take  on  extraordinary 
ilcvclopiueut  and  form  the  bird's  chiefest  ornament.  The  gorgeous,  iridescent,  argus-eyed 
train  of  the  peacock  consists  of  enonnous  tectrices,  not  rectrices;  the  elegant  plumes  of  tlie 
paradise  trogon,  Pharomacrus  mocinno,  sevenil  times  longer  than  the  bird  itself,  are  like- 
wise coverts.  Occasionally,  a  pair  of  coverts  lengthens  and  stiffens,  and  then  resembles  true 
taii-fi'athers;  as  in  the  Ptarmigan  (Lagopus).  The  crissal  feathers  are  more  uniform  in 
(ievclopment ;  they  ordinarily  form  a  compact,  definite  bundle,  as  well  shown  in  a  duck, 
wiu're  they  reach  about  to  the  end  of  the  tail.  In  some  of  the  storks,  they  become  plumes  of 
considerable  pretensions ;  and  in  the  wonderful  humming-bird,  Loddigesia  mirabilis,  the 
middle  pair  stiffens  to  resemble  rectrices  and  projects  far  beyond  the  true  tail.     The 

Rectrices,  Rudders,  or  true  tail-feathers,  like  the  remiges  or  rowers,  are  usually  stiff, 
well -pronounced  feathers,  pennaceous  to  the  very  base  of  the  vexilla,  without  after-shafts,  as  a 
rule,  and  with  the  outer  web  narrower  than  the  other  iu  most  cases.  They  are  always  in 
pairs ;  tliat  is,  there  is  an  equal  number  of  feathers  on  the  right  and  left  half  of  the  tail ;  and 
their  number,  consequently,  is  an  even  one.  The  exceptions  to  this  rule  are  so  few  and 
irregular,  and  then  only  among  birds  with  the  higher  numbers  of  rectrices,  that  such  are 
proliably  to  be  regarded  as  mere  anomalies,  from  accidental  airest  of  a  feather.  They  are  im- 
bricated over  each  other  in  this  wise :  the  central  pair  are  high-  ^ 

est,  lying  with  both  their  webs  over  the  next  feather  on  either  

side,  the  inner  web  of  one  of  these  middle  feathers  indifferently  ~" 

underlying  or  overlying  that  of  the  other;  all  thus  successively  

overlying  the  next  outer  one  so  that  they  would  form  a  pyra-  

mid  were  they  thick  instead  of  being  so  flat.     The  arrange-        

mcnt  is  perceived  at   once  in  the    accompanying  diagram ;    ~~^  

wliere  it  will  be  seen,  also,  that  spreading  the  tail  is  the  diver-  '' 

gcnce  of  (I  from  b,  while  closing  the  tail  is  bringing  a  and  b  together  under  c.  The  motion 
is  effected  by  certain  muscles  that  draw  on  either  side  upon  the  bases  of  the  (piills  collectively ; 
they  are  the  same  that  pull  the  whole  tail  to  one  side  or  the  other,  acting  like  the  tiller-ropes 
of  a  boat's  rudder.    The  general 


Shape  of  a  Rectrix  is  shown  in  fig.  23.  Such  a  feather  is  ordinarily  straight,  some- 
what clubbed  or  (dilong,  widening  a  little,  regularly  and  gradually  toward  the  tip,  where  it  is 
gently  rounded  off.  But  the  departures  from  sncli  shape,  or  any  that  could  be  assumed  as  a 
standard,  are  numberless,  and  in  some  cases  extreme.  In  fact,  none  of  a  bird's  feathers  are 
mure  variable  than  those  of  the  tail;  it  is  impossible  to  specify  all  the  shapes  they  assume. 
Wiiile  most  are  straight,  S(une  are  curved  —  and  the  curvature  may  be  to  or  from  the  middle 
line  of  tlie  body,  iu  the  horizontal  plane,  or  up  and  down,  in  the  vcrtiuil  plane.     Some  shapes 


116 


GENEliAL   OliNIlHOLOGY. 


\^M^s!i>^ 


have  received  partieular  naiiiois.  A  rootrix  broad  to  the  very  tip,  and  there  cut  squarely  i.il.  \g 
said  to  be  truncate  ;  one  sudi  cut  (d)liiiuely  oti'is  iucised,  especially  wlien,  as  ofteu  liappciis,  tlip 
outline  of  the  cut-ofl"  is  concave.  A  linear  rectrix  is  very  narrow,  with  parallel  sides;  a  hinceo- 
late  one  is  broader  at  tlie  base,  thence  tapering  regularly  and  gradually  to  the  tip.  A  notably 
pointed  rectrix  is  saitl  to  be  acitte  ;  when  the  pointing  is  produced  by  abrupt  centraction  near  the 
tip,  as  iu  most  \voodi)eckers,  the  feather  is  ticiiminate.  A  very  long  and  slender,  more  <m-  less 
linear  feather  is  called  JilamrntoUK,  as  the  lateral  pair  of  a  barn  swallow  or  most  sea  swallows. 
The  vanes  sometimes  enlarge  abruptly  at  the  end.  forming  a  spoon-shaped  or  sjmtiilate  featlicr; 

or  such  a  spoon  mav 
result  from  narnnvini; 
of  the  vanes  near  tl.c 
end,  or  their  entire  ab- 
sence, as  ill  the  "lai-k- 
et "  of  a  saw-bill  (Mo- 
motiiK).  The  vanes  ii.e 
sometimes  wavy  »•.  if 
crimped;  our  I'latu:  is 
a  tine  exaiiii>!:'  ol  tiiis. 
Sometimes  the  vanes 
are  entirely  loosciinl, 
the  barbs  being  reniiitc 
from  each  other,  as  in 
the  exotic  genus  Slijii- 
tiirus,  and  some  jmrts 
of  the  wonderful  caiulal 
appendage  of  tlic  nialc 
lyre-bird  (Mcniira  sii- 
perba).  AVheu  the  rlia- 
cliis  jtrojects  beyond  the 
vanes,  the  feather  is 
spinose,  or  better,  mit- 
"V  cronate  (Lat.  miicro,  a 
.•_^"  pricker),  as  excellently 
shown  in  the  chiniiiey- 
swift,  Chirturn  (tig. 
'297)-    A  pair  of  feathers 

Kii,.  ;u.  —  Tlie  l.yrc-biril  of  Auslraliii,  .U.iiiim  )ii(/>ir6((,  to  sliow  the  unique    al)rui>tly    extending  lar 
/i/mfinliaiH)  uf  the  tail.    (From  Ainor.  Nut.)  bevoiid   the    otlicis   are 

caUed  hmrf-esserted,  after  the  analogous  use  of  the  tonn  in  botany.  Tail-feathers  aiso  differ 
much  in  their  consistency,  from  the  softest  and  weakest,  not  well  distiniiMished  from  coverts. 
to  such  stitl'  ami  nmired  jirops  as  the  woodpeckers  jio.s.sess.  They  are  downy  and  very  rmli- 
mentary  in  a  few  birds,  notably  all  the  grebes,  PitilicipcilidfP,  which  are  commonly  said  to 
have  no  tail.  The  tinanious  uf  Simth  America  {Drumiivgnathtc)  are  al.xo  very  clo.>iely 
docked.     The 


TyplPBl  Number  of  Ileetrlees  is  tirelre.  This  ludds  in  the  great  majority  of  birds.  It 
is  so  uniform  throughout  the  irreat  grouji  0.><cines,  that  the  rare  excej)tions  seem  perfectly 
anomalous.  In  the  other  umup  of  I'nsseren  {(' Innuitores)  it  is  usually  twidve,  sometimes  ten. 
Ten  is  the  rule  among  I'inirirp,  though  many  have  twelve,  a  very  few  only  eight,  as  in  thi' 
genus  Crotophuga.     The  whole  of  the  wotMljMickers  [Piciila)  have  apparently  teti  ;  but  n-ully 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.— THE  TAIL. 


117 


firehe,  of  which  the  outer  one  on  each  side  is  spiirious,  very  small,  nnd  hidden  between  the 
basis  (if  the  second  and  third  feathers.  Birds  of  prey  (Rajytores)  have  about  twelve.  In 
iiiirt'diis  the  rule  is  twelve  or  fourteen,  as  in  all  our  genera;  but  sixteen  are  found  in  some  and 
tweiitv  in  one  case.  In  birds  below  these,  the  number  increases  directly;  there  are  often  or 
usually  more  than  twelve  in  the  grouse,  and  there  may  be  sixteen,  eighteen,  or  twenty,  as 
aiimiii;  our  own  genera  of  Tetraonida;.  Wading  birds,  often  having  but  twelve,  furnisli  in- 
stances of  as  many  as  twenty.  Those  swimming  birds  witli  large  well-fonned  tails,  as  the 
Loiifiijieiivcs,  and  some  Anatidee,  have  the  fewest,  as  twelve,  sometimes  fourieen,  rarely 
sixtci'ii ;  those  with  short  soft  tails  have  the  most,  as  sixteen  to  twenty-four.  Among  the 
pciit'iiius  there  are  tliirty-two  or  more.  The  Archaopteryx  appears  to  have  had  forty,  — a  pair 
til  rai'li  free  caudal  vertebra  ;  and  tliis  may  be  considered  the  prototypic  rehition  between  the 
limu's  and  featliers  of  the  tail.     The 

Typical  Shape  of  the  Tall,  as  a  whole,  is  the  fan.  The  modifications  of  form,  how- 
ever, \vlii<'h  are  greater  and  more  varied  than  those  of  the  wing,  are  susceptible  of  better 
(ietiiiiliiin,  and  many  of  them  have  received  si)ecial  names.  Taking  the  simplest  case,  where 
the  rectrices  are  all  of  the  same  leiigth,  we  have  what  is  called  the  even,  square,  or  truncate 
tail.  'I'lie  other  forms  depart  from  this  mainly  by  shortening  or  lengthening  of  certain 
featliers.  A  tail  nearly  or  quite  even  may  have  the  two  central  feathers  long-esserted,  as  seen 
in  the  jaegers  (Stercorarius),  and  tropic-birds  (Pluietfion).  The  most  frequent  departure  from 
the  even  shape  results  from  gradual  shortening  of  successive  rectrices  from  the  middle  to  the 
outer  ones.  This  is  called,  in  general,  gradation  or  graduation  (Lat.  gradus,  a  steji)  ;  such 
shiirtening  nniy  be  to  any  degree.  More  precisely,  graduation  means  shortening  of  each 
successive  feather  to  the  same  extent, — say,  each  half  an  inch  shorter  than  the  next;  but 
such  exactitude  is  not  often  exjiressed.  When  the  feathers  shorten  by  more  and  more,  we 
linve  the  true  rounded  tail,  probably  the  commonest  form  among  birds;  thus,  the  gradation 
hetween  the  middle  and  next  pair  may  be  just  appreciable,  and  then  increase  regularly  to  an  inch 
between  the  next  and  the  lateral  feather.  The  opposite  gradation,  by  less  and  less  shortening, 
gives  the  wedge-shaped  or  cuneate  (Lat.  cuneus,  a  wedge)  tail ;  it  is  well  shown  by  the 
iiiai;pie  (Pica)  in  which,  as  in  many  other  birds,  the  middle  feathers  would  be  called  long- 
exserted  were  the  rest  all  as  short  as  the  outer  one  is.  A  cuneat(^  tail,  especially  if  the  feathers 
bo  narrow  and  lanceolate,  is  also  called  acute,  or  pointed,  as  in  the  sprig-tailed  duck  (Dafila) 
(ir  sharp-tailed  grouse  {Pediacetes).  The  generic  opposite  of  the  gradated  is  the  forked  tiul', 
in  which  the  lateral  feathers  successively  increase  in  length  from  the  middle  to  the  outermost 
jiair.  The  least  appreciable  forking  is  called  cmargination,  and  a  tail  thus  shaped  is  said  to  bo 
einnriiiiiate  ;  when  it  is  better  marked,  as,  for  instance,  an  inch  of  forking  in  a  tail  six  inches 
liiiii;,  the  tail  is  truly /orA«/  or  furcate  (Lat.  furca,  a  fork).  But  the  degrees  of  furcation,  like 
those  of  gradation,  are  so  insensibly  varied,  that  qualified  expressions  are  usual;  as,  "slightly 
forked,"  "  deeply  forked."  Deep  furcation  is  usually  accompanied  by  more  or  less  narrowing 
or  filamentous  ehmgathin  of  the  lateral  pair  of  rectrices,  as  in  the  barn  swaUows  {Hiniiido) 
anil  most  of  the  sea-swallows  (Sterna).  An  advisable  term  to  exi>ress  such  an  extreme  fnrca- 
tiiiii  is  forficute  (Lat.  forfe.r,  scissors),  when  the  dejith  of  the  f  irk  is  at  least  eqiuil  to  the 
length  of  the  shortest  feathers  ;  it  occurs  among  «air  birds  in  those  last  named,  in  the  species 
of  th<'  flycatcher  genus  Milrulus,  and  el-sewliere.  Doulile-forked  and  douhle-rounded  tails 
are  lint  uncommon;  they  result  from  combination  of  both  opjMisite  gradations,  in  this  way: 
The  middle  feathers  being  of  a  certain  length,  the  next  two  «>r  three  jmirs  progressively 
inereasing  in  length,  and  the  rest  successively  decreasing,  the  tail  is  evidently  forked  centrally, 
rounded  externally,  which  is  the  double-rounded  form,  each  half  of  the  tail  being  rounded  ; 
it  is  shown  in  the  genera  3Ii/iadcsfes  and  Anoun.  Now  if  with  middle  feathers  as  before, 
the  next  pair  or  two  decrease  in  length,  and  then  the  rest  increase  to  the  outermost,  we  have 


118 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


the  doublo-forked,  a  common  stylo  among  sandpipers,  as  if  each  half  of  the  tail  were  forked. 
But  in  such  case,  the  forking  is  slight,  merely  emargination,  being  little  more  than  i)rotnisiim 
of  the  middle  pair  of  feathers  in  an  otherwise  lightly  forked  tail;  and  in  the  double-roinided 
form  the  gradation  is  seldom  if  ever  great. 

I  should  also  allude  to  shapes  of  tail  resulting  from  the  relative  positions  of  the  fcatliers. 
Prominent  among  these  is  the  complicate  tn  folded  tail  of  the  baru-yard  fowl,  and  others  of  tlio 
Phasianida:,  — a  very  familiar  but  not  comnum  form.  It  is  only  retained  while  the  tail  is 
closed  and  cocked  up,  —  for  when  it  is  lowered  and  spread  in  flight  it  flattens  out.  The  (i|i])(i- 
site  disposition  of  the  feathers  is  seen  to  some  extent  in  our  crow  blackbirds  (Quisniliix)^ 

a  where   the    lateral    fiatlicrs 

slant  upward  from  the  lower- 
most central  pair,  like  tlii' 
sides  of  a  boat  from  its  keel ; 
this  is  the  scapJioid  ((!r, 
(TKd<f>tj,  a  boat)  or  cnriimle 
(Lat.  carina,  a  keel)  tiiil. 
Our  "boat-tailed"  grackli' 
has  been  so  named  on  this 
account.  One  of  the  nmst 
beautiful  and  wonderful  of 
all  the  shapes  of  the  tail  is 
illustrated  by  the  male  of  tin; 
lyre-bird  {Mciiitra  siipfilm, 
fig.  32),  in  which  the  feiithers  are  anomalous  both  in  shape  and  in  texture,  and  tlie  resiihinu; 
form  of  the  wh(do  is  unique.  Various  shapes,  which  the  student  will  readily  name  from  the 
foregoiug  paragraphs,  are  illustrated  in  many  other  figures  of  this  work.  It  should  be  rcniciii- 
bered  tliat,  to  determine  the  shape,  the  tail  should  be  nearly  closed;  for  spreading  will  ob- 
viously make  a  square  tail  round,  an  cmarginato  one  square,  etc.  I  append  a  diagram  of  the 
principal  forms  (fig.  33). 


Fio.  33.  —  Diagram  of  sliapes  of  tall.  oAc,  rounded  ;  aec,  gradate;  oic, 
cnncate-gradatti ;  tile,  cuiicate;  ahc,  doable-rounded;  fig,  square;  fliij, 
oniarglnate;y)teoi7,  double-emarglnate ;  kim,  forked;  hem,  deeply  forked; 
kbm,  forllcate. 


IV.    THE    FEET. 


The  Hind  Limbs,  in  all  birds,  are  organized  for  progression — all  can  walk,  run,  or  ho]) 
on  land,  though  the  power  to  do  so  is  very  slight  in  some  of  the  lower  swimming  bird.-*,  as 
louns  and  grebes,  and  certain  of  the  lower  perching  Itirds,  as  hummers,  swifts,  goatsuckers,  and 
kingfishers.  They  are  .spe(^ially  fitted  for  perching  on  trees,  bushes,  and  other  sujiporfs  requiriiif; 
to  be  grasped,  in  the  great  majority  of  birds,  as  throughout  the  Panseres,  Picariai,  Accijiilivn, 
ColumbfC,  and,  in  fact,  many  water-birds  ;  there  being  few  forms,  mainly  found  among  three- 
toed  birds,  or  those  in  whi(di  the  hind  too  is  short,  weak,  and  elevated,  in  whiidi  the  extremity 
of  the  limb  has  not  di-cided  grasping  power.  The  limb  becomes  a  paddle  for  swimming  either 
on  or  in  the  water  in  many  cases.  In  not  a  few,  as  parrots  and  birds  of  prey,  the  font  is 
serviceable  as  a  hand.  Those  kinds  of  birds  which  live  in  trees  and  bushes  habitually 
progress,  even  when  on  level  ground,  in  a  series  of  ho])s,  or  rather  leaps,  both  feet  beiiii,' 
moved  together:  in  all  the  lower  birds,  however,  the  feet  move  one  after  the  other,  a.s  in  ordi- 
nary walking  or  running.  The  modificaticms  of  the  hind  limb  are  more  numerous,  more 
diverse,  and  more  important  in  their  bcarini;  on  classification  than  those  of  either  bill,  wini;, 
or  tail;  their  study  is  c<msequ(nitly  a  matter  of  special  interest. 

Their  Bony  Frameworlc  (fig.  34).  —  Regiiming  at  the  hip-joint,  and  ending  at  tli.> 
oxtromities  of  the  several  toes,  the  skeleton  of  the  hind  limb  c.msists  in  the  vast  majority  «( 
adult  birds  of  twenty  bones.     This  is  the  typical  and  nearly  the  average   number;    birds 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.— THE  FEET. 


119 


scnrcoly  ever  have  more,  and  the  principal  lessenings  of  the  number  result  from  the  absence 
of  one  or  two  toes,  or  a  slight  reduction  in  tlie  number  of  tlie  joints  of  some  toes,  or  absence  of 
tho  linee-cap.  Of  the  normal  twenty,  fourteen  are  bones  of  tlio  toes ;  one  is  an  incomplete 
bono  connecting  the  liind  toe  with  the  foot ;  one  is  the  knee-cap,  and  four  are  tho  principal 
bones  of  the  thigh  (1),  leg  (2),  and  foot  (1).  The  first  or  uppermost  is  the  thigh-bone  or 
fenmr  (Lat.  femur  ;  adjective,  femoral),  fm,  from  hip  to  knee,  A  to  B  in  the  figure.  It  is 
ii  ratlier  short,  quite  stout,  cylindrical  bone,  enlarging  above  and  below.  Above  it  has  a 
gloliiilar  head,  a,  standing  off  obliquely  fr  'mi  the  shaft,  received  in  the  acetabulum  (Lat.  aceta- 
bulum, a  kind  of  receptacle)  or  socket  of  the  hip,  and  a  prominent  shoulder  or  trochanter, 
Avhicli  abuts  against  the 
brim  of  the  acetabulum. 
Below,  it  expands  into 
two  condyles  (Gr.  kovSu- 
\ot,  a  knob),  for  articu- 
lation with  both  the 
bones  it  meets  at  the 
knee.  It  is  tlie  same 
bone  as  the  femur  of  a 
quadruped  or  of  man, 
and  corresponds  to  the 
humerus  of  the  wing. 
Ill  the  knee-joint,  many 
or  most  birds  have  a 
small  ossicle,  and  a  few 
have  two  such  bony  nod- 
ules, not  shown  in  the 
figure,  but  nearly  in  the 
position  of  tho  letter  B : 
tiie  knee-pan  or  knee- 
cap, pnlella  (Lat.  jmtel- 
la).  The  lliigh  is  tlie 
first  segment o{i\\c  limb; 
tlie  next  segment  is  the 
leg  proper,  or  crus  (Lat. 
cms,  tlie  shin ;  adjective, 
crural),  B  to  C  in  tln^ 
figure,  or  from  knee  to 
lieel 

oeeu])ied  by  two  bones, 
the  tibia  (Lat.  tibia,  a 
tube,  trunipetj,  tb,  and 
Jibula  (Lat.  fibula,  a 
s))liiit,  clasp),  fi.  Of 
these  the  tibia  is  the 
principal,  larger,  inner 
lioiie,  running  quite  to  tlie  heel ;  the  fibula  is  smaller,  and  (with  rare  exceptions,  as  in  some  of 
tiie  penguins)  only  runs  part  way  down  the  outside  of  the  tibia  as  a  slender  pointed  spike,  close 
pressed  against  or  even  partly  fused  with  tlie  shaft  of  tlie  tibia.  Above,  at  tlie  knee,  both 
bones  articulate  witli  the  femur ;  the  tibia  with  both  the  femoral  condyles,  the  fibula  only  with 
the  outer  condyle.     Above,  the  tibia  has  an  irregularly  expanded  head  or  cnemial  process  (Gr. 


Fio.  34.  —  BnneH  of  a  bird's  liind  limb :  from  a  duck,  Ciavpula  iaiantlica,  J  nat. 
Rlze ;  Dr.  K.  W.  Sbufeldt,  U.  S.  A.  A,  bip:  II,  knee:  (',  heel  or  ankle-joint;  D, 
bases  of  toes.  A  to  /I,  tbigh  or  "  second  Joint  " ;  B  to  (',  crns,  leg  proper,  "  drum- 
stick," oflon  wrongly  railed  "  thlgli  " ;  r  to  />,  metatarsus,  f(M)t  proper,  correspond- 
This  segment  is  Ing  to  our  instep,  or  foot  from  ankle  to  bases  of  toes;  in  descripllTe  ornithology 
the  tnraua;  often  called  "  shank."  From  I)  outward  arc  the  toes  or  digits.  Jin. 
femur;  th,  tibia,  principal  (inner)  bone  of  leg;  ./f,  flbula,  lesser  (outer)  bone  of 
leg;  mt,  princiiial  metatarsal  l>onc,  consisting  chiefly  of  three  fused  metatarsal 
bones;  am,  accessory  nictatnrsnl,  l)earing  \t,  tirst  or  bind  toe,  with  two  Joints  ;  21, 
second  toe,  with  three  Joints;  .'!/,  third  toe.  with  four  Joints;  4^  fourth  toe,  with 
five  Joints.  At  f  there  are  in  tho  embryo  some  small  tarsal  bones,  not  shown  in 
tho  figure,  uniting  in  part  with  the  tibia,  which  Is  therefore  a  tibin-lnrsus,  in  part 
with  tlie  metatarsus,  which  is  therefore  a  laran-metatnrmut :  the  ankle-joint  being 
therefore  between  two  rows  of  tarsal  boues,  not,  as  it  appears  tu  be,  directly  be- 
tween tibia  and  metatarsus. 


120 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


Kinjiit],  Ineme,  same  as  Lat.  cms),  wliich  in  some  birds,  as  loons,  runs  high  up  in  front  uIhivo 
tliu  Itnee-joint.  lU-ldW,  tlic  tibia  alone  forms  the  ankle-joint,  C,  by  articulating  with  the  mxt 
bone.  For  this  jturi)o8e  it  ends  in  an  enlarged  trochlear  (Cir.  TpoxaXj'a),  or  pulley-like  surface, 
presenting  a  little  forward  as  well  as  downward,  above  wliieh,  in  many  birds,  there  is  a  little 
bony  bridge  beneath  whicli  tendons  passing  to  the  foot  are  confined.  This  fini.shes  the  leg, 
consisting  of  thigh,  A  B,  and  leg  proper,  B  C,  bringing  us  to  the  ankle-joint  at  the  heel,  C. 

Now  a  bird's  legs,  unlike  ours,  are  not  separate  from  the  body  from  the  hip  downward; 
but,  for  a  variable  distance,  are  enclosed  witliiu  the  general  integument  of  the  body.  Tlie 
frecMlom  of  the  limb  is  greatest  among  tlio  higli  perching  birds,  and  especially  the  Jlajilmrs, 
which  use  the  feet  like  hands,  and  least  among  the  lowest  swinnners.  The  range  of  variation, 
from  greatest  freedom  to  most  extensive  eudosure  of  the  limb,  is  from  a  little  above  B  nearly  to 
C,  as  in  the  case  of  a  loon,  grebe,  or  penguin.  In  no  bird  is  the  knee,  B,  seen  outside  the 
general  contour  of  tlie  plumage:  it  must  be  looked  or  felt  for  among  the  feathers,  and  in  must 
prepared  skins  will  not  be  found  at  all,  the  femur  having  been  removed.  It  is  u  point  of  little 
practical  consequence,  tliough  bearing  upon  the  generalization  .just  made.  The  first  joint,  or 
liending  of  the  limb,  that  appears  beyond  a  bird's  plumage  is  the  heel,  C  ;  and  this  is  what, 
iu  loose  popular  parlance,  is  called  "  knee,"  upon  the  same  erroneous  notions  that  make  people 
call  the  wrist  of  a  htirse's  fore-leg  "  knee."  People  also  call  a  bird's  cms  or  leg  j^oper,  B  to  C, 
the  "thigh,"  and  disregard  the  true  thigh  altogether.  This  confusion  is  inexcusable;  any  one, 
even  without  the  slightest  anatomical  knowledge,  can  tell  knee  from  heel  at  a  glance,  whatever 
their  respective  positions  relative  to  the  body.  Knee  is  at  junctuai  of  thigh  and  leg  proper; 
it  always  hemis  forward;  /(ceHs  at  junction  of  leg  with  foot,  and  always  bends  backward. 
This  is  as  true  of  a  bird,  wliich  is  (ligiliijrade,  that  is,  walks  on  its  toes  with  its  lieels  in  the 
air,  as  it  is  of  a  man,  who  \s  pUmtigrade,  that  is,  walks  on  t!ic  whole  sole  of  the  foot,  with  the 
heel  down  to  the  ground.  In  a  carver's  language,  the  thigh  is  the  "second  joint"  (from 
below)  ;  the  leg  is  the  "drumstick  ";  the  rest  of  a  fowl's  hind  limb  docs  not  usually  come  to 
table,  having  no  ttesh  upon  it.    (See  frontispiece,  Th,  Kn,  Lg.) 

Before  proceeding  to  the  ne.vt  segment  of  the  limb,  I  must  dwell  upon  the  ankle-joint, 
situated  at  the  heel,  —  the  point  C,  — corresiK)ndiug  to  the  carpal  angle  or  bend  of  the  wing, 
C,  in  fig.  27.  Tiiere  we  found,  in  adult  birds,  two  small  carpal  bones,  or  bones  of  the  wrist 
])roper ;  and  noted  the  presence  in  the  embryo  of  several  otheh  carpals  (fig.  29),  wliich  early 
fuse  with  the  metacarpus.  Just  so  in  the  ankle,  there  arc  in  embryonic  life  several  tarsal  bones, 
or  bones  of  the  tarsus  (Lat.  tarsus,  the  ankle)  ;  all  of  which,  however,  soon  disappear,  so  that 
tiiere  ajipcars  to  be  no  tarsus,  or  ccdlection  of  little  hones  between  the  tibia  and  tlie  next 
segment  of  the  limb,  the  metatarsus.  An  upper  tarsal  bone,  or  series  of  tarsal  bones,  fuses 
with  the  lower  end  of  the  tibia,  making  this  leg-bone  really  a  tibio-tarsus  ;  and  similarly,  a 
lower  bone  or  set  of  bones  fuses  with  the  ujiper  end  of  the  metatarsus,  making  this  bone  a 
tarso-metatarsus.  So  there  are  left  no  free  bones  in  the  ankle-joint,  whicli  thus  appears  to  be 
iminediately  between  the  leg-bone  and  the  principal  foot-bone;  but  Miiich  is  nevertheless 
really  between  two  series  of  tarsal  bones,  the  identity  of  which  luis  been  lost.' 


*  The  exact  liomologuca  of  a  bird's  vaiilfiliing  tarsnl  Imncs  are  still  questioned.  Gogenbaur  showed  the  80> 
railed  epiphysis  or  shoe  of  Iwno  at  the  foot  of  the  tibia,  and  the  similar  cap  of  bone  on  the  head  of  the  prinripal 
metatarsal  bone,  to  be  true  tarsal  elements.  Morse  went  further,  showing  the  tibial  epiphysis,  or  upper  tarsal  bono- 
of  Gegeiibitur  to  bo  really  two  bones,  which  ho  held  to  correspond  with  the  tiblale  and  fibulare,  or  atlragnlun  and 
(■a/canrHm  of  mammals;  these  subsequently  combining  to  form  the  single  upper  tarsal  bone  of  Qegenbaur,  and 
finally  becoming  ancliyloscd  with  the  tibia  to  form  the  bitrochlear  condylar  surface  so  characteristic  of  the  tibia  m 
At<ei.  Tlie  distal  tsrsal  ossicle  he  bclieve<l  to  be  the  renlrale  of  reptiles.  Wyman  discovered  the  so-called  "  process  ot 
the  astragalus"  to  have  a  distinct  ossiflcation,  and  Morse  Interpreted  it  as  the  inlermeilium  of  reptlle.1.  Ijiter 
views,  however,  as  of  Iluxlcy  and  Parker,  limit  the  tibial  epiphynis  to  the  atlragalna  alone  of  mammals.  If  these 
opinions  bo  correct,  other  tarsal  elements  (more  than  one)  are  to  lie  locked  for  In  the  epiphysis  of  the  metatarsus. 
Whatever  the  final  determination  of  these  obscure  points  may  be,  it  Is  certain  tliat,  as  said  In  the  text  above,  tho 
lower  end  of  a  bird's  tibia  ami  the  upper  end  of  a  bird's  metatarsus  include  true  tarsal  elements,  Just  as  the  upper 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.— THE  FEET. 


121 


Tlip  next  spgment  of  the  limb,  C  to  D,  or  the  foot  proper,  is  represented  by  the  principiil 
metiitarsal  bone,  mt.  This  corresponds  to  tlie  hmiiiiu  instep  or  arcli  of  the  foot,  nearly  from 
tlic  i\iikIe-joint  quite  to  the  roots  of  the  toes.  Tiio  nietiitarsiil  bone,  like  the  nietuciupal  of 
the  hand,  whieh  it  represents  in  the  foot,  is  a  compound  one.  Besides  includiut;  the  evaiies- 
coiit  tarsal  element  or  elements  already  specified,  it  consists  of  three  metatarsal  bones  con- 
sdliiliitcd  in  (me,  just  as  the  metacarpal  is  tripartite.  Among  recent  birds,  the  three  are 
(lartly  distinct  only  in  the  penguins;  but  in  all,  excepting  ostriches,  the  original  distinction  is 
iiidicati'd  by  three  prongs  or  stumps  at  the  lower  end  of  the  bone,  forming  as  many  articular 
surfaces  for  the  three  anterior  toes.  The  other  toe  most  birds  jiossess,  the  hind  toe,  is  hinged 
n|ii>n  the  m«'tatarsus  in  a  different  way,  by  means  of  a  small  separate  metatarsal  Ixme,  (pute 
iiti|nMfict;  this  is  the  accessori/  metatarsal,  am.  It  is  situattd  near  the  lower  end  toward  the 
iiiucr  side  of  the  principal  metatarsal  bone,  and  is  of  various  shapes  and  sizes  ;  it  has  no  true 
jdiiitiiig  with  the  latter,  b)it  is  simply  jiressed  close  upon  it,  much  as  the  fibula  is  applied  to  the 
tibia,  or  partly  soldered  with  it.  Above,  it  is  defective;  below,  it  bears  a  good  facet  for  articu- 
lation with  the  hind  toe.  tW  In  spite  of  anatomical  proprieties,  the  metatarsal  part  of  a  bird's 
t'cMit  —  from  heel  to  base  of  toes  —  from  C  to  Z),  is  inordinary  descriptive  ornitludogy  inrariahh/ 
called  " The  Tarsus" ;  a  wrong  name,  but  one  so  finnly  established  that  it  would  be  finical 
and  futile  to  attempt  to  substitute  the  correct  name.  In  the  ordinary  attitude  of  most  birds, 
it  is  held  more  or  less  upright,  and  seems  to  be  rather  "  leg  "  than  a  part  t>f  the  "  foot."  It  is 
vulgarly  called  "  the  shank."  These  points  must  bo  ingrained  in  the  student's  mind  to 
prevent  confusion.    (See  fig.  112   bis,  p.  229.) 

The  digits  of  the  foot,  fir  toes,  upon  which  alone  most  birds  walk  or  perch,  consist  of 
certain  numbers  of  small  bimes  placed  end  to  end,  all  jointed  upon  one  another,  and  the  basal 
or  proximate  ones  of  each  toe  separately  jointed  either  with  the  principal  or  the  accessory  metii- 
tarsal bone.  Like  those  of  the  fingers,  these  bones  are  called  phalanges  (Lat.  phalanx,  a 
rank  or  series)  or  internodes  (because  coming  between  any  two  joints  or  nodes  of  the  toes). 
The  furthermost  one  of  each  almost  invariably  bears  a  nail  or  claw  (unguis).  The  plialanges 
are  of  various  relative  lengths,  and  of  a  variable  number  in  the  same  or  different  toes.  Hut  all 
tiiese  points,  being  nuitters  of  descrii>tive  ornithology  rather  than  of  anatomy  proper,  are  fully 
treated  beyond,  as  is  also  the  special  homy  or  leathery  covering  of  the  feet  usually  existing 
from  the  point  C  outward.     Vv'^e  may  here  glance  at  the 


Merhanlsm  of  these  Bones.  —  The  hip  is  a  ball-and-socket  joint,  permitting  round-about 
as  well  iia  fore-and-aft  movements  of  the  whole  limb,  though  more  restricted  than  the  shoulder- 
joint.  The  knee  is  usually  a  strict  ginglymus  (Gr.  yiyyXvftor,  gigglumos,  hinge)  or  hinge-joint, 
allowing  only  backward  and  forward  moticm  ;  and  so  constructed  that  the  forward  movement  of 
the  leg  is  never  carried  beyond  a  right  line  with  the  fenuir,  while  the  backward  is  so  extensive 
that  the  leg  may  bo  quite  doubled  under  the  thigh.  In  some  birds  there  is  a  slight  rotatory 
motion  at  the  knee,  very  evident  in  certain  swimmers,  by  which  the  foot  is  thrown  outward,  so 
tliat  the  broad  webbed  toes  may  not  *'  interfere."  The  heel  or  ankle-joint  is  a  strict  hinge ;  its 
bendings  arc  just  the  reverse  of  those  of  tbo  knee ;  for  the  foot  cannot  jiass  back  of  a  right  lino 
with  the  leg,  but  can  come  forward  till  the  toes  nearly  touch  the  front  of  the  knee.  In  some 
l)irds  the  details  of  structure  are  such  that,  with  the  assistance  of  certain  muscles,  the  foot  is  loeked 
upon  the  leg  when  completely  straightened  out,  so  finnly  that  some  little  muscular  eftVirt  is  re- 
(|uired  to  overcome  the  obstacle ;  birds  with  this  arrangement  sleep  securely  standing  on  one  leg, 
which  is  the  design  of  the  mechanism.  The  jointing  of  the  toes  with  the  prongs  of  the  meta- 
tarsus is  peculiar ;  for  the  articular  surfaces  are  so  disposed  in  a  certain  obliquity,  that  when 

i>n(!  of  the  metacarpufi  inchules  carpal  elements;  and  tliat  a  bird'B  ankle-joint  li  not  tiblo-tnrsal  or  lietnccii 
leg-bone  and  foot-lranes,  as  In  mammals,  but  between  proximal  and  distal  series  of  tarsal  bones,  and  tbcrcroro 
nirrflo-tarsal,  as  In  reptiles. 


122 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


tho  toes  arc  brought  forwards,  at  right  angles  or  thcrcahouts  with  the  foot,  they  spread  ajiiirt 
from  each  other  aiitoniatically  in  tlie  artion,  and  tim  diverging  toes  of  tlio  foot  tluis  opened  are 
pressed  ui)on  tlic  ground  or  against  tlic  water.     When  tlio  toes  are  bent  around  in  tlie  ojipositc 

direction,  they  automatically  < le  together  and  lie  in  a  bundle  more  or  less  parallel  with  one 

another,  besides  being  each  bent  or  flexed  at  their  several  nodes.  The  mechanisni  is  best 
marked  in  the  swimmers,  which,  for  advantageous  use  of  their  webbed  toes,  must  present  a 
broad  surface  to  the  water  in  giving  tlie  backward  stroke,  and  bring  the  foot  forward  witli  the 
toes  closed,  ])resenting  only  an  edge  to  the  water,  —  all  in\  the  imnciple  of  the  feathering  of  oars 
in  rowing.  It  is  carried  to  an  extreme  in  a  loon,  where,  when  the  foot  is  closed,  the  digit 
marked  2t  in  the  figure  lies  below  and  behind  St  It  is  pr(d)ably  lea.st  marked  in  birds  of 
prey,  whicli  give  the  clutch  with  their  talons  spread.  The  jointings  of  the  individual  phalanges 
of  the  toes  upon  one  another  are  simjile  hinges,  pennitting  motion  of  extension  to  a  right  line 
or  a  little  beyond  in  some  eases,  with  very  free  flexion  in  the  opposite  direction.  On  the 
wh(de,  the  mechanics  of  a  bird's  foot  are  less  peculiar  than  those  of  the  wing,  and  quite  those 
of  the  limbs  of  a  fH'.adruped. 

In  ordinary  hopping,  walking,  and  running,  and  in  perching  as  well,  only  the  toes  rest  upon 
or  grasp  tlie  support,  from  D  to  beyond,  C  being  more  or  less  vertically  over  D.  Such  resting 
of  the  toes  is  comidetc  for  2  t,  'it,  it  in  the  figure,  or  for  all  the  anterior  toes ;  but  for  the  hind 
toe  it  varies  according  to  the  length  and  jiosition  <if  that  digit,  from  complete  incumbency,  like 
that  of  the  front  toes,  to  mere  touching  of  the  tip  of  that  toe,  or  not  even  this :  the  hind  toe 
is  then  sure  to  be  functionless.  I5ut  many  of  the  lower  birds,  such  as  loons  and  grebes,  cannot 
stand  at  all  upright  on  tln-ir  toes,  resting  with  the  heel  touching  the  ground ;  and  in  many  such 
cases  the  tail  furnislies  additional  sujiport,  making  a  tripod  with  the  feet,  as  in  the  kangaroo. 
Such  birds  might  be  called  plantiff.ade  (Lat.  planta,  the  s(de;  [iradus,  a  stej))  in  strict 
anatomical  conformity  with  the  quadrupeds  so  designated.  The  others  are  all  digitigrmk, 
standing  or  walking  on  their  toes  alone.  But  no  birds  jirogress  on  the  ends  of  their  toes,  or 
toe-nails,  as  hoofed  ([uodrupeds  do.  A  bird's  ordinary  walking  or  running  is  the  same  as  ours, 
so  far  as  the  ordinary  mechanics  of  the  motions  are  concerned  ;  but  its  so-called  "  hopping"  is 
really  leaping,  both  legs  moving  at  once.  Most  birds,  down  to  Coltimba,  leap  when  on  the 
ground,  a  mode  of  jirogression  characteristic  of  the  higher  orders;  but  many  of  the  more  terres- 
trial Passeren  ami  Accipiires  progress  by  ordinary  walking  when  on  the  ground,  as  is  invariably 
the  case  M-ith  parrots,  jiigeons,  gallinaceous  birds,  and  ail  wailers  and  swimmers. 

The  student  need  scarcely  be  reassured  that,  whatever  their  modifications,  their  relative 
development,  motions,  and  postures,  the  several  segments  of  both  fore  and  hind  limbs  of  any 
vertebrate,  (piadruped  or  biped,  feathered  or  featherless,  are  fixed  in  one  morphologically  iden- 
tical series,  thus:  1,  shoulder  or  hip-joint;  2,  upper  arm  or  thigh,  humerus  or  femur;  3, 
elbow  or  knee-joint ;  4,  fore-arm  or  leg  proper,  radius  and  ulna  or  tibia  and  fibula;  5,  wrist, 
bend  of  wing,  carpus,  or  heel,  ankle,  tarsus ;  C,  hand  proptir,  metacarpus,  or  foot  proper, 
metatarsus;  7,  digits  with  their  phalanges,  of  hand  or  foot,  fingers  or  toes.  2,  first  segment; 
4,  sectind  segment;  5,  third  segment  (not  separate  in  foot  of  bird)  ;  6  and  7,  fourth  segment, 
in  the  wing  called  nianus  or  pinion,  in  the  leg,  pes.  Observe  the  improper  naming  of  parts, 
in  tho  case  of  the  hind  limb,  whereby  1,  2,  3,  are  not  generally  counted;  4  is  called  "thigh  "  ; 
5  is  called  "  knee " ;  C  is  called  "  leg "  or  "  shank  " ;  7  is  called  "foot."  Observe  also  that  in 
descriptive  oniitludogy  6  is  "  the  tarsus." 


The  Plumage  of  the  Leg  and  Foot  varies  within  wide  limits.  In  general,  the  leg  is 
feathered  to  the  heel,  C,  and  the  rest  of  the  limb  is  bare  of  feathers.  The  thigh  is  always 
feathered,  as  part  of  the  body  plumage  (^ptcryla  femoralis).  The  cms  or  leg  proper  (thigh  of 
vulgar  language,  B  to  C)  is  feathered  in  nearly  all  the  higher  birds,  and  in  swimming  birds 
without  excjeption  ;  in  the  loons,  the  feathering  even  extends  on  the  heel-joint.     It  is  among 


EXTERNAL   PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  — THE  FEET. 


123 


till!  walking  and  especially  the  wading  birds  that  the  cms  is  most  extensively  denuded ; 
it  iiuiy  be  naked  half-way  up  to  the  kneo.  A  few  waders,  —  among  ours,  chiefly  in  the 
snipe  family, — have  tlie  cms  apparently  ch)thed  to  the  heel-joint;  but  this  is  due,  in  most  if 
imt  all  eases,  to  the  length  of  the  feathers,  for  probably  in  none  of  them  does  the  pteryla  crurnlis 
itscilf  extend  to  the  joint.  Crural  feathers  are  nearly  always  short  and  inconspicuous ;  but 
sometimes  long  and  flowing,  as  in  the  "flags  "  of  most  hawks,  and  in  our  tree-cuckoos.  The 
<(/)Vfi/s  (I  now  and  hereafter  use  the  term  in  its  ordinary  aoceptation  —  C  to  D  in  fig.  34 ;  trs  in 
Hi,'.  HC))  in  the  vast  iriajority  of  birds  is  entirely  nakeil,  being  provided  with  a  Iiorny  or  leathery 
sheath  of  integument  like  that  covering  the  bill.  Such  is  its  condition  in  the  I'asseres  and 
Picari<B  (with  few  exceptions,  as  among  swifts  and  goatsuckers)  ;  in  the  waders  without  ex- 
oe])tion,  and  in  nearly  all  swimmers  (tlio  frigate-bird,  Tachypetes,  has  a  slight  feathering). 
'V\w  Raptorea  and  Gallina  furnish  the  most  feathered  tarsi.  Thus,  feathered  tarsi  is  the  rule 
among  owls  (Striges);  fi-equent,  either  partial  or  complete,  in  liawks  and  eagles,  as  in  Aqiiihi, 
Archibitteo,  Fako,  Biiteo,  etc.  All  our  grouse,  and  perhaps  all  true  grouse,  iiave  the  tarsus 
uiorc  or  less  feathered  (tig.  35).  The  toes  themselves  are  feathered  in  a  few  birds,  as  several 
of  the  owls,  and  all  the  ptarmigans  (Lagopm).  Partial  feathering  of  the  tarsus  is  often  con- 
tinued downward,  to  the  toes  or  upon  them,  by  sparse  modified  feathers  in  the  form  of  bristles ; 
as  is  well  shown  in  the  barn-owl  (fig.  47).  When  incomplete,  the  feathering  is  generally  want- 
ing behind  and 
below,  and  it  is 
almost  invariably 
eontinnous  above 
with  the  crural 
plumage.  But  in 
that  spirit  of  per- 
versity in  which 
birds  delight  to 
Drove  everv    rule  Pio.  35. —Feathered  tarsus  of  a  grouse,  CMpWonincupirfo.    Nat.  size. 

we  establish  by  furnishing  exc-eptions,  the  tarsus  is  sometimes  j)artly  feathered  discontiiriously. 
A  curious  example  of  this  is  aflcjrded  by  the  bank-swallow,  Cotile  riparia,  with  its  little  tuft  of 
feathers  at  the  ba.se  of  the  hind  toe;  and  some  varieties  of  the  born-yard  fowl  sprout  monstrous 
leggings  of  feathers  from  the  side  of  the  tarsus. 


The  Length  of  Leg,  relatively  to  the  size  of  the  bird,  is  extremely  variable ;  a  thrush  or 
sparrow  probably  represents  about  average  proportions  of  the  limb.  The  shortest-legged  bird 
known  is  probably  the  frigate-iMilican,  TacJiypetes  ;  which,  though  a  yard  long  more  or  less, 
lias  a  tibia  not  half  as  long  as  the  skull,  and  a  tarsus  under  an  inch.  The  leg  is  very  short  in 
many  Picarian  birds,  as  hummers,  swifts,  goatsuckers,  kingfishers,  trogons,  etc.,  in  many  of 
which  it  scarcely  serves  at  all  for  progression.  Among  Passeres,  the  swallows  resemble  swifts 
in  shortness  of  their  hind  limbs.  It  is  pretty  short  likewise  in  many  zygodactyle,  yoke-toed  or 
scansorial  birds,  as  woodpeckers,  cuckoos,  and  parrots.  In  most  swimming  birds  the  limb 
may  also  be  called  short,  especially  in  its  femoral  and  tarsal  segments ;  while  the  broad-webbed 
toes  are  comparatively  longer.  The  leg  lengthens  in  the  lower  jierching  birds,  as  many 
hawks  and  some  of  the  terrestrial  pigeons;  it  is  still  longer  among  walkers  proper,  such  as  the 
gallinaceous  birds,  and  reaches  its  maximum  among  the  waders,  esjiecially  the  larger  ones, 
such  as  cranes,  herons,  ibises,  storks,  and  flamingoes ;  among  all  of  which  it  is  correlated  with 
extension  of  the  neck.  Probably  the  longest-legged  of  all  birds  for  its  size  is  the  stilt 
{Ilimantopus').  Taking  the  tarsus  alone  as  an  index  of  length  of  the  whole  limb,  this  is  in 
the  frigate  under  one-thirty-sixth  of  the  bird's  length ;  a  flamingo,  four  feet  long,  has  a  tarsus 
a  foot  long :  a  stilt,  fourteen  inches  long,  one  of  four  inches ;  so  that  the  maximum  and 


124 


a  EN  ERA  L  OJiXrniOLOG  r. 


uiinimum  lonptlis  of  taraiis  are  nearly  thirty  and  iindtT  tlirce  per  cent,  of  a  bird's  wliujo 
length. 

The  Horny  Integument  of  the  Foot  rpquirps  particular  attrntion.     That  jmrt  of  tho 

limb  whir-h  is  (lovciid  of  feathers   iw  eovcred,  like  the  bill,  by  a  hardened,  tliieUened, ditiid 

integument,  varying  in  texture  from  homy  to  leathery.  This  sheath  is  called  tho  potluthnu 
(Or.  novt,  noSos,  jjoh.'*,  podim,  foot,  mid  OriKt],  tlicke,  sheath).  It  is  more  corneous  iu  land  hinls, 
and  in  water  birds  more  leathery  ;  this  general  distinction  has  but  few  exceptions.  The  perfectly 
horny  envelope  is  tight,  and  iunnovahly  fixed  or  nearly  so,  while  the  skinny  styles  of  slicntji 
are  looser,  and  may  usually  be  sli]>}>ed  about  a  little.  Tho  integument  may  differ  on  diHeniit 
parts  of  the  same  leg,  and  in  fact  generally  does  so  to  some  extent.  Uulike  the  sheath  of  the 
bill,  the  podotheca  is  never  shnido  and  continuous,  being  divided  and  subdivided  in  various 
ways.  The  lower  part  of  the  cms,  when  naked,  and  the  tarsus  and  toes,  always  have  their 
integinnent  cut  up  into  scales,  plates,  tubercles,  and  other  special  formations,  which  have 
received  particular  names.  The  maimer  and  character  of  such  divi-^ions  are  often  of  the 
utmost  coiise(iuence  in  classification,  especially  among  tho  higher  birds,  since  they  arc  (piite 
sigtiificant  of  genera,  families,  and  even  some  larger  groups. 


iteV 


Fin.  3G.  — Booted  laminlplantar 
tarsus  of  a  robin.    Nat.  size. 


Fio.  37.  —  Scut«1Iato 
laminlplantar  tarsus  of  a 
cat-bird.    Mat.  sUe. 


Fio.  38.  —  a.  Reticulate  tarsus 
of  a  plover.  Nat.  size.  b.  Scutel- 
lato  and  reticulate  tarsus  of  a 
pigeon.    Nat.  siio. 


The  commonest  division  of  the  podothecti  is  into  scales  or  scntella  (Lat.  scutelhim,  a  little 
shield;  pi.  sciiMla,  not  scuteUa;  as  often  written)  ;  figs.  37,  and  38,  b.  These  are  generally  of 
large  comparative  size,  arranged  in  definite  vertical  series  up  and  down  tho  tarsus  and  along 
the  toes,  and  apt  to  be  somewhat  imbricated,  or  fixed  shingle-wise,  the  lower  edge  of  one 
overlapping  the  upper  edge  of  tho  next.  The  groat  majority  of  birds  have  such  scutcUa.  They 
oftenest  occur  on  the  fnmt  of  the  tarsus  (or  acroiarsium,  corresponding  to  our  "  instep"),  and 
almost  invariably  on  the  tops  of  the  toes  (collectively  called  acropodiitm)  ;  frequently  also  on 
tho  sides  and  back  of  the  tarsus  or  planta ;  nttt  so  often  on  the  crus,  and  rarely  if  ever  on  the 
sides  and  under  surfaces  of  the  toes.  A  tarsus  so  disposed  as  to  its  podotheca  is  said  tn  bo 
scutellate, — scutellato  before  (fig.  37),  or  behind,  or  both,  as  the  case  may  be.  The  tenn  is 
ecjually  applicable  to  the  acropodium,  but  is  not  so  often  used  because  seutcllation  of  tho  upper 
sides  of  the  toes  is  so  nnivcrsal  as  to  be  taken  for  granteil  unless  the  contrary  condition  is 
expressly  said.  The  most  notorious  case  of  the  Oscine  podotheca  (figs.  36,  37),  characterizing 
that  great  group  of  birds,  is  given  boy(md  (next  paragraph). 

Plates,  or  reticulations  (Lat.  reticulum,  a  web;  fig.  38,  n)  result  from  tho  cutting  up  of 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  — THE  FEET. 


125 


tlic  cnvoloiK}  ill  various  ways  by  cross  lini's.  I'latos  nro  of  various  sliapes  and  sizes,  ami 
jinidc  usually  into  tnir  sciitfUa,  from  wliich  however  thoy  arc  generally  tlistiiiKuislied  by  being 
.viiiailer,  or  of  irregular  (Muitoiir,  or  not  in  deKnite  rows,  or  laeking  the  a)>|H'araiiee  of  iiuliriea- 
tiiiii ;  but  there  is  no  positive  distinetiou.  They  are  oftenest  hcrarfoudl  (six-sided),  a  form  Jiesl 
adapted  to  close  paekiiig,  lis  sliown  very  jierfectly  iu  the  cells  of  the  lioney-bee's  comb;  but 
they  may  liave  fewer  sides,  or  be  imhjfionul  (many-sided),  or  even  circular  ;  wlieii  crowded  in 
one  direction  and  loosened  in  another  the  Hlia]H'  teuds  to  be  oval  or  even  liiu'ar.  A  leg  so  fur- 
nished is  said  to  be  reticulate  :  tlie  reticulation  may  be  entire,  or  be  associated  witli  sciitellation, 
as  often  happens  (fig.  38,  h).  A  particular  cuso  of  reticulation  is  called  ifmimlation  (Lat. 
pniiinm,  n  grain):  when  the  plates  become  elevated  into  little  tubercles,  roughened  or  not. 
Such  a  leg  is  said  to  be  granular,  granulated,  or  rugone:  it  is  well  shown  by  parrots,  ami  the 
tisli-hawk  {I'andion).  When  the  harder  sorts  of  scales  or  phites  are  roughened  without 
obvious  elevation,  the  leg  is  said  to  be  scabrous  or  scarious  (Lat.  scabrum,  u  s<'ab).  Iliii 
svdhroiis  is  al.so  said  of  the  under  surfaces  of  the  toes,  when  these  develop  special  jmds,  or 
Wiift-lilse  bulbs  (called  tijluri)  :  as  is  well  shown  in  the  siiarp-shinned  and  many  other  hawks. 
The  softer  sorts  of  legs,  and  especially  the  webs  of  swimming  birds,  are  often  marked  crosswise 
<ir  croicfWato/ with  a  lattice  work  of  lines,  these  however  not  being  strong  enough  to  produce 
|ilate.s  ;  it  is  more  like  the  lines  seen  on  our  ]ialms  and  finger-tips.  The  ]dates  of  a  pait  of  the 
leg  occasionally  ilevelop  into  actual  serrations  ;  as  witnessed  along  the  binder  edge  of  a 
grel)e's  tarsus.  When  an  iinfeatliered  tarsus  shows  no  divisions  of  the  podotheca  in  front 
(along  the  acrotaraium),  or  only  two  or  three  scales  dose  by  the  toes,  it  is  said  to  be  booted  or 
grnircd ;  and  such  a  podotheca  is  holiithecal  ((Jr.  oXor,  holos,  whole,  entire,  and  ^ki;;  fig.  HCi). 
Tiie  generic  opposite  is  schizothec(d  ((Jr.  axl^a,  I  cleave),  whetiii'r  by  scutellati«m  or  reticula- 
tion or  in  any  other  way  the  integiinient  n:ay  Ix;  cut  up.  A  booted  or  holothecal  tarsus  chiefly 
occurs  iu  the  higher  Oseincs,  and  is  supposed  by  many,  jmrticularly  German  'iriiithologists,  to 
indicate  the  highest  tyjie  of  bird  structure.  It  is,  however,  found  in  a  few  water  birds,  as 
Wilson's  stormy  petrel  and  other  species  of  Oceanites.  It  is  not  a  common  moditication. 
Exceptions  aside,  it  only  occurs  in  connection  with  an  eipially  iiarticular  condition  of  tin? 
sides  and  back  of  tiie  tarsus,  or  planta.  In  almost  all  Oscine  Passeres  {Alaudidte  are  an 
exception),  which  constitute  the  great  bulk  of  the  large  order  Passeres,  the  ])laiita  is  covered 
with  one  pair  of  plates  or  laminee,  one  on  each  side,  meeting  l)ehiiid  in  a  sharp  ridge  ;  a  condi- 
tion caUed  laminiplantar,  in  distinction  from  the  opposite,  scutelUplautar,  state  of  the  parts. 
A  holothecal  jiodotheca  only  occurs  in  connection  with  the  lamini|dantar  condition,  the  combi- 
nation resulting  in  the  perfect  "  boot."  Among  North  American  birds,  the  genus  0«vn»7c.s 
aside,  it  is  exhibited  by  the  following  genera,  and  by  these  only:  Ttirdus,  Cinclus,  Sa.ncola, 
iSialia,  Regulus,  Cijanecula,  Phijlhscopus,  Chamaa,  Mifiadestcs ;  and  even  birds  of  these 
genera,  when  ;/oung,  show  scutella  which  disap]M>ar  with  age  by  progressive  fusion  of  the 
acrotarsial  podotheca.     (C'omparo  ligs.  36,  157. ) 

The  Crus,  when  bare  of  feathers  beh)W,  may,  like  the  tarsus,  be  scutellate  or  reticulate 
before  or  behind,  or  both  ;  such  divisions  of  the  crural  integument  being  commonly  seen  in 
long-legged  wading  birds.  Or,  again,  this  integument  may  be  loose,  softi.sh,  and  movable,  not 
<d)viou8ly  divided,  and  passing  directly  into  ordinary  skin. 


The  Tarsus,  in  general,  may  be  called  siibcylindrical :  it  is  often  quite  circular  in  cross- 
st!ction;  generally  thicker  from  before  backward,  and  only  rarely  wider  from  t)ne  sid(>  to  the 
other  than  in  the  opjwsite  direction;  but  such  a  shajH^  as  this  last  is  exhibited  by  the  ])engnins. 
When  the  transverse  thinness  is  noticeable,  the  tarsus  is  said  to  be  conipre.tsed ;  and  such 
compression  is  very  great  in  a  loon,  in  which  the  tarsus  is  almost  like  a  knife  blade,  (juite 
cylindrical  tarsi  occur  chietly  when  there  are  similar  scales  or  plates  before  and  behind,  as 


via 


GENEIUL  OHNITHOLOOY. 


lmi)iit'U8  in  tlio  larks  (.i/rtwe/i(/<r) ;  tlit-y  an-  rare  ntiioiig  laud  birds,  common  ainon/j;  wailnii. 
Tliimc  swiiiiiiiiiig  Ijiids  with  a  very  tliiii  «liliiiiy  ixKlotluTa  an-  ajtt  to  wliow  tracps  of  tiic  loiir- 
HidediiCHH  (if  the  mftatnrcal  bono.  Tiie  tarsus  in  tlic  vast  majority  of  land  birdn  is  seen  i,n 
close  iusjiei'tion  to  be  Hiniewbat  ovate  or  droii-shaped  on  erosH-section, —gently  roundiil  in 
front,  more  eomiiressed  laterally,  and  Hharp-ridged  beliind.  This  re»nlt«  from  tlie  htmimpluv- 
lation  described  above,  and  is  e<|iially  well  exhibited  by  most  passerine  birds,  whether  tliry 
iiave  booted  or  anteriorly  sciitellatc  tarsi.  The  liuo  of  nnion  of  anterior  scntella  with  jiostero- 
Inleral  jdates  on  the  sides  of  tiie  tarsns  is  generally  in  a  straight  vertical  line,  — either  a  nine 
lino  of  flush  union,  or  a  ridge,  or  oftener  a  groove  (well  seen  in  the  crows),  which  nuiy  nr 
may  not  be  tilled  in  with  a  few  small  narrow  jdates.  In  the  C'lanmtorial  I'dsneres,  reprcsenti d 
by  our  flycatchers,  the  tarsns  is  envebii)ed  in  a  scroll-like  podotheca  of  irregularly  arraiiirKJ 
plates,  the  edges  of  the  scrtdl  meeting  along  the  inner  side  of  the  taraus.  But  the  full  con.sjdd- 
atiou  of  special  states  of  the  tarsal  envelope,  however  important  and  interesting,  would  be  part 
of  a  systematic  treatise  on  ornithology,  rather  than  of  an  outline  sketch  like  this. 

The  Number  of  Toes  (individually,   digiti  ;   c(dlectively,  jiodium)    is  four:   there  an* 
mver  more.     There  are  two  in  the  ostrich  alone,  in  which  both  inner  and  hind  toe  arc  waulinu. 

There  are  three  in  all  the  other  struthious  birds  (Ehcidir,  Cusu- 
nriidfc),  excepting  Apteri/.v,  which  has  four.  There  are  like- 
wise three,  the  hind  toe  being  su])pressed,  in  the  tinamint' 
genera  C'fltorfro»i«,>i  and  Thutmotis  {Dromaogiiatluc) ;  through- 
out the  auk  family  (Alcida) ;  in  th«'  petnd  genus  I'elrcn.i- 
dides;  apparently  in  the  albatrosses  (Diomedehur)  ;  usually  in 
the  gull  genus  Hissa;  in  the  flandng<i  genus  Pha-iiicopnrra ; 
throughout  the  bustard  family  (Otidida:),  and  am<ing  various 
related  forms,  as  Qidicnemus,  Emeus,  Cursorius;  in  tlio 
plovers  (Charadriida;),  excepting  Sqtiatarola ;  and  in  the 
bush-quails  {Turnicidtc),  excepting  Pedionomus.  In  higher 
birds,  three  toes  are  a  rare  anomaly,  only  known  to  occur  in 
three  genera  of  woodpeckers  (Picdides,  Sasia,  and  Tigd),  and  in  one  galbuline  genus  (Jacu- 
maralcijon),  by  loss  of  the  hind  toe  ;  in  two  genera  oi  kingfishers  {Ce;i.T  ami  Alci/oti').  by  sup- 
pression of  the  inner  front  toe;  and  in  the  passerine  genus  Cholon  the  outer 
front  toe.  North  American  three-toed  birds  are  these  only  ;  tb'  the  genus 
Picdides;  all  auks  {Alcidcc),  and  albatrosses  {Diomed<  •■  ■  here  is  a 
rudiment  of  the  hind  toe)  ;  all  plovers  {Charadriida,  c  taroi  the  oyster- 
catchers  (Hamatopus) ;  the  sanderling  {Calidris,  fig.  the  stii  limui,  jiux).  Hirds 
with  two  toes  are  said  to  be  didactyk  ;  with  three,  tridiui;  with  ('  .r,  tetradacti/le.  In  the 
vast  majority  of  cases,  birds  have  three  toes  in  front  and  one  behim!  Ooeasionally,  either  th<* 
hind  toe,  or  the  <iutermost  front  toe,  is  versatile,  that  is,  suscept,  I.  of  being  turned  either 
way.  Such  is  the  condition  of  the  outer  front  toe  in  most  owls  {Striyes),  and  in  the  fish-haw). 
(Pandion).  We  have  no  case  of  true  versatility  of  the  hind  toe  among  North  American  birds: 
but  several  cases  of  its  stationary  somewhat  lateral  position,  as  in  goatsuckers  {CaprimnUjid'  ' 
•some  of  the  swifts  (Ci/pselidit:),  the  loons  {Colymbidfr),  and  all  the  totipalmate  swimi 
(Stegn)iopodcs).  Nor  have  we  any  example  of  that  rarest  of  all  conditions  (seen  in  soii 
Cypselida;  and  the  African  Coliida)  in  which  all  four  toes  are  turned  forward.  The  arrang< 
ment  of  toes  in  pairs,  two  before  and  two  behind,  is  quite  common,  being  the  characteristic, 
of  scansorial  birds  and  some  others,  as  all  the  (larrots  and  woodi)eckers,  cuck(K)s,  trogons,  etc. 
Such  arrangement  is  caUed  zngodactyle  uv  ii/godacti/lous  (Gr.  fuyoV,  zngon,  a  yoke;  ddiervXor, 
daktulos,  a  digit)  ;  and  birds  exhibiting  it  are  said  to  be  yoke-toed  (fig.  45).  In  all  yoke-toed 
birds,  excepting  the  trogons,  it  is  the  outer  anterior  toe  which  is  reversed  ;  in   trogons,  the 


Fi(i.  3«.  —  Triiliictyle  foot  of  sand 
orliiig,  Calidrit  arenaria ;  nat.  size. 


EXTERNAL  I'AHTS  OF  BIRDS.  — THE  FEET. 


127 


iiiiitT  <iiiL'.  Ill  iirmly  every  throo-tfK'd  bird,  nil  three  toes  uie  uuterior;  mir  single  exoeption  xn 
ill  llir  m'lius  J'ivdiitvM,  wilt-re  tiie  triK-  hind  toe  in  wiintiiig,  tliu  outer  iiuterior  one  being  reversed 
iiH  iisiiai  iu  /ygudiietyU-H.  No  bird  bus  inure  tooH  behind  thuu  iu  fmut.  UirdH'  Un's,  iind  tlieir 
respei'live  joints,  are 

Nil  III  lie  red,  in  a  eertain  definite  order,  as  fidlows  (see  figs.  34,  'M):  hind  toe  =  firnt  toe, 
1/;  inner  anterior  toe  =«a'OH'/toe,  it;  middle  anterior  toe  = //ii)v/  toe,  'M;  outer  anterior 
tilt'  =  fourth  toe,  it.  Sueli  identitieation  of  1  t,  2  t,  'it,  i  t  apjilies  to  tiie  ordinary  eawe  of  tliree 
toen  ill  front  and  one  lieliind.  Hut,  (d)viously,  it  liidils  giMid  fur  any  otlier  arrangeiiient  of  tlie 
toes,  if  we  only  l«now  whieli  one  is  ehanged  in  position, — a  tiling  always  easy  to  learn,  as  we 
sliiill  see  at  oiiee.  In  birds  with  the  hind  toe  reversed,  leaving  all  four  in  front,  tlie  same 
order  is  evident,  though  then  1<  is  the  inner  anterior,  it  tlie  next,  ete.  ;  for  it  always  happens, 
when  a  hind  toe  turns  forward,  that  it  turns  on  the  inner  side  of  the  foot.  Similarly,  iu  yoke- 
toed  birds  (execpting  Trogonidir) ,  it  is  the  outer  anterior  which  is  turned  backward,  as  above 
said ;  then,  evidently,  inner  hind  t«M)  =  W  ;  inner  front  toe  =  2< ;  outer  front  toe  =-'it ;  outer 
hind  toe  =  4  t.  In  Trw/ouidtr,  with  inner  front  toe  reversed,  the  eoiTectioii  of  the  formula  is 
easily  made.  Moreover,  when  the  number  of  toes  decreases  from  four  to  three  or  two,  the 
digits  are  almost  always  reduced  in  the  same  order:  thus,  in  three-toed  birds,  1  <  is  the  missing 
one ;  iu  the  two-toed  ostrich,  1 1  and  2 1  are  gone.  The  only  known  exceptions  to  this  general- 
ization are  afforded  by  two  exotic  genera  of  kingtishers,  Ceij.r  and  Alcyone,  in  which  2  <  is 
defective ;  and  by  the  anomah)UH  passerine  Cholvrnin  uf  China,  in  whicdi  4  t  is  iu  like  case. 
The  rule  is  jtroveu  by  the 


Number  of  Phalanges,  or  joints,  of  the  digits.  The  constancy  of  the  joints  in  birds' 
toes  is  remarkable,  —  it  is  oue  of  the  strongest  expressions  of  the  highly  inonomorphic  character 
o(  AveH.  In  all  birds,  excepting  ProcellariiiUe,  1  (  when  present  has  two  joints  (not  counting, 
of  course,  the  accessory  inetutursal).  In  uH  birds,  2 1  when  present  has  three  joints.  In  ticarli/ 
rill  birds,  3 1  has  four  joints.  In  nearly  all  birds,  4 1  has  /i-e  joints.  Thus,  any  digit  hixa  one 
more  joint  than  the  nuinb(>r  of  itself.  The  exceptions  to  this  regularity  consist  in  the  lessening 
of  the  number  of  joints  of  1  <  or  3  <  by  one,  and  »»f  4  t  by  one  or  tuo.  So  when  the  joints  do 
not  run  2,  3,  4,  5,  for  toes  1  to  4,  they  run  either,  I,  3,  4,  5,  or  2,  3,  4,  4,  or  2,  3,  3,  3.  (These 
.xfatements  do  not  regard  the  anomalous  easva  of  Ceyx,  Alcyone,  and  Cholornis  —  see  above.) 
This  variability  is  nearly  confined  to  certain  Picarian  birds :  our  examples  of  it  are  in  certain 


V 


genera  of  Cypselituc,  tig.  40,  where  the  ratio  is  2,  3,  3,  3, 
of  CajmmulgintF,  tig.  41,  where  it  is  2,  3,  4,  4 ;  and  the  jx'trel 
family,  with  1,  3,  4,  5.  Such  admirable  conservatism  enables 
V^r^if  '^w  ""  '•*  ^^^  what  toes  are  missing  in  any  case,  or  what  ones  arc 
W^f  t)  "lit  of  the  regular  jxisition.  Thus,  iu  Ficoides,  the  hind  toe, 
^  ff  ai>parently  1 1,  is  known  to  bo  4  t,  because  it  is  five-jointed ; 

in  a  trogon,  the  inner  hind  toe  is  2  t,  being  three-jointed  ;  in 
the  ostrich,  with  only  two  toes,  3t  and  it  are  seen  to  be 
preserved,  because  they  are  respectively  four-  and  five-jointed. 
(See  fig.  34,  where  the  digits  and  their  phalanges  are  numbered.)  IJesides 
this  interesting  numerical  ratio,  the  phalanges  have  other  inter-relations  of 
some  consequence  in  classification,  resulting  from  their  comparative  lengths. 
In  some  families  of  birds,  one  or  more  of  the  baml  or  proximal  phalanges  glue  foot,  2, 3, 4, 4 
(those  next  to  the  foot  —  opjwsed  to  di>it<d,  or  those  at  the  ends  of  the  digits)  of  the  front  toes- 
are  extremely  short,  being  mere  nodules  of  bone  (fig.  40)  ;  iu  other  and  more  frequent  cases, 
they  are  the  longest  of  all,  as  in  figs.  34,  41.  On  the  whole,  they  generally  decrease  in  length 
from  proximal  to  distal  extremity,  and  the  last  one  of  any  toe  is  quite  small,  serving  merely 


Fio.  40.— Pha 
langeH  of  Cypu- 
lino  foot,  2,3,3,3. 


a  ^ 

Fio.  41.-Plia- 
IniigeB  of  Cnprlmul- 


128 


GENEIiAL  OliNlTUOLOGY. 


as  a  corp  to  tho  daw.  The  difffroiicc  in  the  l(>iigtliH  of  tlio  sovcriil  phiilaiigt's,  hlu'  tluit  ot 
the  digits  tlu'iiisclvcs,  makes  the  toes  more  etficieut  in  grasping,  since  they  thereby  ehisj)  more 
perfectly  npon  au  irregular  object.  The  ile.sign  and  the  prineiple  are  the  same  as  seen  in  tlie 
humau  hand,  in  which  model  instrument  the  digits  and  their  joints  are  all  of  ditfereut  lengths. 

The  Position  of  tlio  Digits,  other  than  in  resiK'ct  to  their  direction,  is  important,     hi 
all  birds  the  front  toes  are  inserted  on  the  metatarsus  on  the  same  level,  or  so  nearly  in  one 
horizontal  plane  that  the  diilerence  is  not  notable.     The  .-ianie  may  be  said  of  the  hind  toes 
when  they  are  a  pair,  as  in  zygodactyle  birds.     l?ut  the  hind  toe,  or  halliu;  as  it  is  often 
calleil,  when  present  and  single,  varies  rennirkably  in  position  with  R'fereuce  to  the  front  toes: 
and  this  matter  recpmes  special   notice,  as  it  is  important  in  classification.     The  insertion  of 
this  digit  varies,  from  the  very  bottom  of  tlie  tarsus  {metatarsus),  where  it  is  on  a  level  with 
the  'iout  toes,  to  some  distance  up  the  bone.     When  the  hallux  is  Husli  with  the  bases  of 
the  other  toes,  so  that  its  whole  length  is  on  tin;  ground,  it  is  said  to  be  iiwiimhcHt.     When 
just  so  much  raised  that  its  tip  only  touches  the  ground,  it  is  called  insistent.     When  inserted 
so   high   up  that  it  does  not  reach  the   giound,  it  is  termed  remote  (amotus)  or  eknihil. 
Hut  as  the  precise  position  varies  insensibly,  so  that  the  foregoing  distinctions  are  not  readily 
perceived,  il  is  practie'i'.ly  best  to  recognize  only  two  of  these  three  conditions,  saying  simply 
"  hind  toe  elevated,"  when  it  is  in.serted  fairly  above  the  rest,  and  "  hind  toe  not  elevatid." 
when  its  insertion  is  Hush  with  that  of  the  other  toes.     In  round  terms  :  it  is  characteristic  of 
all  insessiiriiil  (Lat.  itiisedo,  1  sit  u])oi,)  or  perching  birds  to  have  the  hind  toe  down"  ;  of  all 
other  birds  to  have  it  i;i'  (when  present).     'I"he  <'xcei)tions  to  the  first  of  these  .statements  arc 
extrenu'ly  rare  ;  among  North  Anii'rican  birds  they  are  chiefly  furnished  by  certain  genera  of 
Cdjirimidyidrc,  perhaps  also  of  Ci/jinelidtc,  and  of  Cathurtidec.      lUit  among  other  Huplnris 
besides  Cnthartidtc,  e.sjM.'cially  certain  owls  (Slrif/es),  and  in  some  of  the  pigeons  {('oliimliidit), 
the  hind  toe  is  not  ipiite  down,  or  is  decidedly  uplifted  (as  in  Starwnias,  for  example).     It  is 
elevated  in  all  our  rasorial  birds  ((ralliiur);  elevated  in  all  our  waders  excepting  the  herons 
and  some  of  their  allies  (llerodioiies),  though  not  very  markedly  .so  in  the  rail  family  (Halliilir). 
It  is  elevated  in  (///  swimming  birds,  whether  lobe-footed  or  completely  or  jiartly  web-footed, 
but  in   the  totijialmate  order  (Sleiitnnipodcs),   where  the  hallux  is  lateral   in  position  and 
webbed  with  the  inner  toe,  the  elevation   is  slight.     Now  since,  curiously  enough,  the  oidy 
ones  of  our  insessorial  genera  (see  above)  that  have  the  hind  toe  nji,  have  also  little  webs 
between  the  front   toes  —  since  some  Uaptores  are  onr  only  other  insessorial  birds  with  any 
such    true   webbing  —  since   herons  and   some  of  their  allies  are  our  imly  birds  with  such 
webbing   that    have   the  hallux   down  —  the   fidlowing  nde  is  jwrhaps  infallible  for  North 
American  birds  :   Consider  the  hind  tve  VV  in  anif  bird  with  any  true  ireiibinff  or  hthinij  of  the 
front  toes,  excepting  herons  and  some  fif  their  allies  and  .some  birds  of  prey.     The  converse 
also  holds  almost  as  well :  for  our  only  birds  with  fully  cleft  anterior  toes  and  hind  tiK-  up,  are 
the  rails  and  gallinuh's  (Jiallidtc),  the  bhick-bellied  plover  {Sqnatarohi  helretiai),  our  only 
four-toed  plover,  the  turn-stone  (Strepsihis  interpres),  the  American    woodctx-k    {PhilohiUi 
minor),  thi'  Kuropean  woodcock  {Seolopa.r  rusticida),  Wilson's  snipe  {Gidlinaijo  irilsoni),  and 
most  of  the  .sandpipers  (.SV()/()/>r»nV/rr).     If  the  sense  of  this  ])aragra]di  is  taken  in,  the  student 
who  wishes  to  use  my  artificial  "key"  will  seldom  be  puzzled  to  know  whether  to  take  the 
toe  up  or  ilown. 

The  Hallux  has  other  Notable  Characters.  —It  wfree  and  simple,  in  tho  vast  inajoriiy 
<if  binUi :  in  all  insessorial  birds,  nearly  all  cursorial  (hat.  cursor,  a  courser),  ami  most  natatorial 
(Fiat,  natator,  a  swinuner)  forms.  Its  length,  claw  imduded,  may  equal  or  surjiass  that  of  the 
longest  anterior  toe  ;  and  generally  exceeds  that  of  one  or  two  of  tli.'se.  It  is  never  so  long  as 
when  incumlic.it  ;  when  thus  down  on  a  level  with  the  rest  it  also  acipiires  its  greatest  mobilitv 


and  functi 
iudepcndc 
just  as  ou 
rises  ou  1 
the  short 
shorter  St 
plcte  in  o 
ami  is  rei' 
in  the  bil 

ally  ^"''^'' 
inner  toe 

(Hi:.  5-'). 

lobcof  fV( 

(I'idiijid 
{l'odivi)i< 
witli  one 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  — THE  FEET. 


129 


and  func'tiduul  efficiency.  In  most  Pasnerts  it  is  virtually  provided  with  a  spocial  innscle  for 
iiidt'iK-'udcnt  nioveuient,  so  that  it  may  be  jK-rfectly  api»<i9j»ble  to  the  other  ^x-s  collectively, 
just  as  our  thumb  may  be  brought  against  the  tiji  of  any  linger.  In  general,  it  shortens  as  it 
rises  on  the  metatarsus;  and  probably  in  no  binl  in  which  it  is  truly  elevated  is  it  as  long  as 
till'  siiiirtest  anterior  toe.  It  is  short,  barely  touching  the  ground,  in  most  wading  birds; 
slicirter  still  in  some  swimmers,  as  the  gu'ls,  where  it  is  probably  functionless  ;  it  is  iuconi- 
iilcte  ill  one  gemis  of  gulls  (Rixsa),  where  it  bears  uo  ]>erfect  claw  ;  it  has  only  one  phalanx 
and  is  represented  only  by  a  short  immovable  claw  in  the  jK-trels  (^PriKeUariUUv);  it  disa))|>ears 
in  llie  birds  named  in  the  last  paragraph  but  two  above,  aud  in  some  others.  It  is  never  actu- 
ally soldered  with  any  other  toe,  for  any  noticeable  distance  ;  but  it  is  weblwHl  to  the  ba.se  of  the 
inner  toe  in  the  loons  (^Coh/mhus),  and  to  the  whole  length  of  the  to«'  in  all  ihe  Sterjnnopodes 
(li^'.  5:.').  It  may  also  be  independently  webbed;  tluit  la,  1h)  provided  with  a  separatt!  Hap  or 
lolic  oC  free  membrane.  This  hdmtion  of  the  hallux  is  seen  iu  all  our  sea-ducks  and  uierganscrs 
(Fiili<inUu<c  and  Mtrifinfc),  and  in  all  the  truly  lobc-ftK>te.d  birds,  as  ciMits  (t'liliai),  grebes 
(I'udicijiedidic)  and  jihalaropes  (PhalarujHHlida).  The  modes  of  luiiou  of  the  anterior  toes 
with  one  another  may  be  finally  considered  under  the  head  of  the 


Three  leading  Modiflentions  of  the  Avian  Foot.  —  liirds'  feet  arc  nKxlellcd,  oti  the 
wliide,  n)»on  one  or  another  of  three  jdans,  fm-nishing  as  ma>iy  ti/pes  of  structure  ;  which 
ty|M's,  though  they  niu  into  one  another,  and  each  is  variously  modified,  may  readily  be  appre- 
ciated. These  plans  are  the  perching  or  insfstiurud,  the  walking  or  wading,  ciirsorad  or 
<iridl(doriid,  and  the  swimming  or  nutntoriid  —  in  fact,  so  well  distinguished  are  they,  that 
carinate  birds  have  even  b^en  ]irimarily  divided  into  groujts  corresponding  to  these  three 
evideiK'cs  of  physiological  adaptation  of  the  structiia-  of  the  Avian  pes.  Independently  of  the 
nninbcr  aud  position  of  the  diuits,  the  ]>lans  are  pretty  well  iiulicate<l  by  the  method  of  union 
of  the  toes.  (»r  their  entire  lack  of  union.  1.  The  hisessorud  type.  {«)  In  order  to  nnjke  a  foot 
the  most  of  n  hand,  that  is,  to  fit  it  best  for  tliat  grasping  function  which  the  perching  i  ' 
birds  upon  trees  aiul  bushes  recpiires,  it  is  reipiisite  that  the  digits  should  be  as  free  and 
iniivable  as  possible,  and  that  the  hind  one  should  be  perfectly  ai)]<osabli'  to  the  others. 
Compare  the  liumaM  hand,  for  example,  with  the  foot,  and  observe  tlie  pi'rfection  secured  by 
the  perfect  freedom  of  the  fingers  and  especially  the  appositeia'ss  of  the  thumb.  In  the  most 
aci-(iin]ilished  insessorial  foot,  the  front  toes  are  eleft  to  the  base,  or  only  coherent  to  a  very 
sliu'lit  extent;  the  hind  to<>  is  completely  incumlM'Ut,  and  as  long  and  Hexible  us  the  rest.  Our 
thrushes  (  Tnrdid(i')  probably  show  as  complete  (deavage 
as  is  ever  seen,  practically  as  much  as  that  of  the 
liiniian  fingers;  the  cleft  between  the  inner  and  miilille 
tiM'  being  to  the  very  base,  while  the  outer  is  only  joined 
to  the  middle  for  about  the  length  of  its  own  basal 
joint.  This  is  the  typical  pasKeriiw  foot  (figs.  'M\,  ,S7. 
ii,  4;{)'  There  may  be  .somewhat  more  cohesion  of 
the  toes  at  base,  as  iu  the  wrens,  titmice,  cree|M'rs, 
vireos,  etc.,  without,  however,  obscuring  the  triu-  j)as- 
serine  character.  As  regards  this  matter,  thi'  |M.int  is, 
tl'ut  when  the  tiK's  are  united  at  all,  it  is  by  their  actinil 

ctdiesioii  there,  not  by  movable  webbini'.     Mesiiles  the 

,      .     ,  ...  ,        ,  ,.  ,       .  Fios.  -12,  43.  —  Tvplcftl    pnivoriiio    fuel. 

typical  passerine,  there  are  several   other  m.Hlihcations  ,ti,o  riKlit-linii.l  flg.  i^  l'lteir,.,,han,t  Uippo. 

of  till'  insessorial  foot.     (It)    Thus  a  kingfisher  shows   n""".  tint,  nine.) 

what  is  called  a  si/ndticti/h'  or  Ki/ii(/ne.siuu.i  ((ir.  viiy.  »iiii,  together;  yvii<not.  (fuesjos,  relatiiig  to 

way  of  birth)  foot  (fig.  44),  where  the  outer  and  middle  tiK's  odiere  for  most  of  their  extent  and 

have  u  bioad  sole  in  common.     It  i.s  a  degradation  of  the  inscMorial  finit,  and  not  a  common 


130 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


Kid.  44.  —  Syn- 
ductylefixit  ofkltig- 
flHliiT,  lint.  bIzc. 


out'  citluT ;  seen  in  tlidw  pirchiiig  birds  wiiich  scurcoly  use  their  feet  for  progressidii,  Imt 
siiniily  I'dr  sitting  iiiotidiiU'ss.  (c)  The  :ijf)0(lactyle  or  yoke-toed  nuidifieiition  has  been  siilii- 
cieutly  noted  (fig.  45 ).  It  was  fonneily  iiuule  much  of,  as  a  scansorial  or  climbing  type  df  fnof, 
and  an  absurd  "  onlrr" 
of  birds  has  been  called 
Scdiisorcs.  Hut  many 
of  tlie  /ygddactyle  birds 
do  not  climb,  as  the 
cuckods;  while  the  nidst 
nimble  and  adroit  <>f 
climbers,  such  as  the 
uiithatches  and  creeiiers, 

n'taiu    a    typically    pas-         Fio.  45.  — ZygoUoctjio  foot  of  a  wootliiecktr,  ///(/.irnmuj 
serine  fddt.    The  ".scan-  ^""'""' '""•  »'"• 

sorial  "  is  simply  due  nidditicatidu  df  the  iusessorial  plan,  and  has  litth'  das- 
sificatory  significance, — mi  nidre  than  that  attaching  to  the  particular  cmm- 
dition  of  the  iusessorial  ftxit  (<l)  which  results  from  elevation  or  versatility  «( 
the  hind  toe,  as  in  some  CypseUthc  and  Caprimulgiila;.  This  is  an  abnormality  which  lias 
received  no  special  name ;  it  is  generally  associated  witli  some  little  webbing  of  the  anterior 

toes  at  base,  which  is  a  de- 
parture from  the  true  iii.«es- 
siirial  jdan,  (ir  with  alinonnal 
reductidu  of  the  i»halanges  uf 
the  third  ami  fourth  tdcs,  as 
explained  abdve  (figs.  10,  41). 
(f)  The  raptorial  is  ancitlier 
nidditieation  of  the  iusessorial 
foot.  It  is  advantageous  to  a 
bird  of  jirey  to  be  able  to 
spread  the  toes  as  widely  as 
possible,  that  the  talons  may 
seize  the  prey  like  a  .mI  of 
Fio.  4C.  —  Itaptortal  foot  of  a  Imwk,  Arcipiler  cooprri,  nat.  Mte.  gra]ipling  irdus  ;  and  accord- 

ingly the  tdcs  are  widely  divergent  iVdiii  each  other,  the  outer  one  in  the  owls  and  a  few  hawks 
being  quite  versatile.     In  a  foot  of  raptorial  character,  the  tiH's  are  cleft  iirofdundly.  dr.  if  united 

at  base,  it  is  by  movaMe 
webhing;  tlie  claws  are  iui- 
mensi'ly  devehipcd,  and  the 
under-siirf'aces  of  the  toes  are 
scabnius  or  bulbous  for  greater 
Becurity  of  the  <d>ject  grasiied. 
Any  hawk  or  owl  or  dld-woiM 
vulture  exhibits  the  rap(dri;il 
insesstirial  foot  (figs.  40,  47). 
2.  'J'lir  cursorial  or  (jralhiln- 
rial  li/pe.  The  gist  of  this 
plan  lies  in  the  decrease  nr 
Fio.  47.  — Itaplorliil  fiHii  ofHiionl,  .4/Kr(i/frt>nmrns,  nat.  fIzc.  entire    loss    of    the    grasping 

funetidu,  and  in  llu'  elevatidu,  re.luction  in  h'tiglh,  or  hiss  of  the  iiind  tiK-;  the  fdnt  is  a  good 
foot,  but  nothing  of  a  hand.    The  eohimbine  birds,  whicii  arc  partly  terrestrial,  partly  arboreal, 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  BIRDS.  — THE  FEET. 


131 


Fid.  48.  —Semlpiil- 
iiiiitimi  In  Enunetea; 
iiat.  8i7.C. 


oxhiliit  the  transition  from  the  perching  to  the  gradient  foot,  in  some  reduction  of  the  hind  toe, 
\vlii(  li  is  uevertiieloss  in  most  eases  still  on  the  same  level  as  the  rest  (fig.  38,  b).  In  tlie 
i.Mlliiiiui'(>iis  or  rasorial  (Lat.  rasor,  a.  scrajter)  birds,  which  arc  essentially  terrestrial,  and 
iidtcd  for  their  habit  of  scratching  the  ground  for  food,  the  hind  toe  is  decidedly  elevated  ami 
slmrteued  in  almost  all  of  the  families  (fig.  35).  Such  reduction  and  ujillftiug  of  the  hallu.>c  is 
carried  to  an  extreme  in  most  of  the  waders,  or  gral- 
latores,  in  many  of  which  this  toe  disappears  (tigs. 
38,  a,  39).  It  is  scarcely  practicable  to  recognizee  special 
modifications  of  such  gra<lient  or  grallatorial  feet,  since 
they  merge  inseut-ildy  into  (tne  another.  The  herons, 
which  are  the  most  arboricole  of  the  waders,  exhibit  a 
reversion  to  the  insessorial  type,  in  the  length  and  in- 
cumbency of  the  hallux.  The  motlo  of  union  of  the 
front  toes  of  the  walkers  and  waders  is  somewhat  char-        f'"-  ••'•*•  —  Semi- 

.     .         ,„,  .  ,  ,   ,         ■       X      1      1  palni.itoil     bases    of 

acteristic.      Ihc  toes  are  either  cleft  quite  to  tlie  base,    toes  of  Sumplumia: 

iir  tliere  joined  by  small  webs ;  probably  never  actually  coherent.  Such  "at-  »'ze- 
basal  webbing  of  the  toe'S  is  called  scmipalmation  ("half-webbing").  It  is  actually  the 
same  thing  that  tK-curs  in  many  birds  of  prey,  in  most  gallinaceous  birds,  etc. ;  the  tenn  is 
iiiiistly  restricted,  in  descriptive  ornithology,  to  those  wuding  birds,  or  grallatores,  in  which  it 
(Mciirs.  Such  basal  webs  generally  run  out  to  the  end  of  the  first,  or  along  part  of  the  second, 
|ilialaux  of  the  toes  ;  usually  farther  between  the  outer  and  middle 
than  between  the  middle  and  inner  toes.  Such  a  foot  is  well  illus- 
trated   by  the    .semipalmated    plover    {Aigialites  semipalmatus), 

s ipaimated  8amli)iper  {Ereumtes  piisillus,  fig.  48),  and  willet 

(Siiiiii)lifmia  semipalmata,  fig,  49).  In  a  few  wading  birds,  as  the 
avucet  ami  flamingo,  the  webs  extend  to  the  ends  of  the  toes. 
This  introduces  us  at  once  to  the  third  main  modification  of  the 
font,  3.  The  natatorial  igpe.  Here  the  finit  is  transformed  into 
a  swimming  implement,  usually  with  much  if  not  entire  abrogation 
iif  its  function  as  fmit  or  hand.  Swimming  birds  with  few  c.\- 
c'l  ptious  are  notoriously  bad  walkers,  and  few  of  them  are  perchers. 
Tlic  swimming  type  is  presented  under  two  jtrincipal  uiodiftca- 
tiiiiis:  —  ((I.)  In  thi'  palmate  or  ordinary  webbed  foot,  all  the  front  f,o.  so.  —  Palmate  foot  nf  a 
tnis  are  united  by  amide  webs  (fig.  50).  The  palmatioii  is  usually  tern,  Sterna fortttri ;  iiat.  »lzc. 
I'liinplcte,  extending  to  the  ends  of  the  toes;  but  one  or  both  webs  may  be  so  deeply  incised. 
tliat  is,  cut  away,  that  the  palmation  is  practically  reduced  to  soinipalm.ition,  as  in  terns  of 
ilic  ireiius  llijdrnchcUdon  (fig.  51).  The  totijialmate  is  a  special  case  of  palmation,  in 
HJiicli  all  fiiur  toes  are  wetibetl ;  this  characterizes  tlie  wlude  order 
Stiiidiiojiodrs  (fig.  Hi),  (li.)  In  the  lobate  foot,  a  padtlle  results  not 
ficpiii  coiniectini;  webs,  but  from  a  .series  of  hihes  or  flaps  along  the 
sides  of  tlie  individual  toes;  as  in  the  coots,  grebes,  ]ihalaropes,  and 
siiii-liirds  (Helii)ntithidfr).  Lobatjoii  is  usually  associated  with  seiiii- 
p.iliiiatioii,  as  is  well  scfii  in  the  grebes  (Pitdicipedidrr).  In  the  snipe- 
lilo'  phalaro]ies  (I'h(diiriipodidtr).  lidiatioii  is  jirt'seiit  as  a  iiiodificatiim 
nf  a  fiHit  iitlicrwisc  ijiiite  cursorial.  The  most  eiiiphatir  cases  of  loba- 
lioii  are  tlio.sc  in  which  ea<'h  joint  of  the  to«'s  has  its  own  flaj),  with  a 
li convex  border  :  the  membranes  as  a  whole  therefore  present  a  scol- 
loped outline  (fijjs.  53,  53  his).  Such  hdies  are  merely  a  development 
of  certain  marijinid  fringes  or  processes  exhibited  by  many  iion-lobate  or  non-]iiilniate  birds. 
Thus,  if  the  foot  of  soiiiu  of  the  gallinules  be  examined  in  a  fresh  state,  the  toes  will  be  seen  tt 


Fio.  Kl.  —  IiKiBoil  pal- 
niatliin  nf  lliitlrmhitiilon 
Inrijhrmit ;  iiat.  size. 


132 


GENERAL  OliNlTUOLOGY. 


have  u  iiiUTow  membranous  margin  running  the  whole  length.     The  same  thing  is  cviilcni  in 
a  great  many  waders,  and  on  tlic  free  borders  of  the  inner  and  outer  toes  of  web-footed  ))ir(ls, 

In  the  grouse  family 

{Tdraonidtc),  mar- 
ginal     fringes     are 

very     eousj)ieuous ; 

there  being  a  great 

development  of  hard 

horny       substance, 

fringed  into  a  series 

of   sharji   teeth    or 

pectinations      (fig. 

.'{.)).     Tliesc  fonna- 

Fin.r.2.-Totli.almutofoot  of  11    ti"i'S   appar  to  be 
Iieltcan;  redueca.  deciduous,    tliat    is, 

to  fall  off  periodically,  like  parts  of  the  claws  of 
some  quadrupeds  (h'uunings). 


Fio.  63.  —  Ix)bate  foot  of  n  coot ;  reduced. 


Pig.  5.T  hh.  —  I.nlmte  fixit  of  plinln- 
ro|io,  Ijiliiixn  In/iurtxiriuii:  iint.  kIzc. 


Claws  and  Spurs. — With  rare  anomalous  e.vcejitions,  as  in  the  case  of  an  imi)erfect 
hind  tor.  every  diuit  terniinatis  in  a  complete  claw.  The  general  shap«'  is  remarkably  constinit 
in  the  cliiss;  variations  being  rather  in  degree  than  in  kind.  A  cat's  claw  is  about  the  usual 
shape:  it  is  compressed,  arched,  acute.  Tiie  great  tahms  of  a  bird  of  j)rey  are  only  an  en- 
largement of  the  tyi>ical  shajM' ;  and,  in  fact,  they  are  .scarcely  hmger,  more  oirved,  or  more 
acute  than  those  of  a  ilelicate  canary  bird  ;  they  are  simply  stouter.  The  claws  of  scansorial 
birds  arc  very  acute  and  much  curved,  as  well  as  quite  large.     The  under  surface  of  the  claw 

is  generally  excavated,  .so  that  the  transverse  section,  as 
Well  as  the  lengthwi.se  outline  below,  is  concave,  and  tlie 
mider  snnace  is  bounded  on  either  side  by  a  sharp  eclirc 
One  of  these  ,dires.  pailicuhirly  the  inner  edge  nf  the  miildlc 
chiw,  is  expanded  or  dilated  in  a  great  many  birds;  in  sniiie 
it  becomes  a  per'Vct  cotid),  liavinc  a  regular  se-ies  nf  ti'ith. 
This  pectination  (Lat.  pectcn,  a  comb),  as  it  is  called,  only 
occurs  on  the  inner  edge  of  the  nuddle  claw.  It  is  beiiutifully  shown  by  all  the  true  lierons 
(Ardeidfr)  ;  by  the  whip-poor-wills  and  night-hawks  (t'aprinnilijida-,  Hu.  41 ) :  by  the  friuatc 
pelican  (Tachijpete.s) ;  and  imperfectly  by  the  barn  owl  {Aliico  flainmcits).  It  is  supposed  to 
1k)  used  for  freeing  parts  of  the  ))lumage  that  cannot  be  reached  by  the  bill  from  jiarasitc- ; 
but  this  is  very  -itionable,  seeing  that  some  of  the  short  est -legged  birds,  which  cannut 
lK)ssibly  reach  miic,,.  of  the  )ilumage  with  the  comb,  possess  that  instrunu'iit.  Claws  arc 
more  olitK^r  among  the  lower  birds  than  in  the  insessorial  and  scansorial  groups,  as  the 
columbine  and  gallinaceous  (/•(i.soriVi/)  urdrrs.  and  most  natatorial  families.  Obtuseness  is 
generally  associated  with  Hatuess  nr  depressiiiu  ;  for  in  iiroportion  as  a  claw  becomes  less 
acute,  so  does  it  lose  its  arcuation,  as  a  rule.  This  is  well  illustrated  by  Wil.son's  petnl 
{Oceanite.:  oceaniciis),  as  comiinred  with  others  tif  the  same  family.  Such  condition  is  carricil 
to  an  extreme  in  the  grebes  (Pudiiipedidtt),  the  chiws  of  which  birds  resemble  hunuin  finger- 
nails. Otherwise,  deviations  from  curvature,  without  loss  of  acuteness,  are  chielly  exhibitcil 
by  the  hind  <law  of  many  terrestrial  I'asscres,  as  in  the  whole  family  Alaudidtr  darks). 
and  some  of  the  finches  (frinijillidre),  as  the  species  of  "  long-sjiur  "  (("entrophaues).  Hut  all 
the  claws  are  straight,  sharp,  and  ]>rodiuiously  long,  in  birds  of  the  irenus  I'arra  (tig. 
M  trr);  the.se  jai^'aiais  being  enabled  to  run  lightly  over  the  floating  leaves  of  aquatic  jdants 
by  so  much  increase  in  the  spread  of  their  toes  that  they  do  not  "  slumji  in."      Claws  are 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  —  OSTEOLOGY. 


133 


also  \ariciiisly  cnrinate  or  ridged,  sulcate  or  gnuived.  In  a  few  oases  they  are  rounded  undcr- 
titiiili,  so  as  to  be  nearly  circular  in  cross-section,  as  is  the  case  with  those  of  the  iiah-hawk 
(I'diidioii).  They  are  always  homy  (comcoiM).  They  take  name  from  and  are  reckoned  by 
tlicir  respective  digits :  thus,  1  cl.  =  claw  of  It ;  2  cl.  =  claw  of  2 1,  etc. 


-2^' 


Fin.  ri3  ter.  —  Foot  of  Parm  ffi)mno»toma,  not.  size,  uliowing  the  long,  straight  claws,    (rrom  Pr.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.    The  npiirrrrf  wing  of  the  samn  bird  U  also  shown.    See  p.  114.) 

Spurs  ([..at.  calcar,  a  sjiur)  are  ileveloped  on  the  metatarsal  hones  of  a  few  birds.  They 
arc  of  the  nature  of  claws,  being  hard,  horny  modifications  of  tlie  epiderm  :  but  they  have 
iiiitliing  to  do  with  tlie  digits.  Tliey  possess  a  Iniiiy  core  ujton  which  they  are  su|)|iorted, 
like  tin  horns  of  cattle.  Such  growths  chietly  twcur  in  gallinaceous  birds:  tlie  spurs  of  the 
domestic  fowl  are  a  familiar  case.  Sometimes  there  are  a  pair  of  such  weapons  <m  each  fcKit, 
as  ill  tlie  I'nro  hicalcnrntus.  The  only  instance  of  their  occurrence  among  indigenous  birds  of 
Nortii  America  i.s  otTered  by  the  wild  turkey  (Meleagris  gallipavo).  Metatarsal  spurs  are 
characteristic  of  tlie  male  se.K  ;  they  are  offensive  weajnms,  and  belong  to  the  class  of  "second- 
ary .sexual  characters"  (p.  90).     (For  wing-spurs,  as  shown  in  fig.  515  ter,  see  p.  114.) 


§  4.  — AN  INTRODUCTION   TO  THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS. 


Anatomical  Structure  now  affords  oniithologists  many  and  the  most  important  of  the 
ciiaracters  used  in  classification.  In  fact,  few  if  any  of  the  groups  above  genera  can  be 
securely  established  without  consideration  of  internal  parts  and  organs,  as  well  of  exterior 
iiioditications  of  structure.  Therefore,  the  student  who  really  "  means  business  "  must  bo  on 
speaking  terms  at  least  with  avian  anatomy.  For  exaiiipl<>,  none  could  in  the  least  intclli- 
giiilly  understand  a  wing  or  a  leg  without  knowing  the  bony  framework  of  those  members. 
Vet,  for  mo  to  ade((uately  set  this  matter  forth  would  be  to  occupy  this  wlicde  volume  with 
anatomy  ;  whereas,  I  can  only  devote  a  few  pages  to  the  entire  subject.  In  such  embarrass- 
iiM'iit,  which  attends  any  attempt  to  treat  a  great  theme  in  a  short  way  that  shall  not  also  be  a 
small  way,  attention  must  be  mainly  confined  to  those  p<iints  which  l>ear  most  directly  upon 
systematic  ornithology  as  distinguished  fr<nn  pure  anatomy,  in  order  to  bring  forward  the 
structures  which  are  more  jiarticularly  concenieil  in  the  classification  of  birds.  I  wish  to 
uive  a  fair  account  of  the  skeleton,  as  osteidogical  characters  are  of  the  utmost  importance  for 
the  determination  of  natural  affinities;  and  to  continue  with  some  notice  of  projninent  features 
of  tiio  muscular,  vascular,  resjjiratory,  digestive,  urogenital,  and  nervous  systems,  and 
organs  of  the  special  senses,  as  the  eye  and  ear.  The  tegumentary  system  has  already  been 
treatetl  at  some  length  (pjt.  82-91)  ;  so  has  the  osseous  .tystem,  so  far  as  the  boncb  of  the  limbs 
are  conconu'd  (pp.  100-109,  118-122,  127  ).  What  further  I  shall  have  to  say  is  designed 
merely  as  an  introduction  to  the  rudiments  of  avian  auntomy,  and  is  supiKised  t<i  be  addressed 
to  beginners  only. 


134 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


a.  Ohteolooy:  The  Osseous  System,  or  Skeleton. 


bdiic;  \uyot,  lopos 


■<ll  is 


ritific  dc 


Osteology  ((Jr.  dtrrtov,  osteon,  u  hiiiic;  Aoyot,  to()os,  iiwitni)  i«  a  sfiermnc  desprif 
b(tn«  ill  griitnil  ami  "f  Ihhics  in  partiiuilar.  IJ'nio  cmisists  of  an  animal  basis  or  matrix  iLut. 
viatrix,  a  mould)  hardened  by  deposit  of  eartliy  salts,  cliieHy  iiiiospliate  of  lime.  Hone  is 
oitlier  iiroformed  in  tlie  f,'rislly  substance  railed  cartihuje  (Lat.  vurtilago,  gristle),  and  results 
from  the  substitution  of  the  ])e<'uliar  osseous  tissue  for  the  eartilaginous  tissue,  or  it  is  foniieil 
direetly  in  ordinary  eounective  tissue,  such  as  that  of  most  iiiembraues  or  any  ligaments  of  tlii' 
body.  IJoiie  tissue  presents  a  peculiar  microscopiir  stniclure,  in  which  it  diH'ers  from  teetli,  iis 
it  does  also  in  not  beiiit;  develoiM'd  from  inueoua  membrane;  the  substance  is  ealled  fM^n'», 
as  distinntiislii'd  from  dentine.  Though  very  dense  and  hard,  bone  has  a  cojiions  blood-sujiply, 
and  is  therefore  very  viisatlar  ;  the  nutrient  Huid  jienetrates  every  i)art  in  a  sy.stcm  of  vessels 
called  Hitveman  amah.  In  the  natural  state  bono  is  covered  with  a  tough  membrane  called 
periostenw  (Or.  irtpi,  peri,  around,  and  ootiov),  which  is  to  bone  what  bark  is  to  a  tree.  'I'lir 
bones  collectively  constitute  the  osseous  ,<iijstem,  otherwise  known  as  the  .ikeleton  ((ir.  iritfXfTiii/, 
dried,  as  bones  usually  are  when  studied).  The  skeleton  is  divided  into  the  endoskelctoii  {{',v, 
Mov,  endon,  within),  consisting  of  the  bones  inside  the  body  ;  and  the  exoskelcton  (fJr.  c^,  i:i; 
out  of  I,  or  those  ii|>ou  tin?  surface  of  the  body,  of  which  birds  have  none.  Certain  hmirs 
developeil  apart  from  the  systematic  eiidoskeletoii,  in  fibrous  tissue,  are  called  scleroskililid 
(Or.  (TKXppur,  scleros,  hard),  as  the  o.ssiKed  tendons  or  leaders  of  a  turkey's  leg,  the  ring  of 
ossicles  in  a  bird's  eye  (an  o.<<.sick  is  any  small  bone).  Sesamoid  (Gr.  orjaafiri,  sestinw,  a 
kind  of  pea)  bones,  so  often  found  in  the  liiranients  and  tendons  about  joints,  are  proli:ililv 
best  considered  scleroskeletal.  The  endoskeleton  Ls  divided  into  bones  of  the  n.rial  skrlflmi, 
so  calleil  because  they  lie  in  the  axis  of  the  body,  as  those  of  the  skull,  backbone,  chest, 
jielvis,  and  ,»ihoulder-girdle  ;  and  of  the  appendicular  skeleton,  including  bones  of  the  linilis, 
considered  as  <liverging  a|ipendages  of  the  trunk.  The  skeleton  is  jointed;  bones  juiii 
either  by  immovable  suture,  or  by  movable  articulation  (Lat.  articulus,  a  joint,  dimin.  of  artiis 
a  limb).  In  free  articulations,  the  opposing  surfaces  are  generally  smooth,  and  lubriciited 
with  a  tliiid  called  sipioria.  I'rogre.ssive  ossification  often  I'auses  bones  originally  distinct  to 
coiissifi/,  that  is,  to  fuse  together;  this  is  termed  ankiilnsis  or  anrhi/losis  ;  bones  so  melted 
together  are  said  to  be  anA'i/Zo.sw/ or  rt»ic/ii//«s«/  ((Jr.  dyKvXua-ts  or  (iy;(v\a>(Tis,  the  .stitfeiiing  of 
joints  in  a  bent  position).     Thus  all  the  bones  of  a  bird's  brain-box  are  aindiylosed  together, 

though  the  box  at  first  consists  of  many  distinct  ones;  and  the  detiM'inination  of  such  oss is 

elements  or  integers  in  compounded  bones  is  a  very  important  matter,  as  a  clue  to  iliejr 
morph(dogical  composition.  The  names  of  most  individual  bones,  chietly  derived  from  the 
old  anatomists,  are  arbitrary  and  have  little  scientific  signification  :  many  are  fanciful  and  iiiis- 
leadiiig;  bones  named  since  anatomy  ]iassed  from  the  empiric  stage,  when  it  was  little  more 
than  the  art  of  dissecting  and  describing,  however,  have  as  a  rule  better  naming.  The  shaft 
of  a  long  bone  is  its  continuity  :  the  enlargements  usually  found  at  its  extremities  ari'  called 
condi/les  ((Jr.  Kiii>£vXor,  kondulos,  a  lump,  knot,  as  of  the  knuckles).  Points  where  ossiticaiion 
commences  in  caililagt>  or  membrane,  are  o.<i.«i/i'c  rc>i/;r.s',  or  osteosr.'i  ;  valuable  clues,  usually, 
to  the  elements  of  com))ound  bones.  Hiit  os.sification  of  individual  simjile  bones  may  begin  in 
more  than  one  sjwit,  and  the  several  osteoses  afterward  grow  together.  This  is  esjiecially  the 
c^ise  with  the  ends  of  bones,  wlii<'h  often  make  much  progress  in  ossific;>tion  before  they  uuile 
with  the  shaft  or  main  part  ;  such  ca]>s  of  bone,  as  long  as  they  are  disunited,  an-  called 
ejnphi/.'tes  (Gr.  f'jri,  epi,  upon;  (fiCirtt,  phusi.s,  growth).  I'rotrusivt!  parts  of  bones  have  the 
general  nanm  of  processes,  or  (ij>ophyses  ((ir.  dn-d,  ajM,  away  from,  and  </)t(nr) ;  such  have 
generally  no  o.ssific  centres,  being  mere  outgrowths.  Hut  many  jiarts  of  a  vertebra,  which  are 
called  "  npo|)hyse8,"  huvo  independent  (jssific  centres.  The  progress  of  ossification  is  usually 
rapid  and  effe«-tuul. 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  — OSTEOLOGY. 


135 


Tlio  skolcton  of  birds  is  noted  for  tlio  ninnlwr  and  extent  of  its  anchyloses,  ii  great  ten- 
dency to  coossifioution  and  condensation  of  Iione-tissuo  resulting  from  the  energy  of  the  vital 
activities  in  this  hot-blooded,  quick-breathing  class  of  creatures.  Birds'  lionea  are  remarkably 
hard  and  compact.  Wlien  growing,  they  are  solid  and  marrowy,  but  in  after  life  more  or  fewer  of 
tiicm  become  hollow  and  are  filled  with  air.  This  pneumaticiti/  (Or.  Trvrv/uiriKov,  pueumntikon, 
wiiiily)  is  highly  characteristic  of  the  avian  skeleton.  Air  penetrates  the  skull-bones  from  tlie 
HUM'  and  ear-passages,  and  may  ]iermeate  all  of  them.  It  gains  access  to  the  bones  of  the 
trunk  and  limbs  by  means  of  air-tubes  and  air-sacs  which  connect  with  the  air-passages  in 
till'  lungs;  such  sacs,  scnnetimes  of  great  extent,  arc  also  found  in  many  places  in  the  interior 
of  tlic  body,  beneath  the  skin,  etc.  ;  sometimes  the  whide  subcutaneous  tissue  is  pneumatic. 
Tlie  extent  to  which  the  skelet(m  is  aerated  is  very  variable.  In  many  birds  only  the  skull, 
in  a  few  the  entire  skeleton,  is  in  such  condition ;  ordinarily  the  greater  part  of  the  skull, 
and  the  lesser  part  of  the  trunk  and  limbs,  is  pneumatized.  The  passag<>  of  air  in  some  cases 
ia  BO  free,  as  into  the  unn-bone  for  example,  that  a  bird  with  the  windpipe  stopped  can  breutlio 


ft/t 


Fio.  54.  —  Mcnl  plan  of  tlie  (loiililc-ringwi  bixly  of  a 
TOrtol>riilc.  X,  neural  cnnal ;  //,  liniinitl  cnnul ;  tlic  bixly 
8C|iariilliig  tlioni  <h  tlio  ecnirum  of  any  vertebra,  lM!nr- 
iiiK  I',  an  e|in|M>pbyHlii,  nnil  //.  a  liy|ia|K)|iliyiiiii;  ii,  ii,  neu- 
ni|«)ipliyi«os;  tl,  il,  illapM|iby8cg;  no,  bllM  neural  Rplne; 
III,  />/,  plfuraiM)|iliyHeft;  A.  A,  lin<niapnpliygcii;  Ak,  biliil 
liM'inal  Bplnc.  Drawn  by  J)r.  K.  W.  Sliulcltit,  U.  S.  A., 
after  Owen. 


Fin  B5.  —  Actual  section  of  the  body  In  the  thoracic 
region  of  a  bird.  ..V,  neural  canal;  //,  Incnial  canal;  c, 
centrum  of  a  dornal  vertebra;  Ai/,  Iiypapophyslii;  il, 
diaimphysia  ;  ;.  zygapiiphysU  ;  ?i*.  neural  spine;  r, 
pIcurapopbyslH,  or  vertebral  part  of  a  free  rib.  bearing 
«,  uncinate  procesH  or  cpipleura;  or,  lia>nia|H>pliyi>ls 
or  Htcrnal  part  of  the  fame;  .it,  nectlon  of  Hternuni  or 
breaxt-bonc  (liainial  spine).  Designed  by  Dr  K.  W. 
Shufeldt,  U.  S.  A. 

for  an  indefinite  period  through  a  hole  in  the  humerus.  Pneumaticity  is  not  directly  nor 
necessarily  rehited  to  jM)wer  of  tlight ;  some  birds  which  do  not  fiy  at  all  are  more  pneumatic 
than  some  of  the  most  buoyant.  (Ou  the  general  pneumaticity  of  the  body  see  beyond  under 
head  of  the  respiratory  system.) 

The  Axial  Skeleton  (figs.  54,  55,  50)  of  a  bird  or  any  vertebrnted  animal,  that  is,  one 
having  u  back-bone,  exhibits  in  cross-section  two  rings  or  hoops,  one  above  and  the  other 
below  a  central  jMiint,  like  the  upju'r  and  lower  loops  of  a  figure  8-  The  ui>per  ring  is  the 
neural  arch  (Gr.  vtvpov,  neuron,  a  nerve),  8<«  (tailed  because  such  a  cylinder  encloses  a  section 
of  the  ccrcbro-spiual  axis,  ur  principal  nervous  Bystom  of  a  vertebrate  (brain  and  spinal  cord, 


136 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


whrnpc  nrisp  all  tlio  nrrws  of  tlio  Iwdy.  fxropting  those  of  tho  pytnpathotic  non-ons  R.vf<tciii). 
The  lower  riiij;  is  the  hfrmiil  arch  ((ir.  al/M,  hnima,  blood),  which  similarly  coiitiiiiis  n  si^.tion 
of  the  prineipHl  blood-vpssels  ami  visocrii.  Fig.  55  shows  such  a  section,  made  across  tlic 
thornck  or  chcst-rcginn  of  the  trunk.  Hrro  the  upper  ring  (neural;  is  contracted,  only  sur- 
rounding tho  Blender  spinal  cord,  while  the  lower  ring  is  expanded  to  enclose  the  heart  ainl 


fc)  s  $  1  i  3 

.-  5  5  a  « 

£   •^     »    4)  ..   •* 

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fe  ?  §  s  ~  5» 

Bj "  >  ■&    r 

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£  d  .a  »!  5  ..  S 
- »  S  •«  ■**  "  " 


lungs.  Such  a  section,  made  in  the  region  of  the  skull,  would  show  tho  reverse ;  the  upper 
ring  greatly  inflated  to  contain  the  brain,  the  lower  contracted  and  otherwise  greatly  modified 
Into  bones  of  the  jaws.  Thus  the  trunk  of  a  vertebrate  is  a  double-barrelled  tube  ;  one  tube 
above  for  the  ner\'oU8  system,  the  other  below  for  the  viscera  at  large  ;  the  partition  between 
tho  two  being  u  jointed  chain  of  solid  bones  from  one  entl  tif  the  body  to  tho  other.  These 
solid  bones  are  the  centn.ma  or  bodies  of  vertebra:,  in  tho  trunk ;  and  in  tho  head  certain 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  — OSTEOLOGY. 


187 


boiii'M  wliifh  ill  some  rospocts  corrosiiond  with  tlio  ppntruins  of  vertobrm.  Tiio  ontiro  clinin  or 
jn'rics  <'f  vcrtcbrip  poinpoaos  tliii  bafk-lxmo  or  npinal  column;  with  itH  coniirctiinm  (thoritx  iiiul 
ni'lvis)  and  aiitt'i'ior  coiitinuiitioii  (Hkiill)  it  is  the  n.r<Vi{  skeleton.  The  sl{iill  is  contiidcrril  by 
gdiiir  iMiiiiiM'ti'iit  nimtoiiiistH  to  conHist  of  modiiird  vertcbrn'.  Thr-  Hkuii-boiu-.s  Imvp  certainly 
the  |nisitii>ii  and  n-lations  of  parts  of  v('rt(d>nc ;  to  a  certain  extent  tliey  resemble  vertebrie,  as 
ill  lirliii;  divisible  into  several  «<'giiieiits,  lik*-  as  many  vertebral  segments ;  they  are  also  direct- 
ly ill  tiie  axis  of  tho  body,  enclosing  a  part  of  the  cerebro-spinal  nervous  system  above,  and 
ndftions  of  the  visceral  systems  below.  lint  snpjxised  strict  morpludogical  correspondence  oi 
crnniiil  bones  with  vertebne  is  not  supported  by  their  mode  of  d(!velopment,  and  is  now  gen- 
emlly  dinied,  the  relation  being  considered  rather  analogical  and  physiological  than  hoinological 
and  inoi'pholdgical. 

1.   TIIK  SriXAL  COLCMX. 

A  Vertebra  (so  called  from  the  flexibility  of  the  chain  of  vertebrrp;  Lat.  rerto,  I  turn) 
consists  of  a  solid  body  or  centrum,  and  more  or  fewer  processes  or  apophyses,  some  of  which 
liHVc  sejtarate  ossific  centres.  I'late-liko  processes  which  arch  upward  from  either  side  of  a 
cciitnuii  to  enclose  the  neural  cannl  are  the  neural  archen  or  neurupophyMH  (fig.  54,  n,  n) ; 
nt  tlicir  union  in  the  middle  line  alxtve  they  ccnnmonly  send  up  a  process  called  the  neural  spine 
(iik).  Transverse  processes  from  the  sides  of  the  neural  arch  are  diapophi/ses  (Or.  did,  din,  across) 
(fit'-''  ■"'^t  •'••'>  ''•  '')•  Obli<ine  processes  from  the  sides  of  tho  same  arches,  serving  to  hxrk  them 
tiigetiier,  are  ziiijapophysex  ((Jr.  ^1701/,  zugon,  a  yoke  ;  fig.  55,  z)  ;  there  are  two  on  each  side  ; 
ene  anterior,  on  the  front  border  of  an  arch,  a  pre-zygapophysis  ;  one  posterior,  on  tlie  hind 
border,  a  jmst-zyynpophymit.  From  the  under-side  of  11  centrinn,  in  the  inidtUe  line,  there  is  often 
ahyiKipopliysiH  (Or.  iwo,  hupo,  under:  fig.  55,  /(//).  These  several  jtrocesses,  with  soiius  others 
not  necessary  to  mention  here,  make  with  the  centrum  «  vertebra  in  strictness;  that  is,  when  exist- 
ing at  all,  they  are  completely  consolidated  with  one  another  and  with  the  centrum  into  one  bone. 
Hilt  certain  important  elements  of  a  vertebra,  developed  from  inde|K>ndent  ossific  centres,  may  or 
may  not  anchylose  therewith,  in  diflereut  regions  of  the  same  spinal  cidumn.  These  are  tiie 
l)leuriiimphyscs  (fSr.  Tr\tvp6v,  pleuron,  a  rib;  fig.  5-t  7)/;  fig.  55,  r).  Any  rib  is  in  fact  tho 
plcnrapophysial  element  of  a  vertebra ;  it  may  be,  and  in  most  regions  of  the  spinal  c(duiiiu  it  is, 
<|iiite  small  when  existing  nt  all,  and  anchylosed  with  the  vertebra  to  which  it  belongs,  as  an 
integral  portion  thereof.  Only  in  the  lower  region  of  the  neck,  and  throughout  the  tlmnicic 
ivgion,  such  ph'urajHiidiyses  elongate,  and  are  movably  articulated  with  their  respective  verte- 
hne;  they  then  become  the  "ribs"  of  ordinary  language.  Moreover,  the  true  thoracic;  ribs  of 
l)ir(ls  are  jointed  near  the  ini<ldh>,  each  thus  consisting  of  two  pieces ;  tho  upper  juece  is  ph-iira- 
popiiysis  proper:  the  lower  is  called  a  hicmajHiphyfiis  (fig.  54,  /»;  fig.  55,  cr)  ;  it  coiTcsponds  to 
a  "  costal  cartilage  "  of  human  anatomy.  Once  again  :  since  th<'  sternum  (breast-bone)  is  theo- 
retically, and  doubtless  archetypically,  a  solidified  set  of  those  parts  of  the  vertebral  segments 
wliicli  complete  the  hiemal  arches  below,  each  segment  of  a  sternum  to  which  a  ha>ma|iophysi8 
is  ai'tlculated  is  called  a  lucmal  spine,  being  compared  to  a  neural  spine  above.  Aside  from  any 
(•(Piisideration  of  the  ribs  proper  and  sternum,  or  free  pleurapophyses,  hiemajMtphyses,  and 
iiiemal  spines,  any  "vertebra  "of  ordinary  language  is  the  compound  bone  which  consists  of 
ccutrnm  and  ueur-,  di-,  pre-  and  i>ost-zyg-,  jdeur-,  hyp-  and  other  -apophyses,  if  any,  and 
neural  spine  ;  the  lattc>r  being  often  culled  tho  "spinous  process." 

The  Vertebras  join  one  another,  forming  a  continuous  chain.  Their  centra  arc  placed 
end  to  end,  one  after  another ;  their  neural  arches  are  also  locked  together  by  the  zygai»ophyses, 
wlien  such  articular  processes  aro  developed.  Zygapophyses  bear  upon  their  free  ends  smooth 
articular  facets,  the  faces  of  which  are  mostly  horizontal ;  those  of  the  prc-zyga|)ophyses  looking 
downward,  and  overriding  tho  reversed  faces  of  tho  iwst-zygaiwphyscs.     Tho  niudo  of  jointing 


188 


GKNKItAL   OIlMTItOLOG  Y. 


of  thf  centra  of  Rucli  vcrtcltni'  as  arc  fnily  iiKivaMo  ujMm  ouch  otlicr  ix  liii^lily  clmiiicii  listic 
iif  1>inl.s,  ill  NO  far  as  the  slinjirs  of  the  articuhir  ciiiln  of  tlii)  vortcbral  cciitni  iiro  coiictriu'd. 
In  aimloiiiy  at  hirnc,  a  vcrlrlnal  (•tiitniiii  wliidi  is  ciipiicil  or  liollowcd  at  both  cinls,  in  of 
coiirH'  hi-coiK-avc.  Such  u  vcrtclira  in  callcil  (iiiijihiarloiiH  (Ur.  u^(/)j,  (iinphi,  itn  Ixith  >iil(s; 
KoiXot,  koiloH,  liollowctl)  i  tills  is  till'  rule  in  tislics,  aiitl  oldaincil  in  some  extinct  Cretaceous  hinln, 
as  Jclilliiioniis ;  it  is  unliiiown  in  recent  liinls.'  A  ceiitriini  cuiiped  iii  front  <uily  \n  pruarluus ; 
one  cuiiped  only  hehiml  is  niiisllioiiiliiiis  ((ir.  om(T$f,  npislhe,  hehilul).  Such  structiiie  iiices- 
Hiirily  results  in  a  hall-.iiiil-socliet  joiiiliui;  of  veitehrie.  In  tho»o  vertehrm  <if  hinls  in  wliidi 
this  urraiiijenient  obtains,  it  is  always  the  posterior  fmie  of  a  centrum  which  is  cuppiil,  the 
anterior  one  heiiiu  balled;  sneh  vertebra)  are  therefore  o|iisthocii'loiis  Hut  in  tlie  ficesi, 
vertebral  articulation  of  birds,  that  existiui;  in  the  reu;ion  of  the  neck,  another  iiiodilJrMtiiiii 
occurs.  liolh  eiiils  of  each  vertebra  are  suddle-nhnprd  ;  i.  c,  concave  in  one  direction,  convex 
in  the  other;  a  coiidiliou  which   may  be  called  hflirocwloits  ((ir.  «T»p«s,  lictvron,  contrary). 

Till iicavo-couvexily  of  any  one  vertebra  tits  the  reci|iriM'al  concavo-convexity  of  the  next. 

Antvriiir  faces  of  heteroctelous  vertebrae  are  concave  crosswise,  np-and-ilown  convex;  pnnlirior 
faces  are  the  reverse;  coiiseiiiiently,  such  vertebra)  are  )iriM;udons  in  hori/ontal  Hi>ction,  hut  in 
vertical  section  oiiisthocielous.  'The  varitiiis  physical  (diameters  of  verlebni"  in  ditferent  lenicms 
of  the  lioily,  and  their  connections  with  and  relations  to  other  jiarts  of  the  body,  have  cuiix'd 
their  diviHion  into  sevi'ral  sets,  as  cervical,  dorsal,  etc.,  which  are  bust  coimidered  separately. 


Ci'rvlciil  Vt>rt«)lino  (liij;.  .It),  cr)  are  those  of  the  neck:  all  those  iu  front  of  the  ihomx  m- 
chcHt,  which  do  not  bear  free  pleiirapophyse.s  in  adult  life,  or  the  free  )denrapopliyses  of  whicli, 
if  any,  uro  not  in  two-jointed  pieces  ami  do  not  reach  the  breast-bone;  i.  e.,  have  no  lueiiia- 
pophyses.  It  is  advisable,  in  birds,  to  ilraw  this  line  between  cervical  and  siicceediiij;  veitehra', 
uo  other  beiiit;  eijiially  practicable  ;  for,  on  the  one  hand,  one,  two  or  imu'e  of  the  cervicals 
(reco^Mii/able  as  such  by  their  p'lieral  conformation  and  free  articulation)  may  have  htii^  free 
ribs,  niovably  articulated;  and  all  the  cervicals,  excepting  nsuallv  the  first,  or  first  and  second, 
have  short  phurapipphyses.  anchylosed  iu  adult  life,  but  free  in  the  emliryo  ;  while,  on  tlic 
<itlier  hand,  a  vertebra,  apparently  dorsal  by  its  coiitigiiratioii  and  even  its  anchyhisis  with  tlic 
dorsal  series,  may  he  entircdy  cervical  in  its  ph'urapophysial  cliaracter.*  Thus,  in  fi>,'.  51),  of  mi 
owl's  trunk,  the  bone  which  is  apparently  first  dorsal,  and  is  so  marked  (dr),  bears  a  free 
Myliform  "rihlet"an  inidi  loii^r  (<:'),  only  it  is  not  jointed,  and  does  not  reach  the  sternum; 
while  the  next  to  the  last  cervical  has  a  niiiiiite  but  .still  frec^  rib  (c).  In  a  raven's  iieidi  befme 
nie,  tlii>  last  cervical  rib  is  about  two  inches  Ion;;,  articiilatiuK  by  well-di'fined  bead  and  shoul- 
der to  biidy  and  lateral  jiroce.ss  i>{  the  vertebra;  the  penultimate  rib  is  about  half  an  inch  lorn.', 
with  one  ailiculaiion  to  the  lateral  ]irocess ;  while  the  next  anterior  vert<d>ra  (third  from  the 
last)  has  a  iiiiiiiite  o>.si«de,  as  a  free  "  riblet."'  The  rule  in  two  sindi  free  pleiira]io|)|iy,ses  or 
cervical  ribs  of  any  <-oiisiih'rable  length  :  sometimes  cme;  rarely  three ;  in  the  cassowary  four, 
liiidimentary  jileurapophy.ses  may  usually  be  traced  up  to  the  second  cervical  vertebra,  as  slender 

<  Kxrcpt  to  HiIh  Htnti'iiii'iil,  hnwrver,  tliu  iHlilly-rniiKKCil  pyunHtyle,  wlildi.  In  liirilii  wliere  it  torinliiitl  iIIhc 
«levt'lii|iii  liiriti'ilirlv.  may  In;  cliHlliiclly  <'ii|i|iinI  iit  Ixitli  cnils.  lis  It  Ih  in  a.  rnvoii  for  oxniii|iIu. 

'  Tlic  I'lihu  Ik  vi'ry  |m/.i!llii)!i  lliu  iimri'  so  Ivcaiist',  vluwiiii;  the  wIidId  HiTicHiiflilrilii,  tlio  nml>lgiinuH  "cervirci- 
tlorwil."  or  luo  Kiii'li  i'(|ulviH'.il  vorti'lme,  niiiy  loiiii  in  ilinVrriit  ciikuh  in  o|i|Hmilu  ilirirtioiiK  wlicii  tliu  wlioiu  hhiii  of 
cliiirni'tcrs  ix  tiilieii  into  iiioonnt.  Tlicrororu  It  inny  l>«  iH'xt,  ait  alruiiily  miIiI,  to  nriku  tim  |MH>HCR8ion  of  n  joliilcil 
slLTiiiim-rtwiiliiK  rili  llir  crltiTloii  of  tlie  ,llrHl  liorwil  vertolira,  oven  thoui;li  iin  antcceituiit.  oiio  may  liavo  tlir 
|iliyi>i('alrlnira<'ti'rKnra(lorwkl,  ami  l>o  aiicliyloM'ii  willi  lliuilorHal  Hcrles.  TIiIh  Ih  tliu  vluw  tnlien  liy  liiixloy,  who 
HayH:  "Tlietlmt  iloratl  vcrtclira  Uiii'tlnLiI  as  hiicIi  hy  tlii!  union  of  Kh  rlhii  with  the  Htoniiim  liy  nieamtuf  a  stiTiial 
rib."  ( Aiiat.  ViTt.  Anim.,  IST'J,  ji.  ■.■.17.)  Owen  a|i|H^arH  to  ri-|{aril  itM  ilormil  any  of  tlie  vertelirie  in  >|iiestion  wlilcli 
beitr  friH-  rilis.  The  aoliial  uncertainly  In  the  eauu,  ami  the  lilmTOpant  reckoning  hy  ilifl'ercnt  nutliorit,  prcvciitH  ui< 
fl-oni  makiiiK  a  sat  infaetory  eoiinl  of  the  luimlierH  of  the  two  iicries  of  vertchrii"  in  any  given  case.  TIuib,  llg  Bfi,  ai- 
niarke<l  hy  Dr.  Sluifolilt,  hIiowh  «i.r  ih>riialK|i/i'|,  to  whirh  In  to  lie  aihh'il  the  one  nmieryi,  liearliig  tlie  rllixr.  ami 
frnni  whieh  Ih  to  lie  mihtrnrlcti  the  anterior  niio,  liearing  the  rib  c',  which  hi  tu  be  regurileil  nn  cervical,  thuugli  Hit 
phyiiieal  cbaractcrs  are  evMeiitly  tliuau  of  the  iluraal  iteries. 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  —  OSTEOLOGY. 


189 


Itic 

•ll. 


ntylits  or  riMfts,  cninplctcly  aiicliylowd  with  tin;  npiiral  arrlicH  in  iidiilt  life,  and  lying  p«rali«l 
with  tlic  InnuaxcM  of  the  Imni's.  Tlic  ancliyiiidii^  of  |d<'nro|)o|i|iysi's  dixtinuiiiflicH  inont  i;civiral 
vcrliliiir  in  anotliiT  way:  for  from  it  rcHultw,  on  each  ^iili'  of  the  neural  arch,  a  J'oruiiwn 
(Lai.  fiinimeii,  a  hole,  \t\.  foriimitKi),  thron^h  which  hhwHl-vettwels  (vertebral  artery  and  vein) 
jiaw  III  and  from  the  hUuII.  Tlu'  serien  of  tiiene  foramina  is  railed  the  vertehraiieritil  atmil ; 
iKiur  Mich  exist  in  those  posterior  eervieal  vertehra)  which  hear  free  rihs ;  thus,  in  the  raven  the 
canal  he^ius  ahruptly  at  the  fourth  from  the  last  cervical.  Hut,  as  in  Jihfit  i'nr  instance  (and 
doiilitlr.ss  in  nniny  other  cases),  tlu^  vertehrarterial  canal  shades  visihly  into  the  series  of 
fdraiiiina  formed  hy  the  spaces  between  the  head  and  shoidder  of  any  rih  and  the  side  of  the 
vt'i'trlira  to  which  it  is  attached;  such  heini;,  as  I  sMp|H)se,  the  tiue  )nor|d!olo^y  of  the  canal. 
Tlic  riTvical  is  the  uuiM  Jlf.ribk  region  of  a  bird's  spine  ;  the  articular  ends  of  the  vertebral  bodies 
jiic  the  most  completely  saddle-shapetl  (heterocudous) ;  the  /.y^a]>ophyH<'s  are  hnxe  and  tlariii^', 
iivri  ricliiij;  each  othi'r  extensively  ;  the  larKcsf  processes  are  at  the  fore  ends  of  the  bones  ;  the  ap- 
|iii>iiiiius  of  the  central  and  zy^apophysial  articular  surfaces  are  collectively  such,  that  the  column 
lend."  to  bend  in  an  S-shape  or  siirmidd  curve.  The  vertebral  bodies  are  more  or  \cm  contracted 
in  till' iniddle,  or  somewli.'<t  liour-^lass-sha]HMl ;  on  several  low<>r  cervicals,  hypapojdiyses  are 
likely  to  be  widl  developed;  as  are  n(uiral  spines  toward  both  the  beginning  and  end  of  the 
.scries.  The  vertebra!  on  the  whole  are  large  ;  their  neural  cainil  is  also  of  ample  calibre.  Tho 
first  two  cervicals  art!  so  pe(Mdiarly  moditied  for  the  arti(!ulation  of  the  skull  as  to  have  receivetl 
spn'iiil  names.  The  Jirsl  one,  fig.  ,")('),  nt,  the  dllns  (so  called  because  it  bears  up  the  head,  as 
till'  giant  Atlas  was  fabled  to  sup]iort  the  firnniment),  is  a  simple  ring,  apparently  M'ithout  a 
centrum.  The  lower  part  of  the  ring  is  deeply  cup])ed  to  receive  the  condyle  of  the  mriput 
into  balUaud-.xocket  joint.  The  second  cervical  is  the  axis,  a.r,  whi(di  subserves  rotary  move- 
niinls  of  the  skull.  It  has  a  peculiar  tooth-like  odontoid  (dr.  oftoiJj,  tMirros,  odoiis,  odonlos, 
timtli ;  »jSot,  ridos,  form)  process,  borne  ujion  the  anterior  end  of  its  body,  fitting  into  the  lower 
]iart  of  the  atlanlal  ring;  about  which  pivot  the  atlas,  bearing  the  heail,  revolves  like  a  wheel 
upon  an  eccentric  axis.  The  cervicals  of  birds  vary  greatly  in  number;  according  to  Huxley 
there  ari'  never  fewer  than  eight,  and  there  may  1h>  as  many  as  twenty-three;  .Stejneger  gives 
twenty-four  for  some  of  lh(!  swans.     Twelve  to  fourteen  limy  bo  about  an  average  number. 


Tliorneic  or  Dorsul  Veptehrie  (fig.  ."jO,  dv)  extend  from  the  cervical  to  or  into  the 
pelvic  region  of  the  spine.  In  most  animals,  and  in  ordinary  anatomical  language,  a  "dorsal" 
is  one  whi(di  bears  a  distinttt  free  rih,  and  is  therefore  truly  thoracic,  since  "  ribs"  are  tho  side- 
walls  of  the  (diest.  Hut  in  birds,  as  we  have  s<'en,  certain  cervicals  have  distinct  (dongate 
riiis  ;  and,  as  will  be  seen  soon,  long  jointed  pleiira|>ophy.ses  are  usually  found  in  that  region 
ciinunonly  called  "sacral."  The  first  dorsal,  ill  birds,  is  arbitrarily  considered  to  be  that  one 
which  bears  the  first  rib  which  is  jointed,  and  wlii<di  reaches  the  sternum  by  its  lower  (Inema- 
|iophysial)  half.  Five  or  six  vertebrae  of  birds  commonly  answer  this  description  ;  though  the 
last  oia-  whiidi  bears  a  long  free  jointed  rib  (whi(di  may  or  may  not  reach  the  sternum)  is  com- 
monly aindiylosed  with  the  sacrum,  as  si:  So  few  as  only  three  luemaiiophysis-bearing  ribs  may 
reach  the  sternum.  There  may  also  be  a  long  free-jointed  rib  which  "  floats"  at  both  ends; 
/.  ('.,  is  articiihited  neither  with  the  sternum  nor  with  the  vertid)ra  to  which  it  btdoiigs  as  in  tho 
iiiou,  for  example.  As  tlii!  dorsal  scries  thus  .shades  insensibly  btdiind  into  another  series,  tho 
liiniliar  (whifdi  has  no  free,  nor  any  f/i.s/uif7  ribs,  —  ribs  that  one  would  not  hesitate  to  call 
.^iicli),  it  is  best  to  consider  as  dorsal  or  thoracic,  all  those  viMlebne,  succocding  the  last 
cervical  (which  is  to  bo  determined  us  explained  in  the  last  paragra]di),  which  have  disti»ict 
jiiinted  rihs,  whatever  tho  connection  or  discoiinet'tion  of  such  plenrapophyses  at  either  end. 
On  this  understanding,  one,  sometimes  two  or  even  three  "dorsal"  vortebrn)  nnchyloso  with 
the  ptdvic  region  of  the  spine.  Fixity  of  the  dorsal  region  being  of  advtiutugu  to  flight,  these 
vertebrro  are   very  tightly   locked    together;    not    only  by  tho    close  apjMJsition  or  even 


uo 


GENEHAL  OILMTIIOLOG  Y. 


nncliyl'isix  i>f  tlicir  nodicn  ami  prucrHRps,  l)ut  also,  in  many  cniPR,  by  ofwificaliniix  of  the 
tciiiloiis  ipf  iniisflcn  of  tlic  bark,  ami  c.iiis.sificatiKiKt  of  tlicsi-  wifli  flip  vcrtchni-,  like  a  Hit  (,f 
(tpiiiils,  till  tlio  ciiii.Hiiliilation  nf  the  tlii'raclc  is  rnily  siii-]m!i.si'(l  l)y  tliat  "f  tlic  pelvic  rcijiim  dftlip 
HjiiiiP.  Diirwal  vcrlcltrH'  also  usually  tlifftT  a  piod  ileal  from  most  ccrvlcals  in  liaviiii;  slmrttr 
Imdips,  latnally  i'oui))rPssp(l,  pioduciiiK  a  ridp- wliich  runs  aloui;  tlieir  iiiiddir  liur  ImK.w  ;  in 
lapkiiiK  a  vcrttlnai-tprial  paiial ;  iu  liavinn  on  each  side  two  articular  laccls,  —  one  on  the  Imly 
and  the  other  on  the  transverse  jirocess,  for  the  head  and  shoulder  of  ii  rih.  They  are  fiinlier 
distiniiuished,  usually.  I>y  liavinj;  larj{p  spinous  prtK-psses,  in  thp  form  of  liii;h,  lone  tliiii. 
siiiiarisli  plates,  often  or  usually  anchylosed  together.  Their  traimvorsp  processes  are  also 
very  prominent  laterally,  thin  and  hori/ontal,  and  often  anchylosed.  More  or  fewer  dorsals 
may  biar  larjjp  hypapophyses ;  which,  as  in  thp  loon,  may  Idfnrcuto  at  their  pikIh  int<i  two 
llariuif  idates.  .'<uch  prtK-esses  continue  a  Himilar  series  from  tho  npck,  and  arp  in  relation  to 
till'  advanlaueoiis  action  of  the  muscles  (minx  colli  autiriiH  and  Ioiiijnh  colli)  liy  which  tho 
neck  is  made  to  strai^'hten  out  from  tho  lower  curve  of  its  sigmoid  flexure. 


The  "Sacrum"  of  a  Blril  (figs.  .')7,  nnd  fiO)  is  commonly  cotisidered  to  hp  that  liuuo 
Hidid  mass  of  nninernns  iinchylospil  vprt»dirM!  in  the  rpgiim  of  thp  p<dvis,  covpred  in  hy.  and 

fiispil  morp  or  h'ss  pomidetply  with,  the  principal  hones  of  ihe 
pelvis,  or  haunch-liones  (iliii).  Kut  in  this  consolidation  of  an 
extremely  varialde  numlipr  lavpraging  perhaps  twplvp.  hut  run- 
ning up  to  at  Ipast  twenty.  pIpvpii  to  tliirtpcn  hcinif  usual) 
of  hoiips  are  includpd  vcrtchrie  which  in  tither  animals  helniii; 
to  several  different  sets  —  ihirsal,  lumlmr,  sacral  iiroper,  and 
coccygeal  or  caudal.  Wp  have  just  sppii  that  one  or  two,  even 
three,  vprtebrip,  which  are  dorsal  according  to  tho  dptinition 
agreed  upon,  may  pnfpr  info  flip  composition  of  ilip  "sacriiiii," 
being  firmly  anchylo'ed  tlierpwith,  and  tlicir  long  ribs  issuing 
out  from  undpriipath  tho  ilia,  as  shown  in  fig.  .50,  sr.  Next 
comps  one  hone,  or  a  sprips  of  spvpral  (two  to  five  or  morel 
bones,  anchylosed  together  by  their  bodies  and  spinous  proc- 
esses, and  also  anchylospd  with  thp  ilia  by  mpans  of  stout  lateral 
bars  of  boiip  spnt  transversely  outward  on  eitlipr  siilc  from  tlnir 
rpsppctivp  centra  to  abut  against  the  ilia.  These  cross-bars 
correspond  in  general  form  and  ]iosition  with  tho  transverse 
process  of  the  last  true  rih-bparing  dorsal,  —  that  pr<K-pss  apiiiist 
which  the  shoulder  of  any  dev(doped  rib  abuts ;  they  are  variously 
considpred  to  be,  to  rpprespnt,  or  to  includp  rudinipntary  ribs; 
and  such  diffprencp  of  view  may  be  warrantpd  by  tlip  state  of  tin- 
parts  in  differpiit  birds.  Howpvpr  this  nuiy  bp,  thp  boiips  just 
dpscrihpil  arp  Ixmhar  vcrtpbrie  (Lat.  luinlnin,  the  loin  ;  where 
such  vertebne  are  situated  in  nnin  and  other  iiiaiiimals)  ;  which 
certainly  possess  abortive  ribs   in  some  ea.sps.      On   snccpssivp 

P(g.  87.  —  Tlic  "wicrum"  of    himbars  the  cross-bars,  whatever  their  nature,   eommonlv  slip 
»  young  fowl,  seen  fnmi  lielow,      ,  ,    ,  ,  i  ,,    n  ix         .1  _»  1      1  1'    r 

lint.  Mze;  after  Parker,    ill.ihir-     h'wer  and  lower  downward  (b«dly-ward)  on  the  vertebraMioilies, 

w)liinibar  »crlo«,  whereof  tlie  flrrt     till   the    hist  ones   are  quite    down   to  the  level  of  tho    ventral 
li  dorsal  uroper.  tlic  next  tliroo  ,    ,  ,  ,  1      ,,         .  . 

are  iimitiar;  »,  tlie  iiarral  serii-n     "sppct  of  tho  centrum;  these  afo  also  commonly  the  stiMitest, 

proper,  or  true  iincnim,  connlut-  most  directly  transvprsp,  and  most  npnrly  horizontal  «>f  thp  series 

liill  of  five  vertclirn-;  c,  tlio  iiro-  ,                           ,        .                            1       .,.           ,.     ,     .         1                 »•    1 

Nuriil  sericit,  lH-lii(t  tlioiie  caudal  <''  Jirocpssps,  abutting  against  thp  ilia  a  littip  in  advance  ot  the 

vprtei.™.,  rijc  m  nuiiiiicr,  wiiich  siK'ket  of  tlip  thi»;h  bone.      This  ends  a  series  of  cons<didated 

aiicliyloae  witli  one  auotber  and  ,            ,     .                       ,.,.,//.           •       ,       n 

with  the  sacrum.  sacral '  vertebric  which  are  tenned  collectively  "  dorso-lumbar.^ 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  UIHDS.  — OSTEOLOGY. 


141 


_all  "I  il"'"'  imtiTior  to  tho  tni«  »acrum  of  ii  bird.  Tho  sacrum  prni)er  (tii{.  57.  «)  pomtiHtH 
„f  (li(i>r  fi'W  vrrti'lini'  —  llircc,  I'niir,  or  fivr  —  from  foriiiniiiu  iM'twiM'ii  wliicli  iitNiU' tin' npiinil 
iicrvcM  lliat  fiiriii  tlir  net-work  callnl  tin-  mcral  iilerim.  TIu'M'  tnii'  Hiicral  vcrtflirii'  iirr  rililrKx, 
mill  iiiav  Ix'  n>cof(iiix<'<l,  in  it  Ki'ix'ral  wiiy,  by  tin-  ul)w>iici'  of  anytliliiit  liki>  tliu  croHM-Imn*  hIhivo 
ili'si'i'ilM'il,  i.MNuiiiK  from  tlif  vcrti'liral  ci-iitrii;  thoiiKli  their  iieiiriii  art-hcH  Heml  otf  Home  xiiiall 
ban*  or  |ilates  to  fiiNe  with  the  ilia.  'I'hi-Ne  Haeraln  |iro)M'r  are  at  or  iieitr  the  miilille  of  the 
wliiile  Nacrai  inai*n.  .M'ler  these  roint'  ii  lar>{e  nuiiiher  —  from  tiv(>  to  ten  or  more  —  of  verte- 
lirii'  wliii'li,  from  their  followiiii;  the  true  Naeralft,  tlioiiuii  (•oiiHoliilateti  therewith  aiul  witli  one 
iiiicitliir,  are  i-oiisiilereil  to  Im'Ioiii;  to  wliat  Would  he  the  eaiiilal  re|;ion  of  other  aniiiialx,  ami 
arc  hence  called  "  tail-Nacralx,"  uro-Hdcnils  (dr.  oipa,  tail.  tii;.  .57,  c)  Thew  continue  to  w-nil 
olf  a  scricK  of  little  )ilale-like  iiriH-e.Hxes  from  their  neural  arches,  jiixt  as  the  true  HacraU  do; 
Imt,  ill  addition  to  these,  priM-esses  are  ;;iven  otJ'  from  the  hodies  of  the  uro-sacrals,  corre- 
s|HiiiilJiii;  in  itositioii  and  relation  to  those  which  proceed  from  the  hodies  of  the  liimhars,  and 
iH'iiiL'  apparently  of  the  same  mor|ih) domical  character  (pleura]>ophysial).  'I'hese  "rildets" 
lire.  Ii<>wev<'r.  <|uite  sh'nder,  and  also  ohiiipie  in  two  directions;  for  instead  of  heiiiK  traiis- 
vi'i'sc  anil  nearly  hori/.oiital,  they  trend  very  ohlii|Uely  hackward  and  iijiward  :  they  also 
uliortiii  ciiiisccntividy  from  before  hackward.  The  cross-bars  of  the  latter  um-sacrals,  however, 
an'  sloiiter  and  altogether  more  like  those  of  a  lumbar  vertebra.  The  appearanccH  ib's<'ribt>d 
aro  lliiise  seen  from  below,  or  on  the  ventral  aspect.  Above,  on  the  back  (d'  the  jielvis,  the 
liiic  III'  continent  spinous  priH-esses  of  the  dorso-lumbars  is  commonly  distinct,  separated  a  little 
fnnii  the  llarint;  li|>s  of  the  ilia.  .Such  distinct  tormation  may  continne  tlirou^'hont  the  sat-ral 
ami  iM'ii-sacral  reuioiis ;  ofteiier,  however,  the  line  of  spinous  process  sinks,  tiatteiis,  and 
H'iileiis  into  a  horizontal  plate  which  becomes  perfectly  conttueiit  with  the  ilia  aloni;  the  ]his- 
tcrinr  portion  of  their  extent;  su<'h  smooth,  somewhat  lo/en^e-shaped  surface  beiiii;  ipiite 
cniiiiiiiiiiiis  with  the  snperticies  of  the  jM'lvis,  but  perforated  with  more  or  fewer  pairs  of  inler- 
vcrti'lmd  foramina.  —  Such  is  the  general  character  of  a  bird's  complex  sacrum;  the  description 
is  tal<rii  chietly  from  a  raven  {Corrun  ainu) ;  the  tii;iire  from  the  common  fowl,  after  I'arker. 
Till-  kidneys  are  mouhled  into  the  recesses  between  the  sacral  and  uro-sacral  veHelirie  and  in 

til Heavily  of  the  ilia.     The  general  hIuiim-  of  a  "  sacrum,"  viewed  from  below,  is  fusiform, 

limaili'st  across  the  sacral  bodies  pro|M'r  or  jnst  in  front  of  them,  ta|M'riiit;  toward  either  end; 
till'  face  of  the  sacrum  is  also  tiaitest  about  the  middle,  more  or  less  ridi;ed  before  and  behind 
fripiii  comiiression  of  the  vertebral  iMMlles.  It  has  little  if  any  leiifjthwi.se  curvature,  and  that 
cliii'tly  in  the  uro-sacral  reirioii,  where  the  concavity  is  downward.  The  total  number  of  bom>s 
may  he  less  than  twelve,  or  more  than  twenty.  The  extensive  anchyloses  in  this  reirioii  nf 
the  spine  art)  in  evident  adaptation  to  bipedal  locoinotiou,  which  re<piires  fixity  hereabouts, 
that  the  trunk  may  not  bend  upon  the  fulcrum  represented  by  a  line  drawn  throUKh  the  hiji- 
jiiiiits,  which  are  situated  about  op|Mihite  the  middle  of  the  sacral  mass,  as  shown  by  the  arrow, 
«'■,  in  tiij;.  (10.  (The  word  '' sacrum,"  a '' sacred  thinn,'' curious  in  this  application,  is  very 
aiii'ii'Ut  in  hmiian  anatomy,  coinmeinoratiniu;  somo  supenstitious  ur  ritinklistiu  notion,  res|ii>ctini; 
this  part  of  the  biMly.) 

The  CoccyKCttl,  or  Caudal  Vortebrm  (tii^.  5(),  civ)  pro|H'r,  terminate  tin-  spinal  column. 
'I'hi'V  are  called  "coccygeal,''  from  the  fancied  resi'inblance  of  the  human  tail-bones  collectively 
til  the  beak  of  a  cuckoo  ((Jr.  kokkv.^,  kokkitr).  The  eaudals  are  all  the  fire  liones  situated 
hiliiud  the  anchyhised  uro-sacrals.  The  series  conmionly  begins  opposite  the  point  where  the 
jielvic  bones  end  ;  it  consists  of  a  variable  number  of  bones,  from  the  twenty  biiif^  slender  ones 
wiiirh  the  A  rchtciiplfrifx  possessed,  down  to  seven  or  fewer  separate  ones.  The  usual  number 
is  iit;ht  without  the  j)ypistyle.  They  are  stunted,  tlej;radeil  vertebra-,  whose  chief  <dfice  is  to 
MipjHirt  the  tail- feathers ;  for  the  leash  of  nerves  which  emer>{<' from  the  spinal  canal  to  form 
ilie  sacral  plexnt>  by  uo  iiiiicL  diwiniHh  the  spinal  rord  that  a  mere  thread  is  h'ft  to  |>i;ne- 


142 


GENEIUL  OUNITIIULOGY. 


trill.'  tlif  (nil,  tli.piiyli  iln'  neural  .irrlicH  of  all  tlii'  (•occyp'iilM  he  still  |i<Tvi(.iis.  All  immv  Im- 
frcfly  iii'.valilc,  a>  in  lli"  Ann  licaii  Oslric'i  (Wtin)  ;  liiit  in  almost  all  l»ir<ls  only  the  i.iitirinr 
oii('8  Mil-  (I'slincl  anil  vfrtrlira-lik<',  the  nst,  ti.  a  varialilc  iniinlicr,  licin;;  ali.irlivc,  and  inrltrd 
int'i  tli.'t  cxtraonlinary  atl'air  calltil  the  "  idou^lisharc "  or  pi/fioKli/le  ((ir.  trvyij.  jnifie,  il,,. 
riifiiii;  Tvi'Xot,  a  |i"ist),  wliicli  may  consist  "f  nn  fewer  than  ten  such  nietanior)ilioM'i|  tail-l..oiis. 
It  has  MMially  a  fiia|pe  .-ii^'uolint;  the  share  of  a  ii|on>;h  (see  fig.  Tj*).  ]ij/),  hut  is  too  variahlr  i,, 

I ncixlv  ilescrihed.     The  iiyt'ostyle  sii|i|)orts  the  tail-feathers  ;  and  as  thesi  arenior|(lic,l..yi. 

ci'.lly  one  pair  to  each  reclrlx-heariuf;  vertelmi,  the  ninnher  ..f  tail-feathers  may  he  iiriMi.iiiiv 
ei|'ial  to  the  niMiiher  of  verti  lira'  \vhi<di  fuse  in  the  jiyijostyle.  Thus  the  swan  is  said  to  jjiivc 
ten  verti'.'a'  in  this  mass;  our  wild  swan  {('yijuus  coliiiiihiatiuy)  has  twenty  tail-feathers,     in 

this  view,  six  should  he  the  nsiral  coiiiiiosition  of  the  slmre-lMilie.     A  bird's  tail  is  really re 

extensive  and  lizard-like  than  cominoidy  snpiio.sed ;  thus  the  swan,  hesides  its  ten  in  the 
pyj,'os|_\|f.  has  seven  free  caudals,  and  ten  uro-sacrals -— '.wenly-seven  post-sacral  vertehra^  in 
all  (Mu.'.ley).  In  the  i.iven,  the  free  caudals  are  six,  exclusive  of  tin  pypistyh'.  These  all 
have  laru'e  ilarini;  iriiisverse  processes  and  moderate  spinous  jiroces.ses,  and  the  latti  r  ones  arc 
also  pidviiled  with  hy]iapophys(  s,  some  of  which  are  hifurcate.  The  pygoslyle  in  many  hiids 
cxpandH  lielow  into  a  large  circular  or  pidygonal  disc. 


bmly  of  :i  vci 
lai'Tal    procc 

nwclini:)- 
,,ro|..ntod  al 

imiiiiii'!-''""' 
iirticnhiles  w 
which  ihn>  i 
ils  viisl'il  I'l'" 
t.iL'clhcr.     * 
The  rihs  ar 
cXiUnpl"''  th 
fr„i,i  hcfori 
arnihs  of  <\> 
Ixilh   with 
taciits  of  t! 


•i.    TIIK   rt.'llllAX;    nuts  A\n  STKIINVM. 

Tlio  Thorax  ((!r.  flaipnf,  a  coat  of  mail;  in  aiiat.,  the  chest;  adj.  fhornrk;  see  tig.  .'.tl)  i.< 
thp  hony  hox  formed  hy  tin?  rihs  on  each  «i<l(),  the  breast-hone  ladow,  ami  the?  hack-lioni  ;;1kivc. 
In  hirds,  it  is  vry  extensive,  including  most  or  all  of  the  abdominal  as  well  as  the  thoracic 
viscera,  and  its  cavity  is  not  partitioned  off  from  that  of  the  belly  hy  u  complet<'d  ilidjiliniiim, 
though  u  rudimentary  structure  of  that  kind  is  found  in  the  class.  The  thorax  is  usually  sol- 
di'red  hehind  to  the  pelvis  hy  union  of  one  or  more  pairs  of  ribs  with  the  ilia;  in  front  it  al- 
ways and  entirely  hears  the  prrUiriil  anh  (see  |i.  II..")).  The  thorax  is  very  movable  in  hirds, 
by  ri'asoii  of  the  great  length  ami  joint<-dlieHS  of  the  rihs. 

TIh'  !4ll>»  (Lat.  mstii,  a  rib;  pi.  cdsfrr;  adj.  cosliil;  see  fig.  !iC>,  r,  <:',  J{,  cr,  sr,  »/),  as  :aid 
above,  arc  the  plenrapopliysial  elements  of  vertehra-,  which  remain  small  and  amdiylosed,  or 
b"'iine  loiig  and  free.  In  the  hitter  state  only  are  they  "  ribs"  in  ordinary  latigeage.  The 
OIK  or  more  cervical  rihs,  however  (dongated,  and  the  abortive  lumbar  and  iiro-sacnil  ribs,  are 
to  h"  (  xcluded  from  the  present  <le.scription,  aial  have  lieeii  already  considered.  Triif  rihs  arc 
those  which  belong  Ui  the  dorsal  verttdu'H'  proper,  and  are  jointed  in  iheiiiselves;  that  is,  l'a\c 
articulated  lurmiiiHiiihi/sex  (see  ji.  1H7),  by  which  they  may  or  do  articulate  with  the  stermnn. 
Such  true  libs  wrf  Ji.rcd,  when  they  rea(di  from  bii(d«-boia'  to  breast-biuie;  jUmlituj,  when  ( ithir 
or  iM'ilhi'r  of  these  coniiectioiis  is  made,  rsiuilly  the  last  rib,  though  hearing  a  perlVct  ha  iii- 
apophysis,  does  not  reach  the  .tcrmim;  in  the  loon,  for  example,  the  last  rib  floats  at  /«<'/( 
•■nds,  having  coiniectloii  neitln  r  with  \<rtehra  nor  sternum  ;  at  d  the  tw-i  next  ribs  float  at 
their  slerial  eials.  Th"  perfe<'tid  ribs  are  few, —  five  or  six  is  a  u.^ual  number,  ihougii  nine 
are  iuemaj  opi.ysi.s-bci.'ing  in  the  loon.  Tlu'  last  rib  at  least  is  usiially  "sacral;"  i.e.,  he- 
longs  to  a  dorsa!  vert<  bra  wiiich  is  amdiyhwd  mIiIi  tli"  "sacral"  mass;  and  two  or  ev-  ii,  as  in 
the  loon,  tiiree  ribs  may  likewise  issue  oet  from  under  cover  of  the  ilia.  These  "sacra!  ribs" 
are  i'lirtheriiiore  distinguished  by  heini.'  dev  lid  of  the  riiijilniinl  or  iiiicilKile  pr<^tr-:sts  (|„it. 
liiicKs,  a  hook  ;  tig,  .'itl,  ")  with  which  other  true  ribs  are  furnished,  forming  a  .series  of  splint- 
bones  proceeding  oldiipiely  from  one  rib  to  .shingle  over  the  next  succeeding  on.',  and  thus 

iiieiease  the  stability   of  the  thoiai'i.'  sid.'-walls.     >Mich  splints  may  1 ither  articula^'d  or  an- 

ehyli.  cd  with  th.ir  respecliv.'  rihs;  they  have  independent  ossitic  .•entres.     Th.'  upper  ipleiira- 
IM.pl'ysial)  [lart  of  a  rib,  or  "  vertebrivl  rib,"  when  perfected,  aiticiilatos  with  the  sido  of  the 


main  ;<' 


"tSi^.'14V,?.^S*^f^^^i  (5^-> 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  litUnS.  —  OSTEOlJXSY. 


148 


IiimK  'I  1  virldifii  l<y  its  IiiikI  nr  niiiHnliim  ^\a\\.  iliiniti.  nf  aifmt,  ln-iiil).  tiiiil  iiImi  vviili  ihc 
lai"nil  I'liicos  <if  tlic  siiinr  vcilclira  l>y  its  sIhhiIiIit  it  tiilMiTuliiiii  (l.at  iliiitin.  nt'  liilirr,  a 
gwc.liiiu).  Ill  wrll-iiiiirUcd  rimvx,  tlir  lii'iid  ami  sliiiiihliT  arc  i|iiilr  far  a|parl,  llir  ril>  scciiiiiii; 
liroloiiurd  aliiivi-;  cither  of  tlienc  vcrtclmil  nmiHTtioiiH  may  !>«•  iiiMstal»lisli<(l.  tlir  (.ilicr  rc- 
iiiiiiniiiL',  "!■  '"'ill  iii'iy  Ih'  lust.  Tln'  li)\v<'!' (Ii)i-iiia|iii|i|iysial)  part  cif  a  rili.  or  "strriial  ril>,'' 
artii-iilalcs  willi  tlii'  -^iili'  of  tin-  stcrniiiii  liy  a  siiiiplr  f-iil  ir!.')'iri('iii ;  the  iiii|>  uf  tlin.-r  sttriial  rilm 
ttliicli  tliMs  j<iiii  till'  ."IcriMiiii  tciiil  t(i  iliistir  r|iis4ly  toiri-tliir  at  a  part  nf  tin-  l)n>ast-lHi!ic  riillcil 
\\s  iii^iliil  jiiiMi'is  (lit;.  .')S)  ;  fiiiisr  wliicli  dii  lint  iiiakr  tlic  MiTiial  rniiiiii-tinii  arr  siiiiplv  liiiiidlcft 
tiiu'cllirr.  ('iiiiiiiiniily  live  nr  six,  sniiicliiiifs  fniir,  rarely  nidy  tliri-c  rilis  rrarli  the  sti'riiiiiii. 
Tlii'  lilis  arc  ordinarily  as  slciidrr  and  strict  iim  tlmsc  slmwii  in  tig.  5fi  ;  Init  in  A/iteri/.r,  fnr 
I'Xaiiiplc.  their  piciirapnpliysial  parts  arc  expansive  and  plate-like.  'I'licy  Icnutlieii  rapidly 
fnnii  Ik  Inre  liai'liward,  lioih  in  their  vertcliral  ami  their  sternal  nmieties;  llie.sc  jiarts  meet  at 
alleles  nf  dccrcasini;  acnlcncss  frnni  Iwlnre  haidtwurd:  Imt  these  aiiulcs,  nx  tlmiM- of  the  riliit 
biilli  with  vcrtelirir  and  steriiiKii,  im-essalitly  increase  and  diiniliish  in  the  respiratory  move- 
incuts  of  the  chest ;  all  lieimr  in  expiration  more  acute,  and  more  idttii.se  in  inspiration. 

The  Aviiiii  Sl,(>riiiiiii  {dr.  aTt'ituov.  sttriiftii,  the  hrcast  ;  tiu.  .'ifi,  .s')  is  highly  speeiali/eil ; 
its  extensive  devclopiiieiil  is  pci-iiliar  to  the  class  of  Itirds,  .mil  its  miHlilieatioiis  are  of  miire 
iiiipnitaiice  in  classilicatinii  than  thnse  of  any  other  siiiule  Imiie.  'riiereii|Hin  it  licciuiics  an 
iiiterestiiiir  nhject.  'riicorctically  it  is  a  collection  of  htemal  spines  of  vertidine.  'rhoii;;|i 
such  nioriiholou'ical  i  haracter  is  apprecialde  in  tliiw  ai'iiiials  wliieli  have  a  loim  jointeil  ster- 
riiiiii.  the  sctrmciits  ni"  which,  answering  to  pairs  of  rihs,  ih'vejnp  fmm  separate  centres,  there 
is  htlle  or  nothing'  in  the  develnpnient  or  physical  characters  nf  the  avian  sternnm  to  favor 
this  view.  'I'lie  f.'reat  liniii'  tloors  the  clie8t  and  more  or  lew*  of  the  helly,  and  fiiniishes  the 
main  jkhiiI  (rnji/iiii  of  Imth  the  lioiiy  and  ninsciilar  apparatus  of  tlii.'lii,  receivinu  iinportant  hones 
cpf  llie  scapular  arch  and  >;ivintt  nrij;in  to  the  immense  pectoral  niii.s«des.      (S.e  al.so  (iu.  .'18.) 


Iik< 


Itirds  oiler  two  leadiiif{  types  of  .sternal  strnctiin-,  the  rH/i7«*  and  the  mrinntr,  <ir  th^ 


'  raft- 


id  the  "  liuat-liki 


accoi'dint;  as 


the  III 


Hat   or   keeleil    (l.at.  mtis,  a    raft;   adj. 


rdlilr;  iuan  arhitrary  noiii.  pi.,  7f'(/i/rt',  a  name  of  one  of  the  leadiiiu  divisions  nf  hirils:  l.at.  c»r- 
iiifi,  a  keel;  adj.  niriiKilr:  iioni,  pi.  Ciirintilir,  name  of  another  such  division).  I.  In  alj  slrn- 
tliioiis  liirils,  comprehendint;  the  ostrich  and  its  allies  (ami  also  in  the  Cretaceous  llfffuriiniis). 


the  Merniiin  is  a  llattish,  or  rather  concavi 


iivcx,  htlckler-likc   Im 


me,  of  somew 


hat 


"I" 


.sh 


or  rhoiiihnidal  shape,  developed  from  a  siiiyle  pair  of  lateral  cc-iitres  o*'  ossitiealioii,  ji '•  flat 
lioal,"  without  any  keel,  hiiilt  with  reference  to  an  important  niiHliticatioii  of  the  slioiilder-cir- 
illc,  and  a  reduced  or  riidimeiitarv  condition  of  the  wines,  which  are  iiiitit  for  lliirht.     i.   In  all 


t!\iii<;  hirds,  and  some  which  ficm  nther  than  any  fault  I'f  the  sternimi  do  imt  llv, 


ciiiiiprisiiitf 


all  reiiiainin^  recent  hirds,  nr  r^frKi'i^r,  and   alsn   the  ('retacemis    lihllii/oniis,       the  sternum 
is  keeled  and  develojm  from  a  median  ceiitn*  of  ossilicatioii  ax  well  as  from   lateral   paired  cen- 


tr.' 


iillv  t\ 


th 


inu  li^ 


nil.       Ill  a  few  Ciiriuiilir  the  keel  is  riidimeiitarv,  aw 


the  tlitjhtless  ground  p.ornl  i"  \i'\y  '/,ii\\i\\u\,  Slriiiifo/i.i  hi'tiro/ililiis  ;  or  oiherwise  amiiiialoiis, 
as  in  the  extraordinary  O/iisHidiiimiis  iristnliis,  when*  it  is  cut  away  in  front,  and  in  the  rail- 
like Xiiliiriiii,  t\here  the  .■•lermnn  is  extremely  like  a  li/ard's.  In  ifeiieral,  the  ilevelnpment  nf 
the  /.(•(■/  is  an  index  nf  wiiitj-powcr:  whetlier  for  llyiiit;  nr  >wiiiimiiiu.  '>r  Imth  ;  the  etl'eetiveness 
nf  the  pectoral  muscles  lieiiit;  rather  in  proportion  to  depth  of  kei-l  than  to  extent  of  the  itides 
nf  the  "  hoat-lmiie  ;"  thus,  the  keel  is  emirnioiis  in  swifts  {('i/iisrliihr)  and  liunimiiiK-hirdH 
(  TrtxhUuhr). 

The  earinate  sternum  nnrii.ally  devejnps  from  five  centres,  liavint;  ciinsei|iieiitly  an  many 
separate  pieces  in  early  life.  'I'wo  of  these  are  lateral  and  in  pair- ;  the  tlii--d  is  median  am) 
single.  The  median  ossilici;tio'i,  which  includes  the  keel,  is  the  l<)filwetfoii(H  \- .  XiUftot,  ln/ihoi, 
a  crest ;  (ivrtou,  oslam,  a  bone).     The  uiiterior  lateral   pi<-ce,  tliiil  with  which  the  rilw,  nr  smii' 


144 


UKyKKA L   OliSlTllOL OG  Y. 


1- 


H 


m 


«if  tliciii,  iiriiciilalr.  in  \hi-  jikiirosteoti  (»ir.  n^tvpoi'.  iilrunin,  a  rili):  in  ailiill  lilV  tliis  Imc,  ii„» 
till-  niMhil  iiriinsH,  wi  iirniniiiiiii  in  I'lissvirs  (Wi:.  .")Si.  'I'lii"  |Mmt»'ri<ir  latcriil  piiTc  is  tlic  imtn.stiDti 
(dr.  jifTfi,  Willi,  ntlrr).  I'l'iiii  llif  lalirr  air  lii'iivcd  the  ]>air,  <>r  t\vi>  jiairs.  of  lati-ral  pr-HTsscs 
wliiili  III!'  |>n^ll•l■i()|•  lii.nlrr  »(l\ii-  sliniiiiii  lia>  in  so  iimny  liinls.  In  tine,  ilir  rxtciit  of  ...-slli, 
tinii  of  tlif  lopliostfoii  am 


1  nictostt'a,  anil  tin-  nnxli'  of  tlifir  ••iMisification,  ilrtcnnincs  all 


ili.i 


various  slia|M's  of  tlir  poslrrjor  liorilrr  of  ■]»•  sternum  whirli.  Iii'lnj;  roniiiinnly  <'liararliii.«iii.  i.f 
jjciHTa  ami  liiiilirr  Kroiiiis,  arc  cl<M-ril>rii  for  ]mr|tosi's  of  classitiratiou.     'I'lius,  if  tlir  lo|ili(istiii!i 

anil  till-  iiictostca  ar nipli'ti'ly  ossitiril  ami  to  tin-  saiiii-  cxtriit  bi'liiml,  tlir  |«isti'rior  lioidrr  m|' 

till'  >lirhuui  will  III-  Iraiisvirsr,  ami  inrfirtly  liony.  Such  a  strrniiiii  issaiil  \<i]iv  niliir.  \(\\w 
|ii|ilio.sti'oii  i.>  loiiuir  lliaii  till'  lati  ral  iiirns,  tlir  slrniuiii  will  liavr  a  i-cutral  |»oiiitii|  or  loiiiiilid 
|iroji'i'tiiin  ;  when  stirli  a  forinatinn  is  calli'il  llif  miilillf  .riiihuiil  jironss  i(  Jr.  fi(^or,  .iiyi/nw,  a 
HWiiril:    fii>ov,  rif/(i.«,  forni).     'i'lii'  ]>riiji'i'tioii  of  tlii'   iiiftosira,  not   iiifroi|Urnt,   similarly   ■.■ivi.. 

a  |mir  of  iMirnal  latiral  .\iiilionl  prori'ssi-s.     Unt  siirli  |>roiTss<'s  ofimi  r  ri'suit  mi-rrly  IV Ic- 

fiM-ls  of  I'oositiration  lirtwriii  tlir  rli'iiii'Uts  of  tlir  .•^tirniim.  'J'lius,  tliiri>  is  often  a  ilee|i  iioii'li 
ill  till*  |His1erior  lioriler  of  tlie  sternum  lietweeli  the  lo|ihosteon  ami  the  metosteou  of  each  .--iili' ; 
the  sternum  is  then  saiil  to  he  fhiiilr-Hiililiril  or  siiiiilr-i'iiiiiniiniilr  (one  |>air  of  iio|r|ie>,  i>iii'  i.n 
eaeh  siile  :  lii.'.  TiS).  This  roiifoniialion  (irevails  throiiu'lioui  the  yreat  >;rou|>  I'lissn-is.  |iu>>ili|v 
without  exre|itiou;  it  is  therefore  highly  eharai-teristie  of  that  onler,  tlioii(;h  a  f:reat  many  otjur 
birtlH  iiImi)  have  it.      In  the  natural  state,  the  noteh  is  tilleil  in  with  meinhraile.     Sneh  a 


lloli'll 


llso  ) 


le  eoliverleil  III!' 


■  fiinlam'lli'"or./»'H»'.>V(V(  (\.i\\.  fniislrii,  i\  wimlow),  whieh 


hole  ill  the  hone,  the  me,  isti  a  haviiiu  urown  to  the  liphosteoii  at  their  extleinities.  hut  li'li  an 


o|M'iiini{  hetween.     Sueh  a  ntt'i 


i-alled  fnimtriiU;  more  exaetlv  inii-friirstriilr  (I,at.  iim 


lie  wimtow  on 


each  siilc).     Now,  the  ji.irts  remaiiiini;  as   liefore, 


the    |o|i|iost 


r  each  melosteon,  he  liolcheil  or  fenestrate  ;    ohvi 


1  ither  each    hall   ..f 
h 


oiislv  then,  siicli  a  stcrniiiii  i> 


iliiiilili-iiiilrlml  or  l)i-ti'ni:-'liiili;  haviiin  four  notches,  or  holes,  \\\ ii  eai-h  siile,       two  notr 


hoh 


>r  lioteheil  nti'l  fenestrate,  haviiii;  a  noti'li  ami  a  hole  on  each   siile.     The   latter 


IM  very  fiiM|nent :  when  occiirrint;,  the  hole  is  t;enerally  nearest  the  miihlle  lini-,  tlic  notch  cn- 
•erior.  Irret;ularily  ol  os.»iticatioii,  ciinverlini:  a  hole  into  a  notch,  anil  conversely,  may  in  ai 
<  use  resnil  ill  iacU  of  symmetry) :  hut  this  is  a  mere  imliviilnal  |H'cnliarity.  When  there  arc 
two  iiotche.'i  on  each  side,  as  in  lit;.  a(>,  the  Hterniim  has  evidently  ii  median  and  two  lateral  hack- 
WMiil  exteiisious,  which  are  tlun  called  res|M'<-lively  the  wiilillr,  hilrninl  lulrriil,  mii\  r.itiiiinl 
liilinil  \i|ihoi4|  |irocesses.  Nolcliiim  of  tlie  lophosteon  iu  the  iiiiilille  line,  at  least  to  any  exliiil, 
must  he  very  rare,  if  iiideeil  it  ever  <MMurs.  The  extn'me  ease  of  emar^inationnf  the  sternum  is 
atrordcil  hy  the  (iiillintr,  and  is  lii|;hly  charaeterisf'c  of  that  yroiiji.  Mere  the  lo|ilio..tt'oii  i> 
extremely  iiarrnw,  ami  tiNsered  dcejilv  away  from  the  metostea,  which  1;  Icr  are  deeply  forked  : 
the  arriinuenient  civiiiu  rise  i.-  iw.i  very  loiufHJemliT  latenil  priN-esses  on  eaeli  side  (fi>;s.  1  and  i, 
|i.  IH),  The  sternum  of  the  tinaniou.  a  <lrouiii-ou:nathniis  hird,  is  still  more  deeply  eiiiari.'i- 
liiited,  hut  th"  extremely  loUL'  and  slender  lateral  pioces.-es,  which  enclose  an  oval  contour,  arc 
Hiiiipl.',  not  lurked. 

Ill  a  very  few  hirds  there  an  centres  of  ossiKcation  additional  to  those  ahove  descrihed. 
Ill  Tilinir,  there  are  said  hy  I'arker  to  Ik-  a  pair  of  centres  hetwein  the  pleurostea,  which  he 
mimes  iiniifiiHlrn.  lie-'au.-te  related  to  the  pari  of  the  slerniim  with  wliich  the  coraco'.ds  (.nee 
p.  I  t'l)  unite.  'I'he  same  authority  descrihe-  for  Diihiiliiiiltiis  a  posterior  median  cartilaui- 
iiotm  tliip  haviiii;  a  ."eparate  centre,  named  in-i>Htnni  ((Ir  uvfia.  niirn,  tail).  In  vanoiis  idrds  the 
KtiTinim  is  eked  out  in  the  midille  lini'  hehiml  hy  eaUilaue  which  has  no  ossitieatioii. 

The  sternnm,  es|«  i  i.illy  nt  llie  hiuliei  lunls,  de\'c|o|is  ill  the  middle  line  in  front  a  heak- 
likr  priHM'Hs  called  the  rostrum  of  Hi  ntiihfiiiui  (Lai.  miiimlirium,  a  handle)  ;  its  si/.e  and  shape 
vary  ;  it  i>  wellniarked  in  Passerine  hirds  (fiy.  .'i  i)  ;  and  may  Im'  hifurcate  at  the  end  and  run 
down  the  front  of  the  keel  some  way,  :\->  III  .he  raven.  The  fore  horder  of  the  sternum  is 
({I'lierally  urcatly  convex  from  side  to  side,  iiuii  then,  in  those  hirds  whicli   have  proiiiimiil 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  — OSTEOLOGY. 


145 


pn-wutB 


3.  77//;  I'Kcnm.i/.  .men 


Tin*  I'cetoruJ  Arch  (I. at.  iiidiis.  tlir  lirca^t :  tii;s.  1,  ;.',  5(i,  58.  a'.t)  is  tliat  b.iiiy  stnirtiiri' 
liy  wliicli  tilt'  wiuirs  nrv  Imnic  ii|i<iii  tlir  axial  Niiclctun.  It  is  t"  the  '"mi'  liiiii)  what  tlir  iiclvir 
arch  ii*  to  the  liiinl  liiiih;  hut  is  <iisciiini<'ctril  iVdiii  the  hai'li-ltntir  ami  unitnl  with  thr  Itrrast- 
ImiM',  wlii'icas  the  reverse  arraiiu'enieiit  nhtaiiis  in  the  pelvie,  'vhich  is  t'lii-ed  with  the  saeral 
Ti'^Utu  iif  the  spine.  Kaeh  peetciral  areh  of  hirds  emisists  (<-liie(lj)  tit"  thret'  Ixnies  :  the  naipula 
anil  vonuojl,  fnnnint;  the  sliDidilrr-girdlf  pniper.  ur  sai/iiilaf  unit  ;  ami  the  acees.sory  chriclin, 
iir  ^i^Ili  ami  letl  half  nC  liie  tliiriciiltir  ttnli.  'I'here  is  al.so  at  the  shuuliler-jnint  el'  ninst  biril.s 
an  insi^nitieant  He.sanioii)  ossicle,  calleil  scapida  iiccci^sorKt  or  os  hiimrm-nciiiiulnre  (tijtr.  5(1,  ohs) ; 
ami  in  many  a  rmlinielit  of  a  hone  ealleil  jiriintinroid,  which  occurs  in  reptiles,  hut  in  hinls  is 
united  with  the  clavicle.  From  the  rihs,  the  scapula  ;  trom  the  sternum,  the  coracoid  ;  from 
its  fellow,  the  clavicle,  coiivertres  to  m-'et  each  of  the  two  other  hones  at  (he  point  of  the 
shoulder.  The  lenirlhwise  scapular  arches  of  opposite  sides  are  ilislinct  from  each  other  ;  the 
clavicular  arch  is  crosswise,  and  nearly  always  completed  on  the  middle  line  of  the  hody  ;  hy 

which  tniion  of  the  clavicli's  the  wlnde  pectoral  arch  is  coa|itated.      Tht rai'oid  hears  the 

shoulder  firmly  away  irom  the  hreasf  ;  the  .s<'apula  steatlies  the  shoulder  anainsl  the  ribs  ;  the 
clavicles  keep  the  shoulders  apart  from  each  other.  The  scajiular  arch  is  always  present  and 
oinijdete ;  the  cluviculur  lit  8oin(>tiini>H  ilefective  or  wautiuj;.     There  are  iwo  leading  styles  of 

10 


140 


GKNKliAL   OnyiTllOLOUY. 


i 


«ca|iiilar  arcli,  comsiiiiiiiliTiir  to  tln«  ratitc  .iikI  cfiriiiiiti'  stornnni.     (1)  In  Knlilrr  tho  swcs  .,|'  il,(. 

nn-aciiiil  anil  si-ii|pnla  arc   iiraiiy  coiiiciiliiit   ((«r  tlic  most  part  in  a itiinioiw  I'mht  line)  Mini 

aiK'liylosnl  t<ii.'«'tlirr :  tlir  rlavicli;*  ari'  I'siially  waiiliiiu,  <ir  ilcfcctivf;  imil  the  tMiraroi.U  arc  in- 
stc|ii)r.l  nil  till'  >tiniiiiii  far  apart.     (•,')   In  all  ('iiriiiiil(r,  tlic  axes  of  tlic  cnracniil  ami  scapula 


form  an  acute  or  scarcely  obtuse  aiiiilc  (tif.  .')(•,  sf/lc)  :  normally  these  l»ones  are  not  andiylo.-c.l; 
jHTfeet  eiavideH  are  present,  andiyloscil  witli  each  other,  but  free  from  the  otlHT  Imum's  ;  ami  the 
coracoiils  mic  instcppeil  dose  touether.  Deciileil  exceptions  to  these  conilitioiis,  as  in  y<iloriiis, 
an  anoiiialoiis  ;   tlioiit'li  iiicomplelion  of  the  clavicles  re]ieate(lly  occnrs,  as  noteil  below. 


Fid.  (IP  —  Kiiclit  iitx'l  rill  itrrli  iif  »  Mnl,  I'lilitr- 


rrtin  jth'ljt 


ilhiM.  iiat.  hl/.i",  i>ii!i,iili>  vinw;  Itr.  It. 


v.  Sliiifilill,  r.S  /  ,       H.  miipiiln: 


•iiriii'iilil;  (;/, 


kIi'IkiI'I,  tliiMMvily  r.r  liciiilnriiiii.icriiH;  <',  iliivii'lc  ; 
III'.  hyiHH'li^liilum.  /»  kHii,  \\w  iIkIiI  iiiiI  uf  t>ic  tlK- 
uru  xiiiiiiliP  till  up  :i  Utile;  mt'  ttg.  M. 


Tlip  Si'H'Hilii  (Lat.  Heiijtiih,  tlie  i«li<inliler- 
hlade ;  liu's.  .Vl,  .")'.l,  x)  merits  in  liirds  its  name  of 
"  hlaile-ltoiie,"  lieini;  usually  a  loni;,  thin,  narrow, 
sahre-like  hone,  which  rests  up  >ii  the  rihs — iisu- 
iir  it ;  hilt  ii    Uulilir  otherwise. 


ally   not   fur  from  parallel   with  the  spinal   column,   ami 

It  seliloiii  ^ains  much  wliltli,  ami  is  ipiite  thin  ami  llat  in  m<>st  of  its  lenijUi :  hut   it  has  a 

(liickcneil   heail  or  iiamlle,  expaiiiliiitj  oiiiwanls  into  a  iilnioiii  jinxTss  which  unites  with  ili:il 


if  th 


Me  coracoiil  t'l  I'oiiiph'te  till  L'leiioiil  cavity,  aiiil  ililateil  inwani  to  form  an  iwriimiiil  {Hr. 
iiKftainiov,  idrowi'in,  point  ><(  the  shouliler) /»r.<r<'.«iN  for  articulation  with  the  clavicle  (an  it  iIim's  in 
man),  -vlieii  tlial  hone  e\i>i.s.  Thr  nihcr  i'IhI  is  u>ually  sliarp-jiointed,  Init  may  he  ohtnse,  or 
e\e.i  ciiihheil,  as  in  a  wooilpii  lii  r.  The  scapula  is  hroaclert  atiil  most  jilate-like  in  the  pen- 
BiiiiiH,  in  which  birds  all  ihe  buius  of  the  llipper-likc  wint?  arc  HiiiKularly  llattem  d.  In  Ajilrri/c 
il  readies  in  lrii!,'tli  over  only  a  coii|>le  of  ribs  ;  inmost  birds,  over  most  of  the  thorax;  and 
in   soiiir   its  point  overrii.dies  the  pelvis. 


■imH"^ 


fjMr'H«!n«iiai*"Jg' 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIUDS.  —  OSTKOLOGY. 


147 


The  Clavicles,  or  Furciilum  (Lat.  clariailn,  ti  litlli*  key:  fiirailum,  a  litili-  t'l.rk  ; 
fiirs.  r)(i,  ii'J,  <■/),  or  tlir  clavicular  ardi,  arc  the  pair  of  Iioiicm  wlii-li  when  imitfil  tonctlicr  I'nriii 
the  iihjcct  well  known  aft  the  "  mcrry-thoiiKlit  "  or  "  winh-hon<',"  com'»i>oii(liiii;  to  the  Iniiuaii 
"  (•(illar-boiM'n."  'I'licy  lie  in  front  of  the  hrca«t,  across  the  iiiidiiii'  line  of  the  hody  like  a  V 
or  r  ;  the  u)i|M*r  emls  uniting;  as  a  riih-  l>otli  witli  scapuhi  ami  coracoid.  For  this  |)ur|)ogc,  In 
ini'ht  hinis,  the  ends  are  expanded  more  or  less  ;  such  e\|iansion  is  calh'd  the  r/xWciV/i/im  ((Jr. 
ini,  ci>i,  upon  ;  kXiiAiW,  kleidiiin,  the  cidlar-hone)  ;  in  Passerine  liirds  it  is  wtid  to  ossify  separ- 
iitelv,  anil  is  considered  hy  I'urker  to  repn  sent  the  priH'ormvid  «if  reptiles.  At  the  point  of 
union  helow,  the  hones  often  develop  a  pr<K'ess  (well  shown  in  the  domestic  fowl)  called  the  /i///jii- 
fli'iiliiim  ((Jr.  vn6,  lijipo,  under  ;  fi^-  ■")',),  /(c),  snpiiosed  to  represi'nt  the  interdfiricif  of  reptiles. 
'I'lic clavicles  are  as  a  rule  present,  perfect,  unc'.ylosed  to^utiier,  articulated  at  the  shoulder;  in  u 
few  hirds  anchyhwd  theie;  in  seviTal,  there  and 
with  the  keel  of  the  sternum  ;  in  Ojiistliocomns  t\\i<ro 
anil  with  the  mannhrium  iif  the  sternum.  In  various 
hircls,  chietly  I'icarian  and  I'sittaciiu',  they  are  (h'- 
fcctive,  not  meeting  each  other.  They  are  wanting; 
in  Slruthio,  Uhrti,  Aiiterif.r,  anil  sonn'  I'sillncidtr. 
lloiiles  curving  toward  each  other,  the  clavich-H 
have  usually  a  fure-and-aft  curvature,  convex  for- 
Wiiril.  hi  geni-ral,  the  strength  of  the  clavicles, 
the  lirmness  of  their  connections,  and  the  o|M>nness 
iif  the  V  or  r,  are  indicationit  of  the  v<ditorial  or 
iniliitorial  power  of  the  wiufs.  The  end  of  the  fiir- 
cidniii  is  hollowed  for  a  fold  of  the  wilidpi|io  iu  the 
en  Nled  pintado  (Owen). 

4.    TtlK   PK I.VIC  Alien. 

The  l*elvlH  (hat.  iirlrix,  a  Imsiii,  fij;.  (50),  is 
tliiit  posterior  part  of  the  trunk  which  receives  the 
uro-i;c)iital,  and  lower  |Mirtion  of  the  diuestive,  vis- 
ccr;!.  It  consists  of  the  "sacral"  vertehra- on  the 
middle  ilorsal  line,  llaido'd  on  each  side  )iy  the  hones 
of  the  iH'Irir  iirch,  which  supports  the  hind  limit. 
Ill  vertehrates  p'nerally  the  pelvic  hasiii  is  com- 
pleted on  th<' ventral  aspect  hy  union  (si/iiijiliifsiH; 
111.  iTvu,  sun,  top'ther  ;  <l>vrTif,  ;;rowlh)  of  the  hones 
IVoiii  opposite  sides.  Kxceptiiii;  only  Slriitliiii,  which 
has  a  puhic  symphysis  ;  and  Hht'a,  which  lias  an 
ischiac  symphysis  jiist  helnw  the  sacral  vertchne, 
the  pelvis  of  a  liird  is  entirely  open  hehiw  and 
hehiiid  :  each  pelvic  arch  anchylosini;  tirnily  with 
the  sacral  vertehiii'  to  form  a  roof  over  the  viscera 

ahove  named.     This  sacro-iliac  anchylosis  is  com- 

I             .       .           ...    .,             ,,         '      ,.    1  I'm.  (Ml.  —  I'l'lvln  of  n  lieron  (.lii/"i 'i<r«</(<i»l, 

"""'l.^'  ' Xtelisive   with   th .ntluence  ..t   the  many  ,„„.  ,|,..,  »,,.„,„|  fp,,,,  ,,^i„„  ;  fr„m  niitun- l,y  l.r. 

verlehrie   which    make    the    "  sacrum  "  of  ordinary  !l.  Wslmfi'ldi,  f  s  .\.  <//,  (li.r*i-liiniliHr  vrrtclini' 

I                     .1     .  ■      i'          .1       <•     .    1           II.     .1*  111  mill  liichiilliiullioliml  "111-, »!';  Iii'l"«  i.. ,  fur  llio 

lanuuaKe,  thai  is,  Ir.-m  the  hist  dorso-liimhar  to  th.'   ,.„.,,„  „r„,.. /„",,  ,,i,„.K.|,a,.,..M, -ii,.ii,..,vrn.«  i 

lust    nro-Mtcrul.      The   whole   roof-like   atl'air   looks  nrctlii' Irnc  wirrnl  vfrtnline;  im.  iinwiicrnl  viTle- 

ni.i            I       II            1                 '          .     I        'iM  liricfiii'inmlli'llii'tlvi'iiviil  liliu'k  hiiiii'kk;  //.IIIiiiii; 

mm   like  a    keelless   sternum   inverted.       I  he  ,,,  |J,,'„„„.    ,..  ,,„„U;   „(,.  „l„„niior  fon.imii. 

IR'lvic  arch  of  each  side  cimsititH  of  three  hones,  ilium,    TItc  arrow  IIIuh  liitu  tliu  aculnbiiluiii. 


148 


(IKNEHAL   OliSimOLOU Y. 


'i 


•i 


inchium,  iiiid  pithis,  whii-li  liavc  iii(lf|iciiilt'iit  usfiitic  cfiitrcw,  but  brcoinc  firmly  cuiiMiliiliitid 
top'tlirr  til  fiinii  tlic  liiiuiicli-lMPiic  or  n.i  in)ii)miti(itiim.  Kacli  nf  tlii-sc  Imuh's  iiiiiti's  willi  ili)> 
(ithiT  two,  whih'wIhtc  iK'iir  tlic  iniildli'  of  tin-  wliolc  atl'air,  at  a  rliii;-liki'  Nlnirturc  callnl  ili,> 
iicrtdliHliim  (l^it.,  a  viiit'nar-friicl,  lii;.  ■><>,  a;  fit'.  <)0,  armw  ni),  wliirli  all  three  eDnscijUiiilly 
coiitrilMile  to  the  loniiali.ill  of,  ami  which  i.s  the  niK'ket  for  the  iiead  ol  the  thit;h-lMi|ie  (/ninir. 
\i.  11!)).  When  free  rilt.s  isitiie  from  iiiuier  cover  of  the  jH-lviti,  they  are  emiimoiily  aiicliyl..M  i| 
with  the  ilia  ;  ami  all  the  ahortive  |ileura|io|)hyse.s  of  the  liimliar  ami  iiro-^aeral  vei'lelira'  have 
likewise  iliae  aiiehylo.sis,  as  exjilaimd  in  treating  "f  tli<'  faeriiiii  ([i.  140).     Ax  a  whole,  the  |ie|vi:i 

vitrieM  like  the  Hteriiiim  in  relative  lenuth,  hreadth,  iiml  de);r f  e<invexity  ;  and  e.s]H'eially  in 

til ntiuuratioii  of  ilH  |iosterior  border;   but  few  /.ii<>loi;ieal  eharacters  are  derived  from  ilii:i 

.siraelnii'. 

N'ii'Wed  from   below,  the  ]iidvi»  i«  Keen  to  In-  much  hidlowed  or  excuvilted  for  the  lodumcut 

of  the  kiihiey.s,  ami  eronM-eiit  iiit >m]iartments  by  the  .saeral  raftern  ;    the  series  of  sai  i.ij 

bodies  formini;  a  ridue-pole  aloni;  the  middle  line,  .\bove,  the  series  <d"  sacial  s|iiiioiis  jirn- 
eeHses  represelil  tile  ridp>-|iole ;  anti'riorly,  tlii'  somewhat  .-|ioon-sha)ied  iliat-  bones  are 
a|i|died,  eoiieavily  ontward,  to  thi'  dorso-liunbars  ;  |Hi.s|eriorly.  in  the  middle  line,  is  a  more  or 
les>  llallened  hori/oiital  expansion,  and  laterally  are  the  more  expanded  siiles  of  the  isehiae  roof, 
tiiii>heil  alonn  the  eaves  anil  bihiiid  by  the  slender  puliie  bone,  whiidi  eomiiionly  projiets 
haekward,  and  inelines  toward  its  fellow  of  the  opposite  side.       'I'lie  most  ]ironiinenl  formation 

of  the  side   wall   of  the  pelvis  is  the  thiek-lip|M>d  HiiUMith  artienlar  rin^.  x\n'  (irfliihiiliiiii n- 

veiled  in  the  natural  state  into  a  eiip  by  a  iiiembniiie. 


■\'\u 


lostero-sllperior 


eminent   ol   the  rim 


I" 


neiit,    to  form    the    iinlHrtU'hintli'r    ((ir.    atni,    unli, 
apiinst  ;  Timxiii^>)p.  InwhnuU-r  of  the  feiiinr)  auaiiist 


whieh    tl 
head 


>l Ill 


if  the    femur    ahllt.s    when    tlii 


IS  III  the  rin^. 

It  is  normal  to  reeeni  Carinale  birds  to  huve 
the  isi-hium  fused  with  the  ilium,  however  dislilirl  (lie 
pubis  may  remain;  but  to  Cretaceoiis  birds  (even  the  eariiiate  Irlillii/oniis),  and  the  exisiint; 
liiitilfr.  to  have  both  i.Hchium  and  pubis  distinct  in  most  of  tlieir  extent. 

Th«'  llliiiii  (I,at.  i7iH)H,  hannch-bone  :  pi.  ilin  :  adj.  ilinr  :  tiiis.  .j().  /.  liO,  (il.  //)  is  the 
median,  most  anterior  and  loui;est  of  the  hauiich-boiies,  and  the  only  one  which  extends  in  ad- 
vaiiee  of  the  aeetabiilnin.  Such  anterior  pioloniration  of  this  bone  is  the  specialty  of  the  avian 
[M'lvis:  il  commonly  overlies  one  or  more  ribs,  and  is  often  overreached  by  the  end  of  the  scapula. 
Il  is  loneest  and  narrowest  and  llattest  in  some  of  the  lower  swimmers;  the  reverse  aiiioiiu  (he 
liiuliest  birds.  ItH  relations  and  connections  have  been  sutticiently  indicated.  Tlu<  bone  is 
almost  alivays  separated  fiom  its  fellow  by  the  sacrum,  thoiii;h  the  iip|ir<>xiination  may  be 
very  clo.se  over  the  back  of  tlie  pelvis,  alonn  the  middle  line. 

The  iHchtiini  ((Jr.  iir^i'<ii<,  iM/iioti.  the  b.-iuncb-bmie  :  pi.  inthiii  :  adj.  isihiiiilii  iiihinliv. 
better  isdiiar;  lii;s.  .'ifi,  HO,  (11,  Is)  lies  entirely  po.st -acetabular,  or  bebiml  the  siM-ket  whicli  ii 
contributes  to  form,  and  composes  most  of  the  side-wall  of  the  |M'lviM  tlienc««  to  the  end.  It  is 
generally  a  thin,  plate-like  bone.  Amoni;  (-"retaceons  birds  and  existini;  lintiln  it  only  unites 
with  the  iliiini  at  and  just  behind  the  acetiibiilum,  w  hence  a  deep  i7(«-|.s(7(i>(C  fissure  between 
the  two  exists,  as  in  the  iidiiiiij  ifrouse,  fijf.  (il  ;  but  in  ordinary  adult  birds  ibis  fissure  is  coii- 
vcrtetl  into  a  fencHtra  or  window  of  hirue  size,  jiisl  behind  the  acetabulum,  by  union  of  the  two 
Ihiiics  iMdiind  il.  Thin  vacuity,  whether  a  iioteh  or  a  hole,  correspouds  to  the  ••  sacro-sciatic 
notch"  of  human  anatomy  (flu.  50,  in).  The  i.schia  of  opposite  sidcH  are  distinct,  except  in 
Hhe'i. 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIHDS.  — OSTEOLOGY. 


149 


TIio  Pubis  (I^iit.  piihis,  lioiic  nf  tlic  fmiit  nf  tlic  hiiiiiaii  pt'lvis  wlicrc  tlio  hair  >;r<i\vn  at 
piihi  ill)  :  |il.  jiiihcs  :  adj.  imliic  ;  fiirs.  'it't,  (iO,  (U  P),  lirKiiiiiiii;;  at  its  sliarc  <if  tiic  act'talmiar  riiiL', 
is  a  i"iii;  slciiiliT  Imiiic  wliicii  runs  almi;;  tin-  lnwcr  Ixirdcr  nf  tlif  isrliiiiin,  sotiH'tiiiirf  fur  a  j-tmil 
(listiiiirr  Hilly.  <>fti-ii  fur  till-  wlinlt'  li'iii;tli  nf  till'  iscliiiiiii,  anil  iixiially  |iriiji'rtiiiu  Ix-liiiiil ;  iiinri' 
(ir  l"->  |irrfrrily  {laralli'l  with,  aiijilinl  In,  nr  iiiiitril  with,  tin-  iiifi'rinr  isrliiar  Imnlrr.  Winn 
si|i;ir;iir,  a  lniii{  ilccp  finiiuri'  rfsiiltx :  wlu'n  uniti'il  at  the  I'ml,  a  Inni;  narmw  furainrn  is 
fi.rijxil  :  vvlii'ii  ini'niii|i|i't)'ly  iinitril  in  any  ]iart  nf  its  iscliiac  rniitiniiity,  a  tissiirr  ami  a  fnraniiii, 
ill  ilir  .istrii'li  two  fnniniina.  rrsiilt.  All  tlicsc  nmilitinns  nrriir:  in  any  i-ast*,  siirli  ischin-|iiihi<- 
iiiii  r\Ml  rnni's|)iintls  tn  tlir  ohliii'iiltir  foramen  (fijr.  ad,  o;  fij{.  (i((,  ah)  nf  hinnaii  iinutnmy  ;  it  is 
(jrraicsi  ill  Cri'tarrniis  liirds  and  cxistini;  Itnliln:     TIii'  frrr  ends  nf  the  |iii1h's  may  he  ninrc  nr 

less  i'\|iMiiilrd.      Ill  tht'  nstrii'h  niily  tlirri-  is  a  |>iiliii'  symphysis  nf  tl nds  nf  the  hnni's:   in  the 

saiiif  liinl  a  si'|iarat<'  nssicli',  situated  ii|inn  the  Inwer  hnrder  <if  the  ])iiIh>8,  nnd  ealled  cjiiimUic, 
is  I'Miisidi'ied  to  represent  a  '' marsupial "  hniie  ((iarrnd).      In  varinns  hirds,  aiiinnt;  them  niir 

jlimiiid  ciicUnn,   (ifiicocci/.r  ((ilifuniiiiniis,  the  piiliis  prnjeets  a  little  fnrward,   iiiidei   the  a 

taliiiluiii :  this  prniiiinence   is   the  iirojiiihis.     Separatinn  nf  the  jmhes   is  siippnsed  tn  he   fnr 
aiiipliliealinii  nf  the  pelvie  strait  tn  faeilitate  the  passaue  nf  the  larire  chalky  e>.'i;s  hirds  lay. 


S     TIIK    SAI'I,/. 

The  Skull  of  a   |{ir<l    is    a    pneiii  in  Imne — its  an-liileeliire  is  the  "  frozen  music"  nf 

liiiMplinlnyy  ;   in   its  mutely  elmpieiil   lines  may  Im'  tra 1  the  rhythmic  rhymes  nf  the  myriad 

aiMii'hifnrin  animals  which  ennstriicted  the  nid>le  edifice  when  they  sann  in^ether.'  The  jMiesy 
(yroi'rfirii'.  jiiiifsis,  a  inaUinu^  "f  the  siihject  has  heen  translateil  with  cniispicimus  zeal  and  success 
hy  .Mr.  \V.  K.  Parker;  it.-  /niilneical  iimral  has  heen  similarly  p<iinted  hy  l'rnfes.snr  llnxley  ; 
and  the  yniinj;  nniitlinlnt;ist  whn  wniilil  imt  he  hnpelesslv  iliifashinnahle  must  W  able  to  wlii.stle 
sniiic  liars  nftlie  cranial  smitj  —  the  pteiyun-palatiiir  liar  at  least. 

'The  rapid  prni;ress  nf  (is>iticatinn  mhui  nhliterates  iimst  nf  the  nri^iiial  landmarks  nf  the 
skull.  Iiisin^  the  ilistinct  territnrie.s  nf  Imne  in  niie  ^reat  iiidislin^nishalde  area.  'I'liiis  the 
hrain-lin.x  nf  aliimst  any  mature  hird  is  apparently  a  sini;le  .sidid  hone,  and  most  ]iai1s  of  the 
jaw-scatrnldini;  similarly  run  lni;ether.  .\side  fn>ni  the  Imnes  nf  the  tnnKUe,  which  are  cnllec- 
tivcly  separate  frniii  tlinse  nf  the  skull  pmper  ;  .iml  nf  the  cnTiipniind  Invver  jaw.  which  is  freidy 
articulated  with  the  rest  nf  the  skull;  nnly  twn  i.r  three  other  hones  of  the  skull,  as  a  rule,  are 
]iernianeiitly  and  perfectly  free  at  both  eiulH.  These  are  the  ipiadrate  hones — the  anvil-sha|H'<l 
pieces  hy  which  the  Inwer  jaw  is  slum;  tnthe  skull ;  the  |iteryi;nids,  articulating  the  palate  «ith 
the  ipiadrate  ;  and  sometimes  the  vomer.  Traces  nnly  of  the  hones  of  the  face  and  jaws  are 
usually  found  ;  hut  even  such  vestitfcs  disappear,  as  a  rule,  from  anions  the  hones  of  the 
lirain-hox.  It  is  iieci^s.sary  to  any  intelliuent  uiiderstaii<liiii.'  of  the  cniistmctinii  nf  a  hird's  skull, 
tn  learn  somewhat  nf  its  mode  of  devclo|inient  in  the  cmhryonii-  staue  ;  iliis  heiiij;  the  only  clue 
to  the  individual  hones  of  which  it  is  comiHi.sed,  and  .so  to  any  correct  idea  of  its  iiiorpholot;y. 
One  theory  is,  that  tlii'  skull  consi.sts  of  four  m<Hlitied  vertehne  :  and  the  principal  hones  have 
liien  iianied  and  desi'rihed  hy  some  in  terms  iiulicatini;  tin  i  lements  of  a  liieoretical  vertehra. 
It  W  true  that  the  skull  is  seumented.  or  inay  he  se(;riienteil  oH',  like  a  chain  of  several 
vertehru';  that  it  continues  the  vertidiral  axis  forward:  that  it  has  a  hasis  minit  like  a  series  of 
verttdiral  centrilins,  alnive  which  rises  a  sei;nicuted  neural  arch  enclnsinu  the  yreat  nen-niis 
mass,  and  helnw  which  dejieiids  a  set  of  hniies  euclnsini;  visceral  nails  like  a  luenial  arch. 
The  hiiiilmnst  cranial  segment,  the  iH'cipital  hniie.  re.senihU's  a  verttdira  in  many  physical 
characters,  ami  even   in   mode  of  developnient.     Hut  if  the  seriid  hninohicy  of  tho  tikull  with 

'  niiii<-'ll<Diiit' clili-lly  riiiixlHtii  iif  tli>.  iiKgri'u.itc^l  Kkclctom  of  (htnimirhir  a  l«lti>l  "f  inil-fdlular  protoiiuiii 
niilinnli)  wliUli  liilintiil  hi  iiiyrimU  (lie  limlleK  ol'  lu-nrly  ikll  the  \  trithrtiin,  |hiiim>mIii|[  iIiu  fiwiilty  of  fpciliiig  ii|hiii 
|ili<w|iliiile  of  lliiii'  aii'l  oilit-r  uarllix  iiuitlurii  llit-y  thiil  in  the  IiIinhI.  hihI  itlivrwiinl  I'XiTi'liiig  lliviii  tn  tbo  furiii  »f 
miiltlriuilitte  exiwkolL'tiiiis  nf  lliclr  »wii,  cnllvcllvely  f»riiiiiig  tliv  m\w\v  tkcletuii  nf  their  lu«t. 


ir.o 


GKNKliAL   OHMTJIOLOG Y. 


the  back-lKini-  Iw  real  uml  tnir,  it  i«  hh  nlisciirctl  l»y  tlm  ••xtraonliniiy  iiKKliflcuiwuiH  t<>  wliioli 
tlif  viTtclirul  iltiiii'iitH  liiivf  linn  milijr.'tcd  tliiit  llif  fact  »(  Mich  lioimilofry  ciuiiiut  lie  ilcm,,!,. 
Htratcil;  uml  ti>  ililtridct  llic  ^kull  :i.s  snuulliiiij,'  miiMi-iiiilioNrd  il|iiiil,  and  liiiii|ili.il(i>;i<;dly 
(UflVrciit  fiiiiii  tlic  Hiiinal  cnliiiiiii,  is  |)(iiccll>'  wanaiitrd  if  imt  iciiuirid  l»y  the  known  fii(i>  ..f 
itH  ccinstiiiclivf  dcv(l<i|>incnt.  'I'liis  ic  tlic  view  taken  l>y  tlic  nilcin  of  l.Mlay'n  wicncc.  A> 
already  .-aid  (\>.  \'M)  ilic  iclalicin  lictwccn  cranial  and  vertebral  partu  Ih  ratlier  the  luiiilo^ry  i,f 
lulaptive  niiMlilir;'liiiM  than  a  true  hiiniiil.pi.'y  uf  structure. 

Itefnre    iiriiceediuu  tn  descrilie  thi'  mature  skull,  it   will  he  \n-nt  U nsider  its  uicuje  nl' 

develi.|iiuent.  In  this  I  shall  citi.sely  fidlnw  Parker,  often  nsinj;  the  words  of  that  master,  ami 
illiLstratini;  tlie  early  slaves  of  the  eiuhryo  with  liynres  horrowed  from  the  sanu-  sale  .mhmcc. 

In  the  fewot  words  |io.-<sihle,  I  wish  to  Convey  an  idea  of  tl niltryouic  skull  u|i  to  I'arki  r's 

"  third  slaue,"  at  which  it  he^iins  to  o.ssify.  Here,  however,  I  will  first  insert  a  li^Mie,  kindlv 
drawn  for  me  hy  Dr.  K.  W.  ShulVldt,  of  the  1'.  S.  Army,  which  shows  most  <if  the  ciani.d 
hones,  and  will  >;ive  the  student  a  jtrelimiuary  notion  of  the  "  lay  of  the  land."     I  advi,-e  liim 

t ntein]date  this  jiictiire  till  he  has  learned  the  names  printed  on  it  hy  heart,  and  can  apply 

them  to  the  ideiitilicatioii  of  the  ])arts  of  the  real  Hkull  he  should  have  in  hand  at  the  same  lime. 
.le  may  also  meditate  on  lig.  Oii. 

XfcUrHaU,  cimtftinj 


S  uranaufar 


I'lo.  tlj       Skull  i>friiimniiii  fowl,  iiiliir({i'il ;  frnin  iiiiliirc  l)y  l>r   It.  W  SliiiriicH,  1'   S.  A.    Tlir  iiiiiius  nf  linmii 

mill  M'M Iliir  |i:irlH  ur<'  |>rliil<'il,  0'.|iilriii);  mi  ■'X|iluii»llnii ;  jmt  ulim'ive  Ilic  rolluwiiii;  ihiIiiIk:  'I'Iii'  illslliirllini  of 

iioii.  iif  ||ii.  liniii'Hi'niii|H<h|ii|,'  ilic  liriilii-c'iiHi' (till'  ii|i|H'r  I'ui'k  <'\|iiiiii|c<l  |iiirl )  >  .'III  I"'  riiiiinl  III  II  liiiiliirn  skull.  'I'li>' 
I  Hill  II  Ih  niiitaliii'il  Itclwrt'ii  111!'  (l(•(■(/^(^//.  ..*/»//.  ttniihifi,  Mi/iiiininnitls,  fitii-itt'th  iitul  |tfirt  nf  fti'iitttt :  tlic  » tftniitiiliitM 
Im'Iiiii^  lo  til"  r>;4iii»  i;r(iii|M>r  ('raiil:il  Imiim'h  |irii|H'r.  .Ml  ntlit^r  liniii's,  rxri'iilliiK  llic  three  o/if  car-lHiiirH,  art*  ItniirH 
iif  till)  t'ai'i'  anil  Jhuk.  TIm'  I'iuit  Jaw,  nf  llvn  Ii'iiich,  in  i|i'a»ii  ili'tiirlii'il ;  II  artlciiliilim  l>y  tliti  lilack  otirrmi'  iiiaiki  il 
tirtirulur  with  I  lie  iirniiilneiiie  jnril  al"<ve  (lie  t/ttiiihah  liiiif.  i  ilmervo  tliat  rrniii  lliin  i|iiii(h'iite  a  mtIi'h  of  lioiirH 
—  t/iiftitrtitt>-iiitftit,  /tiif'tl,  in>i  iillttffi  -  niaki'M  n  Kleiiiler  timI  ruiiliiiiu  to  tlic  /ni  imirithirii ;  iIiIh  Ih  llui  .i/i/'unti,  i>i 
Jufiiil  tnir.  iiloaTve  friiir.  tlie  i|tiailnite  alni,  aiiotlicr  i*ei|eH.  ei>ni)Hineil  nf  iitirfiiji'iit  uiiil  finhithu  lioiieH.  to  the  itri- 
liiaxlllary;  tlili.  In  the  />^  i  i(7"-/»i/"'iiii  l"ir  .  Il  xllilen  ahmi;  a  iiieillan  ILxeil  ii\ls  •>{  llie  Hkull.  the  ri>.ifno/i,  nlilili 
Uai"  till'  liii)H<>  iiiiiK r  at  il»  eml.  r|ii.  mnli  i  ii.aiiillMe,  <|iiailrale.  |ilorvu"lil, ami  vniiicr  i»rc  llic  niily  imiTalile  l»iiii » 
iiflhlH  NknII.  lint  wlun  the  <|iiai|rali'  inekH  haek  ami  I'orlh,  a»  It  iI<h's  hy  Its  u|i|H'r  Jnltil,  ItH  lower  end  |iiiIIk  ami 
iniHhen  ii|ion  thv  ii|i|>i!r  inamllhle,  hy  iiieaiix  of  the  Jimal  ami  |iti'ryt!o-pahilliie  hars,  m'IIIiik  the  wlinle  MiiMoliliim  nl' 
the  ii|i|ier  Jaw  In  inntlnn  This  innlloii  hliiKen  ii|niii  the  ehmtielty  of  the  hdiieHnf  the  rorelieail,  lit  the  Ihiii  plaee  JnkI 
where  the  rvtuii'iiev-lliies  from  the  wnnlK  "  lueryinal  "  ami  "  ineM'lhinnhl  "  eromi  eai'h  other.     The  ilark  oval  Hi'aee 

iH'hIiiil  the  i|iiB.lrate  h  tl xleriial  orllico  of  the  I'ic.  the  parlB  In  II  to  whhli  the  three  ri'fcreme-llties  K  •  .iri! 

(ll.'iKriitniiiath',  not  aeliial  re|ireHentnt|oiiB  :  IIhih.  the  ijiiaihale  artlenlalcH  with  ii  larm«  /inwi/ie  bm  well  an  with 
thu  miiiiimiisiil.    The  i-reiit  e\ia\atloii  at  the  inlilille  of  the  tlK'nre,  coiitalnliit;  tin-  I'Irelel  of  iiiishaileil  hone«.  Ix  the 

leflorWM/oP'i/i/,  "'■'"'."rwKkel  oftl yc     'rhemi  .1.  (Ami.ii/  iiielmleninoKt  ofthi' laekiiroiinil  of  thlmavlty.  nhaileil 

(liiiKonMlly.  Thu  n|i|M'r  oneof  the  twniiriM'cnM'H  of  hone  exiemllni;  Into  It  from  lichlnil  In  thu  iHinl-fnniliil  or  .«/''"■ 
iM/ie /ii'fK'e.M  .  the  iiiiiler  oneljiinl  over  thei|imilrale  In  the  .«7iiiimo.iii//ii'r><'i'fiii.  A  Imiiic  mil  nhown,  the /ii'i.i/</i<  H"o'. 
lloH  Ju«t  III  (t'uiit  uf  Ibo  oval  hluuk  Kpnou  ovur  thu  oikI  of  fxi«i«y;A<'>iui</.    TIiIh  black  oval  la  tho  upliv  Joniiiit  >t, 


77//;  ANATOMY  OF  UinUS.  —  OlSiKOLoaY. 


161 


Ihrouiili  wlili'li  tlin  liorvo  of  *\v,\\i,  ihimcn  from  llio  lirnlii-rnvity  In  (lie  eye.  Tliu  liluck  ilnl  n  llllli>  U'liiml  Die  (ipllir 
fiiriiiiii'ii  In  till' iirllliMMif  oxli  iil'ii  |iiirl  nf  ilin  liij\uutl  iiorv«.  Tin-  liliwk  murk  hihIit  llii-  li-llcm  "mu  "  nniio  wnnl 
"frmilal "  I"  tl»i  iil/'irtnri/  Jniomi  ii,  wliiTii  llii'  iiiTvv  nf  hiiicII  I'liierKi'H  rrmii  tli<'  liriiiii-lH>x  I.  ki>  In  i|ii>  iiumv  The 
nuMil  <  iivKy  I"  llii'  liliiiik  >|iiici'  livliliul  iiainl  iiiiil  invirtil  liy  tluil  Imiiu,  uml  In  tlir  nviil  liliiiik  li<<rnri<  II.  Tin-  luirtii 
of  llic  l"'iik  riniTi'il  by  linrii  iiri'  only  jiri iiiiiiillnrii,  luitnl,  uml  iluilnrn  Ttii'  •■•<mljili  urtliiiliiivH  wllli  llii'  llmt 
riTvii'itl  Mirli'lint:  Jiinl  ulnivit  It,  nnl  Klinwii.lntlii-/"'"""  "  ni'ii/""'",  orgrciit  Imln  llirmiuli  kIiIiIi  llii>ii|iliiulmfi|iil|ii, 
or  iiiiilii  iKTvniiit  rdril,  piiMivii  rriim  lliu  Hkiill  Into  llie  i<|>liml  ^nlumt^  Tim  /KiKunii/iiM/  In  lilililun,  itxiciiling  IIh 
riiluMr;  M>  Ik  iiiiK'Ii  »t  tUr  Ihi.^i»iiIii  imiil.  Tim  |iriil(MiKi>ll<'ll  liirHJiril  nf  llii'  liiii<lii|>lii'milcl,  injirkinl  ■■  riirlriim,"  uml 
U'lirintt  <!>■'  <i>m>ir  ul  IIh  i'IiiI,  Ih  tlic /»inifiyi/i>  limit,  UN  lur  nn  lln  llilcki  iicil  iimliT  Imtili'r  Ik  t'liiici'riKMl.  Ilctuiiii  tin 
fiiri'  iviil  i>r  thu  iitcryKolil  nml  tim  lutnlHlilinncilclul  rnnlruni,  U  llli'  kIIu  of  llm  lumijil,  rmiiiiil  inini  hm,  liy  wlilili  tliu 

Ihiiii'h  cKmcrniKl  nrlii'iiliili)  l>y  HiniHilli  rucflH;  tiirllirr  forwanl,  llm  iiululincn  riili'  fri'dy  n|Kiii  tliu  |iuruii|il Iilul 

rcwiriiiii.  Ill  uiiy  I'unKirlnK  hlrd,  tliu  nmur  w>iiil<l  Ih'  lliirk  In  frniii,  iiiiil  forkvil  licliliiil,  rlilliiu  llku  llir  |iulullni^ 
ii|Hiii  ihi'  nmiriini.  Tliu  |iululliiu  HotuiiH  In  rnn  Into  tliu  muxlllury  In  IliU  vli'W :  Iml  It  cuntiiiiiuH  nn  In  iirumuxlilnry. 
Tin'  m.ii/""-/"i'"'i'i'  Ih  an  lin|inrlunl  Iniiiu  wlilili  cuiimil  lie  mtii  In  llir  IlKiiru  Iiuiuiim'  It  uxti'iulii  linrl/niilully  liilo 
tliii  |ia|wr  frniii  tliu  niiixlllury  uIhiiiI  wIutu  llm  rul'urrtuu  llim  "  mu.\illiiry  "  K<>rHlnlliut  Imni'.  Tim  k''''"'™'  Hi"' 
fniiii  lli«  lonilyli'  In  llm  uml  nf  lliu  vninur  Ih  tliu  iniiiinl  niin,  /»i«i«  vntiiii,  nr  biinu  uf  lliu  cniiiluin.  TIiIh  Hkiill  la 
wIiIikI  uituiu  tliv  |Ki»t-t'rnDtul ;  next  lumil  wi  uurnHH  tliu  liulgu  uf  tliu  Jiigiil  bur. 


I'm.  (1.1.  —  Skull  "fa  ilmk  (I'lniiiiiiln  hlniiilirn  ,  mil   hIzu;  Ur.  It.  \V.  Slnifi-Mt.  I'  S.  A.    «.  |irdiin\illary  Imni'; 
h.  iHUliy  "KKilli'il  liili'ri>:">al  Huptiiiii ;  /•',  |Mr\  l"ii»  |iail  nf  miclill  ;  c ,  mil  nf  pruiiiaxlll.iry,  ix'rfnrnti  <1  fni  tiiiimiiiiiH 

liraiii  iiiH'if  MTMiiil  i1IvIhI"Ii  "film  lll'tli  uraiilal  iiiivu;  i/,  il.iilaiy  Iml f  iimlur  niuiiilli>l<';  > ,  griKivu  f"i-  mrvun,  rlr  ; 

/,  iiMiriiily  liulni'i'iMleiiliiryaiiil  nllirr  |ili'ri'Hnf  llir  inamlllili':  ii,  aill<  iilai  Hiirfaru;  h,  miirvuil  "  aiigli' nf  llicjaw  :  " 
i,  iK'i'l|iliul  jirnliiliuiann':  i,  vai'iiily  In  i>ii|ira<Hrl|ili  il  Imiiu:  I,,  iiiii'-<  iilar  liii|>ri'Hii|nii  nn  lunk  nf  nkiill :  /  Ih  hmt  llm 
Mai'k  I'ar  I'uvlly;  iii,  |inHl-frniital  priHTHH:  ii,  <|iiailrali'  Imiii';  n,  piirvi'Miil;  /i,  |ialallni':  >/,  <|iiiiilraln-Jiii;al ;  >', 
Jiii:al ,  H,  maxillary  ;  ',  lrnnln-|iailutal  ilniiiu  "f  llm  liralii-ia\  llv  :  ii.  iIk-  la<  ryiiial  l>"nr,  liiiniunHU  In  uilmk.  iii-arly 
r<ini|ili'lliiK  rliii  nf  llm  nrliit  liy  a|i|irniii'liiii|{  m:  r,  vniiiur;  ir,  Hii|iia-nrMlal  ilriiruHxInn  for  thu  ininal  |{lunil 
(MT  |>.  I.");  .1',  urniiln-ruclal  liiiiKu;  //,  n|itli'  fiiraiimti;  :.,  utc,  ititumrliilal  vuriillluH 


I)t>voliipill«>lll  of  tlli<  KowTh  Mkllll  (tiii.M.  (U  to  (i'.l). —  111  llic  rliii'li'.-*  linid  rilflililtrt'  id 
I'liniiril  iiliili^  tlir  lliiiii'  (if  lilt'  sluill  liy  (111'  liflli  il'iy  nf  iMriiliatliiii.  'i'liis  rMrtihi^iiinii.s  liii^ilar 
platr  is  tiiniifil  mi  ciicli  niilc  nf  ilic  uitloihonl,  Wn  (1 1,  /•  ((!i-.  vutTnv,  union,  liiirlt  ;  x"l'^''h  ''""'''''.  ii 
I'lmril),  It  I'liil-lilii'  striicturr,  tlir  |iriiii.ii'ilial  ns\:*  nf  tin-  limly,  iinniiiil  wIik-Ii,  aloiiK  tlm  .Hpiiial 
riiliiiiili,  til)'  linilii'ti  nf  the  vci'ti'lirir  arc  fnniiril,  ami  whirli  riilLs  ill  llir  iiiiililli'  liiir  nf  tlir  tlnnr 
iif  tlir  sUiiil  as  far  at*  ttic  }nliiiUirii  siimr,  jii^.  Tlic  li:i>ilar  plate  is  tlir  fniiiiihnnliil  {(!r.  mi/iii. 
}mm,  liy  the  siili-  nf)  cartilajit'.  In  this,  at  tlic  carlii'st  .stap',  arc  alrcaily  platitcil  certain  parts 
nf  tlic  car,  llic  rovhkd,  vl,  {Im\.  nichlfii,  a  siiail-slicll),  ami  tlic  Imri/niital  niic  of  llic  tlircc  sriiii- 
riiriiliir  viiiiiih,  lisr.  ( tppnsilc  tlic  cml  nf  the  iinloclinril,  tlic  limdcr  nf  tlic  paraclmidal  plalc 
is  iintclicil,  ."i ;  this  iinti'h  afterward  forms  the  yifivimc/i  (inilf,  fur  the  passat;c  of  parts  nf  the 
Jiflh  nr  Irifiiiiiil  nerve.  Near  the  middle  line,  posteriorly,  the  plate  is  perforated  for  the 
passaj;c  of  the  twelfth  or  hf/iiofiliinsiil  nerve,  (/.  At  each  lateral  corner  is  the  separate  iiiiiiihnti' 
cartilage,  tn  fotni  the  ipiadratc  hone.  Anlcri<irly.  the  plate  connects  l>y  a  ^trap  or  hridiic 
of  cartilage,  the  liufiiilii,  Uj  (I,nt.  litufulit,  a  little  tongue)  with  the  Indwculii;  tf  (\m\.  tmlir- 
fiilii,  u  little  heaiii),  which  enclose  the  piluilarii  spncr,  fits  (\m\.  fiitiiilii,  mucus:  no  applica- 
liility  here).      In  front  of  this  pituitary  iiiterviil  the  truheciilii'  coine  together  to  fnriii  tin  inler- 


ir>2 


liKSKltA  L   OHM  inolJHi  Y. 


ntimil  philr,  wliirh  is  mi  iirrlicd  iivcr  (|i»wiivviiril  ad  tn  (liHa|)|M'iir  from  iIiIh  view,  un  mim  ii, 
W\l.  f'l."),  wlicrr  Jii  \*  lln'  IVcihtii-ii.iMil  |ir'icfi<f<,  ami  >i  Im  ilic  fiiliirc  ixliiiial  m.Mtril.  .\n,,r 
iinitiiiK  ill  IIh'  iiil<r-iiii.''al  plali',  liic  f'Ti'  <iiiIh  nf  the  iralMciila'  Kcparati'  aii>l  Ihci.iiic  fi,.,. ;  x\w\t 
fric  <iii|jt  arc  lln'  iiiiil<r  i  xtniiiilicN  of  tliis  jirst  rmnttl  anh  (lirsl  ami  mily  |ir(-.,ral  anli). 

'I'lir  -lainc  chick'''  Ih  inl,  ii>i\v  vicwiil  (V Iiclnw,  11^,  ti,'!,  hIiiiwh  iIic  i«<|iiariKli  a|icrliirc,  m, 

of  llic  future  iii'Milli  ;  llic  three  |.o>l-.iial  aiciics,  witli  their  ieM|Mclive  caitiiauiiKiiis  haix,  mit 
of  which  an-  t"  he  rorined  tlie  Ihhics  <•!'  the  jaWM  ami  Ioiikiu'.  I,  i,  .'*,  are  the  correM|i.iii(liii(f 
risirriil  ihfl.s,  lietwccii  the  urclici* ;  llie  rn>t  of  tiie»e  is  to  lie  iiiiMlcncil  into  the  ciir- 
passane!-  ("iilcr  and  middle  ear  ami  eiistacdiiaii  liiliiO  ;  the  others  will  disa|i|icar.  The  iiiitnhiilc 
car(ila>,'e,  7,  is  the  same  that  was  .seen  in  liu'.  ''h  it  is  already  nearly  in  |inKiiiiin,  lietwccn  the 
hind  cimIm  of  the  scail'oldini.'  of  the  ii|i|Mr  ami  under  jaw.  The  ciirveil  Hulioriiliir  or  wiuillo. 
Iiiiliiliiir  liar,  Hi.iy),  divcln|ii  i|  in  the  (iisl  iidsl-oral  arch,  already  indicates  anteriorly /kiAi/ikc, 
{III,  and  |Hisicricirly,  iilniiiiniil,  inj,  parts  ;  it  will  form  the  lioiies  so  named,  ami  others  of  tin- 


s 
I 


Pin.  Al.      Skull  of  I'lilck,  nnii  clfty  nf  liiciilallon, 

"■  OlIlulmillTll.      SiTll  friilll  lllnni',  thr  lllcllllltllliolln  rcmf 

iiftlic  sktill  mill  Mir  lii'iilii  ri'iiKiviMl  nl,  iiiiliTlor  icrc- 
liriil  M'llrli- .  r.iyi';  <',  iioliM'lMinl,  niiiiiliiK  lliniiiifli  llm 
liijililli'  <<r  llii'  Imnlliir  pliili'  iir  |iiirnrli>>nlul  ciirtlliiKi'.  In 
wlilili  iirc  nlri'iiilv  vlnllilf  llu' rinlliiiinliiry  i'iir|>iirtii,</, 
111!'  I'lnlili'ii,  /i.<.,  till'  Imrlxoiiliil  w'liilrlri'iilarriiiiiil  :  /i'», 
llii-  iilliilliiry  npiKi',  IhiiuhIiiI  l>y  Ir,  llir  InilH'iiilir, 
wlilrli  iniiii' lii|;i'llii'r  iH'fiiri'  II  \i<  fnriii  Ilic  ri'inilMiiiiMil 
lildlc.  J'n,  III  11^.  ('>;•;  III,  titiftuftl  **T  lirlilK*'  n>li|i('f'tlll|{ 
IriiUciilic  Willi  iinrai'linrilal  ciirllliiiio  ;  fi,  iinlcli  allir 
wiiril  Ih'i'iiiiiIiii;  riiriiiiii'ii  iiviilr  fur  |iii>«»i{'' "f  I'lirlKiif 
tlin  linii  ili'irnrliili  iiiTvi' :  !i,  ruraiiii'ii  fur  liyiintilMiiDiil 
liitrvis  V,  M'liaralc  larllluuu  rnniiliiu  llw  riiiiir»  i|iiail- 
rutti  Imiiic.    (Aflir  I'arkcr,  In  /.'ik-.i/.  Ilrit.) 


pa. 


Kio  (I'l.  —  SaiiH'  nit  lilt  ftt,  lull  KTcii  friiin  liilnw. 
cil,  aiilirliir  ccrclirnl  M'hIiIc;  i,  uyc;  iii,  iiioiiili  .  /i/.«, 
(■lliiilary  Kpiiii' ;  ,/ii,  rniiilo-iiiisal  |ilalo:  Ir,  iiiiU  ul  lliu 
Iralii  Till;!',  Trie  aualii  alter  lliclr  iiiitoli  iilul  iKriil  xlrniiu'- 
ly  fniiii  Iliu  iirlnliial  axis  nf  Ilic  Iralirciilii' ;  11,  c»lii- 
iial  iiiMlril.  Ill  I'fi,  HiiliiK'iilar  liar  of  rarlilaKi'.  nr  (iiiiy- 
Kii-|iulallii('  nsl,  III  r<>iiii  /»(,  palalliii',  ami  /></,  |ili'iyii<>l<l 
IhiIic,  anil  nlliir  |iaili>  i>r  tlic  ii|i|k'I'  Jaw.  a^  Ilir  iiiavll- 
lary.Jiiu'ul  ami  i|imi|ialM-J"l.'''l;  >/,  "luailralc  rarlilaKi', 
Mini' IIH  wen  ill  IIk  li^i  '"''•  imikcllaii  larlllaKi'.  I'>l'<>riii 
Inwrrjaw;  lliiiM'|iiirl»  ani  In  llii' llrsi  iiiwl-mal  vlwrral 
ari'li;  i/i,  iiTalnliyal.  anil  '''1,  lniMlliyal.  nf  wnpinl  ikhiI- 
iirikl  nii'li;  i/<i,  roralc>-liraiiilil:il,  •''/■.  iiil-liraiulilal, 
/i/>r.  liai-l  liianililal.  of  llilnl  iKwI-nral  anli;  Ilic  paiiH 
of  lli«  winiiil  anil  lliliil  arrli  all  uiiliiK  Inl"  Hi"  liynl'l 
Imiik".  t,  2,  .1.  Ul,  Jil,  'M  vlwcral  rIofiB,  wliiToiif  Ilic  l»t 
In  III  lie  iiiikIIIIiiiI  IiiIo  Ilic  i'ar-|iaHiiai;cs,  aiiil  the  nllirrit 
arc  Id  Ih!  iililltunilcil.    (After  I'arkcr.) 


np|iei  jaw.     'I'liis  siiliociilar  liar  is  an  anter.<-superior  part  of  the  lirst  |Mist-oral  iindi,  of  which 

7  and  m/' are  a  |iostero-inferiiir  jinitinn:   tl left   o)   the  future  mouth  is  to  lie  lietwecn  tliciii. 

The  lower  jaw  hone,  or  lllilllilililf,  is  entirely  develo|ied  from  »l/',  its  several  hones  developini; 
aroiiml  this  rod  of  cartilage,  the  imrkrliiiii  cartilaue  ;  it  is  to  liecoine  inovaldy  articulated  with 
the  lione,  the  tiiiiiilnilr,   into  which  7  will  lie  transformed.     'I'liiis  the  postero-iiiferior  part   of 

the  lirst  jiost-oral  arch  fsi nd  nf  the  hIioIc  series  of  arches)  lietjiiis  in  two  pieces,  one  of  which 

is  to  liecoine   the  HKHiwiMuriiim,  or  Hiispender  of  the  maiidilde,  and  the  other  tho  iiiaiidiidi> 


77/ a;  awatomy  of  muDs.^nsrEoLofiY. 


\M 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


11.25 


M^W2A    |Z5 

£f  lia  12.0 


6" 


Photographic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


23  WiST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIUTm,N.Y.  14SM 

(716)I72-4S03 


'<«^>^ 
^4^ 


^ 


154 


GENERAL   OliNITHOLOGY. 


the  exoccipital  {teo).  This  trowel  of  cartilage  is  the  upper  anterior  segmcut  of  the  hyoidcan 
(second  post-oral)  arch,  being  to  that  arch  what  the  pterygo-palatiuc  bar  is  to  the  niandil)ular 
(first  post-oralj  ardi.     Several  parts  of  this  stapedial  cartilage  are  recognized,  as  named  in  the 

fine  print  under  the  figure.  If  the  connections  of  the 
second  post-oral  arch  were  completed,  as  those  of  tlio 
first  are,  the  tongue  bone  would  be  slung  to  the  skull 
as  the  lower  jaw  is ;  but  they  are  not,  the  tract  rep- 
resented by  the  dot-lino  from  the  sti/lo-hyal,  sth,  to 
the  cerato-hyal,  chy,  being,  like  ist,  above  sth,  only 
soft  connective  tissue.  This  defect  of  connection  is 
made  up  for  by  the  great  development  of  the  hydideau 
parts  of  the  third  post-oral  arch,  br  1  and  br  2,  wliich 
retain  the  tongue-bone  in  position,  without  however 
articulating  it  with  the  skull.  The  hand  of  the  trowel 
of  cartilage  soon  segments  itself  off  from  tiie  ear-ca)i- 
sule,  bringing  jvway  with  it  a  small  oval  piece  of  tlie 
periot;y  wall,  which  piece  is  the  true  stapes,  and  tlio 
oval  space  in  which  it  fits  is  tho  fenestra  ovalis  hiuVmii 


Fio.  fi7.  — Tho  post-oral  arches  of  tho 
Iiouse  inartiii,  at  middle  of  period  of  Incuba- 
tion, lateral  view,  x  14  diameters,   mk,  stump 


of  mcckellan  or  mandibular  rod.  its  articular     j^to  ^1,^  inmost  ear  (the  COChlea).     The  broad  part  (if 
part,  (ic,  already  sliapcn  I  o,  quadrate  bone,  or      .,      ^  i  i  i    j     •     ^i  ^         ^         i-   i        ^  i.  i 

sHspensorluni  of  lower  jaw,  with  a  free  anterior  the  trowel-blade  IS  the  extra-stapedial  part,  on  which 

orbital  process  and  loiiR  posterior  otic  process  t],(>  mewbrana  ttjmpani,  or  ear-druui,  will  be  stretclied, 

articulating  with  the  ear-c.;  .mle,  of  which /CO,  ..  i     i       i       ji          -n    •   •       ii            ..        i        v  i 

tympanic  wing  of  occipital,  Is  a  p.^rt ;  nwt,  The   stylo-hyal,   sfh,   Will  jom    the    extra-stapcdial 

est,  x.it,  ;.^^  .f/Aiiiarts  of  the  suspensorium  of  pijite,  and  the  afterward  chondrifled  band  of  union  will 

the  third  jmst-oral  arch,  not  completed  to  rliy; 
tnut,  mcdlo-stapedlal,  to  come  away  from  teo, 
bringing  a  piece  with  it,  the  true  stapes  or  co- 
liimell'i  niiris ;  the  oval  liase  of  the  stapes  fit- 
ting into  the  future  finesim  oralis,  or  oval 
window  looking  Into  tho  cochlea  \  sst,  supra-sta- 
pciUal ;  I. it. e.\tra-stnpedlal ;  ist,  infra-stapedlal, 
which  will  unite  with  sth,  the  stylo-hynl ; 
chii  anil  bhi;,  cerato-hyal  and  basl-hyal,  distal 
parts  of  the  same  arch  ;  hhr,  hr  1,  br  2,  basl- 
branchlal,  cpl-branchlal  and  cerato-branchlal 
pieces  of  the  third  arch,  composing  the  rest  of 
the  hyold  bone ;  tij,  tongue.    (After  Parker.) 


be  the  infra-stapedial,  ist.     (Figs.  71,  st,  and  83. 

Keturuing 
now  to  tho 
chick's  head, 
which  we  left 
to  examine 
tho  intricate 
ear  -  parts  at 
the  proximal 


Fio.  68.  —  Skull  of  chick,  second  stage;  In 
end  of  the    second  post-oral  arch,  we  see  by  fig.  08      profile,  brain   and    membranes   removed   to 

h.  11     41  4  1       •        ii  1  i   iL        show  cartilaginous  fornmtlons,  x  4  diameters. 

ow  rapidly  the  parts  are  shaping  themselves  at  the     ,„,,  ethmoid  forming  me.linn  nose-parts  an.i 

end  of  this  second  stage  of  development.     This  figure     iuter-orbltal  septum  j  developing  lateral  imrts, 

shows  the  cartilaginous  skull,  in  whieli  no  trace  of     as«/c,allethmold,«/«,ali«eptnn.,«/«.allnasal 


ossification  has  appeared,  excepting  in  the  under 
mandible.  The  brain  and  membranous  parts  of  the 
craniuu'i  have  been  removed.  The  roof  of  the  skull 
never  becomes  cartilaginous,  bone  there  growing  di- 
rectly from  the  membrane;  and  the  whole  of  the  clum- 
dro-cranium,  as  shown  in  the  figure,  is  one  ctmtinuous 
cartilaginous  structure  (like  the  whole  skull  of  an 
adult  sliark  or  skate),  excepting  tlie  parts  of  the  post- 
oral  arches,  whidi  are  separate.    The  auditory  cap- 


;>;),  partition  between  nose  and  eye;  ;)h,  iirc- 
naeal  cartilage;  ps,  prcsphenoldal  part  of  inld- 
cthmold;  2,  optic  foramen;  as,  allsplienoid, 
walling  brain-box  in  front ;  pf,  post-frontal, 
bounding  orbit  behind;  pn.pff,  palatine  and 
pterygoid;  »/,  quadrate;  so,  supra-occlpltal; 
eo,  ex-occipital;  oc,  occipital  condyle,  borne 
upon  bast-occipital,  and  showing  iic,  rcniaiiia 
of  notochord;  these  occlpitals  bound  the  fora- 
men magnum,  and  eo  expands  laterally  to  form 
a  tympanic  wing,  circumscribing  the  external 
auditory  orifice  behind  and  below,  hsc.pxc, 
horizontal  and  posterior  vertical  semicircular 
canals  of  ear,-  //■,  st,  fenestra  rotunda  and 


sule  is  environed  by  occipital  cartilage,  eo,  stretching     fenestra  ovalis,  leading  Into  inner  car,  lat- 

4l,„  1.     1      jr  4i        1     11         J   1  •        vi  .1         ttr  closed  by  foot  of  the  stapes;  mk,  ch,  lit, 

over  the  back  of  the  skull,  and  by  wmg-like  growths     ^j,.^  ^j,,.^  efcri  parts  of  jaw  and  tongue,  as  nam- 

(alisphc)wi(h,  as)  which  wall  most  of  the  brain-box     ed  in  figs.  G5,  cc  and  67.    (After  Parker.) 

in  front.     Tlie  high  orbifo-nasal  septum  is  a  continuous  vertical  plate  of  cartilage,  upgrowing 

from  tho  tract  of  tho  conjoiued  trabeculsB.    Lateral  developments  of  this  ethmoidal  wall,  iu 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  — OSTEOLOGY. 


155 


lean 

ular 

the 

tho 

tlio 

kiill 

ivp- 

to 

mly 


liich 
I'ver 


front,  are  divided  into  several  reeogniza1)lo  parts,  ale, 
ah.  nh),  the  latter  being  tlie  external  nostril ;  pj)  is  a 
transverse  partition  between  the  orbital  and  nasal  cham- 
bers. The  nasal  cartilages  ultimately  become  much 
eiinvdluted  to  form  the  nasal  labyrinth,  among  the  con- 
volutions of  which  will  be  the  superior  and  inferior  tur- 
binal  cartilages,  in  addition  to  those  already  ntited. 
The  ethmoidal  wall  ends  behind  at^Js,  tho  presplie- 
uoidal  region,  wliere  the  brain  case  begins ;  below  and 
behind,  it  is  deeply  notclied  for  the  optic  foramen,  2. 
The  pituitary  space  forms  a  circular  foramen,  through 
which  the  carotid  arteries  enter.  TIio  site  of  the  orbit 
of  tli(^  eye  is  bounded  behind  and  below  by  the  post- 
froutal  process  of  the  alisphenoid  wing,  ^>/  of  as.  The 
ptcrygo-palatine  n>d  is  seen  along  the  under  border  of 
the  skull,  pg  and  pa.  The  quadrate,  q,  has  acquired 
nearly  its  shi  ■"".  and  the  rest  of  the  mandibular  and 
hyiidean  par  up  olearly  displayed,  mk,  etc.  Tho 
proximal  hyoidea:'  f!i  ^nt,  •'.',  is  freed  from  the  peri- 
otic  cartilage,  leaving  >  .,  fenestra  ovalis  (see  last  para- 
graph). Below  tlie  general  e  utline,  jja  to  oc,  is  not 
shown  a  mat  of  soft  tissue,  in  which  are  to  be  devel- 
oped the  basitcmporal  and  parai^phenoid  bones  which 
undertloor  the  whole  skull,  — tho  former  making  a  plat 
between  the  ears,  fig.  09,  It,  the  latter  forniiug  the  thick- 
ened under  edge  of  tho  rostrum  of  the  skull  rbs. 

At  the  third  stage,  about  tlie  middle  of  the  second 
week  of  incubation,  the  cartilaginous  pai'ts  already 
described  are  neatly  finished,  and  the  skull  is  beginning 
to  ossify.  The  occipital  parts  are  well  formed;  the 
condyle  is  perfect ;  the  foramen  maguuni  is  circuni- 
scrilied  by  tho  cs-  and  suiira-occipituls,  eo  and  .so,  fig. 
G!).  Investing  bones,  formed  in  membrane  without  pre- 
vious cartilage,  are  becoming  apparent.  Tlie  basitem- 
poral,  bt,  and  parasphenoid,  rbs,  are  engrafting  upon 
the  base  of  the  skull.  Tlie  premisal  carfilai/e,  pn,  now 
at  its  fullest  growth,  is  beginning  to  decline;  on  each 
.side  of  it  is  formed  a  three-forked  bone,  the  premaxil- 
lary,  ^jx,  having  superiorly  nasal,  and  laterally  palatal 
and  dentary  processes.  This  bone  is  to  grow  to  great 
size,  forniing  most  of  the  upper  beak,  and  starving  out 
the  maxillary,  whicli  in  mammals  is  the  principal  bono 
of  the  upper  jaw.  Tho  palatal,  j)a,  and  pterygoid,  ^j*/, 
hones  are  ossified,  and  the  quadrate,  q,  is  ossifying. 
IJetween  tho  premaxillary  and  tlio  quadrate  are  the 
bones  forming  tho  zygoma,  or  jugal  bar,  developed  in 
tlie  outer  part  of  the  niaxillo-palatine  bar  of  the  <'arller 
embryo.  They  are  the  weak  maxillary,  m.r,  with  its 
ingrowing  process,  the  maxillo-palatine  bono,  mxp; 
next  the      jul,  j ;  theu  the  quadrato-jugal,  qj ;  the 


Fio.  69.  —  Skull  of  clilck,  third  stage, 
viewed  from  bilow,  x  6ii  iliameterB.  jm, 
prcniinnl  cartilage,  running  behind  into  the 
soiitiiiu  nasi  ;  on  each  side  of  it  the  premax- 
illary, /).i',  of  whidi  the  (inner)  palatal  and 
(outer)  (Iciitary  processes  are  seen  (the  upper 
nitsal  process  hidden) ;  ?».r,  tlie  maxillary, 
developing  inner  process,  tlie  maxillo-pala- 
tlno,  mvp ;  pn,  the  palatal,  well-formed,  ar- 
ticulating behind  with  rhs,  the  sphenoidal 
rostrum,  its  thickened  under  border,  the 
parasphenoid;  tliis  will  bear  the  vomer  at  its 
end  when  that  bono  is  developed;  J,  jugal, 
joining  j)i,r  and  f//,  tlie  quadrato-Jugal,  join- 
ing /  and  (/,  the  i]ua<iratc  ;  mx  to  ij,  tlie 
jugal  bar  or  zygoma  ;  pn,  the  pterygoid, 
making  with  pa  tlie  pterygo-palatine  bar, 
joining  <i  and p>- ;  lit,  tlic  bayitemporal.  great 
mat  of  bone  from  car  to  car,  underfiooring 
the  skull  protier,  as  rhs,  a  similar  formation, 
does  further  forward ;  h;  outer  end  of  carotid 
canal,  to  run  between  the  ht  jilate  and  true 
floor  of  skull,  and  enter  brain  cavity  at  origi- 
nal site  of  pituitary  fo^sa  <  tigs.  64,  CO,  ir) ;  lij, 
tympanic  cavity —  external  ojiening  of  car; 
an,  alisphenoid,  bounding  much  of  brain- 
box  anteriorly,  and  orbital  cavity  posteri- 
orly; pso,  ])ostcrior  semicircular  canal  of  ear, 
in  opisthotic  bone,  which  will  unite  with  tho 
spreiuiing  eo,  cxoccipital,  which  will  reach 
the  conilyle  shown  in  th;  middle  line,  above 
the  foramen  magnum,  fm,  completed  above 
by  so,  supra-occipital;  8,  foramen  lacerum 
posterlus,  exit  of  piieumogastric,  glosscvpha- 
ryngcal  and  spinal  accessory  nerve;  9,  exit 
of  hypoglossal  nerve,  in  basi-occipital.  (After 
Parker.) 


156 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


whole  forming  an  outer  lattral  roil  from  quadrate  to  premaxillary,  like  a  duplicate  of  the 
pterygo-palatiue  rod  from  the  same  to  the  same. 

Among  occurrences  of  later  stages  are  to  be  noted  the  development  in  membrane  in  the 
middle  line  hehiw  of  the  vomer,  borne  upon  the  end  of  tlie  rostrum  ;  the  roofing  hi  of  tlio 
wlidle  skull  by  Xhv parietal,  .squamosal,  frontal  and  nasal  bones;  the  completion  i>1  X\m periolic 
bones  as  the  proiitic,  epiotic  aud  opisthotic,  which  form  the  otic  capsule  ;  the  development  of 
lacri/mal  hones,  bounding  the  orbits  of  tlie  eyes  in  front.  Absorption  of  the  middle  wall  of 
cartilage  between  the  nasal  and  orbital  cavities  nicks  off  the  nose  parts  from  tiiose  of  tlie  orliit 
(fig.  70,  between  ntb  and  eth)  ;  and  certain  changes  in  tlie  orbital  septum  develop  the  orhito- 
sphcnoids.  Very  nearly  all  the  bones  of  a  bird's  skull  having  thus  been  accounted  for,  we  may 
next  consider  them  iu  their  adult  condition.  Kcfereuce  should  now  be  made  to  figs.  (r2, 
63,  70,  71. 

The  Occipital  Bone  (fig.  (2,  70,  71)  fonns  the  back  part  of  the  floor  of  the  skull,  and  lower 
part  of  tlie  back  wall  of  the  skrll;  neither  its  boundaries  nor  its  composition  is  visible  in 
a<lult  skulls.  It  is  formed  by  the  oasioccipital,  bo,  below  iu  the  middle  line ;  the  supra-oecipital 
so,  above  in  the  middle  line ;  the  CToccipital,  eo,  on  either  side.  These  bound  the  foramen 
magnum  (fig.  CO,  fm),  where  the  ivrvc  mass  makes  its  exit  from  the  cavity  of  the  cranium  into 
the  tube  of  the  spinal  cidumn.  At  the  lower  part  of  the  foramen  is  the  protuberant  occipital 
condyle  (figs.  ()8,  71,  oci,  borne  chiefly  upon  the  basioccipital,  but  to  the  formation  of  which  the 
exoecipitals  also  contribute;  tlie  latter  flare  widely  on  each  side,  into  the  tympanic  wings,  wliidi 
bound  the  external  auditory  meatus  behind.  Tlie  true  basioccipital  is  mostly  covered  by  the 
underlying  secondary  bone,  the  hasitemporal  (09,  70,  bt),  which  extends  from  one  tynipanio 
cavity  to  the  other,  and  more  or  less  forward  in  the  middle  line  to  the  sphenoidal  rostrum. 
Openings  to  lie  observed  in  the  occipital  region,  besides  the  great  foramen,  are  those  for  the 
hypoglossal  nerve,  9,  near  the  condyle  ;  for  the  parts  of  the  vagus  nerve,  8,  more  laterally,  and 
the  carotid  canal,  ic:  also,  above  the  foramen  magnum,  openings  for  veins,  sometimes  of  great 
size,  as  in  fig.  03,  j. 

The  Parietals  (figs.  62,  and  70,  2>,  71). — Proceeding  np  over  the  briiin-box,  the  next 
bones  are  a  pair  of  parietals,  between  the  occipital  behind,  the  frontal  before,  and  the  sipia- 
mosal  beside  ;  but  their  limits  are  rarely  if  ever  to  be  seen  in  adult  skulls.  They  are  relatively 
small  in  birds ;  simply  squarish  plates,  bounded  as  said,  coming  together  iu  the  midline. 

The  Frontals  (fig.  62,  and  70,  /,  71),  origin.illy  paired,  soon  fuse  together,  and  with  sur- 
rounding bones  of  the  skull,  though  maintaining  some  distinctiim  from  those  of  the  nose  and  jaw. 
These  roof  over  much  of  the  brain  cavity,  close  in  much  of  it  in  front,  and  form  the  roof  anil 
eaves  of  the  great  orbital  sockets.  Anteriorly  in  the  middle  of  the  forehead  line  the  feet  of  tin; 
nasal  process  of  the  premaxillary  are  implanted  upon  the  frontal,  usually  distinctly;  more 
laterally,  the  nasal  bones  are  articulated  or  anebylosed ;  this  fronto-naso-premaxillary  suture 
forming  the  fronto-facial  hinge,  (fig.  03,  .r)  by  the  elasticity  or  articulation  of  which  the  upper 
jaw  moves  uptin  the  skull,  when  acted  on  by  the  palatal  and  jugal  bars.  In  the  niidst  of  the  fore- 
head the  two  halves  of  the  frontal  sometimes  separate,  as  they  do  in  the  fowl,  aUowing  a  little 
of  the  mesethmoid  to  come  to  the  front.  In  the  middle  line,  tmderneath,  the  frontals  fuse  witli 
whatever  extent  there  may  be  of  the  mesethmoid  which  forms  the  lengthwise  inter-orbital 
septum,  and  often  a  crosswise  partition  between  the  orbital  and  nasal  cavities.  To  the  antero- 
external  corners  of  the  frontal  are  articulated  or  anchylosed  the  lacrymals.  The  post-frontal 
/)roce«s,*  niorplndogically  the  post-fnmtiil  or  spbenotic  bone,  bounds  the  rim  of  the  orbit  behind; 

>  There  Is  apparently  some  ambiguity  In  the  use  nf  the  term  "  post-fr(  ntal "  process  by  different  autliors.  It 
would  appear  that  this  process,  bounding  the  rim  of  the  orbit  beliind,  may  bo  a  projection  of  the  frontal  bono,  and 
therefore  strictly  a  post-frontal  process.    Or  that,  as  said  by  Owen  for  lihea,  it  may  be  a  separate  bono,  and  there- 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.— OSTEOLOGY. 


157 


it  is  usually  quite  prouiincnt.  The  frontal  rim  of  the  orbit  in  many  birds  shows  a  erescentic 
dei'ifssion  (very  strong  in  a  loon  and  many  other  water  birds;  fig.  63,  w),  for  lodgment  of  the 
sui)ni-orbital  gland,  the  secretion  of  which  lubricates  the  nasal  passages.  The  cerebral  plate  of 
tlie  frontal  is  often  imperfectly  ossified,  showing  large  "  windows"  besides  the  regular  openings 
for  the  exit  of  nerves  which  are  always  found  at  the  back  of  the  orbit.  View  from  above,  the 
frontal  is  vaulted  and  expanded  behind,  over  the  brain  cavity,  then  pinched  more  or  less,  some- 
times extrem(dy  narrow  over  the  orbits,  then  nsually  somewhat  expanded  again  at  the  fronto- 
facial  suture.  The  extent  of  the  frontal  between  the  orbits  and  face,  in  the  lacrymal  region, 
is  very  great  in  the  duck  family,  as  seen  in  fig.  63. 

The  SQ'jamosal  (Lat.  squama,  a  scale  :  figs.  70,  71,  S(/.)  bounds  the  brain-box  laterally, 
l)(n\v('L'n  occipital,  j)arietal,  frontal  and  sphenoidal  bones,  its  distinction  from  all  of  these  being 
iililiterated  in  adult  life.  It  is  situated  near  the  lower  back  lateral  corner  of  the  skull,  forming 
S()in(^  jiart  of  the  cranial  wall  just  over  the  ear-opening,  and  a  strong  eaves  for  that  orifice.  It 
is  tiniily  united  also  to  the  bones  of  the  ear  proper,  and  receives  the  larger  share  of  the  free 
articulation  which  the  quadrate  has  with  the  skull.  It  often  develops  a  strong  forward-down- 
ward spur,  the  squamosal  process  (fig.  62),  looking  like  a  duplicate  post-frontal  process ; 
between  these  two  is  the  crotaphijte  depression,  corresponding  to  the  "temporal  fossa"  of  man, 
in  wliicli  lie  the  muscles  which  close  the  jaws.  It  scarcely  or  not  enters  into  the  orbit,  the 
adjacent  part  of  the  orbit  being  alisplienoidal. 


The  Periotlc  Bones  (Gr.  Tre^ji,  peri,  about;  oZi,  cirdj,  ous,  otos,  the  ear;  fig.  70)  are 
those  that  form  the  petrosal  bone  (Lat.  iietrosus,  rocky,  from  their  hardness),  or  bony  periotic 
cai)sule,  containing  the  essential  organ  of  hearing.  When  united  with  each  other  and  with  the 
squamosal,  they  form  the  very  composite  and  illogical  bone  called  "temporal"  in  human  anat- 
omy. There  are  three  of  these  otic  bones,  —  an  anterior,  the  pro-otic;  a  posterior  and  inferior, 
tilt!  opisthotic  (Gr.  oirurdt,  opisthe,  behind)  and  a  superior  and  external,  the  epiotic.  They  can 
only  be  studied  in  young  skulls,  upon  careful  dissection  ;  they  do  not  appear  upon  the  outside 
of  the  skull  at  all,  excepting  a  small  piece  of  the  opisthotic,  which  there  fuses  indistinguishably 
with  the  exoccipital.  But  somewhat  of  these  bones  are  seen  on  looking  into  the  cavity  of  the 
outer  ear,  and  if  the  fenestra  <jvalis  can  be  recognized,  it  detennines  a  part  of  the  boundary 
between  the  prootic  and  opisthotic  bones,  while  the  fenestra  rotunda  lies  wholly  in  the  latter. 
The  cavity  .of  the  periotic  bone  is  hollowed  for  the  labyrinth  of  the  internal  ear,  including  the 
cochlea,  which  contains  the  essential  nervous  organs  of  hearing,  and  the  three  semicircular  canals 
—  so  much  of  them  as  does  not  invade  sun'ounding  bones.  In  the  young  fowl's  skull  viewed 
internally  (fig.  70),  Parker  figures  a  very  large  prootic  portion  (j;o)  of  the  periotic,  perforated 
by  the  internal  auditory  meatus  (7)  for  the  entrance  from  the  brain  of  the  auditory  nerve  :  below 
and  beliind  the  j)rodtic  a  small  opisthotic  (oj)),  in  relation  with  the  exoccipital,  upon  the  surface 
of  wiiich  it  also  appears,  outside  (fig.  69,  at  jisc),  and  with  which  it  blends ;  a  very  small  epiotic 
ci'utre  (e})),  between  the  prootic  and  supraoccipital ;  and  the  anterior  semicircular  canal  {use) 
em))edded  in  the  latt(!r.  In  Dr.  Shufeldt's  figure  the  otic  elements  are  merely  noted  diagram- 
mutically.  According  to  Huxley's  generalization,  the  epiotic  is  in  special  relation  with  the  pos- 
terior semicircular  canal ;  the  prootic  with  the  anterior  vertical  canal,  between  which  and  the 
foramen  ovale  (5)  for  the  lower  divisions  of  the  trifacial  nerve  it  lies.  That  part  on  which  the 
inner  foot  of  the  quadrate  is  implanted  is  prootic.  Below  the  drooping  eaves  of  the  squamosal, 
liefore  the  flaring  wing  of  the  exoccipital,  and  behind  the  quadrate  bone,  is  the  always  decided 
and  considerable  cavity  of  the  ear,  bounded  pretty  sharjdy  by  the  squamosal  and  exoccipital  rim, 

r»i'e  properly  a  post-frontal  bone.  Or.  again,  tliat  It  may  bavo  notbing  to  do  with  the  frontal  bone,  but  belong  to 
the  alisphenoid,  as  a  process  of  the  latter  or  a  separate  ossillcation ;  In  which  case  It  would  be  properly  the  sphe- 
nutlc.    In  no  event  has  it  anything  to  do  with  the  squamosal  process  lettered  as  such  in  fig.  62. 


158 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


sloping  with  less  distinction  in  front  toward  the  orliittU  cavity.     In  this  auditory  hollow  nuiy  ho 
seen  several  opcniu,s;s :  the  mentm  or  proper  car-passage,  through  whicli,  in  one  direction,  a 

hristle  may  be  passed  to  emerge  at  or  near 
the  middle  line  of  the  base  of  the  skull, 
about  the  root  of  the  basisphenoidal  ros- 
trum. Such  a  passage  is  through  tiie  Jir.st 
visceral  cleft  of  the  early  embryo,  modi- 
fied into  meatus  audiiorius  and  eustachian 
tube,  which  latter  communicates  with  tlio 
back  part  of  the  mouth.  Besides  the  other 
ear-passages  proper,  may  be  found  othor 
openings  of  air-passages  leading  into  the 
interior  diploic  tissue  of  bones  of  tlie 
skull,  and  especially  into  the  lower  jaw 
bone.  The  ear-parts  are  immensely  de- 
veloped in  owls,  lu  many  species  of 
which  they  arc  unsymmetrical,  that  is, 
not  sized  and  shaped  alike  on  right  and 
left  sides  of  the  head. 

The  Spbenoid  (Gr.  (r</)t7i',  sphen,  a 
wedge;  fldos,  eidos,  fonn;  figs.  (52,  70, 
71)  is  a  coinpouud  bone,  not  easy  to  un- 
derstand as  it  occurs  in  birds,  as  much 
of  it  is  hidden  from  the  outside,  some  of 
it  is  very  slightly  developed,  and  all  of  it 
is  completely  consolidated  with  surround- 
ing bones  in  the  adult.  It  is  wedged 
into  the  very  njidst  of  the  cranial  bones 
«,*.*.  **•.       'fi?*  proper,  with  its  body  in  the  middle  line 

Fio.  70.  -Ripe  chick's  skull,  longitudinal  section,  viewed  below,  next  in  front  of  the  basioccij)ital, 
tii,«i(^,  X  3  illimieterB ;  after  Parker.  In  the  mandible  are  seen :  .^mj  Jtg  wings  spread  on  either  side  in  the 
>»<•,  reniaii'S  of  meckellan  rod ;  r^  dentary  bone ;  .ip,  splenial ;  ,.  ,  -a  t,  -j 
a,  angular;  sh,  surangular;  «r,  articular;  in;>,  internal  articu-  orbital  cavity.  A  sphenoid  consists  es- 
larprooesswia/),  posterior  articular  process.  In  the  skull:  ;)M,  gentially  of  the  hasisplienoid,  or  llKliu 
the  original  prcnasal  cartilage,  upon  which  Is  moulded  the  pre-  f  ♦!,     i  /«      co\     ♦!         7'     ; 

maxillary,  ;).r,  with  its  nasal  process,  H/),r,  and  dentary  process,  Pa^  ot  tllC  bone  (tig.  O^J;  the  alisplic- 
dl>.r:  SH,  septo-nasal  cartilage,  in  wbieli  is  seen  hh,  nasal  nerve;  noids  or  "  wings,"  on  either  side  (figs.  70, 
nM,  nasal  turblnal  ;  tlie  reference  line  crosses  the  rmmV/Vrrin/    ,.,         ■,      ..i        i  i         -j  /      \- 

sutim;  the  face  parts  and  cranial  I«rt8  being  nearly  separated  ' '  i  "V  >  ♦"«  "bscure  presphetwtd,  {j)S)  ill 
here  by  the  nick  seen  in  the  original  cartilaginous  plate;  ifh,    the  middle  line  in  front  of  and  above  the 

ethmoid ;  nc,  perpendicular  plate  of  ethmoid,  which  will  spread  •     i     i    .         i  ti      . n   „„i..-<„  „..j.» 

nearlythroughouttbedottedcartilaginoustrkctlnwhlehitlicB,  '"'"»  ^'^'Ij' '  ''^nd  the  smaU  orblto-sphe- 
to  form  nearly  all  the  interorbital  septum;  transverse  thicken-    iwids.  which  are  in  fact  the  wings  of  the 

Ing  (in  some  birds)  below  the  reference  line  efli  will  form  the  ,  „ •  i     rri  „  i     i,.  ;„  „„„  ,ii., ,.  „.,„.,„i 

pre-frontal,  or  orblto-nasal  septum ;  iof,  interorbital  foramen ;  presphenoid.  The  body  IS  usually  coyerc'd 
7),'!,  prc-Bpbenoidai  rcgic:i.  just  above  whicli  is  the  orbito-splie-  in  by  the  undcrtlooriiig  of  the  basiteiii- 
noidal  region ;  2,  optic  foramen ;  «.i,  alisphenoid,  with  S,  foramen  ,,,,_„!.  ;*  :„  „  ^i.,*  tri'intrnhir  nlate  nro- 
fordivision8ofthe5tb(trifaeial)nerTc;/.frontal;.-!7,Bquamo8al;  P"™' '  "  >»  »  "'"  tiunguiar  piaie,  pro 
7),  parietal:  .10,  superoccipital ;  am;  anterior  semicircular  canal;  duccd  more  or  less  forward  in  the  middle 
»c,  a  sinus  (venous  canal)  ;r/^epiotic;™,exoccipital;  07,.  opis-    jj  ^jj^   hasisphenoidal    rOStruiH,    or 

tliotlc  ;  i>o,  prootic,  with  1,  meatus  auditorlus  internus,  for  en-  ^  .  . 

trance  of  7th  nerve;  8,  foramen  for  vagus  nerve ;  '10,  basioccipl-  beak  of  the  skull.  This  rOStl'Um  Is  an 
tal:j<i;,  Ivasitemporal;  ,V,  canal  (In  original  pituitary  space;  important  tiling.  It  forms,  in  fact,  the 
tig.  06  tc)  by  which  carotid  artery  enters  brain  cavity ;  «p,  basi-         '  .         "^  ' 

pterygoid  process;  ff^)  to  r?i.s-,  rostrum  of  tlio  sknll,  being  the  Central  axis  of  the  base  of  the  SKuU ; 
parasphenold  bone  underlloorlng  the  basisphenold  and  future  «.i(]j  |j,p  mesethinoid  lllate  the  inferior 
perpendicular  plate  of  ethmoid.    (The  scaHblding  cf  the  up|)er  »  ,      .  ,.1  n 

Jaw  not  shown,  excepUng /).r,  &c.)  border  of  the  lutcrorbital  septum,  usually 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIEDS.  — OSTEOLOGY. 


159 


1.0 

I,  a 
K'ltr 
nil, 


tliicki'iiod  by  the  unilcrflooring  of  the  parasphowid  (fig.  70,  rbs).  The  rostrum  often  hears 
on  each  side  a  hasipterygoid  process  (ap),  —  a  smooth  facet  with  which  the  iiterygoid  artic- 
ulates. These  processes  may  he  very 
strmiLr,  awl  far  back  on  the  basisphenoid 
I)(i(ly,  when  the  pterygoids  articulate  with 
them  near  their  own  posterior  ends,  as 
in  the  struthioiis  birds  and  tinanums  (fig. 
75,  Uii) ;  or  they  may  be  further  along 
on  the  rostrum,  and  the  pterygoids  then 
articulate  near  or  at  their  fore-ends.  The 
rostrum  may  bo  prfKhiced  far  forward, 
licyond  the  maxillo-palatines  and  vomer 
oven,  as  in  an  ostrich ;  or  it  may  bear  the 
vomer  at  its  end  ;  or  may  be  embraced 
by  forks  of  the  vomer ;  the  palatines  may 
glide  along  it,  or  be  remote  from  it  on 
cither  side.  In  any  event,  whatever  its 
production,  whatever  part  may  be  eth- 
moidal, or  basisphenoidal,  or  parasphe- 
uoidal  thickening,  pterygo-faoeting,  etc., 
this  "  beak "  of  the  basisjdienoid  is 
always  in  the  axis  of  the  base  of  the 
skull,  and  at  the  bottom  of  the  inter- 
orbital  plate ;  it  may  be  horizontal,  or 
ohli(iuely  ascending  forward ;  and  the 
variety  of  its  relations  with  the  pterygo- 
palatine and  vomerine  mechanism  fur- 
nishes important  zoological  characters, 
as  we  shall  sec  when  we  come  to  treat 
of  palatal  structure  particularly.    Just  at 

the  base  of  the  beak,   where  it  widens         Fio.  71. -Ripe  chick's  skull,  in  profile,  x  3. Uameters;  after 

hitd   the   nmin   body   of  the  bone,    may  Parker,    pr,  premaxlllary;  n/»,  ali-iiasal  cartilage;  en,  scpto- 

1    1  ■       e         1    A.  nasal ;  n,  nasal  bone ;  /,  lacrymal ;   »<■,  perpendicular  plate  of 

commonly  be  seen,  commg  from  between  ethmoid,  as  in  fig.  70;  )„,  pre8,,henoi.Ial  region;  a,,,  alispl.e- 

tho  sphenoidal  body  and  the  lip  of  the  noid ;/,  frontal ;;),  parietal ;  .19,  squamosal ;  .w,  superoccipital; 

1, .,.:»  . ,.,  «  1    ,.„i„_u„,_: *i  -a. fo,  exoccipital;  oe,  occipital  condyle;  s/.  the  cross-like  object, 

basiteniporal  nndcriloonng,  the   orifices   ^^^  ^^^p^^'^  „„;^  \^^^  ^^^  f^„^j/^  „,„,i^  ^^  Ag  83.  ^  ^„,^,,. 

of  the  eustachian  tubes,  and  often  also  rate;  ^17,  pterygoid;  7j,quadrato-jugal;./,  jugal; /iir,  palatine; 
the   anterior  ends  of  the  carotid    canal.    "••^.  "•a^l""'?.    In  the  mandible:  rf,  dentary:  »«.  surangular; 

a,  angular;  or,  articular;  la;),  internal  angnl.tr  pr(x:ess:  ;>»;>, 
If  a  bristle,  passed  into  a  questionable  posterior  angular  process.  2,  optic  foramen :  5.  foramen  ovale, 
foramen  here,  comes  out  of  the   ear,  it    for  inferior  divisions  ofthe  6th  nerve.    (Compare  fig.  70.) 

has  gone  through  the  eustachian  tube ;  if  it  comes  out  below  the  ear,  on  the  floor  of  the  skull, 
outside,  it  has  run  in  the  carotid  canal.  The  extent  of  the  alisphenoids  (figs.  70,  71,  ns)  can- 
not be  determined  in  old  skulls.  They  lie  at  the  back  lower  border  of  the  orbital  cavity,  clos- 
ing in  most  of  the  brain  box  that  is  not  foreclosed  by  the  frontal  heme.  You  will  always  find 
at  the  back  of  the  orbit,  close  to  the  mid-line,  and  rather  low  down,  the  very  large  optic  fora- 
mina (any  figs.,  2) ;  alisphenoid  should  not  extend  in  front  of  these  orifices.  A  little  below  and 
behind  the  optic  foramina,  and  much  more  laterally,  not  far  from  the  quadrate  itself,  is  a  con- 
siderable foramen,  quite  constant,  for  transmission  of  the  inferior  divisions  of  the  fffh  {trigeminal 
or  trifacial)  nerve.  This  is  the  foramen  orale  (any  figs.,  5)  ;  it  is  either  in  the  alisphenoid,  or 
between  that  bone  and  the  proiitic  ;  it  must  not  be  mistaken  for  one  of  the  .several  smaller  hides, 
usually  seen  close  about  the  optic  foramen,  which  transmit  the  nen-es  (oculo-motor,  pathetic. 


ip 


160 


GEISIEBAL   OUNITHOLOG Y. 


and  abduft'iit)  which  move  the  iiiuscles  oi  the  eyeball;  these  holes  being  collectively  iil,(,iit 
eqiiivalfnt  to  tiie  foramen  lacenim  anteriiis  of  human  anatomy.  Parts  about  the  optic  fuiiuncu, 
before  anil  above,  are  presphenoiilal  (figs.  70,  71,  i^)  and  orbito-sphenoidal ;  but  they  are 
obscure  to  all  but  the  enibryologist,  and  practically  furnish  no  zoologiciU  characters. 

Tlie  Kthinold  ((Jr.  tJ^/ios,  rtlimos,  a  sieve ;  from  the  M-ay  it  is  perforated  in  the  luunau 
s]M'cics  ;  tin.  (1^)  is  till-  bone  of  the  mid-line  of  the  skull,  in  front  of  the  sphenoidal  elements  and 
below  the  frontal ;  it  is  in  special  relatiou  with  the  olfactory  nervous  apparatus,  or  sense  of 
smell.  This  is  not  an  easy  bone  to  "get  the  hang  of"  in  birds.  Keferring  to  figs.  0(1,  OS,  etii, 
the  student  will  see  in  tiie  early  embryo  a  high  thin  plate  of  cartilage,  the  mesethmoUl  cartiliigo, 
whicli  is  develo[)ing  lateral  proces.ses  to  form  tiie  convoluted  walls  of  the  nasal  passages.  15v 
the  uprising  and  forth-growing  of  the  prenasal  cartilage,  the  mcsethmoidal  plate  i.s  tilted  buck- 
ward,  as  it  were,  under  tiie  fnmtal.  Next,  by  absorjitiou  of  tissue  just  opposite  the  future 
cranio-facial  suture,  the  plate  is  nicked  apart,  the  portion  in  front  of  the  nick  elabornting 
the  nasal  chambers,  which  usually  remain  cartilaginous,  and  the  portion  behind  this  nick 
becoming  the  permanent  plate,  fig.  70,  eth,  pe,  to  which  the  name  mesethmoid  or  mid-ethniuid 
is  more  strictly  applicable.  Practically,  a  bird's  ethmoid  is  chieHy  the  inter-orbital  septum,  in 
vertical  mid-line  between  the  orbits,  with  such  ilange-like  processes  or  lateral  plates  as  may  lie 
developed  to  form  an  orbito-iiasal  septum  separating  the  eye-socket  from  the  uose-cliaiuber. 
In  general,  the  permanent  ethmoidal  plate  becomes  nearly  coincident  with  this  orbital  wall,  and 
pretty  well  cut  oft"  from  the  osseous  or  cartilaginous  devehipments,  when  any,  in  the  nasal  cavi- 
ties. It  is  then  fairly  under  cover  of  the  frontal,  with  which,  as  with  the  sphenoidal  elements 
posteriorly,  it  becomes  completely  fused.  When  this  inter-orbital  septum  is  fully  developed,  it 
comidetely  divides  the  right  and  left  orbital  cavities,  and  its  lower  horizontal  border,  fused 
with  the  basisiiheuoidal  rostrum,  may  like  the  latter  be  thickened  by  bearing  its  share  of  tlie 
paraspheiioidal  splint.  Oftener,  however,  this  lower  border  slopes  upward  and  forward,  from  the 
sphenoidal  base  to  the  roof  of  the  .skull  about  the  site  of  the  cranio-facial  suture;  and  usually 
the  .septum  is  incomplete,  having  a  membranous  fenestra  simiewhere  near  its  middle  (fig.  70, 
«V*/).  Along  the  upper  border  of  the  mesethmoid  plate,  or  just  in  the  crease  between  it  and 
the  overarching  frontal  may  usually  be  seen  a  long  groove,  which,  beginning  behind  at  tlie 
olfuciory  foramen  of  the  brain-bo.\,  conducts  the  thence-issuing  olfactory  nerve  t(j  the  nasal 
cliambers.  Sometimes  there  is  another  such  groove,  from  a  similar  foramen  near  by  in  tiic 
sphenoidal  parts,  which  similarly  traces  the  course  of  the  ophthalmic  (first)  division  of  the  tri- 
facial nerve.  Occasionally,  as  in  tlie  fowls,  the  two  halves  of  the  frontal  bone  separate  a  little 
at  the  extreme  forehead,  allowing  the  mesethmoid  plate  there  to  come  up  fiush  with  the  outer 
surface  of  the  skull. 

In  some  birds,  as  the  low  ostrich,  for  example,  the  original  mesethmoidal  cartilage-plate 
does  not  nick  apart  into  orbital  and  nasal  moieties,  but  ossifies  as  a  continuous  sheet  of  bone, 
dividing  right  and  left  halves  of  the  skull  far  towards  the  point  of  the  beak  (see  fig.  75,  beyond 
B  to  Pm.r).  A  nasal  septum,  separated  from  the  orbital  septum,  may  persist  to  ossify  ;  form- 
ing, as  in  the  raven,  a  vertical  plate  separate  from  all  surroundings,  and  liable  to  be  mistaken 
for  a  free  vomer  (see  fig.  7!),  where  the  reference  line  »  goes  to  it,  instead  of  to  the  truncate 
voin<T)  ;  or,  as  in  many  birds,  a  plate  variously  ancliylosed  with  its  surroundings.  But  these 
formations,  as  well  as  the  various  turhinal  (Lat.  turbo,  a  whorl)  scrolls  and  whorls  formed  in 
this  part  of  the  skull,  belong  rather  to  the  organ  of  smell  than  to  the  skull  proper. 

The  Cranial  Bones  proper  are  all  those  thus  far  described,  excepting  the  nasal  ossifica- 
tions just  noted,  which  belong  to  the  first  pre-oral  arch;  and  the  stapedial  parts  of  the  ear, 
which  belong  to  the  hyoidean  apparatus  (second  post-oral  arch).  Intermediate  in  some 
respects  between  the  proper  cranial  bones  and 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  — OSTEOLOGY. 


161 


The  Facial  Bones  proper  is  the  Vomer.  —  By  "  facial  bones,"  as  distinguished  from 
"cranial "  bones,  is  meant  the  entire  bony  scail'okling  of  the  ui)i)er  and  lower  jaws,  and  of  the 
tongue, — parts  developed  in  the  pre-oral  or  maxillary,  and  first,  second,  and  third  post-oral,  or 
Hiaiulibular,  hyoidean  i)r(jper,  and  branchial,  arches. 

The  Vomer  (Lat.  vomer,  a  ploughshare ;  iigs.  f>2,  fi3,  75  to  80,  v)  is  considered,  by  those 
who  liold  the  vertebral  theory  of  the  skull,  to  be  the  body  of  the  foremost  (fourth  from  behind 
—  the  basioccipital,  basisphenold,  and  prespheuoid  being  the  other  three)  cranial  vertebra.  Ho 
fur  from  having  any  such  morphohigical  signlKcance,  it  is  one  of  the  late  secondary  bones, 
developed,  if  at  all,  apart  from  the  general  make-uj)  of  the  skull,  as  a  special  superaddition 
underlying  the  ethmoidal  region,  as  the  paraspheuoid  and  basitemporal  underlie  the  skull  further 
back.  Its  character  is  extremely  variable  in  the  class  of  birds,  thougli  usually  constant  in  the 
several  natural  divisions  of  the  class,  — a  fact  wliicli  confers  high  zoological  value  upon  this 
anomalous  bone.  A  vomer  is  a  symmetrical  mid-line  bone  of  the  base  of  the  skull,  fijund  if  at 
ail  at  or  near  the  end  of  the  rostrum.  It  is  originally  double,  i.  e.,  of  right  and  left  paired 
halves.  These  halves  persist  distinct  in  the  W(jodpeckers,  and  are  remote  from  each  other, 
<)n((  on  eacli  side  of  the  mid-line  (fig.  80).  The  vomer  is  wanting  entirely  in  the  Columbine 
birds,  as  the  i)igeous  and  some  of  their  allies,  as  the  sand  grouse  (Pterocleles)  and  bush  quails 
(Hemipodes)  of  the  old  world,  and  in  certain  of  the  true  GallincP.  Its  ccnincctions  are  various. 
It  may  be  borne  free  upon  the  end  of  the  rostrum.  It  may  be  applied  like  a  splint  by  a  grooved 
upper  surface  ti>  the  under  side  of  the  rostrum,  and  so  fixed  there ;  or,  in  such  situation,  it  may 
glide  along  the  rostrum  according  to  the  movements  of  the  palatal  parts  with  which  it  may 
connect.  Thus,  in  the  ostrich  (fig.  7.)),  it  saddles  the  rostrum  below,  and  is  joined  by  the 
niaxillo-palatines.  Or,  it  may  be  united  witli  separate  ossiticiitions,  the  septo-maxillaries, 
which  in  some  birds  bridge  across  the  palate  (fig.  80).  The  commonest  case  is  its  deep 
bifnrcatiou  behind  (fig.  79 j,  each  fork  uniting  with  the  palate  bone  of  its  own  side,  and  some- 
times also  with  the  pterygoid.  Such  is  usually  the  fixture  of  the  bone  behind,  and  it  then  rides 
along  as  well  as  simply  bestrides  the  rostrum.  The  anterior  end  of  the  vomer  may  be  perfectly 
free,  projecting  into  the  floor  of  the  nasal  chambers  (figs.  G2,  77),  or  the  fore  end  may  be 
variously  steadied  or  connected  with  maxillary  processes  (fig.  78).  When  free  in  front,  and 
often  when  not,  the  vomer  is  a  simple  share-like  plate,  more  or  less  expanded  vertically,  quite 
thin  laterally,  and  "  spiked,''  i.  e.,  running  forward  to  a  point ;  under  these  circumstances  it  may 
or  may  not  bifurcate  behind,  and  be  there  attached  to  the  palatines  or  not.  But  the  commonest 
case  of  vomer,  shown  by  the  great  Passerine  group,  which  comprise  the  majority  of  recent 
birds,  is  different  from  this,  the  vomer  being  in  front  thickened,  flattened  and  expanded  laterally, 
and  connected  with  nasiil  cartilages  and  ossifications  (alinasals  and  turbinals).  Such  a  vomer, 
deeply  cleft  behind  to  join  the  palatals,  is  endlessly  diversified  in  the  configuration  of  its  fore  end, 
wliich  may  be  notched,  lobed,  clubbed,  etc.  The  general  case  of  such  a  vomer  is  indicated  by 
the  expression  "  vomer  truncate  in  front,"  as  distinguished  from  the  simply  pointed  or  "spiked" 
vomer.     (For  further  details  see  description  of  the  several  patterns  of  palate-structure,  beyond.) 


The  42uadrate  Bone  (Lat.  guadratus,  squared;  figs.  62  ;  63,  n;  64,  65,  68,  69,  71,  q; 
75,  Qti),  with  which  we  may  begin  the  jaw-btmes  projier,  is  the  suspensorium  of  the  lower  jaw, 
—  the  perfectly  constant  and  characteristic  bone  by  means  of  which  the  mandible  proper  articu- 
lates with  the  skuU.  Its  rudiment  is  seen  in  the  earliest  embryos,  at  the  comers  of  the  pri- 
mordial parachordal  cartilages.  It  belongs  to  the  mandibular  (first  post-oral)  arch,  of  which  it 
is  the  proximal  element.  Its  general  morphology  has  caused  much  dispute.  From  the  fact 
that  in  birds  one  of  its  functions  is  to  support,  in  part,  the  tympanum  of  the  ear,  it  has  been 
identified  with  the  tympanic  bone  of  mammals,  —  that  whicii  in  man  forms  the  bony  tube  of  the 
external  auditory  meatus.     The  view  now  generally  accepted  is,  that  the  bird's  quadrate  repre- 


162 


GENERAL   OliNITHOLOGY. 


8>'iit8,  certainly  in  jiiirt,  probably  in  whole,  the  little  bono  of  the  middle  ear  called  the»ia//cM.s  in 
mammals.  Anyhow  this  may  be,  the  (|uadrate  of  a  bird  bears  the  proximal  ends  of  both  jiiw8, 
currying  their  final  (posterior)  articuliitldn  up  to  the  sfiuamosal  and  jietrosal  bones.  Thus,  tlie 
foot  of  the  quadrate  forms  the  free  liiuge  of  the  lower  jaw,  and  also  movably  articulates  the 
back  end  of  both  the  zygomatic  and  tlie  pterygo-palatine  bars  or  "arcades."  The  head  of 
the  quadrate  freely  articulates  with  the  squamosal,  just  in  fnmt  of  the  tympanity  cavity,  wliich 
it  thus  bounds  in  fnmt ;  and  there  is  usually  a  shoulder  which  furthermore  articulates  with 
the  anterior  ppriotic  bone,  the  prootic  ;  Struthious  birds  do  not  have  these  two  distinct  facets. 
A  long  pedicle  or  orbital  process  extends  forwards,  inwards,  and  upwards  in  the  orbit ;  this  non- 
articular  handle  is  for  advantageous  muscular  traction.  So  circumstanced,  the  quadrate  is  a 
stocky  bone,  of  a  shape  reminding  one  of  an  anvil ;  it  rocks  freely  to  and  fro  upon  its  cranial 
socket,  pulling  and  pushing  upon  the  whole  maxillary  and  mandibular  mechanism,  with  such 
effect  that  when  the  lower  jaw  drops,  the  zygomatic  and  palatal  bars  are  automatically  shdvcd 
forward,  tending  to  make  the  upper  jaw  rise,  and  so  increase  the  opening  of  the  mouth.  Such 
mobility  of  the  upper  jaw  automatically  with  the  movement  of  the  lower  is  very  free  in  parrots, 
whose  cranio-facial  connections  are  quite  articular  in  character ;  it  is  well  shown  also  in  ducks ; 
and  probably  nearly  all  birds  have  some  such  UK)tion  of  the  upper  jaw  upon  the  skull.  In 
iiearly  all  birds,  the  mandibular  articular  facet  of  the  quadrate  is  divided  by  a  lengthwise 
impression  into  inner  and  outer  protuberances,  or  ccradyles,  fitting  corresponding  depressions  on 
the  articular  face  of  the  lower  jaw ;  in  some  birds  the  articular  surface  is  single.  The  zygo- 
matic articulation  with  the  quadrate  is  made  by  the  balled  end  of  the  quadrato-jugal  socketed 
in  a  cup  at  the  outer  side  of  the  mandibular  facet  (with  various  minor  modifications  in  different 
birds).  The  palatal  iirtieulation  is  made  by  a  little  condyle  of  the  quadrate,  at  the  inner  side  of 
the  main  facet,  socketed  into  the  cupped  end  of  the  pterygoid  (with  minor  modifications). 

The  Quadrato-Jugal  and  Jugal  Bones  (Lat.  juguni,  a  yoke  ;  figs.  62,  03,  q,  r;  09,  71, 

gj,  j)  form  most  of  the  outer  arcade  —  the  jugal  or  zygomatic  bar  —  leading  from  the  quadrate 
bone  to  the  beak.  The  quadrato-jugal  is  posterior,  reaching  a  variable  distance  forward  ;  at  its 
fore  end  it  is  obliquely  sutured  to  the  jugal,  a  splint-rod  which  cames  the  bar  forward  to  the 
maxillary  bone,  with  which  it  is  in  like  manner  obliquely  sutured.  The  whole  affair  is  almost 
always  a  slender  rod,  which  with  its  fellow  of  the  opposite  side  forms  the  outermost  lateral 
boundary  of  the  skull  for  a  great  distance.  It  corresponds  in  general  with  the  "  zygomatic 
arch  "  of  a  mammal,  which  is  made  up  of  a  "  zygomatic  process  of  the  squamosal "  and  a  malar 
or  "  cheek-bone."  The  whole  zygomatic  arch,  including  the  maxillary  bone  itself,  is  develdjied 
from  the  outer  part  of  the  priinijrdial  pterygo-palatine  bar  (see  fig.  05).  In  parrots  the  zygoma 
is  movably  articulated  before  as  behind. 


The  Maxillary  Bone  (Lat.  maxilla,  upper  jaw  bone ;  fig?.  62 ;  63,  s;  69,  71,  75,  m.r), 
forming  so  much  of  the  upper  jaw  of  a  mammal,  is  in  birds  greatly  reduced,  being  starved  cut  by 
the  predominant  premaxillaries  which  form  most  of  the  upper  beak.  The  shape  of  this  stunted 
bone  varies  too  much  to  be  concisely  described.  Its  connections  are,  ordinarily,  with  the  jugal 
behind  by  a  long  sleuder  splint-like  process,  and  with  the  premaxillary  and  usually  the  nasal 
bones  in  front  and  externally.  Internally,  it  may  or  may  not  connect  with  the  palatal  and 
vomer.  The  zoological  interest  of  this  bone  centres  in  certain  inward  (palate-ward j  processes, 
often  its  most  conspicuous  parts,  and  apparently  corresponding  to  the  plate  which  in  a  mammal 
roofs  the  hard  palate  anteriorly.  Though  these  are  mere  processes  from  the  main  maxillary, 
they  are  so  distinct  and  unportant  that  they  are  commonly  described  as  if  they  were  independent 
bones,  under  the  name  of  the  maxillo-palattnes.  They  are  flange-like  or  scrcdl-like  plates,  or 
large  spongy  masses  t)f  delicate  bone-tissue,  —  endlessly  varied  in  configuration  and  context  (see 
the  various  figures  of  base  of  skull,  mxp,  beyond,  where  the  palate-patterns  are  described). 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  —  OSTEOLOGY. 


168 


III 

lv.=, 

III' 

lii> 

of 

lich 

lith 

■ts. 

(m- 

a 

liial 

iicli 

Ivci} 

lllcll 

Ills, 


Crrtain  other  inward  maxillary  processrs,  which  may  or  may  not  unite  with  the  vomer,  and  bo 
liiduo  over  the  palate,  are  called  septo-inaxillaries  (fig.  80,  smx)  ;  and  in  some  woodpeckers 
yet  (itlier  palate- processes  appear  (fig.  80,  pmx). 

The  Pterygoid  Bones  (Gr.  irripv^,  ptefux,  wing ;  f ifior,  eidos,  form ;  figs.  62 ;  63,  o; 
65,  CO,  08,  69,  71,  80,  pg;  75  to  7'J,  Pt).  Returning  now  to  the  quadrate,  and  going  along  the 
inner  arcade,  we  first  encounter  the  pterygoid, — a  generally  rod-like,  but  variously  twisted, 
cniiiked,  or  expanded  bone  which  makes  the  connection  between  the  quadrate  behind  and  the 
jialatc  bone  before.  The  pterygoid  is  always  freely  jt>inted  at  both  ends ;  its  posterior  quadrate 
articulation  has  been  noted  above;  its  anterior  connection  is  usually  by  little  nipper-like  claws 
by  which  it  "  catches  on"  to  the  hind  end  of  the  palatine.  In  the  ostrich  (fig.  75,  Pt)  the 
pterygoid  expands  into  a  scroll-like  plate ;  but  its  rod-like  shape  is  usually  preserved.  Besides 
passing  very  obliquely  Inward  as  it  goes  forward  from  the  wide-apart  quadrates  to  the  narrow 
riistruin  in  the  axis  of  the  skull,  the  pterygoid  often  bellies  or  elbows  inwards  in  its  course  to 
join  the  basisphenoidal  beak,  and  be  movably  articulated  therewith.  In  the  majority  of  birds, 
there  is  no  such  rostral  articulation,  or  the  pterygoid  only  touches  the  rostrum  at  its  fore  end 
where  it  joins  the  palatal.  In  many,  however,  special  artictilar  facets,  called  basipterygoid 
processes  (fig.  70,  ap),  are  developed  on  the  rostrum  for  the  pterygoids  to  abut  against  and 
fjliile  over.  In  Carinatc  birds,  excepting  the  tinamous  {DrommognatluB),  these  processes  are 
forward  on  the  beak,  and  the  pterygoids  articulate  at  or  near  their  own  fore  ends,  as  well  shown 
in  tlie  fowl  or  duck,  figs.  77,  78,  Pt.  In  Batite  birds  and  tinamous,  the  basi pterygoids  are 
very  long,  flaring  transverse  processes,  far  back  on  the  rostrum,  at  the  sphenoidal  base,  and 
the  pterygoids  articulate  therewith  at  or  near  their  own  posterior  ends  (figs.  75,  Btp,  and  76). 

The  Palatal  or  Palatine  Bones  (Lat.  palatum,  roof  of  the  mouth  ;  figs.  62  ;  63,  p;  65, 

60,  08,  69,  71,  77,  78,  80,  pa;  75,  70,  79,  PI)  are  a  pair,  approximately  parallel  and  near  the 
inid-linc,  forming  that  part  of  the  "  hard  palate  "  or  roof  of  the  mouth  which  is  not  constructed 
by  tlie  palatal  processes  of  the  maxillaries,  or  vomer.  They  are  nearly  always  long  thin  bones, 
aiiumg  the  most  conspicuous  parts  wlien  tho  dried  skull  is  viewed  from  below.  Sometimes,  as  in 
the  ostrich  (fig.  75,  pi),  they  are  remote  from  the  axis  of  the  skull  and  only  connected  in  front 
with  the  maxillaries  and  maxillo-palatines.  In  many  birds  they  skip  the  maxillary  parts  in 
filing  forward  to  be  fused  with  the  premaxillaries  ;  in  most,  probably,  they  form  anterior  con- 
nections in  one  or  another  fashion  with  palatal  parts  both  of  maxillaries  aud  of  premaxillaries. 
Hehiiid,  they  always  coiTcctly  articulate  with  the  pterygoid.  The  mid-line  connections  made 
ill  most  Carinivte  birds  (not  in  Dromaiognatha;)  are  variously  with  the  vomer,  with  the  ros- 
tniiii,  with  each  other,  or  some  or  all  of  these  relations  at  once.  A  long  deeply-cleft  vomer 
may  by  its  posterior  forks  attach  itself  to  the  whole  palatal  mid-line,  excluding  the  palatals 
from  the  rostrum  ;  less  extensive  attachment  of  the  same  kind  may  permit  the  palatals  to  touch 
each  other  aud  the  rostrum  posteriorly,  while  cutting  tlu^m  oflF  anteriorly ;  also,  a  non-cleft 
vomer  may  attach  itself  to  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  palatals,  and  bear  them  oflf  the  ros- 
triiiii.  The  whole  hard  pahite  may  fuse  into  an  indistinguishable  mass ;  and  in  almost  any 
case  the  relations  of  the  palatals  to  each  other  and  their  connections  afiord  some  of  the  most 
valuable  zoological  characters  of  great  groups  of  birds.  (Details  figured  and  described  beyond.) 
'i'hough  very  variable  in  configuration,  as  well  as  in  connections,  certain  parts  of  a  palatal  may 
usually  be  recognized,  and  conveniently  named  for  descriptive  purposes.  Anteriorly,  in  tho 
f;i<'at  majority  of  birds,  of  whatever  technical  kind  of  palatal  structure,  the  palatals  are  simply 
jirolonged  as  fiat  strap-like  or  lath-like  bars  running  past  the  maxillary  to  the  premaxillary 
region  ;  and  such  simple  band-like  character  may  be  preserved  behind.  Ordinarily,  however, 
the  palatals  expand  posteriorly,  becoming  more  or  less  laminar;  and  in  this  plate-like  part 
three  surfaces  may  usually  be  recognized.     One,  more  or  less  horizontal,  llariug  outward,  is  the 


164 


GENERAL  OliNITIIOLOGY. 


external  lamina.  It  is  well  shown  in  a  Pafscrino  or  Rnjrtorial  bird,  where  the  postero-exkrwtl 
angle  (hctwccn  the  outer  border  and  the  jiosterior  end)  of  the  palatal  is  well-marked,  «r  may 
bo  acutely  ijrodiiced  ;  there  is  no  such  laniiuii  in  a  fowl,  when;  the  palatals  are  for  the  most 
part  slender  and  rod-like.  An  internal,  more  or  less  vertically  produced,  plate  to  niiilic  tlie 
inid-linc  rostral  or  vomerine  connection  is  the  superior  internal  lamina,  or  medio-pahtinc  jim- 
cess;  very  strong,  for  example,  in  a  fowl,  where  it  forms  all  the  ex])anded  jmrt  of  tiie  himc,  jiud 
ends  anteriorly  as  a  shaqi  inter-palatine  spur.  The  medio-palatine  is  pr(d)ably  to  be  rciranlid 
ns  the  main  body  of  the  bone,  being  the  most  axial  part,  of  the  most  extensive  and  varied  con- 
nections. A  third  lij)  or  jilate  of  the  i)alatal  is  the  inferior  internal  lamina,  huddng  downward ; 
it  is  generally  very  evident,  hut  in  a  iluck  or  fowl  is  reduced  to  a  mere  ridge,  iudicatiiit;  wiiero 
the  suj)erior  internal  and  external  laminiu  meet.  A  duck's  palatals  are  ([uile  difl'erent  in  ajt- 
]iearance  from  those  of  most  birds,  all  the  posterior  parts  just  distinguished  being  reduced  and 
constricted,  while  the  fore  ends,  running  abruptly  into  the  hard-boned  beak,  are  much  expanded 
horizontally  (tig.  78).  The  iiostero-external  angles  of  the  jtalatal  (formed  by  the  cxterniil 
lamina),  es-en  when  much  jiroduced,  may  not  reach  as  far  back  as  opposite  the  iiterygo-palatine 
articulati(m ;  or  they  may  surpass  these  limits,  and  when  they  do,  such  backward  )H(donuation 
is  called  ptost-palatiue,  the  palate  being  (Maisidered  to  end  at  the  pterygoids.  In  like  manner, 
the  maxillary  processes  of  the  i)alatals,  or  the  jialatal  strips  as  pndonged  into  the  iiremaxillary 
region,  are  called  pre -palatines.  The  inner  posterior  process,  by  which  the  palatine  is  articu- 
lated with  the  pterygoid,  is  ha  pteri/r/oid  2>rocess. 


The  PreniaxUInry  Bones  (figs.  02  ;  OH,  a;  fiO,  70,  71,  80,  px;  75  to  70,  pm.r),  also  called 
Interiiiaxlllaries,  form  most  of  the  upjier  beak,  attaining  enormous  devidopment  in  birils,  and 
reversing  the  usual  relative  size  of  jireniaxillary  and  maxillary.  Mainly  determining  as  they 
do  the  form  of  the  upper  mandible,  their  shapes  are  as  various  as  the  bills  themselves  of 
birds;  but  their  generalized  characters  can  be  easily  given.  Each  iiremaxillary,  right  and 
left,  forms  its  half  the  bill ;  the  two  are  always  complet<dy  fused  together  in  front,  eonmionly 
prescr\"ing  traces  at  least  of  their  original  distinction  behind.  They  are  commonly  called  one 
bone,  the  premaxillary.  Each  is  a  triradiatc  or  3-prouged  bone ;  one  upper  prong,  the  most 
distinct,  called  the  nasal  m  frontal  process,  forms  with  its  feUow  the  culmen  (p.  101,  fig.  2fi,  h\ 
of  the  bill.  These  processes,  side  by  side,  run  cle.ar  up  to  \.\w  frontal  bone  in  birds,  driving  the 
nasal  bones  apart  from  each  t)ther.  Such  a  median  fronto-prenuixillary  suture,  with  lateral 
fronto-nasal  and  naso-premaxillary  sutures,  is  highly  characteristic  of  birds,  —  an  arrangement 
probably  exceptionless.  Two  other  Iiorizontal  prongs  on  each  side,  extensively  distinct  from 
the  frontal  process  in  most  birds,  but  less  separate  from  each  other,  run  horizontally  along  the 
side  and  roof  of  tlie  mouth  for  a  variable  distance.  These  horizontal  jtrongs  are  an  e.rternal  or 
dentarij  process  (fig.  80,  dpx),  forming  the  toniium  (p.  104)  of  the  bill,  and  reaching  back  to 
join  the  dentary  ])art  of  the  maxillary,  and  an  internal  or  palatal  process  (fig.  80,  vyj-r),  run- 
ning along  the  commencement  of  the  bony  palate.  With  this  latter  tlie  anterior  ends  of  the 
palatal  bones  unite,  —  either  on  the  side  toward  the  mid-line  of  the  beak,  or  between  the  palatal 
and  dentary  jirocesses,  as  in  a  woodpecker  (fig.  80).  Great  laminar  expansions  inward  of  these 
])alatal  parts  of  the  premaxillaries  roof  the  hard  ])art  of  the  mouth  anteriorly,  though  there  is 
usually  a  vacancy  between  the  premaxillary  hard  palate  and  that  formed  farther  back  by  the 
maxillo-palatines  and  palatines.  The  posterior  extremities  at  least  of  the  frontal  processes  of 
the  jiremaxillaries  are  commonly  distinguishable  from  each  other,  as  well  as  from  the  frontal 
and  nasal  bones  —  in  fact,  these  fronto-naso-preniaxillary  sutures  arc  among  the  most  per- 
sistent of  all.  The  divergence  of  the  frontal  from  the  palatal  and  dentary  jirocesscs  bounds  the 
external  nostril  in  part,  the  circumscription  of  that  orifice  being  completed  by  the  prongs  of  the 
nasal  bones.  The  superficies  of  the  premaxillary  bone,  like  that  of  the  dentary  piece  of  the 
lower  jaw  bone,  is  commonly  sculptured  with  the  impressions  of  the  vessels  and  nen'cs  which 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  —  OSTEOLOGY. 


165 


raiiiify  honciith  the  homy  intpginnont ;  and  in  birds  with  very  Bcnsitivo  bills,  ns  a  snipe  or 
(iiicU,  tilt'  end  is  jirrfdnitcd  sieve-like  with  little  holes,  into  which  the  skin  shrinks  in  ilryiiig, 
])riiilticiiig  the  familiar  "  i>itted"  ajipearanco  (fig.  03,  at  c). 

The  Nasal  Boies  (figs.  02;  71,  «)  might  have  been  desv-ribed  next  ahvr  the  frot^tah,  as 
tlicv  rcintiiiue  forward  tlic  general  roofing  of  the  skull;  but  are  eonveniently  eousidered  in  the 
|ins('iit  coiincetion,  being  in  birds  rather  "  facial"  than  "  cranial."  They  are  of  hirge  size  in 
liiiils,  and  pronged,  — one  fork,  the  su])erior  jnvuss,  being  applied  for  a  variable  distance  along 
till'  nuter  side  of  tiie  frontal  jirocess  of  tlu!  jjrenuixillary,  the  other,  inferior,  descending  to  or 
tiiwiinls  the  dentary  border  of  the  nuixillary  or  i)rennixillary,  or  both  ;  the  divergence  of  these 
twii  jprocesses  bounding  the  nostril  behind.  The  bas(!  of  the  nasal,  uppermost  and  posterior, 
aiicliyloses  (uHually)  or  sutures  (often)  or  articulates  (as  in  parrots)  with  the  antero-external 
iMinirr  of  the  frontal  bone;  its  fretpient  collateral  connections  being  with  the  lacrynial  or 
ctiinioid,  or  both  of  these.  The  nasals  are  very  variable  in  shape,  as  well  as  in  the  extent 
of  their  connections.  "When  expansive,  they  may  wall  in  much  of  the  nasal  cavity,  as  well  as 
bound  the  nostrils.  These  latter  openings,  as  far  as  the  bony  bonntlaries  are  concerned,  are 
ii.siiidly  much  more  extensive  than  they  seem  to  be  from  the  outside,  being  much  contracted  by 
iiiciiibraue  and  integument.  Ordinari.ly,  each  forms  a  great  vacuity,  which  the  descending 
lining  of  the  nasal  bone  separates  from  a  similar  vacancy  between  itself  and  the  lacrynnil,  the 
laciynial  in  tiu'n  interposing  between  this  and  the  orbital  cavity.  The  descending  process  of 
the  nasal,  in  fact,  is  a  marked  idtject  at  the  side  of  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible  of  most  birds, 
tliongh  slight  or  rudimentary  in  the  Ratitie.  A  character  of  the  nasals  has  been  em[)loyed  in 
clas>;ification  by  Mr.   tiarrod.     A  bird  having  the  bones  as  above  generally  described,  with 

1 lenite  forking,  so  that  the  angle  of  the  fork,  bounding  the  nostrils  behind,  does  not  reach  so 

fur  hack  as  the  fronto-premaxillary  suture,  is  termed  hnlorhinal  (Gr.  oXor,  holos,  whole;  pis, 
(jti/iif,  rhis,  rhinos,  nose;  fig.  02j.  But  in  the  Columlndm,  and  in  a  great  many  wading  and 
swininiing  birds,  whoso  palates  are  cleft  (schizognathoiis),  the  nasal  bones  are  schizorhinal 
((Txi'fu,  schizo,  1  cut)  ;  that  is,  cleft  to  or  boyom'  the  ends  of  the  premaxillaries ;  such  fission 
leaving  the  external  descending  process  very  distinct  from  the  other,  almost  like  a  separate 
111  me.  Pigeons,  gulls,  plovers,  cranes,  auks,  and  other  birds  arc  thus  split-nosed.  The  value 
of  the  character,  except  as  an  auxiliary,  is  doubtful. 

The  Lacrymal  (Lat.  lacryma,  a  tear ;  from  the  relation  of  the  human  bone  to  the  tcar- 
ciiu't :  figs.  ()2;  (13,  «;  71,  ')  is  one  of  several  splint-like  membrane-bones  of  the  skull,  having 
little  intimacy  of  relation  with  the  general  morphology  of  the  cranium,  though  quite  constant  in 
liirds,  and  often  very  conspicuous.  It  is  situated  at  or  near  the  anterior  outer  corner  of  the 
orbit,  near  the  nasal  but  behind  that  bone ;  sometimes  anchylosed,  sometimes  very  loosely 
attached,  oftener  firmly  sutured  with  the  frontal ;  and  may  also  have  connection  with  the  nasal 
and  ethmoid.  It  is  generally  a  daw-like  affiiir,  depending  from  the  fi'ont  outer  comer  of  the 
frontal,  and  consefpiently  bounding  the  orbit  anteriorly;  it  may  be  variously  twisted,  crooked, 
liooked,  etc.  It  is  singularly  elongated  and  distorted  in  the  ostrich.  In  the  duck  tribe,  in 
which  the  lacrymo-frontal  region  of  the  skull  is  greatly  elongated,  the  lacrymal  has  coex- 
tensive attachment  to  the  frontal  bone,  and  is  broadly  laminar,  with  a  downward  process; 
in  some  ducks  bounding  at  least  a  fourth  of  the  orbital  brim,  and  almost  completing  the  circle 
by  extending  toward  the  very  protrusive  post-frontal  process,  as  in  fig.  03,  u.  In  some  parrots, 
the  rim  of  the  orbit  is  completed  below,  and  even  sends  a  bony  bar  to  bridge  over  the  temporal 
fossa  behind  the  post-frontal.  In  some  birds,  the  lacrymal  is  quite  free,  and  even  in  more  than 
one  free  piece.  The  os  uncinatum,  or  os  lacrymo-palatimim,  would  appear  to  be  a  palatine  bone 
distinct  from  the  lacrymal ;  it  has  been  observed  in  the  Musophagidce  and  many  other  pica- 
rian  birds,  in  Tachypetes  and  certain  Procellariidte.     The  lacrymal  bone  seems  to  be  the  prin- 


11^ 


166 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


cip.ll  relic,  in  birds,  of  a  set  of  splint-bones  which  lie  about  tho  edges  of  the  orbits  in  inniiy 
Sauropsida.  Another  is  tho  post-frontal  or  sphenotic,  usually  a  process  of  the  frontal,  dftcn  u 
separate  ossification.  In  some  birds,  as  various  Raptores,  there  are  one  or  more  loose  siiprii- 
orbital  plates  of  bone,  serving  to  eke  out  the  brim  of  the  orbits;  thus  forming  the  "  orhital 
shields  "  so  prominent  in  many  hawks,  and  causing  their  eyebrows  to  project.  Were  siidi  a 
a  chain  of  splint-bones  complete  (lacrymal,  superorbitals,  post-frontal,  and  squamosal,  ti) 
quadrate),  it  would  fonn  an  arcade  of  bones  over  the  orbit,  like  the  actual  zygomatic  aicli 
(ma.\illary,  jugal,  quadrato-jugal,  to  quadrate)  which  lies  under  the  orbit ;  and  such  a  (l(Jiible 
series  is  very  ))erfcctly  illustrated  in  many  of  the  Saurojjsida  below  birds  (Huxley). 

Other  special  ossifications  have  been  described  in  some  birds,  but  1  am  obliged  to  pass 
tliem  over.  1  have  already  far  exceeded  intended  limits,  and  have  yet  to  describe  the  mandib- 
ular and  hyoidean  arciies,  and  the  zotilogical  characters  of  the  palate  as  a  whole. 


The  31aii<lible,  or  Lower  Jaw  Bone  (figs.  02,  03,  70,  71)  is  a  collection  of  bones  devel- 
oped in  the  first  post-oral  visceral  arch.  Eacli  half  of  the  comjwund  bone  (right  and  left  I  cuii- 
sists  normally  oi  five  bones,  which  become  immovably  ancliylosed,  but  traces  of  the  oiitrinal 
distinction  of  which  connnonly  persist  for  an  indefinite  period,  —  in  some  birds  throughout  tlitir 
lives.  In  an  embryo  whose  skull  has  passed  to  the  cartilaginous  stage,  a  long  slender  roil  df 
cartilage  appears  in  the  first  post-oral  visceral  arch  ;  this  is  3Iecl;eVs  cartilage,  or  the  mcckelinii 
rod  (figs.  05,  00,  08,  70,  tnk),  so  named  after  a  famous  anatomist.  Around  this  rod,  wliidi 
subsequently  disappears,  the  several  bones  of  the  mandible  are  developed.  The  anterior  one  of 
these  is  the  dentarij  (rf).  forming  the  scafl'old  of  the  horny  part  of  the  external  under  manilililc. 
It  usually  unites  by  anchylosis,  sonu^times  only  by  suture,  with  its  fellow  of  the  opposite  side. 
This  union  in  the  middle  line  is  the  symphysis  (Gr.  triiv,  sun,  with  ;  (pvan,  phiisis,  Kniwtli). 
The  line  of  union  is  externally  the  gouys  (.see  p.  103),  the  length  and  other  diaracters  of  which 
arc  determined  by  tho  mode  of  .symphysis,  as  is  the  rencral  shape  of  the  tip  of  the  lower  nianili- 
ble.  The  union  generally  makes  an  angular  ^,  but  maybe  an  obtuse  £1 ;  the  symphysis  is 
very  short  and  imjjerfect,  as  in  a  pelican,  for  instance,  or  the  o])positc,  as  in  a  woodpecker  and 
a  multitude  of  birds.  Behind  tho  d<'ntary,  each  ramus  of  the  jaw  continues  with  pieces  called 
sploiial,  angular  and  surangular  (sj),  a,  su);  there  is  often  a  fenestra  between  them,  hy 
imperfection  of  bony  union,  as  shown  in  fig.  02,  or  03,/,  which  also  sufficiently  indicates  the 
relations  of  these  parts.  Tho  articulation  of  the  jaw  with  the  quadrate  bone  is  furnished  hy  a 
fifth  ])iece  called  articular  (ar)  from  its  function.  As  a  whtde  the  mandible  is  a  pronged  hone, 
forking  with  a  variable  degree  of  divergence  from  its  obtuse  or  acute  point,  sometimes  (|uite 
parallel-sided,  as  in  a  duck,  oftener  very  open;  such  prongs  may  be  straight,  or  variously 
curved  or  bent  either  in  the  vertical  or  the  horizontal  ]danc ;  are  generally  stout  anil  stan<'li, 
sometimes  so  slender  as  to  be  quite  fiexible.  The  articular  part,  always  expanded  horizontally, 
presents  a  smooth  irregularly  cupped  sujierior  surface  for  reception  of  the  protuberances  of  the  foot 
of  quadrate.  In  general,  the  concave  articular  surface  is  divided  into  an  inner  and  outer  cup  se])a- 
rated  by  a  protuberance,  corresponding  to  similar  inequalities  of  the  ojiposiug  surface  of  tiic 
quadrate.  Cupping  of  the  mandibular  articulation  is  characteristic  of  birds  as  compared  with 
mammals,  in  which  latter  the  lower  jaw  lias  always  a  knobb(>d  articular  surface  (condyle).  In 
many  birds  the  angle  of  tin;  jaw  is  jirolonged  back  of  the  articulation  as  a  2>osterior  articular 
process  (fig.  03,  h,  70,  71,  l>ap),  which  may  be  long,  slender  and  up-curved,  as  is  well  shown  in 
a  fowl,  duck,  or  plover.  Such  birds  are  said  to  have  the  "angle  of  the  mandibh;  recurved  : '' 
the  opposite  condition  is  "angle  truncated"  (cut  off).  Usually  also,  an  internal  angular 
process  (figs.  70,  71,  iap)  is  produced  inward  from  the  articular  part  of  the  jaw,  as  in  the 
fowl,  duck.  Between  the  dentary  and  articular  parts,  the  ramus  of  the  jaw  is  usually  verti- 
cally produced  as  a  thin  raised  crest,  which,  when  prominent,  is  called  the  coronoid  process  ; 
it  corresponds  to  the  strong  process  so  called  in  a  mammal,  and  relates  to  the  advantageous 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  —  OSTEOLOGY. 


167 


insertion  of  the  temporal  or  masseteric  muscles  wliicli  effect  closure  of  the  jaw.  It  is  scarcely 
evident  in  the  fowl,  fig.  G2,  but  well  marked  in  the  duck,  tig.  63,  over/.  At  the  hack  of  the 
articular  surface  is  the  pneumatic  foramen  for  entrance  of  air,  when  any  ;  on  the  inner  surface 
of  the  ramus,  about  the  splenial  bone,  is  the  opening  conveying  the  vessels  and  nerve. 


The  Hyold  Bone  (Gr.  letter  v,  hu=hy,  tlbos,  eidos,  fonn;  figs. 
65-fi8,  72-74)  is  the  skeleton  of  the  tongue ;  a  very  composite  struc- 
ture, consisting  of  several  distinct  bones,  developed  in  the  second  and 
third  post -oral  visceral  arches  (see  fig.  05,  where  ch  and  hh  are  the 
original  elements  of  the  second  arch,  making  the  basihyal  and  cerato- 
liijid  hones,  and  hhr,  cbr,  and  ebr  are  the  original  dements  of  the  third 
arch,  making  the  basibranchial,  cerato-bmnchial,  and  epihmnchial 
hones).  The  whole  affair  is  somewhat  \-  or  fj-shaped,  lying 
loosely,  point  forward,  between  the  forks  of  the  lower  jaw,  with  its 
long  slender  prongs  curving  up  behind  the  hind  head  more  or  less  ; 
but  not  definitely  wmnccted  with  any  other  bones  of  the  skuU.  The 
connection  which  exists  between  the  hyoid  and  other  cranial  bones 
in  a  mammal  is  in  birds  broken  by  non-development  of  certain 
huks  of  bone  developed  in  the  mammalian  second  post-oral  arch,  as 
the  styh>-h}'al,  epiliyal,  etc. ;  though  birds  have  a  rudimentary  styhi- 
liyal,  at  least  in  the  embryo,  among  the  several  proximal  parts  of 
the  see(md  arch  which  form  the  intricate  bones  within  the  car- 
passages  (fig.  ()?).  The  visible  parts  of  a  bird's  hyoid  are  usually : 
the  body  of  the  bone,  basihijal  (bh,  and  fig.  72,  c),  single  and  median, 
commonly  quite  short  and  stocky,  sometimes  long  and  slender.  The 
basihyal  bears  in  front  a  pair  of  cerato-hijah  (ch;  not  shown  in 
fig.  72,  where  they  have  been  absorbed  in  b)  usually  movably 
articulated  with  the  basihyal.  They  commonly  appear  as  little 
"  horns"  or  processes  of  the  next  piece,  the  glosso-hi/al  (tig.  72,  b) 
or  hone  chiefly  supporting  tiie  substance  of  the  tongue.  It  may  be 
a  stout  and  apparently  single  bone,  as  that  of  the  goose  tigured  ;  but 
ofteuer  appears  as  a  pair  of  slender  bones,  side  by  side,  whose  back- 
ward ends  are  the  cerato-hyals.  The  glossohyal  may  or  may  not 
bear  at  its  fore  end  a  cartilaginous  tip,  as  in  tig.  72,  a.  All  the  fore- 
going are  hyal,  i.e.,  belonging  to  the  second  visceral  arch:  the 
following  are  branchial,  of  the  third  arch:  The  busi-brancliial 
(hhr,    tig.    72,   d)  is  a  single   median   iiicce,    projecting   backward 


Fio.  "2.  -  ll.void  bones  of  a 


horn  the  basihyal,  with  which  it  may  be  perfectly  consolidated,  as   goose,  imt.  size ;  by  Dr  K.  W. 

it  is  in  the  tigure,  or  separately  articulated  ;  it  may  be  wanting  ;  it   fi','"J|;J)J','g  m'kn'jwo  ot'h  7ho 

i.s  usually  tipped  and  prolonged  backward  with  a  thread  of  cartilage,    great  glosso-liynl,  which'  ims 

The  basibranchial  is  oftcner  called  "  urohval,"  but  had  better  be   "''sfi""!  "f  replaced  cerato- 

.  •  hvals  or  "  lesser  coriiua '  ;  c, 

allowed  its  strict  morphohigical  name.     On  either  side,  tlic  basihyal   basiliyiil,  movably  nrticulated 

hears  the  separately  articulated  ccrato-brauchials  (cbr,  tisr.  72,  e),  ^;'"'  ''-  •'^",''  ,™"'l'ln<?'i  <;("n- 

'  '  \       '      h     •    >     ^<  pietely  with  (I,  bnsibraiu-hial, 

long  slender  bones  diverging  as  they  pass  backward,  and  bearing  commonly  called  "  uroiiyal;" 

np(m  their  ends  the  epi-brmickials  (ebr,  fiir.  72,  f),  which  tinish  off  ;'-   ceratobranchiai ;    /,   cpi- 

'  •*  V       >     &    •    >./;>  branchial;    e    and/   are   to- 

the  hyoid  bone  behind,  or  may  be  in  turn  tipped  with  cartilaginous   gcther    known    as  "tiiyro- 
threads.     The  cerate-  and  epi-branchials  together  are  badly  called   liyals," or" greater cornua." 
the  "  thyro-hyals,"  and  in  still  more  popular  language  the  "greater  cornua"  or  "horns" 
of  the  hyoid.     All  these  bones  vary  in  different  birds  in  size  and  shape  and  relative  develop- 
ment ;  the  branchial  elements  are  the  most  constant  in  their  length  and  slendeniess.     The 


168 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


whole  hyoid  apparatus  of  the  woodpeckers  is  specially  modified;  the  basihyal  is  very  Idnir 
and  slender,  beariug  stunted  ceratu-  and  glossti-hyals  at  its  extreme  end  ;  there  is  no  um- 
hyal,  or  only  a  rudiment;  the  ccrato-brancliials  are  long,  and  the  epibranchials  so  extraordi- 
narily elongated  in  some  species  as  to  curl  up  over  the  hack  of  the  skull  and  forward  along  tlic 
top  of  tlie  skull  to  a  variable  distance  ;  sometimes,  as  in  fig.  73,  curling  aroimd  the  ()rl)it  of  the 
eye,  or,  as  in  fig.  1\,  miming  into  the  nostril  to  the  tip  of  the  beak.  In  such  ca.ses  tlicv 
bundle  together  in  passing  forward  over  the  skull,  and  go  obliquely  to  one  side.  (Derivation 
of  the  terms  iu  this  i)aragniph :  hyal  is  anotlier  form  of  hyoid;  branchial,  Lat.  hruiirhitc 
gills;  hatii-,  Lat.  lusia,  liasc;  cerato-,  Gr.  Kepas,  Kcparos,  I;era.s,  hcratos,  horn;  epi-,  (ir.  {Vi, 
cpi,  upon;  stylo-,  Lat.  stylus,  a  pen;  glossu-,  Gr.  yXmero-a,  glossa,  tongue;  nro-,  Gr.  ovpa, 
ottra,  lail;  thyro-,  Gr.  dvptos,  thureos,  a  shield.) 

Other  Bones  of  the  Skull.— 

The  articulation  of  the  Iciwei-  jaw 
with  the  quadrate  may  hav(^  ciTtaiii 
sesamoids.  Thus,  there  arc  two 
such  sckrosteoHS  or  ligament-boiics 
iu  the  external  lateral  ligament  of 
the  raven's  jaw-joint,  and  the  Idiig 
occipital  style  of  the  cormorant  and 
snake-bird  is  of  the  same  character, 
being  an  ossification  in  the  nuchal 
ligament  of  tlie  neck.  The  sii)ho;i- 
like  tube  wliich  conveys  air  fnun 
the  outer  ear-passage  to  tlie  hollow 
of  the  mandible  may  ossify,  as  it 
does  in  an  old  raven,  resulting  in 
a  neat  tubular  "air-bone"  or  at- 
mostcon  (Gr.  aTftos,  air). 


F108.  73,  74. —Under  ilg.  side  view  of  a  wiindpcckor's  iPicus) 
skull,  sliowing  the  long  Klenilerb.isiliyal  (&A),  bearing  slight  elements 
at  Its  fore  end,  no  urojhal,  and  extraonlinarily  long  thyroliyals 
(chr,  cbr)  curving  upoverbiiok  of  skull  anil  curling  together  around 
orbit  of  the  right  eye.  Upper  Ilg.  top  view  of  skull  of  Cnlnptts, 
showing  thyroliyals  running  along  the  skull  and  into  right  nostril 
to  end  of  the  bill.    (Dr.  K.  W.  Shufehlt,  U.  S.  A.) 


Types  of  Palatal  Structure.— 

The  arrangement  of  the  bones  of  the 
palate  in  birds  results  in  several 
types  of  structure,  first  defined  by 
Huxley  and  apidied  to  the  classification  of  birds.  These  are  the  divmccoynathous,  schi^ug- 
nathoiis,  desmognathous  and  (rgilhognatJwits ;  to  which  Parker  has  added  the  sauroguathoits. 
Huxh'y  proposed  to  make  the  primary  division  of  Carinate  birds  upon  this  score;  and  since 
the  plan  could  not  be  made  to  work  in  his  hands,  it  is  certainly  futile  for  any  one  else  to 
demon.'strate  again  the  iinpo.ssibility  of  establishing  the  higher  groups  of  birds  upon  any  one 
set  of  characters,  —  upon  the  modifications  of  any  one  structure.  Nevertheless,  when  duly 
co-ordinated  witli  other  characters,  palatal  structure  becomes  of  the  utmost  importance  iu 
defining  large  groups  of  birds.  It  is  necessary,  therefore,  for  the  student  to  clearly  understand 
this  matter,  which  I  will  lay  before  him  as  nearly  as  jjossiblc  in  the  words  of  the  authors 
just  mentioned. 

Dromeeognathism  (Gr.  Spopaios,  dromaios,  a  runner :  genus-name  of  the  emeu).  —  All  tlie 
Ratite  birds,  and  the  tinamous  alone  of  Carinate  birds,  are  dronucognathous.  "The  posterior 
ends  of  the  palatines  and  tlio  anterior  ends  of  the  pterygoids  are  very  imperfectly,  or  n(jt  at  all, 
articulated  with  the  basisphenoidal  rostrum,  being  usually  separated  from  it,  and  supported  by 
the  broad,  cleft,  hinder  end  of  the  vomer.     Strong  basipterygoid  processes,  arising  from  the 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  —  OSTEOLOGY. 


169 


•3  i  "  --  2.  S 

S  .=  -*  a  =  =• 

JT       S!   re   ?   ? 
n  Wg'sS.'H  2 

llisEi 

O    C    §  «    3    i 


c  c  2  -  «-  S  o 


5 


?.3 


s-  a 


=  -2  2  =  s.  ^ 


I    2,  -•  S   - 


S  S, 


-•  C'  J_  O    ^    B- 


><   =   E. 


wi  (Jo 


■  J.  ■-.  s-  c  _'  » 
3  s  g  2  ?  ^ 

a:  J  s  2  01  a 

s:■^•^  =  s^ 

-'*     -'  "^    S'    r*    3 

r^5    ^jq    ^ 


3§-t 


2. 

3 

^  _  f? 

»■=    3    ■      5    = 

-  M,  I.  ?^  =1  s! 

I  ?  S  =•  2  S 

?*   ta    —    3  •• 


I        -1  2  3  3 
5  ^_!»  3,5 


—  5  »  V  "  ** 
«. "  S5  "  B  5 

a    "^    M    !^  tte 

B-i  3  a,=  ■ 
—  "  =:  S.  2.  2 

H  *  2.  s-  r  1 
|-  s.  r  -  ^ " 


-  i     I,  ®  V 

O    O    M  ^  ro 


f  r  B*  c  ft 

liddy  fif  the  basisphenoid  and  not  from  the  rostrum,  articulate  with  facets  which  are  situated 
nearer  the  posterior  than  the  anterior  ends  of  the  inner  edges  of  the  pterygoid  bones."    This  is 


170 


GENERAL  OBNITHOLOGT. 


the  gist  (if  (IronKVognathism;  it  is  oxliibited  in  several  ways,  (a)  In  Struthio  alone,  fig.  7.5, 
the  very  short  vomer,  home  ui)on  tlic  rostrum,  articulates  neither  with  palatines  nor  with  pfrry- 
golds,  but  M-ith  the  niaxillo-palatincs  ;  and  the  palatines,  which  are  remote  from  the  rostnim, 
advance  beyond  tlie  maxillo-palatines,  as  in  mo.st  birds.  (?>)  In  Rhea,  the  vomer  is  as  long  as 
usual  in  birds,  and  articulates  beliind  with  the  palatines  and  pterygoids,  but  does  not  join  thn 
maxillo-palatiues  in  front;  the  sliort  palatines  unite  with  the  inner  and  posterior  edges  r  if  the 
thin  fenestrated  maxillo-i)alatiues.  (c)  In  Casuarius  and  Dromeeus  (cassowary  and  emeu), 
the  long  vomer  articulates  behind  witli  tlie  palatines  and  pterygoids,  and  unites  in  front  with 
the  maxillo-palatines;  these  are  flat,  imperforate,  and  solidly  joined  to  the  premaxillie;  the 
palatines  are  short,  (d)  The  extinct  Dinornis  had  flat  imperforate  maxillo-palatino  plates 
uniting  solidly  with  the  premaxillie,  and  probably  with  the  vomer,  as  in  Dromeeus.  (r)  hi 
Apteryx,  tlie  long  vomer  unites  with  palatines  and  pterygoids  behind ;  sliort  broad  paliitinos 


I'mx-^^ 


^,  Pmx- 


Mi 


'xp. 


Pt- 


-  P„ 


suture  obliquely  with  flat  imper 
fovate  maxillo- palatine  plates, 
which  unite  both  with  premax- 
illary  and  vomer.  (/)  Tlie  tin- 
anious,  Dromccognatha  (flg.  70) 
"  have  a  completely  strutliious 
palate";  vomer  very  broad, 
uniting  in  front  with  broad  max- 
illo-palatine  plates  as  in  Dro- 
mcnus;  beliind  articnhiting  with 
posterior  ends  of  palatines  and 
anterior  ends  of  pterj'goids,  both 
of  which  are  tluis  prevented,  as 
in  all  Ratitcc,  from  any  extensive 
connection  with  the  rostrum ; 
basipterygoid  processes  sjiringing 
from  body  of  sphenoid,  not  from 
its    rostrum,    articulating     with 

pterygoids   very    near  the   pos- 

.     •  ■  1       i-  »i  „  1   »4    .  .  Fio.   77.  —  Siihhonnalliniix  skull  of 

tenor  or  outer  ends  <,f  tlie  latter  ;     ^„„,„,„,,  f,,^^,^  ,„^j   ^^^^  f,,,„„  „^„„.,^_ 

Fir..7(i.  — />iYimfro.(7iia/7;oHs  head   of  quadrate   witll    a  siugle     byl>r.  K.  W.  Slmfeldt,  U.  S.  A.     Letters 

Bknil    »f  tlniunou    {Timnnus  articular  facet,  as  in  iiafj'te.  as  before ; /X  palatine. 

)v,/,((..j/H,<);  copieil  liy  Slmfeldt  ' 

I'riim  Huxley,     r.etters  a»  he- 

toTc;  M.ip,  iiLixiilo-pnlatino.  ScliizoKDUtliism  (Gr.  o-xi'fo),  schizo,  I  cleave)  is  the  kind  of 
"cleft  palate"  shown  by  the  columbine  and  gallinaceous  birds,  by  the  waders  at  large,  and 
many  of  the  swimmers  (see  fig.  ??)•  In  this  general  case,  the  vomer,  whether  large  or  small, 
tapers  to  a  point  in  front,  while  behind  it  embraces  the  basisphenoidal  rostrum,  between  tlic 
pahitincs ;  •' -"^e  bones  and  the  pterygoids  are  directly  articulated  with  one  another  and  witli 
the  basi  d  rostrum,  not  being  l)onie  upon  the  divei'gent  po.sterior  ends  of  the  vomer ; 

the  max  .latines,  usually  elongated  and  lamellar,  pa.«s  inwards  over  \tmdcr,   when  tin' 

sknU  is  viewed  upside-down,  as  it  usually  is]  the  anterior  part  of  tlie  jialatiues,  witli  which 
they  unite  and  tlien  bend  backwards,  along  the  inner  edge  of  the  palatines,  leaving  a  broader 
or  narrower  fissure  between  themselves  and  the  vomer,  on  each  side,  and  do  not  unite  with  one 
another  or  with  the  vomer.  It  follows  from  this  that  in  the  dry  skull  of  a  plover,  for  instance, 
which  shows  the  schizognathous  aiTangement  extremely  well,  "  the  blade  of  a  thin  knife  can 
be  passed,  without  meeting  with  any  bony  obstacle,  from  the  posterior  uares  alongside  tlie 
vomer  to  the  end  of  the  beak."  There  are  several  groups  of  birds  which  exhibit  tlie  schizo- 
gnathous plan,  with  ulterior  modifications  of  palatal  and  other  characters.      (a)  Tlio  colum- 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  B/BDS.  —  OSTEOLOGY. 


171 


|m, 

as 

Ithn 

Itlie 

0, 
jith 
Itho 
litos 

In 


I 


Bmsc. 


Lino  birds  (Periste''omorph(B  of  Huxley's  arningement) :  maxillo-palatines  elongate  and 
spongy;  basipterygoid  processes  narrow,  but  prominent,  (h)  The  gallinaceous  birds  (^?cc- 
toromorphee)  :  maxillo-palatines  varying  greatly  in  size,  but  always  lamellar ;  palatines  long 
and  narrow,  with  rounded  off  postero-external  angles ;  basipterygoid  processes  oval,  flattened, 
scssilt"  upon  the  rostrum,  articulating  with  the  pterygoids,  (c)  The  penguins  (Sphenisco- 
vKirphtc):  maxillo-palatines  concavo-(M)nvex  and  lamellar;  no  basipterygoid  processes;  ptory- 
poids  flattened.  (J)  In  the  gulls,  jictrels,  loons,  grebes, 
and  auks,  constituting  the  Cccomorplue  of  Huxley,  the 
maxillo-palatines  are  usually  lamellar  and  concavo- 
c<pnvcx,  but  may  be  spongy,  tumid,  and  closely  approx- 
imatod  to  the  vomer ;  and  basipterygoid  processes  are 
absent  or  present,  (e)  lu  the  cranes,  rails,  and  their 
allies  (Gentnomorpha;),  the  maxillo-palatines  are  con- 
cavii-('(.nvex  and  lamellar,  and  basipterj-goid  processes 
ar(!  usually  absent.  (/).  In  the  plover-snipe  group, 
or  liniicoline  Gralla:  (^Charadriomorpha),  the  niaxillo- 
jialatines  are  always  concavo-convex  and  lamellar  ;  the 
l)asipterygi)id  processes  narrow  and  prominent.  Except- 
ing perliai)s  group  d,  wliieh  does  not  hang  together  so 
well,  tlio  schizognathous  groups  here  noted  correspond 
very  closely  with  recognized  orders  or  suborders  of  birds; 
in  all  of  them,  the  maxillo-palatines  are  perfectly  dis- 
tinct from  one  another  and  from  the  vomer,  and  the  _ 
latter  is  slender  and  usually  pointe<l.  There  are  plenty  "  ~» 
(if  other  birds  in  whieli  the  former  factor  in  the  ease 
obtains;  but  in  these  the  vomer  is  broad  and  usually 
ti'Uucate  in  front  (see  yEgithognathism,  beyond). 

Fir 
Desmognatliism  (Gr.  Sta-fios,  de.imos,  a  bond)  is 
exhibited  in  one  or  anotlier  style  by  those  swimming 
and  wading  birds  which  are  not  schizognathous,  by 
the  birds  of  prey,  and  various  non-passerine  perching 
birds.  It  does  not  fadge  so  well  as  any  other  one  of 
the  palatal  types  of  structure  with  recogTiized  groups  of 
birds  based  on  other  considerations,  lu  the  "bound- 
palate  "  type,  the  vomer  is  either  abortive,  or  so  small 
tliat  it  disappears  ;  when  existing  it  is  usually  slender 
and  tapers  to  a  point  in  front;  the  maxiUo-palatine.s 
are  united  across  the  median  line,  either  directly  or  by 
means  of  ossifications  in  tlie  nasal  septum  ;  the  posterior 
ends  of  the  pahitines  and  the  anterior  ends  of  tlie  ptery- 
goids articulate  directly  with  the  rostrum  (as  in  schizo- 
iTuatliism).  Tliis  type  is  simply  and  perfectly  exhibited  by  a  duck  (fig.  78)  in  which  the 
masillo-palatine  is  a  broad  flat  plate  united  with  its  fellow  in  mid-line  ;  the  oval  sessile  basi- 
pterygoid facets  are  far  forward,  opposite  tlie  very  ends  of  the  pterygoids.  In  the  flamingo, 
ibis,  spoon-bill,  sttn-k,  heron,  the  united  maxillo-palatines  are  tumid  and  spongy,  filling  the 
base  of  the  beak  ;  basipterygoids  are  wanting  (rudimentary  in  the  flamingo).  In  totipalmate 
swimmers  (pelican,  cormorant),  desmognatliism  is  carried  to  an  extreme  by  union  of  the  palate 
bones  also  across  the  mid-line ;  the  general  arrangement  is  as  before.  The  birds  of  prey 
exhibit  several  special  conditions  of  desmognathism.     The  parrots  are  another  case ;  among 


Fio.  78—  Drsmofiimthoiis  skull  of  mal- 
lard duck.  Anas  boscaH,  uat.  size,  from 
nature,  by  Dr.  K.  W.  Shufeldt,  U.  S.  A. 
Letters  as  before. 


m\i 


172 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


-'Bh 


other  cranial  characters  of  these  birds  is  to  be  noted  the  articulation  of  the  palate  boucs  wiili 
the  ui)per  beak,  like  that  fif  the  zygoma.  The  multifarious  Picarian  birds,  or  nou-passcriue 
Insessores,  are  desmognathous,  cxeeptiiig  the  schizognathous  trogous  (Trogonidee)  and  the 
"  saurognathous "  woodpeckers.  Parker  has  established  the  following  categories  of  dcsnio- 
guathism  :  (a)  Perfect  direct,  the  maxillo-palatiues  uniting  below  at  the  mid-line  ;  either  with 
the  nasal  septum  free  from  such  bony  bridge,  as  in  a  duck;  or  auchylosed  therewith,  as  in  ni;iny 
birds  of  prey.     (l>)  Perfect  indirect,  very  common,  as  iu  eagles,  vultures,  owls;  niaxill<i- 

palatines  separated  from  each  other  by  a  chink,  Ijut  au- 
chylosed witli  nasal  septum.  (c)  Lnperfecthj  direct; 
nuuxillo-palatines  sutured  together,  but  not  auchylosed. 
"  In  young  falcons  and  hawks  the  palate  is  at  first  in- 
direct, is  then  imperfectly  direct,  and  at  last  ijcrfcctly 
direct."  ((/)  Imperfectly  indirect;  ma.xillo-pulatiiies 
closely  articulated  with,  and  separated  by,  the  ■'  median 
septo  -  maxillary ;"  but  there  is  no  anchylosi^s.  (c) 
Double:  tlie  palatines  united  as  well  as  the  maxillo- 
palatiues  ;  as  in  the  pelican  and  cormorant  above  noted, 
in  certain  Caprimulgine  birds,  horn-bills,  etc.  (/)  Cum- 
jMund:  when  the  properly  (cgithognathous  skull  of  a 
passerine  bird  becomes    '.so  desmognathous. 

./Kgithognathism  (Gr.  alytOaKos,  aigitlialos,  some 
small  bird)  is  exhibited  almost  unexceptionally  by  the 
great  group  of  Passerine  birds ;  it  is  also  nearly  coinci- 
dent with  Passeres,  though  a  few  other  birds,  notably 
the  swifts  (Cyijselidtc),  also  exhibit  it.  Huxley's  term 
Coracomorplia,  nearly  synonymous  with  Passeres,  relates 
to  the  palatal  structure  exhibited  by  a  raven  (fig.  79),  as 
typical  of  that  of  Passeres  at  large.  The  vomer  is  a 
broad  bone,  truncate  in  front  and  deeply  cleft  beliind, 
embracing  the  f;)henoidal  rostrum  in  its  forks.  The 
palatines  have  produced  postero-external  angles.  The 
nnixillo-palatines  are  slender  at  their  origin,  extending 
inwards  and  backwards  over  the  palatines  and  under  tlie 
vomer,  where  they  end  free,  being  united  neither  with 
each  other  nor  with  the  vomer.  This  disconnection  of 
the  maxillo-palatines  is  gMoarf /joc  "  schizognathous,"  (if 
course ;  but  such  condition,  in  association  with  the  pecu- 
liarities of  the  vomer,  is  ajgithognathous.  The  nasal 
septum  in  front  of  the  vomer  is  often  ossified  in  aegitho- 
gnathism,  and  the  interval  between  it  and  the  premax- 
illfe  filled  up  with  spongy  bone;  but  no  union  takes 
place  between  this  ossification  and  the  vomer  (Huxley). 
According  to  Parker,  the  distinguishing  character  of  the 
a'githognathous  type  is  the  union  of  the  vomer  with  the  alinasal  wall  and  turbinals.  He  dis- 
tinguishes four  styles :  (a)  Incomplete;  very  curiously  exhibited  by  the  low  Turnix,  which 
stands  near  the  galUnaceous  birds,  (h,  c)  Complete,  as  represented  under  two  varieties,  one 
typified  by  the  crow,  an  Oscine  Passerine,  the  other  by  the  Clamatorial  Passerines  Pachgrham- 
phus  and  Pipra.  (d)  Compound,  i.  e.,  mixed  with  a  kind  of  desmognathism,  as  noted  above. 
"Vomer  truncated  in  front"  is  the  general  expression  for  the  condition  of  that  bone  in  the 


FlO.  79.  —  ^githognatlinua  skull  of 
raven,  Cornis  mrn.r,  iiat.  size,  from  na- 
ture, by  Dr.  R.  W.  Slmfeldt,  U.  S.  A. 
Letters  as  before.  N.  B.  The  reference 
line,  r,  goes  to  the  ossified  nasal  septum 
Iwrne  ujion  the  end  of  the  vomer,  which 
latter  bone  begins  at  the  thickest  part  of 
the  central  projection.  Mxp  underlies  V 
and  overlies  PI,  but  touches  neither. 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRBS.—  OSTEOLOGY. 


173 


tcffithoguathous  typo ;  it  is  frequently  massive  in  that  direction,  and  of  endlessly  varied  oon- 

fiirunition. 


Saurogiiatliisin. —  (Or.  <ravpot,   saiiros,   p  lizard;  fig.   80).     According  to  Huxley  the 

woixliipi'lvers  exliibit  a  •'  degradation  and  simplification  of  tlie  wgithognathons  structure."  The 
peculiarities  of  the  palate  of  tliese  bird.s  (including  Ficida,  Picumnida  and  Ii/iif/idfrt  are  sn 
dcciiKMl  that  Parker  proposes  to  call  thcnn  saurognathons.  The  structure  is  very  difficult 
to  nialu'  t)ut,  and  may  be  imderstood  best  by 
(itiidy  of  the  accomi)anying  figure,  copied  from 
Parker.  The  maxillo-palatinos,  mxp,  are 
very  slight,  not  extending  inward  beyond  the 
(iiitci-  margin  of  the  palatines,  and  being  some- 
times ([uite  rudimentary.  In  front  of  them, 
an  additional  little  palatal  plate  of  the  max- 
illary, 2»ii-'^,  is  developed.  The  vomers,  i',  are 
di'licate  paired  rods  on  each  side  of  the  median 
liiir.  The  postert)-cxternal  angle  of  the  pala- 
tir  Is  either  rounded  off  or  obtuse-angled. 
Where  the  broad  main  part  of  the  palatine 
siiildeuly  narrows  is  developed  an  interpala- 
tiiie  process,  ipa.  The  ethmo-pahitine  plates, 
qui,  <ir  internal  superior  plates  of  the  i)alatine, 
vliich  are  of  variable  length,  are  connected 
by  the  most  marked  medio-palatine  ossifica- 
tiiiii,  nqm,  seen  in  the  class  of  birds.  Bridges 
of  l)one  are  deposited  along  the  inner  borders 
of  the  palatines ;  such  are  the  septo-maxil- 
laries,  smx,  and  other  formations  which,  like 
the  medio-palatine,  serve  to  bind  the  palate 
hiilves  together.  The  nasal  chambers  are 
unusually  simple ;  there  are  peculiarities  of 
the  tympanic  cavity  and  quadrate  bone. 


"  All  these  things  being  considered," 

says  Parker,  in  conclusion,  "  it  will  seem  con- 
tradictory now  to  assert  the  great  uniformity 


Fio.  80.  —  Saurognathous  skull  of  nestling  Picru 

minor,  x  4  (Uameters,  after  Parker,    Px,  premaxillary : 

{Ipx,  its  ilentary  process;  ppx,  its  palatal  proresg;  m, 

r  ,,        1     ,,        1-  i>-    1  1  •    I      I     r    T>-    I       septo-nasal ;  ua,  palatine ;  7>mx,  peculiar  palatal  plate  of 

of  the   skulls  ot  Hnds,   and  mdeed  of    Birds     maxillary  of  a  woodpecker;   n/.  nasal   turbinal;   mx. 

themselves.     Yet  so  it  is  ;  and  the  countless     maxillary;  ipa,  interpalatal  spur  of  palatine  bone;  mjfp. 

rudimentary  maxillo-pal.ttine,  scarcely  reaching  palatine; 
smx,  septo-niaxillary,  in  several  pieces ;  r,  right  vomer, 
its  fellow  opposite;  pe,  lower  border  of  perpendicular  plate 
of  ethmoid,  between  vomers;  epa,  ethmoidal  (inner) 
plate  of  palatine ;  mpa,  metlio-palatine ;  pg,  pterygoid ;  i, 
foramen  for  internal  carotid;  8,  for  vagus  nerve;  9,  for 


iiKidifications  that  (ifier  themselves  for  obser- 
vation are  gentle  in  the  extreme.  One  form 
is  (iften  seen  to  pass  into  another  by  almost 
insensible  gradations.  ...  In  the  rest  of  the 


Birds'  organization  abundant  evidence  of  the  •'ypo-glossai  nerve, 
sanu!  specialization  will  be  setui.  The  mind  fails  to  desire  more  beauty  or  to  contemplate  more 
(.'x<iuisite  adaptations.  An  almost  infinite  variety  of  Vertebrate  life  is  to  be  found  in  this  class. 
( >f  its  members  some  dig  and  bury  their  germs,  which  rise  again  in  full  plumage,  whilst  others 
watch  and  incessantly  feed  their  teudt?r  brood  in  the  shady  covert  or  '  on  the  crags  of  the  rock 
and  the  strong  place.'  In  locomotion  some  walk,  others  run,  or  they  nniy  wade,  swim,  plunge, 
<ir  dive,  whilst  most  of  them  'fly  in  the  open  firmament  of  heaven.'"  (Ency.  Brit.  9th  ed. 
Art.  Birds,  p.  717.) 


11 


I 


■'i 


m 


174 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


b.    Neuuoloqy;  The  Nervous  System;  Oroans  of  Special  Senses. 

The  Nervous  System  of  any  Vertobmto  determines  the  form  of  such  an  animal ;  in  fact 
the  beautiful  skeleton  we  liave  examined  is  simply  a  sketch  in  bone  of  the  cerebrospinal  nenums 
system,  conformably  with  which  the  whole  bony  framework  of  the  body  is  erected.  A  liruin 
and  spinal  chord  and  their  lateral  prolongations  or  nerves  are  the  commanding  superad- 
<litii>ns,  in  a  vertebrate,  to  any  such  nervous  system  as  an  invertebrate  may  or  does  possess. 
Besides  the  vertebrate  or  main  nervous  system,  all  brainy  vertebrates  retain  a  syniputhctic 
system  of  nerves,  supposed  to  represent  a  modified  inheritance  of  the  whole  nervous  system  of 
Invertebrates.  Thus  the  cerebro-spinal  and  sympathetic  are  the  two  distinct  nervous  systems 
of  nearly  all  vertebrates,  —  of  all  vertebrates  which  have  a  skull  and  brain.  The  former  presides 
over  the  animal  life  of  the  creature,  —  its  sensations,  perceptions,  and  voluntary  actions  ;  tiie 
Litter  more  especially  over  its  vegetative  functions,  as  digestion,  respiration,  circulation,  and 
reproduction,  which  are  more  or  less  involuntary.  But  tlic  two  are  inseparably  connected, 
anatomically  and  physiologically,  so  that  no  distinct  line  can  bo  drawn  between  tliem. 
Nerve-tissue  consists  of  an  aggregation  of  nerve-cells  and  their  investing  substance,  —  tlu* 
bodies  of  a  myriad  NeuramabtB  agglutinated  by  their  secretions.  They  are  of  two  sj)ecies : 
Neuramaba  cinerea  and  N.  Candida.  The  former  are  usually  multiradiate,  inosculating  cells 
of  nerve-substance,  which  form  the  "gray  matter"  of  the  brain  and  spinal  chord  and  tiie 
ganglia  (knots)  of  nerves ;  the  latter  are  white,  thready,  and  fonn  the  connections  of  the 
ganglionic  masses  and  the  whole  substance  of  ordinary  nerve-chords.  The  gray  amoibas  are 
the  immediate  communicants  between  the  mind  and  the  body  of  the  creature ;  the  wiiit(! 
amoebas  are  the  mediators  between  the  body  and  outward  things.  The  gray  ama'bas  translate 
thought  in  terms  of  matter,  and  conversely ;  the  white  convey  the  translation.  How  this  is 
done,  no  one  knows,  but  the  fact  is  manifest.  In  ordinary  language,  gray  nerve  centres  receive 
from  white  tracts  impressions  made  up<m  the  periphery  of  the  nervous  system ;  and,  with  or 
without  the  knowledge  and  consent  of  the  animal,  convert  these  impressions  into  appropriately 
responsive  actions.  This  is  called  the  "  reflex  action  "  of  the  nervous  system.  Some  think 
such  reflection  is  the  principal  or  only  activity  of  the  nerve-tissue,  taking  animals  to  be  mere 
automata,  the  mechanism  of  which  is  only  set  in  moti<m  by  external  stimulation.  Others  think 
that  animals,  and  even  human  beings,  have  in  their  consciousness  an  inner  spring  of  action, 
vaguely  called  "  spiritual,"  whose  operations  upon  the  matter  of  their  bodies  manifests  what  is 
called  by  some  "  mind,"  by  others  "  soul."  I  am  satisfied  of  the  correctness,  in  the  main,  of 
the  latter  view ;  but,  however  this  may  be,  it  is  quite  certain  that  white  nerve  tissue  is  a  means 
of  carrying  something  to  and  fro,  which  something  is  called  a  "  nerve  impulse,"  for  want  of 
knowing  what  it  is.  White  nerves  have  therefore  an  efferent  function,  when  they  carry  im- 
pulses outward  from  gray  centres,  and  an  afferent  function,  when  they  bring  impulses  in  to  gray 
centres.  The  former  is  their  motor  function  ;  the  latter  is  their  sensory  function.  In  nerves  at 
large,  impulses  of  both  kinds  travel  in  the  same  tracts  without  interferene<' ;  such  mixed  nerves 
are  therefore  called  sensori-motor.  Thus,  each  spinal  nerve;  has  a  posterior  sensoi-y  ganglion- 
ated  root,  and  an  anterior  motor  simple  root,  which  soon  blend  in  one  chord,  in  which  both 
functions  coexist.  Some  nerves  seem  to  be  entirely  motor,  as  those  which  move  muscles  of  the 
face  and  tongue.  The  purest  sensory  nerves  are  those  of  "  s{)ecial  sense,"  as  the  olfactory, 
optic,  and  auditory.  Some  nerves  are  so  "  mixed  "  as  to  combine  functions  of  special  sense, 
common  sen.sation,  and  motion,  as  that  called  glosso-pharyngeal,  which  moves,  feels,  and 
tastes.  The  motor  eftluence  of  nerve  tissue  upon  itself  and  other  ])arts  of  the  body  is  literally 
animation;  \ho  sensory  influence  is  nominally  materialization.  The  physical  mechanism  of 
these  occult  processes  in  a  bird  is  as  follows  :  — 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  — NEUROLOGY. 


176 


ct, 


The  Brain  (Lat.  cerebrum;  Gr.  iyxitfuikop,  egkephalon;  frontisp.)  ia  the  anterior  dilatation 
and  (•()ini)lieation  of  the  main  nervous  axis  of  tlic  body,  contained  witliin  the  skull.  It  resembles 
a  soap-bubble  blown  at  the  end  of  a  pipe,  beiufj  not  less  beautiful  in  its  iris-quality,  and  not  less 
lasting.  It  is  primarily  triune,  or  three-f(dd,  beginning  as  three  such  bubbles,  called  the 
anterior,  middle,  and  posterior  cerebral  vesicles,  corresponding  to  what  arc  afterward  the  fore- 
t)riiin,  mid-brain,  and  hiud-brain,  or  prosencephalon,  mesencephalon,  and  opisthencephulon.  The 
liirtli  and  multiplication  of  gray  neuramcebas  causes  tliickcuiugs  of  the  bhuldery  membranes  in 
various  places  and  ways;  all  such  gray  deposits  are  the  ganglia  of  the  brain,  and  the  great 
■icri|)iu'ral  ganglion  is  the  cortical  layer  or  "  bark  of  the  brain."  Similar  deposits  of  white 
iiciiraiiKjebas  connect  all  these  ganglionic  colonies,  furnishing  the  various  commissures  of  the 
iiraiii.  The  cavity  of  the  original  bubbles,  continuous  with  the  hollow  of  the  pipe-stem  f)r 
s|)iiiMl  chord  (which  was  at  the  outset  a  fun-ow  along  the  bfick  of  the  embryo,  not  a  tube) 
liccomes  i)artially  divided  up  into  several  communicating  hollows ;  these  are  the  ventricles 
(little  bellies)  of  the  brain.  Actual  prolongations  of  brain-tissue,  or  nervous  threads  more  like 
the  ordinary  spinal  nerves,  pass  out  of  the  brain-box;  these  are  cerebral  nerves,  oftener  called 
cranial  nerves  ;  there  are  twelve  pairs  of  them.  At  the  pituitary  space  (see  p.  151  ;  the  noto- 
clicrd  ends  just  behind  it;  fig.  04)  is  developed  a  remarkable  structure,  i\\c pituitary  body  :  its 
iiatun*  is  unknown.  This  lies  under  the  brain ;  opposite  it,  on  top  of  the  brain,  is  another 
curiosity,  the  pineal  body ;  it  has  been  considered  the  special  seat  of  the  soul  by  some,  though 
others  have  located  that  throne  of  animal  grace  in  the  solar  plexus  of  the  sympathetic  system, 
wliicli  is  in  tlio  belly.  The  pituitary  and  pineal  are  also  called  respectively  the  hypapophysis  and 
qmpophysis  cerebri.  They  lie  respectively  at  the  bottom  and  top  of  one  of  the  cavities  of  the 
brain,  arbitrarily  called  the  third  ventricle;  the  anterior  wall  of  this  ventricle  is  the  lamina 
terminalis,  or  terminal  sheet  of  the  bniin,  with  which,  morphologicidly  speaking,  the  brain  ends 
ill  front;  though,  in  its  actual  gniwtli,  the  prosencephalon  crowds  ahead  of  this  formation.  As 
the  brain-cells  multiply,  the  prosencephalon  f)utgrow8  the  associated  parts,  and  becomes  nearly 
si'])arated  into  lati'ral  halves ;  these  are  the  hcmisplieres  of  the  cerebrum,  or  "  halves  of  the 
great  brain  " ;  they  retain  their  ventricles,  which  interc(unniunicato  through  a  passage-way, 
wliich  also  leads  into  the  third  ventricle ;  this  is  \\\{',  foramen  of  Munro.  Each  sends  out  in 
front  a  hollow  process ;  these  processes  are  the  olfactory  lobes,  or  rhinencephalon  ("  nose- 
hrain  ").  A  great  ganglionic  thickening  of  gray  matter  in  the  interior  of  each  hemisphere  is 
the  corpus  striatum;  these  "  striped  bodies  "  are  connected  by  the  anterior  commissure  of  the 
brain.  The  rest  and  greater  part  of  the  original  anterior  cerebral  vesicle  makes  up  by 
ganglionic  thickening  of  its  sides  into  what  are  called  misleadingly  the  optic  thalami,  since 
these  tniets  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  sense  of  sight.  The  thalami  and  associate  parts 
Iicliind  the  lamina  terminalis  (third  ventricle,  etc.)  compose  what  is  called  the  thalamen- 
ccphalon,  or  "  bed-brain."  The  original  middle  cerebral  vesicle  makes  up  underneath  into 
longitudinal  commissural  fibres,  called  the  crura  cerebri  or  "  legs  of  the  brain,"  connecting  fore 
and  aft  parts  ;  but  especially  composes  the  ganglionic  centres  called  corpora  higemina,  or 
"  twin  bodies."  These  are  the  optic  lobes,  or  "  eye-brain."  They  are  connected  by  transverse 
commissure.  The  optic  ganglia  and  (lommissure,  the  cerebral  crura,  and  contained  cavities, 
essentially  compose  the  mesencephalon  or  "  mid-brain."  The  original  posterior  cerebral 
v<'siele  (opisthencephiilon)  becomes  sej)arated  into  two  parts :  The  fore  part  of  it  is  moulded 
into  the  considerable  mass  of  the  cerebellum  ("  little  brain  ") ;  which,  with  its  connections  of 
white  sukstance  (pons  vandii,  peduncles,  etc.)  and  the  h<dlow  underneath  it  ("  fourth  ventricle") 
constitutes  the  metencephulon  or  "  after-brain."  The  hind  part  of  it  tapers  off  into  the  spinal 
chord  ;  this  tapering  part  is  the  medulla  oblongata,  or  "  oldong  marrow,"  also  called  the 
myelencephalon,  or  "  marrow-brain."  This  description  is  pertinent  to  brains  at  large,  repre- 
senting the  general  plan  of  structure;  any  fairly  developed  encephalon  shows  the  parts  speci- 
fied ;  and  most  complicated  brain,  as  that  of  man,  only  shows  what  elaborate  finishing  touches 


176 


OENEIiAL  OMNITIIOLOGY. 


miiy  be  given  to  tlio  siinplo  stnicturo  thus  outliiicil,  wlini  rclls,  both  whito  and  gray,  Imt 
('Hpi'cially  lln'  latter,  are  imifiisely  fiiniislied,  to  tlie  oniaineiitation  of  the  iniud's  estate  \\  iili 
raee-track.s  great  and  small,  and  tlie  [dace  of  fornication,  —  fruits  of  the  olive,  and  of  the  arlmr 
vitii'.  The  inenibranes,  or  iiieniii(frs,  \vlii(di  hide  all  this  from  the  uninitiated,  are  three.  'I'lic 
jiid  muter,  or  "  tender  mother,"  which  immediately  invests  the  brain,  is  very  vascular,  and 
furnishes  the  blood  siijiply ;  not  only  l)y  small  arteries  which  immediately  jienetrate  the  sub- 
stance of  the  brain,  bnt  by  enfolded  sheets  wliicdi  enter  the  ventricles,  and  are  called  rhiirind 
plc.niK.  The'  arachnoid,  or  "cobweb,"  comes  next  ;  a  si'rous  tlnid  which  it  secretes  batlies  tlic 
brain,  and  meets  concussion  with  its  gentler  tliattuation.  The  tlitra  iiiuler,  or  "stern  mother," 
is  a  dense  outer  membrane  which  enwrajm  and  holds  tlio  wlude  firmly.  These  meniuires 
descend  into  the  spinal  ciduiiin,  and  answer  the  i>anu!  i)urpose  there,  maintaining  the  same  ills- 
position  around  the  spinal  <'hord. 

The  Itird's  nriilii  offers  the  fidlowing  comparative  characters:  It  is  comjiaet,  having 
nothing  of  the  straggling  apart  of  its  elements  seen  in  low  vert(d)rateH,  aial  comjdetely  fills  the 
cranial  cavity,  its  long  axis  is  about  transverse  to  the  axis  of  the  si)inal  cidumn.  The  eerehriil 
hemispheres  are  well  duveh)i)ed,  but  do  not  cover  the  cerebcdlum  or  oj)tic  hd)es;  from  their 
dome  the  rhinencephalon  jirotrudes  like  h  porte-cochere.  'I'lieir  surface  is  (piite  smooth  (devoid 
t)f  the  gyri  and  sulci  of  most  mammalian  brains) ;  even  tln^  sylvian  fissure  is  barely  indicated. 
The  optic  lobes  are  of  immense  size,  ndatively  to  those  of  naist  vertebrates,  and  relativ(dy  to 
the  rest  of  the  ence]dnilon  ;  they  appear  much  loosened  from  their  surroundings,  at  the  siV/e.s  and 
loirir  part  of  the  mid-brain  ;  they  n^tain  theii  ventricles,  as  does  also  the  rliinence]dialon.  The 
eorpora  striata  are  very  lai'ge.  The  fonii.v  is  rudimentary.  The  cereladlum  is  well  devehp))eil 
and  <leei)ly  sulcate,  with  transverse  fi.«sin'es,  but  is  not  divided  into  right  and  left  hdies  ;  a 
"  H(.'ecy  "  lobid(!  on  each  side,  the  fldcciihix,  is  M-ell  defined,  and  received  in  a  specii'l  recess  (if 
the  inner  wall  of  the  skull.  I'arts  of  thi^  medulla  oblongata  notable  in  mammals  are  obscure  or 
<)I)solete.  Tliere  is  no  pons  nmiUi,  or  superficial  transverse  connnissure  of  the  cerebellum,  nor 
any  corpus  callosum,  —  that  great  white  comniissiu'e  of  the  cerebral  hemispheres,  characteristic 
of  all  but  th(^  lowest  mammals. 


The  Spinal  Chord,  or  medulla  spinalis  ("  .spinal  marrow")  i.s  the  main  nerve-axis  of  the 
body,  rinniing  in  the  series  of  neural  arches  of  the  vertebra;  from  bead  to  tail  ;  it  directly  eon- 
tinues  the  medulla  oblongata.  Tt  retains  its  ])rinutively  tubular  (duira<'ter  in  part  at  least,  and 
consists  a.s  usual  of  whit(!  matter  enclosing  gray  matti'r.  Tin;  chord  is  fi.ssured  into  lateral 
columns,  as  these  are  also  to  some  extent  into  anterior  and  jiosterior  tracts.  The  latter  diverge 
in  ascending  the  medulla  (ddongata,  to  throw  the  central  tube  into  the  cavity  of  the  fourth 
ventricle;  ami  especially  in  the  sacral  region,  where  a  sort  of  ventricle,  known  as  the  avian 
sinus  rhonibuidulis,  is  similarly  formed.  The  calibre  of  the  chord  increases  at  the  root  of  the 
neck,  when^  large  nerves  are  to  be  given  ofl' froiri  the  brachial  plexus  to  the  wings,  and  again  in 
the  saeral  region,  with  the  same  reference  to  nerve  su])]dy  of  the  legs;  after  which  the  chord 
continues  to  the  end  of  the  sjiinal  canal  as  a  terminal  thread. 

The  Cranial  Nerves  are  twelve  pairs,  as  in  mammals,  the  highest  vertebrate  number. 
1,  the  olfactory  nerve  of  .special  sense  (smtdl)  ;  origin  from  rhinencejihalon  ;  exit  from  cranial 
cavity  by  olfactory  foramen,  high  up  in  orbital  cavity  ;  conducted  ahuig  a  groove  to  final  escape 
between  peq>endicular  and  lateral  plates  of  ethmoid  into  the  na.sal  chambers  :  distributed  to  the 
investing  mucous  membrane  of  the  sejrtal  and  turbinal  bones  of  the  nose.  The  exit  is  through 
a  sieve-like  or  cribriform  plate  only  in  Apieryx  and  Dinornis  (Owen).  2,  the  optic,  nerve  of 
special  sense  (sight)  ;  origin  from  optic  lobe  and  thahunus ;  of  great  size,  and  forming  a 
chiasm  (decussation)  with  its  fellow;  exit  by  optic  foramen,  a  largo  hole  in  back  of  orbital 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  LIRDS.  — NEUROLOGY. 


Ml 


oiiviiy  1)('tween  contrrs  of  orbito-siilit'iinid  aiul  alisiibcnoiil,  cIomc  to  or  in  coiiiinon  with  it« 
fcljiiw.  Tiiis  nerve  forms  the  retina  of  the  eye.  3,  4,  0,  tlic  ocitU-mutor,  pathetic,  ahiluveiit, 
ct)ll('<tively  the  motor  iierven  of  the  eye,  supplying  tlie  muscles  moving  the  «7e-l;all;  3,  to  all 
tlii'sc  inuseles  exeoi)ting  superior  ohlitpie  anil  external  rectus;  origin  from  crura  cerebri,  base  of 
incsciicephalon  ;  4,  to  the  superior  oblicpie,  origin  behind  optic  lobes,  npjier  surface  of  meten- 
cc|iliiiloii  ;  0,  to  external  rectus  (also  to  muscles  of  the  third  eyelid  in  birds);  origin  between 
iiH't-  and  myel-encephalon,  base  of  brain ;  3,  4,  0,  exits  from  cranial  into  orbital  cavity  by 
several  small,  not  constant,  foramina  near  optic  foramen  ;  or  by  this  foramen  sometimes  all  the 
iicivis  which  enter  the  orbit  pass  out  of  brain  cavity  through  one  great  hide.  5,  great  trifacial 
or  tritjeminal,  sensori-motor ;  feeling  skin  of  head,  moving  muscles  of  jaws ;  origin  (double) 
fniiii  niyeleucephalou ;  leaves  brain  from  sides  of  metencephahni ;  sensory  root  has  gasserian 
gaiigliou;  motor  root  simple.  This  nerve  has  three  divisions,  whence  its  name:  &a,  ojihtliulinic 
(livisioii,  the  most  distinct ;  exit  from  cranial  into  orbital  cavity  by  separate  foramen  above 
mill  to  outer  side  of  optic  foramen  ;  grooves  orbital  wall  in  passing  ;  ciliary  ganglion  ;  distri- 
bution mainly  to  lacrynuil  and  nasal  parts  ;  traceable  to  end  of  upper  mandible  ;  5h,  superior 
nuuillari/;  exit  by  foramen  ovale,  in  alisphenoid  or  between  that  and  proOtic  centre  ;  distribu- 
tiuii  to  side  of  upper  jaw ;  meckelian  ganglion  ;  He,  inferior  maxillary,  derived  chietiy  from 
motor  root;  exit  same  as  &h;  distribution  to  lower  jaw  (muscles,  substance  of  bone,  integn- 
nii'iit)  ;  no  special  .sense  (gustatory)  function;  no  otic  ganglion.  7,  facial  or  portio  dura. 
niiilnr;  origin  from  myelencephalon  ;  enters  periotic  bone,  escajtes  from  ear  behind  iiuadrate 
bipiii',  by  what  corresponds  to  stylo-mastoid  foramen  of  mammals;  communicates  with  5c  by 
churda  tijmpani  nerve,  with  9,  10,  12,  and  symjiathetic  system  ;  di.>itribution  to  skiu-musdes 
and  others  of  h)wer  jaw  and  tongue,  etc.  8,  auditory  or  portio  mollis,  nerve  of  special  sense 
(hearing I  ;  origin  with  T;  no  exit  from  skull;  enters  meatus  auditorius  intenius  of  periotic 
bone;  forms  auditory  apparatus  in  labyrinth  of  ear.  0,  glosso-pharyiigeal,  mixed  nerve,  sensori- 
inotiir  and  gustatory  (taste)  ;  origin  myelencephalon  ;  exit  by  foramen  in  exoccii)ital  bone, 
bciiind  basitemi)oral,  near  lower  border  fif  tympanic  recess  ;  distribution  to  muscles  and  mem- 
branes of  gullet,  throat,  tongue,  etc.  10,  pncumogustric,  sonsori-motor ;  t)rigin  and  exit  next 
toO;  distribution  to  windpipe,  lungs,  gullet,  stomach,  heart,  etc.;  has  recurrent  .syringeal  to 
vdi'iil  organs.  11,  spinal  accessory,  sensori-motor;  origin  ui)per  jiart  of  spinal  chord  ;  exit  with 
9,  10;  distribution  to  these  nerves  and  to  mu.scles  of  neck.  9,  10,  II,  are  intimately  connected 
with  one  another,  and  with  other  nerves,  especially  10  with  sympathetic.  The  .several  fora- 
uiina  in  a  bird's  skull  which  may  be  seen  in  the  jdace  indicated  at  8,  iigs.  ()',),  70,  are  for  the 
ilivisious  of  this  composite  vagus  or  "  wand<}ring  "  nerve  of  respiration,  circulation,  digestion, 
etc. ;  they  represent  morphologically  a  foramen  lucerum  posterius,  between  exoccipital  and 
opistliotic  centres.  18,  hypoglossal,  motor  nerve  of  the  tongue  ;  origin  from  myeleucejihalon  ; 
exit  by  anterior  condyloid  foramen  in  front  of  the  occipital  condyle.  Thus  the  plan  of  the 
cranial  nerves  of  birds  is  nearly  coincident  with  that  of  mammals. 

The  Spinal  Nerves,  in  j)airs,  coiTi'spond  in  a  general  way  to  tlie  vertebra?,  between 
wbich  they  pass  out  by  intervertebral  foramina,  to  supply  the  body  at  large.  They  are  sensori- 
motor; arise  from  the  spinal  chord  by  anterior  motor  and  posterior  sensory  (ganglionated)  roots 
wiiich  unite  before  leaving  the  s|>inal  canal ;  in  the  sacral  region  the  main  branches  leave  by 
separate  foramina.  They  form  plexuses  or  interlacements.  The  principal  of  these  is  the 
hruchiul  plexus ;  constituted  by  several  lower  cervical  nerves,  and  one  or  two  usually  counted 
as  dorsal,  which  combine  to  form  a  single  chord,  whence  the  nerves  of  the  wing  are  derived. 
Similar  network  of  three  to  iivo  true  sacral  nerves  furnishes  the  nerves  of  the  leg. 

The  Sympathetic  System  consists  of  a  pair  of  nervous  chords  running  lengthwise  below 
llie  bodies  of  the  vertebra',  one  on  each  side  in  the  trunk,  and  iu  corresponding  relations  with 

12 


H-! 


17H 


GENEKAL   OKNITIIOLOGY. 


cranial  biincs.  An  cxtcnfivi'  and  intricate  sorioH  (if  cdniniunicatiouB  is  cffccfcd  witli  tlir  nerves 
-if  tlic  ccrcliro-sjiinal  Hj'nti'in,  cxccptiiiK  the  Hiit'cial-wnKC  ncrvcH  of  Hnicli,  wiglit,  and  liearinjr. 
Tlic  ipciints  of  coniniiinicatiiin  furni  a  ciiain  of  syniiiatlictic  pinglia;  fnmi  tlics*!  iinots,  the  nm^t 
consiiieiiMii.s  teatiiri's  nf  tlie  system,  ncrvii'is  ciicinls  pass  to  tlieir  disiriliiitioii  in  the  nminiv 
niedianisMi  of  tiie  lii'art  and  liiood-vessels  and  otiier  viscera.  The  anterior  synipatlu'tic  nerves 
are  tlie  iridiiin  ;  tlie  ^ninglia  are  tlie  nplii'iio-pulaliiie  or  wcvkelidii,  intimately  connecli'd  with 
cranial  uerves.  Tlie  system  eials  behind  in  the  (.'undal  region  of  the  spine  by  a  (junijlmt 
iiiqmr,    • 

8piise  of  Smell:  Olfiipttoii.  — The  sense  (if  smell  is  effected  by  terminal  brniiciies  of  tin; 
(dfiictory  (1st  cranial)  nerve,  ramit'yiiiiu;  in  the  iiincons  (pitnitary  or  schneiderian)  nieinliniiie 
of  the  nasal  cavities.  Owint;  to  the  comparatively  small  si/e  and  little  complexity  of  the  foM- 
ings  and  ]ileatinf;s  of  bone  or  cartilage  in  the  nusul  chambers,  the  sen.sory  surface  heinu;  cor- 
resjMindinuly  limited,  it  is  not  pndiable  that  birds  jtossess  this  sense  in  a  liitrli  ileirree.  Itesides 
the  cartilai;iiioiis  or  o.sseous  scptitm,  generally  more  or  less  comjilete  in  birds,  tliere  are  hiteial 
scridls  and  whorls  of  bone  in  endless  diversity  in  most  birds,  \vhi(di  may  be  ossilied,  or  remain 
gristly.  The  general  cavity  is  mostly  bonnded  and  encdosed  by  the  bony  beak  ;  floored  by  the 
anterior  part  of  the  hard  palate;  defended  on  each  side  by  the  descending  prong  of  the  nioal 
bone;  in  the  dry  skull,  it  either  seems  continuous  with  the  great  orbital  cavity  on  each  side 
behind,  or  is  separated  therefrom  by  lateral  ethmoid  (pr((- frontal)  or  Licrymal  ossifications,  or 
both.  Outwardly  the  nasal  chambers  open  upon  the  beak  by  the  external  nostrils  —  orifices  of 
great  zoological  diversity,  as  already  indicated  (p.  10 1),  bounded  by  prongs  of  the  preniaxiliiiry 
and  nasal  bones.  These  openings  are  minute  i>T  (piite  <ddiferated  in  some  Slc;i<nwji(i(l<s,  as 
p(dicans  and  cormorants.  The  lutsal  cavities  always  communicate  with  the  ba(di  jiart  of  the 
mouth,  or  the  posterior  narc.i  (Lat.  varis,  a  nostril)  ;  generally  paired,  that  is,  with  a  partition 
between  them,  sometimes  united  in  one  median  aperture.  The  (dfactory  nerve,  which  is  rather 
a  pndongation  of  the  rliinencephalon  itself  than  an  ordinary  nerve,  escajiing  from  the  brain- 
box  ))y  a  special  foramen,  traversing  the  upper  part  of  the  interorbitul  .septum  in  a  groove  or 
canal,  enters  the  nasal  cavity  by  a  single  orifice  (excepting  Apleryx  and  Dinornis),  instead 
of  the  numerous  apertures  in  a  cribriform  jdate  by  which  its  filaments  reach  their  destination  in 
niaimnals.  Tiie  true  sensitive  membrane  in  which  the  nervous  filaments  end  is  that  investing 
dhmnhlitl  (septal  and  turbinal),  not  maxillary  parts.  An  associate  structure  of  the  (dfactory 
organ  is  the  nasal  gland,  sometuncs  called  the  sit2}erorhital  gland,  from  its  position  in  many 
birds.  Thus  it  is  of  great  size  in  a  loon,  and  lodged  in  large  deep  crescentic  depressions  on 
top  of  the  skull  over  the  orbits  (fig.  (53,  w)  ;  these  crescents  nearly  meeting  each  other  in  the 
middle  line.  In  other  birds  it  is  smaller,  and  within  the  cavity  of  the  orbit,  but  never  in  that 
of  the  nose  itself,  its  secretion  being  poured  into  the  nasal  chamber  by  a  spc^dal  duct. 


Sense  of  Sight:  Vision. — The  eye  is  an  exquisitely  perfect  optical  instrument,  like  an 
automatic  camera  obscura  which  adju.sts  its  own  focus,  jdiotographs  a  picture  upon  its  sensi- 
tized retinal  plate,  and  telegraphs  the  midecular  movements  of  the  nervous  sheet  to  the  optic 
"  twins"  of  the  brain,  where  the  result  is  "  biogenized;"  that  is,  translated  from  the  physical 
t(>rms  of  motion  in  matter  to  the  mental  terms  of  consciousness.  But  no  part  of  the  nervous 
tract,  from  the  surface  of  the  retina  to  the  optic  centr(>,  sees  or  knows  anything  abont  it,  beiiic 
simi>ly  the  apparatus  through  which  the  Bird  lo(dis,  sees,  and  knows.  In  this  class  of  Verte- 
brates, the  optic  organs,  both  cerebral  and  ocular,  are  of  great  size,  power,  and  effect;  their 
vision  far  transcends  that  of  man,  tmaided  by  artitichil  instruments,  in  scope  and  delicacy.  The 
faculty  of  accommodation,  that  is,  of  adjusting  the  focus  of  vision,  is  developed  to  a  marvellous 
degree;  rapid,  almost  instantaneous,  changes  of  the  visual  angle  being  required  fordi.stinct  )i('r- 
cejrtion  of  objects  that  must  rush  into  the  focal  field  with  the  velocity  at  least  of  the  bird's  flight. 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  lilUDS.  —  NEI'UOLOGY. 


ITf) 


llinls  an?  tluTcforo  far-sighted  iir  nciir-sifflitnl  (|ir('Nliyni)ic  or  iiiyoiiic)  iiccoi'ilinK  to  the  dcifrfc 
III' ^')(.s■/V/H  the  uci  V('-ti(lo  cxcitt's  in  tlic  eye  l)y  tlic  mi'cliiiiii.siii  (l('S('rilii'<l  t'lirtlicr  on  ;  an<l  tlic 
Iraiisiliiin  iVoin  oiio  to  t)in  otiicr  «tiitt'  it*  ctirctcil  witii  j^rcat  unickncss  ami  correctness.  Oli- 
>icrve  III!  ca>{le  woarin^  aloft  nntil  ho  hccmis  to  n.s  Imt  a  hju'cIc  in  the  lilno  exiiause.  He  is  lar- 
niKliteil;  anil  scainiin>(  the  earth  below,  descries  an  oliject  much  sniaUer  than  himself,  which 
wiiiild  he  invisible  to  ns  at  that  distance,  lie  |irr|iares  to  |ioiuice  npon  his  ijuarry ;  in  the  nio- 
iiiciit  rc(|uired  for  the  deadly  idnnift?  he  heconies  in'ar-sighted,  .seizes  lii.s  victim  with  nnerrinu 
aim,  and  sees  well  how  to  com)dete  the  bloody  work  bei;nn.  A  hnnnnin^-hird  darts  so  ipiicddy 
tliiit  oiir  eyes  cannot  follow  him,  yet  instantaiH'oiisly  settles  as  lij^ht  as  a  feathi'r  uiion  a  tiny 
twii;.  IIow  far  off  it  was  when  first  [lerceived  n-e  do  not  know;  bnt  in  the  intervening;  fraction 
iif  a  .second  the  twii,'  has  rushed  into  the  focus  of  distinct  vision,  from  many  yards  away.  A 
woodcock  tears  tliroiif^li  tint  thickest  cover  as  if  it  were  ch'ar  space,  avoidintj  every  idistacle. 
Tlie  only  thin^.s  to  the  accurate  )ierception  of  which  birds'  eyes  appea''  not  to  liave  accommodated 
themselves  are  telefj;raph- wires  and  light-houses  ;  thousanils  of  birds  are  annually  hurled  ayaiust 
llicsi!  id)ject8  to  their  destruction. 

The  orbital  curiti/,  orliit,  or  socket  of  ihe  eye,  has  been  almost  surticiently  described  ( p.  l.jO ; 
sec  also  any  tigs,  of  skull  in  protilei  as  that  great  rcce.ss  in  the  .side  of  the  skull  boundiMl  above 
by  the  roofing  frontal  bone,  behind  by  this  and  sphenoidal  elements,  in  front,  if  at  all,  by  biteral 
ethmoidal  eli'Uients  ipre-froutal),  and  separated  from  its  fellow  more  or  less  completely  by  the 
inter-orbital  septinu,  which  is  chiefly  the  perpendicidar  plate  of  tlu^  niesethmoid,  but  may  be  al.so 
ill  part  orbito-sphenoidal  and  pre-spheuoidal.  The  brim  is  completed  in  few  birds,  by  union  of 
lacrynial  and  post-frontal;  in  (piite  a  number  of  birds,  however,  it  is  nearly  (M'rfected  by  the 
iipproxiination  of  these  same  bones,  as  in  tig.  fiH,  a  and  m,  and  in  s<Hne  the  rim  is  carried  out 
by  extra  supra-orbital  and  infra-orbital  ossification.  There  is  no  bony  floor,  or  only  such  slight 
scart'olding  as  the  expansion  of  the  palatine  ami  jtterygoid  nniy  afford.  The  zygoma  itself,  in 
many  dry  skulls,  seeins  like  the  threshold  of  the  orbital  chamber.  The  bony  walls  nuiy  be  also 
defective  in  some  places  by  great  vacuities  in  the  inter-orbital  septum  (fig.  70,  iof,  and  fig.  (i.'J,  .-), 
and  others  in  the  cerebral  wall,  aside  from  the  regular  foramina  which  the  nerves  pass  through. 
The  Ist  —  Gth  nerves  (p.  l?*))  inclusive  usually  enter  the  orbit:  of  their  foramina,  the  ojAic 
(tiys.  ('»(),  68,  70,  71, 2,  and  fig.  6;},  (/)  is  much  the  largest  and  most  c(Uistant,  generally  blended 
with  its  fellow.  Those  for  nerves  1  and  5  (p.  177 1  are  next  mo.st  obvious  and  constant;  others 
are  often,  and  nil  may  be,  thrown  into  one  large  op(>ning.  In  such  a  socket  as  this  the  eye-ball 
rests  upon  a  cushion  of  muscle,  fat,  gland,  and  comiective  tissue;  and  large  as  is  the  (duiniber, 
tlii^  ball  fits  and  nearly  fills  it.  A  bird's  eye-ball  is  much  larger  than  the  opening  of  the 
cyo-lids  (see  p.  30,  note). 

As  to  its  development:  "the  Ei/c"  says  Huxley  "is  fonned  by  the  coalescence  of  two  sets 
of  structures,  one  furnished  by  an  involutuni  of  the  integument,  the  other  by  an  outgrowth  of  the 
brain.  The  opening  of  the  tegumentary  depression,  which  is  primarily  [in  the  very  early  em- 
bryo] formed  on  each  side  of  the  head  in  the  <)(!ular  region  becomes  closed,  and  a  shut  sac  is 
tlie  result.  The  oute-  'vall  of  this  sac  becomes  the  transparent  cornea  of  the  eye ;  the  epider- 
II, is  of  its  Hoor  thicken  and  is  metamorphosed  into  the  cri/KtaUinc  leiis ;  the  cavity  fills  with 
\]n' aqueous  humor.  A  vascular  and  muscular  ingrowth  taking  place  round  the  circumference 
<if  the  sac,  and  dividing  its  cavity  into  two  segments,  gives  rise  to  the  iris.  The  integument 
around  the  cornea,  growing  out  into  a  fold  above  and  behiw,  results  in  the  formation  of  the 
eyelids,  and  the  segregation  of  the  integument  which  they  enclose,  as  thi!  soft  and  vascular  con- 
Jinwtira.  The  pouch  of  the  conjunctiva  very  generally  communicates,  by  tho  lacrijmal  duct, 
Mith  the  cavity  of  the  nose.  It  may  be  raised,  on  its  inner  side,  into  a  broad  fidd,  the  nictitating 
membrane,  moved  by  a  proper  muscle  or  nniscles.  Special  glands  —  the  lacrymal  externally, 
and  the  harderian  on  the  inner  side  of  the  eye-ball  —  may  be  developed  in  connection  with,  and 
pour  their  secretion  on  to,  the  conjunctival  mucous  membrane.     The  posterior  chamber  of  the 


« 

1 

I 


180 


GENEKAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


oyc  has  a  totally  distinct  origin.  Vory  early  that  part  of  the  anterior  cerebral  vesicle  which 
eventually  becomes  the  vesicle  of  the  third  ventricle,  throws  out  a  diverticulum,  broad  ,it  its 
outer,  narrow  at  its  inner  <;nd,  wliich  ai)i)lies  itself  to  the  base  of  the  tegumentary  sac.  The 
posterior,  or  outer,  wall  of  the;  diverticulum  then  becomes,  as  it  were,  thrust  in,  and  finccd 
towards  the  opjiosite  wall  by  an  ingrowth  of  the  adjacent  connective  tissue;  so  that  the  i)rinii- 
tive  cavity  of  the  diverticulum,  which,  of  course,  communicates  freely  with  that  of  the  anterior 
cerebral  vesicle,  is  (dditerated.  The  broad  end  of  the  diverticulum  acquiring  a  spheroidal  sliaiic, 
while  its  pedicle  narrows  and  elongates,  the  latter  becomes  the  o])tic  ner^•e,  while  the  Inriiier, 
surroinidiug  itself  witii  a  strong  tibrous  sclerotic  coat,  remains  as  the  posterior  chamber  of  the, 
eye.  The  double  envelo])e,  resulting  from  the  folding  of  the  wall  of  the  cerebral  optic  vcsicli! 
upon  itself,  gives  rise  to  the  rc<i«a  and  tlie  c/iojwd  coat,  the  plug  or  ingrowth  of  connective 
tissue  gelatinizes  and  jiasses  into  the  vitreous  humor,  the  cleft  by  which  it  entered  bcconnng 
obliterated."  (Anat.  Vert.,  1S71,  p.  7'J.) 

Birds  alone,  of  all  animate  beings,  may  be  truly  siiid  to  "fall  asleep"  in  death.     Wlicn 
the  "silver  cord  "  of  a  bird's  life  is  loosed,  the  "windows  of  the  soul"  are  gently  chiscd  by 

unseen  hands,  that  the  mysterious  rites  of 
divorce  of  spirit  from  matter  may  not  be  jiru- 
faned.  When  man  or  any  mammal  e.\])ires, 
the  eyes  remain  wide  open  and  their  stony 
stare  is  the  sign  of  dissolution.  Only  birds 
close  their  eyes  in  dying.  At  the  same  mo- 
ment, the  eye  sinks  and  seems  to  collapse,  by 
the  ebbing  of  its  w.aters.  The  closure  is 
chiefly  eft'ected  by  the  uprising  of  the  lower 
lid.  These  arc  the  principal  external  differ- 
ences between  the  eyes  of  birds  and  nianuiials. 
The  movements  of  the  upper  lid  in  most  birds 
are  much  more  restricted  than  those  of  tiie 
lower.  Th(!  few  ex<!eptions  are  chiefly  far- 
nished  by  night  birds,  as  owls,  whippoorwills, 
and  others  of  their  res])ective  tribes.  The  lids 
consist  externally  of  common  slvin,  internally 

Fio.  81. -Uigl.t  eye-ball,  seen  from  behind,  show-  "f  ^   l"y<'>'   <'f  Conjunctival    (joining)   mucous 

Ing  the  muHcli'H :«, rectus  superior ;  i,  rectus  cxtcrnus;  membrane,  with  interposed  connective  tissue: 

t\    rectus  Inferior;    tl,    rectus    intcnius;    c,    oblinnuf  .,      ,  .       ,         .■a.        ,      ..,  ,,      ,   . 

suDerior;  /,  (not  lettered)  ol.liquus  inferior;  </,  qu.id-  *"*"  '"^^'C''  >"  ''>■«"  Stlflcned  With  a  smootli  plate, 

ratus;  h,  iiyramidaiis,  witii  its  tendon,  k,  jiassing  the  tarsal  Cartilage.     The  Upper  is  raised  l)y  a 

tlirougli  a  pulley  in  the  quadratus  (as  shown  by  the  n  i  ii    i  r  •.       m       7       i  1 

dotted  line)  to  keej.  it  oft-the  optic  nerve,  /,  then  jiassing  ^'""'1  '""sele,  called  from  Its  office  levator  pnl- 
around  the  edge  of  the  ball  to  its  insertion  in  the  nicti-     pehrOi  SUperioris,  arising  from  the  bony  orbit. 

tating  membrane.  rm         ■  •  1  1  ■  i-i'.-  1 

1  liere  is  no  special  lowering  nor  lifting  iiiusrle 

of  the  under  lid ;  the  lids  close  together  by  the  action  of  the  orbicidaris  oculi,  which  nearly 
surrounds  the  eye,  and  whose  chief  office  is  to  lift  the  lower  lid;  the  latter  has  a  small  dis- 
tinct ilejvrssor  muscle.  Birds  have  no  true  hairs,  but  in  some  kinds  modified  filiform  featlieis 
answer  to  eye-la.shes.  When  wide  o))en  the  orifice  of  the  lids  is  circular,  that  is,  witiiotit  \\\r 
inner  and  outer  corners  icanthi)  of  alimmd-eyed  creatures  like  num.  There  is  a  third  inner 
eyelid,  highly  develoited  and  of  beautiful  mechanism:  this  is  the  nictitating  membrane,  or 
"winker"  (iiictito,  1  wink),  a  delicate,  elastic,  translucent,  pearly-white  fold  of  the  con- 
junctiva. While  the  other  lids  move  vertically  and  have  a  horizontal  commissure,  tiie  winker 
sweeps  horizontally  or  obliiiuely  across  the  ball,  from  the  side  next  the  beak  to  the  oppo- 
site. If  we  menace  a  bird's  eye  with  the  finger,  it  is  curious  to  see  the  winker  rush  out  of 
the  corner  to  protect  the  ball.     Owls  habitually  sit  in  the  daytime  with  this  curtain  shading 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.— NEUROLOGY. 


181 


the  fivps  from  the  glare  of  light;  and  doubtless  tlic  eagle  throws  the  same  siTcen  over  its  sight 
when  soaring  towards  the  sun.  When  not  in  action,  the  winker  lies  curled  up  in  the  c(jrner  of 
the  eye,  like  those  patent  window  shades  which  stay  up  t)f  themselves  till  pulled  down.  The 
iniicuious  mechanism  of  the  movement  of  the  winker  across  the  lid  may  be  uuderstood  with  the 
help  of  fig-  81,  which  represents  the  hack  of  the  eye-ball.  The  winker  lies  in  front,  on  the  left 
hand  of  the  picture,  and  is  to  be  pulled  across  the  front  by  the  slender  tendon,  k,  {.\i  i\\c  pijrami- 
(hilin  nuiscle,  h.  As  h  contracts  it  pulls  on  k,  and  k,  winding  round  to  the  front,  pulls  the 
wiuker  to  the  right  hand.  But  i  is  the  optic  ner'-e,  entering  the  ball;  k  would  press  upcm 
it,  were  it  not  fended  off  by  passing,  as  seen  by  the  dotted  line,  through  a  pulley  in  the  end 
of  the  quadratus  muscle,  g.  The  harder  h  pulls,  the  harder  doc^s  (j  also  pull,  their  consentane- 
ous action  at  once  giving  the  proper  direction  to  the  tendon  k,  and  keeping  it  ofl"  the  nerve. 

Beneath  the  eye-lids,  upon  the  ball,  is  a  delicate  filmy  membrane  not  easily  recognized  on 
ordinary  inspection  :  this  is  the  conjunctiva,  so  called  because  it  joins  the  eye  to  the  lids.  The 
ocular  layer  is  transparent  where  it  passes  over  the  cornea :  it  is  then  reflected  away  from  the 
hall,  to  form  the  palpebral  layer,  — a  folding  between  being  the  nictitating  memlmme.  The 
(•(iiijinictiva  is  highly  vascular,  but  the  blood-vessels  are  too  snuill  to  be  seen  unless  they  be- 
I'onie  cougested,  when  the  eye  jjresents  the  well-known  appearance  called  blood-shot.  Though 
hinls  can  hardly  be  said  to  cry,  they  have  a  well-developed  apparatus  for  the  manufacture  of 
tears.  The  lacrymal  are  two  small  ghmds  lying  one  in  each  corner  of  the  eye,  inner  and 
outer.  The  former,  called  the  harderiun  gland,  is  the  smaller,  deeply  seated  behind  the 
winker,  up<m  which  it  pours  a  glary  fluid  :  it  is  an  oil-can  which  not  only  supplies  but 
applies  the  fluid  to  the  wiuker,  which  needs  constant  lubricating  to  work  well.  The  lac- 
rymal gland  proper  is  the  outer  one,  which  prepares  the  tears  to  mtiisten  and  cleanse  the 
coiijunctiva ;  after  which  they  are  drained  off  by  the  lacrynuil  duct  into  the  cavity  of  the 
nose,  which  thus  becomes  a  sort  of  cesspool  to  receive  the  refuse  waters  of  the  eye.  A  third 
gland  about  the  orbit  has  been  already  mentioned  (p.  178)  as  pertaining  to  the  nose,  not  to  the 
eye.     Its  site  is  shown  in  the  crescentic  super-orbital  depression,  tig.  (Hi,  w. 

The  motions  of  the  eye-ball,  though  more  restricted  than  in  mammals,  owing  to  the  .*:hape 
of  the  ball  and  its  dose  socketing,  are  nevertheless  subserved  by  the  usual  number  of  sir  mus- 
cles. Of  these  four  are  called  the  recii,  or  straight  imiscles,  and  two  the  ohliqui,  or  oblicpie 
muscles;  though  they  are  all  "straight"  enough,  the  terms  applying  to  their  lines  of  traction. 
The  four  recti  arise  from  the  bony  orbit,  near  together,  about  the  optic  foramen,  and  pass  to 
he  in.serted  in  the  eye-ball  at  as  nuiuy  nearly  e(itii<listant  points  on  its  circumference  ;  the 
musculus  rectus  mperior,  tig.  81,  «,  on  top;  m.  r.  inferior,  c,  below,  antagonizing  a ;  the  m.  r. 
artcrnus,  b,  and  internus,  d,  respectiv<dy  to  the  outer  and  inner  (hindward  and  forward)  sides, 
also  antagonizing  each  other.  The  two  (d)li(|ue  muscles  arise  further  forward  in  the  bony  or- 
bit, near  each  other,  and  then  diverge!  oblicpiely  upward,  m.  o.  superior,  e,  and  downward,  m. 
0.  inferior,  f,  to  be  inserted  near  the  margin  of  the  glolu'  of  the  eye,  close  by  the  respective  in- 
sertions of  superior  and  inferior  rectus.  All  the  motions  of  the  ball  result  from  consentaneous 
or  dis.sentaneous  action  along  these  si.v  lines  of  traction;  the  muscles  acting  as  ropes  to  pull 
the  hall  about,  and  to  steady  it  in  any  direction  of  hs  a.xis.  The  peculiarity  of  mechanism  in  a 
bird  is,  that  the  superior  oblique  goes  straight  to  its  insertion,  instead  of  passing  through  a 
indley  which  changes  its  line  of  acti(m  in  mammals.  The  special  nerves  presiding  over 
these  muscles  (I?,  4,  6)  have  been  pointed  out  already  (p.  177).  In  the  figure,  the  cut  orbital 
ends  of  them  all  are  reflected  away  from  the  ball  to  disclose  the  underlying  muscles  of  the 
winker:  the  re.ider  must  mentally  bring  the  si.K  loose  ends  together  and  fasten  them  to  the 
bony  orbit  at  points  near  about  opposite^ »',  as  above  said  of  tlu'ir  origins. 

The  above  are  the  principal  circumstances  and  accessories  of  the  optic  apparatus  ;  we  may 
now  examine  the  eye  itself,  of  which  fig.  82  gives  an  enlarged  view,  in  longitudinal  vertical 
section,  —  the  nerve,  marsupium,  aud  ciliary  processes  not  indeed  lying  as  shown  in  this  section, 


i-.,v 


II 


18: 


GENEliAL   OKNITHOLOGY. 


but  so  introduced  us  to  show  tlieni  up  intelligibly.  A  bird's  eye-ball  is  not  nearly  so  spherical 
or  globular  as  a  niaiiiinai's.  The  globe  of  the  hunum  eye  is  about  a  tive-sixths  segment  t,(  ^ 
large  sphere  (sclerotic)  with  a  one-sixth  segment  of  a  snniller  sphere  protruding  in  front  (cor- 
neal). The  anterior  part  of  the  sclerotic;  of  a  bird  is  .so  prohniged  as  to  be  in  some  cases  alnii..>^t 
tubular  or  cylindric,  and  tlie  corneal  protuberance  is  very  convex :  the  result  may  be  likened 
to  an  acorn  which  has  a  short  blunt  kernel  in  a  heavy  shaUow  cup,  or  to  a  thick  ulii- 
fashioned  watch  with  a  very  convex  crystal.  This  characteristic  shape  is  fairly  shown  in 
the  figure;  but  some  birds' eyes  are  much  more  tubular  in  front,  —  owls' for  example.  Tlio 
eye-ball  being  hollow  and  tilled  witii  fluids  which  press  in  all  directions,  it  is  hard  to  see  at  tirst 
how  such  a  pecidiar  shape  is  maintained.  But  the  sclerotic  coat  is  very  dense,  almost  gii.>tly 
in  some  cases;  and  it  is  reinforced  by  a  circlet  of  bones,  the  sclerotnh,  h,  h;  see  also  tig.  {',2^ 
where  the  circlet  is  shown.  These  are  packed  alongside  each  other  all  around  the  circunnfcr- 
ence  of  one  part  of  the  sclerotic,  like  a  set  of  splints.     The  large  discoidal  segment  of  a  Ifird's 

eye  is  mostly  composed  of  the  mem- 
brane called  from  its  hardness  the 
sclerotic,  —  thick,  tough,  and  strong, 
of  a  glistening  livid  coUir.  Three 
sclerotic  c(jats  or  layers  may  Im!  de- 
monstrated by  careful  dissection;  in 
the  figure  b  is  the  outer,  c  the  com- 
bined middle  and  inner  ones,  —  much 
exaggerated  as  to  their  distinctnes;*. 
The  bony  plates  lie  between  tlui 
outer  and  middle  coats  anterior  to  the 
greatest  girth  of  the  eye-ball,  extend- 
ing from  the  rim  of  the  dlst;  nearly 
or  quite  to  the  edge  of  the  cornea. 
They  are  a  dozen  to  twenty  in  mun- 
ber,  of  oblong  squarish  slia])e,  tiqier- 
ing  toward  the  cornea,  around  wliicli 

Fio.  82.- Vertical antero-po8tciior8cctluii„f eye-ball:  a,  optic  they    are    thus    circularly    disj.osed  ; 

nerve ;  A,  sclerotic,  its  outer  coat ;  c,  sclerotic,  its  middle  and  inner  they    are    pretty    closely   bound  t<i- 

coatu;  rf, choroid;  <■. hyaloid;/, niarsuplum;  0,  cornea  ;  A, A, bony         ,,■ i  .,,    ., :_  i  ,*  .1,1 

plates  l«.tween  sclerotic  l.iyer;;i,i,c..rruEation»  of  clmroid,  form-  g''^'"^"^'    '""    ^^e   circlet  as   a   whole 

ing  ciliary  processes ;  k;  k,  canal  of  Petit ;  /,  /,  iris ;  m,  anterior  ciljoys    Some  little  motion  back    and 

cliamher  of  eye;  H,  capsule  of  the  lens;  (),  lens;  y*.  posterior  cham-  «■_,„,_,]  ,„:»i,   ♦!,„   ,■.,„,.;„,.    ..,,,,..,„;.,. 

1,0-  p  „.„    x»  i.i     »i       ..  .1  11      1     .,1       <•.!       lorwarii  with  the  varying  cotivexUv 

uerofoye.    Neither  the  retina,  nor  the  peculiar  sheathing  of  the  . 

optic  nerve,  is  shown.   Tlie  nerve,  marsuiiiiim,  and  ciliary  processes,      of   the   Comea,  g.       Tills   last   is   the 

n,.t  lalling  in  this  section,  can  only  be  arbitrarily  shown.  ^j,;,,  transparent  membrane  comph't- 

int!  tiie  eye-ball  in  front,  like  the  crystal  over  the  face  of  a  watch.  It  is  very  protuberant 
in  birds, — even  a  liemis]ihere,  or  almost  tubular.  Its  struciiire  is  not  peculiar  in  birds;  but 
it  is  remarkable  in  this  class  of  creatures  not  only  for  its  convexity,  but  for  the  wide  range  of 
the  variability  in  convexity  which  increased  or  diminished  pressure  of  tlie  contained  humors 
may  effect,  and  its  collapse  in  death. 

The  sclerotic  coat  is  lined  with  the  choroid  membrane,  d,  loosely  woven  of  cellular  tissue, 
replete  with  blood-vessels,  and  i)aiiited  pitch-black  with  a  heavy  deposit  of  pigment-c(dls.  It 
lines  the  whole  globe  as  far  forward  as  the  edge  of  the  sclerotal  bones,  where  it  splits  in  two 
laj-ers.  The  iuiwr  choroid  layer  timis  aw;iy  from  the  wall  of  the  ej'e,  toward  the  interior,  and 
in  so  retlectiuir  becomes  jdaited,  as  a  bag  is  jnickered  by  pulling  the  strings.  These  jileats 
converge  upon  the  rim  of  the  delicate  (,;psule  enclo.sing  the  lens  of  the  eye,  n,  and  there 
adhere,  forming  the  cilinrij  processes,  1,  1.  The  oi(^c»'  layer  also  starts  away  from  the  cir- 
cumference of  the  sclerotic  wall,  as  if  to  pass  directly  across  the  cavity,  but  ends  in  the  irif. 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  —NEUROLOGY. 


183 


Aniiiiiil  the  circumference  of  the  iris,  whore  s?lerotic,  corneal,  and  choroid  coats  come  together,  is 
aeirt'iilarband  of  fibres,  the  ciliary  ligament;  and  on  tlie  outer  surface  of  tlie  choroid  is  a  similar 
biin<l  of  circular  and  radiating  contractile  fibres,  the  ciliary  muscle.  These  ciliary  structures  arc 
gupiiiised  to  be  the  agents  of  the  accommodating  faculty  of  the  eye,  acting  upon  the  lens  to  alter 
its  shape  or  its  position,  or  both.  It  is  a  difficult  matter  to  settle,  when  such  delicate  structures 
are  in  question. 

The  iris,  I,  I,  or  rainbow  of  the  eye,  is  an  exquisite  structure  hanging  like  a  many-colored 
curtain  vertically  between  the  two  compartments  of  the  eye  ;  a  highly  ornamental  framework 
of  the  eye's  window,  being  both  sash  and  blind  to  the  pupil.  It  is  suspended  vertically  in  the 
aqueous  humor,  just  in  front  of  the  lens.  Viewed  in  front,  from  the  outside,  the  iris  appears  as 
aciiliired  circular  baud  around  the  pupil,  and  seems  to  come  to  the  surface  of  the  eye.  But 
this  is  n<it  so,  for  the  conjunctiva,  the  cornea,  and  the  aqueous  humor  of  the  front  chamber  of 
the  eye,  are  between  us  and  it.  It  may  be  likened  to  the  dial-plate  of  a  watch,  which  we  look 
at  witliout  noticing  the  interposed  crystal.  Similarly,  the  pitjnl  of  the  eye,  which  shows  us  our 
own  reflection,  diminished  to  the  size  of  the  "  eye-baby,"  may  be  likened  to  tlie  round  central 
hole  in  the  dial-plate  through  which  protrudes  the  shaft  that  bears  the  hands  of  a  watch.  The 
"  iiiii)il ''  is  the  round  black  spot  within  the  colored  rim  of  the  iris  ;  but  it  is  not  a  thing  —  it  is 
a  hiile  in  a  thing  —  the  hole  in  the  iris  through  which  we  may  look  and  see  the  black  choroid 
coat  behind.  The  quivering  iris  is  very  similar  in  texture  to  the  choroid,  being  a  delicate  tissue 
of  interlacing  fibres  and  vessels ;  but  it  is  highly  mobilized  by  circular  and  radiating  sets  of 
contractile  fibres,  by  which  the  curtain  is  tightened  and  loosened,  with  corresponding  change 
ill  the  size  of  the  central  orifice  —  the  pupil.  Although  the  iridian  movements  are  largely 
iuituniatic,  depending  upon  the  stimulus  of  light,  they  are  to  some  extent  voluntary,  as  any  one 
may  satisfy  himself  w!io  observes  owls  in  confinement.  During  these  expansions  and  con- 
tractions of  the  iris,  the  pupil  in  birds  preserves  its  circularity  ;  and  even  when  the  movement 
is  freest  and  most  voluntary,  as  in  owls,  the  contracted  pupil  never  appears  us  a  vertical  oval 
tii,nire,  or  a  slit,  like  that  of  cats.  The  round  pupil  of  the  great  horned  owl  ranges  from  the 
(liiiiiieter  of  a  finger  ring  down  to  that  of  a  small  split-pea.  The  iridian  colors  are  often 
j<triking  in  birds.  Though  black  and  brown  are  the  commonest,  yellow  is  quite  frequent, 
red  is  often  seen,  blue  and  green  are  rarer ;  the  eyes  of  cormorants  are  of  the  latter  color.  The 
iris  is  sometimes  pure  white,  as  it  is  in  our  common  "  white-eyed  "  greenlet,  Vireo  noveboracensis. 
Ill  the  Californian  woodpecker,  Melanerpes  formicivorus,  the  ey^s  are  iiidifi'erently  (or  at  ditt'er- 
ciit  ages  of  the  bird,  or  seasons)  brown,  bluish,  jiink,  rosy,  or  yellow. 

The  crystalline  lens,  o,  is  a  transparent  biconvex  disc,  like  a  common  magnifying  glass, 
apiiarently  set  in  the  iris  like  a  mirror  in  its  frame,  but  really  iianging  a  little  back  of  that 
.stnurture.  It  is  enclosed  in  a  capsular  membrane,  n,  of  extreme  delicacy  and  transparency, 
wliich  is  in  turn  set  between  two  layers  of  the  hyaloid  membrane  to  be  presently  noticed. 
Wliere  these  layers  of  hyah>id  separate  around  the  rim  of  the  cajisiile  to  form  the  investment,  a 
small  space  is  left  between  them  ;  this  circular  tube  around  the  lens  is  the  canal  of  Petit,  k,  k. 
Tlie  lens  is  stationed  in  the  axis  of  vision  ;  some  suppose  it  to  be  equally  stationary  in  any 
transverse  axis.  It  is,  however,  difficult  to  understand  how  an  object  thus  suspendeii  in 
Hiictuating  humors  should  be  insusceptible  of  some  motion  backward  or  forward,  as  well  as 
iif  alteration  in  its  degree  of  convexity;  both  of  which  may  be  factors  in  the  focusing  process. 
From  what  has  preceded,  it  is  evident  that  the  cavity  of  the  eye  is  divided  into  anterior  and 
piisterior  compartments,  or  chambers,  by  the  rcficction,  from  the  sclerotic  wall,  of  the  choroid, 
liyaloid  and  iridian  structures,  which  with  the  lens  form  a  vertical  partition.  Each  chamber 
is  filled  with  a  fluid  of  different  den.sity  and  consistence.  That  in  the  anterior  or  corneal 
I  liamber  is  thin  and  watery,  and  therefore  called  the  aqueous  humor;  that  in  the  sclerotic 
<iivity  is  more  dense  and  glassy,  and  for  this  reason  known  as  the  vitreous  humor.  There  is 
much  less  aqueous  than  vitreous;  but  birds  have  comparatively  more  of  the  former  than  usual. 


1  :    I     i! 


184 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


owing  to  the  rolativcly  greater  size  and  convexity  of  the  cornea.  The  waters  are  encldscd  in 
exceedingly  delicate  nicnibranes;  the  vitreous  iu  the  hyaloid  membrane,  e,  which,  hcsldcs 
lining  the  posterior  chauibrr  and  enclosing  the  lens  as  already  said,  sends  thin  partitimis  all 
through  the  vitreous  humor  to  steady  these  glassy  waters. 

'hie  0])tic  nerve,  a,  of  birds  is  peculiar.  In  mammals,  as  a  rule,  the  nerve  is  a  sinonth 
cylinder,  proceeding  straight  to  the  sclerotic,  penetrating  the  coats  of  the  eye-hall  directly,  iiciir 
the  middle  point  behind,  and  then  spreading  out  on  the  inside  of  the  ball  as  a  large  circiilnr 
concave  mirror.  This  thin,  saucer-liUe  expansion  of  nerve-tissue  is  the  retina.  In  binls  the 
optic  nerve  is  a  iluted  column,  which  approaches  the  eye-ball  (piite  obliquely,  strikes  it  at  a 
point  eccentric  from  the  axis  of  the  eye,  and  does  not  at  once  pierce  the  sclerotic.  Tapering  to 
a  fine  jxiint,  and  running  still  ohlicpiely,  downward  and  forward,  in  a  deej)  groove  iu  the 
sclerotic  that  would  be  a  tube  were  it  not  split,  and  through  a  similar  slit  in  the  choidid,  a 
fluting  of  the  nerve  rises  to  attain  the  cavity  of  the  eye,  and  the  retina  spreads  out  from  the 
sides  and  end  of  this  fold.  But  the  jtriuie  peculiarity  of  a  bird's  eye  is  the  "  purse  "  or  "  comb," 
nutr.iiipiiini,  jjecten,  f;  a  very  vascular  structure,  like  the  choroid,  and  likewise  i)ainted  black; 
apparently  "  erectile,"  that  is,  capable  of  increasing  and  diminishing  in  size  by  influx  ai\d  i  iHux 
of  blood.  It  is  attached  behind  to  the  nervous  structure;  is  suspended  in  the  vitreous  luniKir, 
and  runs  forward  obliquely  a  part  or  the  whole  of  the  way  to  the  lens,  to  the  envelope  of  wliich 
it  may  be  attached  in  some  cases.  Its  ofllice  is  not  fully  determined.  Its  great  resemblance  to 
the  choroid  proper  suggests  a  similar  function  in  the  absorption  of  light.  If  it  be  turgid  and 
flaccid  by  turns  it  must  occupy  a  variable  space  iu  the  vitreous  humor,  and  in  the  former  state 
press  the  waters  upon  the  most  yielding  jiart  of  their  walls, — that  where  the  lens  is  situated, 
even  to  tlie  extent  of  altering  the  jiosition  of  the  hitter;  and  if  so,  of  changing  the  focus  of  tlie 
eye.  It  is  difficult  to  account  for  the  bird's  eyes'  powers  of  accommodation  by  the  acticm  of 
the  ciliary  muscle  in  only  changing  the  .shape  of  the  lens,  thus  throwing  out  of  account  as 
imiHissiblc  any  change  in  the  position  of  that  refracting  medium,  or  of  the  density  of  the 
refracting  humors,  or  of  the  convexity  of  the  cornea.  The  peculiar  course  of  the  optic  nerve 
may  be  simply  an  anatomical  convenience,  or  may  have  something  to  do  with  a  bird's  ability  to 
see  straight  ahead  though  its  eyes  be  laterally  positioned.  (See  Am.  Nat.,  ii,  1868,  p.  578  ;  Pr. 
Best.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  xii,  Apr.  21,  18(59.) 


Sense  of  Hearing :  Audition. —  This  is  enjoyed  to  a  high  degree  by  the  "  musical  class  " 
of  the  Vertelirata,  — birds  being  the  only  animals  besides  man  whose  emotions  are  habitually 
aroused,  stimulated,  and  to  some  extent  controlled  by  the  aj)preciation  of  harmonic  vibrations  of 
the  atmosphere.  Most  birds  express  their  sexual  passions  in  song,  sometimes  of  the  most 
ravishing  (luality  to  our  ears,  as  that  of  the  nightingale  or  the  bluebird,  and  it  cannot  be  su])- 
posed  that  they  themselves  do  not  experience  the  efit'ct  of  music  in  an  eminent  dcirree  of 
pleasurable  i)ertm-bations.  Otherwise,  they  would  cease  to  sing.  The  capability  of  musical 
expression  resides  chiefly  iu  the  more  spiritualized  male  sex  ;  the  receptive  capacity  of  musi<'al 
affections  is  better  developed  in  the  female,  who  chiefly  furnishes  the  plastic  material  which  is 
to  be  mould(>d  into  the  physical  manifestation  of  the  male  principle.  Quicku<'ss  of  ear  is 
extraordinary  in  such  birds  as  those  of  the  genus  Slimus,  which  correctly  render  any  notes  they 
may  chance  to  hear,  with  greater  readiness  and  accuracy  than  is  usually  within  human 
l)o8sibility.  It  may  be  reasonably  doubted  that  any  others  than  some  of  the  world's  greatest 
musical  composers  have  a  higher  experience  in  acoustic  possibilities  than  many  birds.  Birds' 
I'ars  have  nevertheless  a  comparatively  simple  anatomical  structure,  on  the  whole  much  more 
like  that  of  reptiles  than  of  mammals.  Such  simplicity  is  seen  in  the  ligulate  or  strap-shaped 
(M)chlea,  the  essential  organ  of  hearing,  flgs.  84,  85,  80,  87,  as  compared  with  the  helicoid  curva- 
tion  of  the  mammalian  cochlea.  The  openness  of  the  ear-parts  which  lie  «)utaide  the  tympanum 
is  seen  in  fig.  02,  at  the  place  where  the  reference-lines  "ear-cells"  reiich  the  skull;  and 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.— NEUROLOGY. 


185 


espt'cially  in  fig.  71,  where  the  stupes,  st,  is  e  en  lying  in  the  ear-cavity,  the  tympanum  having 
been  removed. 

There  is  ordinarily  no  external  car,  in  the  sense  of  a  fleshy  conch  or  auricle,  thougli  owls 
at  least  have  a  considerahle  flap  which  overlies  the  auditory  aperture.  Tlio  place  of  an  auricle 
is  filled  by  a  set  of  peculiarly  modified  feathers  surrounding  and  overlying  the  opening,  called 
in  ornith(dogy  th(!  ear-coverts,  or  auriculars  (p.  97 ;  tig.  25,  36).  The  outer  ear  or  meatus 
auditorius  cxternus  is  a  considerable  shallow  roundish  depression  in  the  skull,  at  the  extreme 
Idwcr  lateral  corner.  Its  ordinary  boundaries  are  the  movably  articulated  (piadrate  bone  in 
fnjiit,  the  expanded  rim  of  the  squamosal  above,  the  tympanic  wing  of  tlie  exoccipital  behind 
and  below;  the  termination  of  the  basitemporal  also  usually  contributing  to  the  under  boundary. 
(See  tig.  71,  at  st ;  03,  under/;  fig.  62,  where  reference  lines  "bones  of  ear  cell"  go.)  On 
renioviug  the  quadrate  from  the  dry  skidl,  the  general  tympanic  depression  is  seen  to  be  uhu'c 
or  less  continuous  with  the  alisphenoid  ;  the  boundary  is  best  marked  behind  and  below  by  tlie 
broad  tliin  shai-p-edged  sludl  of  the  tympanic  wing  of  the  exoccipital.  To  the  brim  iudi- 
patcd  is  attached  the  ti/mpanum,  or  drum  of  the  ear  —  that  membrane  being,  fnmi  the  con- 
figuration of  the  parts,  quite  sujierficial,  —  not  at  the  bottom  of  a  tube-like  meatus,  as  in  man. 
Tile  membrane  proper  is  invested  exteriuilly  by  modified  conunon  integument  which  readily 
peels  <pfr.  Thus  this  wide  sliallow  depression  overlaid  with  feathers  or  a  slight  flap  is  all  there 
is  to  represent  the  "outer  ear-passage."  The  tympanic  membrane  sometimes  develops  slight 
ossitication,  which  then  represents  the  "tympanic  bone,"  or  "external  auditory  process  "of 
liunian  anatomy.  Did  not  this  membrane  oc(dude  the  way,  the  ])assage  through  the  ear  to  the 
mouth  would  be  pervious.  This  passage  is  the  modified  persistence  of  the  first  visceral  cleft  or 
"  gill-slit"  of  the  embryo.  Just  within  tlie  tympanic  membrane  is  the  cavity  of  the  tympanum 
(ir  middle  ear,  which  may  be  very  extensively  exposed  by  merely  removing  the  membrane. 
Looking  into  this  cavity,  as  may  readily  be  done  from  the  outside,  in  carefully  cleaned  dry 
skulls,  many  objects  of  interest  are  jjreseuted;  among  them,  a  number  of  foramina  — openings 
leading  in  various  directions.  In  the  first  place  there  are  some  (inconstant  and  not  readily 
identitied)  holes,  which  are  pneumatic  openings,  conveying  air  from  the  middle  ear-passage  to 
the  interior  of  bones  of  the  skull  and  lower  jaw.  Next  is  observed  a  large  oritice  in  the  lower 
anterior  part  of  the  cavity,  — the  mouth  of  the  eustachian  tube.  This  tube  continues  the  ear- 
passage  to  the  mouth  ;  opening  at  the  back  of  the  hard  palate  by  a  median  oritice  in  common 
witli  its  fellow.  In  clean  skulls  of  any  size  a  bristle;,  or  even  a  wooden  tooth-pick,  will  pass 
through  the  eu.stachian  tube,  and  appear  upon  the  floor  of  the  skull  in  mid-line  or  nearly  there, 
under  the  basispheuoid,  over  the  basitemporal.  The  foregoing  passages  have  not  conducti^d 
us  to  the  inner  ear  or  proper  acoustic  cavity.  There  will  be  observed,  in  the  side-wall  of  the 
tympanic  cavity,  two  definite  openings  near  the  eustachian  oritice.  One  of  these,  anterior  and 
superior  to  the  other,  larger  usually,  and  oval,  is  the  fenestra  oralis;  it  lies  in  the  obliterated 
suture  between  the  prootic  and  opisthotic  btmes ;  and  when  the  membranous  curtain  which 
doses  it  in  life  is  gone,  you  look  through  this  "  oval  window  "  into  the  vestibttlar  cavity  of  the 
car  proper.  The  lower,  posterior,  circular  orifice  is  the  fenestra  rotunda;  through  which  round 
window  in  the  opisthotic  bone  you  look  into  the  cochlear  cavity  of  the  ear  projier.  Fenestra 
(ivalis  and  f.  rotunda  are  generally  close  together,  — only  divided  by  a  little  bridge  of  bone,  or  a 
iiuTe  bony  bar.  To  the  circumference  of  the  fenestra  ovalis  is  fitted  the  expanded  oval  foot  of 
the  truinpet-shaped  columella,  auris,  —  the  stapes,  or  "  stirrup-bone,"  as  it  is  called  in  mammals 
(Kg.  83,  st).  This  is  an  elegant  little  heme,  which  establishes  mechanical  ccmnection  between 
tlie  membrane  closing  the  fenestra  ovalis  and  the  tympanic  membrane,  —  something  <ui  the 
principle  of  tlie  "  sounding-post  "  inside  a  violin.  It  is  shown  magnified  greatly  in  its  embry- 
onic conditi(m,  in  fig.  07,  and  there  seems  to  be  primitively  and  morphologically  the  proximal 
connection  of  the  hyoid  bone  (by  cerato-hyal  elements)  with  the  bony  capsule  t>f  the  ear;  but 
no  trace  of  this  relation  persists.     Fig.  83  shows  the  mature  stapes  of  a  fowl,  and  indicates  its 


186 


GENEBAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


Fio.  83. —  Mature 
stniws  of  fowl,  nbout  x 
4;  after  Parker,  s/,  its 
foot,  litting  fenestra 
ovaliH;  ni.i/,  main  shaft, 
or  nie(lio-stai>C()ial  cle- 
ment ;  ast,  supra-sta- 
IMMlIal ;  ent,  extra-sta- 
tiedial  ;  ht,  infra-sta' 
Iiedliil,  its  end  reprc- 
scnting  a  rudimentary 
stji(vliyal ;  /,  a  fenestra 
in  tlie  extra-stapcdial, 
(.See  .s7  in  situ,  tig.  71, 
and  its  embryoidc  for- 
mation, tig.  C7.) 


several  elements  which  have  received  special  names.     In  sknlls  prepared  with  sulficieut  caro, 
the  stapes  may  be  seen  in  situ,  as  in  fig.  71,  nt,  —  an  e.\tieinoly  delicate  rod,  stepped  into  the 
fenestra  ovalis  by  its  foot,  the  otlier  end  luotriiding  freely,  and  bearing  in  many  cases  its 
hammer-like  or  claw-like  stapedial  elements.     A  stapes  I   have  jnst 
picked  out  of  an  eagle's  ear  is  a  fourth  of  an  inch  long,  with  a  stout 
i'oot,  but  a  stem  as  fine  as  a  thread  of  sewing  silk,  and  at  the  tynipiinie 
end  a  still  finer  hair-like  process  half  as  long  as  the  main  stem,  frum 
which  it  stands  out  at  a  right  angle.      The  ossification  is  perfect,  ami 
there  appears  to  have  been  another  similar  process  which  has  broken 
off  from  the  cross-like  figure  shown  in  fig.  71,  st.     In  a  raven's  skull 
before  me  the  stapes  has  fallen  into  the  fenestra  ovalis,  and  lies  there  witli 
its  head  sticking  out,  though  perfectly  loose.     I  cannot  withdraw  it  intact, 
as  the  expanded  foot  fits  the  hole  too  closely  to  pass  through  in  any 
position  I  have  succeeded  in  placing  it.     It  appears  to  be  about  as  large 
as  the  eagle's.     Close  examination  at  a  point  somewhere  about  the  fe- 
nestra ovalis,  or  between  that  and  the  eustachian  orifice,  will  discover  a 
minute  forameu,  coiTCsponding  to  the  "  stylo-mastoid  "  foramen  of  iiiiun- 
mals.    It  transmits  cranial  nerve  7  (see  p.  177),  or  the/(«ci«i  nerre,  wliich 
has  buiTowed  througli  the  bony  acoustic  capsule  from  the  brain-cavity 
and  entered  the  tympanic  cavity  on  its  way  to  the  surface.    There  are 
sometimes  two  such  minute  foramina,  close  together,  both  conducting  to 
the  brain  cavity  (neither  in  cf)mmon  with  the  internal  auditory  meatus) ; 
as  in  the  eagle,  in  which  large  bird  a  fine  bristle  just  passes  through  each. 
Thus  in  the  dry  skull  of  a  bird,  all  the  hard  parts  of  the  middle  ear  or 
tympanic  cavity,  as  well  as  the  eustachian  tube,  can  readily  be  insi)ected 
from  the  outside;  even  the  limits  of  the  opisthotic  and  prootic  bones  can  be  determined  to  some 
extent,  and  the  ossiculum  auditiis  be  seen  in  situ.    There  will  also  bo  noted,  in  most  birds,  the 
articular  facet  upon  the  prootic  bone  for  the  inner  head  of  the  <iuadrate,  as  well  as  upon  tlie 
squamosal  for  the  outer  head  of  the  quadivite ;  however  these  may  shift  in  position,  in  dif- 
erent  birds,  they  cannot  easily  be  overlooked  or  mistaken.     Details  of  mere  size  and  configura- 
tion aside,  the  above  general  description  will  apply  pretty  well  to  any  bird,  and  should  surticc 
for  the  identification  of  the  objects  seen  on  looking  into  the  ear,  though  the  numbtn-  and 
variety  of  the  irregular  pneumatic  openings  may  bo  puzzling  at  first.     To  see  these  tilings 
clearly  in  a  mammaVs  ear  would  require  special  preparation  of  the  parts,  as  they  lie  inside  a 
tympanum  which  is  itself  at  the  bottom  of  a  contracted  tube.     In  such  an  oar,  properly  laid 
open,  would  be  found  a  cliain  of  three  ossicles  crossing  the  tympanic  cavity  from  the  inner 
surface  of  the  tympanic  membrane  to  the  opjiositc  surface  of  the  membrane  closing  the  fenestra 
ovalis  —  the  malleus,  incus,  and  sta^yes,  or  "hammer,"  "  anvil"  and  "  stirrup;  "  and  the  latter 
would  be  stirrup-shaped,  not  trumpet-like  witli  a  cross-bar  at  the  mouth-piece.     Some  iiiani- 
mals  would  also  show  a  hyoid  bone  wliich  would  have  what  are  the  cerato-hyals  of  a  blnl 
produced  up  toward  the  ear-parts,  and  continued  to  these  by  a  bone  called  stylo-hi/al,  or 
"styloid  process  of  the  temporal";  and  any  mammal's  jaw  would  articulate  directly  with  the 
squamosal,  —  the  chain  of  three  ossicles  being  entirely  inside  the  ear.     As  to  comparing  the 
parts  now:  the  mammalian  stapes  is  the  stapes  or  columella  of  a  bird,  —  its  stem  and  foot  at 
least ;  the  incus  of  a  mammal  is  represented  by  one  of  tlie  claws  of  the  cross-bar  of  a  bird's 
stapes  (the  .sK^jra-stapedial  element;   fig.  83,  sst);  the  malleus  of  a  mammal  is  the  great 
quadrate  bone  of  a  bird;  the  stylo-hyal  of  a  mammal  is  not  fairly  developed  in  a  bird,  unless 
contained  in  or  represented  by  another  claw  of  the  stapes  (an  »>0-«-stapcdial  element,  ist) ; 
and  in  these  facts  is  the  reason  why  a  bird's  lower  jaw  is  articulated  indirectly  to  tlie  sluill 
by  means  of  the  quadrate,  and  also  why  a  bird's  hyoid  bone  is  not  articulated  or  in  any  way 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.— NEUROLOGY. 


187 


iro, 
he 

[its 

list 
Imt 
liiiu 

0111 

111(1 
ipii 
lull 
[ith 
J"'t, 
Jniy 

ff- 
■r  ii 
1111- 
icli 


directly  oonnectctl  with  the  skull  —  excepting  when,  as  in  a  woodpecker,  elongated  branchial 
eli'iiiciitti  of  the  hyoid  bone  take  on  such  office  by  curling  over  the  erauiuiii  (tigs.  I'i,  7-1). 

Section  of  the  bone  is  rc<iuired  for  further  exaiiiinatiou  of  the  ear-parts.     On  longitudinally 
liiscctiug  the  skull,  or  otherwise  gaining  access  tt)  the  brain-cavity,  the  internal  surface  of  the 
pcriolic  bono  is  brought  into  view  (tig.  70,  j)0,  op,  ep).     It  is  the  same  bone  we  have  seen  iu 
till,'  tympanic  cavity,  now  viewed  upon  its  cerebral  surface.     In  a  skull  of  any  size,  as  that  of  the 
eai;Ie  before  me  (from  which  the  rest  of  my  description  will  be  taken),  there  is  no  difficulty  in 
inaUiiig  out  the  parts,  although  the  periphery  of  the  periotic  bone  is  completely  consolidated 
with  its  surroundings.    The  periotic,  or  petrosal  (Lat.  petrosus,  stouy  —  from  its  hardness),  or 
"  petrous  part  of  the  temporal,"  is  the  bony  capsule  of  the  inner  ear,  enclosing  the  lahyrinlh  or 
essential  organ  of  hearing,  —  in  fact,  it  is  the  skull  of  the  ear,  sometimes  therefore  called  the 
otocrmie  — just  as  ethmoidal  parts  form  the  "skull  of  the  nose,"  and  the  sclerotal  bones  represent 
a  "  sliuU  of  the  eye."    The  periotic  consists  of  the  three  bones  already  often  mentioned,  —  the 
proiitic,  po,  epiotic,  ep,  and  opistlwtk,  op,  or  anterior,  superior,  and  posterior  ottici-anial  bones, 
CDiiipletely  consolidated  together,  as  well  as  with  surrounding  bones.     The  petrosjil  ajjjwars  as 
an  irregular  protuberance  in  the  inner  wall  of  the  brain-cavity,  at  the  lower  back  part.     It 
serins  to  be  more  extensive  than  it  really  is,  because  the  great  superior  semicircular  canal,  too 
larsre  to  be  entirely  accommodated  in  the  petrosal,  has  invaded  the  occipital  bone,  —  the  track  of 
its  lied  in  that  bone  being  sculptured  in  bas-relief  (tig.  70,  asc).    Behind  this  semicircular  tnice, 
tiit>  deep  groove  of  a  venous  sinus  is  engraved  in  the  bone,  makhig  the  tract  of  the  canal  still 
more  i>roiiiinent  (fig.  70,  sc).     The  top  of  the  petrosal  and  contiguous  occipital  is  the  floor  of 
a  recess  or  fossa  in  which  is  lodged  the  great  optic  lobe  of  the  brain,  partly  divided  firctm  the 
general  cavity  for  the  cerebral  hemisphere  by  a  bony  tentorium,  like  that  which  in  mammals 
separates  the  cerebellar  from  the  cerebral  fossse.     On  the  vertical  face  of  the  petrosal,  or  on  the 
corresponding  occipital  surface,  is  a  large  smooth-lipped  orifice,  at  least  ^  of  an  inch  in  longest 
(liiiiiieter ;  it  leatls  to  a  tongue-like  excavation  of  the  bone,  in  which  the  Jtocciilus  of  the  cerebel- 
lum is  lodged.     In  front,  between  the  petrosal  and  alisphenoid  (or  in  the  conjoined  Ixtrder  of 
<me  or  the  other  of  these  bones)  is  a  considerable  foramen,  conducting  the  second  aud  third 
divisions  of  cranial  nerve  5  (see  p.  177;  figs.  70,  71,  '')  into  the  orbit.     Beh>w  the  jR>trosal  (in 
fact,  between  the  opisthotic  and  the  exoccipital),  near  the  border  of  the  foramen  magnum,  is  a 
foramen  (which  may  be  subdivided  into  foramina),  representing  the  foramen  lacerum  posterius 
of  mammals,  transmitting  cranial  nerves  9,  10,  11  (see  p.  177;  fig.  70,  ^).     The  general  space 
under  description  is  continued  to  the  margin  of  the  foramen  magnum  by  the  exoccipital  (fig. 
70,  eo).     Now  on  the  vertical  face  of  the  petrosivl  itself — behind  foramen  for  5,  alxjve  that  for 
9,  10,  11,  in  front  of  the  large  floccnlar  orifice,  will  be  seen  a  smooth-lipped  depression,  the 
meatus  auditorius  internus  (fig.  70,  7),  at  the  bottom  of  which  are  at  least  tico  separate  small 
foramina.     A  bristle  passed  iu  ilw  ujjper  (or  anterior)  one  of  these  two  holes  emerges  outside 
tlie  skuU,  in  the  tympanic  cavity,  near  the  tympanic  end  of  the  eustachian  tube ;  it  ha.s  traversed 
tlic  interior  of  the  petrosal,  in  a  track  known  as  the  fallopian  nerriilud;  it  transmits  cranial 
uorve  7  —  the  facial,  or  2)ortio  dura.     A  bristle  passed  into  the  other  of  the  two  foramina  may 
also  be  made  to  come  out  in  the  tympanic  cavity,  but  by  a  different  track,  for  it  emerges  through 
either  the  fenestra  ovalis  or  the  fenestra  rotunda  ;  it  has  traced  the  course  of  cranial  nerve  8,  — 
the  auditor;/  nerve  or  portio  mollis.     Both  bristles  have  entered  the  common  internal  aud'tory 
meatus,  but  the  secoud  one  has  traversed  the  ear-cavity  proper,  through  the  labyrinth  of  the 
ear,  and  come  out  at  the  tympanic  vestibular  orifiiic  (fenestra  ovalis),  or  at  the  tympanic  cochlear 
orifice  (fenestra  rotunda).     Either  passage  is  easily  made,  without  breaking  down  or  indeed 
meeting  with  any  bony  obstacle,  which  would  not  be  the  case  with  a  mammal.     Cranial  nerves 
7  and  8  were  formerly  counted  as  one  (seventh) ;  hence  the  name  portio  dura  ("  hard  portion") 
for  the  former,  and  imrtio  mollis  ("  soft  portion  ")  for  the  latter.     The  fonner,  as  siiid,  traverses 
the  petrosal  bone  and  escapes  upon  the  face ;  the  latter,  which  is  the  true  acoustic  uerNc,  or 


^88 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


ncrvfi  of  hoaring,  rt'inains  in  the  bone,  being  cxpendt-d  upon  the  lubyrinfhino  stnicturos  witliin 
—  tlie  restihule,  semicircular  canah,M\A  cochlea,  which  coustitnto  the  walls  of  the  {■aviiics  in 
which  thf  osscntiul  organ  of  iicaring  is  snugly  encased. 

If  now,  with  a  very  iiuo  saw  — the  saws  now  so  much  used  for  fancy  scroll-work  will 
answer  the  purpose — the  whole  periotic  mass  be  cut  away  from  tlio  skull,  and  then  dividcij  in 
any  direction,  the  labyrinth  can  be  studied.  It  is  best  to  make  the  section  in  some  dcliiiite 
jdane  with  reference  to  the  axes  of  the  whole  skull, — the  vertical  longitudinal,  or  vertical 
transverse,  or  horizontal,  — as  the  direction  and  relations  of  the  contained  structures  arc  then 
more  easily  made  out.  Four  or  five  parallel  cuts  will  make  as  numy  thin  flat  slices  of  bnnc, 
affording  eight  or  ten  surfaces  for  examination  ;  the  whcde  course  of  the  labyrinthine  cavity  can 
be  seen  in  .sections  which,  when  jiut  together  in  the  mind's  eye,  or  held  a  little  apart  in  tlii'ii- 
proper  relations  and  visibly  tln-eaded  with  bristles,  afford  the  required  jticturc  very  nicely.  It 
is  extremely  difficult  to  chisel  out  the  affair  from  the  bone  in  which  it  is  embedded.  At  first 
glance  the  slices  show  a  bewildering  maze,  —  a  continuous  net-work  or  lattice-work  of  bmie,  in 
which  the  unaccustomed  eye  will  recognize  nothing  but  confusion.  All  this  caiiccllafcd  stiiic- 
tun?,  however,  is  pneumatic  —  the  open-work  tissue  of  the  bone,  containing  air  derived  tVoin 
the  tympanic  or  eustachian  cavities,  and  having  nothing  to  do  with  the  ear-passages  iiropcr. 
Parts  of  the  bony  labyrinth  will  soon  be  recognized  by  their  firm  smooth  walls  and  detiniic 
courses,  as  distinguished  from  the  iiTegular  interstices  of  the  pneumatic  bone-tissue.  The  Imhiv 
labyrinth  consists  of  an  irregular  central  cavity,  the  'vestibule ;  of  a  cavity,  iirojecting  like  a 
beak  downward  and  backward  from  the  vestibule,  tjie  cochlea;  and  of  three  honseshoe-shaiied 
tubular  cavities,  above,  behind,  and  below  the  vestil)ule,  the  semicircular  canals,  the  ends  nf 
who.se  hoHows  all  open  into  the  vestibule.  Imagine  three  hollow  borse.shoes,  with  tlieir  ends 
melted  into  a  hollow  inflation  (vestibule),  the  opposite  wall  of  which  is  a  hollow  projection 
(cochlea)  —  or  a  h(dlow  Hat-iron  (vestibule)  with  a  long  nose  (cocldea)  and  three  hollow  liandlcs 
(the  canals).  Or,  see  figs.  84  to  87,  representing  the  contained  'iiembranous  labyrintli.  to  which 
the  containing  bony  labyrinth  very  closely  conforms,  as  it  is  sin  ply  the  bony  cavity  wiiose  walls 
encase  the  membranous  and  otlier  soft  structures.  According  as  the  sections  have  been  made, 
numerous  cross-cuts  of  the  canals  will  be  seen  hero  and  there  as  circular  orifices ;  tlie  canals 
themselves  lying  curled  like  worms  in  the  petrosal  and  occipital  substance,  tlieir  ends  finally 
converging  to  the  vestibular  cavity.  As  compared  with  those  of  nnm,  the  parts  are  of  great 
size ;  in  the  eagle,  the  whole  affair  is  as  large  as  that  part  of  one's  thumb  covered  by  the  nail ; 
the  wlnde  length  of  the  superior  semicircular  canal  is  an  inch  or  more;  its  calibre,  I  should 
judge,  being  absolutely  about  as  great  as  in  man.  The  cochlea,  however,  though  not  diminutivi! 
comparatividy,  is  in  a  rudimentary  cmidition  as  far  as  complexity  of  structure  is  concerned,  in  all 
Snuropsida,  representing  only  the  begiiming  of  the  cochlear  structure  of  mammals.  In  the 
latter  class,  the  cochlea  is  spirally  coiled  or  whorled  on  itself  like  a  snail-shell  (whence  the 
name —  cochlea,  a  snail),  making  at  h-a.st  one  turn  and  a  half,  sometimes  five  (two  and  a  half  in 
man)  ;  with  a  centre-])ost  or  modiolus  around  which  wind.s  a  bony  fiange,  the  lamina  spiralis, 
a  membranous  extension  of  which  to  the  cochlear  out-wall  divides  the  c.ivity  into  two  com- 
partments or  scalfC  (scala,  a  flight  of  stairs) ;  it  is  just  like  a  spiral  stairway,  only  an  inclined 
plane  instead  of  a  series  of  steps.  The  membranous  extension  of  the  Ixmy  spiral  lamina  to  the 
side-wall  obviously  throws  the  cavity,  as  just  said,  into  two  spirals,  M'hicli  only  interconnnnni- 
cate  at  the  top,  where  the  modiolus  ends  in  a  furmel-shaped  expansion,  the  infundibulitiii, 
beneath  the  apex  of  the  snail-shell,  the  cupola.  A  marble  rolling  down  the  upper  stairway 
would  fall  into  the  restibidar  cavity ;  this  division  of  the  cochlea  is  therefore  the  scala  vestibuli. 
The  marble  starting  from  the  other  side  of  the  infundibulum  would  roll  along  the  under  stair- 
way, and  if  nothing  stopped  the  way,  would  fall  through  the  fenestra  rotunda  into  the  tym- 
panic cavity  ;  this  is  therefon;  the  scala  tympani.  The  first  marble  would  also  eventually 
reach  the  tympanum,  through  the  vestibule,  and  out  of  the  fenestra  ovalis,  if  the  foot  of  the 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.— NEUBOLOGY. 


189 


stnix's  were  uusteppcd  (in  life,  of  course,  both  thco  "  windows  "  are  closed  by  membranous 

curtains).     Now  in  birds  the  cochlear  cavity  and  its  bony  or  cartilaginous  contents  are  only  tliu 

hci'iunings  of  such  structure — a  strap-sliaped  or  tongue-like  protrusion  from  the  vestibule,  as 

if  11  part  of  tlie  first  mammalian  whorl,  and  very  incomi)letely  divided  into  scala  vestibuli  and 

scahi  tympaui  by  a       ^^^     -^-     pg.,-    ^^j,.^ 

gristly  structure(rcp-       5|»     |||     |»|^     |||5 

rt'siMiting  the  modi-    «35r§3|g.'^2oSS:g3|s.£-Sa  S>**' 
., 1  :.„  1 :..o  ,      3i5-s-''!rg-''''S5  £.~^  a  "  »  S"?   ? 


B  "  *3 


olus  and  its  lamina), 
which  proceeds  from 
the  In  Miy  bar  or  bridge 
hctwi'cn  fenestra  ora- 
lis and  fenestra  ro- 
tiuulu.  (See  tigs.  84, 
85.)    This  structure 

is  the  most  intimate    _   ._         _.  -  ^ 

and  essential  part  of   |'-l'3uS'?|£-if" 


2  ■=  i.  *  £  S 


S  =  5.a-lBB^::B§ESS-pg?5 
o  ^  5"    s  *  5  =^  H  S''3  ,5— 23S-SoB 


a  3-  3'  _  S"  <  S' 


the  organ  of  hearing,    ^?! 


a  o<a  =^' 


■Z 


3  2  3 


»  „  5  a  3  sr  >? 


f.,r  upon  it  spread  the    |2.ifiri|l|i||||t||l5 
toruiinal  filaments  of    -«»-"  =  ?=:3a'='*:^=-2.*„SS5. 

the  auditory  nerve. 
A  liuman  or  any 
well-developed  mam- 
malian' cochlea  is  a 
thing  of  marvellous 
hcauty,  even  as  to 
its  bony  shell  —  there 
is  nothing  to    com-   '^2 


])are  with  its  excjui-  ^  |  |  1 1§. 

site  symmetry ;  whih;  1. 1  ?  «s.  | 

the   spiral   radiation  g  |  S  "  '^ 

of  the  nervous  tissue  "^  "  2,  ^  g     «. 

gg  S:  ^  cr  3 

introduces  yet  other  r  "  g"  *  « 

and  more  wondrous  ■    ■  ~  -  -^ 


-"  «i  -|,  b||5|«  SliSS 
s.=  ^oei--"53S5 

a  gas"—     g<— opn 
PiiSK'^aw.Saa^  —  © 

<»^Sri.  So-Cs-a^Ba" 


*■  2  =  "  - 

a  H  u 


-  i  S§  2  5 


E  =  g. 

•=      "^"S.  a 
r"      <  a  n 

-     *  s  s 

"5      E.'g^a. 

O   &  GO 
.•1  «  -• 


i  1^ 

5  Is 
o  a  o 


"  curves  of  beauty." 
The  vestibule  hard- 
ly requires  special  de- 
seription ;  it  is  simply 
the  central  chamber 
common  to  the  coch- 
lear and  canalicular 
cavities  ;  receiving 
the  mouth  of  the 
scala  vestibuli  of  the 
cochlea;  the  several 

mouths  of  the  separate  f»r  uniting  semicircuiar  canals  ;  opening  into  tympanum  by  fenestra  ova- 
lis ;  conducting  to  meatus  auditoriiis  internus  by  the  course  of  the  auditory  nerve.  In  the 
eagle,  if  its  irregularities  of  contour  were  smoothed  out,  it  would  about  hold  a  pea. 

In  the  language  of  human  anatomy,  the  three  semicircular  canals  are  the  (o)  anterior  or 
superior  vertical,  the  (6)  posterior  or  inferior  vertical,  and  the  (c)  external  or  horizontal ;  and 
the  planes  of  their  respective  loops  are  approximately  nmtually  perpendicular,  in  the  three 


trsJ  a- 
a  A  » 


2   3" 
re  " 

"ft-B  2 


I! 


190 


GENERAL   OliNlTHOLOGY. 


pliincs  of  any  cubical  flgtirc.  In  birds  these  tonus  do  not  apply  so  well  to  the  situation  of  tln> 
canals  with  reference  to  the  axes  of  the  body,  nor  to  the  direction  of  the  Ioojjs  ;  neither  is 
mutual  perpendieuhirity  so  nearly  exiiibited.  The  wliole  set  is  tilted  over  backward  to  scnno 
degree,  so  that  the  (a;  "anterior'' (though  still  superior)  loops  back  beyond  either  of  the  otliers ; 
tiie  ('')  "p<isterior"  loops  behind  and  behiw  tlie  (cj  liorizontal,  whieii  tilts  down  backwiinl  • 
the  vertieality  of  the  planes  of  {<i)  and  {h)  is  better  kept.  Tiu'  canals  may  be  better  known 
as  the  (n)  superior  (vertical),  and  {h)  inferior  (vertical),  and  (e)  internal  (luu'izontal).  What- 
ever its  inclination  backwanl,  there  is  no  mistaking'  («),  much  tiie  longest  of  the  throe,  hHijiiinr 
liigh  up  over  the  rest,  exceeding  the  petrosal  and  bedded  in  the  occipital,  the  uiipii-  liuili  mikI 
loop  of  the  arch  bas-relieved  upon  the  inner  sui-face  of  th(^  skull  (tig.  70,  usv).  It  makes  nnicli 
more  than  a  semicircle  —  ratiier  a  horse-.shoe.  Tin!  inferior  vertical  (Jb)  loops  lowest  of  ail, 
though  litth'  if  any  of  it  reaches  further  backward  than  the  great  loop  of  («) ;  it  is  the  secimd  in 
size;  in  shape  it  is  (piite  circular,  — rather  more  than  a  half-circle.  Its  upper  limb  Joins  tlic 
hiwer  limb  of  («),  as  in  nam,  aiul  the  two  open  by  one  orifice  in  the  vestibule  ;  but  it  is  not 
simple  union,  for  the  two  limbs,  before  forming  a  common  tube,  twine  half-round  each  other 
(like  two  fingers  of  one  Iiand  cros.sed).  The  loop  of  (li)  reaches  very  near  the  back  of  the  sknil 
(outside).  The  canal  (c)  is  the  smallest,  and,  as  it  were,  set  within  the  loop  of  (It),  though  its 
l)lane  is  nearly  the  opposite  of  the  plane  of  (/>);  and  the  cavities  of  (V)  and  (e)  interconnnuni- 
cate  at  or  near  tlie  point  of  their  greatest  convexity,  farthest  from  the  vestibule.  This  decus- 
sation of  (/;)  and  (c),  like  the  twining  inosculation  of  (a)  and  (Ji),  is  well  known.  It  may  not 
bo  so  generally  understood  that  there  is  (in  the  eagle  if  not  in  birds  generally)  a  third  extra- 
vestibular  communication  of  the  canals.  My  sections  show  this  jierfectly.  The  great  loop  of 
(a),  sweejiing  past  the  decu.«sating-i)lace  of  {h)  and  (c),  is  thrown  into  a  cavity  common  to  all 
three.  Bristles  threaded  either  way  through  each  of  the  three  canals  can  all  three  be  seen 
in  contact,  crossing  each  other  through  this  curious  extra-vestibular  chamber,  which  may  be 
named  tlie  trina,  or  "  three-way"  jilace.  (The  arrangement  I  nuike  out  does  not  agree  well 
with  the  figure  of  the  owl's  labyrinth  given  by  Owen,  Anat.  Vert.,  ii,  134.  The  trivia  is  at 
the  jtlace  where,  in  fig.  84  or  85,  the  three  membranous  canals  cross  one  another.  It  does  not 
follow,  however,  that  these  contained  membranous  canals  intercommunicate,  and  it  apjjcars 
from  Ibsen's  figures  that  they  do  not.  Study  of  these  admirable  illustrations,  with  the 
explanations  given  under  them,  should  make  the  details  perfectly  clear  to  the  reader.) 

All  that  precedes  relates  to  the  bony  labyrinth,  — the  scrolled  cavity  of  the  periotic  Ixine. 
The  wemhranous  labyrinth  is  a  sac  lying  hxjselyinthe  hoUow  of  the  bone,  and  shaped  just  like 
it,  lining  the  hollow  of  the  vestibule  and  tubes  of  the  semicircular  canals.  Withdrawn  intact, 
it  would  bo  a  perfect  "  cast"  of  the  labyrinth.  Originally,  this  sac  is  also  continuous  with  one 
in  the  cavity  of  the  cochlea,  called  the  membranous  cochlea,  which  afterward  becomes  shut  off" 
from  the  nuiin  sac.  This  shut-oif  cochlear  part  lies  between  the  scala  tympani  below  and  the 
scala  vestibuli  above  ;  its  interior  is  the  scala  media.  If  demonstrable  in  birds,  it  must  be  (|uite 
as  rudimentary  as  the  other  scala'.  The  membrane  is  not  attached  to  the  bony  walls  of  the 
labyrinth,  but  is  separated  by  a  space  c(tiitaining  finid,  the  perilymph,  which  also  occupies  the 
scala  vestibuli  and  scala  tympani.  A  similar  fluid,  the  endolymph,  is  contained  in  the  cavity  of 
the  membranous  labyrinth,  and  scala  media  of  the  cochlea;  in  it  are  found  concretions,  or  oto- 
liths, of  the  same  character  as  the  great  "  ear-stones  "  so  consjiicuous  in  numy  fishes.  This 
lymph  has  a  wonderful  office  —  that  of  equilibration,  enabling  the  animal  tf)  preserve  its 
equilibrium.  The  labyrinth  and  its  contained  fluid  may  be  likened  to  the  glass  tubes  filled 
with  water  and  a  bnbl)le  of  air,  by  a  combination  of  which  a  surv»'yor,  for  example,  is  enabled 
to  adjust  his  theodolite  true  to  the  horizontal.  Somehow  a  bird  knows  bow  the  fluid  stands  in 
the  self-registering  levelling-tubes,  and  adjusts  itself  accordingly.  Ob.servations  made  on 
pigeons  show  that  "  when  the  membranous  canals  are  divided,  very  renuirkable  disturbances 
of  equilibrium  ensue,  which  vary  in  character  according  to  the  seat  of  the  lesion.     AVhen  the 


is 
lino 
li's : 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  DllWS.  —  NEUliOLOOY. 


191 


Imrizdiitiil  ciinals  arr  tlividcd  rupiil  iiiovcmpnts  of  the  hcdd  from  side  to  sido,  in  a  liorizoiital 
iilaiJ<'<  tiik)'  place,  along  with  um-illatiou  of  the  cyuhalls,  and  the  animal  tends  to  xpin  ronnil  on 
ii  vertical  axis.  When  the  jioMterior  or  inferior  vertical  canals  are  divided,  the  head  is  moved 
riipiilly  l)ack\vards  and  forwards,  and  the  animal  tends  to  execute  a  backward  somersanit,  head 
iivci-  heels.  When  the  superior  vertical  camils  are  (livi(U'd,  the  head  is  moved  rapidly  forwards 
1111(1  backwards,  and  the  animal  tends  to  execute  a  forward  somersault,  heels  over  head.  C'om- 
biucd  section  of  the;  various  canals  causes  the  most  bizarre  contortions  of  the  head  and  body." 
(Fcrrier,  Fuuct.  of  the  IJrain,  IS?*),  p.  57.)  Injury  of  tho  canals  does  not  cause  loss  of  hearing, 
iKir  lines  loss  of  eipiilibrium  follow  destruction  of  the  cochlea.  Two  diverse  though  intimately 
cuiniccted  functions  are  thus  presided  over  by  the  acoustic  nerve,  — audition  and  ecpiilibration. 

Menses  of  Taste  and  Touch:  GiiHtatton  and  Taction.  —  The  hands  of  birds  being 
liiiiileii  in  the  feathers  which  envelo)t  the  whole  body  —  their  feet  and  lips,  and  usually  miidi 
if  lint  all  of  the  tongue,  being  sheathed  in  horn,  these  faculties  would  ajtiiear  to  be  enjoyed  in  but 
small  degree.  While  it  is  ditticult  to  judge  how  much  appreciation  of  tlie  sajiid  <(iialifies  of  sub- 
stances birds  may  be  capable  of,  we  must  not  be  hasty  in  supposing  their  sense  of  taste  to  be 
uiiieli  abrogated.  One  who  has  had  the  toothache,  or  teeth  "  set  on  edge"  by  acids,  or  pain- 
fully affected  by  hot  or  c(dd  drinks,  may  judge  how  sensitive  to  impressions  an  extremely  dense 
tissue  can  be.  Persons  of  defective  hearing  may  be  assisted  to  a  kind  <if  audition  by  an  instru- 
ment applied  to  the  teeth  ;  and  it  is  not  easy  to  define  the  ways  in  which  sensory  functions  may 
lie  vicariously  performed  or  replaced.  Birds  are  circumspect  and  discriminative,  even  dainty,  iu 
their  choice  of  food,  in  which  they  are  doubtless  guided  to  some  extent  by  the  gustatory 
sensations  they  experience.  As,  however,  only  some  human  beings  make  these  an  end  instead 
iif  a  natural  ivnd  proper  means  to  an  end,  the  selection  of  food  by  birds  may  be  chiefly  upon 
intuitions  of  what  is  wholesome.  Such  purely  gustatory  seuso  as  they  possess  is  presided  over 
hy  the  branches  of  the  glosso-pharyngeal  nerve  which  go  to  tho  back  part  of  the  tongue  and 
mouth.  Though  the  chorda  tympani  nerve  exists,  there  isn<j  lingual  (gustatory)  branch  of  the 
third  division  of  the  fifth  cranial  nerve.  Yet  the  latter,  which  goes  in  mammals  to  the  anterior 
part  of  the  tongue,  is  less  effectually  gustatory  than  the  glosso-pharyngeal  ;  as  we  know  by  the 
fact  that  the  sensaticm  of  tast(!  is  not  completely  experienced  until  the  sapid  substance  passes  to 
the  back  of  the  mouth.  Gustation  is  likewise  connected  with  (dfaction ;  the  full  effect  of 
nauseous  substances  for  example,  being  not  realized  if  the  nose  is  held.  From  these  alternative 
considerations,  each  one  may  estimate  for  himself  how  nmch  birds  know  of  sapidity ;  remember- 
ing also,  how  soft,  thick,  and  fleshy  are  the  tongue  and  associate  parts  in  some  birds,  as  parrots 
and  ducks,  in  comparison  with  birds  whose  mouths  are  quite  horny. 

The  beak  is  doubtless  the  principal  tactile  instrument ;  nor  docs  its  hardness  in  most  birds 
preclude  great  sensitiveness ;  as  witness  the  case  of  the  teeth,  above  instanced.  Sensation  is 
here  governed  by  the  branches  of  the  fifth  nerve.  In  some  birds,  in  which  also  the  tenninal 
filaments  of  this  nerve  are  largest  and  most  numerous,  the  bill  acquires  exquisite  sensibility. 
Such  is  its  state  in  the  .snipe  family,  in  most  members  of  which,  as  the  woodcock,  true  snipe,  and 
sandpipers,  tho  bill  is  a  very  delicate  nervous  ]>rid)e.  The  Apteryx  also  feels  in  the  mud  for 
its  food,  enjoying  moreover  the  unusual  privilege  of  having  its  nose  at  the  end  of  its  long 
exploration.  Ducks  dabble  in  the  water  to  sift  out  proper  food  between  the  "  strainers"  with 
which  the  sides  of  their  beaks  are  provided  ;  and  the  ends  of  the  maxillary  and  mandibular  bones 
themselves  are  full  of  holes,  indicathig  the  abundance  of  the  nervous  supply  (fig.  03). 

The  senses  of  birds  and  other  animals  are  commonly  recktmed  as  fi.ve  —  a  number  which 
may  bo  defensively  increased  —  as  by  a  sixth,  the  muscular  sense,  which  gives  consciousness 
of  strain  or  resistance,  apart  from  purely  tactile  impressions  ;  and  perhaps  a  seventh,  the 
faculty  of  equilibration,  which  has  a  physical  mechanism  of  its  own,  at  least  as  distinct  and 
complete  as  that  of  hearing.     The  ordinary  "five  senses"  are  ciu'iously  graded.     Taction  con- 


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GENEIiA L   UJiNITlWLOG  Y. 


noti's  qualities  of  iiiiittrT  in  bulk,  uh  density,  r(>ii>,'hu('88,  tomporiituro,  etc.  GusUitioii,  nmitir 
(liftHolvcd  iiiMiittT  —  tliiiilic.  Olfiiction,  imittcr  ditfimt'd  in  air — acriforined.  Audition,  utino.s- 
plirrid  air  in  umlulution.  Visiwi,  an  ctlu'rcal  suljstanco  in  undnlation.  All  animals  arc  |mi>1iii- 
bly  also  sUHW'ptiblo  t)f  hiugenfttion,  which  is  thu  utfwtion  resulting  from  the  intlnenec  of  hii)>;cii ; 
n  substance  consisting  of  self-conscious  force  in  coinbiuation  with  the  niininiuni  of  nintur 
required  for  itH  inunifeutution.' 

c.   MvoLOov :  THE  Muscular  System. 

Muscular  Tissue  consists  of  nion^  or  ft^wer  ania>biforiii  animals;  separate  ccdonies  of  whirli 
creatures,  isolated  in  various  parts  of  the  body,  eoin])osc  the  individual  different  muscles.  Tlicy 
are  envelo])ed  in  fibrous  tissue,  the  sheets  of  which  are  caUed  fnscia:,  and  the  ends  r)f  whirli, 
usually  attached  to  bones  by  direct  continuity  with  the  periosteal  covering  of  the  latter,  funn 
tendons  and  ligaments.  The  muscle-uuimals  belong  to  a  genua  which  may  be  termed 
Mi/iniKfhd,  differing  from  other  genera  of  the  aniad>ifonn8  which  com]iuse  the  body  of  a  bird 
less  in  their  )ihysical  character  of  being  elongate<l  and  spindle-shaped,  or  even  filiform,  thiiu  in 
their  physiohigical  character  of  vontructilifij.  Under  a|)iiropriate  stimulus,  as  the  passage  of  a 
(current  of  electricity,  or  the  wav(!  of  biogen-substance  which  constitutes  a  "  nerve-iiii]iidse," 
Mii»mah(C  sluu'teu  and  thicken,  tending  towards  a  state  of  tonic  contraction  which,  if  coiii|pleteil 
and  long  sustained,  would  cause  them  to  become  encysted  as  spherical  bodies;  but  extreme  con- 
traction is  never  long  continued.  Hy  alternate  contraction  and  relaxation  all  the  motions  of  the 
body  in  bulk  are  effected.  The  caj)acity  of,  or  tendency  to,  contracti(m  is  called  tlie  Umidtij  of 
musculur  fibre.  The  simultaneous  contraction  of  any  c(dony  of  Mijamwha  pulls  u])on  the  iitlach- 
ment  of  the  muscle  at  eacdi  of  its  ends  ;  in  some  cases  a])])roxiuuiting  botli  ends ;  oftener  moving 
the  part  to  which  one  end  is  attached,  the  other  being  fixed.  The  action  of  a  umscle  is  upon 
the  simplest  mechanical  principles, — nothing  more  or  li'ss  than  ]iulling  uixui  a  i)art,  as  by  a 
ro|)e,  the  line  of  traction  being  exactly  in  the  line  of  c<intraction  of  the  nuisde ;  thougli  it  is 
often  ingeniously  changcul  by  the  ))as8age  of  tendons  around  a  corner  of  bone,  or  through  a  loop  of 
fibrous  ti.«sue,  as  if  through  a  pulley.  Sued)  moveiaents  as  those  of  a  turtle  jjrotruding  its  bend, 
or  a  bird  thrusting  its  beak  forward,  where  nuisde  seems  to  ^j«,s7i,  are  fallacious;  when  analy/.i'd, 
the  motion  is  invariably  resolved  into  siinjde  pulling.  The  swelling  up  of  a  muscle  in  contract- 
ing must  indeed  im]iinge  upon  neighboring  parts  and  shove  them  aside ;  but  that  is  an  extrinsic 
result.  Muscles  contract  most  jiowerfully  under  resistance  to  their  turgescence  :  what  is  etlected 
by  the  fasciie  which  bind  them  down  ;  — what  the  athlete  seeks  to  increase  by  bandaging  his 
swidling  hicepn.  There  are  two  species  of  Myamahu.  M.  striata  is  the  ordinary  striped  tibie 
of  voluntary  motion,  and  also  of  some  motion  not  under  contr(d  of  the  will,  as  that  of  tlie  heart. 
This  s])ecies  is  usually  of  a  rich  red  ctdor  (pale  pink  in  uuvny  birds  of  the  grouse  family),  and  is 
the  ordinary  "  flesli  "  of  the  body.  The  other  species,  M.  Imvis,  composes  the  pah;  or  cijlorle.-s 
smooth  fibre  of  the  inv(duntary  muscles,  as  those  of  the  intestines,  the  gullet,  etc.  A  species  of 
c.<mtractile  tissue  commonly  referred  to  the  genus  Dcsmnmaehn  (indifferent  conm'(!tive-tissue 
cells)  is  very  near  Mijumaba  Iccvis  ;  example,  mammalian  dartos.  The  movements  of  erectile 
organs,  as  the  neat  combs  over  the  eyes  of  grouse,  or  the  turkey's  caruncles,  are  not  in  any  sense 
mijannebic,  but  depend  mechanically  upon  influx  of  blood. 


The  Muscular  System  of  Aves  (lan  only  be  touched  upon ;  it  is  impossible  in  my  limits 
to  even  name  all  the  muscles,  nnich  less  ilescribe  them.  I  can  only  note  the  leading  iieculiarities, 
and  present  a  figure  in  which  the  princnjjal  muscdes  are  named. 

<  The  reader  who  may  l)o  iiitcrcsteil  tn  inquire  ftirtlior  in  tlils  ilircotion  is  referred  to  a  publication  entitled  :  — 
Biogen :  A  Speculation  on  the  Origin  and  Nature  of  Life.  Abridged  from  a  jiajier  on  the  "  Possibilities  of  Proto- 
plasm," read  before  the  Pliilosophical  Society  of  Wasliington,  May  6,  1882.  By  Dr.  Elliott  Coues,  etc.  Wasliiiig- 
ton,  .ludd  &  Detweiler.    8vo,  pp.  27.    Second  ed.,  Boston,  Estes  &  Lauriat,  1884. 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  — MYOLOGY. 


198 


'I'lin  NubcutaneouB  shoot  of  imisclo  (of  wlilch  tlin  liumnn  "  inusrlpH  of  oxprmsion  "  nnd 
pluti/xDKt  myoiden  ato  scgnigiitioui-)  Is  hrokun  up  in  l)iriln  into  ii  coiKitlrss  iiiiiiiImt  of  littlo  NlipM 
wliirli  iigitiito  tho  ffutlicrs  t'ollei'tivcly,  anil  csiMM-iiiUy  tlic  ),'r('at  (|uill«  of  tliu  wiiigH  ami  tail. 
Tlirri'  am  I'stiiiuitwl  to  be  12,000  in  a  goose.  'I'iio  |iriiiH'  jwiHiliarity  of  binlx'  iiiiim-iilaliou  ix  tin; 
cmirnum.s  (iDveloimii'iit  of  tho  pedumles,  or  bicust  inumih's,  wiiii-h  operate  the  wings.  The 
ert'at  jjcctoral,  p.  major  or  j>.  priiniin,  arises  from  the  sternal  keel,  when  that  special  bony  sep- 
tuui  between  the  fellow-peetorals  e.xists,  and  from  more  or  less  of  the  body  of  the  steriniui,  pass- 
im; (lireetly  to  tho  great  jjectoral  or  outer  ridge  of  the  humerus,  near  the  upjier  end  of  that  bone. 
Its  oiiijin  may  even  e.xceed  tho  limits  of  the  sternum,  invading  tlu;  elaviele,  etc.  ;  it  may  utnte 
with  its  fellow.  It  is  the  depressor  of  the  humerus,  giving  tho  downward  stroke  of  tho  wing. 
The  next  pectoral,  ^J.  secundus  ttr  p.  mediim,  arises  from  much  or  most  of  tho  steruuiii  not  occu- 
pied by  tho  first,  under  cover  of  which  it  lies ;  it  passes  also  the  humerus,  but  by  an  interesting 
way  it  has  of  running  through  a  i)ulley  at  tho  shoulder  it  elevates  that  bone,  giving  the  upward 
wiiig-stroko.  A  third  pectoral,  p.  tertius  or  p.  ininiinwi,  arising  from  sti-rnum,  and  often  cou- 
tiijiiDUs  parts  of  tho  coracoid  bone,  passes  directly  to  tho  humerus,  Bupi)leinenting  the  action  of 
tile  Krst.  A  fourth  muscle  in  many  birds  acts  upon  tho  humerus  from  tho  sternum  or  coracoid, 
particularly  tho  latter.  These  four  differ  greatly  in  their  relative  development.  Such  extent  of 
the  sternum  anil  pectoral  muscles  correspondingly  reduces  that  of  the  belly-walls,  and  tho 
aliiiouiinal  muscles  aro  consequently  scanty.  Fixity  of  the  sjnnal  column  in  tho  dorsal  region 
(liiiiiuishes  tho  musculation  of  that  i)art,  the  spinal  mtisdes  being  much  better  developed  in 
tlie  cervical  region ;  where,  in  cases  of  some  of  the  long-necked  birds,  thero  aro  curious  con- 
trivances for  tho  mechanical  advanfagf'  of  the  muscle  in  flexing  and  ext(;nding  this  m(d)ilc  part 
iif  tlie  body.  Muscles  of  the  hyoidean  ap])aratus  acquire  a  singular  devolopnieut  in  woodj)eckers. 
.  Tlie  lower  jaw  is  depressed  particularly  by  muscle  inserted  into  tho  end  of  tho  mandible ;  the 
U)iper  is  elevated  by  particular  muscles  operating  tlie  pterygoid  and  quadrate  bones.  Temporal, 
masseteric,  and  ordinary  jiterygoid  muscles  close  the  jaws.     They  are  unsymnn^trical  in  Lo.ria. 

Tiie  diiiphraym,  tlie  musculo-menibranous  jiartition  which  in  iiiammals  divides  the  thoracic 
from  the  abdominal  cavity,  is  only  represented  in  birds  in  a  rudimentary  condition.  Macgillivray 
has  tigured  that  of  the  rotdt  as  c<insisting  of  three  fleshy  slijis,  r,  r,  r,  passing  from  as  many 
lilis,  4,  5,  0,  to  the  pleural  sac  of  the  lungs,  /,  /,  in  fig.  101,  p.  200.  It  is  best  develojied  in  tiie 
Ajilfrif.r. 

The  remarkable  s])ecializatioii  of  both  limbs,  —  the  former  for  flight,  the  latter  for  the 
perfectly  bipedal  Idcoiiiotioli  wliich  ciiily  birds  besides  man  enjoy, —  results  in  cnrres])onding 
pcciiriiii'ities  (pf  the  niu.scular  mechanism.  Muscles  beyond  the  .shoulder  are  greatly  reduced  in 
number  and  complexity  from  an  ordinary  quadrupedal  standard  ;  those  of  the  legs  are  rather 
increased,  and  their  configuration,  relative  size,  and  to  some  extent  their  relations  are  so  much 
cliaiiged,  that  tireat  diflicnlty  is  exjierieuced  in  identifying  them  witli  tliecurrespdiidilig  muscles  of 
(|iia(lru])eds.  Tlie  result  is,  great  confusion  in  their  niniienclatinc,  wliidi  is  .still  shifting,  though 
nmch  has  been  done  of  late  to  give  it  precisinn.  Attention  has  recently  been  called  by  Garrod 
to  the  dassificatory  value  of  certain  muscles  of  the  limbs.  The  Inisor  pdiiit/ii,  that  muscle  or 
muscles  which  may  have  elastic  tenddus,  and  by  which  the  fnuin  of  .skin  in  lin>  angles  of  the 
wing  bon(>s  are  regulated,  may  have  different  characters  in  diH'erent  groups  of  birds.  It  has 
Icing  been  known  that  particular  muscles  of  the  hind  limb  are  in  direct  and  imi>ortant  relation 
to  tlie  prehensile  power  of  the  toes,  and  conseciueiitly  co-onliiiated  with  the  iuse.ssorial  or  the 
reverse  character  of  the  foot.  In  the  highest  birds,  I'a.'<Kercs,  the  foot  gras])s  with  great 
facility,  owing  to  the  distinctness  or  individuality  of  the  Jlc.ror  hiiif/iis  halliicis,  or  bender  of  the 
liiiid  toe.  The  omhirns  (Lat.  awhiois,  going  aronnd)  is  a  muscle  of  which  Garrod  has  even 
made  so  much  as  to  diviih'  all  birds  into  two  primary  groups  according  to  whether  they  possess 
it  or  not.  The  anibieiis  arises  from  the  jielvis  about  the  acetabulum,  and  jiasses  along  the  inner 
side  of  tho  thigh  ;  its  tendon  runs  over  the  convexity  of  the  knee  to  the  outer  side,  and  ends  by 

13 


194 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


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THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  —  ANGEIOLOGY. 


195 


connecting  with  the  flexor  digitorum  perforatus,  —  one  of  the  muscles  which  bend  the  toes  col- 
lectively. When  this  arrangement  obtains,  the  result  is  th.it  when  a  bird  goes  to  roost,  and 
8([iiats  on  its  perch,  the  toes  automatically  clasp  the  perch  by  the  strain  upon  tlio  ambicns  that 
ensues  as  soon  as  the  leg  is  bent  upon  the  thigh,  and  the  tarsus  upon  the  leg,  tli(!  weight  of  the 
bird  thus  holding  it  fast  upon  its  perch.  Tlie  effect  is  as  if  an  ela.sti(!  cord  were  tied  to  the  hip 
joint,  thence  directed  over  the  front  of  the  knee  and  badi  of  the  lieel  and  so  on  to  the  ends  of  the 
toes.  Obviously,  such  a  cord  would  be  strained  when  the  limb  is  Ijcnt,  relaxed  when  the  limb  is 
striiightened  out.  The  reader  may  <ibserv(i  a  corresponding  effect  of  the  muscular  arrangement 
of  his  forearm  by  throwing  the  hand  as  far  back  as  [)ossible ;  the  fingers  tend  to  dose  by  the 
strain  on  the  flexors  in  passing  over  what  is  a  convexity  of  the  wrist  wlien  the  liand  is  in  that 
position.  Passeres  have  no  ambiens,  tlie  perfection  of  their  feet  in  otlier  resp(>cts  answering  all 
pMrjioses.  Birds  having  it  arc  termed  Iwnuilogonatou.i  or  "  normally-kneed"  (Gr.  6na\6s.  hoinalo.i, 
I'roni  6^09,  homos,  like,  even,  etc.;  ydi'v,  yovaros,  gonti,  gonatns,  knee) ;  those  wanting  it  arc  called 
uiiumalogonatous,  "  abnortnally-kmM'd."  Tlie  distinction  prevails  with  much  applicability  to 
various  large  groups  of  birds,  and  docs  good  duty  in  diagnosis  when  duly  connected  with  other 
characters;  but  surely  should  not  give  name  to  primary  gioups  founded  upon  it!  Other 
uuiscles  of  the  leg  much  used  by  the  same  sagacious  and  zealous  anatomist  are  the  femoro- 
cawlal,  accessory  femoro-caudal,  semitendino  us,  and  accessory  semitendinosus.  The  whole  five 
(if  these  muscles  "  vary  ;  any  one  or  more  tiian  one  may  be  absent  in  different  birds ;  .  .  .  the  con- 
stancy of  the  peculiarities  in  the  different  individuals  of  each  species,  or  the  species  of  each 
genus,  and  very  generally  in  the  genei  >f  each  family,  makes  it  evident  to  any  one  working  at 
tlie  subject  that  much  respecting  the  a.iinities  of  the  different  families  of  birds  is  to  be  learnt 
from  the  study  of  their  myology,  in  connection  with  the  peculiarities  of  their  other  soft  parts; 
and  that  these  features  will,  in  the  long  run,  lead  to  a  more  coiTect  classification  than  one  based 
on  the  skeleton  alone,  becomes  almost  equally  certain."  (Garrod,  P.  Z.  S.,  1873,  p.  630.)  I 
(piote  in  justice  of  this  author,  a  modem  Macgillivray  in  sincerity  and  love  of  truth  ;  and  very 
generally,  in  constructing  my  characters  of  the  higher  groups  of  birds  in  the  body  of  this  work, 
1  shall  be  as  glad  to  use  the  myological  formulae  of  Garrod,  as  I  am  here  to  pay  this  slight 
tribute  to  his  memory. 

d.  Angeiology  :  the  Vascular  or  Circulatory  Systems. 

Blood  and  Lymph  are  the  two  media  by  the  circulation  of  which  throughout  the  body 
the  various  ama'boid  animals  which  compose  the  tissues  are  fed,  their  waste  repaired,  and  their 
dead  parts  removed.  Each  species  of  Amoeba  has  the  faculty  of  selecting  from  the  constituents 
of  blood  and  lymph  its  appropriate  food;  and  of  converting  such  nourishment  into  its  own 
|iroper  substance.  Refuse  matters  are  either  drained  off  by  the  kidneys  and  voided  as  excrement, 
or  swept  by  the  current  of  blood  into  the  lungs  and  there  cremated.  The  stream  of  lymph  is  a 
feeder  to  the  blood,  and  when  the  mingled  currents  are  no  longer  distinguishable  has  become 
liiood.  The  machinery  of  circulation  is  two  sets  of  vessels  —  the  heemptic,  or  vascular  system 
proper,  consisting  of  the  heart,  arteries,  veins  and  capillaries  for  the  blood-circulation  ;  and  the 
lymphatic,  consisting  of  lymph-hearts  .and  vessels,  for  the  flow  of  lymph.  The  lymphatics, 
converging  from  all  parts  of  the  body,  and  especially  from  the  intestines,  end  in  vessels  which 
pour  the  lymph  into  the  veins  of  the  neck.  The  heart  is  the  centr.al  organ  of  the  blood-circu- 
lation, by  which  that  fluid  is  pumped  into  all  parts  of  the  body  through  the  arteries  or  efferent 
vessels  ;  straining  through  the  netwca-k  of  capillaries,  it  returns  to  the  heart  through  the  i'eins, 
or  afferent  vessels.  The  set  of  efferent  vessels  is  the  arterial  system  ;  that  of  afferent  vessels  is 
the  venous  system.  Tlie  blood  in  arteries  excepting  the  pulmonary  is  bright  red  ;  that  in 
veins  excepting  the  pulmonary  is  dark  red.  The  change  from  bright  to  dark  occurs  in  the 
capillaries  of  the  system  at  large  ;  the  change  from  dark  to  bright  only  in  the  capillaries  of  the 
lungs  and  air-sacs.     The  systemic  blood  circulation  is  completely  separated  from  the  pidmonic 


i 


i 


196 


GENERAL  OBNITHOLOOY. 


in  all  animals  in  which,  as  in  birds,  the  right  and  left  sides  of  the  heart  are  separated  from  each 
other ;  such  circulation  is  said  to  be  double  ;  that  is,  arterial  and  venous  blood  only  mingle  in 
the  capillaries,  whether  of  the  lungs  or  others,  and  therefore  at  the  periphery  of  the  vascular 
system :  the  heart  being  the  centre  of  that  system.  Blood,  in  all  or  some  of  its  constituents, 
l)ermeates  absolutely  every  tissue  of  the  body.  Those  tissues  whose  capillaries  are  large  enmigli 
for  the  passage  of  ail  the  constituents  of  blood  are  said  to  be  vascular;  those  which  only  feed  by 
sucking  up  certain  constituents  of  the  blood,  and  have  no  demonstrable  capillaries,  are  called 
non- vascular.  But  nutrient  fluid  penetrates  the  densest  tissue,  as  the  dentine  of  te(;th ;  no 
permanent  tissues  are  really  non-vascular,  or  they  would  soon  die,  as  do  feathers,  which  require 
to  be  renewed  once  a  year  or  oftencr. 

Lymph  and  the  lymphatics  are  noticed  further  on.  Blood  consists  of  water  in  wliidi 
several  ingredients  are  dissolved,  and  certain  solid  bodies  are  suspended.  Its  watcn-  is  salted, 
albuininated,  libriuated,  and  corpusculated.  The  proportions,  which  vary  in  different  birds  and 
at  different  times  in  the  same  bird,  are  in  round  numbers  :  water  80,  fibrine  and  corpuscles  15, 
albumen  and  salts  5  =  100  parts.  Withdrawn  from  the  body  and  allowed  to  settle,  blood  sepa- 
rates into  two  parts,  serum  and  coagulum.  The  serum  is  the  clear  yellowish  salty  albuminous 
water ;  the  clot  is  the  fibrine,  in  the  meshes  of  which  are  mii'ed  the  corpuscles,  reddening  the 
whole  mass.  The  plasma,  ])lasm  or  plastic  material  of  the  blood,  is  its  substance  dissolvcil 
in  water ;  that  is  to  say,  minus  the  solid  corpuscles.  These  latter  interesting  little  bodies  are  a 
myriad  of  minute  animals,  which  swim  in  the  life-current,  and  are  named  HtBmatamwha 
cruentata.  They  have  been  sujiposed  to  be  of  two  species ;  but  the  so-ealled  white  blood 
corpuscles,  or  leucocytes,  indistinguishable  from  lymph  coq)uscles,  are  simply  the  forma- 
tive stages  of  the  red  blood-discs.  In  its  early  colorless  stage,  the  Heematamaba  is  a 
nucleated  mass  of  protoplasm  (protoplasm  is  the  indifferent  substance  out  of  which  all  animal 
tissue  is  derived),  of  no  determinate  size  or  shape,  exhibiting  active  amoeboid  movements. 
Later  in  the  life  of  the  minute  creature,  it  passes  into  a  sort  of  encysted  state,  in  which  it  red- 
dens and  accjuires  definite  dimensions  and  configuration.  In  birds,  these  "blood-discs"  are 
flat,  elliptical,  and  nucleated,  that  is,  containing  a  kernel ;  they  average  in  the  long  diameter 
•jj'j-j,  in  the  short  j-g^^,  of  an  inch.  Thus  they  differ  decidedly  from  the  flat,  circular,  nun- 
niicleated,  red  blood-discs  oi  Mammalia,  which  latter  are  su])posed  to  be  mthor  free  nuclei  tlian 
perfected  Htcmatamoeha;.  The  red  color  of  blood  is  entirely  due  to  the  presence  of  these 
unicellular  animals.  The  energy  of  respiration,  and  corresponding  activity  of  circulation  in 
birds,  make  them  hamatothermal,  or  hot-blooded ;  the  pulse  is  quickest,  the  blood  hottest, 
and  richest  in  organic  matter,  in  these  of  all  animals. 


The  Heart  is  a  hollow  muscular  organ,  at  the  physiological  ci-ntre  of  the  hoDmatic  vas- 
cular system.  Its  muscle  presents  the  principal  exception  to  tlie  rule,  that  the  contractility  <if 
Myamoeba  striata  (see  p.  192)  is  subject  to  voluntary  control.  It  is  the  most  industrious  organ 
of  the  body,  never  ceasing  its  rhythmic  systole  and  diastole,  or  contraction  and  dilatation,  from 
the  moment  of  the  first  ])ul.siition  in  the  contractile  vesicle  which  begins  it,  t<i  that  when  the 
"  muffled  drum  "  gives  the  last  beat  of  the  "  funeral  march  to  the  grave."  The  arteries  are 
the  elastic  thick-walled  branching  tubes  which  leave  the  heart  on  their  way  to  the  body  at 
large;  their  pulsations,  over  which  the  vaso-motor  nervous  system  presides,  arc  isochronous 
with  the  heart-beats,  and  arterial  blood  thus  flows  in  jets.  The  veins  are  the  vessels  converi:- 
ing  from  all  ))arts  ;  thin-walled,  less  elastic,  with  more  equable  current.  The  capillaries  are 
the  communicating  vessels,  of  such  size  as  just  to  permit  the  Ilrematania'bas  to  pass  through  ; 
th((ir  network  rejiresents  the  terminations  of  arteries  and  the  commencements  of  veins.  The 
heart  in  adult  birds  is  completely  double;  i.  e.,  the  right  and  left  sides  iire  perfectly  se])arated. 
It  is  also  eoiiqdetely  four-chambered;  i.  e.,  there  is  an  auricle  and  a  ventricle  on  each  side, 
which  communicate ;  in  embryonic  life  the  two  auricles  communicate  by  the  foramen  ovale, 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.— ANGEIOLOGY. 


197 


wliii'li  tlien  closes.  Arteries  proceed  from  the  strong  muscular  ventricles  ;  veins  are  received  by 
the  weaker  auricles.  The  course  of  the  blood  is:  From  the  body  excepting  the  lungs  it  comes, 
(lark  and  licavy  with  products  of  decomposition,  through  tlie  caval  veins  into  tlie  right  auricle  ; 
fnnii  right  auricle  through  tlie  auriculo-ventricular  opening  into  right  ventricle  ;  from  right  ven- 
tricle through  the  jmlmonari/  arteries  to  the  lungs ;  in  the  cai)illaries  of  which  it  is  relieved  of 
its  burden.  There  decarbonized  and  oxygenized,  the  bright  red  aerated  blood  returns  through 
till'  jmlmonary  veins  to  the  left  auricle  ;  through  the  corresponding  auriculo-ventricular  open- 
ing to  the  left  ventricle,  which  ])uinps  it  out  through  tlie  aorta  and  other  arteries  to  the 
(•ii])i!laries,  and  so  to  the  veins  and  heart  again.  Thus  the  pulmonary  arteries  convey  black 
lildiid,  the  pulmonary  veins  red  blood  ;  the  reverse  of  the  usual  course.  Before  lungs  come  into 
]il:iy,  in  the  egg,  the  blood  is  purified  in  the  allautois,  an  cnibryonic  organ  which  then  sustains 
a  rcsiiiratory  function.  Besides  the  pulmonary  there  is  another  special  circulatory  arrange- 
iiiciit,  the  hepatic  portal  sj'stein  of  veins,  by  which  blood  coming  from  the  chi/lopoctic  viscera 
'stdiiiach,  intestines,  etc.,  whidi  make  chyle  in  the  process  of  digestion),  strains  through  the 
liver  before  reaching  the  heart.     There  is  no  renal  portal  system  in  birds. 

The  heart  of  birds  is  not  peculiar  in  its  conical  .shape,  but  is  more  median  in  position  than 
ill  mammals.  There  being  no  completed  diaphragm,  the  pericardial  sac  which  holds  it  is  received 
in  a  recess  between  lobes  of  the  liver.  The  right  ventricle  is  much  thinner- walled  than  the 
left;  the  auricles  have  less  of  the  elongation  which  has  caused  their  name  ("  little  ears"  of  the 
heart)  in  mammals.  The  right  auriculo-ventricular  valve,  which  prevents  regurgitation  of 
blood,  instead  of  being  thin  and  inenibranous,  is  a  thick  fleshy  tlap  which  during  the  ventricular 
systole  applies  itself  closely  to  the  walls  of  the  cavity.  The  pulmonary  artery  and  the  aorta  arc 
each  provided  at  their  origination  with  the  ordinary  three  crescentic  or  "  semilunar  "  valves,  as 
in  mammals.  The  pulmonary  artery  arises  single,  forking  for  each  lung.  The  pulmonary 
veins  are  two.  The  systemic  veins,  or  vena  cava;,  bringing  blood  from  the  body  at  large,  are 
three  —  two  pre-caval,  from  head  and  upper  extremities,  one  post-caval,  from  trunk  and  lower 
extremities.  The  aorta,  almost  inimediatoly  at  the  root  of  that  great  trunk,  figs.  90-95,  h, 
divides  into  three  primary  branches ;  right,  ri,  and  Ic^ft,  li,  innominate  arteries,  conveying 
blood  to  the  neck,  head  and  upper  extremities  ;  and  main  aortic,  a,  which  curves  over  to  the 
right  (left  in  mammals)  and  supplies  the  rest  of  the  body.  More  precise  statement  is,  perhaps, 
that  the  aortic  root,  h,  first  gives  off  the  left  innominate,  li,  then  at  once  divides  into  right 
iuiiominate,  ri,  and  main  aortic  trunk,  a,  (right).  It  represents  the  fourth  primitive  aortic 
arch  of  the  embryo.  On  the  whole,  the  avian  heart  is  a  great  improvement  tin  that  of  most 
reptiles,  though  nearly  resembling  that  of  Crocodilia  ;  it  is  substantially  as  in  any  mammal, 
though  differing  in  its  fleshy  right  auriculo-ventricular  valve,  two  instead  of  one  pre-caval  vein, 
right  instead  of  left  aortic  arch,  and  mode  of  origin  of  the  primary  aortic  branches. 

The  zotilogical  interest  of  the  .avian  blood-vessels  centres  in  the  carotid  arteries,  which, 
with  the  vertebral  arteries,  supply  the  neck  and  head.  The  ciirotids  may  be  single  or  double ; 
and  other  details  of  their  disposition  correspond  well  with  certain  families  and  orders  of  birds. 
They  are  the  first  branches  of  the  iunominates.  In  most  birds,  there  is  but  one  carotid,  the 
left ;  in  a  few,  one,  formed  by  early  union  of  two ;  in  many,  two,  long  distinct.  The  arrange- 
ment will  be  perceived  by  the  diagrams  taken  from  Garrod's  admirable  paper  (P.  Z.  S.,  1873, 
p.  457).  In  nearly  the  words  of  this  author :  1.  In  what  may  be  termed  the  typical  arrange- 
ment (though  it  is  not  the  usual  one),  two  carotids,  of  equal  size  or  nearly  so,  run  up  the  front 
of  the  neck,  converging  till  they  meet  in  the  middle  line,  and  so  continue  up  to  the  head,  (m  the 
front  of  the  bodies  of  the  cervical  vertebra',  in  the  hypapophysial  canal.  Birds  with  this 
arrangement  Garrod  calls  aves  hicarotidituc  tiormales  (fig.  90).  2.  In  most  birds,  the  carotid 
branch  of  the  right  innominate  being  not  developed,  only  the  left,  of  larger  size,  traverses  the 
hypapophysial  canal ;  but  it  bifurcates  before  reaching  the  head,  thus  producing  two  carotids, 
distributed  as  if  there  had  been  two  all  the  way  up.     Such  birds  are  said  to  have  a  left  carotid. 


'ill 


198 


GENEHAL  OliNITHOLOGY. 


li 


and  arc  termed  aves  Irwo-carotidince  (fig.  91).  3.  In  certain  parrots  only,  with  two  carotids, 
the  right  is  as  iu  (1),  but  tlie  left  riuis  siiiierficially  along  the  neck  with  the  jugular  vein  anil 
pneumogastric  nerve ;  such  birds  are  aves  bicarotidince  abnonnales  (fig.  92).  4.  Two  carotids, 
arising  normally,  unite  almost  immediately,  and  the  single  trunk  runs  to  near  the  head,  just  as 
if  there  were  two  as  in  (1);  then  it  bifurcates,  as  iu  birds  with  left  carotid  only  (2).  Sucli  birds 
arc  termed  aves  conjiindo-carotidina:.  Special  cases  of  (4)  are  :  in  the  bittern,  the  two  roots 
are  of  nearly  equal  size  (fig.  93) ;  in  the  fianiiugo,  the  left  is  very  small  (fig.  94) ;  in  a  wjckatoo, 
the  right  is  very  small  (fig.  95).  Parrots  display  all  four  oH  the  arrangements ;  the  cases  of  tlie 
bittern  and  flamingo  are  unique.  The  question  is  thus  for  nearly  all  birds  narrowed  to  whether 
there  be  two  normal  carotids  (1),  or  the  left  only  (2).  Observations  upon  three  hundred  genera 
show  two  iu  one  hundred  and  uinety-tliree,  iu  one  hundred  and  seven  the  left  only ;  but  tlie 


Flli.  U2. 


Fi08.  90-95.  —  Diagr.ims  of  carotid  arteries  of  birds:  A,  root  of  aorta;  a,  arch  of  aorta,  to  the  right  siilo;  li,  left 
Innominate;  ri,  rigl\t  Innominate  ;  Is,  left  subclavian  ;  rs,  right  subclavian;  Ic,  left  carotid;  re,  right  carotid.  (1) 
Fig.  90.  Aves  hicarnlldince  normalcs,  with  two  carotids,  botli  alike.  (2)  Fig.  91.  y^i'c.i  lavo-carotidimr,  with  It't'l 
carotid  only.  (3)  Fig.  92.  Arrs  hicnrotidina  abnormal 'S,  certain  i)arrots,  with  two  carotids,  not  alike.  (4,  0,  i'\ 
Area  poyiiimcto-carntiriinw,  with  two  carotids,  which  speedily  unite  in  one.  (4)  Fig.  93,  bittern,  both  alike.  (.1) 
Fig.  94,  flamingo,  left  very  small.    {«)  Fig.  9.'>,  cockatoo,  right  very  small.    (Copied  by  Shufeldt  from  Garrod.) 

numerical  proportion  of  Passerine  genera  makes  (2)  the  most  frequent  arrangement.  There  is 
but  one  carotid  in  all  Passercs  as  far  as  known ;  in  most  Ci/pselidcc ;  in  Trogonidec,  Mcrop'uhr, 
Upupidte,  Bhamphnstida;,  some  Psittaci,  the  Tiirnicida;,  Megapodidce,  Podicipedida,  Alcidtr, 
SheidcE,  Apterygidce.  Thus  in  Passeres,  Columha;,  Accipitres,  GralleB,  and  Ansercs,  the 
carotid  arrangement  is  an  ordinal  character,  all  but  the  first  named  of  tliosc  great  groujis 
having  two.  The  character  separates  most  of  the  families  of  "  Picarian"  birds,  and  also  dis- 
tinguishes the  families  Pha^iicopteridcc,  Megapodidce,  Craddw,  Turnicida;,  Podicipedidw,  tnid 
family  groups  of  the  Batita;,  from  among  one  another.  It  is  apparently  only  a  generic  charac- 
ter in  Psittaci,  and  in  Ci/pselidcn,  Ardcidtc  and  Alcidce. 

Reaching  the  skull,  the  carotids  burrow  in  the  bone,  between  the  basitemporal  plate  and 
the  true  floor  of  the  skull,  and  enter  the  cranial  cavity  by  the  "  sella  turcica"  (the  original 
pituitary  space)  ;  their  anastomosis  furnishes  a  sort  of  "  circle  of  Willis."  (Figs.  66,  69,  7<),  ic) 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.— PNEUMATOLOGY. 


199 


Both  liinbs  of  birds  liave  a  prime  peculiarity  of  tlicir  arteries  as  compared  with  mammals. 
In  the  fore  liinb,  the  blood  supply  being  chiefly  absorbed  by  the  immense  pectoral  innscles, 
vessels  which  in  mammals  are  small  axillari/  branches  appear  like  the  main  continuation  of  the 
subclavian  trunk,  and  the  bracliial  arteries  are  correspondingly  reduced.  In  the  leg,  the  main 
source  of  supply  is  the  great  ischiac  artery,  the  femoral  being  small.  Tiiis  ischiac  artery  cor- 
responds to  the  twig  wliich  in  man  accompanies  the  great  sciatic  nerve  (comes  itervi  ischiatici)  ; 
and  the  rare  human  anomaly  of  a  posterior  main  vessel  of  the  thigh  is  therefore  a  reversion 
(atavism)  to  the  avian  rule.     There  is  no  single  proper  renal  artery  to  the  kidney. 

The  Lymphatics  of  birds  consist  chiefly  of  a  deep  set  accompanying  the  main  blood- 
vessels, forming  various  plexus, — nodes,  "glands,"  or  "lymph-hearts"  in  their  course.  Su- 
perficial lympliatics,  so  prominent  in  mammals,  are  little  developed,  though  lymphatic  glands 
are  found  in  tlie  arm-pit  and  groin  of  some  birds.  These  are  the  s2/s<«»)i!C  vessels;  a  special 
set,  the  lactcals,  arise  by  numberless  twigs  in  the  course  of  the  small  intestine,  uniting  and  re- 
uniting to  form  at  length  two  (not  one  as  in  mammals)  main  tubes,  which  lie  along  either  side 
of  tlie  spinal  column.  These  are  the  thoracic  dncts;  whidi  terminal  trunks  of  the  whole  lym- 
phatic sy.stem  empty  into  the  right  and  Mx  jugular  veins  at  the  root  of  the  neck.  The  contents 
of  the  vessels  differ  corres))ondiiigly.  Pure  lymph  is  a  pale,  limpid,  albuminous  fluid,  contain- 
hii;  when  maturely  elaborated  a  number  of  irregular  ania'boid  bodies,  indistinguishable  from 
the  wliite  formative  corpuscles  of  the  bh)od  (j).  lOO).  It  is  strained  out  of  the  tissues  at  large, 
being  that  material,  not  yet  eih^te,  which  is  still  flt  for  feeding  the  blood.  Tlie  lacteals  contain 
difik,  —  the  other  kind  of  lymph,  ulrained  oft'  by  the  niucous  membrane  of  the  intestine  from  the 
lircparcil  food  in  that  tube  ;  an  albuminous  fluid,  milky  or  cloudy  from  the  abundance  of  oil- 
gl()l)nlcs,  which,  after  mingling  with  the  systemic  lymph,  is  poured  directly  into  the  current  of 
the  blood,  in  the  manner  above  said.  Since  the  lacteals  do  not  appear  to  begin  with  open 
months,  the  chyle  must  soak  into  them  through  the  lining  membrane  of  the  intestines;  and 
as  tins  consists  of  a  layer  <jf  ama-ba-like  animals,  through  whose  bodies  the  chyle  passes,  it  is 
Huite  true  to  say  that  the  whole  organism  is  nourished  upon  the  excrement  of  amcebas- 


e.   Pneumatolooy  :  the  Respiuatouy  System. 

The  Organs  of  Respiration  provide  for  the  ventilation  of  the  body.  Since  the  respira- 
tory process  is  also  calorific,  they  likewise  furnish  a  heating  apparatus.  They  consist  essen- 
tially of  air- passages  and  air-spaces  connected  with  lung-tissue,  being  therefore  pulmonary 
organs.  No  other  animals  are  so  thoroughly  permeated  as  birds  with  the  atmospheric  medium 
in  which  they  live ;  in  no  others  are  the  respiratory  functions  so  energetic  and  efiectual.  The 
lung  may  be  likened  to  a  blast-furnace  for  the  combustion  of  decaj'ed  animal  matter;  purifica- 
tion of  the  blood  and  wanning  of  the  body  being  two  inseparable  results  obtained.  Dark 
blood  flowing  to  the  lungs,  heavy  with  efft.'te  carbonaceous  matters,  is  there  relieved  of  its  bur- 
den and  aerated  by  the  action  of  oxygen ;  the  products  of  combusticm  being  exhaled  in  the 
form  of  carbonic  dioxide  and  water.  Aside  from  the  ])roper  lung-tissue,  the  capillary  substance 
of  the  immense  air-sacs  tends  to  the  same  result.  There  is  likewise,  in  birds,  a  lesser  system 
of  ventilation,  by  which  air  is  admitted  to  cranial  bones  through  the  eustachian  tubes ;  but 
this  is  unconnect<!d  with  the  proper  respiratory  oftice.  Pulmonary  tissue  consists  chiefly  of  a 
wonderful  net  (a  rcte  mirahile)  of  capillaries,  interlacing  in  every  direction,  bound  together  and 
su])ported  by  fine  connective  tissue,  and  invested  with  membrane  so  delicate  that  their  walls 
MHim  naked,  their  exposure  to  the  air  being  thus  very  thorough.  Air  gains  such  intimacy 
with  the  capillaries  through  the  larynx,  trachea  (fig.  101,  o),  and  bronchial  tubes  (r,  r),  these 
being  the  primary  air-passages.  But  all  the  bronchial  tubes  do  not  subdivide  into  the  ultimate 
air-cells;  some  largo  ones  run  through  .he  lung,  pierce  its  surface  (as  at  n,  u,  fig.  101),  and  end 


200 


GENEBAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


in  that  systPin  of  cnonnous  air-spaces  for  which  the  respiratory  system  of  birds  is  so  remarkably 
distiiiKnishcil.  — like  a  heap  of  soap-bubbles,  blown  up  en  masse  from  a  bowl  of  fluid ;  the  extra- 
pulmonary air-spaces  beiiij;  the  larger  superficial  bubbles,  the  minute  vesicles  of  lung-tissiic 
projier  being  little  bubbles  just  formed.  In  this  way  air  penetrates  even  the  hollow  skeleton  of 
most  birds  (p.  135). 

The  Lungs  of  Birds  (fig.  101,  t,  t),  notwithstanding  their  heated  energy  of  respiration, 
arc  anatomically  more  like  tliose  of  reptiles  than  of  mammals.  They  are  not  shut  by  a  dia- 
phragm ill  a  special  division  of  the  great  thoracic-abdominal  cavity  of  the  body,  but  extend  fiuin 
the  apex  of  the  chest  as  far  as  tlie  kidneys,  in  the  pelvic  region.  They  are  not  divided  into  jdlics, 
as  in  maiiimals,  nor  do  tliey  as  in  that  class  Hoat  freely  in  the  chest  by  their  mooring  at  their 
roots ;  nor,  again,  are  tliey  eomjilctely  invested  by  a  serous  membrane  foniiing  a  closed  jilciiral 
cavity.  Tliey  are  fixed  in  the  dorsal  region  of  the  general  cavity,  covered  in  front  witli  picurii, 
with  which  slips  of  tlie  rudimentary  diaphragm  (r,  r,  r)  are  connected;  but  on  the  dorsal  surlacc 
are  accurately  moulded  to  the  intercostal  spaces,  showing  the  impresisions  of  the  ribs  and  verte- 
bra', —  just  as  the  lobulated  kidneys  are  stamped  with  the  sacral  iiieiiualities  of  surface.  Tlicy 
are,  as  usual,  two,  rigiit  and  left ;  their  "  roots"  are  the  bronchi  (r,  r),  the  jiuliiiunary  arteries 
and  veins,  nerves,  and  connective  tissue. 

TUe  Pneumatocysts.  —  A  bird  is  literally  inflated  with  these  great  membranous  recejita- 
cles  of  air,  and  draws  a  reinarkiibly  "long  breath,"  —  all  tiiroiigh  the  trunk  of  the  body,  in 
several  pretty  definite  conifiartmeu's ;  in  many,  or  most,  or  all,  of  the  bones;  in  many  inter- 
muscular spaces ;  in  some  birds  also  throughout  the  cellular  tissue  immediately  beneath  the 
.skin.  They  vary  so  much  in  extent  and  disposition  as  to  be  not  easily  described  except  either 
in  the  most  general  tenns  already  used,  or  with  particuhirity  of  detail  for  diflerent  species.  Ac- 
cording to  Owen,  however,  the  usual  disposition  is:  An  inter-clavicular  air-space,  quite  con- 
stant: this,  with  its  cervical  pndongations,  furnishes  the  great  "air-drums"  of  our  jiiniiatcd 
grouse  and  cock-of-the-plains.  Anterior  thoracic,  about  the  roots  of  the  lungs.  Lateral  tho- 
racic, pndonged  to  axiUurij,  and  to  s[)aces  and  passages  in  the  wings,  including  the  holhiw 
humerus.  Large  hepatic  or  posterior  thoracic,  about  the  lower  part  of  the  lung  and  the  liver. 
Abdominal,  right  and  left,  of  great  size,  from  the  lower  part  of  the  lung  where  the  longest  bnm- 
ohial  tubes  open  very  freely;  extending  to  ])elric  and  inguinal  compartments,  \Y\umci' femoral 
sacs,  the  hollow  of  the  femur,  etc.  The  subcutaneous  cells  are  enormously  developed  in  tlie 
pelican  and  gannet ;  the  extensive  areolar  tissue  being  thoroughly  pneumatic,  and  furnished 
with  an  arrangement  of  the  cutaneous  muscle  (panniculiis  carnosus)  whereby,  apparently,  the 
air  may  be  rapidly  and  forcibly  expelled  by  compression.  A  similar  mu.sde  develops  in  some 
birds  in  connection  with  the  interclavicular  air-space.  (For  pneumaticity  of  the  skeleton,  see 
p.  135.) 

The  purpose  of  this  extensive  respiratfiry  apparatus  is  thus  dwelt  upon  by  the  great  "New- 
ton of  Anatomy"  just  cited:  "The  extension  from  the  lungs  of  continuous  air-receptacles 
throughout  the  body  is  subservient  to  the  function  of  respiration,  not  only  by  a  change  in  the 
blood  of  the  pulmonary  circulation  effected  by  the  air  of  the  receptacles  on  its  repassage  through 
the  bronchial  tubes ;  but  also,  and  more  especially,  by  the  change  which  the  blood  undergoes 
in  the  capillaries  of  the  systemic  circulafiim  which  are  in  contact  with  the  air-receptacles. 
The  free  outlet  to  the  air  by  the  bronchial  tubes  docs  not,  therefore,  afford  an  argument  against 
the  use  of  the  air-cells  as  subsidiary  respiratory  organs,  but  rather  supports  that  opinion,  since 
the  inlet  of  atmospheric  oxygenated  air  to  be  diffused  over  the  body  must  be  equally  free.  A 
second  use  may  be  ascribed  to  the  air-cells  as  aiding  mechanically  the  action  of  respiration  in 
birds.  During  the  act  of  inspiration  the  sternum  is  depressed  [lowered  from  the  back-bone  in 
horizontal  position  of  a  bird],  the  angle  between  the  vertebral  and  sternal  ribs  made  less  acute, 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.— PNEUMATOLOGY. 


201 


1111(1  tlic  thoracic  cavity  proportionally  enlarged ;  the  air  then  rushes  into  tlie  luncs  and  tho- 
racic rc'ccptiiclf's,  while  those  of  the  abdomen  become  flaccid  ;  wlien  tlie  stenium  is  raised  or 
approximated  towards  the  spine,  part  of  the  air  is  expelled  from  the  lungs  and  thonu-ic  cells 
thripiitrh  the  trachea,  and  part  driven  into  the  abdominal  receptacles,  which  .are  thus  altcniately 
ciilariied  and  diminished  with  those  of  the  thorax.  Hence  the  lungs,  notwithstanding  their 
fixed  condition,  are  subject  to  duo  compression  through  the  medium  of  the  contiguous  air- 
receptacles,  and  are  affected  equally  and  regularly  by  every  inf>tion  of  the  sternum  and  ribs. 
A  lliinl  use,  and  perhaps  the  one  which  is  most  closely  related  to  the  peculiar  exigencies  of  the 
bird,  is  that  of  rendering  the  whole  body  specifically  lighter;  this  must  necessarily  follow  from 
tli(!  desiccation  of  the  luaiTow  and  other  fluids  in  those  spaces  which  are  occupied  by  the  air- 
cells,  and  by  the  rarification  of  the  contained  air  from  the  heat  of  the  IkkU".  ...  A  fourth  use 
(if  the  air-receptacles  relates  to  the  mechanical  assistance  which  they  afford  to  the  muscles  of 
tlie  wings.  This  was  suggested  by  (d)serviiig  that  an  inflation  of  the  air-cells  in  the  gigantic 
crane  (Cicoiiia  argala)  was  followed  by  an  extension  of  the  wings,  as  the  air  f«iuud  its  way 
along  the  brachial  and  anti-brachial  cells.  In  large  birds,  therefore,  which,  like  the  argala  [or 
our  wood  ibis,  Tanlulun  lociihitor],  hover  with  a  sailing  motion  for  a  long-continued  |H-riod  in 
the  upper  regions  of  the  air,  the  muscular  exeition  of  keeping  the  wings  outstretched  will  be 
lessened  by  the  tendency  of  the  distended  air-cells  to  maintain  that  condition.  It  is  not  meant 
to  advance  this  as  other  tiian  a  secondary  and  pr(d)ably  partial  sers'ice  of  the  air-cells.  In  the 
same  light  may  be  regarded  the  use  assigned  to  them  by  Hunter,  of  contributing  to  sustain  the 
song  of  birds  and  to  impart  to  it  tone  and  strength.  It  is  no  argmnent  against  this  function 
that  the  air-cells  exist  in  birds  wliich  are  not  pro%-ided  with  the  mechanism  necessjiry  to  pro- 
duce tuneful  notes;  since  it  was  not  pretended  that  this  was  the  exclusive  and  only  office  of  the 
air-cells."  (Owen,  Anaf.  Vert,  ii,  180G,  p.  210.) 

Though  nothing  like  them  exists  in  mammals,  it  must  not  be  inferred  that  these  air- 
pimches  are  unique  in  birds.  The  general  pulmonary  mechanism  is  reptih'-like,  and  the  or- 
nithic development  is  simply  a  logical  extreme  of  arrangements  found  in  reptiles  and  lower 
vertebrates,  —  even  to  the  swim-bladder  of  a  fish,  which  is  inorphohigically  and  honudogically 
pulmonary,  though  fishes'  gills  are  functionally,  and  therefore  analogically,  their  lungs  ;  i.  e., 
their  respiratory  apparatus. 


The  Trachea  ((ir.  rpa;^«a,  tracheia,  rough)  or  "  asper-artery" 
answers  perfectly  to  its  English  name,  wind-pipe.  It  is  the  tube 
wiiich  conveys  air  to  and  from  the  lungs  (fig.  101,  *,  o  to  q).  It 
commences  at  the  root  of  the  tongue  by  a  chink  in  the  floor  of  the 
mouth  (fig.  101,  3,  c),  runs  down  the  neck  in  front  between  the 
gullet  and  the  skin,  and  (mds  below  by  forking  into  right  and  left 
bronchus  (fig.  101,  ',  r,  r).  It  is  composed  of  a  series  of  very 
nunujrous  gristly  or  bony  rings  connected  together  by  elastic 
membrane.  Lengthening  and  shortening,  effected  by  muscles 
to  be  presently  .noted,  is  permitted  by  a  very  ingenious  and  in- 
teresting construction  of  these  rings,  which  will  be  cb'arly  under- 
stood with  the  help  of  the  figures  (90,  a,  h,  97  *,  ^)  borrowed  from 
Macgillivray's  admirable  account.  When  contracted,  the  rings 
look  like  an  alternating  series  of  lateral  half- hoops,  iis  in  fig. 
90,  a ;  when  stretched  to  the  utmost,  as  in  fig.  96,  b  they  are 
clearly  seen  to  be  annular,  or  completely  circular.  The  curious 
bevelling  of  the  right  and  left  sides  of  each  ring  alternately  is 
shown  in  fig.  97,  ',  2;  and  fig.  97,  *,  2,  represents  the  same  two 
rings  put  together.    The  principle  by  which  auy  two  rings  slip 


FlO.  96.  —a,  an  Inch  of  tra- 
chea, contracted  to  the  utniiitit, 
tlie  rings  looking  like  alter- 
nating half-rings;  b,  the  same, 
stretched  to  two  inches,  the  rings 
evidently  complete,  with  inter- 
vening membrane.  (After  Mac- 
gUUvrajr.) 


i 


! 


■Ui 


n 


u! 


t 


202 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


partly  over  onch  other  on  ftltprnate  sides  is  something  like  that  upon  which  a  cooper  fastens 
the  ends  of  any  one  barrel-hoop  without  any  nailing  or  tying.     The  rings  arc  in  some  hinls 

perfectly  cartilaginous :  iu  most  they  becdino 
osseous.  The  trachea  is  moved  by  liitcial 
muscles,  which  not  only  shorten  the  tulic  liy 
approximating  the  rings,  but  also  diiii;  tiic 
whole  structure  backward,  by  tlieir  attach- 
ment to  the  clavicle  and  sternum.  Tlic  strip, 
Fi<!  n-.  - 1,  2.  Mt  imnd.  two  trnrhciil  rinss,  popa-  """  two  Strips,  of  nuisdo  lying  uinm  each  side 
rivte,  UN  ill  iiK,  !h;,  //,  1,  'A  riijiit  liuml,  tlic  siiiiie  put     of  the  trachea,  is  the  contractor  traclwic  (fig. 

togutlier,  UK  111  lli;.  OC,  n.    (After  Macgillivray.)  ,„,     •  .  \      .i  .        »     •  ■  , 

'  t.         J  '  ]oi,  1,  ss,  ss) ;  the  most  anterior,  when  tlicre 

lire  two,  as  soon  as  it  leaves  the  tube  to  go  to  the  clavicle,  becomes  the  cJcido-truclmilis,  nr 
ckido-hi/oid,  fig.  101,  ',  /,  /;  the  other  is  similarly  the  sterno-trachadis.  The  latter  may  lie  a 
direct  continuation  of  the  contracior,  as  in  tig.  101,  1.  the  loose  strips  under  (/,  or  ajiiiarciilly 
arise  separately  from  the  side  of  the  lower  end  of  the  tube,  as  in  fig.  lOl,  '<>,  e.  (Other  muscles 
are  to  be  descrilied  with  the  larynx  sn|)erior  and  inferior.)  The  trachea  is  long  in  liinls,  pio- 
jiortionate  to  tiie  extension  of  the  necit ;  it  is  very  flexiious,  fidlowing  with  ease  the  bcmls  of 
the  neck  in  which  it  lies  so  loosely.  Its  cross  section  is  oval  or  circular;  but  all  that  i(l:itc-3 
to  the  configuration  and  coin-.se  of  the  pipe  requires  sjiecial  description, — so  variable  is  tlio 
organ  in  ditt'erent  birds.  It  is  subject  to  dilatations  and  contractions  in  any  part  of  its  txicnt, 
and  to  deviations  from  its  usual  direct  ctmrse  ta  the  lungs.  Minor  modifications  iiiiist  be 
passed  over.  Tlie  most  remarkable  expansions  of  the  lower  part  of  the  tube  occur  in  iiiaiiy 
8ea-(hicks  and  mergansers  {FidiguUna  and  Merginw),  and  some  other  birds ;  several  lower  riiJi:s 
of  tlu;  trachea  being  enormously  enlarged  and  welded  together  into  a  great  bony  and  nieui- 
braiious  liox,  of  wholly  irregular,  unsymmetrical  contour.  Such  a  structure,  represented  in 
J  figs.  3  and  98,  is  termed  a  tracheal  tympanitm,  or  hdnj- 

rinth.  It  is  not  a  part  of  the  voice-organ  proper,  but 
may  act  as  a  reverberatory  cluimber  to  increase  the  vol- 
ume of  the  sound,  without  however  modulating  it.  IJeing 
chiefiy  developed  in  the  male,  it  is  a  kind  of  secondary 
sexual  organ.  The  vagaries  of  the  wind-pipe  are  .still 
more  remarkable.  Very  generally,  in  cranes  and  swans, 
the  trachea  entc^rs  the  keel  of  the  sternum,  which  is  exca- 
vated to  receive  it,  and  where  it  forms  one  or  more  coils 
before  emerging  to  pass  to  the  lungs.  This  curious  wind- 
ing is  carried  to  an  extreme  in  our  Grus  americuna,  the 
whooping  crane,  in  which  the  wind-pipe  is  about  as  long 
as  the  whole  bird,  and  about  hiilf  of  it  —  over  two  feet  of 
it!  —  is  coiled  away  in  the  breast-bone  (fig.  99).  The 
same  thing  occurs  in  G.  canadensis  to  a  less  extent  (fig. 
to/ort,,rtr.;;r„Vth7n:i\,ma:.':^  m.  in  a  Ouinea-fowl,  Guttera  cristata,  a  loop  of  the 
in/anr/ica,  Been  from  lieliind,  nat.  8<ze.  Dr.  trachea  is  received  in  a  cup  formed  by  the  apex  of  tlie 
K.  W.  simfcldt,  U.  S.  A.  clavicles.    In  various  birds,  as  some  of  the  curassows  ( Cra- 

cidec),  the  capercaillie  (Tetrao  urogullus),  a  goose,  Anseranas  semipalmata,  and  the  female  of  the 
curious  snipe,  Rhynchaa  australis,  the  trachea  folds  between  the  pectoral  muscles  and  the  skin. 

The  Larynx  (the  Gr.  nanne,  Xdpiry^,  larugx)  is  the  peculiarly  modified  upper  end  of  the 
trachea  (fig.  101,  l,  and  3  to  12).  In  mammals  it  is  a  complicated  voice-organ,  containing  the 
vocal  chords  and  other  consonantal  apparatus;  in  birds  the  construction  is  simpler,  as  the 
larynx  merely  modulates  the  sound  already  produced  in  the  lower  end  of  the  tube.     It  lies  in 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIMjOS.  —  PNE UMATOLOGY. 


20S 


Fio.  99.  —  Coiling  of  tlio  windpipe  In  tlic  sternum  of  Grus  americana ;  reduced.    (From  Amer.  Nat.) 


Fio.  100.  — CoUIng  of  the  windpipe  in  tlie  sternum  of  Grus  eanadentis;  reduced.    (From  Amer.  Nat.) 


204 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


tlip  floor  of  tho  iiiontli,  at  tho  root  of  tlio  tongue,  between  the  forks  of  the  hyoid  bone,  restiu^' 
iil)on  the  uro-Iiyiil.  Besiiles  its  attiicliineuts  of  inucoua  and  other  iiiembrane,  it  is  connectnl 
with  the  hyoitl  bone  bj-  ii  ))air  of  tlii/ro-hifoid  niuselcs  (»,  !>•),  and  usually  with  the  rest  of  tlic 
traehea  by  i)roloni;ations  of  the  sterno-  and  elcido-traeheales.  It  is  usually  a  small,  siiniilc, 
conieal  "  mouth-piece  "  of  the  pipe  (*,  u),  without  the  dilatation  which  renders  the  correspoudiin; 
structure  — the  "  Adam's  «j)ph',"  —  so  conspicuous  in  the  hiuuan  throat.  Helow,  it  coniniuui- 
cates  directly  with  the  pipe:  above,  it  ojiens  into  the  mouth  by  the  glollulean  fissure,  or  riiiid 
glottidis  (",  e),  a  median  lengthwise  chiidf,  which  opens  and  shuts  as  its  si(h's  diverge  or  cldsc 
togeth<'r,  anil  which  is  further  defended  in  front  by  a  folding  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  tlic 
itKUith,  constituting  a  rudiment  of  that  curious  trap-door  arrangement  which,  when  fullv 
developed,  is  called  t\\v  fpiyhUis  (3,  d,  e).  Exclusive  of  two  broken  upper  rings  of  the  fm- 
ehea  («,  (j),  the  cartilages  (or  oftener  bones,  —  for  they  generally  ossify)  of  the  larynx  are  live. 
One  is  a  large  single  median  and  inferior  piece,  the  thi/roid,  or  shield-pieco  (••,  O^  7^  „)_ 
forming  the  most  substantial  part  of  the  structure.  It  is  sonu'what  triangular  or  oblong,  nui- 
niug  to  an  (dituso  end  in  front;  and  with  sides  and  posterior  angles  which  curl  uj)ward  bcliiiid. 
To  its  lateral  posterior  corner  is  attached  (m  each  side  the  snuill  "horns"  or  coniiciila  lariiiifiis 
(0,  0,  7,  I,),  There  is  a  snuill  median  U](per  posterior  piece,  supposed  to  represent  all  there  is 
of  the  cricoid  (5,  ',  e),  which  in  num  makes  a  ring  around  the  larynx  below  the  thyroid.  To 
the  cricoid,  as  to  a  base,  are  attached  a  jiair  of  straight  slender  arytenoids  («,  7,  ,/),  iinijccting 
forward  along  the  upper  surface  of  the  larynx  :  these  form  the  rima  glottidis,  —  tlie  fissure  of  the 
gb)ttis  being  between  them.  The  arytenoids  are  attached  in  fnmt  by  sb'uder  ligaments  to  the 
end  of  the  thyroid  (p,  the  little  slips  between  d  and  e),  and  they  are  supplemented  by  ciirti- 
laginous  edges  {p,  f,f)  ;  but  there  are  no  true  vocal  cliords.  Besides  the  extrinsic  thyro-Iiyiiid 
muscles,  which  pass  from  the  larynx  to  the  tongue-bone,  the  laryngeal  parts  are  operated  by 
intrinsic  muscles,  the  sum  of  tho  motion  given  by  which  is  the  opening  and  shutting  of  the 
glottis  by  drawing  apart  or  pulling  together  the  arytenoids.  Four  pairs  of  such  muscles  are 
described  for  some  birds.  As  named  and  figured  by  Macgillivray  for  tiie  ro(d{,  there  are :  tho 
thyro-arijtenoidii,  which  are  the  openers  of  the  glottis  (",  2,2)  ;  the  oblique  arytenoids  (•(>,  3,3) ; 
the  thyro-cricoids  {'i,  *<*);  and  the  posterior  thyro-cricoids  (••  and  ^~,  s.s). 


The  Syrinx  (Gr.  avpiy$,  surigx,  a  pipe)  or  Lower  Larynx  is  the  voice-organ  of  birds;  in 
most  respects  a  more  complicated  structure  than  the  larynx  proper,  and  one  so  ditferently 
constructed  in  different  birds  that  it  affords  characters  of  great  signiticance  in  classification. 
The  highest  group  of  Passeres,  for  example,  is  signalized  by  the  elaboration  of  this  musical 
organ,  the  marvellously  adroit  fingering  of  the  keys  (jf  which  by  the  little  umseular  performers 
sends  through  the  tracheal  sounding-pipe  the  tuneful  messages  of  bird's  highest  estate.  A  few 
degraded  or  disgraced  birds,  as  the  ostrich  and  the  American  vultures,  have  no  bucolic  organ  at 
all,  the  trachea  forking  as  simply  as  possible.  Others,  as  the  connnon  fowl,  have  a  fair  syrinx, 
but  no  muscles  whatever  to  modulate  their  jjastoral  lays.  Others  have  one,  two,  or  three  jiairs 
of  intrinsic  nmscles;  to  which  may  or  may  not  be  added  a  stemo-tracheal  with  syringeal  attach- 
ment. It  is  not  so  much  the  bulk  or  mere  ttcshiness  of  the  syrinx  that  indicates  musical  abil- 
ity ;  but  the  distinctness  of  the  several  muscles,  and  the  mode  of  their  insertion,  which  result  in 
endless  combinations  of  rotating  and  rocking  movements  of  the  parts,  whereby  an  infinite  modu- 
lation of  the  musical  tones  becomes  possible.  In  Oscines,  there  are  normally  five  or  six  pairs 
of  muscles,  without  counting  the  extrinsic  stemo-tracheales ;  and  the  gist  of  the  arrangement, 
in  these  melodious  Passeres,  is  the  attachment  of  tho  muscles  to  the  ends  of  tho  upper  bronchial 
half-rings,  as  far  as  the  third  one.  As  Professor  Owen  remarks  with  appreciative  feeling,  "the 
nuinifold  ways  in  which  the  several  parts  of  the  complex  vocal  organ  in  Cantores  may  be 
affected,  each  of  the  principal  bony  half-rings,  as  one  or  the  other  end  may  be  pulled,  beiug 
made  to  perform  a  slight  rotatory  motion,  are  incalculable ;  but  their  effects  are  delightfully 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIHDS.  — PNEUMATOLOGY. 


206 


rti.,. 

lilii; 
illii- 
liiiiit 


appnciiilile  by  tho  rapt  listener  to  the  Hingiilarly  varied  kind  and  quality  of  notes  trilled  forth 
in  tli(^  stilliieHs  of  gloom  by  tho  nightingale." 

1  sliould  bo  able  to  inako  tho  plan  of  the  syrinx  clear  to  tho  student  with  the  assistance  of 
Miicfiiliivray's  beautiful  figures.  These  are  drawn  from  the  rook,  —  a  corvine  croaker,  indeed, 
but  line  whoso  syrinx  is  in  good  order,  though  ho  has  never  learned  to  play.  As  the  inoditica- 
tioiirt  affect  principally  tho  soft  parts  covering  and  moving  the  music-box,  one  description  of  tho 
latter  is  applicable  to  most  birds.  The  last  lower  ring,  or  |)iece  com])osed  of  several  fused  rings, 
of  the  trachea,  at  its  bifurcation  into  bronchi,  is  enlarged  or  otherwiso  modified  (fig.  101,  l', 
aba),  and  crossed  below  from  front  to  back  by  a  bony  bar,  the  pesstdus  ('8,  at  b;  15^  a),  or 
bolt-bar,  whicli,  dividing  it  into  lateral  halves  (as  at  '■»),  fonns  thus  two  lateral  openings 
in.st('ad  of  one  median  tube,  —  tho  beginnings  of  each  bronchial  tube.  A  membranous  plate, 
strengthened  by  cartilage,  ri.ses  vertically  into  the  tracheal  tube,  forming  a  septum,  or  median 
partitiiiii,  between  tho  orifices  of  each  bronchus.  The  free  curved  upper  margin  of  this  septum, 
c.\t('ii(liug  ofcour.se,  from  front  to  back  of  the  orifice,  is  called  the  semilunar  membrane;  being 
tiie  edge  of  a  partition  common  to  both  bronclii,  it  forms,  in  fact,  the  inner  lip  of  each  bronchial 
orifice ;  that  is  to  say,  tho  inner  rima  glottidis  si/ringis,  or  lip  of  the  syringeal  mouth-piece. 
Tills  membrane  vibrates  with  the  column  of  air,  and  is,  in  fact,  one  of  the  "vocal  chords." 
Now  the  bron(!hial  ring.s  whitih  succeed  aro  not  annular,  circumscribing  the  bronchial  tube, 
but  are  half-rings  (15,  l^  h),  or  arcs  of  circles  to  bo  completed  by  membrane,  which  forms  more 
or  less  (scarcely  or  not  half)  of  tho  circumference  of  the  tube ;  this  membranous  part,  termed 
th(!  internal  tijmpnniform  membrane  (",  c  to  c),  being  on  the  side  of  the  bronchus  which  faces 
its  t'elli iw,  while  the  hard  bronchial  half-rhigs  complete  tho  rest  of  the  cylinder.  The  mem- 
brane is  attached  to  the  pessuliis  above.  This  accounts  for  the  whole  broiuihial  tube  and  its 
vocal  septum  from  its  fellow.  Now  the  concavity  of  the  upper  two  or  three  bronchial  half- 
rings,  on  th«!  outer  wall  of  tlio  tube,  but  in  its  interior,  is  the  place  where  is  developed  a  certain 
fold  of  the  mucous  membrane,  projecting  into  the  tube  opposite  the  septum,  and  forming  the 
outer  lip  of  tlu^  .syringeal  glottis;  fortius  membranous  f<dd,  like  the  semilunar  membrane,  is 
set  (piivering  in  vocalization.  The  upper  tracheal  rings  which  enter  into  this  urraugemcnt 
arc  enlarged  anil  otherwise  modified.  Thus  are  formed  two  "  vocal  duirds,"  upon  the  vibrations 
of  wliich  the  harmonious  or  discordant  notes  of  the  bird  deiiend.  The  cords  are  struck  by  tiie 
lianil  of  air  indeed,  but  endless  musical  variations  result  from  the  play  of  the  muscles  in  increas- 
ing or  diminishing  and  variously  combining  the  tcusion  of  the  several  parts  of  tlie  instrument. 
In  giving  four  i)airs  of  intrinsic  syringeal  muscles  (anterior  external,  anterior  internal,  inter- 
mediate, and  posterior,  besides  the  extrinsic  stemo-tracheules),  as  figured  in  i"^  a,  b,  c,  d  and  e, 
Mai'gillivray  is  said  to  have  understated  the  full  oscine  number,  which  is  five  or  six.  In  the  raven, 
Uwon  describes  ./I'cc,  witliotit  counting  the  sterno-trachealis  :  broncho-trachealis  anticus,  anteriur 
external;  broncho-trachealis  2'osticus,  posterior  external ;  broncho-trachealis  brevis,  posterior 
internal ;  bronehialis  anticus,  anterior  internal;  and  bronchialis  posticus.  The  genc^ral  arrange- 
ment, however,  is  fairly  indicated  by  Macgillivray  in  16,  where  on  the  side  of  the  syrinx,  the  mus- 
cli'.<  aro  seen  to  diverge  from  the  tracheal  lateral  line  to  go  to  end   of  the  bronchial  semi-rings. 

The  student  will  understand  that  my  description  is  particular  only  as  regards  tho  oscine 
syrinx ;  that  in  birds  at  large  every  possible  modification,  almost,  of  lower  tracheal  and  upper 
lirouchial  rings  occurs,  and  with  various  musculation,  or  vi'ith  none.  The  non-oscinc  rule  fur 
till'  muscles  is,  one  on  each  side,  if  any ;  and  insertion  into  mid-parts,  not  ends,  of  the  broncliial 
liall'-rings.  The  latter  character  chiefly  distinguishes  the  nou-oscine  syrinx  when  it  has  sev- 
eral muscles.  As  to  situations  of  the  .syrinx,  three  have  been  recognized  :  the  ordinary  broncho- 
Irucheal,  in  formation  of  which  both  bronchi  and  trachea  take  part ;  the  tracheal,  only  known 
to  occur  in  some  American  Passeres,  as  in  Thamnophilns  and  Opetiorhynchus,  situated  wholly 
in  the  trachea,  the  lower  part  of  which  is  extensively  membranous  ;  and  the  bronchial,  wholly 
iu  the  bronchi,  us  in  Crotophaga  and  Steatornis. 


I 


206 


GENEIiAL   OliNlTHOLOOY. 


iif  tri 

hllpH 

wllh 

IlllllH 
Cltllfl 

I'.  I>,  1 

iniiiit 

mill 

</,  ''. 

Luryi 

ti'iii>l< 

tiai«l< 

(if  till 

crliii 

held' 

b(.ll- 

(ir  Hy 

illnn 

Inicli 

tliu  I 


Fio.  101 .  —  Respiratory  and  rooal  orgaim  nf  the  Knok ,  Conms  frugilegus,  an  Osclno  Pasaerine  bird ;  nat.  size, 
after  Macgillivray.  1.  a,  tongue;  b,  basi-brancliial, commonly  called  iiro-hyal;  c,  c,  horns  of  Iiyoid  bone;  rf,  tl, 
genio-liyoid  muscles;  c,  e,  stylo-liyoid  muscled;  /,/,  clcido-hyold  muscles;  g.  A,  i,  a'sophagus;  j,  proventriculus; 
or  secretory  stomach;  k,  gizzard,  or  gigerium,  the  muscular  stomach  ;  /,  ni,  n,  n,  intestine,  duodenum  to  rectum  ; 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  liJlWS.  — PNEUMATOLOOY. 


m 


o,  p,  trachi'ft,  or  winilpipo  \  q,  Inferior  Inrynx,  or  nyrinx  :  r,  r,  right  and  left  bronclma  ;  »«,  •*,  contractor  miiMlps 
(if  Iraclien;  I,  t,  liiiigH,  with  u,  m,  niivrtiiruH  <'(iniinuiilc»tliiK  willi  thonicli'  iilr-cullii ;  r,  f,  r,  thro«  piilrH  of  mtiMMiliir 
hll|M  niiHwerlng  (o  n  riKlliiiviititry  dliiphrnKm ;  l.^i.l,  4,n,  H,  T,  iih  iiiiiiiyrlliH.  — 2.  Ilyolil  tMiiic;  n,  Kluimo-hyiil,  tlii|>eil 
with  cartllagu,  Uh  |Mmtvrlor  liorim  IiuIiik  I'l'ratoliyala  prdpvr;  h,  l>ai>l-liyal ;  <■,  baxl-braiichlal  proiKT,  loiiiiiinnly 
citllcil  uro-hyul ;  <l,  it,  corato  liraiiclilulH  proper,  conitiioiily  csIIihI  a|H)-hyalH  ;  c,  c,  c|illiraiii'hlalii  pro|ivr,  coiuiiionly 
ciilluil  c«rati>-hyal8,  tlp|iv<l  witli  cartllagi', ,/',/.  —3.  CiloltiH,  or  opening  of  trachea  In  the  nioutli;  n,  bam^  of  tonisiio; 
t),  h,  liorngof  hyohl  Imno  .  c,  rima  Kluttiillti,  cleft  or  chink  of  the  glottlH;  (/,a  triangular  vacuity  :  i,  an  clastir  llgu- 
ineiit ;  >'  anil  >'  reprcHent  an  epIglotllN  :  /  /,  a  papllloHe  Hiirface.  —4.  Larynx  viewed  from  liofore  (liclowl;  »,  tliy- 
roiil  bone  or  carllliigc.— 9.  Larynx  vlewcil  from  bvhimi  (above);  >i,  thyroid  bone;  h,  ft,  ItH  appendages ;  c.crioolil; 
i/,  (/,  arytcnolilH ;  c,  c,  anterior  border  of  thyroid,  to  which  (/,  il  are  connected  by  two  arytenoid  llgamentH.  —0. 
Larynx  viewed  from  right  bIiIo  ;  a,  lliyrold  ;  '/,  appendage  ;  r,  cricoid  ;  il,  aryteiiiiUI ;  /,/,  cartilage  attachwl  to  ary- 
tenoid ;  {I,  a  tracheid  ring.  —7.  Larynx  viewed  from  behlnil ;  a,  thyrohl ;  l>,  b,  Uh  apjiundagi'ii ;  c,  cricoid  ;  il,  if,  ary- 
tcnoldH.  — 8,  I),  10, 11,  \>.  MimeleHof  the  larynx;  1,1  (llg.  K),  thyro-hyoldH;  ii,  2  (tig.  II),  thyro-arytenoldH,  or  o|icncrH 
ortheglottlii;  :i,  I  (tig  10l,oblli|iie  aryteiioldii ;  4,  4  (tig.  II),  Miyro-cricohlH;  n,6  (tIgH.  11  and  VI),  iHwtvrlor  tliyro- 
crK'olilM.  —  13.  It  fnrcatidn  of  trachea;  dim,  hint  entire  tracheal  ring.  —  14.  Umt  oiitiro  tracheal  ring,  viewed  IVom 
below,  croHxed  by  the  pcHituliiH.  — 1,1  lilfnrcatlon  of  trachea,  and  bronchi,  viewed  from  below;  x,  penHUluH,  the 
bolt-bar,  or  "  bone  of  divarication  ";  h,  li,  next  xucccedlng  tracheal  balf-rlngH.  10.  >i,  A,  r,(/.  Inferior  laryngeal 
or  Hyrlngeal  niiiHclcB,  not  well  made  out  In  thin  llgiiro;  hcc  text.  Rut  the  typical  iMclne  arrangement  (acromyo- 
ilian)  In  |icrcelved,  InaHinuch  aa  anterior  (a)  and  [MiKterior  (>/)  IntrliiHlc  muncular  niaiiticii  go  to  finln  of  the  tirht 
tracheal  half-ring,  at  It  and  c  ,-  the  cxtrlnHlc  allp  r  paiwliig  to  titurnuia ;  couiparo  tig.  1,  at  7.  —  17.  Trachea,  etc.,  of 
the  idghtingale,  uat.  size.    (Compare  ligs.  3,  07,  72,  73,  74.) 

The  SoiiK  of  Birds  unlockH  tlu'  j^rpiit  secret  of  Genesis  to  tho.st*  who  can  hear  the  key- 
note. It  is  tlie  closest  ii|i])i'<iacli,  in  uiiiiiiiite  iiiitiire,  to  the  riiijfinj-  of  tlie  liyiiro^en  bells  in  the 
physics  of  li){ht.  The  musical  iiistriiment  figtired  (101,  '^)  is  tl.  i'litical  ])i|  •  the  "great  goJ 
Pan  "  firat  fashioned  for  a  legacy  to  all  time,  as  so  sweetly  said  by  Mrs.  Browning :  — 

"  He  tore  out  a  reed,  the  great  god  Pan, 

Frimi  the  deep  cool  bed  of  the  river. 
The  limpid  wMor  turbldly  ran. 
Anil  the  broken  llllcH  a-dying  lay. 
And  the  ilragon-tly  had  fled  away, 

Ere  he  brought  It  out  of  the  river. 

"  'This  Is  the  way,'  laughed  the  great  god  Pan, 

(Laughc<l  while  ho  sate  by  the  river!) 
The  only  way  since  go<l8  began 
To  make  swoet  music,  they  could  succeed.' 
Then  dropping  his  mouth  to  a  hole  In  the  reed, 

He  blew  in  power  t>y  the  river. 

"  Sweet,  sweet,  swoet,  O  Pan, 

Piercing  sweet  by  the  river! 
Blinding  sweet,  O  great  gojd  Pan! 
The  '  un  on  the  hill  forgot  to  die, 
Anu  .he  lilies  revived,  and  the  dragon-fly 

Came  back  to  dream  on  the  river." 


But  the  sad  sequel,  felt  by  Keata,  when  poor  Psyche  has  seen  and  known,  and  Eros  has 

found  his  wings :  — 

'■  So  did  he  feel  who  pulled  the  boughs  aside. 
That  we  might  look  Into  a  forest  wide. 
To  catch  a  glimpHo  of  Fauns,  and  Uryailcs 
Coming  with  softest  rustle  through  the  trees; 
And  garlands  woven  of  flowers  wild  and  sweet, 
Uplield  on  Ivory  wrists,  or  sporting  feet: 
Telling  us  how  fair  trembling  Siirinx  fled 
Arcadian  Pan,  with  such  a  fearful  dre.'ul. 
Poor  Nymph,  —  poor  Pan,  —  how  ho  did  weep  to  find 
Naught  but  a  lovely  sighing  of  the  wind 
.\long  the  ree<ly  stream !  a  half  heard  strain 
Full  of  sweet  desolation,  balmy  pain." 

The  blessed  blue-bird,  "bearing  the  sky  upon  her  back,"  is  burtheued  with  the  same 
" light  load  of  song"  — 


A- 


208 


GENEIUL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


i.d 


Have  you  listened  to  the  carol  of  tlie  bluebird  In  the  spring? 

Has  her  gush  of  molten  nielo<ly  been  not  poured  forth  in  vain? 

Ah!  then  tlio  pulse  has  quickened,  and  a  sigh,  perhaps,  has  risen, 

From  tlio  breast  the  bluebird's  music  stirs  to  thoughts  that  lack  expression  — 

So  tender,  so  tumultuous  are  the  fancies  thus  aroused. 

The  bluebird's  song  breathes  gladness  —  breathes  the  sweet  and  solemn  triumph 

Love  feels  when  all  love's  passion  melts  In  its  own  fk-uitiou. 

Exquisitely  subtile  are  the  chords  the  bluebird  touches  — 

Chords  that  quiver  now  in  ecstasy,  :iv  iv  thrill  in  fond  expectancy, 

Now  (He  in  dreams  of  all  that  might  have  been. 

Ilcrs  is  language  to  interpret,  and  translate  in  accents  rhythmic, 

All  the  yearning  of  young  love  to  claim  his  own  — 

Of  young  l>vo  that  trembles  on  the  threshold  of  the  passions, 

And  shrinks  before  the  images  his  ardor  calls  to  life. 

Thus  to  the  maiden  musing  come  thronging  thoughts  unbidden. 

When  she  hears  this  sjieaking  echo  of  the  hopes  that  glow  within ; 

And  the  te     tale  blushes  redden  to  the  rose-tint  on  the  bosom 

Of  the  bird    .lat  dares  to  breathe  her  secret  Joy. 

Thus  to  the  youth  iuiiictuoug,  whose  life  is  set  to  music  — 

Let  love  but  laugh  and  beckon  from  afar  — 

Fultllment  sends  a  greeting  In  the  soft  voluptuous  languor 

That  steahi  upon  the  senses  if  the  bluebird's  song  be  heard  — 

This  song  of  wondrous  gladness,  ever  bubbling,  welling,  gushing, 

From  a  fountain  full  of  promise,  inexhaustible,  divine  ! 

Sweeter  far  tlicsc  Ihiuid  accents  when  the  buds  of  ho|ie  are  blighted. 

Ami  the  tree  of  knowledge  bears  its  hitter  fruit; 

When  memory  gits  brooding  on  the  ashes  of  her  birthright, 

And  sackcloth  shrouds  a  heart  that  once  was  young; 

For  a  silver  chord  is  quickened  where  was  greedy,  silent  sorrow  — 

KesiHjmling  to  a  sympathetic  touch: 

The  bird  sings  true  ami  tender,  with  a  precious  burden  laden. 

With  the  tidings  of  a  love  that  never  dies. 

So  in  the  timid  si)ring-limc,  when  tlie  world  wears  wreaths  of  roses. 

King  clear  the  Joyous  nielmlies  of  lioi>c! 

So  in  the  summer  season,  when  the  wine  of  pleasure  reddens, 

I\<ng  passionate  the  triumphs  of  the  heart! 

So  in  the  sad,  still  autumn,  when  life  bends  beneath  its  burden. 

When  what  might  have  been  has  never  come  to  pass, 

Kings  once  again  this  music  on  the  crushe<l  and  wounded  spirit, 

Bringing  light  where  all  was  dark  and  drear  before : 

All  is  nut  li'~!  il  the  music  that  the  biuebird  bears  be  heeded, 

For  her  •.:'.«ion  is  ;»  tell  us  love  is  Goil. 


Tl'jugh  it  is  il  fact  tliiit"tlip  (Ihenomorphrr.  are  uot  provided  with  iiitriusio  .syriiij'i'al 
mil:  rlc  s"  tliiTc  maybe  miicli  triitli  in  treatises  rfc  c«>i<it  Q/chj  HiociVw;-/ wliii'h  haw  apiR'arccl 
from  time  to  tiiiie,  and  to  tlic  number  of  wliicli  I  may  be  ])ardonuit  for  adding:  — 

'     •  IIow  sadly  sweet,  how  soft  and  low 

Is  the  music  l>orn  of  pain  — 
How  nuiurnful  sounds  the  ebb  and  flow, 
What  measured  beats,  what  throb  and  throe. 
In  the  Willi  swan's  dying  strain! 

The  archer.  Death,  and  the  twanging  bow. 

And  the  fateful  shaft  on-siied, 
All  stale  and  (trace  and  pride  laid  low, 
Uisorilercd  |>lumes  and  crimson  How  — 

For  the  white  swan's  heart  has  ble<l. 


Pit  hear  the  mournful  cry  that  rings 

On  the  startled  air  of  nluht! 
As  a  spirit  form  in  the  darkness  wings 
Its  way  unseen,  tlio  wild  swan  sings 
Ilhi  psalm  of  life  and  light. 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIHLS.— SPLANCHNOLOGY. 


209 


How  sadly  sweet  the  solemn  strain  — 

The  dirge  of  the  dying  swan! 
Tliat  wondrous  music,  cldld  of  pnin, 
That  requiem,  sounding  once  again  — 
And  a  bird's  soul  passes  on. 


/.  Splanchnology  :   thk  Digestive  System. 

The  Alimentary  Canal,  or  digestive  tract,  is  a  tube  which  passes  through  the  body 
tVoiii  iiKiuth  to  anus,  convoying  food,  the  nutritious  qualities  of  which  are  drawn  off  by  the  lac- 
teals  in  transitu  and  assimilated,  the  refuse  being  voided.  This  is  digestion.  The  canal  i.^i 
iTnUy  a  tiibe  within  a  tube,  being  contained  in  the  cavity  below  the  bodies  of  the  vertebra-, 
formed  by  the  series  of  hamal  urcltes  (p.  133).  Birds  are  fast  livers,  their  digestive  operations, 
like  the  processes  of  respiration  and  circulation,  being  very  active  and  effectual ;  they  require 
] proportionally  great  quantities  of  food.  The  voracity  of  the  cormorant  is  proverbial,  but  it  i.s 
jirobably  not  greater  than  that  of  the  ethereal  nightingale.  Birds  as  a  class  are  (minivorous ; 
many  species  are  as  nearly  omnivorous  as  any  animals  can  well  be;  but  the  majority  are  either 
vegetarian  or  Hesh-feediug.  Very  many  birds  feed  u])on  fruits,  hard  or  soft ;  but  even  these, 
wlien  in  the  ucst,  are  nourished  for  the  most  part  upon  the  bodies  of  insects  ;  and  it  may  be  truly 
said,  that  the  great  majority  of  birds  are  insectivorous.  Birds  seem  to  be  the  great  controlling 
agency  in  the  economy  of  nature,  of  the  increase  of  insect  life  ;  agriculture  would  be  difficult  if  not 
iiiqmicticable  without  them,  and  their  eccmomic  valut!  is  simply  incalculable.  Insectivorous 
bii'd.s  cannot  be  much  interfered  with,  without  destroying  one  of  the  most  important  and  conse- 
quential of  nature's  many  beautiful  adjustments.  The  bird  cries  perpetual  "  echec !"  to  the 
insect.  Even  those  birds  which  are  mainly  flesh-eaters,  as  the  hawks  and  owls,  are  similarly 
lieiieficial,  for  the  creatures  they  chiefly  prey  upon  arc  the  small  rodents  so  fateful  to  husbandry. 
Tiu'  caiTion -eaters  contribute  largely  to  make  tropical  regions  habitable  to  man.  Various 
tribes  of  birds  feed  almost  exclusively  upon  fish  ;  and  these  sometimes  reach  the  dignity  of 
(iiploniatic  and  other  political  interests  of  mankind:  nations  have  gone  to  war  over  the  dung 
of  such  birds,  guano-beds  being  to  some  of  the  South  American  powers  a  large  item  of  their 
revenue.  Chili  and  Peru  have  been  fighting  lately,  and  the  United  States  have  been  wrang- 
ling, over  th(i  excrements  of  the  alimentary  canal  of  sea-birds.  This  tube,  in  general,  is 
.shortest,  simplest,  and  most  direct  in  the  flesh-  and  fish-eaters,  the  nature  of  whose  food  assim- 
ilates already  more  nearly  to  the  substance  of  their  bodies  than  does  that  of  the  vegetarians. 
The  tube  is  modified  in  ditt'erent  portions  of  its  extent,  for  the  prehension,  retention,  saturation, 
maceration,  and  connninution  of  food,  and  the  mixture  with  it  of  other  solvent  fluids  than  those 
.seen'ted  by  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  alimentary  canal  itself  Hence  arise  the  various 
modifications  of  its  length,  dilatation  here,  contraction  there ;  the  presence  in  its  lining  mem- 
brane of  numerous  follicles  ;  and  the  annexation  of  various  glandular  organs.  Being  always 
longer  than  tin;  body,  the  tube  is  necessarily  coiled  away  in  certain  places;  this  folding  taking 
l)lace  chiefly  in  the  intestiiuil  part  of  the  tract.  Modifications  of  structure  make  recognizable 
])arts,  as  the  mouth,  gullet,  croj),  stomach,  gizzard,  intestine,  cloaca,  anus.  Annex  organs 
are  the  salivary  glands,  the  liver,  and  the  pancreas,  all  of  which  pour  their  seci'etions  Into  the 
canal.  This  tub((  also  receives  the  terminations  of  other  systems  of  organs  :  the  auditory  organ 
of  special  sense;  th(!  respiratory  system,  which  is  at  first  a  mere  bud  or  off-set  from  the 
digestive  ;  the  m'inary  and  the  generative,  which,  though  originally  di.stinct,  primitively  and 
jjcnnanently  oj;eu  into  the  lower  bowel.  Tlu^  intestine  is  also  continuous  with  the  cavity  of  the 
umbilical  ve.sich*  of  the  embryo,  a  primitive  structure  which  disai)pears  as  the  chick  matures; 
and  with  that  of  the  nllautois,  another  embryotic  organ  which  begins  by  budding  from  the  intes- 
tinal cavity.  Its  connection  with  the  system  of  blood-vessels  is  direct  through  the  lacteals  and 
thoracic  ducts  (p.  199).     Its  operations  are  automatic  and  spontaneous,  of  the  "reflex"  order; 

H 


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i'  \ 


210 


GENERAL   ORNITHOLOGY. 


that  is,  excited  by  the  presence  of  food,  —  having  work  to  do  making  it  work,  so  to  speak.  Its 
innervation  is  chiefly  by  the  pneuinogastric  and  sympathetic  nerves;  and  digestion  is  the  uuist 
purely  vegetative  function,  dealing  with  the  raw  materials  of  nutrition  and  consequently  of  tlic 
growth  and  repair  of  the  whole  body.  The  active  factors  in  this  transaction  are  several  spe- 
cies or  varieties  of  small  creatures,  called  Enterammbm ;  they  are  all  derived  by  descent  wiili 
modification  from  the  hypoblastic  cells  of  the  early  embryo.  Those  of  the  canal  itself  fdiiii 
all  the  mucous  epithelium  of  that  structure,  with  its  various  secretory  crypts,  follicles,  and  villi ; 
similar  creatures,  perhaps  of  difl'erent  genera,  form  the  lining  of  the  salivary,  he])atic,  and  pan- 
creatic glands.  Blood-vessels,  in  intimate  connection  with  the  digestive  organs,  form  tiiat 
special  venous  arrangement  by  which  the  blood  coming  from  that  part  of  the  intestinal  tract 
where  chyle  is  made  is  collected  in  a  j)or/rt?  system  and  sent  through  the  liver,  —  in  the  enilnyo 
a  sort  of  "great  dismal  swamji"  which  interrupts  the  ordinary  cunent.  The  tube  within  tlie 
tube  is  fixed  not  only  at  its  ends,  but  by  various  membranous  connections,  among  them  tlie 
mesenteries.  We  will  notice  the  several  departments  of  the  alimentary  canal,  and  its  annexes  ; 
reference!  should  be  made  to  the  colored  frontispiece,  and  to  fig.  101,  where  most  i)arts  of  the 
digestive  system  are  shown. 


The  Mouth  and  Tongue.  —  The  most  anterior  of  the  special  cavities  in  which  the  tulie 
is  dividinl,  and  the  "  manual "  organ  it  ciratains.     The  mouth   in  general  corresjxinds  to  the 

sliape  of  the  jaws,  already  sufficiently  noted  (pp.  100,  1(')2).  The 
anterior  part  is  much  hardened,  like  the  beak ;  in  fact,  this  iianl- 
ness  of  the  buccal  cavity,  and  the  absence,  or  very  slight  distinc- 
tion, of  a  "soft  palate,"  are  among  the  peculiarities  of  a  bird's 
mouth.  Tiiere  is  consequently  little  distinction,  if  any,  befwcin 
mouth  proper  and  fauces,  or  pliarynx,  which  is  the  posterior  part, 
leading  directly  into  the  gullet.  Besides  this  conuniinication  the 
mouth  receives  the  terminations  of  four  special  cavities.  1.  The 
posterior  narcs,  on  the  roof  of  the  mouth  posteriorly,  generally  a 
median  slit,  leading  into  the  nasal  chambers.  2.  The  generally 
single  and  median  and  more  jiosterior  opening  of  the  eiistachinn 
tubes,  which  lead  into  the  tym])anum,  and  are  the  remains  nf  the 
first  jHtst-oral  visceral  cleft  of  the  early  embryo.  ',i.  The  glottis  (lis;. 
101,  3,  c),  a  slit  at  the  base  of  the  tongue,  the  opening  of  the  wind- 
pipe, and  so  of  the  whole  respiratory  system,  which  is  defended  by 
a  rudimentary  trap-door,  the  epif/lottis,  if  any.  4.  One  or  several 
pairs  of  orifices,  the  openings  of  the  ducts  of  the  salirarif  ghiuds. 
These  structures,  corresponding  to  the  ])arotid,  submaxilhiry,  and 
st'ibliiigual  glands  of  mammals,  vary  extremely  in  their  develup- 
ment.  In  woodpeckers,  for  example,  and  some  Raptores,  elaborate 
special  salivary  glands  occur,  having  a  glomerate  structure,  and 
a  special  "  stenoniiie  "  duct.     In  many  other  birds,  similarly  com- 

Fio  102.  —  (iulnr  poiirhof    pound  but  less  elaborate  submaxillarv  ulands  pour  their  secreliim 
bustnni ;   copied  liy  SInifeMt     f  ,  ,    ,  .         ,  ",  ,  .    ,      , 

from  Giii-rod.  a,  tongue;  b,  into  the  iiioutli  l)y  a  series  of  pores.  In  most  birds,  however,  the 
tlie  pouch,  oiKiiiing  uiiiler  n,  salivary  glands  are  small,  simph-,  find  less  distinct  from  various 
liniigiiig  ill  front  of  c,  the  tru-  ,  »  ,.   ,  .  ,  ,         i        , 

clieii,  iieliind  wlilcli  Ih  tlio  ot'ier  sets  ot  inuemis  crypts  which  open  into  the  mouth.  In  the 
(Esoplingus,  rf,  with  Its  crop,  c.  great  bustard  {Otis  tarda ;  fig.  W2)  there  is  a  singular  buccal  struc- 
ture; a  great  pouch  opening  beneath  the  tongue,  susceptible  of  distension  during  those  amatnry 
antics  termed  the  "  showing-off "  of  the  creature.  It  is  in  fa<'l  an  air-.sac,  but  not  of  the  kind 
already  eciiisidered  (p.  '200),  having  no  connection  with  the  respiratory  system.  The  narial, 
eustachian  and  glottidean  apertures  are  commonly  defended  by  retrorse  papilhc  ;  and  other  such 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  —  SPLANCHNOLOGY. 


211 


pnicesst's  of  inucuus  niembrano,  knobbed  or  acute,  may  occur  elsewhere  iti  lines  and  patches. 
The  roof  of  the  mouth  is  nearly  all  "  hard  jialate,"  as  already  said ;  its  soft  Hour  is  the  muciius 
membrane  and  skin  between  the  jaws,  with  muscular  or  other  intervening  structures.  The 
principal  flooring  muscle  is  the  mylo-hyoid ;  the  genio-hi/oid  (tig.  101,  ',  d)  is  another,  which 
passes,  like  the  tirst,  from  the  mandibular  to  th(^  hyoid  bone;  a  third  is  the  siylo-hijoid  (t). 
The  floor  in  some  cases  fonns  a  pouch,  which,  as  in  the  case  of  the  pelican,  is  of  great  extent 
and  susceptible  of  enormous  dilatation  (tig.  501). 

The  handler  of  the  mouth,  or  lingual  organ,  is  tlie  tongue,  which  answers  the  same  pur- 
pose as  in  other  creatures  :  it  is  tactile,  to  some  extent  gustatory,  sometimes  prehensile,  nearly 
always  manipulatory.  In  some  birds,  as  the  pelican  and  ibis,  and  also  the  kingtislicr,  it  is 
very  slightly  developed,  —  scarcely  more  than  a  pad  at  the  bottom  of  the  mouth,  enjoying  the 
most  limited  motion  or  other  function.  In  some  birds,  as  the  parrot  and  duck  tribes,  and  also 
the  flamingo,  the  t(>:.|_;no  is  large,  thick,  and  Heshy,  ([uite  tilling  the  mouth.  In  tiie  first- 
named  of  these,  it  s  dexterously  manipulatory  ;  the  morsel  of  food  is  managed  between  the 
tongue  and  ujiper  beak  ;  the  tactile  certainly  and  perhaps  the  gustatory  sense  i.«  highly  tlevel- 
oped ;  and  the  f  ■  ■hine.'is  of  the  timgue  may  atlect  th.-it  power  of  articulate  speedi  for  which 
some  parrots  jul!  justly  noted.  In  the  Lamellirostres  just  mentioned  the  tongue  has  lateral 
processes  corresponding  to  the  denticulations  of  the  beak,  and  the  under  surface  is  horny  at  the 
end,  like  a  hmnan  finger-nail.  In  the  woodpei'k<'rs  (figs.  TA,  74)  the  tongue  it.self  (glosso-hyal 
part  of  the  hyoid)  is  reduced  to  a  slight  horny  and  spiny  tip  of  the  lingual  apparatus;  but  other 
parts  of  that  medianism  are  so  extraordiiuirily  deveUiped  that  the  "tongue "  appears  as  a 
lumlrkiform  (worm-likej,  spear-headed  organ  usually  capalde  of  great  protrusit.ui  from  the 
niiiutii,  and  therefore  acting  as  a  prehensile  instrument,  being  bedewed  for  that  purpose  with 
tenacious  saliva  frtun  the  great  salivary  glands;  while  it  is  actuated  in  protrusion  and  retraction 
by  specially  develo|ied  muscles.  In  the  snipe  and  many  of  tlie  long  slender-billed  waders,  the 
tongue  is  similarly  slender,  but  not  protrusible.  The  hmg  narrow  tongue  of  the  toucans  {liliam- 
phastidfc)  \i^  be.set  with  slender  processes,  so  that  it  .seems  feathery.  The  tongue  of  the  liuni- 
ming-bird  is  very  singular, — delicately  tliready,  yet  double-barrelled,  —  two  tubes  placed 
side  by  side,  serving  as  sii)hons  to  extract  the  nectar  of  flowers.  These  and  other 
interesting  extremes  aside,  the  ordinary  style  of  a  bird's  tongue  is  Hat,  narrow,  more  or  h'ss 
sagittate  or  lanceolate,  and  ti])ped  or  slieathed  in  liorn,  conunonly  with  lateral  backward  pro- 
c<'sses  like  the  barbs  of  an  arrow  head,  — the  whole  filosnul  structure  upborne  pretty  distinctly 
upon  the  end  of  the  basihyal  bone.  (.See  fig.  101,  where  ',  a,  is  such  an  ordinary  tongue,  and 
2,  («-/,  is  its  whole  .skt-leton.)  Such  horny  tongues  are  commonly  bifid  at  the  extreme  tip 
or  there  variously  lacerate,  or  laciniate.  or  thready, — -and  even  the  fleshy  tongue  of  sotno 
parrots,  as  tlie  lori<'s,  is  brusliy  at  the  end.  The  bony  foundation  of  the  timgue  is  the  com- 
posite hyoid  b'i'.if.  iilready  often  nu'ntioned  (see  j).  107);  the  free  lingual  part  proper  is  based 
upon  the  glosso-hyal  aii:l  its  teririinal  cartilage;  the  roots  curve  more  or  less  extensively  about 
tlie  base  or  more  of  the  skiii!.  The  tongue  is  niove<l  by  some  intrinsic  muscles,  as  well  as  by 
tliosc^  extrinsic  ones  by  which  i»,  is  connected  to  the  skull,  jaw.  and  windpipe  (fig.  101,  •  and  *). 

The  (EsophnguB.  After  comminution,  if  any.  by  the  beak,  and  insalivation  in  tho 
mouth,  food  passes  directly  through  the  pharynx  into  the  fr.vo;;/irt(;i(.s' cir  gullet, — a  musculo- 
menibranous  tiibi^  connecting  mouth  with  stomach  (tig.  101.  '.  //,  /*,  /).  This  is  comiiosed  (besides 
its  mucous  membrane)  of  circularly  ilisposed  cdtishidiir  fibres,  and  longitudinal  coH^rncfor  fibres, 
it(  Mtiamuhn,  of  the  pale,  smooth  species  (.1/.  Itrvis).  It  has  generally  a  pretty  straight  <-ourse, 
but  may  be  diverted  to  one  side  or  the  other  ;  and,  in  particular,  is  subject  to  various  dilatations 
and  contractions,  )iennanent  or  tei;iporary,  aside  from  the  mere  distension  caused  by  the  ])as- 
sage  of  food.  When  the  floor  of  tlu"  Tiionth  is  wide  and  loose,  the  t'lillet  partakes  of  the  same 
character  above ;  the  extreme  case  is  afl'orded  by  the  pelicans,  esiiecially  /'.  /i/whs.     But  the 


"I' 
5i; 


in! 

m 


212 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


gullet  of  mauy  small  birds,  as  various  genera  ot  Frinffillido',  and  Corvida,  is  much  more  disten- 
sible than  is  commonly  supposed,  and  may  bo  found  crammed  with  seeds  which  there  find  rest- 
ing-place for  some  time.  The  lish-eating  birds,  as  herons,  cormorants,  loons,  and  others,  liavo 
also  capacious  gullets.  The  Australian  bustard,  Eupodotis  australis,  has  an  oesophagus  capa- 
ble of  such  extraordinary  distension  that  it  hangs  down  in  front  of  the  breast  when  intlatcd 
with  air,  as  it  is  in  the  amatory  display  in  which  that  species  is  wont  to  indulge.  Aside  from 
mere  distensibility  of  transient  character,  the  oesophagus  of  uuuiy  birds  becomes  modified 
anatomically  into  a  special  pouch, — the  crop  or  craw,  ingluvies,  where  the  food  is  detained  to 
be  macerated  in  a  special  secretion  before  ])assiug  on  to  the  true  stomach.  Such  definite  crops 
occur  iu  birds  of  prey,  whi(!h  gorge  such  masses  of  food  in  their  irregular  voracious  banquets 
that  it  cannot  all  bo  received  into  the  stomach  at  once;  and  likewise  throughout  the  orders  of 
Columbine  and  Gallinaceous  birds,  which  habitually  feed  upon  seeds  and  other  fruits  so  hard 
that  tliey  are  advantageously  macerated  as  a  preliminary  to  true  digestion.  The  common  fowl 
funiislics  a  gootl  illustration  of  a  large,  definite,  single  and  median  crop  ;  in  pigeons  it  is  a  jiair 
of  lateral  dilatations  (set;  frontisp.).  In  these  latter  birds,  when  they  are  rearing  their  young, 
the  secretion  of  the  ingluvies,  always  copious,  becomes  still  more  so,  and  of  a  milky  character  in 
consequence  of  the  activity  of  the  altered  mucous  surface;  it  is  regurgitated  into  the  mouths  of 
the  young,  along  with  the  macerated  grains.  "  This  phmiomenon  is  the  nearest  ajjproach  in 
the  class  of  Birds  to  the  characteristic  mammary  ftmction  of  a  higher  class  ;  and  the  analoiry 
of  the  'jiigcon's  milk'  to  the  lacteal  secretion  of  the  Mammalia  has  not  escaped  popular  notice." 
Various  other  birds  also  feed  their  young  by  regurgitation  of  elaborated  food;  and  very  many 
similarly  reject  indigestible  portions  of  their  ingestii.  Such  vomiting  is  best  known  to  be  tiie 
wont  of  birds  of  prey,  which  habitually  throw  np  tlie  hair,  feathers  and  bones  of  their  victiuLx, 
made  up  into  the  boluses  called  "castings";  but  tlie  practice  is  far  from  being  confined  to  these 
flesh-eaters.  The  extreme  case  of  eniesis  offered  by  birds  is  witnessed  in  tht,'  horn-bills 
(Bucerotidcc)  which  have  been  known  to  throw  up  the  coat  of  their  stomach  without  discom- 
fort,—  what  a  blessing  it  would  be  to  some  old  topers  if  they  could  do  the  same,  and  grow 
another  with  etjual  ease!  In  fact,  in  consequence  of  the  capacity  and  directness  of  the  gullet, 
vomiting  is  very  easy  to  birds,  and  with  some  it  is  a  means  of  self-defence,  —  very  effectual 
for  instance  in  the  cases  of  our  vultures  (C((thnrtides).  Fisli-eating  birds,  as  herons,  gulls, 
petrels,  habitually  vomit  when  wounded  or  otiierwise  molested. 

The  ProventrloulHS.  —  The  tube  just  considered  ends  below  in  a  s])ecial  tract,  variously 
dilated  or  not,  but  always  peculiar  in  the  presence  of  certain  ga.stric  follicles  whieli  secrete  the 
digestive  fluid  ])ro])er.  The  "  stomach  "  of  a  Itird,  in  fact,  is  compound,  consisting  of  a  glandular 
or  digestive  jxirtiou,  and  a  muscular  or  griuding  part.  The  former  is  tht!  j)rovcnfricitlus; 
whatever  its  size  or  shape,  or  whatever  its  magnitude  in  comparison  with  the  grist-mill,  it  is 
recognized  by  the  presence  in  its  mucous  surface  of  these  gastric  follicles,  secreting  the  pejitir 
fluid  wliich  c/i»/»i(^cs' the  f4)od.  The  follicles  are  perhaps  always  large  enoiigli  for  tliis  jjart  of 
the  tube  to  be  recognized  by  the  naked  eye,  — the  mucous  membrane  having  here  a  tliickened, 
velvety,  vascular  api)earance.  The  i;]ands  are  of  various  sizes  and  shaj)es,  —  usually  simply 
tubular,  sometimes  clubbed  or  conical,  or  variously  racemose  (like  a  bunch  of  grapes).  Tliey 
are  disposed  in  a  zone  arotmd  the  tube,  or  in  patches  nyHiu  part  of  its  surface, —^ in  the  darter 
(Plotiis).  very  singularly  in  a  separate  lati'ral  compartment  looking  like  a  crop.  Details  of  the 
grou|>ing  of  these  solvent  glands  are  interminable.  Whatever  its  anatomical  variations,  and 
however  like  the  end  of  the  (rsojdiagus  it  may  simply  ajjpear  to  be,  this  vcntricidun  glandnlosus 
is  the  bird's  proper  stomadi  (fii;.  101,  ',  j). 


The   Gizzard.  —  Mixed  with  the  salivary,  iuirluvial,  imiventricular  and  other  secretions  ctf 
the  mucous  surface,  and  already  chymified,  the  fot)d  of  birds  next  passes  directly  into  the  giz- 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIMDS.  — SPLANCHNOLOGY. 


213 


zard,  gigerium,  or  muscular  division  of  the  stomach,  sometimes  called  the  ventriculus  bulhnsug. 
i'lietwo  arc  sometimes  8C{)arated  by  a  tract,  sometimes  immediately  consetiueiit.  In  tiie  imis- 
c.ular  gizzard,  the  food-grist  is  ground  tiue.  Ti»  this  end,  the  walls  of 'he  cavity  become  devel- 
oped into  a  more  of  less  powerful  muscular  apparatus,  and  the  mucous  membrane  changes  to  a 
tough,  thick,  horny,  occasionally  even  bony,  lining ;  this  caHous  cuticular  lining  being  often 
very  loosely  attiiched,  and  eveu  deciduous  in  some  cases.  The  muscular  arrangement  is  chiefly 
in  two  great  masses,  called  the  lateral  musclen,  converging  to  a  central  tendon;  'ietw<'eu  them 
intermediate  fibres  may  form  a  more  or  less  distinct  muscular  belly.  In  the  most  powerful 
gizzards,  the  muscular  tissue  is  very  dens<>  and  dark-colored;  the  tendons  brilliantly  glistening, 
,111(1  tlie  contained  "  millstones "  extremely  callous.  Such  a  gizzard  is  well  displayed  by  the 
(Common  fowl  or  the  goose.  The  opposite  extreme  is  afforded  by  the  caniivorous  and  espe- 
cially the  piscivorous  birds,  whose  soft  food  requires  little  trituration,  —  it  is  all  a  matter  of 
degree.  How  readily  this  part  of  the  canal  responds  to  the  regimen  of  the  bird,  is  witnessed  in 
our  cock-of-the-plains  {Centrocercus  iirophasianus), — a  bird  whose  gizzard  is  so  slightly  mus- 
cular as  to  appear  like  a  membranous  bag,  though  its  gallinaceous  relatives  have  extremely 
strong  grinders.  Its  food  is  chiefly  the  buds  and  leaves  of  the  wild  sage  (Artemisia),  and  gra.ss- 
hoppers.  Increased  muscularity  of  the  gizziird  has  even  been  artificially  jiroduced.  llirds 
whose  grist  is  heavy  habitually  swallow  gravel,  that  these  small  stones  may  mechanically  aid 
in  the  grinding  process.  The  action  is  so  energetic,  that  in  "auscultating"  a  fowl  when  the 
mill  is  in  full  blast,  the  noise  of  the  grinding  can  b<^  distinctly  heard.  The  jiebbles,  in  fact, 
have  a  function  which  leaves  "hens'  teeth"  not  entirely  mythical.  The  kind  of  motion 
unpressed  upou  the  opposing  pads  of  cuticle  is  alternating, — a  rubbing  back  and  forth  to  a 
slight  extent.  Peculiar  dispositions  of  the  callous  surfaces  arc  found  in  some  pigeons,  with 
corresponding  peculiarity  of  the  cross-section  of  the  gizzard.  In  some  of  the  cuckoos  a  matting 
of  impacted  hairs  of  lepidopterous  insects  has  been  mistaken  for  u  coat  of  the  gizzard  itself,  lii 
the  darter,  which  has  a  pyhiric  division  .>r  compartment  of  the  gizzard,  this  is  nearly  filled  with 
amass  of  matted  hairs,  a  peculiar  modification  of  the  epithelial  lining,  serving  to  guard  the 
pyloric  orifice.  F<dds  of  the  lining  membrane  form  a  pyloric  valve  in  numy  birds.  The /«//o- 
nis,  or  the  pyloric  orifice,  is  that  opening  by  which  food  leaves  the  gizzard  for  the  intestines; 
the  orifice  of  entrance  from  the  (esophagus  is  the  cardiac.  The  two  are  always  near  together, 
and  sometimes  adjoining.  (In  fig.  101, ',  k  is  on  the  central  tendon  of  the  nioderately  muscular 
gizzard ;  the  cardiac  orifice  is  between  j  and  k,  and  pylorus  between  /  and  A".) 

The  Intestine  continues  the  alimentary  canal  to  the  cloaca.  Any  difference  in  the 
length  of  the  whole  tract,  relatively  to  that  of  the  bird,  is  chiefly  produced  by  the  foldings  of 
the  intestine,  especially  in  the  upper  portion  of  its  course.  The  extremes  of  proportionates 
length  are  jierhajis  not  ascertained;  but  known  to  be  from  less  than  2:  1,  to  more  than  8:1. 
In  birds  there  is  little  or  no  distinction  between  "small"  and  "hirgi-"  intesfin*',  as  to  the  calibre 
of  the  tube,  nor  is  the  latter  sacculated  as  in  mammals.  The  fonner  is  ccmsidered  to  extend 
from  the  pylorus  to  the  cwca  (structures  to  be  presently  notic«'d).  Above  tlie  cieca  the  intes- 
tine commonly  receives  its  foldings  and  windings;  below  them  it  usually  priK-eeds  more 
directly,  or  (juife  straight,  to  the  cloaca,  forming  literally  a  "  rectum"  ;  but  in  the  ostrich  this 
ultra-CHHVil  tract  is  longer  than  the  rest,  and  convoluted.  The  cis-crecal  p<irtion  is  convention- 
ally divided  into  ditodftium,  jejunum,  and  iletnn  ;  there  is,  however,  no  positive  anatomical 
distinction  of  these  parts  in  any  animal  with  which  I  am  ac(jiiainted.  In  birds,  a  "duodenum" 
is  perhaps  as  distinct  as  ever ;  it  forms  the  most  constant  duplication  of  the  intestine,  the  pan- 
creas being  lodged  in  this  duodenal  fold  (fig,  101,  i,  /,  ni,  n).  The  course  of  the  intestine  is 
otherwise  very  various  in  different  birds.  The  U]i])er  end,  near  the  pylorus,  receives  the  hepatic 
ducts;  and  f(K(d  is  chjlified  after  iiM]iregnation  with  the  biliary  and  pancreatic  fluids  ;  a  process 
furthered  by  the  proper  secretions  of  the  intestinal  follicles.     The  vhijle  is  drawn  off  by  the 


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214 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


lacteals  already  described  (p.  199),  and  the  unassimilublo  refuse  of  the  food  becomes  excreincn- 
tituius. 

Caeca  (Lat.  ciecus,  blind;  in  the  nom.  pi.  asca;  sing,  cacum).— The  "blind  gutff,"  so 
called  because  they  end  in  culs-de-sac,  are  of  two  kinds.  One  is  the  umbilical  ceecum,  or 
vitelline  ctecum,  a  rudiineutary,  or  rather  vestigial,  structure,  the  remains  of  the  open  dii<!t  by 
whieh  the  cavity  of  the  umbilical  vesicle  (an  embryonic  organ)  communicated  with  thfU  of  tlin 
intestinal  tract.  It  is  ordinarily  not  to  be  noted  at  all ;  but  it  is  said  by  Owen  to  have  been 
found  half  an  inch  long  in  the  gallinule,  an  inch  in  the  bay  ibis,  and  dilated  into  a  sac  an  inch 
in  diameter  in  the  Apteryx.  The  structures  ordinarily  called  ceBca,  or  ctcca  coli,  for  they  arc 
usually  j)aired,  are  pouches  or  diverticula  which  set  off  from  the  intestine  proper  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  ileum  with  colon ;  but  there  is  nothing  in  the  intestine  itself  to  mark  this  point,  .sn 
that  when  cseca  are  absent,  as  frequently  happens,  no  distinction  of  ileum  from  colon  or  rectimi 
is  api)reciable.  No  part  of  the  intestinal  tract  is  so  variable  as  the  ctecal;  so  that  presence  or 
absence  of  these  appendages  furnishes  zoological  characters  now-a-days  taken  very  commonly 
into  account  in  framing  genera  and  families.  There  are  no  ca>ca,  as  in  the  turkey- 
buzzard  and  some  pigeons ;  there  is  a  single  snniU  ceecum  in  herons.  From  a  condition  of 
extremely  small  size,  like  little  buds  upon  tlie  intestine,  caeca  are  found  to  elongate  to  extraor- 
dinary dimensions  ;  and  the  large  specimens  are  frequently  saccate  or  clubbed,  with  shnider 
roots.  In  geese  and  swans  the  casca  are  a  foot  long,  more  or  less  ;  in  some  grouse  they  are 
said  to  be  a  yard  long.  In  the  ostrich,  the  mucous  membnine  is  thrown  into  a  spiral  fold. 
However  develoi>ed,  the  physioh>gy  of  these  intestinal  appendages  is,  the  detention  of  food  until 
all  its  nutritive  qualities  are  absorbed,  and  increase  of  the  absorbent  surface. 

The  Cloa'ca  (tig.  101,  *  /)  or  "  sewer,"  very  well  named,  is  the  tenninaticm  of  the  bowel, 
—  an  oval  or  globular  enlargement  of  the  rectum,  of  suHicient  capacity  at  least  to  contain  tlie 
completely  shelled  egg.  For,  not  as  in  placental  manmials,  the  uro-genital  and  digestive  or- 
gans are  behind-hand  in  their  evolution,  and  do  not  entirely  lose  connection  with  each  other. 
Nor  is  there  in  birds  any  distinct  bladder;  but  a  cavity,  originally  that  of  the  allantois  of  tiie 
embryo,  persists  in  common  with  that  of  the  intestiu(>s,  and  is  the  cloaca.  Such  incomplete 
distincticm  between  the  two  as  there  may  be,  by  a  folding  of  mucous  membrane  or  partial  com- 
partment of  the  whole,  results  in  cloaca  proper  and  urogenital  sinus,  in  which  latter  are  the 
papillose  orifices  of  the  Mrcter,s,  one  on  each  side,  from  the  kidneys;  and  of  the  singh^  oviduct 
(9)  or  paired  .«ii>erm-dncts  (^),  from  ovary  or  testes.  The  urine  of  birds  not  being  li(|ui(l 
requires  no  more  of  :->  bladder  than  tlie  sinus  funii.slies.  The  same  cavity  contains  the  penis  of 
those  birds,  as  the  ostrich  and  <h'ake,  wiiicli  are  provided  with  an  organ  of  copulation.  A 
peculiar  anal  gland,  the  bursa  fahricii  isee  frontisj).),  also  opens  into  the  cloaca.  Refuse  of 
digestion,  tlie  renal  excretion,  the  spermatic  secretion,  ami  the  product  of  cimceptiou,  are  dis- 
charged by  a  single  anal  orilice,  the  two  former  en  masse. 

IJeiiig  intimately  related  to  dietetic  regimen,  and  so  to  the  habits  of  birds,  the  alimen- 
tary canal  varies  greatly, —  even  more  than  my  sliirlit  sketch  shows,  — and  consequently  affords 
good  zoiilogical  diaracters  in  the  details  of  its  construction.  Hut  of  all  the  anatomical  systems, 
this  is  the  one  most  variable  as  a  matter  of  phijsioloijical  adaptniion  (see  p.  G7).  Its  char- 
acters, even  when  they  seem  weighty,  are  therefitre  peculiarly  liable  to  be  fallacious  as  indices 
of  natural  atiinities,  an<l  must  be  a|)plied  with  discreet  caution  to  morphological  classification. 
Such  are  commonly  only  of  ijeneric  significance.  Thus  in  pigeons  the  caeca  and  even  the  gall- 
bladder may  be  pre.sent  or  absent  in  neighboring  genera. 

Alimentary  Annexes.  —  Some  of  these,  as  the  salivary  glands,  have  been  noticed  already. 
The  two  most  im|>ortant  bodies  connected  with  the  digestive  tract,  and  jiroperly  considered 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  — OOLOGY. 


215 


adjuncts,  arc  tho  pancreas  and  the  liver.  The  former  is  that  kind  of  lobnlatcd  salivary  gland 
wliicli  in  mammals  is  called  tho  "  sweetbread.''  It  lies  in  tho  duodenal  loop,  along  which  its 
loosely  aggregated  lobes  extend.  Its  ducts,  formed  by  the  successive  union  of  smaller  elfcrent 
tubes,  are  two  or  three  in  number;  they  j)ierco  the  intestine  a  little  below  its  couimcncement 
at  tlie  pylorus,  and  pour  into  tho  canal  the  pancreatic  juice,  which  has  the  projwrty  of  emul- 
sionizing  fat.  Tiio  liver  is  a  well-known  glandular  organ  of  very  s]>eci:il  structure  and  func- 
tion, secreting  the  fluid  called  bile,  also  received  into  the  intestine.  It  is  of  moderate  sizt!  in 
birds,  and  deeply  divided  into  two  principal  (right  and  left;  lobes:  in  some  birds  there  is  also  a 
smaller  lobe ;  and  one  of  tho  largo  lobes  may  also  be  divided.  The  lobes  dispart  above  to 
receive  between  them  tho  apex  of  the  heart ;  tiiey  are  held  in  place  by  pleuro-jK-ritoneal  folds 
contributing  to  form  the  thoracic-abdominal  air-cells.  The  viscus  receives  venous  blood  from 
tlie  extensive  portal  system  of  birds ;  two  hepatic  veins  then  conduct  it  to  the  post-caval.  Tiio 
emunctory  ducts,  carrying  off  the  bile,  are  two  or  three  in  number.  One  at  least  goes  directly 
to  the  intestine,  and  another  to  the  gall-bladder,  when  that  cyst  exists ;  in  which  case  there  is 
a  separate  cystic  duct  from  the  bladder  to  the  intestine,  no  ductus  communis  cholcdochus,  or 
duct  common  to  tho  hepatic  substance  and  its  cyst,  being  formed  in  birds.  Two  hepatic  Awxs 
may  coexist  with  a  cystic  duct,  making  three  to  tho  intestine,  all  separate;  two  is  the  rule 
when  there  is  no  gall-bladder.  Tiiese  emunctories  commonly  enter  the  intestine  some  distance 
apart,  and  after  tho  pancreatic  ducts.  The  gall-bladder  is  generally  present,  firequently  absent; 
it  may  occur  or  not  in  closely  related  gononi  of  birds. 


g.  ()fii,0GY :  THE  Uro-Gehital  Organs. 

The  Urinary  and  Generative  Organs  may  be  conveniently  considered  together,  not 
only  on  account  of  their  (dose  anatomical  relations,  but  because  their  physiologic^il  functions, 
totally  diverse  in  adult  life,  are  i)rimitively  related  in  the  most  intimate  manner.  For  it  is  a 
singular  fact  that  titc  mean  office  of  straining  urine  out  of  the  system  is  at  first  sustained  by  a 
structure  (wolffian  body),  in  closest  connection  with  which,  in  the  female,  actually  as  a  part  of 
wliich,  in  the  male,  are  later  developed  those  organs  (ovary  and  testis)  whoso  exalted  office 
is  creative ;  for  these  permanent  genital  glands  procreate  the  microscopic  creatures  called 
Dynamamabtc,  the  marriage  of  which  results  in  the  reproduction  of  a  complex  organism  like 
the  male  or  female  parent.     (See  figs.  103,  104,  and  following.) 


The  WoIflSan  Bodies,  or  primordial  kidneys,  are  a  pair  of  tubular  structures  which 
appear  very  early  in  the  progress  of  development  of  the  embryo,  beneath  the  spinal  cohnnn,  in 
front  of  the  fore  end  of  the  future  kidneys :  with  each  of  them  is  develojHMl  a  duct,  the  wolffian 
duct,  which  carries  their  excretion  into  tho  cavity  of  tlie  allantois  (the  future  clojica).  Upon 
the  appearance  of  the  true  kidneys,  the  transitory  wtdffian  bodies  and  ducts  h)se  their  urinary 
function;  they  ultimately  disap])ear  from  the  fenuile,  for  the  most  part,  leaving  only  a  trace  of 
their  foniier  existence  in  certain  vestigial  structures  (parovaria,  etc.)  :  in  the  male,  likewise, 
they  atrophy,  but  not  to  the  same  extent;  for  a  portion  of  the  Ixidies  |)ersists  a;  -n  aiM-essory 
(epididymal)  portion  of  the  testicle,  and  their  ducts  jwreist  as  the  sjH'rui-duets,  or  vana  dfjeren- 
tia.  Meanwhile,  in  ch)Sest  connection  with  the  wolffian  bodies,  appears  a  pair  of  organs,  the 
fienilul  fflands,  for  a  while  exactly  alike.  If  the  new  creature  is  to  become /em'i/e,  thv  iji'iiilnl 
ghoul  develops  to  a  certain  complexity  of  tissue  and  becomes  the  ovarij  ;  while  a  certain  duct, 
the  miilleriun  duel,  developed  coincidently  to  connect  such  ovary  with  the  eli>ac:i,  becomes 
the  oviduct.  In  birds  usually  only  one  ovary  and  oviduct  (the  left)  l>ecomes  functional.  If 
the  new  creature  is  to  become  male,  the  same  genital  gland  develops  to  a  higher  degree  of 
crunjilexity,  acquires  a  tubular  structure,  and  becomes  the  testicle;  it  connects  with  remains  of 
the  wolt'iau  body,  and  the  wolffian  duct  becomes  the  pcnnaneut  si)enn-duct,  conveying  the 


216 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


product  of  the  malo  function  to  tlio  cloaca,  just  as  tho  oviduct  convoys  the  prodtict  of  tho  female 
fuTiction  to  tho  same  aewcragc.  Thus  the  testicle  of  the  male  and  tho  ovary  of  tho  female  are 
homologous,  in  fact  primitively  identical  organs,  ui>on  which  sexual  difforoneo  is  impressed  hy 
the  greater  eomjilexity  fif  structure  acquired  if  tho  sex  is  to  bo  malo;  a  female  being,  anatomi- 
(•ally  and  physiologically,  simply  an  imperfect  male,  arrested  at  one  stage  of  her  jjhysical 
progress  to  male  perfection  of  structure;  and  tho  whole  nature  of  the  female  boars  out  the  sunio 
relati(m  of  inferiority.  But  the  oviduct  of  the  female,  and  the  spenn-duct  of  the  male,  thmigli 
physicdogically  identical,  having  the  same  function  of  conveying  the  products  of  geueratiou 
from  tho  genital  gland  to  the  light  of  day,  are  not  anatomiailly  tho  same;  for  in  tho  case  of  ilie 
female,  whose  wolffian  duct  has  disappeared,  the  miillerian  is  tho  oviduct ;  in  tho  ease  of  tlie 
male,  in  which  no  miillerian  duet  appears,  the  wolffian  is  tho  spi-rm-diu-t.  Tho  two  are  analo- 
gous, not  homologous  (a  good  illustrati(m  —  see  p.  68).  IJut  it  must  ho  further  observed  tl  at 
whih'  tho  sperm-duct  conveys  (mly  tho  masculine  es.'^enco  from  centre  to  periphery,  the  ovliiiict 
conveys  the  feminine  material  from  centre  to  periphery,  and  (duo  the  male  e.ssence  in  the  opixisiie 
direction  ;  for,  upon  coitus,  which  is  direct  in  all  birds,  the  spermato/.oa,  deposited  in  the  cloaca 
of  tho  female,  find  their  way  up  through  her  oviduct  to  the  ovary,  there  to  accomplish  iuijireg- 
nati<m  of  the  ovarian  ova,  the  fecund  product  then  passing  down  by  the  same  avenue.  All  tliat 
rohitos  to  the  mysteries  of  generation, -- both  the  structure  and  function  of  the  reproductive 
organs,  and  tho  maturation  of  the  product  of  coiuM-ption,  is  properly  Oology  (Gr.  i>6v,  uon,  an 
egg)  ;  though  the  term  is  vulgarly  used  to  signify  merely  a  de.scripticm  of  tho  chalky  substance 
in  which  the  egg  of  a  bird  is  finally  invested.  The  anatomy  of  the  egg  is  Embryology.  Au 
egg,  or  ovum,  is  simply  the  product  of  conce]ition  up  to  the  time  that  product  acquires  an  iude- 
pendent  existence;  while  still  connected  with  the  feiriale  tissue  of  the  ovary,  and  before  or  after 
it  amalgamates  with  the  male  element,  it  is  an  ovarian  ovum  ; 
more  or  less  incompletely  matured,  it  is  an  embryo  or  fortus, — 

tho  former  term  being  connnonly  applied 

to  the  unhatched  young   of  birds.     Tho 

only  diffii'reuce  between   tho  "egg "of  a 

"viviparous"  nuimnuil  and    that  of  an 

"oviparous"   bird,  is  in  tho  albuminous 

and  cretaceous  envelopes   of  the    latter, 

and  its  s|)eedy  expulsion  from  tho  body 

of  the  female  to  be  hatched  outside,  with- 
out anatomical  connection  with  the  moth- 
er ator  the  hard  shell  is  formed  ;  whereas, 

in  most  mammals,  the  ovum  's  retained 

in  a  dilated   part  of  the  miillerian  duct 

(uterus  or  womb)  until  it  "  hatches" ;  but 

mammal  and  bird  alike  "lay  eggs,"  the 
Fio.  103.  — Uro-genltftl    essential   germinativo   part   of  which   is         Fio.  104.  —  Uro-genitalorgnn* 
orgHnRofmaleimibryohlnli    i,i,.ntic.il.      Appreciation   of  these    tacts,    of  fenmleem'l.rycl.lrd;  from  Owen, 
from  Owen,  auer   Milller.  ''  '    after  Atflllor     a  kliliievR' 6  wolf- 

a,  kl.liicys:  h,  uretcrB;  c,  and  a  proper  idea  of  the  relations  of  the  fl„„  bmllesj  c, 'genital  Kliiiiil,  to 
woltflan  IwHlles;  rf,  tlielr  ,„„t„i.p  sexual  organs  to  tho  W(dffian  iwcome  ovary ;  rf,a«lr«nal»;  f.ure- 
iluctB,  to  be  8|«!rm-(lHc(g;  .  ,      .      ,.         ter»;  /,  wolfflan  iluct*.  to  .|l»iip- 

p,({cnltalglaii.l8.tol)ocomc  bodies  is  necessary  t(.  any  understanding  ,«M,r;  ff.maUcrlanductii.tobecome 
teKtidcH;/,  a<lrenals.  of  the  parts  and  processes  concerned  in   ovidueta. 

rt'priMluclion.*  We  have  here  to  consider  tiie  permanent  as  distinguished  from  the  transitory 
kidneys,  and  may  then  recur  to  the  subject  of  generation. 

■  The  matter  may  be  furtlier  illiiHtrnteil  by  tlic  two  flgurea  borrowml  from  Owen  (after  MUller).  In  botli  Akk., 
tho  large  dark  masiicg,  a,  are  the  iicrniancnt  kidnryi<,  wIkwc  ductR,  h  In  Kg.  103,  r  in  t)g.  KM,  are  the  ureters,  empty- 
ing into  tlie  cloaca.     In  tig.  103,  male,  c  in  the  wolfllan  body,  whose  duct,  d,  persists  ao  the  s|ierm-duct,  conveying 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDH.  —  OOLOGY. 


217 


The  Kidneys  (Liit.  renes,  Engl,  reins,  iidj.  retvil ;  figs.  lO.'i,  104,  <»;  10.'),  x)  (^iffor  iiiuoh 
friiiii  tliiiso  of  iimiiiiMuls  ill  jiliysical  clmractcrs,  though  iUcnticiil  in  function, — timt  of  ^traiiiiiig 
off  from  the  lildod  certain  tU'letcrious  suhstanccs  in  the  form  of  urea ;  whence  they  are  soinetiiiun 
callctl  emuUjent  organs.  Their  ottice  of  purification  in  anah)gous  to  that  of  the  lungs,  whidi 
(licarbonize  the  blood,  and  to  some  extent  vicarious,  as  is  that  of  excretory  organs  in  general. 
As  the  lungs  are  closely  bound  down  to  the  thoracic  region  of  the  trunk,  so  are  the  kidneys 
impacted  in  tiie  jielvic  region,  being  moulded  to  the  sacral  ineipialities  of  surface  (p.  141). 
I  hey  are  paired,  hut  sometimes  connected  across  the  median  iiin^  by  reual  tissue ;  they  have  no 
special  renal  artery,  but  derive  their  blood  from  various  sources;  and  blood  from  them  takes 
|iMrt  in  the  hepatic  portal  system,  no  reni]Mirtal  being  accomplished.  'I'hey  have  little  or  noth- 
ing of  the  particular  mammalian  configuration  which  has  made  "  kidney-shaped"  a  conimon 
litM'iiptive  term ;  being  elongated,  somewhat  parallel-sided  and  rectangular,  flattened  IxMlies, 
liibiited  into  a  few  large  compartmeiit.s,  and  lobulated  into  many  h'sser  divisions;  their  figure 
(ii  peiids  niueh  npon  that  of  the  pelvis.  They  are  very  dark-colored,  rather  soft,  easily  lacerable, 
and  appear  to  the  naked  eye  to  be  of  a  granular  sub.stance,  without  dis- 
tini'tion  of  "cortical"  and  "medullary"  iKtrtions.  Nor  is  there  any 
"  jielvis"  of  the  kidneys  in  whidi  the  nriniferous  tubules  emi)ty  together 
by  numerous  ducts  as  into  a  common  basin.  Each  nrrtcr  (figs.  1011,  h; 
lot,  e ;  10.5,  y),  or  excretory  duct,  is  formed  by  reiterated  reuni<m  of  the 
tnhuli  uriniferi,  after  the  manner  of  a  pancreatic  duct ;  each  ureter  passes 
down  behind  the  rectum  and  ojtens  into  the  lower  back  part  of  the  cloaca, 
—  much  like  a  mammalian  ureter  into  the  ba.so  of  the  Idadder.  The 
original  cavity  of  the  allantois  remains  to  funiish  no  more  of  a  urinary 
hhuldcr  than  some  special  dilatation  of  the  chiaca  represents;  but  this 
rudiiiientary  bladder,  as  distinguished  from  the  uro-genital  sinus  in  which 
the  ureters  terminate  alongside  the  sperm-ducts,  is  well  marked  in  some 
birds  ;  being  in  the  ostrich,  ft>r  example,  a  considerable  enlargement  of 
the  cloaca  b<!tween  the  termination  of  the  rectum  proper  and  the  uro- 
genital compartment  of  the  sewer.  The  renal  excretion  is  not  watery 
as  in  mammals,  but  semi-sidid,  and  voided  with  the  fa'ces,  of  which  it 
forms  part. 

The  kidneys  are  capped  by  a  pair  of  small  yellowish  bo<lies,  the 

supra-renal  capsules  or  adrenals  (figs.  10.'1, /,■    104,  10.5,  d),  the  nature 

of  which  is  undetermined.      They  are  chiefly  interesting  to  the  practical 

ornithologist   in  their  liability  to  be  mistaken  for  testes  in   examining         Fio.  ins.  — Uro-Ren- 

specimens  for  sex  (see  p.  45).  ^1^ "^r'nToI 

a,  tcHtis;  A,  cpidldyniiR; 

Male   Organs  of   Cieneration The  fc.s7i>(I.at.    ^m^i.i,  pi.  testes,    ;.  "Porm-'lucK"- vas  .le- 

'  I  '     fcrcns;    rf,  ailrcnal;    *, 

a  witness;  fig.  105,  n)  or  te.slicle  has  been  already  sufficiently  noticed  as    cloaca;  x,  klilncy;    //, 

to   its  general  apiH'arance  and  position  (p.  40).     As  said  above,  it  is  the    "''''''"■• 

essential  male  organ,  consisting  of  the  primitive  indifl'erent  genital  gland  (fig.  lOli,  e)  in  its 

highest  state  of  development  as  a  tubular  secretory  organ,  connected  with    the   remains  of 

the  wolffian  body  as  a  part  of    its  eflerent  structure  (epididymis  :  fig.   105,  b)  and  with  the 

original  wcdffian  duct  as  its  ras  deferens  (figs.  lOH,  d;   105,  c),  or  eflerent  duct,  by  which  the 

scmien  is  conveyed  to  the  cloaca.      The  original  glands  normally  remain  paired,  and   both 

are  usually  functionally  devfdojied  to  corresponding  size,   shape,  and  activity;  they  remain 

in  their  embryonic  situation  in  frtmt  of  the  upper  part  of  tin-  kidneys ;    ami  such  difference 

Homcn  trnm  r,  the  tcdtis.  In  flg.  104,  b  Is  the  wolffian  body,  nrbor<c  duct,/,  diiinpp<!ar8 ;  and  g  is  tlio  milllerian  duct, 
liecoming  the  oviiluct,  to  convey  tlio  egg  from  e,  the  ovary.  TIiuh  e,  fig.  103,  and  e,  flg.  104,  arc  the  liomologout 
genital  glands,  becoming  either  twtii  or  ovary :  but  the  RporniKiuct,  il,  flg.  103,  is  nut  the  oviduct,  g,  flg.  1<M. 


:5i 


l!iS 


218 


GENERAL   ORNITUOLOOY. 


of  apprarnncn  as  thoy  present  under  ditferent  (•irctiinstiinces  is  mainly  HeasoniU.  For  liirds, 
as  a  rule,  procreate  only  at  j)artieular  times  of  the  year,  rarely  having  more  than  om-  or 
two  hroods  of  yonnj;:  the  funetional  aetivity  and  (luiesceneo  of  the  testes  correspond,  as  the 
enormous  swelling  of  the  gland  during  the  breeding  season  is  one  of  the  pccuUarities  of  the 
bird's  organ.  'I'his  may  be  related  to  the  absence,  in  birds,  of  spciiially  formed  resicula;  semi- 
naks,  or  seminal  ri'servoirs  ;  though  certain  contortions  and  dilatations  of  tlxi  sperm-diici.s 
which  are  to  be  observed  may  iniperiectly  answer  to  detain  tlie  secretion  until  (nnrumstaiiccs 
render  it  available.  'I'he  passage  of  the  sperm-duct  is  along  the  face  of  the  kidneys,  gent  iMlly 
in  (iompany  with  tlu!  ureters;  the  opening  is  by  a  papilla  upon  the  surface  of  the  uro-genital 
sinus.  These  papillose  terniinationa  of  the-  s|>erm-duut8  are  erectile  to  a  degree,  and  answer  the 
purpose  of  pairt3d  jienes  in  those  birds  whicli  are  not  provided  with  better-formed  copulatory 
parts.  In  coitu,  the  cloacal  chambers  (containing  the  orifices  of  the  genital  ducts  are  opened, 
and  the  more  or  less  protruded  ])apilhe  come  in  contact  or  close  juxtaposition.  In  eases  in 
which  a  penis  or  two  penes  are  developed,  tiie  urethral  passagts  is  a  groove,  never  a  tuiir, 
though  cavernous  and  even  muscular  tissue  nuiy  be  developed ;  and  in  any  case  of  such  an 
intromittent  apparatus,  it  has  cloaeal  invagiinttion  when  not  operative  (see  j>.  680).  'riicse 
organs,  in  all  their  variety,  are  of  tlu;  saurtipsidan,  not  mamnmliau,  type  ;  thougli  in  snuie 
respects  the  structure  a])proiiche8  that  8ceu  in  the  uou-plaueutal  mammals.  No  ]>rostati3  or 
cowperian  glands  exist  in  birds. 

The  sole  office  of  the  testis,  or  oiiphoron  maaculiHum,  is  the  setsretion  of  semen,  asaociatn 
structures  being  simply  acc<'ssory,  for  the  conveyance  of  that  vital  substance  and  its  transfer- 
ence to  the  opposite  sex.  The  seminal  fluid  itself  is  merely  the  vehicle  of  trans])ort  of  the 
spermatozoa,  in  whicli  their  activity  nniy  be  freely  exercised  in  their  intuitive  struggles  to  gain 
access  to  their  nuites  in  the  ovary.  It  is  literally  a  "sea  of  life"  in  which  the  minute  creatures 
swim  in  shoals  to  their  destiny,  —  and  their  fate  in  any  ease  is  death.  If  they  suceesst'ully 
buffet  the  waves  of  fate  they  find  a  watery  grave  in  the  ovmn  at  last;  if  that  haven  be  not 
reached  they  simply  ]M>rish  in  mid-ocean.  The  spermatozoa,  or  seminal  aninuilcules,  or  male 
Ihjnttmitmwlxc  (tigs.  lOli,  107),  are  the  iWiwX  counterparts  of  ovarian  ova,  in  so  far  as  thi'V  are 
single-celled  animals  of  a  very  low  grade  of  organi- 
zation; but  their  activity  and  intelligence  is  marvel- 
lous, and  still  more  so  is  tht^  mysterious  attribute 
with  which  they  are  endowed  of  assimilating  their 
protoplasmic  sub.stance  with  that  of  the  ovum;  with 
\\w  result  that  the  thus  fecundated  ovum  is  (%ipable 
of  ]irocreating  itself  by  fission  for  a  period  until  a 
ma.ss  of  similar  creatures  is  engemh'red;  from  which 
Kio  1(1.1. -si,.,.nimt../.(.a    ,„i,ss  is  then  s|)eedily  evolved  the  coinidex   body  of  ,,,J''!';J!!L7,m'^v 

iimKiiilleil;  fnmiUweii.nncr    the  Mini.       11 rrespoudlllg  leinale  Ih/liiniiiniKrlun   Kft'iitly    iiiiiKiiillnl ; 

WiigiHT  mill  U'uekurt.  (ovarian  ova)  are  .-iimple  spherical  aiiiiiialciiles,  phys-    \vL,ier  aiiil'l.eiii'k- 

ically  indistinguishable  from  an  ordinary  encysted /I hi«7>«  ,•  but  the  s]ierma-  art. 
tozoa  are  remarkably  distinguished  in  appearance,  furnishing  iirobably  the  best  marked  case  of 
sexual  characters  to  he  found  among  tlie  Proto'on,  to  whicli  class  of  animals  they  belong.  The 
spermatozoa  resemble  llagellate  infusoria  or  ciliated  endothelium  cells,  though  they  each  have 
but  a  single  whip.  'I'hey  are  of  extremely  minute  size,  miu^h  smaller  than  their  females,  am! 
filamentous;  more  nr  less  thickened  and  sometimes  wavy  at  their  nucleated  heads,  whence  iiro- 
triides  an  excessively  delicate  thready  tail,  endowed  with  great  vibratory  energy.  They  may  he 
likened  to  diminutive  attenuated  tadpoles,  which  swim  by  lashing  the  tail  in  the  seminal  tliiid. 
Under  the  microscope  shoals  of  the.se  curious  creatures  may  Ix!  seen  swimming  in  the  sea,  nosing 
about  in  search  of  the  ovum,  butting  their  heads  in  wrong  places,  backing  out  and  trying  again 
iu  another  direction ;  with  such  success  that  out  of  myriads  a  .score  or  so  may  gain  their  end.    It 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  -OOLOGY. 


219 


will  1)0  ACf^n  that  thoy  hnvn  a  long  journey  to  accomplish  ;  for,  liborutcd  in  tbo  cloaca  of  tlio 

I'cinalc,  they  hivvo  to  Hwiiii  tiirough  tht'  whole  Iciij^th  of  tho  ovidiiot  to  tin-  ovary.  HcHidt's 
Hiicli  pliysical  difforcuvo  lu>tW(^oii  thn  inulo  and  feiiial<!  Dyuamamabai  ua  I  huvo  indicated,  they 
ilitier  in  their  plaeo  and  mode  of  hirtli  ;  and  in  this  diH'crenco  lies  the  very  ^i^^t  of  sex.  Tho 
oi'i^'iiiul  inditferent  genital  gland  above  di'surihiMi,  arrested,  uh  said,  at  a  eertain  stage  of  du- 
vriopiiient  and  llierefore  fenialo  —  the  ovary  —  produces  its  eggs  from  its  surfiu;*>-cells,  which 
siihside  into  the  ovarian  tis.iiie,  and  arc  (|iiietly  piuikcd  uway  there  as  ovarian  ova,  ready  to 
ripen  and  awalten  to  impregnation  in  due  course.  The  same  gland,  further  developed  into  a 
testis,  gives  active  hiith  to  tlie  spennato/na  in  tho  tubules  of  its  complicated  int(^rior  tissue.  In 
the  firmer  case,  the  superficial  cells  slowly  ovulate;  in  the  hitter,  the  cells  lining  the  interior 
speedily  spornmtu ;  in  a  word,  the  testis  is  as  literally  viriimroiis  as  is  the  ovary  oviparous,  — 
aii<l  tlx'se  conditions  are  certainly  no  iusiguiticuut  indices  of  relative  development  in  the  scale  nf 
lieing.  The  spermato/oa  apptuir  in  some  aiumals  to  be  set  free  in  myriads  from  tho  walls  of  the 
seminal  tubules  \vlienct>  they  diri'ctly  issue;  in  birds,  they  are  described  as  appearing  coih'd  or 
otherwise  ])acked  in  delicate  sperm-cells,  which  speedily  rupture  and  dis(duirge  the  creatures  in 
till!  current  of  the  seminal  fluid,  where  they  take  up  the  course  and  display  the  energetics  airlious 
above  noted.  Either  case  bus  its  |>arallel  among  ordiiuiry  Protozoans;  the  former  correspond- 
ing to  the  process  of  budding  or  gemmation,  the  latter  to  that  of  interior  fission  and  discbarge 
of  numerous  progeny  l>y  ru|>ture  of  the  (^ivelope.  The  final  conjugation  of  spenuatic  filameuts 
with  ovarinu  ova  is  simple  fusion,  such  as  any  ordinary  sexless  amatboid  animal  may  practi.se  to 
blend  its  protoplasmic  substance  with  that  of  another.  But  there  is  this  difference,  that  in  the 
(sase  of  Ihjnamamicha  it  is  a  true  se.vual  congress,  usually  poli/androus,  and  still  more  nf  a 
one-sided  affair  in  that  tho  feniulo  Dtjnumumaha  is  at  the  time  in  u  more  or  less  quiescent, 
encysted  state. 

Fciniilo  OrKtins  of  Generation.  —  The  connection  between  the  male  and  female  organs 
of  gen(M'ation  is  naturally  .so  close  that  in  what  has  preceded  it  has  been  scarcely  ])ossible  to 
speak  of  the  former  without  referen(!e  to  the  female  counter|iarts.  I  have  thus  far  endeavored 
to  state  clearly  the  nature  of  the  originally  sexless  gcnutal  gland  ;  the  ditl'erence  in  the  same 
gland  when  afterward  sexed  male  or  female;  and  the  charac^ter  of  the  spermatic  offspring  of 
the  male  gland.  In  reading  that  lesson  the  novitiate  in  such  Eleusiiuau  mysteries  must  not 
mistake  the  language  I  have  useil  to  descrilx^  tlu^  uuih'  Ihjtmmamcrba,  or  spermatozoiin,  as 
applicable  to  anything  in  the  development  of  the  fenuile  Jh/niiminiiabn,  or  ovum,  into  the 
chick  ;  for  all  said  thus  far  only  relates  to  the  bringing  of  tiie  spermatozoon  into  contact  with 
the  ovum,  prermiininy  to  the  initial  step  of  the  ovum  in  its  coinse  of  development.  It  is  this 
female  Ih/utiiiKiiiiohit  —  th\>*  primitive  tivarian  ovum,  the  germ  of  the  chick,  which  corresponds 
to  and  is  the  counterpart  of  the  male  Di/ntniiawtrhn,  on  meeting  and  mingling  with  which 
fecundati(Ui    is   accomplished;  the  impregnated   ovum    beiuir  then   empowered    to  take  up  its 

nuirvellous  march.     (Jon.juiration  of  the  opposite  Ihiminiiimiilm curs  either  in  the  ovary  or 

upper  part  of  the  oviduct,  -  most  probably  the  former.  ( »ne  or  several  spermatozoa —  usually 
more  than  one —  accomplishing  their  jouriu'y  up  the  oviduct,  and  tiudini;  their  aflinity, 
insinuate  themselves  into  the  substam-e  of  the  ovum,  and  <lie  there,  tlissolved  in  amorous  pain; 
that  is  to  say,  thi-y  nu'lt  into  the  substance  of  the  ovum.     The  now  fertile  result,  consisting  of 

the  mingled  protoplasm  of  tl pposite  auKebas,  is  to  all  apiiearauce  precisely  tho  same  as  the 

original  infecund  ovum  —yet  there  is  all  the  difference  in  (he  world,  as  the  result  shows. 

The  general  character  of  the  ovary  of  a  bird  has  been  already  indicated  Cp.  K')).  The 
principal  sujierticial  diflerence  in  appearaiu-e  when  the  ovary  is  in  functional  activity,  from  the 
corresponding  organ  of  a  mannual,  is  that  the  ova  develop  to  such  a  ."ize,  in  ripening  in  the 
ovary  before  leaving  it  for  the  oviduct,  that  the  organ  bioks  like  a  bunch  of  grapes,—  very 
large  and  conspicuous.     The  oviduct  is  tho  inusculo-meuibrauous  tube  (modified  mUUorian 


f 


1 

1 

■ 

i 

220 


GENERAL  0RN1TU0L0OY. 


(liu't)  which  roiivpyR  the  riponod  ovum,  and  in  its  imMHiipo  pnividi's  it  with  a  qinintity  of  wliiic 
ulbuintMi,  and  finully  ii  chalk  shell.     A  Mrd's  .iviilmt  i«  the  »trict  inorpholdgiml  li<iniii|<i^iu> 

(p.  (iH)  iif  II  iiiiiinnmrH  fallopian  tube,  iitoruH  and  vaKiim, — 
nmrc  ncciiratfdy,  of  ww  fallopian  tube,  ono  half  of  a  utcnm, 
and  one  half  of  a  vagina;  for  tho  uterus  and  va^'iiia  of  a 
niainuial  result  from  the  union  of  both  miUlerian  ducts; 
whereas  in  a  bird  only  one  —  tho  h'ft  usually  —  is  normally 
devtdoped.  Functiomilly,  tho  oviduct  is  also  analo^nnis  (p. 
f)8)  to  tho  mammalian  uterus,  inasmuch  an  it  transmits  tlie 
product  of  conception,  and  d(>tains  it  for  a  while,  in  tlie  initial 
staL'e  of  its  germination,  as  we  shall  see  in  the  sei|Mel ;  tlicumli 
all  but  the  very  first  steps  in  the  development  of  llie  rhicit 
arc  taken  durini;  iucubation,  the  eg^  having  so  hastily  left 
its  uterine  nuitrix.  These  structures  —  ovary  and  oviduct, 
tig.  108,  —  are  most  conveniently  described  as  we  trace  the 
course  of  tho  ovum  from  its  origination  to  its  maturity.  'I'liis 
record  differs  considerably  from  the  corresponding  course  of 
events  in  a  mammal,  inasmuch  as  the  ovum  id'  a  bird,  though 
primitively  id(>ntical  with  that  of  any  other  aniuuil,  ac<|Mires 
special  albundnous  and  cretaceous  envelopes  which  the  mani- 
nutlian  ovum,  dcvidopcd  in  the  body  of  the  parent,  does  not 
rcfpiire.  The  process  is  termed  oruUition.  Ovulation,  wliich 
is  the  formation  (d'an  egg  in  the  bird,  must  not  be  confounded 
with  (lermination,  which  is  the  fornnition  of  a  bird  in  the  et;g. 
The  former  can  be  accomplished  by  the  virgin  bird,  which 
iiioiit;  h,  It  rl|.f  (iiiu;  c,  Iik  Ktii.'iii:i,  i„„y  lay  eggs  scarcely  differing  in  aitpearance  from  those  which 
»/,a  nipfiircl  omi>ty(al.vx,l..lionl.-  ""vc  been  fecundated,  but  germumtlon  in  which  is  of  course 
Kiiriwil;  (,  inruiKUiiiiliim,  or  fiuiiiel-    impossible.     The  course  of  ovulation,  and  afterward  of  germi- 

Bhniii'il  nrlllceof  the  (iviiliicl  ;/.  iii'Xt  .■  ■  .     t      .  i 

|K,r(l.mnrovl.lmt;  „,  fuUl.nlar  part    "l^t*""'  '"  "'>W  *"  ^^'  traced, 
(if  oviduct ;  m,  iiK'imiiii'lr}',  nuniilirniio 

r:!:.!';?^:;.!''::;; ';:.:S:rr^  ovulation.  -  Tho  ovum  bcgms  ««  a  microscopic  poim  in 

uiiiiiiuH  (if  iiie  oviduct :  tiicBc  partx    the  ovary,  the  A^ro/Ha  or  tissue  of  which  is  packed  with  tlies(> 

Sn^'l^CI^-l'^^r^i^^ovldS  i""ipi<"'t  ogK-      It  i«  pvi.nitively  Just  like  any  other  f^Muale 

III  whidi  Ik  a  cuiiipicted  egg,  j :  /,  Di/namfinKehn,  from  that  of  a  sponge  ii])  to  that  of  a  woiiian, 

lowest  or  vuKinal  part  of  oviduct,  _  ^,,,,  gi,,,,,^.  ^.^n  capable  of  exhibiting  activo  ainoiboid 
o|ieiiing  Into  iiro-Kciillal  sliiuB  of  tlie  i  '       i  r? 

clom-a,  w  .■  o,  aiiiiH.  movements.     It  consists  of  a  finely  granular  protoplasm,  tho 

ritelhis.  or  i/iU;  enclosed  in  a  delicate;  structureless  cell-wall,  the  rihlline  memhrane,  called 
the  zona  pdlwida  from  its  appearanco  under  tho  microscope.  Imbedded  in  the  vhellus  is  a 
nucleus,  or  keniel,  the  qcrmimil  resick;  in  this  is  a  iiiKdeidiis,  or  inner  k<Tnel,  the  pmnimU 
spot.  The  ovum  occiiiiics  a  tiny  space  in  the  ovary,  tlie  cellular  walls  of  which  cimstitiite  an 
ovisac,  m  firnafian  follicle.  Now  if  such  an  ovum  as  this  were  mammalian,  it  wtmld,  without 
material  change,  biir.st  the  ovi.sac,  be  received  into  the  fallopian  tube  and  conveyed  to  the 
uterus;  where,  sujijiosiug  it  already  fertilized,  the  wlnde  of  its  contents  would  develop  into  the 
liody  of  the  embryo.  It  would  therefore  be  holohlnstic  (fir.  oXot.  hnlos.  the  whole  ;  ^XaariKot. 
llastilcos,  germinative).  It  is  different  ^Wth  a  bird  or  other  "  oviparous  "  animal,  the  egg  of 
which  has  to  hatch  outside  the  body;  for  provisicm  must  be  made  for  the  nourishment  of  the 
developing  chick,  thus  separated  from  the  tissues  of  its  mother.  Such  provision  is  made  by 
the  accumulation  about  the  ovum  of  a  great  quantity  of  granular  protopla.smic  substance,  which 
forms  nearly  all  the  large  yellow  ball  called  in  ordinary  language  "  the  yelk  "  of  an  egg.  None 
of  this  adventitious  substance  goes  to  form  the  embryo ;  it  is  what  tho  embryo  feeds  on  during 


Flo.  lOS.  Ki'iiialo  i.rgniiH  of  do- 
incsllc  fowl,  in  aclivllv  ;  froniinvcn, 
after  ('ani«.  <',  's  <'■ '',  nniKs  of  ova- 
rian   ova.   In    all    itliips  of  develop- 


THE  ANATOMY   OF  BIRDS.  — Oi)IA)UY. 


881 


iti*  formation.     A  birdV  trr  in  tlinn'fnro  mernhlnntic  ((Jr.  fupot,  meron,  a  jmrl,  ni)il  ^XncrTwot), 

ami  wr  must  carflfiilly  (liHcriininate  iM'twccn  tlic  j^rcat  iiiar>N  <if  yellow /wm/-//WA',  aH  it  iniiy  lie 

callod,  and  a  small  <(iiantily  of  "  white  yelk,"  tlir  true  germ-yelk,  wliicli  alone  is  traiiitforineil  into 

the  body  of  the  eliiek.     Tlie  latter  forms  the  rimtricle,  vulgarly  called  the  "tread";  that  small 

disc,  visible  in  most  birds'  efrgs  to  the  naked  eye,  which  appears 

upon  the  surface  of  thu  ^reat  yellow  ball,  Hoatin^  in  a  pale  thin 

yelk   which  jiciietrates  th<;  denser  and   yellower  food-yelk  by  a 

cord  of  its  own  substance  leading  to  a  central  cavity,  the  false 

yi'Ik-cavify,  around  which  the  food-yelk  is  deposited  in  a  series 

of  concentri(!  layers  like  a  set  of  .onion-skins     The  whole  mass 

is   surrounded  by   a  delicate  structureless  yelk-skin,  called  the 

riliUine  membrane  (whether  this  be  the  original  vitelline  mem- 

lirinie  of  the  DjinHmam<pha  or  not ;  i.e.,  whether  the  food-yelk 

litis  accumulated  iiisidt>  <ir  outside  the  original  zona  pelliicifla). 

All  this  enormous  accumulation,  ett'ectins  what  is  called  a  nieto-        j.^^   ^^  —  Moroblastlc  ovam 

mm  or  afler-etrt;,  to  di.stin^uish  it  from  the  protoritm,  or  iirimitive    (yclki  of  donieitlc  fnwl,  nut.  »i/.e, 

state  of  tiie  viin,  ir<'<'«  <•"  i"  the  ovary,  and  in  the  ovisac  of  each    J"  "^tlon;  after  llaeckel.    a,  the 

'^  _  •'  tlilii  yelk-itl<ln,  ciicliMliig  till!  yel- 

oviun  ;  with  the  ripi'uini;  of  the  ovum,  the  ovisacs  becouu>  dis-    inw  f(><Ml-yi'lk,  whlcli  Ih  ileiHwiteil 

tended  to  a  corresiiondini;  size,  and    the   whole   ovarv  acouires    '»<•""<;«""''-■ '"y"*! «■.''•■''■  H'e 

'    .        "  '  '  '  elcnirlcle  or  Ireiul  with  lt«  nii- 

tlie  fiimiliar  iHUich-ol-^rapes  apiiearance.      nittisuch  maturation    cIoiih,  whenci'  paxM'H  it  oonl  <>( 

of  tlie  fruit,  ti nnection  with  the  rest  of  the  ovarv  leiiL'thens    *•'""  >'^'"'  ^^'^^  represontd  in 

,,  1.     1     ,  1.   1       I         ■  i'  .         black)  to  the  coiitrul  cavity,  (/'. 

into  a  sl:iik,  or  jieilwel,  by   which   the  ripe  ovum   liani^s  to  its 

stock,  like  any  fruit  upon  its  stem,  ready  to  burst  its  skin  and  fall  into  the  ojten  mouth  of  the 

oviduct.     Such  ni]iture  of  the  trraatian  follicle  (ovisac),  in   its  now  distended  state  known  as 

the  cnpniile  or  cali/x,   occurs    aloiis;  a  line  where  the  numerous  blood-vessels  which  ramify 

upon  its  surface  a]>]u>ar  to  be  wantin^,  called  the  stigma  :    this  is  rent;  the  ovuin  slips  out  of 

its  calyx,  like  the  substanc**  of  a  ^rape  pinched   out  of  its  skin,  and  falls  into  the  oviduct. 

After  this  dischartje,  the  empty  calyx  collapses,  shrivels,   and   ultimately   disappears  by  ab- 

sori)tion.     (See  expl.  of  ti^.  lOS). 

Tli  iivuin  thus  acipiires  tlie  full  size  of  its  yelk  in  the  ovary,  —  becoming,  as  in  the  ease  of 
.  a  yellow  sphere  an  inch  in  diameter.*  Notwithstanding  its  cnoriii(>us  distension  with 
Ik.  it  is  still  mor|)liidogically  a  sini)ile  cell,  atfordiug  the  maximum  dimension  of  any 
protozoan  or  single-celled  animal.  Entering  the  <»viduct,  tln'  germ-yelk  part  of  the 
loass  is  fertilized  by  spermatozoa,  unless  this  jiroce.ss  has  before  iKTiuTcd  in  the  ovary, 
auil  111  its  passage  through  that  tube  the  yelk-ball  becomes  invested  successively  with  the 
mass  of  transparent  albumen  known  as  the  '•  white"  of  the  egg,  and  finally  by  the  chalk  shell 
—  both  secreted  by  the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  oviduct. 

During  its  finictional  activity,  the  left  oviduct  (there  being  usually  only  this  one)  becomes 
highly  develojied  'li  as  to  its  muscular  walls,  which  by  tiieir  contractility  embrace  the  ovum 
closely  iind  s(pi(  ■  t  along,  ami  as  to  its  mucous  secretory  surface.  It  is  supported  by  perito- 
neal folds  forii  menometri/,  like  the  mesentery  of  the  intestines;  its  whole  structure  and 
office  ari'  <|ui  ihose  of  a  length  of  intestine.  The  upper  end  of  the  singularly  serpentine 
oviduct  is  dilat*  ito  an  infiindibulum,  or  funnel-like  mouth,  correspomliiig  to  the  fimbriated 
extremity  of  thi      .ammalian  fallo]iian  tube,  and  constituting  a  mornns  diaboli,  or  ''  ilevil's  grip," 

'  How  great  this  is  can  only  l>c  n|iprcclatcil  by  conipariaon.  The  hnninn  egg,  on  eHcapIng  from  the  graatian 
follicle,  i»  Hahl  to  bo  from  ,\n  to  ,)oOf  an  Inch  in  iliametcr.  Taking  it  at  j,t,n.  there  woiiM  bo  4(1,1)00  in  a  fuinare  inch, 
and  in  a  cubic  inch  8,000,000.  The  largest  bird's  egg  known,  that  of  the  .Epiinniin,  Is  said  to  ha^-c  a  content  of 
about  a  gross  of  hen's  cgga  — 144.  SnppoHlng  the  yolk  of  the  /t'pitnmin  egg  to  l>enr  tbo  UMial  proportion  to  the 
other  contents  of  the  shell,  and  allowing  for  the  dlH'ercncc  in  bnlk  liotweeii  a  sphere  and  a  cube  of  e>|Ual  diaiiieturs, 
there  would  still  be  somewhere  almut  a  billion  human  eggs  in  one  .K/iiioniiH  egg-yelk,  —  roundly,  a  mass  of  Iheni 
equal  to  that  of  the  germs  of  more  than  one-half  of  the  present  iiupulatlon  of  the  gh)be. 


r. 
wl 


:»i; 


■11 

■   ° 

;• 

1 

ii 

1 

222 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


which  ffots  hdld  of  the  ovum  to  drnp  it  down  totho  common  lot  of  mortals  from  its  high  ovarian 
liirili.  Tlic  infundibiilum  receives  from  the  mcsontory  a  delicate  tunic  of  iinstriped  uiusciiliir 
tihrea,  which  are  sd  disposed  as  to  dilate  that  orifice  for  the  reception  of  the  ovum  ;  and  diiriiif; 
the  venereal  orjiasni  tlie  mouth  of  the  tube  is  supposed  to  seize  upon  the  ripest  efrp.  '('In. 
actual  anatomy  of  the  arrangement,  and  the  wh(de  oi)eration,  is  strangely  suggestive  of  one  of 
the  (ddest  myths  respecting  tlie  seqtent  which  b«ire  the  egg  of  the  world  in  its  jaws.  The 
mucous  lining  of  the  oviduct  consists  of  a  layer  of  ciliated  epithelium  ;  the  membrane  lias  a 
different  character  in  successive  portions  of  its  extent.  Above,  when  tlie  tube  is  not  ilistemled 
with  its  burthen,  the  lining  is  thrown  into  lengthwise  f(dds,  which  lower  tlown  become  spirally 
dis|)os('d.  and  then  longitudinal  again  before  they  cease.  This  rugous  j)ortion  of  the  f.ibe  is 
beset  with  nuicous  follicles,  which  secrete  "the  white."  The  oviduct,  after  coutrncting  at  a 
point  called  the  isthmus,  enlarges  to  a  calibre  sullieient  to  accommodate  the  egg  in  its  shell : 
for  this  is  thesliell-foniiing  i>art,  homologous  with  the  mammalian  uterus  (a  sinister  semi-utmis 
at  least),  lined  with  large  vii.i,  and  beset  with  the  follicles  whose  secretions  calcify  the  egg-slicll, 
and  decorate  it  with  j)iginei.t.  The  rest  of  the  tube  is  vaginal,  being  iiu'rely  the  passage-way 
by  which  the  ])erfected  ovum  is  discharged  into  the  cloaca,  to  be  e.\]ielled  per  anum.  The 
muscular  walN  of  the  oviduct  consi.st  of  both  circular  and  longitu'Miuil  nnstriped  fibres,  like 
those  of  intestine,  —  the  latter  especially  in  upper  portions  and  at  the  infundibuhim,  the  foniier 
more  cons]iicuously  below,  where  they  form  a  .sort  of  as  tinea'  at  the  botf(.;'i  of  the  calcific 
portion,  and  a  kind  of  sphincter  vagina;  at  the  end  of  the  tube.     A  recognizable  clitoris  is 

developed  in  many  birds. 

Thi'  deposition  of  the  white  and  of  the  shell 
remains  to  be  noticed.     The  first  deposit  upon 
the  yelk-ball  cotisi.sts  of  a  layer  of  den.se  and 
somewhat  tenacious  ^dbunien,  called  the  chala- 
ziferous  membrane  ((ir.  xu^oC"-  chala-a,  a  tu- 
bercle, and   Lat.  fero,  I  bear).     As  tiie  egg  is 
urged   along   by   the   peristaltic   action  of  the 
tube,  it  acfpiires  a  rotation  about  the  a.xisof  the 
tube;  the  successive  layers  of  soft  albuirHii  it 
receives  arc  deposited  somewhat  spirally  ;  and 
the  chala/iferons  membrane  is  drawn  out  into 
Fm.  lift.  —  lIon'H  egg,  imi.  nine.  In  acctlnn:  from    threads  at  ojiposite  poles   of  the  eirg.       Tlies<' 
Owon  nftir  A.  Tli»n.,«..ii.    ,(,  ckuirl.lo  or  "trca.1,"    threads,  which  become  twisted  in  oi)i.osite  direc- 
wltli  itii  iiiic'lt'iiH,  ofwlilto  Kcrm-yclk,  nnntiiigiinKiirfncc     .  •     •  ,  , 

iif  |ial«  thill  nutritive  ynlk,  lowllng  to  cmitrni  yolk-    """*<  during  the  rotation  of  the  ( gg,  are  called 

ravliy.r;  n.ilio  yellow  >elk-l.all,.lo|Hi»lte.l  In  the  Biic-    chuhKO;  ;    they    are  tl .striiiL's,"   rather   un- 

rcHfilvvlnverii.  fcirniinen  Ket  of  Aa/nH('«,  and  cnvi'lo|ic<l  i         -i        •  r   i    •!    i 

ill  tli«  clmliizl^roim  nicmliranc  wlilcli  i»  Kpiiii  out  at  pleasantly  evident  in  a  soft  lioiled  egg,  but  serve 
opiiiwiti!  polcH  into  the  iwl»(eil  BtrliiKH,  olmln/.a!.  <•,(•;  the  important  office  of  mooring  and  steadviiiiT  the 
'i. '>'.  micTr»nivo  invi'Hlint'iitii  of  Roflcr  white  allimnen;         n    .       i  /•      i  ■       i  n       . 

./.  m.'iiihrana  piilan.liilit,  the  "soft  ulicll"  or  egK-iKxI.  VclU  in  the  sea  of  wlilte  by  adhesions  eventually 
iiciwocn  layers  of  whhh  at  i lie  great  oiul  of  tlio  egg  l»  cimtracted  with  the  membrane  which  iiiinieili- 
IhiMiir  space,/;  <■,  the  hhell.  .   i      i-  .i        in       n,,  ,        .    .  . 

ately  lines  the  shell.      I  hey  are  also  intnistecl 

wiih  the  duty  of  ballasting,  or  keeping  the  yelk  right  side  up.  For  there  is  a  "  right  side" 
to  the  yelk-ball,  being  that  on  which  floats  the  cicatride.  or  "tread."  'I'his  fide  is  also  tlic 
lightest,  the  wiiite  yelk  being  less  dense  than  the  yidlow ;  and  the  chalaza-  are  attached  a  little 
below  the  central  a.xis.  The  result  is,  that  if  a  fresh  egg  be  shiwly  rotated  on  its  long  axis, 
the  tread  will  rise  by  turning  of  the  yelk-ball  in  tl-.c  opjMisite  direction,  till,  held  by  the  twistiiii: 
of  the  chalazic,  it  can  go  no  farther;  \vhen,  the  rotation  being  continued,  the  tread  is  cai-ried 
under  and  up  again  ou  fl-.e  other  side,  resuming  its  sujierior  position  as  before.  After  all  the 
spii-al  I'lyers  of  soft  white  are  laid  on,  a  final  coveiiiig  oi'  dense  albumen  is  deposited  at  the 
isthmic  part  of  the  oviduct.     Thiii  forms  u  tough  tunic  called  the  membrana  pulaniinis  (Lat. 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  — OOLOGY. 


223 


jiitlamen,  a  pool,  rind),  <tr  "  egg-pod";  it  is  the  final  euvelope  (if  such  a  " soft-Bhclled  cjig" 
as  ;i  lien  drops  when  deprived  of  the  lime  required  to  ena'do  her  to  wcrete  a  hard  shell.  In 
the  uterine  dilatation  of  the  oviduct  a  thick  white  Huid  charged  with  earthy  matter  is  exuded ; 
tills  condenses  upon  the  egg-poil  and  forms  the  siiell.  The  composition  of  this  eartli  is  chietiy 
carlionate  of  lime  (common  chalk),  with  some  carhonate  of  nuignesia,  and  phosphates  of  hotli 
(if  lliese  bases  —  thus  like  that  of  hone  as  to  ingredients,  but  in  very  tlifferent  proportio.is.  The 
sliell  does  not  simjdy  overlie  ilie  pod  in  a  distinct  siieet,  but  is  intinuitely  ctdierent,  the  micro- 
scopic crystals  or  other  purticles  of  the  earthy  matter  being  dej)osited  in  the  matted  fibrous 
texture  of  tiie  pod.  The  ccumection  is  most  intimate  in  fresh  eggs;  after  a  while,  layers  of  tiu' 
jiod  separate  at  tlie  butt  of  tliecgg,  forming  the  large  air-space  which  every  one  lias  noticed  in 
tiiat  situation.  The  shell  being  very  porous,  readily  admits  air.  The  air  sjiace  enlarges  duriTig 
iiiciibation,  and  the  pod  becomes  more  and  more  distinct  from  the  .shell,  whicli  latter  also 
ii.creases  in  porosity  and  fragility  towards  "full  tvnu."  The  rougli  <.r  smooth  appearance  of  an 
egg-shell,  the  pores  which  may  be  visible  to  t\w  naked  eye,  and  other  physical  characters,  are 
due  to  the  impression  made  upon  it  by  Ihe  lining  membrane  of  the  "  uterus."  Tlie  superticial 
(irposit  of  chalk  is  so  heavy,  ia  s<une  cases,  as  those  of  corinorants,  etc.,  that  it  nuiy  be  scraped 
iilf  without  interfering  with  tlie  te.xtuvally  firm  sliell-sub.stance  underlying.  All  tlie  coloration 
iif  egg-shells,  wliic.h  fre(|uently  makes  them  pretty  objects,  is  simply  the  d<'iiosit  of  pigment 
gvauuh's  in  or  upon  tlie  shell.  Hudi  deposit  may  be  jierfectly  imiforiu,  as  it  is  in  the  bluish- 
green  egg  of  a  robin,  for  instance,  but  it  is  oftener  spotty  —  either  upon  a  wiiite  or  a  whole- 
colored  ground.  The  browns  and  neutral  tints  are  the  usual  eoh>rs,  particularly  a  bright 
reiidish- brown  ;  the  same,  lying  in  instead  of  upon  the  shell,  gives  the  grays,  "  lilacs,"  and 
"lavenders"  so  well  known.  In  jitarmigan,  the  pigment  is  so  In  ivily  deposited  that  the 
egg  comes  out  pasty  on  the  surface;  a  sign  of  "  fresh  paint!"  one  must  not  disregard  if  he 
would  not  spoil  the  decoration. 


\i  ^  i| 


Oviposltion. —  Till'  energy  and  rapidity  with  which  the  prcK-e.sses  invcdved  in  th(!  manu- 
facture of  so  complex  a  product  as  a  bird's  egg  is  now  seen  to  be  are  extraordinary.  A  domestic 
fowl  may  lay  an  egg  every  day  for  an  indetiuite  jieriod.  It  is  ditfieult  to  say  how  (piickly  an 
ecg  may  ripen  in  the  ovary;  for,  during  the  activity  of  that  organ,  several  or  many  are  to  be 
found  in  all  stages  of  inniiaturity,  and  the  date  of  the  initial  impulse  cannot  well  be  determined. 
As  there  is  probably  but  one  egg  at  a  time  in  the  oviduct,  the  wlude  process  of  tinishing  off  the 
y<'lk-ball  with  its  chalaziform,  soft  albuminous,  putaniinous,  and  calcareous  env<'lo|ies  may  go 
on  in  tw<'uty-four  hours,  most  of  which  time  is  consumed  in  the  sliell-fonuation.  The  number 
of  eggs  nnitnred  by  the  human  A'liiale  is  or  should  be  thirteen  annually:  this  is  no  large  number 
for  many  of  the  gallinaceous  and  anatine  birds  to  deposit  in  about  as  many  days.  Itut  a 
pndtable  average  number  is  five  or  ,  ix.  Defeat  of  the  jirocreative  instinct  from  any  accident  is 
commonly  a  stimulation  to  renewed  endeavors  to  reproduce  ;  and  very  many  birds  rear  two  or 
three  broods  annually,  though  one  clutch  of  eggs  is  the  rule.  Many,  such  as  auks,  petrels,  and 
penguins,  lay  a  single  e^g.  Two  eggs  is  the  rule  in  huiiiming-birds  and  pigeons.  Three  is 
normal  to  gulls  and  terns,  though  these  often  have  but  two.  Four  is  the  rule  amoni;  tht^ 
small  waders  of  the  limicoline  groups.  Some  of  the  small  Oscines  lay  over  the  average, 
liavini;  eight  or  ten  ;  ainoni;  these,  the  Kuro[teau  sparrow,  I'tissrr  (loini'slicii.i,  is  probably  the 
iiiosl  prolific.  The  parasitic  cuckoos  are  said  to  lay  the  relatively  smallest  et;t;s  ;  that  of  the 
Aperti/.t  is  said  to  be  the  largest,  weighing  one  fourth  as  much  as  the  biid.  The  usual 
shtipc  of  an  egg  has  gi>'eu  us  the  common  names  oval,  ovale,  and  uroidal,  for  the  well-known 
figure.  Some,  as  those  of  owls,  woodpeckers,  kingfishers,  and  others,  more  or  less  nearly 
ajiproach  a  sjilierical  shape.  Kggs  of  grebes,  lienuis,  Totipahnate  birds  and  various  others 
are  rather  eUi|)lical,  or  e<|iial-ended,  and  narrow  in  projiortion  to  their  leiitfth.  Kirijs  of  the 
limicoline  group  are  generally  pyriform,  —  very  broail  at  one  end  and  narrow  at  the  other.     Rut 


•  I- :'. 


! 


;  ! 


tet 


224 


GENERAL  OliNJTHOLOOY. 


the  eggs  of  all  birds  vary  more  in  size  and  sliaiM!  than  some  of  the  devotees  of  theorptical  oiilo^y 
admit  in  tlu-ir  jmictice.  The  variation  .so  will  known  in  any  breed  of  doniestii-  fowl  is  Hcarccly 
above  u  normal  rate.  The  short  diameter,  eorresixinding  to  tlie  ealibre  of  the  oviduct,  i.s  Uss 
variable  than  the  hmj;  axis  ;  for  wiun  the  ((uantity  of  ftxHl-yelk  and  white,  upon  wliich  tlic 
ditt'ereuce  in  bulk  depends,  varies  with  the  vi(,'or  of  the  individual,  the  scantiness  or  rediindamy 
is  expressed  by  the  shortening  or  lengthening  of  the  whole  nuiss.  The  egg  traverses  the 
passage  small  end  foremost,  like  a  roinid  wedge,  with  obvious  reference  to  ease  of  parturition 
by  more  gradual  dilatation  of  the  outlet. 

<«erniinatlon. —  Leaving  now  all  the  accessory  parts  of  an  egg,  let  us  confine  attention 
to  the  t/cnii-ijclk,  or  "  tread,"  which  Is  alone  concerned  in  tiie  germinative  process.  Heciirriiig 
to  the  female  JJi/uiiiMimu'lia,  consisting  of  granular  i>rotoplasm  (vitellu.s)  included  in  its  cell- 
wall  (vitelline  membrane)  and  including  its  nucleus  and  nuch'olus  (germinal  vesicle  and  germi- 
nal spot),  we  will  trace  it  up  to  the  time  it  begins  to  take  shape  as  an  eml)ryo(;liick.  At  first, 
as  I  have  observed  before,  it  is  like  any  other  amu'ba ;  the  first  step  of  development  is  picib- 
ably  a  retrograde  one ;  for  if  there  ensues,  when  the  spermatozoa  melt  into  the  ovum,  tlie 
result  alHrmed  for  nuimmalian  ova,  the  origiiuil  germinal  vesicle  and  germinal   siKit  disapiuar, 

and  till'  wii.ili'  coil- 
tent  of  the  ovum 
proper  is  simjiiy  a 
homogeneous  muss 
of  granular  |)i'iiti>- 
plasm.  In  this  rct- 
roiirade  step,  tiicnr- 
ganisiii,  at  tlie  jnw- 
est  |iossilili'  roiiiicl 
of  the  ladiier  •>!' 
evolution,  is  ciiUrd 
a  tiiimi'nilii.  Tin 
germinal  vcsicli 
and  spot,  however, 
are  s|ieeilil_v  recoii- 
strilctcd,  and  tin 
ovum  looks  pre- 
cisely as  it  dill  III" 

Flo.  111.      S»Kmcntiitlon  of  tliovltRtliiii  l>y(ll(ic()lilnl  cleavage,  <llii({Tnnimntlc.  X  almiil     '"re.       Hut    nliscrvr 
in  tliiicm,  nrtrr  Ilairkcl,    Only  Hi«  ••Ircinl,"  ilculrlrle.  or  (jerni-yclk  IIkh.  ion,'',  ltd,  .(i  In      that  the  actual   ilit- 


ference  is  enormous; 


rcpri-Keiiteil,  uh  iKintlu'r  piirt  iiftlii'  vvlmU;  yi'Ik-lmll  iiiKlcrKDeHllic  |>riM<cM«.     .l,M'|iiirnlii>n 

Into'.';  /t.  Into  I;  ',  Into  Hi,  I>y  S  riiillnl  an<l  I  concont tic  furrow;  />,  iiitcmmiiy  pnrtH.  I>y 

lii  riiilial  iiiiil  aluiiit  4  niiii'i'Mtrli' fiirrowH;  A',  0,4  riiillnl  anil  hIhiuI  (!  I'oni'cntrii' fiirrowii;      for    it    now  ciin>i>ts 

A',  llio  wliolo  trcail  briikcii  up  Into  II  iiinll>orrv-inniiH  iHiiini/'i|of  cells.  <■     i      i  i       i    i       i 

'  •  of  the  blendcil  siili- 

stance  of  the  original  ovum  and  of  tlie  spermatoxoa  ;    and  in  this   duplex   or  bisexed  state, 

before  any  further  step  is  taken,  the  creature  is  called  a  ri/tuUi,  —  the  parent  cell  of  the  entire 

future  ortranisiii.     In  the  former  state  it  could  reproduce  nothing,  not  even  itsidf:  tor  it   is  the 

Strang)'  physiii|oi;ical   law  of  a   Ih/uiimiimirhii  that  it  cannot  reproduce  like  an  ordinary  cell, 

but  must  evolve  an  entire  organism,  like  both  of  those  two  whose  vital  forces  it  concentrates, 

siimmari/es,  and  embodies,—  or  nothing. 

The  first  change  in  the  parent-cell  is  that  by  which   it  becomes  broken  up  into  a  nuiss    if 

fells,  each  of  which  is  just  like  itself.     This  process  is  ealh'il  nfflnirntntion  of  Ihr  riti-llus;  each 

line  of  the  numerous  resulting  cells  is  called  a  rlriinifje-rrll.     'I'he  nucleus  of  the  parent-cell 

divides  into  two;  each  attracts  its  half  of  thi!  yelk  ;  the  halves  furrow  apart  and  there  are  now 


Ill 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  JJUWS.  —  OOLOO Y . 


■2.1b 


till)  rlfiiviiRc-i't'Us  in  placo  of  tliii  oiio  [iiircnt-coll.  A  furrow  nt  riglit  angles  to. tho  first,  and 
riiii  vision  of  tiu;  nuclei,  results  in  four  cloiiviigc-culls.  Iliuliiiting  furrows  interiniMliiito  to  the 
first  two  bisect  the  four  cell.s,  and  would  render  eir/hl  cells,  wore  not  thesti  simultaneously 
(l(iiil)letl  by  a  circular  furrow  which  cleaves  each,  with  tlie  result  of  sixteen  cleavage-cells.  So 
tlie  subdivision  goes  on  until  the  parent-cell  becomes  a  mass  of  cells.  This  particular  kind  of 
cleavage,  by  radiating  ami  concentric  furrowing,  is  called  discmdid,  and  the  resulting  heap  of 
little  cells  assumes  the  tigun;  of  u  thin.  Hat,  circular  disc.-  Segmentation  of  the  vitellus,  in 
whatever  manner  it  iiuty  go  on,  results  in  a  mulberry-like  mass  of  cleavage-cells ;  and  the 
iii'iginal  cytula  has  become  what  is  called  a  morula.  This  process  and  result  uro  clearly  shown 
in  tig.  Ill,  A-F. 

The  iiionda  or  mulberry-massed  germ  of  which  the  "tread"  of  a  bird's  egg  nt  this  mo- 
ment consists  increases  by  multiplication  of  cells,  and  the  disc  is  lifted  a  little  away  from  the 
iiiiiss  of  yellow  food-yelk  upon  which  it  rests,  like  a  watch-crystal  from  the  {m-c  of  a  watch. 
'I'liis  disposition  of  the  greatly  niultiplied  cells  in  u  luifer  and  their  coherence  forms  of  course 
a  iiifmbrune,  —  the  hluKtodermic  inem- 
hidiw,  or  blastoderm,  tig.  112,  li,  b. 
The  cavity  between  the  blastoderm 
ami  the  mass  of  food-yelk  is  called  the 
cli'iiriii/r  nirilif,  s.  At  the  stage  when 
the  blastodermic  membrane  and  cleav- 
age-cavity are  formed,  the  germ  is 
called  a  Itliistiilii,  or  grrm-irsiclf,^  and 
the  process  by  which  the  morula  be- 
comes a  Idastiila  is  called  hldslidutitm. 
Next,  from  the  thickened  rim,  w,  of 
the  watch-crystal -like  blastiila  a  layer 
of  large  entoderm  cells,  fig.  Ik',  (1,  i, 
■separates,  and  grows  toward  the  centre: 
wln-n  it  gets  there,  of  course  the  oritii- 
iial  cleavage-cavity,  s,  is  shut  off  from  Fin.  11'.'.  —  FurtluT  ili'vi>lM|.;ii,.|it  cif  lipii'it<'i;tr:  ulifr  lliirrki-l: 

the  suifa.-e  of  the  food-yelk  :    a  second     ,,'•  'I'-  '"""^"y  "'"""' ;''"  •■'••'";;|'« ;«""•  '';  "»""■'  »"  ""•"•  "•'  '"I- '" 
■'  (IK  III,  r,  here  vli'wnl  In  |it(itllu  in  wctlDn,  rcMInt;  iijion  n,  llu- 

crystal    having    grown    umler   the   first    Hliiiiily-Hlmdcil  lart  of  tliu  tlKiirc,  tn  rvprrsunt  I'onvi'ntloniilly  the 

one.      The  .second   adheres   to  the   first,  ".""'"  '"^  •'""''-Vlk.    ,;'■  "'"'■"l^'  Kl.yc  (u»  I«f..rc);    «.   Mu»tuU 

ctiiltc,  the  ni:i»»  cif  oi'IIh,  h,  fDriiiiiiK  '"•'  I'liwtolcrni,  niiliriwl  fnmi 

obliterating;  the  original  deavage-cav-  ilii>  ri.ij-yi-lk.  IcuvImk  tlie  ili'iivaiftf-ouvjiy,  .«;  ic,  ilic  tliicki^nwl 

itv;     the   L'i'llii   is    now    obviously    tico-  rim  ..r  ilie  nerm-llw;  <,  tlio  lilaMiita  In  pnx-,>8i.  ..r  Inv.THlun,  l.y 

'  .   .  .  .         ■  wlilili  II  liiyiT  of  i-nliKli'mi-rells,  i.  KPiwIntf  fniin  pi'rliilicry  lo 

liii/rnd  ;    tiie   risilu;  of   tlic    inner   layer  .•.ntr.',  will  upply  llwir  tolh..  liivir  of  ,>xiKlornwi.|li.,  ...ililltcrnt- 

to   meet    the   outer   results    in    a   cavity  ''"^  "'"  '■l''i»*nK''-''"vlly.  ■■<;    /'.  Hi'-  •llw-uni'lnilii  lonii.li-tcd,  by 

lielweeli  llsell   and   the  I l-yelk,  J),  d.  |i,i,.|,iii,„l  .Hvlty, ./,  wlil.-li  Ix  <iiill.-  Klnilliir  In  ii|i|M.iiranfu  to  tlio 

This     cavity     exactly     reseiubles     the  'I'livaKiMiivily,  x,  Imt  niDrjilmlDglcally  iiulto  illftereiit. 

original  cleavage-cavitj,  but  it  is  ii  very  different  thing,  being  the  primitive!  intestinal  cnritij. 
The  blastuhi,  or  yerm- vesicle,  has  become  converted  into  a  (fastruln,  by  the  invauinatiiig 
process  just  described,  known  as  ijast  mint  ion.  The  uastrula  of  a  bird  has  the  circular  dis- 
coidal  form  whii-h  caii.ses  it  to  be  termed  a  discoifastrula.  This  prix-ess  of  forming  a  single 
hiastodermic  layer,  with  a  cleavage-cavity  (hiastula,  or  trm-  germ -vesicle),  then  two  bhisto- 
deriiiic  layers,  with  obliteration  of  the  <-leavai;e-cavity  and  substitution  of  a  primitive  intestinal 
cavity  (gastnila),  is  common  to  all  animals  which  consist  of  more  than  single  cells,  under  vari- 
ous modifications  ami  disguises:  the  process  descrilM'd  is  that  occurring  in  meroblustlo  eggs 
which  have  a  ili.M'oidal  cleavage  and  form  a  discoga.strnla.'' 

'  Nut  til  lio  ciinfiiiunloil  wllli  llic  iirl^lniil  "iri'rnilnni  vpi'li'l<>"iirilic  pnri'nt-ocll.  wlilcli  lonir  ulnn'  iIliuip|N-»re<l. 
'  Tlittiui-oulluil  "KvrinvLiilclu"  of  tbo  liololiluntlc  maniuialiiin  egg  l»  aubsequeiit  tu  i;iiiitrulntluii,nut  priur, 
ami  la  tlicrvruru  nut  u  liliwtulu  prii|iar. 

Ifi 


hill    * 


SS6 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY. 


Wliiit  wp  Imvo  got  now  is  a  tread  or  jcrm  considtiiiu  of  a  circular  ronrnvo-convcx  disc  of 
two  layers  of  Mastodcrin,  resting  by  its  rim  upon  tlic  \!,n'B.X  yellow  ball  of  fiKMl-yelk,  from  wliich 
it  is  W'piiratcd  liy  a  cavity,  as  a  watdi-crystal  from  its  face.  All  these  changes,  up  to  coiiiiilc- 
tion  of  gastriilation,  may  go  on  before  the  eijfi  is  laid,  tlie  tread  <if  a  perfectly  fresh  egg  hciui; 
already  a  iiiulticeliiilar  discogastrula.  Since  the  earlier  stages  of  the  enihryo  (cytiila,  morula, 
blastula,  and  gastriila)  are  actually  accomplished  while  the  egg  is  still  in  the  body  of  the  parent, 
the  analogy  of  the  oviduct  to  uterus,  etc.,  as  well  as  its  strict  houudogy  to  the  parts  of  a 
miillerian  du.t  so  named,  is  not  so  fanciful  as  some  appear  to  think.  The  outer  of  the  two 
bhisfodeniiic  layers  is  the  ectoderm  or  ejiiblust,  (■  ur  It,  e;  the  inner  is  the  etidoderm  or  hiffHi- 
hldxt,  i.  |{y  multiplication  of  cell.-  between  the  two  arises  the  mesohhtst.  The  mesohla.stic 
lay<'r  of  ludls  sub.se(|ucntly  splits  into  two,  of  which  the  outer  is  the  somntopkura,  or  Imdy 
layer,  the  inner  the  .splayichnoiileura  or  visceral  layer.  The  two-layered  germ  has  then  bicuinc 
four-layiTcd.  V\i  to  th<'  time  of  fornuition  of  four  layers,  the  cells  are  all  alike,  or  only  dill'i  r 
slightly  in  size,  color,  or  consistency.  Now,  however,  ensues  that  nuirvellous  process  by  wluclj 
the  indiH'ercnt  i-ells  of  the  blastodermic  layers  are  to  becoin(>  differeutinted  in  form  and  special- 
iced  infinwlion, —  a  sort  of  divisiou-of-lahor  system  in  the  infant  <'(dony  of  cells,  by  which  some 
am  to  learn  to  move,  others  to  digest,  others  to  procreate,  others  to  think  and  feel,  with  corre- 
sponding modifications  of  form  by  which  are  generated  the  Ostetimo'ba:,  Myamu'bfp,  Keiir- 
amoeba',  —  the  boue-cells,  muscle-ctdls,  nerve-cells,  and  all  others  of  the  complex  organisni 
which  is  in  a  few  days  to  come  into  being  from  such  simple  Ix-ginnings.  This  of  course  opens 
up  the  whole  liehl  of  embryology,  which  we  cannot  here  enter  ujxin.  I  will  only  add.  that  from 
the  ejiihiast  is  derived  the  integument,  and  its  inversions,  as  those  of  the  eye  and  ear,  and  the 
brain  and  spinal  chord.  From  the  hypoblast  is  derived  the  lining  of  the  alimentary  canal  ami  u\ 
its  annexes  and  offsets,  as  liver,  lungs,  etc.  The  rest  of  the  embryo  comes  from  the  iiiesolilasi. 
and  nuist  of  it  from  the  souuitopleural  layer.  The  fissure  between  the  two  layers  of  the 
niesobhist  becomes  the  great  pleuro-peritoneal  cavity. 

In  explaining  the  early  embryo,  I  have  closely  f(dluwcd  the  great  German  morphologist. 
Hacckel ;  and  the  illustrations  are  from  the  sitme  high  source. 


incubation.  —  To  induce  the  wonderful  nietamorjihoses  just  hinted  at,  It  is  only  necessary 
to  keep  a  birds  <'gg  at  a  pretty  even  temperature  of  about  100°  F.  Nearly  all  birds  secure 
this  result  by  th<'  process  of  incubation.  In  many  cases  the  sun's  rays  relieve  the  jiareut  of 
801IU'  part  of  the  duty.  In  a  few,  the  heat  evolved  from  vegetable  ferment  or  decomposition  is 
utilized  for  the  same  ]mrpose.  This  seems  to  be  the  case  to  some  extent  with  gr<d)es ;  but 
these  incubate.  ''The  exception  to  the  rule  of  incubation  is  given  by  the  Megapodial  birds 
of  the  Australasian  Islands.  A  liug«!  mound  of  decaying  v  able  inatt(  r  is  raised  ;  the  egys 
nn;  deposited  vertically  in  a  circle  at  a  certain  depth,  ncai  the  ..ummit,  and  the  chick  is  devid- 
oped  with  th(.  aid  of  the  heat  of  fermentation.  Th<'  l.irge  size  of  th<-  egg  relates  to  atfordiiu; 
a  supply  ofnuiterial  sntlicring  for  an  unusually  advanced  .state  of  development  of  the  chick  at 

exclusion  ;  whereby  it  has  strength  to  force  its  way  to  the  surfa >f  the  hatchiiig-moiiiid, 

with  wings  and  feathers  sufficiently  developed  to  enable  it  to  take  a  short  tliirht  to  the  nearest 
branch  of  , 'in  overshadowing  tree"  (Owen).  The  period  of  incubation  has  been  ascertained 
with  precision  for  few  binls;  it  is  known  to  ninge  from  ten  days  (perhaps  less),  as  in  case  ol" 
the  wren.  In  fifty  or  sixty  for  the  oslri<'h.  The  female  is  usually  the  sitter.  FreipiiMitly  both 
sexes  iMcuhat<>  in  turn;  such  umiatural  care  for  the  young  by  the  male  is  termetl  double  moDoij- 
am)).  In  most  or  all  Jtatitrt',  in  the  family  I'hiilnropodidfP,  and  some  other  l/nnicoliiic  genera, 
the  male  incubates.  Most  birds  attend  to  their  own  eggs;  many  cucKnos  (ri<('/(/iV/rf)  and  the 
Bpe<'ies  of  Mtdothrus,  are  parasitical,  laying  in  the  nests  of  other  birds,  which  are  thus  forced  to 
buuome  foster-parents  of  alien  offspring,  generally  to  the  ih'struction  of  their  own.  This  seems 
to  result  from  some  peculiarity  of  the  egg-laying  process,  which  does  noi  |)ermit  several  i-ggs 


THE  ANATOMY  OF  BIRDS.  — OOLOQT. 


227 


t(i  Im  incubated  and  hatched  simultancoufdy.  It  is  not  so  unusual  among  Ainrrican  cuckoou 
,'is  gcncnilly  Hui>posc>d.  Tho  degrco  of  diivt-lopiiicut  to  which  birdx  atuiiii  in  tiic  egg  has  been 
.iliviuly  discussed  (p.  88).  They  brcuii  the  shell  by  pecking  at  it,  and  struggling;  for  the 
roriner  o{)cration  the  bill  is  often  tempered  ut  the  tip  by  a  hard  knob  which  is  afterward  ab- 
siirbed.  The  necessity  of  providing  a  receptacle  for  eggs,  in  which  they  may  be  incubated, 
rt'siilts  in  nidificution  or  nest-building  ;  and  the  extraordinary  taste  and  ability  many  birds  dis- 
jihiy  in  this  matter,  as  well  as  the  wide  range  (if  their  habitudes,  furnishes  one  of  tiie  most 
(iciigiitfiil  departments  of  ornithtdogy,  railed  caliolotjy  ((Jr.  KoAid,  kalia,  a  bird's  nest;  see 
p.  54,  note).  Many  binh  burrow  in  tho  ground;  others  in  trees;  the  most  beautiful  and 
cliiborate  nests  are  furnished  by  various  members  of  the  Oscines,  the  weaver-birds  of  Africa 
( I 'loceida)  probably  taking  the  lead.  The  male  sometimes  constnn-ts  his  own  "nest"  apart 
tVoiM  that  in  which  the  female  incubates.  "Certain  conirostral  CVih<<»-c.s  still  practise  in  the 
iiiiiiisturhed  wilds  of  Australia  the  formation  of  marriage-bowers  distinct  from  the  later-formed 
nesting-place.  The  satin  bowiT-bird  (I'titouoilti/uclms  luiloKericeux),  and  tiie  pink-necked 
iiipwer-bird  {Vhlamt/doilera  maciiltttn),  are  remarkable  for  their  construction  on  the  ground  of 
avenues,  over-arched  by  long  twigs  or  grass-stems,  the  entry  and  exit  of  which  are  adorned  by 
pearly  shells,  bright -cohired  feathers,  bleached  bones,  and  other  decorative  nuitenals,  which  are 
liidught  in  profusion  by  the  nnile,  and  variously  arranged  to  attract,  as  it  would  se(tm,  the 
female  by  the  show  of  a  handsome  establishment"  (Owen).  The  extraordinary  nests  of  the 
Crotopliaga,  used  in  connnon  by  a  colony  of  the  birds,  are  noted  at  p.  471.  "  Edible  birds'- 
iiests,"  constructed  by  swifts  of  \\\v.  genus  Collocalia,  ccmsist  chietly  of  inspissated  saliva. 
I'erhaps  the  most  remarkable  of  all  the  receptacles  of  eggs  is  that  which  the  |)enguin  makes  of 
its  own  body,  the  egg  being  carried  in  a  sort  of  pouch  formed  by  the  iutegumeut  of  the  belly, 
something  like  that  of  a  marsupial  mammal. 


m 

If  «•  5 


5  6.    DIRECTIONS  FOR   USING  THK  ARTIFICIAL  KEYS. 

These  "Keys"  ditfer  from  natunil  analyses  in  being  wholly  arbitrary  and  artificial. 
They  are  an  attempt  to  take  the  student  by  a  "short  cut"  to  the  name  and  |Misiti<m  in  the  orni- 
thologicikl  system  of  any  8))ecimenof  a  North  American  bird  he  may  have  in  hand  and  desini  to 
identify.  The  plan  has  Im-cu  much  used  in  Hotany,  though  seldom  if  ever  employed  for  a 
whole  Fauna,  before  the  original  editicm  of  this  work.  It  will  serve  a  goinl  purpose,  rightly 
UEUid ;  but  it  nmst  be  remembered  there  is  nu  "royal  road  to  learning";  nolnidy  can  bo 
smuggled  into  s<mnd  erudition,  either.  Nor  must  too  iinn-li  be  ex|H'cled  of  me  here;  I  rnu 
take  the  student  nowhere  until  he  has  learned  the  diii'erence  between  the  head  and  the  tail  of 
a  bird,  at  any  rate.  That  is  what  the  preceding  pages  undertake  to  teach ;  but,  until  such 
technicalities  havt*  been  mastered,  progress  in  ornithidogy  is  out  of  the  ipiestion. 

The  original  "  Key  to  the  (lenera"  proved  scarcely  so  sati^'faetory  as  I  hop«'d  it  wouhl  be. 
It  undertook  tint  much,  to  conduct  the  stiulent  at  once  down  to  the  intricJicies  of  the  very 
many  modern  genera,  not  all  of  which  can  by  any  possibility  he  cliaracterixed  intelligibly  in 
a  line  <if  type.  I  have  pndiably  siinpliKed  and  expedited  matt<'rs  by  jireparing  on  the  same 
plan  Keys  to  tint  Ordi-rs  and  Sub-orders,  and  to  the  Families.  Then  in  the  body  of  tho 
work,  under  each  head,  further  analyses  are  given  when  sncli  seems  to  be  reipiired,  of 
tiiniilies  under  their  orders  <ir  siib-onlers,  of  genera  under  tlieir  families,  and  of  species  under 
their  genera.  The.se  ulterior  analyses  ant  for  the  most  part  riillier  natural  tlian  artilicial. 
tiiough  I  never  luisitate  to  seize  upon  any  character  that  may  furnish  the  desired  clue  to  ideiiti- 
tication. 

The  artilicial  Keys  inimetliately  following  will  take  the  student  to  the /(U«i7m.»,  with  refer- 
ence to  the  page  of  the  work  where  such  groups  come  ;  on  turning  to  which,  further  analyses 


228 


UKiSEHA L   OHM nWLUO  >  . 


will  b«  found,  gpiirriilly  down  to  species  and  even  varieties.  They  are  to  be  used  as  follow.^ 
(after  the  preceding  lessons  have  been  learned) :  — 

We  have  in  hand  a  hird  we  do  not  know,  and  the  name  of  which  we  wish  to  asnrtain 
Sup|)o.se  it  to  he  that  c.onniion  species  whi(  h  huiids  the  nest  of  mud  upon  the  bough  uf  tin 
apple-tree  and  lays  greenish-blue  egifs.     To  what  family  does  it  Inilong  f 

The  Key  o|k'Us  witii  an  arbitrary  division  of  our  birds  acconiiufj  to  the  tiuniber  and 
|>ositiou  of  their  toes.  Our  specimen,  we  see,  has  four  toes,  three  in  front,  one  behind.  It 
therefore  comes  under  IV.     iin'iUfi  to  IV.,  we  read  : 


Hind  too  —  liiserli'cl  uIk>vc  tliu  level  of  the  real,  etc. 
—  not  innvrtiMl  altuve  the  level  of  tbe  rest. 


(OutoB.) 


Our  specimen  has  the  hind  toe  not  in.«erted  above  the  level  of  the  rest.  Going  to  Fl,  we  lind 
liv(!  alternatives.  Our  bird  presents  no  one  of  the  s]iecial  characters  of  tlu;  first  four  ailiTua- 
lives,  and  this  determined  takes  us  to  jf.     There  we  find  : 

ill)  I'rimurluii  —  lo  ;  tliu  l»t  (never  npurloiiii),  etc. 

—  11);  tliu  tm  (H|iiirl()UH  iir),  etc.  .  .  .  (Uo  lo  t) 

—  9 ;  tliu  lit  (never  ii|iuriuiiii),  etc. 

In  this  ca.se  the  bird  has  (diviously  a  spurious  first  primary,  not  nearly  two-thirds  us  loin;  a> 
the  hingest.     (j<dng  lo  i;   - 


(i)  Tttraus—  "  bootutl "  i  wiugi— ahorter  than,  etc. 

—  lunger  thuii  tail ;  tail  —  ilniibic  rniinilc<l. 

—  not  iliiublo  ruuiiilcd  . 


Ti;uDin*;,  p.  24o. 


Thus  (provided  we  have  tak<!n  the  trouble  to  inform  ourselves  what  "  sjiurious  first  pri- 
mary "  and  "booted  tarsus"  mean),  the  key  conducts  to  a  family,  by  |iresenting  in  siiccessidu 
certain  alternatives,  on  meeting  with  each  of  which,  we  have  only  lo  determine  which  one  ul' 
the  two  or  more  sets  of  charactcr.s  agrees  with  tho.se  atforded  by  our  specimen.  'I'lierc  will 
not,  it  is  believed,  be  any  trouble  in  determining  whether  a  given  character  is  so,  or  is  nut  so, 
since  only  the  luo.st  tangibU',  detinite,  anil  obvious  features  have  been  selected  in  framing  tlic 
key.  After  each  determination,  either  the  name  of  a  family  is  encountered,  or  else  a  reference- 
letter  leads  on  to  some  new  alternative,  until  by  a  gradinil  process  of  elimination  th<>  proper 
fan  y  is  reached.  After  a  few  trials,  with  specimens  representing  ditferent  groups,  the  pr<«'css 
will  be  shortened,  for  the  main  divisions  will  have  been  learned;  still  tbe  student  must  be 
careful  how  he  strikes  in  anywhere  except  at  the  beginning,  for  a  fal.se  start  will  soon  set  him 
liopelessly  adrift.  The  key  has  been  tested  .so  thoroughly  that  there  is  little  danger  of  his 
niiming  off  the  track  e.\cept  through  carelessness,  or  misconception  of  technical  terms;  but 
there  is  no  excuse  for  the  former,  and  liie  latter  may  be  obviated  by  the  (jllossary  at  tlu^  end  uf 
the  book,  and  -  specially  the  foregning  (ieneral  Ornilliology,  ^  .'<,  wliich  should  be  consiilliil 
when  any  doubt  arises.  Time  sjient  upon  the  preliminary  lessons  will  be  time  saveil  in 
the  end. 

At  jiuge  240,  as  indicated,  the  family  Tiirdid.r  is  fully  charaeteri/.ed,  and  its  sub-families 
and  geiu'ra  are  analysed.  The  bird  in  hanil  .slmuld  answer  all  the  charai-ters  of  the  family  and 
those  of  one  of  the  sub-families,  Tnrdinee.  and  one  nf  the  genera,  Tardus.  Tiie  analysis  n|' 
the  species  of  Tardus  should  show  the  specimen  to  be  Tardas  niifiratoriiis,  the  Hobiii.  Undrr 
ilie  head  of  that  species.  No.  I  of  the  hi.st,  will  be  found  a  fair  description  and  various  othei 
particulars. 

If  there  Im-  any  dillieiilty  in  goinn  at  once  to  the  family,  the  student  may  try  tbe  key  to 
the  orders  and  sub-orders,  and  get  on  the  track  in  that  way. 

Directions  for  measurement  have  already  been  given  (|>.  24).  In  eoinpariug  measure- 
nu'iits  made  with  those  given  in  the  Synopsis,  absolute  agreement  intist  not  be  expected  ; 
individual    B|)ccUneu8  vary  tixi   much  for  this.     It  will  generally  Im>  satisfactory,  if  the  discre- 


JJIUKCTJONS  FOR   VSISO    TIIK  KKYS. 


2'29 


nancy  if  not  boyoiul  wrtnin  bounds.  A  variation  of,  say,  five  jxt  cent,  may  l>e  safely  allowed 
(III  birds  not  largi'r  than  a  robin  :  from  tliis  size  up  to  that  of  a  crow  or  hawk,  ten  |M-r  cent. ; 
fill-  larger  birds  even  more.  Some  birds  vary  up  to  twenty  or  twenty-five  jH-r  cent.,  in  their 
tiital  length  at  least.  Ho  if  I  say  of  a  sparrow  for  instance,  "length  ."ix  inches,"  and  the 
!i|icciiiien  is  found  to  be  anywhere  between  live  and  thrw-fourths  and  six  and  tine-fourth,  it 
will  be  ([uitc  near  enough.  But  the  relative  jiroinirtions  of  the  different  iwrts  of  a  bird  are 
iiiiicli  more  constant,  and  here  less  discrepancy  is  allowable.  Thus  "  tarsus  lougiT  than  the 
iiiidtlle  tiM',"  or  the  reverse,  is  often  a  matter  of  much  less  than  a  (piarter  of  an  inch  ;  and  as  it 
is  upon  just  such  nice  points  as  this  that  a  great  many  of  the  geuj-ric  analyses  rest,  the  neces- 
sity nf  the  utmost  accuracy  in  measuring,  for  the  us<'  of  the  keys,  b«>comes  obvious.  When  I 
tiiid  it  necessary  to  use  tli(M|ualification  "about"  (us,  "bill  rtfcon/ ^=  tarsus '')  I  jirobably  never 
mean  to  indicate  a  difference  of  more  than  five  per  cent,  of  the  length  of  the  |»art  in  (jMestioii. 

It  may  be  well  to  call  attention  to  the  fact,  that  most  |)enions  unuccustouie<l  to  bandliii^ 
liinls  are  liable  to  be  deceived  in  attempting  to  entimatc  a  given  dimension  ;  they  geiieraUy 
make  it  out  less  than  measurement  shows  it  to  1m>.  This  seems  to  be  au  optical  effect  con- 
nected with  the  solidarity  of  the  object,  as  is  well  ilhistrateil  in  dniwing  plates  of  birds,  which, 
when  mad(!  exactly  of  life-size,  always  look  larger  than  the  original,  on  account  of  the  tlatuess 
of  the  paper.  The  ruler  or  tape-line,  therefore,  should  always  Im-  usitl,  and  particularly  in 
those  cases  where  analyses  in  the  key  rest  upon  dimensions.  It  is  hanlly  necessary  to  add, 
tiiat  in  taking,  approximately,  the  total  length  from  a  prepared  s|H-cimen,  n-giird  should  be 
had  for  the  "  make-up "  of  the  skin.  A  little  practice  will  enabh-  one  to  detennine  pretty 
accurately  how  much  a  skin  is  stretched  or  shrunken,  and  to  make  the  due  allowance  in  either 
case. 

The  measurements  used  in  this  work  are  all  in  English  inches  and  decimals. 

There  are  pr(d)ably  no  signs  or  abbreviations  not  self-explanatory  or  nut  already  vxpluiuod 
ill  "  Field  Ornithology." 


J— - 


»-.. 


•Mcuvt 


'.Mms 


■--.  n%%l         0... 


Fto.  112  M«.  —  DlHir-im  of  rnrrciiponillnR  neginonti  nf  liinti  llmlin  of  nuo,  bone,  ami  bird.    Tbe  UiM*  l-ll 
i»(Aamt$,  cutting  tbe  liiiibt  Into  uurpbologically  equal  part*,  or  Uumtrt*. 


: 


§ 


280 


GENERAL  ORNITUOLOOY. 


ARTIFICIAL  KEY  TO  THE  ORDERS  AND  SUBORDERS. 


I 'age 

I,    Tors  S;  2  In  front,  1  behind /'•<^i/»rm«*  n/ Pk-ari^.  444 

11.    Toes  3;  3  In  front.    Tow  —  cleft  or  Bemlpalmate Iamwoi.m  KW, 

-  palmate.    NostrlU  —  tubular Uinoiprnnkh  7.w 

-not  tubular Pvaoroma  7»i7 

III.    Toes  4 ;  3  In  front,  2  behind.    Bill  —  cored  and  liookwl Phittai.'I  4!)l 

—  neither  cered  nor  hooked.    Tall  featbera  —  g  or  10 

Cueulifnrmei<if  PicAHlM  444 
—  12    I'ici/ormet  </Pioahi.k  444 
IT.     Toes  4 ;  3  in  front,  1  behind. 

Toea  —  ajrndactyle ♦Wu/i/omiMii/PiiTAiii*  444 

—  totlpalmate  (all  four  full-wubbod) .STKaA^<■l■ol>Ka  Tix 

—  paluiato.    BUI  —  curvinl  u|> l.iMiiu>i..«  59c 

—  not  curved  up  —  lamolliiti! Lamkllirohi'|(i:i<  tilT 

—  not  lamellate.    Hallux  —  lobate i'vuoroiiKit  TXT 

—  notlobata  .    .      I»noii-kn!<ks  7.(3 

—  lobato.    Tall  —  rmllmentarjr Pvooi-iidu  787 

—  perfect.  —  A  horny  frontal  Hhleld ALKirruRlDKs  (fit 

—  No  frontol  Bhield LIMIOOL;!!  KtH 

—  Heuiipalmate;  Joinwl  by  evident  movable  basnl  web  (go  to  A). 

—  cicfl  to  the  bom!  or  llieru  immovably  coherent  go  to  B). 

A.  Uiod  toe  —  elevated.    Tibhu  —  feathered  below.    Nostrlla  —  |ierforate  .    ,    .     r'a/A<ir«i(/rx(2/' Uai'Tohkm  4!ii; 

—  lm|ierforate.    Oape  —  reaching  below  eye 

Cy;uf/(/>imi<'ii>!/'Pii'.\Ri.i.:  444 
—  not  reaching  Iwlow  cyu 

UALLlN.t:  .071 

—  naked  below.    Noatrlls  —  |icrforate Alkctohidi-'s  t;ii^-> 

—  imperforate.    Tarai  —  acutellate  In  front 

LlMIrDL.K  .I'.N! 

—  reticulate,    llcail  — luilil 

IIkhdiiionkh  i;t7 
—  fKnlhuroil 
LiHICUL.t:  .'iiiti 

—  not  olevuted.    Tlbin  —  naked  below Herudionkh  tl)7 

—  foathervtl  below.    Bill— cered  and  booked Kaitorkh  41)1; 

—  Dotcered.   Nasal  — membranesofl  Coi.i.mh.I':  Ml 

—  scale  hani  tlAi.i.iN*  .'hI 
II    Hind  toe  —  elevated.    Qape  —  reaching  liclow  eye ('i/p»rl{fiirme>of  Vwmuk  iU 

—  not  below  eye.    1st  primary  —  emarglnate  or  about  =  2d    .    .    Limkoi..!;  fiiiti 

—  not  emarglnate  and  shorter  than  2<l 

Alkctoridkh  tWt 

—  not  elevated.    Nostrils  —  oimning  beneath  soft  swollen  membrane Coi.tTSin.t':  ."JCI 

—  otherwise.    BUI  —  ccrod  and  hooked Rai'ToIikh  4!N> 

—  otherwise.    Secondaries  —  only  six 

Cypmli/ormeaiifPwAniK  444 
—  more  than  six  (go  lo  a). 
».  Prlmuriet— 10;  Ist  more  than  jj  as  long  as  the  longest Clamalnret  qf\ 

—  10;  1st  not]  as  long  as  the  longest   1  ...  UiamrA  itJA     ^^*'^**  ^^ 

—  9  only j 


ARTIFICIAL  KEY  TO  THE  FAMILIES. 


281 


ARTIFICIAL   KEY  TO  THE   FAMILIES. 


Pat* 

TOE3  3,  —  2I.S   KllOJJT,   1   BFIIIMI) PlOIUiK  477 

TOES  3,  —  :i  IM  KRO.NT.     (Oo  til  II.) 

TOK.S  4,-2  IN  KRUMT,  2  UKIIINI).     (Qo  to  III.) 

TOKS  4,  —  3  111  KBOMT,  1  BKUIMO.     lOu  to  IV.) 

II.  [ToKs  3,      3  IM  fnowT.J 

Toe»  —  completely  webbed.    Noitrili  —  tubular  (Albatroaaeo) Prockllariid«  773 

—  not  tubular  (Auka,  ftc.> Alciuvk  707 

—  Incompletely  or  not  webbed.    Leg«  — about  n*  long  aawhiKi.    nilUuhulato  (Stilt)  KEcuHVlROSTlilUit:  fiOU 

—  niucli  iliorlcr  than  wingR  (go  to  a). 

(•I  Tonus  — Rcutollato  In  ftront,  about  a«  long  an  bill  (Samlorling) Scoi.oPAt'll>jB  614 

—  reticulate  la  (Tout  —  iliortur  tban  ml  itliisul-llko  bill  (Oyster-catcher) .     \Ijk.uilTovohwx.  606 

—  lunger  than  bill  (Plovon) CUAHADUilbiK  &l>7 

III.  [Toes  4,-2  i.n  kront,  2  beiiini>.| 

mil  —  ccrc*l  and  strongly  hooked.    TamuH  granulatol  (Parrot) PsiTTAdiDifC  406 

—  nutcered;  iuuer  hlud  too  —  3-JointG<l;  PiuniagoiriilcHvunt  (Trngon) Troooniua  468 

—  2-Julnteil; —  tull  uf  — 8  iir  10  Hoft  fnathor*  (Cuckoos,  A:c.)    .    .    CunuLIUiK  470 
— 12 (apparently  only  10)  rigid  acuminate  feathers 

(Woodpcckera) Vkwm  477 

IV.  [T<)K8  4,  —  3   IN    FRONT,    1    UEIIINU.) 

HiNO  TOK  —  INSRRTKD  AIIOVK  Till:   LKVKL   OK   THE    BEST  (AND  ALWAYS  8IIORTKB  TUAM  THE  SUORTEST 
FRU.NT  TOK).     (flo  to  A.) 
—  NOT  INSKRTKI)  AUOVK  Till'.   LKVKL  OV  THE  RKST  (AND   OKNEUALLY    HUT  MOT  ALWAYS  NOT 
8II0IITKR  TUAH  TIIK  8UUHTKHT  FRONT  TOK)      (Oo  tu  B.) 

A.    I  I'ltr  hind  toe  elicaltd.  \ 

feet  —  TOTir/-.  .mate  (all  4  loe»  Wfhbeil;  hiiul  toe  lemi-tiileral  anil  banly  elevated).    (Oo  to  A.) 

—  I'ALM.^ TK  {3/nmt  tnea/ull-iribbeil,  html  tw  tetll  up,  timple  or  lobeil  or  connected  by  »llgkt  webbiny  to 

Ixtue  only  of  inner  toe).    (Oo  to  B.) 

—  LOOATK  (a  front  lor»  pitrlly  irebliril  or  not,  and  contplruouily  bordered  with  plain  or  icalloped  mem- 

briinei ;  hind  toefrre,  and  simple  or  lolud).    (Oo  to  C.) 

—  SKMIPALMATK  (3,  or  3,  front  toti  webbed  at  bate  only  by  tmiill  yet  evident  membrane ;  hind  toe  well  up, 

limple).    (OotoD.) 

—  SIMPLE  i/Vi)ii<  tort  with  no  evident  membranes ;  hind  toe  well  up,  simple).    (Oo  to  K.) 

<  A.)  Tarsus  —  fcuthercd,  partly  ;  toil  deeply  rorkc<l;  bill  cpigiijitliiiuK  Krigato-binli  .    .    .    .  Taciivi-ktid.*:  730 
—  naked;  bill  —  >  tail,  bookc<l  at  tip,  fiirniabiMl  with  onnrniDus  pouch  (Pelicans)     PKLKCAMDiK  7SI 
—  <  tail;  throat  —  fcathuroil;  miUdIo  tail  fuatliers  filamentous  (Tropic-blrdr) 

PUAKTUDNTIDjIS  731 
—  naked ;  tall  —  pointed,  soft ;  tonilasubfierrate(GBnneti>)  SULlDiK  720 
—  rounded,  stiff ;  bill  —  paragnatlious  (Anhinga) 

Plotid^  729 
—  epignathous  (Cormorants) 

PUALACBOCORAVIOf  723 


r 


282 


OF.NKHA  L   OUNI I IKHAK1 Y. 


TaRo 
(B«)  BUI  -  curv*!  up,  extremely  ulemlornriil  8cuto(Avncet( nRri'RviliDKTniii^:  lUili 

—  belli  iilirii|illy  iIdwii,  very  Blunt,  Imiiflliile  (Klaiiiliigo) I'lliKNlcui-'rilltJi)^:  i'iTn 

—  laiiiL'lluli.'.  iiKwlly  iiii'iiilininiiiiH,  Willi  nail  al  villi  (Swaim,  (lopHC,  DiK'kH,  \T.)    ....  Anatiii.i:  i;7!i 

—  nut  laniullatu;  iKwIrila  —  tiiliiilur;  liiiiil  toe  very  Hiiiiill  (IVtrt'lK) Pmu.'KM.AIllllM: ';.'l 

—  lint  liiliiilar^  liliiil  lou  —  rri'c,  lint  liilnil  ((I11II8  mill TeniH) .    ,     I.aiiih.I':  ;.;.'| 

—  not  Treu,  liilHxi  (l^ooiiit) C'lii.vMiiin.i:  7M) 

(C.)  Tall      riiillnu'iilary;  InrcH  nakoil  (Orebcn)       roiiirii'iiniii.K ':il! 

—  Iicifuil  i  fiiruliuml  —  tdvireil  Willi  a  lioriiy  hIiIcM  (C'lHilii) U.\i.i,iii.k  (;i;il 

—  ffallit'iril  (I'liiilariipcB) I'iiai.aiiiiI'miiiii.i:  ui.i 

(It.)   Mlil'Oluw  —  iK'i'lltiatu;  4tli  tiK!  4-Jiiliiluil;  iiliniiaKu  lax  ((liiatHiii'kcriil C.\l'liMli'i.iiil>.v: -147 

—  nut  |H.'<uliiatu;  liiiiil  tiH- —  vcmulilo;  pliiiiiaKi' i'iiiii|ia>i  (S\virt4| C'vrhKi.iii.K  irA 

—  nut  vurHalllui  licail  —  iiakvil  (pi  lu  h). 

—  fcullieriHl  (ifii  111  !•). 
(b.)  NuiilrllH  —  Iniperrurato;  nakoil  leg  ami  fiHit  aliurlcr  llian  tail  I'l'iiikcyi .     .     .     .     Mki.kaiiiiiiiiii.i:  67(1 

—  iierfuralc;  iiakvil  lu|;  anil  I'lMit  --  Hliiirtcr  lli:iii  lull  (Turkey  liuzzariln)    .     <'ArilAltll|i.t:  h:', 

—  luiiuvr  than  (all  l(.'raiiuii) Uiii'iii.i:  iwii 

(c.j  NuHtrllii— fi^atlicri'il,  nr  Kcaluil,  III  ili'op  rimmi  urntiiiil  liani  bill TlvrKAoMiM:  ri7r. 

—  nut  ruutliurcil  nor  ncalvil,  in  Krwivu  ofiiunisli  bill;  lamui  —  rctlcnlnle  (I'luvcr) 

CiiAitAiiitiiD.i':  .V.17 
—  ncutcllato  in  front  (Snipe,  il'c  ) 

(E.)  Wing  —  nimrrcHl I'AniiiiM.  fiCiti 

uut  ■jiiirrcU;  forohuaU  —  covorol  witli  aliurny  Dliielil  ((lalllniileii) Uai.i.ih.I';  Gi;'.) 

—  feallicreil;  loiigtii  — 'J  fret  ur  iiiuiu AllA.Mlli.l:  1.1)7 

—  uiiiiar2re«t;  iKtiirliuury  —  altviiiiatu(W(HMlcock).    ,    .   S('Oij)rA<ui>.i':  GI4 

—  iiotuttenuuto  — uiucli  shorter  than  2il(l(ailH) 

UAi.i.iii.t:  liCii 

—  about  equal  to  2<1  (Sullie.&c.)  SciiLorArlli.t-:  Iil4 

or  Umukvovumum  (knj 

B.  \Tlie  hind  lo*  not  rieraletl.] 

ToER  RYNnArTVLniTH;  tibiic  nakol  Iwlowj  bill  Htralglit,  acute  (KhigllslierH) Am.'KI>iniiia:  40* 

Tiai^:  NAKi:i>  iiKuiw.    (dulml.) 

NOBTIIII.H  (ll-KNI.NO   lirNKATII   HoKT  HW((I.I.KN   UKM ilKANl:.     ((ill  to  e.) 

Kill  iiihiki:!)  and  i'cu.mhiikii  with  a  <'i:ui'..    ((tutor.) 
iiiKiiM  without  Tin:  aikivi:  ('Iiaiiactkkm.    (UotuK.) 

(d.)  Middle  claw  — iicctinatu  (lleroiiH) Aiiin.iii/i':  ti.VI 

—  Klmplo;  tariuii  — Kculcllate  In  frunt  (IblHCRl IiiiiiiujI':  Ms 

—  reticulate;  bill  —  Hat,  ■|ioon-i<lia|iO(l  (S|K)onbill)    ,  Pi.atalkiii.I':  Oil 
—  nut  Hut,  Htuut  tailoring (WimmI  IblH)  CiciiNiin.t:  eca 

(e.l  Bird  over  18  Inclie*  long,  grvenlHli  (Texan  Uuan) CliA<  M).)-:  572 

KIrilH  uiiilvr  ISIncbcH  longdMgeonii) (kiMiMlilli^:  662 

(f.)  Uyea  —  lateral,  not  Kurroundwl  by  uiIIih';  noRtrlU  in  the  cere  ( Huwkii,  Kagicn,  &r.)   .  Kai.<'(imi>«  RIO 

iir  Panihonii>*  SIMl 

—  anterior;  faro  more  or  leu  dt-c-IIko;  nostrils  at  edge  of  cere  (Owls) ;  middle  claw  — alinple 

Stiikiida:  602 
—  Jnggi'd 
ALUc'ONlli.t':  500 
(kO  Pbimauik*-  10;  the  tat  (never  spurioiiB)  attt>ay»  morr  Ihnn  J  at  long  a»  limyrat  (go  to  h). 

—  10;  the  tut  (KpiirliiuH  ur)  11/  mimt  iml  j|  im  Inny  an  lonijvnl  (go  to  i). 

—  0;  the  lilt  (nrrrr  n/iiiri/iMji)  uf  variable  length  (go  to  k). 

(h.)  Tall  — 12-fcathere<l;  turiuilenvebi|ie  irregular  (KiycateberK) TvnANNlt>jK  428 

—  10-fcatlicre<l;  ■cconduricH  —  only  tl;  bill  Hubiilate  (lIuninilng-blnlHi  .    .    .      Tiioriiii.ii>/«':  488 

—  mure  than  0;  bill  Hniall,  very  Hliorl  (Swiriii)    .     .   (JvrNKLiii^:  456 
(!•)  Toraun  — "booted";  wingi  —  iilinrler  (ban tall,  but li  niiieb  ruumkil;  plumage  very  lax  CllAM/l':iii.4c  262 

—  longer  than  tall;  tall  — iluiible-roniiiled AufKi.iii.i:  :I2A 

—  iiutilouble-riiunde<l(Thru8lie»,  &c.)Tiii(i>ii>.t':  l-Mo 
— KUtellate ;  noetrlli  —  concoalud ;  bill  —  strongly  eplgiiutlious,  toothed  and  notched (HhrikeH) 

liANIIIl.!-:  .'Ulil 
-  Iioragnatbous;- over  7  liichei  long   (Crows  ami 

Juys)    Coiivili.l^:  411 
—  notTlnches;  bill  — nearly  ■=  head 

(Nuthatches)  Sittiii.k  36U 
—  scarcely  or  not 
J   -  head  (TIU)  PAKIU.K  203 


r 


ARTIFICIAL  KEY  TO   THE  FAMILIES. 


2^3 


I'nge 
—  expoMHl:  lengtli —  ovorOliicbci;  color  brown  or  bliio  .    CnRviti«  414 

—  7-tl  IiicIii-h;  urvnttnl;  j  |{li>iu>y  liliick    Ami'Ii.iii.I':  3'JA 
— 4]-(ll  liii'lii'ii;   liill  ilii-iliully   liiHiki-cl)   lull  mill, 

wllliiiiit  liliirk  Viui:iiMi>.i:  .tiii 
— 4|-0i  Inclici;  bill  uluiiiler,  riirvud,  tail  kIIIV,  iuiiIi' 

i;i:i<lllill>.l:  Tt'i 

—  Birtli  wllliout  tlicao  cliaroctors ;  rlctux  —  l>i  Ihi  Inl 

Ti'iiiiin.i''.  'jlD 
—  iMiliriitiluil 
Tl«iiii.i>iivriii/t:  'J73 

(k.)  TffrHiin  — Rciili'lllplnntnr;  liliiil  claw  iitrntgbt(l.iirkii) Ai,ai;i>ii>a:  2M0 

—  Iamliil|il»iitar;  bill  —  iiietiigiiulboiiH,  both  mamllbiM  fulcato,  lliclr  |k)IiiIh  cri>i<M.-il 

KltiMiil.Mri^:  xm 

—  pnriigiiiilliouii,  lunila  of  up.  mand,  toollioil  or  Inlicil  near  iiilibllo 

(Tiiiiiiuuri')  Tanaoiiiim:  .117 
cpi|[nntliuuK,iiolclic<l  mill  liookotint  lip.  U'iiicllif>l-l>l  Viiii'.omd^:  .TJI) 

—  variouH.    QuIUh  —  tlpiiol  witli  red  liuriiy  npiK-iidiiKiii ;  liuml 

crvHtud  Ami-i:i.iu^  'JM 
—  not  appondagoU;  bill  —  llwtiriiHtritl  (go  to  I). 

—  doiillnmlnil   or  Icnul- 

roHtriil  (ko  to  in). 
—  oonlroHlral  (i{o  lo  n). 
(1.)  mil  trlnngiilnr-drpmnod,  about  as  wido  nt  bniu)  nR  long,  gapp  twice  n»  long  n*  ciilniun,  reaching 

alHiut  cipiKiHllo  eycH,  tar»UK  nol  longer  llian  outer  Inn  and  cliiw  |Swallow8)   .     .  lllliUNDlNlli.l':  31!> 
(ill.)   l/ih|{i'Ht  Mt'ondary  nearly  reaching  end  of  priniarica  In  cIowhI  wtug;  bind  claw  (nitnally)  little 

curvoil,  nearly  twice  an  long  an  middle  claw  (TitlurkK) M<iTArii.i.in.ic  28;i 

LongCHt  Hecondary  not  nearly  reaclilng  end  of  primaries  in  cloHod  wing;  Idnil  cluw  well  curved, 
not  nearly  twice  a»  long  aH  midillc  claw  (Warlilcm,  Sii:  )  .      CikkkiiID.I':  :I17,  or  Svi.vi<;i>l.il>.K  2X7 

(n.)  Bill  UHually  thick,  ittout,  anil  Willi  evident  angululion  or  tliocomuiliuuru IcTKitiii.i:  3tNi 

or'  Kkingii.liii.I':  XIU 

'  Sole.  —  TliOM  two  famlllpH  cannni  be  eimciiiely  diHtlngulKlied.  hTi.BiD*  contalnii  (lie  blnckbinla,  orioleii, 
nirailow  Htarlings,  Imbollnkii,  and  cowbirilM.  KaiNull.Llli.v:,  our  largest  family,  Includes  all  kinds  of  groHbcaks, 
biiiitiiigK,  linnets,  tlnebes,  and  sparrows. 


FlO.  \\1  trr.    Diagram  of  fore  limbs  of  niun,  bat,  liorse,  and  bird.   TTie  lines  1-9  arc  itotomtt,  cutting  tlio  llmha 
Into  morpliologically  o<|unl  iiarts,  or  itontrt$. 


234 


GENERAL  ORNITHOLOGY, 


TABULAR  VIEW  OF  THE  GROUPS  IIIGflER  THAN  GENERA 

AOOITBD  IN  THIS   WORK   roR  TIIH 

CLASSIFICATION   OF  NORTH   AMERICAN    BIRDS. 


Subclass  CARINAT^:    Carinate  Birds. 


OltDKIlH  (  13). 

HUIIOIIDKKM  (20). 

Kamii.ikh  (U3). 

.SuilKAMIMKit  (77). 

I.   I'ASSEUKS.     .     .     . 

1,  UHUINKH 

1.  Turdlda 

1.  TiinllniB. 

2.  Mlniliim. 

3.  ClnrllniK. 

6.  lU-giilliiiii. 
6.  l'iiHo|itllimi). 

2.  ChamtrUla  Ci 

3.  raritliK 

4.  Sillidit     .    , 

7.  rnrliiiD. 

B.  I'lrlliiiilif 

0.   TrotiloitjilMa  .    .    . 

8.  Cerlliiliim, 

0,  Cuni|iylcirliyncliiiin>. 
10.  Tri>gliMlylliini. 
It.  Cnl.'tiiilrllliuii. 

12.  AluiiiliiiO). 

13.  Moliic'lllliiU). 

14.  Aiitliliiiii. 

15.  Sylvliuillnm. 
Iti.  Ictui'iliia). 

7.  Alaudiilui 

8.  MntacilliiUr.  .... 

0.  Si/lukoliitiK  .... 

:  ;  : ; 

17.  SotoplinKilKD. 

In    Cirrehultr 

l;i    Ainiiflitlir  t'\ 

18.  Ani|H!liiia> 
ID.  rtllogunntinio. 
20.  MyliMlcatiniD. 



14.    I'in'intiilit     , 

21.  Ijiiiilna). 
V* 

m.   yiimiillulir 

17.  /cleritlat 

22.  AKcliiiiiim. 



24.  Icttrlim!. 
2B.  (^iilMnlliia). 
20.  Corvinii!. 

27.  (larruliniD. 

28.  .Stiiriiinm. 
20.  Tyriiiiiiinn). 

30.  Ca|irlMiul|ilniD. 

31.  Cy|<iw)liiiK. 

32.  CliBituriniu. 
.13.  Trocliiiliiio. 
34.  Trogoniiini. 
36   AleeiliniiiiD 

;   18.  I'nrnlilni 

II.   PICAKKK(?).    .    . 

2.  Clamatorkr   .    .    . 

3.  UV1-8KLIFOIIMKS  .      . 

20.  Tyrfiiinitltr-   .... 

21.  C'aprimiili/idai  .    .    . 

22.  Cypivtidie      .... 

23.  Trochilidir.    .... 

24.  TroijontdiB    .... 

4.  COCULIFORMEg?.      . 

26.  Cuculida 

36  Crotophatctniu. 

38.  Cocryginm. 

B.   PlCIPORMKH            .     . 

27.  ricidai 

CLASSIFICATION   OF  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS 


286 


ukdkim  (i;i). 

III.  psirr.ici    .  .  . 

IV.  HAI'TOUES  .    .    . 

.SUIMtllUKIIH    (iO). 

Kamilirm  (MU). 

SuilFAMILIICa  (77). 

.  .  .  .  ? 

a.  HrHiuKK 

•J».  l'$Utari,ta    .... 

39.  Arliia. 

30.  .SlrigUla 

40.  Htrlginar 

41.  HuUxiliuD? 

42.  C'lrcliio). 

43.  Mllvlna. 

T.  AOCIPITaKH .     .     .    . 

31.  FulconMm    .... 

44.  Acclpltrlna. 

46.  PolylHirlna 
4T.  Butoonlna. 

32.  I'nmllnnUla .    .    .    . 

8  Cathaktiuks      .    . 

0.  PKRIItTKH.K.      .     .      . 

33.  CUharliilw  .... 

V.  COLUMBiB    .    .    . 

U.  rolumbida   .... 

46.  Coliinibliioi. 
49.  ZuMlillniB. 

VI.   (lALUNA     .     .     . 

10.  Pkriiitkiiopodks    . 

11.  Alkutoiiupoukm.    , 

as.  rnteitla 

30.  Melitii/rlilida    .    .    . 

Si.  l>onalo|iliiB. 

37.  TrIraonMa  .... 

B2.  Totrnoiiliiin. 
S3.  UilDiitiiphiirhiB. 
M   Clmrnilrllna). 

VII.  LIMICOLiC     .    . 

.    .    V 

38.   Chanulriida    .    .    . 

30.  Ilirmntnpmliilm     .     . 

no.  lliniiiitli)|iiMl|iiiD. 
S7.  Stru|Mllalria> 

40.   Itrfurrin>»lru1it    .     . 

41  I'hiilamptMHiliri 

42  SeotoiMcUltx .... 

VIII.   HEUODIONES  . 

13.  InipKs 

43    Ibiiliilit 

44    I'laliilfiiln   .    . 

13.  Pf.laroi 

4S    I'Ironiulir     .... 

6)1.  TuiiUllna. 
fill   CIuokIIiio). 
OM.  Arilvliim. 
61.  Butaurlnos. 

U.   IlKRODII 

40.  AnMJa   .... 

IX.  ALECTOKIUES    . 

19.  Uruikobmcm    .    . 

47    Onttila 

16.  Ralmfoumkh. 

fiU.  Italliilir 

03.  llHllliim. 

lU   (liillliiiilliiii). 

04.  Kiillolnm. 

Ki.  C)'|{iiInio. 
iKi.  AiiKorlnn). 
07.  Anntliim. 
tW.  Kullmillna. 
00.  MerirliiiH 

X.  LA.MF.U.IUUSTUES 

17.  OIMINTIKILOIK  i: 

It).  ANltKKKa 

111.  /'hiniiropteriila   .    . 
&2.  jlnnliila 

XI.   8TEGANOPODES 

.VI.  Siiliilit  ... 

&4    /'I'lfranitltri                . 

r<l\.  I'lntiihr 

57.  TdrlniiMliilm     .     .     . 
88.  I'haiUhimHila  .    .     . 
ao.  LnrUlir                   .    . 

7n    Ix<iitrliliiiii>. 

XII.  LONOIPENNES. 

19.  Oavi«     .... 

71.  I^rlnii*. 
V2    8lt*rnliiin 

73.  Itliyiiclin|iiiiic. 

74.  DiiiiniMlrlniD. 

75.  Prueollarlliiai. 

20.  TlTUINARK*  .... 

60.  I'merllarlMn   .    .    . 

XIII.   PyOOPODES     . 

•tl.  t'lili/mMilai 

«2.  roiliciptiUda    .    .     . 
63.  AhUlm 

ill.  PlinlerMino). 

77  SiiiK.\MiiJKa. 

13  OnnF.itfi. 

20  SuRnnnRRB. 

0.1  Famii.if.s. 

EXPLANATION  OF  COLORED  FRONTISPIECE. 


ANATOMY   OF   PIGEON,  9,  8   Nat.  Size. 

Ar  hrmsi-lnmr  nnd  entire  front  trails  ofhodif  r'nioied;  the  rixrera  drawn  to  tlu  right. 

A,  A.  skin  III'  inrU  ti'riieii  iisitlc. — a,  tuieningof  bursa  filjricii  into  fKuini. — B,  luaiii 
niMovcil  I'roiii  hUiiII  uk-I  turned  hind  part  bffon'  (p.  Mfi).  —  Up,  braflilal  plcxud  (p.  177). — 
!».  (ipciiiiiu'  of  .>viiiuH  into  .•loacii  (p.  i\\)).  — O,  onp,  with  left  C,  ami  rifflil  C",  latcnil  dihi- 
iaiioii>  (p.  21^).  — I't  ;HMiiiif{  of  U'fl  ureter  into  cUmcji.  (p.  214).  —  c«^  ca-ca  enW,  point  wlicro 
Miiall  intc^itiut'H  piuts  into  colon  (p.  211).  —  D,  I>,  duixloiml  l<H»p  of  intOHliuc,  oufcddinK  jk-.h- 
ircaH  (p.  2l;{)— *''» '■'*'1*'"'WH'*.  K""*"'  (P- -")■  *'^'''»  ''«'>'  I'ur-ojioninj;.  —  e.  left  eenlMiil 
lieinispliere.  -  f,  optic  nerve  (p.  i7<'i).  <«,  gizzard  ;  letter  on  central  tendon  (p.  212).  r 
let'l  optic  i.>l>e  (p.  l/Ci).  — 11,  hca:t  (p.  I'Jti)  ;  tlic  unlettered  oranije-red  arteries  from  it  are  liie 
.iliort  ri^lit  anil  Imitr  left  innominate,  latter  dividiuK  into  left  carotid  and  left  Hulu-lavian  (Imtli 
cut  hhorl),  former  dividin^t  into  ri^lit  carotiil  (the  lonjf  aHconding  vexwl)  and  ri^ht  suhclavia 
just  over  tin-  letters  "Ty";  main  aortic  arch  (right)  not  shown  (pp.  I',»7,  lilS)  ;  the  unlet- 
(i-red  l)rij?ht-hlue  vcsw-'Ih  are  the  pulmonary  artericH.  —  Hy,  hyoid  arch  (p.  1(')7).  —  b,  ccrehcl- 
le  II  (p.  I7<'')- — •'•'i  In-patic  ducts  enterin«  tiiKidenum  fMui  liver  (p  21.')). -- 1,  termination 
of  r<-ctiini  in  cloaca  (p.  211).  -  J,  a'sophatfus  hetweei'  crop  and  proventriculus.  -  Kn,  kiico 
(p.  120).  -  k,  k,  k,  three  loh<-s  of  kidney,  lyin^  in  |Hdvis  p,  ureter  w  pnuKing  down  upon 
tl',y->'n  too  (p.  217).  --LL,  Kver,  ri^ht  and  left  lobes,  receiving;  ii|M'x  of  heart  between  thcin 
(p.  21.5).  -  Lg,  le«  (p.  120).  -I.U,  hf!  Inui,'  (see  p.  200;  con^pare  «p.  lOl).— M,  M',  .M", 
V',  Ktiniip:<  of  cut  pectnnil  mi'scles  (p.  lOH).  -  m.,  entrance  into  lunjj;  of  left  bronchial  lube. 
.N,  N,  Mkiunrd  nock. — n,  spigelian  IoIh'  of  liver.  — O,  left  ovary,  inactive  (p.  220,  fig.  lOS) 
od,,  \A\  oviduct,  passiuf;  down  with  ureter  to  l».  — H,  |M'lvif  partly  exjMiwd  (p.  11-7).  —  I'c, 
pun<.:reas,  I;,  iiiU  in  duodeii'il  fold  of  intestine  (p.  21'>).  —  Pr,  proventriculuH  or  true  Ntoi.iach, 
b<>twepu  u'.sopha;T*<i*  ii"''<  gizza' '  (p.  2M).  —  p,  medulla  oblongata,  conm^cting  brain  with 
spinal  coi-d  (p.  l"."))  -C,  coils  of  intestine,  coming  down  from  D',  behind  O,  ]iassing  cu  to  I 
(p.  21iJ).  —  1?,  cut  I  nds  t^f  several  ribs.  — r,  t',  two  o|H>ningM  ieadi.  g  from  lung  io  not  shown 
uir-«'<'S  (p.  200,  fig.  iol,  •;,  m).  --  S,  spleen.  —  8r  is  piacc !  over  the  syrinx  ;  the  ticshy  bauds 
on  each  side  of  the  h'ters  are  the  intrinsic  syringeai  muwlrs ;  the  nariiiiTer  bands  diverging 
froin  t/achea  between  Sr  and  Tr  are  extrinsic  muscles  (p.  204,  fig.  101,  Ifi,  r. -<•).—  Th, 
thigh  (p.  120).  -Tr,  trachea  or  wiml-pipe  (p.  201).  —  Ty,  a  gland. — t,  intermediate  tnus- 
cle  of  the  gizzard.  -■  t)  or  V,  romuhis  of  skull  broken  open  to  remove  braiu.  —  v,  v',  v", 
three  pantreatic  dvcts  enteriut;  intestir.n  (p.  213).  —  w,  ureter,  BCC  k,  above.  —  Drawn  and 
ndorcd from  natuit  by  Ur.  U.  VV.  Siiuvelut,  U.  8.  A. 


Part  III. 


SYSTEMATIC   SYNOPSIS 


&t> 


NORTH    AMERICAN    BIRDS. 


CLASS  AVES:    IJlHm. 

HIS  CLASS  OF  ANIMAI-S,  wliilc  sharply  (lisliiiniii.li.'.l  frnm  Maimimls.  is  so  .-tosfly 
rt'latcil  to   ({('itlilt's,  that   the   iircsi-iicc   of  fcathci'N    in    the    I'oriiii  r,  ami  tiiiir  alistiicr 
from  tilt'  lattor,  ih  tin-  most  obvious  if  not  the  only  prisilivc  chitracti'r  l»y  whii-h  the  two  cliisst's 


T 


I'H 


intltlo. 


'I'hoiifjh  tho  HjK'cicH  of  birds  nro  uuiiM'nmH  (w)nif  l(),(J(Ml  an'  known),  tiif  strm-tiiral  ilivcr- 
8ity  of  ^hc)  ()iaMB  ih  coiniiarativt'ly  tui  Mlight.  that  the  (tharai-tcrs  :i|ioii  which  tiic  primary  divisioiiH 
arc  based  seem  infii;;nilieaiit  in  view  of  tliose  upon  whii-h  the  niaji.r  u'ronps  of  Mammals  or 
Keptiles  may  he  founiled.  With  striet  reuanl  for  eijnivaleiiey  of  laxoiiomie  ^'roups,  ba.-ed  on 
mor]ilioloi;ical  eonsiih-rntions,  the  eonventioiial  '•«"b»ss"of  Hirds  is  scarcely  or  not  of  hiylirr 
value  »han  an  order  of  Reptiles,  with  which  IMrds  ar"  associated  under  the  mime  S.Mitoi'- 
siiiA.  liut  it  is  not  proven  that  a  liven  structur.il  ehnracter  may  not  have  classiticaiory  valii:> 
in  one  case,  iliderent  from  that  wU'wh  may  |)r()perly  he  attri)>uted  to  it  in  another:  so  that, 
thouj^h  the  most  diverse  hirds  may  be  uiore  alik(>  than  an  extremes  amoni;  I^i/ards  for 
example,  we  may  stiM  '■oulinue  to  speak  of..  cIiiks  Are-i,  to  be  primarily  diviiled  into  sub-i-las.ses 
or  ot'ilers. 

All  known  liirds,  livlut;  and  extinct,  are  ilivisilde  into  the  fidlowint;  primary  uronps, 
winch  Ui.iy  Im-  termed  sub-classes  ; 

i.  SAi;ui;K,f:.  -  Birds  with  tcctb.  Vertcbrie  bicom-iive  (amphictvlouH).  Sternum 
keeled.  Winu-'  small,  with  se])aratr  metacarpals.  Tail  longer  Ih.iu  body,  its 
Vertebra'  not  pytjo.lyled,  its  feathers  aiiaii(;ed  in  distichous  series.  (One  s|M'cies, 
Ai  h<fo)ilfi\i/.r  lithi>iir(ii>lii('ii,  frinu  the  .Jurassic  of  Kiiiope.  Fin.  14.) 
Ik.  Ol)(i\rnToiiM,K.  Hirds  with  teeth,  implanted  in  s<K'kets.  Vertebra'  bii-oncave. 
Winirs  larjje,  with  an<diyloseil  metacarpals.  .Sf;'rn'itn  keeled.  Tail  short 
(Typified  by  tliu  genus  hhtUijurnis,  from  the  CretucRous  of  North  Amoricu. 
FiK.  1(5.) 


J  ; 


9) 


288 


SYSIKMA  TIC  SYNOI'SIS.  —  CARINA  TAi  —  PASSEHES. 


III.  OnosTou  .*:.  —  Hiriln  with  tc«'t!i,  iinplimU'cl  in  grtMiven.     V«*rt«'l)rtB  Bnddlp-slmjH d 

(lictcriK'ti'liiu.s).  WitiK.s  riiiiiiin'iiliiiy,  \vaiiliii>{  iiic-taciir|miH.  .StiTiium  uiilmiit 
keel.  Tiiil  xJKirt.  (Tj|iiti(il  liy  tin- i^oimtt  y/<'*^j«roniiJ',  from  tlir  CntaciiuiH  of 
Norili  Anirricu.     Fi^j.  15.) 

IV.  KATiT.f..       Ilirils  willioiit    teeth.      Vertehni-    (sojiie)    Middle- tihapef I.     Wiiijrs   nuii- 

iiii'iiiiiiy,  nr  at  iiinsi  iiiilit  f<ir  lliiihl,  with  aiicliyhiMil  iiielacar|ials.  Steriiuiji 
vvithciit  keel  (a«  in  < IdaiitolfO;  fi^.  I,")).  Tail  bhort.  (KinliraeiiiK  the  exlinci 
Miias,  aiMJ  liie  liviiii;  O.strieheH,  ("aft.inwaries,  HliieuH,  and  Kiwis. I 
V.  ('AltlN.V'r.i;.  —  IHrd.s  williiiilt  teeth.  Verlehlie  (Millie)  sadille-.sha|ied.  Wilifis  clevel- 
(>|ied,  with  rare  e.>ife|iti(iiis  tit  fur  llifjiit,  with  aiiehylosed  iiietaeariiaix,  Stei-iiiiiii 
keeh'd.  'fail  xlmrt  (a.x  toils  vertehra',  wliich  are  )ty>;iistyliii).  (Kiiihrueiiif;  all 
liviiJH  iiirds  exeeptiliK  the  I{iilil(r). 

V.    AVES    VAItlXATyK:    OlilUXAIiY  lUliDS. 

'I'lie  eHHeiitiitl  ehuraeters  nf  tliis  Kroiiji,  wliicli  iiieludeH  all  living  birds  exeejitiiiK  the 
iislrii-lies  and  their  allies  (ralitc  or  stnitliii)Us  liirdsi,  are  the  ahseiice  nf  teeth,  the  saildle-slia|iei| 
t'aees  nf  the  liest-develnjted  veriehiie,  and  the  kt'elnl  hreast-hniie  (ti'.  SCi),  in  I'lniiliinatinn  with 
the  |MTfecti<in  of  wiii^-struetiire  in  ada|itatiiin  tn  aerial  (or  aipiatie)  tli^'ht.  The  inetaruqials  and 
three  metatarsals  are  anchylosed  (fiirs.  il .  'M):  the  seapiila  and  eoriK'oid  meet  at  less  than  a 
rijfht  aiiiile  (very  rarely  more),  and  the  t'liiiMiliini  is  'isiially  perfeet  (tin.  •'»■')•  ('"  'he  tli^htlesN 
parrot  of  New  /ealand  (SlriHtio/is  hnhrniililiis),  the  sternal  keel  is  rudimentary,)  The  eaildal 
vertehrie  are  few,  and  the  last  tew  (pyt;ostyle,  tii{.  .")l'i)  are  |weiiliarly  nioditied  to  support  the 
tail-feathers  in  fan-iike  array.  'I'here  is  iioniially  e.\ti'nsive  post-aeetalmhir  anchylosis  of  the 
|)idvie  hones,  whieh  are  normally  separate  there  in  the  other  i;ronps  (eompare  tips.  5(1  and  ?.5). 
The  division  of  ('annate  hirds  has  aivays  exereised  the  judgment  and  in^ennity  of  oriii- 
tholo^ists ;  no  system  that  has  Ih"-!!  pro|Hise>l  has  lu'en  iiiiiversally  adopted,  and  few  if  any  of 
the  major  (jronps  caii  he  considered  rslahlishe^t  and  perfectly  detined.  The  orders  of  Curinula; 
therefore,  are  still  provisional.  Hut  a  ffrent  assenihla^e  of  hirds  have  Ix'en  ascertained  to 
u^ree  (with  few  exeepti(iiis)  ill  |M)Ktu>HMiiig  certain  chamcter«,  U|mi(i  tin*  coiiibinutiou  of  which 
may  he  ham-d  au 


I.  —  Order  PASSERES:    Inseasores,  or  Perchers  Proper. 

The  feet  are  [H'rfectly  adapted  for  uniKpiiiK  hy  tin-  length  and  low  iiiM'rtion  of  the  hind  Uh', 
great  power  ol  appcsint;  which  to  tin-  front  iocs,  and  ureat  mohility  of  which,  are  secureil  hy 
separation  nf  its  principal  iiiiiscle  (llexor  loni;iis  halliir|.<)  from  ih.it  whirli  licnds  the  other  toes 
collectively  i  llexor  profundus  ditiitoriiin).  The  hind  tiw  is  always  present,  iH'rfiilly  ineuniheiit, 
and  never  turned  forwards  or  even  sideway- :  its  claw  is  ai*  long  as,  or  loiii;er  than,  the  claw 
of  the  middle  loc.  The  (■■•ct  are  never  /yt'iMlactyle,  nor  svndai'tyle,  nor  seinipalmate,  nor 
palmate;  the  front  tiH's  are  usually  inimovnhly  joined  to  each  otiier  at  hase,  for  a  part,  or 
(he  whole,  of  the  has4ll  joints.  No  oiir  of  the  fioiil  t<H's  i^  >ver  versatile.  The  joints  of  llic 
tiH'H  lire  alwayx  i,  '.i,  4,  5,  ciuintinK  ''i'"'"  ^he  first  (hinder  one)  to  the  fourth  (laiter  front  one). 
The  toes  :, re  always  four  in  nuniher  lexrcptinu  ('lioliirtiis).  ( l"it;H.  ,'{ll,  :i7,  ii,  l'\.)  \arious 
as  are  the  shapes  of  the  wiims,  these  menihers  airree  in  having  the  ui.-at  row  of  '.ivcrts  not  more 
than  half  iiH  lonvas  the  secondaries  ;  the  primaries  either  nine  or  ten  in  uiiniher.  and  the  wvoimI 
ares  more  than  six.  (Fit;.  .'HI.  i  The  tail,  evtremely  variahle  in  ..hape,  ha-  iwtIm  n-ctrces 
(\uth  ceiiain  aiiomiiloiis  exceptions).  The  hill  i-,  ton  variable  in  form  to  fiirni'-h  charaeli  i-  ot 
irroiipM  higher  than  t'amilies:  hut  it^  coverinit  is  always  hiii^l  and  linniy,  in  part  or  wholly, — 
never  extensively  meinhranoiis.  ,is  in  many  wiuliuji;  and  -wimininu  hints,  itiir  sadMy  tumid,  iis  in 


CHARACTERS  OF  PASSLREH. 


•iJJU 


pi^oonH,  u«ir  ccrnd,  !U<  in  iiarrots  iiiul  Itirds  uf  pn-y.  Tho  DOHtrils  do  not  (>|M<iily  romiuiitiirnto 
with  cuch  (itlicr.  'i'lit-  nil-^laml  (p.  Hii)  ]n  iiuili*,  and  ul'  ii  cliunii'trrititic  Hliapo.  ItcsidcM  tlirsv 
I'Xtcrriiil  cliiiructrrH,  wiilcli  llic  Ntiidi'iit  may  readily  cxaiiiiiK-  wit'ioiit  disHcctimi,  tlitTf  arc  mxik' 
more  ii>'*><>rtaiit  aiiatmiiiral  hiick.  'I'Iii'  .stcriiiiiii  (willi  U'W  rxi'i'ptioiis)  Ih  cattt  in  a  particular 
iiioiild,  liciiii;  niaiiiilirialcil,  uitli  pruiiiiiiciii  I'ustal  prnccsscs,  ami  having  cacli  side  i.t'  the  pustc- 
rinr  hiirdcr  Niiii^lc-iiotchcil  (iicitiicr  ciitir<-,  ii>ir  deeply  nnr  dmihly  notched,  nor  fencntrate:  t'm. 
5S).  The  hiiny  palate  has  a  peculiar  structiu'e,  called  a-i{ithi>;;nathciu.--  (ti^'.  ill)-  There  in  hut. 
iiuc*  curotid  artery,  tlie  left  (lit;.  Ul).  Tiie  c(L-ca  culi  are  present,  thnu^h  small,  'i'here  i.s  a 
peculiarity  in  tho  na'tlnMl  nt'  insertion  of  tiic  tensor  patai{ii  hrevis.  Itesides  jMis.sessinn  the  |m'i'uI- 
iarity  of  the  llexors  of  tin'  toes,  already  nieiitioned,  l'(i,sseirs  are  ,'inomalo^onatous  (p.  I'.(."i); 
that  is,  the  andiieiis  mus<dc  is  altsent,  as  is  the  acces.sory  femoro-cauthil;  the  fcinoro-caudal  and 
semitendinosuit  are  present,  i\»  is  mtually  n\tu>  thu  acccswiry  semiteniUiioHUM. 

l'liysioloi;ically,  the  nature  of  I'lmsercii  is  altricial  and  p.silopa'dic  (p.  SS)  ;  that  is,  the  younn 
,'ire  hatched  weak  and  naked,  and  re<piire  to  he  fed  for  mime  time  in  the  nest  hy  the  parents. 
Tlwy  rPjiroHcnt  tho  lii^hest  grade  of  pliysio](>i;ical  devidopment,  as  wull  uh  thii  most  |H'rfi'ct 
physical  ort;ani/ation  of  the  4'lass  of  l)irds.  Their  nervous  irritability  is  ^reat,  coiirdiuate  with 
the  rapidity  of  their  respiration  and  rirciilatioii  ;  they  consume  the  most  oxygen,  and  live  the 
fuMtCHt,  of  all  hirds.  They  hahitually  reside  almvt'  tho  earth,  in  tho  air  that  surrounds  it,  amonu 
the  plants  that  witli  them  .niorn  it  ;   not  on  the  ground,  nor  on  "tlie  wati'rs  under  the  earth." 

Pns'sirrs  wfu-  named  hy  Cuvior  in  \7\iH  i  •*  an  order  of  hinls;  tin'  name  is  simply  the 
plural  of  the  Lat.  /Hisscr,  a  sparrow,  lint  tho  group  as  e'<tahlished  hy  him  included  many 
forms  which  were  lirst  properly  excluded  hy  the  celehrated  Nitxsch,  who  in  l^'j'.Mimited  the 
group  as  now  accepted.  Ilesides  heing  one  of  the  host  detined,  it  is  hy  far  the  largest  group 
of  its  grade  iu  ornithology.  Tor  example,  of  the  8SH  hirds  enumerated  as  North  American  in 
the  Check  List,  no  fewer  than  ll'.ll  are  l'(MMerei<;  at*  are  more  than  half  of  all  known  hirds. 

I'tiHHerni  are  prinnirily  ilivisihle  iiitd  two  groups,  comnioidy  called  Huh-orden*,  inuinly 
according  to  the  sirui-ture  of  the  viM-al  organ,  —  the  lower  larynx,  or  syrinx.  In  one  of  these 
groups,  tho  musical  apparatus  is  highly  developed,  with  several  distinct  pain*  of  intrinsic  mus- 
doH,  iiiHortod  into  tho  oihIh  of  tho  up|MT  three  half-rings  of  tho  hroiichial  IuIm-m.  In  the  other, 
tho  '  lico-orgati  is  less  complex,  with  less  s|H'cialixed  muM-les  in.s<-rtod  into  the  middle  |Hiiiions 
of  the  upper  hronchial  half-rings.  The  former  arrangement  is  tinned  iirrnmi/ixliaii,  the  latter 
mrnomijtiiliiin:  and  the  liirds  which  oxhihit  this  ditforonco  of  structure  an-  respectively  called 
I'llKunrn  (writiniiitili  and  I'flssrirs  mesomi/iDli,  or  Oscin-x  and  ('Inmnliirfs.     (See  p.  -'((.'),  fig.  KM.  i 

As.soeiated  with  the  acromyiHlian  or  oseine  ty| f  syrinx   is  a  pt'cnliar  condition  of  tho 

tarsal  envelope.  In  nearly  all  Onchieii,  tho  tarsus  is  covered  on  each  sidi'  with  a  horny  plate, 
nearly  or  ipiite  undiviiled,  mcetini;  its  fellow  in  a  sharp  ridt;e  heliind.  This  comlition  of  the 
tarsus  is  calh  il  Inluiiiiniilc,  anil  the  hiids  showint;  it  are  litiniiiiiihnitiir  (figs.  ',\7,  12,  l.'M-  In 
HtiiMO  ciM*es  the  fusion  of  the  tarsal  envelo|N'  pnivccds  so  tar  that  the  front  of  the  tarsus  Iike\vis4' 
pn-Honts  a  nearly  or  ipiite  undivided  surface,  tho  whole  tarsus  heing  then  incaseil  in  a  "  hoot," 
ilM  it  is  called.  .\  hi'olod"  tarsus  may  ho  said  to  he  liiliiiniiiule  (tig.  'M'l).  The  principal  ex- 
ception |4i  the  a.s.soi'iatiiin  of  a  hilaminate  or  trilamiiiate  t.irsns  with  an  ,'icromyodian  syrinx  is 
litrorded  hy  the  AtiiuUi(la\  which  liav<- the  tarsus  scutellate  ami  hlunt  hehiud  ;  and,  with  very 
fuw  oxooptioiiM,  no  bird  wliioh  is  not  acromyiHJian  ha.H  a  hiiaininalo  tarxiiH.  A  thinl  itn)Mirtniit 
feature  clniractoriy.es  Osrinrn,  as  a  lule.  I'liis  is  the  reduction  in  leiiijlh  of  tlie  first  primary, 
which  never  eijuals  the  lonuest  primary  in  lent{lli,  is  rarely  over  two-thirds  as  long  as  the 
liingo.Hi,  Ih  no  short  as  to  Im'  called  spurious,  or  is  <piilo  rudinioiitary  and  apparently  wanting, 
leii\int(  apparently  only  nine  primaries  (lii;.  .'t(l<. 

.XsstM-ialed  with  the  mesomyodi.tn  or  clannilorial  type  of  cyriiix  is  »een  (with  few  oicop- 
tlons)  tho  opiMisiti-  condl'ioli  of  tlie  taisus,  tho  sided  and  hack  of  which,  as  well  as  tho  front,  are 
covcioil  with   v.uionaly  arrangid  MUtolla,  bo  that  there  i.i  no  sharp  undivided  ridge  bohiml 


SYSri:MA  TIC  SYNOl'.^IS.  —  PASSEJiKS—  OUCl.SKS. 


Ill  Mirli  ciisn's  tlicro  art'  iilsi'  ten  fully  drvclii|K!il  |)riiiiiiiii's,  tins  firnl  of  wliirli,  if  not  pqimlliny  ur 
l»ciii>{  il^i(•lf  llic  illll^'^s|,  i>  at  li'ast  two-lliinl.s  ii.s  loiii,'.      (See  p.  12S,  fit;,  ■27'.>.) 

'I'iwtn iiiliiiialiciii>  III  cliaractcrs  may  iir  (•iiiitrasttil  fm'  llir  |iiir|iiis(!  «if  iliviiiin/,,'  ilic  j-icai 

group  I'dssirtu  into  t«<>  MTiiuiis,  <-i.iiviiiiiiiiial!y  ilrinuniiialril  Miii-onlci-M. 

1.  Si  iiuui.KK   I'ASSKHKS    A('Uo.MV«U)l,   OU  O.S(;iNi:S:   .Sinuisu   Hiiu)«. 

Syrinx  willi  fmir  m  livr  ili>liiicl  pairs  m  iiitiiiisir  iiiiiMfk's,  ilLscrtcil  at  the  cikIh  of  the  tlin-i- 
iip|M'r  liroiicliial  liall-riiigs,  irpirMiiIiiif,'  tin-  acroiiiyiMliaii  type  of  voiic-oiKaii,  and  cou.slittitim; 
u  liit;liiy  ciiiiipifx  ami  ilfn-iivc  m  sinil  apparatus.  Side  of  tai-suH  covi-nd  with  ii  horny  pjati- 
iiiri'tiiiu  its  ('cliiiw  ill  a  sliarp  riiiiri-  In  liiud  ;  fmiit  of  tarsus  also  suinrtinics  laniiiiato.  I'riiiia- 
rics  ii'ii,  with  till'  lint  siiiiri  or  spurious,  or  appariiitly  only  niii<>. 

ilcrt'  ht'loiiy  all  tlic  Nnrlli  Aiiicriniii  faiiiilirs  of  /'((sst-rcs,  with  tic  siimlf  cxccptinn  of  tlic 
Ti/nnitiitlw,  or  Flycati-iirrs,  «liich  arc  clamatorial  (nicsoinyodian).  Thi' only  North  Aiiirricaii 
cxcrptiiiiis  to  tlir  iliauiiosis  nivrii  arc  ati'orilcd  liy  the  Alitndul<c,  or  Larhs,  and  certain  Tniiiln- 
il;/li<ltr,  wiiicli,  with  an  osriiic  syrinx  and  wiiiii;-slructnrc,  do  not  have  a  hilaniinatu  tarsus.     Of 


our  ;UI1  i'a»sci'iu('  specie; 


il.  o.n'coio',  iliviuint; 


-hirds 


lo  fewer  than  liCili  arc  (Kscii 
those  wl 


'riid  name  is  the  hat.  os'cen, 


in 


lose  whos<^  notes  wi'i'c  rct;arded  as  aiimn 


il. 


it  is  a  i|Ueslion,  which  one  of  the  numerous  Osciiie  families  should  he  placed  at  the  head 
of  the  series.  I^ai'ifely,  )M>rhapN,  through  the  inlluciice  of  those  i>rnilliolo|L'ists  wlm  hold  iImI 
fiisinii  of  the  tarsal  envelope  into  one  continuous  plate  indicates  the  acme  of  liird-striictiire,  the 
place  of  lioiior  lias  of  late  heeii  usually  assit;iied  lo  the  tliriishes.  Hut  only  a  part  of  the 
thriislieH  theiiLselvcs  show  this  character  ;  on  which  iiccouut,  pmhahly,  the  rest  wen^  iiMHiH-iatcil 


Ity  Cahanis  with  the  wi 


It  seems  to  ine  most  pn  halde  that  this  charaitter,  thoui;h  iiiiipu 


tioiiahly  of  !iii;h   iiiiport,  should  he  taken  as  of  less  value  than  the  reduction  of  the  iiuiiiher  of 


Pi 


ries  fi'iiiii  ten  to  nine  ;  and  I  am  at  present  inclined  to  helieve  that  eventually  some  Osci 


family  with  only  nine  primaries  —  as  the  linclics  or  tanap'rs-  will   tal<e  the  liadini;  positi 


II. 


I    foU. 


sap'  In  the  HCipuMicu  of  the  North  .Auierican  families  of  Dsrinrs.  as 


follows:       Tiinliiltt,  ('lidiiKriilic,  I'liridir,  SUtiiler,  ('rrtliiidtc,  'I'liiiilmli/tidir,   Aluiiiliilir,   Mutn 
ciUid(r,  Si/U'iioliiltt ,   Tdndipiila',  JJinnutiniiltc,  Aiiijitlii/w,    Vireonida',  iMniidw,   l-'itiitiiUtdir, 
Jclcrida;  Corcidic,  Sluniiilu: 

1.   Family  TURDID^  :   Thrushes,  etc. 

The  essential  clniraciir  of  this  ;;reat  ^'loup  of 
Oscincs  is,  iHJoted  tursl  and  ten  primaries,  the  1st 
spurious.  Itiit  such  expression  r(M|uires  i|ualiiicatiiiii, 
for  the  Tiirdidic  do  not  show  this  comhiiiatinn  with- 
iitit  exception,  and  hirds  of  some  other  faiiiiliex  i)o 
possess  it.  Thoiitjh  it  be  as  natural  as  any  other 
Osciue  family  of  ei|iial  extent  and  varieiy,  and  ei|ii:illy 
close  relationships  with  other  i;rou)is,  it  is  in  the 
nature  of  liie  case  insiisceptihle  t^f  perfect  deliiiilinii 
i'.i  concise  terms.  'I'lie  North  Alueiican  representa- 
tives, howevrr,  may  readily  he  circiimscrih<'d  iti  a  man- 
ner enahliiif;  the  student  to  a.ssure  him.self  of  the  family 
to  which  they  helonn.  H.-sides  the  true  'riirilslies,  the 
,,       ,,.,      ,_,       ,         ,.  1,   1    1        fiiniilv  as  at  itresent  consliliiled  iiicludeM  the  .MocUiiit! 

{Ti,i-<liia  iliitcuii]  .mil    Kli'lili'uro   (/'.  piUirU).     'i'liri'shcs.    Dippers,    nilie-hirds.    Kinglets   and   (iluit- 
Kroni  IM-xmi.  cjivchcr.-;,   with   stray  rcpriw^ntativcs  of  cerlain   OU 

World  forms,  tlio  tlliats  and  Sylvines,  sonieliiiies  held  to  n-prcjent  Hcpiirutu  fuinilies  {SurkV' 


h'lii   al 

■jlie   Vlj 

ih.iM  a| 

easy  I' 

spurlii' 

are  re; 

woiddl 

laiinotl 

liiniis 


tvuiuda:  —  iL'UDisj-:  .•  niursiiEs. 


841 


Itilii  anil  Si/b'iiiltr),  lictwci'ii  uliicli  giinl   Tunliilrr,  lu'Wrvcr,  iin  liin'  wlmti'Vrr  can  lie  ihuwn. 

Till' vast  aHM•lnl)la^t■  nflMil  NVnvM   Warlilrrx  an-  in  t'ai-t  iniu-li  niori' tliiirniikrlily 'rhru»ii-liki< 

tliiiii  an- our  .V/»i(»(//',  I'll)' fxaiiipli' :  ami  tin'  'I'linliiltc  \\i>\\\i\  In-  iiiiu'li   iiinir  |jiiniiii;i'nripiis  ami 

ra>\  til  I'Imrartrri/.i' it  tile  Mnrk-liinU  ami  ( <nal-i'alrlui>,  with  M'lilillatr  taoi  ami   imt   >tiirlly 

>|iiiriiins  l.it  |iriinai'y,  wi'IT  ThIm'  i'.\rlmlril.     'I'lii-  ri'latiMii'.lii|is  ut'  tin-  Miiiiitur  willi  tlir  Wri'iis 

arr  rrally  sii  rliw,  tliat  tlii'V  liavi'  nl'trli    lii'i'n   axxiirialril  Willi  till'  'I'loiiliMli/tidtr,  111  -.vliirli    till')' 

uciiilil   pmlialily  III'  Im'.-'I   aKsJuui'il  at'trr  all.     'I'lir  |iii.>iitiiin  hI"  J'iiliiii)lilii  is   iim-rrtaiii :  lint   it 

ranmit  wrll  u'i>  with  I'liriiltr,  ami  ilurs  mit  M'i'ni  tci  lir  viry  iliHrri'iit  I'lnni  sniii.    nl'  tlir  Syhinr 

liiniis  niiw  lirmiulit  nmlrr  'J'linliilir. 

'('ill'  Niirili  Aiiirrican  nn-nilirrs  <<(  tin'  TnnHdir  nlli'i-  nillii'tivily  tin'  fnllnwlnu  rliar.i-trr!* ;  — 
^\'ill^;  I'l  tin  |iriniiiiii's,  i'''\vliirli  ilir  l>t  is  >|iniiiiiis  nr  ijiiitr  slmrt  —  atiaininu  I'lim-tii'iial 

si/.i'  ciuly  in  Miiiiiiitr  anil  ]'iiliii]itiliiitr.      Wiiii:  iimri'  or  liss  i'li>nt;aii'  ami  iioiniril,  |iini.'i'r  than 

tin-  tail  (sliiirtrr  anil  nimi'  niiimlril  in  I'liliniililn  ami  nicist  Mimiiui),      InniT  si'i-iitnlarirs  nrvcr 

liMij;  ami  llnwini.'  as  in  Mnliicilliilif.      Itill  nrvi  r  slmit  ainl  nmiral,  mir  \t  jiji  anu'iilalril  ruiiiniis- 

sin'r,  inn'  llattrnril  with  ti:\\H-  I'lai'hinu  innlri'  thi'  ryrs :  iisiiaiiy  .-Irnilri',  >ti'aif;ht  m'  liiili'  i-nrvnl, 

nmri' III- li'.sx  riiiii|ii'i'nH'il,  Mihiilati' anil  acute,  u.-nally  nniriii'il   at   rml   nl'  n|i|i<'i'  niamhiilr   (Imt 

till'  nirk   l'ri'i|Urntly 

olisiilrti',  ami  wlmli- 

Itill    attainini;     cx- 

Iranrilinary  rharar- 

trrs  in   //(//•/«/;•/(//)(- 

iliiis).    Nnstrils  iival 

or  I'liunilish,    lairly 

linrar,    r.\|iiisri|    in 

riins|iicuiins      na.sal 

I'lissii'  ;     nrarly     nr 

i|uili>      ri'arlii'il     nr 

nvrrrrarhnl    liy   thr 

Irnntal  Irathrrs,  Imt 

nivrr  rmiri'ali'il  liy 

a   ili'Usi'    riiir  as   ill 

I'liiiiirr  ami  Sllliilir. 

Kirllls     liristli'il      nr 

with     liristli'-ti|i|ii'il 

liathi'l's,  i'XiM'|il  ill  ('imliis,  'I'ai'siis  iinniially  liciniiil,  ihr  aiitirinr  -I'Ut.Jla,  rxrr|>linn  a  Irw 
lii'lnw,  lii'ini;  t'liM'il  in  a  i-niitinunns  )ila!«',  — not  ho  in  Miiiiiinf  ami  I'oliiiiililiiiir.  (In  tin-  siili-H 
anil  lirhiml,  tarsus  strirtly  laiiiini|ilaiitar  (coiniiarr  .l/iiiii//i//r  ami  mhih'  Tnuilmliiliilu).  TarsiiK 
n>nally  also  lonu  iiml  sli'inlrr:  iirvrr  ili'i-iilrilly  slmrtrr  lliiin  ihr  iniililli'  loi'  ami  il.iw.  nl'lni 
ili'i'iili'illy  Iniiuir.  Aiilrri'ir  tors  ilii|ily  I'lit'l,  tlir  ininr  In  it-  vi'iy  Imsr.  llir  mitir  ailliri'i'iit  to 
till'  niiilillr  I'nr  nnly  ihr  li'ni.'ili  nt'  its  liasal  Jnini  (rnni|iarr  'I'mtilmliiliilii).  IlimI  i'la«  urvi'r 
IriiUthriii'il  ami  striiuhti'iii'il  as  usual  in  Mulm iUiihr.  Tail  trallifis  tuilvr;  tail  norinally 
niiii'li  slinr 


l''lii.   114.  —  Hkiills  of  V'liii/ii/ir  mill   sV/'i'iVn/ii/ic,  lull.  kI/i';  liner  Sliiifflill.     .\,  »»n>- 


itriffitt  ft  mnntinmn  .     II,    -s,filiii 


mi  riritll'l  . 


f 


fill 


■III 


H     IH<  nrtltlllH  , 


l>. 


llliM'i  VI'  liki'lic'M  lii'lHi'Uii  .V  uiid  II,  III  inillilii  miirlioil  • 

III  iHiiiilh  iiiiii  kill  /',  li,'  •/,  </'. 


,  I,  I';  ami  Ih'Iwihhi  r  iiml  H, 


trr  th 


III  thr  Willi's,  Miimiinirs  almiil  ii|Ual,  only  ih'i  iiliilly  Iniicrr  in  Minii-  Miiiii 


i'V*>r  I'liiii'iitr,   imr  ili'i'|i|y   I'nritril,  imr  ilmilily  rninnliil. 

Any    .Nnrih    Aini'riran  l.inl   slinwini;  Imnti'il  tarsi,  tni  |iriiiiarii's,  thr    1st   s|Hirioiii<, 


ami 
nil'   of   ihi'    'J'linliilii'.     Till'   t;rnn|i  thus  i'.iii>liluliil    i^   ili\  i'<ilili' 


nut  ilniilili'-rnuinli'il  tail 

intn  M'Mial  siili-l'aiiiilii's,  wliii'h  may  lir  analy/ril  as  fnllnws  with  I'l'lrri'in-r  in  the  Nnrlh  Aiir 

Iran  i.'i'iii'i'a  :  —  * 


As.M.VHlN   UK    SnUAMII.IKM. 


'ri'lliHN.t; ;     '////«'(■(//  Thnislirs.     Tar>i  ImhiIciI.     jtii'ins    liristly.     Nostrils  oval,  ix|insril. 
Hill  Htraiglit,  Hlioiti-r  than  liiail.     First  iiuill  sirirtly  H|>urioUH  ;   ;.M  hitwnn    Ith  ami  Dili.     Tail 

lit 


242 


.systi:m.\ tic  syxci'sis.  —  passkhes ~  osci.sks. 


fliortor  thill)  witij;!*.     'rmsiii'  \\u\v  if  any  Imimr  iImu  tlii'  miilcllt'  luc  ami  .law.     Of  iiitiliiiin 

»izi'.       ('ni«lllci|Mi|ilall.       (  (lie  HCIMI> 'I'lllllllS. 

.Ml.MlN.l::  Miickinii  'I'hnislits.  'I'aiMil  x'litrlla  ilMiially  iliittiiict.  Mill  varialilc,  M>iiirliiiii> 
attaiiiiiiK  ixlrannliiiary  li-iiKtIi  ami  ciirvatiirr.  {{ictiiH  liriMtl)'.  Nnstriis  oval,  )'\|him'i|.  Wjh^m 
shnrt  ami  miimlcil  ;  l>t  i|iiill  iml  .slrirtlv  siiiiiiiiii>,  al  liawt  i.ia-liaH  an  ImiK  a«  -.M,  wliicii  i., 
slmrti'i- than  lilii.     Tail  i'c|iialliii^  or  iiiiu'h   jiniuii'  than  wiiiu.s.     Of  iiiiiliiiiii  ami   lai'i;i>i 


"l/r. 


I' 


rrlliiar    li 


All   ahrmilit    i.'ri>li|>,   iclalfil    In   the    TioijUhIijIhIu-.      'I"hr 


■(■«■  m'lura, 


(h'iisiojilis  (tii;.  Ill,  .1),  Miiiiiis,  lliirfinrliiini'liiis. 

Tim  I. IN. i: :     IHiiimis.     'I'aoi  liiiniril.     Mill  .>li(.rt(r  than  hcail.     NnxtrilH  limar,  i'\|ii>-.rcl, 

hill  iivi'iriarhril  liy  fralhrrs.  Nn  l.li>llc.s  whatrMI'  almllt  ncltlx.  Willff.s  >hiir|,  jiiit  htilj  Iniiuir 
than  ihr  vtiT  An>v\  M|iiair  lail,  with  >lricll_v  N|iiiii..ii.-i  l.st  |iriiiiary.  I'"iiiiii  >liiiit.  riiiiiia;;r 
ilriiM'.      Ilahii.s  !ii|iiiilii-.     ( 'i>MiM>|Hiliiaii.     Oni' t;i'iiii.s — <V(i(Vi(.'<  (lit;.  114,  ('). 

S.v.Mi  iii.iN.K  ;     ('lints,  itv.     'j'aisi  I tnl.      Hill   •.mall,  iinirh    flmilcr  ihaii  hcail.      IlirtiiM 

hrinlly.  Nii.slrili,  nval.  Wiiiy.*  imiiilcd,  cxiriiiiiit' ihf  >liiirl,  ><|ilan' ur  iiiiaruiiiatr  lail.  'I'ai- 
Hii.s  ii.siially  iiiiii'h  Iniiucr  than  tin-  iiiiiidlo  l<>r  ami  rlaw  (not  in  Sialin).  Of  miiiiII  hI/.c  ami 
>li'mliT  fiiiiii,  ami  I'm-  llic  iiulhI  jiarl  tciiotrial  ;  hnt  .srau-i  ly  ilistiiit.'iii.'.hnl  iVniu  Tiiiiliiin 
|ini|MT.     Chirlly  ol.l  W'oilil.     Thri'i' uinrra,  —  Sii.iiiiiln,  Ciiuiii'iilii,  ami  Siiilm  (liu.  III./.'). 

ItKiii  t.iN.i: :     Kini/lrls.      'Vixrh'i  iHMitctI    (M-iitclla  ranly  a|>|ii')'<'iahli').      Hill    iiiiirh    a.-*    in 


/» 


hill    Miiall   ami   wi'ali.       Nnslril.-*  tximimiI, 


If 


"Vi'iliiiiit;    hv    tiliv    fcalhir.- 


\Vi 


•ii>   l>i   |iiii 


|ii>iiiii'<l,  u  ith  sirii'ily  >|iiiri< 

hinder  tliiin  iniclillr  \i»-  ami  claw.     \°i'ry 

itchI.      Chii  IIv  Ohl  W.nl.l.      'I'w..  t'cmr: 


inner   than   tlir   cviii  ur  i 


lMai'i.'>nati'   tail.      T 


ir.-i 


It 


mlcr  Nix  inrho.     (lr^l'ni^ll,  >>fti 


ith  II, 


iiiiiiiu 


I'liillliisi'Hiiis  ami  UiifiiliiK. 


i'lM.loi'TII.IN.I. :  (iiiiil-tiiltliifs.  '\'iiv>\  wiitcllalr.  ilill  \try  slnnlrr.  Init  wiiliiinl  aiiil 
tlallfiii'il  at  hiiw>,  with  iiriilf  iinli'liril  aiiil  honknl  ti|i.  liictiis  Htnuiuly  hristli'il.  NuNlril^ 
rnliri'ly  i'X|Mwil.      Kirnt  |iriiiiary  iihI   strii'tiy  !*|iiiii<in>.,  half  as   hmu'  a.s  ihr   -.M.     X'rt-y  Miiall : 


nmli'i 
I'liliofililii. 


MIX      IIICllC.". 


( 'i ill ii'al lull    hliii.sh.  Mack  ami  wliiti'.     I'lM-nliar  In  Anii'iica.     Our  uciiiis 


.Irliriiiiil  hijili'ilii  ii,iiir<i. 


Tiinil  illHliiii'lly  iiriili>niilu  iiriml,  rrliMinii  ri><MUIi)     WliiKminl  liiiiK>'r  lliiiti  liill. 


I^mitlli  iiiiiliT  li  iiirlii'ii.    Coliirii  IiIiiIkIi,  liluik  hikI  wIiIU' 
Lt'iiKlli  "vir  ii  nii'lii'i>. 


i/iii/i/i/.i      II 


lllll  iiImiiiI  nn  loiiu  UK  lii'iiil  i>r  iiinrli  liiiit.'r''     'I'.ill  ili'i'liliHlly  lunger  lliiiii  nlntin     lliiiiHuhjiiiihuf       | 
Kill  hlmilcr  lliiiii  hi'iktl 


Tumi  lMiiit4'<l  uiiiIciIh 


\Vliii{«  mill  mil  iif  uIkiiiI  i->|iml  li'iiKllii..     .\i>liy.  >|i<illi'<l  In'Ihw 
\Vliii:»  nilliri  nliiiiii'i  lliiiii  nill.    Axtiy,  mliiltii  |>liilii  UOnu  ;  nr  <'ii|i  hliu'li 
I'lili'llii  i\\  hiM.i  Ihillnlliicl) 


itVi'lll'ltltti  n 


Mill 


1.1'tiKlli  .^  liirlii  X  Ml  li'M.     I'liLiiK  Kri-i-iiliili  mid  yi-lliiwiii|t, 

A   llniiir  iiilonil  iirnt , 

N iliiii'il   iriwt 

I<i)li|llli  "Vrr  .'i  iiirlii'K 

N'oliiivlli'itiilioul  l.lll.     \Vlit>li"i'ii|iirnl.     .\i|iimli' 
Kill  lilt  l>ilMl>-l 

TiiritilK  iiiiii'li  lHiit;rr  lliaii  iiilililli'  Iih'  iiiuI  rliiu 
llliii'  nil  tlirnal.  ioIiIIkIi  <'Ii  lull     .     . 
N'.i  liliic  nr  ii'ilillfli.     'I'all  Mill  k  iiml  »lilii' 


/t'ir/if/ii.4      III 
l'hiillii»ii<im»       '.I 


<  inrhf 


1'l/tiinr»tii 
,    ,s>rjii<>/<i 


Tnrniin  lillli'  iriiii>  I  'iiiii  lliiiii  lalililli'  I<h'  iiikI  .  Iiiw. 


iMliirillhili    ,l|irll>     lillli.,    lllll   m„|    t,.,.l    liiiirK     ...  Ni. 

N.ililiir      lllll  mill  I'l.  I  lllll  liliii'k        /•«> 


'ilu* 


1 


DIIK.       Ill  iliirriiiliiliiit  I  Imnii'lir  .if  iJiiKim,  nlii'llii'i  In 


il  nr  noiili'lliilc,  il  Ik  imi  I'Muirv  In  i-xaiiiliii'  iiiliill  IiIiiIk. 


fur  till-  fiiKiiiii  iif  llii  aiili'ilni  TUli'lla  Ih  |ii.i|iri'wi\i'.  iiikI  nii|\  m  iniiiiilinliiil  |N'rri'rll>  iil  iiiiiliirHy  .VikI  hi  ti<')i<  riil, 
III  imliiK  iirlllli'lal  ki'\»  in  niiiiia  ami  i>|>h  Iik.  ilir  niiuliin  iiiimt  aurru  willi  Ilic  aiillmr  in  iiiiili>riilniiilini{  Hull  »\»''  i- 
nii'lM  fnirlj  illiinlriitiiii;  iniriiiul  luliill  rlinnirlfm  iiri-  In  liuml. 


Ti'uinit.i:—  rrithLWK:  tyi'icm.  inin  sues. 


848 


V\i, 


I.   Subfamily   TURDIN/C:    Typical  Thruahes. 

. •  ..  Willi  tJK-  tiir!<ii>.  ill  ilir  iiiliilt,  "  iMNititl"  or 

i-iivi'|i>|ii'il  ill  a  iiiiitiiiii<>ii!>  pjati',  f4iniif<i  liy  fiiKixii 
III'  all  till-  t:ir>iil  -riiti-lla  )'\ri'|i|iiit;  twn  or  llirri- 
jii.'-l  alMtvi-  tlif  liiiM'  iif  till-  tiN'!i  (tiu.  Hli).  'i'lH'M 
iltTply  clffl,  lli4'  iiiiiiT  III  iIk-  M-ry  Inim-,  tlii> 
iiiitrr  <-)ilifr<-iit  with  tin'  iiii<l<llr  niily  for  tin-  li'iiulli 
III'  its  lia.tal  joint.  Wiiii:^  inori'  or  li»  iHiiniiil, 
|ont;rr  tliaii  llu-  tail  :  l>l  |>riiiiary  N|>iirioii>.  aiiil 
vi'iy  >liort  :  i>\  Iohuit  than  *ith.  Kill  iii<Nh-iair. 
hhorli  r  than  ihi'  luaij.  »trait:ht,  iiiorr  or  li>s  miI<- 
iilati',  iillh'  lii'iin^M-il  at  ki.x',  with  hrixtly  rii'tu>. 
Il.'i.  —  A    iv|i|i'iil   'I'lininli,    lliit   KiimiK'nii      NnNtrilK    oval,    iii-arlv  or   i|iiil«'    r«iichiti    hv    tin* 

'""*•'•''"'"'■""' "'■"•    "■"•'""""'"•  iVonia!    r.ath.n*.       W\a.      IKV)      Tail-f.  atli.is 

wiilcnint;  soinrwlial  touaril  llirir  i'IIiIn;  tail  an  a  wIioIi' Munrwhal  fall-^ha|■«'<l :  niitlKr <h-<'iilrilly 
I'orkiil  at  the  cinl,  nor  niiirli  urailuatnl.  rpwanls  of  one  hiiiiilnil  ainl  hfty  -jN-fii'M  an-  now 
ii-*italiy  aKsiifiifil  to  ihi'  'I'lirilhttr,  iiioki  nf  (hnn  rrtrraliii'  to  tin-  >.iiiuli'  n'  iin>  Tuiilun  ami  it» 
>iil>ili\ isioiis.  'I'lii'V  arc  nearly  ro^nio|ioli|an,  ami  havi-  a  irn-ai  •h'\)'lo|iiiii'iii  in  th<-  warmer 
partx  of  Anicrica,  wlieir  lliry  arc  inaiiily  ic|iicMntcil  l>y  ty|i«s  cloM'ly  alia  <!  to  Tiiiilu>  |iro|icr  ; 
iiiiirc  alH'rraiit  loriiix,  coinititittin^' very  iliHtitirt  t.'cncra,  iN-<-iir  in  the  t  Mil  World.  Wi-  havi< 
lint  one  L'ciiiiN  in  N'ortli  .Vnieriea.  of  which  llie  rohin  is  the  iikmI  familiar,  ai>  it  i>  a  xery 
cliaractcrislic,  rxaiii|ili  ;  a  specicM  of  ('iithiiriit.  however,  iM-eiirK  viTy  near  if  not  acliially 
over  our  .Me\ican  lionlcr.  'I'lic  thni>he.>i  are  iliU'ii.Neil  over  all  the  w>Ri<llaiiil  luirlM  ol  mir 
I'oiinlry,  ami  arc  all  Htrictly  iiil|rratoiy  inwctivotNHin  hiniM,  tliiniuh  feetliut;  alwi  ii|ioii  lHTric>  aial 
iilhcr  Mift  fruit."!.  Thoiiyli  not  irnl"  :;rei;arioii><,  some,  as  the  mhin  for  iiislaiiee.  often  collect  in 
lroo|iH  at  lavorite  I'eeilini;  |ilace>,  or  inicratc  in  i'oiii|iaiiies.  They  l>iiil<l  rather  rmh-  ihsIm, 
often  |ila.'.tereil  with  ninil.  never  |>i  ii>ile,  imt  oaililleil  on  a  ImhiuIi  or  tixe<l  on  a  fork,  or  x-t 
on  the  m'oiniil;  ami  lay  froni  four  to  hix  trrccii  or  hlnc  es;i;:«,  soinetiiiie-.  I'laiii.  Miiintiines 
.•>|Hitleil.      All  arc  viH-al  :    ami  hoIiic,  like  the  woml  ihlilsh.  are  exi|iiiMtely  iiie|ialioii>. 

'riicM-  hirilH  tiiay  he  lakcit  in  illiiMiMtion  of  a  character  which  niii»  throiiuh  other  of  ihc 
:!ron|»«  of  Tiiriliiltr  lii'siilcn  the  'I'liriliiiic  |iio|M'r.  'I'lie  yoiiiii;,  in  their  fir-i  feaiheriiit:,  which 
Is  Worn  hilt  a  short  time,  are  curiously  s|iccklcil  ami  '•trcakcil,  in  i  inanm  r  iinitc  ilitfi  n  nt 
from  the  ailiilts.  'I'lii.^  featnre  is  well  shown  hy  a  yoimt;  mlttii,  or  lilio  -hinl,  as  <h-M-ril>eil 
hcyoiiil. 

i'l'U  ItrS.  (Lat.  tiinlim,  a  thnisii.)  'rilltl  siii.s.  The  characters  of  the  typical  ami  -iiiL'le 
neiiiis  represeiili  il  in  North  Anierici  are  ill  etficl  the  same  a-  thiw  of  the  -iilifaiiiily  alreaily 
uiven.  The  several  s|M'cies  fall  ill  lliree  siiliueiiera,  which  may  Im-  lhii:>  aiialyzeil :  — 
Mrriilii  Sexes  similar.  Itill  iiotchctl  near  eml,  little  wiileiieil  at  Ikim*.  'I'ar^i  litth  loiii;er 
than  niiilille  toe  ami  clan  lliiii.ilh  mostly  niiicolor,  with  stnakeil  thr<i;it.  I.ir^e  :  stoiit. 
(Type,  I  iiiiliis  niiriilti  .■  luclmles  our  rohins.) 

lliiiMTiMiililii.  —  .SexcH  ilissiiiiilar.  liili  iimintcliiil.  Ma!-  with  .i  hlack  |>»cior.il  <•«  liar.  tMlier- 
«  i-e  like   Miiillil.       {'i'\\<i  ,  ami  only  species,    'I'lliillis  nnirins.) 

Tiiiitits.  .Sexes  similar.  Hill  iiotcinil  near  einl.  iiMicli  M  iih  iie«I  ami  •h-pn-'M.I  .it  has*',  'larsi 
ilei'iili'illy  longer  than  iiiiihlle   toe  ami  clav«.      Metieath  s|M>itei|.     I  If  '.iii.tll  Mature,  and  rather 

sIiihIci  roriii. 

.tiMliittn\f  SpirientHil  \tiritlkt. 

Ni'ltlii-r  H|Mitl<s|  nor  IuiiuIihI  tH>liiu ,  Imt  tliniut  stroaki''!       Ilol'liiit  ) 
l'|i|M'r  luiili"  sli'i'-ciil"!!'!!  ;  I  mi  .ml  iliintliiil. 

oiiii'i  lull  fi'atliur  Willi  u  lihi' ll|i|ilii|(      (Kimtirn  

oiilci  iiiliri'iitliir  V.11I1..111   lii'lili'.l  uhlii- il|>|<liii;     iWcvtcni  )  .  .... 

I'l>|s  r  luirii- itmyliili  luali .  tiniiKl  yt'lliiwUh  liiilt.      i'a(s'  SI    l.iit'4a.i  ..... 


m 


244 


■s'i',s'/7;,v.i TIC  sYxnpsrs.  -  passkhics—  <)S('ixi':.s. 


Struiikixl  U'liiw  nil  wlilii    k''"iiiii|,  ultli  ri'i|>ll>li  »Mi'>     iKiirniH'iin  ) ilinr 

liiiiiili'il  <'ri>M>»lM',iiiii  hiiMiii'.l,  lii'lnw  .  ii|i|Hr  inii'ln  iiliiti'-iiilni'cil.    (WfUlurii) iitrri 

NjHiUol  lii'lxw   III  hIiIIi'  i>i  Inwiiv  ur'Hiiiil.in  mi  Imlli. 
1  |t|H't  fiiii'lh  iMil  III'  iiniliii'in  I'liliir. 


rpiii'i  |i;irtK  liiwiiy,  ^llllllllu'  In  mIIm'  mi  riiiii|i.    (WihmI  Tliniiili,  i-nMurii.) 
l'|i|H'l   |iMI  In  iillvi'.  nlillilllll,'  til  I  llliilIK  mi  nilll|i 


munlilhiuA    r, 


nil lliiiM  »i/.i'.    illi'iiiili  'I'lii'imli,  iMiMvrn.)    .    . 

Ill  liiik'i'xl  xi/i'.    I  lliriiiil  rill  Hull,  lliH'ky  Mill.) 
nri-iiialli'Ml  xl/.r.     Ilti'iiiill  TIiiiikIi,  rmlllr  niiilit.l 
I*|i|M'r  piirlN  III'  iiiiiliii  III  I  iiliii'  iliriiiii,i|imii. 


,  titiihtUiiti    II 
.   uii'itturir    K 


ri>|i<'i   |i:irii-  nin'ii>  :  n|Hiii>  livliin  ri'W,  |iiiti<,  rlilvlly  niiilliietl  ill  bull' Jiignliliii     im  luitl 

uyi'i'iiiK     I  Titniiy  Tlii'iiili,  laiili  I'll  I  .    .  

rplHi'  luii'tH  riiKwl  iijlvi':  iiiii|i>r  imiln  im  iN'rurr;  no  bilfl'  I'ye-rliiK.    <Tiiviiiy  Tlinmli, 


,/'i(iir»  ji'f  HH 


I'llU-lml,,     ; 


l'|i|ii'i'  |iiirl«  I  iiKN'l  iillvi<;  i-imli- III  liiw  iiiiiiioroiu,  iiiviuUliu  wliitu  liriiuii ;  ii  hull' cyv- 

iImi!      iWntti'iii  illlvi'-liai'ki')!  TIiI'iikIi.I 

I'liliir  iiaitHiliirk  piiru  ollvi- :  ■|iii(it  ImIiiw  lu  liur<ire;  n  liulT  i-yi'-rllitf.    (KnitiTii  Ojlvr- 


Hntllltll»i<    I) 


lilli'klil    rill'llall. 


rpIKT  imrtmhiik  imi'i!  iillvis  m|ki1i«  Ih'Ihw  hi.  iKfiiiii;  im  liull'i-yu-rlinf.    iKiiMiTii.) 


iiiHKiiii.  l:i 


1.  T.  luIxriito'rlHH.  (I.mI.  niiiiiiilnriiin,  \\\\\irAUi\-\- \  m///>'ri/<»',  a  waliilrrrr.  Tit's.  IJti,  .'iS,  |lCi.) 
KmilN.  (i<  in  smiiinir:  r|i|><'l'  I'l'irls  !.|iitr-i'iilnr,  willi  a  sliailr  nt'nlivr.  Ilrail  lilai-k,  tlicryi'- 
licls  anil  a  H|iiit  licl'iiir  ||ii<  r^r  wliilr,  ami  llii'  llimal   HtrraUnl  willi  wliilr.     t^nill.'*  nl'  llif  wiiiijK 


iltishv,    riii.'<'<l  M'itli    Imai'v   a>li,   ainl   witli    tin 


>r  III'   till'   liarli.     Tail    lilai'lti>|i,   tlir  miti 


ftalhtT  iiHiially  ti|iiii  il  «iili  «liiir.     riiilcr  |iarls,  li>  tlir  \iiii,  ini'linliiit:  llir  iiiiilir  winu-iuMits, 

(■Ik'sIiiiiI.  riiilcr  lail-i-iivi-tiH  anil  tiliiii' w  liiir, 
Kliiiwint,'  iiinl'i'  III'  |i'>s  |iliiiiilii'iiiis.  Mill  yrlliiw, 
iiftiii  «itli  a  ilii>l«j'  liji.  .MiMitli  yclliiw.  Kyi'H 
ilai'lt  Ih'kimi.  Ki'i'I  lilai'kiMli,  tin*  huIch  yrlluw- 
isli.  Li'iiuili  alMiiit  lo.iNl:  I'Mi'iii  ji'i.iKi:  wiii^ 
.'i.lNi-.'i.:iU:  tail  1.1)0  (..'ill;  liilMl.Mi;  tai'MiK,  iir 
iiiiililli'  tiir  aiiil  I'law,  \.-iTi.  9>  in  Miiiiinri': 
Similar,  Iml  tlir  rnlni-K  ilulji'i' ;  u|i|>rr  jiarlv 
rallirr  iilivai'niiis-nray  ;  rlii'f.liiiit  nl'  llir  iiihIit 
|iart>  paliT,  tlii'  fratlirrs  xliiilril  willi  uray  nr 
wliitr:  lirail  anil  tail  \v!.>^  Itlai'lii.-ii ;  tlimat  »iili 
iiiiiri'  wliili'.  Hill  iiMii'li  I'liiiiilnl  willi  ilii.-ky.  J  9  •  '"  «intfi'.  ami  yimiii; :  Similar  tn  tin'  ailiilt 
9.  Iiul  n'riiiiiiL'  smiii'Mlial  lailliri'  liinii  llir  $  in  .-miiiiirr  liy  tlir  iliillir  ciilnr.'.,  tlir  |iali'ii('it.s 
anil  I'i'sli'irliiiii  orijii'  rlii'stiuit,  W'illi  it!<  rxtciisivi'  ..•liirtinu  witli  wliiti',  lack  ii|'ili.»lim-li<in  nl'  tlir 
I'liiiir  111'  till'  lirail  I'l'iMii  that  u^  tlir  liark,  ti'iiili'lii'y  nl'  tlir  uliiti'  h|Mit   iM-fnrc  tin*  i-yc  t<i  run  intii 


I    Mllii'irill, 


'I 
I'klril, 


iiy  Mn 


ik 


ilarl 


<r  III'  iiiiist  III'  till    liill.      N'rrv   voiinu  liirils  liavr  tlir  liat'k 


■aril    I'rallirr 


wliiti>li   I'l'iitiallv.   willi   a   iliirikv  ti 


an<l   Mil' 


it  till 


miller  jiarts  is  .''|iiitti'il  vviih 


III  1. 


sh 


'I'll 


■alrr  riivrrts  ai'r  li|i|iiil   witli   wliili'  nr   nil'miH, 


ri'n|iiriitly  |iri-sisti'Ml.  a.'i  ai'r  mImi  sniiir  similar  mai'kiims  mi  tlir  lissrr  I'livi'its.  N.  Am.  at 
lari;i';  an  almiiilinl  ami  I'aiiiiliar  liinl,  miirralmy,  Init  liniiliiii:  anywlirri'  in  its  rail);*'.  Nt'st 
in  tnr.s,  usually  .sailillnl  mi  a  limi/.mital  limitfli.  i'mn|Hisi'il  lai'i;rly  nl'  liinil ;  i'KUh  -t—li,  alimit 
l.l*>X"''^".  nnirmiii  miiiiisli-liliii',  nuniially  nns|Millril. 

T.  III.  iii'iiplirqiiiis?  (I.ai.  /i/'iiyii/ii/iif(.<(,  miulilMirin); ;  a.s  n-latrii  tn  llir  last.)  .Xi.i.ii'.n 
IfiiiiiN.     (^iiiir  iiki'    7'.  iiiiiiriiliiriiis;   avcrauiiit;   Nliulitly  larm-r;    M'iiitr   np  In  ."i.TiH:    tail  n|i 

llial   nl'    7'.  miijiiitiii-iiis,   till-   miicr    I'l-allirr    "it! I    wliili',    nr 

A    .si-arri'ly   ilisiini;nislii'il    rarr.  nl"  tlir    U'nrky    .Ml.    ri'(,'inii    ami 


In  I.711,   imt 


III 


irUlsli    as 


mri'riy    a    iiarmw    fijuint.'. 
wi'stlwiiril. 


«'J.    T.   I'oiili'niN.       (I.al.   (iiiiliiiln,  alliril  nr  nlalii 


tn  T.  iiiiiiniloriiis.)    St.  Ijt.vs  Ifonis. 


rpp'r   |iarts,   inrlmliiii.'  siilis  n|'  liiail  ainl   link,  miit'nrm  .<:i'ayisli-asli,  uitli  slit'lit  nlivr  shailr 


.si'arri'lv  ilarkir  nii   lln'  lirail  :   rliii 


111  ilirnai  w'liiii'.  stri'.ikril  witli  ii»liv-l>nnvti :  liri-ast.  sidis. 


lilUnihK  -  TVUDIS.K .     lUHlSllES. 


'lA'o 


mill  liiiiiijj  of  wiii^s  ]iali'  y(■llll^vi^ll-lmt^.   Ixlly  vvliiii-,  IliiiiU!"  ii^liy.      A  ili^tiiirt  wliitr  "iiiH'r- 

riliill'y   .s||'i|M';    IdWrr  lyiliil    wllitr.       I''r;itlli'l'.s   III'    jll^llllllii    mill    ^il|^s    will)    anliy    \\\»\     Ulriltrr 

uiii^-ciivrrtN  li|i|N'il  witli  wliiti^li  :  liill  yi'lliixn^li,  ii|>|h'|'  iiiaiiilililc  mul  tip  nf  luuvr  tiiiuiil 
«illi  iliinliy  ;  I'iM't  pair  liriiwii.  Winu  .Vlii;  tail  (.III;  lai^ii^  l.-.'n;  liiiililli-  tin-  ami  rl.iw 
I.I)/.     I.iiwi'i'  ('alil'iiniia  ;  rr»i'iiililiiii,'  a  yniniK  mliiii,  Imt  i|iiit<'  ilisiinrl. 

I.  T.  iiriioiia.  (I.at.  iliaciiK,  nlaliiiK  to  tin-  ttaiikH,  wliiili  air  ml.  Ki({.  IIH.)  ltKl)-wiN<ir.i> 
'I'lllll'nil.  l'|i|H'r  parts  liaii'-1in>\vii  witli  an  ulivr  .oliailr.  ilaikcr  mi  tin'  licail,  jialrr  mi  tlir 
riiiiip.  \Viiit.'-i|iiills  ili'i'p  li.'iiwn;  rnvriN  aiiil  iiiiiir  MruiiilariiM  tippnl  \«illi  \iliiii>li.  Tail 
ilark  limwii,  the  miii'i-  fralli)'!-  iiHiially  wliiti'-iippril.  Lmi'  Markisli ;  ryi-liilH  ami  Hiipcrriliary 
rili'ipi'  wliiti^li  ;  mirii'iiliirs  >li'<'akril  willi  liulil  ami  ilark  lirnun.  Tliiiiat  yi'lli>\vi>li-\\  liiti', 
Hllraknl  witli  lii'ii\viii>li  Mark  ;  liira>l  ami  lirlly  L'layi.-li-wliilr ;  Inwir  tail-nivii'ts  wliilinli, 
hli'i'iikt'il  with  Itrnwii.  SIiIcn  iiihI  iimlri'  wiiiu-covcrtM  liulit  I'i'il.  Hill  liniwiiiNli-Mai-k,  lia^il 
liall'iif  liiwrr  iiiamlilili' i>raiit;r-yi-lliiw  ;  ii'i.o  limwii;  Irct  lli'Kli-nilnrnl.  ScM'm  alike.  I.t'iiulli 
S..'i(l;  cvii'iit  U.iH):  wiiiu  I. .'ill;  tail  :<..'ii) ;  liill  li.7'> :  taiHiiH,  nr  miilillf  Iih-  ami  flaw,  l.l.'i. 
.V  Kiii'ii|H'aii  sprrii's,  niily  N.  Aimriraii  as  iNTiiriiiiir  in  tin  riilaml.  'I'lir  iipprr  parts  iiri* 
aliiiiist  I'xai-tly  liki'  a  ruliiii's;  tlir  Inwir  wliilisli,  stnaki-il  with  iliisky,  tin*  Mvn  of  tlir  linily 
mill  liliiiii;  lit' the  wili^s  liriulit  rlii-stiiiit. 

a.  T.  liiii'viiiM.  (I,al.  Hiiriiis,  .spiitti'il,  variiil;  litrnis,  a  liirlli-Kiiirk.  Tii;.  117.)  \' \lt1l:i> 
'I'llUl'Nil.  Oltl-^iiiiN  iSiililN.  (f,iii  siiiiiiiirr:  Kiitin'  iip|NM' parts  ilark  slati'-cnlur,  vmyinu  in 
sliiiilc  frmii  a  lilai-ki.sh  to  a  pliniilN'min  Hliitc,  in  Iciw  |N-rf<-vt  8|NfiiiiiiiH  with  u  xIIkIiI  <>livi-  tiiii;i-; 
witit;s  aiiil  liiil  Markisli,  witli  innri'  or  less  of  pIiiiiilH'oiiH  or  olivr  sliailr,  acniriliiiL:  to  tlu'  aui'  nf 
till'  ipiills ;  wiiii{-nivi'iis,  (ircatrr  ami 
Irsscr,  tippi'tl  with  ormmi'-lirowii  foriii- 
iiiU  two  ri'oss-liars,  mill  quills  iiliriil  in 
two  or  tlilrc  plans  willi  the  siliir : 
Ipiills  also  wliiti'  at  liasi*  on  tlir  iiiiirr 
ivi'lis,  this  iiiarkiiit!  imt  visililr  froiii  tin' 
ontsiilc ;  oiir  or  .srvrral  of  tlic  lateral 
tail-li'iitlirrs  tip|M'il  »itli  wliitr.  .\ 
liroail  lilai-k  rollar  aero.ss  tlir  Inrasi. 
liioiiiitiiiu  on  till-  .siile  of  the  lieek  ami 
lieail.  Stripe  liehimi  the  eye,  lower 
cycliil,  mill  nmler  pails  uranue-lirown, 
Krailnally  uiviii^;  way  to  white  on  the 


le 


Ik 


vent   ami  erissiini  inixii 


white,  oraliue-hrowii,  ami  pliiiiilieoi.s. 
liill  Itlaek  :  feet  ami  flaws  iliill  yellow- 
IhIi,  Length '.I.. 'ill- 1 11.01);  extent  ahoiil 
lli.lHI; 
tarsus. 


inu  "i.i'il:    tail  ;!.7.»;  hill  ii.Mt; 


lilille    ti 


III   fill 


\.>:, 


i-'ii,.  ii: 

iial.  ill  I.  I').  C.| 


ViirlotI  Tliriiuli  i  rmilm  iim  iii>),  nut.  nine     i.Vil. 


9  ,  in  sniiiiiier  :  I'pl"''  parts  olivaeeoii 

plniiiheoiis  (ainiiist  exaetly  the  .slia.lr  of  the  foiiiiiimi   rnhiii  in  winter)  ;   wiii(;»  ami  tail  s<arfely 

ilarker;    the  peitorul  foliar  inirrow,  like  the  hack   ii lor;   other  iiinler  parts  like  those  of 

the  jf .  Itiit   ilnller,   paler,  ami  rather  riisiy  than  iiraiii.'e-l>rown,  with  i v  while  mi  the  l..\vir 

lielly.  .Markiliu's  of  heail.  tail,  ami  uinys  exaetly  as  in  the  male.  YoniiL' :  Like  the  ailnll  9" 
rpl'i'i'  parts  in  many  easis  with  a  ileeiile.!  iiiiiher-hrown  wash.  No  speekleil  slime,  like  that 
of  the  very  yolllii;  roliii,,  has  lieen  olmerveil,  tlioiiL'h  ,Vlli;llsl  speeimeiis  have  heeil  exaiiiineil. 
Ill  the  yoiliiij  J,  the  lihifk  |M'ftoral  har  is  at   liisl    imlieateil  liy  interriipti  il  Maikisli  eresfiiits 


mi   iiiiliviilnal   feathers. 


'linn   9  9    smiietinies   show  sfiireelv   il   Iraee   of  the  i-ollar. 


At 


all  aijes,  the  iiiarkinus  of  the  heail  ami  wiiius 


iiiiii'li  till'  siinie.      I'ai'itif  foast  region, 


Ala.ski 


24({ 


SYSTEM  A  TK '  SYSOI'SIS.  —  PA  SSHIiES—  OSCISKS. 


to  Mexico,  nbilliiliilit,   iniuratKrv ;    ai'i-'nli'iital  in   Mumn.,  N.  il.,  ami    Lniiu  Inlaiiil.      A   liraiitil'ii 


ittiil  viTV  iliKtiiict  f|NTii-.,  n 


itiiii;  till'  Milii,'iiiii,'<  III sf>rri»ii hill  ((if.  tiTntftiit,  /«.'iy«';'<i.«,  |,:il. 


iTHiiiriis,   wcKlirii,  ami  xij^Xa,  kiihln,  a  tlini.-li).      Nest    in   IhikIk's,  ut'  twi^!*,  grawxi'N,   iihikm'x, 
ami  liflicuN  ;  ctfUK  i.k'  X  "'^"i  liulit  uri-cnixli-liliic,  HpiTkli'il  tvitli  ilurk  lirnwii. 
A.    T.   iiiHNtoiriiHH,     (l.ai,    mHsliliiiii".   Nvraxrl-liki' ;    i.  r.,  lawny   in    nilnr;    miiNlrln,   a    wraxi'l, 

l-'it;.  Ih.)      WiHiii 'riiiMMll.      ^  9''><l'<ll:    r|i|>*'i' paiiN,  ini-lmlin;;   llic   Niula I'  tlir  closiil 

wiiiUN,  liiwiiy-liriiwn,  |iiii'i'-i  ami  iIii'ih'hI  un  tlic  licail,  Mliailin^'  iiiHt'UHilily  hitii  oliviu'nins  cin  ilir 
i'nni|i  ami  tail.  Itilnw,  |>in'i'  wliitc,  lainlly  tinuiil  un  tlii'  liniiNl  with  lintV,  ami  I'Virv  w  luri', 
cxci'pl  un  till'  tliiKat,  niiiiiilr  III'  lirliy,  and  irisxuni,  ni.nkril  willi  ninniriiuh  lai't.'i',  wi'li-ili'liniij, 

rnnmlctl  nr  HMlitrianu'ular  lilackixli  H|Hits.     himT  wdis 


mil   rniis  lit'  iiiiillx   I'lisi'iiMM,    with   u   MJiilr 


liMllv 


iluini;  liiwanl  llir  liiixr.     (Ji'ralrr  iiniirr  \\iiii.'-riivt'iiM 


niiixtl 


wliilt 


Ani'iriilai'H   Nharjily    hirraknl    wii 


iliixkv  ami  wliitr.     {till  lilai-kisli-lirnwn,  wiili   llr 


riilciri'il  nr  yi'lliiwisli  In 


l-'rrl  likr  this  part  nl'  iIk 


liill.      T^ntrtli    7.''>i)-'<.<H);    ixlrnt  al IIH.IMI;   wii 


"« 


4.(N)-I. 


tail   .'i.lNI-.'ljri  ;    lull  i).',:,  ;    tarsus 


iniilillf   tiM'   ami    claw    Ichh. 


I  iiuiii;: 


•lirrklfil 


stlrakril   aliiivr  U'itll    pair   yrllnvvisli  nr  wiiilisli,  rspr- 
Km.  itH.  -  \v.«HiTlinii.li  (•/'.  ii,'(«/./i«Mii),      cially  iintinalili'  as  trianunlar   spnts    mi    ihr    winu- 

ciivcrts.       Hnt    tlii'sr    spiTilily    ilisapprar,    when    a 


iial.  kIiu.    (All.  ml.  iM.  K.  C.) 


pliuiiaur   SI 


ai'i'i'lv  ililVrri'iit    rriMii    tlial  iif  tlir    ailiill  is   assuinnl,     'I'lir   iiinst    strnnuJv   niarkril 


-I" 


il'  till 


ic    xllliuclius. 


In    •/■. 


lllllllilMrii;     till'     nlilv    ntlllT    lllll 


sliiiwin^    lintli   la 


\fnY  am 


iillVl'    nil 


till'  nppiT  parts,  till'  pnsiiinn  nl' llir  Ivvn  mlnrs  is  ri'VcrHol,  tlic  lawny  iH-ciipyiii^  ilir 
riiiiip,  till-  niivi'  till'  licail.     In  im  nilirr  sprcirs  arc  llir  spnts  lirlnw  sii  lari;)',  sliarp,  nniiirrniis, 


ami  iT'iii'ially  ilisprisi 


•il.     Kaslirii  I' 


N.  In  Ni'w  I'lnulaiiil  niilv  ;  a  raniniis  vm-alist mninn 


ill  Inw  ilaiiip  wihmIs  anil  tliirkrls;  iiiiKralnry;  lirccds  tlirniiuliniit  itH  raii^c;  iicsl  in  IhisIics 
ami  Inw  tnrs.  Ill"  Iravi's,  urassis,  I'll-.,  ami  iiiiiil ;  eft's  usually  l-.'i,  plain  urri'iiisli-lijiii'  lilii 
lliiiM'  nl'tlii'  rnliin,  liiit  siiiallir:  l.DS  X  l>-7<l' 
■J.  'I".  fiiHi'cit'ci'iiH.  (I, at.  I'ii>risinis,  less  lliaii  J'lisnis.  ilark.)  \Vii,son'.s  'riittt'sii.  \'i;i.iiv. 
J  9  •  I'ppir  parts  rnlilisli-lirnwii,  with  sliu'lil  nlivc  sliailr ;  im  rmiiiast  nf  rnlnr  liriwirii 
liark  anil  tail :  ijiiills  ami  lail-l'iatlH'rH  darker  and  purer  Imiwii,  tlie  I'nriner  willi  while  nr 
led  liases  nl'  iIh'  inner  welis  (as  usual  in  this  siilit;eiius).  A'o  nrlii- 
irii'ulars  mily  nlisnietely  streaky.      Ilelnw,   wliite;  tlie  .sides 


liuir 


siiai'i-   al    till'   nineea 


I    II 


le  eve 


lal    liulit    liliL'    irnnili 

hliaded  Willi  hnaiy-cray  nr  pale  m'liyisli-nlive ;    (lie  jntfulnni  liiiU'-cnlnred iitrastiiiK  strnnuly 


willi  till'  wliile  nf  (lie  lireast,  and   marked  willi  a  I'l 


ill   II 


arrnw'-lieads,  llie  eliiii  and 


liii'ldle  line  nf  llirnal.  Iinwever,  liiaily  wliile  and  iiiiiiiaeillale.  A  ffir  nlisnlele  t'layisli-nlive 
><|Hi|s  ill  llie  while  nf  ilir  lireast  :  hut  ntjiirwise  the  niarkiiiKM  cniitined  In  llie  liiilf  area.  Kill 
dark  ahnvi',  innstly  pale  lulnw,  like  the  feet.  ^J,  l.eiii;lli  7 -'i'l  7-')*^ ',  extent  aliniil  |-i.U(l; 
wiiit;  I.IIH-I.J.1 ;  tail  ''».< iO-;t. :.•.">  :  hill  im'iII;  tarsus  I. -.Ml.  9,  smaller;  average  nf  Imth  sexes: 
leiit'ih  7;i"i;  extent  11.75;  win>;:t.lMI;  tail  i.s.'i ;  tarsus  I.k'.  ("Iiietly  eiLsteni  I'.  ■..  lull  N. 
to  Canada;  eniniiinn,  iniiiralnry,  nestini;  in  nnrtherly  parts  nf  its  rani;e.     Nrst   mi  L'rnniid  nr 

near  it,  nf  leaves,  ura.s.ses,  ell'.,  hill  lin  lillld  ;  eiiU'S  i't,  u'reellish-ldlle  like  tlinse  nf  the  Wnncl 
thrush,  nnrnially  lUispntlid,  H.'.in  X  ••.<''•.  A  deliuhlflll  sniij;sler,  like  nlliers  nf  the  plllis, 
fnuiiil  ill  ihii'k  wnnils  aiid  swaiiips;  nf  shy  ami  retiriiii;  liahitH. 
Ta.  T.  f.  Hiillcl  colli.  (Lal.  siili.r.  ;i  willnw;  ruin,  I  eilllivate.)  Wtt.I.iiW  T.WVNV  'rtlllt  sit.  Like 
'/'.  filsiTsirif<,  hut  averauiiii:  laitier.  the  upper  parts  less  di'i'idi'dly  tawny,  the  jilcuhmi  leSH 
disliiielly  liiill'.      Wiiiu' :i.Sil    J.;'."i,  av.    I.dj;    tail    J.'.l.")-:!.  |M,   av.  It.:.'!!  ;    hill  l).."),'i  O.CiO  ;   tarsus, 


IV.    1.17;    middle  tne  withniit  ilaw,  aV.  (I.IV.).     .\  :lii.'lil  fnriil  leeenllv  deseriheij  liy  Mis  Kid 


u'"ay, 


idiahit 


••'K  tl 


ir  willnwy  pnitinus  nf  the  {{ni'kv  .Ml.  reninii,  U.  S.     This  vurit'ty  is  I'leaily 


M. 


Ti  iwiha:  —  TV  mux. K .  rim  vshes. 


M7 


riTcnililc  to  T.  fuHrmrniK ;  l>iit  il  licars  an  rxtruiirtliiiiiry  roKciiililiiiirc  t<>  7'.  iinhilutii*,  in  thr 
rii!<!<rl-<>liv<' riiliir  III'  tlir  ii|i|>rr  |iart,-,  ami  iMily  ^l><.'litly  IhiII'  tiiiui' uI' tlir  jiiumIiiiii  It  is  illn. 
tiii^ili»lii'il  tViiMi  iiMliiliihts  liy  lai'k  III'  llii'  liiill'  iirliilal  riii«  m»  i'liaiarlrii.«lir  nf  iisliiliilm  ami 
mrnitiiioHi,  uihI  otJHT  rlmracltTH  l>y  wliicli  fiisirsirim  tlitrcnt,  imialiiy  tin-  few  H"  any  i»|Hit»  in  tin 
uliilf  liri'aHl  liark  i>l'  tlir  Imll'  area,  ami  pair  Imary  yray  innlrail  nf  snnliil  niivi'-may  xliailiiiK  nf 
llic  niilcM.  Tlir  ur.«l  ami  r^'ij>  air  inrsniiialily  liUi'  tlmHc  i>(  Jiinciniriis,  unt  likr  iIhikc  nl'  iislu- 
hiliiH  itT  HiriihisiiHi.  (Nut  in  CiiiM'k  KIhI,  1sH;{) 
R.  T.  liiiMlaHni'.  (Naniiil  I'mni  llir  ihlaml  i.|"  I'Mala^ka.  I  Wkstkhn  IIkiimit  'I'immhii.  In 
..iliir  aliMiiiiirlv  like  Nil.  |((;  in  hi/.c  sliuliiiv  l<>»  I'M  an  aveianc;   liiiulli  hrarctly  <  .<«» ;  uinif 


Ctll:  tail  l.W;  taiHnH  1.15.     I'arilic  ciNixt  nxiun  nl' N.  A. 


U.    r.  II.  iiii'<liil»iiil('rii  ,1.  J.  Amlnliiin.i     Arm  iuin'h    IIkii.mit  Tiiuuhii,     In  m 


iliii'  aliHiilnti'lv 


Ilk)' Nil.  Ill;    in  >i/.r  laru'i'i' 'in  an  avrrau<':    li'ii^ili  altnni  7.('>; 


lu  t.;.'il:    tail  .'i.Kll;  larxiiH 


l.:iil.     SiiMllicrn  KiM'ky 
III.    r.  II.  nil  HUM.     (lit.  mi 


Ml. 


I'i'Uion. 


A  Im'IIi'I' niarknl  vai'irlv  than  tin'  hu-^l. 


i».  Lat.  miiiiM,  a  ilwail.)  Ka.stkun  IIkiimit  'rnitrsii.  jf  9.  in 
sannncr:  r|i|H'i-  jiariN  nlivai'i'imM,  witli  a  lininnixli  cant,  mul  tlM't'i'fni'f  nnl  su  piu'c  ii>  in 
sirnhisiiui;  ihi.s  nilur  I'lianu'ini;  nn  tlii' iinnp  aiiil  npjH'r  lail-fnvrrlf*  intn  tlir  nilnns  nl'  liir  tail, 
in  ilrriilnl  l•llnt^a^<l  uitli  llir  liack.  Tnilii  parts  wliiti',  Hliailril  with  jirayiNli-ulivc  un  tlif  Niilr>; 
till' Inrafi,  jnnnlnni,  anil  hIiIi'h  nf  tin'  mik  ni- vi'  nr  less  ^tl■lln^,'ly  tin>:i'il  wiili  ytHnwi.sli,  ami 
niarki'il  witli  nnnirrnnN  lai'nr,  anu'iiLir,  iliisky  .,  iIh,  wliirli  t-xlcml  liark  nf  the  y<'llii\vi>li-iinti'<l 
parts.  'I'liriiat  ininiai-nlalr  .\  yi'llnw  isli  nitiital  rini;.  Hill  lirnvvnisli-hlai'k,  imiHt  nf  tiii'  ninlrr 
Miamlililc  liviil  v.'liilisli  ;  nmnlli  ycllnu',  cyrs  Itrnwn  ;  Ii'Kh  pal*-  ln'ii\vni.»li.  ^,  It-n^tli  7.11"- 
7.2.-1  ;  I'Xtint  ll.lMt-l'.'.lMI;  m  inu  H..")ll-:i.7.-i  ;  tail  ;.'.7.')-H.IJtl.  9,sniallrr;  irn^'tli  (i.7.'>  7.IHI; 
t'Xlrnt  111.7.')' I  i.-."! ;  wiiifj;  ■■{.li.'i  iLfiU.  ,\vi'rau't's  nf  Imili  m'.xi'.s  arr  :  Irnu'lli  7.l>il ;  <'Xitnl  ll.J.'t; 
tviiit;  .'l..'iil ;  tail  i.l'i',  tarnns  1.1.5.  Thi' iliincnHinUH  tliiiN  nvrrlap  tlmsi-  nf  Imtli  uniil<isfii;\ui\ 
iiiiiliilmiii,  anil  III)  pnsitivi'  iliscriininatinn  is  pussiMc ;  thr  ilill'rrrnri's,  wlirn  any,  luini;  •>( 
avrrajfi's,  imt  nf  rxlrrim's  ritlirr  way.  S9'  >"  wiiiii'r:  Tin'  nlivarrnns  nf  tin'  upper  parts 
a.-snnii's  a  nmri'  rnl'nus  cast,  ninrli  likn  tliat  nf  iistnluliis.  ami  tlir  yrllnwisli  wasli  nf  tin'  nmirr 
parts  ami  siilcs  nf  the  lirail  ami  nrok  is  innri'  strmiuly  pinnnnrn'ril.  Iliit  llio  innst  rufmis  sprri- 
nirnH  III')'  rraillly  ilistinunislii'il  frmn  fiisirstniH  liy  tlir  stmni;  cnntraNt  lictwiicn  the  cnlnr  nf  llir 
tail  ami  nllirr  iipprr  parts.  N'rry  yniini;  :  Must  nf  tlir  iipprr  parts  niarknl  with  pair  yillnwish 
Inii^itnilinal  stri'iik^,  with  rlnhlinl  nMrrniitii's,  ami  iliisky  sprrks  at  tlir  cml  ;  wliilr  tlir  fratlnrs 
nf  tin'  lii'lly  niitl  Hanks  air  nl'lrn  skirlrtl  with  iliisky  in  ailililimi  In  tlir  niinirmiis  hiackish  spnis 
nf  thii  ri'st  nf  Ihr  iiinlrr  parts.  N.  .\iii.  at  lai'ifr,  tint  rliirlly  tlir  Kastrrn  I'rnvinri';  almmlaiit; 
niitrratniy,  ami  I'miml  in  all  wnnillami,  Imt  hniils  mily  nnrtliirly.  fnini  Massarliiisrlts  ami  mr- 
I'l'spontliiiK  lalitiiilt's  tn  the  Ah'tic  ri'Kiniis  ;  wiiiti'i's  in  tlii'  Sniithi'rn  Stati's.  Nrst  ami  I'^'^'s  mil 
ilistinunislialilr  I'min  thnsc  nf  the  Vt'cry  (Nn.  7). 
II.  T.  iiHtiilii'tiiH.  (Lai.  iisliildliis,  sriirchnl,  siiiifcil;  rrfrrrliii;  In  the  warm  nisHct  cnlnratinii.) 
tlitKOiiN  Ol.lVK-ii.Vi  Kl'.it  Tiiltl  Nil.  UrssKT-it.VcKKi)  Tllinsii.  (^uiti'  liko  '!'.  mniiiixtnii 
prnpcr,  Nil.  l'.\,  in  iinifnrniity  nf  the  cnlnr  nf  the  wlmlr  npprr  parts,  iiri'smcc  nf  a  hntfnrhital 
riiiu',  ami  t;t'ni'i'al  cliararlrr  nf  llir  shailini;  ami  spnttinu  nf  ihr  iimirr  parts;  Imt  nlivi' nf  tlir 
upper  pans  iml  pure,  liavini;  a  ileriileil  riifmis  liiiKe,  resiiltiii;,'  in  a  riis.<ei-nlive  nf  exaelly  the 
sliaile  nf  that  nf  the  upper  parts  nf  the  Western  variety  nf  fiisirsiniH  iMiiliriniln)  ;  frniii  whieli 
il  is  ilistiii^iiisheil  Ity  the  Imtf  nrhital  riiii;,  ami  very  ilifl'ereiil  shailini  ainl  niarkint;  nf  the 
miller  parts  (nmipare  Nn.  7al  ;  there  lieiiii;,  as  in  siiiiiiismii  prnper,  iniirh  nlive-trray  spniiim; 
nf  the  white  hreast  liaek  nf  the  hiltf  area,  ami  iniieli  sliailiii).'  nf  the  same  nlive-(;ray  mi  the  ^illes. 
i^i/.e   nf  nirililisoiii.      Nest   in  hushes,  ainl  t'lltiH  spnttcd,  as  in  the  latter.      Paeilie  enast   rei;inii 


if  the  r 


ilmmlant. 


I'i.  'V.  II.  uli'elii'.  (Tn  .Miss  Alii-e  Keiinientt,  sister  nf  linliert  Keiiliientt.)  <i|(.\V  rllKKKKli 
Tllltt'Hii.  Similar  tn  mraiiiHoiii  in  unifnrinity  anil  purity  nf  the  ulive  nf  the  np|ier  parts,  whirli 
is  IIH  illirk  ami  pure  (nn  temleney  tn  the   rilfniis  nf  (isli(liiliis)  ;   hill    the   siiles  nf  the  lieail   lack'- 


i  1 

It 


' 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


Li|2^    |25 

S  114    "■ 
£   US    |2.0 

■luu 

^1^ 


6" 


/. 


I^tographic 

Sciences 

Corporalion 


23  WIST  MAIN  STMIT 

WnSTIII,N.Y.  14SM 

(716)l7a-4S03 


.^ 


f 


% 


248 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


ing  the  yellowish  or  huffy  suffiisidn  seen  in  mcahisoni,  heing  tliiis  like  the  hack,  or  merely 
grayer  ;  iio  huff  ring  around  eye  ;  hreast  slightly  if  at  all  tinged  with  yellowish.  Kather  larger 
than  mcmiismii,  ahont  eriuallnig  niiisteliiiiis :  length  7.30-8.00;  e.xtent  12.50-13.50;  wing 
■1.00— 1.25  ;  tail  ;5. 00-3. 25  ;  hill  over  0.30;  average  dimensions  iihout  the  maxima  of  .iirainsoni, 
Distrihution  and  nestuig  the  same,  hut  hreeding  range  more  northerly(?).  A  M'ell-marked 
variety,  perhaps  a  distinct  speeies.  (A  loeal  race  has  heen  desorihed  as  smaller,  with  the  hill 
usually  slenderer;  Catskill  and  White  Mts.;  T.  (tlicuc  hichtelli  Kidgw.) 
13.  T.  II.  swain'soni.  (To  Wni.  Swains<in,  an  English  naturalist.)  Olive-backkd  Tiiursii. 
^  9:  Ahove,  clear  olivaceous,  of  exactly  the  same  shade  over  all  the  upper  parts;  helow, 
white,  strongly  shaded  with  (dive-gray  on  the  sides  and  flanks,  the  throat,  hreast,  and  sides 
of  the  neck  and  head  strongly  tinged  witli  yellowish,  the  fore  parts,  excepting  the  throat, 
marked  with  numerous  large,  hroad,  dusky  spots,  which  extend  haidiward  on  the  hreast  and 
helly,  there  rather  paler,  and  more  like  the  olivaceous  o?  the  uj)per  parts.  Edges  of  eyelids 
yellowish,  forming  a  strong  huff  orhital  ring;  lores  the  same.  Mouth  yellow ;  hill  hlackish, 
the  hasal  half  of  L)wcr  mandihle  ])ale  ;  iris  dark  hrown  ;  feet  pale  a.shy-hrown.  Length  of 
^,7.00-7.50;  extent  12.00-12.50;  wing  3.75-4.00;  tail  2.75-3.00;  hill  0.50 ;  tarsus  1.10. 
9  averaging  smaller;  length  G.75 ;  extent  11.30-12.00,  etc.  North  America,  N.  to  high 
latitudes,  W.  to  the  IJocky  Mts.,  comuKni ;  migratory;  breeds  from  New  England  northward. 
Nest  hi  hushes  and  low  trees,  thus  in  situation  like  that  of  the  wood  thrush,  hut  no  mud 
in  its  composition  ;  eggs  unlike  those  of  miisfeliiin.i,  fiisccscens,  and  the  varieties  of  nnakwcfC, 
in  lieing  freely  speckled  with  different  shades  of  hrown  on  a  grcenish-hlue  ground ;  size  0.90  X 
0.00 ;  number  4-5. 

2.    Subfamily  MIMING:   Mocking  Thrushes. 

Aberrant   TiirdidfP,   departing 
from   the   prime   characteristic   of 
the  family  in  having  the  tarsi  scu- 
teliate  in  front  (the  scntella  scnne- 
thnes  fusing,  however,  as   in  the 
catbird),    and    the    Ist    primary, 
though  .short,  hardly  to  he  called 
sp\n'ioiis.    Wings  .»*hort  and  round- 
ed (for  this  family),  about  equal 
to  the  tail  only  in  Oroscoptcs ;  2d 
primary    shorter    than     the     fith. 
Tail  large  and  round(>d  or  much 
graduated,  usually  decidedly  longer 
than   the  wings.      Tarsus    about 
erjual  to  the  middle  toe  and  claw  ; 
feet  stout,  in  adaptation  to  some- 
whfit  terrestrial  life.     Bill  various 
in  form,  usually  longer  or  at  least 
more    curved    than    in    the    true 
Fro.  119. -Mocking-bird,  about  ilnat.Dlzo.   (After  WUson.)         thrushes;    in   llarjmrhi/vchm  at- 
taining e.xtraoi'dinary  length  and  <'urvatm-e.     Birds  much  like  overgrown  wrens  (with  «-hich 
they  have  been  associated  by  .some)  ;  distingui.shed  chiefly  by  greater  size,  dift'erent  nostrils 
and  rictal  bristles,  and  more  deeply-cleft  toes.     As  a  group  they  are  rather  southern,  hardly 
passing  beyond  the  United  States:  few  species  reaching  even  the  Middle  States,  and  the  max- 
imum  devehipment   being  in  Central   and    South    America.     They  are  peculiar  to  America, 
where  they  are  represented  by  Oroscoj)tcs,  Mimus,  Harjmrhi/nchus,  and  five  or  six  related 


14. 


i 


TUBDIDJE  —  MIMINJE :    MOCKING   THRUSHES. 


249 


tfoiiora,  with  upwaril  of  forty  recorded  species,  two-tiiirds  of  whicli  arc  certainly  grniiiiie. 
About  oue-lialf  of  these  fall  in  3Iimi(s  alone; :  of  HavporhijnchuK,  nearly  all  the  species  occur 
in  the  United  States.  In  their  general  habits  they  resemble  wrens  as  niucU  as  thrushes, 
habitually  residing  in  shrubbery  near  the  ground,  relying  for  concealment  as  nnich  up<pn  the 
nature  of  their  resorts  as  upon  their  own  activity  and  vigilance.  They  an-  all  melodic  us,  iuid 
some,  like  the  immortal  iuocking-bird,  are  as  famous  for  their  powers  of  mimicry  as  tor  the 
brilliant  execution  of  their  proper  songs.  In  compensation  for  this  great  gift  of  nuisic,  perhaps 
that  they  may  not  grow  too  i"'oud,  they  are  plaiidy  clad,  grays  and  browns  being  the  ])r<'vail- 
ing  colors.  The  iK«t  is  generally  built  with  little  art,  in  a  bush,  and  the  eggs,  two  to  six  in 
number,  are  blue  or  green,  plain  or  speckled. 

Analjisia  of  Genera. 

Smallest :  bill  sliortost ;  wings  about  equal  to  tall.    Adults  speckled  below Oroscoptes  2 

Medium  :  bill  moderate ;  wings  a  little  sborter  than  tail.    Adults  plain  below \fimus  3 

Largest :  bill  immoderate  ;  wings  muck  shorter  tlian  tail.    Flain  or  spotted  below   .    .    .     Ilarporhnnrhus  4 

2.  OROSCOP'TES.  (Gr.  &pos,  oros,  a  mttuntain,  and  (TKclirmjj,  scojites,  a  mimic).  ^Ioixtaix 
MocKKitS.  Wings  and  tail  of  equal  lengths,  the  former  more  pointed  than  in  other  genera  of 
MiinitKC,  M'ith  the  1st  quill  not  half  as  long  as  the  2d,  wliich  is  between  the  fith  and  7tii ; 
the  3d,  4th,  and  5th  about  equal  to  one  another,  and  forming  the  point  of  tin;  wing.  Tail 
nearly  even,  its  feathers  but  sliglitly  graduated.  I'arsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw, 
anteriorly  distinctly  scutellate.  IJill  much  shorter  than  head,  not  cun-ed,  with  obsolete  notch 
near  the  end.  Kictal  bristles  well  developed,  the  hmgest  reaching  beyond  the  nostrils. 
0.  montanus  is  the  only  known  species. 

14.  O.  monta'nus.  (Lat.  montanus,  of  a  mountain.)  Mountain  Mof'Kixci-mRn.  Sage 
Thuasiiek.  $  9)  ill  sunnner:  Above,  grayish  or  brownish-ash,  the  feathers  with  ob- 
soletely  darker  centres.  IJelow,  whitish,  more  or  less  tinged  with  pale  buft'y-browni,  every- 
where marked  with  triangular  dusky  sjiots,  largest  and  most  crowded  across  the  breast,  snuiU 
and  sparse,  sometimes  wanting,  on  the  throat,  lower  belly,  and  crissum.  Wings  fuscous, 
with  ninch  whitish  edging  on  all  the  quills,  and  two  white  bands  formed  by  the  tips  of  tiie 
greater  and  median  coverts.  Tail  like  the  wings  ;  the  outer  feather  edged  and  broadly  tijjped, 
and  all  the  rest,  excepting  usually  the  middle  pair,  tipped  with  white  in  decreasing  amount. 
Bill  and  feet  black  or  blackish,  the  former  often  with  pale  base.  Length  about  S.UO;  wing 
and  tail,  each,  about  4.00;  tarsus  1.12;  hill  0.75.  Young:  Dull  brownish  above,  conspic- 
uously streaked  with  dusky;  the  markiny;s  below  streaky  and  ditt'use.  Plains  to  the  Pacific, 
U.  S. ;  also  Texas  and  Lower  California;  an  hiteresting  species,  resembling  an  undersized 
young  uiocking-bird,  abundant  in  the  sage-brush  of  the  W.  Nest  on  ground  or  in  low  bushes ; 
eggs  usually  4,  1.00  X  0.72,  light  greenish-blue,  heavily  marked  with  brown  and  neutral  tint. 

3.  311'MUS.  (Lat.  mimus,  a  mimic.)  JIockixg-iukds.  IJill  much  shorter  than  head,  .^can'ely 
curved  as  a  whole,  but  with  gently-curved  commissure,  notched  near  the  end.  Rictal  vibrissas 
well  developed.  Tail  rather  longer  than  wings,  rounded,  the  lateral  feathers  being  C(msiderably 
graduated.  Wings  rounded.  (Tarsal  scutella 
sometimes  obsolete.)  Tarsi  bniger  than  the  niid- 
dle  toe  and  claw.  Of  this  genus  there  iire  two 
well  marked  secticms  (represented  by  the  mock- 
ing-bii-d  and  cat-bird  respectively),  whicli  may 
bo  distinguished  by  cidor:  — 

Mimus.  —  Above  {ishy-bnuni,  below  white; 
lateral  tail-feathers  and  bases  of  prinmries  white. 
(Tarsal  scutella  always  distinct.)  Fio.  120 -Cntblrd,  nat.  »lze.'(.Vd.  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 

Galcoscoptes.  —  Hlackish-ash,  scarcely  paler  below;    crown   and   tail  black,  tmvarieil; 
crissum  rufous.     (Tarsal  scutella  sometimes  obsolete.) 


260 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


15.  91.  pulyglot'tus.  (Lat.  pohjglottus,  many-toiigucd ;  from  Gr.  ttoXus,  polus,  inaiiy,  and  yXeirTa, 
glotta,  tongue.  Fig.  119.)  Mocking-bird.  $,  adult:  Upper  parts  ashy-gray;  lower  parts 
soiled  white.  Wings  bla(!kish-l)rown,  tlio  primaries,  with  the  exception  of  the  first,  marked 
with  a  large  white  space  at  the  base,  restricted  on  the  outer  quills  usually  to  half  or  less  of 
these  feathers,  but  occupying  nearly  all  of  the  inner  quills.  The  shorter  white  spaces  show  as 
a  conspicuous  spot  when  the  wing  is  closed,  the  longer  inner  ones  being  hidden  by  tlu!  second- 
aries. The  coverts  are  also  tipped  and  sometimes  edged  with  white ;  and  there  may  be  much 
edging  or  tijjping,  or  both,  of  the  quills  themselves.  Outer  tail-feathers  white ;  next  two 
pair  white,  except  on  the  outer  web ;  next  pair  usually  white  toward  the  end,  and  the  rest 
sometimes  tipped  with  white.  Bill  and  feet  black,  the  former  often  pale  at  the  base  below  ; 
soles  dull  yellowish.  Length  about  10.00,  but  ranging  from  9.50  to  11.00;  extent  about 
11.00  (1:5.00  to  1,5.00);  wing  4.00-1.50;  tail  4.50-5.00;  bill  0.75;  tarsus  1.25.  ?,  adult: 
Similar,  but  the  colors  less  clear  and  pure;  above  rather  brownish  than  grayish-ash,  below 
sometimes  quite  brownish-whitf,  at  least  on  the  breast.  Tail  and  wings  with  less  white  than 
as  above  described.  But  the  gradation  in  these  features  is  by  imperceptible  degrees,  so  that 
t.'iere  is  no  infallible  color-mark  of  sex.  In  general,  the  clearer  and  purer  are  the  colors,  and 
th^  more  white  there  is  on  the  wings  and  tail,  the  more  likely  is  the  bird  to  be  a  $  and  ])rove 
a  g'.od  singer.  The  9  is  also  smaller  than  the  $  on  an  average,  being  generally  inider  and 
rf.rely  over  10  inches  in  length,  with  extent  of  M'ings  usually  less  than  14.00 ;  the  wing  little 
if  any  over  4.00,  the  tail  iii)out  4.50.  Young:  Above  decidedly  brown,  and  below  speckled 
with  dusky.  TJ.  S.  from  Atlantic  to  Pacific,  southerly ;  rarely  N.  to  New  England,  and  not 
common  N.  of  38°,  though  known  to  reach  42° ;  thronging  the  groves  of  the  South  Atliintic 
and  Gulf  States.  Nest  in  bushes  and  low  trees,  bulky  and  inartistic,  of  twigs,  glasses,  leaves, 
etc.;  eggs  4-6,  measuring  on  an  average  1.00  X  0,75,  bluish-green,  heavily  speckled  and 
freckled  with  several  brownish  shades.  Two  or  three  broods  are  generally  reared  each  seastm, 
which  in  the  South  extends  from  March  to  August.  When  taken  from  the  nest,  the  "  prince 
of  musicians"  becomes  a  contented  cai)tivc,  and  has  been  known  to  live  many  years  in  con- 
finement. Naturally  an  accomplished  songster,  ho  proves  an  apt  scholar,  susceptible  of  improve- 
ment by  education  to  an  astonishing  degree;  but  there  is  a  great  difference  with  individual 
birds  in  this  respect. 

10.  31.  caroliiieu'sis.  (Of  Carolina :  Ca>-o<((.s,  Charles  IX.,  of  France.)  (Figs.  37,  120.)  Cat- 
bird. $  9  :  Slate-gray,  paler  and  more  grayisl-.-pluinbeous  below;  crown  of  head,  tail,  bill, 
and  feet  black.  Quills  of  the  wing  blackish,  edged  with  the  body-coh)r.  Under  tail-coverts 
rich  dark  chestnut  or  mahogany-color.  Length  8.50-9.00;  extent  11.00  or  more  ;  wing  3.50- 
3.75;  tail  4.00;  billO.GO;  tarsus  1.00-1.10.  Young:  Of  a  more  sooty  color  above,  with  little 
or  no  distinction  of  a  black  cap,  and  comparatively  paler  below,  where  the  color  has  a  soiled 
brownish  cast.  Crissum  dull  rufous.  U.  S.  and  adjoining  British  Provinces.  West  to  the 
Rocky  Mts.,  and  even  Washington  Terr.,  but  chiefly  Eastern;  migratory,  but  resident  in  the 
Southern  States,  and  breeds  throughout  its  range;  nest  of  sticks,  leaves,  bark,  etc.,  in  bushes; 
eggs  4-0,  deep  greenish-blue,  not  spotted.  An  abundant  and  familiar  inhabitant  of  our 
groves  and  briery  tracts,  rennirkablc  for  its  harsh  cry,  like  the  mewing  of  a  cat  (whence  its 
name),  but  also  possessed,  like  all  its  tribe,  of  eminent  vocal  ability. 

4.  HAKPOBHYN'CHUS.  (Gr.  apTnj,  liavpe,  a  sickle;  puy^oj,  rhygcJws,  heak ;  i.  e.,  bow- 
bilh'd.)  TiiRASiiER.s.  Bill  of  indeterminate  size  and  shape,  ranging  from  one  extreme,  in 
which  it  is  straight  and  shorter  than  the  head,  to  the  other,  in  which  it  exceeds  the  head 
in  length  and  is  bent  like  a  bow  (see  figs.  121-125).  Feet  large  and  strong,  indicating  terres- 
trial habits;  tarsus  strongly  scutellate  anteriorly,  about  equalling  or  slightly  exceeding  in 
length  the  middle  toe  with  its  claw.  Wings  and  tail  rounded,  the  latter  decidedly  longer 
than  the  former.  Rictus  with  well  (U'veU)p(!d  bristles.  Viewing  only  the  extreme  shapes  of 
the  bill,  as  iu  H.  rufus  and  H.  crissalis,  it  would  not  seem  consistent  with  tho  minute  subdivis- 


17. 


TURDIB^—MUIINJE:  3I0CKING  THRUSHES. 


261 


out 


ions  which  now  obtain  in  ornithology  to  place  all  the  species  in  one  genus ;  but  the  gradation 
of  form  is  so  gentle  that  it  seems  impossible  to  dismember  the  grouj)  witliout  violence.  Tlio 
arcuation  of  the  bill  proceeds  ^^an  2mssu  with  its  elongation ;  the  sliortest  bills  being  the 
Btraightest,  and  conversely.  There  is  also  a  curious  correlation  of  color  with  sliape  of  bill ; 
the  short-billed  species  being  the  most  riclily  colored  and  heavily  spotted,  while  the  bow- 
billed  ones  arc  very  plain,  sometimes  witli  no  spots  wliatever  on  the  under  parts.  Our  nine 
forms  of  the  genus  are  witli  one  cxcepti(jn  South-western,  focusing  in  Ariz(jna,  wliere  occur 
four  species,  two  of  them  not  known  elsewliere ;  two  others  are  confined  to  California ;  two 
to  the  Mexican  border,  leaving  only  one  generally  distributed.     They  furnish  the  following 

Analysis  of  Species  and  Varieties. 

Bill  not  longer  tlian  head  (.0.87-1.12),  little  or  not  curved.    Breast  spotted. 

Bill  1.00,  quite  straight.    Above  rich  rusty-red  ;  below  wbltlsh,  heavily  spotted  and  streaked  with 
dark  brown.    Eastern rufus    IT 

BUI  1.12,  slightly  curved.    Above  dark  reddish-brown,  below  whitish,  heavily  spotted  and  streaked 
with  blackish.    Texas loitgirostris    IS 

Bill  1.12,  curved.     Above  ashy-gray,  below  whitish,  breast  with  round  spots  of  the  color  of  the  back. 
Mexican  border  .md  Arizona cttrcirostris  ot  pnlmeri  19,20 

Bill  0.87,  scarcely  curved.    Above  grayish-brown,  below  brownish-white,  breast  alone  with  arrow- 
heads of  the  color  of  tho  back.    Arizona bemliril    12 

Bill  1.12,  curved.      Above  ashy-gray,  below  whitish,  with  profuse  distinct  blacklsh-brown  spots. 

Lower  California cinereus    22 

Bill  longer  than  head  (1.50),  arcuate.    Breast  not  spotted. 

Dark  oily  oUvo-brown,  below  paler,  belly  and  crissum  rufiscent.    Coast  of  California  .    .     rciHvivus    2.3 

Pale  ash,  paler  still  below,  lower  belly  and  crisHum  brownish-yellow.    Arizona lecontil    24 

Brownish-ash,  paler  below,  crissuni  chestnut  In  marked  contrast.     Arizona,  New  Mexico,  and 
California cHssalis    25 

17.  H.  ru'fus.  (Lat.  rufm,  rufous,  reddish.  Fig.  121.)  Thrasher.  Brown  Thrush.  $  ? :  Upi)er 
parts  uniform  rich  rust-red,  with  a  bronzy  lustre.  Concealed  portions  of  quills  fuscious. 
Greater  and  median  w  iig-coverts  blackish  near  the  end,  then  consjjicuously  tipped  with  white. 
Bastard  quills  like  the  coverts.      Tail 

like  the  back,  the  lateral  feathers  with  ___.. , 

paler  ends.      Under  parts  wliite,  more  .^-  :--=>-^..j 

or  less  strongly   tinged,   especially  on 

the  b.east,  flanks,   and    crissum,  witli  i»l  iii|iiwaipmw  1^— I  if.-  -m  > 

tawny  or  pale  cinnamon-brown,  tlie  ^^M^^ra^BBE^'  f'*' 
breast  and  sides  marked  with  a  profu-  (^m^SB^^^^^SKSl^  '  aII  j 
eion    of    well-defined    spots    of    dark  ^*!}^M^j^%g<1,^''M*  _ 

brown,  oval  in  front,  becoming  more  ^^^^^^S^tif^' 

linear  postei'iorly.     Throat  immaculate,  vlkj^,^, 

bordered  with    a   necklace    of   spots;  "•:-.i3K^7 

middle   of   tho  belly  and  under    tail-  rmv- 

coverts  likewise  unspotted.     Bill  quite  ^M^ 

straight,  black,  with  yellow  base  of  the  *y 

lower  mandible ;  feet  pale;  iris  yellow  Fio.  121.— Thrasher, nat.  size.   (Ad.  nat. del. E.  c.) 

or  orange.  Length  about  11  inches;  extent  12.50-14.00;  wing  3.75-4.25  ;  tail  5.00  or  more; 
bill  1.00;  tarsus  1.25.  Eastern  U.  S.  chiefly,  but  N.  to  adjoining  British  Provinces  and  W. 
to  the  Kocky  Mts. ;  migratory,  but  breeds  tliroughout  its  range,  and  winters  in  the  Southern 
States.  A  delightful  songster,  abundant  in  thickets  and  shrubbery.  Nest  in  bushes  (some- 
times on  ground),  bulky  and  rude,  of  sticks,  leaves,  bark,  roots,  etc. ;  eggs  4-5,  sometimes  0, 
1.05  X  0.80,  whitish  or  greenish,  profusely  speckled  with  brown. 

18.  H.  r.  longlros'tris.  (Lat.  longus,  long,  and  rosins,  from  rostrum,  beak ;  i.  e.,  long-billed.) 
Texas  Thrasher.  Similar  to  H.  rufus ;  upper  parts  dark  reddish -brown,  instead  of  rich 
foxy-red ;  under  parts  white,  with  little  if  any  tawny  tinge,  the  spots  large,  very  numerous, 


252 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEltES—  OSCINES. 


anil  bliifkish  iiis-tcad  of  brown  ;  ends  of  the  vcctricos  scarcely  or  uot  lighter  than  the  rest  of  these 
feathers  ;  hill  almost  entirely  ilark -colored.  IJesides  these  points  of  coloration,  there  is  a  decided 
difference  in  tlie  sliape  of  tlie  ijill.  In  //.  rufus,  the  bill  is  (luite  straight,  and  only  just  about 
an  inch  long;  the  gonys  is  straight,  and  makes  an  angle  with  the  slightly  concave  lower 
outline  of  the  mandibular  rami.  In  H.  luuijirostfis,  the  bill  is  ratlier  over  an  inch  long,  and 
somewhat  curved;  the  outline  of  the  gonys  is  a  little  concave,  making  with  tiie  ramus  one  con- 
tinuous curve  from  base  to  tip  of  the  bill.  Size  of  H.  ritfiix.  Texas  aud  Mexico. 
19.  H.  curvlros'trls.  (Lat.  CKrciis,  curved,  and  rostris ;  bow-biih'd.j  CrRVE-uiLLEi)  TllUASHEU. 
(J  9  :  Above,  unifonn  ashy-gray  (exactly  the  color  of  a  mocking-bird),  the  wings  aud  tail 
darker  and  purer  brown.      Below,  dull   whitish,  tinged  with    ochraceous,  especially  on  the 

Hanks  and  crissum,  and  marked 
with  rounded  spots  of  tlio  color  of 
the  back,  most  numerous  aud  blend- 
ed on  the  breast.  Throat  <iuite 
white,  iunnaculate,  without  maxil- 
lary stripes  ;  lower  belly  aud  <'ris- 
sum  mostly  free  fnun  s]iots.  No 
decided  markings  on  the  side  of  the 
head.     Ends  of  greater  and  median 

Fio.  122.  -  Bow-billc(l  Thrnslier',  nat.  size;  bill  a  Uttle  too     wing-coverts  white,  forming  two  de- 
tliick.    (Ad.  nat.  del.  E.  c.)  <.i,li.,l  cross-bars  ;    tail-feathers  dis- 

tinctly tipped  with  white.  IJill  black,  over  an  inch  long,  curved,  stout;  feet  dark  brown. 
Length  of  ^  about  11. on  ;  wing  4.25- I.ijO  ;  tail  4.50-5.00;  bill  1.12;  tarsus  1.23  ;  middle  too 
and  claw  1.3;i.      9  averaging  rather  snuiller.     Jlexico,  reaching  the  U.  S.  border  of  Texas. 

ao.  H.  c.  pal'nierl.  (To  Eilw.  Palmer.  Fig.  12:2.)  IJow-bili.eo  Tiiuasheu.  Above,  grayish- 
brown,  nearly  uniform  ;  wing-coverts  and  (piills  with  slight  whitish  edging,  the  edge  of  the 
wing  itself  white ;  tail-feathers  with  sliglit  whitish  tips;  below,  a  paler  shade  of  the  color  of 
the  upi)er  parts,  the  th.roat  fpiite  wliitish,  the  crii^smu  slightly  rufescent,  the  breast  and  belly 
with  obscure  dark  gray  sj)ots  on  the  grayish-white  ground;  no  obvious  maxillary  streaks, 
but  vague  speckling  on  the  cheeks;  bill  black;  feet  blackish-brown.  Length  10.75;  bill 
1.12;  wing  4.23;  tail  5.00;  tarsus  1.23;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.^10.  9  smaller;  wing  3.73  ; 
tail  4.30;  tar.sus  1.20;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.12:  bill  barely  1.00.  Although  the  difterences 
from  the  tyi)ical  form  are  not  easy  to  express,  they  are  readily  appreciable  on  (comparison  of 
specimens.  The  U])per  parts  are  quite  similar ;  but  the  under  parts,  instead  of  being  whitish, 
with  decided  spotting  of  the  color  of  the  back,  arc  grayish,  thiged  with  rusty,  especially 
behind,  and  the  .spotting  is  nebuhms.  The  white  on  the  ends  of  the  wing-coverts  and  tail- 
feathers  is  reduced  to  a  miuimmn  or  en- 
tirely ,su])pressed.  The  bill  is  slenderer 
aud  apparently  move  curved.  Arizona, 
common,  in  desert  regions.  Nest  in  cac- 
tus, mezcpiite  and  other  busiies;  eggs 
usually  ;{,  l.lO  X  O.SO,  pale  greenish-blue 
profusely  dotted  with  reddi.sh-brown. 

21.  H.  beiidl'rii.  (T..  Capt.  Chas.  Rendire, 
U.  S.  A.  Fig.  123.)  AuizoNA  Tiirasiieu. 
^9:  Hill  .shorter  than  head,  compara-  Fro- 123. -Arizona  Thrasher,  nat.  size.  (Ad.  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 
tively  stout  at  base,  very  acute  at  tip,  the  culnien  quite  convex,  the  gonys  just  appreciably 
concave.  Tarsus  a  little  longer  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw.  3d  and  4th  primaries  alxnit 
eipial  and  longest,  5th  aud  (Ith  successively  slightly  shorter,  2d  equal  to  7th,  1st  eipial  to  j)enul- 
timate  secondary  in  the  closed  wing.     Entire  upper  parts,  including  upper  surfaces  of  wings 


22. 


TUIWID.E  —  MIMING :   MOCKING  THRUSHES. 


268 


ICSO 

iilo.1 

)"Ut 

anil 

•011- 


; 


and  tail,  uniform  dull  pale  grayish-brown,  with  narrow,  fiiintly-rnsty  edges  of  the  wing- 
coverts  and  inner  quills,  and  equally  obscure  whitish  tipping  of  the  tail-feathers.  Xo  max- 
illary nor  auricular  streaks;  no  markings  about  the  head  excejtt  slight  speekling  on  the 
cheeks.  Under  parts  brownish-white,  palest  (nearly  white)  on  the  belly  and  throat,  more 
decidedly  rusty-brownish  on  the  sides,  flanks,  and  crissmn,  the  breast  alone  marked  with 
numerous  small  arrow-head  sjiots  of  the  color  of  the  back.  Bill  light-colored  at  base 
below.  ^  :  Length  alviit  9.25;  wing  4.00;  tail  4.2.5;  bill  0.87;  along  gape  1.12;  tarsus 
1.2.5;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.12.  9  rather  smaller;  wing,  3.75,  etc.  Arizona,  le.ss  eomiiKm 
than  ^)a?Hieri,  with  which  it  is  associated.  Nest  in  bushes;  eggs  2-3,  about  1.00X0.73, 
elliptical  rather  than  oval,  whitish,  spotted  and  Wotched  with  reddish-brown. 

22.  H.  ciner'eus.  (Lat.  CiHecei(<;,  ashy;  ci«is,  cjHe»7',s,  ashes.  Fig.  12 K)  St.  LucA.s  Thkasiieu.  ^ 
9  :  Upper  parts  uniform  ashy-brown ;  wings  and  tail  similar,  but  rather  purer  and  darker 
brown,  the  former  crossed  with  two  white 
bars  formed  by  the  tips  of  the  coverts,  the 
latter  tipped  with  white.  Below,  dull  white, 
often  tinged  with  rusty,  esjK.'cially  beli'iid, 
and  thickly  marked  with  small,  sharp,  tri- 
angular sjjots  of  dark  brown  or  blacki.-h. 
These  spots  are  all  perfectly  distinct,  "oNcr- 
ing  the  lower  parts  exce])ting  the  throat, 
lower  belly,  and  crissum;  becoming  smaller 
anteriorly,  they  run  up  each  side  of  the  throat 
in  a  maxillary  series  bounding  the  immacu- 
late area.  Sides  of  head  finely  speckled, 
and  auriculars  streaked;  bill  black,  lighten- 
ing at  base  below,  little  hmger  than  that  of 
H.  rufiis,  though  decidedly  curved.  Length 
of  ^  about  10.00;  wing  4.00;  tail  4.50;  bill  1.12;  tarsus  1.25  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.25. 
9  averaging  rather  smaller.  Young :  Upper  parts  strongly  tinged  with  rusty-brown,  this 
color  also  edging  the  wings  and  tijiping  the  tail.  The  resemblance  of  this  species  to  the 
mountain  mocking-bird  (Oi'oscojjtcs  montanus)  is  striking.  It  is  distinguished  from  any  others 
of  the  U.  S.  by  the  sliar)mess  of  the  .spotting  underneath,  which  ('(pials  that  of  U.  riifus  itsidf, 
the  small  and  strictly  triangular  character  of  the  spots,  together  with  the  grayish-brown  of  the 
upper  parts,  and  inferior  dimensions.  Lower  California,  common.  Nest  a  slight  shallow  structure 
of  twigs  in  cactus  and  other  bushes;  eggs  1.12  X  0.77,  greenish-white,  profii.sely  speckled. 

23.  H.  redivi'vus.  (Lat.  redirivus,  re- 
vived ;  the  long-lost  species  having 
been  rediscovered  aiid  so  named. 
Fig.  125.)  CalifokxiaTiikasiieu. 
^:  No  spots  any  where ;  wings  and 
tail  witlioiit  decided  barring  or  tip- 
l)ing.  Bill  as  long  as  the  head  or 
long(>r,  bow-shaped,  black.  Wings 
very  much  shorter  than  the  tail. 
Above,  dark  oily  olive-brown,  the  Fio.  125. —California  Thrasher,  nat.  size.  (Ad.  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 
wings  and  tail  similar,  bat  rather  purer  brown.  Below,  a  paler  shad(!  of  the  color  of  the 
upper  parts,  the  belly  and  crissum  strongly  rusty-brown,  the  throat  definitely  whitish  in  marked 
contrast,  and  not  bordered  by  decided  maxillary  streaks.  Cheeks  ami  auriculars  blackish- 
brown,  with  sharp  whitish  shaft  streaks.  Length  11.50;  wing  4.00  or  rather  less;  tail  5.00  or 
more;   bill  (chord  of  culmen)  nearly  or  quite  1.50;  tarsus  1.35 ;  middle  too  and  claw  about 


Fio.  124.  —  St.  Lucas  Thrasher,  nat.  size, 
del.  E.  C.) 


(Ad  nat. 


1 


^ 


264 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


tlio  same.  9  similfir,  ratlior  siniiller.  Coast  region  of  California,  abundant  in  tlcnso  chaiiarral ; 
npst  a  rii(l(!  platform  of  twiirs,  roots,  grasses,  leaves,  etc.,  in  bushes;  eggs  2-3,  1.15  X  0.83, 
bluish-green,  with  olive  and  russet-brown  .siwts. 

24.  H.  r.  lecon'tli.  (To  Dr.  Jolin  L.  Le  Conte,  tho  entomologist.)  Yuma  Thuasiier.  This 
form,  with  sizt-  and  jiroportion.s  the  same  as  those  of  redivicus  proper,  differs  very  notably  in 
the  pallor  of  all  the  eidoration,  being  in  faet  a  bleached  desert  race.  Excepting  the  slight 
maxillary  streaks,  there  are  no  decided  markings  anywhere;  and  the  change  from  the  pale 
ash  of  the  general  under  parts  to  tlut  brownish-yellow  of  the  lower  i)elly  and  crissum  is  very 
gradual.  Valley  of  the  Gila  and  Lower  Colorado;  very  rare.  Nest  in  bush,  bulky,  loose, 
<leep;  eggs  2,  1.15X0.77,  pale  greenish,  dotted  with  reddish. 

25.  H.  crlssa'lis.  (,Lat.  cWssate,  relating  to  tho  cri,w»)»,  or  under  tail-coverts.  Fig.  120.)  Cuissal 

TiiHASiiKU.  (J:  Brownish-ash, 
with  a  faint  olive  shade,  the 
wings  and  tail  jjurer  and  darker 
fuscous,  without  white  edging  or 
tipping.  Below,  a  paler  shade 
of  tho  color  of  the  upper  parts. 
Throat  and  side  of  the  lower  jaw 
white,  with  sharp  black  maxil- 
lary streaks.  Cheeks  and  au- 
riculars   speckled    with    whitish. 

Fio.  IM.  — CrisK,  '  Thrasher,  nat.  size.    (Ad  iiat.  del.  E.  C.)  Under  tail-covei1s  rich  chestnut, 

in  marked  contrast  with  the  surrounding  parts.  Bill  black,  at  tho  maximum  of  length,  slen- 
derness,  and  curvature  ;  feet  blackish.  Length  about  12.00;  wing  4.00-4.25  ;  tail  5.50-0.00; 
its  lateral  feathers  1.50  shorter  than  the  central  ones;  bill  1.50;  tarsus  1.33;  middle  too 
and  claw  1.25.  This  line  species  is  distinguished  by  the  strongly  chestnut  under  tail-coverts, 
tho  contrast  being  as  great  as  that  seen  in  tho  cat-bird.  Tho  sharp  black  maxillary  streaks  are 
also  a  strong  character.  The  bill  is  extremely  slender,  the  tail  at  a  maxhnum  of  length,  and 
the  feet  are  notably  smaller  than  those  of  H.  redivivus.  Arizona,  New  Mexico,  Utah,  and 
California  in  the  Colorado  Valley,  conunon  in  chajjarral ;  nest  in  bushes  near  tho  ground,  of 
twigs  lined  with  vegetable  fibres  ;   eggs  usually  2,  emerald  green,  unspotted. 


3.  Subfamily  CINCLIN^i 


Dippers. 

Wing  of  10  primaries,  the 
1st  of  which  is  spurious,  and, 
^  like  the  others,  falcate ;  2d 
"  primary  entering  into  the 
point  of  wing  ;  wing  short, 
stiff,  rounded,  and  concavo- 
convex.  Tail  still  shorter 
than  the  wing,  soft,  s(piare, 
of  12  broad,  rounded  feathers, 
almost  hidden  by  the  coverts, 
which  reach  nearly  or  quite 
to  tho  end,  the  under  being 
especially  long  and  full.  Tarsi 
booted,  about  as  long  as  the 
middle  too  and  claw.  Lateral 
toes  equal  in  length.  Claws 
all    strongly    curved.        Bill 


30. 


Fio.  127.  —  Eiiropenn  Dipper,  C.  ai;itaticua.    (From  Dixon. 


TURDID2E  —  CINCLINJE :   DIPPERS. 


256 


Ins 
in 

le 
■17 


shorter  than  head,  slender  and  compressed  tliroiighout,  higher  than  broad  at  the  nostrils,  about 
straight,  but  seeming  to  bo  slightly  recurved,  owing  to  a  sort  of  upward  tilting  of  the  superior 
mandible;  culmen  at  first  slightly  concave,  then  convex;  connnissuro  slightly  sinuous,  to  cor- 
respond with  the  culmen,  notched  near  the  end;  gonys  convex.  Nostrils  linear,  opening 
beneath  a  large  scale  partly  covered  with  feathers.  No  rictal  vibrissic,  nor  any  trace  of  bristles 
or  bristle-tipped  feathers  about  the  nostrils.  Plumage  soft,  lustreless,  remarkably  full  and 
compact,  water-proof.  Body  stout,  thick-set.  Habits  aciuatic.  A  small  but  remarkable 
group,  in  which  the  characters  shared  by  the  Ttirdinie,  Saxicolina,  and  Sylviincc  are  modified 
in  adaptation  to  the  singular  aquatic  life  the  species  lead.  There  is  only  one  genus,  with 
about  12  species,  inhabiting  clear  mountain  streams  of  most  parts  of  tiio  world,  chiefly  tlie 
Northern  Hemispiiere ;  easily  flying  under  water,  and  spending  much  of  their  time  in  tfuit 
element,  where  their  food,  of  various  aquatic  animal  substances,  is  gleaned. 
6.    CIN'CLUS.     (Gr.  kiVkXos,  kigklos,  Lat.  cinclus,  a  kind  of  bird.     Figs.  114,  127,  12S.)     Dip- 


PEUS.     Characters  those  of  the  subfamily,  as  above  given. 


30. 


Fio.  128.  —  Ameriuan  Dipper,  uat.  size.  (AU  nut.  del.  E.  C.) 
C.  mexica'nus.  (Lat.  mexicanus,  Mexican.  Fig.  128.)  American  Dipper,  or  Water 
Ouzel.  ^  9  >  adult,  in  summer :  Slaty-plumbeous,  paler  below,  inclining  on  the  head  to 
sooty-brown.  Quills  and  tail-feathers  fuscous.  Eyelids  usually  white.  Bill  black;  feet 
yellowish.  Length  0.00-7.00;  extent  10.00-11.00;  wing  3.50-4.00;  tail  about  2.25  ;  bill  0.60; 
tarsus  1.12 ;  middle  toe  and  claw  rather  less.  Individuals  vary  much  in  size.  (?  9 ,  in 
winter,  and  most  immatin-e  specimens,  are  still  paler  below,  all  the  feathers  of  the  under  ])arts 
being  skirted  with  whitish.  The  quills  of  the  wing  are  also  tipped  with  white.  The  bill  is 
yellowish  at  the  base.  Young :  Below,  whitish,  more  or  less  so  according  to  age,  frequently 
tinged  with  pale  cinnamon-brown  ;  whole  under  parts  sometimes  overlaid  with  the  whitish  ends 
of  the  feathers,  shaded  with  rufous  posteriorly ;  throat  usually  nearly  white  ;  bill  mostly  yellow ; 
white  tipi>ing  of  the  wing-feathers  at  a  maximum ;  in  some  cases  the  tail-feathers  similarly 
marked.  Mountains  of  Western  N.  A.,  from  Alaska  to  Mexico;  a  sprightly  and  engaging  resi- 
<lentof  clear  mountain  streams,  usually  observed  flitting  among  the  rocks;  has  a  fine  song. 
Nest  a  pretty  hall  of  green  moss  lined  with  grasses,  with  a  hole  at  the  side,  hidden  in  the  rift 
of  a  rock,  or  other  nook  close  to  the  water:  eggs  about  5,  1.04  X  0.70,  pure  white,  unmarked. 


256 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS. —PASSESES  —  OSCIXES. 


4.   Subfamily  SAXICOLIN^  :    Stone-chats  and  Blue.blrds. 

Cliit'Hy  Oltl  World ;  rciiro- 
sciitt'd  in  Ndi'th  Aiiicricii  by 
two  European  .species  ami  the 
familiar  IMue-birds ;  authors 
assign  ditl'crent  limits  to  the 
group,  and  fr(M|iR'ntly  trans- 
pose the  genera.  As  usually 
constituted,  it  eontains  uji- 
wards  of  100  species,  com- 
monly referred  to  about  12 
genera.  Like  many  other 
groujjs  of  Piisseres,  it  lias 
never  been  defined  with  pre- 
cision, being  known  conven- 
tionally by  the  birds  orni- 
thologists put  in  it.  'J"he 
following  hirds  have  booted 
tiirsi;  oval  nostrils ;  bristled 
rictus ;  rather  short,  s((uare  or 
emarginate  tail ;  long,  pointed 
wings,  with  very  short  spuri- 


Fio.  129.  —  Wlient-ear.    (From  Dixuii.) 


ous  1st  quill;  tarsus  not  shorter  (except  in  Sialia  much  longer)  than  middle  toe  and  claw; 
bill  much  shorter  than  head,  straight  and  acute. 

Analjiais  of  (Icnera. 
Bill  slender.     Tarsus  mueli  longer  tlmn  middle  too  and  claw.     Point  of  wing  formed  by  2d-4tli  quills. 

Lateral  toes  of  equal  lenjillis.    Form  slender.    No  blue.    Terrestrial ,svi.ii<ij/a    6 

Bill  very  slender.    Tarsus  much  longer  than  middle  too  and  claw.    Point  of  wing  formed  by  3<l-5tU  (jniUs. 
Lateral  toes  of  unequal  lengtlis.     Form  slender.     Tliroat  intense  blue  and  chestnut;  tall  with  c'liostnut 

.                                                                 Cyiiiiiruhi    8 
Bill  stouter.    Tarsus  not  longer  than  ml<ldle  toe  and  claw.    Point  of  wing  formed  by  2d-4th  quills.    Lateral 
toes  of  unequal  lengths.    Blue  the  chief  color.    Form  stouter.    Arborlcolo Sititia    7 

6.    SAXI'COLA.    (Lat.  sariim,  a  rock ;  colo,  I  inhabit.  Fig.  130.)    Sto.ne-ciiats.    Bill  shorter 

than  bead,  .slender,  straight,  dej)re.ssed  at  base,  com- 
pressed at  end,  notched.  Wings  long,  pointed,  the  tip 
formed  by  the  2d-lth  quills,  the  1st  .spurious,  scarcely 
or  not  one-fourth  as  long  as  the  2d.  Tail  much 
shorter  than  wing,  square.  Tarsi  l)ooted,  but  with  4 
scutella  below  in  front ;  long  and  slender,  jnnch  ex- 
ceeding the  middle  toe  and  claw;  lateral  toes  of  about 
equal  length.s,  very  short,  the  tips  of  their  claws  not 
reaching  the  base  of  the  middle  claw;  claws  little 
curved  ;  feet  thus  adapted  to  terrestrial  habits.  A  large 
and  widely  distributed  Old  World  genus,  of  some  30 
species,  inhabiting  Eurojie,  Asia,  and  especially  Africa. 
26.  S.  oenan'tlie.  (Gr.  olvdvdr],  oinanihe,  name  of  a  bird,  from  011/7,  """"t  ^''^  gmpP;  and  iivdoi, 
n»i^7io.f,  a  Hower.  Fig.  120.)  STOxr;-cii,\T.  AViik.vt-k.vk.  Adult  ^:  Ashy-gray ;  forehead, 
superciliary  line  and  under  ])art.s  white,  latter  often  brownish-tinted  ;  upper  tail-coverts  white  ; 
wing.s  and  tail  black,  latter  with  most  of  the  feathers  white  for  half  or  more  of  their  length ; 
line  from  nostril  to  eye,  and  broad  band  on  side  of  head,  black ;  bill  and  feet  black.  9  >'""■*> 
brownish-gray,  the  black  cheek-strijje  replaced  by  brown.     Young  without  the  stripe,  above 


Fio.  130.  —  Generic  details  of  Siixieoln. 


TURDW^  —  SA  XIUOLIN^ :   BL  UE-UIliDS. 


267 


VS. 


olive-brown,  superciliury  lint ,  (mIkch  of  wiiij^s  iiiiil  tail,  and  all  uiiilcr  i)art!<,  ciiiimiiioii-hrowii ; 
tail  black  and  wliitu  as  in  tlie  ailult.  Li'ugtli  of  <J  0.75  ;  extent  \i.'^);  wini;  3.75  :  tail  2.50  ; 
tarsus  1.00;  inidtUo  too  and  elaw  0.75.  9  smaller:  h'ngtli  (5.50;  e.xtent  11.30,  etc.  Atlantic 
coast,  from  Europe  via  Greenland  ;  also  North  I'aeifie  and  Arctic  coast,  from  Asia.  Common 
iu  Greenland,  and  probably  also  breeds  in  Labrador.  Xest  in  boles  in  the  ground  or  rocks, 
crevice.s  of  stone  walls,  etc. ;  eggs  4-7,  0.87-0.00,  greenish-blue,  without  sjMtts. 
SIA'LIA.  (Cir.  (TtuXtV,  .s/u/i'jt,  a  kind  of  bird.)  Ul,uk-uiui).s.  Primaries  10,  the  1st  spurious 
and  very  short.  Wings  ]iointed,  the  tip  formed  by  the  2d,  3d,  and  4th  quills.  Tail  much 
shorter  than  wings,  omarginnte.  Bill  about  half  as  long  as  bead  or  less,  straight,  stout,  wider 
than  deep  at  base,  comjiressed  beyond  nostrils,  notched  near  tij),  the  culmen  at  lirst  straight, 
then  gently  convex  to  the  end,  gouys  slightly  convex  and  ascending,  commissure  slightly 
curved  throughout.  Nostrils  overhung  and  nearly  concealed  by  jjrojecting  bristly  feathers: 
lores  and  chin  likewise  bristly.  Gape  ami)le,  the  rictus  cleft  to  below  the  eyes,  iurnished 
with  IV  moderately  developed  set  of  bristles  reaching  about  opposite  the  nostrils.  Feet  short, 
though  rather  .stout,  adapted  exclusively  for  perching  (in  Saxicolu  the  structure  of  the  feet 
indicates  terrestrial  habits).  Tarsus  not  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  lateral  toes  of  unei|Ual 
h'ngths ;  daws  all  strongly  curved.  Blue  is  the  princi]>al  color  of  this  beautiful  genus,  which 
contains  three  species.  They  are  strictly  arboric(de  ;  fre([uent  the  skirts  of  woods,  coppices, 
waysides,  and  weedy  fields  ;  iu>st  in  holes,  and  lay  whole-colored  eggs  ;  readily  become  semi- 
diiniesticated,  like  the  swallow,  bouse  wren,  and  house  sparrow;  feed  upon  insects  and  berries; 
and  have  a  UHdodious  warbling  song.  Pidygamy  is  sometimes  practised  by  them,  contrary  to 
the  rule  among  Oncincs.  Blue-birds  art!  peculiar  to  America,  aud  appear  to  have  no  exact 
representatives  in  the  other  hemisphere. 

Analysis  of  Species. 

S  Kicli  sky-blue,  nnirurm  nil  back  ;  tliront  anil  brcnst  chestnut,  belly  white ainVis  27 

S  Kleli  flky-blue,  hicluiliiig  thrnnt  :  mliMle  of  back  ami  brenst  chestnut,  belly  whltlgh.    .    .    .   mexicnmi  28 

i  Light  blue,  paler  below,  fading  to  white  on  belly ;   no  chestnut arclicn  21) 

S.  si'alis.  (Gr.  o-mXt's,  .siaZw,  a  kind  of  bird.  Fig.  131.1  Eastekn  Bluk-hikd.  Wilson's 
BLUE-Hini).  ^,  in  full  plunuige :  Bich  azure-blue,  the  ends  of  the  wing-(|uills  blackish; 
throat,  breast,  and  sides  of  the  body  chestnut ;  belly  and 
crissum  white  or  bluish-white.  The  blue  sometimes  ex- 
tends around  the  bead  on  the  sides  aud  often  fore  part  of 
the  chin,  so  that  the  chestnut  is  cut  off  from  the  bill. 
Liaigth  0.50-7.00;  extent  12.00-13.00;  wing  3.75-1.00: 
tail  2.75-3.00;  bill  0.45;  tarsus  0.70.  <J,  in  winter,  or 
when  not  fuU-plumaged :  Blue  of  the  upper  parts  inter- 
rupted by  reddish-brown  edging  of  the  feathers,  or  obscured 
by  a  general  brownish  wash.  White  of  belly  more  ex- 
tended;  tone  of  the  other  under  parts  paler.  Iu  many 
Eastern  specimens,  the  reddish-brown  skirting  of  the 
feathers  blends  into  a  dorsal  patch  ;  when  this  is  accom- 
panied by  more  than  ordinary  extension  of  blue  on  the 
throat  they  closely  resemble  S.  mcxicana.  9  »  •"  f"ll  ""'•  '''^'-  *■•  ^-^ 
plumage:  Blue  mixed  and  <d)scured  with  dull  reddish-brown;  becoming-  bright  and  jiure  on 
the  rump,  tail,  and  wings.  TTnder  parts  paler  and  more  rusty-brown,  with  more  abdominal 
white  than  in  the  male.  Little  smaller  than  ^.  Young,  newly  Hedged:  Brown,  becoming 
blue  on  the  wings  and  tail,  the  back  sharply  marked  with  shaft-lines  of  whitish.  Nearly 
aU  the  under  parts  closely  and  uniformly  fnu-kled  with  white  and  brownish.  A  white  ring 
round  the  eye ;  inner  secondaries  edged  with  brown.  From  this  stage,  in  which  the  sexes  are 
indistinguishable,  to  the  perfectly  adult  condition,  the  bird  changes  by  insensible  degrees. 

17 


Fio.  131.  — Blue- bird,  not.  size.    (Ad 


'!f 


S68 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS. —  PASSEHES—  OSCINES 


Enstorn  U.  S.  nml  Cnnndii,  iibunilnut  and  fiiiiiiliar,  almost  ddincHtic;  W.  (tftcii  to  the  Rocky 
Mts.  Migratory,  but  breeds  throughout  its  raiigo;  winters  in  the  .Southern  States  aud  beyond, 
whence  it  comes  as  one  of  the  early  harbingers  of  spring,  or  during  mild  winter  weather, 
bringing  its  bit  of  blue  sky  with  cheery,  voluble  song.  Nest  in  natural  or  artificial  hollows 
of  trees,  posts,  or  bird-boxes,  Iciosely  constructed  of  the  most  miscellaneous  materials;  oggs 
4-fl,  palo  bluisli,  occasionally  whitish,  unmarked,  0.80  XO.OO;  two  or  three  broods  in  one 
season. 

38.  8.  mexlca'na.  (Lat.  mexkann,  of  Mexico.)  Western  ])LtTE-niKi>.  Mexican  nLUE-BiRii. 
i,  adult:  Kich  azure-blue,  including  the  head  and  neck  nil  around.  A  patch  of  purplish- 
chestimt  on  the  middle  of  the  back  ;  breast  and  oides  rich  chestnut ;  belly  and  vent  dull  blue 
or  bluish-gray.  IJill  and  feet  black.  Size  of  the  last  species.  9t  "'"'  yo'ing:  Changes 
of  plunuigc  coincident  with  those  of  tho  Eastern  blue-bird.  Inniuiture  birds  may  usually  bo 
recognized  by  some  difference  in  color  between  tho  middle  of  the  back  and  the  other  upper 
parts,  and  between  tho  color  of  tho  throat  and  of  the  breast;  but  birds  in  th((  streaky  stage 
could  not  be  determined  if  tho  locality  were  unknowu.  In  some  adult  nniles,  the  dorsal  patch 
is  restricted,  or  broken  into  two  seapuhir  patches  with  contiimous  blue  between  ;  tho  chestnut 
of  the  breast  sometimes  divides,  ])erinitting  connection  of  the  blue  of  tho  tliroat  and  belly. 
Specimens  with  little  trace  of  the  dorsal  patch  are  scarcely  distinguished  from  those  tif  iS'.  sialis 
in  which  there  is  much  blue  on  the  throat,  —  the  grnyish-bluc  of  the  belly,  instead  of  white, 
being  a  ))rincipal  character.  U.  S.  and  Mexico,  from  Enstorn  foot-hills  of  the  Kocky  Mts. 
to  the  Pacific  ;  N.  to  Vancouver;  E.  occjvsionaUy  to  the  Mississippi.  Abuudant  in  tho  West ; 
habits,  nest,  and  eggs  identical  with  those  of  S.  sialis. 

SO.  S.  arc'tica.  (Lat.  ardica,  arctic;  arctos,  a  bear;  i.  e.,  near  the  constellation  so-named.) 
AucTu;  Blle-bikd.  Rockv  Mountain  Blue-biki).  (J,  in  perfect  phnuage:  Above 
azure-blue,  lighter  than  in  the  two  foregoing,  aud  with  a  faint  greenish  hue ;  below,  paler  and 
more  decidedly  greenish-blue,  fading  insensibly  into  white  on  the  belly  and  under  tail-coverts. 
Ends  of  wing-quills  dusky;  bill  and  feet  black.  Larger;  length  7-00  or  more;  extent  Ki.OO 
or  more;  wing  4.50;  tail  3.00.  9  :  Nearly  uniform  rufous-gray,  lighter  and  more  decidedly 
nifous  below,  brightening  into  blue  on  rump,  tail,  and  wings,  fading  into  white  on  belly  and 
crissum ;  a  whitish  eye-ring.  Young :  Changes  parallel  with  those  of  the  other  species. 
Birds  in  the  streaky  stage  may  bo  known  by  superior  size,  and  greenish  shade  on  tho  wings 
and  tail.  N.  America  from  tho  Rocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific,  chieHy  in  high  open  regions,  abun- 
dant ;  resident  southerly,  migratory  further  North.  Habits  those  of  the  others ;  nesting  the 
same,  but  eggs  larger,  about  0.'j2  x  0.70. 

8.  CYANE'CULA.  (  A  diminutive  form  of  Gr.  Kvdvios,  Lat.  cijanem,  blue ;  as  we  should  say, 
"bluet.")  Blue-throats.  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  slender,  comj)ressed  tlirought)ut, 
acute  at  tip,  with  obsolete  notch  (rpiite  as  in  Saxicola,  but  more  compressed  and  slenderer). 
Feet,  as  in  Saxicola,  long  and  slender ;  tarsus  much  hmger  than  tho  middle  too  and  claw ; 
lateral  toes  of  unequal  lengths,  the  outer  longer,  but  the  tip  of  its  claw  still  falling  short  of 
the  base  of  tho  middle  claw  ;  claws  little  curved,  tho  hinder  fully  as  long  as  its  digit.  Wings 
long  and  pointed  (less  so  than  in  Saxicola),  the  point  fonned  by  the  3d,  4th,  and  5th  quills ; 
2d  about  equal  to  tho  fith  ;  1st  spurious,  fibout  (uie-third  as  long  as  the  longest.  Tail  of  mod- 
erate length,  slightly  rounded.  Tail  particolored  with  chestnut ;  throat  and  breast  with  azure- 
blue  and  chestnut.  The  species  were  formerly  included  in  Huticilla,  an  Old  World  genus  very 
closely  related  to  Saxicola;  they  form  the  connecting  link  between  Saxicolinm  proper  and 
Sylmnts,  placed  by  some  authors  in  one,  by  others  in  the  other  group.  The  relationships  with 
Saxicola  are  certainly  very  close. 

31.  C.  sue'clca.  (Lat.  stiecica,  Swedish.)  Blue-throated  Redstart.  Red-spotted  Blue- 
throat.  Entire  upper  parts  dark  brown  with  a  shade  of  olive  (about  the  color  of  a  tit- 
lark, Anthtis  ludovicianus},  the  feathers  of  the  crown  with  darker  centres  ;  rump  and  upper 


TUlWWuE — liEG  ULINJE :  KINGLETS. 


250 


tnil-covcrts  rather  lighter,  iind  iiiixeil  with  briglit  chestnut-red.  Wiugfi  like  the  back,  with 
tiliglitly  paler  edgings  of  the  featlierH.  Middle  tail-feuthers  like  buck-  or  rather  darker,  the  rest 
blackish,  with  the  basal  half  or  more  of  their  length  bright  chestnut-red,  or  orange-brown. 
Lures  dusky ;  a  whitish  superciliary  line.  Chin,  throat,  and  forebreast  rich  ultramarine  blue, 
enclosing  a  bright  chestnut  throat-patch ;  the  blue  bordered  behind  by  black,  this  again  by 
chestnut  mixed  with  white.  Kest  of  under  parts  white,  washed  on  the  sides,  lining  <if  wing« 
and  under  tail-coverts  with  palo  fulvous.  IJill  and  feet  black.  9  ""J  young  similar,  the 
throat-uuukiugs  imperfect.  Length  5.75-0.00;  wing  3.00;  tail  2.25-2.50;  bill  0.50;  tarsus 
1.00;  middle  too  and  claw  0.75.  Alaska;  a  beautiful  and  interesting  bird,  widely  distributed 
in  the  Old  World. 

5.  Subfamily   RECULIN^:    Kinglets  and  Wood-Wrens. 

The  two  genera  to  bo  hero  noticed  aro  most  readily  distinguished  by  the  simple  cidors  of 
PhjjUoscopiis,  contrasted  with  the  elegant  colored  crest  of  Begulua  ;  both  genera  include  very 
diminutive  birds  not  over  five  inches  long. 
9.  PHYLLO'SCOPUS.  ((jir.  <^i;X\oi»,  phidhn,  a  leaf;  ckottos,  skopos,  a  watchman;  as  these 
birds  i)eer  about  in  the  foliage.)  Wood-Wrens.  Bill  shorter  than  head,  slender,  straight, 
depressed  at  base,  compressed  and  notched  at  tip ;  nostrils  exposed,  though  reached  by  the 
frontal  feathers.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  too  and  claw,  booted  or  sometimes  indistinctly 
scutellato;  wings  pointed,  longer  than  tail;  point  formed  by  3d  and  4th  quills;  5th  much 
shorter,  and  (Ith  shorter  still,  2d  between  5th  and  Otli;  spurious  1st  primary  very  short,  exposed 
less  than  0.50.  Tail  aliout  even.  Size  diminutive  and  coloration  simple.  Includes  numerous 
(about  25)  Old  World  species,  one  of  them  occurring  in  Alaska. 

32.  P.  borea'Us.  (Lat.  horealis,  northorn ;  horeas,  the  north-wind.)  Kennicott's  Warhler. 
Above,  olive-green,  clear,  continuous,  and  nearly  uniform,  but  rather  brighter  on  the  rump; 
quills  and  tuil-fea'.hers  fuscous,  edged  externally  with  yellowish-green ;  a  long  yellowish  super- 
ciliary stripe;  under  parts  yellowish-white,  the  lining  of  wings  and  tho  Hanks  yellow;  wings 
crossed  wirh  tvvi  yelhjwish  bars,  that  across  ends  of  greater  coverts  conspicuous,  the  other 
indistinct ;  bill  dark  brown,  palo  below  ;  feet  and  eyes  brown.  Length  4.75 ;  extent  G.OO ; 
wing  2.25-2.50;  tail  1.75-2.00;  tarsus  0.70;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.55.  Europe,  Asia,  and, 
in  America,  Alaska. 

10.  BEG'ULUS.  (Lat.  rc<;M?«s,  diminutive  of  rcj",  a  king;  kinglet.)  Kinglets.  Tarsus  booted, 
very  slender,  longer  than  the  middle  too  and  claw.  Lateral  toes  nearly  equal  to  each  other. 
First  ([uill  of  tho  wing  spurious,  its  exposed  portion  less  than  half  as  long  as  tho  second. 
Wings  pointed,  longer  than  the  tail,  which  is  emarginate,  with  acuminate  feathers.  Bill 
shorter  than  the  head,  straight,  slender,  and  typically  Sylviino,  not  hooked  at  tho  end,  well 
bristled  at  rictus,  with  the  nostrils  overshadowed  by  tiny  feathers.  Coloration  olivaceous, 
paler  or  whitish  below,  with  red,  black,  or  yellow,  or  all  three  of  these  colors,  on  tho  head  of 
the  adult.  There  aro  about  ten  species,  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America.  They  aro  elegant  and 
dainty  little  creatures,  among  tho  very  smallest  of  our  birds  excepting  the  Hummers.  They 
inhiibit  woodland,  arc  very  agilo  and  sprightly,  insectivorous,  migratory,  and  highly  musical. 

33.  R.  calen'dula.  (Lat.  calendula,  a  glowing  little  thing.)  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet.  $  ? , 
adult :  Upper  parts  greenish-olive,  becoming  more  yellowish  on  the  rump ;  wings  and  tail 
dusky,  strongly  edged  with  yellowish ;  whole  under  parts  dull  yellowish-white,  or  ycllowish- 
or  greeuish-gi-ay  (very  variable  in  tone) ;  wings  crossed  with  .two  whitish  bars,  and  inner  sec- 
ondaries edged  with  the  same.  Edges  of  eyelids,  lores,  and  extreme  forehead,  hoary  whitish. 
A  rich  scarlet  patch,  partially  concealed,  on  tho  crown.  This  beautiful  ornament  is  apparently 
not  gained  until  the  second  year,  and  there  is  a  question  whether  it  is  ever  present  in  the 
female.  Bill  and  feet  black.  Length  4.10-4.50 ;  extent  6.66-7.33 ;  wing  2.00-2.33 ;  tail 
1.75  ;  bill  0.25 ;  tarsus  0.75.    Young  for  the  first  year  (and  9  ?)  :  Quite  like  tho  adult,  but 


260 


.S  y, STEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSEliES  —  OSCINES. 


wanting  tho  scarlet  patch.  In  a  newly  fledged  specimen  the  wings  and  tail  are  as  strongly 
edged  with  yellowish  as  in  tho  adult ;  but  tho  general  plumage  of  the  upper  parts  is  rather 
olive-gray  than  olive-green,  and  the  under  parts  are  sordid  whitish.  Tho  bill  is  light  colored 
at  the  base,  and  tho  toes  appear  to  have  been  yellowish.  N.  America  at  large,  breeding  far 
north  and  in  mountains  of  the  West,  wintering  in  tiie  Southern  States  and  beyond.  An  exqui- 
site little  creature,  famous  for  vocal  power,  abundant  in  wooded  regions.  Nest  a  largo  mass 
of  matted  hair,  feathers,  moss,  straws,  etc.,  placed  on  the  bough  of  a  tree  ;  eggs  unknown. 
34.  R.  satra'pa.  (Gr.  o-oTpdm^r,  Lat.  .sa/rajjes,  a  ruler;  alluding  to  the  bird's  gcdden  crown.  Fig. 
132.)     GoLUEX-cuKSTEi)  KiNCJLET.     $,  adult:. Upper  parts  olive-green,  more  or  less  bright, 

sometimes  I'ather  olive-ashy,  r.lways  brightest  on 
the  rump;  under  parts  dull  ashy- white,  or  yel- 
lowish-white. Wings  and  tail  dusky,  strongly 
edged  with  yellowish,  the  inner  wing-quills  with 
whitish.  On  tho  secondaries,  this  yellowish  edg- 
ing stops  .abruptly  in  advance  of  the  ends  of  the 
oovorts,  leaving  a  pure  blackish  interval  in  ad- 
vance of  the  white  tips  of  the  greater  coverts : 
this,  and  tlie  similar  tips  of  the  median  coverts, 
form  twt)  white  bars  across  tho  wings ;  inner 
webs  of  the  quills  and  tail-feathers  edged  with 
white.  Superciliary  line  and  extreme  forehead 
hoary -whitish.  Crown  black,  enclosing  a  large 
space,  tho  middle  of  which  is  tlame-eolored,  bor- 
dered with  pure  yellow.  The  black  readies 
across  the  forehead ;  but  behind,  tho  yellow  and 
Fio.  132.- Qolden^rcsted  Kinglet.  (After  Audubon.)  flame-color  reach  the  general  olive  of  tho  upper 
parts.  Or,  the  top  o""  the  head  may  be  described  as  a  central  bed  of  fliune-color,  bounded  in 
front  and  on  the  sides  with  clear  yellow,  this  similarly  bounded  by  black,  this  again  in  the 
Sfimo  manner  by  hoary-whitish.  Smaller  than  i?.  calendula;  overlying  nasal  plumes  larger. 
Length  4.00;  extent  0.50-7.00  ;  wing  2.00-2.12  ;  tail  1.G7.  9,  adult;  and  young  :  Similar 
to  the  adult  $,  but  the  central  field  of  tho  crown  entirely  yellow,  enclosed  in  black  (no  flame- 
color).  N.  America,  at  largo;  another  exquisite,  abundant  in  woodland  and  shrubbery,  breed- 
ing from  N.  New  England  northward,  wintering  in  most  of  the  >fi8fe  ^^-  ^-  ^^^^  'i  ball  of 
moss,  hair,  feathers,  etc.,  about  1.30  inches  in  diameter,  ou  mWB  1"^^'  bough  of  a  tree, 
preferably  evergreen  ;  eggs  G-10,  white,  fully  speckled;  mSBk{  ^'''•^  ^"^^  ^  0.40. 
35*  R  s.  oUva'ceus?  (Lat.  o/iraccMs,  olivaceous;  oWt'a,  an  MSK^/n  olive.)  We.stern 
Golden-crested  Kinolet.  A  slight  variety,  said  ^K^^6^  ^"  ^'^  "^  livelier  color- 
ation. Pacific  coast 
region. 

A  small  group  of  one 
genus  and  about  a  dozen, 
chiefly  Central  and  South 
American,  species ;  peculiar 
to  America.  Polioptila  has 
been  sometimes  associated 
with  tho  Parida;,  but  differs 
decidedly  and  is  api)arently 
Sylviine.  Characters  those 
of  tho  single  genus. 


11. 


6.  Subfam.  POLIOPTILIN^ 


3« 


Fio.  133.  —  Blue-gray  Onat-catchor,  nut.  size.    (Ad  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 


II 


TUIWIDJE  —POLIOPriLINJE :    GNA  T-CA TCUEBS. 


261 


1 1 ,    POLIOP'TILA.      (Gr.  noKtos,  polios,  hoary  ;  tttiKou,  ptilon,  a  feather ;   tho  primaries  lieing 

edged  with  whitish.)     Gnat-catcheus.     Tarsi  scutellatc.     Toes  very  short,  the  lateral  only 

about  half  as  loug  as  the  tarsus ;  outer  a  little  longer  than  the  inner.      First  quill  spuri- 

ous,  about  half  us  long  as  the  second.     Wings  rounded,  not  longer  than  the  graduated  tail,  the 

feathers  of  which  widen  toward  their  rounded  ends.     Bill  shorter  than  head,  straiglit,  broad 

and  depressed  at  base,  rapidly  naiTowing  to  the  very  slender  terminal   portion,  distinctly 

notched  and  hooked  at  the  end — thus  Muscicapine  in  cliaracter.     Rictus  with  well-developed 

bristles.      Nostrils  entirely  exposed.      Coloration  without  bright  tints ;  bluish-ash,  paler  or 

white  below;  tail  black  and  white.     Delicate  little  woodland  birds,  peculiar  to  America,  not 

over  5  inches  long;  migratory,  insectivorous,  very  active  and  sprightly,  with  sharp  squeaking 

notes.  ,     ,    .     ,„ 

Analysis  of  Species. 

cf  Forehead  and  line  over  eye  black  ;  outer  tnll-featber  wliite cwriilea    3G 

cf  Whole  crown  blnck  i  outer  wub  of  outer  tall-feiither  only  edged  with  white nulantira    37 

J  Line  over  eye  black  ;  outer  web  of  outer  tail-feather  white plumbea    38 

30.  P.  ccorul'ea.  (Lat.  citrulea,  cerulean,  blue.  Figs.  133,  131,  b.)  Hue-guay  Gn'at- 
CATCIIER.  $,  adult:  Grayish-blue,  bluer  on  the  crown,  hoary  on  tho  rump,  the  forehead 
black,  continuous  with  a  black  superciliary  line.  Edges  of  eyelids  white,  and  above  these  a 
slight  whitish  stripe  bordering  the  black  exteriorly.  Below  white,  with  a  faint  i)luMibeous 
shade  on  tho  breast.  Wings  dark  brown,  the  out(T  wel)s,  especially  of  tho  inner  quills,  edged 
with  hoary,  and  tho  inner  webs  of  most  bor- 
dered with  white.  Tail  jet-black,  the  outer  ~ 
feather  entirely  or  mostly  white,  the  next  one 

about  half  white,  the  third  one  tipped  with    ^     ^  .,-.         ~^  g     «^^^^^ 

white.     Bill  and  feet  black.     Length  4.50-  ^;d^  l/m^M^^^^ 

5.00;  extent  G.25-7.00  ;  wing  2.00-2.20  ;  t;<il 
about  the  same.  9  •  Like  the  (J,  but  duller 
and  more  grayish-blue  above;  the  head  like 

the  back,  and  without  any  black.    Bill  usually         ^^tf^fe*-  h 

in  pait  light-colored.     U.  S.  from  Atlantic  to     mfff"    --^^'^ 
Pacific,  N.  to  Massachusetts ;  breeds  through- 
out its  range,   and  winters  on  the  southern 

b<.r.ler  and  southward ;  abundant  in  woodland.  p,„  „_,_„_  „^,^^  ^^  roiiopnia  meiamira  ,•  ft.  of  r. 
Nest  a  model  of  bird-architecture,  compact-  cterulea;  c,  tai\  o(  /'.  milanura ;  il,  of  I',  plumbea;  all 
walled  and  contracted  at  tho  brim,  elii;antly    ""*'•  *'^''- 

stuccoetl  with  lichens,  fixed  to  slender  twigs  at  a  varying  height  from  10  to  50  or  GO  feet ;  egcs 
4-5,  about  ().(>0  X  0.45,  whitish,  fully  speckled  with  reddish  and  umber-brown  and  lilac. 

37.  P.  melanu'ra.  ( Gr.  ^t'Xas,  melas,  black;  oiJpa,  r)«m,  tail.  Fig.  134,  n,  c.)  Black-capped 
Gnat-catciieu.  ^  :  Like  P.  c«>)-i(?ea,  but  whole  top  of  head  black.  White  of  tail  reduced 
to  a  minimum  ;  outer  web  of  tho  outer  feather  only  edged  with  white,  instead  of  wholly  white ; 
tip  of  the  inner  web,  with  tip  of  the  next  feather,  white  for  a  very  slight  space  ;  no  white  on 
tho  third  feather.  Size  of  the  foregoing ;  tarsi  rather  longer, — about  0.70.  9:  No  black  on 
the  head ;  distinguisluul  from  9  ccerulea  only  by  less  white  on  the  tail.  Texas  to  South  and 
Lower  California. 

38.  P.  plum'bea.  (Lat.  plumbeus,  plumbeous,  lead-colored.  Fig.  134,  rf.)  Plumbeoils  Gnat- 
catciieu.  ,y,  adult :  Upper  parts  like  those  of  P.  ccerulea,  but  duller  and  more  grayish  ;  no 
black  on  forehead ;  a  short  black  stripe  over  eye,  and  below  this  a  white  one.  Outer  tail- 
feather  with  the  whole  outer  web  and  tij)  white  (like  the  second  feather  of  P.  ccerulea)  ;  next 
two  feathers  tipped  with  white.  Size  of  P.  cacruka.  9  '•  Lilfc  the  ^  ;  tho  upper  parts  still 
duller,  and  frequently  with  a  decided  brownish  shade;  no  black  over  eye;  thus  only  distin- 
guished from  9  carulea  by  less  white  on  the  tail.    Valley  of  tho  Gila  and  Colorado. 


262 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


'Ri 


i 


Obi.  According  to  Brewster,  Bull.  Nutt.  Club,  vl,  18*1,  p.  101,  the  two  foregoing  are  adult  (No.  37)  and  young 
(No.38)ortliesamo8pcciC8,\vliicli  Is /j/iunica,  Bil.,  Pr.  Pliila.  Acad.,  1854,  p.  118;  B.N.A.,  1858,  p.  382,  and  authors; 
melayiura,  Lawr.,  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.,  vl,  IWO,  p.  168,  but  not  of  authors  referring  to  the  Califoriiian  bird  ;  also,  atri- 
capilla,  Lawr.,  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.,  v,  1851,  p.  124;  Cass.,  111.,  1854,  pi.  27,  but  not  of  Swainson.  Brewster  describes 
the  Callfornian  bird  as  a  new  species,  as  follows:  — P.  califohnioa.  California  Ulack-capped  Gnat-catcher, 
g :  As  compared  with  P.  jtlumtien,  upper  parts  decidedly  plumbeous  instead  of  bluish  ;  throat,  breast,  and  sides  dull 
ashy  instead  of  ashy-white ;  lower  belly  and  crissuni  fulvous  or  even  pale  chestnut ;  llglit  edging  of  tlio  tail-feathers 
conflneii  to  outer  pair,  witli  sometimes  slight  tipping  of  next  pair  (as  in  my  tig.  IW,  c.) ;  lining  of  wings  pearly-ash, 
not  white;  Bccondaries  and  tcrtials  edged  with  light  brown.  No  pure  white  anywhere;  general  aspect  of  under 
parts  nearly  as  dark  as  those  of  a  cat-bird.  AVholc  crown  glossy  black.  Length  4.50 ;  extent  CIO;  wing  1.84;  tail 
1.80 ;  tarsus  0.73 ;  bill  0.50.  9 ;  Sindlar,  but  no  black  on  crown ;  belly  and  crissuni  i)ale  chestnut ;  outer  webs  of 
second  pair  of  rectriccs  edged  with  wliito.  California ;  being  the  mdanura  of  autliors  referring  to  California  birds, 
but  not  of  Lawr.,  1850. 

2.   Family  CHAMjEID^  :  "Wren-tits. 

Recently  framed  for  a  single  species,  iimch  like  a  titmoiiso  in  general  appearance,  but 
with  the  tarsus  not  evidently  scutellatc  in  front ;  rouiuled  wings  nnich  shorter  than  the  gradu- 
ated tail ;  lores  bristly,  and  idinnage  extraordinarily  soft  and  lax.  With  the  general  habits  of 
WTens,  with  which  the  .species  was  formerly  associated.  The  position  and  valuation  of  tho 
group  are  still  uncertain ;  j)r(jbably  to  be  determined  upon  anatomical  characters.  I  have 
little  doubt  tliat  Chamcca  will  yet  be  found  referable  to  some  other  recognized  family  of  birds, 
and  suspect  that  it  might  be  assigned  to  the  Old  World  Timeliida,  with  at  least  as  much 
•  propriety  as  some  other  Americiin  groups,  whicdi  have  lately  been  relegated  to  that  ill-assorted 
assemblage. 

12.  CHAM.<E'A,  (Gr.  xafxai,  chamai,  on  the  ground.)  Wuex-tits.  Form  and  general  aspect 
combining  features  of  wrens  and  titmice.  Plumage  extraordinarily  lax,  soft,  and  full.  Color- 
ation simple.  Tarsal  scutella  obsolete,  or  faintly  indicated,  at  least  outside.  Toes  coherent  at 
base  for  about  half  the  lengtli  (jf  the  proximal  joint  of  the  middle  one.  Soles  widened  and 
padded,  much  as  in  Paridec.  Primaries  10,  tho  Gth  longest,  the  Ud  equal  to  the  longest  sec- 
ondaries, tho  1st  about  three-fifths  as  long  as  the  longest ;  wing  thus  extremely  rounded,  and 
much  shorter  than  the  tail  (about  two-thirds  as  long).  Tail  very  long,  constituting  moro 
than  half  tho  entire  length  of  the  bird,  extremely  graduated,  with  soft,  narrow  feathers,  widen- 
ing somewhat  toward  their  tips,  rounded  at  the  end,  tho  lateral  pair  not  two-thirds  as  long  as 
the  middle.  Bill  much  shorter  tlian  head,  very  deep  at  the  base,  straight,  stout,  compressed- 
conical,  not  notched,  with  ridged  and  very  convex  culmen,  but  nearly  straight  commissure 
and  gonys ;  naked,  scaled,  linear  nostrils,  and  strongly  bristled  gape.  Fi-ontal  feathers  reaching 
nasal  fossrc,  but  no  ruff  concealing  the  nostrils  as  in  Pnridcc. 
30.  C.  fascia'ta  (Lat.  fasciata,  strijied ;  fuscis,  a  bundle  of  faggots.)  Wben-tit.  Adult : 
Dark  brown  with  an  olive  shade,  the  top  of  the  head  clearer  and  somewhat  streaky,  tho  wings 
and  tail  purer  brown,  obscurely  fasciated  with  numerous  cross-bars;  below,  dull  cinnamim- 
brown,  paler  on  belly,  shaded  with  olive-brown  on  the  sides  and  crissum,  the  throat  and 
breast  obscurely  streaked  with  dusky ;  bill  and  feet  brown  ;  iris  white.  Length  about  0.00 ; 
wing  2.25-2.;)0 ;  tail  ;i.2.5-;{.50,  much  graduated,  the  lateral  feathers  being  an  inch  or  moro 
shorter  than  the  middle  ones;  bill  0.40;  tarsus  0.90-1.00;  middle  toe  and  claw 0.75.  Fir.st 
primary  nearly  an  inch  shorter  than  the  longest  one.  California  coast  region.  A  remarkable 
bird,  resembling  no  other,  common  in  shrubbery ;  nest  in  bushes ;  eggs  plain  greenish-blue, 
0.70  X  0.52. 

39a.  C.  f.  lien'sliawi.  (To  H.  W.  Henshaw.)  Hexshaav's  Wren-tit.  Much  lighter  and  duller 
colored ;  above,  grayish-ash  with  slight  olive  shade  (about  the  <!(d(n'  of  a  Lophophanes) ;  below, 
scarcely  rufescent  upon  a  soiled  whitish  ground,  shaded  on  the  sides  with  the  color  of  the  back; 
bill  and  feet  smaller.  Interior  of  California,  and  jirobably  adjoining  regions;  seems  to  bo 
a  well-marked  fonn.  (Not  in  the  Cheek  List,  1882;  see  liidgway,  Pr.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  v., 
1882,  p.  13.) 


PABIDJE  —  PABIN^ :    TITMICE. 


263 


es 
•r. 
Ill 

irg 


■  i"ff'. 


3.  Family  PARID-S :  Titmice,  or  Chickadees. 

?^  »•"■"■  ., ,-  r^-"  _rr'^'"  .■.'-^-:^  Ours  are  all  small  (under  7  inclies 

long)  birds,  at  once  distinguished 
by  having  ten  primaries,  the  1st 
much  shorter  than  the  2d;  wings 
barely  or  not  longer  tlian  tlie  tail ; 
tail-feathers  not  stiff  nor  acuminate ; 
tarsi  scutellate,  longer  than  the  mid- 
dle toe ;  anterior  toes  nuicli  soldered 
at  base ;  nostrils  concealed  by  dense 
tufts,  and  bill  compressed,  stout, 
straiglit,  uuuotched,  and  mucli 
shorter  than  the  head ;  —  characters 
that  readily  marked  tliem  off  from 
all  their  allies,  as  wrens,  creepers, 
etc.  Really,  they  are  liard  to  dis- 
tinguish, technically,  from  jays ; 
but  all  our  jays  are  much  over  7 
inches  long. 

They  are  distributed  over  North 
America,  but  the  crested  species  are 
rather  southern,  and  all  but  one  of 
them  western.  Most  of  tliem  are 
hardy  birds,  enduring  the  rigors  of 
Fio.  138.  —  European  Greater  Titmouse,  Parus  major.  (From  Dixon.)  \vinter  without  inconvenience,  and, 
as  a  consequence,  none  of  them  are  properly  migratory.  They  are  musical,  after  a  fashion  of 
their  own,  chirping  a  quaint  ditty ;  arc  active,  restless,  and  very  heedless  of  man's  presence ; 
and  eat  everything.  Some  of  the  western  species  build  astonishingly  large  and  curiously 
shaped  nests,  pensile,  like  a  bottle  or  purse  with  a  h(de  in  one  side,  as  represented  in  fig.  140  ; 
others  ,Mve  in  knot-holes,  and  similar  snuggeries  that  they  usually  dig  out  for  themselves. 
They  arc  very  prolific,  laying  numerous  eggs,  and  raising  more  tlian  one  brootra  season  ;  the 
young  closely  resemble  tlie  parents,  and  there  are  no  obvious  seasonal  or  sexual  changes  of 
plumage.  All  but  one  of  our  species  are  plainly  clad ;  still  they  have  a  pleasing  look,  with 
their  trim  form  and  the  tasteful  colors  of  the  head. 

7.  Subfamily  PARING :  True  Titmice. 

Exclusive  of  certain  abenant  forms,  usually  allowed  to  constitute  a  separate  subfamily,  and 
sometimes  altogether  removed  from  Parid(p,  the  titmice  compose  a  natui-al  and  i)retty  well 
defined  group,  to  which  the  foregoing  diagnosis  and  remarks  are  particularly  applicable,  and 
agree  in  the  following  characters :  —  Rill  very  sliort  and  stout,  straight,  com])ressed-conoid  in 
shape,  not  notched  nor  with  decurved  tip,  its  under  as  well  as  upper  outline  convex.  Bictus 
witliout  true  bristles,  but  base  of  the  bill  covered  with  tufts  of  bristly  feathers  directed  forward, 
entirely  concealing  the  nostrils.  Feet  stout ;  tarsi  distinctly  scutellate,  longer  than  the  middle 
toe  ;  toes  rather  short,  the  anterior  soldered  together  at  tlie  base  for  most  of  the  length  of  the 
basal  joint  of  the  middle  one.  Hind  toe  with  an  enlarged  pad  beneath,  forming,  with  the  con- 
Bolidateil  bases  of  the  anterior  toes,  a  broad  firm  sole.  Wing  with  ten  primaries,  of  which  the 
first  is  very  short  or  spurious,  scarcely  or  not  half  as  long  as  the  second;  wing  as  a  whole 
rounded,  scarcely  or  not  longer  than  the  tail,  which  latter  is  rounded  or  graduated,  and  com- 
posed of  twelve  narrow  soft  feathers,  with  rounded  or  somowhat  truncated  tips.     Plumage 


264 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  — PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


long,  soft,  and  loose,  without  bright  colors  or  well-marked  changes  according  to  sex,  age,  or 
season  (excepting  Auriiiarus). 

There  may  bo  about  seventy-five  good  species  of  the  ParintB,  thus  restricted,  most  of 
them  falling  in  the  genus  Pants,  or  in  its  immediate  neighborhood.  With  few  exceptions 
they  are  birds  of  the  northern  liemisphere,  abounding  in  Europe,  Asia,  and  North  America. 
The  larger  [yroportion  of  the  genera  and  species  inhabit  tlie  Old  World.     All  those  of  the  New 

World  occur  within  our  limits. 

Analysis  qf  Genera. 
Crested. 

Wings  and  tail  rounded,  of  about  equnl  lengths.    No  red  or  yellow Lophopbanes    13 

Not  crested. 

Wings  and  tail  rounded,  of  about  equal  lengtlis.    No  red  or  yellow J'arua    14 

Wings  rounded,  shorter  tlian  the  graduated  tail.    No  red  or  yellow Psaltripnnis    15 

Wings  pointed,  longer  than  the  even  tail.    Head  yellow  ;  bend  of  wing  red Auriparua    10 

13.  LOPHO'PHANKS.  (Gn  Xo0or, /ojj/tos,  a  crest ;  ^mW,  jj/tamo,  I  appear.)  Chested  Tit- 
mice. Head  crested.  Wings  and  tail  rounded,  of  about  equal  lengths,  and  about  as  long  as 
the  body.  Bill  conoid-compressed,  with  upper  and  under  outlines  both  convex.  No  yellow  on 
head  nor  red  on  wing.  Pluimige  lax,  much  the  same  in  both  sexes  at  all  ages  and  seasons. 
Average  size  of  the  species  at  a  maximum  for  Parina:.   Nests  excavated  in  trees;  eggs  spotted. 

Analysis  of  Species. 

Frontlet  black  ;  sides  washed  with  rusty.    Eastern hicolor  40 

Crest  like  rest  of  upper  parts  ;  Jio  rusty  on  sides.    Southwestern mnn}atus  41 

Crest  entirely  black ;  rusty  on  sides.    Texan atrocristatus  42 

Head  with  several  black  stripes  ;  no  rusty  on  sides.    Southwestern wollweberi  43 

40.  L.  bi'color,    (Lat.  bis,  twice;  coZor,  color.    Fig.  13G.)    Tufted  Titmouse.     ^  9,  adult: 

Entire  upper  parts  ashy,  the  back  usually  with  a  slight 
olivaceous  shade,  the  wings  and  tail  rather  purer  and  darker 
plumbeous,  the  latter  soinetiines  showing  obsolete  transverse 
bars.     Sides  of  the  head  and  entire  under  parts  dull  whitish, 

"•^^^  washed  with  chestnut-brown  on  the  sides.      A  black  frontlet 

at  the  base  of  the  crest.  Bill  plumbeous-blackish-;  feet  plum- 
beous. Length  6.00-6.50  inches;  extent  9.73-10.75;  wing 
and  tail  3.00-3.25;  bill  0.40;  tarsus  0.80;  middle  toe  and 
claw  0.75.  9  smaller  than  ^.  Young:  The  crest  less  devel- 
oped ;  little  if  any  trace  of  the  black  frontlet ;  sides  scarcely 
washed  with  rusty.  Eastern  U.  S.,  rather  southerly ;  scarcely 
N.   to  New  England  ;    resident,  abundant  in   woodland  and 

shrubbery.     Nest  iu  holes;    eggs  6  or  8,  0.75  X  0.5G,  white, 
Fio.    136. -Tufted  Titmouse,     ,  ,,    ,      r,,        , ,.  ,    ,  '    ,,.,  '  ' 

nat.  size.    (Ad  nat.  del.  E.  c.)  dotted  With  reddish -brown  and  lilac. 

41.  L.  inorna'tiis.  (Lat.  in,  as  signifying  negation,  and  ornatus,  adorned  ;  orno,  I  ornament.) 
Plain  Titmouse.  ^  9  >  adult :  Entire  upper  parts  dull  leaden-gray,  with  a  slight  olive 
shade;  the  wings  and  tail  rather  purer  and  darker.  Below,  dull  ashy- whitish,  without  any 
nisty  wash  on  the  sides.  No  black  on  the  head.  Extreme  forehead  and  sides  of  the  head 
obscurely  speckled  with  whitish.  No  decided  markings  anywhere.  In  size  rather  less  than 
L.  hicohr;  length  usually  under  6.00  ;  wing  and  tail  under  3.00.  Young  quite  like  the  adults, 
which  closely  resemble  the  young  of  L.  hicohr;  but  in  the  latter  there  are  traces  at  least  of  the 
reddish  of  the  sides  or  black  of  the  frontlet,  or  both  ;  the  general  coh)ration  is  purer,  with  more 
distinctifm  between  the  upper  and  under  parts,  and  the  size  is  rather  greater.  The  speckled 
appearance  of  the  sides  of  the  head  and  lores  of  L.  inornatus  is  peculiar.  Southwestern  United 
States,  abundant,  resident.  The  typical  form  Califomian ;  a  rather  larger,  stouter-billed  form, 
lighter  leaden-gray  with  scarcely  any  olive  shade,  from  Utah,  Arizona,  etc.,  is  L.  i.  griseus, 
Ridgw.,  Pr.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  v.,  1882,  p.  344. 


14. 


PARID^  —  PARING :    TITMICE. 


265 


or 


13 


43«  Ii.  atrocrlsta'tus.  (Lat.  a<ro,  with  black,  cmta<Ms,  crested;  crista,  a  crest.)  Black-crested 
Titmouse.  ^  9  >  adult :  Plumbeous,  with  a  shade  of  olive,  the  wings  and  lail  rather  darker 
and  purer,  edged  wiUi  the  color  of  the  back,  or  a  more  hoary  shade  of  the  same.  Beneath,  dull 
ashy-whitish,  especially  on  the  breast,  the  abdomen  whiter,  the  sides  chestnut-brown  as  in  L. 
bicolor.  Extreme  forehead  and  lores  whitish  ;  entire  crest  glossy  black.  Bill  blackish-plum- 
beous; feet  plumbeous.  Small:  length  about  5.00;  wing  and  tail  2.75.  Valley  of  the  Kio 
Grande.  Nest  in  natural  cavities  of  trees,  '.isually  including  cast  snake-skins  among  its  materi- 
als ;  eggs  0.75  X  0-58,  white,  spotted  with  reddish-brown  in  fine  dots  over  the  general  surface, 
boldly  blotclied  at  large  cud,  but  not  distinguishable  from  those  of  L.  hicolor. 

43.  L.  woUweb'erl.  (To  one  Wollweber.  Fig.  137.)  BuinLED  Titmouse.  ^  ?,  adult: 
Upper  parts  olivacet>us-ash,  wings  and  tail  darker,  edged  with  the  color  of  the  back,  or  even  a 
brighter  tint,  sometimes  nearly  as  yellowish  as  in  Seguhts.  Under 
parts  sordid  ashy-white.  Crest  black,  with  a  central  field  like  the 
back.  Whole  throat  black,  as  in  species  of  Parus.  A  black  line 
runs  behind  the  eye  and  curves  down  over  the  auriculars,  distin- 
guished from  the  black  of  the  crest  and  throat  by  the  white  of 
the  side  of  the  head  and  white  superciliary  stripe;  a  half-collar  ,j»'  ^^^<s.  • 
of  black  on  the  nape,  descending  on  the  sides  of  the  neck,  there  M  ^^  ^8' 
separated  from  the  black  crescent  of  the  auriculars  by  a  white  cres-  ^  ^^ 
cent,  which  latter  is  continuous  witli  the  white  of  the  superciliary 

line ;  considerable  whitish  siieckling  in  the  black  of  the  forehead  _       ,„       „  ,  „  ,  _,, 

and  lores.     Bill  blackish-plumbeous ;  feet  plumbeous.     Smallest :     mouse,  nat   size.     (Mex.  B. 
length  5.00  or  less ;  wing  or  tail  2.40-2.G5  ;  bill  0.33 ;  tarsus  O.CO-     Survey.) 

0.70.  Young :  Cliin  narrowly  or  imperfectly  black,  and  some  of  the  above  described  head- 
markings  obscure  or  incomplete.  The  singularly  variegated  markings  of  the  head  of  this 
species  at  once  distinguish  it.  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  and  California,  abundant,  going 
in  troops,  in  woods  and  shrubbery. 
14.  PA'RUS.  (Lat.  paras,  a  titmouse.)  Typical  Titmice.  Chickadees.  Head  not  crested. 
Wings  and  tail  rounded,  of  approximately  equal  lengths,  and  about  as  long  as  the  body.  Bill 
typically  parine  (see  foregt)ing  characters).  No  bright  colors  (in  any  North  American  species). 
Head  in  most  species  with  black.  Plumage  lax  and  dull,  without  decided  changes  with  age, 
sex,  or  season.     Size  medium  in  the  family.     Nest  excavated.     Eggs  spotted. 

Analysis  qf  Species. 
Species  dcfliiitely  block-capped  and  black-throated. 

A  white  superciliary  strliMj montanua     48 

No  wliito  supcrcilliiry  stripe. 

Tail  not  slinrter  than  wing  ;  feathers  of  both  with  mncli  hoary-whitisb  edging. 

Larger  ;  tail  at  maximum  length,  coloration  most  lionry.     Missouri  Region  and  Rocky 

Mts septenlriovalis      45 

Smaller  ;  tail  moderate ;  coloration  less  hoary.    Eastern atricnpillus     44 

Size  of  No.  44  ;  coloration  darker.    Pacific  Region occidentalis   -46 

Tail  shorter  than  wings  ;  whitish  edgings  of  wings  and  tail  obsolete. 

Rather  smaller  than  No.  44.    South  Atlantic  States carolinensia      47 

Rather  smaller  than  No.  44  ;  coloration  very  dark.    Mexican  border  .    .    .    mendionalis    8"f) 
Species  brown-capped,  or  crown  quite  like  back,  and  blackish  throat. 
Cap  hair-brown;  back  little  different. 

White  confined  to  side  of  head.    Eastern  and  Arctic knihonicus     49 

■White  spreading  over  sides  of  neck.    Arctic ductus     62 

Cap  dark  wood-brown  ;  back  chestnut. 

Back  and  sides  rich  chestnut  alike.    Pacific,  northerly nifrsceru     50 

Back  chestnut,  but  sides  only  washed  with  rusty.    Pacific,  southerly neglectus     SI 

44.  P.  atricapUlus.  (Lat.  ater,  black ;  capillus,  hair.  Fig.  138.)  Black-capped  Titmouse. 
Chickadee.  Crown  and  nape,  with  chin  and  throat,  black,  separated  by  white  sides  of  the 
head.    Upper  parts  brownish-ash,  with  slight  olive  tinge,  and  a  rusty  wash  on  rump.    Under 


266 


SYSTEMATIC  SY^^OPSIS.—PASSEBt:S—  OSCINES. 


Flo.  138.  —  Black-cnpped  Chickadee, 
reduced.   (Ad  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 


parts  more  or  less  purely  white  or  whitish,  shaded  on  the  sides  with  a  brownish  or  rusty  wash. 
Wings  aud  tail  like  upper  parts,  the  feathers  moderately  edged  with  hoary-white.  Average 
dimensions:  length  5.25;  extent  S.OO;  wing  and  toil, 
each,  2.50;  tarsus  0.70.  Extremes:  length  4.75-5.50; 
extent  7.50-8.50;  wing  and  tail  2.35-2.05;  tarsus  0.G5- 
0.75.  Eastern  X.  Am.,  from  the  Middle  States  northward, 
very  abundant,  well-known  by  its  familiar  habits  and  pecu- 
liar notes.  Nest  in  holes  of  trees,  .stumps,  or  fences,  natural 
or  excavated  by  the  bird,  made  of  grasses,  mosses,  hair,  fur, 
feathers,  etc. ;  eggs  6-8, 0.58  X  0.47,  white,  fully  sprinkled 
with  reddish -brown  dots  and  spots. 

45.  P.  a.  septentrioiia'lls.  (Lat.  septentrionalis,  northern ; 
septentr tones,  the  constellation  of  seven  stars,  the  dipper.) 
Loxti-TAiLEi)  Chickadee.  Similar  to  P.  atricapillm; 
averaging  larger,  aud  especially  longer-tailed,  the  tail 
rather  exceeding  the  wing  in  lengtli.  Coloration  clear  and 
pure;  wings  aud  tail  very  stnmgly  edged,  especially  on 
the  secondarits  and  outer  tail-feathers,  with  hoary-white, 
which  usually  passes  entirely  around  their  tips.  Cap  pure 
black  and  very  extensive  on  the  nape ;  black  of  throat 
reaching  br(>ast ;  sides  of  hrad  and  neck  snowy-white. 
Bill  and  feet  dark  plumbeous.  Average  dimensions  about 
the  maxima  of  P.  airicapillm :  length  5.25-5.50  ;  extent 
8.50;  wing  2.50-2.75;  tail  2.60-2.80,  sometimes  3.00.  This  style  reaches  its  extreme  devel- 
opment in  the  region  of  the  Upper  Missouri  and  Rocky  Mts.,  there  apparently  to  the  exclusion 
of  P.  atricapillus  proper. 

46.  P.  a.  oceidenta'Ils.  (Lat.  occidentalis,  western;  occido,  I  fall;  1.  e.,  where  the  sun  sets.) 
Western  Chickadee.  Similar  to  P.  airicapillm ;  of  the  same  average  size;  presenting 
the  opposite  extreme  from  P.  scptentrionalis  in  minimum  edging  of  wing-  and  tail-feathers 
with  hoary,  heavy  brownish  wash  of  sides,  aud  general  dark  sordid  coloration.  U.  S-,  Pacific 
coast  region. 

47.  P.  carolinen'sls.  (Lat  of  Carolina.)  Carolina  Chickadee.  Averaging  smaller  than  P. 
atricapiUun,  with  relatii'ely  as  well  as  absolutely  shorter  tail,  which  is  rather  shorter  than  the 
wings  ;  wings  and  tail  very  little  edged  witli  whitish.  Average  dimensions  about  at  tlie  minima  of 
P.  atricapillus.  Length  about  4.50 ;  wing  2.50 ;  tail  2.25.  South  Atlantic  and  Gnlf  States  ; 
N.  to  Washington  and  Southern  Illinois.  Nesting  like  P.  atricapillus;  eggs  similar,  rather 
smaller. 

879.  P.  merldlonalis.  (Lat.  meridionalis,  southern.)  JIexican  Chickadee.  Differs  decidedly 
from  P.  atricapillus  in  having  the  under  ])arts  men^ly  a  paler  shade  of  the  ashy  of  the  upper, 
instefid  of  white,  without  any  brownish  wash  on  sides;  wing-coverts  and  tail  lacking  any 
hoary  edging,  though  the  wing-quills  have  a  slight  grayish- 
white  edging.  Tims  quite  like  P.  montanus  in  color,  but  no 
white  superciliary  .stripe.  Length  4.80-5.20;  extent  8.00- 
8.70;  wing  2.67-2.90  ;  tail  2.40-2.67.  Mexico,  recently  ascer- 
tained to  occur  in  Arizona.  (Numbered  among  addenda  in 
the  Check  List,  1882.) 

48.  P.  monta'nus.    (Lat.   montanus,  of  mountains.     Fig.  139.) 
Mountain  Chickadee.   Upjier  parts  ashy-gray,  with  scarcely        p.,,,.  jjg,  .Mountain  cuickodee, 
a  shade,  and  only  on  the  rump,  of  tlie  ochraceous  seen  in  most    nat.  elze.    (Ad  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 
other  species ;  under  parts  similarly  grayish-white,  without  a  rusty  tinge,  the  middle  of  the 


50. 


.'il. 


19. 


49a. 


52. 


15. 


PABIDJE — PARINJE :    TITMICE. 


267 


ash. 
rago 


belly  nearly  white,  the  rest  more  heavily  shaded.  Wings  and  tail  with  comparatively  little 
whitish  edging  —  the  tail  at  least  with  no  more  than  that  of  P.  carolinensis.  Sides  of  the 
head  and  neclc  wliitc ;  top  of  the  head,  and  tlic  throat,  black.  A  conspicuous  wliite  super- 
ciliary stripe  in  the  black  cap,  usually  meeting  its  fellow  across  the  forehead.  Length  about 
5.Q');  extent  8.30;  wing  2.50-2.75;  tail  rather  less ;  bill  0.38;  tarsus  0.6G.  U.  S.,  from 
Eastern  foot-hills  of  the  Rocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific,  chieily  in  alpine  regions. 

5().  P.  rufes'cens.  (Lat.  riifescens,  rufous,  reddish.)  Chestxut-backed  Titmouse.  Crown 
and  nape  dark  wood-brown,  becoming  sooty  along  the  sides,  separated  from  the  sooty-black  of 
the  throat  by  a  large  white  area  extending  back  on  the  sides  of  the  neck.  Entire  back  and 
sides  of  body  rich  dark  chestnut,  contrasting  strongly  with  the  brown  of  the  head.  Breast 
and  central  line  of  under  parts,  with  lining  of  the  wings,  whitish.  Wing-  and  tail-coverts 
more  or  less  washed  witli  rusty-brown.  Quills  and  tail-feathers  scarcely  or  slightly  edged 
witli  whitish.  Bill  black;  feet  dark;  iris  brown.  Young  with  throat  brown,  like  crown, 
instead  of  sooty.  Length  1.75;  extent  7-50;  wing  2.30;  tail  about  2.00.  A  strongly 
marlced  si)ecies,  with  chestnut  back  and  sides  contrasting  with  dark  brown  cap  and  sooty  tliroat. 
Pacific  coast  region  of  the  U.  S.,  northerly,  and  corresponding  portions  fif  British  America. 

.11.  P.  r.  neglec'tus?  (Lat.  negkctiis,  neglected,  i.  e.,  not  chosen;  iiec,  not,  and  lego,  I  gather, 
choose.)  Quite  similar:  crown,  tliroat,  and  back  the  same,  but  sides  not  extensively  chestnut, 
being  simj)ly  washed  M-ith  rusty-brown.     Coast  region  of  California. 

•  9-  P.  hudson'icus.  (Lat.  hiuhonicus,  of  Hudson's  Biiy ;  after  Henry  Hudson,  the  navigator.) 
Hi;i)SOXiAN  Titmouse.  Crown,  nape,  and  upper  parts  generally  clear  hair-brown,  or  ashy- 
brown  with  a  slight  olive  shade,  the  coloration  quite  the  same  on  back  and  crown,  and  contin- 
uous, being  not  separated  by  any  whitish  nuchal  interval.  Throat  quite  black,  in  restricted 
area,  not  extending  backward  on  sides  of  neck ;  separated  from  the  brown  crown  by  silky 
white  on  the  side  of  the  head,  this  wliite  not  reaching  back  of  the  auriculars  to  the  sides  of  the 
nape.  Sides,  ilanks,  and  under  tail-coverts  washed  with  dull  chestnut  or  rusty-brown  ;  other 
under  parts  whitish.  Quills  and  tail-feathers  lead-color,  as  in  other  titmice,  scarcely  or  slightly 
edged  with  wliitish.  Little  or  no  concealed  white  on  rump.  Bill  black ;  feet  dark.  Size  of 
P.  atricapillus,  or  rather  less.  Wing  2.50 ;  tail  rather  less.  New  England  and  British  America 
generally  ;  Nevada  to  Alaska.  Common  in  coniferous  woods. 
49a.  P.  Ii.  evu'ra,  nobis.  Alaskan  specimens  are  larger,  the  tail  nearly  3.00 ;  thus  corresponding 
witli  P.  atricapillus  septentrior.alis,  and  being  quite  the  size  of  P.  citictus,  from  which  dis- 
tinguished by  retaining  precisely  the  coloration  of  P.  hudsonicus.     Alaska. 

52.  P.  dne'tus.  (Lat.  cinc*«s,  girdled;  ci«(/o,  I  bind  about.)  Siberian  Titmouse.  In  general, 
similar  to  P.  hudsonicus,  but  quite  distinct.  Throat  sooty-blackisli ;  crown  and  nape  dark 
hair-brown,  bordered  laterally  with  dusky,  quite  appreciably  different  in  tone  from  the  brighter 
brownish  of  the  back,  from  which  also  separateil  to  some  extent  by  whitish  of  the  cervix. 
Sides  of  head  and  neck  pure  white,  in  a  large  area  widening  behind,  this  white  of  opposite 
sides  nearly  meeting  across  the  cervix.  B.ick  ashy  overlaid  with  flaxen-brown,  the  rump  light 
brown  with  much  concealed  white.  Under  parts  whitish  centrally  from  the  black  throat,  but 
heavily  washed  on  the  sides,  flanks,  and  crissum,  sometimes  quite  across  the  belly,  with  light 
brownish.  Wings  and  tail  slate-color,  as  usual  in  the  genus,  with  much  whitish  edging, 
especially  on  the  secondaries.  Bill  plumbeous-blackish ;  feet  plumbeous.  Wing  2.60 ;  tail 
rather  more.  A  large  stylish  chickadee,  lately  ascertained  to  inhabit  Arctic  America,  especially 
Alaska,  as  well  as  boreal  regi(ms  of  Asia  and  Europe. 
15.  PSALTRI'PARUS.  (Gr.  yffaXTpia,  Lat.  psaltiin,  a  lutist ;  and  partis,  a  tit.)  Bush-tits. 
Dwarfs  among  pj-gmies !  3.75-4.25  long;  wing  2.00  or  less,  tail  2.00  or  more.  Ashy  or 
olive-gray,  paler  or  whitish  below ;  neither  crown  nor  throat  black ;  no  bright  colors.  Head 
not  crested;  wings  rounded,  shorter  than  the  long  narrow  graduated  tail,  which  exceeds  the 
length  of  the  body.    Nest  large,  woven,  pensile,  with  lateral  entrance  (fig.  140).    Eggs  6-9, 


268 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  —PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


white,  tininarked.     The  three  speeies  are  western  ;  they  are  notable  for  their  diminutive  size, 

scarcely  equalling  a  Polioptila  in  bullv. 

Analysis  of  Species. 

Crown  brown,  unlike  bnck  ;  no  blnck  on  side  of  liend minimus    53 

Crown  like  back  ;  no  black  on  sidu  of  bead plumbeus    M 

Crown  asli,  unlike  buck;  a  black  Btrliio  on  side  of  head melanotis    65 


$  9  '•  Dull  lead-color, 


53.  P.  min'lmiis.  (Lat.  minimus,  least,  smallest.)  Least  Busii-tit. 
frequently  with  a  brown- 
ish or  olivaceous  shade, 
the  top  of  the  head  ab- 
ruptly darker  —  dove- 
brown  or  hair-brown. 
Below  sordid  whitish,  or 
brownish- white.  Wings 
and  tail  dusky,  with 
slight  hoary  edgings. 
Bill  and  feet  Uavk. 
Length  4.00  or  less ; 
wing  scarcely  or  not 
2.00;  tail  2.00  or  more; 
bill  0.25;  tarsus  O.GO. 
Young  birds  do  not  dif- 
fer materially.  There  is 
considerable  variation  in 
the  preci.ie  sliade  of  the 
body,  but  the  brown  caj) 
always  ditl'ers  in  color 
fVoni  the  rest  of  the  up- 
j>er  parts.  Pacific  coast 
region  of  the  U.  S. 

51.  P.  plum'beus.  (Lat. 
plumbcits,  lead-c(dored.) 
Plumbeous  Bush-tit. 
$  9  •  Clear  plumbeous, 
with  little  or  no  (dive 
or  brownish  shade ;  top 
of  head  not  different 
from  the  back  ;  sides 
of  head  pale  brownish. 
Under  parts  as  in  P. 
minimus,  but  clearer. 
Tail  longer  than  wings. 
Eyes  yellow  or  dark  brown.  Length  about  4.25;  wing  1.88-2.12;  tail  2.25-2.50;  bUl 
0.25 ;  tarsus  0.60.  Very  closely  related  to  P.  minimus ;  but  specimens  are  readily  distin- 
guishable. Total  length  greater,  owing  to  elongation  of  the  tail,  which  sometimes  exceeds 
the  wings  by  0.50.  General  colorati(m  clearer  and  purer ;  crown  not  different  in  color  from  the 
back,  but  cheeks  brownish  in  obvious  contrast.  Southern  Rocky  Mt.  region,  from  Wyoming 
and  Nevada  southward ;  common  in  Arizona. 

55.   P.  melano'tis.    (Gr.  fiiKat,  melas,  gen.  fie\avos,  melanos,  black  ;  oSs,  ous,  gen.  <ar(5f,  otos,  ear.) 
Black-eared  Bush-tit.     ^,  adult:  Sides  of  head  broadly  black  with  greenish  lustre,  the 


Fia.  140.  —  Least  Bush-tit  and  nest,  about  J  nat.  size.    (Ad  nat.  del.  H.  W. 
Elliott.) 


16. 


50. 


SITTIDJE:    NUTHATCHES. 


269 


bands  meeting  narrowly  across  the  chin,  and  nearly  meeting  on  the  napo.  Crown  and  nape 
clear  ash.  Back  hair-brown.  Wings  and  tail  fuscous,  with  narrow  pale  ashy  edgings  of  tlio 
feathers ;  outer  webs  and  tips  of  outer  tail-featluu's,  and  inner  webs  of  many  wing- feathers, 
whitish.  Below,  white,  pure  on  tiiroat  and  sides  of  neck,  thence  ])assing  through  lavender- 
gray  to  rusty-brownish  on  Hanks  and  crissuni.  Bill  and  feet  black  ;  iris  brown.  9  unknown  : 
probably  not  (hfferent.  Young  quite  similar,  having  glossy  black  on  the  head  before  they  arc 
fully  feathered,  but  tlie  black  does  not  at  first  meet  on  the  chin.  Length  about  4.00 ;  wing 
1.90;  tail  2.2o  ;  bill  0.25,  compressed,  with  very  convex  culmen  and  nearly  straight  under  out- 
line ;  tarsus  O.fiO ;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.45.  A  neat  little  torn-thumb,  native  of  Mexico, 
N.  to  Arizona  and  probably  farther,  rare;  I  hav(\  seen  but  three  specimens. 

16.  AUKI'PAKUS.  (Lat.  aiirt,  of  gold,  and  jifOKS,  a  tit;  from  the  yellow  head.)  GoLD-TiTS.  Head 
not  crested.  Wings  ]iointed,  the  2d  quill  being  little  shorter  than  the  3d  ;  the  1st  spurious. 
Tail  little  rounded,  decidedly  shorter  than  the  wings.  Bill  not  typically  parine  —  extremely 
acute,  with  straiglit  or  slightly  concave  under  outline,  and  barely  convex  culmen,  tlius  resem- 
bling that  of  a  Hcbninthojihofjd  ;  longer  and  slenderer  than  usual  in  Pariuic  ;  nostrils  scarcely* 
concealed  by  the  imperfect  riitt'.  Tar.si  relatively  shorter  than  in  the  preceding  genera. 
Briglit  cohirs  on  head  (yellow)  and  wing  (red).  Plumage  comparatively  ctmipact;  sexes 
alike,  but  young  very  ditlereut  from  the  adult.  Size  very  small.  General  form  sylvicoline. 
Nest  globular,  woven.     J^ggs  sjiotteil.     One  species. 

56.  A.  fla'viccps.  (Lat.  flariceps,  yellow-head.)  Gold-tit.  ^  9  :  Upper  parts  ashy ;  under 
parts  whitisji  ;  M-ings  and  tail  dusky,  with  hoary  edging.  Whole  head  rich  yellow.  Lesser 
wiug-coverts  chestnut-red.  Bill  dark  jdumbeous;  feet  plumbeous.  Length  4.00-4.25; 
wing  1.80-2.00;  tail  1.75-2.25.  Young  without  red  on  wing  or  yellow  on  head;  thus  obscure 
obje<!ts,  known,  however,  by  their  generic  characters.  Adults  vary  in  Iiaving  the  yellow 
heightened  to  orange,  or  dull  and  greenish  ;  the  red  sometimes  Inematitic ;  and  the  .shade  of 
the  asliy  clear  and  jiure,  or  dull  and  brownish.  Valley  of  tlie  Rio  Grande  and  Colorado,  and 
Lower  California;  abundant  in  chaparral,  building  in  bu.shes  a  great  globular  nest  of  twigs, 
lined  with  down  and  featiiers;  eggs  4-0,  pale  bluish  speckled  with  brown,  O.GO  X  0.45. 


ii 


4.  Family  SITTID^ :  Nuthatches. 

Bill  snbcylindrical,  tajiering,  compressed,  slender,  acute,  nearly  or  about  as  long  as  the 
head,  culmen  ami  conniiissure  about  straight,  gonys  long,  convex,  ascending  (giving  a  sort  of 
recurved  look  to  a  really  straight  bill).  Nostrils  rounded,  (!oncealed  by  bristly  tufts.  Wings 
long,  pointed,  with  10  primaries,  the  1st  very  short  or  spurious  ;  tail  much  shorter  than  wings, 
broad,  soft,  nearly  even ;  tarsus  shorter  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw,  scutellato  in  front ;  toes 
all  long,  with  large,  much  curved,  compressed  claws  ;  1st  toe  and  claw  about  equal  to  the  3d  ; 
2d  and  4th  toes  very  unequal  in  length.  Plunnige  compact ;  body  flattened  ;  tongue  horny, 
acute,  barbed.  Nuthatches  are  amongst  the  most  nimble  and  adroit  of  creejicrs  ;  they  scramble 
about  anrl  hang  in  every  conceivable  attitude,  head  downwards  as  often  as  othenvise.  This  is 
done,  too,  without  any  help  from  the  tail,  —  the  whole  tarsus  being  often  ajiplied  to  the  sup- 
port. They  are  chiefly  insectivorous,  but  feed  also  on  hard  fruits ;  and  get  their  English  name 
from  their  habit  of  sticking  nuts  and  seeds  in  cracks  in  bark,  and  hammering  away  with  the 
bill  till  they  break  tlie  sliell.  They  are  very  active  and  restless  little  birds,  quite  sociable, 
often  going  in  troops,  which  keep  up  a  continual  noise  ;  lay  4-6  white,  spotted  eggs,  in  hollows 
of  trees.  The  family,  as  conventionally  framed,  is  a  small  one,  of  less  than  thirty  species, 
among  them  a  single  remarkable  Madagascar  form  (Hi/posittn),  a  genus  peculiar  to  Australia 
(_Sittella),  and  another  confined  to  New  Zealand  (Acanthisitta)  :  but  some  of  these  (especially 
Acanthisitta)  may  not  be  Sittida  at  all,  and  in  any  e%-ent  the  family  is  chiefly  represented  by 
the  genus  Sitta,  with  some  fifteen  species  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  North  America. 


i  i 


270 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSERES—  OSCINES. 


I 


17.   PITTA.     (Lnt.  sitta,   Gr.   o-i'tto,   nnino  (if  a  Lird.      Fig.   lil.)    Typical  Nutiiatciieh. 

Churacters  practically  those  given  under  lieud  of  tlie  family. 

Analyait  n/  Species  and  VarielieB, 

Wliite  below,  the  crlfuanm  wnslicd  with  rusty-brown  ;  cnp  glosxy  lihu'k,  without  Btrlpei. 

Bill  stouter,  0.18-0.20  deep  at  bnso.    Inner  souondnries  boldly  varlcgiited  with  black.    Eastern 

ritrolinenaiii    57 
Bill  slenderer,  0.12-O.lG  deep  at  base.    Inner  secondaries  scaiccly  variegated  with  blacklsli.  VcHtcrn 

aculvata    IM 

Rusty-brown  below;  cap  glossy  black  with  white  HtripoH,  or  color  of  (he  back canailmsia    SO 

Rusty-brown  or  brownish-white  below  ;  cap  brown,  unlike  back,  without  stripes. 

Crown  clear  hair-brown  ;  a  white  spoton  naiKs  ;  middle  tail-fcnthers  plain.    Southeastern  .   pxinWa    00 
Crown  dull  brownish,  with  darker  border  ;  little  or  no  white  on  nape  ;  niddla  tail-feathers  with 
block.    Southwestern pygmcra    61 


■^l 


\j 


■\>.vr 


Fio.  141.  —  European  Nuthatch,  Hitta  caisia  (rcsenibling  S.pusUla),  nearly  nal.  size.    (From  Brehm.) 

57.   8.  carollnen'sls.    (Lat.  of  Carolina.    Fig.  142.)    Carolina  Nuthatch.    White-bellieu 

Nuthatch.  ^,  adult:  Upper  parts,  central  tail- 
feathers,  and  innch  edging  of  the  wings,  clear  ashy- 
bliic  ;  whole  crown,  nape,  and  back  of  the  neck,  glossy 
black.  Under  parts,  including  sides  of  neck  and  head 
to  above  eyes,  dull  white,  more  or  less  marked  on  the 
flanks  and  crissuni  with  rusty-brown.  Wings  and  their 
coverts  blackish,  much  edged  as  already  said,  and  with 
an  oblique  bar  of  white  on  the  outer  .webs  of  the  pri- 
maries towards  their  ends ;  concealed  bases  of  primaries 
white;  under  wing-coverts  mostly  blackish ;  bold  bluish 


Fio.  142.  —Carolina  Nuthatch,  nat.  slzo. 
(Ad  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 


and  black  variegation  of  the  inner  secondaries.     Tail, 


SITTIDJE:   NUTHATCHES. 


271 


Fio.   143.  —  Canailft    Nutliatcb, 
nat.  size.    (Ad  iiat.  del.  E.  C.) 


excepting  the  two  middlo  feathers,  black,  each  feather  marked  with  white  in  increasing  amount, 
the  outer  web  of  tlie  lateral  feather  being  mostly  wiiite.  Bill  blnckiHli-plumbeous,  iialc  at 
the  base  below.  Feet  dark  brown.  Iris  brown.  Length  5.3()-(5.00;  extent  10.50-11.00; 
wing  3.50;  tail  1.75;  bill  about  0.00  long,  0.18-0.20  .kep  at  base.  9  :  Similar;  black  of 
head  imperfect,  mixed  or  overlaid  with  the  color  of  the  back,  or  altogether  restricted  to  the 
nape.  Eastern  U.  S.  and  British  Provinces,  resident,  abundant  in  woodland,  where  its  curious 
quank,  quank,  quank  may  often  bo  heard  as  tlic  nimble  bird  hops  up  and  down  the  tree-trunks. 
Nest  in  holes,  often  excavated  by  the  birds  with  infinite  labor,  lined  with  fur,  feathers,  grasses, 
etc. ;  eggs  numerons,  0.80  X  0.00,  white,  profusely  speckled  with  reddish  and  lilac. 

riS,  8.  c.  aculea'ta.  (Lat.  aculeata,  sharpened  ;  referring  to  the  slender  bill.)  SLENnEn-BiLi.ED 
Nuthatch.  Like  the  last;  bill  slenderer,  0.12-0.10  deep  at  base.  Inner  Rccondarics  scarcely 
or  not  variegated  with  blackish,  and  general  tone  of  coloration  duller.  Woodland  of  Middlo 
and  Western  provinces  of  the  U.  8.,  common,  replacing  No.  57. 

59.  S.  cunaden'sls.  (Lat.  of  Canada,  an  Iroquois  word.  Fig.  113.)  Red-bellied  Nuthatch. 
Canada  Nuthatcic.  ,J,  adult:  Upper  parts  leaden-blue  (brighter  than  in  S,  caroUnejisis), 
the  central  tail-feathers  the  same  ;  wings  fuscous,  with  slight 
ashy  edgings  and  concealed  white  bases  of  the  primaries. 
Entire  under  parts  rusty-brown,  very  variable  in  shade,  from 
rich  fulvous  to  brownish-white,  usually  palest  on  the  throat, 
deepest  on  the  sides  and  erissum ;  tail-feathers,  except  the 
middle  jjair,  black,  the  lateral  marked  with  white.  Whole  top 
and  side  of  head  and  neck  glossy  black,  that  of  the  side  a[)pear- 
iiig  as  a  broad  bar  through  the  eye  from  bill  to  side  of  neck, 
cut  off  from  that  of  the  crown  by  a  long  white  superciliary  stripe,  which  meets  its  fellow  across 
the  forehead.  Bill  dark  plumbeous,  paler  below  ;  feet  plumbeous-brown.  Length  4.50-1.75; 
extent  8.00-8.50 ;  wing  2.00 ;  tail  1.50  ;  bill  0.50.  9  :  Crown  like  the  back ;  lateral  stripe 
on  the  head  merely  blackish.  The  under  parts  average  paler  than  those  of  the  (J,  but  there 
is  no  constancy  about  this.  Young  birds  resemble  the  9-  Temperate  N.  Am.,  common,  in 
woixlland ;    habits  like  those  of  No.  57 ;    eggs  similar,  sm.iUer,  0.05  X  0.54. 

00.  S.  pusil'la.  (Lat.  imsilla,  puerile,  petty.  Fig.  144.)  Bkown-headed  Nuthatch.  $  9  '• 
No  blacli  cap  or  white  stripe  on  head.  Upper  parts  dull  ashy-blue;  under  parts  sordid  or 
muddy  whitish.  Cap  clear  hair-brown.  A  decided  spot  of 
white  on  the  middle  of  the  nape,  in  the  brown  cap,  which  on 
the  sides  of  the  head  includes  the  eyes,  and  is  bordered  with 
dusky.  Middlo  tail-feathers  like  back,  without  black,  and  with 
little  or  no  white.  Small :  length  scarcely  4.00 ;  extent  about 
8.00;  wing  2.50;  tail  1.25;  tarsus  0.60;  bill  about  0.50. 
South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States;  N.  to  Virginia  and  Ohio. 
Habits  of  the  other  si)ecies :  eggs  0.00  X  0.50,  very  heavily 
speckled  with  dark  reddish-brown. 

01.  S.  pygniee'a.  (Gr.  jruy/i^,  7J«(/me,  the  fist;  Liat.  pygmaius,  a 
pygmy,  fistling,  or  tom-thumb.)  Pygmy  Nuthatch.  $  9  :  Upper  parts  ashy-blue,  and 
wings  with  slight  if  any  markings  (as  in  canadensis),  though  some  outer  primaries  may  be 
narrowly  edged  with  white.  Whole  top  of  head,  nape,  and  sides  of  head  to  below  eyes,  olive- 
brown,  the  lateral  borders  of  this  patch  blackish ;  an  obsidcto  whitish  patch  on  the  nape. 
Central  tail-feathers  like  the  back,  but  with  a  long  white  spot,  and  their  outer  webs  black 
at  base ;  other  tail-feathers  blackish,  with  white  marks,  and  often  also  tipped  with  the  color  of 
the  back.  Entire  under  parts  ranging  from  muddy-white  to  smoky-brown  or  rich  rusty,  nearly 
or  quite  as  intense  as  in  S.  canadensis ;  flanks  and  erissum  shaded  with  a  dull  wash  of  the 
color  of  the  back.    Bill  and  feet  dark  plumbeous,  the  former  paler  at  base  below.    Iris  black. 


l''io.    144.  —  Brnwn-lieaded    Nut- 
hatch, nat.  Bize.    (Ad  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 


07* 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  I'A  SSEJihS  —  OSCINES. 


I 


Size  of  tlio  lust.  Youiik:  DifftTs  iiiiich  ii«  tlif  9  of  cnnademis  dops  from  tli<«  ^,  In  hiiviii^f  tin- 
top  of  tin;  liciiil  liki-  tilt!  buck.  U.  H.  fiom  tiic  Hocky  Mtn.  to  the  I'lii'ltif,  iilmiKliint,  ciiiclly  in 
piuu  woimIh;  N.  to  VaiicoiivDr.    Kgi(»  <i-7,  white,  piofiisely  speckleil  with  roddiKh,  0.(12  X  O.JO. 

6.  Family  CERTHIIDiE:  Creepers. 

A  very  small,  well-mnrki'd  group,  of  about  a  dozon  spccien,  and  four  or  five  gciiora,  which 
full  in  two  Hoctionx,  commonly  callt'd  Hubfamiiifls  ;  one  of  thesi',  Tkhodromiitcc,  iti  repruMenti'd 
by  tilt!  well-known  European  Wall  Creeper,  Ticlwdruma  mitmriii,  anil  weveral  (trhietly  Auh- 
tralian)  HpeeiuM  of  tlie  genus  Cliiniwteris;  wliile  thti  genun  C'erthia,  with  fivu  or  »i.\  upecies  t»r 
varieties,  and  certain  allieil  genera  (all  but  one  Old  World)  conHtitiite  the 


Flo.  145. —  Common  Brnwn  Creeper,  fiT/Ain/dHiWinris,  nearly  nat.  Bizo.    (From  Brolim.) 

8.  Subfamily  CERTHIIN^:    Typical  Creepers. 

Our  species  may  be  known  on  sight,  among  North  American  Oschies,  by  its  rigid,  acumi- 
nate tail-featliers,  like  a  woodpei-ker's.  Besides:  —  bill  about  equal  in  length  to  head,  ex- 
tremely slender,  sharp,  and  decurved ;  no.'strils  ex]>osed  ;  no  rietal  bristles  ;  tarsus  scutellate, 
shorter  than  8d  toe  and  claw,  which  is  connate  for  tlie  whole  of  the  1st  joint  with  both  2d  anil 
4th  too;  lateral  toes  of  uueqtnil  lengths,  1st  toe  shorter  than  its  claw;  claws  all  much  ciu'ved 
and  very  sharp;  wing  10-prinuiried,  tlie  1st  primary  very  short,  not  one-haif  the  2d,  which  is 
l(?ss  than  the  3d;  point  of  wing  formed  by  3d,  4th,  and  5th  tpiills;  tail  rounded,  equal  to  or 
longer  than  wing,  of  12  stout,  elastic,  curved,  acuminate  featliM's.  Restless,  active,  little  forest 
birds  that  make  a  living  by  picking  bugs  i>ut  of  cracks  in  bark.  In  scrambling  about  they  use 
the  tail  as  woodpeckers  do,  and  never  hang  head  downwards,  like  tlic  nuthatches.  Lay  numer- 
ous white,  speckled  eggs  in  knotholes;  are  not  regularly  migratory ;  have  slight  seasonal  or 
sexual  changes  of  plumage  ;  are  chiefly  insectivorous,  and  not  noted  for  musical  ability. 


nWGLUUYTlD^ :    WJiENS. 


273 


Fio.  146.  — Ilcnd,  foot,  uiul  tiill-foatliorof  (Vr- 
thla,  nut.  hIzo.     (Ad  mil.  del.  K.  V.) 


18.  CEK'TIIIA.  (Lnt.  certhiuit,  a  (Tcctpor.  Fig.  110.)  Chiirnctprg  as  alxivc.  Tin*  stock-foriii 
(if  tliit)  guiiUH  vark'8  aiTonliiig  to  locality.  Eiiropi'uu  vai'ictii'.s  suiiit'tiincs  rt'C(imii/.i>il  are  C,  conta 
aud  C.  britannka,  Thu  N.  Am.  bird,  wliicli  Ih  in- 
Hcparablu  frmn  the  Kurii|i*>aii,  Iiuh  liccii  culled  C. 
rufa,  fuaca,  and  amerkutnu,  fur  Kawterii  niiecinieii!*, 
C7.  montana  for  tlioHo  from  the  liucky  Mt.  regioii, 
and  C.  ovcidentalin  for  tlio.se  from  tlic  Pacitic  coast 
regiuu.  The  Mexican  form,  C.  meuicauu,  dill'crM 
more  iiii]ireciaMy,  »«  below  given. 
d'i.  V.  fuiiiiliu'riM.  (I ..at.  familiariH,  from  fumilia, 
family;  domestic,  home-like.  Fig.  ll.j.)  IJuowN 
<'UKKI'KI{.  i  9=  I'pper  part.s  dark  iirowii,  cliaiig- 
iiig  to  ni«ty-bro\va  on  the  rump,  everywhere 
streaked  with  ashy-whltc.  \a  obscure  whitisii  superciliary  stripe.  Under  parts  dull  whitish, 
sometimes  tinged  with  rusty  on  the  Hanks  aud  cri^<sum.  Wing-coverts  and  i|Mills  tipped  with 
white,  the  iiuier  secondaries  also  with  whit<!  shaft-lines,  which,  with  the  tips,  contrast  with  the 
blackish  of  their  outer  webs.  Wings  also  twice  crossed  with  white  or  tawny-white,  the  ante- 
rior bar  broad  and  occupying  botli  wubs  of  the  feathers,  the  other  only  on  the  outer  webs  near 
their  ends.  Tail  grayish-brown,  darker  along  tin'  shaft  and  at  the  ends  of  the  feathers,  some- 
times showing  obsolete  transverse  bars.  Hill  blackish  above,  mostly  llesh-cidored  or  yeUowish 
below;  feet  brown  ;  iris  dark  brown.  Length  of  ^  5.2.')-5.75 ;  extent  7.50-8.00  ;  wing  2..')0  ; 
more  or  le.ss;  tail  usually  a  little  longer  than  the  wing,  sometimes  not  so,  "2.50  to  nearly  IS.OU ; 
tarsus  about  0.(10  ;  bill  0.().j-0.7'> ;  9  "^'''''"W"'K  ^nudler  than  ^ .  Temperate  N.  Ani.,  in  wood- 
land, abundant,  generally  seen  winding  spirally  up  the  trunks  and  larger  branches  of  trees. 
02a.  C.  f.  iiicxieii'mi.  (Lat.  of  Mi'xico.)  .Mk.mcan  Cur.Ki'Eii.  DiH'ers  in  lacking  light  tips  of  the 
primary  coverts,  and  general  richer  coloration,  the  brown  more  rusty  ;  rump  bright  chestnut  ; 


under  jiarts  grayish.     Mexico,  to  .S.  W.  border  of  the  U.  S. 
ascertained  to  inhabit  Ari/.ona.) 


(Not  in  Check  List,  1882  ;  since 


6.    Family  TROGLODYTID^  :  Wrens. 

Embracing  a  number  of  forms  assembled  in 
considerable  variety,  ami  ditKcnlt  to  define  with 
lu-ecision.  Chiseiy  related  to  the  last  three  fami- 
lies ;  known  from  thest^  by  nou-acuininate  tail- 
feathers  and  exposed  nostrils.  Very  intimately 
resembling,  iii  jiarticular,  tin-  mocking  group  of 
thrushes  —  those  with  sciitellate  tarsi  and  not 
strictly  sjiurions  1st  prinniry;  but  all  our  wrens 
Mv.  Kimdler  than  any  of  the  Mimiutc,  and  other- 
wist?  di.«tiuguished  by  less  deejdy  cleft  toes  —  as 
stated  on  p.  2 18  ;  "  the  inner  toe  is  united  by  half 
its  ba.sal  joint  to  the  middle  toe,  sometimes  by 
Fia.  147. —EuroiHjaii  Wren.    (From  Dixon.)  the  whole  of  this  joint ;  and  the  se<!ond  joint  of 

the  outer  toe  enters  wholly  or  jiartially  into  thi.s  union,  instead  of  the  basal  only."  Nostrils 
narrowly  or  broadly  oval,  exposed,  overhung  by  a  scale;  bill  moderately  or  very  slender, 
straight  or  slightly  decurved,  from  half  as  long  to  about  as  long  as  the  head,  minotched 
in  all  our  genera;  no  (evident  rictal  bristles;  wings  short,  more  or  less  rounded,  with  10 
primaries,  the  Ist  short,  but  not  strictly  spurious;  tail  of  variable  length,  much  or  little 
rounded,  of  broad  or  narrow  feathers,  often  held  over  the  back.  Tarsi  scutellate,  sometimes 
behind  as  well  as  in  front. 

18 


274 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  — PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


Excepting  some  Old  World  forms  of  doubtful  affinity,  and  the  species  of  Anorthura  proper, 
the  Trogladi/tida:  are  confined  to  America ;  and  if  thus  restricted  are  susceptible  of  better 
definition.  About  one  hundred  species  or  varieties  are  recognized,  usually  referred  to  about 
sixteen  genera,  most  of  which  belong  to  tropical  America,  where  the  group  reaches  its  maxi- 
mum development, —  over  twenty  species  of  Campylorhynchus  being  described,  for  histance. 
Of  North  American  genera,  Campiilorlnjnchus,  Cuthcrjies  and  Suljnnctes  are  confined  to  the 
West,  and  represent  a  section  distinguished  by  the  breadth  of  the  tail-feathers,  which  widen 
toward  the  end.  Siiecies  of  all  our  other  genera  are  common  and  familiar  eastern  birds,  mtich 
alike  in  disposition,  manners,  and  habits ;  the  house  wren  typifies  these.  They  arc  sprightly, 
fearless,  and  impudent  little  creatures,  apt  to  show  bad  temper  when  they  fancy  theniselvijs 
aggrieved  by  cats  or  people,  or  anything  else  that  is  big  and  unpleasant  to  them ;  they  (juarrel 
a  good  deal,  and  are  particularly  spiteful  ti>wards  martins  and  swallows,  whose  homes  they 
often  invade  and  occupy.  Tiieir  song  is  bright  and  hearty,  and  they  are  fond  ol  their  own 
music;  when  disturbed  at  it  they  make  a  great  ado  with  noisy  scolding.  Part  of  them  live  in 
reedy  swamps  and  marshes,  where  they  hang  astoi-ishingly  big  globular  nests,  with  a  little  hole 
in  one  side,  on  tufts  of  rushes,  and  lay  six  or  eight  dark  colored  eggs  ;  the  others  nest  any- 
where, in  shrubbery,  knotholes,  hollow  stumps,  and  other  odd  nocdcs.  Nearly  all  are  migratory; 
one  is  stationary ;  one  ctimes  to  us  in  the  fall  from  the  north,  the  rest  in  spring  from  the  south. 
Insectivorous,  and  very  prolific,  laying  several  sets  of  eggs  each  season.  Plainly  colored,  the 
browns  being  the  usual  colors ;  no  red,  blue,  yellow,  or  green  in  any  of  our  species. 

Analysis  of  Suhfamtlies,  Genera,  ami  Sjiecies, 

CAMPYLOBHYNeniN.*:.   Feet  not  Btrlctly  laminiplantar,  the  lateral  plates  divided,  ornot  perfectly  fused  in  one. 
Tall  broad,  fan-shaped,  the  indiviilual  feathers  widening  toward  the  end. 
Very  largo ;   length  about  8  inches.    Tarsus  decidedly  scutellato  boiilnd.    Lateral  toes  of  equal  lengths. 

Above  streaked  with  white,  below  spotted  with  blatic Campylorlii/nclitis 

Black  and  white  bars  of  tall  chiefly  on  outer  webs  of  the  feathers C.  In-unneicaj>illus    C3 

Black  and  white  bars  of  tall  chiefly  on  both  webs  of  the  feathers C.  afflitis    64 

Smaller,  about  6.00  long.    Tarsus  scutellate  behind.    Lateral  toes  of  unequal  lengths 

Salpinctes  ( S.  obsoletus)    65 
Smaller,  about  6.50  long.    Tarsus  scarcely  scutellate  behind.    Lateral  toes  of  unequal  lengths 

Catherpes  (C.  mexicanus)    (iO,  67 
TBoaLODVTiNii':.    Feet  strictly  laminiplantar,  as  usual  in  Oscincs.   Tidl  thin,  with  narrow  parallel-edged 
feathers.    Wings  and  tail  more  or  less  completely  barred  cross-wise. 
Large.    Upirer  parts  uniform  in  color,  without  streaks  or  bars ;  rump  with  concealed  white  spots.    Belly 
unmarked  ;  a  conspicuous  superciliary  stripe. 

Tail  shorter  or  not  longer  than  the  wing,  all  the  feathers  brown,  distinctly  barred 

Thryothnrus  (T.  liuloviciamts)    68,  09,  70 
Tail  decidedly  longer  than  the  wing,  blackish,  not  fully  barred  on  all  the  feathers 

riirynthoms  (T.  beicicki)    71,  72,  73 
Small.    Upper  ,)arts  not  uniform,  the  back  being  more  or  less  distinctly  barred  cross-wise;  wings,  tail, 
and  flanks  fully  barred. 

Tail  about  equal  to  the  wing,  the  outstretched  feet  reaching  scarcely  or  not  beyond  its  end 

'J'riiylodyti'S  {T.  ilomeaticus)    74,  75 
Tail  decidedly  shorter  than  the  wing,  the  outstretched  feet  reaching  far  l)cyond  its  end 

Anorthura  (A.  tmylotlylis)    76,  77,  78 
Small.    Upper  parts  not  uniform,  the  back  being  streaked  length-wise  j  flanks  scarcely  or  not  barred. 
Bill  about  I  as  long  as  head ;  crown  plain ;  streaks  of  back  conflned  to  interscapular  region 

Tilmatotlytcs  (,T.  paluslris)    79,  80 
Bill  scarcely  or  not  }  as  long  as  head ;  crown  streaked,  like  the  whole  back 

I'istothorus  {€.  stellaris)    81 

9.  Subfamily  CAMPYLORHYNCHIN^:   Fan.talled  Wrens. 

For  characters  of  this  group  and  analysis  of  its  genera,  see  above. 
19.    CAMPYLORHYN'CHUS.     {{}t.  KaiiiTv\os,  kampulos,  bent;  piyxot,  rhugcJios,  beak.)     Cac- 
tus Wrens.     Of  largest  size  in  this  family ;    length  about  8.00  inches.     Tarsus  scutellate 
behind.     Lateral  toes  of  equal  lengths.     Wings  and  tail  of  about  equal  lengths.     Tail  broad. 


C3. 


A4. 


20. 


05. 


TROGLODYTIBJE—CAMPYLORHYNCHIN^:  FAN-TAILED  WRENS.      275 


65 


with  wide  feathors.  Tarsus  a  little  longer  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw.  Upper  parts  with 
sharp  white  streaks  im  a  brown  ground;  under  parts  boldly  spotted  with  black  on  a  white 
ground;  tail-fciithers  barred  witli  black  and  white. 
G3.  C  brunneicapil'lus.  (Lat.  bninneus,  brown ;  capillus,  hair.)  Brown-heaped  Cactus 
WuFA'.  J,  adult:  Back  gruyish-brown,  marked  with  black  and  white,  each  feather  having 
a  c('ntral  white  Held  several  times  indented  with  black.  Whole  crown  of  head  and  napo  rich 
dark  wood-brown,  immaculate.  A  long  white  superciliary  stripe  from  nostril  to  nape.  Beneath, 
nearly  pure  white  anteriorly,  gradually  sluuling  behind  into  decided  cinnamon-brown  —  the 
throat  and  foro  part  of  the  breast  marked  with  large,  crowded,  rounded  black  spots,  the  rest  of 
the  under  \nni.s  with  small,  sparse,  oval,  or  linear  black  spots,  again  enlarging  on  the  crissum. 
Wing.s  darker  and  more  fusct)us-br()wn  than  the  back  ;  all  the  quills  with  a  series  of  numerous 
whit(!  or  whitish  indentations  along  the  edge  of  both  webs.  Central  tail-feathers  like  the 
wings,  with  numerous  more  or  less  incomplete  blackish  bars ;  other  tail-feathers  blackisli,  the 
outer  with  several  broad  white  bars  on  both  webs  ;  the  rest  with  usuallj'  only  a  single  com- 
jdete  white  bai  near  the  end.  Bill  dark  plumbeous,  paler  below;  iris  orange.  Length  near 
8.00;  wing  li.SO;  tail  rather  longer;  bill  0.80;  tarsus  1.00;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.90.  ?, 
adidt:  Quite  like  the  ^,  but  the  spots  on  the  throat  and  breast  rather  smaller,  therefore  less 
(Towded,  and  less  strongly  contrasting  witli  the  sparse  speckling  of  the  rest  of  the  under  parts. 
Young  :  Similar  to  the  adult  on  the  upper  parts,  but  the  throat  whitish  with  little  speckling; 
scarcely  any  spots  on  tlie  rest  of  the  under  parts,  which  are,  however,  as  decidedly  cinnamon  as 
those  of  the  adults.  Southwestern  U.  S.,  —  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  southern  Utah 
and  Nevada,  and  portions  of  California ;  connmm  in  cactus  and  chaparral,  building  a  large 
pur.se-sliap(Ml  nest  in  bushes  ;  eggs  about  0,  1.00  X  0.68,  white,  uniformly  and  minutely  dotted 
with  salmon-color.  (If  not  C.  hninneicapillus  Lafr.,  this  will  stand  as  C.  couesi  Sharpe,  Cat. 
Dr.  Mus.,  vi,  1S82,  p.  190.) 

04.  C.  afll'nis.  (Lat.  qffinis,  affined,  allied ;  ad,  and  finis.)  St.  Lucas  Cactus  Wren.  Sim- 
ilar to  the  last.  Cap  reddish-brown,  lighter  instead  of  darker  than  the  back.  JLirkings  of 
back  very  conspicuous,  in  strong  streaks  of  black  and  white,  these  two  colors  bordering  each 
other  with  little  or  no  indentation.  Under  parts  nearly  white,  the  black  .spots,  though  con- 
spicuous, not  enlarged  and  crowded  on  the  breast,  but  more  regularly  distributed.  All  the 
lateral  tail-feathers,  instead  of  only  the  outer  ones,  crossed  on  botli  webs  with  numerous  com- 
plete white  bars.  The  variations  with  sex  and  age  correspond  with  those  of  C.  hrunneicapillus. 
Lower  California.  Nest  and  eggs  as  before.  (According  to  Sharpe,  I.  c,  this  is  C.  bruu- 
noioapilliis  Lafr.) 

20.  SALPINX' TES.  (Or.  (rnX7rtyKTi7y,,w//;(y//rte'!,  a  trumpeter."!  TlocK  Wrens.  Bill  about  as  long 
as  head,  shMider,  comi)ressed,  straiuht  at  base,  then 
sligiitly  decurved,  acute  at  tip,  faintly  notched. 
Nostrils  conspicuous,  scaled,  in  a  large  fossa.  Wing 
longer  than  tail;  exposed  jMirtioii  of  1st  jiriniary 
about  half  as  long  as  ;Jd,  whicli  is  decidedly  shorter 
than  ;5d.  Tail  rounded,  of  12  broad  plane  feathers, 
with  rounded  or  subtruncate  ends.  Feet  small  and 
weak  ;  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe,  ficiiMlate  pos- 
terioiii/.      Hind  toe  and  claw   shorter  than  middle 

one  ;    lateral  toes   of   unequal    lengths,    the  outer  p,j,.  ,49  _  ^0^,^  ^vren,  nat.  size, 

longest,   both  very  short,   the  tips  of   tlieir  claws     del.  E.G.) 
falling  short  of  base  of  middle  claw.     Only  one  species  known. 

05.  S.  obsole'tus.  (Lat.  ohsoMits,  unaccustomed  ;  ob,  and  koIco,  I  am  wont;  hence  (d)solete,  effaced, 
the  coloration  being  dtiil  and  diffuse.  Fig.  148.)  UocK  Wren.  ^  9 1 '"hilt:  Upper  jiarts 
pale  brownish-gray,  minutely  dotted  with  blackish  and  whitish  points  together,  and  usually 


(Ad  nut. 


276 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  —PASSEBES—  OSCINES 


showing  obsolete  wavy  bars  of  dusky.  Rump  ciunamon-brown  j  a  whitish  superciliary  line. 
Beneath,  soiled  white,  shading  behind  into  pale  cinnamon,  the  throat  and  breast  obsoletely 
streaked,  and  the  under  tail-ooverts  barred,  with  dusky.  Quills  of  the  wings  rather  darker  than 
the  back,  with  similar  markings  on  the  outer  webs.  Middle  tail-feathers  like  the  back,  with 
many  dark  bars  of  equal  width  ivith  the  lighter  ones;  lateral  tail-feathers  similarly  marked  on 
the  outer  webs,  plain  on  the  iimer  webs,  with  a  broad  subtenninal  black  bar  on  both  webs,  and 
cinnamon-brown  tips,  the  latter  usually  marbled  with  dusky ;  outer  feathers  with  several  black- 
ish and  cinnamon  bars  on  both  webs.  Bill  and  feet  dark  horn  color,  the  former  paler  at  base 
below.  Length  5.50-6.00;  wing  2.G0-2.S0;  tail  2.20-2.40;  bill  0.6G-O.75  ;  tarsus  0.75-O.SO. 
Most  of  the  markings  blended  and  diffuse.  Shade  of  upper  parts  variable,  from  dull  grayish  to 
a  more  plumbeous  shade,  often  with  a  taint  pinkisli  tinge.  Specimens  in  worn  and  faded  plu- 
mage may  fail  to  show  the  i)eculiar  dotting  M-ith  black  and  whitish  ;  but  in  these  the  cross- 
wise dusky  undulation,  as  well  as  tlie  streaks  on  the  breast,  are  cf)mmonly  more  distinct  than 
in  fi-e.^ilicr-feathered  examples.  The  rufous  tinge  of  the  ur.der  parts  is  very  variable  in  shade ; 
that  of  the  rump,  however,  being  always  well  marked.  Western  U.  S.,  E.  to  Iowa  ;  common, 
haunting  rocky  places,  where  it  is  conspicuous  by  its  restlessness  and  loud  notes ;  nest  of  any 
rubbisli  in  a  rocky  nook  ;  eggs  numerous,  5-S,  of  (Crystalline  wliiteness,  sparsely  sprinkled  with 
r('ddisli-l)ri)wn  dots,  0.75  X  0.02. 
21.  CATHER'PES.  (Gr.  Ka6(p7n]s,  l-ather2)es,  a  creejier;  Kara,  Jiaia,  down,  epjro),  herjm,  I  creep.) 
Canon  Wrens.  Bill  singularly  attenuate,  about  as  long  as  he.id,  nearly  straight  in  all  its 
outlines,  with  such  direction  of  its  axis  that  the  bill  as  a  whole  appears  continuous  with  the 
line  of  the  forehead.  Tarsus  not  long(>r  than  middle  toe  and  claw,  with  tendency  to  subdivision 
of  the  lateral  tarsal  jilate.  Lateral  toes  of  unequal  lengths,  tin;  outer  longest.  AVings  and 
tail  as  in  Salpinctes,  and  general  features,  even  to  system  of  coloration,  much  the  same  as  in 
that  genus.     One  known  species,  with  several  varieties. 

66.  C.  niexiea'nus.  Me.xk'AN  Canon  Wkkn.  Similar  to  the  form  next  described ;  nuich  darker 
colored  both  above  and  below,  with  sharper  contrast  of  the  white  throat;  the  white  speckling 
mostly  restricted  to  the  back  and  wings  ;  the  black  tail-bars  broader  and  more  regular,  and  the 
light  markings  of  the  wings  mere  indentatitms  instead  of  complete  bars.  Bill  straight,  more 
abruptly  decurved  at  extrenui  tip.  Feet  stouter,  dark  brown.  Size  greater;  h'ugth  about 
0.00;  M-ing  2.80;  tail  2.40;  bill  nearly  1.00  long,  only  about  0.12  deej)  at  base.  Specimens 
vary  much  in  sharpness  and  t>xtensiveness  of  the  speckling  of  the  ujjper  parts.  In  best-niiirked 
cases,  the  spots  quite  white,  almost  lengthened  into  streaks,  each  one  completely  set  in  black  ; 
other  exami)les,  small,  sparse  and  restricted,  these  specimens  also  showing  wavy  transverse  in 
bars  of  blackish.     Mexico,  to  Texan  border. 

67.  C,  m.  conspcr'siis.  (Lat.  counpersim,  speckled.)  Speckled  CaSon  When.  ^  9 ,  adult : 
Upper  parts  brown,  paler  and  grayer  anteriorly,  behind  shading  insensibly  into  rich  rufous, 
everywhere  dotted  with  small  dusky  and  whitish  spots.  Tail  clear  ciniunnon-brown,  crossed 
with  numerous  very  naiTow  and  mostly  zigzag  black  bars.  Wing-quills  dark  brown,  the  outer 
webs  of  the  primaries  and  botli  ivebs  of  tlie  inner  secondaries  barred  with  the  color  of  the  back. 
Chin,  throat,  and  fore  breast,  with  lower  half  of  the  side  of  the  head  and  neck,  jnu-e  white, 
shading  behind  through  ochraceous-brown  into  rich  deep  ferruginous,  and  jmsteriorly  ob,soletely 
waved  with  du.sky  and  whitish.  Bill  slate-colored,  paler  and  more  livid  below;  feet  black; 
iris  brown.  Length  about  5.50;  extent  7.50;  wing  2.30;  tail  2.12;  tarsus  0.00;  bill  0.80. 
Throughout  New  Mexico  and  Arizona,  and  portions  of  Texas,  Colorado,  ITtah,  Nevada,  and 
California ;  N.  to  at  least  40°.  A  remarkable  bird,  famous  for  its  ringing  notes,  inhabiting 
canons  and  other  rocky  places.  Nesting  and  eggs  like  those  of  the  rock  wren ;  eggs  5  or 
more,  0.75  X  0.55,  crystal  white,  fairly  sprinkled  and  blotched  with  reddish-brown. 

67a.   C.  m.  punetula'tus.      (IjuL  punctulatus,  dotted.)    DoTTEn  Canon  When.     Smaller  than 
either  of  the  foregoing  :  length  about  5.00;  wing  2.10;  toil  1.90;  bill  0.75.     Coloration  inter- 


TBOGLODYTIDJE—TROGLODYTIN^:   TRUE   WRENS. 


217 


mediate ;  upper  parts  most  like  those  of  C.  compersus,  aud  wings  completely  barred  as  in  that 
siK'cies  ;  but  under  parts  posteriorly  dusky  ferruginous  (dark  mahogany  etdor),  and  tail-bars 
broad,  firm,  aud  regular,  as  in  mexicamts  proper.  Coast  region  of  California.  The  type  speci- 
men, the  only  one  I  have  seen,  for  some  years  in  my  oabinet  and  now  No.  82,715.  Mus.  S.  I., 
seems  to  bo  recognizably  distinct ;  but  all  tlic  forms  of  the  genus  intergrade.  (Not  in  Clieck 
List,  1882 ;  since  described  by  llidgway,  Pr.  Nat.  Mus.,  v.,  1882,  p.  'iU.) 

10.  Subfamily  TROCLODYTIN^:  True  Wrens. 

See  characters  and  analysis  of  this  group  on  p.  274. 
22.    THRYOTHO'RIIS.    (Gr.  6piov,  ihnion,  a  reed,  and  6ovpos,  thouros,  leaping.)    Rp;ki)  Wrexs. 

Of  largest  size  in  this  subfamily  ;  length  5.50-C.OU.  IJack  uniform  in  coloi',  without  streaks  or 
bars;  wings  and  tail  tnoreor  less  barred  crosswise;  belly  unmarked  ;  a  hmg  superciliary  stripe  ; 
rump  with  concealed  white  spots.     Eggs  colored. 

Tiill  not  longer  tliaii  wingB,  like  back  In  color,  ami  b.irre(l,  in  r/iryo/Aonis  proper Nos.  68,  09,  70 

Tail  longer  than  wings,  blackish,  not  fully  barred,  in  Thryomanes 71,  72,  73 

68.    T.  liKlovlcia'niis.     (Lat.  Lmlovicianiis,  Louisiana;  of  Ludovicus,  Louis  XIV.,  of  France. 

Fig.  119.)     GuKAT  Cakolina  Wren.     Upper  parts  uniform  reddisli-browu,  brightest  <jn  the 

rump,  where  are  concealed  whitish  spots ;    a 

long  whitish  superciliary  line,  usually  bordered 

with  dusky  streaks  ;  upper  surfaces  of  wings 

and  tail  like  back,  barred  with  dusky,  the  outer 

edges  of  the  primaries  and  lateral  tail-feathers 

showing  whitish  spots.    Below,  rusty  or  muddy 

whitish,  dearest  anteriorly,  deepening  beliind, 

the   under   tail-coverts    reddish-brown    barred 

with  blackish.  Wing-coverts  usually  with  dusky 

ard   whitish   tips.       Feet    livid   flesh-colored. 

Length  (i.OO;   extent  nearly  7-50;   wing  2.40; 

tail   2.25 ;    bill   O.Oo ;    taraus  0.75.      Eastern 

IJ.  S.,  southerly ;    N.   regularly  to  the  Middle 

States,  rarely  to  Massachusetts ;  resident  as  far 

north  at  least  as  Wasliington.     A  common  and 

well-known    inhabitant   of  shrubbery,    with   a 

loud  ringing  song;  shy  and  secretive.     Nest  in 

any  nook  about  out-buildings,  or  in  shrubbery, 

when  in  the  latter  usually  roofed  over,  of  the 

most  miscellaneous  materials;  eggs  6-7,  white, 

profusely  sjieckled  and  blotched  with  shades  of 

reddish,  brown,  and  purplish  ;  0.72  X  0.60. 
09.   T.  1.  iniainlen'sls.      (Of  the  Miami  River,  Florida.)      Floridan  AVren.     Similar:  larger, 

stouter,  and  more  deeply-colored,  especially  below,  where  nearly  uniform  rusty-brown.     Wing 

2.75;  tail  2.60;  hill  0.90  ;  tarsus  0.95.     Florida;  a  local  race. 

70.  T.  1.  berlan'tlleri.  (To  Dr.  Louis  Ilerlandier.)  TexvnWren.  Similar:  smaller;  length 
5.25  ;  wing  2.25  ;  tail  2.12.  C(doration  darker  than  in  typical  ludovicmnus,  especially  below; 
flanks  as  well  as  crissum  barred  with  dusky ;  tail-bars  broken  up  into  irregular  nebulation. 
Valley  of  the  Rio  Grande  ;  a  local  race. 

71.  T.  bewlcki.  (To  Thomas  Bewick.)  Bewick's  Wren.  Above,  dark  grayish-brown; 
below,  ashy-white,  with  a  brownish  wash  on  the  flanks.  Rump  with  concealed  whitish  spots. 
A  long  whitish  superciliary  stripe  from  nostrils  to  nape.  Under  tail-coverts  dark-barred;  two 
middle  tail-feathers  like  back,  with  numerous  fine   black  bars;   others  black  with  whitish 


Fio.  140.  —  (iroat  Carolina  Wren,  reduced. 
Nuttail,  after  Audubon.) 


(From 


'    I] 


278 


SYSI'EMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEIiES—  OSCINES. 


markings  on  the  outer  wobs  and  tips.  Length  about  5.50;  extent  0.75;  wing  2.00-2.12; 
tail  2.35;  bill  0.50;  tarsus  0.75.  Eastern  U.  S.,  southerly,  N.  to  the  Middle  States  and 
Minnesota.  Not  very  common  in  the  Atlantic  States,  but  so  abundant  as  to  replace  t\w  house 
wren  in  some  parts  of  the  interior.  Nest  in  holes  in  trees,  stumps,  fences,  etc. ;  eggs  white, 
finely  dotted  and  spotted,  resembling  those  of  Catherpes  or  Saljnnctes. 

72.  T.  b.  leucogas'ter.  (Gr.  XtvKos,  leukos,  white;  yaarifp,  gastei;  belly.)  White-belued 
Wren.  Above,  uniform  clear  ashy-brown;  below,  clear  ashy-white;  i)ure  white  on  tlio 
middle  parts.  A  long,  strong,  white  superciliary  stripe;  auriculars  speckled  with  white.  Con- 
cealed white  spots  on  the  rump.  Quills  of  the  wings  fuscous,  the  inner  feathers  very  obsidetely 
waved  with  the  color  of  the  back.  Two  middle  tail-feathers  closely  barred  with  jmrc  dark  ash 
and  black  ;  others  black,  with  irregular  white  or  ashy-white  tips,  the  outer  web  of  the  exterior 
feather  barred  with  wliite.  Length  5.50-5.75  inches;  extent  0.75;  wing  2.00-2.33;  tail 
2.25-2.50  ;  bill  0.50  ;  tarsu.s  0.75.     Southwestern  U.  S. ;  a  well-marked  geographical  race. 

73.  T.  b.  spilu'rus  ?  (Gr.  (TTrtXor,  s^Jitos,  spotted ;  ovpa,  oiira,  ti\i\.)  Speckled-tailed  When. 
Similar  to  No.  71,  and  scarcely  distinguishable;  bill  said  to  be  longer,  O.GO.     Pacific  Coast. 

23.  TROGLO'DYTES.  (Gr.  rpwyXoSurijt,  troglodutcs,  a  cave-dweller.)  House  Wrens.  Of 
small  size;  no  decided  superciliary  line.  Upper  parts  not  uniform  in  color,  the  back  more  or 
less  distinctly  barred  crosswise  ;  wings,  tail,  and  fianks  fully  barred  crosswise ;  tail  about  equal 
to  wing  in  length,  the  outstretched  feet  scarcely  or  not  reaching  beyond  its  end.    Eggs  colored. 

74.  T.  (lomes'tlcus.  (Lat.  domesticus,  domestic;  domiis,  a  house.)  Eastern  House  When. 
Brown,  brighter  behind ;  below  rusty-brown,  or  grayish-brown,  or  even  grayish-white ;  every- 
where waved  with  darker  shade,  very  plainly  on  wings,  tail,  fianks,  and  under  tuil-ci  tverts ;  breast 
apt  to  be  darker  than  either  throat  or  belly ;  bill  shorter  than  head,  about  0.50 ;  wings  and  tail 
nearly  equal,  about  2.00,  but  ranging  from  LOO  to  2.10;  total  length  4.50-5.25,  averaging  about 
4.90 ;  extent  about  6.75.  Exposed  porticm  of  1st  primary  about  one-half  as  long  as  longest 
primary.  Eastern  U.  S.,  N.  to  Canada,  W.  to  Dakota;  very  abundant  anywhere  in  shrubbery, 
gardens,  an<l  about  dwellings,  wliere  its  active,  sprightly,  and  fearless  demeanor,  together  with 
its  hearty  trilling  song,  bring  it  into  friendly  notoriety.  Nest  of  any  trash  in  a  hole  of  a  build- 
ing, fence,  tree,  or  stump;  egg.s  0-9,  0.05  X  0.55,  profusely  and  uniformly  .studded  with  minute 
jtoints  of  brown,  often  rendering  an  almost  uniform  color;  two  or  three  broods  each  season. 
Kesideut  in  the  South,  migratory  farther  north. 

75.  T.  d.  park'mani.  (To  Dr.  Geo.  Parkman,  of  Boston.)  Western  House  Wren.  Brown 
above,  little  brighter  on  rump,  nearly  everywlicre  waved  with  dusky,  strongest  on  wnngs  and 
tail,  but  usually  appreciable  on  the  whole  back.  Below  brownish-white,  nearly  white  on  belly, 
obscurely  variegated  with  darker  markings,  which,  on  tlie  fianlvs  and  crissum,  become  stronger 
bars,  alternating  with  brown  and  wliitish  ones.  Bill  blackish  above,  pale  below  ;  feet  brown. 
Length  5.00-5.25;  extent  fl. 75;  wing  and  tail  about  2.10.  Exposed  portion  of  1st  priuuiry 
about  one-half  as  long  as  2d  primary.  W^estem  U.  S.,  from  the  Plains  to  the  Pacific,  abun- 
dant, there  replacing  'T.  domesticus,  to  which  it  is  so  similar ;  but  on  an  average  paler  and 
grayer,  with  rather  lojiger  wings  and  tail. 

24.  ANORTHU'RA.  (Gr.  dv,  an,  signifyhig  negaticm  ;  6p66s,  orthos,  straight ;  oSpa,  oum,  tail. 
Fig.  147.)  Winter  Wrens.  Like  Troglodyti's  proper,  but  tail  decidedly  shorter  than  wings, 
the  outstretched  feet  reaching  far  beyond  its  end.     Eggs  colored. 

76.  A.  troglo'dytes  hiema'lis.  (Lat. /iiVwa/is,  wintry ;  /((c/h.s,  winter.  Fig.  150.)  Winter  Wren. 
Above  brown,  darker  before,  brighter  behind,  most  of  back,  together  with  tail  and  inner  wiug- 
ijuills,  banded  with  dusky,  the  markings  obsolete  on  the  back,  where  usually  accompanied  by 
whitish  specks,  strongest  on  the  wings  and  tail.  Outer  webs  of  several  primaries  regularly 
banned  with  brownish-white,  in  marked  ccnitrast  with  the  other  bars  of  the  wings.  Au  incon- 
spicuous whitish  superciliary  line.  Below  brownish,  paler  or  whitish  anteriorly,  the  belly, 
flanks,  and  crissum  heavily  waved  with  dusky  and  whitish  bars.    Bill  slender,  straiglit,  decidedly 


TEOGLODYTIBJE—TROGLODYTIN^:   TRUE   WRENS. 


279 


Fio.  150.— Winter  Wren,  little  reduced, 
figure  of  A.  alascensis.) 


(Baird'g 


shorter  than  the  head.  Tail  much  shorter  than  the  wings.  Length  3.90-4.10;  extent  6.00- 
6.J0;  wing  1.75;  tail  1.25;  bill  0.40;  tarsus,  middle  toe,  and  claw  together,  about  1.12. 
N.  Ain.  at  large,  connnon,  migratory,  breed- 
ing from  New  England  and  corresponding 
latitudes  northward,  wintering  in  tlie  U.  S., 
the  strict  representative  of  the  European 
wren.  Nest  of  twigs,  moss,  lichens,  hair, 
feathers,  etc.,  usually  in  a  stump  or  log 
close  to  the  ground  ;  eggs  5-8,  0.05  X  0.48, 
pure  wiiite,  minutely  dotted  with  reddish- 
brown  and  purplish.  A  sly,  secretive  little 
bird,  less  often  seen  than  other  wrens  no  less 
common ;  voice  strong  and  highly  musical. 

11'  A.  t.  pacl'ficus?  (Lat.  pacifictis,  pacific, 
peace-making;  pax  and  facio;  alluding  to 
"  the  stilly  sea. ")  Wk-steun  Winter  When.  Like  the  last ;  darker,  in  lack  of  the 
whitish  specks  of  the  upper  parts,  and  whitish  bars  on  outer  webs  of  the  primaries;  but 
very  slightly  distinguished.     Pacific  Coast  region. 

T8.  A.  t.  alaseen'sls.  (Of  Alaska.)  ALA.SKAN  Winter  Wren.  Like  the  common  species  in 
form  sind  coloration;  larger;  size  of  a  house  wren;  wing  2.00-2.20;  tail  1.50;  tarsus  0.75) 
tarsus,  middle  toe,  and  claw  together  1.40;  bill  0.65.  Culmen,  gape,  and  gonys  almost  per- 
fectly straight,  latter  slightly  ascending.  Aleutian  and  Pribylov  Islands,  Alaska.  Well  dis- 
tinguished from  the  comincm  form,  and  nearer  the  Japanese  A.  fumigatus. 
25.  TELiMATO'DYTES.  (Gr.  rtKfia,  ielma,  a  swamp ;  8wrj;r,  dutes,  an  inhabitant.)  MARSH 
Wrens.  Small.  Upper  parts  not  uniform ;  back  streaked  lengthwise  witli  white  in  a  black 
patch;  flanks  scarcely  or  not  barred;  crown  plain;  bill  about  two-thirds  as  long  as  head. 
Eggs  dark. 

79.  T.  palus'tris.  (Lat.  j;aZ«s<n's,  marshy  ;  pa^ws,  a  marsh.  Fig.  151.)  Long-billed  Marsh 
Wren.    Above  clear  brown,  unbarred,  the  middle  of  the  back  with  a  large  black  patch  sharply 

streaked  with  white  (these  white  stripes  sometimes  de- 
ficient). Crown  of  head  usually  darker  than  the  l)ack, 
often  quite  blackish,  and  continuous  with  the  black  inter- 
scapular patch.  A  dull  white  superciliary  line.  Wings 
fuscous,  the  inner  secondaries  blackish  on  the  outer  webs, 
often  barred  or  indented  with  light  brown.  Tail  evenly 
barred  with  ftiscous  and  the  color  of  the  back.  Under 
parts  white,  usually  quite  pure  on  the  belly  and  middle 
line  of  the  breast  and  throat,  but  much  shaded  with 
brown  on  the  sides,  flanks,  and  crissum.  Bill  blackish 
above,  pale  below;  feet  brown.  Length  about  5.00; 
extent  6.50;  wing  1.75-2.00;  tail  about  the  same;  bill  0.50  or  more;  tarsus  0.66-0.75. 
Temperate  N.  Am. ;  Greenland.  Breeds  throughout  its  range,  and  winters  in  the  Southern 
States ;  an  abundant  bird,  colonizing  reedy  swamps  and  marshes  in  largo  numbers,  its  great 
globular  nests  of  plaited  rushes,  with  a  hole  iu  the  side,  being  atfixed  to  the  swaying  herbage ; 
eggs  ()-10,  0.5S  X  0.45,  very  dark-colored,  being  so  thickly  dotted  with  chocolate-brown  as  to 
appear  almost  uniformly  of  this  color. 

80.  T.  p.  paludi'cola  ?  (Lat.  paZHrficoZrt,  a  marsh-inhabiter;  ;)f(Z«,s  and  co7o,  I  cultivate.)  Tile 
Marsh  Wren.  Scarcely  recognizable  as  <listinct;  bill  said  to  be  shorter,  and  tail  and  its 
coverts  more  distinctly  barred.     Pacific  Coast. 


Fio.  151.  -Long-billed  JIarsh  Wren, 
nat.  size.    (Ad  iiat.  del.  E.  C.) 


280 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —PASSEHES—  OSCINES. 


26.   CISTOTHO'RU8.     (Gr.  Kiarot,  kistos,  a  shrub ;  6ovpos,  thouros,  leaping.)     Marsh  Wrens. 

Like  Telmatoihjtes ;  ivliole  back  and  crown  streaked  with  white.     Bill  scarcely  or  not  one-half 

as  long  as  bead.     Eggs  white. 

81.  C.  stella'ria.    (Lat.  s^cZ/nns,  starry ;  i.  o.,  speckled.   Fig.  152.)    Short-billed  Marsh  Wren. 

Upper  parts  I)rown,  the  crown  and  most  of  the  back  blackish,  streaked  with  white.     Below, 

whitish,  shaded  with  clear  brown  across  the  breast  and  along 
the  sides,  and  especially  on  the  Hanks  and  crissuin,  the  latter 
more  or  less  indistinctly  barred  with  dusky  (often  inappreci- 
able).    A  whitish  line  over  the  eye.     Wings  and  tail  marked 
as  in  the  last  species.     Upper  tail-coverts  decidedly  ban-ed. 
Bill  blackish  above,  whitish  below,  extremely  small,  scarcely 
half  as  long  as  the  head;  feet  brown.     Length  4.50;  extent 
5.75-6.00;    wing  and  tail  each  about  L75 ;    bill  0.35-0.40; 
tarsus,  middle  toe,  and  claw  together,  about  1.12.    The  streak- 
ing of  the  hea<l  and  that  of  tlie  back  are  usually  separated 
by  a  plain  nuchal  interval ;   but  these  are  as  often  run  together,  the  whole  bird  above  being 
streaked  with  whitisli  and  bladdsh  upon  a  brown  ground.     The  wings,  tail,  and  entire  imder 
l)arts  are  much  like  those  of  T.  pahmtris,  from  which  the  species  is  distinguished  by  the  mark- 
ings of  the  ni)per  parts  and  extremely  sliort  bill.     Chiefly  Eastern  U.  S.  and  adjoiuing  British 
Provinces;    W.  to  Utah.     Migratory;    winters  in  the  Southern  States.      Frequents  marshy 
places  like  T.  pahistris,  but  is  not  common.     Nesting  different,  and  eggs  white. 


Fio.    152.  —  S!iort-l)illc(l  Mnrali 
Wren,  nnt.  size,    i  Ad  imt.  del.  E.  C.) 


7.  Family  ALAUDID-ffi :  Larks. 

A  rather  small  group,  well  definod  by  the  character  of  the  feet,  in  adaptation  to  terrestrial 
life.  The  subcylindrical  tarsi  are  scutellate  and  blunt  behind  as  in  front,  with  a  deep  groove 
along  the  inner  side,  and  a  slight  one,  or  none,  on  the  outer  face.  That  is  to  say,  there  is  an 
anomalous  .structure  of  the  tarsal  envelope;  the  tarsus  being  covered  with  two  series  of  scu- 
tella,  one  lapping  around  in  front,  tlie  other  around  behind,  the  two  meeting  along  a  groove  on 
the  inner  face  of  the  tarsus,  which  is  consequently  blunt  behind  as  M-ell  as  in  front.  There  is  a 
simple  suture  of  the  two  series  <if  plates  on  the  outer  face  of  the  tarsus;  the  individual  plates 
of  each  series  alternate.  Oth(.'r  characters  (shared  by  some  MotaciUiilcE)  are  the  very  long, 
straight,  hind  claw,  which  (Mjuals  or  exceeds  its  digit  in  length  ;  the  long,  pointed  wings,  with 
the  1st  primary  sj>urious  or  apparently  wanting,  and  the  inner  secondaries  ("  tertiaries ") 
lengthened  and  flowing.  The  nostrils  are  usually  <'oncealed  by  dense  tufts  of  antrorse  featliers. 
The  shajie  of  the  bill  is  not  diagnostic,  being  sometimes  shoit,  stout  and  conic,  much  as  in 
some  FrinffiUidfC,  while  in  other  cases  it  is  slenderer,  and  more  like  that  of  insectivorous 
Passeren.  The  family  is  composed,  nominally,  of  a  hundred  species;  M'ith  the  exception  of  one 
genus  and  two  or  three  species  or  varieties,  it  is  confined  to  the  Old  World.  Its  .systematic 
position  is  open  to  question ;  s(ane  jdace  it  at  the  end  of  the  Oscine  series,  or  remove  it  from 
Oscines  altogether,  on  account  of  the  peculiarities  of  the  podotheca;  authors  generally  place  it 
near  the  FringiUida,  from  the  resemblance  of  the  bill  of  some  species  to  that  of  some  finches; 
but  it  has  many  reIationshii)s  with  MotacillUlip,  and,  in  the  arrangement  of  this  work,  I  find  no 
better  place  for  it  than  here,  though  it  has  no  special  affinity  with  the  preceding  families. 
Moreover,  the  fact  that  it  appears  to  have  indifferently  9  or  10  primaries  may  indicate  a  natunal 
]iosition  between  the  sets  of  families  in  which  number  of  primaries  is  among  the  diagnostic 
features.  The  musical  apparatus  is  certainly  well  developed,  as  testified  by  the  eminent  vocal 
powers  of  the  celebrated  sky-lark  of  Europe.  The  unpractised  reader  must  be  careful  not  to 
confound  the  larks  proper  with  certain  birds  loosely  called  "larks";  thus  the  titlarks,  or  pipits, 
though  sharing  the  lengthened,  straightened  hind  claw  and   elongated  inner  wing-quills  of 


82. 


ALAUDIDJE  —  CALANDRITINJE :  SHORE  LARKS. 


281 


Fifi.  153.  —  Shore  Lark,  much  reduced, 
ney,  after  Baird.) 


Alaudida,  belong  to  an  entirely  different  family,  the  MotacillUl(B ;  while  the  American  fielii- 

lark  is  one  of  the  Icteridee,  much  further  removed. 

According  to  shape  of  hill,  structure  of  nostrils,  and  apparent  number  of  primaries,  the 

family  may  be  divided  into  two  subfamilies,  the  Alnudina,  typified  by  the  celebrated  sky-lark 

of  Europe,  and  the  Ccdmutritiiue,  of  which  the  well-known  horned  lark  is  a  typical  representa- 
tive. IJoth  of  these  occur  in  North  America  ; 
the  Alanda,  however,  only  as  a  straggler  from 
Europe. 

Calaxdritis*,  without  ivlilent  spurious  Ist  primary, 
tlie  priiuurlcs  apparently  only  9. 

ALAfDis.t:,  with  spurious  1st  primary,  the  primaries 
therefore  evidently  10. 

II.   Subfamily   CALANDRiTIN>E  : 
Shore  Larks. 

Kepreseiitcd  in  America  by  the  single  genus 
ErcmopMla,  of  which  there  are  nominally  ten, 
(From  Ten-    ri'ally  f""!"  I'l"  five  si)ecies,  one  of  which  occurs 
in  North  America. 

27.  EUEMO'PHILA.  (Gr.  ipfjuos,  eremos,  a  desert ;  <f)i\(<o,  iMleo,  I  love.)  Hornkd  Lakks. 
Primaries  apparently  only  0  (no  obvious  spurious  1st  primary).  Point  of  the  wing  fornieil 
by  the  first  .'$  developed  primaries.  Inner  secondaries  elongated.  Tail  of  medium  length, 
nearly  even,  the  middle  pair  of  feathers  different  in  shajjc  and  color  from  the  rest.  Bill  com- 
pressed-conoid, acute,  shorter  thim  head.  Nostrils  completely  concealed  by  dense  tufts  of 
antrorse  feathers.  Head  not  crested,  but  a  peculiar  tuft  of  feathers  over  each  ear,  somewhat 
like  the  so-called  "horns"  of  some  owls.  Feet  of  ordinary  alaiidine  characters,  as  already 
given.  Coloration  peculiar  in  the  presence  of  yellowish  tints  and  strong  black  bars  on  the 
head  and  breast.  The  birds  of  this  genus  frequent  open  places,  are  strictly  terrestrial  in  habits, 
and  never  hop  when  on  the  ground,  like  most  Passeres  ;  they  are  migratory  in  most  localities, 
and  gregarious,  except  when  breeding;  nest  on  the  ground,  and  lay  4-5  speckled  eggs  ;  sing 
sweetly  in  the  .spring  time. 
82.  E.  alpes'tris.  (Lat.  cdpestris,  alpine.  Figs.  153,  154.)  IIorxkd  ok  Shore  Lark.  <J  ?  , 
adult,  in  breeding  plumage:  Upper  parts  in  general  pinkish-brown,  this  jiinkish  or  viuaceous 
or  liliaceous  tint  brightest  on  the  nape,  lesser  wing- 
coverts,  and  tail-coverts,  the  rest  of  the  upper  parts 
being  duller  and  more  grayish-brown,  boldly  variegated 
with  dark  brown  streaks;  middle  pair  of  tail-feathers 
and  several  of  the  inner  secondaries  rufous-brown,  with 
tlarker  centres.  Under  parts,  from  the  breast  backward, 
white ;  the  sides  strongly  washed  with  the  color  of  the 
upper  parts,  and  mottling  of  same  across  the  lower  part 
of  tlie  breast.  A  large,  distinct,  shield-shaped  black 
area  on  the  breast.  Tail-feathers,  except  the  uiiddle 
pair,  black,  the  outermost  edged  with  whitish.  Wing- 
quills,  except  the  innermost,  plain  fuscous,  the  outer 
web  of  the  1st  primary  whitish.  Lesser  wing-coverts  Pio.  154.  —  Shore  Lark,  nat  size,  (Ad 
usually  tipped  with  grayish -white.     Top  of  head  like    "**•  *'^'-  ^  ^'^ 

nape;  bar  across  front  of  vertex,  thence  extended  along  sides  of  cro^rn,  and  produced  into  a 
tuft  or  "  horn,  "  black  ;  front  and  line  over  eye,  also  somewhat  produced  to  form  part  of  the 
tuft,  white  or  yellowish  ;  a  broad  bar  from  nostrils  along  the  lores,  thence  curving  below  the 
eye  and  widening  as  it  descends  in  front  of  the  auriculars,  black ;  rest  of  the  sides  of  the  head 


282 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


83. 


84. 


and.whulo  throat  white  or  sulphury-yellow.  Bill  pluinbcous-bluckish,  bluish-plunibcous  at 
base  below  (soinetiuu's  there  yt'llowi.'*!!)  ;  feet  ami  daws  black;  iris  brown.  Length  of  (J, 
7.00-7.50;  extent  13.00-U.OO ;  wing  4.25-4.50;  tail  2.75-3.00;  bill,  from  extreme  base  of 
culmen,  0.40-0.50  ;  tarsus  O.SS-O.'JO ;  middle  too  and  claw  rather  less ;  hind  claw  about  0.50, 
usually  longer  than  its  digit,  but  very  variable.  9  commonly  smaller  than  tlm  <J  ;  length 
C. 75-7. 25  ;  extent  12. 75-1;}. 25 ;  wing  about  4.00,  etc.  (J  9,  adult,  in  winter:  As  usually 
seen  in  most  of  the  United  States  in  the  fall,  winter,  and  early  spring,  ditt'er  from  the  above  in 
more  sordid  coloration  of  the  upper  parts,  which  may  be  simply  grayish-brown,  heavily  streaked 
with  dusky,  even  on  the  crown,  with  little  or  none  of  the  '*  pinkLsh  "  tints  ;  and  in  lack  or  re- 
striction of  the  black  markings  of  the  head  and  breast,  or  their  being  veiled  with  whitish  tips 
of  the  individual  feathers  ;  nevertheless,  tlie  sulphury  tinge  of  the  white  parts  about  the  head  is 
usually  viM'y  conspicuous.  Fledglings  have  the  upper  parts  dusky,  mixed  with  some  yellowish- 
brown,  and  sprinkled  all  over  with  whitish  or  light  tawny  dots,  each  feather  having  a  tenninal 
speck.  Most  of  the  wing-  and  tail-feathers  have  rusty,  tawny,  or  whitish  edging  and  tipping. 
The  under  parts  are  white,  mottled  with  the  colors  of  the  upper  parts  along  the  sides  and  across 
the  back ;  no  tractes  of  definite  black  markings  about  the  head  and  bn^ast,  nor  any  yellow 
tinge.  Bill  and  feet  jjale  or  yellowish.  This  peculiar  speckled  stage  is  of  brief  duration  ;  with 
an  early  autumnal  change,  a  dress,  little  if  at  all  difl'erent  from  that  of  the  adults  in  winter,  is 
acquired.  Nesting  begins  very  early  in  April,  or  even  in  March,  sometimes  before  the  snow  is 
gone,  and  freciuently  other  broods  are  reared  through  the  summer;  nest  of  grasses,  etc.,  sunken 
in  the  ground;  eggs  very  variable  in  tone,  but  always  profusely  and  heavily  marked  with 
brownish-gray  or  dark  stone-gray  upon  a  grayish  or  greenish-white  ground  ;  in  some  cases 
the  whole  surface  nearly  uniform.  Northern  hemisphere  at  large;  in  America,  chiefly  north- 
ern and  eastern  i)arts,  breeding  from  the  Nortlu^rn  States  northward,  conunon  in  flocks  in  the 
U.  S.  in  winter;  chiefly  rejdaced  in  the  West  by  the  following  varieties. 
E.  a.  leucolee'ma.  (Gr.  Xtvxos,  leiikos,  white ;  Xni^ds,  laimos,  throat.)  Western  Shore 
Lark.  Size  of  the  foregoing.  General  coloration  extremely  pale  —  brownish-gray,  the 
peculiar  ))inkish  tint  of  certain  pa  ts  sharing  the  general  pallor.  Black  markings  on  head  and 
breast  much  restricted  in  extent,  and  white  surroundings  correspondingly  increased  —  thus,  the 
black  post-frontal  bar  scarcely  or  not  broader  than  the  white  of  the  forehead.  No  yellow  about 
head,  excepting  usually  a  slight  tinge  on  the  chin.  Changes  of  jjlumage  parallel  with  those 
already  given  ;  even  the  nestlings  show  the  same  decided  jjallor.  Prairies  of  Western  U.  S., 
breeding  everywhere  north  of  about  40° ;  very  abundant. 

E.  a.  clirysolee'ma.     (Gr.  xp^<^'°^>  cJiruseos,  gtdden ;  Xaifios,  hinios,  throat.)     South-west- 
ern Shore  Lark.     Smaller  than  the  foregoing :    ^  with  the  M'ing  scarcely  or  not  4.00,  and 

.,,.        ^  -         >    .   ,  • .^  other  dimensions   to  correspond;   a  very  small 

specimen,  probably  9  >  'i^is  the  wing  only  3.50 ; 
in  another,  marked  (J,  it  is  3.75.  The  "jdnk- 
ish "  tinge  intensified  into  ciiniamon-brown,  and 
pervading  nearly  all  the  upper  parts  ;  yellow  of 
head  intensified  ;  black  markings  very  heavy,  — 
the  black  on  the  crown  widened  to  occujjy  more 
thau  half  the  cap,  reducing  the  white  frontlet  to 
a  mere  trace.  Southwestern  U.  S.  and  Mexico, 
breeding  mostly  south  of  40° ;  abundant. 


Fio.  155. —  Sky-Lark,  reduced.    (From  Dixon.) 


12.  Subfamily  ALAUDIN>E:   Sky.Larks. 

Bej)rescnted  in  America  by   one   species,   a 
straggler  from  the  Old  World.     Fig.  155. 
28.   AIAU'DA.     (Lat.  alanda,  a  lark ;  supposed  Celtic  al,  high,  and  aud,  song.)     Sky-Larks. 


H.'i. 


MOTACILLIDJE :    WAGTAILS  AND  PIPITS. 


283 


Priinivrioa  10,  the  spurious  Ist  primary  niinnto  but  evident.  Head  subcrestod,  but  witlmut 
lateral  ear-ttifts.  Wiugs  long,  pointed,  the  tij)  formed  by  the  fii-st  3  develojjed  primaries ; 
inner  secondaries  long  and  Wowing.  Tail  eriiarginute,  little  more  than  half  as  long  as  wing. 
Tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  and  elaw.  Lateral  toes  of  unequal  lengths.  8ex(!s  alike.  Nest  on 
the  ground.  Eggs  4-j,  tliickly  speckled. 
S.l.  A.  arven'sis.  (Lat.  arrensis,  relating  to  arable  land ;  armtm,  a  ploughed  field.)  Sky  Lark. 
Upper  parts  grayisli-brown,  the  feathers  with  darker  centres;  under  parts  whitisli,  tinged 
with  buif  across  breast  and  along  sides,  and  there  streaked  with  dusky ;  a  jmiIc  superciliary 
line  ;  wings  with  much  whitish  edging;  outer  tail-feather  mostly  white,  the  next  one  or  two 
with  white  borders.  Length  of  ^  7.50;  extent  11.75;  wing  about  4.00;  tail  2.50;  bill 
0.50;  tarsus  or  middle  toe  and  claw  1.00;  hind  toe  0.45,  its  claw  up  to  nearly  1.00.  9 
smaller.  This  celebrated  bird,  whose  music  so  often  inspires  the  poet,  occurs  as  a  straggler 
from  Europe  in  Greenland,  and  also,  it  is  said,  in  Bermuda  and  Alaska.  It  has  also  been  im- 
ported and  turned  out  in  this  country,  where  it  may  perhaps  become  naturalized. 

8.  Family  MOTACILLID-ffi :  "Wagtails  and  Pipits. 

<.aih3l^^  jjjjj  gj^„rtcr  than  the  head,  very 

slender,  straight,  acute,  notched  at 
tip.  Nostrils  not  concealed  by 
feathers,  which  however  reach  into 
the  nasal  fossffi.  Rictus  not  nota 
bly  bristled.  Primaries  9,  of  wliich 
the  1st  is  about  as  long  as  the  2d, 
and  the  first  3,  4,  or  5,  form  the 
point ;  inner  secondaries  enlarged, 
the  longest  one  nearly  or  quite 
equalling  the  primaries  in  the  closed 
wing.  Tail  lengthened,  averaging 
about  equal  to  the  wing.  Feet 
long  and  slender  ;  tarsus  scutellate, 
usually  longer  than  the  middle  too 
and  claw ;  inner  toe  cleft  to  the 
very  base,  but  basal  joint  of  outer 
toe  soldered  witli  the  middle  one ; 
hind  toe  bearing  a  long  and  little 
curved  claw  (except  in  3Iotacilla 
proper).  A  pretty  well-defined 
group  of  one  hundred,  chiefly  Old 
World,     species,    wliich    may    be 

Fio.  15C.- Upper,  White  Wagtail;  lower,  Yellow  Wagtail.       termed   ten-estrial   Sylvias,  all   liv- 
(From  Dixon.)  ing  mostly  on  the    ground,  where 

they  run  with  facility,  never  hopping  like  most  Oscines.  They  are  usually  gregarious ;  are 
insectivorous  and  migratory.  They  have  gained  their  name  from  the  characteristic  habit  of 
moving  the  tail  with  a  peculiar  see-saw  motion,  as  if  they  were  using  it  to  balance  themselves 
upon  unsteady  footing.  Tiu-y  may  be  distinguished  from  all  the  foregoing  birds,  except 
Alaudida:,  by  having  only  9  primaries ;  from  all  the  following  Oscines,  by  having  long  flowing 
inner  secondaries ;  and  from  Alaudida,  with  which  they  agree  in  this  respect,  as  well  as  in 
usually  having  a  lengthened,  straightish  hind  claw,  by  having  the  tarsal  envelope  as  in 
Oscines  generally,  slender  bill,  and  exposed  nostrils.  Two  subfamilies  are  generally  recog- 
nized, though  the  distinctions  are  scarcely  more  than  generic. 


284 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEItES—  OSCINES. 


Aiinljinh  nf  Siiltriimllirn  anil  flvnrru. 

MoTACiLLiNi:.  Point  of  wing  formed  l>y  tlrat  .'I  prlnmrlco.  Tiill  longer  nr  not  obvloiinly  shorter  tlmn  wIngH,  witli 
niirruw  liii^rlng  feitlliorB.  UinU  cliiw  variable  In  length  nnd  curvature.  Coloration  black  and  white,  or 
yclluw  and  greenlHli. 

Tall  decldfdly  longer  tliiin  wIiikh,  doubly  enmrglnate.    Illnil  claw  of  ordinary  length  nnd  curvature. 

Colors  bliickiiiHliy,  anil  wlillc,  111  niiiSKi'H Molnrillit    2i) 

Tail,  If  nnythlng,  Hliorter  tlmu  wings,  nearly  oven.    Hind  elaw  lengthened  and  Htralglitencd.   Colors 

yellow  nnil  green,  In  inasHi'S Jlmlj/tin    30 

Anthi.n.i;.  Point  of  wliin  formed  by  llrst  4  or .%  primaries.  Tall  decliliilly  slioilcr  than  whigB,  Its  feathers  not 
tajierliig.  Hlml  elaw  lengthened  and  straightened.  Coloration  brownish,  the  uniler  parts  streaked,  ujipor 
usually  also  variegated. 

Tarsus  not  shorter  (rather  longer)  than  hind  too  and  elaw.    Tail  moderately  sliorter  than  wing,  the 

outslreti'hed  feet  not  reaching  l)eyond  its  end Iiilliiis    ;!l 

Tarsus  shorter  than  hind  toe  and  claw.    Tall  only  about  two-thirds  as  lung  as  wing,  the  outstretched 
feet  reacldng  lieyund  Its  end Stomvya    'Xi 

13.  Subfamily  MOTACILLIN>E :  Wagtails. 

Rcprosontod  in  Aincrica  by  two  sjiccics  ;  in  tlic  Old  World  liy  nearly  fifty  siu'cic.'*  (ir  vari- 
eties, ehii'Hy  beliingiiiK  to  tjie  genn.s  Motdcilla  and  its  sulidivisions  or  immediate  allies,  of 
whieh  Biidijies  is  one,  forming  ii  perfect  connecting  link  between  Motacilla  jn-oiier  and  tlie 
Anthina;. 

29.  MOTACIL'LA.  (Lat.  mota-cilla,  wag-tail;  name  of  wone  small  bird.)  White  Waotailh. 
Tail  much  longer  than  wings,  of  12  narrow,  weak,  taiiering  or  almost  linear  feathers.  First 
3  primaries  abont  e(|nal  and  longest;  longest  .lecondary  (when  full  grown)  about  reaching 
their  en<ls  when  the  wing  is  closed;  these  Howing  secondaries  narrow  and  tapering.  Tarsi  long 
and  slender;  lateral  toes  of  abont  efpial  lengths;  hind  claw  not  particniarly  lengtiieiu'd  or 
straightened  ;  with  its  digit  much  shorter  than  the  tarsus.  Form  remarkably  lithe  and  slender; 
coloration  black,  ashy,  and  white,  in  large  masses. 

80.  M.  al'bn.  (Lat. '(//(«,  white.  Fig.  l.")!).)  WiUTlc  Wac.tatl.  (J,  in  summer :  Head  black, 
with  a  broad  mask  of  white  across  forehead  and  ahnig  sides  ;  the  black  extending  on  the  fore- 
breast  ;  wings  blackish,  with  much  white  edging  and  tipping  of  the  (piills  and  greater  coverts; 
tail  black,  the  two  lateral  feathers  on  each  side  mostly  white ;  back  and  sides  ashy;  lower 
parts  mostly  white;  bill  and  feet  black.  In  winter  the  black  more  restricted,  that  on  the  fore 
breast  forming  a  crescent  spot.  9  similar,  the  black  still  nioro  restricted,  in  part  rejdacod  by 
gray.  Young,  gray  above,  grayish-white  Ixdow,  with  a  gray  or  blackish  crescent  on  the 
fore  neck.  Length  about  7.25  ;  wing  3.25  ;  tail  3.75  ;  tarsus  O.'JO;  bind  toe  and  claw  0.00; 
bill  0.50.  A  species  of  wide  distributi(m  in  Eurojie  and  Asia,  occasional  in  Greenland. 
86a.  M.  ocula'ris.  (Lat.  nciihris,  octdar.)  .Sibehiax  Wao.taii..  Larger,  and  with  a  black  eye- 
stripe  in  the  white  mask.  Occurs  at  Plover  IJay,  East  Siberia,  an<i  may  be  expected  acro.ss 
Behring's  Straits.     (Not  in  the  Check  List,  1882;  since  found  in  (.'alifornia.) 

30.  BU'DYTK8.  (Or.  ^ouSJttjs,  himliites,  some  snuiU  bird.)  Yei.i.ow  WAtiTAlL.  Characters  of 
Motacilla;  tail  shorter,  not  exceeding  the  wing  in  length  ;  hind  claw  lengthened  and  straightish ; 
hind  toe  and  claw  nearly  as  hmg  as  the  tarsus.     Cfdoration  chiefly  yellow  and  greenish. 

87.   B.  fla'vus?     (Lat.  ^an<.s,  yeHow.     Figs.  157, 150.)     Yem.ow  Wa(jtail.       Blce-iieaued 

Qi'AKE-TAiL.     Adult:    Above,  yeUowish-green ;    below,  rich 
ft*>*J      yellow,  shaded  with  greenish  on  the  sides,  and  bleaching  on 
the  chin.     Top  and  sides  of  head  bluish-gray,  enclosing  a  long 
white  superciliary  stripe;   a  dusky  stripe  from  corner  of  mouth 
„^  through  eye  to  ear-coverts.      Qnills  of  the  wing  dusky,  the 

lesser  coverts  edged  with  the  color  of  the  back  ;    median  and 
greater  coverts  showing  whitish  wing-bars,  and  inner  second- 

Fio.  157.  -  Yellow  Wagtail,     *"•'*  '^''^.'"^  ^'^''^  *''"  ^'""*'-      ''''*''  '^"^''^J''  ^^^  '"'•'^lo  feathers 
nearly  nat.  size.   (After  Baird.) '     edged  with  tho  color  of  tlio  back;  tho  outer  two  on  each  side 


MOTACILLin^-ANTHIN^ :    PIPITS,   OB  TITLARKS. 


285 


;il 


31, 


88. 


Pio,  1B8.  — Meadow  I'lplt.    (Frum  Dlxun.) 


mostly  wliite.  Rill  and  foct  black.  Length  about  0.50;  wing  3.00;  tail  about  2.75;  bill  0..")0; 
tarsus  0.90;  liiml  toe  and  claw  0.65.  A  protean  spocii's  of  e.xtciisive  dispersiou  in  Europe  and 
Asia,  occurring  abinidantly  in  Alaska;  tliero  18  hoiuc  uncertainty  to  what  form  the  American 
bird  strictly  belongs.  It  is  that  with  tlic  whole  side  of  tlie  head,  below  the  wliite  stripe,  slaty- 
blackish,  and  some  dusky  markings  on  breast ;  doubtless  some  Asiatic  sub-species  {tuivunuii 
Swiuh.  ?) 

14.  Subfamily  ANTHIN^:  Pipits,  or  Titlarks. 

In  these,  the  tail  is  sliorter  than  the  wings, 
and  composed  of  broader  featliers  retaining  their 
widtli  to  near  the  end;  -1  or  5  primaries  usually 
form  tlie  jxtint  of  the  wing;  tlm  tarsi  are  rela- 
tively shorter,  usually  about  e(puil  to  the  middle 
toe;  th(>  lateral  toes  are  longer,  the  points  of 
their  claws  reaching  beyond  the  base  of  the  mid- 
dle chiw;  the  hind  claw  is  always  leiigtlu^ued 
and  straightened  (as  in  the  figure  beyond  given 
of  Anthiis  ludovicianuit^  ;  and  the  c(doration  is 
"  niggled,"  that  is  tt)  say,  broken  up  in  streaks 
and  spots.  The  species  of  Aiithincc  nnike  up 
m>arly  or  about  half  the  family;  they  are  chiefly  referable  to  the  genus  Aitthus,  of  which, 
however,  there  are  several  subdivisions.  In  typical  Atithux,  the  wing  is  longer  than  the  tail, 
and  its  point  is  formed  by  the  outer  4  primaries,  the  3th  being  abruptly  shorter;  the  hind 
claw  is  nearly  straight,  and  nearly  or  (piite  e<pui1s  its  digit  in  length.  Xeocon/s  <Mily  differs  in 
having  the  feet  larger  and  tail  shorter.  In  certain  S.  Am.  forms,  I'ediomrya  and  Notiocon/s, 
the  wing  is  more  rounded,  and  1  or  even  5  primaries  enter  into  the  tip  of  the  wing ;  iu 
several  European  subgenera  only  15  primaries  are  abruptly  longer  than  the  succeeding  ones. 
Our  AnthuH  is  strictly  congeneric  with  the  European  A.  spinoktta,  tyjie  of  the  genus.  About 
fifty  species  (among  them  six  or  eight  Central  and  South  American  ones)  are  ascribed  to 
Anthhite.  They  an^  terrestrial  and  more  or  less  gregarious  birds,  migratory  and  insectivorous. 
AN'THUS.  ((Jr.  livOoi,  (infhos,  Lat.  uiithus,  a  kind  of  bird.)  PiPiTS.  Hill  sliorter  than  head, 
about  as  wide  as  high  at  base,  couijiressed  in  most  of  its  extent,  acute  at  tip,  where  distinctly 
notched ;  culmeu  slightly  concave  between  base  and  terminal  convexity  ;  rictus  slightly  bristled. 
Wiugs  longer  than  tail,  tijiped  by  the  first  4  prinuu'ies,  5th  abruptly  shorter.  Tarsi  not 
shorter  or  rather  longer  than  the  hiiid  toe  and  claw  ;  inner  lateral  toe  rather  long<ir  than  the 
outer,  or  the  two  about  e'lual.     Tail  extending  beyond  the  end  of  the  outstretched  feet. 

Markings  of  upiMir  parts  distinct,  and  sliudo  of  under  parts  greenish  in pratensis    88 

MarliingB  of  upper  parts  obscure,  and  sliade  of  under  parts  buH'y  in ImlorieiamiH    89 

A.  praten'sis.  (Lat.  ^jra^e»isis,  relating  to  ^)raN<Hi,  a  meadow.  Fig.  158.)  Meadow  Pipit. 
Upper  parts  pale  greenish-brown,  distinctly  marked  with  blackish-brown  centres  of  the  feath- 
ers; wing-fpiills  and  coverts  clove-brown,  edged  with  greenish -gray.  Tail-feathers  dark 
brown,  edged  with  the  greenish  shade  of  the  back,  the  (juter  one  obli(iuely  white  for  nearly  half 
its  length,  and  others  with  white  at  the  end.  Cheeks  olivaceous,  speckled  with  dusky.  Under 
parts  browuish-whito  with  a  tinge  of  green,  marked  on  the  breast  and  sides  with  brownish- 
black  streaks  running  forward  as  a  nnixillary  chain ;  chin,  belly,  and  under  tail-coverts  un- 
marked. Bill  dusky  above  and  at  end,  the  rest  livid  fiesh-color;  feet  obscure  llesh-ccdor  ;  iris 
blackish.  Length  about  G.OO;  extent  9.50;  wing  3.00;  tail  2.50;  bill  0.50;  tarsus  0.75. 
Europe;  North  American  as  occurring  in  Greenland,  and  also,  it  is  said,  in  Alaska.  I  have 
seen  Alaskan  Pipits,  certainly  not  ludovicianus,  and  apparently  pratetisis;  but  too  young  and 
in  too  bad  condition  to  furnish  decisive  characters. 


286 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA SSEliL'S  —  OSCINES. 


Fio.  169.  — Titlark,  iiat. 
Bize.    (Ad  imt.  (Ii'l.  K.C.J 


80.   A.  luaovicia'nuB.     (Lut.  of  LoiUHiana ;  Liiiloviciis,  Lmiis.     Fiy.  159.)     LonsiANA  Pipit. 
Ahkur'AN  TlTLAKK.     IJitowN  Lauk.     Waotail.     V\>\n'T  parts  dark  brown  with  an  olivo 
(tliuilf,  iiio.st  of  tlu'  fcatlii'rs  witli  iln.sky  ccutroH,   giving  tm  oltHciiro 
Ktri'aky  or  nebulous  n|i)i<'aran('(' ;    cyi'liils,  suiH'rciliary  lini-,  and  all 
undfr   jiart.s    lirowni.sh-whiti',  or  jialc   luitl'y  or  oclircy  brown,  vcrv 
^^  V.  variable  in  shade  from  muddy  white  to  rich  butf,  the  breast  and  sides 

^^^^^^^  \^  of  the  body  and  neck  thickly  streaked  with  dusky  ;  win^s  and  tail 
^^^^^^^\  blackish,  the  inner  secondaries  imle-edp'd,  and  ]-.'{  outer  tail-feathers 
^^^^^^m  white  wholly  or  in  jtart.  Hill  blackish,  jiale  at  base  below ;  feet  brown. 
^^^^  f  i\  ''''"«'•'  •'•^'>-''-7j>  sometimes  7.00;  extent  10.25-11.00;  wing  W.-l^- 
j\\  ;<-"'0:  tail  2.75-:J.00;  bill  0...0  ;  tarsus  O.'.K).  X.  Am.,  everywhere  ; 
'J  an  abundant  and  well-known  bird  of  fields  and  plains  ;  mi^fratory;  in 
the  r.  IS.  seen  chieHy  in  tloeks  in  fall,  winter,  and  early  spring; 
breeds  in  high  latitudes,  and  in  the  Hocky  Mts.  above  timber  line 
us  far  south  as  Colorado;  lays  l-C)  very  diirk-colored  eggs,  0.80  x  O.dO,  in  a  mossy  or  grassy 
nest  on  the  ground;  voice  i[ueruloiis,  gait  tremulous,  flight  vacillating. 
32.  NEO'CORYS.  ((jr.  vtot,  iwos,  new;  Kopvs,  konis,  a  helmet,  and  hence  ajiplied  to  a  kind  of 
crested  lark.)  Sky  Pipith.  Characters  of  Anthiis,  from  which  little  distinguished  by  tho 
shorter  and  more  in^arly  even  tail  and  larger  feet,  which  when  outstretched  reach  beyond  tho 
eiiil  of  the  tail;  tarsus  shorter  than  hind  toe  and  claw.  Colors  clearer  and  markings  nuire  dis- 
tinct than  in  Anthux  liidovicianun  ;  more  as  in  some  European  species  oi  Anthus. 
90.  N.  spra'Kuli.  (To  Isaac  Sprague,  of  Mass.)  Spiia»iik'h  Pipit.  .Mi.s.S()i'Ui  Titlauk. 
Above,  variegated  with  numerous  streaks  of  dark  brown  and  gray,  in  largest  pattern  on  tho 
back,  smallest  on  tho  mijie,  the  gray  constituting  tho  edging  of  the  feathers.  Ikdow,  dull  whit- 
i.sh,  more  or  le.ss  brownish-shaded  across  the  breast  and  alonti  the  sides;  the  breast  sharply 
streaked,  tho  sides  less  distinctly  so,  with  dusky;  a  more  or  li'ss  evident  series  of  ma.xillary 
spots.  Quills  dark  grayish-brown;  the  inner  ones,  and  tho  wing-coverts,  ed;;ed  with  grayish- 
white,  corresponding  to  the  pattern  of  the  hack.  Middle  tail-feathers  like  the  back  ;  next  ones 
Idackish-brown,  tho  two  outer  pair  wholly  or  mostly  puro  white,  the  lid  j)air  from  tho  outside 
usually  touched  with  white  near  the  end.  With  reduction  of  the  gray  editings  of  tho  feathers 
of  the  upper  parts  by  wearing  away  in  sunimor,  tho  bird  becomes  darker  above,  with  narrower 
and  sharper  variegation,  and  the  jtoetoral  streaks  aro  fainter.  Hill  blackish  above;  below, 
like  the  feet,  pale  Hesh-coh)r;  iris  black.  After  the  fall  moult  tho  c(dors  again  become  pure; 
the  streaking  of  the  upjior  i)arts  is  strong  and  sharp,  and  tho  under  parts  ac<piire  a  ruddy-brown 
shade.  Young:  Edgings  of  tho  feathers  of  tho  upper  jiarts  bufl'y,  giving  a  rich  complexion  to 
the  plumage;  feathers  of  back  with  puro  white  edging,  forming  conspicuous  semicircular  mark- 
ings; greater  wing-coverts  and  long  inner  secondaries  broadly  tii)ped  with  white,  and  ])rima- 
ries  broadly  edged  and  tipped  with  white  or  buff.  Ear-coverts  buffy-brown,  forming  a  more 
con.spicuous  patch  than  in  the  adult.  Under  parts  strongly  tinged,  except  on  throat  and  middle 
of  belly,  with  buffy-brown,  the  pectoral  and  lateral  streaks  largo  and  diffused.  Soxes  indistin- 
guishable; 9  rather  snuiller  than  <J.  Length  G.25-<).73,  rarely  7.00;  extent  10.00-11.00, 
generally  about  10.30,  rarely  11..50;  wing  3^00-;i.:50;  tail  2.2.5-2.40;  bill  0.50;  tarsus  0.80- 
O.'JO;  middle  too  and  claw  0.90;  hind  too  and  claw  nearly  1.00,  tho  claw  ahmo  about  0.50. 
Central  portions  of  tho  U.  S.,  and  adjoining  British  Provinces,  from  tho  eastern  edge  of  tho 
high  central  plains  to  tho  Kocky  Mts.,  from  the  valleys  of  tho  Kod  Kiver  of  the  North  and 
of  the  Saskatchewan  to  Texas ;  breeding  in  profusion  in  Dakota  and  Montana ;  nest  on  tho 
ground,  of  fine  dried  grasses,  .sometimes  arched  over;  eggs  4-5,  0.90  X  O.GO,  grayish-white 
minutely  Hocked  with  darker,  giving  a  jjurplish  cast.  General  habits  and  maimers  of  titlarks; 
but  soaring  flight  when  singing,  and  tho  song  itself,  having  all  tho  (pialities  which  have  made 
the  European  skylark  famous,  and  being  no  less  worthy  of  colobratiou  in  poetry. 


S  YL  VICULWJK :    A  ME  RICA  N    WA  lillL  KliS. 


JS7 


9.  Family  SYLVICOLID-ffi  :  American  "Warblers. 

I'rimariiis,   iiiiif  ;    r 

trices,  twt'lvc ;  tiirci  hcii- 
ti'llatc  ;  inner  xcnuKiaricx 
iiiit  ('iilurijt'll,  nor  liiml  tnr 
Iciit'tliciird  iiikI  HtriiiKlit- 
I'Mi'il,  as  in  till'  t\vii  prc- 
ccdini;  families  ;  bill  with- 
out a  Idlie  or  tooth  near 
the  iiiiildle  of  the  coni- 
iiiissiire,  as  in  Viirnniju  ; 
not  strongly  toothed  ami 
hooked  at  end,  as  in  l.n- 
iiiiis  and  Vireo  (which 
may  have  ten  ])rimaries), 
nor  t,'reatly  tlatteiUMl  with 
jjaiie  reacliini;  to  eyes,  as  in 
llirnndimUc,  nor  strictly 
Pio,  100.  —  Blnck-tliroati'd  »)r«oii  Warbler,  nnt.  size.    (AJ  nat.  del.  E.  C.)        conical     with      auL'nlated 

commissure,  as  in  FiitiijiUuJa;.  The  family  jiresonts  such  a  numher  of  minor  modifications 
(if  form,  that  it  seems  impossible  to  characterize  it,  except  negatively  ;  in  fact,  it  has  never  been 
satisfactorily  defined.  But  doubtless  the  student  will  be  able  to  assure  himself  that  his  spt-ci- 
luen  is  a  sylvicoliue,  by  its  not  showinfi;  the  peculiarities  of  our  other  nine-primaried  Oscines. 
All  the  .sylvicolas  luv  smnll  birds;  excepting  Icteria,  and  jjcrhaps  a  species  of  Sii(riis,  not 
one  is  over  six  inches  long,  and  they  hardly  averngo  over  five.  With  fuw  exceptions  they 
arc  beautifully  clothed  in  variegated  cidors;  but  the  sexes  are  generally  unlike,  and  tiie  changes 
of  plumag<',  with  age  and  season  of  the  year,  are  usually  strongly  nmrked,  so  that  ditlerent 
speciinens  of  the  same  species  may  bear  to  each  »)ther  but  little  resemblance  ;  this  of  conr.se 
renders  careful  di.scrimination  necessary.  The  usual  shai)e  of  the  bill  nniy  be  called  conoid- 
elongate  (something  like  a  slender  minid  bullet  in  miniature),  but  the  variations  in  jirecise 
shape  are  endless.  The  rictus  is  usually  bristh.'d ;  the  bristles  sumetinies  have  an  extraordi- 
nary development,  and  are  soniethues  wanting.  The  wings  are  longer  than  the  tail,  except 
in  Gcothhipis,  Ictcriu,  and  one  or  two  exotic  genera ;  neither  the  wing  n.r  tail  ever  presents 
striking  fiirms;  t\w  head  is  never  crested.  The  feet  have  no  special  peculiarities,  though 
tlic^y  show  some  slight  modifications  cttrrespondiug  to  somewhat  terrestrial,  or  more  strictly 
arboricole,  habits.  The  nidification  is  endlessly  varied,  more  or  less  artistic  or  artless  nests 
being  built  in  trees,  bushes,  ludes,  or  im  the  ground.  Musical  proficiency  might  be  expected 
from  the  agreeably  suggestive  luune  of  the  family,  but  as  a  rule  the  "warbler's"  singing  is 
rather  "  (plaint  and  curious"  than  very  skilfully  modulated  or  highly  melodious, — to  which 
statement,  however,  there  is  signal  excejitioii  to  be  taken,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Sinri.  Some  of 
the  warblers  have  tlie  habits  of  titmice  or  wrens  ;  others  of  creepers  or  nuthatches;  the  Siiiri 
closely  resemble  the  titlarks  in  some  respects,  and  have  even  been  placed  in  the  MotacillidfC  ; 
while  the  Setophnginte  sinuilate  the  TyrnnnkUc  (of  a  different  suborder)  so  perfectly  that  they 
used  to  be  classed  with  these  damatorial  flycatchers.  The  warblers  grade  so  perfectly  t(tward 
the  tanagers  that  they  have  all  been  made  a  subfamily  of  TanagridcB  (where  possibly  they 
belong).  The  attinity  of  some  of  them  with  the  Carchidic,  or  honey-creepers  of  the  tropics,  is 
so  dose  that  the  dividing  line  has  not  been  drawn.  The  position  of  Icteria  and  its  two  asso- 
ciate exotic  genera,  GranateUus  and  Teretristis,  is  open  totpiestion;  perhaps  they  come  nearer 
Virconidcc.     It  is  probable  that  final  critical  study  will  result  in  a  remapping  of  the  wlnde 


1 


III 


288 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSERES  —  OSCINES. 


group ;  incanwhilp,  the  very  diversity  of  fonns  included  in  it  enables  us  to  mark  oflf  sections 
with  case. 

This  is  the  second  largest  family  of  North  American  birds,  the  FringillideE  alone  surpass- 
ing it  in  number  of  species.  If  not  exactly  "  representative,''  in  a  teclmical  sense,  «tf  the  Old 
World  Sylviinee,  it  may  be  considered  to  reidace  that  family  in  America,  liaving  much  tho 
same  )'(5/c  in  bird-economy ;  both  families  abound  in  species  and  individuals;  they  are  small, 
migratory,  insectivorous,  and  everywhere  take  prominent  ))art  in  tho  make-up  of  the  bird-fauna. 
There  are  ujjward  of  a  hundred  sjiecies  of  Sylcicolklcc,  distributed  over  the  whole  of  North  and 
Middle  America,  and  much  of  South  America.  The  centre  of  abundance  of  the  Sctuphaniiue, 
or  flycatching  warblers,  is  in  the  warmer  parts  of  America ;  comparatively  few  sjM'cies  reach 
the  United  Stati's,  and  only  two  or  three  arc  extensively  dispersed  in  this  country.  On  tlio 
other  hand,  the  Si/lcicolimc  are  more  particularly  bird.s  of  Nortli  America ;  very  few  of  tho 
spec'ies  are  confined  to  Middle  or  South  Americii ;  and  iJciidraca,  the  leading  type  of  this  grouj), 
is  the  largest,  most  beautiful,  and  iH  jst  attractive  genus  of  North  American  birds,  preeminently 
characteristic  of  this  country.  The  warblers  have  we  always  with  us,  all  iu  their  own  good 
time;  tlu'y  come  out  of  the  South,  ])ass  on,  return,  and  are  away  again,  their  appearance  and 
withdrawal  scarcely  less  tlian  a  my.stery ;  many  stay  with  us  all  sunnner  long,  and  some  brave 
the  winters  in  our  midst.  Some  of  these  (flight  creatures,  guided  by  unerring  instinct,  travel 
true  to  the  meridian  in  the  liours  of  darkness,  slipjiing  past  "  like  a  tliief  iu  the  niglit,"  stoop- 
ing at  day-break  from  their  lofty  flights  to  rest  and  recruit  for  the  next  .stage  of  tlie  journey. 
Others  pass  more  leisurely  from  tree  to  tree,  iu  a  ceaseless  tido  of  migration,  gleaning  as  they 
go;  tlie  hardier  males,  in  full  song  and  plumage,  lead  the  way  for  the  weaker  females  and  the 
yearlings.  Witli  tireless  industry  do  the  warblers  befriend  the  human  race;  their  unconscious 
zeal  plays  duo  part  in  tlie  nice  adjustment  of  Nature's  forces,  helping  to  bring  about  that  bal- 
ance of  vegetable  and  insect  life  without  which  iigriculture  would  be  in  vain.  Tlioy  visit  tlie 
orchard  when  the  apple  and  pear,  tlie  peach,  i>linn,  and  cherry  are  in  bloom,  seeming  to  revel 
carelessly  amid  the  sweet-sceuted  and  delicately-tinted  blossoms,  but  never  faltering  in  their 
good  work.  They  peer  into  the  crevices  of  the  bark,  scrutinize  each  leaf,  and  explore  tlie  very 
heart  of  the  buds,  to  detect,  drag  forth,  and  destroy  those  tiny  creatures,  singly  iiisigniiicant, 
collectively  a  scourge,  which  prey  uiwn  the  hopes  of  the  fruit-grower,  and  which,  if  undisturbed. 
Would  bring  his  care  to  nought.  Some  M-arblers  Hit  incessantly  in  the  terminal  foliage  of  tlio 
tall(>st  trees ;  others  hug  close  to  tho  scored  trunks  and  gnarled  boughs  of  the  forest  kings ; 
some  peep  from  the  thicket,  the  coppice,  the  impenetrable  mantle  of  shrubbery  tiiat  decks  tiny 
water-courses,  playing  at  hide-and-.seek  with  all  corners ;  others  more  humble  still  descend  to 
the  ground,  where  they  glide  with  pretty  mincing  steps  and  affecttMl  turning  of  the  head  this 
way  and  tliat,  their  delii-ate  tlesb-tinted  feet  just  stirring  the  layer  of  witiiered  leaves  with 
whicli  a  past  season  cai'iieted  the  ground.  We  may  seek  warblers  everywhere  iu  their  season  ; 
we  .shall  find  them  a  continual  surprise;   all  mood  and  circumstance!  is  theirs. 

As  at  jiresent  constituted,  the  Sifh'icolUhr,  comprising  upwards  of  a  hundred  good  species, 
may  be  divided  into  three  subfamilies,  the  character.s  of  M'hich,  given  more  at  length  beyonil, 
may  here  be  shortly  contrasted :  — 

Analysis  0/  S'thfamilies. 

Si/lvicolinie.—'W\ngR  longer  than  tnll  (except  In  Gcothhjpis) ;  bill  conical,  slender;  coninilssiiro  Bllglitly 
curved,  witli  short  bristles  or  none.    Size  moderate. 

IcIiriiiKf.  —Wings  shorter  than  tail  ;  bill  compressed,  high,  very  stout ;  commissure  much  curved,  with- 
out any  bristles  ;  size  very  large. 

Setojiltanina.  —  Winfin  longer  than  tail;  bill  brood,  flattened  ;  commissuro  slightly  cunrod,  with  bristle* 
reaching  far  beyond  tho  nostrils. 

Artificial  Key  to  the  Genera  qf  Sylvicolida. 

Length  7.00  inches  01     ore Icteria   43 

Length  5.S0  inches  or  more  an<l  tail-feathers  plain Siurua    40 

Length  under  6.60  or  tail-fcnthers  not  plain. 


SYL  VICOLIDJE  —  SYL  VI COLIN jE  :    TR  UE    WAIiBLERS. 


289 


wing  shorter  than  tall,  or  equal  and  head  ashy Oeothlypis    42 

Wing  longer  than  tall,  or  equal  and  head  not  ashy 

Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  too  and  claw AlniotUta    'SS 

Tarsus  not  Hliorter  than  ndddlo  toe  and  claw. 

Rlctal  bristles  evidently  reaching  far  beyond  nostrils. 

Tall  black  and  orange,  or  black  and  white,  or  dark  and  yellow Setophaga    40 

Tail  ashy  edged  with  white,  ai'<l  head  willi  red Oirdellina    45 

Tail  greenish,  unmarked,  or  with  white  blotches Myiodioctea    44 

liictal  bristles  evidently  not  reaching  far  beyon<l  nostrils,  or  not  eyident  at  all. 
Tail-feathers  all  unmarked. 

mil  at  least  0.50  inches  long,  very  acute  ;  4  black  stripes  on  head,  or  none     .  Ihlminllierus    3tt 
Bill  not  U.50  inches  long. 

Wing  over  2.50  inches  ;  bill  not  acute ;  bright  yellow  below,  or  head  ashy    .    Opnromia    41 

Wing  not  over  2.50  Inches  ;  bill  very  acute  ;  no  bristles Udminthophila    37 

Tail-feathers  blotched  with  white,  or  yellow  on  inner  webs. 
Uictal  bristles  not  evident. 

Bill  not  0.50  inch  long ;  whole  fore  parts  not  yellow llelminthophila    37 

Bill  at  least 0.50  inch  long  i  whole  foreparts  yellow I'rnlonotaria    35 

Rlctal  bristles  very  evident. 

Bock  blue  with  gold  spot,  throat  and  legs  yellow /'nnila    34 

Head  orange-brown  with  black  bar  througli  eye I'tuci:ilrnmu»    38 

Coloration  otherwise /Mnilrwca    39 

lAaijiiostics  or  Characteristics  of  some  of  the  Genera,  of  Sylvicolida). 

O'.iera  Mniotilta,  t'arula,  and  Peucetlramus  are  crerpinn  irarhlers,  with  certain  slight  moditicationg of  the 
feel,  juabling  them  to  scramble  about  the  trees  much  like  creepers  or  nuthatches. 

Ocnera  Geothhjpls  and  O/iorornis  i\to yrouiul  irurhUrs,  with  the  feet  modilicd  In  adaptation  to  terrestrial 
'  '■>.    Uenus  Siurus  is  similar  In  this  resnect ;  the  species  walk  on  the  ground,  and  act  in  some  res(>ects  like  Motu- 

C.       'OS. 

Genera  Protonotaria,  Helmintherus,  and  llelminthophila  tae"  worm-eating"  warblers  (.the  old  genus  Ver- 
mlToral,  with  slight  rlctal  bristles  or  none. 

Uenera  Setophaga,  Cardelliiia,  and  Myioilioctes  are  Jly-catchiny  warblers,  with  strongly  bristled  bill  and 
muscicapine  habits,  In  some  respects  like  siiccies  of  Tyranniiltr. 

Genus  Icteria  is  isolated  by  its  peculiarities  of  form  and  habits,  and  great  size  for  this  family, 

Genus  IJemlraca  comprehends  the  itooil  warblers  par  excellence,  —  the  largest  genus,  with  over  twenty 
s|)6cies. 

Bill  :  — Peculiarly  stout,  high,  and  compressed  In  fcteria  ;  — lialtlsb,  and  strongly  bristled  in  Setophaga, 
(^ardellina  and  MyioiliiKtes:  — large,  viUh  .straightisli  outlines,  scarcely  or  not  bristled,  and  very  acute  in  /'ro- 
lonotaria  and  llelminlhirus;  —  small,  unbristled,  and  very  acute  In  llelminthophila. 

Fbi;t  ;  —Tarsus  longest,  slenderest,  and  usually  pale-tinted  in  the  yrnuml  warblers  .—shortest  In  the  creep- 
ing warblers,  with  relatively  longest  toes. 

WiNOs  :  —  Shorter  than  the  tall  in  Icterin  and  species  of  (leolhli/pis ;  —  about  equal  to  tlie  tall  in  species  of 
Oeothlypis,  Siurus,  Setophayn,  and  ( 'anlellina  :  —  usually  ilcciiledly  longer  than  the  tail. 

Tail  :  —  Tlie  feathers  (some  or  all)  hlotrhed  with  white  in  the  following:  Mniotilta.  Parnia,  Protonotaria, 
species  of  llelminthophila,  all  Dendra'cn-  excepting  I),  irstira,  Pmcedranius,  one  Myiodioctes,  one  Sitophaya. 
The  feathers  plain  olivaceous,  or  otherwise  like  the  back,  uninarkeil,  in  species  of  llelminthophila,  In  Helmintherus, 
Oporomis,  (liothlypis,  Siurus,  Icterin,  species  of  .Vyiodioctes,  <  'ardellina ;  yellow  and  dark  in  one  Setophaga  and 
one  Detuhveca. 


15.  Subfamily  SYLVICOLIN^:  True  Warblers. 

Bill  eoiioiil-t.'lDiigato,  sliortcr  tliiiii  lipiid,  iil)(Uit  us  liigli  as,  or  rather  higher  thiiii  wide  oppo- 
site the  nostrils,  not  hooked,  and  witli  hut  a  .slight  iioteh,  if  any,  at  tip:  eoinniissiire  straight 
or  .slightlj'  curved ;  a  tew  rietiil  hristles,  reaching  little,  if  any.  beyond  the  nostrilt",  or  none. 
Wings  ])ointed,  iisnally  loiigt^r  than  the  narrow,  nearly  even  tail. 

This  heatitifiil  group,  which  comprehends  tlie  great  majority  of  the  Warblers,  is  s])eciall y 
characteristic  of  North  AnuM'ica,  and  reaches  its  highest  development  in  the  eastern  portions  of 
the  contini»nt,  inpinly  through  tho  preponderance  of  species  of  the  largest  genus,  Dendraca. 
All  the  genera  ana  most  of  the  species  of  Siihknlincc  are  found  in  this  country,  mainly  as  iiii- 
grimts,  which  appear  in  the  spring,  pass  thi^  summer,  and  retirt;  for  the  winter  to  Me.xico,  the 
West  Indies,  and  Central  or  even  South  America;  though  some  pass  the  inclement  season 
within  our  limits,  and  one  at  least  is  found  in  winter  in  Northern  States. 

1',) 


290 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —PASSERES—  0SCINE8. 


Fio.  161.  —  Black-aiul-white 
Creeper,  nat.  size.  (Ad  nat.  del. 
E.  C.) 


Here  belong  the  goncra  Mniotilta,  Pariila,  Proionotaria,  Helmintherus,  Hdminthophila, 
Peucechanuis,  Uendrwcu,  Siiirus,  Oimrornis,  uiul  Geothh/pis. 
33.  MNIOTIL'TA.  (Gr.  ixviov,  mnioii,  moss,  aud  tCKKo,  tillo,  I  pluck,  or  nXros,  tiltos,  plucked  ; 
conjectural  application  to  tlie  nest-building.)  t"REEi>iNCr  Waubleus.  Coloration  entirely 
black-and-white  ;  tail-feathers  white-blotched.  Tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ; 
hind  t<je  long,  with  large  claw.  Wings  long,  pohited,  1st  }triniary  about  as  long  as  2d  ;  tail 
nearly  even,  much  shorter  than  wing.  Hill  nearly  as  long  as  head,  slender,  much  compressed, 
with  concave  lateral  outlines,  and  cur\-ed  culmen  aud  gouys,  slightly  notched  and  bristled. 
Only  one  good  species. 
*!•  M.  var'ia.  (Lat.  mnVr,  variegated.  Fig.  161.)  Black-and-white  Creeper.  ,J,  adult: 
Black ;  edges  of  featliers  of  upper  parts,  coronal,  superciliary,  and  maxillary  stripes,  tips  of 

gniater  and  median  wing-coverts,  outer  edges  of  inner  second- 
aries and  inner  edges  of  quills  and  tail-feathers,  and  spots  on 
inner  webs  of  lateral  tail-ft'athers,  white;  under  parts  mostly 
white,  with  black  streaks  ou  sides  and  crissum ;  bill  and  feet 
black.  9  similar:  less  black  in  proportion  to  the  white,  being 
mostly  white  below.  Length  5.0(J-3.25  ;  extent  S. 25-8. 73  ;  wing 
2.35-2.75 ;  tail  2.25  ;  bUl  ueiirly  0.50.  Eastern  N.  Am. ;  N.  to 
the  Fur  Countries ;  W.  to  Dakota;  migratory;  breeds  throughout 
its  range ;  winters  from  the  southern  border  southward.  .\ 
common  bird  of  woodland,  thicket,  and  swamp,  generally  seen 
scrambling  actively  about  the  tninks  and  larger  branches  of  tl»> 
trees,  rather  like  a  mithatch  than  like  a  creeper,  the  tail  not  being  nsed  as  a  prop.  Nest  on 
the  ground,  or  in  a  stump,  of  bark-strips,  mosses,  grasses,  leaves,  hair,  etc. ;  eggs  4*-5,  0.70  X 
0.52,  Miiite,  profusely  marked  with  reddish  and  other  dots. 
02.  M.  V.  borea'lls?  (Lat.  6o)e« /is,  northern ;  ?>o)eas,  the  north  wind.)  Saiall-billed  Creep- 
er. Nortiierly  .specimens  said  to  have  the  bill  shorter  and  straighter. 
84.  PA'RULA.  (Lat.  panda,  diminutive  of  jjajms,  a  tit.)  Blue  Yellow-backed  Warblers. 
Coloration  highly  variegated;  tail-feathers  white-blotched;  biusk  bluish,  with  yellowish 
spot;  throat  yellow,  with  diirk  spot;  feet  pale.  .Size  very  small — -under  5.00  inches.  Bill 
short,  stoutish;  the  notch  obsolete,  the  bristles  slight  though  evident.  Two  very  distinct 
species  in  N.  Am. 
93.  P.  america'na.  (Lat.  of  America ;  said  to  be  named  not  for  X\u\  Italian  navigator,  but  from  a 
mountain  in  Central  America f)  $,  in  spring:  Upper  parts  clear  ashy-blue;  middle  of  back 
with  a  patch  of  greenish-yellow  or  brownish-golden.  Lores  dusky.  A  white  spot  on  each 
eyelid.  Wings  blackish,  crossed  on  the  ends  of  the  greater  and  middle  coverts  with  two  broad 
white  bars;  primaries  narrowly,  secondaries  more  broadly,  edged  externally  with  the  color  of 
the  back,  internally  with  white.  Tail  like  wings,  with  much  edging  of  outer  webs  like  the 
back,  the  middle  featliers  mostly  bluish ;  at  least  two  outer  feathers  on  each  side  with  large, 
white,  squarish  patciies  <m  the  inner  w'eb  near  the  end,  usually  third  feather  blotched  with 
white,  and  a  white  touch  on  fourth  or  even  fifth  feather.  Chin  and  throat  yellow,  rather  nar- 
rowly confined,  this  yeUow  sjireading  over  the  whole  breast,  but  much  of  brea.st  spotted  or 
tinged  with  orange-brown,  and  jugulum  showing  even  a  decided  blackish  ctdhir;  cobtration  of 
this  part  very  variable ;  sometimes  reddish-brown  markings  along  the  sides,  much  as  in  the 
ciiestuut-sided  M-arbler.  Rest  of  \iw\n-  parts  wliite.  Bill  above  black  ;  below  wliitish  or  flesh- 
colored,  drying  yellowish.  Legs  pule.  Length  4.50-4.75  ;  extent  7.00-7.50;  wing  2.10-2.30; 
tail  1.75.  9  J  i'l  spring :  Like  the  ^J;  upper  parts  less  brightly  bluish,  or  with  .slight  greenish 
gloss;  back- patch  not  .so  well  defined;  less  white  on  tail;  white  wing-bands  narrower;  dark 
or  reddish  tinting  of  the  fore  breast  less  decided  or  scarcely  indicated  ;  the  yellow  itself  more 
restricted.    Young :  Bluish  of  upper  parts  glossed  over  with  greenish,  sometimes  to  such  extent 


U4. 


sylvicolid^—sylvicolinj::  tmue  warblers. 


291 


U4 


as  to  obscure  the  dorsal  patch,  which  .is  then  not  very  ilitforent  from  the  rest  of  the  upper  parts. 
White  tail-spots  smaller,  generally  confined  to  two  <>utcr  feathers  on  each  side.  AVIiite  wing- 
bands  narrower.  Edging  of  tail  and  wings  tinged  with  grcenisli,  like  tlie  back.  Eyelids  not 
spotted  witli  white.  Yellow  of  fore  under  parts  pale,  witli  little  or  ni>  indication  of  the  dusky 
across  the  juguhun.  White  of  the  under  parts  tinged  with  yellowish  posteriorly,  and  fre- 
quently showing  brownisli  touclies  along  the  sides.  Eastern  U.  S.  and  British  Provinces  ;  W. 
sometimes  to  the  Kooky  Mts. ;  migratory  ;  breeds  in  the  greater  part  of  its  N.  American  range, 
but  diiefly  nortlierly ;  winters  from  Florida  southward.  An  elegant,  diminutive  sjjecics,  abun- 
dant in  liigli  open  woods,  wliere  it  is  generally  observed  fluttering  among  the  smallest  twigs 
and  terminal  foliage.  Nest  in  trees,  an  elaborate  woven  structure  of  mosses  and  lichens ;  eggs 
4-5,  0.62  X  0.48,  white  with  the  usual  sprinkling  of  reddish  and  (jther  dots. 
P.  nlgrilo'ra.  (Lat.  niyer,  black  ;  lontiii,  a  bridle ;  applied  to  the  space  between  eye  and 
bill  of  a  bird.)  Sennett's  Wakbler.  ,J,  adult :  Upper  parts  of  the  same  ashy-blue  coh)r 
as  in  P.  americana,  with  a  dorsal  patch  of  greenish-yellow  exactly  as  in  that  species.  Wings 
also  as  in  americana,  dusky,  witli  grayish-blue  outer,  and  whitisli  inner,  edgings,  and  crossed 
by  two  ccjnspicuous  wliite  bars  across  tips  of  greater  and  middle  coverts.  Tail  as  in  ameri- 
cana, but  the  wliito  spots  smaller  and  almost  restricted  to  two  outer  featliers  on  each  side. 
Eyelids  black,  icithout  white  marks.  Lores  broadly  and  intensely  black,  this  color  extending 
.•IS  a  narrow  frontal  line  to  meet  its  fellow  across  base  of  culmen,  and  also  reaching  back  to 
iuvade  the  auriculars,  on  which  it  shades  through  dusky  to  the  general  bluish.  Under  parts 
yellow  as  far  as  the  middle  of  the  belly,  and  a  little  farther  on  the  flanks,  and  also  si)readiug  up 
I  lie  sides  of  the  jaw  to  involve  part  of  the  mandibular  and  malar  region;  on  the  fore  breast 
de«'pening  into  ricli  orange,  but  showing  nothing  of  the  orange-chestnut  and  blackish  of  P. 
americana.  Lower  belly,  flanks  and  crissum  white.  Bill  black  above,  yellow  below.  Legs 
undettnable  light  horn-color.  Length  about  4.50;  wing  2.00-2.20;  tail  l.SO-1.90;  bill 
from  nostril  0.3S-0.40 ;  tarsus  0.62-O.G5 ;  middle  toe  alone  0.40.  Texas.  Another  little 
exquisite,  recently  added  to  our  fauna ;  quite  distinct  from,  though  resembling,  P.  americana; 
coming  nearer  P.  pitiayiimi,  a  Mexican  species. 

PROTONOTA'RIA.  (Low  Lat.  protonotarius,  first  notary,  or  scribe ;  why  f)  Golden 
SwAMi'  W.\UBi.EKS.  Bill  of  great  size,  nearly  as  long  as  head,  compressed,  conic,  acute,  with 
slightly  notched  tip  and  scarcely  bristled  rictus.  Wings  pointed,  unmarked,  much  longer  than 
the  short,  nearly  even,  spotted  tail.  Tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw.  One  species. 
P.  cit'rea.  (Lat.  citrea,  pertaining  to  the  citron;  i.  e.,  yellow.)  Prothonotauy  Warbler. 
Golden-yellow,  paler  on  the  belly,  changing  to  olivaceous  on  the  back,  thence  to  bluish-ashy 
on  the  rump,  wings,  and  tail;  most  of  the  tail-feathers  largely  white  on  the  inner  webs  ;  no 
other  special  markings ;  bill  entirely  black,  very  large,  at  least  0.50  long.  Length  about 
5.50;  extent  9.25;  wing  2.75-3.00;  tail  2.25;  tarsus  0.75.  Sexes  similar.  In  highest 
feather  the  yellow  of  the  heail  sometimes  becomes  orange-red.  Eastern  United  States,  south- 
erly; north  casually  to  Maine,  New  Brunswick,  and  Ohio;  regularly  to  Illinois  and  Kansas; 
west  to  Indian  Territory  and  Texas ;  winters  extra-liiiiital.  A  beautiful  sjiecies,  of  striking 
form  and  colors,  and  sedate  manners,  inhabiting  swamps  and  thickets;  nest  in  holes,  or  other 
sheltered  cavities  in  trees,  stumps,  and  logs,  of  the  most  miscellaneous  materials ;  eggs  -1-5, 
0.68  X  0.54,  creamy  white,  jirofusely  speckled. 

HKLMINTHE'RUS.  (Gr.  tX/iir,  gen.  tXiiiv6os,  helmis,  hehiiinthos,  a  bug;  tfijp,  an  animal; 
i.  e.,  i\iuv6o6r]pas,  hclminthotheras,  a  bug-hunter;  like  vermivora,  wonn-eating.)  Worm- 
EATixc.  Swamp  Warbler-s.  Bill  large,  conic-acute,  especially  high  and  stout  at  the  base, 
nearly  or  quite  as  long  as  head,  unnotched  and  scarcely  or  not  bristled.  Wings  rather  pointed, 
mucli  longer  than  the  little  rounded  tail.  Tarsus  about  e<|ual  to  middle  toe  and  claw.  Sexes 
similar ;  tail-feathers  unmarked ;  legs  pale.  Two  very  distinct  species. 
06.   H.  vermi'vorus.     (Lat.  vermicorus,  worm-eating ;  vermis,  a  worm,  voro,  I  devour.    Fig.  162.) 


36 


05 


36 


292 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEIiES  —  OSCINES. 


WoUM-EATiNo  VVakhleu,     Olivc,  bclow  buffy,  piilcr  or  whitish  on  tlie  belly;  head  buff, 
with  four  bliick  stripi'is,  two  aloug  sides  of  crown  from  bill  to  nape,  one  along  each  side  of  head 

through  the  eye ;  wings  and  tail  olivaceous,  nnmarked ;  bill 
and  feet  i)aie ;  bill  acute,  unbristled,  unnotched,  at  least 
0.50.  Length  .5.50;  extent  8.75  ;  wing  2.75-3.00;  tail 
2.00-2.25.  The  distinctive  head-stripes  appear  before  the 
bird  is  fully  fleilged.  Eastern  U.  S.,  ratlier  southerly,  but 
north  regularly  to  the  Middle  States,  casually  to  Maine ; 
west  to  Kansas,  Missouri,  and  the  Indian  Territory;  breed.s 
Fi(i.  161!.  —  Worm-catlng  Warbler,  throughout  its  U.  S.  range;  winters  from  Florida  soutb- 
nat.  size.    (Ail  iiat.  del.  E.  C.)  ward  ;  comniou  in  woods,  shi'ubbery,  and  swamps ;  a  bird 

of  rather  slow  and  sedate  movements ;  nest  on  the  ground,  of  leaves,  grasses,  rootlets ;  eggs 
4-5,  crystal-white,  minutely  dotted  with  reddish-brown,  0.70  X  0.50. 
97.  H.  swalii'soni.  (To  Wni.  Swainson.)  Swainson's  Waublkr.  Somewhat  similar  to  the 
last;  no  black  head  stripes  ;  no  rfec«/«i  markings  anywhere.  Upper  parts  dark  olive-brown, 
nearly  uniform,  but  browner  on  exposed  surfaces  of  wings  and  tail,  and  quite  clear  brown  on  the 
crown.  A  long  light  superciliary  stripe.  Under  parts  dull  sordid  whitish,  shaded  on  the  sidt.'s  with 
the  color  of  the  back.  Middle  tail-feathers  with  obsolete  wavy  cross-bars.  Bill  brown  above, 
pale  below;  feet  ])ale.  Large:  length  nearly  G. 00 ;  wing  2.75,  pointed,  ti[)  formed  by  1st 
-'M  ([uills;  tail  2.00,  emarginate;  bill  of  great  size,  0.G5  along  culmeu,  about  equalling  tarsus 
in  length,  ileep  at  base,  with  straight  upper  mandible  rising  high  on  forehead  ;  thus  shajjcd 
something  like  a  meadow- lark's.  A  rare  and  curious  species,  confined  to  the  South  Atlantic 
States.  1  have  seen  but  three  specimens ;  the  description  is  from  Audubon's  type. 
37.  HELMINTHO'PHILA.  (Gr.  tX^ns,  tX/iii/floy,  helniis,  helminthos,  a  bug  ;  ^iXt'co,  phihv,  1 
love.)  AVoUM-KATixci  Wariu.eus.  IJill  slender  and  exceedingly  acute,  unnotched,  unbristh.'d 
(fig.  l(iH).  AVings  pointed,  longer  than  the  nearly  even  tail,  —  in 
one  spccie.s  nearly  half  as  long  again.  Tarsi  longer  than  middle 
toe  and  claw.  Tail-feathers  in  .some  species  white-blotched,  in 
other.s  plain,  —  the  former  being  otherwise  of  bright  and  variegated 
C(dors,  tlie  latter  more  simply  clad.  Xest  on  the  ground  or  quite 
near  it  (excepting  in  the  case  of  H.  luci<c)  ;  eggs  white,  spotted. 
To  the  eight  established  species  of  the  genus  have  lately  been 
added  three  others;    but  one  of  them  is  almost  certainly  a  hybrid 

between  H.  pmus  and  Oporornis  formosu,  while  the  other  two  are  "*'•  "s'^*-  ('^''  "at  •'"'•  ^-  <^) 
probably  hybrids  between  H.  pimtn  and  H.  chnji^uptern.  There  has  also  been  added  a  variety 
of  H.  celata.  These  are  enumerated  beyond,  but  only  the  eight  established  si)ecies  are  con- 
sidered in  the  analysis  of  the  genus.  Even  with  this  reduction,  HeUniuthophihi  is  still  the 
second  largest  gtiius  of  the  subfamily.  It  is  peculiarly  North  American,  all  the  known 
species  occurring  in  this  country,  some  of  them  not  being  known  to  occur  elsi^where.  Tiie 
genus  may  be  divided  according  to  coloration  into  two  groups,  \A-hicb  correspond  in  a  general 
way  with  geographical  distribution.  Three  species  {H  H.  phiiis,  chrysoptera,  and  hachmniii), 
exclusively  eastern,  are  of  variegated  (Colors,  the  tail-feathers  M-hite-blotched  as  in  Dendrar.n. 
In  the  other  five  the  coloration  is  sini]der;  the  tail-feathers  are  not,  or  not  conspicuously, 
blotched  with  white,  and  all  but  (me  of  tiiese  sjiecies  have  a  crown-patch;  one  of  them  is  East- 
ern, t\\  o  are  Western,  and  two  of  general  dispersion.  The  natural  analysis  of  the  species,  and 
a  shorter  key  to  them,  are  subjoined;  these  tables  .should  suffice  to  identify  any  adult  male 
specimens,  but  fenuiles  and  young,  particularly  of  Nos.  5,  fl,  7,  require  detailed  descriptions  for 
their  recognition.  (In  H.  peregrina,  with  tail  normally  plain,  the  outer  feather  is  sometimes 
distinctly  white-blotched.) 


Fio.  163.  —  H.  chrysoptiitt, 


SYL  VICOLID^—  SYL  VICOLIN^ :    TRUE  WAHBLERS. 


203 


Natural  Analysis  of  Species. 

I.  Tail-feathers  conspicuously  wliite-blotclic<l.     Wings  with  whito  or  yellow  on  coverts,     llcacl  or  breast  with 
black.    All  exclusively  Eastern. 

1.  Bluish-ash,  below  white  ;  crown  and  wing-bars  yellow  ;  throat  and  stripe  on  side  of  head  black 

vhri/^iipli  rit    102 

2.  Olive-green  ;  wings  and  tall  bliilsh-ash,  former  with  white  or  yellow  bars ;  crown  and  under 

parts  yellow  ;  lores  black jiiniis      m 

3.  Olive-green,  below  yellow  ;  throat,  breast,  and  crown-patch  black  ;  forehead  yellow    .  bitrlimitni    lat 
II.  Tall-feathcrs  inconspicuously  or  not  blotched  with  white.    Xo  ilcciiled  wing-markings.    No  black  anywhere. 

((.  Crown  without  colored  patch.    Wings  about  half  as  long  again  us  tail. 

4.  Tail,  with  obscure  whitish  sjiot  on  outer  feather;  under  parts  whito  or  whiti.sh;  upper  parts 

olive-green,  brighter  behind,  quite  ashy  in  front.    Chiefly  Eastern peregrina    109 

li.  Crown  with  colored  patch.    Wings  shorter. 

r>.  Crowii-iiatch  orange-brown  ;  tail  unmarked;   upper  parts  olive-green,  under  parts  greenish- 
yellow,  both  nearly  uniform.    Western  and  incompletely  Eastern vcldta    107,  108 

6,  Crown-j)ateh  chestnut  ;  tail  unmarked  ;  upper  parts  olive-green,  growing  ashy  on  head  ;  imder 

parts  uniforndy  yellow.    Eastern  ami  incompletely  Western rnficapilla    100 

T.  Crown-patch  chestnut;  tail  unmarked;  above  olivaceous-.ash,  below  whitish  ;  rump  .lud  under 

tail-coverts  bright  yellow  ;  breast  yellowish.    Western rirfiiiiia-    105 

8.  Crown-patch  and  upper  tail-coverts  chestnut  ;  outer  tail-feather  with  dull  white 

patch  ;  above  pale  cinereous,  below  white.    Southwestern luri<e    104 

Pass-key  to  the  Species. 

Tail-feathers  whlte-blotchcd  — bluish,  crown  yellow,  throat  black chrysoptirn  Wi 

—  greenish,  crown  and  all  under  parts  yellow pinus  98 

—  greeidsh,  crown  (i)artly)  and  throat  black bachmani  103 

—  upper  tall-coverts  chestnut,  crown-patch  chestnut Iuci<r  104 

Tail-feathers  all  unmarked  —  upiier  tail-coverts  —  yellow ;  crown-patch  chestnut riri/imVr  105 

—  not  yellow  ;  crown-patch  — chestnut .    .    .    njicapilla    100 

—  orange-brown  .    celata    107,  lOK 

—  wanting  .    .    .     peregrina    109 

08.  H.  pi'niis.  (Lilt.  pinu!>,  a  pino-troo.)  Blue- winged  Yellow  Waubler.  $,  adult : 
Fore  pint  of  crown  aiul  ontire  iiiuler  parts  rich  yellow;  ui)pcr  piirt.s  yellow-olive,  becoming 
slaty-blue  on  the  wings  and  tail  (system  of  coloration  thus  like  that  of  Protonotaria).  Wings 
with  two  white  or  yellowish  bars ;  tail  with  several  largo  white  blotches ;  under  tail-coverts 
white;  ej'clids  bright  j-ellow ;  small  stripe  through  eye  black  ;  bill  blue-black.  Female  and 
young  not  very  dissimilar ;  duller  and  more  olivaceous.  Length  about  4.75  ;  extent  7.50  ; 
wing  2.40-2.50;  tail  2.00-2.10;  tarsu>  0.G5 ;  bill  0.45.  Eastern  United  States,  north  to 
Massachusetts  and  Minnesota,  west  to  Kansas,  Indian  Territory,  and  Te.xas ;  common,  migra- 
tory, breeding  in  its  United  States  range,  wintering  extralimital.  Nest  on  the  ground,  eggs 
4-5,  0.()7  X  0.48,  white,  sprinkled  with  reddish-brown  dots. 

00.  H.  lawren'cU?  (To  Geo.  N.  Lawrence,  of  N.  Y.)  Lawrence's  Warbler.  Like  H. 
piiiux  ;  but  a  large  black  patch  on  the  throat  and  breast,  and  broad  black  eye-stripe,  reaching 
over  auricnlars,  as  in  //.  chri/soptera ;  thus  pinus  X  chri/.wptera,  and  doubtless  a  hybrid 
between  the  two.  New  Jersey  ;  two  specimens  noted  to  date. 
lOO.  H.  leiicobronchla'lls ?  (Gr.  XfvKor,  kucos,  white,  /3poy;^or,  hrogchos,  becoming  hronchiix, 
throat.)  WiiiTE-TiiROATKD  Warbler.  XaVc  II.  chrijsoptera ;  but  a  black  b:ir  through  the 
eye  as  in  pinus,  and  lacking  the  black  breast-patch  of  chrifsojitcra,  the  entire  under  ])arts  being 
white;  thus  chrysnptern  X  pinus,  and  doubtless  a  hybrid  between  the  two,  though  up  to  date  a 
dozen  or  more  specimens  have  been  described,  from  New  England,  New  York,  Pennsylvania, 
and  Michigan. 
101.  H.  cinclnnatlen'sls ?  (Of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  discovered.)  fiNtiXNATi  Warbler. 
Like  H.  pinus  in  color ;  bill  with  evident  rictal  bristles ;  Uf)  white  wing-bars  or  tail-blotches  ; 
no  ashy-blue  on  wings  or  tail ;  concealed  black  on  crown  and  .lides  of  head  like  the  incom- 
pleted black  mask  of  Oporornis  formosa,  with  which  the  bird  otherwise  closely  agrees  in  color ; 
thus  curiously  being  H.  pinus  X  0.  formosa.  Length  4.75  ;  wing  2.50;  tail  1.85;  bill  0.44. 
Ones  specimen  known,  Ohio. 


294 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


108.  H.  chrysop'tera.  (Gr.  xP«'<''o'f)  chrusos,  goldon,  and  imp6v,  pferon,  wing.)  Blue  Golden- 
wixoED  Wauhleu.  $,  adult:  Upper  parts  slaty-bliic,  or  lino  bluish-gray;  crown,  and  largo 
wing-patch  formed  by  confluent  wiug-bars,  rich  yellow ;  a  broad  stripe  on  side  of  head  and 
patch  on  chin,  throat  and  fore-breast,  black,  the  eye-stripe  bordered  above  and  below  with 
white;  under  jtarts  generally,  e.\ce])ting  the  black  breast-plate,  white,  often  tinted  with  yellow- 
ish, and  shaded  on  the  sides  with  ashy.  Exposed  surfaces  of  wings  and  tail  like  upper  parts ; 
great  white  blotches  on  three  lateral  tail-feathers;  bill  black;  feet  dark.  9  ""J  inimaturc 
specimens  have  the  back  more  or  less  glossed  with  yellowish-olive ;  the  yeHow  of  the  crown 
obscured  with  greenish;  tin;  black  eye-stripe  and  breast-plate  veiled  with  gray  tips  of  the 
feathers,  or  not  at  all  evident.  Size  of  H.  pinus.  A  Iwautiful  species,  common  in  Eastern 
United  States  and  Cana<la;  migratory,  breeding  anywhere  iu  its  United  States  range;  nest  and 
eggs  like  those  of  H.  innit.i. 

103.  H.  bach'mani.  (To  Kev.  John  Bachman,  of  S.  C.)  Baciiman's  WAUBLEn.  ^  :  Upper 
parts  yellowish-olive,  including  sides  of  head  and  neck,  tinged  with  ashy  on  the  hind  head ; 
forehead  and  under  parts  bright  yellow ;  a  band  on  the  vertex  separating  yelhiw  front  from 
ashy  occiput,  and  the  throat  and  fore  breast,  black,  this  breast-plate  isolated  in  yellow  sur- 
roundiug.s.  Wings  dusky,  glossed  with  the  color  of  the  back  on  all  the  exposed  surface. 
Two  or  three  outer  tail-fcatiiers  white-blotched.  Small;  length  4.50;  wing  '2.:J5;  tail  2.00. 
South  Atlantic  States,  extremely  rare,  only  known  to  occur  in  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and 
Cuba. 

104.  H.  lu'ciae.  (To  Miss  Lucy  Baird,  daughter  of  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird.)  Lucv'.s  Warbler. 
^  9 1  atlult:  Clear  ashy-gray.  Beneath  white,  with  a  faint  tinge  of  buff  on  the  breast.  A 
rich  chestnut  patch  on  the  crown,  and  upper  tail-coverts  of  the  same  color.  A  white  eye-ring. 
Quilh  and  tail-feathers  edged  with  the  color  of  the  back  or  whitish.  Lateral  tail-feather  with 
an  obscure  whitish  patch.  Lining  of  wing  white.  Feet  dull  leaden-olive.  Iris  dark  brown 
or  black.  Length  4.33-4.60;  extent  7.00-7.50;  wing  2.25-2.50;  tail  1.75-2.00;  tarsus 
0.00;  bill  0.25-0.33.  Young:  Lack  the  chestnut  of  the  crown,  though  that  of  the  rump  is 
present.  The  throat  and  breast  are  milk-white,  without  the  ochrey  tinge  of  the  adults;  the 
wing-coverts  are  edged  with  pale  rufous.  The  chestnut  upper  tail-coverts,  and  absence  of  any 
trace  of  (divaceous  or  yellowish  coloration,  distinguish  this  interesting  species,  the  general 
superficial  aspect  of  which  is  quite  like  that  oi a, PoUoptila.  Valley  of  the  Colorado  and  Gila; 
not  yet  known  except  from  Arizona.  The  exceptional  nidification  of  this  species  of  the  genus 
(Am.  Nat.,  vi,  1872,  p.  493)  has  been  confirmed:  nest  in  crevice  behind  bark  of  a  tree  or  bush, 
such  as  a  wren  might  select ;  eggs  4,  not  peculiar,  being  white  dotted  with  reddish. 

105.  H.  virgin'lae.  (To  Mrs.  Virginia  Anderson,  wife  of  the  discoverer.)  Virginia's  Warbler. 
(J,  in  summer:  Ashy-plumbeous,  alike  on  the  back,  and  top  and  sides  of  head.  Below  dull 
whitish,  the  sides  .shaded  M'ith  ashy.  Lining  and  edge  of  wings  white.  Upper  and  under 
tail-coverts,  and  isolated  sjmt  on  the  breast,  yellow,  in  strong  contrast  with  all  surroundings. 
A  white  ring  round  eye.  Wings  and  tail  without  yellowish  edgings.  Crown  with  a  chestnut 
patch,  as  in  H.  riiJicnpiUd.  Length  4.75;  extent  7.50;  wing  2.25-2.50;  tail  2.25.  9)i" 
summer:  The  yellow  duller  and  slightly  tinged  with  greenish;  that  of  the  breast,  and  the 
chestnut  of  the  crown,  more  restriiited.  Autumnal  specimens  resemble  the  9  i  l>i't  ''i  ^wth 
sexes  the  plumbeous  of  the  upper  parts  has  a  slight  olive  shade,  and  in  birds  of  the  year  the 
crown-patch  may  he  wanting.  Southern  Rocky  Mt.  Region  ;  north  to  Ccdorado,  Nevada,  and 
Utah  at  least.  Nests  on  the  ground,  like  others  of  the  genus ;  eggs  indistinguishable  from 
those  of  allied  species. 

106.  H.  ruflcapiria.  (Lat.  r«/((,s,  rufous ;  cn^ji'Wifs,  hair.)  Nashville  Warbler.  ^,  in  sum- 
mer :  Upper  parts  olive-green  or  yellowish-olive,  clearer  and  brighter  on  the  rump  and  tipper 
tail-coverts.  Top  and  sides  of  the  head  and  neck  ashy,  with  a  veiled  chestnut  patch  on  the 
crown,  and  a  white  ring  round  the  eye.    No  superciliary  stripe.     Lores  pale.     Wings  and  tail 


107, 


108 


100 


SYLVICOLIDM—SYLVICOLINJE:    TRUE   WARBLERS. 


295 


107. 


fuswtus,  edged  with  the  color  of  the  buck.  Eiitiru  under  parts  yellow,  includiiig  under  wing- 
coverts  iind  edge  of  the  wing,  the  sides  shaded  with  olive.  Length  ■1.50-1.75;  extent  7.50; 
wing  '2.33-2.50;  tail  1.75-2.00.  9,  in  suinnier :  iSiniihir.  Head  less  purely  asliy.  Crown- 
patch  snialU'r  and  more  hidden,  if  not  wanting.  Yellow  of  under  parts  paler,  whitening  on  the 
belly.  Autumnal  specimens,  of  both  sexes,  though  tpiite  as  yellow  below  as  in  summer,  have 
the  ash  of  the  head  glos.sed  over  with  (divaceous,  and  in  birds  of  the  year  the  crown-patcii  nuiy 
be  entirely  wanting.  This  species  is  distinguished  by  the  rich  clear  yellow  of  the  under  parts 
at  all  seasons.  In  H.  celata,  which  is  next  most  yellow  below,  the  color  has  a  greenish  east ; 
the  head  is  little,  if  any,  diftV-rent  from  the  rest  of  the  upper  jiarts,  and  the  crown-patch  is 
orange-brown.  Temperate  North  America,  but  espechilly  the  Eastern  Province;  west  oidy 
rarely  to  Utah,  Nevada,  and  even  California.  A  common  bird,  migratory  in  most  of  its  U.  S. 
range,  but  breeding  in  New  England  (and  fartiier  south  in  alpine  regit)ns)  and  thence  north- 
ward.    Nest  ttn  the  ground,  like  the  others,  and  eggs  not  ])eculiar. 

H.  cola'ta.  (Lat.  celata,  concealed,  as  is  the  orange  on  the  crown.)  Ouanoe-cuowned 
Wauhleu.  $  9 ,  in  summer :  Upper  parts  olive,  duller  and  washed  with  grayish  toward 
and  on  the  hea<l,  brighter  and  more  yellowish  on  the  rmnp  and  ujiper  tail-covw'ts.  Hcneath 
greenish-white,  palest  on  tile  belly  and  throat,  more  idive-shaded  on  tlie  sides;  the  color  not 
pure,  but  rather  streaky,  and  having  in  places  a  grayish  cast.  Wings  and  tail  edged  with  the 
color  of  the  back  ;  lining  of  the  wings  like  the  belly,  and  inner  edges  of  tail-feathere  whitish. 
Orbital  ring  and  htres  yellowish.  An  orange-brown  patch  on  the  crown,  ])artially  concealed, 
smaller  and  more  hidden  in  the  9  than  in  the  $.  Lcaigth  1.80-5.20;  extent  7-40-7.75  ;  wing 
2.30-2.50.  Uesembling  the  last,  and  often  ditticult  to  distinguish  in  innnature  plumage;  but  a 
general  oUveness  and  yellowness,  compared  with  the  ashy  »if  some  parts  of  rujicapillu,  and  the 
diilerent  ctdor  of  the  c^rown-patch  in  the  two  species,  will  usually  be  diagnostic.  The  sexes  of 
this  species  scarcely  differ,  and  young  or  autumnal  birds  are  very  similar  to  the  adults,  except 
the  fretjuent  or  usual  absence  of  the  orange-brown  crown-sjMit  in  birds  of  the  year.  The 
species  is  well  distinguished  from  all  its  allies  by  the  coh>r  of  the  crown-patch.  North  America 
at  large,  but  especially  the  Western  and  Middle  regions ;  rare  or  (K-casional  in  the  Eastern 
Province  ;  north  to  high  latitudes  in  British  America  and  Alaska;  migratory;  breeds  in  Arctic 
regions  and  in  alpine  loealiti(?s  further  south  ;  nest  and  eggs  not  j)eculiar. 
108.  H.  c.  liites'cens.  (Lat.  lutescens,  growing  yellowish.)  I'acific  OKANOE-cnowNEi>  Wau- 
BLER.  Differs  in  being  much  more  richly  colored.  It  nuvy  be  described  simply  as  olivo-green 
above,  and  greenish-yellow,  shaded  with  olive  on  tlus  sides,  below,  without  any  of  the  (lualify- 
ing  terms  re(|uired  for  precision  in  the  case  of  typical  celata.  Pacific  Coast  region,  Alaska  to 
Lower  California. 

H.  peregrl'na.  (Lat.  peregritM,  wandering,  alien,  foreign ;  i.  e.,  migratory.)  Tennessee 
Wakiii-ek.  (J,  adult:  Upper  parts  yellowish-olive,  brightest  posteriorly;  on  the  fore  parts 
and  head  changing  to  pure  ash,  without  any  greenish  tint  whatever.  No  crown-patch  of  any 
diflbrent  color.  Lores,  ey(!-ring,  or  frequently  a  decided  superciliary  stripti,  whitish.  Entire 
under  parts  dull  white,  scarcely  or  not  tinged  with  yeUowish.  Wings  and  tail  dusky,  strongly 
edged  with  the  ccdor  of  the  back,  the  outer  tail-feathers  freipiently  with  an  obscure  whitish 
spot.  Bill  and  feet  dark.  Length  '4.50-1.75,  rarely  to  5.00;  extent  7.50-8.00;  wing  about 
2.75,  thus  long  for  the  siz(!  of  the  bird,  and  especially  in  comparison  with  the  short  tail,  pointed, 
with  little  difl'erence  in  length  between  the  first  three  or  four  <|uills;  tail  only  2.00  or  less,  thus 
remai'kably  sliort  ;  the  comparative  length  of  wings  and  tail,  with  other  characters,  probably 
always  distinguishes  the  species  from  the  foregoing.  9)  adult:  Quite  like  the  $,  but  ashy  of 
the  he  id  less  pure  and  clear,  and  under  jyarts  more  or  less  tinged  with  greenish -yellow. 
Young  :  Entire  upper  parts  strongly  and  uniformly  yellowish-olive,  like  the  rmnp  of  the  adult 
(J,  or  even  brighter,  tiiis  color  also  tinging  the  eye-ring  and  superciliary  stripe.  Under  parts 
as  in  the  adult  9  >  or  more  decidedly  greenish-yellow,  leaving  uuly  the  belly  and  crissum  whit- 


100 


296 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  PA  SSEBES  —  OSCINES. 


ish.  In  this  condition  specimens  more  closely  resemble  st>me  other  species  than  when  adult ; 
but  the  short  tail,  long  wings,  and  no  crown-patch,  should  be  distinctive.  Chiefly  Eastern 
North  America,  but  west  to  the  Upper  Missouri  region  and  in  Colorado  to  the  Rocky  Mts. ; 
common,  especially  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  but  less  so  in  the  Atlantic  States;  migratory; 
breeds  in  New  England  and  tlie  northern  tier  of  States,  and  thence  to  high  latitudes  in  IJritish 
America;  nest  aud  eggs  as  in  otlier  species  of  the  genus. 

38.  I'KUCK'DUAMUS.  (Gr.  ntvKr).  peulcc,  a  pine,  and  Spanuv,  to  run.)  Olive  WAnnLEns. 
(ieneral  a.xpect  of  JJendraca.  Tongue  nmch  as  in  that  genus,  but  larger,  with  revolutc  edges, 
cleft  tip,  and  laciuiate  for  some  distance  from  the  end.  Wings  elongated,  half  as  long  again 
as  the  tail  (in  Dendrwca  but  little  longer  than  the  tail),  reaching,  when  ftdded,  nearly  to  the 
end  of  tilt;  tail.  Tail  emargiuate.  Tarsus  no  longer  than  the  middle  too  and  claw.  Hallux 
little  if  any  longer  tlian  its  claw.  Hill  little  shorter  than  tarsus  (averaging  little  over  half  the 
tarsus  in  Uemlneca),  attenuate,  notably  depressed,  yet  very  little  widened  at  base.  Culmen 
rather  concave  than  convex  in  most  of  its  length,  the  under  outline  almost  jjcrfectly  straight 
from  extreme  base  to  ti]i.  Nasal  fossic  very  large,  with  a  highly  developed  nasal  scale.  Kic- 
tal  vinrissiu  few  and  short.     I'luuiage  witliout  streaks.     One  species  known. 

110.  r.  ollva'cous.  (Lat.  oUvaceiis,  olivaceous  iu  color;  olivn,  an  (dive.)  Olive  Warbler. 
(J  :  Upper  [larts  ashy,  more  or  less  olivaceous,  changing  to  greenish  on  the  nape.  Head  aud 
neck  all  around  orange-brown  or  inteiisi'  saU'ron-yellow,  with  a  broad  black  bar  on  the  side  of 
tlie  head  through  tlie  eye.  Wings  blackish,  the  inner  \vebs  of  all  the  cpiills  edged  with  white, 
the  outer  webs  of  most  of  the  primaries  with  whitish,  and  the  outer  webs  of  the  secondaries 
with  greenish ;  most  of  the  primaries  also  marked  M'ith  white  on  the  outer  webs  at  base,  form- 
ing a  conspicuous  spot  (only  seen  elsewhere  in  D.  carulescens,  which  is  altogether  different  in 
other  characters).  Tail  like  the  wings,  with  greenish  edging  of  most  of  the  feathers,  the  two 
outer  ones  on  each  side  mostly  or  wludly  white.  Belly  and  sides  whitish,  tinged  with  olive  or 
brownish.  Basal  half  of  under  mandible  light  brown.  Length  4.75-5.25;  extent  8. 25-9. CO; 
wing  2.75-li.lO;  tail  2.25-2.55 ;  bill  0.55;  tarsus  0.75.  The  female  is  described  as  having 
till'  saffron  color  nmch  clearer  yellowish,  and  shaded  with  olive-green  on  the  crown  ;  the  black 
bar  replaced  by  whitish,  excepting  a  dusky  patch  on  the  auriculars.  A  remarkable  Mexican 
warbler,  lately  ascertained  to  inhabit  Arizona,  esjjecially  in  mountainous  localities;  probably 
also  Texas  and  New  Mexico.  It  has  much  the  habits  of  the  j)ine-creeper ;  the  nest  and  eggs 
are  still  unknown. 

39.  DENDRCE'CA.  ((ir.  Siv&pou,  dendron,  a  tree,  and  ohia,  oikeo,  I  inhabit.)  Wood  Warblers. 
Bill  variable  in  shape,  usually  conico-attenuate,  nnjre  or  less  depressed  at  base,  compressed 
from  the  middle,  notclied  near  the  tip,  not  showing  the  extreme  acuteness  of  that  of  Hehnin- 
therus,  HdminthophUa,  and  Pfotonofaria.  Rictus  with  obvious  bristles,  which  are  not  evi- 
dent in  the  true  "  worm-eating"  warblers.  Tarsus  longer  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw  (it  is 
shorter,  or  not  longer,  in  Miiiotilta).  Hind  toe  little  if  any  longer  than  its  claw  (decidedly 
longer  in  MniotiUa  and  Panda).  Wings  much  longer  than  tail,  pointed,  1st  and  2d  primaries 
longest.  Tail  moderate,  witli  rather  broad  feathers,  nearly  even,  but  varying  to  slightly 
rounded,  or  with  slight  central  emargination.  Pattern  of  coloration  indeterminate.  Tail  always 
with  white  blotches  (except  in  astiva  and  its  immediate  allies,  where  the  inner  webs  are 
yellow),  never  jdain  olivaceous.  Crown  never  with  lateral  black  stripes,  nor  under  parts 
uniformly  streaked  with  blackish  on  a  pale  ground,  nor  back  with  a  yellow  patch,  nor  whole 
head  yellow.  Length  usually  five  or  six  inches  ;  rarely  under  and  perhaps  never  over  these 
dimensions.  Nest  in  bushes  or  trees,  with  rare  exce[)tions.  Eggs  white,  spotted.  It  is  not 
easy  to  frame  a  definition  of  this  genus  covering  all  its  modifications,  yet  introducing  no  term 
inap{)liciible  to  any  species ;  but  the  foregoing  expressions  considered  collectively,  however 
arbitrary  or  trivial  some  of  them  may  seem  to  be,  will  serve  to  distinguish  any  Dendraca  from 
its  allies  of  other  genera;  and,  if  so,  the  diagnosis  is  exclusively  pertinent  to  the  group  as  con- 


SYLVICOLIDJE—  SYLVICOLINJE :    TRUE    WARBLERS. 


297 


vcntidually  accepted.  The  coloration  of  the  rectricps  is  a  good  cluo  to  this  genus ;  for  all  the 
species  (excepting  D.  astiva  and  its  exotic  conspecics)  have  the  tail-feathers  always  blotclied 
with  white, — a  feature  only  shown,  among  North  American  allies,  in  Miiiotilta,  I'aniln,  Pro- 
tonotaria,  Pettccdramus,  and  some  species  of  HehninthophiUt,  Mijiodioctes.  There  is  as  nuicii 
uniformity  in  the  nest  and  eggs  of  Drnilrcocn  as  in  those  of  Hdmintliophila.  Whereas  all 
these  nest  on  the  ground,  as  far  as  known  all  the  Lendraica;  nest  in  trees  and  bushes,  with  tlie 
single  exception  of  D.  jxdmarum.  Excepting  V.  custanea,  the  eggs  are  essentially  similar ; 
all  being  white,  variously  speckled,  dotted,  or  bh)tche{l  with  sliades  of  reddish  and  darker 
brown',  and  lilac  or  purplish  shell-spots.  About  thirty-live  species  are  current,  but  not  all  of 
them  ai'o  well  established ;  they  all  occur  within  our  limits  excepting  tliese :  piti/ophila 
(Cuba),  (idelaidfc  (Porto  Hico),  pharctra  (Jamaica),  coa  (Jamaica),  aureola  (Galapagoes), 
vapit(dix  (IJarbadoes),  and  petechia  (West  Indies)  with  its  several  troj)ical  forms,  all  like  our 
ffstiva.  Of  the  twenty-six  species  wliich  have  been  ascribed  to  Nortli  America,  one,  olivacea, 
has  since  been  made  type  of  the  genus  Peucedrainus;  while  of  "  montana"  and  "  carbonata" 
nothing  is  now  known  :  leaving  twenty-three  species  to  be  treated,  nearly  as  in  the  original 
edition  of  the  Key,  there  having  been  but  one  North  American  accession  to  tlie  gen  is  since 
1872,  though  two  varieties  (respectively  of  dominica  and  of  pidmarum)  luive  meanwhile  been 
described.  D.  tujrina  has  been  made  type  of  a  genus  Pcfissoglo.sm  ;  but  it  remains  to  be  seen 
whether  other  warblers  d(t  not  possess  the  same  peculiarities  of  tiic  tongue.  The  following 
artifichil  analysis  will  facilitate  tlie  determination  of  our  twenty-three  established  species;  I 
believe  it  to  bean  infallible  key  to  the  perfect  male  plumages,  and  that  it  will  probably  hold 
good  for  spring  s])ecimens  of  both  sexes  of  many  species;  but  it  will  fail  for  nearly  all  autumnal 
and  most  female  specimens  of  (b).  It  is  difficult  if  not  imjwssible  to  meet  the  varied  require- 
ments of  these  by  rigid  analysis;  and  recoui-se  must  be  had  to  the  detailed  descriptions  of  the 
speci(!s  aiTanged  in  what  seems  to  be  tlieir  natural  sequence.  The  supplementary  table  of  cer- 
tain diagnostic  marks  nniy  prove  of  much  assistance,  though  it  is  not  a  complete  analysis. 

Analysis  of  perfect  Spring  .\fales. 

Tail-foathcrscilgcd  with  yellow;  head  —  yellow (estiva    111 

—  chestnut virilloli    IWa 

Tail-feathers  blotched  with  white  ;  a  wl>!''i8pot  at  the  Imse  of  prlmnric!) ea-ritlescens    117 

—  no  white 8i)ot  at  base  of  ijriiuiiries.  (a) 

(a)  Wlng-bara  not  whita    Below,  white,  sides  chestnut-streaked,  crown  yellow penmyli-anica    124 

—  yellow;  sides  reddish-streaked,  crown  reddish palmnnim    13'.',  133 

—  black-Btrcakc<l ;  above,  ashy kirtlnndi  131 

—  olive,  reddish-streaked  .    .      discolor  127 
(u)  Wing-bars  white  (sometimes  fused  into  one  large  white  patch),    (b) 

(bl  Crown  blue,  like  the  back  ;  below  white,  sides  and  breast  streakeil ctrrulea  118 

-chestnut,  like  the  throat  i  below,  .ind  sides  of  neck,  bnffy-tlnged castanea  123 

—  clear  ash  ;  rump  and  under  parts  yellow,  breast  and  sides  black-streakeil maculosa  125 

—  blackish,  with  median  lino  orange-brown,  like  the  auricuiars  ;  rump  yellow tir/rina  126 

•    —  perfectly  black  ;  throat  black  ;  a  smiiU  yellow  ioral  spot nigrescms  116 

—  not  black;  no  yellow  ;  feet  flesh-color striata  122 

— with  yellow  spot  ;  throat  flame-color ;  rump  not  yellow blncllmm(e  121 

-white  ;  rump  anil  sides  of  breast  yellow cnronata  119 

—  yellow;  rump  and  sides  of  breast  yellow nuilMxini  120 

(b)  Crown  otherwise;  throat  black;  back  ashy,  streaked,  rump  ash,  crown  yellow  .  ...    occidentnlis  113 

—  blackish,  rump  black,  crown  blackish chrj/sopnria  115 

—  olive ;  crown  like  back virens  112 

—  not  like  back toirnsendi    114 

—  yellow ;  back  olive  ;  no  black  r.   ashyonhead piiius    134 

—  ashy-blue ;  cheeks  the  same  ;  eyelids  yellow i/raciw    128 

—  black  ;  eyelids  widte dominica    129, 130 

Diagnostic  marks  qf  certain  Warblers  in  any  plumage. 

Wing-bars  and  belly  yellow discolor   127 

Wings  and  tail  dusky,  e<lgcd  with  yellow astiva  ot  vieilloti    111  or  Ilia 

Wing-bars  yellow,  and  belly  pure  white pennsylvanica    124 


298 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEIiES—  OSCINES. 


A  yellow  Riiot  in  front  of  the  aye  nnd  nowliero  cIko nigrescent    116 

A  whltu  »iK)t  a^  linse  of  priinarles  (almost  never  wanting) ccemlesceiia    117 

Tliroat  (iotlniloly  yellow,  belly  white,  bauli  with  no  grceniah ilominica  or  yracUe    12u,  130,  or  128 

Ilunip,  HidvH  of  breaitt,  crown  iinil  throat,  more  or  leHH  yellow amluhmi    120 

Hill  extremely  acute,  iierfeptihly  uiirvcd  i  rump  (generally)  yellow tii/rhiu    I'M 

Kump,  Hides  of  breast,  anil  crown  more  or  iewt  yellow  ;  throat  white coroimta    110 

Wing-bars  white,  tail-spots  oblli|iie,  at  end  of  two  outer  feathers  only pinim    l.!4 

Tail-»|K)ts  at  miildle  of  nearly  all  the  feathers,  rump  and  belly  yellow mncuhsa    125 

Wing-bars  brownish,  tail-8i«)ts  square,  at  end  of  two  outer  feathers  only palmnrum    132,  l.'IS 

Wing-bars  not  very  conspicuous,  whole  under  parts  yellow,  buck  with  no  greenish kirttandl    131 

Tall-spots  at  end  of  nearly  all  the  fuuthors,  and  no  tiellnlte  yellow  anywhere cicrukit    118 

Tliroat,  breast,  and  sides  black  or  with  black  traces,  sides  of  hea<l  with  dllTuse  yellow,  outer  tail-feather 

white-edge<l  externally (''reii«  and  Its  western  allies    112,113,114,110 

Throat  yellow  or  orange,  crown  with  at  least  a  trace  of  a  central  yellow  or  orange  spot,  and  outer  tall- 
feather  white-edged  externally lilacklmnKB    121 

Bill  ordinary  ;  and  with  none  of  the  foregoing  special  marks striata  or  caatanea    122  or  123 

111.  D.  wstl'va.  (Lilt,  astiva,  sunimory ;  astas,  suiniiior.)  Si'mmeu  Warblkii.  Summer  Yel- 
Low-itiRi>.  I{m;i>eyei>  Yellow  Warbler.  Golden  Warbler.  ^,ndult:  Goldcn- 
ycll(jw;  tlio  back  with  a  grocuisli  tiiifie  iTsulting  iu  rich  yclluw-olivo,  the  ruiiip  iiuiro  yellow- 
ish ;  tlie  iniiUUe  of  the  back  soiiietiiiie.s  obsoletely  streaked  witli  darker.  Crown  like  tlie  under 
parts,  in  high  i)luniage  often  tinged  with  orange-brown.  Breast  and  sides,  and  sometimes 
most  of  the  under  parts,  streaked  witli  orange-brown.  Quills  and  tail-featliers  dusky,  edged  on 
botli  webs  witli  yellow,  tlie  yellow  occupying  most  of  the  inner  webs  of  the  tail-feathers.  Bill 
plumbeous.  Feet  pale  brown.  Length  4.75-.5.00;  extent  Z-iO-?.?.'! ;  wing  2.50;  tail  2.00. 
9,  adult:  Yellow- olive  of  upper  parts  extending  on  tlie  crown;  streaks  below  obsolete  or 
entirely  wanting.  General  coloration  paler.  Young :  Like  the  9  >  l>ut  still  duller  colored. 
Upper  parts,  including  crown,  pale  olive,  with  an  ochrey  instead  of  clear  yellow  shade  ; 
below  ochrey-whitc  or  dull  i)ale  yellowish.  Edgings  of  wings  and  tail  dull  yellowish.  North 
America,  everywhere  in  woodland,  gardens,  orchards,  parks,  and  even  city  streets,  a  beautiful, 
abundant,  and  familiar  little  bird.  Nests  throughout  its  range,  in  fruit  or  sliade  trees,  shrub- 
bery and  brushwood,  building  a  neat,  compact,  and  durable  nest  of  S(jft  vegetable  and  animal 
substances  felted  together;  eggs  commonly  4-5,  fi-om  0.64  to  0.09  X  0.48  to  0.53,  grayish-  or 
greenish-white,  variously  dotted  and  blotched  with  reddisli-brfiwn  and  lilac  shades.  The  c<dor 
of  this  precious  gem  makes  a  pretty  spot  as  it  flits  through  the  verdure  of  the  forest  or  plays 
amidst  the  rose-tinted  blossoms  of  the  fruit-orchard ;  and  its  sprightly  song  is  one  of  the  most 
familiar  sotmds  of  bird-life  during  the  season  when  the  year  renews  its  youth. 

Ilia.  D.  vieil'lotl  bry'anti.  (To  L.  P.  VieiHot.  To  Dr.  Henry  Bryant.)  Chestnut-headed 
Golden  Warbler.  Belonging  to  the  ''golden  warbler"  group  of  the  genus,  and  resembling 
D.  astiva  in  general  characters.  Dusky  predominating  over  yellow  cm  the  tail-feathers; 
tarsus  about  0.72.  $,  adult:  Whole  head  chestnut,  well  defined  all  around  against  the 
yellow;  edging  of  wing-coverts  slight;  rufous  streaks  of  breast  and  sides  few  and  nari'ow. 
The  continental  I),  vieilloii,  as  described  by  Cassin  in  1800,  would  appear  to  b(!  well  dis- 
tinguished among  its  inunediate  insular  allies  by  the  rufous  hood  which  envelopes  the  head, 
but  to  be  very  questionably  divisible  into  the  several  forms  noted  by  Bidgway  in  1S74.  That 
here  given  is  described  as  the  Mexican  race,  lately  ascertjiincd  to  occur  at  La  Paz,  Low(;i 
California.  The  9  is  said  to  be  indistinguishable  from  that  of  others  of  the  golden  warbler 
group.  The  extra-liniital  forms  are  all  said  to  differ  from  the  N.  Am.  1).  astiva  in  having 
longer  tarsi  and  less  yellow  on  the  tail-feathers.  (Not  in  the  Check  List,  1882.  See  Hist. 
N.  A.  Birds,  i,  1874,  p.  217,  and  Pr.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  iv,  1882,  ]).  414.) 

112.  D.  vlr'ens.  (Lat.  lurais,  growing  green.  Fig.  IGO.)  Black-throated  Green  Warbler. 
(^,  in  sjiriiig  :  Back  and  crown  clear  yellow-olive;  forehead,  superciliary  line,  and  whole  sides 
of  head  rich  yellow  (in  very  high  jdumage,  middle  of  back  with  dusky  marks,  and  dusky  or  dark 
olive  lines  through  eyes  and  auriculars,  and  even  bordering  the  crown) ;  chin,  throat,  and 


113. 


SL  YVICOLIDJE  -8YL  VICOLINJE :    TB  UE   WA  RliLERS. 


299 


11!0 
119 
I.!4 
125 
,  1.'I3 
131 
118 


breast  jet  black,  prolonged  bohind  ns  stronks  on  the  sides ;  other  under  parts  wliite,  usuiilly 
yellow-tinged;  \ving!<  and  tail  dusky,  former  with  two  wliite  hars  and  uiudi  wliitisli  edging, 
latter  witli  outer  featiiers  nearly  all  white  ;  bill  and  feet  blaekish.  ^  in  the  fall,  and  9  •"  the 
H|inng:  Similar,  but  the  blaek  restricted,  inten-upted,  or  veiled  with  yellow  ;  young  Himilar  to 
the  9  ( '"•t  tl'e  bluek  still  more  restricted  or  wanting  altogether,  except  a  few  streaks  along 
sides.  Small:  Length  4.80-5.10;  extent  7.00-8.00 ;  wing  2.30-2.55 ;  tail  2.00.  Eastern 
U.  S.  and  Hritish  Provinces,  west  only  to  the  edge  of  the  Plains;  migratory,  abundant;  breeds 
from  higher  portions  of  the  Middle  States,  and  plentifidly  from  New  England  northwanl ; 
winters  extraliniital.  This  jaunty  bird  is  one  of  the  c(anm(uiest  warblers  of  summer  in  New 
England,  breeding  in  the  pineries,  in  June.  Nest  in  fork  of  a  bough,  usually  at  some  elevation, 
of  the  most  miscellaneous  nniterials  ;  eggs  4-5,  0.07  X  0.54,  white,  with  the  usual  sprinkling 
or  wreathing  of  brown  and  purplish  markings.     The  nuptial  song  is  very  i)eculiar. 

113.  D.  oceldenta'lis.  (Lat.  occidcntalis,  western;  where  the  sun  sets.)  \Vk.sti;un  WAuni.ER. 
IIkumit  Waubleu.  ^,  adult:  Above,  ashy-gray,  tinged  with  (dive,  especially  on  the  rumj), 
and  closely  streaked  with  black  ;  below,  white.  Top  and  sides  of  head  rich  yellow,  the  former 
witli  transverse  black  markings.  Central  line  of  chin,  throat,  and  juguluni  black,  ending  on 
the  breast  with  a  sharp  c(mvex  outline,  (M>ntrasted  with  the  adjoining  wliite.  Wings  and  tail 
as  in  rjr«w.  Bill  black.  Length  4.75-5.00;  e.\tent  7.75  ;  wing  2.50-2.75  ;  tail  2.12-2.25  ; 
tarsus  0.00-0.75;  bill  0.40.  9)'i'lult:  Described  as  similar  to  the  nnile,  but  darker  gray 
above,  with  the  yellow  of  the  head  less  extended,  and  the  throat  whitish,  spotted  with  dusky. 
Young :  Upper  parts  idivaceous-ash,  and  the  yellow  of  the  top  of  the  head  overlaid  with  <dive. 
Sides  of  the  head  j»retty  clear  yellow,  fading  gradually  into  the  white  of  the  throat.  No  black 
on  the  throat.  White  of  the  under  j)arts  ftiintly  brownish-tinged,  and  sides  witli  obstdete 
streaks.  In  a  September  specimen  the  dusky  olivo  extends  over  all  the  upper  parts,  tinging 
the  ashy  of  the  lower  back,  and  reaching  on  the  crown  nearly  to  the  bill,  where  it  gradually 
lightens  by  admixture  of  yellow ;  the  sides  of  the  head  are  clear  yellow,  soileil  with  some 
olivaceous ;  chin  and  throat  the  same,  fading  on  the  breast  into  the  dull  white  of  the  other 
under  parts;  sides  with  obs(deto  streaks,  and  a  slight  gnvyish-olive  wash.  There  is  no  bkvek 
whatever  about  the  head  or  throat,  and  the  blackish  streaks  of  the  back  are  obsolete.  The 
wings  are  twice-barred  with  the  conspicuous  white  tips  of  the  greater  and  median  wing- 
coverts.  Kocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific,  U.  S.  and  southward;  one  of  the  several  western  relatives 
of  7^.  rirens. 

114.  D.  town'sendi.  (To  J.  K.  Townsend.)  Townsend's  Warbler.  (J,  adult:  Entire 
upper  jiarts  yellowish-olive,  rather  darker  than  in  virens,  everywhere  streaked  witli  black, 
especially  on  the  crown,  where  the  blaek  usually  predominates ;  no  hidden  yellow  on  the 
crown.  Side  of  the  head  bright  yellow,  enclosing  a  large  black  patch,  constituted  by  the 
loral  and  orbital  and  auricular  regions,  in  whiiih  the  yellow  eyelids  ajipear.  Chin,  throat, 
breast,  and  sides  j)art  way,  yellow,  the  jugtilum  black  ;  the  sides  of  the  breast  and  of  the  body 
streaked  with  black.  Under  wing-coverts,  belly,  flanks,  and  crissum  white,  the  two  latter 
slightly  shaded  and  streaked  with  dusky.  Wings  crossed  with  two  white  bands,  that  of  the 
median  coverts  broadest.  Wings  and  tail  fuscous,  the  former  with  \):\\e  edgings,  the  latter 
having  two  or  three  outer  feathers  larg(dy  blotched  with  white.  Bill  and  feet  blackish  horn- 
color.  Length  about  5.00 ;  extent  7.50-8.00;  wing  2.25-2.50;  tail  2.00.  9:  Like  the  (J,  but 
the  black  of  tlie  jugulum  mixed  with  yellow  (and  that  on  the  sides  of  the  head  mixed  with  or  re- 
]daced  by  olive?)  Young:  Shade  of  the  upper  parts  slightly  brownish,  and  the  black  streaks 
slight,  obscdete,  or  wanting.  The  dark  patch  on  the  side  of  the  head  olivaceous,  like  the  back. 
No  continuous  blaek  on  the  jugulum.  Autumnal  adults  show  various  gradations  between  the 
characters  of  the  old  and  young.  Very  closely  related  to  D.  virens,  of  which  it  is  the  western 
representative.  Adult  males  readily  distinguished  by  the  darker  greenish  upper  parts,  con- 
spicuously streaked,  especially  on  the  head,  with  black;  the  black  cheeks  and  auriculars; 


m 


5500 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


Idiick  iif  jiiRuliiiii  not  rc'Hcliinp  iintcriiirly  t"  the  Mil,  ami  the  Hurnmiidiiijr  yellow  aditiK  on 
till"  breast  liack  of  the  Maek.  Yoimi;  binls  not  so  easily  (liscriniiiiafccl ;  lint  tliere  are  usually 
traees  at  least  oi"  the  hlaek  streaks  on  the  upper  jiarts;  there  is  uoeoiioealeil  yi'lhiw  on  the 
crown;  the  yellow  of  the  under  parts,  (jiiite  as  l>rif;ht  as  in  the  adult,  extends  far  alon^  the 
breast,  behind  that  part  wherr  it  veils  the  black.  Kocky  Mts.  to  the  I'aeitle,  Alaska  to  (lUiit- 
enuihi;  coniinon.  A  straggler  taken  a»  Philadelphia. 
115.  I>.  cliryHoimrrK.  ((Jr.  x^firdr,  c/irMsos,  golden,  and  n-npf«ii,  ^McriVf,  cheek.)  OoLUKN-niEKK- 
Ki>  \Vauhi.i;|{.  Prevailing  color  of  upper  )iarts  black,  usually  mixed  with  olive-greon  ;  sides 
of  head  yellow,  with  narrow  black  stripe  through  eye;  below,  with  the  wings  and  tail,  as  in 
riretis;  size  of  this  species,  and  changes  of  pbimage  doubtless  parallel  ;  very  closely  related, 
(f ,  in  full  dress;  Above,  jet  black  from  bill  to  tail,  anteriorly  narrowing  to  a  ]toint  on  the  fore- 
head, with  scarcely  a  trace  of  dlivaceous  toward  and  on  the  rump.  Kntire  side  of  head  and 
neck  golden-yellow,  reaching  the  hill,  elsewhere  enclosed  in  black,  and  enclosing  a  long  black 
striiie  thnaigh  eye  to  side  of  nape,  nearly  cutting  <pfi'  a  superciliary  stripe  from  the  general  yel- 
low area,  which,  however,  is  continuotis  on  lore  and  side  of  najie.  Chin,  throat,  and  breast 
ji't  black,  this  c(dor  extending  backward  along  the  sides  as  heavy  streaking  ;  narn  '"it;  ante- 
riorly where  sharjdy  defined  against  the  yellow ;  other  under  parts,  including  liii  wings, 
white,  s(piarely  defined  against  the  black  of  breast  (the  wliide  under  jiarts  thus  rnn). 
Wings  blackish,  with  two  broad  white  cross-bars,  and  whitish  edging  of  the  f|uills,  especially 
t]w  inner  secoialaries.  Tail  blackish,  the  outermost  feather  white  with  only  a  black  shaft-line 
clubbed  at  end  ;  the  next  three  \y.\m  with  decreasing  white  areas.  Kill  and  feet  black.  Texas 
and  southward  ;  rare,  at  least  in  c<dlections.  Nest  in  upright  fork,  preferably  of  a  cedar,  largo 
for  the  bird,  compactly  felted  of  bark  strips,  fine  grasses,  rootlets,  and  slender  vegetable  fibres 
and  c(d(W(djs,  lined  copiously  with  hair  and  feathers ;  eggs  0.75  X  O.-'iS,  white,  dotted  with 
reddish-brown  and  lavender,  and  blotched  with  darker  brown,  laid  in  .May. 
110.  D.  ulgres'eens.  (Lat.  jif'i/tY.scrH.x,  growing  black.  Fig.  1(11.)  Hi.ACK-TilltoATKi)  fJuAY  Wau- 
itl.KK.  ^,  adult :  Above,  bluish-ash,  the  interscapular  region,  and  usually  also  the  npper-tail 
coverts,  streaked  with  black.  Helow,  from  the  brea.st,  \)mv  white,  the 
sides  streaked  with  black.  Entire  head,  with  chin  and  throat,  black  ; 
a  sharply-defined  yeUow  spot  before  the  eye,  a  broad  white  stripe 
behind  the  eye,  and  a  long  white  maxillary  stripe  widening  behind 
from  the  comer  of  the  bill  to  the  side  of  the  neck.  Wings  fnsc(ai.s, 
with  much  whitish  edging,  and  crossed  with  two  broad  white  bars 
on  the  ends  of  the  greater  and  median  coverts.     Tail  like  the  wings, 

Pio.  164.  -  Blftck-i'liroatcl  *'"'  *'""''*'  '"♦<'""''l  feathers  mostly  white,  excei)t  on  the  outer  webs. 
Gray  W(irl)ler,  iiat.  size.  (Ad  the  fourth  with  a  white  blotch.  Hill  and  feet  black.  Size  of  IJ. 
nat.  .lei.  E.  c.)  towmendi.       9  :  T/ike  the  male,  but  the  black  of  the  crown  mixed 

with  the  ashy  of  the  back,  and  th.nt  of  the  throat  veiled  with  white  tips  of  the  feathers.  Young  : 
Like  the  9  >  1'"*  the  crown  iilmost  entirely  like  the  back,  and  the  black  of  the  throat  still  more 
hidden.  Hack  not  streaked.  Less  white  on  the  tail.  Hill  r.,:t  entirely  black.  Kocky  Mts.  to 
the  Pacific,  IT.  S.  and  southward,  connnon  in  woodland.  Quito  unlike  any  other  species  ;  one 
of  the  five  T>en<lr(cc(c  which  are  normally  confined  to  the  West. 
117.  D.  cceniles'cens.  (Lat.  rnrrntcscens,  growing  blue;  canileits,  blue.)  Blaok-THUOATED 
Blue  Wauhler.  ^,  in  spring :  Above,  uniform  slaty-blue,  the  perfect  continuity  of  which  is 
only  interrupted  in  very  high  iduinages,  by  a  few  black  dorsal  streaks  ;  below,  jiure  white ; 
the  sides  of  the  head  to  above  the  eyes,  the  chin,  thro<at,  and  wlude  sides  of  the  body  continu- 
ously jet  black  ;  ving-hars  wantinrf  (the  coverts  being  black,  edged  with  bine),  but  a  lar;;e 
white  spot  at  base  of  primaries :  quill-feathers  blackish,  outwardly  edged  with  bluish,  the  inner 
ones  mostly  white  on  their  inner  webs ;  tail  with  the  ordinary  white  blotches,  the  central  feath- 
ers edged  with  bluish ;  bill  black ;  feet  dark.     Young  ^  :  Similar,  but  the  blue  glossed  with 


iia. 


110. 


SYLVICOLlDAi  —  SYLVICOLINJt::   TRUE    WAliliLKUS. 


301 


oliviiccoiw,  ami  tlu!  Itliick  iiitt'rrnptrd  and  ri'striott'd.  9  cntircbj  different :  l)iill  iiIiv(>-Kr)'i>iiii<li, 
with  faint  Idnihli  HJiadc,  liclow  paii'  woilcd  ycllowisli ;  lint  rcodmiizublc  liy  tlit'  white  spot  at  base 
of  jiriintirien,  wliii'li,  tliminii  it  may  be  rcdnccd  to  a  iiicri'  speck,  is  nearly  always  evident,  at 
least  on  pusliing  aside  tlie  jiriniary  niverts  ;  no  other  win|,'-niarkings ;  tail-blotehes  small  or 
obscure;  feet  rather  pale.  .Size  of  vii'enH.  Kastern  U.  S.,  abundant,  in  woodland,  its  rmiKc 
closely  coincident  with  that  of  riirnn.  Ii  is,  however,  rather  a  bird  of  brake  and  bin-ii 
than  of  high  woods,  at  least  in  summer;  and  nests  in  bushes,  chist^  to  the  ground.  Kggs  not 
peculiar.  A  beautiful  bird,  the  ^  with  black,  white  ami  blut^  in  inattses,  thus  reseuibliiig  no 
other,  and  the  olive-cidored  9  ">*  diH'erent  as  jiossihle  from  her  mate. 

118.  I>.  coeru'leii.  (Lat.  I'tenileiis,  cerulean,  sky-blue.)  Cf.uii.k.v.n  Wauiii.kk.  Azt'itK  W.Vli- 
III. Kit.  (^,  adult :  Kiitire  up]ier  parts  sky-blue,  the  middle  of  the  back  streaked  with  black  ;  the 
crown  usually  richer  and  also  with  dark  markings.  Ilelow,  pure  white,  streaked  across  the 
breast  and  along  tlu^  sides  with  dusky-blue  —  the  breast-streaks  inclining  to  form  a  short  bar, 
sometimes  interru|ited  in  the  middle.  Auriculars  dusky;  edges  of  eyelids  and  .superciliary  line 
white.  Wings  blackish,  much  edged  e.vternally  with  the  color  of  the  back,  the  inner  wtd)s  of 
all  the  ((uills,  the  outer  webs  of  the  inner  secondaries,  mid  two  broad  bars  across  the  tips  of  the 
greater  ami  median  coverts,  white.  Tail  black,  with  much  exterior  edging  of  the  color  of  the 
back,  all  the  feathers,  except  the  middle  pair,  with  small,  white,  subternunal  spots  on  the  inner 
WL'bs.  Length  4.(K)-t. 50;  wing  2.00  .  tail  2.00  or  le.ss.  9 ,  adult :  Quite  different.  I'pper 
pails  dull  greeiush,  with  more  or  les-  layi.sh-bluc  shade,  the  greenish  brigliti'st  and  j)urest  on 
the  crown.  Kyelids,  line  over  eye,  and  i  /I'ire  niidt  r  parts,  whitish,  more  or  less  strongly  over- 
cast with  dull  grecni.sh-yellow.  Wings  and  tail  dusky,  the  exterior  edgings  of  the  c(dor  of  the 
back;  the  bars,  spots,  aial  interior  edgings  white,  as  in  the  ^.  The  female  is  curiously  sim- 
ilar to  the  saiia'  sex  of  I).  arnileKceiin,  but  in  the  latter  the  tail-spots  are  ditt'erent ;  there  are  no 
white  wing-bars,  but  instead  there  is  a  small  whitish  spot  at  the  base  of  the  outer  primaries. 
The  autumnal  ]ilumage  of  the  adults  is  said  to  differ  in  no  wise  from  that  of  the  spring.  Young 
malesare  much  like  the  adult  females,  but  less  uniformly  greenish-blue  above  and  purer  white 
Ixdow,  with  evident  blacki.sh  strijies  on  the  interscapulars  and  sides  of  tin'  head.  'I'he  young 
female  resembles  the  adult  of  that  sex,  but  is  still  greener  above,  with  little  or  no  blue,  andipiiti^ 
butly-y(dlowish  below.  When  in  full  dress  this  is  a  perfect  little  beauty,  there  being  sumething 
pecidiarly  tasteful  and  artistic  in  the  simple  contrast  of  the  snowy-white  with  the  delicate  azure- 
blue,  without  any  "warm''  color.  Eastern  U.  !S.,  rarely  north  to  New  Kiigland;  west  siane- 
tiines  to  the  Rocky  Mts.  in  the  latitude  of  Colorado.  One  of  the  rarer  species.  Nest  small 
and  neat,  in  fork  of  a  bough  20-,")l)  feet  from  the  ground;  eggs  4,  creamy-white,  heavily 
blotched  with  n'ddish-b'own,  O.fiO  X  0.47. 

110.  D.  r  >roiia'ta.  (Lat.  coronntu,  crowned;  corona,  i\  crown.  Fig.  105.)  Yeu,<)W-ui;.mpei» 
WAiuti.Kit.  YKi.how-cHowxKK  W^\Ull^EU.  MvUTi.E  HiRi).  <J,  iu  spring:  Slaty-blue, 
streaked  with  black ;  below,  white,  breast  and  sides  mostly 
black,  belly,  and  especially  throat,  pure  white,  immaculate; 
rump,  central  crnirn-patvh,  and  sides  of  breast,  sharplij  i/elloir, 
there  being  thus  four  delinitt;  yellow  places ;  sides  of  head 
black ;  eyelids  and  superciliary  line  white ;  ordinary  white 
wing-bars  and  tail-blotches;  bill  and  feet  black.  ^  in  winter, 
and  9  ill  summer,  similar,  but  slate-color  less  pure,  or  ([uite 
brownish ;  ijoung  birds  are  (piite  brown  abov(>,  with  a  U'W 
obscure  streaks  in  the  whitish  of  the  under  parts.  It  is  im- 
possible to  specify  the  endless  intermediate  styles;  but  I  never  Fio.  len  —  Yeiinw-rninptxl  War- 
..1       .    .1  ,|  1      1  1       X       ..  bier,  iiat.  »lze.    (Ad  iint.  del.  E.  C.) 

saw  a  specimen  without  the  yellow  rump,  and  at  least  a  trace 

of  the  other  yellow  marks;  these  points  therefore  are  diagnostic.  (The  only  other  obscure- 
looking  brownish  warblers  with  yellow  runip  are  maculosa  and  tigrina,  when  young.     Reseni- 


302 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PA SSEBES—  OSCINES. 


blcs  ttuduboni,  excepting  in  the  following  points:  —  Throat  white  IJrenst  black,  mixed  with 
wliitu.  Sides  of  the  head  definitely  pure  black;  edges  of  eyelids,  and  long  narrow  superciliary 
line,  white.  Wings  crossed  with  two  broad  white  bars,  which  do  not  fuse  into  one  white 
patch,  owing  to  narrowness  or  deficiency  of  white  edging  along  the  outer  webs  of  the  great 
coverts.)  One  of  the  larger  species.  Length  5.30-5.75  ;  extent  8.80-9.40;  winj.;  2.75-3.00; 
tail  about  2.50.  North  America,  but  chieHy  eastern ;  Alaska;  Washington  Territory ;  Cali- 
fornia; Arizona;  U.  S.  rarely  in  sunniier,  but  during  the  migrations  the  most  abundant  of  all 
the  W'lrblers;  winters  as  far  north  as  New  Kngland ;  seen  everywhere,  but  is  particularly 
numerous  in  shrubbery,  along  hedge-rows,  in  Hocks,  with  troops  of  simrrows,  titmice,  etc. 
Breeds  from  northern  New  England  northward;  nest  generally  low  in  evergreens;  eggs  4. 
about  0.75  X  0.55,  with  tiie  usual  markings.  Moult  double,  there  being  a  vernal  as  well  as 
an  autumnal  change,  tlic  former  usually  eflected  dtu'ing  the  spring  migrations. 

1  >.  D.  iiud'uboni.  (To  J.  J.  Audubon.)  Aituubon's  Wauhlku.  Western  Yellow-immp. 
(J,  (tfliilt,  in  summer  :  Upper  parts  clear  bluish-ash,  streaked  with  black.  A  central  longitudi- 
nal sjiot  on  the  crown,  the  rump,  threat,  and  a  patch  on  each  side  of  the  breast,  rich  yellow. 
Sides  of  the  head  little  darker  than  the  upper  parts;  eyelids  narrowly  white,  but  no  decided 
superciliary  white  stripe.  Tiie  ash  of  the  upi»er  parts  extending  far  around  the  sides  of  the 
neck.  Jugnlum  and  breast  in  high  plumage  pure  black,  though  tisually  mixed  with  .some 
grayish  skirting  of  the  feathers,  or  invaded  by  white  from  behind,  or  even  touched  with  yellow 
here  and  there.  IJelly  and  under  tail-coverts  white,  the  sides  streaked  with  black.  Wings 
blackish,  with  gray  or  white  edging,  especially  on  the  inner  quills;  the  median  wing-coverts 
tipjied,  tlie  greater  ones  edged  and  ti|)ped,  with  white,  forming  i-  great  white  blotch.  Tail  like 
the  wings,  the  outer  webs  narrowly  edged  with  gray  or  white,  tiie  inner  webs  of  all  the  lateral 
feathers  with  large  white  blotches.  Bill  and  feet  black.  One  of  the  largest  species.  Length, 
5.50-5.75;  extent,  8. 75-9.. 3;{ ;  wing,  2.75-3.00  ;  tail,  2.25.  9,insunnner:  (ienerally  similar 
to  the  (J.  Upper  parts  duller  and  browner  slate-color,  with  less  heavy  dorsal  streaks  ;  crown- 
spot  and  other  yellow  parts  j)aler ;  breast  not  continuously  black,  but  variegated  with  black, 
wliite,  and  the  color  of  the  back.  Sides  only  obstdetely  streaked.  Eyelids  scarcely  white,  and 
cheeks  hardly  different  from  the  back.  White  of  wing-coverts  mostly  restricted  to  two  bars; 
wliite  tail-spots  smaller.  Both  sexes  in  autumn  and  winter,  and  yoimg:  Upper  parts  (piite 
brown,  with  ob.scure  black  marking.  YeUow  crown-spot  concealed  or  wanting;  yellow  of 
throat,  rum)),  and  sides  of  breast  jialer  and  restricted.  Under  parts  whiti.sh,  shaded  on  the 
sides,  and  usually  across  the  breast,  with  a  dilut<!  tint  of  tiie  ."olor  of  the  back,  the  breast  and 
sides  ob.soletely  streaked  with  darker.  White  of  wing- coverts  obscured  with  brownish.  North 
-Vnierica,  from  ea.sternmo.st  woodland  of  the  Rocky  Mth.  to  the  Pacific;  north  probably  to 
Alaska;  accidental  in  New  England;  migratory,  breeding  northward  and  iu  Alpiuc  regions; 
extremely  abundant ;  nesting  in  no  wise  peculiar. 

121>  D.  bliiek'biiriiae.  (To  Mrs.  Blackburn,  an  English  lady.)  Blackbi'IIS's  Warhleu. 
PliOMETiiEfs.  (J,  adult,  iu  spring:  Entire  upper  parts,  including  the  wings  and  tail,  black, 
the  back  varied  with  whitish,  the  ■■••ings  with  a  largt;  white  speculum  on  the  coverts  and  much 
white  edging  of  the  coverts,  the  lateral  tail-feathers  largely  white,  only  a  .■diaft-line,  with 
clubbed  extremity,  being  left  blackish  on  the  outer  two  or  tliree  pairs.  Spot  on  fore  part  of 
crown,  eyelids,  line  over  eye  spreading  into  a  large  spot  Ixdiind  the  auriculars,  with  chin, 
throat,  and  fore  breast,  intense  orange  or  flame-c(dor.  There  is  nothing  to  compare  with  the 
ext|uisite  hue  of  this  Promethean  torch.  Sides  of  head  black  in  an  irregular  patch,  usually 
confluent  with  the  black  st;-eaks  on  the  side  of  the  breast,  isolating  the  orange  of  the  sides  of 
the  head  from  that  of  the  throat,  and  circumscribing  the  orange  patch  below  the  eye.  Under 
jiarts  from  the  breast  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with  orange  or  yellow,  and  whole  sides  streaked 
with  black.  Bill  and  feet  dark.  Length  about  5.50  ;  extent  8.50  ;  wing  2.75  ;  tail  2.00.  9, 
adult,  in  spring:  Similar  to  the  male  iu  the  pattern  and  distributicm  of  the  colors;  upper 


122. 


SYLVICOLID^—  SYLVICOLIN^ :   TRUE   WAIWLEIiS. 


803 


parts  hrownisli-olivp,  stroakod  wiih  black ;  thn  fiery  orange  of  the  male  not  s<i  iuteuso,  or 
merely  yellow,  that  on  the  crown  olscure  or  obsolete.  White  s])eculuin  of  the  wiug  resolved 
into  two  white  bars.  Sides  of  the  luad  like  the  back,  instead  of  black  as  in  the  male,  and  the 
lateral  streaks  duller  and  more  blended.  ^  and  9,  adult,  in  autumn,  are  sufficiently  similar 
to  the  respective  sexes  in  sfiring,  but  the  C(doratioii  is  toned  down,  the  fiery  colors  of  the  male 
beiufi;  less  intense,  and  the  black  of  the  back  being  much  mixed  with  olivaceous,  bringing 
about  a  dose  resemblance  to  the  spring  fenuile;  M-l,il<.  tbe  female  is  duHcr  still,  and  more  im- 
j>urely  colored.  Young:  Early  autunnial  birds  of  the  year  of  this  species  are  very  (discure- 
looking,  showing  no  sign  of  the  rich  coloration  of  the  adults.  Above,  like  the  adult  9>  '"•* 
still  browner,  with  more  obsolete  dusky  streaking.  Usually  an  indication  of  the  crown-spot  in 
a  lightening  of  the  part.  Sides  of  the  head  like  the  crown,  cutting  off  a  superciliary  stripe  and 
the  eyelids,  wliich  are  ochrey-white.  Whole  under  i)arts  white,  tinged,  especially  on  the  throat 
and  breast,  with  yellowish,  the  sides  with  (d)solete  streaking.  Indication  of  the  peculiar  pat- 
tern of  the  adults,  though  without  their  actual  coloration,  together  with  the  extent  of  white  ou 
the  tail-feathers,  will  usually  suffice  f<ir  the  determination  of  the  species,  before  any  orange 
appears  on  the  throat,  after  which  there  can  be  no  difficulty.  Chiefly  Eastern  N.  Am. ;  W., 
however,  to  Utah.  Abundant  in  mixed  woodland;  breeds  in  northerly  parts  of  its  U.  S.  range 
and  northward;  winters  extralimital.  One  of  the  later  migrants  in  spring.  Nests  in  bushes 
and  low  trees  ;  eggs  not  ju'culiar. 
132.  D.  stria'ta.  (Lat.  .s/riV/^n,  striped.  Fig.  IfiC).)  Bi.ack-I'oi.l  Warhleu.  ,y,  adult:  Back, 
nnnp,  and  upper  tail-coverts  grayish-olive,  heavily  streaked  with  black  :  whole  crown  pure 
glossy  black.  Ilelow,  pure  white;  a  double  series  of  black  streaks 
starts  from  the  extreme  chin,  and  diverges  to  jtass  one  on  each 
side  to  the  tail,  the  streaks  being  coulhient  anteriorly,  discrete 
jMisteriorly.  Side  of  head  above  the  chain  of  streaks  j)ure  white, 
including  lower  eyelid.  Wings  dusky,  the  jn-imaries  with  nuich 
greenish  edging,  the  inner  secondaries  with  whitish  edging,  the 
greater  and  nu'dian  cr)verts  tipped  with  white,  forming  two  cross- 
bars. Tail  like  the  wings,  with  rather  small  white  spots  at  the 
ends  of  the  inner  webs  of  two  or  three  outer  feathers.  Upjier 
mandible  brownish-black;  lower  mandible  with  the  feet  fiesh- 
colorcd  or  yeUowish.  Length  j.-2.')-5.75  ;  extent  8.7.5-9.H(l ;  wiug  2.70-2.90;  tail  2.25.  9: 
Entire  upper  parts,  including  the  crown,  greenish-olive,  with  dusky  streaks ;  below,  white, 
much  tinged  with  greenish-yellow,  especially  anteriorly,  the  streaks  dusky  and  not  so  sharj)  as 
those  of  the  nnile,  but  still  very  evident.  Bars  and  edgings  of  the  wings  greenish-white.  Tail 
as  in  the  nnile.  Bather  smaUcr  than  the  nuile  on  an  avcriure.  Young:  Similar  to  the  adidt 
9  ,  but  brighter  and  more  greenish -olive  above,  the  streakiugs  few  and  chiefly  confineil  to  tlu- 
middle  of  the  back  ;  below,  more  or  less  comidetely  tinged  with  greenish-yeUow,  the  streakiugs 
obsolete,  or  entirely  wanting.  T'nder  fail-coverts  usually  pure  white.  These  autumnal  birds 
bear  an  I'xtraordiuary  resemblance  to  those  of  I),  casttima  (though  the  adults  are  so  very  differ- 
ent), the  upper  parts  being,  in  fact,  the  same  in  both.  But  young  cn,s^rt»i<?fl  generally  shows 
traces  of  the  chestnut,  or  at  least  a  bulTy  shade.  <iuile  different  from  the  clear  grceuish-cdive  of 
utriiita,  this  tint  being  strongest  ou  the  flanks  and  under  tail-coverts,  just  where  striata  is  the 
nio.st  purely  white.  Moreover,  castaiira  shows  no  streaks  below,  traces  at  least  of  which  are 
usually  (dtservable  in  striata.  X.  .\m..  excejttiug  the  Western  and  most  of  the  Middle  Province ; 
\.  to  the  Arctic  ocean,  Greenland.  Alaska:  west  to  Nebraska  and  Colorado.  Winters  extra- 
limital. Breeds  from  northern  New  England  northward.  ^ligrates  late  in  the  spring,  bringing 
up  the  rear-guaril  of  the  Warbler  hosts;  when  the  Black-jioUs  appear  in  force  the  collecting 
sea.son  is  about  over!  Nests  h)W  in  spruce-trees  and  other  evergreens;  eggs  5,  0.72  X  0.50. 
not  peculiur. 


Fio.  IOC.  —  Hlnrk-poU    War- 
bler, nat.  size.  (.Vd  tiat.  del,  K.C.) 


304 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSERES  —  OSCINES. 


123«  D.  casta'nea.  (Lat.  castanea,  a  cliestuut,  in  allusiou  to  the  color.)  BAy-BUEASTEn  War- 
liLEK.  (J.  ill  sprinir:  JJaek  tliii-kly  streaked  with  bhiek  and  grayish-olive;  forehead  nnd  sides 
of  head  black;  enclosing  a  large  deep  chexintit  patch  ;  a  duller  cliestuut  (exactly  like  a  blue-bird's 
breast)  occupies  the  whole  chin  and  throat  and  thence  extends,  more  or  less  iuterrujited,  along 
the  entire  sides  of  the  body:  rest  of  under  (larts  oclirey  or  butfy  whitish  ;  a  similar  huffy  area 
behind  the  ears:  wing-bars  and  tail-spots  ordinary:  bill  and  feet  blackish.  9ihisj)ring: 
More  olivaceous  than  tiie  male,  with  the  markings  less  pronounced;  but  always  shows  evident 
chestnut  coloration  :  and  probably  traces  of  it  persist  in  all  adult  birds  in  the  fall.  The  yoiuisr, 
however,  so  clo.sely  resemble  young  striata,  that  it  is  somotinics  impossible  to  distinguish  them 
with  certainty.  The  upper  )iarts.  in  fact,  are  of  precisely  the  same  greenish-olive,  with  black 
streaks;  but  there  is  r/cdcra//// a  difference  below — castanca  being  there  tinged  with  huffy  or 
ochrey,  instead  of  the  (dearer  pale  yellowish  nf  striata  ;  this  shade  is  particularly  observable  on 
belly,  Hanks,  and  under  tail-coverts,  just  where  striata  is  whitest  ;  and  moreover,  castanea  is 
usually  not  streaked  on  the  sides  at  all.  Mature  spring  birds  vary  interminably  in  the  extent 
and  intensity  of  the  chestnut.  Size  of  striata.  Eastern  X.  Am.,  north  to  Hudson's  Bay,  W. 
to  the  edge  of  the  I'laiiis.  Winters  extraliniital.  Migratory  in  most  of  the  IJ.  S.  Breed.-: 
from  northern  New  Kngland  northward.  Nests  moderately  high  in  conifers,  building  a  large 
uest  of  twigs,  tree-moss,  rooth'ts,  fur,  etc. ;  eggs  ;}-(),  0.70  X  0.52,  blitish-green,  profusely 
spotted  with  browns  and  lilac. 
184.  D.  pennsylva'iiica.  (Of  "  IViiu's  woods";  sglva,  a  forest;  si/lranus,  sylvan.  Fig.  107.) 
t'ilESTNUT-SiUEi>  Waubi.EK.  (J ,  in  sjiriiig:  l$ack  streaked  with  black  and  pale  yellow  (some- 
times  a.shy  or  whitish  i;  irhole  crown  pure   i/ellou;   immediately  bordered  with   \vhite,  then 

enclosed  with  black  ;  sides  of  head  and  neck  and  whole  under 
yurtu  pure  white,  former  with  an  irregular  black  crescent  before 
the  eye;  one  horn  extending  backward  over  the  eye  to  border  the 
yellow  crown  and  be  dissi])ated  on  the  sides  of  the  nape,  the  other 
reaching  downwaril  and  backward  to  connect  with  a  chain  of  j>ure 
chestnut  .streaks  that  run  the  whole  length  of  the  body,  the 
under  eyelid  and  aiiriculai-s  being  left  white;  wing-bands  gen- 
erally fused  into  one  large  patch,  and,  like  the  edging  of  the  inner 
secondaries,  niucli  tinged  with  yellow:  tail-spots  white,  as  usual  : 
bill  blackish,  feet  brown.  9  >  hi  spring :  Quite  similar;  colors 
less  pure:  black  loral  crescent  obscure  or  wanting;  chestnut 
streaks  thinner.  Young:  Above,  including  the  crown,  clear  yellowi.sh -green,  jierfectly  uniform, 
or  back  with  slight  dusky  touches;  no  distinct  head-niarkings :  below,  entirelg  white  from  bill 

to  tail,  uimiarked,  or  else  slinwintr  a  tra< f  chestnut  streaks  on  the  sides;  wing-lmiids  cleai 

gellnw  as  in  the  adult  :  this  is  a  diagnostic  feature,  shared  by  no  other  species,  taken  in  con- 
nection with  tl ntinuoiisly  white  under  parts;    bill  light-colored  below.      Small:  Length 

l.M)-5.10:  extent  7.7.')-S,10;  wing  ■i.:Vt--2..")() ;  tail  -i.lM).  Kastern  V.  S.  and  adjoining  British 
Provinces:  west  only  to  the  edixe  of  the  Plains;  winters  extraliniital;  breeds  abundantly  in 
Middle  and  Northern  States:  nests  in  forks  of  low  .saplings,  shrubs,  and  bushes:  eggs  4-.j,  O.fiS 
X  0..J0,  with  the  usual  markiniis.     .\  pretty  species  chained  with  chestnut  on  snowy  ground. 


Fio.  lliT.  —  Cliestnut  - Bldeil 
Warliler,  iiat.  Hize.  (Ail  iiat.  del. 
E.C.) 


lUH.    D.  maeulo'sa.       (Tiat. 


iliisa,  full  of  sjiots  ;  macula,  a  spot.     Fig.  1(18.)     Bi.ArK-Axn- 


yeli.ow  Wauhi.eu.     MAiiNui.iA.      (J  9-  ill  sjiring:  Back  black,  usually  <|uile  ]iureaiid  unin- 
terrupted ill  the  (J,  more  or  less  mixed  with  olive  in  the  9  :  rump  yell 


ow  ;   iioper 


■r  tail- 


coverts 


black,  often  skirted  with  olive  or  ashy.  Whole  crown  of  liead  clear  ash  :  sides  of  head  black, 
including  a  very  narrow  frontlet  ;  the  eyelids  and  a  stripe  behind  the  eye,  between  the  ash  and 
black,  white.  Kiitire  under  parts  rich  yellow,  excepting  the  white  crissuni,  heavily  streaked 
with  black  across  the  breast  and  along  the  sides,  the  streaks  on  the  breast  so  thick  as  to  form  a 
nearly  continuous  black  border  to  the  iiiiinactilate  yeUow  throat.     Wings  fuscous,  with  white 


120. 


IS"! 


m  p 


SYLVICOLID^—SYLVICOLIN.E:    TRUE   WARBLERS. 


305 


1 


lining,  white  edging  of  the  inner  webs  of  all  the  quills,  of  the  outer  webs  of  the  inner  second- 
aries, nnd  with  a  largo  white  jiateh  formed  by  the  tips  of  the  median  covertis  and  tips  and  outer 
edges  of  the  greater  coverts.  Tail  blackish,  with  square  white  spots  on  the  middle  of  the  inner 
webs  of  all  the  feathers  excepting  the  middle  pair.  Bill  blackish;  feet  dark.  Length  4.75- 
5.00;  extent  7.00-7.50 ;  wing  2.25-2.50;  tail  2.00-2.25.  Young:  Upper  parts  ashy-olive, 
grayer  on  head;  rump  as  yellow  as  in  the  adult ;  no  decided  head-markings;  a  whitish  ring 
around  eye.  Below,  yellow,  generally  pure  and  continuous, 
sometimes  partially  replaced  by  gray ;  black  streaks  wanting, 
or  few  and  conlined  to  the  sides.  AViugs  with  two  bars ;  /«i7- 
Sjwts  as  in  the  adult.  While  the  sexes  of  this  dainty  little 
species  are  quite  similar,  the  young  require  looking  after ;  ob- 
serve yellow  rump,  small  square  tail-spots  on  middle  of  feathers, 
and   extensively  or  completely  yellow  under  parts.      Eastern 

N.  Am.,  N.  to  Hudsou's  Bay  and  Great  Slave  Lake,  W.  to 

,»     ,       ,,  „  ^.  .        ,  .        ,  1  .   ,1         .  F'o.  168.  —  Black-anil-ycllow 

the  Rocky  Mts.  of  Colorado;    abundant,  chietly  migratory  in    Waiblcr,  nat.  size.    (Ad  nut.  del. 

the   U.S.;    winters  extraliinital ;    breeds   from   New   England    K. c.) 

northward.     Builds  a  small  neat  nest  in  low  conifers  ;  eggs  4-5,  0.04  X  0.48,  not  i)eculiar. 

126.  D.  tlgrl'na.  (Lat.  ti(irina,  striped  like  a  tiger,  tifiris.)  Capk  May  Wauiu.er.  Adult  ^, 
insjn-ing:  Back  yellowish-olive,  spotted  with  black;  crown  in  high  plumage  perfectly  black, 
usually  interrupted  with  olive,  liuinp,  sides  of  the  neck  nearly  meeting  iicross  the  najie,  sides 
of  iiead  and  entire  under  parts  bright  yellow ;  ear-patch  orange-brown  ;  a  black  transocular 
stripe,  cutting  off  a  yellow  superciliary  stripe;  lower  throat  and  whole  breast  and  sides  thickly 
streaked  with  black  ;  yellow  of  throat  sometimes  tinged  with  orange-brown  ;  that  of  belly  and 
under  tail-coverts  pale  or  wliitisb.-  Wing-bars  fused  in  a  large  white  patch,  formed  by  iniddlo 
coverts  and  outer  webs  of  most  of  the  greater  coverts.  Quills  and  tail-feathers  blackish,  edged 
on  outer  webs  with  olive;  tail-spots  on  three  outer  feathei's  near  their  ends,  oblique,  large  on 
outer  feather,  diniinishing  on  the  next  successively;  bill  and  feet  blackish.  The  yellow  i)atch 
ou  the  rump  is  conspicuous,  and  in  high  plumage  that  on  tiie  side  of  the  neck  is  immaculato 
and  very  bright.  9  •  >n  ^piug  >  Similar;  lacking  the  distinctive  head-markings;  under  i)arts 
l)aler  and  less  streaked,  tail-spots  small  or  (discure;  less  white  on  the  wini;.  Young  :  An  in- 
signiticant-looking  bird,  resembling  an  overgrown  ruby-crowned  kinglet,  witliout  its  crest ; 
obscure  greenish-olive  above;  rump  yellowish;  under  parts  yeUowish-white  ;  breast  and  sides 
with  the  streaks  obscure  or  obsolete;  little  or  no  white  <m  wings,  whicli  are  edifcd  with  yel- 
lowish. Lengtii  5.00-5. 2r) ;  wing  2.75;  tail  2.25.  Eastern  \.  Am.  to  Iliidson's  Bay,  only 
known  W.  to  the  Mississippi.  Another  exquisite,  resembling  the  Magnolia  in  its  yellow  rump 
and  yellow  black-striped  under  parts,  but  easily  recoiriii/ed  at  maturity  by  the  oranu'e-brnwn 
car-coverts;  possessing  also  the  charm  of  rarity  In  most  ]iarts.  It  Is  also  remarkable  for  the 
curved  and  very  acute  bill,  and  some  anatomical  ix'cuilarltles  of  the  tonuue,  which  have  caused 
it  to  be  maile  type  of  a  genus  I'erissogloxsa.  Breeds  In  ])ortlons  of  New  Enghind  and  nortii- 
ward :  nest  low  in  trees  ;  eggs  not  peculiar. 

137.  D.  «ll9'eolor.  (Lat.  discolor,  j larti- colored ;  ojjposed  to  concolor,  whole-colored.)  PnAiltlE 
Wakiii.EU.  Yellow-olive;  back  with  a  patch  of  brick-red  spots  ;  foreiiead,  sujiercillary  line, 
two  wing-bars,  and  «'iitire  under  parts,  rich  yellow;  a  V-shajM'd  black  mark  on  side  of  head, 
its  upper  arm  running  through  eye,  its  lower  arm  Cimnecting  with  a  series  of  black  streaks 
along  the  whole  sides  of  the  neck  and  body;  tall-blotciu's  very  large,  occupying  most  of  the 
inner  web  of  the  outer  feathers.  The  sexes  are  almost  exactly  alike,  and  the  young  only  differ 
in  not  Ix'ing  so  bright  and  in  having  the  dorsal  patch  and  head-markings  obscure.  Small: 
Length  4.75;  extent  7.00-7.40;  wing  2.15-2.25;  tail  2.00.  Eastern  I'.  S.  to  Massachu- 
Betts ;  W.  U-'  Kansas ;  an  abundant  bird  of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States,  in  sjiarse  low 
woodland,  cedar  thickets  and  old  fields  grown  up  fu  scrub-pines ;  remarkable  for  its  qiiuiut 


306 


SYSTEMATIC  SYHOPSIS.  —  PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


and  curious  song ;  an  export  Hy-catclier,  constantly  darting  into  the  air  in  pursuit  of  winged 
insects,  lilco  tiic  Jtedstart  and  tlie  s]K'cii's  of  Mi/iudiodes.  Ikeeds  throughout  its  U.  S.  range ; 
winters  in  Florida  and  the  West  Indies.  Nest  on  a  bush  or  sapling  near  the  ground  ;  a  small, 
neat,  compact  structure;  eggs  3-().  not  j)eculiar. 

128.  D.  gra'eite.  (To  iMiss  Grace  I).  Cones,  tlie  author's  sister.)  Gkace's  Warhlkp  Entire 
upper  parts  ashy-gray,  with  a  slaty-blue  tinge  ;  the  middle  of  the  back  streaked  with  black, 
the  ujiper  tail-coverts  less  conspicuously  so  marked;  the  crown  with  crowded  black  an"ow- 
heuds,  especially  anteriorly  and  laterally,  the  tendency  of  these  markings  being  to  form  a  line 
along  the  side  of  the  crown,  meeting  its  fellow  on  the  forehead.  A  broad  superciliary  line  of 
yellow,  confluent  with  its  feUow  on  the  extreme  front,  changing  to  white  behind  the  eye. 
Lores  blackisli;  sides  of  head  otherwise  like  the  back,  enclosing  a  crescentic  yellow  spot  below 
the  J'ye ;  edges  of  eyelids  yellow.  Chin,  throat,  and  fore  breast  bright  yellow,  bordered  with 
blackish  streaks;  the  yellow  of  the  throat  sejiarate  from  that  mider  the  eye  or  on  the  hires. 
Under  parts  from  the  breast  white,  the  sides  shaded  with  the  coha- of  the  back,  and  streaked 
with  black  in  cuntinuation  of  the  chain  of  shorter  streaks  along  the  side  of  the  neck.  Wings 
dusky,  with  very  narrow  Avhitish  edging,  and  cro.><sed  with  two  white  bars  along  the  ends  of  the 
greater  and  median  coverts.  'J'ail  like  the  wings;  the  lateral  feather  nio.stly  white,  excepting 
the  outer  web  ;  the  next  two  or  thrcf,'  \vith  white  blotches,  decreasing  in  size.  Eyes,  bill,  and 
feet  black;  soles  dirty  ycHowish.  Length  4.90-5.25;  extent  about  8.00 ;  wing  2.00:  tail 
2.25;  bill  under  0.50.  (J,  in  auttnnn:  Cohir  of  the  upjier  ])arts  obscured  with  a  .shade  of 
browni.sli-tdive,  the  dorsal  streaks  (dtscure.  The  head-markings  as  in  sunnner,  and  the  yellow 
parts  (|uife  as  bright.  9  '•  Quite  similar  to  the  male,  and  in  fact  scarcely  distingui.-ihable  from 
the  male  in  autuuui,  though  the  yeihiw  is  not  ((uite  so  stnuig.  Young:  The  slate-gray  of  the 
upper  parts  uuich  shaded  with  brownish-cdive,  the  black  streaks  wanting  on  the  back,  those  on 
the  crown  obsolete.  Yellow  much  as  in  the  adult  but  paler,  aiul  not  bordered  along  the  sides 
of  the  neck  with  black  streaks.  The  black  lores  are  poorly  defined.  The  wing-bars  are  gray- 
ish or  obsolete.  The  wiiit*'  of  the  under  parts  has  an  ochrey  tinge,  and  the  lateral  streaks  are 
not  so  heavy  in  colnr  nor  so  well  detined.  .Southern  Hocky  Mt.  IJegiou  of  the  V.  S.  and  scnith- 
ward ;  a  beautiful  .sju'cies,  related  to  <hmintm  and  (idelaidic  ;  it  is  abundant  in  the  jjine  woods 
<if  Arizona  and  New  Mexico.     Nesting  still  uidiuown. 

120.  D.  doiiilii'ica.  (Lat.  rfo»itHici<.s,  of  St.  Domingo.)  Yki.low-tiiuoatkd  Waiuileu.  Much 
like  the  last  species,  with  which  its  chatiges  of  ]dunuige  correspond;  back  without  black 
streaks  ;  uo  yellow  in  the  black  under  the  eye.  A  white  patch  separating  the  black  of  the 
cheeks  from  the  bluish-ash  of  thcJieck;  a  long  sujierciliary  .'itripc',  usually  yellow  from  bill  to 
eye,  thence  wliite  to  the  luipe.  Forehead  and  sides  of  crown  usually  <iuito  black,  chin  and 
throat  rich  yellow,  bordered  on  each  side  by  black.  Kest  t>f  under  parts  white,  the  sides  Ixddly 
streaked  with  black.  IJill  black,  extn'inely  compres.-icd,  almost  a  little  decurved,  very  long 
(at  least  0.50).  Length  5.00  or  more;  extent  8.00;  Ming  2.70;  tail  2.25.  A  large  hand- 
some sjtecies,  M-ith  its  bright  yellow  throat.  South  Athiutic  and  (lulf  States,  conuuon  ;  N. 
sonietimes  to  the  Middle  States,  casually  to  New  England.  IJreeds  in  its  U.  S.  range  at  large; 
winters  in  Florida  and  extralimital. 

130.  D.  a.  Kibllo'ra.  (Lat.  «//(!/.«,  white  ;  /onoH,  the  hire.)  WiHTE-nitowKK  Wahiii.er.  Pre- 
cisely like  the  last ;  but  superciliary  striju-  entirely  white,  and  yellow  of  chin  cut  ott"  from  bill 
by  white.  This  sli^rht  variety  (considering  bow  variable  dominkn  is  in  amount  of  yellow  ill 
the  superciliary  line)  is  the  common  form  of  the  Mississippi  and  Ohio  valley,  north  regularly  to 
Uhio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  W.  to  Kansas  and  Texas. 

131.  D.  klrt'landi.  (To  Dr.  Jared  P.  Kirtland,  of  Ohio.)  Kikti.ani)'.s  AVAKiiLEn.  $  :  Upper 
parts  slaty-blue ;  crown  and  back  streaked  with  black ;  lores  and  frontlet  black ;  eyelids 
mostly  white.  I'nder  parts  clear  yellow,  whitening  on  crissuni,  the  breast  with  small  sjMits 
and  the  sides  with  short  streaks  of  black ;  greater  and  nuddle  wing-coverts,  quills,  and  tail- 


13; 


i: 


SYL riCOLIDJI^  —  SYL VICOLINJE ;    TR UE    WAIWLERS. 


•Wi 


fi'iithors  <m1ji;('(1  with  white;  two  outiT  tail-feathers  white-blotched  on  inner  web.  Length 
5.jO;  wini;  2.80;  tail  2.70.  9)  ailnlt :  I'lijier  parts  tlull  bluish-gray,  <))«.-;eure(l  witli  Imiwn- 
i.sli  on  the  hind  neck  and  back,  marked  with  heavy  blacki^ih  streaks  on  the  wiiole  back  ; 
crown  and  upper  tail-covcrts  M'ith  line  black  shaft-lines.  .Sides  of  head  and  neck  like  upper 
parts,  with  darkened  lores  and  whitish  eye-ring.  Wing-cpiills  dusky,  with  slight  whitish  edg- 
ing of  both  webs;  coverts  like  back,  but  with  large  bhickish  central  field,  and  whitish  edging 
and  tipping,  forming  two  inconspicuous  wing  '^ars.  Tail-feathers  like  wing-<piills,  only  the 
onterniost  one  having  a  small  white  blotch.  Entire  under  ])arts  dull  yellow,  brighter  on  breast, 
paler  ou  throat  and  belly,  washed  with  brownish  on  sidt's,  with  a  slight  neckhice  of  brownish 
dots  across  the  fore  breast  (as  in  MijmUocten  canadcims) ;  these  spots  stronger  on  the  sides  of 
the  breast,  whence  lengthening  into  streaks  on  the  sides  and  Hanks;  a  few  small  sharp 
scratches  of  the  same  nearly  across  h)wer  breast.  Under  tail-coverts  white,  unmarked.  IJill 
and  feet  black.  Length  about  .').;{0;  wing  2.()0;  tail  2.30;  bill  0.40;  tarsus  O.SO.  Eastern 
U.  S.,  th(^  rarest  of  all  the  Warblers;  only  about  a  dozen  specimens  known  thus  far;  its  rehi- 
tionsliips  appear  to  be  with  dominica,  gracitjo,  and  udeluidcc. 

132.  I),  paliiia'riiin.  (Lat.  yx<Zwffj'Hm,  of  the  palms ;  gen.  pi.  of  jj«/wifi,  a  i)alm.)  Yellow  Hkd- 
roLL  \V.\KiiLEK.  I'alm  Wahhlku.  Iu  spring:  Urownish-olive,  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts 
brighter  yellowish-fdive,  back  (d)soletely  streaked  with  dusky,  croicn  chentniit ;  superciliary 
line  and  entire  under  ](arfs  rich  yellow,  breast  and  sich's  with  reddish-brown  streaks,  somewhat 
ns  in  the  Summer  Warbler;  a  dusky  loral  line  running  through  eye;  no  white  wiiitf-bars,  the 
wing-coverts  and  inner  quills  being  edged  with  yellowish-brown;  tail  spots  ut  very  end  of 
inner  webs  of  two  outer  ])air-  of  tail-feathers  only,  and  cut  squarely  off  —  a  peculiarity  distin- 
guishing the  .species  in  any  plumage.  9  n"t  particularly  ditl'erent,  from  the  $.  Young:  Au 
obs(!ure-h>oking  object,  browiii.sh  above  like  a  young  Yellow-rump,  but  upper  tail-coveils 
yellowish-olive,  and  under  tail-coverts  apt  to  show  (piite  bright  yellow  in  contrast  with  the 
dingy  yellowish-white  or  brownish-white  of  other  under  parts;  pectoral  and  lateral  streaks 
obscure:  crown  generally  showing  chestnut  traces;  but  in  any  phnnage,  known  by  absence 
rtf  white  wing-bars  and  peculiarity  of  the  tail-s]iots.  Length  5.00-3.25  ;  e.xtent  about  8.00 ; 
wing  2.50;  tail  2.25;  tarsus  0.75.  Eastern  N.  Am.,  abundant;  \.  to  Labrador,  Hudson's 
Hay,  Fort  Hesfdution,  etc. ;  breeds  only  beyond  the  l^.  S.,  excepting  in  Maine.  Nest  on  the 
ground;  peculiar  in  tliis  respect  in  the  genus,  as  far  as  known;  eggs  not  peculiar.  When  the 
bird  is  migrating  it  is  usually  found  iu  fields,  along  hedge-rows  and  road-sides,  with  Yellow- 
rumps  and  Sparrows;  the  most  terrestrial  species  of  the  genus,  often  recalling  a  Titlark; 
ndgrates  early  in  the  spring,  and  renuiins  in  the  fall  latest  of  any,  e.\cept  the  Yellow-rump, 
being  observed  at  both  these  seasons  in  New  England,  with  snow,  in  April  and  November ; 
winters  abundantly  from  the  Candinas  to  Texas,  and  in  the  West  Indies. 

133.  I>.  p.  liypoeliry'sea?  ((Jr.  vjro, /(m^jo,  under  ;  ^P'^crfor,  c/ok-scos,  golden.)  Yellow-dellied 
Kek-poll  Wahuleu.  Said  to  differ  in  being  more  brightly  and  continuously  yellow  on  the 
und<'r  parts,  with  the  streaks  confined  mostly  to  the  sides,  broadly  tear-sluqied  instead  of  linear, 
reddi.sh  instead  of  dusky ;  lower  eyelid  yellow,  not  whitish  ;  back  brighter  olive.  •'  Atlantic 
States,  from  East  Florida  to  Nova  .Scotia."  According  to  this,  hypochrynen  should  Ix-  the 
common  bird  of  the  Atlantic  States,  and  what  is  above  described  as  true  pulmantm  should  be 
the  bird  of  the  interior.  But  I  have  little  faith  in  the  validity  of  the  physical  characters 
assigned,  and  none  in  the  geographical  distinctions  sought  to  be  establislied. 

134.  I>.  pl'iius.  (Lat.  ;}i«K.'!,  a  jiine.)  PixE  Wauulek.  Pixe-cueepixo  Wahhleu.  $  :  rniform 
yellowish-(dive  above,  yellow  b<dow,  paler  or  white  on  belly  and  under  tail-coverts,  shaded  and 
sometimes  obsoletely  streaked  with  darker  on  the  sides;  superciliary  line  yellow;  wimr-bars 
white;  tail-blotches  confined  to  two  outer  pairs  of  feathers,  large,  oblique.  9  "'"'  you'iK  ^ 
Similar,  duller ;  sometimes  merely  olive-gray  above  and  sordid  whitish  below,  thus  nuiking 
very  dingy,  non-committal  objects.     The  variations  in  [irecise  shade  are  intenniuable  ;  but  the 


308 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEIiES—  OSCINES. 


species  may  always  bo  kuown  by  the  liiek  of  any  special  shaq)  iiuirkings  whatever,  cxcei)t  the 
BUiKTciliary  'uie ;  and  by  the  coinhiiiatiuii  of  wiiite  wiiig-bars  with  hirgc  oblique  tail-s|)ots 
cuutiiii'd  to  tiic  two  outer  pairs  of  fL-uthiTs.  One  of  the  largest  species,  as  well  as  most  siiii]>ly 
colored;  It'iigth  5.50-5.75;  extent  8.50-U.OO;  wing  i.Jo-.i.Ot);  tail  2.40;  tarsus  0.70;  bill 
0.45.  Eastern  U.  S.,  strictly;  N.  only  to  Canada  and  Xew  Urunswick,  \V.  oidy  to  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley.  IJrceds  tlinmghout  its  wliolc  range,  and  abounds  in  M-inter  in  the  Southern 
States;  is  nearly  resident,  being  sometimes  seen  in  the  Middle  States  in  midwinter,  and  in 
New  Kngland  early  and  late,  with  snow.     N'ests  in  j)in(!-trees  ;  ne.st  and  eggs  not  peculiar. 

*,*  Thus  passing  in  review  the  i',i  "solid"  species  of  Dcndrocca,  with  two  varieties  lately 
introduced,  I  nniy  allude  to  two  species  described  by  early  authors,  but  never  identified. 
1.  Si/lria  montaiKt,  Wilson.  Tiiis  I  have  given  (in  the  orig.  ed.,  ji.  105)  .some  reasons  for  sup- 
posing to  be  a  young  1).  circus.  2.  Si/kiu  curbonuta,  Audubon.  A  stroiigly-nnirked  bird, 
the  like  of  which  hius  never  been  seen  since.  It  has  been  conjectured  to  be  a  hybrid  of  D. 
tigriita  and  IJ.  striata. 
40.  SIl'KL'S.  (Gr.  <r«ci),seio,  I  wave  or  brandish;  o5pa,  oioa,  tail.)  Wao-tail  Warhlkij.s.  In 
general  form  scarcely  distinguishable  from  Deiidrwai ;  larger  in  size,  ditt'erent  in  jjatteru  of 
coloration,  in  habits,  gait,  and  niditieation.  Hill  ordinary.  Hictal  bristles  .short  but  evident. 
Wings  pointed,  nuich  longer  than  tail.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw.  Tail  nearly 
even,  witii  rather  acute  featiiers,  and  long,  copious  under  coverts.  Neither  wings  nor  tail  ])arti- 
coloied.  Above  olivaceous,  with  iir  witiiout  head-markings,  otherwi.se  uniform;  below  white, 
buffy,  or  yellowish,  profusely  streaked.  Legs  slender,  usually  pale-colored.  Habits  terrestrial 
to  somi^  extent;  nest  ou  the  ground  ;  eggs  white,  spotted,  ^'ocal  powers  preeminent.  Oait 
umbulatorial,  not  saltatorial,  and  some  other  traits  decidedly  Motacilline. 

Anntyain  of  SpecieH. 

Criiwii  orangc-lirowii,  wltli  two  black  Htrlpcs;  no  Buperiillury  lliio aiirirapilliis  IXt 

Crown  like  buck ;  a  lung  supurciliary  lino. 

Uulow,  ycllowlsli,  lieavlly  hlroakeil;  Hmallor;  bill  not  ovur  0.50 mriiim  l.TC 

UuUiw,  wliltlsli,  lightly  stroakud  ;  larger ;  bill  over  0.50 motticilla  138 

135.   S.  aurlenpll'Ius.    (Lat.  «i»'i«hi,  gold  ;  «(^)(7/i(.s-,  hair.     Fig.  109.)     (t()i,i>i:s-(U()WM'.i>  WAti- 

TAll.  WaUHLKU.     (iOLDKN-CUOWXKK  AcCKNTOU.     GoM)KN-('UOWXKl>  Tllltl  .Sll.    Ovr.N-lllKD. 

J  9<"*'"'t'  Entire  upper  jtarts,  including  the  wings  and  tail,  uniform  l>riglit  olive-green, 
witiiout  markings.     Top  of  head  with  black  lateral  stripes,  bounding  a  golden-lirown  or  dull 

orange  .space.  A  white  ring  round  <'ye  ;  no  M-hite  super- 
ciliary strip(!.  L'nder  parts  white,  thickly  spotted  witli 
dusky  on  the  breast,  the  spots  lengthi^ning  into  streaks  on 
tli(^  sides  ;  a  narrow  black  maxill.'iry  line  ;  under  wing- 
coverts  tinged  with  yellow.  Legs  llesh-colored.  I^ength 
5.75-()..")0,  usually  (i.OO-il.iJj  ;  extent  8.75-10.40,  usually 
9.50-10.00;  wing  2.90-;5.'25  ;  tail  ab.ait  2.50.  Varies 
much  in  size,  but  is  remarkably  constant  in  coloration  with 
Fi.i.loo.-Ovcn-blrd.nat.  size,  (Ad  age,  sex,  and  seas.m ;  se.xes  indistingui.shable,  and  young 
iiat.  del.  K.  C.)  scarcely    to    be    ttdd    from    the   adults.       Fall    spi'cimeiis 

ordinarily  quite  as  bright-colored  as  thotic  of  spring  ;  and  the  orange-brown  crown-.spnt,  tlioiiirh 
it  may  bo  le.s8  briiiht,  is  acquired  by  the  young  with  their  first  full  feathering.  There  are 
at  first  no  crown -stripes,  and  the  lower  parts  are  butty,  indistinctly  .streaked  ;  upper  parts 
fnlvous-brown  ;  wings  and  tail  as  in  the  adult.  X.  Am.,  W.  to  Colorado,  Dakota,  and 
Abiska  ;  breeds  throughout  its  N.  Am.  range  ;  winters  from  the  southern  border  .southward.  A 
pretty  and  engaging  species,  called  '•Oven-bird"  from  the  way  it  has  of  rooting  over  its  nest, 
abundant  in  wo<Mlland,  migratory.  In  May  the  woods  resound  with  its  h)ud  crcseentlo  chant, 
.so  incessant  and  obtrusive  that  the  bird  was  long  in  acquiring  the  reputation  of  musical  ability 


130 


13 


la 


SYLVICOLIDJE  —  SYLVICOLINJE :    TRUE   WARBLERS. 


309 


tlin 
ots 

I'ly 
iiiii 

<is- 

ITIl 

iu 
•1. 


In 


t(i  which  its  hixiirioiis  nuptial  song  entitles  it  nut  loss  than  the  Louisiana  water  thnisli  itself. 
'J'he  bird  spends  uiueh  of  its  time  on  the  jiround,  trailing'  jirettiiy  aniont;  the  fallen  leaves  with 
niineing  steps.  Nest  on  the  ground,  of  leaves,  grasses,  ete.  ;  eggs  l-O,  white  or  slightly 
ereaniy,  jirofu.sely  speckled  with  reddish-hrown  and  lilac,  0.85  X  0.65. 

130.  9.  nte'vius.  (Lat.  iKcviiis,  8|)otted;  ntcrus,  a  mole,  birth-marli.)  Wao-tail  Wakhi.er. 
Ayi'ATic  Aci'KNTOu.  New  York  Water  Thrush.  ^  9  :  rniform  dark  <dive-brown  ; 
wings  Hiid  tail  similar,  unmarked  ;  below,  pale  sulphury-yellow,  everywhere,  except  perhaps  on 
the  middle  of  the  belly,  thickly  speckled  or  streaked  with  dark  olive-brown,  the  markings  small- 
est on  the  throat,  largest  on  the  sides.    A  long  dull  whitisli  superciliary  line.    Hill  and  teet  dark. 

'  Length  5.50-().00 ;   extent  8.50-i).50  ;    wing  2.75-3.00 ;    tail  2.25 ;    bill  not  over  0.50  along 

the  cnlmen.  The  sexes  do  not  differ  appreciably.  The  .shade  of  the  upper  parts  varies  from  a 
decidedly  olivaceous-brown  to  a  purer,  darker  bistre-brown,  and  that  of  the  under  |)arts  from 
sulphur-yellow  to  nearly  white  ;  but  it  is  never  of  the  buffy-white  of  S.  motacillu.  The  streak- 
ing varies  in  anioimt  and  intensity,  but  has  a  sharp  distinct  character  in  comparison  with  S. 
motacilla,  and  is  rarely  if  ever  absent  from  the  throat.  Xo  bill  over  0.50,  and  this  member  lacks 
the  peculiar  shape,  as  well  as  size,  characteristic  of  .S'.  motacilla.  The  very  yunng  bird  .sooty- 
bhu-ki.sh,  each  feather  of  the  upper  i>arts  with  terminal  bar  of  ochraceous  ;  wing-coverts  tipped 
with  the  same,  forming  two  bars;  streaks  below  as  in  tlie  adult,  but  broader,  and  not  so  slmridy 
defined.  N.  Am.  at  large,  breeding  in  most  if  not  all  tif  its  range ;  winters  from  the  southern 
border  .southward;  a  common  inhabitant  of  thickets,  swamps,  and  morasses,  less  frei|uently  of 
mixed  wooilland.  Nest  usually  under  a  stum])  or  log,  of  mosses,  leaves,  and  grasses,  lined  with 
rootlets;  egys  4-('),  hrilliant  wliit(>,  profusely  speckled,  O.SO  X  O.CO. 

137.  S.  II.  nota'bills?  (Lat.  Jio^fW///*,  noteworthy.)  WvoMixi;  Water  THHisir.  Described  as 
identical  in  coloration  with  the  last,  but  larger;  wing  3.25  ;  tail  2.50;  bill  from  nostril  0.50; 
its  depth  at  base  0.25  ;  tarsus  0.83  :  middle  toe  without  claw  0.50.  Wyoming,  one  specimen  : 
very  doubtful: 

138.  8.  motttcll'la.  (Lat.  »H0<«(i7/rt,  a  wag-tail.  See  p.  2S4.)  LAROE-itil.i.En  Waotaif.  Warhi.EK. 
LoiLsiAXA  Water  TiiRfSH.  Very  .similar  to  .S".  >i<^ri-i»,s-;  larger;  length  (i.OO-().25  ;  extent 
10.00-10.75  ;  wing  3.00-3.25  ;  bill  especially  longer  and  stouter,  over  0.50  ;  tarsus  nearly  1.00. 
Under  parts  white,  only  faintly  tinged,  and  chielly  on  the  Hanks  and  crissum,  with  buff  (not 
sulphury-yellow)  ;  the  streaks  sparse,  i)ale,  and  not  very  sharp;  throat,  as  well  as  belly  and 
crissum,  unnuirked ;  legs  i)ale.  1  have  yet  to  see  a  specimen  I  cannot  distinguish  on  sight; 
the  size  of  the  bill  is  by  no  means  the  only  character,  though  it  is  a  principal  one.  Eastern 
IT.  S.,  rather  southern,  and  not  very  common  ;  N.  to  Massachusetts  regularly,  sometimes  to 
Maine  ;  W.  to  Kansas,  Indian  Territory,  and  Texas  ;  more  abundant  in  the  Mississippi  \'alley; 
breeds  in  its  U.  S.  range  at  large ;  winters  extralimital.  Habits,  nest  and  eggs  like  those  of 
.S'.  iKCfiii.s.     A  sweet  and  .skilful  songster. 

41.  OPOKOK'NIS.  (f!r.  dnafja,  opora,  autmnn  ;  Spvis,  onii.'f,  a  bird:  noting  the  abundance  of 
O.  (i()iU.i  in  the  fall.)  MisH  Warblers.  Mill  of  ordinary  Sylvicoline  characters.  IJictal 
bristles  short  but  evident.  Wings  ]iointed,  much  louijer  than  tail  ;  1st  ipiill  nearly  or  (piite 
longest.  Tail  nearly  even,  witli  acute  feathers  ;  wings  and  tail  unmarked,  like  the  biu-k. 
Uutler  tail-coverts  long  and  copious.  Tarsus  about  ('(jual  to  middle  toe  and  claw.  Feet  pale- 
colored;  back,  wings,  and  tail  olive  ;  under  parts  yellow  ;  black  or  ashy  mi  head.    Sexes  alike. 

.■InahfftiH  of  .'<j>ccifs. 

Head  wttlinut  block  ;  crown  mill  tliront  .ihIi;  a  wliitiKli  eye-ring oiiilin    l.')9 

Head  with  bluek ;  line  over  eye  mid  under  parts  yellow formnsa    140 

130.  O.  u'gllis.  (Lat.  (Kjilin,  agile,  active.)  Connectu'IT  Warbler.  Olive-green,  becoming 
ashy  on  the  head ;  below,  from  the  breast,  yeUow,  olive-sliad<'il  on  the  sides  ;  chin,  throat,  and 
breast  dark  ash;  a  whiti.sh  ring  round  eye;  wings  and  tail  mnnarked,  glossed  with  olive; 
under  mandible  and  feet  pale ;  no  decided  nuirkings  anywhere.     Length  about  5.50 ;  extent 


310 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSERES  —  OSCINES. 


h.SO-it.OO;  wiiiK  2.7J-;{.00;  tail  2.00.  In  spring  Itirds  tho  n.sli  of  tho  licml  and  throat  is  quito 
pure,  ami  very  dark,  alino.st  Mack  on  the  breast ;  tiicn  tlie  roseniblancc  to  Geothlypis  philn- 
(It'lj)liiu  is  close;  but  in  the  latter  tlic  winjfs  are  little  if  any  longer  tlian  the  tail.  In  the  fall 
the  iiiijier  jiarts  from  bill  to  tail  are  nearly  nniforni  (dive,  ami  the  a.'sli  of  the  throat  is  pale. 
Eastern  V..  S.,  not  commonly  observed  in  the  spring  ;  abounding  in  the  fall  in  some  localities; 
11  isliy,  fiiuitive  inhabitant  of  brushwood  and  thickets.  Distribution,  niigratiun,  and  breeding  still 
imperfectly  known. 
140.  O.  foriiio'sii.  (Lat. /ocmo.s«,  shapely,  comely ;  hence,  beautiful  in  any  way.  Fig.  170.)  Kkn- 
Tl'CKY  Waimu.ki!.     Clear  olive-green;  entire  under  parts  bright  yellow,  cdive-shaded  along 

sides;  crown  black,  separated  by  a  rich  yellow  superciliary  line 
(which  curls  around  the  eye  behi'id)  from  a  broad  black  bar 
running  from  bill  below  eye  and  thence  down  the  side  of  the 
neck;  wings  and  tail  unmarked,  glossed  with  olive;  feet  Hesli- 
c(dor.  Length  5..'>0-5.75;  extent  about  9.25  ;  wing  2.7.")-'J.OO ; 
tail  2.25.  Young  birds  have  the  black  obscure,  if  not  wanting ; 
in  the  fall,  the  black  feathers  of  the  crown  of  the  adult  are 
skirted  with  ash.  Eastern  II.  S.,  N.  to  the  ('on)iecticut  Valley  ; 
also  known  to  occur  near  Quebec.  Not  abundant,  but  connnon 
Km.  17ft. —  Kentucky Warbler,  in  certain  secti<(ns,  as  in  Illinois,  Kansas,  and  other  portions 
iiat,  Bizc.    (A.l  n«t.  .l.-l  K.  C.)  „,•  ^j,^.  Mississippi  Valley.     IJreeds  throughout  its  II.  S.  range  ; 

winters  <'.vtralimital.  A  beautiful  object,  gh'aming  like  gold  in  the  tangle  and  debris  of  thick 
dark  woods  and  swamps.  Nest  on  the  ground,  or  in  rubbish  near  it,  of  leaves,  grasses,  weed- 
stems  and  rootlets,  large  and  shallow  ;  eggs  -1-5,  0.70  X  0.5(1,  crystal-white,  sprinkled  with 
reddish  dots. 
42  OEO'THLYPIS.  (Gr.  y^  or  yia,  ge  or  gen,  tho  earth,  and  6\viris  or  Opavirii,  ihliipis  or 
tlinaipin,  name  of  .some  bird.)  (Jkoiind  WAuni.KU.s.  Hill  of  ordimtry  Sylvii^cdine  characters  ; 
rictal  bristles  very  slight.  Wings  rennirkably  short  and  much  rounded,  scarcely  or  not  longer 
than  the  rounded  tail.  Legs  stout;  tarsi  longer  than  middle  toe.  Of  medium  and  rather 
small  size  for  this  family.  Coloration  olivaceous  above,  with  yellow  below.  Tail  rountled, 
without  white  spots.  Legs  ])ale-c(dored.  Habits  somewhat  terrestrial.  Nest  on  the  ground 
or  near  it.  This  genus  affords  severivl  species  more  or  less  resembling  t\w  common  Mary- 
land Yellow-throat,  chiefly  of  th<'  warmer  parts  of  America  —  three  of  X.  Am.  They  arc 
well  distinguished  from  other  Warblers  by  the  extreme  shortness  of  the  wings,  which  aro 
scarcely  or  not  longer  than  the  tail,  and  by  the  size  of  the  j)ale-eolore<l  legs,  which  indicates 
somewhat  terrestrial  habits.  Our  species  arc  familiar  inhabitants  of  the  shrubbery,  ordimirily 
keeping  near  the  ground,  where  tho  nest  is  usually  jdaced. 

Analusis  nf  Spiriva. 

Scxps  qnitp  iiiiliki-:  (f  witlinblnck  nuisk  Irarclurcil  witli  nHti,nn<l  tlirnat  yellow ;  $  with  liend  plnin  trirhnu  141 

Scxi'H  ii(>arly  nllki' :  lii'iul  iiiiil  tliront  ii»liy,  deoiMniliig  on  lircaHt. 

No  wliito  oyi'Iiilx  ;  breast  of  a<1ult  cf  quite  lilackisli Philadelphia  142 

WHilto  cyellils  :  bren»t  of  ailull  cf  Hrarccly  (Ufferent  from  throat mariiilltrraiji  143 

141.  O.  tricli'ns.  (Cr.  T(ux«t,  name  of  some  bird  in  Aristotle.  Fig.  171.)  Ykm.ow-TIIUoatki) 
(iRorNn  Waiuu.f.h.  Mauyi.axu  Yki.ldw-tiikoat.  <f ,  in  summer:  Ujiper  parts  rich  olive, 
in<-lining  to  grayish  on  the  liead,  brightest  on  the  rump.  Wings  and  tail  brown,  edged  with  the 
color  of  the  ba<'k.  Chin,  throat,  anil  breast,  with  under  wing-  and  tail-coverts,  rich  yellow. 
Middle  under  ])arts  dull  whitish,  sliaded  <m  th(>  sides.  A  broad  black  nuisk  on  the  front  and  sides 
of  the  head,  bordered  behind  by  hoary-ash.  Hill  black  ;  feet  flesh -colored.  Length  4.75-5.00 ; 
exlenMi.50-().<)l) ;  wing  1.90-2. 10  ;  tail  rather  more.  9  >  i"  *"•"•""''' •  Hather  smaller  ;  yellow 
of  the  under  j)arts  pali'r  and  more  restricted  ;  no  black  or  ashy  markings  on  bead,  but  crown 
usually  with  some  concealed  reddi-sh-brown.     Otherwise  top  and  sides  of  head  like  buck,  with 


SYL  VICOLIIL^  —  ICTERIIXJE :    CHA  TS. 


311 


soino  obBPiirc  whitishnoss  about  tho  Uiros  nnd  orbits.     Young :  Similar  to  tho  adult  fcmalo,  but 

thi!  olivo  of  the  upjH'i-  jiarts  with  iiiuch  of  a  brownish  tinge,  tho  yellow  i)arts  and,  in  faet,  most 

of  tho  under  parts,  quite  butl'y.     'I'he  adults,  in  fall  and  winter,  aro  Biinilar  to  each  other,  except 

in  tho  purer  and  stronger  yellow  of  the  male,  as  at  that  season 

the  i>eeidiar  black  and  ashy  marldngs  of  the  head  are  wanting. 

Hotli  sexes  then  resemble  the  autinnnal  i)lumage  of  tho  young 

in  tho  browner  shade  of  the  oliv(;  and  buffiness  of  tho  under  parts. 

U.  S.,  from  Atlantic  to  Pacific;  breeds  tliroughout  this  range; 

winters  from  the  southern  border  southward.     An  abundant  and 

faunliar  inhabitant  of  shrubbery  and  underbrush,  the  sameness 

of  which   is  etdivened  by  its  sprightly  presence  and  hearty  song  ^^^^    ^^^  -Maryland  Yel- 

throughout  tho  smnmer  months.     Nest  on  the  ground  or  near  it,     low-tliroat,  ^,  nat.  bIzo.    (.\ii 

usually  carefidly  concealed,  of  large  size  and  built  of  any  rub-     "»'•  ilcl.  K.  C.) 

bish ;  eggs  4-fi,  usually  ().()()-((.7<)  long  by  0.50-0.55,  white,  rather  sparingly  spriidded,  and 

mostly  at  the  large  enil,  with  several  shades  of  brown  :  but  the  markings,  like  the  size  and 

shai>e  of  the  eggs,  are  very  variable. 

14a.  G.  pliiliulcl'plii)!.  (To  the  city  of  brotherly  lovo  ;  Or.  <^<X(ci>,  phiko,  I  love ;  d8t\<f)ik,  (idelphos, 
brother.)  MoruNlNtJ  Wahiii,i:u.  ^  9  ,  in  .spring  :  Bright  (dive,  bob iw  clear  yellow  ;  on  the 
lioad  the  (dive  jiasses  insensibly  into  ash  ;  in  high  plumage  of  <J  the  throat  and  breast  black  ; 
but  generally  ash,  showing  black  traces,  the  feathers  being  black  veiled  with  ash,  producing  a 
peculiar  ai)i)earanco  suggestive  of  tho  bird's  wearing  crape;  wings  and  tail  unnuirked,  glo.s.sed 
with  olive;  under  mandible  and  feet  flesh-color;  vo  whUc  nhout  eyes  in  adidt  (J.  Young, 
and  generally  fall  .specimens  :  Ash  of  the  fore  jmrts  veiled  with  (dive  ;  sides  and  across  breast 
(piitt*  olivaceous,  leaving  oidy  central  line  of  under  ])arta  yellow;  blackish-ash  of  jugulum  veiled 
by  bright  yellow  tips  of  the  feathers;  eyelids  brownisb-yollow.  Young  birds  have  little  or  no 
a.sb  on  the  head,  and  no  black  on  tho  throat,  thus  resembling  Oporornis  aifilix;  but  are  of 
course  distinguishable  by  their  generic  characters.  Length  5.25-5.50;  extent  7.50-8.00; 
wing  and  tail,  each,  about  2.25.  Ea.steru  U.  S.,  W.  to  Kan.sas  and  Dakota,  rare  in  most 
localities  in  tho  Atlantic  States,  but  abimdant  in  tho  Mississippi  Valley;  migratory;  no  record 
of  wintering  in  tho  U.  S. ;  breeds  chiefly  in  the  northernmost  tier  of  States  and  along  the  Hritish 
l)order.     Niditicatiiin  like  that  of  O.  trichas;  eggs  not  distinguishable. 

143.  ti.  niHCKlUlvrfty'l.  (To  \Vm.  Mac(iiUivray,  tin?  enunent  Scot(di  ornitb(dogist,  co-author  of 
Audubon's  works.)  Ma((iii,livuav'.s  WAuni.KU.  ^  9  :  Upper  jiarts,  including  expo.sed 
surfaces  of  wings  and  tail,  clear  (dive-green ;  below,  bright  yellow,  shaded  with  idive  on  tho 
sides.  Head  and  n(>ck  all  around,  throat,  and  fon-  breast,  clear  ashy  ;  eyeUdx  white ;  the  loral 
region  usually  dusky,  the  throat  with  blackish  centres  to  lh(>  feathers,  veiled  by  their  gray 
skirting.  Up))er  nnmdible  blackish  ;  under  mandible  and  feet  flesh-c(dored  or  pale  yellowish. 
Length  5.25  ;  extent  5.75-8.00 ;  wing  and  tail,  each,  alxait  2.25.  Sea.sonal  and  sexual  diflerences 
those  of  G.  phihulelphin,  of  which  it  is  the  Western  rejiresontative,  differing  in  having  white 
eyelids,  and  in  n(n-er  showing  a  decided  black  patch  on  the  breast,  which  is  conspicuous  in  tho 
highly  pbnnaged  $  of  the  other  form  ;  but  thus  chwly  resembling  9  ;>/ii7'"/W/)/iiV(,  which  nor- 
mally shows  a  whiti.sh  eye-ring,  and  has  not  the  breast  (juito  black.  Middle  and  Western 
I'roviiKTs  of  tho  U.  S.,  E.  to  the  lindt  of  trees  on  \\w  jdains,  N.  to  Hritish  C(dinnbia  ;  abundant, 
migratory  ;  broods  throughout  its  11.  S.  range  ;  winters  beyond.  Nest  and  eggs  as  in  others  of 
tho  genus. 

16.  Subfamily   ICTERIIN^:    Chats. 

A  snnill  group,  framed  to  accommodate  tho  f<dl()wing  genus  and  its  two  tropical  allies, 
Granntelliis  and  Teretistris;  it  is  perhaps  (ptcstionablo  whether  they  aro  most  naturally  classed 
with  tho  Warblers. 


F 


312 


SYSTEMATIC  SYXOPSIS  —PASSEIiES—  OSCINES. 


43.  ICTE'RIA.  (Gr.  'ucrtpot,  ikteros,  the  jaundifo;  liciicc,  ypUowiiPss;  from  tlio  bird's  gidilon 
brciut.)  CiiATH.  liill  »ti>iit,  liigli  iit  tlic  biiso  (liigbor  than  broad  at  iidstril!*),  tbciico  ctnii- 
prosHcd  ;  iniiKitchcd,  uiibri.stlcd,  with  iiiiich  curved  culiiicii  and  c-iniiiiiiMMurc.  Frontal  fi'athcrs 
rcacliiiig  the  nostrils,  wliiidi  arc  suhcircniar  and  scaled.  Wings  nmch  ronnded,  shorter  or  iiot 
long(tr  than  the  gradnatetl  tail.  Tarsus  jmrtly  booted,  longer  than  middle  too ;  feet  stout. 
Inner  toe  deft  to  the  degree  usually  seen  in  this  family.  Of  largest  size  for  this  family.  Form 
stout.  Coloration  siniiile,  <'hiefly  olive,  yellow,  and  white.  Se.xes  alike.  Xestin  bushes.  Kggs 
white,  spotted.     Probably  only  one  spe-ies. 

144.  I.  vl'rens.  (Lat.  riVfo.s-,  being  green.  Fig.  172.)  Yeli.ow-hkeastki)  CiiAT.  <J  9  » '"'"It  • 
ISright  (dive-green,  below  golden-yellow,  belly  abruptly  white  ;  lore  black,  i.sidating  the  white 
under-eyelid  from  a  white  superciliary  line  above  and  a  short  white  maxillary  line  below;  wings 

and  tail  luimarked,  glossed  with  olive;  bill  blue-black; 
feet  plumbeous.  Length  about  7.50;  extent  about  10.00; 
wing  about  '4AM;  tail  about  '.\.-2'>.  Little  ditl'erence  with 
age,  sex  or  s<'ason  in  the  plumage  of  this  rich  bird  ;  very 
young  have  the  fore  under  part.s  gray  or  white  slashed 
V;  \  ,  vC>\^SSSlffl5P^  with  yellow,  no  black  ou  lore,  and  lower  nnindible  pale; 

white  of  belly  and  orissum  tinged  with  buff.    Kastern  L'.  S., 
«     ^^  N.  to  .Ma.'tsachusetts,  abundant,  ndgratory  ;  bn-eds  througli- 

Pio.  172 -Y.llow.broastedChBt.nat.    ""t  its  range;  an  exdu.Mve  inliabitant  of  K.w  tangled  un- 
kIzc.    (Adiml.  (Id.  K.  C.)  dergrowth,  and  oftcner  lieanl  than  seen,  excejit  during  the 

mating  season,  when  it  performs  the  extravagant  aerial  ev<dutions  for  which,  as  well  as  for 
the  variety  and  V(dubility  of  its  song,  it  is  noted.  Nest  in  a  crotch  of  a  bush  near  the  ground  ; 
eggs  'A-l,  very  variable  in  .«ize  and  nuirkings.  about  1.00  X  O.SO,  white,  dotte*!,  s])otted  or 
blotched  with  reddish-browns  and  the  usual  lilac  sbidl-markings. 

145.  I.  V.  loiiKieau'da.  (\Mt.  loiirjiis,  long;  mi/f/((,  tail.)  L(>X(i-TAiM',i>  CliAT.  ^  9  :  Kntiro 
upper  parts,  including  ex])osed  surfaces  of  the  wings  and  tail,  grayish-idive.  Quills  of  the  wings 
and  tail  fuscous.  Fore  half  of  body  below,  including  lining  of  the  wings,  rich  yellow;  hinder 
half  white,  shaded  with  gray  on  the  sides.  Loral  region  black  ;  a  sharp  nntxillary  line, 
another  from  no.stril  over  the  eye,  and  the  under  eyelid,  white.  Hill  blackish-plumbeous  ;  feet 
plumbeous.  Size  of  the  last  ;  tail  averaging  longer.  .Middle  and  Western  I'rovinces  of  the 
U.  S.  This  form,  in  its  typical  manifestation,  differs  fnnii  lirois  in  the  shade  of  the  upper 
parts  —  quite  grayish  instead  of  pure  olive-green  ;  in  tlie  dullest-colored  birds  there  is  scarcely 
a  tinge  of  olive  in  the  gray  of  th<'  n])per  parts.  The  yellow  of  the  brea.st  is  as  rich,  however,  as 
that  of  I'/mi.f.  As  in  the  cases  of  so  many  birds  from  this  region,  the  tail  averages  longer  than 
that  of  Easteni  representatives  of  the  same  species. 

17.  Subfamily  SETOPHACIN^:     Fly-catching   Warblers. 

These  usually  have  the  bill  depres.sed,  broader  than  high  at  base,  notched  and  ho(d<ed  at  tip, 
and  furnished  with  long  stiff  bristles  that  reach  halt-way  or  more  from  the  iio.strils  to  tht;  end 
of  the  bill.  In  other  res))ects  they  are  not  distiniinished  from  the  rest  of  the  family.  While 
many  or  most  other  (S/z/c/co/iV/cr  are  expert  in  taking  insects  on  the  wing,  these  capture  their 
prey  in  the  air  with  special  address,  simulating  in  this  respect  the  true  Clamatorial  Hyi'atchers 
with  vvhidi  some  species  i<(  Sctophafja  us<'d  to  Ix?  classed  in  the  extensive  <dd  genus  "  Muwi- 
capa.''  It  is  hardly  uecessary  to  say  that,  however  closely  some  of  them  may  resemble?  the 
TyrmnudfP,  they  are  at  once  distingnished  from  tlutse  Clannitorial  birds  by  the  Uscine  character 
of  the  tarsi,  and  the  presence  of  only  nine  primaries.  The  Sftojiliarfina;  are  most  developed  in 
Central  and  South  America,  where  they  are  represented  by  three  or  four  genera,  and  upwards  of 
forty  .species.  They  inclnd<'  some  very  brilliant  little  birds,  with  glo.ssy  black,  orange,  and  even 
carmine  red,  very  likely  nustakcu  by  heedless  bugs  for  the  tints  of  flowers.     Besides  the  species 


8YLVIC0LIDJE  —  SETOPHAGINJE :  FLY-CATCHINO  WABBLERS.      313 


'iiin- 
tlicrs 
iiiit 
tout, 
''tirin 

-W8 


to  be  described,  four  or  five  others  mnybo  expected  to  occur  over  our  Mexican  border,  — aimmg 
them  tlie  lovely  CardvUinn  rubra,  which  in  cariiiiiic  red  all  over,  with  silky  white  cars ;  Seto- 
phar/n  mininUt,  very  near  6'.  jticla;  and  Hpecies  of  the  genus  BanileHteriin.  Our  three  generii 
are  reatlily  distinguished,  so  fur  as  our  species  uro  concerned,  by  coloration. 

/liiiiliiHiii  nf  flintm. 

if   ninrk,  wlilto,  mill  nraiiRc;  9 '"'•■wii,  wliito,  anil  yellow Srtnphnpa     40 

(f  $    Anliy,  wlilti",  mill  carmine  or  riwy  reil (nrihlliim     45 

(f  9    WItliiiiit  brown,  reil,  or  (irungo Mii'milimlis     44 

44.    3IYIOI>I<)C'TtJS.     (Or.  /ivia,  muia,  a  Hy,  and  Siwkttis,  lUoktes,  a  pursuer.)     Fl.v-CATCIIIXO 

Wauhi.kks.     Hill  .Miiscicapine,  though  with  lateral  ontlines  a  little  concave,  broad  and  depressed 

at  base,  with  many  "bvious  rictal  bristles  reuchini;  decidedly  beynnd  tlie  nostrils;  cuhiieu  and 

commissure  nearly  .straight.     Wings  pointed,  as  in  most  Si/lrkoli(l(i\  l"ni:er  tiian  tail ;   jst  "(iiill 

longer  than  5th,  'M  eipialling  or  exceeding  4th.     Tail  narrow,  even  or  little  rounded.     .Midille 

toe  without  claw  about  three-fifths  as  long  as  tarsus.     Tail  iinmarUed,  or  with  wliite  blotches 

t\n  hi  J)niilr(rc(i.     No  red  or  tlame-color  :  always  yellow  below.     ('iini|ir('henils  three  sjiecies, 

well  distiugiiislieil  among  Si/lrirolidfC  \>y  thv  development  of  the  rictal  bristles  and  the  dejiresscd 

shape  of  the  bill,  ihoiigh  these  .Miiscicapine  characters  are  nut  piislied  to  the  extreme  .seen  in 

Seto])h(iff(i.    '!"he  tail  is  narrow,  lacking  the  fan-shaped  contour  nf  that  n(  Siittjiliiii/<i,  ami  tlir  feet 

are  stouter,  with  hmger  toes.     In  ('(iriMliiin,  a  near  ally,  the  bill  is  narrow  and  coiiuiilal,  sniiio- 

what  I'ai'ine  in  aiipearance,  with  curved  cnlmeii.     In  liasilfHlcnis,  and  in  fact  in  all  the  extra- 

limital  forms  of  the  Fly-catching  Warblers,  the  wing  is  rounded,  with  tlit^  Istijuill  shorter  than 

the  5th. 

Annlj/Hh  nf  S/n-riin. 

Olive  iinil  yellow  ;  Inil-foatliers  wlilte-blotolicil milriilim    14(! 

Olive  anil  yellow ;  tall-fealliiTji  pliiiii ininilliin     147 

Asliy-bliie ami  yellow:  tall-foatliorg  |ilain , cnniiiliiinnt    14!) 

140.    M.  mltra'tiis.    (Lat.  milnihis,  weariiii:  a  mitre,  orother  head-dress.     Fig.  IT'!-)     UoiM>i:i>  Fl.V- 

t'ATt'lllXd  WAKIU.KIt.      jj,  adult:   Clear  yellow-olive  above  ;   helow,  rich  yellow,  shaded  with 

(dive  along  the  sides;  wliide  head  and  neck  pure  black,  en- 

.^^^^^  closing  a  broad  golden  mask  across  forehead  and  tliniiigli  eyes; 

iji^    ^^^^^^       wings  unmarked,  glossed   with   (dive ;   tail   with   lalge   white 

blotches  on  the   two  or  three  outer   pairs  of  feathers,   as   in 

'\ywr      ])f„,lr(tc(i;  bill  black;  feet  Hesli-c(dore(b    Length  j.OO-f). 25  ; 

extent  8.50;    wing  about  2.75;  tail  about  2.25.     9.   adult, 

and  yoimg  (J,  with  the  black  restricted  or  interrupted,  if  not 

whidly  wanting,  as  it  is  in  the  earlier  stages,  when  the  parts 

concerned  are  simply  colored   to  corresjiond   with   the   upper 

Fi«.  n.'l.  —  Itooilcd  Warlilor,  nat.     and  under  surfaces  of  the  bird.     Hood  .said  to  be  not  perfected 

"''■"•   ''*''  '"*•■  ''"'■  "■'■  ^l  till  the  third  year,  and  to  be  finally  ac(iuire(l,  in  the  fulness 

of  its  extent  if  not  in  the  purity  of  the  black,  by  the  feniah'.     Eastern  U.  S.,  strictly;    N. 

regularly  to  the  Connecticut  Valley  ;  W.  to  Kansas  ;  migratory  :   breeds  at  large  in  its  IT.  IS. 

range  ;    winters  extraliniital.     A  lovely  bird,  reminding  one  of  the 

Kentucky  warbler,  common  in  the  south  in  such  brakes  and  bottoms 

us  the  Kentucky  haunts,  rarer  northward.     Xest  in  bushes ;  eggs  4, 

about  0.70  X  0.."0,  as  usual  white,  reddish-sprinkh'd.  ^-    'L  I'^^fv  y><fK^^ 

147.   M.  piisil'liis.      (Lat.  pusilhis,  puerile,    petty,  small.      Fig.  174.) 

lli.ACK-cAi'i'Kn    Fi.v-t^ATCiiixci    Wauui.ku.       (J,    adult:    Upper 

parts,  including  exposed  edgings  of  the  wings  and  tail,  bright  yel- 

lowish-(dive  ;    under  parts,   includmg    front  and  sides  of  the  liead     „.  Fu..  174 -Black-L>i,,pc,l 
■  '  *  Warbler,  nat. size.    (Ad  nat. 

und  superciliary  line,  rich  yellow,  shaded  with  olive  on  the  sides.     A    del.  k.  o.) 


314 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSKRES—  OSCINES. 


n(|unrisli,  Rlf'scy  liliif-lilnck  imtrli  on  the  crown.  WiiiRs  ami  tail  plain  fiidcotig,  with  nrroniHli 
nJKiiii;!*,  iiiiiiiai'kcil  witli  iitlicr  <-ii|i>r.  r|i|H'r  iiiaiiiiiWIo  <larl\ ;  iindor  iiiaiiiliblt!  and  feet  liu'lit. 
licniitli  i.l'f,  extent  H.7."i-7.<Mt ;  wini;  •2AH)-i.i'i ;  tail  2.(10.  9  •  "'"I  J"'iiip :  l..a('kiiiK  tlio 
Idai'k  cap,  tlic  cmwn  licini;  ccdorcd  like  tlic  liack.  There  is  very  little  variation  in  tiii.s  n|iecieM, 
accordini;  to  a^'eor  seaxon,  tii(ini;h  tlieadnlt  sinnnier  hirds  an^  the  more  richly  colored.  N.  Am. 
at  lari;e,  in  w led  reuions  :  common,  miirratory.  lireeds  from  the  northcrnmoHt  States  north- 
ward to  the  limit  of  trees,  anil  in  the  Rocky  Mts.  as  far  south  ns  Colorado  at  least;  winters 
exlraliniilal.  Nest  on  the  ground  ;  eijjjs  4-.'),  O.CiO  X  0.50,  white,  siiockled  and  hlotcliud  with 
<lark  reddisli-hrowM  and  lilac. 
118.  M.  p.  |tll«>()lii'tiiH.  (Lat. /«7(W>(/i(.'»,  wearing  the  ;>iV<'i<m,  a  kind  of  cap.)  Wkhtkun  Hi-Ack- 
c.M'l'i'.h  l'"i,v-<A'r(iiiNii  W'Ainil.Kii.  Specimens  from  the  Southern  Hocky  Mts.  and  I'aciHc 
coast  reixion  are  freipiently  of  a  hriyliter  yellow,  almost  orange,  on  the  head  and  fore  i>arts 
helow,  with  the  under  mandilde  bright  yellow. 
140.  31.  euiiudcii'slH.  ( l.at.  of  Canada.  Fig.  175.)  Canadian  Fi.v-CATriiixr,  WAiiBi.Kn.  (J, 
adult  in  spring:  llluish-ash  ;  crown  speckleil  with  lanceolate  hiack  marks,  crowded  and  gen- 
erally continuous  on  the  forehead  ;  the  latter  divided  length- 
wise hy  a  .ilight  yellow  line;  short  superciliary  line  and  edges 
of  eyelids  yellow;  lores  black,  continuous  with  Idack  mider  the 
eye,  and  this  passing  as  a  chain  of  Idack  streaks  down  the  side 
of  the  neck  and  ju'ettily  encircling  the  throat  like  a  necklace 
of  jet  ;  excejiting  these  streaks  and  the  white  nnder  tail-coveits, 
the  entire  under  jiarts  are  clear  yellow  ;  wings  and  tail  uinn:irked ; 
feel  tiesh-cidor.  (J  in  autumn  with  the  yellow  very  rich,  even 
tip])ing  the  feathers  of  tho  black  necklace.  Length  5.25-5.50; 
extent  7-75-8. 25  ;  wing  2.50;  tail  2.25.  In  the  9  »'id  young  the 
bhiek  of  crown,  cheeks,  and  necklace  is  <d).scure  or  much  restricted, 
and  in  the  young  the  back  may  b(- glos.sed  with  cdive;  l)Ut  they 
cannot  be  mistaken  for  any  other  species.  Eastern  X.  Am.,  an  abundant  and  beautiful  wood- 
lan<l  species,  migratory,  breeding  from  the  Middle  States  occasionally,  from  New  Kngland  rei:u- 
liM'ly,  northward  to  the  limit  of  trees.  Nest  on  the  ground,  in  which  resjx'ct  specie*  f  (his 
uenus  diH'er  from   most   Si/lriroliilae  and  resemble    Jlclminthophiln ;    egys  -t-S.  n 

white,  dotted  and  blotched  with  reddish-brown  after  the  usinil  fashion  of  Wiiible 
46.    <'Altl>KLLl'NA.     (Apparently  derived  from   Lat.   carihiclin,  a  kii  ms, 

thistle.)     KosK  FiA-('ATniiN«j  Wahiii.kus.     Hill  Pariiie  ill  shape.  slion.  .  hea 

high  at  base,  rnlmen  convex  througlunit ;  commissure  curved.  Hicim  lies  stitf.  at  hardly 
reaciiiiiir  half-way  from  nostrils  to  tip  of  bill,  which  shows  scarctdy  a  tiMcc  of  noi.li.  Wiiii;s 
lout;  and  pointed;  2d,  .id,  anil  4th  <piills  nearly  eipial  and  longest  ;  1st  a  little  Ion  r  than  5th. 
'fail  shorter  than  wings,  nearly  even.  Feet  small;  tarsal  scutella  indistinct  externally;  tarsus 
|oni;er  than  mitldle  toe  and  claw. 
150.  C.  ru'hrlfrons.  (Lat.  n/fcer,  red  ;  /ro>i.s,  front,  forehead.)  HEn-FitoNTED  Fi.y-catciiino 
WAitni.Kli.  (J  9  '■  Fppcr  parts  ash,  wings  and  tail  rather  darker,  edged  with  ashy-white; 
a  broader  and  whiter  bar  across  ends  of  median  coverts.  Helow.  from  the  breast,  white,  more 
or  less  shaded  with  a.shy  on  tlie  sides,  and  tiniied  with  rosy.  l{um|)  and  a  nuchal  patch  white, 
or  rosy-white.  M'hide  head,  throat,  sides  of  the  neck,  ami  fore  breast,  bright  red,  with  a  broad 
black  ca|)  exteiidini;  down  on  the  sides  of  the  head,  involving  the  eyes  and  ears,  ending  in  a 
point  below  the  auriculars.  The  border  of  this  cap  is  squarely  transverse  against  the  red  of  the 
forehead  from  eye  to  eye;  behind  it.  the  red  reaches  up  the  sides  of  neck,  but  not  across  the 
back  of  the  neck,  the  white  nuchal  area  there  meeting  the  ashy  of  the  back.  Hill  and  feet 
dark.  In  the  highest  summer  plumage,  the  red  is  rich  and  carmine  in  hue,  the  cap  glossy- 
black  ;  the  under  parts  are  much  tinged  with  rosy ;  the  rump  is  snowy-white.     Less  richly- 


Fin.  IT.!.  —  rAiiiiilinii  Kly- 
cnli'lilhg  Wni'lilcr.  (Ad  nut. 
•lei.  E.C.) 


46. 


151. 


sYLVirnuDJt:  —  sktopiia gix^t-:  .-  fly-ca  tciiino  wa niii.Kits. 


ai") 


hninh 

|i!.'llt. 

tlio 
I'cics, 
JAin. 
|>rtli- 
litcrs 
rvitli 


fpiitlicri'd  R|M'ciiii('iiH  liiivp  the  liriul  ))laiii  rrd,  tin-  <'iiiiHi»)ty-l)liwk.  Tlicro  in  iniirli  ilifforoiicp  in 
till'  cliaractiT  nf  ilic  wliitc  on  tlir  iia|M'.  Lmutli  5.01):  uiiii;  -J.iifi ;  tail  'i.oO  ;  larsiis  O.lili ; 
liill  ((..'J.'l,  i|iiitt'  tlitli'ifiit  in  xliajic  IViiiii  tiiaf  of  Svl<)jiliiii)<i.  Yoiinif,  newly  llf'«li;i'il :  Asli  of  Mppcr 
|)arts  nincli  sliadrd  with  lirown,  and  wliiti-  of  tlic  miilfr  parts  tlic  sanif.  Itnnip  snowy-wliito, 
aM  in  tilt'  adnit,  Imt  tlir  imclial  patcli  oliscni'i'  or  inapprcfialdr.  Wind's  and  tail  an  in  the  adidt, 
hnt  with  hrownrr  cd^in^'s.  Illack  cap  rt'strit'ted  to  top  of  head,  and  of  a  dull  sooty  cast.  Itrd 
parts  of  the  adult,  includini;  those  parts  of  the  side  of  the  licud  which  arc  <K'cupicd  in  the  adult 
with  the  extension  of  the  hiack  cap,  dull  i;rayish-l>rown,  tinned  or  irregularly  slashed  with  red, 
especially  on  the  forehead  and  throat.  Mill  li^ht  brown  ;  feet  pale.  Arizona,  and  douhtless 
New  Mexico  and  Texas  ;  common  in  the  pineries  of  .Southern  Arizoint. 
46.  SKTO'PIIAOA.  (fir.  iTijt,  (TijTor,  .ws,  .v(7»w,  an  insect  ;  <})dya>,  jiluif/o,  I  eat.)  Rkii.staiit.s. 
Kill  tliorontrhiy  Mnscicapine  in  depression  and  breadth  at  base,  where  wider  than  hi^h, 
otraiKhlness  of  superior  and  lateral  outlines,  and  devidopment  of  rictal  bristles,  which  reach  far 
beyond  the  nostrils.  Wini;s  pointed,  not  shorter  than  tail ;  2d,  !id,  and  ith  ipiills  nearly  eipial 
and  loni;est ;  1st  intermediate  between  4th  and  'i\\\.  'I'ail  rather  lon^  and  fan-shaped,  with 
broad  Hat  feathers,  widenint;  at  their  ends.  Feet  slender,  with  loiij;  tarsi  indistinctly  scutellate 
externally,  and  short  toes,  the  middh*  one  without  its  <daw  beinj;  about  half  as  loiij;  as  the 
tarsus.  Coloration  indeterminate.  Habits  arboricole  and  Mnscicapine.  The  j^r'uus  has  been 
made  to  cover  considerable  variety  in  form  amouff  the  numerous  species  of  Fly-catching  Warblers 
of  subtropical  and  tropical  America,  where  it  is  best  represented.  The  diagnosis,  drawn  up 
from  <S'.  nilicillfi,  may  retjuire  some  little  niodiKcation  in  order  to  its  applicability  even  to  S. 
pictn.  All  the  extralimital  species  differ  in  the  shorter  and  more  rounded  wing  and  other  char- 
acters. .S'.  rulicilla  is  the  only  species  in  which  tin!  .sexes  are  decideilly  dissimilar  in  color  ; 
even  in  S.  pida,  the  nearest  ally,  they  are  substantially  alike  ;  and  in  all  the  rest,  in  which  the 
cidoratioii  is  very  various,  there  is  no  id)vious  difference  between  the  sexes.  Species  of  Srto- 
phafia  (indudint;  Mi/ioborus  and  Kiithli/pis),  to  the  number  of  twelve  or  more,  are  recognized 
by  late  authors.     S.  ruticilln  is  the  only  one  that  is  generally  distributed  in  North  America. 

Anntjinit  nf  Specien. 

if  ninck,  wlilto,  niid  nrango;   9  brnwii,  wlilto,  nnd  ycUow ruHrilla    1.12 

it  9   liloi'k,  wliltv,  mill  euriiiliii.'-ruil  .         picitt    l.'il 

151.  8.  pic'ta.  (Lat.  pkUi,  painted.  Fig.  17*').)  I'AiXTEn  Fi.Y-rATC'iiix(}  Warbler.  $  9  = 
Lustrous  black;  middle  of  breast  and  belly  canuiuc-red;  eyelids,  a  large  patch  on  the  wings 
formeil  by  the  greater  and  middle  coverts,  broad  edsiing 
of  inner  secondaries,  edging  of  inner  \v(d)s  of  ]irinniries 
toward  the  base,  lining  of  wings,  nearly  all  the  outer  tail- 
feather,  and  a  dinnnishing  space  on  the  next  two  or  three, 
together  with  the  crissuin,  white.  Kill  and  feet  black. 
Length  5  inches;  wini;  an<l  tail  each  2.7');  tarsus  O.OCi ; 
bill  ().;J.'J-().4().  9  not  particularly  different  from  the  $, 
though  rather  less  richly  colored.  In  poor  ]dunniges,  the 
black  is  not  so  lustrous ;  red  of  the  Ixdly  less  extensive  and 
of  a  more  bricky-reil  tone ;  white  of  the  \vinj;s  and  tail  more 
restricted.  Very  young:  Dull  black,  or  only  slightly  lus- 
trous ;  white  nearly  as  in  the  adult  ;  spot  on  lower  eyelid, 
patch  on  wing,  outer  edge  of  first  i)riniary  only,  outer  edges  of  secondaries,  inside  of  wings, 
axillars,  crissum,  tibia',  outer  tail-feather  excejit  at  base,  and  a  diminishing  sjmee  on  the  second 
and  third,  white.  Arizomv  and  N.  Mexico,  and  doubtless  also  Texas;  common  in  Santa  Kit.i 
Mts.  of  Arizona.  Xest  found  "  under  a  projecting  stone,  in  a  bank  near  a  stream"  ;  large.  Hat, 
shallow,  of  bark,  weed-fibre,  grasses  and  u  few  huirs.  Eggs  3,  0.65  X  0.50,  white,  speckled 
and  wreathed  with  pale  reildish-brown. 


Km.    17fi  —  Pitintcil    FIv-catcliIng 
Warbler.    (A<l  nat.  del.  II.  W.  Elliott.) 


316 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSEItES—  OSCINES. 


II   : 


152.  8.  rutlril'la.  (Lat.  ruticiUn,  red-tail;  riitihis,  reddish;  "redstart"  is  eorruptcd  from  roth- 
sterl,  red-tail.)  Amekk  ax  IJKDSTAin'.  (J,  adult:  Lustrous  Idue-blaek,  the  belly,  flanks 
and  erissuin  white.  Sides  of  the  body  and  lininjj  of  winjjs  rich  flauie-eolor,  whieh  often 
tinges  the  breast  quite  across.  Ha.ial  jnirtions  of  all  the  winp-quills,  excej>ting  the  innennost 
Becoiidaries,  the  same  rich  reddish-oranjie,  britrhtest  on  the  outer  webs,  where  it  fonns  a  eon- 
spicuous  exposed  spot,  paler  and  more  extensive  on  the  inner  webs.  All  the  lateral  tail- 
feathers  similarly  colored  for  half  or  more  of  their  length,  the  orange  ine<'ting  the  black 
abru])tly  with  transverse  outline.  Jlill  and  feet  black.  Length  5.(K)-.').5() ;  extent  7.')0-8.()0  ; 
wing  ■i.i.'j-a.CO;  tail  the  .same ;  bill  0.;j;{ ;  tarsus  O.fiti.  9,  adult:  The  black  (.f  the  ^  replaced 
on  the  upjM'r  parts  with  olive,  growing  more  ashy  on  the  head,  on  the  wings  with  fu.scous,  and 
below  with  white.  Sides  rich  yellow  where  the  (J  is  orange,  this  color  often  tinging  the  breast 
ucross.     Orange  iuarkings  of  the  wings  and  tail  of  the  ^  replaced  by  clear  yellow.     Lures 


Kio.  177.  —  Iloiicy  Crceiicr  (Cirthiola  jlnnnln ;  not  iliiithigulHliiiblu  In  a  jut  fioiii  I'.  Imhameniii),  t  nnt  olzo. 
(From  Ilrelini.) 

dusky  ;  eyelids  and  slight  stripe  from  nostrils  to  eye  whitish.  Itather  smaller  than  the  ^,  about 
efpial  to  the  lesser  several  dimensions  given.  (J,  young  :  Like  the  9  ?  '"'t  the  upper  jiarls  more 
brownish,  the  tail  (|uite  black,  and  the  yellow  of  the  sidi's  brighter.  Males  changing  in  the 
sjiring  to  tlieir  liiial  plumage  are  irregida'"lv  patched  with  black  in  the  general  olivaceous  and 
white.  The  spring  migration  includes  males  in  this  condition,  and  others  irregularly  patched 
with  black,  as  well  as  those  in  perfect  dress;  whence  it  is  evident  that  the  redstart  does  not 
nc<|uire  his  full-dress  suit  until  in  his  third  year.  (See  H.  ('.  V.,  p.  'Mi).)  'I'emperate  X.  Am., 
but  chiefly  Kastern  ;  W.  to  I'tah.  Ilreeds  in  most  of  its  I'.  .^.,  and  all  of  its  Hrilish  American 
range;  abundant  trom  tli<'  Northern  States.  Nest  a  neut  compact  structure  in  the  fork  of  a 
8hrub  or  sapling  at  little  elevation;  I'lrys  l-.'i,  averagint:  O.li.j-O. .">(),  not  ilistinguishable  from 
other  warbler  eggs.  During  the  nuptial  ecstasies  the  lovely  redstjtrt  shines  among  the  birds 
that  throng  the  woodland,  where  his  transparent  beauty  Hashes  like  a  lamlM'nt  tongue  of  flame 
at  play  uniidst  the  tender  pale  green  ftdiage  of  the  trees. 


11 


47. 


l.-|3. 


CCEREBW.E:    HONEY  CliEEPEliS.      TANAGRID^ :    TANAGERS.     317 


n  roth- 

flanks 

1  iiftcn 

HTIIKlSt 

a  con- 

a)  tiiil- 

J.lack 

-8.00 ; 
•placed 
I**,  and 

l>rcast 

Lores 


10.  Family   CCEREBID^ :    Honey  Creepers. 

I'riniariett  9,  and  other  external  charaeters  very  nearly  as  in  the  last  fuuiily:  but  tlie  bill  in 
KcneniUy  nlenderer  and  sliarper,  and  often  a  little  deeiirved.  The  line  between  the  two  ('ami- 
lies  has  never  been  drawn  with  preeision,  and  has  bi'conie  nion-  dilKcnlt  of  expression  sinc« 
some  of  the  Si/li'Uvlida:  have  jmjven  possessed  of  a  j)eenliarity  of  the  ('(vrehidw. :  deeply  bifid, 
{MMiieillate  tongue.  As  eonnnonly  understood,  it  is  a  small  group  eontainintr  jH'rhaps  40  si)ecies 
of  pretty  litth^  birds,  of  th«^  genera  Cciihiolii,  J)ii)lossii,  and  (.'(iri-lM,  contined  to  tropieal  and 
subtropical  America,  being  especially  numerous  in  tin-  West  Indies.  Our  species  is  uiurely  u 
stray  visitor  to  Florida. 

47.  CERTHI'OLA.  (Diminutive  of  Lat.  eerthin,  a  creeper.  Fig.  177.)  HoxKV  Chkki'KHS. 
Hill  little  shorter  than  heaci,  stout  at  base,  but  rapidly  tapering  to  the  extremely  acute  tip; 
whole  bill  much  curved,  cnlnien  very  convex,  outline  of  under  mandible  continuously  concave 
from  base  to  tip.  liictus  unbrisih'd.  Wings  long,  exceeding  the  .short  roumled  tail.  Tarsus 
long<>r  than  miildle  toe  without  claw.  Contains  about  15  species  or  varieties,  mostly  West 
Indian. 

I.>3.  C.  baliuiiien'sis.  (Of  the  Itahanuis.)  n.MiAMAN  IIoNKV  C'KKKl'Klt.  Dark  brown  al)ove  ; 
long  superciliary  line  and  under  parts  dull  white;  breast,  edge  of  wing,  and  rinrip,  bright 
yellow ;  wings  dusky,  with  a  white  sjiot  at  base  of  primaries,  and  whitish  edging  of  the  ipiills  ; 
tail  dusky,  tipped  with  white  ;  bill  and  feet  black  ;  eyes  blue.  Length  4.50  ;  wing  i.'i'i  ;  tail 
1.75.     Fhtrhla;   Itahanias;  closely  related  to  the  Stock  species,  C. //«rco/«. 


48. 


Fio.  rs.  —  DpiitlniHtnil  lilU  of  n  T.inn- 


11.  Family  TANAGRID-S: :    Tanagers. 

An  extensive,  brilliant  family,  ctuitined  to  America, 
abounding  in  sj)ecies  between  the  tropics.  Its  ])ositiiin 
is  a  [loint  at  issue  with  ornithologists;  it  nuiy  naturally 
follow  the  ('(rrrhiilcc  and  Si/lriailiilti;  though  i-ei1aiuly 
no  families  should  stand  between  it  and  EriHi/ilUdw. 
In  fact,  certain  tropical  forms  might  bi  assit;ued  to 
either  inditlerently.  The  best  ih-tinition  of  the  Tana- 
gers i.-"  that  given  by  tin-  distinguished  ornithologist 
who  called  them  "dentirostral  finches  ;'' but  this  gen- 
eralization, like  other  ha]>py  epigrams,  is  insu.sceptible  of  application  in  detail,  and  the  Tana- 
gi'rs  remain  to  be  ]ireci.sely  characterized.  As  a  <'onse(|uence,  the  number  of  species  can 
harilly  be  approximately  estimated  ;  but  upwards  of  ;{00  are  usually  enumerated. 

The  single  well-established  North  American  genus  may  be  recoirnized,  among  all  the 
birds  of  our  country,  by  the  combination  of  nine  ]>rimaries  and  scutellate  tarsi  with  a  turgid 
bill,  notched  at  the  tij)  and  toothed  or  lobed  near  the  middle  of  the  maxillary  tomia  ifii;.  I7*>); 
though  this  last  character  is  sometimes  so  obscure  that  it  midit  be  looked  at  without  being 
seen.  The  species  of  I'ljfmirja  are  liirds  of  brilliant  colors,  with  great  seasonal  and  sexual 
ditferences  of  plumage.  They  are  fruirivorous  and  insectivorous,  and  consei|uenlly  migratory 
in  the  I'nited  Stati.s.  They  inhabit  woodland,  lay  i-5  dark-ndored,  s|>eckh'd  va\i>^.  nest  in 
trees,  and  are  no  yreat  soni;sters.  In  distribution  they  are  rather  southerly,  scarcely  pa.ssing 
northward  beyond  the  1'.  S.  fhi<>  species  of  anotlier  genus,  Eiiphonin  rlrfiinitisniinii,  admitted 
to  our  fauna  upon  iusiitlicient  evidence,  doubtless  occurs  over  the  Mexican  border. 
PYBAN'CJA,  (Harbarous  name  of  some  South  American  bird.)  Simmku  Tan  aukuk.  Hill 
stout,  turuid,  conoidal.  usually  notched  at  tip.  and  with  one  or  more  denticulations  of  the  cul- 
tini;  edce  of  u|iper  mandible  near  midille  of  commissure.  Hictal  bristles  well-develo|M'(l.  Nos- 
trils basul,  th<.>  fmnlal  antiai  reaching  then).     Wings  lengthened  and  pointed  ;  first  4  feuthcm 


r 


318 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSEUES  —  VSCIXES. 


154. 


HiilM'(|iial  anil  Idiifjpst.  Tail  imidrrati'  in  l('iJi;tli,  shorter  tliaii  wiiips,  cinartriuatc.  Tarsus  not 
lout;)'!' than  niiddlf  tuc;  hitcral  toes  ahiiut  ('(iiiai,  niitcr  fulifrcnt  witii  niidilU' 1>3' nearly  all  of 
tlie  h'ni;tli  <if  its  hasal  jipjnt.  Sexes  more  or  U'ss  unlike  in  enlor;  reil  usually  prevailiuu;  in  the 
nuile  sex.  Ilahits  nii^ratury.  inseetivcinius,  arlmreal ;  voice  not  niusieal.  Kgys  spotted. 
Four  sjieeies  of  this  lieaulitiil  tfcnus  iuhahit  the  I'.  S.,  tlin-e  of  thein  representiutt  as  many  of 
the  sections  into  which  it  is  divisihle  aeei>rdin|L;  to  iiattern  of  c(doration.  Numerous  others  are 
found  in  the  warmer  parts  of  America. 

.Iiiahf.iiit  nf  .Spi'civs, 
(f  Crlinson  or  (M'nrlet,  with  bliK-k  wings  ami  tuU:   9  •"Icnrolivo  and  yellow.    No  whift-biirs  .    .    .    ruhni    154 
(f  Vi'rniiliiin  or  rom'-riMl,  includini;  wln^s  ami  tall:   $  lirownliih-oliYu  and  bnfl'y-yullow  .    Uill  llglit. 

Smaller:  Iriiijili  alioni  7..'iO;  wiiiKll.TS (ratirii    1,V) 

I.uiB'^r:  loiinlli  al"iiit  Slid;  winu  4.'J.') nxijuri     IM 

jf  Dunkyrcil  aliovi',  liiiliiiliiii.' wiiiun  anil  tall,    cf  niihy-nliro  anil  yellow.     lilU  ilark Inixilho    1.17 

tf  Yellow,  with  Hcurlel  lieail  ami  Mack  bat  k,  wlnK»  »ntl  tail.     §  clear  olive  ami  yellow,  with  '_•  wiiii;-lpar« 

liuloriciitiin     15S 

P.  rnb'ra.  (Lat.  n(///Y».  red.)  Sc.mm.kt  Taxahku.  ^,  adult:  Criinson  or  scarlet ;  wintrs 
and  tail  hlaek  ;  hill  and  feet  dark  horn-color.  ?,  adult:  Ahove.  clear  olive-i;reeu ;  helow, 
clear  yreeiiish-yellow  ;  wiiiys  and  tail  dusky,  glossed  with  the  color  of  the  hack  ;  no  winir- 
hai-s.  (J,  yonni; :  Like  the  ?;  later,  when  chaimini;,  patched  with  red,  t;reen,  and  Idack. 
Adult  males  often  show  altiiormal  coloring,  the  hody  heiiig  yellow,  orange,  or  tlaine-color; 
or  red  patches  appe.i.iUg  on  the  wing  covel'ts.      ^  sui<l  to  change  back  to  plumage  of  9  at 

each  fall  i ilt(.')     Length  (i./.J-r.OO  ;  extent  11.00-1^.0(1;  wing  .•^..JO-lJ.'.tO  :  tail  ,ihouI  H.OO. 

Kastern  U.  S.  and  adjoining  IJritish   I'i'ovinces,  strictly;   \V.  to  Kansas,  Indian  Territory,  .-ind 


Texas  ;  not  common  N.  of  Mas.saeliusetts ;  tireeds  throughout  its  V 


range ;  winters  extra- 


limital.  This  hriliiant  creature  iiests  in  woods,  groves,  and  orchards,  upon  the  hori/.outal 
hiiMgh  of  a  tree,  building  a  rather  loose  and  shallow  fahric  of  twigs,  fibres,  rootlets,  etc.  Kggs 
.'}-,'),  0.'.).')  X  O.C).),  (hill  greenish-hlue,  fully  s|iotted  with  brown  and  lilnc. 
135.  1*.  lesti'vtt.  (Lat.  (Cstiva,  summery;  ustus,  summer.)  Uusk  Tan.voek.  Si'MMKU  Uf.h- 
lillii).  (^,  adult  :  Rich  ruse-red  or  vermilion,  including  wings  and  tail;  the  former  dusky  on 
unexposed  iiortions  of  the  feathers:  bill  ]iale;   fe(>t  darker.      9<  adult:    Didl  brownish-olive 


bell 


dull  bi 


lish-yellow;  no  wing-bars.  ^,  young:  Like  the  9-  S  changing 
plumage  shows  red,  greenish  and  yidlowish  in  irregular  patches,  but  no  black,  'i'lie  9  distin- 
guished from  9  '■"'"■"  h.v  th<!  dull  brownish,  ochrey,  or  bully  shades  of  tl live  and  yellowish, 

the  greenish  and  yellowish  of  9  »'"'"'"  being  much  clearer  and  p.iler  :  also  by  the  paler  bill 
and  feet.  'I'he  tint  of  mature  nniles  varies  greatly  ;  from  rosy  to  bricky  red.  Size  of  riihrii, 
or  rather  larger.  Kastei'u  V.  S.,  strictly,  and  rather  southerly ;  .N.  rarely  to  Connecticut,  only 
casually  farther ;  \V.  to  Kansas,  Indian  'I'erritory,  ami  Texas.  .Migratory,  a oundant ;  bre(;dH 
throughout  its  range;  winters  extralimital.     Nesting  ami  eggs  like  those  »{  nihrtt. 

150.  I*,  u.  eoo'pcrl.  (To  Dr.  A.  (i.  Cooper,  of  California.)  Cnui-Kit's  TANA(;r.i{.  Wk.stkrx  Sim- 
.MKIt  1{f.i>-II1UI>  Characters  of  rrs7/i'r( ;  back  rather  darker  than  head  ;  larger;  length  about 
8.00;  extent  about  IK.OO;  wing4.:j.');  tail  K.liO  ;  bill  0.7.'>  ;  tarsus  O.SO.  I.,ittle  distingnislied. 
Southern  Hocky  Mt.  region. 

157.  1*.  Iirpa'tk-u.  (Lat.  /ic/wc,  hrfHitis,  the  liver.)  IIkpatic  TAXAdF.U.  (J,  adult:  I'pper 
parts  brownish -ashy,  intimately  mixed  with  (bill  red;  tup  of  head,  upper  tail-(M>verts,  and 
edgings  of  wings  and  tail,  brighter  brownish-retl.  Imier  webs  and  ends  of  wing-<|uills  dusky  ; 
tail-feathers  throughout  decideilly  tinged  with  red.  Sides  of  the  head  like  the  back  ;  edges  of 
eyelids  red.      Helow,  briu:ht  red  ;  sides  and  Hanks  shaded  with   the  rolor  of  the  back,   many 

feathers  often  also  with  ashy  skirting.      Mill  anil   feet   blackish-jiliiml us,  the  culling  edire  of 

the  up|M'r  mandible  furnished  with  a  tooth  more  |irominent  than  in  most  species  (tiij.  \7H), 
Length  about  M.OO;  wing  4.00;  tail  :<.:(■'< ;  billO.nC;  tarsus  O.M).  9,  adult:  liill  and  feet  as 
in  the  (J.     I'pper  jHirts  greenish-(dive,  with  an  ashy-gray  tinge,  the  crown  uuJ  rump  clearer 


158. 


llIliUNDIKWJE :    SWALLOWS. 


ail) 


HIIH   not 

all  <.f 
in  the 

IMittcd. 

laiiy  of 

ITS  JI|-(! 


IBT, 


'"I     I.W 


and  nmro  yellowish-olive.  Sides  of  head  like  buck.  Heiieath  yellow,  elear  anil  nearly  ]>iire 
medially,  tthaded  on  ihe  cides  with  the  eolor  of  the  baek,  souietinie.s  hrigiitcnin!;  alnioKt  into 
orange  on  the  throat.  (Quills  and' tail  futwHtus,  with  olivaeeous-yollow  edgings,  the  former 
darker  than  the  latter.  Youni;  ^  :  Like  the  9  '.  i"  niah-s  eliaMi;inir,  the  fhara<'lers  of  the  two 
sexM'.s  eonfiised.  Very  yoinif;  :  There  is  an  earlier  ulirak'i/  Mi\^i',  before  tlie  asstiniption  of  ii 
idiniiagi*  like  tliat  of  the  9-  I'I'Imt  jiarts  grayish-brown  with  an  (dive  tinge;  lower  jtarts 
grayish-white  with  a  yellowish  shade  ;  both  everywhere  streaked  with  ihisky.  Wings  and  tail 
like  those  of  adnit  9t  l>*'t  ''"'  former  with  oehraeeons  band.s  amiss  ends  of  greater  and  middle 
coverts.  Southern  Hocky  .Mt.  region  and  southward. 
1S8.  I*.  IiKloviein'iiu.  (I^at.  of  Louisiana,  formerly  (d*  great  extent  in  the  West ;  name  now  ina|i- 
jdieable.)  ('kimsox-iikaki'.h  Taxaciek.  (J,  adult:  .Middle  of  back,  wings,  and  tail,  Idack  ; 
wings  crosse<l  by  two  yellow  or  yellowish-white  bars  on  ends  of  greater  and  middle  <'overts; 
inner  .secondaries  markeil  with  white  or  yellowish.  Head  all  around  .scarlet  or  even  crimson,  the 
color  extending  diluted  on  the  brea.st.  Other  parts  bright  yellow,  generally  purest  on  thi>  rump. 
Iris  brown;  bill  horn-c<dor;  legs  livid  Iduish.  Length  al)out  7.011;  wing  ;{.,■)()- 1.1)0 ;  tail 
•2. 7.') -.'1.2.');  bill  0.()0;  tarsus  0.7").  9i  adult:  Above,  olive,  darker  and  .somewhat  asliy-shaded 
on  miildle  of  back,  ch'aii-r  and  brighter  on  rump  and  crown.  IJtdow,  greenish-yellow,  shaded 
with  (dive  on  sides.  Wings  and  a'ld  tail  fuscous,  with  edgings  of  the  color  n(  the  upper  parts  ; 
greater  and  me(lian  coverts  tipped  with  wiiite  or  yellowish  ;  imier  secondaries  edged  with  the 
same.  Averaging  rather  less  than  tlu;  (J.  The  bird  lacks  the  butfy  shades  characteristic  of  9 
(fstirii,  besides  being  deciih'dly  snuiller.  The  general  c(doration,  in  its  clear  (dive  and  yellow, 
is  exactly  that  of  9  »■"'"'« :  IVom  which  distingiii. '.led  by  the  white  or  yellow  markings  on  the 
wings.  The  (J  at  first  resembles  the  9>  "'"'  '"  progress  toward  maturity  every  gradation 
between  the  two  is  pn'senteil.  The  distinctive  dark  ihir.sal  area,  and  traces  of  the  re(l  of  the 
head,  soon  appear.  In  a  usual  condition  of  incomplete  dress,  the  black  of  the  back  is  mixed 
with  gray  or  (dive,  the  yellow  of  the  back  of  the  neck  i.s  obscure(l,  that  of  the  under  ]iarts  is 
.shaded  with  (dive,  and  the  head  is  only  ]iartly  red.  I'pper  Mi.ssouri  region  and  eastern  foot- 
hills of  the  Uocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific;  Itritish  ('(duuibia.  Itreeds  in  all  its  N.  A.  rang(.- and 
winters  e.xtralimital.     Habits,  nests,  and  eggs  like  those  (d°  our  other  Tanagers. 


12.  Family    HIRUNDINID^ :     Swallows. 

Sirnlloirs  nir  JisKironlriil  Osciue  Pimsrrea  irilh 
nine  primarifs.  Kill  short,  broad,  tiat,  some- 
what triangular,  deeply  (deft,  the  gape  wide  and 
about  twice  as  long  as  the  cuhuen,  the  mouth 
thus  opening  to  about  beneath  the  eye:..  This 
is  the  stnuigest  character  (d"  the  family  in  com- 
parl.son  with  its  Osciiu'  allies,  and  one  perfectly 
distinctive,  though  .some  ;;<'nera  of  ilirundines, 
esjiecially  I'mgiii;  approaidi  the  AiniivUilir.  in 
the  form  of  the  bill.  The  bill  narrows  rapidly 
to  the  compressed  acute  tip.  Xasal  fossa'  short 
and  wide  ;  nostrils  directed  laterally  or  upward, 
soinetinieH  circular  and  eomplet(dy  exjiosed, 
.sometimes  scaled  over.  Culiuen  convex, 
scarcidy  ii  third  as  long  as  the  head;  tip  of 
upiier  mandible  overhanging,  UHUally  nicked.  ItietUM  HnuNith  (or  with  a  few  inconspicuous 
bristles?).  Wings  extremely  long  and  strong,  the  pinion  bearing  only'.)  ]>rimaries,  the  1st  of 
wliich  e(|uuU  or  exceedu  the  2d  in  length,  the  rest  being  so  rapidly  gradmited  thut  the  Ul]> 


Fio, 

ruttiea. 


li!».  —  Kuri>|H>nii  Barn  .Snitllow,   inruniln 
(Knim  IMxiiii.) 


r^- 


320 


S  YSJ'KMA  TIC  S Y\OPSIS.  —  PA  SSERES  —  OSCINES. 


is  wiircoly  or  not  Imlf  hh  loiij;  us  the  1st;  socomlarirs  aiitl  their  coverts  also  very  short;  all 
tht'M'  quill-tVi  tilers  hroati  and  stout.  An  aeiite,  thiii-hladeil  and  somewhat  falcate  wing,  of 
Huriiassini,'  volatorial  (Kiwer,  resnlts  from  these  inoditieations.  Tail  of  \'i  reetriees,  ]>erha|)s 
ahnormally  only  ID,  usually  forked,  or  at  least  emarjiinate,  and  often  deejily  forfieate,  the 
outermost  feathers  heini;  in  tliis  latter  case  narrowly  linear  in  shajie  for  a  considerahle  dis- 
tance. Feet  short,  small, 
and  weak,  ill-ada]ited  to 
secure  fout-hoid,  and  very 
liadly  formed  for  walk- 
inji.  Swallows  scarcely 
use  their  feet  lor  locomo- 
tion, relying  nuiinly  u]iun 
their  )irowess  of  (liidon. 
The  tarsal  enveloj^e  thor- 
oughly Osciuo  in  struct- 
ure, being  scutellate  in 
front  and  latninatehehind; 
it  is  sometimes  ]iartially, 
or  almost  entirely,  feath- 
ered ;  the  tarsi  are  com- 
moidy  shorter  than  the 
lateral  toes.  The  digits 
]iossess  the  normal  mimlier 
iif  |ihalanges;  the  hasal 
|ilialaii.\  of  the  niiddlo 
digit  is  conimouly  coherent 
with  line  or  both  lateral 
toes;  the  hallux  is  ordi- 
nary, and  not  reversilde. 
The  digits  are  commonly 
naked  and  scutellate,  rare- 
ly feathered  to  the  claws. 
'I"he  claws  are  compara- 
tively .strong,  compressed, 
well-curved,  and  acute, 
apt  for  dinging.  Tho 
plunuige  is  soft,  smooth, 
and  hleiided,  most  fre- 
ijUeiilly  glossy  or  even 
iridescent,  hut  sometimes 
lustreless.  lleiul  short, 
broad,  and  deprosed  ; 
neck  short.  Mouth  capu- 
clous,  its  greatest  width 
e<|ualling  that  of  the  head. 
This  is  a  iierfeetly  natural  group,  wi  II  distinguished  by  the  foregoing  <-haracters.  Tho 
pwallows  alone  reprr-sent,  among  Oscines,  the  tissirostral  tyjte  of  structure;  tliey  have  a  close 
«U|M'rficial  resemblance  to  the  swifts  and  goat-suckers  of  another  order,  but  the  relation  is  one 
of  analogy,  not  of  allinity,  though  all  these  birds  were  formerly  chisseil  together  in  the  highly 
unuuturiil  "  order  "  Vissirostrcx.     (Seo  beyond,  under  CypscUdiC  and  Caprimuli/ijo!.) 


Fid.  isn.  —  UpiMT,  Europraii  Hoiiiio  Martin,  ChelUlon  urbica ;   lnwer,  Banic 
Swallciu,  I  nlili-  riynirjii.    (Kroiii  lllxoii.) 


' 


HIRUNDINID.E :   SWALLO  WS. 


321 


A  himdred  Bpn-ics  of  swallows  arc  recorded ;  probably  about  tliree-t'ourths  of  them  aro 
poniiiiu'.  'I'licy  art'  distributed  all  over  the  world ;  the  most  generalized  tyiies,  Vikr  Hi r undo 
itself,  are  uiore  or  less  eosmopoiitan,  but  eaeli  of  tin'  great  divisions  of  tiie  globe  lias  its  iieeiillar 
subgenera  or  jiartieular  sets  of  siteeies.  Tliiis,  all  liie  Anierieau  groups  exeept  llirundu  and 
Colilc  are  peculiar  to  this  eontiuent. 

Swallows  are  iuseetivnroiis,  and  therefore  migratory  in  cidd  and  temperate  hititiides; 
unsurpassed  in  powers  of  Hight,  they  are  enabled  to  pass  with  ease  and  swiftness  from  (itur 
eouiitry  to  anotiier,  as  the  state  of  the  weather  may  re(|uire.  With  us  a  few  warm  days  in 
February  and  .March  often  allure  them  northward,  only  to  be  driven  back  again  by  the  eold, 
giving  rise  to  the  well-known  adage.  No  birds  are  better  known  to  all  classes  than  these,  and 
none  so  welcome  to  man's  abode,  — cherished  witnesses  of  peace  and  plenty  in  x\w  homestead, 
dashing  ornanu'iits  of  the  busy  thoroughfare. 

The  habits  of  swallows  best  illustrate  the  modifying  influences  of  civilization  on  indigenous 
birds.  Foruu'riy,  they  all  bred  on  ditls,  in  banks,  in  hoUows  of  trees,  and  similar  ]daces,  and 
nuiny  do  so  still.  Hut  most  of  our  species  have  forsaken  these  primitive  haunts  to  avail  them- 
selves of  the  conv<'uieiit  artiticial  nestintt-jdaces  that  man,  intentionally  or  otherwise,  provides. 
Some  ar<' just  now  in  a  transition  state  ;  thus  the  purple  martin,  in  settled  parts  of  the  country, 
chooses  the  boxes  everywhere  provided  for  its  aeconuiiodation,  while  in  the  West  it  retains  its 
<dd  custom  of  breeding  in  liolbiw  trees.  The  nesting  of  oin-  swallows  now  presents  the  lollow- 
iug  categories  of  method  :  — 

1.  Holes  in  the  ground,  dug  by  the  bird  itself,  slightly  furnished  with  soft  material  :  Votile 
riparia,  Strhiidojitiri/.r  urn-ipciinis. 

•2.  Holes  in  trees  or  rocks  not  maile  by  the  birds,  fairly  furnisiieil  with  soft  material: 
Vroijm'  siiliis,  Irido/ifocne  hiailor,  'I'liclii/ciiii'ln  tliiiliissimi. 

'i.  Holes,  or  their  e([uivaleuts,  not  made  by  the  birds,  luit  secured  through  human  agency, 
and  more  or  less  fully  furnished  with  soft  mat(>rial,  according  to  the  shallowness  or  depth  of  the 
retreat,     (luinnirlif,  no  sitrcii:i :  now,  all  the  s/xries  c.irejitinfi  Colilc  ripnriii.') 

■i.  Holes  constructed  by  the  birds,  of  mini,  pla.stered  to  surfaces,  whether  artiticial  or  natural, 
and  loo.sely  furnished  with  soft  material.  This  is  seen  in  perfe<'tion  in  the  nesting  of  I'ctro- 
chflidon  litnij'ronx,  and  is  imperfectly  illustrated  by  the  niditication  u[  llirundo  lionrtintiii. 

5.  Kgi,'s  piu'c  white,  unmarked :  Iridoprocne  hicolor,  Tuthijcinda  llt(da.isimi,  Cotik  ripu- 
ria,  Sti'liiidoptiri/x  sirripennix,  I'rogne  snbis. 

(>.   Egi;s  thickly  speckled  :  Itinindo  horrenrinn,  Pelnwhi'lidon  liniifron:'. 

The  seven  establisheil  North  American  species,  referable  to  as  many  modern  genera,  nniy 
reailily  be  determined  by  the  following 

Aixihjuii  nf  Hi-nrrii  nnil  SprrU'ii. 

1.  Tall  ilcc|)ly  fiirtlciito,  with  linear  lateral  fentlicrii :  liistroim  Ktocl-bluc  nbnve.  riifiuis  lielow 

iliriniilo  friftfintf/iiHtni  hnrnnrum  ir»l> 

2.  Tall  Hlmply  cniarKlrintc:  IiiMtroiiHitrMii;  bcncatli  wliltn /riiln/iriK-iif  himlnr  tm 

3.  Tail  Klmply  ciiiarKlrialv;  (>|iai|iia  vul\'<!(y-i;rc('ii:  liciiuatli  while Turhnfiinlii  tliiilimHhin  lill 

4.  Tall  nearly  even;  limtrDUH  Htucl-Uui';  ruiii|i  riiriiiiH frtiiirhiliilmi  liiiiifntiis  ua 

ft.  TarsiiiB  Willi  tuft  nffcBlhcrH  lifliiw;  liiHtrclei's  ({ray;  Ik'Iiiw  while liilih' ri/xirin  lti.'l 

0.  Outer  etlRe  of  lirst  |irlmary  serrate;  luKlrelenH  lirowiilnh  ;  paler  below  .    .    .  StrliiiilnpliTiix  mrriiuuniii  !t!l 

T.  Itlll  very  etuut,  curvo<l ;  male  entirely  luilroiiH  blue-blaek /'m>/n<'  suli'm  li'i.'i 

49.  IIIUIIMX).  (hat. /i/ri/Wo,  a  swallow.  Fiu's.  17!).  181.)  Hahv  SwAt.i.ow.s.  Tail  dieply 
forfic.iite,  nearly  or  about  as  long  as  the  wings  ;  lateral  feather  linear-attenuate,  about  twice  as 
long  as  the  middle  feather.  Tarsi  shorter  than  middle  tix;  and  claw,  above  feathereil  for  a  littlo 
distance:  basal  joint  of  middle  toe  partly  adherent  to  both  lateral  toes.  Hill  of  moderate  size 
for  this  family,  of  the  usual  shape,  with  .straight  <'ommi.ssure  ;  nostrils  lateral,  overarched  by  a 
membranous  scale.  Upper  parts  glossy,  dark -colored ;  a  dark  jM'ctoral  cidlar;  forehead  aud 
under  parts  rufous;  tail  spotted  with  white.     Eggs  c<don'd.     Sexes  similar. 

21 


322 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSTS.  —PASSKPES  —  OSCIXES. 


Km.  isl. 


159.  H.  erythrogas'trii  horreo'runi.  (Or.  ipvOpis,  rnilliron,  riultly,  niiil  yaonjp,  gasfrr,  bt-Ily. 
Lat.  hornvriini,  of  liariii*,  gen.  yl.  of  horreum,  a  liarii.)     Hau.n  Swallow.     ^,  ailiilt:  i\vv\t 

lustrous  sUrl-blut' ;  fori'licaii  ami  I'litiro  iimlfr 
luirtM  riifoiiH,  ^I'licrally  dc'C|iC'Mt  on  tin-  forehead 
ami  tiiroat  ;  an  imperfect  steel-liliiu  -.-ollar. 
Willis  and  tail  lilaekisli,  with  Meel-hliie  or 
Koiiiewlmt  gruoiiish  gloss  ;  tho  lateral  ]iair  of 
tail-feathers  iiiueh  lengthened  and  lilifonn  at 
the  end,  all  lint  the  central  pair  with  a  white 
spot.  Ix'ngth  ().00-7.00,  very  variahle,  accord- 
ingto  the  development  <ii  the  tail;  extent  12..')(J- 
lU.'iO;  wing  4. .')()-.). 1 10;  tall  :i.()()-:..t)0,  the  fork 
2.0((-;J.()0  de.'i>.  9,  adult:  C^uite  like  the  <J  ; 
colors  rather  less  intense  and  lustrous;  average 
si/e  snuiller.  Young:  Lacking  in  great  measure 
the  elongation  and  attenuation  of  the  lateral  tail- 
featln-rs,  the  fork  lieing  an  inch  or  less  in  depth. 
Similar  to  the  adidts,  hut  much  duller,  ;ind  with 
rather  a  greenish  than  sleel-hlue  lustre  —  at  an 
early  age  (|uite  lirown,  with  scarcely  any  lustre, 
and  the  rum])  and  u)>per  tail-itoverts  skirted  with 
rusty.  Frontlet  ohscurely  marked  or  reduced  to 
Gi'iierlc  ilctails  of  iiirmulo  (II.  hur-  a  mere  tawny  line,  and  under  parts,  especially 
r,..,HiH,  nut.  gl/.ci.    lAd  nat.  .lei.  E.  c.)  behind  th(!  dark  collar,  very  pal.',  even  brownish- 

white.     N.  .\m.  at  lartre  :  abundant:  br.'.'ds  thr.iugh.nit  its  rang.'. 

50.  IKII>OI'K<><"NK.  ((ir. 'ipii,  gen. 'Ipifiot,  Iris,  m.'ssenger  of  the  gods ;  al.xo  the  rainb(.w ; 
ripiiKfi;,  I'rocne,  daughter  of  I'andion.)  lltiM  SWALLOWH.  I'lunnig.!  c.impact,  lustrous,  as  in 
lliniiiilo  ;  but  tail  lacking  the  elongation  of  that  g.'iuis,  being  simply  enutrginate.  I'nder 
))arts  snowy  white.     Kgtrs  colorless.     Sexes  similar. 

IflO.  I.  bi'culur.  (Lat. //('(Wo/-,  tw.i-ctdored.  Fig.  1S;J.)  WiiiTK-iii:i,i,lKi>  S\VAi,i..»\v.  (J,ailult: 
Kntire  upper  jiarts  glossy  dark  green  :  wings  and  tail  bla.'kish,  lustrous;  lores  bla.-k.  Kntiro 
under  parts  pure  whit.'.  Mill  black  :  fe.'t  dark.  Length 
about  Ct.W;  .'Xtent  lii.Od;  wing  4.. »()-.). 0( I ;  tail  i.M. 
9  :  Similar,  th.'  colors  rather  less  iul.'n.se  and  lustr.ais. 
Young  :  Hir.ls  of  th.'  year  slowly  actpdre  a  plumag.* 
diti'ering  only  in  the  less  lustre  and  intensity  from  that 
of  th.'  adults;  but,  on  leaving  the  n.'st,  they  are  dark 
in.Mise-gray  .ir  slate-c.dor  abov.',  in.-luding  the  wings 
au.l  tail,  the  int.Tscapulars  and  inner  .pillls  tipped  with 
rusty  ;  an.l  white  b.low,  slinhtly  shad.'d  with  ashy  ; 
thu8  ciniously  similar  to  Cotile  riparia.  The  f.'et  yel- 
low. The  first  phunace  is  worn  long.'r  than  usual,  th.^ 
autumnal  .Iress  heiny  slowly  gained  —  one  .ir  two  of  Fio  is'^  -  WIiIU'-IhsIUwI  Swullow,  imt. 
the  metallic-tint.'d  fi'athers  at  a  tinu'.  The  .piills  of  »'"•  (^'^  »"'■  '•'••'  ^-  ^•> 
the  wing  are  moulted  by  th.'  young  as  well  as  by  the  adidt,  and  in  both,  in  autini'n,  the  iniuT 
s«'conihiries  are  white-tipii.'d.  Temperat.'  N.  Am.  IJreed.s  imlitfertintly  in  all  parts  of  its 
range,  an.l  wint.'rs  abundantly  on  th.t  southern  bord.'r. 

51.  TAC'IIYCIXE'TA.  ((;r.  raxwKiwjrot,  ttwiiiikitielus,  moving  rajtidly.)  Ylid.lCT-VKl.VK.r 
Swallows.  Similar  to  the  last,  but  lacking  lustre  of  tho  richly  varied  plumage  of  the 
upper  parts. 


UlltUSDISIDyK :   S WALLO  WS. 


olid 


MH.   T.  tlinlait'sinn.      (Or.  BoKdtraivoi,  thaliissinos,  scu-trrccii.)     VioLKT-diiKKV  Swallow.     ,$, 

iiiliilt :  Kutii'c  iimU'r  parts,  iiiclinliii^  tin-  sitlcs  of  tlic  licml  t<>  Just  alxivc  the  eyes,  and  an  ciilartfcci 
lliitl'y  tiitt  im  the  tiaiiks  tciulini;  tti  join  its  fVllnw  nvcr  tlic  niiiip,  piiri'  silky  wliitc.  I'ppt'r  pails 
ricii,  siit't,  vi'lvt'ty-frn-cii,  inixt-d  witii  a  little  vinlft-purplc;  the  crown  of  tlie  head  siiiiiilar,  Imt 
ratlier  ureeiiish-lmiwii,  with  a  purplish  tiiiye.  Cervical  retfioii,  in  some  cases  a  well-detiued 
thdiiuh  narrow  cervical  collar,  and  the  upper  tail-cnverts,  violet-purple.  These  rii'li  colors 
opaijue,  without  ^loss  or  sheen  ;  wini;s  and  tail  hlackish,  with  vicdet  and  imrplish  i;loss.  Kill 
Mack;  feet  hrownish-ldack,  small;  iris  hrown ;  month  pale  yellow.  Length  4..">(I--.).(J() ; 
extent  ll..)0-l;>..Vt  ;  wiuj,'  4..')0  ;  tail  i.m,  lis.'htly  forked;  hill  ii.-2:>  ;  tarsus  O.Mt.  The  ?, 
and  immature  hirds  in  f;eneral,  dill'er  simply  in  the  le.<s  purity  and  intensity  of  tin'  colors  of 
the  upper  parts.  In  the  very  highest  pluniai;ed  specimens,  the  ba(dv  is  nearly  pure  j^reen, 
the  cervical  collar  distinct,  and  the  several  contrasts  of  cr  iwn,  collar,  hack,  and  upper  tail- 
coverts  are  stront;;  in  general,  the  iiack  has  a  hrownish-pirple  shade,  more  like  that  of  the 
crown.  Very  yoimi;  l)irds  are  like  /.  bico/nr,  thoauh  smaller,  heint;  dark  mouse-gray  ahove 
and  white  helow.  lint  traces  at  least  of  the  special  tints  speedily  appear.  Younu  or  autumnal 
liinis  usually  have  the  iimer  secondaries  white-tipiwd,  as  in  /.  Iiuolai-.  Middle  and  Western 
I'i'ovinces,  {'.  S.  and  adjoinint;  portions  of  JSriti.sh  Ana'rit-a;  K.  to  the  I'pper  Missouri.  Urceds 
liiroiinhou;  its  ranire,  and  winters  extralimital.     A  lovely  species. 

52.  rKTIM>(;ilKLI'I><»N.  ((ir.  TrtV^jo,  yWrr(,  a  rock  ;  xeX'^w".  'hvUdoii,  a  swallow.)  Ci.ifk 
Swallows.  Kill  stout  and  ileep  (for  this  family);  nostrils  superior,  opening  without  nasal 
scale.  Tail  unusually  short,  the  tips  of  the  fohled  wings  reaching  heyond  it,  ahout  even,  or 
only  slightly  emarginate,  with  the  feathers  hroad  to  their  ends.  Feet  much  as  in  Iliniiido  ; 
tarsi  feathered  ahove;  toes  extensively  adherent  at  hase.  A  hristly  ai)pearance  of  the  front 
and  chin,  dill'erent  from  what  is  seen  in  other  groups.  The  tuft  of  crissal  feathers  is  full, 
reaching  lu'arly  to  the  end  of  the  tail.  The  species  agree  well  in  a  special  ]iattern  of  ccdoration, 
heiug  .steel-hliie  ahov<>,  with  rufous  rump  and  nuchal  hand,  and  usually  a  froistlet  uf  different 
color  from  the  rest  of  the  upper  parts;  undi'r  parts  not  continuously  white  as  in  TavhijviitrUi 
and  Iridoinovw.     The  nidification  peculiar;  egus  colored.     Sexes  alike. 

\{\'X.  I*.  Iii'iilfroiis.  (I.at.  liitui,  the  moon,  or  a  crescent;  /runs,  foreheatl.  Fig.  IS.'i.)  Clii'K 
Swallow.  Kavk.s  Swallow.  Ckk.m  !;nt  Swallow.  Mti>  Swallow.  (f9,adidt: 
Kack  and  top  of  head,  with  a  spot  on  the  throat,  lU'cp  lustrous  steel-hlue,  that  of  the  crown 
and  back  se|tarated  by  ti  grayish  nuchal  collar.  Frontlet  whit<' 
or  brownish-white.  Shorter  upper  tail-coverts  rufous.  ("bin, 
throat,  and  sides  of  head  intense  rufous,  sometimes  purplish- 
chestnut,  prolonged  aronml  the  side  of  the  nape.  I'nih'r  ]iarts 
didl  grayish-brown,  with  usually  a  rufous  tingi'  (rusty-gray), 
and  dusky  shaft-lines,  whiteuing  on  the  helly,  the  under  tail- 
coverts  gray,  whitish-edged  and  tinged  with  rufous.  Wings 
and  tail  blackish,  with  slight  gloss.  Kill  black  ;  feet  brown. 
Length  5 .00-,). 50  ;  e.-Jtent  1;!.00  or  more;  wing  •l.-2,)-l..jO;  tail 
i.i'),  nearly  square.  Sexes  not  distinguishable;  both  vary  much 
in  the  toiH' of  c(doration,  especially  of  the  rufous  parts.  Fore-  Fm.  nt.'i.  —  (.'IIH'Swnlluw,  nut. 
head  soUH'tinies  white,  soinetimes  (piitu  brown.  In  young  !)inls,  '''"'•  ''^''  '""•  *•"'•  *■'•  *'* 
the  fnmtlet  nuiy  be  altogether  wanting  :  upper  parts  lustreless  dark  brown,  most  of  tbo 
feathers  being  skirted  with  whitish  ;  the  rufous  of  the  throat  and  rump  a  mere  tinge,  the  spot 
on  the  throat  wanting,  and  the  parts  often  speckleil  with  white.  N.  Am.  at  large,  abundantly 
but  irregularly  distributed,  breeding  in  coloines  wherfver  suitable  sites  iiuiy  be  found  for  its 
ciu'ious  retorl-.shaped  or  bottle-nosed  nests  of  mud. 

53.  t'O'TILE.  (IJr.  KwrtXur,  kolilti.i,  a  babbhr,  twiften  r.)  Kank  SwalloWM.  Tarsus  with  li 
tuft  of  feathers  at  the  base  below,  near  insertion  of  the  hind  toi-.     Edgo  of  wing  not  rough. 


ir 


324 


SYSTJ'LMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSIJIiKS  —  OSCIXES. 


Cliiws  little  riirvi'd,  tlif  lateral  n>af'liiii){  Iwyoml  the  Itase  nf  tin-  initldlc  r.iio.  Hill  very  ninall, 
tin'  nostrils  iijH'iiiiij;  laterally  ami  overliuiif,'  by  a  nieiiiltrane.  Tail  niiieli  shorter  than  winj;s, 
eniar^iliate.  Coloration  ililll  ami  sini|(le — liistn'less  brown  above  ami  aeross  breast,  white 
below.  V.fiii!*  nncolored,  laid  in  holes  iu  the  ^ronnd  excavated  by  the  bird.  Sexes  alike. 
103.  V.  rlpu'rlu.  (Lat.  rijiaria,  riparian;  ripu,  bank  of  a  stream.  Fi>;s.  180,  1»4.)  Uaxk 
SWAM.DW.  (J  9  :  Lustreless  niollsi- 
brown;  winu's  and  tail  fuscous.  IJe- 
low,  white,  with  a  broad  pectoral 
band  of  the  color  of  the  back.  A 
<lusky  ante-orbital  sjMit.  l^ength 
about  .'j.O(J;  extent  I ()..")() ;  wing 
4.00;  tail  2.00.  Sexes  similar ;  thu 
younj;  dill'cr  chiefly  in  whitish  edg- 
ings  of  the  fi'alliers,  especially  of 
the  wiugs  and  tail.  Kven  in  the 
adult,  the  upper  parts  arc  apt  to 
be  not  (|uite  uiiiforni,  then-  being 
paler  gray  edgings  of  most  of  the 
feathers.  The  dark  jMrtoral  band 
sometimes  extends  backward  along 
till'  middle  of  the  under  jiarts  (not 
mIiowii  in  fig.  181).  Autumnal  s]ieci- 
niens  have  the  sucomlaries  white- 
tipped.  ■  \'ery  young  birds  have 
rather  rusty  than  whitish  skiiting 
of  the  dark  feathers,  and  the  white 
throat  speckled  with  the  same.  Al- 
most cosuio]>olitan  :  Kin'(i|>e,  Asia, 
Africa,   America;    abundant   in   N.  Kio.  IM.- I.ank  Sw«ll..vv.    (I.e«l«uu,l  by  II.  W.KIllott.) 

Am.,  breeding  in  immense  trooj)s  in  Indes  in  the  groiiml,  wlierover  suitable  sites  offer,  as 
natural  embankments,  rail-road  cuttings,  gravel-jiits,  etc. 

64.  STlCMJinOI'TKIlYX.  ((Jr.  (TTfXyir,  stilgis,  a  scraper;  irrtpv^,  pieru.r,  wing.)  Hoioii- 
wiNiiKK  SwAi.i.ttws.  (ieneral  aspect  of  Cotila  ;  form  and  coloration  niu<-h  th(>  same.  Outer 
well  of  1st  prii/iary  converted  into  a  series  of  stifl',  recurved  liiHiks.  (Other  Swallows,  as  Psiili- 
<lo]>ri)ciic  ("ab.,  have  this  ]ieculiar  wing  structure,  but  are  otherwi.se  diH'erent.)  The  ih'sign  of 
the  structure  is  not  clear,  but  we  may  readily  supitose  that  the  hooks  assist  the  birds  in  crawl- 
ing: into  their  holes,  and  in  clinging  to  vertical  or  hanging  surfaces.  Tai-sus  slightly  feathered 
above,  liiii  lacking  the  cin'ious  tuft  seen  nt  the  base  of  the  hind  toe  in  Ciitilf.  Lateral  claws 
curved,  and  not  reaching  beyond  the  base  of  the  middle.  Ita.^al  joint  of  midtlle  toe  exten- 
sively adherent  to  the  outer,  much  less  so  to  the  inner.  Itill  small,  with  oval,  su])crior  nostrils 
margined  by  meiubrane  behind,  but  not  overhung.  Tail  short  and  .^slightly  emargiuate.  Kggs 
iinccdored,  in  hides  dug  by  the  birds,  or  elsewhere,     ."^exes  alike. 

104.  8.  HorritH'n'iiis.  (Lat.  srnvi,  a  saw;  ;«»>i(«,  a  feather.)  IJoiruil-WixuKit  SWAIXOW.  ^  9: 
I^ustreless  mouse-brown  or  brownisli-gray,  paler  below,  gradually  whitening  posteriorly. 
Wings  and  tail  darker  than  the  upper  jiarts.  liather  larger  than  the  last  species.  No  dark 
pectoral  band  contrasting  with  whiti^  No  tuft  of  feathers  at  the  base  of  the  bind  toe.  Young: 
At  a  very  early  age,  the  feathers  of  the  back,  rumji,  and  wings  are  suffused  or  edged  with  rich 
ru.sty-brown,  while  the  uialer  jiarts  are  more  or  less  tinged  with  u  jialer  shade  of  the  same. 
The  booklets  of  the  wings  are  only  fully  developed  in  adult  birds,  iind  ani  not  appreciable  at 
all  in  young  ones.     U.  S.  and  adjoining  British  Provinces ;  rare  in  Kustern  States. 


AMPKLIDAS  —  A  MPELIXE :    WA  X  WINGS. 


325 


55. 


1.1 


105. 


rTOfi'MC.  ((Jr.  XlpoKvt),  Prnrnr,  it  iiiytli(il(if{iciil  cluinirtrr.)  Of  lar>;r  sixo  iiiul  roliuHt  fnrin 
for  tliix  faiiiily.  Hill  l(||l^  iiiitl  titoiit,  with  iniicli-fiii'vcil  t'liiiiiiiisMiin- ami  ilctlcctcil  ti|);  ciilincii 
(•(invcx,  its  toiiiial  cilfio  foncavo-miivcx  like  "os .  Nostrils  riiviilar,  opciiiiig  iipwanl,  witliout 
nasal  seal*'.  Ffct  largi",  with  stroiij;,  iinich-fiirvfil  diiws;  tai-sus  shorter  than  Miidillr  toe  ami 
claw;  lateral  toes  ubont  e(|uallinK  each  other  in  length  ;  hamil  Joint  of  iniddle  toe  freer  from 
lateral  toes  than  usual.     Tail  forked.     Sexes  dissimilar.     Kj{gs  colorless. 

I>.  sii'biM.  (\Mt.  mihis,  unuw  of  an  unknown  hird.)  I'l'Ul't.K  AfAiniN.  ^,  adult:  Intense 
lustrous  steel-hluo.  Wiu>;s  and  tail  blackish,  with  bluish  lustre.  Hill  black;  feet  blackish. 
Length  7.50  inches  ;  extent  I."). .')(»;  wing  5.50-«.00 ;  tail  U.OO-:?. 50,  forked  ;  bill  0.50,  very 
stunt,  broad  at  the  base,  somewhat  d(-ctn'Vi>d  at  the  end;  nostrils  circular,  exposed,  o|ieiiiii|{ 
ujtward.  9  •  I'm'l*  grayish-brown,  glossed  on  the  back  and  head  with  steel-blue.  Wings 
atul  tail  fuscous,  i)aler  on  the  inner  webs,  with  nuiTow  gray  edgings.  Ileneath,  whitish,  shaded 
with  dark  gray  in  most  i)arts,  the  feathers  very  generally  with  dusky  shaft-line.  Viamg  birds 
of  both  sexes  resemble  the  adult  fenuile,  though  the  young  nniles  are  rather  darker.  The  steel- 
blue  appears  at  first  in  patches.  V.  S.  and  adjoining  liritish  I'rovim'cs,  abundant  ami  gener- 
ally distributed ;  breeds  throughout  its  rang(-,  usually  in  the  Kust  in  bo.xes  provided  for  its 
accommodation,  in  the  West  in  holes  in  trees. 


13.  Family   AMPELID^ :    Chatterers. 

This  appears  to  bo  an  arbitrary  and  umiatural  a.ssociatioii  of  a  fi'W  genera  that  agree  in 

Some  particulars,  but  are  widely  ditferent  in  others.     Tin mposition  and  position  of  the  group 

ditfer  with  almost  every  writer;  some  place  it  in  Cltimalotrs,  next  to  the  Tjn'ioiiiidtc.  I  tliink 
that  the  family  slioulil  be  dismembered  ;  the  Mi/imlvstiiw  are  near  the  true  Thrushes,  and 
doubth'ssthe  other  two  subfamilies  here  presented  nuiy  be  properly  dissociated. 

Itirds  of  the  three  followint;  genera  agree  m  this  character:  Mill  shtu-t,  broad,  flattened, 
plainly  notched  at  tip,  with  wide  rictus,  and  cnlnien  or  gonys  hardly  or  not  exceeding  half  the 
length  of  the  commi.ssure;  basal  phalanx  of  middle  toe  joined  with  outer  toe  for  about  two- 
thirds  its  length,  and  to  inner  toe  for  alxait  half  its  length.  The  three,  considered  separately, 
may  be  readily  and  precisely  detined. 

18.  Subfamily   ANIPELIN^:    Waxwings. 

Of  this  subfamily,  as  here  restricted,  there  is  oidy  one  genus  with  three  species  —  one  of 
Europe,  .\sia,  and  Anu'rica,  on(*  of  .\sia  and  .Japan,  one  peculiar  to  .\nierica. 
66.  AM'I*KLI9.  ((Jr.  dunikU,  Lat.  (iwimUs,  name  of  a  binl.)  WA.xwiXdS.  Kill  short,  broad, 
tlat,  rather  obtus<>,  ]dainly  notched  near  tip  of  each  mandible,  with  wide  and  d<'eply-cleft  gape, 
the  ciinvex  cuhnen  and  gonys  less  than  half  as  long  as  the  nearly  straight  commi.xsure.  the 
width  of  rictus  more  than  two-thirds  the  length  of  the  gajie.  Nasal  fossie  broad,  but  tilled 
with  short,  erector  antrorse,  and  close-set  velvety  feathers;  nostrils  narrowly  elliptical,  over- 
arched by  a  (feathered)  scale.  Hictal  vibrissa'  few  and  short.  Wings  long  and  )Hiinted,  nmcii 
longer  than  the  tail,  their  iioint  formed  by  the  'M  primary,  closely  supporteil  by  tlu-  2d  and  4th, 
the  5th  abruptly  shorter  and  the  rest  rapidly  graduated.  I'rimaries  10,  but  the  1st  spiu'ious,  so 
very  short  as  readily  to  escape  observation,  and  stanetimes  displaced  to  the  outer  side  of  the  M 
primary, — a  condition  like  that  seen  among  the  Vireos.  Inner  i|uills,  as  a  rule,  and  .sometiuu-s 
the  tail-feathers,  tip]M'd  with  curious  red  horny  appendages,  like  .sealing-wax.  Tail  short, 
narrow,  even,  two-thirds  or  less  of  the  h'Uttth  of  the  wing.  Feet  rather  weak  ;  tarsus  shorter 
than  the  middle  toe  and  claw,  distinctly  scutellate  with  five  or  six  divisions  anteriorly  and  sonw- 
what  receding  from  strict  Oscine  character  by  subdivision  of  the  latenil  plates.  Lateral  toes  of 
nearly  e(|Ual  lengths,  the  ends  of  their  oliiws  scarcely  reaching  thi-  base  «>f  the  middle  claw  ; 
hallux  about  us  hiiig  as  the  inner  latvntl  tuc.     Hasal  phalanx  of  middle  toe  coherent  with  outer 


ir 


326 


SYSTKMATIC  SYXOPSTS.  —  I'ASSKTiKS  —  OSCINKS. 


t<Mt  for  nixmt  Iwo-tliirds  its  IciiKtIi,  witli  iiiiicr  tuo  for  u1>oiit  lialf  itH  h'liKtIi.  Hoity  Ktoiit.  IIcikI 
roiiH|iiciioiii*ly  crrsti'il.  l'liiiiiii^'i>  pi'i'iiliiirly  f*nft,  hiiiiniIIi,  and  Nilky.  'I'ail  tippcil  witli  yt'llow 
(or  rctl,  ill  tlio  Ja|iaii('m'  A.  jili(i'niri>j)tcni).  Sexes  alike;  yomiK  ditl'ereiit.  KkK"  "potted. 
Nest  on  trees. 
too.  A.  Kiir'riiliiH.  (Lat.  ,//'»;')'"/i/.«,  a  jay-l>ird :  from  its  loipiaeity.  Flu.  18.5.)  HiiiiKMiAN  Wa.n- 
WIM).  ^  9<  adiill :  (ieiieral  eojor  lirownisli-Msli,  Hliadiiiu  iiiseiisihiy  from  the  elear  asli  of  tlio 
tail  and  its  upper  eoverts  and  riiiii))  into  a  reddisli-tint;eil  asli  anteriorly,  this  jteciiliar  tint 
heii;lilening  on  the  lieail,  especially  on  tlu'  forehead  and  sides  of  the  head,  into  oran^'<--liro\vn. 
A  narrow  frontal  line,  and  hroader  har  throiii;h  the  eye,  with  the  ehiii  and  throat,  Hooty-1da<-k, 
not  or  not  shai'idy  borilered  with  white.  No  yellowish  on  lielly.  T'nder  tail-coverts  oraiifjr- 
Itrnwn,  or  (dicstnnt.     Tail  ash,  dee|ieniiiK  to  Idackish-aHli  toward  the  end,  hroadly  tipped  uitli 


Km.  1S6.  —  liciliviiiUii  WiixwIiiKx.  i  not.  M/.v.    (Knmi  lireliin.) 

rich  y(dlow.  Wind's  ashy-hlackish  ;  iirimaries  tipped  (chieHy  on  the  outer  welts)  with  Hharp 
spaces  of  yellow,  or  white,  or  both  ;  secondaries  with  white  spaces  at  the  ends  of  the  outer  welis, 
the  shafts  usually  eudin>;  with  eulan;ed,  horny,  red  a]>]ienilaKes.  I'riinary  coverts  tipped  with 
white.  Hill  1dackish-]dunil)eous,  often  paler  at  liase  helow;  feet  hiack.  Length  7  or  8  inches; 
wiiit;  about  4..')() ;  tail  2..'>().  The  .sexes  of  thi.s  beautiful  bird  are  alike,  and  the  ]H'iuci]ial  varia- 
tions, aside  from  mere  shade  of  the  body-color,  consist  in  the  markings  of  the  win^s.  In  the 
finest  H|M<cimeus,  the  ends  of  the  primary  (piills  are  rich  ycdlow,  like  the  tips  of  the  tail-feathers, 
formiiiK  broad  linn  sjiaces,  in  a  continuous  line  when  the  wiuf;  is  closed,  with  narrower  oKsets 
jjoiiif?  around  the  ends  of  the  (piills.  In  less  perfect  specimens,  these  markings  are  simply 
white,  are  less  firm,  and  do  not  a|)pear  on  all  the  <|nills.  'I'he  sectuidaries  may  or  may  not 
show  tho  rod  "  Bealiiiy-wax"  lips,  but  iu  ndult  birds  nt  least  probably  always  show  white 


A  MVELIliJ':  -  PTILOnnXA  TlX.i: :    FL  Y-SSA Pl'KRS. 


827 


^' 


X, 


(e 


a 


niarkin>;a  nt  tho  Piidn,  nnd  tlip  oniMi'  is  tlif  ciisc  with  the  iiriiimry  cnvrrts.  'riit'!«(>  \viiii;-iiiiiil«- 
iiiiTK.  with  tlic  clicHtinit  (Tissinii,  and  alwcncc  of  yrilnwisii  mi  the  hrllv,  will  always  iliNiiii(;Mi>h 
the  sprcirs  from  A.  cetlrnriiin,  iii<li'|M'iMl<'iitly  of  its  nnich  siipcrlor  si/c.  Vomit;:  'I'lifn'  is  an 
parly  utrcaUnl  8tai;<'  of  |>lmnai;i',  iikf  that  of  A.  crdmnim.  N'orthrru  ht'mis]ilH'r<',  northerly, 
wandering  south  in  vast  troops  at  irri't;nlar  periods.  In  Ameriea,  south  rei;ularly  in  winter  to 
the  northern  tier  of  States;  in  the  KocUy  Mts.  much  further;  casually  to  ahoul  '\'t°.  Hare  on 
the  I'acitic  coast  except  in  Alaska.  Itree<ls  in  liii;li  latitudes,  hut  down  tu  the  I'.  .^.  lionler  in 
the  IJoi'ky  Mts.  N'estim;  siihstantially  the  same  as  that  of  ,1.  vi'ilrorum,  and  eirys  only  diH'er- 
ent  in  their  (ireater  si/e  -  aliout  l.OU  x  0.(17. 
wn.  A.  cealro'riim.  (Ijit.  ceilnis,  j;en.  pi.  ci'ihitrum,  the  cedar.  Fii;.  18().)  ('f.i>au  Wa.XWINii. 
('Aitm.iNA  \Va\\vin<i.  ('KiiAit-iiiitD.  ('iiKiti{V-iiiRi>.  f  ^ ,  m\\\\\  :  VtvwrA  \'t\\itT  AimWw^ 
from  clear  ]iure  ash  on  the  upper  tail-coverts  and  rnmp  throuKh  olivaceoiiii-ciuuainon  into  h 
richer  and  sonu'what  purplish-cininiinon  on  the  fore  partR 
and  head.  On  the  under  ])arts,  the  color  shades  throui;li 
yellowish  on  the  helly  into  white  on  the  under  tail-coverts. 
There  is  no  demarcation  of  color  whatever,  and  the  tints 
are  scarcely  susceptihle  of  adeipiate  description.  Frontlet, 
loroH,  and  stripe  through  the  eye,  velvety-ldack ;  chin  the 
Hanu',  soon  shading  into  the  odor  of  the  hreast.  A  sharp 
white  line  on  the  side  of  the  under  jaw;  a  narrower  one 
Itorderiui;  tho  black  frontlet  and  lores;  lower  eyelid  white. 
Quills  of  the  winijs  slate-^ray,  Idackening  at  the  ends, 
paler  aloui;  the  ed^es  of  the  inner  welts  ;  without  white 
or  yellow  nuirkings,  as  a  rule;  inner  <|nills  tipped  with 
red  horny  appendages.  Tail-feathers  like  the  primaries, 
lint  lijiped  with  yellow,  :iud  sometimes  also  showing  red 
horny  appendages.  Mill  plumheous-hlack,  sonwtinies  paler 
at  ha.se  helow;  feet  Idack.  Lent;th  ()..'iO-7.:2.") ;  extent 
11.50-12.00;  wing  3. ')(>-;!. 7")  ;  tail  •i.i'S.  Young:  Hrownish-gray,  with  a  sliglit  idive  shade; 
paler  lielow,  whitening  or  hecomiug  slinhtly  ytdlowish  on  the  hcdly ;  everywhere  streaked  with 
dint;y  whitish  ;  tlu'  markings  most  evident  on  the  hreast  and  sides.  Wings  and  tail  as  in  the 
ndulls,  hut  usually  lacking  the  red  appendages.     The  velvety-Mack  and  white  on  the  head 

imperfectly  detined.      Mill  ]iale  at  hase  helow  ;  feet  pluml us.     Specimens  apparently  mature 

and  full-feathered  l'rei|uently  luck  the  sealing-wax  tips.  These  are  normally  confined  to  the 
Becondaries,  hut  occasionally  ap))ear  on  one  or  .several  |U'iuun'ies,  and  some  or  all  «if  the  rectrices 
(as  in  tig.  IS.'));  a  case  is  ri'corded  in  which  an  under  tail-covert  was  similarly  emhellished.  Moth 
itexes  po.ssess  these  ornanH'nts,  hut  as  a  rule  they  are  hest  devtdoped  in  the  f.  Tin,' liornnil 
period  of  their  appearance  is  nut  known—  if  is  prohahly  not  constant;  birds  in  the  earliest 
known  plunuig(>  may  possess  one  or  more.  They  are  possibly  deciduous,  independently  of 
inoult  of  the  feather.  Their  use  is  unknown.  N.  .\ni.  at  large  to  hit.  .'i  1-°  X.  at  least;  breeds 
inditfereiitly  throughout  its  X.  A.  range,  and  migrates  or  rather  wanders  about  according 
to  food-supply;  winters  in  most  of  the  V.  S. ;  goes  in  flocks  nearly  the  whole  year,  and  is 
espt'ially  fond  of  resortint;  to  cedar  thickets  to  feed  upon  the  berries;  breeds  late  (.Inue,  tluly) 
in  orchards  and  groves;  nest  in  trees  or  bushes,  in  the  crotch  of  a  bough  or  saddled  on  a  limb; 
«'ggs  .'{-(■>,  livid  or  pale  bluish,  sharply  and  usually  thickly  nnirked  with  bhickisli  surface  spots 
nnd  others  jialer  in  the  shell ;  narrow  and  idongate,  about  0.82  X  0.60. 

10.  Subfamily    PTILOCONATIN>C :     Fly-tnappers. 

Mill  nnic.b  as  in  the  last  subfamily,  but  sh'nderer  for  its  length  ;  inisal  scale  iniked  ;  it  few 
short  bri.stles  about  buso  of  the  bill.     Tarsus  scutclluto  niitcriorly,  and  soinctinies  ulsu  on 


Km.    iKfi.  —  Coilar-biril,  imt.    size. 
(Ailnitt.  <lcl.  K.  ('  I 


'rr 


828 


SYSTi:.MA  TIC  SYXOrSlS.  —  PASSEIlh'S—  OSCiyES. 


the  8i(lri« ;  ubntit  <\n  \i>\\u  as  iii'ulilli'  tor  ami  claw;  liiiiil  toe  mimrkalily  hIioiI.  Wiiikh  luit 
luiigt'r  tliaii  tlic  la:l,  iinicli  riiiiinlcd,  of  It)  priiiiaricM ;  tlic  Int  !<|iiiriiiiis,  Ickh  tliaii  lialf  ax  liui^  as 
tlic>  ^<l,  wliii'li  is  iiiily  alxtiii  as  Inii^'  as  the  t^tli  ;  pniiit  of  tii<'  wiiii;  funni'il  liy  tiii^  4tii,  5tii,  and 
I'ltli  or  Htl  <|iiills.  'I'ail  lonj;,  nearly  cvi'ii,  witli  liroad  plant'  {vi{\\ifr>*  {I'hahtojirjila)  ;  or  inucli 
^rttdinili'd,  with  tapering'  central  leathers  (I'liliifioiii/s).  Head  conspicnoiisly  crested  ;  sex«'» 
(in  our  ^enns)  dissimilar ;  yonn^  not  streaked  or  sjiotted.  There  are  only  tu'o  genera  of  the 
Hultfamily  as  thns  restricteil  —  J'liatiio]tfiiln  and  I'liloijitnyH,  the  latter  with  two  strongly 
marked  sjiecies  of  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

57.  I'llAIN'OrKT'LA.  ((ir.  i^fiW.  ;'/""'""»<.  shining';  jr«jrXor, /«'^)/(w,  a  rtd»e.)  SiilNMXd  Fl-Y- 
HNAi-i-KKs.  Hill  somewhat  as  in  Ainiwlis,  Imt  sh-iiderer  for  ItM  h>n^tli ;  nostrils  naked, 
Bcaleil  ;  antiie  bristly,  reaehinir  to  nostrils;  a  few  short  rictal  bristles.  Tarsns  scntellato 
anteriorly,  and  slii;htly  snhdivided  on  sides  lielow.  Hind  toe  very  short  ;  middle  toe  and  claw 
ahont  as  lon^'  as  tarsus;  lateral  toeit  u  littlo  (ine<|Mal,  outer  the  longer,  reaehiii^'  a  little  hey<ind 
base  of  middle  claw,  its  basal  joint  adherent  to  middle  ;  inner  lateral  toe  nearly  free  to  the  base  ; 
claws  all  much  curved.  \Vini;s  not  loni;er  than  tail,  rounded,  of  10  primaries,  the  1st  spurious, 
though  more  than  half  as  lon^  as  the  2il,  which  about  ei|uals  the  leiif^ih  of  the  secondaries: 
point  of  wine  formed  by  the  Ith,  .'ith,  and  (tth  ijuills.  Tail  louf;  and  fan-.sluipe(l,  not  einar^i- 
iiate,  of  broad  piano  feathers  witlenin^  to  their  olttiise  ends.  Head  with  a  hm^',  tliiu,  occipital 
crest.  Sexes  dissimilar:  (J  flossy  black,  with  large  wliite  winn-patch  ;  9  dull-colored;  yoimjjf 
not  sjioited  or  streaked.     Fine  songsters.     Niditication  arboreal ;  eggs  cidored. 

108.  1*.  lilU'iiM.  (Lat.  >ii7rH«,  shining.)  SiiisiS(S  Flv-nsai'I'i:ii.  (J,  adult  :  Kntirely  rich  lus- 
trtiiis  black,  with  stetd-blue  or  greenish  retleclions.  Primaries  with  a  large  white  space  on  tho 
inner  webs.  Kill  and  feet  black.  Length  about  7.<'>0  inches;  "  cvtent  11.50";  wing  It.. '>0- 
3.70;  tail  3.50-4.12;  bill  (1.40-0.50;  tarsus  0.(10-0.0(1;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.(1(1-0.75.  9, 
adult  :  (Vested,  like  the  ^.  Kntirely  brownish-gray,  paler  beneath,  the  wings  and  tail  black- 
ish, the  white  on  the  inner  webs  of  the  prinuiries  much  reduced  or  extinguished,  and  in  its  stead 
much  whitish  edging  of  the  (piills  and  coverts,  tail-feathers,  and  crissum.  Young  <J  :  Like 
the  9  '  '""'  during  the  progress  to  nuiturity  every  gradation  between  the  characters  of  the  two 
sexes  is  (diserved.  Sonietinu's  nearly  all  the  feathers  are  skirted  with  white.  Middle  and 
Western  Provinces,  W  S.,  from  Utah,  Nevatlu,  and  ( 'i dorado  southward  ;  u  bird  of  ninarkabh- 
characters  and  appearance,  restless  and  vigilant  ;  feeds  on  berries  and  insects  ;  sings  beautifully. 
Ni'sl  a  slight  shallow  structure,  about  {.(H)  in  diameter  by  :J.50  high,  with  a  cavity  about  2.00 
deep,  saddled  on  a  bough,  loosely  fabricated  of  twigs,  plant-tibres,  and  down;  eggs  2-3  (rarely 
single),  averaging  0.93  X  0.(15,  greenish-white,  distinctly  and  profusely  speckled  with  blackish 
or  dark  brown. 

20.  Subfamily    MYIADESTIN^:     Flycatching   Thrushes. 

Kill  as  in  the  last  subfamily.  Tarsus  hooted,  and  toes  deejdy  cleft,  as  in  Tnrdultr.  ]^ateral 
t<K'S  very  une(|Ual  in  length,  the  tip  of  the  inner  claw  falling  short  of  the  base  of  the  middle. 
Wings  of  10  ]irimaries,  the  1st  spurious,  the  -id  about  as  long  as  the  (1th,  the  point  <if  the  wing 
formed  by  the  3d,  4th,  and  5th.  'I'ail  long,  about  <-(puilling  the  wing,  (hmhlc-roundrd,  being 
forked  centrally,  graduated  externally;  all  the  feathers  narrowing  somewhat  towanis  the  end. 
Head  subcresti'd  ;  plumage  sombre,  v.iriei;ated  on  the  wings;  sexes  alike:  young  spotted. 
Highly  musical.  Containing  about  a  do/en  siM-cies,  mostly  nf  the  genus  Mijitulrstrx  ;  others 
of  CichlofisiH  and  I'l(i(i)ci(hlii ;  all  except  one  are  birds  of  Central  and  .'^oulh  Anu>rica  and  the 
West  Imlies.  Though  our  species  was  formerly  called  "  I'lilogonys,"  it  has  nothing  to  do 
with  iIk'  foregoing  subfamily.  Th<'  Mi/imksliiiic  are  in  fact  nearly  related  to  the  'J'iirdi(l<r. 
Slionld  they  be  placed  iu  that  family,  as  might  be  done  without  vi(dence,  the  com|mrative 
diagnosis  would  be : 

TuUDlSi*;.  —  Bill  moderiite,  scurw  ly  or  not  depressed,  moderately  cleft.     Legs   stout. 


66 


lot 


VlUKONIDyT:-.    VIIiKOS,  OH  UHKF.SLKTS. 


H  not 

\\\S,  118 

I,  1111(1 
liillcli 

HfXCM 

if  the 
iiit'ly 


Kiel.  Ik*.  —  <!riu>rliMl»tnllH  iif  MiitdiliMlm  (.1/.  Ininini  inli :  Mil  .iinl 
fiNit  nut.  hi/.!',  wliiK  mill  (nil  i).    (Knuii  lliilnl.i 


Ttiil-fi'titliiTM  v.'iilrtiiiiK  II  little  tnwanl  tlio  oiid,  tlir  tail  tliiiH  IhtoiiiIh^  wiuiiriHli  or  ran-it|iii|H'il; 
cvuii  or  little  roiiiiileil  at  their  eiiiU. 

MviAiiKHTiN.K.  —  Kill  very  Hliorf,  imu'li  ileproKwd,  widenod  at  lia.-'e,  deeply  cleft.  I.,«'i;» 
weak.  'I'aii-featlierH  ta|M>riii^,  the  tail  iN'iiit;  thu<*  rendered  Hoinewiiat  eiineate,  and  double- 
rounded  at  end. 

58.  »IYIAI>KH'TKS.  ((;r.  /<mn, 
Miiia,  a  lly,  and  tiiarfit,  riles- 
lrn,  an  outer.),  Fl.Y-tATClllNd 
TllKi'HilKH.  CharaeterH  of  the 
Miihfiiiniiy  as  iiliove  ^iven. 

laV.  M.  town'itenill.  (To  J.  K. 
Towimend.)  'I'ownskxii'm  Plv- 
CATciiiNU  TiiKl'Hii.  <J9:  •■••"■ 
cral  color  dull  lirownish-aNh, 
paler  below,  bleaehiiiK  on  the 
throat,  lower  heily.  and  crLsMiiiii. 
Willis  lilackirili,  the  inner  sec- 
oiidarivH  edged  and  ti|i|ied  witii 
white,  nearly  all  tlie  ((iiills  ex- 
tensively tawny  or  fulvous  at 
the  base,  and  several  of  the  in- 
termediate ones  again  edged  ex- 
ternally toward  their  ends  with  th«  Hiiiiie  nilor.  In  the  closed  wing,  the  hasal  tawny  .Hhowti 
U|ion  the  outsiile  as  an  ohlii|ue  spot  in  the  recess  between  the  greater  coverts  and  the  bastard 
ipiills,  separated  by  an  <ibli(pie  bar  of  blackish  froiii  the  second  tawny  |iiitch  on  the  imter  web.o 
of  the  <|nillM  near  their  en  Is.  Tail  like  the  wings  (the  middle  |iair  of  feathers  more  nearly  like 
the  back);  the  outer  feather  edged  and  broadly  tipped,  the  next  one  more  narrowly  tipped,  with 
white.  A  white  ring  around  the  eye.  Kill  and  feet  black.  Kyes  brown.  Length  about  S 
iiichex;  wing  and  tail  about  etpial,  4.()l)-kr)i);  the  latter  forked  centrally,  grailuatid  laterally: 

bill  0.50;  tarsus  0.7');  middle  toi;  and  claw  rather  more.     Young:   S] kled  at  first,  like  a 

very  young  thrush;  each  feather  with  a  triangular  or  rounded  spot  of  dull  ochracecius  or 
tawny,  edged  with  blackish.  Western  I'.  S.,  from  the  eastern  foot-hills  of  the  IJiM'ky  Mts. 
to  the  I'acitic  ;  N.  to  Kritish  Columbia.  A  bird  not  le.^s  strang)>  and  unlike  anything  seen  in 
the  east  than  the  I'liiihidiiriiln  ;  inhabiting  wiHidland  and  shrubbery,  feeding  on  in.sccts  and 
berries,  and  capable  of  musical  expression  in  an  exalted  degri'c.  Nest  on  the  ground  >>r  m 
rubbish  near  it,  loo.sely  inaih*  of  gra.sses ;  eggs  about  4,  bluish-white,  freckled  with  reddi.-li- 
bniwii,  (l.<.»,»  X  0  fi7. 

14.  Family  VIREONID^:    Vireos.  or  Greenlets. 

Small  dentirostral  OHeiHcn,  relaf<'d  to  the  Shrikes,  with  hiMikeil 
bill,  10  primaries  and  extensively  coheri'iit  tiH's.  Kill  shorter 
than  the  head,  stout,  com|iressed,  distinctly  notched  and  liooked 
at  tip;  rictus  with  (Mtnspicuous  bristles;  nostrils  e.v|Mi.sed.  over- 
hung with  a  scale,  but  reached  by  the  small  bristly  erect  frontal 
feathers.  Toes  sohh'red  at  base  for  the  whole  length  of  the  basal 
Joint  of  the  middle  one,  which  is  united  with  the  basal  joint  of 
/■/^  the  inner  and  the  two  basal  joints  of  the  outer,  all  these  coherent 

Fio.  180.  —  Wurliling  Vlrco,  re-   phalanges  very  short.    (I.,ateral  to«'s  unei|ual  in  the  genus  Virri'.) 
<li.co.l.    iFrou,  Tfiiiicy.)  Tarsus  eiinal  to  or  longer  than  the  iniddh*  t.M«  and  chiw,  sciitel- 

liite  in  front,  lutenilly  undivided,  except  at  extreme  base.     Wings  iniMlorate,  of  10  primaries,  iT 


:m 


.si'.s'7-/;.v :  TIC  sYxnrsis.  -  pa  ssfhes — nsrixp:s. 


Ill 


wliich  tlio  1st  \.*  slinrt  i<iiu'-liiilf  to  <iiir-fimrlli  tin-  urcoiiil),  or  siniriinis,  or  ttppiircntUj  wanting 
(lii'iiiK  riiiliiiu'iitary  \\\\^  ili.splaciMl).  Si/c  small,  iiiiilcr  7  Iik'Ih'h;  coloration  ttiii.plc,  iixjHtly  and 
oflcni'^t  irrrt'iiisli ;   yoiniu  ii"l  spotlnl  or  strcakcil. 

'I'l'is  rmiiily  was  fornirrly  iiiiitcd  uiiii  the  next  (Litniuht),  rhictly  on  ac<M>iiiit  of  tlin 
n'scinlilancf'  in  tin-  slni|it'  of  the  liill  of  ccrlain  s|M'cics  to  tiiat  of  tin-  slirikcs  ;  lint  the  liUt'ncsH 
is  ncviT  iicrfrri,  and  tlicH'  arc  other  inon'  ini|iortant  cliaractrrs,  t's|»'cially  in  \\w  strnctnrc  of 
tlic  fret,  liv  wlii.di  till'  twii  t'fonjis  may  l>c  discriniiinitt'd.  TIk'  Virronidii  arc  iicciiliar  to 
Anifrifii ;  llii'y  an  a  siirill  family  of  tivf  or  six  t'''"<'ra  and  nearly  seventy  recorded  s|iecics, 
of  wliicli  al)onl  five-sixths  appeiir  to  hi'  Pennine.  'I'he  typical  and  |irinci|ial  ir<  nns,  Virvo,  con- 
talnlnL'  nearly  thirty  species,  is  es]M'cially  characteristic  of  North  America,  thoni;li  several  S]iei"ies 
occur  in  the  West  Indies  and  Central  Anu'rica  ;  one  i;enns  and  species,  l.uh'IfK  oshiinii,  is 
(Xi-hisiveiy  Wi'st  Indian;  the  ri'st  —  CtivlnrUix,  llijlophdim,  ]'iir<ilniiiiis,  t\ui\  Xmchloe  —  are, 
wii'i  one  exception,  South  and  ('  <itral  American.  In  fnrther  illustration  of  the  characters  of 
the  uroup.  I  oll'i'i'  s(.:ue  ri'niarks  under  t!ie  head  of  tin-  only  t;enns  with  which  we  have  to  <lo  in 

the  preselil  connection. 

59.  VIKKO.  (Lat.  r</r'«,  I  am  ;;ree"  or  tlourishint;.)  (iiit'.KMaKTS.  liill  like  that  of  a  shrike 
in  miniature,  moderately  or  very  stout,  shorter  than  tin-  head,  coiupressed  at  least  toward  the 
end.  chsiim-tly  hooked  ami  notched  at  the  tip,  soni)  times  with  trace  of  a  tiuith  helilnd  the  n<  tch 
of  the  n]>per  iinindihie,  and  usually  a  nick  in  the  under  n.andilde  tiMi.  |{ictal  hrisiles  con- 
spicrous,  and  othi'rs  jiresent  aimmt!  the  frontal  and  nu'lital  featiir-rs.  Nasal  fossa-  nearly  tilled 
willi  siiort  erect  feathers.     Toes  I'Xtetisively  coherent   at   hase,  as  explained  umler  head  of  the 


family:   lateral  toes  id'  nneijual  lenirths;  claws  stout. 


nirrov.ly  citnpresseii.   niin-h  ciirvei 


'd  and 


acute.  Winirs  at  least  as  loni;  as  the  tail,  more  or  less  roiinded  ;  .sometimes  nnndi  longer  and 
<|nite  ]iointeil ;  of  10  primaries,  the  Is*  usually  evideat,  thoni;h  short  ami  spurious,  hat  sonu-- 
tinies  (in  the  section  ]'iirosiilriii  and  in  rir»i(7/((r//>v*»(.'«)  rndinH'ntary  and  more  or  less  com- 
pletely i><incealeil  iexce]>tionally  ohvious  even  in  these  species).  'I'ail  short,  even,  of  narrow 
feathers.  Size  small ;  lenyih  usually  live  or  six  iiiches.  Coloration  simple  ;  ahove  olivaceous 
wn  like  the  hack,  or  ashy  (in  one  case  hrown.  in  another  hlack),  the  under 


or  lira VI 


di.  liii 


piirts  wlile,  or  white  and  yellow,  or  partly  olivaceous,      ."^exes  ipiite  indistinunishahle  ;   younj; 


siniiliir,  no* 


t   sp.iMe,!  i>r  streaked.      .Miirratory  in   N.  .\m.      Insectivorous,  arhoricole.      Nest  pi 


dulous  ;   ei;t.s  while.  siMilted. 

'I  lie  ninnerons  species  of  this  yemis  have  heen  divided  into  severil  pronps,  hut  no  violence 
will  he  done  hv  consid">'ini;  them  .ill  as  Virrn — in  fact,  it  is  ditiicnit  to  do  •itherwi.se.     For 


even  the  ."iceniint'lv  snhstantial  division  into  two  ifeiiera,  accordimr  as  there  is 


ident 


1st 


primary  or  apparently   none,  separates   specii's,   like   iiilni.i  and  iiliiliiiMiihiriiH, 


enera,  accoril'i'.i; 


in-i'd'y  otiierwise  specilically  distini,'uishalil.' ;   wiiile  another  division  into  two  i; 

to  the  shape  i.f  tin   wini;s  an. I   length  of  tin-  spurious  1st  prinniry  or  its  ihsenci',  is  suhject  to 

souM'  uncertainty  of  determination,  and  imiti  s  s|M'cics.  liki'  iilivncnis  and  Jl(irifint<H,  no-^t  dis- 


snniiar  ni  other  nsiiec's 


spec's.  The  fai't  IS.  that  Miniost  every  sinijle  species  of  J'l/ro  has  Its  own 
pecul'ii'-  form,  in  sliajie  i,''  hiil,  prop,  -tlois  of  priiujiries,  <  ic,  and  these  details  camiot  wjII  h.i 
considered  as  of  more  than  siiecitic  value.  These  slinht  difTereiu'CK  arc  perfectly  tani;ildc  ,iiul 
'■■nrprisi;M_'ly  constant,  re.iderhn.'   the  determimition  i.i"  'he  speejes  comparaiively  <  asy.  tliouah 


tliese  hirds  hear  to  each  other  a  close  ucneral  resemhl 


si/e  and  color.    They 


are  all  more 


or  less  oliriu'eoii.i  ahove.  sometimes  inclinini;  to  j;ray  or  plinnheous,  with  {an  cniwii  either  lik« 
the  hack,  or  el.se  ashy,  —  in  one  species,  however,  hrown.  and  in  another  Idack  ;  ami  white  or 
whitish  iielow.  Usually  lU'ire  or  less  tinned  with  yellow.  'i"!ie  coloration  Is  very  constant,  the 
.sexes  helm;  indi.stl,.u;uishahle.  ami  the  yiiun«  differing;  little,  if  at  all,  from  th.'  adults.  All  are 
small  hirds. — ahout  ."i  or  (1  iindies  lonij.  As  a  yroiiji  the  niudent  will  pndiahly  have  no  ditli- 
cidly  in  reco^i.  ..in,;  them  hy  the  foreuoInK  diatrnosis,  as  the  character  of  the  feet  seiMns  to  he 
)K-culiar,  among  N.  Am.  bird^•,  uud  it>ut  any  rutu  diagmmtic  whon  tukeu  in  eounct'tiou  with  Uin 


h  I   r 


viuKosin^i::  vtitKos.  on  anKEXLKr^. 


\\:\\ 


oliiiriictcr  of  tlio  liill,       all   l!ii>s<'    l)sciiif!»,  as  wroiis,  cn'riMTs,  nr  titiiiicc.   tliaf    slmw   niticli 

ciilioiiiii  cif  the  Iiirs,  liavint:  an  ciiTiri'lv  <lill'<'rt'tit  Mil.     Sunir  iil'llif  wrakcr-liillcil  s)MTir.s  innrhi 

Im'  carclr.-isly  liiistakrii  for  warlilirs  ;  liiit  there  is  wt  cmmisc  for  lliis.  nor  fipr  ronfoinnliiiK  tln-in 

with  any  of  the  little  rlainatorial  tlyeatehers.     The  N'ireos  were  lonir  sM|i|Mineil  to  |HmKeNK  eitlier 

',)  or  ll)  primaries.      Hut  that  the  inijiortaiit  eharaeter  of  niiiiilier  of  primaries    -  one  inarkiiit; 

II  —  sIiomIiI  here  Sllliside  to  s|Hcilie  value  only,  seemnl  silspii-ious  ; 
.! H ..  1 lit        ..I..  .1...      :. :.. .11.    .  „:.        _._ 


. hinf/i.'tis  t'f  Spirit H, 

X'riniiirim  ni>|mri'iitty  !i  Mlio  ti>t  rii<lliii<-iit!iry  nm'.  illKiiliirtMli.    (u^ 
Prliiuirlr)!  rviilciiilv  10  (llio  tut  Hiiort  or  npiirioiiKi     il>) 
la)    Tiiroiil  j.'llow 


1  J.'llow 

white:  crown  anliy,  nut  liliu'k-nl)!)')),  Iiiinlly  i'»ntrn»lliiK  nirli  lini'k    .     . 
—  Iila<'k-i'<l|!<il ;  l>il'l«  nllvu  ;  Willi  iiiHXiihiry  nlri'iili 


Unrifrnna  till 

.      .      .     .    pflifitih  /jihirtlH  IT.'t 

tMirlfttuliiM  IT'J 

—  no  iiiiixilliiry  ntri'akr<;  crlKiiiiiii  merely  ycllnwluli 

ii/o-<i(V  •!.«  170 
IiriKliI  yrlliiw 

tloriririilii  ITI 

.     .     .   ittririi/titliiM  i<i 

.     .     .     .      rirhiinr  180 


(li)    Crnwii  lilai'k .    , 

—  nnt  lilaek;  Hliurloiiminill  at  li'MKl  )  nH  liiiiu' iiH  lM,  iiikI  niiii,' J  .'ill  loiii;       .    ,     . 
—  nut  1  a<  Iniii;  a-  '.'i|,  nr  »iii|;  ikiI  'J.,'iJ  Ihiik  rl 

(«0     Wlnu-bamls  \iaiillnu:  I'dloratimi  ai>  In  ;'/ii''ii/' ////(MiM 

—  irciHjnl ;  'ciiitlli  nn'r  ."..IKI;  Im  k  nllvf,  iiintniKtlnK  with  nuliy-lilin'  c  rnvn 


i/ih  in     ITt,  17.1 
itnliltinii^    177,  I7H 


|ilii:iil 


n>"im,  c-rnwii  m  arii'ly  dillrirnt /i/iim'xiin    I7!l 


—  S.00  .>r  lew :  winu      tall.  Ii.illi  all.. Ill  2.'.'.'i;  l»l  .|iiill      (  llii 


.'.1 


tail;  cniwn  anliy.  I'liiii  ami  miiicri'    lltii'  niilt.' 
—  ii|l\r,  ililii  will  .  miiN'ir.  lilii' yell. 


ptmillim     |A4 
.     .  IhIH     IH.1 


>/«. 


IM 


ami  iiml.'r  luirlH  yllVli 
170.    V.  o)lvae«'lls.      (I,at.  o/inncMX,  nlive-eoloretl.      Tii;    l^!l.)      |{ki>-KVKI>   (lld'.KXI.KT. 


luiilimi    \Wi 
Alnive, 


ive-t'ieen  ;  erowii  ash,  eiljreil  iin  each  niile  with  u  I>lackii4h   line,  helow  tlii.s  ii  white  wipei 


eili 
apiii 


li 


-.    hel 
ihiMk> 


o\\-     llllH 

htri|M" 


throiiuh  eye;  iniilcr  |i<irtN 
white,  faintly  sliaileil 
wi<h  ureeiiish  -  yrllow 
aloiiK  Hiih's,  anil  tiiiueil 
le  same  on  ninler 


ith  tl 


Willi;-   am 


I    t 


lil-eoverls;   VsS 


I    tail    tliiNkv, 


win^s    am 

the  feathers  edueil   with 


Fin.  1811  —  r.  ii/ii'fi(Yu<,  nat.  nlxo    iPmiii  Uklrd.) 


»;{'j 


SYSTKMA  TIC   SYMifSIS.  —  VASSKHKS—  OSCISKS. 


olivi'  iiiithiil)',  will)  wliilisli  iiisiili' ;  Itill  iliisky  iiIhivc,  pale  Im-Ihw;  feet  Iciulon-bliio ;  pyos  ri'd  ; 
IK)  iliirtky  iiiiixillary  xtrciiUs  ;  iin  a|)|ii(r<'iit  H|Hirii>im  i|iiill.  l/iitlc  ilitrcri'iit  with  \\fn\  sex,  or 
warn  III ;  y-iiiii^  ami  Tall  liinl.s  tlic  lii'i){litr!<t  I'nlni'i'il,  i')'|ii'<'ially  on  tlii' siilcs,  rrisMini,  ami  liiiiiii; 
<>fu'iti|!H.    hiirur;  liiitflli  .').7.')-(i.;{."i  :  cxlciit ',1.7:1- 10.7:. ;   wiiit;  :i.(M»-.'{.a:i ;  tail  l'..'J:{-J..'i(I  :   liiil 

ulHiiit  iMW'i ;   tai'.-iiK  ll.;.'i.      v..  N.  Aim.;    N.  t<i  IliiilsiiiiV   Kay  ami  cvni  (irri'iilaiKl;    \V.  sni 

tiiiich  I"  I'taii  aiitl  \Vil^llilll,'t^lll  'I'riiitoiy  ;  lirccds  lliniii^liiiiit  its  I'.  S.  raiii;i'.  ami  wintrix  I'lniii 
tiif  (iilir  StalcH  Hiiiitliwai'il.  Ill  most  |ila<'r.H  tin-  iiiciHt  alMiiiiiiilil  N|M'cirx  nl'  tlir  cciiiis,  in  uuimI- 
iaml;  a  viiliililc,  tiri'lrss  siiiit;Htri'. 
ITI.  V.  llavlvl'riillN.  (I,ai.  .//'ii/o,  yill"W  ;  idk/Zx,  mccii.  l-'ii;.  I  DO)  ^'i.i.i.ow-iiitiiiiN  (Jitr.KN- 
1,171'.  Ni'vy  hiiiiilar  tn  tlii'  lai^t  ;  imiri'  yrllnwisli  liclciw  ;  iimli'i'  wiii^-  ami  tail-i'ovri'ts  ili'ciilnlly 
yi'lliiu  ;  hiilcs  nf  ImhIv  cliTiili'dly  (^nTiiiwii-yillnw.      Texas  ami  scuillnvanl. 


\Ti. 


173. 


Kill    v.'.'       I    /.'i./.i./.V/./iMin.iijilnlxn.    (Frnm  nnlril.l  PkiIIW        f.  i/l'rin,  nnt  irtio.    (PVniii  Hulnl.) 

174.  V.  kII'viin.  n.iil. '/iV'M".  v<  ll'uvisli.  KIum.  IKS.  '.Ct.)  \V ahiii.im;  tiiii;r.M.Hvi .  ('cil..is  ]irt.- 
I'lm-ly  a.s  in  llii'  laxt  mimtIi-m:  M|iiiri<)nN  <|iiill  |iri'sciil  ami  iviilnit.  \  In  ^  a.s  liniiriiM  llir  Jil  |irilnary. 
I.rn-.'tli  '(.."ill  ii.iHl  :  cxlriii  s.:,ii  '.l.J.-|;  wiiii;  -.'.Hu;  tail  .' 25  ;  Mil  O.lii;  tarsus  il.Ci.'i.  KaMtcrn 
N.  .\iii.  to  till- liii;li  niiiral  |>laiii!«,  liiccilinu  tlii'iiiit,'lii>nt  its  ninu'r  ;  w  iiiliTini,'  I'xlialiinital ;  ,111 
iiliiimlaiit  litlli'  liini  iiinl  .111  i'xi|itiHilr  wiimstcr  Its  vnicr  is  mil  slinin;.  ■ml  many  liinls  rvn-l 
il    ill   liiilliiiliry  "if  <'Xi'riiliiiii  ;   lull   mil   mii'  .if  tlii'iii   ,il!  ran  rival  llir  ti'iiilcnit'ss  ami  Knfliicss  iif 


n.'i. 


I'll 


\v 


VIUKONIDyK:    VIUEOS,  <)!{   (iUJ: i:\LHTS. 


:v.v.i 


vr,\  ; 
X,  iir 
iiiiiij; 
liill 
ilirc- 
liiilii 
IMiliil- 


1*5. 


till'  li<|iii"l  !<traiiiM  <if  tliis  iiiiMlfxt  viN-iilist.  Nut  Imrii  t"  "  wiinti'  itn  HWOctni'HH  mi  |)it>  ilfwrt 
air,"  ill*'  warbliiii.'  viri'o  tnrsiilArs  tlir  <li'|iilin  nf  tlir  wnoilluiiil  for  tlii>  juirk  ami  ori'lianl  aiitl 
sliaiiy  .striM'l,  wlirrt'  it  tiidrs  lliliiiiuli  liif  I'liliaur  "f  tlii'  laljr.st  Iiti-s,  tlir  lllliU'i'li  liir.s.Hi'liKir  4if 
ir>t  and  |i<  at'r  to  tlic  liii.sy,  iliisly,  liainitN  iit'iiirii. 

V.  K.  NWiitumtiil''  (Til  Will.  SwaiiiHiiii.  Fiii.  IIH.)  WKhTKiiN  W.Miiii.lMi  N'liiKii.  "  Similar 
til  \'.  fiilnis,  liiit  smaller:  rnliiiN  paler;  liill  limrt'  ili'|ir<'sx<'il  ;  ii|t|M'r  iiiamlililr  almnMt  Mark; 
;^il  i|iiill  miirli  sliiirirr  tlian  iiih."  Kucliy  M\i*.  tn  tlir  I'ai'ilii',  I'.  S.  'I'lii.--  Wrsiirii  I'urm  lia.t 
lii'i'ii  lirMM'iliril  as  ilistiirrt,  liiit  llir  •■liaracttrs  aMsi^iiiil  will  imt  lie  rmiiiil  eniistanl.  Il  Is  ^illl|llv 
(I  iliill-eiiliit'i'il  raee,  like  many  other  liiniH  of  tlii.s  retiimi. 


177. 


Klii    l!ll   ~  1°   '/   nii-iiiiiMniii,  ii'it.  f\/.r     (I'miii  ItninI  i 


l''li)    lli'i        l.lliiiilniiiii.ui\.h\/.i>.     (I''riiiii  lliilnl  ) 


I7M. 


\'.  lla'virroiiN.  (Lai.  y/idio,  Villi. XV  ;  ,/Wm.i,  limtt.)  Vf.I.I.hu -•iMlii».\iKii(iiiKi:Ni.i.i .  .MmM, 
rii'li  iilivi'-i,'ieeii,  I'l'iiw  II  till'  sami  or  even  driuliter,  riim|i  iiiseiisilily  sliailiiii;  IiiIh  liliilsli-asli ; 
lieiiiw,  liriL'lil  yi'lliiw,  lirlly  ami  riissiim  aliriijilly  wliite,  sides  anlirinrly  sliaded  willi  olive, 
|Hi.><teriorly  with  |iliim)ieiiiis  ;  e.vtieme  rnielieail,  iiii|ierriliai'y  line  and  riiii;  round  eve,  yellow; 
lores  dusky;  wind's  diisky,  with  the  inner  sennidaries  liioadly  wliile-edijed,  ami  tun  liro.'iil 
white  hars  aeross  lijis  of  greater  and  median  eoverls;  tail  diisky,  nearly  all  the  leal  hi  is  com- 
|ili'ti'ly  eiii'iirled  with  while  eilL,'iiii; ;  hill  and  feel  dark  leadiii-hine  ;  no  apjiarenl  s|inrioiis  i|iiill. 
I.en^lli  .'i.7.'i-li.ll<l ;  e.xleni  ahoiil  ID.IMI;  wini:  ahoiii  .'I.OU  ;  tail  only  ahniit  -'.^'.'i.  .\  lal'ue, 
hloiil,  hiuhly-eiijiired  .s|ieeies,  eiirionsly  resemhliiiK  hirriu  rirnis,  niininon  in  the  woods  of  thii 
Kjislerii  r.  S..  and  ailjoiiiiiii;  lliitish  I'lu.inees  ;  \V.  only  to  the  edue  of  the  |ilaiiis  ;  winters  in 
l''loiida  and  .southward  :  hreeds  in  all  its  I'.  !^.  raiiye.  Its  |irii|ier  name  may  he  I',  mliniliiinis. 
V.  Miilila'rIiiH  (l,al.  siililiiriiis,  xoWlixry  ;  .sd/irw.  alone,  l-'iy.  \'.H\.)  Ki.i  i:-iii.Aiii:i' (  I|(i:i:n- 
l,i;r.  ."siil.ll  MtV  lilti:i:M.i'.'l'.  .Nhove,  olive-trreen  ;  erown  and  sides  of  h<  ad  Idilish-ash  in 
marked  ■■oiiirast,  with  a  hrnad  white  line  IVom 
iioHlrils  to  and  aronnil  (not  lieymiil)  eye,  and  a 
dusky  loral  line  ;  helou',  |iiii'e  while,  llaiiks 
washed  with  olivaremis,  and  a\illars  and  eiis- 
siini  pale  yellow  ;  \vih|;s  and  tail  dnsky,  most 
of  llie    feathers  eilueil    willi    white    i.r    whitish, 

ami    iw nspii'iioiis  hais  of  ihe   same  aemss 

tipH  of  middle   and   urealer  eoverls  :    hill    and 
feel  Maekish-plnmheoiis;    iris  hrown.      Leiiulh 

.'». •.'."!   U.Vf,    exleiil    S..'iO;     Willi;    'i./i   •"t.HO:    tail   -.'.i.'j-i'.H:! ;    hill   al I  U.  10,  slmil,  nearly  It.  iO 

deep  at  haNe  ;  Hpnrioiis  i|iiill  ll..5l.>  O.lil'i  loni.'.  alioiit    |  jih  |oii|r  an  x'd  primary.      Yoimtr  and  fall 
hperimeaH  more  hii^htly  colored.     .\  sliiillly-hilill  sjH'eieH,  known  at  a  ulatiee  hy  the  Idnish  eap. 
i'lastern   I'.  S.  and  Canada;    not  rare,  hut  not  mi  eoiiiinoii  »n  iilirnctiis,  Jldrijhuis,  or  tuivvlm- 
yiHThsin  ;    inhahits  woodland. 
V.   H.  euH'slnl.     (To  ,!ohn  ("a.ssiti.)     Cv.ssin's    (illKKNI.I-ir.      Seareely  ditfereiit  ;    said   lo   he 

duller  and  more  hrow  nish-oliva m  ;  under  parts  tinifed  with  hiilf  or  oilniy  where  siiIiIi'iiiih 

is  pure  while  ;    loral  line  and  eyerini;  iiii|iiirely  wliilish.      .\ri/oiia  and  California.      (Not  al  .'ill 
like  r.  jiliimlteun,  with  which  il  Im  ^eiit;rapliieaily  aHsocialeij.) 


I''li..  IIn;        I'  mililiiiiiiit,  Unt    nl/.i-      iroiiii   lliilnl,) 


ajJ4 


.SYSTJ'JMA TIC  HY.SOl'SIS.  —  J'ASSKUL'S—  OSCJXKS. 


170.   V.   K.   pliiin'bctus.     (I.al.   /iIuihIm-iis.   Icud-mlnri'il.      Fijt.    10?.)      I'l.i  miikois   (SnEF.xi.KT. 

Lciii'iii-Kray,   fiillicr  liriulidr  :iiiii  iimic  a.sliy  "ii  tin-  ciumii,  Imt  wiilmiit  marUnl  I'lmtraMt, 

faintly  >;l>'>Mil  uiili  olivf  mi  rum|>;  a  itiii«iikMi(iiw  wliiii-  liia-  li ^ll■il  t"  ami  aroiiial  <jr, 

ami  Ixlmv  tliin  a  iliiNJiv  lural  slii|M' ;  liclnw, 

TB^"^      ^^ —  ^  >       .  piiir  wliili',  .sides  (if  iHcl<  aliil  liica.'-t   Nliailcil 

-\  -  Ji,  ~II!II^~-^r-y     M'illi  till'  f  il">r  nt'  ilir  liack,  Itaiik:^,  axillacH 

/  \     '^       \  — -.^^7^         _^p^         ami  cix-siiiii  with  a  iriiTc  Iraci' 111' iilivacfoiiM, 

/    \  \  -;^^  '"'  """"';   Willis  ami   tail   ilii.sky,    willi  cini- 

V^  —  W'  /  ■     JN  3^  M|ii<Miiiiii*  |mrf  wliitc  nl^'iii^s  ami  rri>i<H-l»arM. 

/         <      ^  '  ■'-'^  '*'''••'  "'  lolil'ii'iiix  "I"  lai-tirr.       I.rii^rtli  'i.'i't- 

^ ^  (i.lO;   fxtciit    '.l.r.'i-lO.:.'.'):    wiiiu  :.'.',)(»~;S.1(»; 

n,M!.7.  (  «  ,,/.,»W-.M,.ml.»Uo.  (FromHnlnl.)  ,,,ilo.:,„.  MH  (,..-,„;  tar.sil.^  0.(1(1 ;  mi.l.llr  I...- 
tlir  KiiiH':  ^|llll'ilal.s  i|illll  i'X|iiwi'il  aliiiiit  ().7.°i,  h  a.t  liiii^  nn  the  'id  <|uill.  Ct'litl'al  I'laiiiH 
to  till'  rarilic,  r.  S.,  and  csiircially  Sniitlicni  IJucky  .Mt.^.,  wlicfr  it  iw  alii''  'iiiit.  A  laiuc  stmit 
H|ir:  ics,  a  iirar  ally  111'  snliliiiiii.s,  liiit  nearly  all  tlie  nlivaceuns  nl  tlial  Mperio  re|ilari'd  liy 
|diiinl)eiiii)t,  ami  the  yellnwiMli  liy  wliite,  so  tlm'  it  is  a  very  iliU'eient-liiiikinu  liii'd.  Tall 
!«|ieeinienH,  iiiiwcver,  are  nun'e  olivaeeniis,  a:id  the  liii'd  e\''lently  ^I'adeM  closely  ii|i  ti>  Kiilittirii(s, 
IHO.  \'.  vlel'iilor.  (I.iit.  i«(/(i/,'<,  neiu'lilimint;.)  <!it  \V  «i  t{i:i'.\t.i:f.  Willi  ll'"  iremral  ii|i|ieaiann' 
111'  a  >iiiall  I'ailid  .s|ii  riiiieii  i>\'  iiliniilinis :  leaden-^niy,  I'aiiilly  iilivaeemis  un  llie  nnn|i,  lielnw 
u  liile,  w  itii  liai'illy  a  traee  ul'  yellmvisli  on  the  sides  ;   win^x  and  tail  hardly  edued  with  while  ; 


IHI. 


INS. 


i 


VIHi:uMlKK:    VIUKOS,   OR  GUEKSLETS. 


;{:]o 


cntirrly  ycllnwi.sh.     ('alitnrnia.     FirMt  <|nill  rather  Icsn  tliaii  lialf  tlit-  iiX,  wliifli  alwiiit  <'i|iiaN 
till-   loth;  -id  a  littl<>  Imiixcr  than  7th;  I'll  and  5th  iicarly  i'i|ual  ami  h>U(;r.><t.     'I'ail  ^lij^hlly 
ri>iiii(h-(l,  Nhiirtcr  than  tlic  wiii^s.      Itill  very  small.      Aliovc  ulivf-grccii :  hriuhti'st   lirhiiiil, 
(>.s|M'<-ially  im  ruiii|i  and  edging' nl' tail;  didirr  and  niorf 
ashy  towanl  and  mi  tup  and  sides  id'  head  and   ni'ck. 
\Vini;s  with  two  hands  on  fovcrls,  and  ontcr  cdycs  iit' 
innrrniust  secondaries  rather  hroadly  olivai'eons- while; 
other  <[uills   edi,'ed  externally   with   olive-irreen,  jialer 
toward   outer  primary,  internally  with  whiiish.     Lat- 
eral   tail-feathers   edijed    externally    with    yellow.sh- 
white.      leathers  of  rnmp  with  much  eoiieealeil    vel- 

K.wish-nray.  I'nder  parts  i.ah^  olivaeeous-yellow'ish.  Kiu.  l-.w.-C. /..///..Hi.  nat.  «lx«.  (I-T..m  llalnl.) 
pnrest  hehiiid,  lightest  on  throat  and  ahdonien  ;  the  hreast  more  olivaeeoiis,  the  sides  still 
deeper  olive-Kreen,  the  hreast  soiled  with  a  slight  hntfy  tinge.  Axillars  and  crissimi  yellowisli, 
the  inside  of  wings  whitish.  Loral  region  and  narrow  space  aronn<l  eye  dull  yellowish,  in  faint 
contrast  to  the  olive  of  head.  Itill  horn-color  ahove,  jialer  below  :  legs  ihisky.  l^enirlh  4.7"  ". 
wing  i.W;  tail  iM'^.  (Description  from  Kaird.) 
iwiii.  V.  h.  Htc'voiiHl.  (To  I'.  Stephens.)  Stki'IIKXs'  (Jitr.i;Ni.Kr.  I^ike  1'.  hiilloni.  liill  sioni  ; 
wing^  from  ().:t(i-(».>ii  longer  than  tail.  Ahove,  grayish-ash;  the  crown,  vertex  and  sides  of 
head  and  neck  nearly  pnre  ash;  the  liat'k  faintly  tinged  with  olive;  the  rump  and  an  edging  on 
till!  tail-feathers  dnil  idive-green.  \Vings  with  two  nearly  continent  hands  on  the  coverts,  and 
the  outer  edgi's  of  the  inner  secondaries  iiroadly  white  :  outer  ipiills  edged  more  '.larrowly  with 

the  sami lor.      Iteneath  lir<iwnish  or  smoky-white,  wii  h  a  mere  wash  of  yellowish  on  the  sides 

and  crissnni.  I'pper  eyidid  dnsky-brown;  remainder  of  the  orbital  ri'gion,  xtiih  the  lures, 
ashy-white  in  decideil  contrast  with  the  nearly  clear  cinereous  of  the  In  ad  generally.  Lining 
of  wings  white.      Lenu'lh  '>.-2U:  extent  *>..')li;  wing  ::'..).'i--i.',l<l ;  tail  i.-i't:  tarsus  ((.7-{ ;  cnlmen 

().'>U.     Arizona  and  New  Mexi espi^cially  in  nioimtain  ranges.     Helaied  to  liiillniii,  which 

has  bill  less  stont,  wing  2.40  <>i  l<'ss,  anil  is  olive-green  above  and  olivai'eoiis-yellow  below, 
without  (dear  white  anywhere,  'rhedillereiices  are  nearly  parallel  with  those  between  In  Hi  and 
liiisilliis,  — slrri  iisi  being  grayish-ash  above  with  no  decided  olive-green  excepting  on  the  rnmp 
am!  tail,  brownish-white  below,  untinged  with  yellowish  excepting  on  sides  and  crissnni,  tlu! 
wing-bands  pure  while  and  nearly  I'onlinent.  (Not  in  Check  List,  I^SO.  description  from 
Itrewster,  Itnll.  Null.  Club,  vii,  IHsJ,  p.  — .) 
IH3.  V.  Iu'l'll.  (To  ,].  (i.  Itell,  of  New  York.  Fig.  :iiHI.)  IJki.I.'.s  Ciskkm.KT.  (Ilive-green, 
brighter  mi  riiiiip,  iishier  on  liead,  but  wiilimit  decided  contrasts;  head-markings  almost 
exactly  as  in  fillriis  ;  lielow,  siilplinry-ycllowisli,  only  whitish  on  chin  and  iniddle  of  btdly  ; 
inner    ipiills    edged    with     whitish  ;     two 

whitish   wing-bands,    but    one   mor n-  :^<''  -T^       ■'^^^ 

spiciimis  than  the   other.      Hardly  or  not         *^-I^     --■♦<         --1         ~:^ i^ 

.1.11(1  long;  wing  scarcely  over  12.0(1;  tail 
under  ;J. (Ml ;  s>iiirimis  ijuill  about  jf  the  :>il, 
which  eipiuls  or  exceedH  thi)  7lli.  \  pretty 
lillle  species,  like  a  liiiniatnre  ii(  fiilriis,  but 
ri-adily  dislingiiished  frmn  that   species  by  Fm  a)0.  -  r.  f«//i.  n«t.  Mne.    (From  Hulrd.) 

its  small  size,  presence  of  decided  winir-bars,  more  yellowish  inider-parls,  ami  different  wing- 
formnla.  Middle  region  of  the  !'.  S.,  W.  to  the  Hocky  .Mis.,  K.  to  the  valley  of  the  tlliio;  an 
abiindaiil  species,  inhabiting  copses  and  shrubbery  in  <i[ien  cmmtry,  with  much  the  same 
sprightly  viiys  and  Imid  song  as  those  of  tiori'lmrmriisis. 
IHI.  V.  puHil'liiH.  (Lat.  inisilliis,  puerile,  petty.  Fig.  2(i|.)  Lkakt  (JuKKXi.K.r.  Olivaccmis- 
gray.  below  while,  merely  tinged  with  yellowitih  iv  the  sides;  head- markings  ob.sciire  ;  wing 


886 


SYSTEMATIC  sryOPSIS  —PASSEltES—  OSCINES. 


IhiikIh  ami  ciluiiiKs,  though  cvidi'iit,  iiurrow  iiiiil  wliitixh  ;  no  decided  olive  or  yellow  miywlu-n'. 
Size  of  belli  :  uiiiu  iiikI  tail  of  e<|ual  Icliutlis,  little  over  i.Di);  liill  (I.;|M  ;  tiirrtiiH  O.IWi ;  miilillu 
liM'  mill  elaw  0.50:  !i|iiiniiiis  i|ulll  aliciiit  i  an  Imig  a^  the  2d,  which  in  iiiteriiiuduite  iH-tweeii  tlio 
illi  ami   Sth.      A   .small,  olisi'iire-lookiii^ 


(•IMcics,  i-e.seiiiltlilii;  hilli,  lint  liiiicli  ^.Taver, 
t4iil  itlativcly  loiipr.  >|Miiiiiii.s  i|nill  luii«ei-, 
and   iA   |ii'iiiiary   .••lioiter.       Arixoiui  and 

Soiitlii'i'ii  ('alifiirnia ninioii. 

1H5.  V.  utrieapiliiiN.  ( I. at.  «/('«',  lilaek  ;  tv//>i7- 
his,  hair.)  Ili..\(  k-<  ai'I-ku  «ini:KXi.KT. 
(J  :   'i'ii|i  and  t^iile  "f  the  head   lilacU,  e.\ 


r 


^\      in 

Flo.  201.  —  r.  pimillui,  nnt.  n\tc.  (Krnm  Itiilnl. 
er|iliiii,'  a  « liilr  eye-iintr  and  white  liii'al  utripe.  I']))ier  jiai'ts  olivaeeous  ;  lower  )iarl.~  wliiti-, 
tinunl  with  |i.'ili'  L'reenish  on  tho  xide.s  iiial  tlanli.x.  \Viut.'»<  and  tail  lilaeki.sh,  edi;ed  with 
olivaeioiis,  the  flintier  with  two  diniry  whiti.sh  har.s  aerons  the  ends  of  the  ureater  and  median 
eiiverl>:  liiiini;  of  wint's  yelluwish.  Itill  hlack ;  feet  dark;  iris  red.  I.eni:th  (■.7.")  ;  extent 
7.^.'):  w'luii  -'.li.')  ;  tail  ni-arly  :J.Ot(;  hill  (l..")0;  tar^<ns  0.7.');  middle  toe  and  elaw  0..")M;  Isi 
priniary  e.\|iiiseil  {\.tW.     A  s|)eeimen  from   Ma/atlan,  hsnpposed  to  he  a  9i  i'**  deserihed  liy  iht^rd 

and   IJiiitrway  as  havini:  the  hlaek  of  the  head  rephi 1  hy  dark  slate  eolur,  the  n|i|ier  parts 

duller  iilivi'.  the  liiwer  somewhat  hiitfy.  The  hlaek  rap  of  the  ^  renders  llie  s|H-cies  eon- 
(ipiriiiius  anioiit;  all  its  roiiuemrs.  'I'e.xaH  and  .Me.xieo,  rare;  few  sperimens  kmnvn.  Nest  in 
tri'es.  pensile  fmm  a  forked  twiu  as  nsnal  in  the  ^eniis,  lint  egus  white,  nuniarked  (ais  far  an 
known  ;  l.i  e.^aniples  examined)  ;  si/e  0.(),)-0.7.>  X  0.ri()-<l.,'i,"). 

15.   Family    LANIID^ :    Shrikes. 

Ks.Hentially  charaelerized  hy  the  eoniliinalion  of 
comparatively  weak,  strictly  )>asserine  feet  with  a 
notched,  tiH.theil  and  hooked  hill,  the  si%e,  shape,  and 
strength  of  which  recalls  that  of  a  liird  of  ])rey  (tit;. 
•20i.).  'I'he  family  comprises  ahont  l'imI  n-conletl 
species,  referahle  to  miinerons  yenera  and  divisildn 
into  three  uronps.  not  very  well  delined,  however,  of 
which  the  folliiwini;  typical  snhfamily  is  the  only 
imu  occnrrin>(  in  Anu'rica:  — 


A' 
Klii.  '.Hr.'  —  Hlirikeii'  lltllii,  nnt.Klzu.  iFrnni  Itairil.) 


21.  Subfamily  LANIIN^:   True  Shrikes. 

In  this  u'riiiip  the  win^  has  10  primaries  and  the  tali  \i  reetriies  ;  IhiiIi  are  nnndi  mimdeil 
and  of  nearly  eipnil  lenjftliH.     The  rictns  is  furnished  with  Htmnu  hristlcH.     The  circular  nostrils 

are  more  or  less  ]M'lfectly  covered  and  con- 
cealed liy  dense  tufts  of  anlror.se  hrislly 
feathers.  The  tarsi  are  scntellale  in  front 
and  on  the  outside  in  the  latter  respect 
(deviaiim:  from  a  usual  Osrine  ch.iracter. 
Our  sin-ikes  will  thus  Im-  easily  distinunished  ; 
ndditional  features  are  L'iven  under  head  of 

the   uenns    Ltiiiiim,  the   only   ri'pre.seiilalive  ^\  "\ 

of  this  urou]i  in   .Vmerica.  i.-,„.  «nn  -  Butchor-hlr.1,  r«.liir<<.l.    (From  Tennry, 

These    shrikes    are    hold    and    spirited      ater  Wllwui  i 
birds,  ipnirrel.some  anioni;  themselve>.  and  tyranniral  towanl  weaker  s|H-cieN  ;    in  fact,  their 
nature  seenix  as  hiirhly  raimcioui*  iv   (Kat  of  the  truu  birdti  of  |>r('y.     They  are  caniivoroim, 


LA  NIIDAi  —  LA  SI  ISA: .    S II  HIKES. 


887 


fdHHling  oil  iiiwTtH  HUil  Hiich  miiiiiII  birds  iiml  <|imili'ii|H-<lN  uk  tliry  oaii  ciiiitiirr  ainl  nvcriHiwrr  ; 
iniiiiy  iiiNtiiiin'N  have  Iktii  imti'il  nf  tlicir  ilaHliiiiu  attacks  ii|iiiii  caur-liirils,  ami  tliiir  irrUlt  .-h 
IMirxiiil  iif  otiii'i'  HiM'cii'M  uiiilii'  fii'ciiiii.ttuiici's  that  coMt  tlii'iii  tlicir  own  livo.  Kiit  tlir  nin.st 
rt'iiiarkaltli-  tact  in  tlu-  natural  liistor}-  of  the  chrikci*  in  tlicir  itiiiKular  ami  iiicx|>lical>lc  liaMt  of 
iiii|ialint;  tlicir  |ircy  on  tlmni^  or  !*liar|i  twijjs,  ami  Icaviiii;  it  stickiii),'  tlicrc.  Tlii.s  has  ncca- 
hidiicd  many  iiiirciiioiis  siinnix's,  none  of  uliich,  however,  aii'  entirely  >atisl'aetory.  'I'hey 
liiiild  a  rather  rude  and  Imlky  nest  of  t\vii,'s,  ami  lay  4-li  speckled  cut's.  'I'hey  arc  not  strictly 
initiratory,  althonuli  our  iiorthi'rninost  species  usually  retires  >i>uih\vard  in  the  tall.  The  >exeH 
are  alike,  and  llii'  yoiiiit;  ditfer  hut  little.  'I'liere  arc  only  two  well  deterniiiied  Aniericaii 
Hjiecics,  of  nine  that  coiii|M)He  the  ucniis, 
60.  L.VMI'H.  (I,at.  Idniim.  a  hntchcr.)  (tit.vY  SiiitiKK!*.  Witm  of  |(l  )iriinarics,  and  tail  of 
12  rectriccs,  Imth  rounded  in  !iha|H',  and  of  nearly  ci|ual  li'iiu'th.v  I'oint  i  fthi'  winu  luniied  hy 
the  .'id,  hh,  and  .'ith  i[iiills,  the  second  not  lonifir  than  the  I'ltli.  and  the  1st  aiioiit  half  as  loutf 
as  the  .'Id.  Tarsus  iM|uallini;  or  slightly  c.xcevdiiit;  in  h'liuth  the  middle  toi.  and  claw,  strontrly 
Mcutellate  in  front,  and  with  the  outer  lateral  plate  usually  more  or  less  sululivided,  as  is  iinnsuiil 
liiuont.'  Osrlni's.  Lateral  li«'s  of  ahoul  e<|ual  linuths,  their  claws  reachiiiu  to  the  hase  of  thii 
middle  claw  ;   inner  toe  cleft   nearly  to  the  hase,  the  nuter  more  extensively  cuhereiit  with  thu 

basal    joint   of  the  middle    Iih'.      Feet   larjfc  and  strolic.   but    without  sj iaily    "  raptorial  " 

development  either  of  ilie  diuits  or  of  their  claws.      Hill   lari:e  and  powci'ful,  compri'ssed.  ileep, 

fompletely  notched  and  toothed,  ainl  stroiiKly  I ked,  preseiitini;  the  full  accomplishment  of  a 

riiptoritil  character,  liictiist  ample  and  deeply  cleft,  and  stroiiuly  bristled  ;  i;onyN  short,  only 
about  half  the  length  of  the  lower  niaiidihle.  Nostrils  circular  or  nearly  sn,  placed  well  I'orw.ird 
in  the  iia.sal  fossie,  more  or  less  |M'rfectly  overhuiii;  ami  concealed  by  lulls  of  alitror>e  bristly 
fcatlii-fH,  ItiHly  utoiil  ;  neck  short:  lieail  relatively  laruc  Coloration  simple,  the  black,  white, 
nml  bluish  i>r  urayish  tints  beini;  unrelieved  by  red  or  other  blight  color.  In  the  amount  of 
the  iliisky  vermiciihitioii  of  the  under  parts  the  species  are  graded  from  huniilis  (mo>t)  to  r.rcii- 
hilitriilrn  (least  or  none),  and  each  oiie  is  graded  frmii  young  to  uhl.  In  all,  the  general  resem- 
blance to  a  mockinu-bird  is  strikini;. 

iMTiii' :  li'iiKlli  '.MM iir  Dvor.    Itliu'k  h<-iul-Htrl|Mi  bnilioii  iin  iindrr  eyulid  nml  acruiw  rorelioail.    .\lwa,v<  wnM'<! 

ImI.iw  wllli  iliisky /».!•.  >i/i.i     lM«t 

Hiiiiill:  li'iiulli  iiiiilcr  ;).ilO.    Illnck  lio><l-iilrl|iouiilir<il(aii  norom  forplioail:  no  white  nii  iiiKloreycllil,  AiIiiIih 
llliwiivinl  lii'low. 

I.IkIiIi'I':  iimii'Ii  wIiIIooii  runu>  unci  M'n|iiilnrit;  Iciiik  wlille  inil.li  on  prliniirlcH    .     .     .  imiliilniiili  »     \HH 
Dnrki'i':  littlr  wlillc  mi  i  uin|i  iinil  >M'ii|iiilari>;  Klmrt  wliitu  puli'li  on  iiriiiiarlt'H    .    .     .   hnliniriiinHii    W 

IHit.  L.  Iturt'ii'llH.  (|jit.  lH>iriilis,  northern.  1  .gs.  iO'i,  i'(i4.)  (iiiKAT  Nuktiikkn  .^iiitiKK. 
Itiri  iiKit-iiiKii.  ^  9<  iiilult  :  .Mhivc,  clear  bluish-ash,  blanchiuu  on  rum]i  and  scapulars; 
below,  white,  always  vermiciilated  Ir.ius- 
Vcrsely  with  tine  wavy  Idackish  lines ;  a 
broad  black  bar  along  sid<  of  head,  not 
nieeting  il.s  fellow  ai-ross  fdreheiul,  inter- 
riip*' 'I  by  a  while  I'rescelit  nii  under  eyelid, 
nnd  bordered  above  by  hoary  white  that 
also  (M'ciipicH  tlio  I'Xtn'ine  forehead  :  wings 


lid    tail    black,    the    former    with   a   lai 


i.'e 


white    spot     near    ba.se    o 


>(    till 


P 


and   white   tips  of   most   of  the  ipiills,    the 

latter    witli    the    outer    wcd>    iif    ill Iter 

feather  edged,  and  all  th>  fiat  hers  except- 
ing tlio  middle  pair  brmully  tip|H'<l,  with 
white,  aiiil  with  concealed  white   buHCH ;  bill  and  feet  bluish -black  ;   oyon  blackish.      I.cncth 


niti 


11 'I 


888 


SYSTh'MA  TIC  .SYNOPSIS.  —PA SSKKKS  —  OSCIXE'S. 


i 


(I.OO-KMK);  i-Miiit  i:i..'i()-M.:i();  wiiiu  .VOO-'i.-'iO ;  tail  ratli<T  iiiorr  ;  liill  0.75;  tureuitO.VO; 
iiiiildlf  tiH>  mill  claw  ().<.i.  Vhiiiik:  TIic  ciiIiii-h  niiicli  los  imrc  and  clrar.  AImivc,  ^'rayisli- 
lii'nwii,  m-art-i'ly  nr  imt  wliitniiii^  mi  tlic  hca|)iilarH,  lail-cuvcrtH,  ami  rni'clii'ail.  'I'lic  yiiiin^rci 
til)'  lii'iiwiirr,  Hiiiii'tiiii('!<  iiliiiimi  u'iili  a  ni.sly  liiiui';  ^rayrr  accoriliii^  to  ap*.  Itclnw  lirowniNli- 
wliitr  (ill)'  yoiiii^'i'i'  till'  lii'iiwiii  r),  till'  wavy  ilaik  iiiarliiii^r*  htinii^cr  than  In  tin*  mliilt.  'I'lm 
l>ar  aliiiiK  tlir  lirail  |iiMirly  ilrliiiril,  iiii'i'i'ly  liii-^Uy,  nr  i|iiiti'  nliMilt'tr.  WIiiijm  ami  tail  l)riiwiii>li- 
blarlt,  with  Ii-m<  white  than  in  the  ailiilt.  Mill  |i|iiiiiIm'iiiih-Iii'<iwii,  tlfxh-i'iilnri'il  at  Iiiim-  lii'lnw. 
At  a  vrry  rarly  at;i',  tlir  ii|i|H'r  |iarti«  an-  |ii'i>lial>ly  vi'iiiili'iilatril  Minirwhat  lilo'  tlir  InwiT,  ax 
ill  the  Niiiif  >!:ii,'('  nf  /,.  liiiliiriiiiiniiM  ;  hut  thin  fttalc  I  havr  imt  iih.icrvi'il.  In  nhl  11^1',  tlio 
ilil^hy  vrniiiriilalinii  ■•!'  llii'  iinih-r  ]iai'tM  i.s  iiiiicli  iliiiiiniMhi'il,  hut  I  have  iicvt'i'  xccii  it  almrnt 
nllciurllur.  This  Iraliiii',  rciii|iin|  with  thr  ]iai'tirulai'  chararlrr  nf  tlir  hcail-luarhiii^s  anil 
thr  l.ii'ur  >\/.f  ami  riiiii|iaratiM'ly  shmt  tarsi,  will  always  ili^tiiii;uisli  the  H|i<'rit'r>  Irniii  /..  Iiiiln- 
ririiiiiiis  nr  r.rniliilnrlilr.i.  N.  Am.,  iinrlln'rly  ;  lircfilM,  Imwcvfr,  on  niniinlaiiiM  nf  the  .Miililli> 
Stairs  ami  iu  Ni  w  Kiiulaml ;  in  winter,  ilsiiiilly  extemis  S.  tn  almiit  .'(.'1'.  The  ea.'-tle  of  \U\n 
"  friiilal  harnii  ami  hi'ii.'aiiil  hnld  "  i>  huili  in  a  hu>li  nr  low  trie  with  a  hasiiiKiil  nf  stii'liM, 
n|inii  wliii'h  is  nialtcil  ami  felleil  a  thirk  w.iriii  .»ii|ii'i>trui'iiiri'  nf  hark-slri|is,  grasses,  ami  snfl 
ve^'flahle  .siihsiaiiees  :  euys  l-'i,  ahniil  I .  Ill  X  "•''••.  rather  i'Hi|itii-al  in  shape,  sn  |irnfiiM'ly 
h|ieekli'il,  si-rati'heil,  ami  marhlnl  with  reilili.sli,  hi'iiwiiish,  ami  |iur|ili.-li  shades  thai  the  Kreeni.sli- 
niay  uiiiiiml  mlnr  is  searnly  iiirrejiiihle. 

1N7.  I..  Iiiiltivteiii  iiiiH.  (Lat. /iff/i<('iVifi»i(s,  nf  Lniiisiaiia.)  LiiciiKliiiKAi)  SiittlKi:.  J  9<ndiill: 
Ahnvi',  >lale-enliired,  sliuhlly  whitish  nii  ii|i|ier  tail-i'nvertM  and  emls  nf  seapiilars  :  hejnw, 
vhite,  sniiieiiiiii's  a  lillli'  a>hy->haileil,  hut  nil  wavy  hiaek  lilies,  nr  mily  a  few  slii;lit  mies  ; 
white  nil  win^s  and  tail  hs.s  e\teu>ivi'  than  in  horiiilis  nr  i:iTiiliilitriilrs;  hiark  hridle  meeting  ils 
fellnw  ai'i'iiNH  fnreliead,  iml  iiili'rru|ited  hy  while  mi  Inwer  eyelkl,  wareely  nr  lint  iHirdered  iihnve 
1>y  hnary  white.  Siiialler :  leiiulh  S,0(l-s.:)ii ;  wiin;  and  tail  eaeli  I. IHI  nr  little  iimre  ;  tarsus 
at  least  I. IHI.  thus  relatively  liiiiu'er  than  iu  linrrnlis  ;  hill  ahniit  ll..'iU.  N'miiiv '■  din'eriuK  frmii 
the  adult  niiieli  as  ynilliK  luirriiliH  iIih'h,  and  deeidedly  waved  helnw,  as  in  that  HpeeieN  :  hut  the 
size  and  ntlier  I'haraeters  are  distiiietive.  Kaslern  and  ,*<niitlierii  I'.  S.,  resident,  ahnndant  ;  iu 
ils  ly|>ii'al  niaiiireslalimi  it  is  I'haraeleristir  nf  the  S.  .\tlalitii'  States  ;  hut  s|H'i'inieiis  iiinre  like 
lililiiridinilis  llmii  iriilhilnriilrs  ncelir  N.  In  New   {''.nulallil  and  W.  In  t  Mlin. 

IMH.  (',  I.  i>.\eiil>ll()rr<lrH.  (I.al.  i.miliilnr,  a  sentinel  :  tir.  (lAor.  riilns,  reM'tiildanee  ;  i.  e.,  like  the 
r.iun|naii  /,.  ijiiihilor.)  WiiriK-iiiMii.n  Siikiki;.  Cummon  .\.Mh;iiii  an  Siihikk.  J9t 
adult  :  l.eadeii-uray  nr  liuhl  slale-i'ninr,  whiteiiiiu;  mi  the  si'apiilar>  and  ufiper  tail-enverts. 
Itelieath,  while,  sliuhljy  >hadeil  with  the  l''rem'h  ^ray  mi  the  sides,  hut  withmil  dusky  vennieil- 
lalinii.  A  iiarriiw  stripe  aemss  the  fureheiid,  ciiiitiiimiiiN  with  a  hrnail  liar  almiK  the  side  nf  the 
In'iid,  eiiilirarini:  the  eye,  lilark,  sliuhlly,  if  .'it  all,  hmdered  with  whitish.  I.nwer  eyelid  imt 
while.  Willis  and  tail  Idaek,  with  while  iiiarkinus,  niinh  a.>  in  the  last  spe -ies.  Hill  and  feel 
idiitiihemis-hlaek.  I^eimth  under '.l.lHt :  extent  12. nil  IK.IHI;  wiii);  and  tail,  earh,  ahmit  I.IK); 
liill  n.UCi ;  lai'siis  I.IHI  nr  limre.  N'miuir  :  X'lrinii'ulaled  helnw  with  dusky,  iipmi  a  hi'nwnish 
Urmind,  ahniil  in  the  wiilie  extent  as  is  seen  iu  very  iild  examples  nf  /..  Iiniiillis.  ( Selieral  tnlie  nf 
the  upper  parts  less  pure  than  iu  the  adult  ;  seapiilars  and  tail-enverts  imt  purely  white  :  Idaek 
liar  nf  head  less  linn,  hut  as  far  as  it  i,'nes  iiiaiiilainini;  the  eharaeters  nf  the  speeies.  At  a 
Very  early  ai;e,  the  upper  parl>,  ineluiliuL;  the  whilii»h  nf  ihe  seapiilars  and  lail-enverts,  are  tinely 
veriiiii'iilaled  with  dusky  waves.  'I'he  ends  nf  the  ipiills,  winu-enverts,  and  lail-fealhers  nflen 
have  rusty  nr  rufniis  niarkinus.  Kxtreiue  examples  nf  c.iriiliiloriiirs  Innk  very  dilfereiit  tmni 
htiliiririiniiis  prnper,  hut  llie  Iwn  are  nhserved  tn  melt  inin  eaeli  nther  when  many  speeimeim 
are  I'niMp.ired,  sn  that  im  .ipeeitir  eharaeler  ran  he  assimieil.  .Middle  and  VVeslerii  N.  .\ni. 
uml  Mexien  ;  N.  tn  the  re),'iiin  nf  the  ."saskutehewan,  K.  tn  Oliin,  Ni'W  Ynrk,  Caiiai.a  and 
even  New  England. 


Fitisaiu.iii.K:  FixrifHs,  luwTTxas,  sPAimon's,  y/ir 


anp 


16.  Family   FRINOILLID-S: :    Finches,   etc. 


Kit) 
Mills  lias 

•  lllrlitlv    I 


•JO.-. 


Ciiiiirin'triil  (hnnr»  irilh 
'.•  iirimiiriis,  Tlic  larxrHt 
.NiH'tli  .\iiii'rii-aii  family, 
(■iiiii|iri>iiii:  alHiiii  niii- 
xrvi'Utli  (I-.':i:  SNH)  <if  all 
mil'  liii'ils,  ami  tlif  iimoi 
fxiiiixivc  nniii|i  111'  iln 
urailr  ill  nriiilliiilnuy.  At* 
iinliiiaiily  i'iim<tiliit<'il,  it 
ri'|iri'M'iitH,  ill  i-iiiiml  luiiii- 
liirs  .'lOil  ciii'i'i'iil  .H|iri'ii'H 
alhl  10(l  yi'iiiTa.  <•(  iirarly 
all  jiarti  i>l'  llir  wni'lii,  i  x- 
('r|il  Aii-lialia,  liiit  iiiiin> 
liarliriilai'ly  i>t  llii'  inirtlii'l'll 
lii'iiii>|ilirr)'  ami  tlii'iiiiKli- 
mil  Aliirririi,  wlnii'  llii> 
^rmiji  attains  its  iiiaxiiiiiiiii 
ilrvi'lii|itiii'iil.  Any  iiiii' 
I'niti'il  Statrx  liicality  of 
avrrai;!'    attrartivriirKN    to 


l''.urM|>i'iiii  Clntlliii'li  I  t'niijiido  iii/ifxi.    (Alli'i'  |)ixiili  ) 

a  liihl-raiiiia  uf  nver  :ilMi  >|M'rir!i ;  ami  if  it  ln'  away  frmii  llir  M-n-niaKl,  ami  f<iiinc- 
ininlialiiti'il  l>y  marim-  liinls,  almiit  uiu'l'iiirtli  nl'  its  i«|ifrifs  arc  Siilruiiliitir  and 
Fiiiiiiillidir  tiiijrtlar  tlir  lattrr  smiirwliat  III  txi'i's.s  III'  the  rnriiirr.  It  is  nut  I'asy,  tln'i't'l'mt', 
t<i  ^ivi-  iiiiiliii-  |ii'iiiiiin)'ni'i-  III  tlirsi'  twii  rainilir-- 

'I'lic  FriiKjilliilir  ari'  imm'  |iarlirnlai'ly  « li.ii  iisnl  t"  lir  ralli'il  '•  miiiidstral  "  liinls,  in  ilis- 

lliuvs,  swifts,  itml  uiiatsm'kiTs.  "  trniiirostrfs,"  as  hnni- 


liiH'tiiiii  frniii  "  lissiriislrrs,"  as  tlir  s 

lniii^-liinls  ami  rn  r|iirs,  ami   "  ilrutiru'-trfs,"  as  warMiTs,  viirns,  ami  iiiust   nf  tin'  |ii'«'<'r(lini; 


faiiiilii 


Till'  liiil  a|i| 


Hiiarlirs  lirairs 


t    till'    iilral  nilir.  riiliiliililll|:  strrliulll  tiii'l'llsll  siiils,  uitll 


ili'liciK'y   iif  Imirli   til  siiMiii'   ininiiti'  ulijii'ts.      'I'lir  I'lnir   is  smiii'litiirs  nearly  rxpn'sni'il,   liiit  itt 
imiri'  l'i'ri|miilly  tiiiiii.l  or  fumiiilal,  chiim's  in  must  iliicrtiiiiis  ur,  a^ain,  >"  I'mitraitiil  that  siinic 


111  lis  mitlinr: 


iiiravr.     'I'lir  iinstrils  arcalwavs  silu.itiil  /<<<//i  "/» —  maii  r  tlir  rn 


I'll  tli; 


till'  I'litlini;  I'llk'i'  <if  the  hill ;  they  are  iisnally  expuseil,  liiit  in  many,  chietly  iMueal,  Kcneru,  the 


liasi'  uf  the  hill  is  I'lirnishril  with  a  niM'  ><v  twu  mils  uf  anlrui'se  feathrrs  iiiin'e  m'  le 


ipletely 


euvi'iinu  the  i>|ii'liiiius.  'The  rnltini:  eili,'rs  ot  the  hill  ni.iy  he  si'  :htly  iiuieheil,  hut  are  usually 
|ilain.  'riiei'e  are  iisiially  ii  few  iliciiiis|iiciiiiiis  hristles  ahmit  the  rirtiis,  siiiiietiineH  waiitiii^, 
Hiiini'linies  liiiihly  ileve|ii|ieil,  as  in  mir  ^l■ushealis.  The  winj;s  are  rmlh  ssly  varieil  in  s!ia|ie, 
IiMt  auree  in  |iussessiii;;  uiily  nine  ilevelu|ii'i|  |iriiiiMries  ;  tlie  tail  is  ei|nally  xariahle  in  turni,  hut 
iil\\ays  has  twelve  rei'triees.  The  feet  sliuw  a  sirirlly  Itsrine  ur  laniiniplantar  |)ui|ii||iei'a, 
Hentellate  in  frmil,  ruvereil  nil  eaeli  siile  with  all  iiiiiliviileil  |ilate,  |iriiilm'iiii;  a  sliar|i  riilue 
lieiiiliil.      Niilie  uf  these  nieinherx  iitfer  extreme  |iliases  uf  ilevelii|iineiit  in  any  uf  mir  s| ies. 


lint  the  must   tant;ihle  ehararteristii'  uf  the  fainilv 


ii"/i( 


hili 


'I  III 


'II'  inlliinissurr. 


Th( 


cuniinisNiire  rniis  in  a  Ktraiuht  line,  ur  with  a  sliuht  enrve,  lu  or  near  tu  the  hase  uf  the  hi! 


il 


In  then  iiiiirt' or  leMH  ithrn|illy  heiit  iluwn  at  a  varyini;  iintile  —  the  nittini;  eilt'e  of  the  ii|i|ier 
liianililile    furinini;  a    rei'iitranee,   that    uf  the   lower   luamlihle   a   ('iirri's|iiimliiii;    salieiiee.      In 
familiar  terms,  we  niinht  say  that  the  corneis  of  the  mouth  are  ilrawii  iluwn  —  that  the  Fiiii'lieK, 
tiioiiKh  very  merry  little  liinls.  iire  literally  "  iluwn  in  the  month."     In  the  ifieat   majority  of . 
rikm-H  tliis  feature  is  nnniiNtakalile,  ami  in  the  KrosU.-aki*,  for  i-xum|ik>,  it  is  very  HtroiiKly  iimrkeil 


840 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYSOl'SIS.  —  VASSEHES—  OSCINES. 


iiiili'i'il ;  liiit  ill  rtiii f  till'  i<iiiiilli'i'-liilli'il  fiiniiK,  ami  i'H|K'ciiilly  tlioMc  with  Nlnnli'i'  liill,  it  ig 

liariiiy  |H-rrr|iti)>lr.     On  tlir  wlmli',  Imwrvi'i',  it    i-  a  a I  rlianirtrr,  iiiiil  iit   any  rati'  it  Is  tliii 

liiiiKt  rriialili'  rxtrnial  I'raiiiir  tlial  ran  lir  t'luiiiil.  It  i«'|iai'atrN  niir  I'riiigilliiii'  IhiiIh  prrtty 
tri'iirliaiitly  frniii  utiii'i'  '.)-|ii'iiiiiii'ii'ii  Onciiii'M  cxi-t'iit  Iiirriila-,  ami  iiinHt  of  iIii-hx  may  Im-  iliH- 
tiiiKiii''lii'<l  l>y  till'  rliiirat'ti'i'.i  uiviii  lifynml. 

'ral<iiii;  ilii'ir  i'li!irac-ti'i>  all  tiip'tliiT,  Frinifillidtr  may  lii'ili'tiiiril  a^  <.)-|irimai'ii'il  <'iiniriii<tral 
luiniiii|ilaiitiir  iimMm<  I'iinmi'ii'k  witli  axi>«  ut'  liiil  at  an  iiiikIi'  >villi  that  of  xliiiil,  ami  iiuHtrilH 
iinirrr  I'liliiii'ii  tliaii  riitiiiit:  iil^i'  of  Mil. 

Wlirii  «!'  I'oiiii',  liiiwiMT,  I Hifiiilrr  iIiIh  ^n-at  Kroiip  i>r<'<>iiii'i"<tral  OhcIiich  in  iti*  t'litiicty, 

UN  riiiii|iariil  with  hiirilriint;  raiiiilirx  likr  the  Ulil  Wiirlil  Vlmridtv,  nr  tlir  Jctrriiltr,  ami  fxiH'- 
••ially  till'  TiiHiifiriiltr,  i<(  thr  Ni'w,  ihr  ilillifiilty  if  mil  tlir  iiii|iiiMKiliility  "f  I'raiiiiiii;  a  iifflrct 
iliauiKoi"  hirniiM's  ii|i|iat'i'iit,  ami   I  am  imt  aware  that  any  attriii|it.s  at  ri^'iil  ililinitiiin  havo 

pi'iivi'ii  j*iii'i'if>>riil.    ( >niiiliii|cii;isiN  ari'  iii'iirly  at;i' I  uliiit  Idnln  tci  call  iVin^illim',  witlmut  hriim 

Hii  wi'll  |iir|iai'i'il  til  Miy  what  "  friiiKiHiui' "  iiii'iiiim.  'I'lir  MiliiliviNiiniM  nl'  tlir  lamily,  at*  nii^-ht 
1m<  i'.x|H'rit'il,  im>  Htill  ciinvi'iitiniial,  ami  viiryinu  with  I'vcry  li'tiiliiiK  writer.  Our  i<|iei-ies  iniKlit 
lie  ihiciwii  intii  M'Veiiil  ui'iiiiii.",  lint  the  ilistiiii'linii!*  wiiiilil  lie  iimre  nr  lent*  arliitrary  ami  imt 
reailily  |ii'rreivi'il.  It  Im  theiel'nie  lient  t"  Waive  the  i|iii'!«tiiin,  ami  f-inijily  rulliii'ate  the  genera  in 
orilerly  M'i|iiem'e. 

The   l-'ritiijilliilir  an'   |iii|iiilarly  knnwn  liy  wveral  iliH'ereiit   lianies.      Here  liehniir  all   llm 


HiiiiriDirs,  with  the  allieil  liinl.s  ealleil   tlneheH,  Inintiiius,  linnets,  uinslieaks  ami 


'.hills 


h 


(lie  fnlliiwiliK  pawl's  I  ilesi-rihe    \i'i  )<|NM-ie)i  ami  Nulis|iei'ies,  inustly  well  ileterinineil,  ami  aseer- 


Iniiii'il  t< 


iir  within  mir  liniiis,  referriiiu  tlieiii  tn  117  p'liera,  as  tl iistuni   is,  altlinm,' 


.'h    1 


think  this  niiiiiher  ol'  genera  alliiL'ilher  tim  larye.  'I'wn  nf  them,  J'lissrr  tliiiiirsliiiis  ami  7'.  iiiiih- 
ttiinm,  are  iiii|Hirteil  ami  naliirali/eil.  S|ii'i'ii's  neeiir  tlirniiuhoiit  niir  I'liiintry,  in  every  sitiiatimi, 
ami  many  nl'them  are  aiiKiiii;  niir  must  alnimlant  ami  I'amiliar  hirils.  Tiny  are  all  t;raiiiviiriiim 
—  seeil-i'iilero,  lillt  many  I'eeil  extensively  nil  limis,  tVilils,  anil  nllier  snl'l  veuelahle  sllhslanees, 
as  well  as  nil  insects.  They  are  imt  sn  |ii  rl'eclly  mii.'iatnry  as  the  exclusively  insectivniniiN 
liii'ils,  the  nature  nf  wlmse  Inml  i'ei|iiii'es  |irnni|it  reimival  at  the  a|i|irnacli  nf  cnhl  Weather;  lint, 
with  Hiinie  exee|itiiiiiH,  they  witlulraw  IVnin  their  lireeilini;  jilaees  in  the  fall  In  s|ieml  the  winter 
farther  sniith,  aiiil  tn  return  in  the  s|iriiii;.  With  a  few  siyiial  exce|itinns  they  are  imt  truly 
f;i'ei;ariniis  liii'ils,  tlmiiKli  they  nfteii  assnciate  in  lai'ue  ciim|ianii's,  assemlileil  in  cnmiiiiinity  nf 
interest.     The  miiiles  nf  nesting;  are  tnn  varinns  tn  lie  here  Hlimiinirizeil.      Nearly  all  the  lim-lieH 

hint;,  with  varying;  ahility  ami  eti'ect  ;  sm if  them  are  aiimnt;  mir  nmst  ileliiflitfiil  vncalists. 

As  a  rule,  they  are  |ilainly  ciml  even  meanly,  in  cnm|iarisnn  with  snine  nf  niir  sylvan 
lieiuities  ;  lint  amnnjr  tliein  are  hirils  nf  ele^niiit  ami  striking  cnlnrs.  AmmiK  the  lii(;lily-ciiliii'<>i| 
ones,  the  sexes  are  nini'e  nr  less  unlike,  aiiil  ntlier  cliantfes,  with  at;e  ami  seasnii,  are  strmiKly 


liiarkeil;  the  revel 


Ise  IS  the  case  w 


ith  tl 


le  rest. 


Till'  uiiiiractiseil  stuileiit  will  have  mure  tnnihle  in  this  family  than  elsewhere  in  iilenlifyinj? 
his  H|ierimen<i.  In  tlie  first  jilacc,  the  jieiiera  ami  siiecies  are  very  nnmerniis,  ami  sn  varimisly 
iliterrelatcil  that  nn  satisfactory  siihfamilies  have  lieeii  estahlisheil :  they  are  tlierefnie  not 
|)ari'elli'il  niit  ill  sets.  Secnnilly,  all  the  ni'iiera  eann.  t  lie  iliscriminateil  in  a  line  nf  tyjie.  Tn 
meet  the  ilHlicnlty,  I  have  caiiHeil  the  family  tn  lie  |irnfiisely  illnstrateil  with  cuts  nf  nmre  than 
averai;e  excellence,  ami  attempteil  ii  tahnlar  analysis  nf  the  Kciiera,  which,  thnii^li  necessarily 
•lel'ective,  will  ilonlilless  hel|i  tn  Hiiiiie  extent.  S|ieakin>i  rniimlly,  there  are  three  Ints  nf 
genera:  (ii)  /.o.i'i/dc,  iinistly  hnreal  liirils,  sexed  unlike,  ^  nfteii  reil,  9  ihill,  "<•  lilne,  cnlnrs 
masw'il  nr  strenky,  bill  umially  rntfed  at  bane,  win^s  pnintcd,  tail  forked,  feet  weak;  (h) 
Siii^flliiie,  everywhere,  mostly  small  streaked  and  spntted  sjiecics,  sexeil  alike,  may  be 
yellnwed  but  are  never  red  nr  hliie,  wiliijs,  tail,  and  feet  variniis ;  (c)  Sj)i;iiu;  liinstly  smilli- 
orly.  sexed  ntilike,  ^  nften  red  nr  blue,  bill  unriill'ed,  wiiigH,  tail,  uud  feut  various; — but 
nothing  will  serve  to  distinguish  them'  gnmpH  unexceptioiially. 


Fttixan.i.UKiJ:  Fixciih's,  jii'Mixds,  si:n{nn\rs,  trir.      M\ 

Annlytt  (piirlintt  i\f  (irturn. 

mil  miMf/n>ifV>Nii,  IhiIIi  niAlKlllilcii  IHIi'itte,  llii'lr  t«>liili<i'ri>iuio<l      ,-f  rcil,  9  iljirk  ami  yvlluwliih  /^>ri>i    AS 

mil  enuriiiKiiit,  nviirly  —  tiimiin,  i/niHi«A-.i/i7/<iH'.    Wlnuii  liliick  utiil  wliilis  titll  iiiid  tilila'  bliiik.    (WihIitii  > 

llmiuii'iilii'iifi    lil 
lilll  P'lrrot'llku,  t/'Ai/fnA.     IIoiul  cuniplcuotialy  i-ri-nttxl.      J  $  ifrity  and  i-arniliie,  fitcu  nut  liliuk.      Liiiifili 

7  W  i>r  mnro.     (H.  W.  I'.  H  ) /•i,n-liiil,,,„i    m 

■ill!  rt'/i/MA.     Ilcnil  <'<iiiH|<l>'iiciii>ly  crnloil.     cf  vi-riiillioii,  facu  bliuk.      V  Kmy  nml  riKldliili.      I^'iitftli  7  .V) 

or  imi-n.    (K.  liihlH   H.S.i (uriliiinlit    'M 

ISIII  Willi  a  riijf,  or  imlr  ol  ii'i.«i/  IhiIm,  nriititrnrmi  |i|iiiiiiili>»,  nl  liii»i'  of  iiiiiht  iiiiiiiilltili*. 

I«iitftli  M.ou  or  iiiiiru.   J  i>i/uiiil  Kni.v,  <|  Kmy  unci  yi'lluwlali,  iiiiiTi'iili'il     Hill /iii'</i>/,  Inxiki-ii.  ll<<>ri'iil< 

I'illirnlll      02 

—  untlar  8.00.  — /t/ninA-f/nij/,  bvlow  ro<lilliili-|[rny,  crown,  wlng«,  nml  tall  lilack.    (Aluvkn  ) 

I'linhiil;    03 

—  While,  with  blAck nn liiu'k,  wlnipi, ami  mil  ;  or wiuliod  with ilvnr  brown.    ( llmiMil  1 

t'hrlmiiliini.n       Ti 

—  Chimtliite-liniini,  iiimtrcaki'il,  wllli  mo//  wlglnipi  ;  blnrk  or  rienr  luli  nn  lii'inl. 

(Wi'iiicrn.)  I.,u,„»ii,i,    ti7 

—  .S7r<(i/l-w  .■  no  yt'llow  ;  ,f  uxIriiHlvoly  m/.-  V 'l'"l<  nml  wlilto.    WW  luriiiil    (K.  iinil 

W.  I'.S.i (,iri>.«hu->,»    lis 

—  Slriiikii,  witli  iluiiky  or  flnxen-lirown  nml  wlilto;  crown  rrimtim.     Itlll  <i<iii,. 

(Ilorciil.) t'.iiifiliiit    tW 

—  Sli-'iikii  every wlicro,  mi  red  or  \>\\to  black,  noma //''//oirinA.    lilll  lU'iilf.    (X.  \m.) 

CfiritHtiiinfriit    70 

—  Streuky  or  hci(  ;  much  yelloir,  wing!  and  tall  hlm-l;,  im  rc<l.    Illll  moderate     ( I'  S.i 

.Itlriiiinlinin    71 
llntcrincillnio  iHJtwcen  Noa.  ngnnd  70]  .    .   /.iimtn    I'lO 
Illll  inllhnut  r\\n';  noatrlU  i'X|i<im><I. 

Hind  rlaw  leiiKllieiied,  »/ivii;/A^Hi(/.  —  Illll  moi/mifi-.   ,f  wllli  a  colored  <vrric<i/ ivi//(ir ;  obll<|m<  wliltv 

on  tall.     (S.aiiil  W.  X.  A.) Ciilr-iiihinim    73 

—  Illll /«r(/i(/,  HO  cvrvlcnl  collar  :  trnnaverm  white  on  tall.  iWeiil- 

ern.) Illiiiiiilvjihoiirt    74 

Hind  nml  fore  clawa  leniilhennl :  all  much  curved  ;  lunar  renchlnK  nt  leoal  J  way  to  end  of  nddille 
one  — 

—  SiMilliil  mill  uliriUiil  foxy  or  alaty  Hpnrrown,  about  7,ih)  [ung.    (X.  Am.) 

I'liiiAi  nllii    Ml 

—  Itliick,  wlilloamlchcittnut,  ill  nii(ii<ii-«.    ( A  Wcatorn  a|ieclc«  of'      ....     /'i/ii/»    IM 
Hind  and  fore  elawH  in'l  ihnitinr. 

laMigtli  4  .W  or /.nil.  —  f  Itliick  and  wlilie.  V  "H'ai'eoiK  and  yellowlali.     I'lVxaa).     .  Siurmi'/iliilii    1(3 
,f  <lri'iinli«li  blackenlnu  on  head,  9  ureenUli.    j Florida. I  .     .     .       /'Ainii/iiini    113 
lA'ntjth  7  .'lOdi- iiiiirc.  —  Tall  /nii(/iT /Ami  wIngM.     I'luln  brown, etc., or  black,  while,  ami  cheiilnnl. 

(Cs.) rij.iin  o» 

—  Tall  tlinrlir  lliiin  wInuK      J  lireant  roa*-  or  oriingo  ;  9  unlphnr  or  Kallron 

nndcr  winua     (US.) Xnmilfuliii    H9 

I<enKth  "'•"'  4.''>",  iiiulir  7..W 

C'olora  i/rcciiidA  —  with  yellow  — on  edge  of  wing,  ami  —  I!  rnfoua  crown-atrliioa.     iTexai«  ) 

h'.inhiriiiiiirit     07 
—  Crown  choHtnut,  brcaat  anhy.   (WcmI- 

crn  aiH'ciea  oO /'i/>i/o    06 

—  on  all  under  parlH     no  hoail  markliiKa    (9  oraNoiiiliorn  hin)- 

licMoD I'liAsiriiiii    !tl 

Colon  nnl  grecnlKh,  and  nol  exlcn»ively  and  declilodly  a|M>tte<l  or  atrcakatl. 

Illiirk;  with  great  irhilf  wing-palch ;  longeat  Kecondary  about  =  longc»l  primary. 

iWcKlern.i (Vi/mmi»/,i;(i    87 

/l/iir,  with  rA,»/iiii/ on  wiiiiSH,  cf  :  plain  briiwn,  9  ;  '>ver  COO  lung.     (U.S.)    Iliiinirn    90 
/(/lie,  with  red,  purple,  golij,  white,  or  not,  J  :  brown,  with  white  or  not,  9  '■  umler 

(i  1)0  long.     (U.S.) /'(iitmriiKi    III 

,s7ii/i'nr  anhy,  rod-backed  or  not,  lialiy  ami  1-3  tall-fenthorairAWr.    .N.  Am.)    ■/iiiiro    na 
UniH,  throat  and  tall  hlnrl.,  head  with  2  white  Htrljiea,  Iwlly  while.    (Wcalerii  ) 

.l»i/iAii</>i:<t    HI 
Coloin  nut  grcenlah,  hut  aimiewhero  or  every wliere  apottcd  or  atreakeil. 

Inner  avcondarlea lengthened,  hIhuiI  e<|uallliig  prlniarieo  In  the  elowd  wing. 

A  \iiTgii  irhilf  irhiii-iiiilili,     ('p|iei  parlH  much  atrenkiil.     (9"f)   •     •      '<i/(im(i«/ii:a    H7 
Ueiid  ol'  wing  rhinlnitl :  outer  tail-feather  irhilf .  iin  yellow  anywhere.    (N.  Am. ) 

Vixrrrlei    76 
.Vo  wblta  or  chcatnut  area  on  wing,  ita  cilge  (uaually)  ytllomth.    (N.  Am. ) 

I'lUtftvulut    7S 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


ki§2A     12.5 
itt  lii   12.2 

Z   us.    12.0 


Wiftu 


IL25  III  1.4 


Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIBSTIR,N.Y.  MSM 

(716)  •72-4503 


'^ 


2^ 


5; 


r 


342 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEEES—  OSCIXES. 


Iiincr  Recondarles  not  oiilargeU  ;  wing  deciihdly  longer  than  tail. 

Edge  of  wing  and  loral  Bpotj/e/Zoit';  lirea«t  butfj  wing  under  2.S0.    (Eastern.) 

Cotitmiculus    77 
With  i/ellotB  on  breast,  edge  of  wing,  over  eye;   black  tbroat-patch  or  stripes. 

(Eastern.) Spha    88 

No  yellow  ;  liead  striped  with  black,  white,  and  chestnut ;  tall  black,  white-tipiwd. 

(Western.) Chonilesten    88 

No  yellow  ;  wingsWdVc-inrrtrf;  throat  black,  J.    (Imjmrfed.) Paster    64 

Inner  secondaries  not  enlarged  ;  wing  not,  or  not  decidedly,  longer  than  tail. 

Tail-featbcrs  —  very  acute ;  bill  —  very  slender.    (Eastern,  chiefly  maritime. ) 

Ammodramuii    78 

—  very  stout.    (Eastern,  interior.)     .    .Coturniculus    77 
—  not  acute  ;  tall— forked.    Length  6.00  or  less;  no  yellow  on  wing. 

(N.Am.) Sphella       83 

—  rounded  — WaeA-;  edgoofwingyellowish.    CWest- 

ern.) AmphispUa    81 

—  not  black.  —Streaked  below,  or  crown 
chestnut.    (N.Am.).    .     Afelospha    79 
—not  streaked  below.     (S. 
and  W.  U.  S.) .  J'euava    80 
or  (N.  Am.)  .^ono(ric/ii(i    84 

•«•  The  commonest  "sparrows"  of  Eastern  U.  S.,  whlcli  tlie  student  will  be  most  likely  to  find  first,  belong 
to  the  genera  Passer,  Spi-ella,  Melospixa,  Zuimtrichin,  I'nsserella,  I'asserculus,  J'mecetes,  Coturniculus  (these 
anywhere);  Ammodramus  (marshes  only);  common  but  more  distinguished  frliigillines  are  Carpndacus,  Astra- 
gaiinus,  Chrysomitris,  I'asserina,  .Spiza,  I'ipito,  and  Cardinalis.  Winter  visitors,  in  flocks,  aire  Loxia,  Pinicola, 
Plectrophanes,  Centropltanes,  jSgiothus,  and  Junco. 

61.  HESPEROPHO'NA.  (Gr.  iffiripa,  Hesperus,  place  of  .sunset;  (fxavfj,  voice.)  AMrnicAN 
Hawfinches.  Bill  euoruiously  large,  vaulted,  nearly  as  wide  as  high  at  hase  ;  culmen  nearly 
straight  ,to  the  decurvcd  end ;  commissure  curved  without  ohvious  angulation  ;  gonys  very  long, 

and  mandibular  rami  short,  not  reaching  back  of 

-v^    --V  ^^^^j^f  T-^    base  of  upper  mandible;  numdibles  of  equal  thick- 

,~ct~-  ^  ^^:^^^B^^^H^^^    ness,  lower  not  so  deep  as  uj)i)cr ;  lateral  outlines  of 

_^3^^^^^^^^V  bill  converging  straight  to  tip.     Nasal  fossa)  cx- 

^^'^^^^^^B^^^H  tremely  short  .and  broad;   nostrils  slightly  overliung 

^ '*~/^^  V-^^l|H^B^^^»  by  antror.sp  plumulie.     Wings  long,  pointed,  folding 

beyond  middle  (jf  tail,  pointed  by  fir.«t  two  primaries, 
the  rest  rapidly  graduated  ;  no  peculiar  shaiie  of 
inner  primariea  or  outer  secondaries.  Tail  rather 
short,  eniarginate,  with  long  coverts,  the  under 
reaching  nearly  to  the  forking.  Feet  small  and 
iif«^B  weak ;    tarsus  shorter    than    middle    toe    without 

I   IB  claw  ;  lateral  toes  of  about  equal  lengths,  their  claws 

•     W  reaching  only  to  base  of  mitldle  claw.     Coloration 

Fio.   206.  -  EvenhiR  Orosbeuk,  reduced.       black,  white,  and  yellow.     Sexes  dissimilar.     ].,ittle 
(Sheppard  del.   Nichols  sc.)  different  from  Old  World  Coccothraiistes,  exccjjtiug 

coloration  and  sim])licity  of  wing-quills. 
189.  H.  vesperti'na.  (Lat.  rcspertina,  of  Hesperus.  FiG.  206.)  Evening  Grosbeak.  Adult 
,J  :  General  color  sordid  yellow,  overlaid  with  a  sooty-olive  shade,  deepest  on  fore  parts,  quite 
black  on  crown,  clearest  below  behind.  Forehead  and  line  over  eye,  scapulars,  and  rump, 
yellow.  Wings  and  tail  black ;  several  inner  secondaries  and  inner  half  of  the  greater  coverts 
white  ;  lining  of  wings  black  and  yellow.  A  narrow  black  line  around  base  of  upper  man- 
dible ;  tibi£B  black.  Rill  greenish-yellow ;  feet  apparently  dusky  flesh-color.  Length 
7.50-8.50 ;  wing  4.00-4.50 ;  tail  2.50-3.00 ;  bill  0.75  long,  0.67  deep,  0.60  broad.  ?  : 
Brownish-ash,  paler  below,  whitening  on  belly,  irregularly  patched  or  mixed  with  yellowish  ; 
white  of  wings  imperfect,  or  tinged  with  yellow  ;  primaries,  which  are  quite  black  in  ^ ,  with 


FRINGILLIDJE :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPAEROWS,  ETC. 


843 


77 


86 
64 


78 

77 

83 
81 
7D 


largo  white  spaces  on  inner  webs,  and  sometimes  tipped  with  white.  Adult  $  9  differ  in  tlic 
shade  of  yellow  and  degree  of  its  obscuration.  (Specimens  from  Southern  Kooky  Mts.  said 
to  have  less  turgid  bill  and  narrower  yellow  frontlet)  A  bird  of  distinguished  apjiearant'e, 
whoso  very  name  suggests  the  far-away  land  of  the  dipping  sun,  and  the  tuneful  romance 
which  the  wild  bird  throws  around  the  fading  light  of  day ;  clothed  in  striking  color-contrasts 
of  black,  white,  and  gold,  ho  seems  to  represent  the  allegory  of  diunial  transmutation  ;  for  his 
sable  pinions  close  around  tho  brightness  of  his  vesture,  as  night  encompasses  the  golden  hues 
of  sunset,  while  the  clear  white  space  enfolded  in  these  tints  foretells  tho  dawn  of  the  nion-ow. 
Western  U.  S.  and  somewhat  northward ;  E.  in  region  of  great  lakes  to  N.  Y.  and  Canada 
and  probably  New  England  ;  irregularly  migratory ;  common.    Nest  and  eggs  unknown. 

62.  PINI'COLA.  (Lat.  pinus,  a  pine ;  coh,  I  cultivate.)  Pine  Bullfinches.  Bill  short, 
Btout,  about  as  high  as  broad,  sides  convex  in  aiU  directions,  culmen  convex  throughout,  tip 
hooked  :  commissure  gently  curved  throughout,  without  decided  angulation  ;  gonys  relatively 
long,  rami  of  under  mandible  short,  former  nearly  straight,  latter  coming  together  in  a  very 
broad  gentle  curve ;  commissural  edge  inflectod.  Nostrils  small,  round,  basal,  concealed  by 
the  ruff  of  antrorse  plumules  ;  nasal  fossa)  short  and  broad.  Wings  of  moderate  length,  tipped 
by  2d-'lth  quills,  1st  and  3th  a  little  shorter ;  2d-5th  with  outer  webs  incised ;  no  peculiarity 
of  inner  quills.  Tail  little  shorter  than  wings,  emarginate,  its  short  coverts  scarcely  or  not 
?aci.:"g  half-way  to  end.  Feet  small ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw,  7-scu- 
.  dilate  in  front,  laminipbmtar  behind,  but  the  outer  of  these  plates  commonly  subdivided  into  3 
or  4  beiow !  Lateral  toes  .short,  their  cl.iws  scarcely  surpassing  base  of  middle  one,  outer 
rather  lo.iger  than  inner  ;  hind  too  less  in  length  than  inner  lateral ;  its  claw  shorter,  though 
stouter  and  more  curved  than  tho  middle.  Sexes 
unlike  ;   $  red,  9  gray.     One  sjiccies. 

190.  P.  enuclea'tor.  (Lat.  emtcleator,  ono  who  shells 
out.  Fig.  207.)  Pine  Guosbeak.  Adult  ^ : 
Light  carmine  or  rosy-red,  feathers  of  back  with 
dusky  centres ;  lower  belly  and  under  tail-coverts 
gray,  and,  in  general,  the  red  conthiuous  only  in 
highly  pluinagetl  s])ecimens.  Nasal  tufts  and  lores 
blackish.  Wings  blackish ;  primaries  with  narrow 
white  or  rosy  edging,  inner  secondaries  more  broadly 
edged  with  white,  ends  of  greater  and  middle  coverts 
white  or  rosy,  forming  conspicuous  wing-bars. 
Tail  like  wings,  with  n.arrow  edgings  like  those 
of  primaries.  Bill  blackish,  with  or  without  paler 
base  below;  feet  blackish.  Length  about  8.50; 
wing  4.30  or  more ;  tail  4.00.  9  •  Ashy-gray, 
paler  below ;  feathers  of  tho  back  with  darker  cen- 
tres, those  of  head,  rump,  and  fore  parts  generally  pard  del.  Nichols  sc.) 
skirted  with  a  saffron  or  yellowish  color,  very  variable  in  extent  and  tint,  from  dull  gamboge- 
yellow  to  olive-orange,  or  rusty-orange,  or  even  reddish;  in  some  specimens  crown  and  rump 
quite  bricky-red.  Throat  sometimes  abruptly  paler  than  surrounding  parts.  Ratlicr  smaller 
than  ^.  Young  $  resembles  9-  Northern  portions  of  both  hemispheres ;  in  America,  in 
summer,  Alaska,  British  America  and  N.  border  of  U.  S.,  the  Kocky  Mts.  to  Colorado,  and 
Sierra  Nevada  to  California  ;  in  winter,  range  extended  sometimes  to  Maryland,  Ohio,  Illinois 
and  Kansas.  Inhabits  chiefly  coniferous  woods,  in  flocks  when  not  breeding,  feeding  upon 
tho  fruit  of  such  trees.  A  fine  musician,  of  amiable  disposition  and  gentle  manners,  often 
caged.  Nest  composed  of  a  basement  of  twigs  and  rootlets,  within  which  is  a  more  cnmpact 
fabric  of  flner  materials  ;  eggs  usually  4,  pale  greenish-blue,  spotted  and  blotched  with  dark 
brown  surface-markings  and  lilac  shell-spots  ;  1.05  X  0.74. 


Fio.  207.  —  Pino  Orosbeak,  reduced.    (Shep- 


344 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSERES  —  OSCINES. 


63.  PYB'RHULA.  (Lat.  ^f/rr7(!«?rt,  a  bullfinch.)  Bullfinches.  Generic  characters  of  PimcoZa 
as  above  given ;  the  lesser  hook  of  tlie  bill  anil  different  style  of  coloration  being  the  principal 
distinction.     Colors  in  masses  of  black,  white  or  gray,  and  red. 

191.  P.  cas'slnl.  (To  John  Cassin.  Fig.  208.) 
Cassin's  BiLLPiNCH.  Above,  clear  ashy- 
gray;  beUiw,  cinnamon-gray;  rump  and  under 
wing-  and  tail-coverts  white ;  wings  and  tail, 
crown,  chin  and  face  black  ;  outer  tail-feathers 
with  a  white  patch,  greater  wing-coverts 
tipped  and  primaries  edged  M'ith  whitish ;  bill 
black,  feet  dusky.  Length  6.50;  wing  3.50:  /' 
tail  3.25.  Nulato,  Alaska,  only  one  specimen 
known,  marked  ^ ,  but  having  all  the  charac- 
ters of  a  9 ;  "i-'i  rest  related  to  P.  coceir.ca  of 
Asia,  and  originally  described  as  a  variety  of 
tiiat  Sliecies.  FlO.  208. —Cassin's  Bullfinch,  reduced.   (From  Balrd.) 

64.  PAS'SEB.  (Lat.  %isser,  a  spr.n'ow:  this  very  species.)  SrAKUOw.s.  Form  stout  and 
stocky.  Hill  very  stout,  .shaped  somewhat  as  in  Cio'podacus,  but  without  nasal  ruff.  Cul- 
men  curved;  connnissure  little  .ingulated ;  gonys  convex,  ascending;  lateral  outlines  of  bill 
bulging  to  near  the  end.  Wing  pointed ;  1st,  2d,  and  3d  primaries  nearly  equal  and 
longest ;  4th  little  shorter,  rest  graduated ;  inner  secondaries  not  elongate.  Tail  shorter  than 
wings,  nearly  even.  Feet  small ;  tarsus  about  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw ;  lateral  toes  of 
equal  lengths,  their  claws  not  reaching  to  base  of  middle  claw.  Sexes  unlike.  ^  with  black 
and  chestnut  on  head.  Middle  of  back  only  streaked.  Old  World :  two  species  naturalized  in 
North  America. 

192.  P.  domes'ticiis.  (Lat.  domesticits,  domestic.  Fig.  209.)  Tiik  Sparrow.  Philii'  Spar- 
row. House  Sparrow.  Parasite.  Tramp.  Hoodlum.  Gamin.  ^ ,  adult :  Upjier 
])arts  ashy-gray;  middle  of  back  and  scapulars  boldly  streaked  with  black  and  bay.  A  dark 
chestnut  or  mahogany  space  behind  eye,  spreading  on  side  of  neck.  Lesser  wing-coverts  deep 
chestnut ;  median  tipped  with  white,  forming  a  conspicuous  wing-bar,  bordering  which  is  a 
black  line.  Greater  coverts  and  inner  quills  with  central  black  fiehl  bordered  with  bay.  Tail 
dusky-gray,  unmarked.  Lower  parts  ashy,  gray  or  whitish  ;  chin  and  throat  jet  black, 
spreading  on  the  breast  and  lores,  bordered  on  side  of  neck  with  white.  Bill  blue-black  ;  feet 
brown.  Wing  about  3.00  ;  tail  2.25.  9  »  "''"It :  Above,  brownish-gray  ;  streaking  of  back 
light  ochrey-brown  and  black  ;  wing-edgings  light  ochrey -brown,  the  white  bar  impure. 
No  black,  mahogany,  or  white  on  head ;  a  pale  brown  postocular  stripi; ;  bill  blackisli- 
brown,  yellowish  at  base  below.  Varies  endlessly  in  the  purity  or  dinginess  of  coloration. 
Young  ^  at  first  like  9  •  Europe,  etc.  Imported  about  fifteen  years  ago,  during  a  craze 
which  even  affected  some  ornithologists,  making  people  fancy  that  a  grarivorous  conirostral 
bird  would  rid  us  of  insect-pests,  this  sturdy  and  invincible  little  bird  has  overrun  the  whole 
country,  and  proved  a  nuisance  without  a  redeeming  quality.  Well-informed  persons 
denounced  the  bird  without  avail  during  the  years  when  it  might  have  been  abated,  but 
further  protest  is  futile,  for  the  sparrows  have  it  all  their  own  way,  and  can  afford  to  laugh  at 
legislatures,  like  rats,  mice,  cockroaches  and  other  parasites  of  the  hinnan  race  which  we  have 
imported.  This  species,  of  all  birds,  naturally  attaches  itself  most  closely  to  man,  and  easily 
modifies  its  habits  to  suit  such  artificial  surroundings ;  this  ready  yielding  to  c<mditions  of 
environment,  and  profiting  by  them,  makes  it  one  of  the  creatures  best  fitted  to  survive  in  the 
struggle  for  existence  under  whatever  conditions  man  may  afford  or  enforce ;  hence  it  wins  in 
every  competition  with  native  birds,  and  in  th's  country  has  as  yet  developed  no  counteractive 
influences  to  restore  a  disturbed  balance  of  forces,  uor  any  check  whatever  upon  its  limitless 


193 


FlilNGILLIDJE :    FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPABIiOWS,  ETC.         345 


193. 


increase.  Its  habits  need  not  bo  noted,  as  they  are  already  bettor  known  to  evoryoue  than 
those  of  any  native  bird  whatever. 

T.  monta'nus.  (Lat.  montanus,  of  mountains.  Fig.  209.)  Mountain  Sparrow.  Potnc- 
what  lilio  the  last,  but  smaller  and  otherwise  different.  (J  :  Crown  and  nape  a  pe<!uliar  jiur- 
plish-brown.  Lores,  cliiu,  and  throat  black,  the  tliroat-patch  narrow  and  short,  not  spreading 
on  breast,  contrasted  with  ashy-white  on  side  of  head  and  neck ;  ear-coverts  blackisli.     IJai-k 


Fio.  209. —  Exotic  Sparrows.    Lowest  one,  P.  dnmesticua ;  next  one,  P.  montanus;  reUuce<l.    (From  Brelim.)- 

and  scapulars  streaked  with  black  and  bay,  tlie  streaking  reaching  to  the  purjilish  nape ; 
rump  and  tail  plain  grayish-brown.  Wings  marked  much  as  in  P.  domesticus,  with  a  black 
and  white  bar  across  tips  of  median  coverts,  but  filso  a  narrow  wliite  bar  across  tips  of  greater 
coverts.  Primaries  more  varied  with  ochroy-brown  on  outer  webs,  forming  a  basal  spot  and 
other  edging.  Below,  ashy-gray,  shaded  on  sides,  ilanks,  and  crissum  with  grayish-brown. 
Bill  blue-Wack  ;  feet  brown.  AVing  2.75  ;  tail  2.50.  9  differs  much  as  before.  Europe ; 
naturalized  about  St.  Louis  and  elsewhere. 


34(i 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


65.  CARPO'DACUS.    (Gr.  Kapnos,  karpos,  fruit ;  SaKos,  dakos,  biting.)    Purple  Bullfinches. 

Bill  siiialler  iiiid  less  turgid  thiiu  in  Pinicola  or  Pyrrhula,  more  regularly  conic  and  more  acute; 

sides  convex  in  all  directions,  but  with  distinct  ridgo  prolonged  in  a  ptiint  ou  forehead  where 

not  concealed  by  the  antia),  its  outline  moderately  curved  ;  com- 
missure  decidedly  angulatcd,  about  straight  before  and  behind  the 
r  J  .^^^^k  l>ond ;  gonys  quite  straight.  Nasal  ruff  little  developed,  barely 
concccallng  the  slight  nasal  fossa;,  thenco  falling  over  sides  of  bill, 
but  discontinuous  across  culmen.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  fold- 
ing half-way  to  end  of  tail  or  farther,  pointed  by  first  3  or  4  quills. 
Tail  much  shorter  than  wings,  considerably  forked,  with  rather 

Fio.  210.  —  Bill  of  Purple    narrow  feathers :  both  sets  of  coverts  reaching  more  than  half- 
Fincli,  nat.  size.  ..  ,      t.  ,i         -,  <  ,  ,  . ,  ,< 

way  to  end.    Feet  small  and  weak ;  tarsus  shorter  tlian  middle 

toe ;  lateral  toes  subequal,  outer  rather  longer  than  inner,  their  claws  reaching  base  of  middle 
claw.  Soxes  unlike.  $  extensively  red  of  some  shade,  9  streaky  brown  and  white.  Head 
with  erectile  feathers,  but  not  fairly  crested.  A  beautiful  genus,  of  several  species  of  New  and 
Old  World. 

Analysis  qf  Species  ((f). 
Bill  conlc-ncute,  with  scarcely  convex  cnlmen  ;  e<lglii(^  of  wing-  und  tall-featlicrs  recMteli. 

JjtiTgK :  length  U  50-7.00 ;  bill  at  least  O.SO  along  ciilmon.    Under  tall-coverts  streaked  with  dusky  centres 
of  the  feathers.    Crimson  crown  well  distingnlshcd  from  merely  reddish-brown  back.    (Southwestern 

U.S.) cassinl    195 

Medium :  length  6.75-6.25 ;  bill  not  0,!W  along  culmen.    Under  tall-coverts  scarcely  or  not  streaked. 

Crimson  of  crown  not  well  distinguished  fi-om  that  of  back.    (U.S.) jmrjmreus    IW 

Bin  conoid-obtuse,  with  very  convex  culmen.    Edgings  of  wing-  and  tall-feathera  whitish. 

Small :  length  scarcely  0.00 ;  bill  about  0.40  along  culmen.    Front,  lino  over  eye,  rump  and  throat  red, 
more  or  less  contrasting  with  brown  or  white  of  other  parts. 

Ued  pretty  definitely  restricted  to  the  areas  said  (Southwestern  U.  S.) frontalis    100 

Ked  spreading  over  other  parts  (Cahfornlan  coast) rhoilocolpiis    197 

194.  C.  purpu'reus.  (Lat.  pxtrpureus,  purple.  Figs.  210,  211.)  PunPLE  Finch  (better  Crim- 
son Finch.)  Adult  $  :  Kose-red,  paler  below,  insensibly  whitening  on  belly  and  crissum, 
brightest  anteriorly,  intensified  to  crimson  on  crown,  darker  and  more  brownish-red  on  back, 
wliere  also  streaked  with  dark  brown.  Wings  and  tail 
dusky,  the  quills  edged  and  coverts  tipped  with  brownish- 
red.     Lores  and  feathers  about  base  of  bill  hoary-whitish.  J^S^mP^^^MBe*iA 

Bill   and  feet  brown,  the  under  mandible   rather  paler.         ^ ,3S^BB^^^^^^''^ 

Length  6.00-0.25;  extent  10.00-10.60;  wing  3.00-3.25; 
tail  2.25-2.50  ;  tarsus  0.02;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.87 ;  bill 
under  0.50.  The  shade  of  red  is  very  variable,  almo.st  any- 
thing but  purplish  —  according  to  season,  and  age  and 
vigor  of  the  individual.  In  high  feather,  the  crown  is 
richer  crimson  than  any  other  part,  but  does  not  fonn  a 
definite  cap.     The  auriculara  are  dusky,  and  there  is  an 

appreciably  light  rosy  stripe  over  them.     Younger  $  $  -i^^^^^^^H  '•S 

have  frequently  a  bronzy  shade.     9  '"id  young  :  Oliva-        ^J^^C^llflil^JI^^  '^1^'W^''- 
ceour.-brown,  more  clearly  olivaceous  on  rumji,  everywhere  ^t'  "^.-k^^^^V  v   ^ 

streaked  with  dusky.     Below,  wliite,  marked  everywhere  ■"-\  (  '    - - 

except  on  throat,  belly,  and  crissum  with  streaks  and  Fio.  211.  — Punilo  Finch,  j,  reduced, 
arrow-heads  of  dusky  olive-brown;  the  latter  pretty  <Sheppard del.  Nichols, sc. ) 
evenly  distributed  on  breast,  fonner  the  same  on  sides,  on  the  sides  of  neck  and  throat  con- 
fluent and  gathered  into  a  maxillary  series  running  up  to  the  bill,  separated  by  a  poorly- 
defned  whitish  area  from  the  olive-brown  auriculars,  over  which  is  a  whitish  postocular 
streak.    Wings  and  tail  as  in  ^,  but  the  edgings  plain  brown.     Length  5.70-5.90;  extent 


FBINGILLID.E:    FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPABEOWS,  ETC.  347 


9.50-10.00  f  wing  about  3.00.  Young  ^  cannot  be  certainly  distinguished  from  ^  ;  in  general, 
duller  and  grayer  brown,  with  less  of  tlie  olive  shade;  the  red  first  shows  pale  or  bronzy  in 
slight  touches.  Cage-birds  souietinies  turn  yellowisli  after  moulting,  as  is  the  case  with 
various  other  red  tinches.  U.  S.  from  Atlantic  to  Pacific,  excepting  proijably  the  Southern 
Kocky  Mt.  region ;  N.  to  Labrador  and  the  Saskatchewan.  Breeds  from  the  Middle  States 
northward ;  winters  in  most  t)f  the  U.  S.,  particularly  the  M.  and  S.  States.  An  engaging 
bird,  of  bright  colors  and  sweet  .'<ong,  i.nd  many  auiiabh>  traits,  among  them  its  fondness  for 
the  society  of  man  ;  it  comes  fearlessly  about  our  houses  to  build  its  own,  which  is  generally 
situated  on  a  horizontal  bough  or  fork,  comi)osed  of  the  most  miscellaneous  nuiterials,  almost 
any  vegetable  fibre  being  available  for  the  Hat  and  shallow  structure ;  it  is  usually  lined  with 
hair,  and  the  eggs,  to  the  niunber  of  -1  or  5,  are  j)ale  dull  greenish,  or  almost  whitish,  sparsely 
S))rinkled  and  scratched  with  blackish  surface-markings  and  lilac  shell-spots  ;  size  about  0.83 
X  0.05  ;  two  broods  are  often  reared.  When  not  breeding  the  birds  are  generally  found  in 
flocks,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  they  do  damage  in  the  spring  to  the  blossoms  of  fruit-trees. 

195.  C.  cassi'ni.  (To  John  Cassin.)  Cassin's  Pukple  Finch.  Adult  <J  :  In  highest  plumage 
duller  than  C.  jmrpuretfs,  excepting  on  crown.  Middle  of  the  back  brown,  tinged  with  red, 
the  feathers  dusky-centred,  gray^edged ;  crown  crimson,  the  cap  not  s<i  extensive  as  iu  pnrpH- 
reus,  and  quite  well  defined,  separated  by  a  dusky  and  gi'ay  interval  from  the  color  of  the  back. 
Under  tail-coverts  with  dusky  shaft  lines,  usually  wanting  in  purjntreus.  Larger :  length 
6.50-7.00;  extent  11.00-11.50;  wingH.50;  tail  2.50;  bill  at  least  0.50  along  culmen,  u.sually 
more,  relatively  less  turgid  than  in  purptireus.  Iris  brown ;  feet  blackish-brown ;  bill  above 
dark  bluish  horn-color,  below  dusky  flesh-tinted.  The  sexual  changes  are  the  same  as  in  the 
last  species  ;  it  is  not  so  easy  to  distinguish  the  9  and  young  ^  from  those  of  purpxirens,  but 
they  are  larger,  with  longer  and  less  tumid  bill,  and  more  streaked  on  the  crissum.  V<>ry 
young  birds  have  an  ochraceous  or  light  rufous  suffusion,  especially  noticeable  on  the  under 
parts;  the  streaks  are  more  numerous  and  diffuse.  Rocky  Mts.  of  U.  S.  and  westward,  espe- 
cially the  Southern  Kocky  Mt.  region,  as  Utah,  Nevada,  Arizona,  and  New  Jlexico;  N.  to 
British  Columbia ;  E.  to  Wind  Kivcr  mountains ;  S.  to  table  lauds  of  ^lexico.  Habits  the 
same  as  those  of  the  [lurple  finch ;  eggs  not  fairly  distinguishable. 

196.  C.  fronta'lls.  (Lat.  frontalis,  pertaining  to  the  front.)  CniMSON-FRONTED  Fixcn.  IIoi'SE 
FiscH.  BuKiON.  Adult  (J  :  Grayish-brown  above,  somewhat  varied  with  darker  centres  and 
paler  edges  of  the  feathers,  and  for  the  most  part  tinged  with  red.  Below  dull  white,  streaked 
with  dark  brown,  often  tinged  with  red.  Fore  part  of  crown,  superciliary  line,  rump,  throat, 
breast  and  sometimes  side  of  head,  crimson.  Wings  and  tail  dark  b)-own,  with  nan-ow  i)ale 
edgings.  Bill  diisky-brown  above,  paler  below ;  feet  and  eyes  brown.  Length  about  G.OO ; 
extent  scarcely  10.00;  wing  3.00;  tail  2.50;  scarcely  forked;  tarsus  0.07;  bill  0.10,  very 
turgid,  almost  as  in  Pinicola  or  Pyrrhnla.  9  :  Like  ^,  but  without  any  red;  upper  parts 
more  varied  with  darker  centres  and  jtaler  edges  of  the  feathers,  and  entire  under  parts  streaked 
like  belly  of  ^.  Young  <f  resembles  the  9  »  l*"t  at  an  early  age  is  browner,  and  apt  to  have 
buffy  edgings  of  the  wings.  Ccdors  of  adult  $  as  variable  as  those  of  jxupiu'eioi  or  more  so. 
In  winter,  the  rod  less,  intense  and  more  diffuse,  and  may  have  a  rosy  or  purplish  tint,  or  bo 
interrupted  with  grayish  edgings  of  the  feathers.  Generally  in  the  Colorado  Valley,  where  the 
typical  form  is  developed,  the  red  is  restricted  to  the  parts  said,  but  the  constant  tendency  is  to 
spread ;  the  back  and  belly  have  usually  in  fact  a  tinge  of  red,  and  in  some  cases  the  whole 
bead  and  fore  parts  are  thus  encrimsoncd.  U.  S.,  rather  southerly,  from  the  Kocky  Mts.  to  the 
interior  ranges  of  California;  Colorado,  Utali,  Nevada,  Arizona,  and  New  Mexico ;  abundant  in 
those  regions,  and  as  familiar  as  a  swallow  or  chip-bird,  nesting  in  the  streets  and  gai-dens, 
where  its  bright  colors,  hearty  song,  and  sprightly  ways  make  it  a  welcome  visitor.  The  nest- 
ing is  like  that  of  the  purple  finch  in  essential  particulars ;  the  eggs  are  smaller,  paler,  ami  of 
more  fugitive  bluish  tint,  with  the  blackish  sprinkling  sparser;  size  0.08  X  O.GO  to  0.75  X0.54. 


348 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSEBES—  OSCINES. 


197.  C.  f.  rhodocol'pus.  (Gr.  podov,  rhoilou,  tho  rose;  KoXiros,  kolpos,  the  breast.)  Rose- 
breasted  Finch.  This  allogcd  variety  rcsoinbles  tho  last;  crimson  tints  more  diffuse. 
Piicific  coast  ro^idii  of  California  and  southward. 
66.  LOX'IA.  (Gr.  Xofo'r,  loxos,  crooked.)  Cnoss-BILLS.  Bill  inctagnathous;  both  mandibles 
falcate,  deHecle<l  to  oppo^iito  sides,  tlicir  points  crossed  (unique  among  birds).  Upper  mandible 
stout  and  broad  at  base,  rapidly  narrowing  to  the  elongate,  decurved,  laterally  deflected  and 
overhanging  tip,  its  sides  nearly  flat,  cubninal  ridge  well  marked  and  very  convex  throughout ; 
its  base  beset  witli  a  ruff  of  antror.se  plumules  concealing  nostrils  and  nasal  fossic.  Lower  man- 
dible witli  gonys  very  long,  occupying  nearly  all  tho  exposed  part  (»f  the  bill,  convex  through- 
out, tho  end  of  the  mandible  prolonged,  curved  upward  and  deflected  to  one  side.  Commissural 
lino  of  either  mandible  curved  in  tho  opposite  direction  from  its  fellow.  Mouth  very  narrow 
anteriorly,  ample  at  base ;  tongue  horny  and  concave  at  end;  (esoidingus  with  a  large  special 
crop,  bulging  to  the  right  side.  Wings  long,  pointed  by  tips  of  the  first  three  primaries,  rest 
rapidly  graduated.  Tail  very  short,  only  about  f  as  hmg  as  tho  wing,  emarginate  and  divari- 
cate, covered  nearly  to  the  forking  by  tho  coverts  both  above  and  below.  Foot  small ;  tarsus 
shorter  than  middle  too  without  claw ;  covered  with  3  or  4  large  overlajjping  plates,  and  smaller 
ones  above  and  below ;  the  postero-lateral  plates  mucli  broken  up  below.  Lateral  toes  of  sub- 
equal  lengths,  tij)s  of  tlieir  claws  falling  opposite  base  of  middle  claw.     Hind  claw  about  equal 

to  its  digit,  longer;  stouter,  and  metro  curved 
than  tho  middle  one.  Form  stout,  thick- 
set ;  neck  short ;  head  broad  and  flattened 
on  top.  Plumage  soft  and  blended.  Sexes 
dissimilar  in  cobtr.  $  red,  9  brown  with 
^v>^  "' J*v  °^'^"  ^^  yellowish  tinge.    There  are  several 

"      "^V^^  '  species  of  these  singular  finches, — finches 

-■  ,l'^?y>.    —    ,„  ill  which  not  only  the  horny  envelope  of  tho 

'  '♦>'■'      '-iltra^.     beak,  but  the  bony  framework,  and  to  some 

■  (^^^^,  -T—  -^     extent  the  ligaments  and  muscles  acting 

V//>^^.,,  Mi','^'''^  upon  it,  are  unsymmetrical.     The  struct- 

^^^       _^  ,  ^     ^^^^'^1^^-  "'"•-'3  concerned  in  what  would  appear  to  a 

,-       ^-^  j,^^j  ^^  ^^  ^  deformity  constitute  a  handy 

tool  for  cracking  nuts  of  som'i  kinds  and 
Pig.  212. -White-winged  CroBsblll,  reduced.    (After       shelling  out  their  kernels;   it  acts  like  a 
Audubon.)  ......  ,.  .  j      • 

pair  01  cutting  pliers,  —  pincers  and  scissors 

in  one.  Our  two  species  inhabit  the  northern  parts  of  America,  coming  southward  in  flocks  in 
the  fall ;  but  they  are  also  resident  in  northern  and  mountainous  parts  of  the  U.  S.,  where  they 
sometimes  breed  in  winter.  They  aro  irregularly  migr<atory  according  to  exigencies  of  weather 
and  food-supply ;  are  eminently  gregarious,  and  feed  principally  upon  pino  seeds,  which  they 
skilfully  husk  out  of  the  cones  with  their  curious  bills. 

Analysis  nf  Species. 
Wings  with  two  white  bars.    <f  rosy-red;  9  brownish-olive,  streaked  and  spotted  with  dusky,  the  rump 

salfron-yellow leiicopfera    198 

Wings  witliont  bars,    cf  bricky-rcd.     9  as  before,  without  wing-bars. 

Bill  sniall,  about  3  of  an  inch  long ainericaHa    199 

Bill  large,  }-{  of  an  inch  long mexicana    200 

198.  L.  leucop'tera.  (Gr.  XfVKos,  Jeukos,  vfhxto ;  nrtpou,  jiteron,  w'mg.  Fig.  212.)  White-winged 
Ckoss-bill.  Adult  ^  :  Rosy-red,  sometimes  carinined  or  even  crimsoned,  obscured  oii  middle 
of  back,  paling  on  lower  belly  and  crissum,  latter  whitish  with  dusky  centres  of  the  feathers. 
Scapulars  black,  this  ccdor  sometimes  meeting  across  lower  back.  Wing-  and  tail-feathers 
black,  with  slight  white  or  rosy  edgings ;  inner  secondaries  and  greater  and  middle  coverts 
^pped  with  white,  forming  two  cross-bars,  sometimes  confluent  in  one  largo  patch.     Rather 


FlilNGILLIDJE :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARHOWS,   ETC. 


349 


109. 


larjjer  than  the  next,  the  bill  thinner  and  more  attenuate.  9  i"J  ymmK  •  Though  the  ditfi-r- 
cnees  arc  parallel  with  tliose  of  L.  americuna,  some  poeuliarity  in  tone  of  color  usually  serves 
to  distinguish  the  two  species,  independently  of  the  white  wiug-iiuirks,  which  exist  in  hoth 
sexes  at  all  ajjes.  The  difference  is  something  like  that  between  the  9  9  "*'  Pyratujii  (cstim 
and  1'.  nihrn,  in  the  presence  of  ochrey  or  huffy  tints,  instead  of  clear  olivaceous  or  yellowish. 
Upjicr  i)arts  fuscous,  closely  lined  with  an  ochrey-olive  or  dingy  ochre,  the  runij)  bright  yellow- 
ochre.  Helow,  the  gray  overlaid  with  ochreous,  and  further  varied  with  dark  gray  centres  of 
the  feathers,  tending  to  streaks  on  the  flanks.  The  whole  tone  of  coloration  varies  inter- 
minably ;  the  under  parts  and  rump  arc  sometimes  bright  tawny  yellow,  or  brownish-orange. 
Some  (J  (J  are  brilliant  carmine,  some  9  9  P'll"  tirange,  almost  unifonu.  North  Am., 
nctrtherly ;  Alaska;  Greenland;  casual  in  Europe,  lu  winter  S.  in  most  of  the  U-  S.,  in 
flocks  with  the  next,  not  so  common.  Resident  in  N.  New  England,  and  along  whole  N.  tier 
of  States,  probably  breeding  also  in  aliiine  U.  S.  localities  to  Pennsylvania  and  (Colorado. 
Breeds  in  winter  and  early  spring,  nesting  like  that  of  the  next  species  ;  eggs  pale  blue,  dotted 
chiefly  at  the  larger  end  with  black  and  lilac ;  0.80  X  0.36. 


L.  ciirvlros'trn  ainerica'na. 

Cu<».ss-BiLi..  Adult  (J:  Red; 
wings  and  tail  blackish,  with- 
out white  markings.  Middle 
of  back  darker,  more  brown- 
ish-red t!\an  elsewhere,  th(? 
feathers  with  dusky  centres. 
In  the  highest  featiier,  even, 
the  nnl  is  scarcely  continuous 
except  on  head  ami  rump, 
where  brightest ;  lower  belly 
and  crissum  iisually  gray  or 
pale.  Though  the  shade  of 
red  is  never  rosy  or  carmin(! 
as  in  the  last,  it  varies  inter- 
minably. It  is  usually  tile- 
red  or  cinnabar,  heightening 
in  some  cases  to  vermilion,  in 
others  shading  to  brownish- 


(Lat.  cuivirostris,  curve-billed.    Fig.  213.)    Ameuican  Kei> 


Fio.  213.— Common  Crossbill,  cf$,  reduced.    (SUeppard  del.   NIcIioIb  bc.) 


red,  and  often  mixed  not  only  with  gray,  but  with  olivaceous  or  saffron-yellowisli  tints. 
Orange,  chrome  or  gamboge  (J  <?  are  sometimes  seen.  Length  about  6.00;  wing  3.50;  tail 
2.50 ;  bill  (chord  of  culinen)  0.67  or  less,  very  variable ;  under  mandible  usually  weaker  than 
upper.  9  iiwd  young :  Dull  greenish-olive,  much  mixed  with  gray  or  dusky,  brighter  and 
more  yellowish  on  head  and  rump ;  below,  gray,  most  feathers  skirted  with  dingy  yellowish, 
overcasting  most  of  the  plumage.  Very  young  are  dusky,  streaked  with  grayish-white,  usually 
no  trace  of  olivaceous  ;  below  gray,  streaked  with  dusky  ;  bill  M-eak.  From  such  state  as  this 
the  (J  usually  passes  through  stages  resembling  the  9  >  being  found  in  every  possible  patchy 
state  of  mixed  gray,  olive  and  dusky-reddi.sh ;  sometimes  appears  to  pass  directly  into  the  red 
state,  and  the  same  is  doubtless  the  case  with  other  species.  N.  Am.,  alpine  and  northerly; 
S.  in  most  of  the  U.  S.  iu  winter,  on  the  E.  side  usually  to  Pa.  and  Md. ;  resident  in  Maine, 
in  mountains  S.  to  Pa.,  and  in  the  Rocky  and  other  Mts.  of  the  West;  abundant,  in  gentle  and 
unwary  but  timid  flocks,  usually  including  some  individuals  of  the  other  species,  fluttering  and 
creeping  about  iu  the  foliage  of  coniferous  trees.  Nesting  often  in  winter  or  early  spring  when 
snow  still  covers  the  ground ;  nest  in  forks  or  among  twigs  of  a  tree,  founded  on  a  mass  of 
twigs  and  bark-strips,  the  inside  felted  of  finer  materials,  including  small  twigs,  rootlets, 


850 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


grasses,  hair,  feathers,  etc. ;  eggs  3-4,   0.75  X  0.57,  pnlo  greenish,  spotted  and  dotted  about 
hirger  end  with  dark  purplish-browii,  witli  lavender  sheli-niarlsings. 

200.  L.  c.  niexica'na.  Mexu'AX  C'kohs-bill.  Lilje  the  last;  the  bill  hirger,  0.75  or  more  long, 
the  under  mandible  especially  more  robust.  Southern  Kocky  Mts.  and  southward  on  the  table 
lands  of  Mexico. 

67.  LEUCOSTIC'TE.  (Gr.  Xfvifoy. /('((/.os,  white;  (micTij,  .s^'de,  varied.  Fig.  215.)  Rosy  FiN'ciiKS. 
Hill  small,  conie-aciite,  rutted  at  base  with  antrorse  plumules  meeting  over  culmen  and  con- 
cealing the  short  nasal  fossa^  and  small  nostrils.  Side  of  under  mandible  (in  typical  species) 
with  a  sharp  ridge  running  obliquely  upward  and  forward.  Cuhnen  ridged  between  two  slight 
depressions  parallel  with  itself,  gently  convex  throughout.  No  obvious  angulation  of  commis- 
sural edge  of  upper  mandilile  ;  that  of  lower  with  decided  bend  ;  goiiys  straight.  Wings  long, 
folding  beyond  middle  of  tail,  tipped  by  first  3  ju'imaries,  4th  shorter.  Tail  of  moderate  length,  ■ 
forked,  its  feathers  rather  broad,  its  coverts  reaching  about  ^  way  to  end.  Tarsus  not  shorter 
than  middle  toe  without  claw ;  lateral  toes  unequal,  imuT  shorter,  its  claw  not  reaching  base 
of  middle  claw.  Hind  cLiw  about  as  long  as  its  digit,  moro  curved  and  longer  than  middle 
claw.  Sexes  somewhat  dissimilar.  Cohiracion  peculiar;  usually  choc(date-brown,  enriched 
with  roiie  or  carmine,  sluwled  with  silvery-gray  or  black  ;  one  .species  mostly  silvery-gray.  The 
Ameri(;an  representative  of  the  C)ld  World  genus  MontifriiKjilht.  Terrestrial,  highly  gre- 
garious ;  nest  on  ground  ;  eggs  innnaculate  white.  Numerous  species  of  this  very  interesting 
genus  are  scarcely  stable ;  I  jiresent  the  forms  that  are  usually  recognizable.  The  nearest 
AuK'rican  relative  is  ^giothiis;  the  general  economy  is  more  that  iji Plcctrophanes. 

Analtjuia  of  Spicies. 
Under  iniindiblo  ridged.    Body-color  chocolate-lirowii  or  darker. 

No  ash  un  liead  (Colorado) australis    202 

Afib  on  head  nonflncd  to  tlic  top. 

Coloration  blackl»li  (Colorado)       atrata    201 

Coloration  chocolate  (W.  America) tepltrocotis    203 

Ash  Bpruading  on  sides  of  head. 

Smaller:  wing  4.20.    (W.  America) Htoralis    204 

Larger:  wing 4.60.    (Alaska) grlsHnucha    205 

Under  mandible  smooth. 

Dasky-purpligh  and  silvery-gray,  with  rosy arctoa    200 

201.  L.  atra'ta.  (Lat.  atrata,  blackened. I  Ridoway's  Rosy  Fixch.  Sexes  unlike.  $,  in 
Ajjril:  Pattern  of  coloration  and  distribution  of  tints  as  in  tephrocotin  prt)per  (see  beyond); 
nasal  tufts  \vhite,  and  occiput  ashy,  as  in  that  sj)ecies,  but  the  chocolate-brown  uf  te2)hrocotis 
replaced  by  black,  deej)est  anteriorly  and  on  under  parts,  sooty-brownish  on  the  back.  Bill 
black  (April)  r.r  yellow  (September).  Size  of  tephrocotiK.  9 ,  in  April :  Black  of  ,J  repre- 
sented by  dark  slate-gray,  more  brownish  on  back,  the  rosy  markings  duller  and  more  restricted ; 
size  rather  less.  This  form  occurs  in  the  mountains  of  C'<dorado  and  Utah.  Wo  know  neither 
the  summer  nor  winter  plumage  of  this  bird;  no  winter  plumage  nor  whereabouts  o{  australis ; 
nor  young  nor  breeding  plumage  of  teplirocotis  ;  —  points  to  be  ascertained  before  wo  can  decide 
the  status  of  several  alleged  species  of  the  genus. 

202.  L.  austra'lis.  (Lat.  rtM.s7r«/i.s-,  southern.)  Allen's  Rosy  FiNCH.  Sexes  unlike.  ,J,  breed- 
ing plumage:  Rich  choc<date  or  umber-brown,  the  feathers  of  the  back  with  darker  shaft-lines 
and  paler  edges,  those  of  the  under  parts  darker  and  somewhat  purplish -brown.  Red  parts. of 
the  body  heightened  to  intense  crimscm,  extending  farther  forward  than  in  tephrocotis,  some- 
times skirting  all  the  feathers  of  the  under  parts ;  especially  strong  on  the  wing-  and  tail-coverts 
and  belly.  No  pure  ash  whatever  on  head ;  whole  pileuni  black  or  blackish,  purest  anteriorly, 
duller  behind.  Nasal  tufts  white.  Bill  and  feet  black.  Length  6.75  ;  wing  4.00-4.40,  aver- 
aging in  09  specimens  4.30;  tail  2.80-3.35,  average  3.10;  bill  0.45  ;  tarsus  0.75.  When  not 
in  highest  feiither,  carmine  toned  down  to  more  pink  or  rosy.  In  winter,  bill  yellow,  changing 
to  Mack  through  various  cloudings.     9,  in  summer:  While  generally  like  $,  having  black 


2o: 


20 


20 


FRINGILLIDjE  :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SVAlUiOWS,   ETC.         3")1 


bill  1111(1  no  ash  on  head,  avoragos  a  little  Binullor,  and  in  inufh  ilulliT  colored  ;  brouii  parts  of 
a  grayish  cast;  rosy  roduccd  or  almost  I'Xtiiigiiislu'd,  fhicfly  traceable  ou  rimiji  and  wing- 
coverts;  abdomen  searcely  tinted,  andi[uills  and  tail-feathers  with  whitish  instead  of  rosy  edg- 
ings. Wing  4.00-4.20,  averaging  little  over  4.00 ;  tail  2.'JO-3.2o,  average  3.00.  Ccdorado 
and  New  Me.xieo,  breeding  np  to  12,000  feet ;  u  eiirious  southerly  local  race  of  the  genus. 
a03.  L.  tephroco'tls.  (Or.  Tt<f>p6s,  tephros,  gray ;  oiJy,  urot,  ous,  otofi,  the  ear.  Fig.  214.)  SwAix- 
Son'8  ItdSY  Fixcil.  iSe.xes  similar.  Adtdt  (J,  in  breeding  phnnage  or  nearly  so:  Hill  and  feet 
bhudt.  Nasal  plumules  white.  Frontlet  black ;  rest  of  piluuni  hoary-ash,  not  descending 
below  level  of  eyes  and  upper  border  of 
auriculara  (for  when  tlio  ash  invades  the 
sides  of  head  to  any  extent,  the  bird 
takes  the  first  step  toward  litorulis,  in 
wiiich  the  head  is  extensively  hooded  in 
ash).  General  color,  sides  of  head  in- 
eluded,  chocidate  or  liver-brown  of  vary- 
ing intensity,  many  feathers  skirted  witli 
gray  or  whitisii,  especially  tlu!  inter- 
scapulars, which  also  have  dusky  centres, 
and  inclining  to  blackish  on  chin  and 
throat.  Hinder  parts  of  tin,'  body  above 
and    below,   including   tail-coverts,   rich     Fm.  214. -Rosy  Finch,  reduced.    (Sl.eppard  del.   Nichols  sc.) 

rosy  or  carmiiHs  red,  this  color  due  to  broad  edgings  of  the  dusky  feathers  fif  these  parts. 
Wings  and  tail  blackish,  the  wing-coverts  and  primaries  edged  with  rosy,  showing  nearly 
continuous  in  the  closed  wing ;  edgings  of  inner  secondaries  rosy-white  or  white.  Length 
(average)  0.75;  wing  4.00-4.45,  average  4.25  ;  tail  2.50-3.00,  average  2.75;  culmen  0.40- 
0.50,  average  0.45  ;  tarsus  0.75-0.85,  average  0.80.  ?  ,  adult :  Very  similar ;  pattern  identi- 
cal;  tone  subdued;  size  a  little  less;  length  (l.GO  ;  wing  4.10;  tail  2.05.  (J  9  in  winter : 
Bill  yellow;  pattern  unchanged;  coloration  le.ss  vivid,  the  brown  rather  umber  than  ehocohite, 
the  red  rather  rosy  than  carmine.  Kocky  Mt.  region,  from  the  (Saskatchewan  or  beyond,  through 
most  of  the  U.  S.  in  winter ;  breeding  limits  unknown,  supposed  to  be  Northern  Kocky  ^Its. 
of  U.  S.  and  beyond.  This  is  the  central  figure  in  the  genus.  It  runs  directly  into 
204.  L.  t.  lltora'lls.  (Lat.  Utoralis,  littoral.)  Baiuo'.s  Ko.sy  Fixcii.  Like  the  last;  thu  ash 
spreading  over  the  head,  more  or  less,  sometimes  almost  enveloping  it  like  a  hood,  and  even 
occupying  the  chin  in  extreme  cases.  Size  of  the  last.  Northwest  coast ;  in  summer  unknown, 
in  winter  spreading  from  Kadiak  S.  and  E.  to  California.  Nevada,  Utah,  and  Colorado;  very 
abundant,  in  Hocks  mixed  witii  tephrocotis  proper. 
805.  I*  grlselnu'cha.  (Low  Lat.  griseus,  gray,  and  nucha,  nape.  Fig.  215.)  BnAXi>T's  Rosy 
Fixcii.     Like  the  littoral  variety  of  tephrocotis,  in  having  the  ashy  extending  over  the  sides  of 

the  head ;  this  color  settled  in  a  definite  hood,  said  t(}  never  invade 

the  chin.     The  resident  form  of  the  N.  W.  coast  and  islands,  from 

Kadiak  W.  and  N.     ^Much  larger  than  Nos.  203-4 ;   length  7.00 

or  more;   wing  4.50  (4.25-4.85);   tail  3.50  (3.15-3.90);  culmen 

0.57  ;   tarsus  0.95.     Sexes  scarcely  distinguishable.     Bill  black  or 

yellow  according    to  season.      Yonng  "uniform   brownish-gray, 

washed   with   umber ;  wings  and  tail   dusky-slate,  the  feathers 

bordered  with  paler ;   the   edges  of  the  lesser  wing-coverts  and 

rcmiges  very  pale  pinkish  ;  of  the  greater  wing-coverts  and  tertials 

pale  dull  ochraceous ;   no  black  or  gray  about  head ;   bill  hom-cidor."    Nest  well  made  of 

grasses  and  mosses,  lined  with  feathers,  on  the  ground  or  among  rocks ;  eggs  3-6,  generally  4, 

pure  white,  0.97  X  0.67. 


Fio.  215.  —  Brnndt'B  Kosy 
FiiicU.    (After  Balrd.) 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEliES—  OSCJNES. 


200.  L.  urcto'u.  (Or.  dfiKT<fos,  urlioioi<,  iiortlicrn.)  Pallas's  J{ony  Finch.  Dnsky-imrplisli ; 
neck  above  imlc  ycllowi.sh  ;  forelifiul  mid  nasal  fcatlii'i-n  Ma('ki(*)i ;  outer  webs  of  ([uills  and 
vviiig-c'overts,  tail-coverts,  ruin))  and  (•ri.sstiiii  silvery-gray,  rosy-iiiargiiie(l.  Kurile  and  Aleu- 
tian Islands;  Siberia.  Subgenerieally  different  from  any  of  tlie  foregoing. 
68.  ^GI'OTIIUS.  (Gr.  Alytoeos,  noni.  jMoiir.  Fig.  21(5.)  Ked-pom-  Linnkts.  IJill  small, 
short,  .Htraigbt,  very  acute,  more  or  less  eomiiressed,  the  lateral  outlines  usually  a  littli  eoiu^ave, 
those  of  culnien  and  gonys  straiglit ;  commissure  straight  to  the  slight  angulation,  llase  of  bill 
thickly  bes(^t  with  a  ruff  of  antrorse  plumules,  concealing  the  small  nasal  fossie  unil  romid 
nostrils.  Wings  longer  than  tail,  pointed  by  first  3  ])rimaries. 
Tail  rather  long  for  this  group,  forked.  Feet  small  and  weak, 
but  tarsi  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw;  lateral  toes  of 
e<|Ual  lengths,  their  claw-tips  falling  beyond  base  of  middle  claw. 
Hind  claw  much  longer,  stouter  and  more  ciu'ved  than  the  mid- 
dle, exceeding  its  digit  in  length.  Size  small ;  plunmge  streaky 
with  dusky,  wliite,  and  flaxen  c(dcjr»,  crown  crimson,  face  and 
throat  blackish ;  sexes  otherwise  dissimilar ;  ^  with  rosy  or 
carmine  on  breast,  wanting  in  9  •  Scarcely  different  from  Linuta 
(JIdvirostris,  etc.)  the  pattern  of  coloration  being  the  most  avail- 
able distinction.  Arboreal,  gregarious,  highly  boreal  finches  of 
circunipolar  distribution,  breeding  in   high   latituiles   and   alpiuc 

regions,  roving  south  in  winter  in  great  flocks.     The  species  are         pj^,  „,(.      i)i,(|,iiMof  faln- 
much  involved  ;  we  have  four  recognizabhr  forms.  thuaU'i:.  iKtriumnimi, i\ai.ii\/.a). 

(From  Elliot.) 
Ana/ysis  nf  Species. 

Tursus  as  long  as  middle  too  nnil  claw.    Heavily  stroukcd  below.    Kiimp  always  fully  streaked. 

Smaller:  length  about  5.50;  wing  3.00;  bin  moderate  (N.  Am.  nt  large) linnrla    207 

Larger:  length  ttl)OUt  (i.OO;  wing  .3.25;  bill  immoderate  (Canada,  etc.) linlhniHi    2C8 

Tarsus  longer  than  nibldle  too  and  claw.    Lightly  or  scarcely  streaked  below.    Kump  of  adull  j  immacu- 
late white  to  some  extent. 
Smaller :  length  about  5.50 ;  wing  3.00.    BUI  and  feot  small  (Urit.  Am.,  scarcely  U.  .S.).    .    .  exiliiivn    210 
Larger:  length  about  0.00;  wing  3.30.    Bill  and  feet  largo  (drcenland) honiemanvi    200 

207.   .iE.  Una'ria.     (Lat.  linaria,  Huxen ;  a  linnet.     Fig.  217.)     Common  Kkk-i'oll.     Adult  ^: 
Frontlet,  lores,  and  throat-spot  sooty-blaek.     I'rowii  crimson.     Above,  variegated  with  lirowii- 

ish-yellow  and  dusky,  the  feathers  having  dark 
centres  and  flaxen  edges.  •  liinnp  streaked  with 
dusky  and  white,  and  tinged  with  rosy,  more  or 
j^^  less  so  according  to   age   and   season.      IJelow, 

iJt-^-^^^  white,  the  sides  and  crissum  streaked  with  dusky, 

oailiiifl?  the  entire  fore-parts  c(dored  with  rose-red  more 

':. ..     .,  or  less  rich  and  extensive  according  to  same  cir- 

s^j^sF  cumstujices.     Wings  and  tail  dusky,  the  feathers 

JtI,^  edged   with    whitish,    the    middle    aud    greater 

coverts  tipped  with  the  same,  forming  two  cross- 
bars.    Bill  black  or  yellow,  usually  fouial  yel- 
low with  dusky  tip  and  edges.     Feet  Wackish. 
*■'  Length   5.50;    extent  9.00;    wing   3.00;    tail 

2.50 ;    bill  0.33 ;    tarsus  0.65  ;    middle  toe  and 
claw  the  Bume.      Adult   9  :  Wanting  entirely 
or  having  but  a  trace  of  rosy  on  the  rump  and 
Fio.  217.  -  Common  HeU-iioll,  reduced.    (Shep-   under  parts.    Breast  with  a  dingy  yellowish  wash, 
pard del.   Nichols sc.)  streaked  with  dusky.    Slightly  smaller.    Young: 

Like  9  >  but  the  ^  soon  showing  rosy.    Young  may  usually  be  distinguished  from  the  adult  9  by 


•i08 


209 


210 


6£ 
^11 


7C 


FRLVGILLIDJE :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,  ETC.         8")3 


a  gonoriil  biiffy  suffusion,  psppoially  on  foro  parts ;  odfjiuKs  of  wing  likewise  buffy ;  streaks  below 
less  slmrply  deflneil ;  crimson  of  erown  restricted,  or  of  a  coppery  or  bronzy  tint.  In  worn  mid- 
HUnnner  plnnnigu  the  bird  is  very  dark  colored,  ahnnst  entirely  dnsky.  This  brifjht  little  bird 
inhabits  northerly  parts  of  both  heipispheres,  irregnlarly  sonth  in  winter  in  N.  Am.  to  about 
35°;  at  times  abundant,  but  erratic.  KfTgs  4-5,  very  pale  bluish,  finely  speckled  all  over  with 
reddish-brown,  0.65  X  0.52.     Nest  in  low  trees  and  bushes. 

«08.  JE.  1.  hol'boelll.  (To  C.  Ilolboll,  a  Danish  naturalist.)  IIoi,n(iix's  Uei>-I'om..  Like  tho 
last;  larger;  length  0.00  or  more  ;  wing  !i.'25  ;  tail  2.75  ;  bill  longer  and  less  constricted,  with 
straight  lateral  outlines  and  rather  curved  culmen.  Europe  and  N.  Am.,  especially  Canada  and 
New  England. 

200.  JE,  hor'nemannl.  (To  J.  W.  Ilornemann.  Fig.  210.)  Ghkenlano  Mkaia'  11ei>-1'oll. 
Hill  regularly  conic,  only  moderately  compressed  and  acute,  as  high  at  base  as  long,  coh>r 
varying  with  season  from  black  to  yellow.  Frontlet  black,  overlaid  with  hoary.  A  recjogni- 
zablo  light  superciliary  stripe,  reaching  to  the  bill.  Crimson  cap  over  nearly  all  the  crown. 
Upper  parts  streaked  with  brownish-black  and  white,  tho  latter  edging  ami  tipping  the  feathers  ; 
this  white  nearly  pure,  only  slightly  tlaxen  on  sides  of  head  and  neck.  Wings  and  tail  as  in 
other  species.  Kumji  and  eutint  under  i)arts  from  tho  sooty  throat  white,  fi'ee  from  spots,  tho 
rump  and  breast  rosy.  Feet  large  and  stout;  tarsus  rather  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 
Length  0.00;  wing  ;}.;{0  ;  tail  2.80;  bill  0.34;  tarsus  0.05;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.58.  Se.xual 
and  seasonal  changes  as  before  ;  quite  dark  in  midsummer.  Greenland  and  N.  Europe.  This 
large  hoary  northern  form  is  resident ;  never  known  to  occur  in  tho  U.  8.,  and  most  of  tho  con- 
tinental Ked-polls  of  even  Arctic  N.  Am.  belong  to  tho  next  species. 

210.  M,  exi'lipes.  (Lat.  exilis,  exiguous,  small ;  iies,  foot.)  Amkkican  Mealv  Reij-poll.  Hill 
small,  short,  stotit  at  base,  regularly  conic,  little  compressed,  all  its  outlines  about  straight ; 
nasal  plumules  very  heavy,  soine*imes  reaching  half-M'ay  to  tip  of  bill.  Frontlet  dusky,  but 
the  feathers  tipped  will?  hoary ;  an  ai)preciable  light  superciliary  line  ;  lores  and  throat-spot 
dusky.  General  color  of  i.ppt^r  parts  as  in  Unaria,  but  tho  dusky  streaks  are  smaller  and  less 
distinct,  especially  on  the  anterior  parts ;  and  the  flaxen  is  very  pale,  nearly  white,  disai)pear- 
ing  entirely  <jn  lower  back,  leaving  a  space  streaked  only  with  dusky  and  white.  liump  snowy- 
white,  rosy-tinted,  immaculate.  Wings  and  tail  as  in  other  species ;  under  parts  white,  tho 
breast  with  a  rosy  tint,  paler  than  in  Unaria  of  same  age  and  season  ;  the  sides  streaked  with 
dusky,  tho  markings  sparser  and  loss  definite  than  in  Ihiaria;  crissuni  almost  innna(!ulato. 
Feet  very  small  and  weak,  tho  toes  especially  shorter.  Length  5.50  ;  extent  9.00  ;  wing  3.00; 
tail  2.50  ;  tarsus  0.55  ;  middle  toe  without  claw  0.28  ;  middle  too  and  (daw  shorter  than  tarsus ; 
bill  0.32.  Seasonal  and  sexual  differences  as  before.  This  form  inhabits  tho  whole  of  boreal 
America,  seldom  reaching  the  U.  S.  and  only  along  the  northern  tier  of  St.ates. 

69.  UNO'TA.  (Latinized  from  Fr.  Unoitc,  a  linnet.)  Linnets.  Character  of  JEgioihua  in 
form  ;  no  crimson  crown.     European. 

211.  L.  flaviros'tris  brew'sterl?  (Lat.  flacirostrin,  yellow-billed.  To  Wm.  Brewster,  of  Cam- 
bridge.) Hrewsteu's  Linnet.  With  the  general  appearance  of  an  immature  JEgiothtis, 
this  bird  will  be  recognized  by  absence  of  crimson  on  crown,  no  black  throat-spot,  a  sulphur- 
yellowish  shade  on  lower  back,  and  somewhat  different  proportions.  Wing  3.00;  tail  2.50; 
tarsus  0.50.  Massachusetts,  one  specimen  known.  {JEgiothus  flavirostris,  var.  hrewsteri, 
Ridg.,  Am.  Nat.,  vi,  July,  1872,  p.  433 ;  Hist.  N.  A.  B.,  i,  1874,  p.  501.  Conjectured  to  bo 
JEgiothus  Unaria  X  Chrysoniitris  jiinus.) 

70.  CHRYSOMI'TRIS.  (Gr.  xpuffo/i'Vptr,  chrusomitris,  having  a  golden  head-dress.)  Siskins. 
Bill  exceedingly  acute ;  its  lateral  outlines  concave  by  compression  of  the  sides  toward  the  end, 
culmen  and  gonys  about  straight,  commissure  angulatr  1,  cutting  edges  inflected,  no  ridges  on 
either  mandible.  Nasal  tufts  concealing  tho  nostrils  in  their  short  fossa?.  Wings  long, 
exceeding  tho  short,  emarginato  tail ;  point  formed  by  tho  1-3  or  4  quills,  5  and  rest  rapidly 

23 


854 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


Fin.  'J18.  —  I'iiie  Fiiicli,  reduced.  (Slieppard 
del.    Kicliulg  K. ) 


shorter.  Tarsus  about  as  long  as  middle  too  with  claw  j  lateral  toes  of  equal  lengths,  their 
claws  reaching  base  of  middle  claw ;  hind  claw  shorter  than  its  digit.  Everywhere  thickly 
streaked.     No  red.     Sexes  alike.     Habit  gregarious.     Nest  in  trees.     Eggs  speckled. 

212.  C.  pi'nus.  (Lat.  pinus,  a  pine.  Fig.  218.)  Pine  Linnet.  Pine  Finch.  American  Sis- 
kin. ^  9 ,  adult :  Continuously  streaked,  above  with  dusky  or  dark  olivaceous-brown  and 
flaxen  or  whitisli,  below  M-ith  dusky  and  whitish,  tlie  wliolo  body  usually  suffused  with  yellowish, 

most  evident  on  the  rump.  Wings  dusky,  tlie  basal 
portion  of  all  the  quills  and  their  inner  webs  for  some 
distance  suli)hury-yellow,  usually  showing  e.vtcrnally 
as  a  spot  just  beyond  tlie  coverts,  sometimes  restricted 
and  hidden.  Outer  webs  of  the  quills  also  nanowly 
edged  with  yellow,  separated  from  the  basal  yellow 
patch  by  a  blackish  interval.  Tail  dusky,  its  basal 
half  yellow,  and  outer  webs  edged  with  yellow.  Kill 
and  feet  brown.  Length  about  4.75  ;  extent  8.75; 
wing  3.75;  tail  1.75.  Very  variable  in  yellowness  of 
tone,  sometimes  quite  bright,  again  plain  streaky, 
dusky  and  whitisli  or  flaxen ;  but  the  yellow  colora- 
tiim  of  the  wings  and  tail  is  distinctive.  Young  birds 
have  the  markings  diflusc,  with  a  general  buft'y- 
browuish  suttusion.  N.  Am.  at  large,  breeding 
northerly,  ranging  in  flocks  in  the  winter  through 
most  of  the  U.  S.,  abundant.  Nest  high  in  trees,  preferably  conifers;  eggs  pale  greenish, 
speckled  with  brown  ;  about  0.70  X  0.50.  Flight  undulatory ;  voice  querulous. 
71.  ASTRAGALI'NUS.  (Gr.  dorpayaXIvor,  astragalinos,  name  of  some  bird.)  American  Gold- 
finches. Like  Chrysomitris.  I'll  stouter,  less  acuminate,  without  extreme  lateral  com- 
pression, culinen  rather  convex,  gonys  quite  straight ;  commissure  strongly  angulated  ;  upi)ei 
mandible  usually  showing  longitudinal  stria*.  Nasal  ruff  evident,  though  short.  Wings  and 
tail  as  in  Chnjsonntris ;  feet  smaller ;  toes  shorter ;  lateral  digits  of  unequal  lengths  ;  outer  claw 
rather  overreaching,  inner  not  reaching,  base  of  middle  claw.  Coloration  massed,  not  streaky  ; 
yellow,  olive,  black  and  white,  no  red.     Sexes  unlike.     Eggs  white. 

Analysis  qf  Species, 
if  yellow  (in  summer)  with  black  cap,  wings  and  tail,  tlie 

two  latter  wliite-raarked(  Eastern)     ....    tristit    'J13 
cf  gray,  varied  with  yellow  on  back,  breast,  and  wings, 
wiUi  black  face,  wings,  an<i  tail,  latter  white-marked 

(Western) laxmncii    214 

(J  above  olive  or  black,  or  mi.\ed  with  both ;  yellow  below  ; 
wings  and  tail  black,  wliite-uiarkeil  CWestern). 
Back  olive ;  crown  black,  not  below  eyes ;  large  white 

tail-spots psaltria    215 

Back  mixed  olive  and  black ;  crown  black ;  moderate 

white  tail-spots ari--.nn(e    216 

Back  and  crown  black,  to  below  eyes;  small  white 

tail-spots mexicnnua    217 

(f  yellow,  with  black  yellow-spaced  wings  and  tall,  and 
whole  head  black.  (Mexico,  etc  ) notatus    218 

213.  A.  tris'tls.  (Lat.  ^ns/js,  sad;  from  its  note.  Fig.  219.) 
American  Goldfinch.  Yellow-bird.  Tiiistle- 
UIRD.      $,   in  summer:    Rich    yellow,   changing    to 

whitish  on  the  tail-coverts;  a  black  patch  on  the  »ummer, reduced.  (Sheppard del.  NlcholsBC.) 
crown ;  wings  black,  more  or  less  edged  with  white ;  lesser  wing-coverts  white  or  yellow ; 
greater  coverts  tipped  with  white ;  tail  black,  every  feather  with  a  white  spot ;  bill  and  feet 


Fio.  219.  — American   Uoldtlncli,   ,f,  in 


FBINGILLID^:   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,   ETC. 


3o5 


flesh-colored.  In  September,  tlie  blaek  cap  disappears;  the  general  plumago  chauges  to  a 
pule  flaxen-brown  above  and  whitey-browu  below,  with  traces  of  the  yellow,  especially 
about  the  head ;  wings  and  tail  much  as  in  sinniner ;  sexes  then  much  alike :  this  con- 
tinues until  the  following  April  or  May.  Length  4.80-5.20;  extent  8.75-9.25;  wing  2.75; 
tail  2.00;  9  olivaceous  above,  including  the  crown;  below  .soiled  yellowish,  wings  and  tail 
dusky,  whitish-edged;  rather  smaller  than  the  ^. 
Young  like  the  winter  9 ;  when  very  young,  suf- 
fused with  fulvous,  and  the  wings  edged  with  tawny. 
N.  Am.,  especially  the  Eastem  U.  .S. ;  an  abundant 
and  familiar  species,  conspicuous  by  its  bright 
colors,  and  plaintive  lisping  notes;  in  the  fall, 
ccdlects  in  large  flocks,  and  so  remains  until  the 
breeding  season ;  irregularly  migratory,  but  winters 
as  far  north  as  New  England ;  feeds  especially  on 
the  seeds  of  the  thistle  and  buttonwood ;  flies  in 
an  midulatiug  course.  Nest  small,  compact,  built 
of  downy  and  other  soft  pliant  substances,  jjiaced 

in   a  crotch  ;    eggs   4-C,   faintly  bluish-white,  nor-  f:o.    220.  -  Lawrence's   GoWfincIi,    reducea. 

mally  Ulinuirkcd,  0.65  X  0.50.  (Altered  from  Audubon.) 

•ill.  A.  lawren'cii.  (To  G.  N.  Lawrence,  of  New  York.  Fig.  220.)  Lawuexce's  Goldfinch. 
(J,  in  summer  :  Gray,  more  or  less  tinged  with  yellowish,  whitening  on  the  belly  and  crissum  ; 
rump,  a  large  breast-patcii,  and  much  of  the  back  rich  yellow;  crown,  face,  and  chin  black; 
wings  black,  variegated  with  yellow,  most  of  the  coverts  being  of  this  color,  and  the  same 
broadly  edging  tiio  quills;  inner  secondaries  edged  with  hoary  gray;  tail  black,  most  of  the 
feathers  witli  large  square  white  spots  on  the  inner  webs  and  whitish  edging  of  the  outer  ;  bill 
and  feet  flesh-color  more  or  less  obscured.  The  9  resembles  the  ^,  but  there  is  no  bladj  on 
the  head,  and  the  yellow  places  arc  not  so  bright;  yellow  of  the  back  often  wanting.  ^  9  ?  i» 
winter  :  The  yellowish  of  the  upper  parts  changed  to  olive-gray,  but  the  yellow  of  other  parts 
often  as  bright  as  in  summer,  and  the  black  of  the  (J's  head  the  same.  Size  of  trisiis,  or 
rather  less ;  an  elegant  species.  California,  Ariz(jna,  and  New  Mexico.  General  habits  the 
same  as  those  of  C.  tristis;  nest  and  eggs  indistinguishable. 
215.    A.psal'tria.    (Gr.  ^dXrpta.  j).w?//7«,  a  lutist.    Fig.  221.)   AuKANSAW  GOLDFINCH.     (y,<idult: 

Upper  parts  uniform  olive-green,  without  any 
black  ;  below  yellow ;  crown  black,  this  not 
extending  below  eyes;  wings  black,  most  of 
the  quills  and  the  greater  coverts  white-tipped, 
and  the  primaries  white  at  base ;  tail  black, 
the  outermost  three  pairs  of  feathers  with  a 
long  rectangular  white  spot  on  the  inner  web. 
9  and  young  similar,  but  not  so  bright,  and 
no  black  on  the  he.ad ;  sometimes,  also,  no 
decided  white  spots  on  the  tail.  Length  4.25- 
4.50 ;  wing  2.30  ;  tail  2.00.  Plains  to  the 
Pacific,  U.  S.,  southerly ;  N.  at  least  to  the 
head-waters  of  the  Platte.  A  pretty  species, 
of  the  same  habits  as  the  common  Goldfinch  ;  nest  aud  eggs  the  same.  Southward  this  form 
passes  directly  into 
aiO.  A.  p.  arizo'nse.     (Lat.,  of  Arizona.)    Arizona  Golofinch.     The  upper  parts  mixed  olive 

and  bhick  in  about  equal  amounts ;  thus  leading  directly  into 
an.  A.  p.  mexica'nus.    (Lat.  Mexican.    Fig.  222.)    Mexican  Goldfinch.    The  upper  parts  con- 


Fio.  221.  —  Arkansaw  GoUlflncli,  reduced. 
Audubon.) 


(After 


356 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS— PASSEBES—  OSCIXES 


Fig.    222.  —  Mexican 
(After  Aiiiliibon.) 


Qoldfincb,    reduced. 


tinuously-black,  and  the  black  of  the  crown  extending  below  the  eyes,  enclosing  the  olive 
under  eyelid.  Mexican  border  and  southward.  This  bird  looks  quite  unlike  typical  jisaltria, 
but  the  gradation  through  var.  arizonec  is  perfect ;  and  mexicana,  moreover,  leads  directly  into 
var.  Columbiana,  a  Central  American  form  in  which 
the  tail-spots  are  very  small  or  wanting.  The 
females  of  these  several  varieties  cannot  be  distin- 
guished wth  certainty. 

218.  A.  uota'tus.  (Lat.  notattis,  noted  in  any  way.) 
Black-heaoei*  Goldfinch.  (J,  adult:  Bright 
yelhnv,  obscured  on  tlie  back,  head  all  around  glossy 
black,  extending  on  fore-breast ;  wings  black,  with 
largo  basal  area  on  all  tlio  quills  yellow,  forming  a 
conspicuous  patch  ;  tail  black,  basal  half  or  more  of 
all  the  feathers  but  the  middle  pair  yellow.  Wing 
2.70 ;  tail  1.80 ;  bill  extremely  acute,  much  as  in 
Carduelis  or  Chri/somitris  proper.  South  and  Cen- 
tral Am.  and  Mexico,  a  straggler  in  TJ.  S.  (?  "Kentucky,"  Ai(duhon.) 

72.  PLECTRO'PHANES.  (Gr.  TrXijierpoK,  plectron,  a  certain  instrument;  (f)aiva>,  I  ap])ear; 
alUuling  to  the  hind  claw.)  Bill  very  small  and  truly  conic,  well  exhibiting  "emberizine"  or 
"buntiug"  characters;  i.  e.,  strong  angulation  of  commissure ;  inflected  cutting  edges;  a 
palatal  knob.  Culmen  slightly  curved;  gonys  perfectly  straight,  and  very  short,  less  in  length 
than  width  of  bill ;  lower  mandible  heavier  than  ui)per.  A  dense  nasal  ruff.  Wings  very  long 
and  pointed ;  1st  or  1st  an<l  2d  (juills  longest,  rest  rapidly  graduated.  Tail  -J  shorter  than 
wings,  nearly  square.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw ;  lateral  toes  of  subeipial 
lengths,  and  much  shorter  than  the  middle  one.  Claws  slender  and  compressed,  with  deep 
lateral  grooves  at  base ;  hind  claw  lengthened  and  less  curved  than  the  rest,  but  not  straight. 
Gullet  very  distensible.  Sexes  alike.  Colors  very  difl'erent  with  season ;  in  summer  ^ 
entirely  black  and  white.     One  species,  circumpolar.     Terrestrial,  gregarious. 

219.  P.  niva'lis.  (Lat.  niralis,  snowy ;  ni.r,  nicis,  snow.  Fig.  223.)  Snow  Binting.  Snow- 
flake.  (J,  in  full  dress:  l*ure  white;  the  bill,  feet,  middle  t)f  back,  scapulars,  primaries 
exce])t  at  base,  m(^st  inner  secondaries,  bastard  quills,  and  several  tail-feathers,  black.  Length 
about  7.00  ;  extent  12.50-1.3.00 ;  wing  4.00-4.25  ;  tail  2.50-2.75.    In  less  perfect  summer  dre.ss, 

black  of  the  back,  inner  secondaries  and  tail- 
feathers  varied  with  white.      9  >  in  breeding 
plumage:  The  black  impure  or  brownish,  and 
most  or  all  of  the  upper  parts  brownish -black, 
varied  with  white.    Kather  snniUer.     Dimen- 
sions of  many  specimens  of  both  sexes  :  length 
0.50-7.00;    extent  12.00-13.00;    wing   4.00- 
4.25;   tail  2.50-2.75;  bill  0.40;  tarsus  0.80; 
middle  toe  and  claw  0.90 ;  hind  toe  and  chiw 
0.C7-0.75 ;   claw  alone  0.33-0.44.     Adults,  in 
winter,  as  generally  seen  in  the  U.  S.  (where 
black-and-white    birds    are    rarely    if    ever 
found)  :  Upper  parts  overcast  with  ri(!li  M'ariu 
chestnut -brown    and    grayish -brown,    mixed 
with  the  black  of  the  back,  and  clouding  the  other  upper  parts  which  are  wliite  in  summer, 
becoming  dusky  or  even  blackish  on  the  head  ;  this  brown  also  usually  forming  a  patch  on  the 
cars,  a  collar  on  the  breast,  edging  of  the  inner  wing-  and  tail-feathers,  and  a  wash  on  the 
flanks;    but  specimens  vary  interminably;  other  parts  white  or  black  as  in  summer;  bill 


Fio.   223.  —  Snow   Bunting,  In   summer,  reduced. 
(Slieppard  del.    Nicliolg  bc.  ) 


7: 


22< 


FBINGILLID^:  FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 


357 


yellowish,  usually  black-tipped,  but  drying  reddish -bro\vn.  Fledglings :  Dark  ashy-gray 
above,  and  on  the  fore  parts  below  this  color  overlaid  with  brown,  and  streaked  on  tlio 
back  with  dusky;  below,  from  the  breast,  white;  Literal  tail-feathers  mostly  white;  inner 
secondaries  black  with  brown  edging.  A  very  notable  bird,  inhabiting  the  northern  hemi- 
sphere, breeding  in  arctic  regions,  whence  migrating  south  in  vast  flocks  with  the  snow,  as  if 
one  with  these  pure  crystallizations.  Thousands  whirl  into  the  U.  S.  in  the  fall  on  the  wings 
of  the  storm,  relieving  by  their  animated  presence  the  desolation  of  places  exjMised  to  the 
fury  of  the  blast.  South  regularly  only  to  the  Nortliern  States,  but  often  the  roving  Hocks 
reach  35°.  Nest  on  the  ground  in  the  sphagnum  and  tussocks  of  arctic  regions,  of  a  great 
quantity  of  grass  and  moss,  lined  profusely  with  feathers  :  eggs  1-0,  very  variable  in  size  and 
color,  about  0.90  X  0.05,  white  or  whitish,  speckled,  veined,  blotched,  and  marbled  with  deep 
browns  and  neutral  tints. 
73.  CKNTRO'PHANES.  (Gr.  Kfvrpnv,  Jcenfron,  nail,  claw;  (l)aivo,  plmino,  I  appear;  the  hind 
claw  lengthened  and  straiglitened.)  Loxospi'RS.  Characters  ot  Plcctroj)ha)ies;  hind  claw  and 
its  digit  more  developed  ;  longer  than  the  middle  ;  bill  relatively  and  absolutely  larger,  ratlier 
"  fringillino "  than  thoroughly  "  embcrizine,"  but  still  with  a  palatal  knob;  no  decided  nasal 
ruff,  but  iintrorse  plumules  in  nasal  fossro ;  a  little  tuft  at  base  of  rictus.  Wings  less  acute, 
the  point  formed  by  lst-3d  primaries,  -Ith  abruptly  shorter;  tail  emarginate.  Sexes  very 
unlike  :   ^  with  a  black  hood  and  chestnut  cers'ical  collar.     Gregarious,  terrestrial. 

Analysis  of  Adult  Males. 

Whole  head  and  throat  black  J  licUy  wliito  ;  bill  yellow ;  feet  black lapponiciis    220 

Crown  black ;  whole  under  parts  fawn-colored  ;  feet  flesh-colored j)iclus    221 

Crown  black;  throat  white;  belly  black  or  mahogany;  feet  dark omafus    222 

220.   C.  lappon'Icus.    (Lat.  ?fy)jwni;H,s,  of  Lapponia,  Lapp-land.    Figs.  43,  224.)    Lapland  Long- 
SPl'K.    ^,  hi  full  dress  (seldom  seen  in  U.  S.)  :  '^ 

Whole  head,  throat  and  breast  jet-bhick,  bor-  -i- 

dered  with  buffy  or  whitish,  which  forms  a 
post-ocular  stripe  separating  black  of  crown 

from  that  of  sides  of  head,  sometimes  contin-  _,,.___,___-_. .,i^_,„~.__.,.v.„   ._ , 

ued  to  the  bill.    A  broad  cervical  chestnut  col-    iS2«fflB«W(fflBKfi»™kVfcii«V\r!«» 
lar,  separated  from  the  black  cap  by  whitish 
or  buffy  line  and  nuc^ial  spot.     Upper  parts 

brownish-black  completely  streaked  with  buff        Wi^^^-:  ^■B^B^HHB^Sli^ 
or  whitish  edges  of  the  feathers  ;  under  parts        mnsa^^^-"^-^-  ^-  -"s*^^ 
white,  the  sides  streaked  with  black.     Wings  ""' 

dusky,  with  pale  or  brownish  edgings  (jf  the 
feathers,  but  no  strong  markings.  Tail  lilse 
wings,  with  largo  oblique  white   spaces  on 

outer  3  feathers.    Bill  yellow,  black-tipped.     <^>^t:i'.^  j^T^F^  -ZT^   :^-  "Vs.«>\-^- 
Legs  and  feet  black.     Length   about  6.50 ; 

extent  11.25 ;  wing  3.50-3.75 ;  tail  2.50-2.75 ;  pio.  224.  -  Lapland  Longspur,  in  summer,  reduced, 
tarsus  0.75 ;  middle  toe  and  claw  rather  more ;    (Sheppard  del.    Nichols  »c. ) 

hind  claw  about  0.50,  slender,  sharp,  and  little  cur\-ed.  ^,  adult,  in  winter:  The  black  hood 
overcast  with  brown  or  gray  tips  of  the  feathers,  or  otherwise  imperfect.  Chestnut  collar  also 
overlaid  with  gray.  Edges  of  secondaries  and  wing-coverts  rnddy-browi ;  sides  of  flanks 
washed  with  brown.  WHite  tail-spots  less  extensive.  Yellow  of  bill  obscured.  ? ,  in  breed- 
ing plumage  :  Upper  parts  of  body,  wings  and  tail,  as  in  (J.  No  continuous  pure  black  on 
sides  of  head,  chin,  or  throat.  Cervical  collar  indicated,  hut  dull  and  obscured.  Black  of 
crowTi  overlaid  with  gray ;  superciliary  and  postocular  stripe^  buffy ;  sides  of  head  blackish, 
overlaid  with  gray;  throat  similarly  varied,  but  chin  nearly  white;  on  the  whole,  the  patterr 


■    I 


358 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PASSERES  —  OSCINES. 


of  the  ^'s  black  hood  clearly  indicated,  but  interrupted  and  ill-defined.  Sides  of  breast  and 
belly  with  few  small  sharp  dark  streaks,  instead  of  heavy  black  stripes ;  other  under  parts  as  in 
the  $.  Bill  obscure  yellowish,  dusky-tipped;  feet  dark  brown,  not  black.  Kather  smaller. 
i  9 !  young,  in  winter,  as  usually  seen  in  U.  S.,  without  any  continuous  black,  resemble 
the  adult  9  as  to  coloration  of  head  and  fore  parts,  and  are  like  winter  ^  in  other  respects. 
The  cer\-ical  coUar  may  be  scarcely  appreciable,  but  usually  shows  a  trace  <at  least ;  sides  often 
quite  brown.  Fledglings :  Continuously  streaked  on  the  upper  and  fore  parts  with  blackish 
and  brownish-yellow ;  wings  and  tail  broadly  edged  with  chestnut ;  bill  dark  ;  feet  pale.  A 
species  of  circumpolar  distribution,  like  the  last ;  breeding  range  and  winter  roviiigs  much  the 
same,  but  less  commonly  observed  in  the  U.  S.  South  irregularly  to  the  Middle  States,  Ohio, 
Colorado,  etc.  Nesting  like  P.  nivalis;  eggs  4-6,  0.80  X  0.02,  dai-k-colored,  vei-y  heavily 
mottled  and  clouded  with  chocolate-brown,  through  which  the  greenish-gray  ground  scarcely 
ajux'ars. 

221.  C.  pic'tus.  (Lat.  ^Jic^ws,  painted.)  Painted  Loxg.SPUR.  Adult  ^ :  Cervical  collar  and  entire 
under  parts  rich  fawn  color;  crown  and  sides  of  head  black,  bounded  below  by  a  white  line,  and 
interrupted  by  a  white  superciliary  and  auricular  line  and  white  occipital  spot.  Upper  parts 
streaked  with  black  and  brownish-yellow.  Lesser  and  middle  wing-coverts  black,  tipped  with 
white,  forming  conspicuous  patches.  One  or  two  outer  tail-feathers  mostly  white.  No  white 
on  the  rest.  Legs  pale  or  tlesh-colored.  Size  of /fyyjoJiiCMS.  Length  6.50  ;  extent  11.25  ;  -wing 
3.75  ;  tail  2.50;  tarsus  0.75  ;  middle  toe  and  claw,  about  the  same;  hind  toe  and  claw,  rather 
less  (C.  ornattis  is  much  less  in  all  its  dimensions).  Young,  and  generally  in  winter :  Bill  dusky- 
brown  above  and  at  tip,  paler  below ;  feet  light  brown  (drying  darker)  ;  toes  rather  darker. 
Entire  under  parts  rich  yellowish-brown,  or  butfy  (in  C.  omatiis  never  thus)  ;  paler  on  the  chin 
and  throat,  which,  with  the  fore-breast,  are  obsoletely  streaked  with  dusky;  the  tibite  white. 
Tail  white  only  on  the  two  or  three  outer  feathers  (in  C.  oniatits  all  the  feathers,  excepting  some- 
times the  central  pair,  are  white  at  the  base).  Upper  parts  much  as  in  tlie  adult,  but  the  distinc- 
tive head-markings  wanting,  or  only  obscurely  indicated.  Interior  N.  Am.  from  the  region  of  the 
Yukon,  McKenzie,  Saskatchewan  and  upper  Missouri  to  the  prairies  of  Illinois  in  winter.  It 
is  not  found  in  the  Atlantic  States,  but  is  common  on  the  prairies  of  Dakota,  Montana,  and 
southward,  associated  in  the  fall  with  C.  ornatus,  but  breeding  mostly  farther  north.  Habits 
and  general  aspect  of  ornatus,  but  easily  distinguished  by  larger  size,  huffy  under  parts,  black 
and  white  wing-patch,  and  white  only  on  some  lateral  instead  of  all  of  the  tail-feathers.  Nest 
on  ground ;  eggs  size  of  lapponicus,  colored  more  like  ornatus. 

222.  C.  orna'tus.  (Lat.  ornatus,  adorned).  Chestnut-collared  Long.spur.  Black-shoul- 
dered LoNGSPUR.  White-tailed  Loxgspur.  ^,  in  full  dress:  Cervical  collar  intense 
chestnut.  Crown  black ;  a  whitish  spot  on  nivpe,  and  broad  white  superciliary  stripe.  Auricu- 
lars  black,  mixed  M'ith  the  color  of  the  throat ;  throat  and  most  of  the  sides  of  head  below  eyes 
rusty-white,  changing  to  pure  white  which  extends  around  sides  of  neck,  partly  bordering  the 
chestnut  collar.  Breast  and  belly  lustrous  black,  often  mixed  with  intense  ferruginous  or 
•nahogany  feathers,  sfimetiines  largely  overlaid  with  this  rich  sienna-color.     Lining  of  wings 

re  M'hite.  Sides  of  body,  flanks,  lower  belly  and  under  tail-coverts,  white,  all  but  the  last 
usually  rusty-tinged.  Back,  rump,  and  scapulars  brownish-black,  varied  with  grayish-brown 
edges  of  the  feathers.  Wings  dark  brown  without  decided  markings,  though  the  feathers  are 
pale-edged,  excepting  jet-black  lesser  coverts,  with  or  without  white  tips.  Tail  like  wings, 
but  two  or  three  lateral  feathere  entirely  white,  and  all  the  rest  basally  white  in  decreasing 
amount :  in  flight,  the  "  white  tail"  is  very  conspicuous.  Bill  blackish-plumbeous;  feet  dark. 
Smaller  than  the  foregoing  :  Length  5.75-6.00,  rarely  6.25  ;  extent  10.25-10.75,  rarely  11.00  ; 
wing  3.00-3.30 ;  tail  2.00-2.30.  9  >  i"  fuU  dress :  Rather  smaller ;  size  averaging  about  the  lesser 
figures  just  given.  Upper  parts,  wings,  and  tail  as  before,  but  lesser  coverts  not  black ;  chest- 
nut collar  obscured ;  crovm  like  back,  separated  from  the  back-markings  by  a  slight  rufous 


74 


22J 


FBINGILLID^:  FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,  ETC. 


359 


74. 


223. 


dusky-streaked  interval.  Sides  of  head,  and  throat,  whitish,  with  dusky  speckling  on  cheeks 
and  ears.  Under  parts  dull  brown,  fading  to  white  on  belly  and  crissuni,  the  feathers  some- 
timt'S  with  dusky  streaks.  Thus  an  obscure  bird :  but  observe  generic  characters,  and  exten- 
sively white  tail.  $ ,  adult,  after  the  fall  moult :  The  full  dress  is  confined  to  the  breeding 
season  ;  afterward,  the  colors  arc  much  obscured.  Cervical  collar  and  black  of  head  and  belly 
veiled  by  gray  ends  of  the  feathers,  but  visible  on  raising  the  plumage.  Crown  like  bjick,  with 
concealed  black ;  superciliary  stripe  and  other  distinctive  head-markings  obliterated ;  bill 
brownish-plumbeous.  The  changes  in  the  9  are  parallel,  but  there  is  less  to  be  altered. 
Young  $  9  (  before  first  moult :  Whole  upper  parts  blackish-brown,  with  semicircular  gray 
or  whitish  markings,  and  a  slightly  lighter  cervicul  interval.  Throat  definitely  white.  Under 
parts  dull  brown,  heavily  streaked  with  dusky,  especially  on  the  breast.  Much  light  brown 
edging  and  tipping  of  the  quills  and  wing-coverts.  Feet  and  bill  pale.  This  stage  is  transi- 
tory ;  with  the  first  moult  the  young  acquire  the  characters  above  described  for  the  winter.  A 
beautiful  species  of  the  interior  plains,  British  America  and  U.  S.  and  Alexico  ;  breeds  in  pro- 
fusion on  the  prairies  ni  Dakota,  Montana,  and  whole  upper  Missouri  and  Saskatchewan 
regions,  S.  to  Kansas  or  further;  has  occurred  in  New  England  ;  rarely  W.  of  the  Rocky  Mts. 
Breeds  in  June  and  July ;  nest  on  ground,  sunken  flush  with  surface,  of  a  few  grasses  and  weed- 
stalks  ;  eggs  usually  4,  about  0.80  X  0.60,  white  clouded  with  purplish  shell-markings,  gray 
the  prevailing  tone,  this  iiTCgularly  dotted  and  veined  with  sharp  dark -brown  surface-marks. 
Young  covered  with  whitish  down.  In  the  breeding  season  the  birds  are  fond  of  soaring  and 
singing  as  they  fly,  rising  to  great  height  and  letting  themselves  down  with  the  wings  held  like 
parachutes ;  they  curiously  resemble  buttei-flies  when  so  engaged.  The  white  tail  shows  very 
conspicuously.  Ordinary  flight  wayward  and  v.icillating ;  song  weak  and  twittering,  but  pleas- 
ing. The  birds  flock  as  soon  as  young  are  fairly  on  wing,  and  leave  the  northern  prairies  in 
October.  They  are  associated  in  the  breeding  season  with  B.  maccowni,  and  joined  in  October 
by  P.  pictus  and  lapponiciis  from  the  north. 

BHYNCHO'PHANES.  (Gr.  pvyxot,  rhiigchos,  beak,  anA <f>aiv(>>, phaino,  I  appear;  in  allusion 
to  the  turgid  bill.)  Longspurs.  Similar  to  Centrophanes,  but  departing  in  the  direction  of 
Montifringilla  (an  exotic  genns).  Bill  turgid,  very  stout  and  large  in  comparison ;  culmcn  rising 
high  on  forehead,  its  outliiio' almost  a  little  concave.  Hind  too  and  claw  less  developed.  Hind 
claw  not  longer  than  its  digit,  not  notably  straightened.  Sexes  dissimilar.  No  cervical  collar. 
^  with  black  pectoral  crescent  aud  red  bend  of  wing. 
B.  maccown'i.  (To  Capt.  J.  P.  McCown,  U.  S.  A. 
spuit.  Bay-wisged  Longspur.  (J,  in  full  dress: 
dusky  and  grayish  or  yellowish- 
brown,  especially  on  the  interscap- 
ulars. No  cervical  collar,  but  a 
chestnut  patch  on  the  wings,  fonncd 
by  the  median  coverts.  Crown  jet- 
black,  bounded  by  a  white  super- 
ciliary line  ;  sides  of  head  whitish, 
but  auriculars  more  or  less  slaty. 
Throat  white,  bounded  by  firm 
black  maxillary  stripes.  Breast 
jet-black,  in  broiid  crcscentic  form, 
sharply  defined  against  the  white 
throat,  shading  behind  into  slaty- 
blackish,  becoming  more  and  more 

mixed  with  white  on  the  bellv  and         i.      „,,      m    i  •       ..it  i      ■     ,c.i.         •  i  • 

Fio.  225.  —  Black-breastetl   LoUK^ipuri  reduced.     (Sheppard  del. 

sides,  till  posteriorly  the  parts  are    Nichols  sc.) 


Habits  of  Centrophanes  strictly. 

Fig.  225.)    Black-breasted  Lono- 

Upper  parts  slate-gray,  streaked  with 


■I 

i. 


I 


360 


SYSTEMATIC  SY^'OPSIS.  —  PASSEHES—  0SCINE3. 


puro  white ;  lining  of 'wings  white.  All  the  tnil-fonthers,  except  the  middle  pair,  and  bases 
and  tips  of  interniodiatc^ones,  white,  eiidiug  squarely  across  both  webs.  Bill  blackisli-pluin- 
beous,  pale  at  base  below;  feet  biowuisli-blacl<.  Length  about  0.00;  extent  11.00-11.50; 
wing  3.30-3.60;  tail  2.25;  bill  0.50;  tarsus  0.67;  middle  toe  and  claw  rather  less.  9,  in 
breeding  j)lumage:  Upper  parts,  wings,  and  tail  as  in  the  ^  —  coverts  with  at  least  a  trace  of 
chestnut,  and  tail  displaying  the  rectangular  shape  of  the  white  area ;  crowu  lilce  bac-k  in- 
stead of  bhiclv  ;  no  black  maxillary  stripes,  and  breast-crescent  slaty-gray ;  throat  whitish  ;  bill 
and  feet  ycllowish-browu,  more  or  less  obscured.  The  seasonal  changes  of  j)lumage,  as  well  as 
the  sexual  differences,  are  parallel  with  those  of  P.  onmtus;  there  is  the  same  veiling  of  black 
parts  by  gray,  etc.  Though  so  different  from  orntttiis  in  full  dress,  the  bird  is  very  similar  in 
other  conditions,  age  for  age,  and  sex  for  sex  :  but  larger;  no  trace  of  chestnut  on  nape ;  trace 
at  least  on  wing-coverts;  and  peculiar  pattern  of  tail-feathers  shown  as  soon  as  tliey  sprout 
and  never  lost.  Very  young  birds  have  curved  edgings  of  the  feathers  of  the  njiper  parts ; 
the  uuder  jiarts  quite  purely  white,  with  some  dusky  streaks,  and  a  butt'  suttusion  on  tlie  breast. 
Region  of  tiie  upper  Missouri  and  its  tributaries;  N.  to  the  Saskatchewan  ;  not  known  W.  of 
the  Uocky  Mts. ;  S.  to  Texas  and  Mexico ;  E.  to  Kansas  and  probably  Iowa  and  Missouri. 
Breeds  in  profusion  on  the  jmiiries  from  Colorado  northward,  in  parts  of  Dakota  and  in 
Montana  associated  with  P.  ornatiis;  winters  from  Colorado  southward.  Its  habits  and  man- 
ners are  tlie  same  as  those  of  P.  oniatiis.  It  has  the  same  soaring  singing  ttiglit,  and  para- 
chute-like descent,  "  sliding  down  on  the  sc  'e  of  its  own  music ;  "  nesting  the  same ;  eggs  re- 
sembling the  paler  varieties  of  P.  ornatus;  0.80  X  0.60. 
75.  PASSER'CULUS.  (Lat.  imsserculm,  a  little  sparrow  ;  diminutive  of  passer,  a  sparrow.) 
Savanna  Sparrows.  Groixi>  Sparrows.  Bill  rather  slenderly  conical,  culmen,  conniiissuro 
and  gonys  about  straight  (hill  more  turgid  in  P.  rostrutiis  and  guttatiis).  Wings  longer  than 
tail,  point  formed  by  outer  4  primaries,  of  nearly  equal  lengths;  inner  secondaries  enlarged  and 
flowing,  reaching  nearly  or  ([uite  to  end  of  primaries  in  the  closed  wing.  Tail  short,  nearly  even 
or  little  emarginate,  of  narrow  pointed  feathers.  Feet  slender,  pale-colored,  usually  reaching 
when  outstretched  nearly  or  quite  to  end  of  tail ;  tarsus  and  middle  toe  with  claw  of  about  equal 
lengths  ;  lateral  toes  of  equal  lengths,  their  claws  iniderreaching  base  of  middle  claw ;  hind  toe 
rather  longer  than  its  claw,  which  has  no  special  development.  Plunntge  thickly  streaked 
everywhere  above,  and  below  on  brerst  and  sides;  crown  with  median  liglit  line  and  lateral 
dark  ones ;  no  decided  markings  on  tail-feathers.  In  most  species  edge  of  wing  yellow,  and 
traces  at  least  of  yellow  on  head  ;  no  red,  blue,  or  greenish.  Sexes  alike.  Embracing  small 
plain  streaked  ground  sparrows  of  slender  build,  mostly  with  a  touch  (jf  lemon-yellow  on  edge 
of  wing,  long  inner  secondaries  and  pale  slender  legs ;  one  species  abounding  in  the  East,  others 
of  more  special  distribution. 

Analysis  qf  Species  ami  I'lirieties. 

Bin  typical.    Crown  with  median  light  stripe.    Inner  secondaries  seldom  quite  equalling  primaries.    No 
decide<l  lemon-yellow  on  edge  of  wing.    Top  of  head  with  two  black  sti-ipes,  and  sufiused  with  rich 

brownish-yellow iHtirtIi   224 

Bill  typical.    Crown  with  median  light  stripe.    Inner  secondaries  at  full  length.    Edge  of  wing  with 
lemon-yellow;  same  shade  on  head,  if  any.    Upper  parts  much  variegated  ;  under  white,  with  sharp 
streaking. 
Large,  pale;  little  or  no  yellowish;  length  6.00  or  more;  wing  3.25.    Coast  of  New  England    princeps    225 
Large,  dark,  with  decided  yellow;  length  about  6.00;  wing  3,00.   Northwest  coast    .    .     samlricemia    226 

Medium,  of  average  coloration;  length  about  S.SO;  wing  2.T5.    N.  Am.  at  largo sarana    227 

Medium;  pale;  size  of  snrniia  proper.    Interior  and  western alauiliniis    229 

Small,  dark;  yellow  very  decided.    Lengthabout  5.25;  wing  2.50.    West  coast anthinus    228 

Bill  enlarged,  turgid,  with  convex  culmen.    Orown-stripe  obsolete.    No  yellow  on  head  or  wing. 

Larger:  bill  0.50.    Length  5.30;  wing  near  3.00.    Pale  brownish-gray,  with  obsolete  streaking;  the 

streaks  below  light  brown.    Coast  of  Citlifomia roslrnlus    230 

Smaller  :  bill  0.33.    Length  5.00;  wing  2.50,    Darker,  the  streaks  below  dusky,    L.  Cala.    .   guttalua   231 

aa4.  P.  balpd'l.    (To  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird.    Fig.  226.)    Baird's  Savanna  Sparrow.    ^  9 ,  adiiU,  in 
breeding  plumage :  With  a  general  resemblance  to  P.  savana.    Inner  secondaries  less  elon- 


22 


FRINGILLIDJE :  FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,  SPARItOWS,  ETC. 


3G1 


225. 


gated,  rarely  equalling  the  primaries  in  the  cldsed  wings.    Fii-st  4  quills  about  equal  and  longest. 
Hind  too  and  daw  abciut  equalling  the  middle  toe  and  claw,  its  claw  about  equalling  tlie  diirit. 
Tail  shorter  than  wing,  lightly  double-rounded  (central  and  outer  pair  of  feathers  both  a  little 
sliorter  than  the  intermediate  ones).     Top  of  head  streaked  witli  black  and  rich  brownisli- 
yellow,  or  buff,  the  former  predominating  laterally,  the  latter  chiefly  as  a  median  stripe,  but 
also  suffusing  the  nape  and  sides  of  head  in  greater  or  less  degree.     Back   varied   with 
brownish-black  and  gray,  together  with  a  little  bay,  the  two  latter  colors  forming  the  edg- 
ings of  the  intei-scapiilars  and  scapulars.     Kump  variegated  with  gray  and  chestnut-brown, 
different  in  shade   from   that  of  the  back.      Under  parts  dull  white,  usually  witli  a  faint 
ochrey  tinge  on  the  breast,  but  often  without ;  a  circlet  (jf  small,  sharp,  sparse,  dusky  streaks 
across  the  breast,  continuous  with  others,  longer  and  mostly  lighter,  along  the  wlndo  sides,  and 
with  others,  again,  extending  up  the  sides  of  the  neck  into  small  vague  maxillary  and  auricular 
markings.     When  the  feathers  arc  perfectly  arranged  these  lateral  head-markings  are  seen  to 
bo  a  post-ocular  stripe  just  over  the  auriculars,  a  post-auricular  spot,  a  streak  starting  from  the 
angle  of  the  mouth,  and  another  heavier  one  parallel 
with  and  below  this,  running  directly  into  the  pec- 
toral ones.     Quills  without  special  markings,  except- 
ing the  elongated  inner  secondaries,  which  correspond 
with  the  scai)ulars.     Tail  the  same,  slightly  whitish- 
edged.     Upper  mandible  mostly  dark,  lower  pale. 
Feet  flesh-colored.     Length   5.10-5.S5,   averaging 
5.07;  extent  8.C0-9.S5,  average  <J..")0:  wing' 2.75- 
3.00 ;  tail   2.00-2.25  ;    culmen   about  0.10 ;   tarsus 
about  0.75  ;  middle  too  and  claw,  and  hind  toe  and 
claw,  each,  rather  less  ;   9  averages  rather  smaller. 
Autumnal  plumage  :  Soft,  with  brighter,  more  suf- 
fused colors,  in  bolder  pattern.     Whole  top  and  sides 
of  head,  as  well  as  nape  and  part  of  neck,  suffused 
with  rich  buff,  in  many  instances  as  bright  a  golden- 
brown  as  that  on  the  head  of  Siurus  auricapillus.    A 
paler,  rather  ochraceous  shade  of  the  same  also  suffus- 
ing the  whole  fore  under-parts.     I'ectoral  and  lateral 
dusky  streaks,  as  well  as  the  two  rows  on  each  side  of  the  throat,  large,  heavy,  diffuse.     Bay 
and  whitish  edgings  of  the  secondaries  broad  and  conspicuous,  c<jntrasting  with  the  black  central 
fields.     Whitish  edgings  of  tail-feathers  the  same  ;  and,  in  general,  the  same  character  is  stamped 
over  all  the  upper  phunago.    Ncuhj-flcdged younfj  have  each  feather  of  the  dorsal  plumage  con- 
spicuously bordered  with  white,  producing  a  set  of  semicircles,  much  as  in  Neocorys  spragtiii. 
There  is  the  same  general  buft'y  suflusiou  of  the  head  and  fore  parts  as  in  autumnal  adults, 
but  the  tint  is  dull  and  ochrey.     The  markings  below  have  a  short,  broad,  guttiform  character. 
When  just  from  the  nest,  the  edging  of  the  secondaries  and  tail-feathers  is  of  a  peculiar  jjinkish- 
rusty  shade.     Central  Plains,  U.  S. ;  N.  to  British  Provinces  ;  E.  nearly  to  U(.'d  River  of  the 
North  ;  S.  to  Texas,  N.  Jlex.  and  Arizona ;  W.  to  the  Rocky  Mts.,  and  beyond.    An  interesting 
spaiTow,  long  almost  unknown  till  I  found  it  breeding  in  profusion  in  Dakota,  taking  75  speci- 
mens one  season.     In  general  habits  and  appearance  in  life  (piite  like  savanna  sparrows  ;  mix- 
ing freely  with  these  and  Neocorys,  Eremophila,  and  Plectrophanes  ornatus.     Song  peculiar,  of 
two  or  three  tinkling  syllables  and  a  trill,  like  zip-zip-zip-zr-r-r-r.    Nest  on  ground,  r    light 
structure  of  grasses  and  weed-stalks,  about  4  inches  across  ;  eggs  5,  0.80  X  0.65,  white,  irregu- 
larly speckled  and  blotched  with  pale  and  dark  reddish-browns,  laid  in  June  and  July. 
P.  prin'ceps.    (Lat.  princeps,  chief.)    Ipswich  Savanna  Sparuow.     $  :  General  ai)i)ear- 
anco  of  a  largo  savanna  sparrow,  but  with  a  resemblance  to  a  bay-winged  bunting.    Upper 


Fia.  220.  —  Bitlrd's    Siiviiiiiia    Siiariow,   re- 
duced.   (SUeppard  del.  Kichuls  ac.) 


862 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSEFES  —  OSCINES. 


320. 


parts  grayish-browii,  with  blackish  rufous-odged  centres  of  the  feathers;  median  crown-stripe 
iiot  strong,  and  scarcely  yellowisli ;  a  wliitish  snpen^iliary  stripe,  not  yellow  anteriorly ;  ear- 
coverts  grayish,  with  a  rufous  tinge.  Scapulars,  coverts  and  secondaries  blackisii-brown, 
broadly  edged  with  rufous,  brightest  on  the  secondaries  ;  seai)ulars  also  edged  with  white,  and 
both  median  and  greater  coverts  white-tipped.  Tail  brownish,  tipj)ed  and  edged  with  whitish. 
Wludo  under  parts  white,  breast  and  sides  of  throat  and  body  streaked,  the  streaks  dusky- 
centred,  rufous-edged.  Kill  dark  brown,  base  of  under  mandible  j)aler ;  eyes  and  feet  brown. 
Length  C.30;  extent  11.00;  wing  3.25;  tail  2.(10;  bill  0.45;  tarsus  0.95;  middle  too  and 
claw  1.05  ;  hind  toe  and  claw  0.72.  (Foregoing  condensed  from  original  description  of  the 
type,  taken  in  winter.  Following  as  redescribed  by  liidgway.)  Bill  of  size  and  shajjo  as  in 
P.  biiirdi  cxueily;  inner  secoiiuaries  liitle  lengthened.  Outstretched  feet  not  reaching  to  end 
of  tail.  In  color  almost  exactly  as  in  P.  rostratiis,  but  diifcrent  in  nn»rking.s ;  above  Kght 
ashy,  tlie  dorsal  feathers  light  sandy-brown  centrally,  their  shafts  black.  Surt'ace  of  wings  j)alo 
sandy-brown,  the  f<'athei"s  darker-centred ;  inner  secondaries  with  whitish  outer  webs,  and  con- 
spicuous black  central  field.  Crown  becoming  darker  brown  anteriorly,  where  an  indistinct 
median  line  of  ochrey-white ;  an  indistinct  supciciliary  stripe,  and  conspicuous  maxillary  stripe 
of  the  same,  the  latter  bordered  above  by  a  nanow  duslvy  stripe;  lores  and  cheeks  like  the 
sujierciliary  stripe ;  auriculars  like  crown.  Below,  white,  slightly  ashy  on  Hanks  ;  whidt;  brea.st 
and  sides  of  body  with  narrow  streaks  of  blackish-centred  sandy-brown  ;  belly,  crissum,  and 
lining  of  wings  imnmculate ;  throat  with  a  few  minute  specks,  but  on  each  side  a  bridle  of 
suffuse  streaks.  ?:  whig  2.90  ;  tail  2.40  ;  culmenO.50;  tarsus  0.S5.  (FoUowing  notes  taken 
by  me  of  a  specimen  received  from  Maynard;  ?,  Ipswich,  Oct.  18,  1872:  Xo.  73,55.3,  Mus. 
S.  I.)  "About  size  of  largest  P.  sandvicensis  from  Alaska.  No  trace  of  yellow  on  head  or 
wing.  Upper  parts  even  paler  and  grayer  than  extreme  (tf  P.  alaudinus  from  the  West  —  the 
streaks  of  upjier  parts  having  f)nly  shaft-lines  of  blackish-brown,  brown-edged,  the  edges 
of  the  feathers  finally  gray ;  nape,  rump,  and  upper  tnil-coverts  gray,  scarcely  streaked  at 
all.  Crown  streaked  like  interscapulars,  but  in  snniller  pattern ;  divided  by  a  median  light 
line.  A  long  whitish  (not  yellowish)  superciliary  line ;  lore  gray  below  this.  Inner  second- 
aries and  greater  coverts  blackish,  broadly  edged  on  outer  wobs  with  bay,  fading  t<j  whitish  at 
tips ;  median  coverts  similar,  but  more  noticeably  whitish-tipped ;  these  edgings  of  wing- 
feathers  making  the  strongest  coloration  of  all  the  ui)iier  parts.  Below,  white ;  throat  and 
middle  of  belly  only  immaculate,  flanks  a  little  shaded  with  gray ;  whole  breast,  sides  of  neck 
and  body,  and  crissum,  with  brown  streaks,  pale  in  comparison  with  those  of  P.  samnn, 
and  rather  suffuse.  On  the  sides  of  head  below  auriculars  the  stripes  tend  to  form  two  <'hains 
—  a  maxillary  one  and  another  above  it  ^epanvted  by  an  immaculate  interval.  Kesembles  P. 
rostratiis  in  diffuse  grayish  coloraticm  and  lack  of  yellow  on  head  or  wing.  Looks  as  a  hybrid 
between  P.  savana  .and  Poacetes  might  be  supposed  to  do."  Seems  distinct,  but  not  firmly  estab- 
lished as  a  species.  Coast  of  New  England,  es{K?cially  sand-hills  of  the  Massachusetts  coast ; 
general  range  unknown ;  perhaj)s  a  local  race.  Curiously  similar  in  some  respects  to  the 
Californian  litoral  form  P.  rostratus, 

P.  santlvlcen'sis.  (Of  the  Sandwich,  ono  of  the  Aleutian  Isl.inds.)  Similar  to  the  ordinary 
savanna  sparrow:  averaging  in  size  about  the  maximum  of  theliitter;  length  .iboutC.OO;  wing 
3.00;  tail  2.25  ;  culmen  0.45  ;  depth  of  bill  at  base  0.25;  tarsus,  and  middle  toe  and  claw, 
each,  0.80.  Bill  nearly  twice  as  bulky  as  that  of  ordinary  savana.  A  firm  briglit  yellow  super- 
ciliary stripe  from  nostril  to  eye,  thence  fading  over  auriculars  (i.  e.,  chri/sops,  Pall.)  Under 
parts  precisely  as  in  savana;  upper  similar,  but  grayer — less  rufous  and  more  gray  in  the 
edgings  of  the  feathers.  Such  are  the  peculiarities  of  a  specimen  from  the  very  spot  whence 
Latham  and  Pennant  describe  their  bird ;  they  are  appreciable  on  laying  the  skin  alongside  n 
largo  varying  series  of  Eastern  savana.  Alaska.  But  it  docs  not  follow  that  all  the  Alaskan 
and  Aleutian  savanna  sparrows  are  like  this. 


221. 


220 


228 


230 


, 


FlilXGILLIJh^ :   FINCHES,   BUXTIXGS,    SPAJiROWS,   ETC. 


8(13 


237.  I*.  8.  snva'na.  (Spiuiish  sabana  or  snmna,  a  mondow.  Fig.  227.)  Common  Savanna  Spar- 
iiow.  (J  9  ,  adult,  in  Hi)ring  :  Thickly  strciikod  cvorywlion;  above,  on  sides,  and  acniKs  breast ; 
a  sii)>nrciliary  lino,  and  cdgo  of  tlio  wing,  yellowish;  lesser  wing-t'overts  twt  chestnnt ;  legs  Hesh- 
color ;  bill  rather  slender  and  aente  ;  tail  nearly  even,  its  outer  feathers  not  white;  longest 
secondary  nearly  as  long  as  tlje  primaries  in  the  closed  wing.  Above,  brownish-gray,  streaked 
with  blackish,  whitish-gray  and  pale  bay.  the  streaks  largest  on  interscapulars,  smallest  on 
cervix,  the  crown  divided  by  an  libscnro  whitish  line;  sometimes  an  (d)scin'e  yellowish  snti'iision 
nbont  head  besides  the  8tn<ak  over  the  eye.  Below,  white,  pure  or  with  faint  butl'y  shade, 
thickly  streaked,  as  just  stated,  with  dusky  —  the  individual  spots  edged  with  brown,  mostly 
arrow-shaped,  rumiing  in  chains  along  the  sides,  aud  often  aggr<>gated  in  an  obscure  blotch  on 
the  breast.  Wings  dusky,  the  coverts  and 
inner  secondaries  black-edged  and  tipped 

with  bright  bay ;  tail-feathers  rather  nar-  r'l  !  . 

row  and  pointed,  dusky,  not  noticeably 
marked.  Extreme  dimi'nsions  of  both 
sexes:  Length  5.20-0.00;  extent  8.50- 
10.00!  wing  2.lO-;{.00;  tail  1.75-2.25; 
tarsus  0.75-0.88  ;  but  such  figures  are  rare. 
Average  of  both  sexes  5.25;  extent  8.75; 
wing  2.(10 ;  tail  2.00 ;  tarsus  0.8i.  <J  usu- 
ally 5.:{0-5.r)0 ;  extent  9.00-9.50;  wing 
2.07-2.75;  9  ustuilly  5.00-5.80;  extent 
8.75-9.00;  wing  2.50-2.67.  Ordinarily, 
bill  about  0.40 ;  tarsus,  middle  toe  and  claw 
together  ]  .50.  Fall  and  winter  sjiecimens 
much  more  brightly  ccdorod  than  spring 
and  summer  ones  ;  the  young  yiarticularly 
having  much  ochrey  or  butty  suffusion,  in- 
stead of  clean  c(dors,  more  brown  and  bay,  instead  of  dusky  and  gray.  It  is  not  easy  for  an  un- 
practiseil  jierson  to  discriminate  the  small  sparrows,  and  so  variable  a  one  as  this  offers  special 
ditticulty  ;  attention  to  the  points  oiform  as  well  as  of  C(dor  is  requisite.  North  Anier.  at  large, 
chieHy  Eastern,  very  abundant  everywhere  in  fields,  on  plains,  by  the  wayside,  and  along  the 
sea-shore ;  a  thoroughly  terrestrial  bird,  migratory,  and  in  the  fall  somewhat  gregarious.  Has 
an  agreeable  though  weak  song  in  tin;  spring.  Winters  at  least  from  Middle  States  southward, 
and  breeds  at  least  from  New  England  to  highest  latitudes.  Ne.st  sunken  in  ground  flush 
with  surface,  of  a  few  grasses  and  weed-stalks;  eggs  4-0,  0.70  X  0.50,  varying  interminably 
in  their  motley  cidoring ;  usually  heavily  clouded  and  blotched  with  dark  brown ;  most  like 
those  of  Poacetes,  but  smaller. 

P.  8.  aUiidl'nus.  (Lat.  (ilaiidinus,  lark-like  ;  no  applicability.)  Lark  Savanna  Sparrow. 
So  similar  to  the  last  as  only  to  be  distinguished  by  rather  duller  and  paler  coloration  on  an 
average,  and  weaker  bill,  about  0.85  long  by  0.20  decj)  at  the  base.  If  the  "  savanna  spar- 
row" be  split  into  several  races,  this  may  possibly  be  allowed  with  the  rest.  Western  U.  S. 
P.  8.  anthi'nus.  (Lat.  anthimis,  pipit-like  ;  no  applicability.)  PiPiT  SAVANNA  Sparrow. 
A  form  from  the  Pacific  marshes,  especially  the  coast  of  Cala.,  better  marked  than  the  last. 
Bill  as  long  as  in  savana,  but  slenderer ;  under  parts  more  sharply,  closely,  darkly  and 
extensively  streaked.  Yellow  eyebrow  and  bend  of  wing  quite  as  well  marked  as  in  saratiO^ 
and  therefore  contrasting  with  the  paler  and  grayer  alaiidinus  with  which  it  is  associated. 

230.  P.  rostra'tus.  (Lat.  rostratus,  beaked ;  .  rostrum,  beak.)  Bkaked  Savanna  Sparrow. 
San  Diego  Savanna  Sparrow.  Sea-shore  Sparrow.  .  With  the  form  of  a  Savanna,  but 
the   bill  elongated  as  in  Ammodramus,  yet  very  stout  and  turgid,  with   decidedly  convex 


220. 


228. 


Fro.  227. —  Common  Savanna  Sparrow,  reduced, 
pard  del.  Xicliolg  tie. ) 


(Shcp- 


864 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


culiiii'n  0.50  lonj?.  No  yollowisli  ovor  oyo  or  on  t'di^o  of  wiuK ;  no  cvidrnt  median  Btripo  on 
crown.  Hrowni.Hh-griiy,  obsolctcly  strcukpil  with  diirk  brown,  most  notici>ulil(!  on  crown  and 
middle  of  bacli;  entire  under  parts  dull  wliite,  contluently  streaked  witli  clear  brown  every- 
wlicre  except  on  throat,  middle  of  belly,  and  crissnm.  Wings  and  tail  dusky-gray,  tho 
rectrices  with  paler  edges,  the  |)riniaries  with  whiti.sh  edges,  the  wing-coverts  and  secondaries 
broadly  edged  and  tipped  with  grayish-bay.  An  obscure  whitish  superciliary  line,  liill  light 
brown,  under  man<lil)le  paler  or  yellowish  ;  legs  pale.  Length  ,5.23  ;  wing  2.50-2.75  ;  tail  2.00. 
Pacific  coast,  U.  S.,  especially  California ;  u  curious  species,  ccanmou,  nmritime,  representing, 
with  var.  (iittliiiius,  tho  Ammoilrnmi  in  the  marshes  of  tho  seashore. 

231.  r.  Kutta'tus.  (Lat.  {/Httatiis,  spotted;  gittta,  a  drop.)  St.  LtrcAS  Savanna  Spakuow. 
liill  shaped  as  in  rustratiia,  rehitively  as  stout,  but  snuiller ;  culmen  0.45;  depth  at  base  0.25. 
IJird  smaller:  pattern  of  coloration  tho  same,  but  tone  darker;  streaking  of  the  under  parts 
8lnii'i)er,  heavier,  and  darker.  Instead  of  tho  light  brownish-gray  of  rostmtu8  the  upper  parts 
are  hero  dark,  almost  olivaceous,  brown,  so  that  the  dark  streaking  of  the  crown  and  inter- 
8ca])ulars  is  less  noticeable.  Tho  same  difference  characterizes  tho  under  parts.  Cape  St. 
Lucas. 

0ns.  There  is  a  sparrow  of  tho  L.  Cala.  Gulf  coast  and  islands  like  gitttatus :  larger; 
wing  2.75  ;  bill  0.50,  at  base  0.150  deep,  thus  as  largo  as  that  of  rosiratus,  but  regularly  conic, 
with  straight  culnion  suddeidy  deflected  at  end,  and  j)erfectly  straiglit  connnissure;  up)ier 
mandiblo  and  tip  of  lower  blackish;  rest  apparently  yellowish.  An  it.  sp.  f  P.  sanctorum 
N.,  Mus.  S.  L,  San  Benito  Isl.  (See  Pr.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  March,  1S83,  p.  5:i8.) 
7Q.  POCK'CETES.  (Gr.  irdri,  ^wc,  grass ;  o«Wn/s,  oikctes,  an  inhabitant.)  Gha.s.s  Sparrows. 
Bill  moderate,  culmen,  gcmys  and  commissure  nearly  straight.  Wings  long,  hmger  than  tail, 
tij)  formed  by  first  4  (piills  ;  inner  secondaries  somewhat  elongate,  less  so  than  in  Passerculus. 
Tail  emarginate,  with  rather  broad  firm  feathers,  not  acuminato  at  ends.  Tareus  about  as  long 
as  middle  too  without  claw;  lateral  toes  of  about  equal  lengths,  their  claws  scarcely  reaching 
base  of  middle  claw;  hind  claw  as  usual,  not  longer  than  its  digit.  Plumage  thickly  streaked 
everywhere  above,  on  sides  below  and  across  breast;  bend  of  wing  chestnut;  1-3  outer  tail 
feathers  white  ;  crown  without  light  median  stripe ;  no  trace  of  yellow  anywhere. 

232.  P.  grami'neus.     (Lat.  £rra/HJHe«s,  applied  to  a  grass-loving  bird;  gramen,  fcnxss.     Fig.  228.) 

-_   ..       _    ..- .  Grass  Finch.    Bay-winoed  Bunting. 

Vksi'ER-riri).  Above,  grayish-brown, 
closely  and  uniformly  marked  with  dusky- 
centred  bn>wn-edged  streaks,  and  further 
variegated  by  palo  gray  edging  of  tho 
feathers.  Crown  (piite  like  back,  though 
tho  marking  is  in  smaller  pattern ;  super- 
ciliary lino  and  eye-ring  whitish.  Under 
])arts  dull  white,  usually  noticeably  buff- 
tinged  in  the  streaked  areas,  thickly  streaked 
across  breast  and  along  sides  with  dusky- 
centred  brown-edged  streaks,  anteriorly 
tending  to  concentrate  in  lateral  chains 
bounding  the  white  throat ;    above  this 

FIG.  228. -Bay- winged  Bunting,  reduce.!.   (Sheppard    chain  a  maxillary  brown  Stripe ;  auriculars 
del.  Nichols  sc.)  varied  with  light  and  dark  brown.     Quills 

fuscous,  the  longer  ones  with  grayish-whito  edging,  tho  secondaries  and  greater  and  median 
coverts  with  broad  firm  brown  and  white  edges  and  tips  ;  lesser  coverts  bright  chestnut,  whence 
the  name  "  bay-winged."  Outer  tail-feather  largely  or  wholly  white,  next  pair  or  two  pairs 
largely  white  in  decreasing  amount.    Upper  mandible  brown;  lower,  and  the  feet,  flesli- 


233. 

77. 


234 


FlilNOILLWJE :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPAUIIOWS,  ETC. 


iW't 


«!(.Iorc(lor  yellowish.  Loiiirtli  5.75-fi.2r) ;  extent  10.00-10.50  ;  wiiiR  2.80-.'».2ri  ;  tail  2.25-2.75. 
North  Ainer.  at  lar^e,  hreediiig  throughout  itti  range,  hut  jmrthilly  niigriitory,  chicHy  nextiuf; 
northward,  and  wintering  Hoiithward.  A  large,  stout,  fiill-ehested  !<iiarrow  of  jilain  a])))earauee, 
hut  recognized  on  sight  hy  the  hay  hend  of  the  wing  and  white  lateral  tail  feathers,  —  the  latter 
consi>i('uous  as  it  flies.  Very  ahundant  in  fields,  along  roailsides ;  terrestrial,  gregarious  to 
Some  (>xtent  when  not  hrccding.  N<-st  siniken  in  the  groinid,  hulky,  thick-riuuucd,  dee|dy 
eupped ;  eggs  t-O,  heavily  coh)red,  as  in  1'.  savana,  O.SO  X  O.CO;  two  or  throe  broods  may  ho 
reared.     One  of  the  sweetest  songsters  among  the  i<jiaiTows. 

233.  P.  g.  confl'nia.    (Lat.  cow^'nis,  near.)    Wkstekn  Gkass  Fiscii.    The  paler,  grayer  form  from 
the  dry  western  regions. 

77.  COTURNl'CULUS.     (Lat.  coturnix,  a  quail;  coturniculus,  a  little  quail.)    Gkashiiopi'KU 

Si'ARiiows.      Bill  (in  iHtsserinuH  and  hendowi)  short  and  stout,   with  eurved  euliuen   (in 

lecoiitii  slenderer  and  more  elongate)-     Wings  extremely  short  and  rounded,  so  that  the  inner 

seeondaries  reach  nearly  to  the  tip  when  closed,  without  special  elongation  on  their  i)art.     Tail 

of  variahle  length  according  to  species,  weak,  of  narrow,  lanceolate  feathers,  in  one  species  very 

tajiering  and  acuminate.     Feet  stout,  much  as  in  AmiiKHlmmita.     I'lunuige  greatly  variegated  ; 

huffy  tints  conspicuous  on  under  jmrts.     Contains  3  remarkahly  distinct  X.  Am.  species  of  queer 

little  sparrows  of  grass,  weeds,  and  reeds,  with  another  of  S.  Am.  (f.  mimimlic).     They  sliow 

a  greater  range  of  variation  in  form  than  our  finical  modern  genera  usiuilly  allow,  and  shade 

through   C.  lecontii  into  Ammodramxts.     The  name  is  appropriate;  C.  imsserinus  curiously 

resemhles  a  quail  in  miniature. 

Annljinia  q/*  Species. 

Tail  sliortertlian  wings;  outstrctclied foet  reacliiiig  toor beyond  ttsend.    Bill  stout,  brown.   Adult notcvl- 

dently  atrcakcd  below jKimiirhiiiii    234,  285 

Tnil  cnuiil  to  wings.    Slinrii  maxillary,  iMJCtornl  and  lateral  strcakH.    Hill  stout,  brown  .    .    .      Intmloiri    23ff 
Tall  longer  than  wings ;  outstretched  feet  not  reaching  Its  end.    Bill  slender,  bluish.  Sharp  lateral  without 

liectoral  or  maxillary  streaks Immtil    "2X1 

234.  C.  passerl'nus.  (Lat.  passcrinns,  si)arrow-like.  Fig.  220.)  Yki.low-vvin(ii:i)  Si'auhow. 
Qi:ail  Spauuow.  Grasshopper  Spakhow.  $  <} ,  aAwXI:  Edge  of  wing  conspicuously  yel- 
low; lesser  wing-coverts  greenish-yellow;  a 
yellow  loral  spot;  short  line  over  eye  htiffy- 
yellow.  Crown  with  median  stripe  of  jtale 
hrownish-yellow.  Below,  ochraceousor  pale 
huff  w  tawny,  fading  to  whitish  on  helly,  not 
evidently  streaked,  though  a  few  dark  touches 
ma^  appear  (m  sides  of  hn^ast.  Above,  sin- 
gularly variegated  with  black,  gray,  yellow- 
ish-brown and  a  peculiar  purplish-bay,  in 
short  streaks  an<l  specks ;  the  crown  being 
nearly  black  with  sharp  median  brownish- 
yellow  stripe,  the  middle  of  the  back  chiefly 
black  with  bay  and  brownish-yellow  edgings 
of  the  feathers,  the  cervical  region  and  rump 
chiefly  bay  and  gray.  When  the  feathers 
are  not  disturbed,  the  peculiar  pattern  of  the 
cervical  region  separates  that  of  the  crown 
and  back  ;  the  markings  extend  on  the  sides 
of  the  neck,  but  the  sides  of  the  head  are  pard  del.  Nichols  so.) 
plain,  like  the  under  parts.  Wing-coverts  and  inner  secondaries  variegated  in  intricate  pattern, 
the  general  effect  like  the  back.  Primaries  and  tail-feathers  plain  dusky,  with  narrow  light  edg- 
ings ;  outer  tail-feathers  paler,  but  not  white.    Feet  flesh-colored.     Small :  length  4.80-5.25 ; 


Fio.  229  —  Yellow-wlngeil  Sparrow,  reduced.    (Shcp- 


866 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSERES  —  OSCJNES. 


extent  8.00-8.50;  wiiij;  2,25-2.50;  mil  2.00  or  less,  Hhortcr  than  wiiiK,  (lutstrt'tclicd  fi>ot 
reacliiii^  Itcytnul  it ;  miimlctl  or  ratlicr  douljlt'-riiiiiiilcd  at  end,  tlic  fnitluTs  narrow  and  lanei-- 
olate.  llili  very  stout  and  full.  In  autumn,  IVcsli-moultcd  birdu  arc  as  nsnal  rudicr  in  ndor, 
tho  nnu'kin^H  more  Mended  and  diB'uHe,  the  fore  parts  below  and  the  sides  rieh  huffy  lirown,  in 
whicli  va^ue  lijfhter  and  thirUer  niarltings  usually  aj>|tear.  Young:  before  ilie  moult,  uro 
whitish  below,  with  decided  dusUy  maxillary  and  pectoral  streaks,  thus  resembling  C.  heiislowi. 
Eastern  U.  S.  and  Canada,  but  not  far  north  ;  breeds  tliroughont  its  range  ;  resident  in  tho 
Southern  Htates,  elsewhere  a  migrant  and  summer  visitant.  Abundant  in  the  rank  herbagi^  of 
<dd  ticdds,  but  less  fre(inently  (d)served  than  it  would  bo  did  it  not  hide  so  jHTsisteiitly  in  the 
herbage;  has  a  peculiar  chirring  note,  like  a  grasshopjter's  ;  nests  on  tho  ground;  eggs  i-5, 
crystal  white,  tlecked  with  reddish-brown,  0.72  x  0.(U. 

23S.  C  p,  pcrpul  lidiis.  (Lat.  perjmUkhis,  very  i)ale.)  Hi.KAciiKn  Yki,U)W-WIS(1ed  Hpakuow. 
S)M'cimeiis  from  <lry  western  regions  are  ])aler  and  grayer ;  less  black  and  more  slaty-gniy 
on  the  upper  parts,  the  ochrey  crown  stripe  and  edgings  of  the  dorsal  feathers,  as  well  as  tho 
under  parts  generally,  paler. 

330.  <'.  Iieu'slowi.  (To  I'rof.  J.  S.  Henslow,  of  Englan<l.)  Hkn8IX»w's  OiiASSiioppKii  Si-ahkow. 
Somewhat  resembling  a  youmj  V.  passeriiiiis.  Under  parts  whitish,  tinged  .strongly  along  the 
whole  sides,  across  the  breast,  and  on  the  flaidts  and  crissum  with  butt",  all  these  butt"  i>arts 
sharply  and  distinctly  streaked  with  blackish  in  tine  pattern;  the  pectoral  streaks  connecting 
along  tho  sides  of  neck  with  decided  black  nntxillary  stripes.  The  brownish-yellow  shade  is 
very  variable  in  extent  and  intensity,  but  it  usually  leaves  only  the  throat  and  belly  decidedly 
wliiti.sh.  Dround-cohir  of  head  and  hind  neck  iv  jieculiar  i)ale  <dive-gray,  with  a  decided 
greenish-yellow  tinge;  top  of  head  with  broad  lateral  blackish  stripes,  continued  on  the  cervix 
in  much  smaller  pattern,  divided  by  a  greenish-brownish-yellow  median  stripe.  The  peculiar 
color  of  the  hind  ;.ick  e.xtending  far  aroinid  on  siiU's  of  neck,  and  sides  of  head  of  much  tho 
same  tint;  a  Ijl^u-kish  post-ocular  stripe  bounding  the  auriculars  above;  below  and  anterior  to 
them  a  black  maxillary  stripe  starting  from  the  angle  of  tin*  mouth  ;  below  this  usiuilly  other 
maxillary  streaks  ;  dark  specks  often  behind  auriculars.  Dorsal  and  scapular  feathers  with 
broad  black  central  field,  then  broadly  chestnut,  then  mostly  narrnwly  edged  with  whitish, 
these  nnu'kiiigs  in  bold  pattern,  and  contrasting  with  the  peculiar  greenish-gray  cervical  region 
with  its  fine  black  streaks.  Edge  of  wing  yellow.  Greater  wing-coverts  and  most  of  the 
secondaries  ctdored  to  correspond  with  the  back,  the  closed  wing  showing  chiefly  chestnut  with 
the  black  field  of  the  three  innermost  secondaries.  Tail-feathers  extremely  narrow  and  acute, 
brown,  the  inner  at  least  with  long  blacki.sh  shaft  stripe,  and  reddish-brown  on  inner  webs. 
Bill  brownish,  usually  <[nite  dusky  above,  pale  below ;  feet  pale.  Length  scarcely  5.00  ; 
extent  7.50 ;  wing  and  tail,  each,  2.00-2.10;  bill  from  extreme  base  of  cuhnen  0.15  ;  0..S0  dcH'p 
at  base;  tarsus  or  middle  too  and  claw  0.()5.  Eastern  U.  S.,  strictly,  N.  to  New  England, 
not  very  connnoidy  ;  W.  to  Nebraska.  Not  abundant  on  the  whole,  nor  easily  <diserved. 
Common  about  Washington,  where  it  breeds,  in  fields  and  meadows;  nest  ou  the  ground,  in 
tufts  of  grass.     Eggs  4-5,  greenish-white,  profusely  speckled  with  reddish,  0.75  X  0.57. 

837.  C.  lecon'tii.  (To  Maj.  J.  Le  Conte,  of  Philadelphia.)  Lk  C()STe'.s  Grasshopper  Sparrow. 
Le  Coxte's  BtJXTiNO.  (J  9  ,  adult :  Hill  smaller  and  slenderer  than  in  either  of  the  foregoing, 
dark  honi-bluo  above,  paler  bluish  below ;  iris  black.  Tail  long,  decidedly  exceeding  tho 
wings  when  full  grown,  and  remarkably  graduated  ;  lateral  feiithers  i-i  inch  shorter  than  tho 
central  pair  ;  all  extremely  narrow,  tapering,  and  acuminate,  even  more  so  than  in  tho  sliarp- 
tiiiled  finch  (AmmodratuKS  caudacutus) ;  outstretched  feet  not  reaching  to  its  end.  Wings 
short  and  much  rounded;  primaries  in  closed  wing  hardly  J  inch  longer  than  secondaries. 
Length  4.90-5.10;  extent  0.90-7.10;  wing  1.90-2.00;  tail  2.00-2.25  or  a  little  more;  bill 
0.40  ;  tarsus  0.67.  No  trace  of  yellow  on  bend  of  wing,  nor  any  yellow  loral  spot.  No  bl>>"k 
maxillary  or  pectoral  streaks ;  markings  of  under  parts  confined  to  sparse,  sharp,  blackish 


FRINGILLWjE :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,  ETC. 


307 


strpiikB  cm  tlie  huIob.  Geiicriil  roloriition  iixiro  nr  Ichh  bntf,  accunliiig  to  ii^o  iiinl  KraHon. 
Crown  with  Itliick  lutcriil  MtrijH's,  t*f|iiii'uti'(l  by  ii  wliitixh  Htripe  brciiiiiiiii;  oclircy  un  t'orclicitd. 
biili'M  ofhi'iul  liiitf,  brif^litvtit  on  tlio  Ioiik  broad  Mupcrciliary  lini',  enclosing  i*laty-^ray  auricnlurx, 
wliiuli  uru  bonliTi'd  ubovu  by  a  bliu-k  poHt-ocular  line,  winu'tinii-H  cliiotly  apix-arin^  as  a  dark  Kpcck 
behind  them.  Cervical  featiieru  bay,  bhick-uhafted  and  wliitiab-rdKcd,  ionniug  a  <liHtinct  inter- 
val botwoeu  iiiarkiugHof  back  and  crown.  Dorsal  featlierx  in  bold  pattern,  with  black  terminal 
central  field,  littlo  rufous  and  much  whitish  or  buffy  edging  ;  streaking  extending  on  rump  and 
upper  tail-coverts.  Wing-coverts  and  inner  secondaries  cidored  bohlly  to  correspond  witii  tho 
back.  Under  parts  buffy-wliite,  sometimes  (piite  whitish,  again  much  more  buffy,  with  season, 
usually  <|uite  buff  with  only  belly  whitish.  Fresh  moulted  fall  birds  are  often  entirely  deep 
buff  below,  excepting  the  belly,  which  is  white,  in  nuirked  contrast.  Young  :  iiill  stiJI  smaller, 
reddish-brown  instead  of  bluish  ;  general  ct)lor  buff  above,  whitish  below,  more  or  less  buffy  ou 
breast  and  sich-s  ;  nuirkings  of  upper  parts  black,  without  the  bay  and  brown  variegation,  except 
on  wings  and  tail,  which  are  nearly  as  in  the  adults  ;  sparse  black  streaks  of  under  parts  usually 
appearing  across  breast  as  well  aa  on  sides.  An  interesting,  h)iig-hist  species,  recently  redis- 
covered :  Yellowstone  K.  (Auiliibvn,  1843)  ;  Texas  (Linceaim)  ;  Dakota  {Couvs,  187;}) ; 
Illinois  (iVe/won,  1873);  Iowa  {Nciiton,  lS7o) ;  Minnesota  (7'/|^a)ii/,  1878)  ;  .South  Candinal 
{Loomix,  1881.)  Approaching  Animodraiiiiis  cnudacitlus  in  many  respects,  and  iiduibiting 
similar  resorts  in  the  interior.  Xest  and  eggs  still  unknown. 
78.  AMMO'DIIAMUS.  (Gr.  (T/i/uor,  amnios,  mud ;  bpanflu,  dniiiieiu,  U)  run.)  Sea-siuk  Hvah- 
Itows.  Hill  renuirkably  slender  and  lengthened  for  this  family,  with  culmeu  decurved  toward 
end,  gonys  straight,  and  sometimes  an 
evident  hd>ation  of  the  cutting  edge  of 
the  upper  nuuidible.  Wings  short  and 
rounded,  yet  longer  than  tail ;  inner  sec- 
ondaries, though  not  elongate,  reaching 
nearly  to  end  of  primaries  when  wing 
is  closed  ;  point  fonued  by  !jd-4th  quills. 
Feet  large  and  stout,  reaching  out- 
stretched about  to  end  of  tail ;  tarsus 
about  etpnil  to  nuddlu  toe  and  claw  in 
length  ;  lateral  toes  of  e<[ual  lengths, 
very  short,  their  claws  underreaching 
base  of  middle  claw.  Tail  shorter  or 
not  hmger  than  wings,  much  rounded, 
of  narrow,  stittish,  sharp-pointed  feath- 
ers. Embracing  snuill  streaky  marsh 
sparrows,  especially  of  tho  sea-coast, 
but  not  exclusively  maritime,  as  long 
supposed ;  remarkable  for  slonderness 
of  the  bill,  sharp  narrow  tail-feathers,  and  stout  feet  fitted  for  grasping  slender  swaying  reeds. 
Edge  of  wing  bright  yellow  ;  a  yellow  spot  or  buff  stripe  ou  head  ;  upper  parts  olive-gray  or 
quite  blackish,  streaky. 

Analysis  qf  Species. 

Lural  spot  nnil  cdgo  of  wing  bright  yellow. 

Upper  purts  oUve-gray  obscurely  streaked marilimtts    238 

Upper  parts  quite  blacklsU niqrescens    239 

A  long  buff  superciliary  stripe caudacutus    240-241 

238.  A.  mari'tlmus.  (Lat.  mart<tm«s,  maritime,  coast-wise;  mare,  tho  sea.  Fig.  230.)  Sea-side 
Finch.  Olive-gray,  obscurely  streaked  on  back  and  crown  with  darker  and  paler ;  below,  whit- 
ish, often  washed  with  browniijh,  shaded  on  sides  with  color  of  buck,  and  with  ill-defined  dark 


Fin  230  - -Generic  details  of  .<4n>m(»jrainu<i  (A.  caudaculus), 
nat.  size.    (Ad.  nnt.  del.  E.  C.) 


8()8 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  — PA SSEBES—  OSCINES. 


streaks  on  broast  and  sides ;  maxillary  stripes  of  the  same ;  wings  and  tail  plain  dusky,  with 
slight  olivaceous  edgings ;  •wing-coverts  and  inner  quills  somowhat  margined  with  brown ; 
edg(!  of  wing  bright  yellow  ;  a  bright  f/eUow  spot  on  lore,  and  often  some  vague  brownish  and 
dusky  markings  on  side  of  head  ;  hill  ])hnnbeoHS,  or  dark  horn-blue  ;  feet  dark.  Length  5.75- 
C.25;  extent  8.50;  wing  2.25-2.50;  tail  about  2.00.  Keeognizablo  on  sight  by  the  bright 
yellow  edge  of  wing  and  loral  sjiot,  M'ith  little  varied  olive-gray  upper  parts.  Salt  marshes  of 
the  Atlantic  and  Gtdf  coast ;  abundant.  North  to  Massachusetts ;  breeds  throughout  its  range, 
and  resident  in  the  south,  but  screened  from  casual  (d)sen-ation  by  the  nature  of  its  haunts  and 
habits.  Nest  in  a  tus.sock  of  grass  just  out  of  water;  eggs  0.75  X  0.55,  grayish-white,  thickly 
and  pretty  evenly  marked. 
230.  A.  III.  nigres'cens.  (Lat.  nigrescent,  growing  black.)  Flokida  Sea-side  Fixcn.  Like 
A.  maritimus;  rather  snniUer  bodied,  though  members  not  shorter,  aii.d  consi)icuously  different 
in  color,  being  almost  entirely  black  and 
white.  Upper  parts  sooty-black,  slightly 
variegated  with  slate-colored  edgings  of  tho 
feathers,  and  soinoj)ale  gray  edgings  of  tho  in- 
terscajiulars.  IJelnw  white,  heavily  streaked 
with  blacki.sh  everywhere  excepting  on  the 
tiiroat  and  middle  of  belly.  A  bright  yellow 
loral  spot,  and  bend  of  the  Aviiig  bright  yid- 
low  (both  very  conspicuous  in  the  black 
plumage).  "\Viiig-(inills  blackish,  the  inner 
.secondaries  (jiiitc  bhick  ;  all  narrowly  edged 
with  browni.sh.  Tiiil  black,  Avith  gray  edg- 
ings of  the  feathers,  —  the.'io  edgings  tending 
to  form  scallops  -rith  the  black  central  field. 
Hill  and  f'et  as  in  ^1.  maritimus.  A  curi- 
ous local  race,  resident  in  Florida. 

840.  A.  raiidacu'tus.    (Lat.  w«rfo,  tail;  n«<<((.s, 
sharp.    Fig.    231.)     Sharp-tailed  FiXCll.  Fio.  231.-Sca-8l.Ie  Finch,  reduced.    (Sheppard  del. 
Olive-gray,   sharply  streaked   on  the   back    Nli'lml" si;) 

with  blackish  and  whitish,  less  so  on  the  rump  with  blackish  alone.  Crown  darker  than  nape, 
with  brownish-black  streaks,  tending  to  fonu  lateral  stripes  and  obscure  olive-gray  median  line;; 
no  yellow  loral  spot,  but  long  line  <iver  eye  and  sides  of  head  rich  buff  or  orange-l)rown,  enclos- 
ing olive-gray  auriculars  and  a  dark  speck  behind  them,  or  dark  post-ocular  strijie  over  them. 
Olive-gray  of  cervix  extendhig  around  on  sides  of  neck.  I$elow,  white;  the  fore  parts  and 
sides  tinged  with  yellowish-brown  or  buff  of  variable  intensity,  the  breast  and  sides  shaqdy 
streaked  with  dusky.  Greater  coverts  and  inner  ,»iecondaries  witli  blackish  field  toward  their 
ends,  broadly  margined  with  rusty  brown  and  whitish.  Tail-feathers  brown,  with  du.sky  shaft- 
strij)es  and  tendency  to  "water"  with  crosswise  wavy  bars.  Bill  blackish  above,  i)ale  or 
not  below,  feet  brown.  Coloration  in  spring  and  summer  clearer  and  jialer,  in  fall  and  in 
young  birds  more  brightly  and  extensively  buff.  Rather  smaUer  than  A.  maritimus;  bill  still 
slenderer,  and  tail-feathers  still  narrower  and  more  acute.  Length  5.10-5.50;  extent  7.50; 
wing  2.25  ;  tail  2.00;  bill  0.15-0.50;  tarsus,  or  middle  toe  and  claw,  0.75.  Salt  marshes  of 
the  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  N.  abundantly  to  Maine  ;  range  similar  to  that  of  A.  maritimus, 
but  on  tho  whole  more  northerly,  especially  in  the  breeding  season ;  nest  and  eggs  similar  and 
scarcely  distinguishable. 

841.  A.  c.  neVsoni.  (To  E.  W.  Nelson,  of  Illinois.)  Similar  to  the  last,  but  smaller,  with 
bill  slenderer  and  longer;  e.dors  brighter  and  markings  more  sharply  defined.  Fresh  marshes 
of  Illinois  and  other  j)ortious  of  tho  Mississippi  Valley  at  large  ;  N.  probably  to  Canada. 


79. 


FRINGILLIDJE :   FINCHES,   BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,   ETC. 


3G9 


79.  MELOSPI'ZA.  (Gr.  fxiXos,  melos,  song,  melody,  and  enrtfa,  spiza,  naino  ot"  some  Fiuch  in  Aris- 
totle). 8()N(i  SPAKKOW8.  IJill  moderate,  conic,  without  special  turgidity  or  compression,  ont- 
lines  of  culmen,  connnissure,  gonys  and  sides  nearly  or  abont  straight.  Wings  short  and  nuich 
rounded,  folding  little  1/eyond  base  of  tail ;  1st  primary  quite  short ;  point  of  wing  formed  by  Sd, 
dth,  and  5tli,  supported  closely  by  2d  and  Cth  ;  inner  secondaries  not  chnigated.  Tail  long, 
about  equalling  or  rather  exceeding  the  wings,  nnich  rounded,  with  firm  feathers  broad  to  their 
rounded  ends.  Feet  moderately  stout ;  tarsus  scarcely  or  not  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw ; 
lateral  toes  slightly  unequal,  outer  the  longer,  its  claw  scarcely  or  not  reaching  base  of  middle 
claw.  Embracing  a  large  number  of  middle-sized  and  large  sparrows,  without  a  trace  of  yellow 
anywhere,  and  of  brownish-yellow  only  in  M.  lincohii;  upper  parts,  including  crown,  thickly 
streaked;  under  parts  white  or  ashy,  thickly  streaked  across  breast  and  along  sides  (excepting 
adult  M.  palustris).  No  bright  color  anywhere,  and  no  colora  in  masses.  The  type  of  the  genus 
is  the  familiar  and  beUivcd  song  sparrow,  —  a 
bird  of  constant  characters  in  the  East,  but  which 
in  the  West  is  split  into  numerous  geographical 
races,  some  of  them  looking  so  different  from 
typical  fasciata  that  they  have  been  considered 
as  distinct  specic^s,  and  even  placed  in  other  gen- 
era. This  difl'erentiation  affects  not  only  the 
color,  l)iit  the  size,  relative  proportion  of  parts, 
and  particularly  the  shape  of  the  bill;  and  it  is 
sometimes  so  great,  as  in  case  of  31.  citierea,  that 
less  dissimilar-looking  birds  are  commonly  as- 
signed to  different  genera.  Nevertheless,  the 
gradation  is  complete,  and  effected  by  impercep- 
tible degrees.  Some  Northwestern  forms  of 
great  size  and  dark  colors  arc  easily  discrimi- 
nated, but  there  are  U.  S.  birds  from  Atlantic  to 
Pacific  which  are  not  readily  told  ajtart.     The 

student  should  not  be  discouraged  if  a  subject  (Sheppanl  del.  Nichols  sc.) 
which  has  tried  the  chiefs  perplexes  him  ;  nor  must  he  expect  to  find  drawn  on  paper  hard  and 
fast  lines  which  do  not  exist  in  nature.  The  curt  antithetical  expressions  used  in  constructing 
the  analysis  of  species  and  varieties  necessarily  exaggerate  the  case,  and  are  only  true  as  indi- 
cating the  typical  style  of  each  ;  plenty  of  specimens  lie  "  between  the  lines"  as  written.  In 
going  over  a  large  .series  of  Western  song  sparrows  —  specimens  picked  to  illustrate  types  of 
style  rather  than  connecting  links,  it  still  seems  to  me  tliat  distinctions  have  been  somewhat 
forced;  and  that,  also,  different  degrees  of  variation  are  thrown  out  of  proper  perspective  by 
reducing  all  the  forms  to  the  same  varietal  plane.  Thus,  the  differences  between  cinerea 
and  all  the  rest,  or  between  rufina  and  fasciata,  are  nuich  greater  than  between  rufina  and 
guttata  for  instance,  or  between  fallax  and  fasciata.  In  any  outline  of  the  genus  the  curves  and 
angles  indicated  by  Baird  in  1838  are  as  far  as  they  go  nicer  qualificaticms  than  the  dead-level' 
varieties  later  in  vogue.  The  several  degrees  of  likeness  and  unlikeness  may  be  thrown 
into  true  relief  better  by  some  such  expressions  as  the  following  than  by  formal  antithetical 
phrases:  —  1.  The  common  eastern  bird  slightly  modified  in  the  arid  interior  into  the  duller 
colored  2.  fallax.  This,  in  the  Pacific  water  shed,  more  decidedly  modified  by  dee])er 
c(doration,  —  broader  black  streaks  in  3.  heermanni,  with  its  diminutive  local  race  4.  samuelis, 
and  more  ruddy  shades  in  5.  gutcata  northward  increasing  in  intensity,  with  increased  size, 
in  6.  rufina.  Then  the  remarkable  7-  cinerea,  insulated  much  further  apart  than  any  of 
the  others.  A  former  i\merican  school  would  probably  have  made  four  "good  species." 
1.  fasciata;  2.  samiielis;  'i.  rufina;  4.  cinerea.     The  jiresent  British  school  might  perhaps 

24 


Fia.   232.  —  Liiiculii'ii    Soiig-Sparrow     reduced. 


870 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  — PASSEHES—  OSCINES. 


handle  them  as  1.  fasciata  and  fallax,  with  a,  heermanni;  2.  samuelis;  3.  nifina,  with  a, 
guttata.    4.  cinerea. 

Analysis  of  Species  and  Varieties. 

Breast  streaked,  and  with  a  transverse  belt  of  brownisli-yellow;  tall  nearly  equal  to  wings    .    .    lincohii    242 

Breast  ashy,  unbelted,  with  few  streaks,  or  none ;  tail  about  equal  to  wings palustris    243 

Breast  white,  or  brownish-white,  with  numerous  streaks ;  tall  usually  longer  than  the  wings,  both  rounded. 

Thickly  streaked  above,  on  sides,  and  across  breast fasciata  and  its  varieties   244-200 

The  streaks  distinct,  decidedly  blackish-centred  (in  breeding  plumage). 

Tone  of  upper  parts  grayish-brown  or  reddish-gray.    Streaked  from  head  to  tall.   Dorsal  streaks  black, 

rufous,  and  grayish-white.    Wing  MiO;  tail  under  3.00.    Eastern  N.  A fasciata    244 

Tone  of  upper  parts  gray.    Streaks  obsolete  on  rump.    Dorsal  streaks  narrowly  blackish  and  grayisli- 

whlte,  with  little  rufous.    Tail  about  3.00.    Southern  Rocky  Mt.  region fallax    245 

Tone  of  upper  parts  ashy-gray.    Streaks  obsolete  on  rump.    Dorsal  streaks  broadly  black,  with  little 

rufous  and  scarcely  any  graylsh-whltc.    Size  of  the  first.    California heermanni    248 

Tone  of  upper  parts  olive-gray.    Streaks  on  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts.    Dorsal  streaks  as  in  the 

last.    Very  small.    Wing  2.25;  tail  2.50.    Coast  of  California samuelis    249 

The  streaks  difnise,  not  black-centred  nor  whitish-edged.    Bill  slender.    Pacific,  coastwise. 

Tone  of  upper  i)art8  rufous-brown.    Streaks  above  and  below  dark  rufous.    Medium-sized ;  wing  2.60 ; 

tail  under  3.00.    Pacific  coast,  U.  S.  and  British  Columbia ijiitlata    246 

Tone  of  upi>er  parts  olive-brown.    Streaks  sooty.    Larger;  wing  and  tail  about  3.00.    Pacific  coast, 

British  Columbia  and  Alaska riijinn    247 

Tone  of  upper  parts  dark  cinereous.    Streaking  reddish-brown.    Largest;  wing  and  tail  3.25  or  more 

cinerea    250 

842.  M.  Un'colnl.  (To  Robert  Lincoln.  Fig.  232.)  Lixcoln's  SoxG  Sparrow.  ,? ,  ? :  IJelow, 
white,  with  a  broad  brownish-yellow  belt  across  bren-st,  the  sides  of  tlie  body  and  neck,  and  the 
crissuni,  washed  with  the  same  ;  extent  and  intensity  of  this  buff  very  variabht,  olten  leaving 
only  chin,  throi.t,  and  belly  purely  white,  but  a  pectoral  band  is  always  evident.  All  the  bufl'y 
parts  shaiply  and  thickly  streaked  with  dusky.  Above,  gi-ayish-brown,  witii  numerous  .sharp 
black -centred,  brown-edged  streaks.  Top  of  head  ashy,  with  a  i)air  of  dark  brown  black- 
streaked  stripes ;  or,  say,  top  f)f  head  brown,  streaked  with  black,  and  witli  median  and  hiteral 
ashy  stripes.  Below  the  superciliary  ashy  stripe  is  a  narrow  dark  brown  one,  running  from  eye 
over  ear;  auriculars  also  bounded  below  by  an  indistinct  dark  brown  .stripe,  below  wliich  and 
behind  the  auriculars  the  parts  are  suffused  witli  buff.  Wings  with  inucli  rufous-brown  edging 
of  all  the  quills ;  inner  secondaries  and  coverts  liaving  quite  black  central  fields,  with  broad  hay 
edging,  becoming  whitish  toward  their  ends.  Tail  brown,  the  feathers  with  ]>ale  edges,  and 
tne  central  pair  at  least  with  dusky  shaft-stripes.  Bill  blackisli,  lighter  below;  feet  brownisli. 
Length  5.50-6.00;  extent  7.75-8.25;  wing  and  tail,  each,  about  2.50,  the  latter  rather  shorter. 
Tliere  is  little  variatittn  in  color,  except  as  above  said.  Fall  specimens  are  usually  most  huffy. 
Very  young:  Before  the  fall  moult,  birds  of  the  year  are  much  browner  above,  with  consider- 
able brownish-yellow  streaking  besides  the  black  markings ;  top  of  head  quite  like  back,  the 
ashy  stripes  not  being  established ;  whole  under  parts  brownish-yellow,  merely  ])aler  on  throat 
and  belly,  dusky-streaked  throughout.  North  Am.  at  large;  a  peculiar  species,  not  so  well 
known  as  it  might  be,  less  numerous  in  tlie  Atlantic  States  than  in  the  interior  and  west ;  and 
keejting  very  close  in  shrubbery.  Migratory  ;  winters  in  the  South  ;  breeds  at  least  from  N.  Y. 
and  N.  England  to  Arctic  regions,  and  in  the  West  S.  at  least  to  Mts.  of  Colorado.  Nesting 
like  that  of  the  song  sparrow,  and  eggs  not  distinguishable  with  certainty. 

343.  M.  palus'tris.  (Lat.  paliistris,  swampy  ;  pahis,  a  swamp.  Fig.  233.)  Swamp  Soxo  Spar- 
row. (J  9 ,  perfect  plumage :  Crown  bright  chestnut,  blackening  on  forehead,  the  red  cap  and 
black  vizor  as  conspicuous  as  in  a  chipping  sjiarrow;  but  oftener,  crown  with  obscure  median 
ashy  line,  and  streaked  with  black.  An  ashy-gray  superciliary  line ;  a  dark  brown  postocular 
stripe,  bordering  the  auriculars ;  sides  of  head  ashy,  with  grayish-brown  auriculars,  dusky 
speckling  on  cheeks  and  lores,  and  slight  dusky  maxillary  spots  or  streaks.  An  asliy  cervical 
C(dlar  separating  the  chestnut  crown  from  the  back,  sometimes  pure,  oftener  interrupted  with 
blackish  streaks.     The  general  ash  of  the  sides  of  head  and  neck  spreads  all  over  the  breast 


214 


FBINGILLIDJE :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,  ETC.  371 


214. 


and  under  parts,  fading  to  whitish  on  throat  and  belly ;  the  sides,  flanks,  and  crissum  marked 
with  brown,  and  obsoletcly  streaked  with  darker  brown.  Hack  and  rump  brown,  rather  darker 
than  sides  of  body,  boldly  variegated  with  black  central  streaks  of  the  feathers  and  their  pale 
brown  or  grayish  edges.  Wings  so  strongly  edge<l  with  bright  bay  as  to  appear  almost  uni- 
formly brownish-red  when  closed;  but  inner  secondaries  and  greater  coverts  showing  some 
black  and  whitish  besides  the  bay.  Tail  likewise  strongly  edged  with  bay,  and  usually  showing 
sharp  black  shaft  lines.  Thus  well  marked  by  the  emphasis  of  black,  bay,  and  ash.  Length 
5.40-5.80,  usually  5. GO ;  extent  7-50-8.00  ;  wing  and  tail,  each,  2.20-2.40.  Varies  little  except 
as  above  noted,  and  in  extent  and  intensity  of  the  ash  on  fore  and  under  parts.  In  birds  of  the 
first  autumn,  the  crown  may  be  <iuite  blackish,  with  little  chestnut  and  an  ashy  median  stripe. 
Very  young  birds  may  be  conspicuous- 
ly streaked  below,  and  a  few  streaks 
may  persist  on  the  sides  of  the  breast. 
North  Amer.  at  large,  W.  to  Utah,  N. 
to  Hudson's  Bay  and  Labrador,  but 
chiefly  Eastern  U.  S.  and  Canada; 
breeding  at  least  from  New  England 
northward,  wintering  entirely  in  the 
Southern  States.  Abundant,  but  a 
timid  recluse  of  shrubbery,  swamp, 
and  brake,  and  seldom  seen  by  the^>'o- 
famim  vuhjus;  a  good  musician,  like 
all  the  genus.  Nesting  and  eggs  like 
those  of  the  song  sparrow. 
M.  fascia'ta.  (Lat. /rt.sciafrt,  bundled 
together ;  fascis,  a  bundle  of  rods ;  fas- 
ciii,  a  band;  whence  fasciata,  banded, 
stri)ied  ;  the  allusion  not  to  the  body- 
streaks,  but  to  the  t)bsolete  bands  on 
the  tail-feathers.  Fig.  234.)  Soxc. 
Spakuow.    SiLVEn-TOXGiK.   Below, 


Fio.  233.  —  Swanij)  So!ig  Sparrow, 
Nichols  8C.) 


reduced.    (Slieppard  del. 


white,  slightly  shaded  with  brownish  on  the  flanks  and  crissum ;  with  numerous  black-centred, 
brown-edged  streaks  across  breast  and  along  sides,  usually  forming  a  pectoral  blotch  and 
coalescing  into  maxillary  stripes  bounding  the  wliite  throat ;  crown  dull  bay,  with  fine  black 
streaks,  divided  in  the  middle  and  bounded  on  either  side  by  ashy-whitish  lines ;  vague  brown 
or  dusky  and  whitish  markings  on  the  sides  of  the  head  ;  a  brown  post-ocular  stripe  over  the 
gray  auriculars,  and  another,  not  so  well  defined,  from  angle  of  mcath  below  the  auriculars ; 
the  interscapular  streaks  black,  with  bay  and  ashy-white  edgings  ;  rump  and  cervix  grayish- 
brown,  with  merely  a  few  bay  nutrks  ;  wings  with  dull  bay  edgings,  the  coverts  and  inner  ([nills 
marked  liise  the  intcrscaj)ulars ;  tail  plain  brown,  with  darker  shaft  lines,  on  the  middle  feathers 
at  least,  and  often  with  cd)8olete  transverse  wavy  markings.  Very  constant  in  plumage,  the 
chief  differences  being  in  the  sharpness  an<l  breadth  of  the  markings,  due  in  part  to  the  wear  of 
tlie  feathers.  In  worn  midsummer  plumage,  the  streaking  is  very  sharp,  narrow,  and  black, 
from  wearing  of  the  rufous  and  whitish,  especially  observable  below  where  the  streaks  contrast 
with  white,  and  giving  the  impression  of  heavier  streaking  than  in  fall  and  winter,  when,  in 
fresher  feather,  the  markings  are  softer  and  more  suffuse.  The  aggregation  of  spots  into  a 
blotch  on  the  middle  of  the  breast  is  usual.  Bill  dark  brown,  paler  below  ;  feet  pale  lirown. 
Length  5.90-G.50,  usually  6.30;  extent  8.25-9.25,  usually  8.50-9.00;  wing  2.40-2.75,  usually 
about  2.60 ;  tail  nearer  3.00.  9  averaging  near  the  lesser  dimensions,  but  the  species  re- 
markably constant  in  size,  form,  and  coloring.     Eastern  U.  S.  and  Canada,  breeding  thnuigh- 


' 


li 


Ji 


?u 


372 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PASSEIiES—  OSCINES. 


out  its  range,  wintering  nearly  throughout ;  one  of  the  common  winter  sparrows  of  the  Midtllo 
States.  A  very  abundant  bird  everywhere  in  shrubl)ery  and  tangle,  garden,  orchard,  and  park, 
as  well  as  swamp  and  brake.  A  hearty,  sunny  songster,  whose  quivering  pipe  is  often  tuned 
to  the  most  dreary  scenes;  the  limpid  notes  being  one  of  the  few  snatches  of  bird  melody  that 
enlivens  winter.  Nesting  various,  in  a  bush  near  the  ground,  or  a  grass  tuft,  or  on  the  gnmud  : 
eggs  4-0,  0.75-0.85  X  0.55-0.60,  greenish  or  grayish-white,  endlessly  v.iried  with  browns,  from 
reddish  to  chocolate  as  sui-face-markings,  and  lavender  or  jjurjdish  shell-markings,  either 
speckled,  blotched,  or  clouded :  no  general  eflect  describable  in  few  words.  Two  or  three 
broods  may  b(!  reared. 

245.  M.  t.  fal'lax.  (Lat.  fallax,  fallacious,  deceitful :  well  named.)  Gray  Song  Sparrow. 
E.xtremely  .simihir;  the  first  and  least  departure  from /nsciVi^rt,  and  scarcely  distinguishable ; 
tail  rather  longer ;  tone  of  upjjer  parts  paler, 

gi'ayer  ;  the  streaks  not  so  obviously  blackish 
in  the  centre  and  with  less  rufous ;  obsolete 
(m  rump.  Southern  Kocky  Mt.  region  and 
(ireat  Basin. 

248.  M.  f.  heer'mannl.  (To  Dr.  A.  L.  Heer- 
maun.)  H  Hermann's  Song  Sparrow.  Sim- 
ilar :  tone  of  uj)per  parts  grayish,  the  streaks 
numerous,  broad,  distinct,  with  little  rufitus 
and  mostly  lacking  pale  edging,  obsolete  on 
the  rump.     Size  of  fasciata.     California. 

249.  M.  f.  sumue'Us.  (To  E.  Samuels.)  Samuels' 
Song  Sparrow.  Similar  to  the  last,  in  dis- 
tinctness of  the  black  streaks,  wliich  are  not 
obsolete  on  rump  ;  tone  of  upper  jiarts  ashy- 
gray.  Very  small,  scarcely  5.00;  wing  2.00; 
tail  2.30.     California  coast. 

246.  M.  f.  gutta'ta.  (Lat.  guttata,  marked  with 
drop-like  spots.)  Oregon  Song  Sparrow. 
Decidedly  different.  The  streaking  diffuse, 
the  streaks  above  and  below  dark  rufous- 
brown,  without 'black  centres  or  pale  edges. 
Coloration  blended,  the  general  tone  ruddy; 
under  parts  extensively  shaded  with  brownish,  except  on  belly.  About  the  size  of  fasciata, 
or  rather  larger.  Pacific  eoas^t,  U.  S.  and  IJritish  Cidumbia.  This  form  was  recognized  as  dis- 
tinct by  Audubon,  who  wrongly  called  it  Fringilla  cinerea  Gm.  ;  and  by  Nuttall,  who  named 
it  F.  guttata,  and  compared  it  witli  the  fo.x  sparrow,  from  its  resemblance  in  color  to  I'nasereUa 
Hiiica.  , 

247.  31.  f.  rufl'na.  (Lat.  rufina,  reddish.)  RfSTY  Song  Sparrow.  Quite  like  guttata;  larger 
and  darker;  tone  of  upper  parts  smoky-brown,  the  streaking  very  dark.  Wing  and  tail  about 
3.00.  Pacific  coast,  British  Columbia  and  northward.  (Combined  by  Baird  with  the  last, 
unth'r  name  of  31.  rufina.) 

250.  M.  eine'rea.  (Lat.  cinerea,  a.shy.)  Cisereoits  Song  Sparrow.  Kadiak  Song  Sparrow. 
Peculiar  in  size,  8ha])e,  and  color.  Above,  brownish  slat<'-color,  more  rufous  on  wings,  the 
streaking  broad  and  blended,  very  dark.  Below,  jdumbeous-whitish,  shaded  with  brown  on 
sides,  the  streaks  broad,  diffuse,  and  dark.  Spring  and  fall  jdmnages  differ  much,  but  tin;  bird 
may  be  recognized  by  its  great  size.  Length  about  7-00  ;  wing  3.30  ;  tail  3.50  ;  bill  very  long, 
slender  for  its  length ;  culmen  about  0.60 ;  depth  at  base  0.30.  Kadiak,  Alaska ;  Aleutian 
Islands.     (Fringilla  cinerea  Gm.  M.  in.signis  Bd.) 


Fio   234.  —  Song  Sparrow,  reduced.    (Slieppard  del. 
NicliolK  gc. ) 


8C 


251 


2.V-. 


FRINGILLID^ :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,  ETC.         373 


80.    PEUC^'A.     (Gr.  ntvKfi,  pence,  a  pino ;  not  well  applied  except  to  P.  astivalis.)     Simmer 

Finches.     IJill  of  moderate  size,  mther  elongate-eonic,  upper  iiiaudilile  declivous  toward  cud, 

coniinissurc  bent.     Wings  short  and  much  rounded,  folding  little  if  any  beyond  base  ((f  tail,  tlie 

inner  secondaries  not  elongated.    Tail  little  or  much  longer  than  wing,  much   rounded,  the 

lateral  feathers  some  i  an  inch  shorter  than  tiie  middle;  of  weak  narrowly  linear  featluiii  with 

elliptically  rounded  ends.     Feet  small  and  weak,  not  reaching  wlieu  outstretched  nearly  tn  end 

of  tail;  tarsus  about  equal  to  middle  too  and  claw;  lateral  toes  equal,  short,  their  claws  not 

nearly  reaching  base  of  middle  claw.     Adults  scarcely  or  not  streaked  below  ;  crown  chestnut 

or  (oftcner)  quite  like  back,  streaked  with  rusty-brown,  black,  and  gray.     A  su])erciliary  and 

post-ocular  stripe,  but  usually  none  running  under  auriculars;   more  or  less  distinct   black 

maxillary  stripes.     Edge  of  wing  yellow  (in  most  species.     These  nest  on  the  ground  and  lay 

white  eggs). 

Analysis  of  Species  {ailults). 

Edge  of  wing  yellow.   Crown  not  uniform  chestnut ;  no  chestnut  on  lesser  wing-coverts.    INIaxillary  stripes 

slight.    Nest  on  ground ;  eggs  white. 
Broadly  marked  above  with  rufous  streaks  or  blotches  on  ashy  ground,  with  black  centres  of  the 

streaks  on  middle  of  back.    Tall-feathers  plain,  or  only  with  obscure  whitish  area  .    .  o'stii-nliii    251-253 
Marked  above  with  pale  brown  black-centred  streaks,  these  black  centres  enlarged  transversely  at 

their  ends  on  the  middle  of  back.    Tail-feathers  shafted  and  barred  with  blackish,  the  outer  broadly 

edgcil  and  tipped  with  white casniiii    'JM 

Edge  of  wing  not  yellow.    Crown  chestnut.    Maxillary  stripes  heavy. 

No  chestnut  on  lesser  wlng-K-'overts rujiceps    255-'.'5ri 

A  ciiestnut  patch  on  lesser  wing-coverts carpal  is    i;57 

251.  P.  sestlva'Us.  (hat.  a;stivalis,  Vike  eestivus,  swnmory ;  «;stas,  summer.)  Bachman's  Si'mmeu 
Finch.  Upper  parts,  including  crown,  continuously  streaked  with  blackish,  dull  chestnut  and 
ashy-gray ;  no  yellow  about  head ;  wing-coverts  and  inner  secondaries  marked  like  the  back  ; 
edge  and  bend  of  wing  yellow,  as  in  Coturnkiilus  passerinus.  Helow,  dull  brownish-ash,  or 
brownish-gray,  whitening  on  the  belly,  deepest  on  sides  and  across  breast,  nowhere  obviously 
streaked  in  adult  plumage.  Some  obscure  dusky  ma.xillary  streaks,  some  vague  dusky  niai-li- 
ings  on  auriculars,  a  slight  ashy  superciliary  line,  and  very  obscure  median  ashy  line  on  crown. 
Hill  dark  above,  pale  behjw ;  legs  very  pale ;  lateral  claws  falling  far  short  of  base  of  middle 
claw;  hind  claw  much  shorter  than  its  digit ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  tail 
much  rounded,  with  obscure  grayish-white  area  on  the  lateral  feathers.  Yoting  have  tiie  breast 
and  sides  evidently  streaked.  Length  5.75-6.20,  average  5. 'JO;  e.xtent  7.60-8.30,  average  8.00; 
wing  2.17-2.55,  average  2.10 ;  tail  2.25-2.68,  avei-age  2.50.  South  Atlantic  States,  strictly, 
and  especially  a  bird  of  pine  barrens,  common  in  suitable  localities  ;  a  line  songster.  Nest  on 
the  ground,  of  grasses;  eggs  4,  0.75  X  0.60,  pure  white.  As  the  first  described  si)ecios  of  tlie 
genus,  this  has  been  used  as  a  statulard  of  comparison  ;  but  it  is  the  most  modified  oft'shoot  of  a 
geiuis  which  focusses  in  the  Soutliwest  and  Mexico. 

2i>2.  P.  8e.  lllinoen'sls.  (Of  Illinois.)  Illinois  Sijimer  FiNCH.  Oak-woods  Sparrow.  Above, 
sandy-ferruginous,  indistinctly  streaked  with  light  ashy-gray,  the  streak.s  broadest  on  the  back 
and  middle  line  of  crown ;  interscapulars  sometimes  with  narrow  black  streaks.  Wings  light 
ferruginous,  the  greater  coverts  less  reddish  and  edged  with  paler ;  inner  secondaries  dusky, 
bordered  at  ends  with  pale  reddish  ash.  Tail  plain  grayish-brown,  with  ashy  edgings  of  the 
feathers.  Sides  of  head,  neck,  and  body  and  breast  (piite  across,  dingy  buff-color,  deepest  on 
breast,  paler  on  throat  and  chin  ;  a  post-ocular  rusty-brown  streak  over  the  auriculars  ;  sides 
of  neck  streaked  with  the  same  ;  an  indistinct  dusky  streak  on  side  of  throat ;  belly  dull  white  ; 
erissum  buff;  edge  of  wing  bright  yellow;  bill  pale  horn-color,  darkest  above;  feet  palo 
brown;  iris  brown.  Size  of  ffi.s^'w//i.v;  wing  a  little  longer,  2.35-2.60,  average  2.50  ;  tail  2.55- 
3.80,  average  2.70  ;  bill  thicker;  black  streaks  of  upper  parts,  instead  of  being  generally  dis- 
tributed, few  and  confined  to  the  interscapulars ;  breast  and  sides  more  buffy.  Illinois  to 
Texas.     (Like  tcsticalis  proper,  but  quite  different  from  any  of  th6  following  forms.) 


! 


374 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


253.  p.  H>.  arlzo'nae.  (Of  Arizona.)  Auizona  Simmkr  Finch.  With  tt  general  likeness  to  P. 
(Sstivalis,  in  pattern  of  coloration,  streaking  of  all  ujiper  parts,  similarity  of  back  to  crown, 
yellow  edge  of  wing,  and  plain  tail  feathers ;  size  same,  wing  and  tail  a  trifle  longer  (as  in 
illhwensis).  Colors  duller  and  less  variegated  ;  maxillary  stripes  oWurc  or  obsolete.  Upper 
parts  light  dull  chestnut  or  reddish-brown,  miulerately  streaked  with  plunib(>ous-gray,  hut 
reddish  tlie  prevailing  tone;  interscapular  feathers,  and  sometimes  those  of  the  crown,  with 
blackish  centres;  a  poorly  defined  light  superciliary  stripe.  Beneath,  dull  whitish,  unstreaked, 
the  breast  and  sides  with  a  decided  ochrey-brown  tinge.  Wings  dusky,  the  inner  secondaries 
darker  and  Mitii  more  conspicuous  rusty-brown  edgings  than  those  of  the  longer  (luilis,  and  also 
some  whitish  edging  or  tipping.  Hill  blackish  above,  pale  below;  legs  flesh  color.  Young  : 
above,  streaked  with  blackish  and  yellowish-gray,  showing  little  reddish  ;  under  parts  more  or 
less  streaked  witii  dusky.  Western  Texas,  New  Mc'xico,  Arizona  and  southward.  (Tliis  is 
what  I  meant  by  P.  var.  casiiini  of  the  orig.  ed.  of  the  Key ;  but  true  cassini  is  entirely  differ- 
ent.    Var.  arizona  is  probably  identical  with  Zonotrichia  botterii  Scl.) 

254.  P.  cas'sini.  (To  John  Cassin.)  Ca.ssin''s  Summer  Fin'Cii.  Belonging  to  the  asfivnlia 
group,  with  yellow  edge  of  wing,  and  most  resembling  var.  arizontc;  but  periectly  distinct.  A 
peculiar  character  of  marking  raises  groundless  suspicion  of  immaturity.  $  9  ,  adult :  Entire 
ui)per  parts,  from  bill  to  tail,  alike  in  pattern  of  cidoration  — a  peculiarly  intimate  vari<'gatio)i 
of  ashy-gray,  rufous-brown  and  blackish  —  the  ruddy  color  occupying  most  of  the  feathers, 
wiiich  have  a  blackish  central  field  and  gray  edging  ;  the  blackish  area  on  each  feather,  espe- 
cially of  the  back,  rump,  and  upjjcr  tail-coverts,  where  it  is  most  conspicuous,  being  hammer- 
headed,  or  widened  toward  the  end  of  the  feather.  Pattern  of  markings  smallest  on  the  cervix. 
No  special  heail-markings,  though  then'  is  a  tendency  toward  a  lateral  browner  band  on  the 
side  of  the  crown;  and  browner  post-ocular  stripe,  separated  by  a  gray  interval.  A'ariegation 
of  the  upper  parts  descending  on  sides  of  nec^k  ;  sides  of  head  with  some  vague  markings. 
Innermost  secondaries  showing  quite  blackish  in  the  general  field  of  the  n\i\>n-  parts,  and  edged 
all  around  with  a  firm  border  of  ashy-white  or  hoary-white.  Greater  and  middle  coverts  exactly 
like  the  inner  secondaries ;  jjrimaries  similar,  but  the  edging  uot  so  clear.  Edge  of  wing  clear 
yellow,  and  somo  of  the  least  coverts  tinged  with  this  color.  Tail  curiously  j)articolored  ; 
middle  pair  of  feathers  light  grayish-brown,  with  a  strong  dusky  shaft-line  throwing  oft"  uuukm-- 
ous  dusky  cross-bars,  so  that  these  feathers  seem  "watered"  with  lighter  and  darker  shades. 
Other  tail-feathers,  except  the  outermost  pair,  are  dusky-brown,  with  pale  grayish-brown 
terminal  spots  increasing  in  size  from  the  inner  feathers  outward.  On  the  outermost  fi'ather 
this  pale  gray  space  is  very  hirge,  and  rinnned  all  around  with  white.  An  indistinct  maxillary 
stripe  on  each  side  of  the  chin.  A  number  of  strong  well-defined  dusky  strijies  on  tiie  flanks  ; 
otherwise,  entire  nuder  parts  unmarked,  and  of  :v  dingy  whiti.sh  color,  clearest  on  the  belly  and 
throat,  more  grayish  on  the  sides  and  across  brea.st.  Bill  brown,  pale  below;  feet  i)ale. 
Length  f).00-('>.25 ;  extent  about  8.25;  wing  2.50;  tail  2.75.  Young:  Described  as  very 
similar,  but  with  a  few  drop-shaped  streaks  on  the  juguUnn  and  along  sides  ;  feathers  of  upper 
parts  with  a  more  ajtpreciable  terminal  border  of  bufl".  Texas  to  California,  N.  to  Kansas,  S. 
into  Mexico.     Habits,  nest,  and  eggs  as  in  P.  astivnlis  (eggs  pure  white). 

255.  P.  ru'flceps.  (Lat.  ruficeps,  red-headed.)  RuFou.s-i'ROWNEO  Simmku  Fixcn.  BeU)nging 
to  a  difl'erent  section  of  the  genus,  without  any  yellow  on  edge  of  wing  as  in  the  rcs^iraZjs  group 
and  cassini.  Lesser  wing-coverts  not  chestnut  as  in  P.  cavpalis.  Strong  maxillary  streaks. 
$  9  t  atlult :  Crown  bright  chestnut,  in  perfect  condition  bright  and  continuous,  blackening 
on  forehead,  where  divided  by  a  short  whitish  line  (whole  cap  thus  as  in  SpizeUu  socialis  or 
Mclospiza  pnlustris) ;  crown,  however,  oftener  streaked  with  olive-ash,  especially  along  a 
median  dividing  line,  thus  assimilating  more  nearly  with  colors  of  other  upuer  parts.  An 
obscure  olive-ashy  superciliary  line,  whitening  over  the  lores.  Back  streaked  with  olive-ash  and 
chestnut-brown,  the  latter  Bometimes  distinct,  as  bold  streaking  with   ashy  edging  of  the 


FRINGILLIDJE :  FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPAliUOWS,  ETC. 


375 


feathers,  soiiietiines  spreading  almost  to  extinction  of  tlio  ashy  ;  and  the  brown  also  varying  in 
shade  from  u  kind  of  i)uri)lish-bay  to  light  rusty-brown,  aj)j)arently  according  to  wear  and  tear 
of  the  plumage.  Wings  and  tail  dusky,  with  varying  amount  of  reddish-brown  edgings  of  tlie 
feathers.  Under  parts  dull  whitisli,  strongly  shaded  with  olive-gray  or  (dive-brown,  jtaler  on 
belly,  quite  whitish  on  throat,  which  latter  is  bounded  by  strong  blacl'.  maxillary  stripes.  Size 
of  P.  casshii,  or  rather  less.  Young :  Crown  like  back  ;  under  parts  streaked  with  dusky, 
especially  the  breast.     California.     Xest  and  eggs  still  imknown. 

2,"»«.  P.  r.  boucar'di.  (To  Adolphe  IJoucard,  a  French  c(dlector.)  B()iTCAni>'8  Si'MMEu  Finch. 
From  the  typical  Californiau  ruficeps  the  Arizona  bird  is  said  to  difl'er  in  being  darker,  more 
brownish-plumbeous  than  olive-ash,  the  dorsal  streaks  scarcely  rufous,  and  with  black  shaft- 
streaks.  Few  spaiTows,  if  any,  vary  more  than  the  species  of  Peuaca,  according  t(j  mere  wear 
of  the  feathers,  indeperidently  of  any  moult,  and  to  some  extent  of  season.  Birds  of  very 
difterent  aspect  result,  and  it  is  not  clear  how  the  present  alleged  variety  differs  from  riificejys 
proper.  Obs.  P.  r.  eremccca  IJrown,  Texas,  seems  scarcely  ditt'crent.  I'eiicaa  seems  to  he, 
like  Jiinco,  Melospiza,  Passerella,  etc.,  still  unstable  in  its  specific  differentiations  —  to  ho 
"  making  species,"  in  fact. 

257.  P.  carpa'lis.  (Lat.  carpalis,  relating  to  the  carpus,  or  wrist-joint.)  Uay-wisged  Si'MMEu 
Finch.  Belonging  to  the  section  without  yellow  on  edge  of  wing.  Lesser  wing-coverts 
chestnut,  forming  a  patch  as  conspicuous  as  in  Powcetes  or  Auriparus.  Strong  black  maxillary 
stripes.  Whole  crown  rufous,  or  dull  bay,  divided  on  fi>rehcad  by  a  short  pale  stripe,  and 
bordered  with  a  pale  grayish-ash  su[)erciliary  stripe.  Cervix  like  crown,  but  mixed  with  ashy- 
gray.  Middle  of  back  and  scapulars  grayish-brown,  mixed  with  a  little  bay,  and  shar|>ly 
streaked  with  blackish ;  lower  back  gray,  with  little  or  no  black  or  brown.  The  general  effect 
of  the  upper  parts,  crown,  and  back,  is  like  that  of  Sjuzella  socuiUs.  Wings  and  their  greater 
coverts  dusky,  with  grayish-fulvous  edging  and  tipping ;  j>rimavies  and  tail-feathers  with 
whitish  edging ;  one  or  two  outer  tail-feathers  white-tipped.  Under  parts  white,  shaded  on 
breast  and  sides  with  ashy,  the  throiit  pure  white,  bounded  on  each  side  by  a  sharp  black 
maxillary  stripe,  above  which  is  another  dark  line  from  angle  of  mouth.  Bill  apparently 
reddish  flesh  color  below,  dusky  above;  feet  pale  brown,  the  toes  rather  darker.  Length  about 
6.00;  extent  8.50;  wing  2.25-2.50;  tail  2.75,  graduated  about  0.50;  bill  O.iO;  tarsus  0.67. 
Less  mature  :  Crown  less  difterent  from  back,  being  streaked  with  ashy,  blackisli,  and  rufous. 
Very  young :  No  chestnut  on  wing-coverts,  and  under  parts  streaked  with  dusky ;  thus  much 
like  the  earliest  stage  of  Spisella  socialis;  after  this  first  stage  the  chestnut  bend  of  the  wing  is 
always  conspicuous.  Arizona ;  a  very  distinct  and  curious  species,  lately  discovered.  Farther 
peculiar  in  nesting  in  bushes  and  laying  a  greenish  egg,  all  the  other  Peuccca,  as  far  as  known 
nesting  on  ground  and  laying  pure  white  eggs.  {P.  rujice})s,  however,  is  not  yet  known  in 
this  particular.)  Eggs  4-5,  0.72X0.58,  June-September;  nest  in  a  fork  of  bush,  deeply 
cupi)ed,  of  grivsses,  rootlets,  and  hairs. 

81.  AJIPHISPl'ZA.  (Gr.  d/j<^t,  rtm^j/n",  on  both  sides ;  mriCa,  spiza,  a.  finch  :  alluding  to  the  close 
relation  of  the  genus  to  those  about  it.)  SACfE  Si'AUROWS.  Bill  moderate,  conical,  not  peculiar. 
W^ings  folding  considerably  beyond  the  base  of  the  tail,  M-ithout  elongated  inner  secondaries ; 
point  of  wing  formed  by  2d-5th  quill,  the  1st  between  6tli  and  7th.  Tail  not  shorter  than  wings, 
of  rather  broad  firm  feathers,  rounded  at  ends.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw ;  lateral 
toes  of  unequal  lengths,  the  outer  (h)nger)  not  reaching  to  base  of  middle  claw.  Embracing  two 
Southwestern  species,  with  rounded  blackish  tail  not  shorter  than  the  wings,  plumbeous-black 
bill  and  feet,  and  few  decided  streaks,  or  none.  These  do  not  particularly  resemble  each  other, 
and  might  not  necessarily  be  associated  ;  nor  is  the  genus  well  characterized,  though  diffi.'rent 
from  the  exotic  Poospiza  to  which  the  species  were  fonnerly  referred.  The  larger  one  of  the 
two  species,  A.  belli,  is  sometimes  placed  in  the  genus  Zonotrichia. 


V 


I 


876 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —PA SSESES  —  OSCINES. 


AnalyaiB  of  Speciet. 

Adult  with  throat  blnclc,  pities  not  8treake<l,  nnd  no  yellow  (in  edge  of  wlDg Ullneatn  '£iS 

Adult  with  tliroat  white,  Hldeti  streaked,  and  yellow  nn  edge  of  wing. 

Smaller:  wing  and  tall  under  ;i.(Ki ;  dorsal  streaks  ubsolete belli  '251> 

l..arger:  wing  nnd  tail  3.0U  or  more  ;  dorsal  streaks  distinct nevmleiisis  2(K) 

258.  A.  billnea'ta.  (Lat.  bilineata,  two-lined ;  Ins,  twice,  linea,  a  line  ;  iilliuling  to  the  stripes  on 
the  liciul.  Fig.  2:55.)  HLACK-TimoATEn  Finch.  HLACK-FAtKn  Saok  .Spauuow.  ^  9 , 
adult :  Face,  chin,  and  tliroat  sharply  jet-black  ;  a  strong  white  superciliary  line,  and  another 
bounding  the  black  of  the  throat ;  under  eyelid  white  ;  auricuhirs  dark  slate.  No  yellow  any- 
where. Below,  pure  white;  the  sides,  ilanks,  and  crissuiii  shaded  with  ashy  or  fulvoqs- 
-i»       -'i  ^  .^^^  brownish,  but  no  streaks.    Above,  nniforni  gray- 

^^^^^^  M^^^^^  ish-brown ;  clearer  ash  in  high  plumage,  other- 

wise browner,  generally  more  ashy  anteriorly  than 
^^^^^t^^^^Kf^^^M  behind,  and  shading  insensibly  into  the  black  of 

$^^^b^r^sii^^^^^BP^^^^^H^9^     ^'"^  ^''*'''''     ^^'^'"K^  dusky ;  coverts  and  inner  (|uil1s 
.4^iM^3*Sa»k^^^^^^^       ^K^^K^     edged  with  the  c(dor  of  the  back.     Tail   black, 

with  narrow  grayish  edgings ;  the  outer  feather 

sharply  edged  and  tipped  with  white,  and  several 

i^SRtJ?3fiK-;^.^||||^-G^MbB..~'jn:''      -^      others  similarly  tip[ied.     Hill  and  feet  jdumbe- 

ous-black.     Small:    lengtli    about    5.50;    wing 

«^^k       '£i_:       about  2.50;  tail  2.75.    Young:  The  head-mark - 

»■  >.T,»iF-r  tsB^B^iu        vW  '"^''  "'^"*i''"'e  ;  little  or  no  black  on  tliroat;  a  few 

M  "■<■ -""i.ii  ,  5*?^kS*  x"^  pectoral  streaks.     Owing  to  absence  of  bhu-k  on 

V'*\         the  throat,  the  white  maxillary  stripe  is  ill-de- 
Fio.  235.— Black-thronted  Finch,  reduced.  (Shep-    fined,  but  the  other  strijie  is  conspicuous.     Hack 
pard del. Nichols sc.)  ^.,^1,^^  brown  than  ashy;  tail  blackish,  not  pure 

black.  A  jaunty  little  sparrow,  haunting  tl'S  sage-brush  and  chaparral  of  the  southwest,  from 
Texas  to  California,  N.  to  Utah  and  Nevada  or  farther,  migratory  northerly.  An  ett'ective 
songster.     Nest  in  bushes  close  to  the  ground;    eggs 4-5,  0.72  X  0.58,  whitish,  unmarked. 

259.  A.  belli.  (To  J.  G.  Bell,  of  N.  Y.)  Beix'.s  Finch.  CALiFoitxiA  .Saok  Si'AKuow.  No 
definite  black  about  head,  and  edge  of  wing  slightly  yellowish.  Forehead,  line  over  eye,  and 
edges  of  eyelids,  inconspicuously  white.  Below,  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with  jiale  brownish, 
the  sides  with  .slight  sparse  streaks  that  anteriorly  become  aggregated  into  slight  maxillary 
stripes  cutting  off  from  the  white  throat  a  whiti.sh  line  that  runs  from  the  corner  of  the  bill ; 
hires  and  circum-ocular  region  dusky.  Above,  grayish-brown,  ashier  on  head,  the  middle  of  the 
back  with  snial)  obscure  blackish  streaks;  wing-coverts  and  inner  i|uills  with  much  fulvous 
edging ;  tail  black  with  slight  pale  edgings,  the  outer  web  of  the  outer  feathei'  simply  whitish. 
Bill  and  feet  jdunibeous-blue.  Length  under  6.00  ;  wing  and  tail  under  3.00.  Southern 
California,  resident.     Nest  in  low  bushes  or  on  the  ground  ;  eggs  greeni.sh-blue,  speckled. 

260.  A.  b.  nevaden'sis.  Artemisia  Spahrow.  Nevaka  Sage  Sparrow.  Similar  to  th<?  last 
in  coloration.  Edge  of  wing,  and  sometimes  the  lesser  coverts,  yeUowish.  Above,  ashy-brown, 
much  as  in  P.  hUineata,  clearer  ash  anteriorly,  more  brownish  behind ;  also  clearer  in  high 
plumage,  and  more  overcast  with  brown  in  less  mature  specimens ;  the  middle  of  the  back  and 
the  scapulars  very  notablj-  streaked  with  fine  black  lines.  Below,  white  ;  the  sides  and  some- 
times, especially  in  fall  .specimens,  most  of  the  under  parts  shaded  with  pale  fulvous-brown;  the 
sides,  and  sometimes  the  breast,  with  dusky  streaks,  which  on  the  side  of  the  neck  tend  to  run 
in  a  chain,  partly  distinguishing  a  jiure  white  lateral  strijie  above  them  from  the  general 
whitish  of  the  under  parts.  Sides  of  head  slaty,  becoming  dusky  on  lores  ;  a  conspicuous  white 
eye-ring.  A  short  white  line  above  lores,  and  another  on  middle  of  forehead.  Wings  and  tail 
as  in  the  last;  outer  feather  edged  and  tipped  with  white.     Bill  dark  bluish-plumbeous,  under 


82. 


*^GI 


FRINGILLIDJE:   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,    ETC.  377 


iDiiudiblo  somi'tiiiu's  yt'Uuwish.  DcciikMlly  larfjcr  tlian  helH  proper,  tli(iiit;h  so  littk'  (lifl'cmit  in 
color;  wing  and  tail  fully  S.OO,  if  notnioro;  bill  0.U5  ;  tarsus  0.7').  Southern  Rocky  Mt. 
region,  N.  to  K)"  and  beyond,  resident ;  abounding  in  the  .sage-brush  deserts  of  Nevada, 
Utah,  New  Mexico  and  Arifona.  Xesting  as  in  P.  belli;  eggs  0.80  X  0.(50,  pale  greenish,  pro- 
fusely .speckled  with  reddish -brown  and  hiackish-brown,  with  purplish  shell-nuirkings. 
82.  JUN'CO.  (fLat.  juncKS,  a  reed.)  Sxow  .Si>AHK()\v.s.  SNow-muiLS.  Bill  small,  strictly 
conic.  Wings  rather  long,  the  \)riuiaries  much  suii)assing  the  short  inner  secondaries  in  the 
cUwed  wing  ;  usually  2d,  3d,  and  4th  quills  longest,  5th  little  shorter,  then  Ist  and  (ith.  Tarsus 
a  little  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw;  lateral  toes  suboqual,  their  claws  about  reaching  base 
of  middle  claw.  Tail  about  as  long  as  wings,  slightly  eniarginate  or  iibout  even,  of  rather 
narrow  but  firm  fcathei"s,  rounded  oval  at  ends.  A  beautiful  genus;  adults  unspotted, 
unstreaked,  the  ccdia-s  massed  in  large  definite  areas  ;  belly,  crissum,  and  2-3  lateral  tail-feathers 
white  ;  hill  whitish,  or  black  and  yeUow.  Length  (1  or  7  inches  ;  wing  and  tail  about  3  inches. 
Sexes  subsiniilar,  but  ^  clearer  and  i)urer  in  c(doration;  young  entirely  ditt'erent,  ([uite  streaky. 
Nest  on  the  ground;  eggs  speckled.  One  common  Eastern  species;  in  the  West  the  Junco 
stock  s]dit  into  numerous  forms,  all  of  which  intergrade  with  each  other,  and  with  the  Eastern 
bird.  Almo.st  all  late  writers  have  taken  a  hand  at  Junco,  shutHing  them  about  in  the  vain 
attempt  to  decide  which  are  "species"  and  which  "  varieties."  All  arc  either,  or  both,  as  wo 
iriay  elect  to  consider  them  ■  for  the  degree  of  ditt'erence  between  almost  any  two  of  the  nearest 
related  ones  is  about  the  same.  The  distinctions  between  the  typical  styles  of  each  are  very 
nice  and  easily  perceived.  The  theory  of  hybridization  advanced  to  account  for  the  connecting 
links  .simply  restates  without  exi)laining  the  case  ;  for  interbreeding  is  just  (me  of  the  conditions 
of  intergradcd  species,  keeping  them  from  positive  distinctness.  Upon  this  understanding  the 
recognizable  styles  of  Junco  may  all  be  treated  alike.     Adult  male  birds  of  the  several  forms 

afi'onl  the  fidlowing 

Analysis  of  Species  or  Subspecies. 
Bill  flesh-color. 

Blaokish-nsli,  witlioiit  rei)<1i!>1i  tints;  sides  nsliy. 

No  wliito  wing-bars .    .    hieitmli.i  '2fil 

Two  wliito  wing-biirs aikvni  Lfi'J 

(mixed  clmracteis  of  first  and  next connectiiis    26-'« 

Sooty-biaulc  on  licad  and  bri^ast ;  baciv  rcddtsli ;  sides  pinkish ornjim  lu  '.'(>:) 

(mixed  cliaraeters  of  last  and  next anmclens  2fi4 

Ashy  on  liead  and  breast;  interscapulaiB  alone  reddish canicips  'lf& 

Bill  blaek  and  yeliow. 

(mixed  rlinracters  of  last  .ind  next dorsal  is  266 

Ashy  on  head  and  l>reaHt ;  interscapulars  and  wing-covorts  rcddisli cinereus  '2CT 

Setting  aside  aikoii  as  a  special  oft'slioot,  we  have  hicmalis  connected  with  oregonus  by 
birds  possessing  pink  sides  and  ashy  back,  or  reddish  back  and  ashy  sides ;  this  style  may  be 
named  connectens.  Similarly,  orcgoniis  and  crniiceps  are  annexed  by  gray-headed  red-backed 
birds  with  pink  sides;  this  is  (innectcns.  And  again,  but  more  renuirkably,  the  i)ink-billed 
canicrps  is  affixed  with  the  bhu-k-and-yellow-billed  cinereus  by  dorsalis,  which  has  the  bill  of 
the  latter,  but  otherwise  resembles  the  former. 
aoi.  J.  hieina'lis.  (Lat.  hienialis,  wintry;  hicms,  winter.  Fig.  236.)  Eastern  Sxow-iiird. 
IJi.ACK  Sxow-niui).  lihickish-ash,  below  abruptly  pure  white  from  the  breast,  the  sides  shaded 
with  ashy.  In  the  9  ,  -lud  most  fall  and  winter  specimens,  the  upper  jiarts  have  a  more  grayish, 
or  even  a  decidedly  brownish,  cast,  and  the  inner  secondaries  are  edged  with  ])ale  bay.  ^ ,  in  full 
dress :  The  slaty-black  intense  on  the  head  ;  lielly  and  crissum  pure  white,  the  line  between 
the  two  transverse  or  convex  forw;ird ;  wings  and  tail  blackish,  with  slightly  hoary  edging  of 
soineofthe  feathers  ;  2-3  lateral  tail  feathers  pure  white,  wholly  or  in  greatest  part.  No  rusty- 
brown  on  back  or  sides;  any  shade  on  the  sides  ashy,  not  pinki.sh.  Bill  pinkish-white,  or 
ttesh-color,  usually  black-tipped.  Length  6.00-f)., 50  ;  extent  9..50-10.00  ;  wing  3.00-3.25;  tjiil 
rather  less.     These  extremes  uncommon;   average  6.25 — 9.75 — 3.10.     9t  i"  summer:    The 


!' 


378 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —I'ASSEIiES—  OSVINES. 


i  I' 


I 


sluto-cnlor  loss  intense,  ovcrluid  with  brown  (not  reildisli),  sometimes  qiiitu  bn>wn  ;  edtfini;  of 
inner  Hecondiu'ies  rusty-brown  ;  iivenigc  less  white  on  tiie  tiiil ;  ratlior  smaller  ;  averiige  about 
nt  tho  lesser  of  the  above  diuiensions:  sunictimes  only  5.73 — 9.^5 — 2.75.  <J  9i  '"  winter: 
Itesembling  the  9  in  summer.  Young  of  tho  year:  Tlie  gi'ueral  eolor  ratiier  brown  than 
slate,  with  conspicuous  bay  edgings  of  inner  secondaries;  bill  much  obscured  with  dusky. 
The  brown  overcast,  it  should  bo  id>served,  is  a  general  shading,  not  of  j)artlcular  areas,  and 
not  i)inkish.  Young  before  first  inoidt :  Entirely  streaked  and  sjiotted,  like  most  very  young 
sparrows.  Ui)per  jmrts  streaked  with  blackish  and  rusty-brown,  the  secondaries  and  wing 
coverts  consjiicuously  edged  with  tho  lutter.     Under  parts  streaked  or  spec^kled  with  dusky 

and  oehrey  brown,  on  all  the  fore  jmrts  and 
sides,  the  belly  and  erissum  soiled  whitLsh.  IJill 
dusky,  paler  below.  Eastern  N.  Amer.,  N.  W. 
to  Alaska,  W.  to  the  ]{(icky  Mts.  and  even 
Utah  and  Washington  Territories  ;  still  chieHy 
Eastern.  One  of  oin-  most  abundant  and  familiar 
winter  birds,  in  tlocks  in  the  shrubbery,  from 
October  to  April.  Hetires  to  high  latitudes  or 
altitudes  to  breed.  Nests  in  mountains  of  tho 
Middle  and  someof  tlie  Southern  States,  as  Vir- 
ginia and  X«)rth  l"ar<dina,  and  dttwn  to  sea  level 
from  the  limn,'  of  tin;  Canadian  fauiui  in  Maine  ; 
winters  anywhere  in  the  U.  S.,  most  numerously 
from  Massachusetts  southward  ;  a  cheery  bright 
little  bird,  coming  fearlessly  to  the  threshcdd 
and  window-sill  in  bad  weather.  Its  snapping 
note  is  better  known  than  is  the  pleasant  song 
with  which  it  takes  leave  in  the  spring.  Nest 
on  tho  ground ;  eggs  4-0,  white,  sprinkled 
with  reddish  and  darker  brown  dots,  about 
O.SO  X  0.00. 

202.  J.  h.  al'keni.  (To  C.  E.  Aiken,  of  Colorado.)  WiiiTE-AvixoED  Black  Snow-biuh.  Like 
the  last :  the  wings  crossed  with  two  white  bars  formed  by  the  tips  of  the  greater  and  middle 
coverts  ;  and  sometimes  white  edging  of  the  hnier  secondaries.  Hather  large.  Mts.  of  C<dorado. 
262a.  J.  li,  connec'tcns.  (Lat.  connectens,  connecting;  cow,  M'ith,  nccto,  I  join.)  IIybkid  Snow- 
iiiui).  Possessing  in  varying  degree  tlie  ('haracters  of  hicmaUs  and  oregonus;  rufous  back  of 
the  latter  and  ashy  sides  of  tho  former,  or,  ofteiiei-,  the  ashy  back  of  the  former  and  pink  sides 
of  the  latter ;  occurring  wherever  the  breeding  range  of  the  two  comes  together,  and  elsewhere 
during  the  migration. 
263.  J.  h.  ore'gonus.  (Lat.  of  the  Oregon  River.)  Oreoon  Snow-bird.  Head  and  neck  all  round 
and  fore  brea.st  sooty-black,  ending  shaqdy  against  white  with  a  rounded  outline  convex  back- 
Mard;  middle  of  back  dull  reddish- brown,  and  feathers  of  the  wings  much  edged  with  the 
same  ;  below  from  the  fore  breast  abru])tly  white,  tinged  on  the  sides  with  j)ale  reddish-brown 
—  a  ])eculiar  "  pinkish  "  shade.  Rill  white,  black-tipped.  In  the  ?  and  young  the  black  is 
obscured  by  browniish,  but  the  typical  form  may  always  be  distinguished  by  an  evidejit  contrast 
in  c(dor  between  the  interscapulars  and  head,  and  the  fulvous  or  j)inkisli  wash  on  the  sides. 
The  season  and  sexual  changes  of  plumage  are  ])arallel  with  those  of  hiemaUs.  A  specimen 
examined  by  me  has  imperfect  white  wing-bars,  like  aikeni.  Kocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific;  as 
abundant  there  as  hiemalis  is  with  us,  and  thence  straggling  eastward ;  has  occurred  in  ^lassa- 
chusetts ;  N.  to  Alaska.  In  the  U.  S.  it  is  less  obviously  migratory  than  hiemalis,  owing  to 
tho  broken  mountainous  regions  it  inhabits. 


•zat. 


Fid.   230. 
Nieliob  KC.) 


-Eastern    Siiow-Biril.    ( SliepimrU  del. 


2«5. 


wa. 


2«7. 


83. 


208 


iniNGlLLW^E:    FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPAlUiOWS,  ETC.         ii7l) 


aoi.  J.  li.  aiiiiec'tens.  (Lat.  nnncctens,  aiincxiiit; ;  tul,  to,  ami  wcto,  I  jnin.)  1'i\k-sii>ki>  Snow- 
Itiui).  ("Iianictcrs  in  gciioral  of  J.  aiHici'ps  (No.  Hi'))  ;  diti'iTs  by  iiicn'c  at»ni]it  ili'liiiitinn  cif  tlm 
wliito  bfUy  f'rtiiii  tlic  asliy  breast,  ami  jtiukish  ."idex  :  by  go  imicli  ri'sciiiblint,'  oiryoiiiis.  SniitliiTii 
Hocky  Mt.  iTginii,  from  Wyomiiiff,  aixl  cspt'i'lally  ('olonulo,  to  New  Mt-xico  and  Arixona; 
ini^n'atiiii;  latitiidimilly  with  ^«'axoll,  l>ut  cliicHy  workiiii;  iiii  and  down  tlit*  nioiintaius. 

•irt.».  •!.  h.  oa'niceps.  (I^at.  miiicrj)/!,  gray-liwulcd  ;  ainiis,  ^ray.)  (Jkav-iikadeh  Sxow-iiiiiii. 
Clrarasli,  jjurcst  on  head,  i)al('r  below,  and  tadin^  Kradually  into  wliiteon  belly;  intersca|iuiars 
abruptly,  definitely,  cliestnut  or  nisty-brown  ;  lores  blaekisli ;  bill  Itesii-eolor  ;  iris  brown;  ni> 
fulvous  wasii  on  sides  ;  no  eliestnut  on  winijs  in  tlie  typical  form,  liather  lar^fer  than  hictmdU; 
lenuth  about  7-<)();  winjr  over  li. 00  ;  tail  about  .'J.OU.  The  sexual  and  seasonal  ehani;es  im'  not 
so  well  marked  as  in  the  iieavily-e,(dored  hiemulis  and  orcgonits,  but  |iarallel  us  far  as  they  ^o. 
Very  younjj  birds  are  .streaketl,  like  all  the  rest.  Hoeky  .Mts.  of  thi'  I'.  S.,  from  Wyoming 
southward  ;  Wahsateh  and  Uintah  Mts.  Five  or  six  of  the  stylos  of  Jhiicd,  ineludin^  J. 
hicniiilix,  occur  totjethei'  in  the  mountains  of  (J<doradi>,  Now  Mexico,  and  Arixona. 

200.  .1.  h.  (lursa'lis.  (Lat.  (loi-Kidis,  pertainini^  to  the  back;  ilorsinn,  the  back.)  ]{Ki>-iiA('KKi> 
SxdW-iiiiti).  Characters  in  general  of  t/.  Crt>i(«y>.s';  but  with  the  bill  Idack  and  yelhnv,  as  in 
riiinriis.     Mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona. 

207.  il.  Ii.  eliic'reiis.  (Lat.  ciuercus,  a,sliy ;  ciiiis,  ashos.)  CiNKUEOtrs  SNow-mitD.  .Mkxican 
Sxu\v-HIK1>.  Like  J.  cankvpn.  Under  ])arts  paler  ash,  fadinu;  .sooner  and  more  insensibly  into 
white;  chestnut  of  back  intense,  and  spreading  over  the  wing-coverts  and  inner  secondaries ; 
npjMT  mandible  black  ;  lower  yellow;  iris  yellow.  Mexico  to  the  U.  ><.  border.  .Mt.  Urahain, 
Arizona. 

83.    SI'IZK1..'LA.     (Ital.   diminutive  form  of  Lat.  sphn.   from  Gr. 

o-TTifn.    11   tincii.)      Uiiii'i'ixr.    Si'AHUOWS.      Kmbracing   snuill     ^^^Sl^ 

species,  .")-()  inches  long,  with  the  long,  broad-feathered,  forked 

tail  about  eqiutUing  (more  or  less)  the  rather  pointed  wings  ;  \S^ 

with  no  yellowisli  anywhere,  and  no  .«treaks  (ai  the  under  parts  X^'^'x'^o   • 

when  (iihilt ;  interscapular  region  distinctly  streaked  ;  rump  jdain  ^^^^^?- 

(excejtt  atrii/iilnris)  ;  t/oiDif/  fully  streaked.    Point  <if  wing  formed  ^^S^^ 

by  M  to  Mb  or  M\  tpiill ;  1st  usually  between  5tli  and  Gth.     Hill 

small,  conic.     Tarsus  little  if  any  longer  than  middle  toe  and         Fio.  2,17.  —  Clilppj's  lic.iil,  ns 

claw;    lateral  toes  about  eciual.     Tail-feathers  wich'nhig  a  little     'a'Bo  as  life.    (K.  C.) 

to  broadly  oval  tips.     Numerous  species.  Eastern  and  Western,  inhabiting  shrubbery;  tlirco 

of  them  familiar  Eastern  birds. 

ytnahish  of  Specirs, 
E.istorn  and  Western  species  with  tlie  crown  o/'/Ac  mliilt  cliiistiitit. 

Bin  liliick  1111(1  yellow;  furelioiul  not  block ;  two  distinct  white  wing-bars;  dark  spot  on  brcnst ;  largo: 

about  6.00  long mnnlimla    268 

mil  ami  fiirelicad  black ;  wing-bars  not  conspicuous;  breast  asliy-whltc,  witlinnt  spot ;  length  under  fi. 

Tail  di'cidciily  shorter  than  wing (luiiicslica    269.  270 

Bill  browiiisli.red ;   forehead  not  black;   wing-bars  Indistinct;  lireast  buffy  white,  without  spot. 

Length  uiiilcr  (i.OO mirestis    271 

Western  species,  with  the  orown  not  chestnut,  and  streaked  like  the  back. 

Crown  divided  by  a  median  stripe,  and  Its  streaks  separated  from  those  of  the  back  by  an  ashy 

interval.    Tail  equal  to  wings pallifJa    272 

Crown  not  evidently  divided,  and  streaked  continuously  with  the  back.    Tail  longer.  .    .    .      hrnn-ri    2Ti 
Western  sirecles.  with  the  crown  of  the  adult  dark  ash.    Face  and  throat  black.    Tall  decidedly  longer 

than  wing atrigitlarh    274 

268.  S.  monti'pola.  (Lat.  motif icola,  inhabiting  mountains ;  mons,  moutis,  a  mountain  ;  colo,  I 
dwell ;  iticola,  tin  inhabitant.)  Tree  Spauuow.  Winter  Chip-bird.  Bill  black  above, 
yellow  below ;  legs  brown ;  toes  black.  No  black  on  forehead ;  crown  chestnut  (in  wint<;r 
specimens  the  feathers  usually  skirted  with  gray),  bordered  by  a  grayish-white  superciliary  and 
loral  line ;  a  postocular  chestnut  stripe  over  auriculars,  and  some  vaguo  chestnut  marks  on 


880 


ay  STEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSKliES  —  OSCINES. 


chcoks;  hWch  (if  head  and  uwk  othorwiHo  aitliy-gray.  llcltiw,  iiii|iiir('Iy  wliitiuli,  tinK<'<l  with 
iwliy  anteriorly,  ^va^<llt'(l  witli  iialc  liniwiiiwli  poHtcriiprly,  flic  middle  of  tlic  lirca.st  witli  an  obsciiro 
duHJiy  Idotcii.  Middle  of  liacl<  Itoldiy  Htrealfed  witli  lilacii,  buy,  and  tlaxen  ;  middle  and  greater 
wing-eoverls  black,  edged  with  bay  and  tippeil  with  white,  fonning  two  eonspieiions  eroHM-bars ; 
inner  neeondarieH  similarly  variegated  ;  other  i|uills  and  tail-featherH  plain  diiwky,  with  pale  or 
whitiMli  edges.  Kemarkably  constant  in  coloration  ;  sexes  iialistingnishable,  and  young  very 
Hinular,  the  chief  variation  being  in  the  veiling  of  the  cap  with  gray.  There  is  a  very  early 
streaky  stage,  however,  as  in  other  species.  A  handsome  sparrow,  the  largest  of  the  genns. 
Length  ."i.SO-O.jJO,  nsually  <).0() ;  extent  8.75-9.75,  nsnally '.t.25  ;  wing  and  tail  2.75-:{.10. 
Abundant  in  the  IJ.  S.  in  winter,  flocking  in  shrubbery;  breeds  in  mountainous  and  boreal 
regions,  even  to  tlu'  Arctic  coast.  Iidre<(uent  or  casual  west  of  the  Hocky  Mts.  Nest  in  low 
bushes  or  on  the  ground,  loosely  constructed  of  bark-strips,  weeds,  and  grasses,  wannly 
lined  with  feathers.  Eggs  4-G  or  even  7,  ptilo  groeu,  minutely  and  regularly  sprinkled  with 
reddish-brown  spots. 
209.  S.  Uomes'tlea.  (Lat.  domestica,  domestic.  Figs.  2;J7,  2U8.)  Ciiipi'ISO  .Spauuow.  Ciiu'- 
itmi)  oiiCiiiiTY.  IIair-iiikd.  Adult:  Hill  black  ;  feetjiale;  crown  chestnnt ;  extrenn- fore- 
head black,  usually  divided  by  a  pale  line;  a  grayish-white  superciliary  line;  behtw  this  a 

blackish  stripe  tbnaigh  eye  and  over  nuricnlars  ; 
lores  dnsky.  Uelow,  a  variable  shade  of  jiale  ash, 
nearly  uniform  and  entirely  inmiarked  ;  back 
streaked  with  black,  didl  bay  and  grayish-brown  ; 
inner  secondaries  and  wing-coverts  similarly  vari- 
egated, the  Xi\m  of  the  greater  and  median  coverts 
forming  whitish  bars;  rinnp  ashy,  with  slight 
blackish  streaks  or  none ;  jirimaries  and  tail- 
feathers  dusky,  with  jialer  edges.  Smaller: 
length  5.00-5.50;  extent  S.OO-O.OO;  wing  i.(\(]- 
2.75  ;  tail  less,  abont  2.50.  Sexes  alike,  but  very 
young  birds  quite  ditt'erent ;  the  crown  being 
streaked  like  the  back,  the  breast  and  sides 
thickly  streaked  with  dusky,  the  bill  jiale  brown, 
and  tho  head  lacking  definite  Idack.  In  this 
stage,  which,  however,  is  of  brief  duration,  it  resembles  some  other  species,  but  nuiy  be  known 
Ijy  a  certain  ashiness  the  others  lack,  and  from  the  sumll  sparrows  that  are  streaked  below 
when  adult,  by  its  generic  characters.  North  America,  extremely  abundant,  and  tho  most 
familiar  s]iecies  about  houses,  in  gardens,  and  elsewhere,  nesting  in  shrubbery ;  nest  of  fine 
dried  grass,  lined  M'ith  hair ;  eggs  4-5,  bluish,  sjieckled  sparsely  and  chietly  about  the  larger 
end  with  blackish-brown,  with  purplish  shell-markings;  siz(^  about  0.70  X  0.55. 

270.  S.  d.  arizo'nae.  (Lat.  of  Arizona.)  AmzoNA  C^iiU'i'iNCt  Spahkow.  Like  an  innnature  S. 
(lonwxdcn.  Paler  than  this  species,  the  ashiness  in  great  measure  brown;  crown  grayish -brown 
streaked  with  dusky  likc^  the  back,  and  showing  evident  traces  of  rich  chestnut,  but  never 
becoming  wholly  chestnut ;  black  frontlet  lacking  or  obscure,  and  no  definite  a.'shy  superciliary 
line,  tho  sides  of  the  crown  merely  lighter  brown  ;  bill  brown  above,  pale  below.  Arizona,  and 
other  portions  of  tho  Southern  Kficky  Mt.  region.  A  curious  form,  as  it  were  an  arrested  stage 
of  domestica.  Some  specimens,  with  the  least  chestnut  on  tho  head,  look  remarkably  like 
breweri,  but  this  last  is  evidently  smaller,  without  chestnut  on  tho  head,  and  otherwise  difleront. 

271.  S.  agres'tls.  (Lat.  rtr/)w<(,s-,  pertaining  to  fields;  a/;ec,  a  field.)  FiKU)  Spakkow.  Bill  palo 
reddish;  foot  very  pale  ;  crown  dull  chestnut;  anriculars  and  postocular  stripe  the  same;  no 
decided  black  or  whitish  abort  head.  Uelow,  white,  unmarked,  but  much  washed  with  pale 
brown  on  breast  and  sides  ;  sides  of  head  and  neck  with  some  vague  brown  markings;  all  tho 


Kio.  2a8.  —  Cliip|ihig-S|iiirr(i\v,  lodiiicil     (isliip- 
pard  del.    NIcliolg  »c  ) 


FmNCiJLLJJKl'J .    FINCllKS,   HUNTINGS,   Sl'AJWOWS,   ETC. 


m\ 


'ZVZ. 


273. 


274. 


ashy  piirtN  of  domeMica  ri'jiliici'tl  hy  jialt.'  lirowiiiMli.  Buck  hri^lit  Imy,  with  Mack  HfrriikH  and 
801III'  palf  tlaxL'u  t'd^iiiKH  ;  iiiiu'r  m'cipmlarit'M  Hiinilarly  viirifpitcil ;  tips  of  iiiiMlinn  ami  ijrcutcr 
covcrtN  t'liriiiiiiK  wliitiuli  ciOMs-liarH.  .Si/c  of  dmnvsliat,  hut  more  iirarly  the  colois  of  iiintiliviila. 
hrufith  5.25-5.73;  extent  7. 75-8. 40 ;  wiuK  i.'M)-2.W  ;  tail  <|iiiti' an  niiicli,  or  nioic,  tlin«  not 
cliortcr  than  winn,  uh  it  is  in  tlin  last.  SexcH  alike  ;  yimn^  for  a  «liort  time  Mtreaketl  lielow,  aH 
u-Mual  in  Spi:ellii.  KaHteru  U.  S.,  ctrictly  ;  lianlly  N.  tlirouKlioui  New  Knifland,  \V.  only  to  the 
edjje  of  tlie  Plains;  migratory  ;  breeds  iisinilly  from  \'irginia  northward,  and  winti'rs  from  tlic 
same  southward ;  very  ahnndaut  in  fields,  i-o))ses,  and  hedges,  in  lloeks  wiien  not  lireeding. 
Nest  indifferently  iu  low  bu»lie»  or  on  ground  ;  ej{>{8  whitish,  fully  speekled  with  rusty-lirown, 
0.(18  X  0.50. 

S.  ptil'lltlu.  (Ijat.  jwi//iV/",  jtale.)  (!l,AY-('(>i,()UKi>  Sl'AUUOW.  ("rown  and  hack  clay-colored 
or  flaxen,  distinctly  streaked  with  black,  without  evident  bay,  the  dorsal  streaks  noticeably 
separated  from  those  of  the  crown,  by  an  aslner,  less  streaked,  ci'rvical  interval ;  rnni]>  brown- 
ish-gray. Crown  divided  by  a  pale  median  strijie;  a  distinct  whitish  sni)erciliary  line ;  loral 
and  auricular  regions  decidedly  brown,  with  a  dark  postocular  stripe  over  the  auriculars,  and 
another  from  the  angle  of  the  mouth,  bounding  the  brown  area  interiorly  ;  below  this  a  dusky 
maxillary  streak  ;  wing-coverts  and  inner  secondaries  variegated  like  the  back,  being  black  with 
broad  llaxen-brown  odging  and  whitish  tipping.  Helow,  white,  soiled  witli  clay-color.  Itill 
dusky  above,  imle  below;  feet  i>ale.  Snnill  :  Length  .').0O-5.25,  rarely  5.50  ;  extent  7.40-7.75, 
rarely  8.00  ;  wing  and  tail,  each,  about  2.50.  Yoimg  birds  lightly  streaked  below.  Central 
region  of  the  U.  ,S.  into  IJritisli  America,  Saskatchewan  and  Ked  Hiver  regions;  S.  to  Texas; 
E.  to  Iowa  and  Illinois.  Abundant ;  nest  in  bushes  close  to  ground  ;  eggs  3-J',  pale  green 
sparsely  s))eckled  with  rich  brown  ;  0.62  X  0.50. 

S.  brew'erl.  (To  Dr.  T.  M.  Mrewer,  of  IJoston.)  BiiKWKu's  Si'AHIiow.  Similar;  paler  and 
duller,  all  the  nuirkings  indistinct;  streaks  of  crown  and  back  small,  numerous,  not  separateil 
by  a  cervical  interval ;  no  definite  nuirkings  on  sides  of  head.  ri)per  parts  grayi.sli-brown, 
with  nnirked  dorsal  area  of  orightcr  brown,  and  contimmusly  streaked  from  head  to  tail.  Size 
of  the  la.st,  but  tail  relatively  longer,  exceeding  the  wings  —  about  2.00  long,  thus  e<nnilliiig,  if 
it  does  not  somewhat  exceed,  that  of  domestica,  although  the  latter  is  a  larger  bird.  South- 
western U.  H.,  especially  New  Mexico  iiid  Arizona  ;  said  to  have  occurred  iu  Massa<diusetts  ; 
habit.s  those  ui pallida;  nest  and  eggs  iinlistingui.shable. 

8.  litrlffula'rls.  (Lat.  atriffularis,  black-throated;  ater,  black;  f/ida,  throat.)  IJi-ack- 
CIIINXKI)  Sl'AUUOW.  (J,  adult:  Dark  ash,  fading  insensibly  into  whiti.sh  on  the  belly, 
deepeuing  to  black  on  the  face  and  throat ;  interscapulars  bright  bay,  streaked  with  black  ; 
wing-coverts  and  inner  secondaries  variegated  with  the  same  c(dors  ;  tail  blackish,  with  pale  edg- 
ings ;  bill  coral  red  as  iu  S.  ayrestis;  feet  dark  brown.     A  snnill-hodied  species,  but  full  (i.OO 

hnig,  on  account  of  the  great 

length  of  the  tail  (2.73-3.00), 

which  nuich  exceeds  the  wings 

(2.25-2.50;  extent  7.75).    The 

young  lack  black  on  the  face, 

have  the  cr(»wn    washed  with 

ashy-brown,  the  middle  of  the 

back  duller  chestnut,  and   the 

bill  dusky  above  ;  but  may  be 

known  by  the  lenirth  of  the  tail.         „       „,„      „ 

T  /-    i-,.  .  ^"'-    240. —  Crown  Sparrow, 

Jlexico,  Lower  California,  An-  (wlilte-crowned),  nat.  slxo.    (Ad. 

nat.  del.  E.  C.) 


Fio.  239. —  Crown  Sparrow  (wlilte- 
throated),  nat.  size.  (Ad  nnt.  del. 
E.  C.) 


zona. 


84.    ZONOTRICH'IA.     (Gr.  (atvr),  zone,  u  girdle,  band ;  Tpi)(ias,  trichias,  name  of  a  bird.     Figs. 
239,  240.)     CUOWN  Sparrows.     Embracing  our  largest  and  handsomest  sparrows,  0.50  to 


382 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  I'ASSESES—  OSCINES. 


7-50  inches  long,  the  rounded  wiugs  iind  tail  each  3.00  or  more  ;  the  under  parts  with  very  few 
Btrealis,  or  mine,  tlie  middle  of  tlie  hack  streaked,  the  ruiii))  plain,  the  wings  with  two  white 
cross-bars,  the  head  of  the  adults  with  black,  and  usually  with  white  and  yellow  also,  or  both. 
Bill  moderate,  conical,  culnieu  and  gonys  just  appreciably  curved,  commissure  very  little  angu- 
lated.  Point  of  the  wing  formed  usually  by  the  '2d-4th  cpiills,  and  Ist  about  e(iual  to  5th  ; 
folding  decidedly  beyond  the  inner  secondaries,  and  to  near  the  middle  of  the  tail.  'J'ail-feathers 
of  moderate  widtli  and  consistency,  rounilcd  oval  at  the  end;  tail  as  a  whole  rounded.  Tarsus 
about  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  lateral  toes  about  equal  to  each  other.  The  Crown 
Sparrows  are  peculiar  to  Xortli  America,  where  they  are  represented  by  live  beautiful  and  i)er- 
fcctly  distinct  species. 

Analiisis  of  f^pecles  {adults  only). 
Crown  blnck  an  J  white;  no  yellow  on  head;  throat  ash. 

liOres  black.    Dorsal  streaks  purpllsli-bay ;  no  yellow  on  wing leitcophrys  276 

Lores  gray.    Dorsal  streaks  imrplisli-bny  ,  no  yellow  on  wiiiu inlcrineilid  Til 

Lores  gray.    Dorsal  streaks  sooty-black;  edge  of  whig  yellowish (jamhvH  278 

Crown  black  and  wliltc ;  yellow  spot  before  eye ;  throat  white :  edge  of  wing  yellow albk-olHn  275 

Crown  black,  yellow  and  ash ;  edge  of  wing  yellow ;  throat  ashy corontitu  '210 

Crown,  face,  and  throat  black  ;  no  yellow  on  head  or  wing qucrula  280 

275.   Z.    albicol'Us.     (Lat.    albicoUk,    white-throated;    alhus,   white;    coUiim,    neck.     Fig.    241.) 
WniTE-THUOATEU  Crown  Si'AKROW.    Peauouy-birij.    Adult  ^  i  CrowH  black,  divided  by 

a  median  wliite  .stripe,  bounded  by  a  white 

-iiJMErjDnS^W'.v^ii..  superciliary  line,  and   yellow  spot  from 

i^^^xn^U^S^K^^UI^MSl^^  nostril  to  eye  ;  below  this  a  blaclf  stripe 

I     .  ^^      ■ill  tw^w^iiiB  ^■iHii  m  through    eye ;    below   this   a    maxillary 

., ^i-OT&T^ ^^■BEfe.-^s;4J^KlUII'JJ4yK«BBi»^(^  black  stript^  bounding  the  definitely  pure 

_„__, .,___  white  throat,  sJiarplv  contrasted  with  the 

iStSi^^^m^^S^^^BBSa^^ma/aili^      \^^--     Jiirk  asli  of  the  breast  and  sides  of  the 

^^fl^^R^T^^VP^^^^BE^^^'^^^^Bfly^^       neck  and  head.     Edtje  of  iriiiff   )/ellou\ 

Hack  continuously  streaked  with  black, 
chestnut,  and  fulvous-white  ;  rump  ashy, 
unmarked.       Wings   mudi   edged    with 

V'vtiii.S«^.Wttsi^^li5S(e!V!4tv'^5C''.^^p^;j^j^jj^;^^       ],^y^  (1,^  white  tips  of  the  median  and 

^^  greater  coverts  forming  two  conspicuous 

^-''^Sf^S^fc^/  '"""  '  q'lills  and  tail-feathers  dusky,  with 

./xjr  ,  !^??"^%*-^^iR^i,  pale  edtjes.     IJehiw,  wliite,  shaded  with 

///J^         -^"^^            ^~^  ashy-brown  on  sides,  the  ash  deeper  and 

Fio.   241.  —  White-throated.    Crown   Sparrow,   reduced,  purer  on  the  bi'east ;  bill  dark  ;  feet  pah;. 

(Sheppard,  del.    Nichols  .c.)  ^     .,„j  i,„,„ature  birds,   and  sp.'cimens 

as  generally  .seen  in  the  U.  S.  in  fall  anil  winter,  with  the  Idack  of  the  head  rei>laced  by  brown, 
the  white  of  the  thi'oat  less  conspicuously  contrasted  with  the  duller  ash  of  surrounding  parts, 
and  frequently  with  obscure  dusky  streaks  on  the  breast  and  sides  ;  but  the  species  nuiy  always 
bo  known  by  the  yellow  over  the  eye  and  on  the  edge  of  the  wing  (these  never  being  imper- 
ceptible), coupled  with  the  largo  size  and  the  generic  characters.  Length  6.50-6.90;  extent 
9.20-9.90;  wing  2.75-3.00;  tail  about  tho  same.  A  fine  sparrow,  abundant  throughout 
Eastern  N.  Am.  to  bititude  63°  X.;  \V.  to  Dakota;  breeds  from  the  New  England  and 
other  Northern  States  northward  ;  winters  from  the  Middle  States  southwiird.  Found  in 
all  situations,  but  especially  in  shrubbery,  generally  in  Hocks,  except  when  breeding ;  a 
pleasing  if  not  brilliant  soni,.  (cr,  with  its  limpid  j)ea-peabo(l!),  peabodi/,  peahody  in  cadence. 
Nest  on  the  ground,  rarely  in  bushes ;  eggs  4-6,  about  0.90  X  0.66,  with  tho  endless  diversity 
of  tone  and  pattern  of  those  of  the  song  sparrow,  from  which  they  arc  only  distinguished  by 
their  greater  size. 


2T0 


27' 


271 


871 


FIUNGILLIDJE :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,  ETC. 


383 


870.  Z.  leuco'phrys.  (Gr.  X*vicos,  Icucos,  white ;  o(/)pus,  ophrus,  eyebrow.  Fig.  2t2.)  White- 
BitowEi)  Ckowx  Spauuow.  $  9  ,  adult :  Crown  pure  white,  euclo.sing  on  either  side  a  broad 
bhick  stripe  that  meets  its  fellow  on  the  forehead  and  descends  the  lores  to  the  level  of  the  eyes, 
and  bounded  by  another  narrow  black  stripe  that  starts  behind  the  eye  and  curves  around  the 
side  of  the  hiud-licad,  nearly  nu'oting  its  fellow  on  the  nape  ;  edge  of  under  ey<did  white.  Or, 
we  uiay  say,  crown  bhick,  enclosing  a  median  white  stripe  and  two  lateral  white  strii)es,  all 
confluent  on  tlie  hind  head.  Xo  yellow  anywhere.  General  color  a  line  dark  ash,  paler  below, 
whitening  insensibly  on  chiu  and  belly,  more  brownish  on  the  rump,  changing  to  dull  brownish 
on  the  flanks  and  crissum,  the  middle  of  the  back  streaked  with  dark  j)urplish-bay  and  ashy- 
white.  No  bright  bay,  like  that  of  ulbicollin,  anywhere,  except  some  edging  on  the  wing- 
coverts  and  inner  secondaries ;  middle  and  greater  coverts  tipped  with  white,  forming  two  bars. 
Bill  and  feet  reddish.  Length  0.25-7.00;  extent  9.20-10.20  ;  wing  and  tail  2.90-3.20  ;  usually 
0.7.5 — 9.o0 — 3.10.  Young:  IJlack  <if  the  head  replaced  by  very  rich  warm  brown,  the  white  of 
the  head  by  pale  brownish  ;  the  general  ash  has  a  brownish  suifusion,  aud  the  back  is  more  like 
that  iiddbicollifi,  being  streaked  with  dusky 
and  ochrcy-brown ;  but  the  two  species 
cannot  be  confounded.  Very  young  :  Hc- 
foH!  the  first  mo'  it,  there  are  indications  of 
the  head  markings  as  last  described ;  but 
the  whole  -'oer  parts,  sides  of  the  neck 
aud  fore  un  r  parts  are  streaked  with 
blackish  and  ochrey-])rowu  or  whitish. 
North  Amer..  especially  eastern  and  rather 
northerly  ;  W.  to  the  IWky  Mts.,  where 
mixed  with  Z.  I,  intvrmcdia;  Greeidaiid; 
Cape  St.  Lucas.  Not  nearly  so  abundant 
in  the  U.  S.  as  (tlbicolUx,  but  common  in 
many  sections  in  winter  and  duriug  the 
migrations.  Hreeds  occasion.illy  in  North- 
ern New  Kngland,  and  plentifully  in  Lab- 
rador, where  it  is  one  of  the  commonest 
sparrows.      Nesting  the  sam<(   as  that  of  p,(,_   ^42.  -  Wliite-lMowe.l   Crown    Si^rrow,    ruduccd. 

alliieoUix,  and  eggs  undistinguishable.  (Sliepimrd  del.    Nlcliolssc.) 

277.  Z.  1.  luterme'dia.  (Lat.  inlermeiUa,  intermediate,  in  the  middle.)  iNTERMEniATE  CROWN 
Si'.Mtisow.  Kxactly  like  the  last,  but  lores  gray  or  a.sliy,  continuous  with  the  white  stripe  over 
the  eye,  i.  c,  the  black  of  the  forehead  does  not  descend  to  the  eye.  Perhaps  averaging  a  trifle 
smaller,  and  duller  colored.  Some  S|)ecimens  resemble  kucophrys  on  one  side  of  the  head,  and 
intermedin  on  tlu!  other.  Hocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific,  mostly  replacing  true  leucoplmjs.  {Z. 
gnmheli  IJd.,  18.)8,  Cou<'S,  1872,  nee  Nutt.) 

278.  Z.  gaiu'beli.  (To  Wm.  Gambel,  of  Phila.)  Gamrel's  CuowN  Spaukow.  Markings  of  the 
head  much  the  same  as  in  Z,  I.  intermedin;  body  colors  entirely  difierent,  aud  almost  exactly  as 
in  eoronatd,  No.  279.  Streaking  of  the  back  sooty-black.  Edge  and  lining  of  the  wing  yellow, 
as  in  eoronatd  and  albicolli^.  Bill  in  dried  specimens  blackish  and  yellow,  not  reddish.  Size  of 
coronntd.     I>acific  coast,  IT.  S.,  .southerly.     (Z.  (jdmbeli  Nutt.,  1840,  nee  Baird,  Coues.) 

270.  Z.  corona'ta.  (Lat.  corom.Ui,  crowned ;  eoronn,  a  crown.)  G(1M>en  Cuowx  Spakuow. 
$  9)  adult:  Forehead  aud  sides  of  the  crown  black,  enclosing  a  dull  yellow  coronal  i)atch 
anteriorly,  an  ashy  one  jxisteriorly  ;  a  yellow  spot  over  eye  ;  lores  black.  Edge  of  the  wing 
yellow.  Above,  much  like  alhicoUis,  but  with  le.^s  bay  and  no  whitish  ;  two  white  wing-bars. 
Below,  including  sides  of  head  and  neck,  ashy,  passint;  insensibly  into  whiti.sh  on  the  belly,  and 
much  shaded  with  brownish  on  the  flanks  and  crissum ;  thus  much  like  leucophrijs,  but  the 


' 


884 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


ashy  not  so  pure ;  larger  than  lencophrys;  Icugth  averaging  7-00 ;  wing  over  3.00.  Young  : 
bhick  of  the  crown  rephioed  by  brown  ;  but  always  traces  of  the  yellow  on  crown  and  wings. 
The  yellow  eye-spot  is  small,  and  not  always  evident.  Pacific  coast  (to  tlie  Rocky  Mts.  f), 
from  Alaska  to  Southern  California,  abundant,  migratory. 
880.  Z.  qiie'rula.  (Lat.  queruhi,  querulous,  plaintive ;  qtteror,  I  complain,  lament.)  Hooded 
CuowN  Si'AKUow.  H.VHHis'.SiUKUOW.  Adult  (J ,  in  breeding  plumage  :  Whole  crown,  face, 
and  throat  jet-black ;  sides  of  head  palo  ash  ;  auriculars  darker  ash,  bounded  by  a  black  lino 
starting  behind  the  eye  and  curving  around  them.  Under  ))arts  nearly  pure  wliite,  but  slightly 
ashy  before  and  faintly  brownish -washed  behind,  the  sides  with  a  few  dusky  streaks,  the  breast 
witli  a  few  black  sjjots  continued  from  the  black  throat-patch.  Back  nearly  as  in  coronata, 
streaked  witli  dusky  and  reddish-brown.  Bill  coral-red  ;  toes  dark  ;  tarsi  pale.  No  yellow 
anywhere.  Very  large :  Length  7.00-7.75;  extent  10.75-11.25;  wing  .■J.2."j-,S.5() ;  tail  3.40- 
3. CO ;  bill  0.45  ;  tarsus  1.00 ;  middle  toe  and  claw  rather  less.  9  similar,  but  witli  much  li  s 
black  on  head  and  throat,  the  hood  being  restricted  or  imperfect;  but  its  outline  usually  trace- 
able. ^  9 ,  in  the  fall :  Bill  light  reddish-brown,  usually  obscured  on  ridge  and  at  tip,  and 
paler  at  base  below ;  feet  flesh -colored,  obscured  on  the  toes ;  eyes  brown.  Crown  grayish- 
black,  every  feather  witli  a  distinct,  narrow,  pale  gray  edge  all  around,  producing  a  peculiar 
cifect ;  this  area  bounded  with  a  light  ochrey-brown  superciliary  and  frontal  line.  Sides  of  Iiead 
like  the  superciliary,  but  the  auricular  patch  ratlier  darker  grayi.sh-brown,  and  the  loral  region 
obscurely  wliitish.  Cliin  jiure  white,  bounded  on  each  side  by  a  sharp  ma.xillary  line  of 
blackish,  with  a  rusty-red  tinge.  On  the  lower  throat,  a  large,  ditt'usc!  and  partially  discon- 
tinuous blotch  of  this  same  blackish-red,  cutting  off  fiie  wliite  ('liiii  from  the  white  of  the  rest 
of  the  under  parts,  connecting  M-itli  the  maxillary  streaks,  and  stretching  along  the  sides  of  the 
neck  and  breast  in  a  series  of  ridi  dusky-chestnut  streaks.  On  the  middle  of  the  breast  the 
blotch  generally  runs  out  into  the  white  in  a  sharp  point,  but  its  size  and  shape  vary  inter- 
minably. The  markings  here  described  an;  all  in<duded  in  the  jet-black  hood  and  breast-plate 
of  the  perfect  spriug  dress ;  and  between  tlie  two  extrtjnies  every  intermediate  condition  may  bo 
observed  at  various  seasons.  The  rest  of  tlie  plumage  does  not  difier  very  materially  from  that 
of  the  adult  ^  in  summer.  This  is  the  l.irgest  of  our  sparrows;  a  bird  of  imposing  appear- 
ance—  for  a  sparrow.  Interior  IT.  S.  and  British  I'rovinces,  especially  the  valley  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, Lower  Missouri,  and  Red  River  of  the  Korth;  scarcely  W.  to  the  Rocky  Mts.?  E.  to 
Minnesota,  Missouri,  Iowa,  and  probably  Illinois  ;  8.  to  Texas.  It  is  abundant  in  the  line  of 
its  migration,  as  in  Kansas,  Nebraska,  Iowa,  Dakota,  etc.,  but  its  breeding  resorts  are  still 
unknown.     I  found  it  in  Dakota  at  4!)°  coining  early  in  September  from  the  North. 

85.  CHONDES'TES.  ((jr.  xovSpo*.  chondros,  cartilage;  also  grain,  seeds;  tStcrrTis,  edestes,  an 
eater;  badly  formed.)  Laijk  Si'AUHOWS.  Framed  for  a 
single  S))ecies,  M-itli  long  pointed  wings  exceeding  the 
long  rounded  tail ;  jioint  of  the  wing  formed  by  SJd  and  3d 
primaries,  but  1st  and  4th  scarcely  shorter ;  rest  raiiidly 
graduated.  Tarsus  about  e(|ual  to  middle  toe  and  claw  ; 
lateral  toes  short,  tips  of  the  claws  not  reaching  base  of 
middle  claw.  Bill  swollen -conie>  M'itli  culmen  slightly 
convex,  and  cominiiv<ure  little  angulated.  Sjiecies  large, 
for  a  sparrow,  streaked  above,  white  below,  tht^  head  and 
tail  jiarti-ccdored. 

aSl.    C.   grarn'mica.     (Gr.  ypan/xiKos,  grammicos,  marked  with  a 

ypafifjui,  gramma,  a  line,  word  ;  badly  selected  to  indicate  the         Fio.  243.— Lark  Sparrow,  nat.  size, 
stripes  of  the  head.     Vig.  2y.i.)     Lauk  Si-Anuow.     l^rk   <**•""'• '^*'' ^- ^'^ 
Fixc'ii.     ^    9 )  iidult :   Head  variegated  with  chestnut,  black,  and  white ;  crown  chestnut, 
blackening  on  forehead,  divided  by  a  median  stripe,  and  bounded  by  superciliary  stripes,  of 


86. 


282. 


383 


FRINGILLIDJE :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,  ETC. 


385 


white ;  a  black  lino  throiigii  eye,  ami  another  below  eye,  enclosing  a  white  streak  niuler  the 
eye  and  the  chestnnt  auriculars ;  next,  a  sharp  black  niaxilLiry  stripe  not  ipiite  reacliing  tlie 
bill,  cutting  off  a  white  stripe  from  the  wliite  chin  and  tliroat.  A  black  ])lotch  on  middle  of 
breast.  Under  parts  white,  faintly  shaded  witli  grayisli-brown ;  upper  parts  grayish-brown, 
th(«  middle  of  the  back  with  fine  black  streaks.  'J'ail  very  long,  its  central  feathers  like  tlie 
back,  the  rest  jet-black,  broadly  tifiped  with  pure  white  in  diminisliing  amount  from  the  Literal 
pair  inward,  and  the  outer  web  of  the  outer  pair  entirely  wliite.  Lengtli  ().50-7.<)() ;  wing 
3.50,  pointed;  tail  3.00,  rounded.  Very  young  :  Crown,  back,  and  nearly  all  the  under  parts 
streaked  with  du.sky ;  no  chestnut  on  head,  nor  are  the  black  stripes  firm ;  but  with  the  first 
moult  the  jieculiar  pattern  of  the  head-markings  becomes  evident,  and  there  is  little  variation 
aft(>rward  with  age,  se.x,  or  season.  A  beautiful  species,  abundant  from  the  eastern  edge  of 
tlie  prairies,  and  even  Iowa  and  Illinois,  to  the  Pacific,  U.  S. ;  occasional  in  Ohio,  and  strag- 
glers have  been  taken  in  Massachusetts  and  about  Wasliiugton.  A  sweet  songster ;  breeds 
throughout  its  rang(^ ;  nest  usually  on  the  ground,  of  dried  grass ;  eggs  't-7,  white,  with  strag- 
gling zigzag  dark  lines,  as  in  many  Icterida:;  size  0.75-0.85  by  about  0.05. 

86.  PASSKREL'LA.  (Ital.  diuiiimtivo  form  of  Lat.  jyasser,  a  sparrow.)  Fox  Sparrows. 
Kemarkable  for  the  size  of  the  feet  and  claws  :  Lateral  toes  elongated  to  about  eipiai  degree, 
the  ends  of  their  claws  reaching  about  half-way  to  the  end  of  the  middle 
claw  ;  claws  all  very  large  ;  middle  too  and  claw  about  as  long  as  the  tarsus. 
Wings  long  and  pointed,  ftdding  about  to  the  middle  of  the  tail ;  point 
formed  by  the  '2d-4th  quills,  1st  and  5th  little  shorter.  Tail  moderate,  a 
little  rounded  or  nearly  even.  Bill  rather  small,  strictly  conic,  with  straight 
outlines  and  scarcely  angulatcd  commissure.  Large  handsome  reddish  or 
slate-colored  species,  marked  below  with  triangular  spots  and  streaks  of 
the  color  of  the  back.  Habits  terrestrial  and  somewhat  rasorial.  Nest 
iiidifterently  in  trees  or  bushes  or  on  the  ground ;  eggs  greenish,  fully 
sjieckled.  The  species,  if  more  than  <me,  are,  like  those  of  Junco,  Melospiza, 
and  Pipilo,  still  imperfectly  diffV'rentiated. 

282.  P.  lli'aca.  (Lat.  iliaca,  relating  to  tlie  ilia,  or  flanks,  which  are  conspicuously  marked.  Figs. 
244,  245.)  Eastkrn  Fox  Sparrow.  (J,  9  '•  General  cob)r  above  ferrugineous  or  rusty-red, 
purest  and  brightest  on  the  rump,  tail,  and  wings,  on  the  other  up])er  parts  appearing  in  streaks 
laid  on  an  ashy  ground.  IJelow,  white,  variously  but  thickly  marked  except  on  the  belly  and 
cri.ssum  with  rusty-red  —  the  markings  anteriorly  in  the  form  of  ditt'use  confluent  blotches,  on 
the  breast  and  sides  consisting  chiefly  of  sharp  arrow-head  spots  and  jiointed  streaks.  Tips  of 
middle  and  greater  whig-coverts  forming  two  whitish  bars.  Upper  mandible  dark,  lower 
mostly  yellow;  feet  pale.  One  of  the  finest  singers  of  the  family ;  quite  unlike  any  other  Ea.stern 
species  of  sparrow.  A  large  handsome  species.  Length  ().50-7.25  ;  extent  10.50-11.50  ;  wing 
3.25-3.60,  averaging  3.40;  tail  little  or  not  over  3.00,  thus  decidedly  shorter  than  the  wing; 
bill,  along  culmen,  0.40;  tarsus  0.90;  hind  claw  about  0.35.  Sexes  alike,  and  young  not 
particularly  different  aft<>r  the  first  moult,  though  in  an  early  stage  mucii  darker;  back  rufous- 
brown  with  darker  streaks;  no  wing-bars;  all  the  under  parts  heavily  marked.  There  is 
much  individual  variation  in  color,  independently  of  age,  sex,  or  season.  P^astem  N.  Am.  ; 
W.  in  the  U.  S.  regularly  only  to  the  edge  of  the  Plains,  occasionally  to  Colorado ;  but  in 
Alaska  to  the  Pacific;  N.  to  the  Arctic  coast.  Breeds  throughout  the  interior  of  British 
America  and  in  Alaska  ;  not  known  to  do  .so  anywhere  in  the  U.  S.  Winters  from  the  Middle 
States  southward.  Nest  on  ground  or  in  bushes  or  trees ;  eggs  pale  greenish-wiiite,  thickly 
speckled  with  rusty-brown,  0.95X0.70;  general  aspect  of  the  egg  as  in  Zonotrichia  and 
Melospiza. 

383.   P.  1.  unalascen'sis.     (Of  the  Island  of  Unalashka.)     Townsend's  Fox  Sparrow.     S,  9  ■ 
General  color  above  dark  olive-brown,  overcast  with  a  reddish-brown  tinge,  and  the  streaking 

25 


Fio.  244.— Bin  of 
Fox  Sparrow,  iiat. 
size. 


386 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSERES  —  OSCINES. 


f  ! 


obsolete,  —thus  giving  ti  uuifonn  and  continuous  ruildy-olive  tone,  boeoming  more  foxy-rod  on 
the  rump,  wings,  and  tail.  Wing-bars  obs(dfte.  Beneath,  white,  thit-kly  marked,  extTi)ting 
on  the  middle  of  the  belly,  with  triangular  sjHJts  of  about  the  same  dark  color  as  the  back, — 
aggregated  on  the  breast,  and  the  entire  sides  of  the  ueek  and  body  almost  like  the  back  iu 
uniformity  of  the  color,  but  still  showing  ill-defined  conHuent  dark  reddish- brown  streaks  on  a 

more  olive-brown  ground.  Cheeka 
and  auriculars  with  some  whitish 
speckling.  No  obvious  nuirk- 
ings  on  wings.  Hill  dusky  above, 
apparently  reddish  or  yellowish 
below;  feet  reddish-brown.  .Size 
of  iliaai,  but  very  ditfereiit-loc ik- 
ing in  color,  and  somewhat  differ- 
ently proponioned ;  wing  aver- 
aging 3.23,  and  tail  scarcely  or 
not  shorter;  bill  about  0.50; 
iiind  claw  the  same,  and  as  long 
as  its  digit.  A  curious  form,  re- 
lated to  iliaca  much  as  Mcl(iit2)Un 
nifinu  is  to  tlie  Eastern  song  spar- 
row. PaciHc  coast  region,  from 
Alaska  to  California,  breeding  in 
moiiiitaius  and  nurlhward.  (i'. 
Fig.  I'tj.  —  Fox  Siiuriow,  ruilufoJ.    (.Slif|iiiar<l  ilul.    Xicliuls  uc.)  toirUKetidi  Allil    \uct  ) 

284.  P.  i.  sehlsta'cea.  (Lat.  schistacea,  slaty;  Or.  crj^ifrros,  schistos,  tisaWc  or  cleft,  as  slate-stt)no 
is;  the  allusion,  however,  is  to  the  color.)  Slate-coi.ouku  Ft)X  .'^I'Akkow.  <J,9:  General 
color  above  uniform  slate  with  a  slight  olive  tinge,  becoming  dull  foxy-red  on  the  wings  and 
tail;  the  streaking  of  the  back  <d)solete,  but  whitish  wing  bars  soinetinie.s  indicated.  IJelnw, 
white,  shaded  along  the  sides  with  the  color  of  the  back,  but  not  so  as  to  obscure  the  decided 
markings  of  the  i)arts  ;  the  under  parts  at  large  spotted  and  ."^treaked  witli  dusky-hrown,  usually 
aggregated  into  a  bhiteh  on  the  breast.  Tliis  is  tlie  connecting  link  between  iliiiai  and  inia- 
lascensis;  the  tipper  parts  are  nearly  of  the  shity-ash  that  forms  the  ground  eidor  of  iliacay 
only  the  foxy  streaks  of  the  back  are  obsolete.  Tlie  spotting  below  is  correspondingly  darker. 
The  form  has,  however,  some  peculiarities  :  tail  decidedly  longer  iu  comparison  with  the  wings. 
Length  about  7.1K) ;  wing  3.00-3.25  ;  tail  3.35-3.G0 ;  bill  0.« ;  tarsus  O.'JO.  Kocky  Mt. 
region,  chiefly,  but  noted  fron;  Kansas  to  California. 

285.  P.  i.  luegarhyn'clia.  (Gr.  fiiyat,  mcgas,  great ;  livyxos,  rJiiigchos,  rhi/nchiis,  beak.)  Lakok- 
BILLED  Fo.\  Sl'AUROW.  Coloration  as  in  P.  schisUtcea.  Tail  sit  nu«ximum  lengtli,  averaging 
at  the  extreme  of  that  of  schistacea;  claws  and  beak  verj-  highly  developed  ;  bill  very  thick,  its 
depth  at  base  0..50,  rather  more  than  its  length  from  nostril  to  tiji;  hiiul  claw  longer  than  its 
digit.     A  liical  race  of  tlie  last,  in  the  mountains  of  California  and  Nevada. 

87.  CALAMOSPI'ZA.  (Qr.  KoKaiios,  kalainos,  hnU  calamus,  a  ri'vA  ;  o-Trifn,  .s7;i.-fl,  a  finch.)  Lakk 
Bl'XTixo.s.  llill  large  and  stout  at  base,  the  culnien  a  little  curved,  the  commissure  well 
angulateil ;  rictus  bristly.  Wing  long  and  itoiuted  :  tip  formed  by  the  lst-4tli  <(iiills,  rest 
rapidly  graduated  ;  inner  secondaries  enlarge<l  and  flowing,  one  of  them  about  reaching  the 
fKiint  of  the  wing  when  closed.  Tail  shorter  than  wing,  nearly  even.  Feet  stout,  adapted  to 
terrestrial  habits;  tarsus  about  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  lateral  toes  nearly  ecpial  to  each 
other,  scarcely  reaching  the  base  of  the  middle  chiw;  hind  claw  about  as  hing  as  its  digit,  but  not 
straightened.  A  well-marked  genus,  with  wing-structure  reminding  one  of  Authi(,s  or  Alamla; 
the  turgid  strongly-angulated  bill  resembles  that  of  a  grosbeak.  Sexes  very  dissimilar;  $ 
black  uud  white. 


FBINGILLIDJE :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,   ETC.         387 


280.  C.  bl'colop.  (Lilt,  hicolor,  t\vo-col(iroil.  Fig.  240.)  Lark  Bitktino.  WiiiTE-wiNOKn 
I5l>ACKitiUD.  {J,  in  auininer.  Blaoii,  with  a  large  white  piitch  on  the  wings;  the  ((tiill.s  and 
tail-fcathors  frequently  marked  with  white;  bill  dark  honi-bliie  above,  jiuler  ludow;  feet  brown. 
Length  ().00-().7.5  ;  extent  10.00-11.0(1;  wing3.25-.'}.50  ;  tail -2.50-2.75  ;  bill  0.50-0.55  ;  tar.^iis, 
or  middle  toe  and  claw,  0.90-1.00.  Sexes  unlike:  ?  more  resembling  a  sparrow.  Above,  gray- 
ish-brown, streaked  with  dusky-brown,  on  the  back  the  edges  of  the  dark  streaks  often  of  a 
purer  brown  than  the  general  ground-color.  Below,  white,  shaded  on  the  sides  with  grayish- 
brown,  thickly  streaked  with  blackish-brown  everywhere  excepting  the  throat  and  belly,  the 
streaks  mostly  sharp  and  distinct,  but  blended  on  the  sides,  tending  to  aggregate  on  the  breast, 
and  run  forward  as  a  maxillary  ciiaiu.  A  poorly-defined  light  superciliary  stripe.  Wings 
dusky,  with  a  large  white  or  whitish  speculum,  much  as  in  the  (J,  but  not  so  pure  nor  so 
extensive  ;  inner  secondaries  edged  with  brown  and  white.  Tail-feathers,  the  middle  excepted, 
blacldsh  tipped  with  white.  Young  i  like  the  ? ,  but  colors  more  suffuse  and  brighter ; 
uiiper  parts  pm-e  brown  ;  under  parts  tinged  with  fulvous,  the  wing-markings  quite  fulvous  ; 
under  surface  of  wing  <iuite 
blackish.  In  very  young 
birds  the  markings  more 
motley  than  streaky  ;  the  bill 
brownish,  llesh-cohired  be- 
low. (J  wears  the  black 
[iluniage  only  during  the 
breeiling  season,  like  tlio 
bobolink;  when  changing, 
the  characters  of  the  two 
sexes  are  confused.  In  the 
form  of  the  bill,  this  interest- 
ing species  is  closely  allied 
to  the  grosbeaks ;  and  this, 
with  the  .singularly  enlarged 
secondaries,  as  long  as  the 
primaries  in  the  closed  wing, 
renders  it  unmistakable  iu 
any    plumage.       A     prairie         Fio.  246. -Lark  Bunting,  j  9,  reduced.    (SUeppard. lei. 

bird,  abundant  on  the  central  plains  ;  X.  to  49°  at  least,  in  the  Missouri  and  Milk  River  region, 
W.  to  the  Kocky  Mts.,  and  southerly  to  the  Pacific.  The  male  has  the  habit  of  soaring  and 
singing  on  wing  like  a  lark ;  nest  on  the  ground,  sunken  Hush  with  the  surface,  of  grasses; 
eggs  4-5,  0.90  X  0.05,  pah;  bluish-green,  normally  unmarked,  occasionally  speckled. 

88.  SPI'ZA.  (Gr.  ffirifa,  sjjua,  a  kind  of  finch,  probably  F.  cwlehs.)  Silk  Bixtixgs.  Bill 
much  as  in  Culamospiza,  but  longer  for  its  depth  and  not  so  strongly  angulated.  Wings  very 
long  and  pointed;  2d  primary  usually  hmgest,  1st  and  3d  little  shorter,  4th  and  rest  rapidly 
graduated  ;  one  inner  secondary  a  little  elongated,  but  not  nearly  reaching  point  of  wing.  Tail 
short,  nearly  even,  but  a  little  emarginatc.  Tarsus  and  middle  toe  and  claw  of  about  e(iual 
lengths;  lateral  toes  of  nearly  equal  lengths,  not  reaching  base  of  middle  claw;  hind  toe  with 
claw  as  long  as  the  middle  toe  without  claw. 

287.  S.  america'na.  (Lat.  of  America.  Fig.  247.)  BL.\CK-TiiROATF.r>  Buntixo.  $  :  Above, 
grayish-Lrown,  the  middle  of  the  back  streaked  with  black,  the  hind  neck  ashy,  becoming  on 
the  crown  yellowish-olive  with  black  touches.  A  yellow  superciliary  line,  and  maxillary  touch 
of  the  same;  eyelid  white;  ear-coverts  ashy  like  the  cervix;  chin  white;  throat  with  a  large 
jet-black  patch.  Under  parts  iu  general  white,  shaded  with  gray  on  the  sides,  extensively 
tinged  with  yellow  on  the  breast  and  belly.     Edge  of  wing  yellow ;  lesser  and  middle  coverts 


888 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


I   I 


rich  chestnut,  other  coverts  and  inner  secondaries  edged  wnth  paler.     Bill  dark  horn-blue; 
feet  hrown.     Length   6.50-7.00;   extent   10.50-11.00;   wing  ;j.25-U.5(l,  sliaqj-pointed ;   tail 

2.50-2.75,  oniarginate.  9  •  Smaller ;  wing  under 
3.00,  etc.;  above,  like  the  (J,  but  head  and  !ieck 
plainer;  below,  less  tinged  with  yeUow,  the  black 
throat-patch  wanting,  replaced  by  sjiarso  sharp 
nnixillary  and  pectoral  8treak.s,  the  wing-coverts 
not  clujstnut,  though  so  indicated  by  rufous  edg- 
ings of  the  individual  feathers.  Young  ^  :  Larger 
than  the  9,  but  in  general  similar;  throat-patch 
indicated  by  blackish  feathers  ;  wing-coverts  chest- 
nut. An  elegant  sjiecies,  of  trim  form,  tasteful 
c(dors  and  very  smooth  plumaire,  abundant  in  the 
fertile  portions  of  the  Eastern  V.  S. ;  N.  to  Massa- 
chusetts ;  W.  to  Kansas,  Nebraska,  Colorado,  and 
in  the  south  to  Arizoua;  rather  southerly,  scarcely 
reaching  the  X.  border  of  th(>  V.  S.  anywhere; 
winters  wholly  extralimital ;  breeds  throughout  its 

Fiii.  '^47  -  Blaok-tliroated  limiting,  reducal.     ^^-    S-    range.     Not   a  g 1   vocalist;    the    simple 

(Slieppard  del.    Nirli(.l»  bc.)  ditty  sounds  like  chip-chip-cher,  chec,  chee.     Nest 

on  the  ground,  or  in  a  low  bush  ;  eggs  1—5,  normally  plain  greenish-white,  ran'ly  speckled  ; 
O.SO  X  0.05. 
288.  S.  town'sendi.  (To  J.  K.  Townsend.)  TowNSEsn's  Bi:ntixg.  "  Ui)per  parts,  head  and 
neck  all  r<iund,  sides  of  body  and  forejiart  of  breast,  slate-blue ;  back  and  upper  surface  of  wings 
tinged  with  yellowish-brown  ;  interscapulars  streaked  with  black  ;  superciliary  and  maxillary 
line,  chin  and  throat  and  central  line  of  under  parts  from  breast  to  crissum,  white  ;  edge  of 
wing,  and  gloss  on  breast  and  middle  of  belly,  yellow;  a  black  s])otted  line  from  lower  comer  of 
lower  mandible  down  the  side  of  the  throat,  connecting  with  a  crescent  of  streaks  in  the  upper 
edge  of  the  slate  portion  of  the  breast."  Pennsylvania  ;  one  specimen  known,  a  standing  jiuzzle 
to  omithtdogists,  in  the  uncertainty  whether  it  is  a  "  good  species,"  or  merely  an  abnormal  plu- 
mage of  the  last,  or  a  hybrid,  jiossibly  of  .S*.  americana  9  X  (?  Guiraca  coenilm.  While  it  is  not 
impr(d)able  that  the  type  came  from  an  egg  laid  by  <S^.  americana,  even  such  immediate  ancestry 
M-ould  not  forbid  recognition  of  "  specific  characters;  "  the  solitary  bird  having  been  killed,  it 
represents  a  species  which  died  at  its  birth. 
89.  ZAMELO'DIA.  (Gr.  (a,  za,  much,  very  ;  /itXaifiia,  melodia, 
melody.  Fig.  218.)  Soxo  Giin.sni'.AK.s.  l$ill  extr(>mely 
heavy,  with  the  lower  mandible  as  deep  as  the  ni)p(>r  or 
deeper,  the  commissural  angle  strong,  far  in  advance  of  the 
featliered  base  of  tlie  bill,  the  rictus  overhung  with  a  few  hnig 
stiff  bristles.  Wing  with  outer  1  primaries  abrujitly  longer 
than  5th.  Tail  shorter  than  wing,  even  or  scarcely  rounded. 
Feet  short  and  stout.  Embracing  two  large  species,  of  beau- 
tiful and  striking  colors,  the  sexes  dissimilar.  (J  black  and 
white,  with  carmine-red  or  orange-brown ;  9  otherwise,  but 
with  lining  of  wings  yellow.  Brilliant  songsters ;  nest  in 
trees  and  bushes ;  eggs  spotted. 

Analysis  of  Specif s. 

(f  black  and  white,  with  carndne-red  on  breast  and  under  wings.     $  with  lining  of  wings  HaftVon-yellow. 

Eastern luilnriciana    289 

cT  black  and  white,  with  orange-brown  on  breast :  cf  $  with  lining  of  wings  and  belly  yellow.    Western 

melanocephala    290 


28$ 


Fin.  248.  — mil  of  Xameloilia  (Z. 
ludoviciauB,  nat.  size.)  (Ad.  uat  del. 
E.  C.) 


2fl 


FRIKGILLIDJE :  FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,   ETC. 


889 


280.  Z.  ludovlcla'na.  (Lat.  of  Louisiftiia.  Figs.  218,  249,  255.)  RosK-nnEASTF.n  .•ioNc,  Ouos- 
BKAK.  Adult  (J  with  tii<;  hoail  and  neck  all  around  and  most  of  the  \\\>\»'v  parts  Idack,  the 
rinnp,  uppor  tail-covtTts  and  under  parts  white,  the  breast  and  under  wing-eoverts  (>X(iuisite 
earniiue  or  rose-red  ;  wings  and  tail  hlaek,  variegated  witli  white  ;  bill  white ;  feet  grayish- 
blue;  iris  brown.  9  above,  streaked  with  blackish  and  olive-brown  or  Haxen-browii,  with 
median  white  coronal  and  superciliary  line ;  below,  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with  fulvous  and 
streaked  with  dusky ;  niider  wing-coverts 
sajfron-ycUow ;  upper  coverts  and  iimer 
quills  with  a  white  spot  at  end ;  bill  brown. 
Young  $  at  first  resembling  the  9  ;  but  the 
rose  c(dtir  appears  with  the  first  full  feather- 
ing. Tw<i  or  three  years  are  required  to 
produce  the  perfect  beauty.  Sexes  of  same 
size.  Length  7.75-8.50;  extent  1;*. 00-1:5.00: 
wing  .■{.90-1.25;  tail  ;5.25;  tarsus  0.90. 
Eastern  IT.  S.  an<l  IJritish  Provinces,  N. 
to  Labrador  and  the  region  of  the  8a.skatche- 
wan  ;  W.  in  V.  S.  to  tlie  Red  Hiver  Valley, 
and  edge  of  the  Missouri  River  plains  ;  win- 
ters extralimital ;  breeds  from  the  Middle 
States  northward.  A  splendid  bird!  Few 
comhino  such  attractions  for  the  eye  and  ear. 
Nest  in  bushes  and  low  trees,  chiefly  of  root- 
lets and  slender  fibres;  eggs  3-4,  1.00  X 
0.75,  dull  gre(,'nisli,  fully  splashed  and  dotted 
with  dark  brown,  laid  in  .June. 
!!»0.    Z.   inelauoee'pliala.      ((Jr.    ^("Xar,   /xcXavoj,     V«.r<.\A^\.    Nichols  sc.) 

melas,  melauos,  black ;  (ctc^nXij,  ke^ihuU;  head.  Fig.  250.)  Black-headed  Song  Gnoi5nEAK. 
Adult  $  with  the  crown,  sides  of  head,  Ijack,  wings,  and  tail  bhick;  the  back  usually  varied 
with  whitish  or  cinnamon-brown,  the  wings  spotted  with  white  on  the  ends  of  the  coverts,  an<l 
usually  al.so  towards  the  ends  of  the  quills,  and  with  a  large  white  patch  at  base  of  primaries  ; 

several  lateral  tail-feathers  with 

large    white     spots    on     inner 

webs  near  their  ends.     Neck  all 

around,  rump,  and  under  parts 

rich  orange-brown,  changing  to 

bright  pure  yellow  on  the  belly 

and   under    wing-coverts;     bill 

and    feet    dark    grayish -blue. 

Size  of  the  last.      The  9  and 

young  differ  much  as  in  the  last 

species,  but  may  be  recognized 

by  the  rich  sulplutr-i/cllow  under 

_  wing-coverts;  the  bill  is  shorter 

ll\\\  H.H.Jni.  and  more  tumid,  0.(i()-0.75  along 

Fig.  250.  —  Klack-lieiiilcdGroBbciik,  reiluceil.   (Slieppnrildcl.  Nlcliolggc.)     culmell,  0.(10  deep  at  base.      9 

adult:    Under  i)arts  like  those  of  the  ^,  but  paler,  though  the  belly  and  lining  of  wings 

arc  as  pure  yeUow.     Upper  parts  dark  brown  with  an  olive  shade,  varied  with   whitish  or 

brownish-white,  the  head  blackish  with  white  or  brownish  coronal  and  superciliary  stripes. 

Wings  dusky,  marked  as  in  the  (J,  but  the  basal  white  spot  on  jirimarics  restricted  ;  tail  as  in 


Fio.  240.  —  Knse-brcastetl  GroHl>eak,  reduced.    (Slicp- 


) 

r.    i 


a  I 


390 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —PASSEHES—  OSCINES. 


Fio.  251.  — Hill  of  Cuirncii,  iiat. 
size.    (A<liiut.  (lol.E.C.) 


(J,  but  the  white  siuits  reduced  or  obsolete.  Bill  light-eolored  bi'low.  lu  the  ^  the  ten- 
dency is  to  j)eriectly  black  head,  back,  tail,  and  wings,  the  two  former  juire  and  continuous, 
the  two  latter  boldly  spotted  with  white  as  described  ;  but  such  faultless  full  dress  is  not  often 
seen.  This  stylish  AVestern  representative  of  the  elegant  rose-breast  is  common  in  suitable 
woodland  from  the  Plains  to  the  l*a<'ific,  U.  S.,  wintering  in  Mexico,  breeding  throughout  its 
U.  S.  range ;  its  habits  are  the  same ;  its  nest  and  eggs  aro 
indistinguishable. 

90.  GUIRA'CA.  {Vox  larh.,  Me.\.  or  S.  Am.  name  of  some 
bird.  Fig.  251)  IJi.fK  Guo.siiKAKs.  ]$ill  with  commissure 
strongly  angulated  far  beyond  base,  with  deej)  under  mandible 
and  bristly  rictus  as  in  Xameloilia,  but  not  so  swollen,  the  cul- 
men  nearly  straight.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  fiddiug  about 
the  middle  of  the  tail ;  tip  fonued  by  the  2d-4th  ([uills,  1st 
little  shorter,  5th  rapidly  graduated.  Tail  shorter  than  wings, 
wen.  Tarsus  rather  less  than  middle  toe  and  claw;  outer 
lateral  toe  .slightly  longer  than  the  inner,  but  scarcely  reaching 
base  of  middle  claw.     One  sjiecies,  large,  (J  blue,  i  brown. 

291.  G.  coeru'lea.  (Lat.  ccerulea,  cerulean.  Fig.  25:i.)  Riak  Guosbk.VK.  Adult  $  :  Kich  dark 
blue,  nearly  uniform,  but  darker  or  blackish  across  middle  of  back;  feathers  around  base  of  bill, 
wings  and  tail,  black;  middle  and  greater  wing-coverts  tipped  with  chestnut;  bill  dark  horn- 
blue,  paler  below;  feet  blackish.  Length  0.50-7.00;  extent  10.50-11.01);  wing  3.;{()-;5.f)0  ;  tail 
2.75-3.00;  bill  0.00-0.0? ;  tarsus  0.75;  middle  toe  and  claw  rather  more.  9  .smaller,  plain 
warm  brown  above,  paler  and  rather  flaxeu-bruwn  below,  sometimes  whitey-browu  on  throat 

and  belly,  or  with  slight  streaks  on 
belly  and  crissuni ;  wings  and  tail  fus- 
cous, sometimes  slightly  bluish-glossed 
or  t>dged,  the  former  with  whitey-brown 
cross-bars;  bill  and  feet  brown.  Young 
$  at  first  lik«>  9  t  when  changing, 
shows  coufuseil  brown  ami  blue;  after- 
ward, blue  inteiTUitted  \vith  white  be- 
low. IT.  S.,  from  Atlantic  to  Pacific, 
but  southerly ;  rarely  N.  to  Massachu- 
setts, and  even  Maine  ;  winters  wholly 
cxtralimital ;  breeds  throughout  its  U.  S. 
range.  Its  limit  of  northward  migra- 
tion with  regularity  and  in  any  numbers 
is  about  the  latitude  of  Philadelphia. 
Fig.  252.— Biuo Grosbeak,  reduced.  (Slicpiiard  del.  Klcbolssc.)  \est  ill  bushcs,  vines  or  Other  shrub- 
bery, sometimes  a  low  tree,  of  grasses  and  rootlets;  eggs  1—5,  averaging  0.90  X  0.05,  palest 
bluish,  normally  unspotted  ;  quite  like  those  of  the  indigo-bird,  but  larger. 

91.  PASSERI'NA.  (Lat.  j)f».ssmn«s,  sparrow-like :  not  well  applied  to  these  "  matchless  ones.") 
Painted  Finches.  Bill  relatively  smaller  and  weaker  than  in  the  la.st,  with  less  conspicuous 
angulation,  the  ciilmen  regularly  a  little  convex,  the  gonys  nearly  .straight.  Outer  4  primaries 
longest ;  1st  usually  between  4th  and  5th,  the  latter  much  shorter.  Tail  little  shorter  than  wing, 
about  even  or  emarginate.  Feet  moderate;  tarsus  about  ecpial  to  the  middle  too  and  claw ; 
lateral  toes  about  equal  to  each  other,  their  claws  falling  short  of  base  of  middle  claw. 
Embracing  several  elegant  finches  of  small  size;  the  males  of  very  showy  hues,  especially 
blue,  but  also  red,  purple,  yellow,  and  green,  usually  in  masses;  the  females  'iiiple  and 
tasteful  greenish  or  brownish  shades. 


miNGILLID^ :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,   ETC.  391 

Analytii  <\f  Species. 

f  rich  blue,  Intense  red  nml  golden-green  ;  $  greenish  and  yellow.    Southern riris  202 

(f  purpllsli-bluc,  dusky  and  rtMldlsli.     9  bro\vn.    Southwestern rersimlor  2!Kl 

(f  Inzull-blue  and  white,  the  breast  brown  ;  9  brown  and  whitish.    AVestorn      nmivmt  I'M 

(f  indigo-blue;  $  brown.    Kasteni eiinnrn  ■.i),'} 

292.  P.  cl'ris.  (Gr.  tttipit,  leiris,  imine  of  iv  bird  into  wliicli  Scjlla,  (liiufjlitrr  of  Nisus,  wna  triuis- 
foriiu'tl. )  I'aintkk  Finch.  Paintkd  llixnxo.  NoxPAiiKir-.  Pope.  ^.  adult :  Crown  and 
liiiid  ueck  and  sides  of  head  and  neck  ricli  blue;  back  and  seapulars  beautiful  fjolden-grcen ; 
ej'elids,  rnnii>,  and  entire  under  jmrts  intensi'  vermilion-red ;  wings  dusky,  glo.ssed  with  yreeii 
and  reddi.-ih  ;  tail  dusky  reddish.  Rill  dark  horn-e(dor  ;  feet  dark  brown.  Size  of  C.  nmcrna; 
\\\\\ii  2.7")  ;  tail  2.25,  a  little  eniargiiiate.  9  •  Above,  jdain  3-ellnwish-f;reen,  nearly  uniform,  this 
eoUir  irlossinii  the  dusky  wiiiirs  and  tail;  below,  yellowish;  bill  brownish,  pale  below;  thus 
quite  different  from  the  broivn  9  9  <'*"  "'^  ^''f  following  .spceies.  Young  ^  at  first  like  9  i 
acquiring  the  red  and  blue  with  every  possible  gradation  between  the  cohirs  of  the  two  se.ves. 
South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  abundant;  uj)  the  coast  to  Carolina,  and  in  the  interior  to 
Illinois;  Texas  and  Mexico.  An  ex(|uisite  little  creature  of  matchless  hues,  well  named  the 
"  ineom])aral>l(> " ;  a  fair  songster,  and  a  favorite  cage-bird  in  Louisiana.  Nest  in  bushes, 
hedges  and  low  trees  ;  eggs  pearly  white,  .sjx'ckled  with  reddish  and  puqdish  browns. 

293.  P.  versl'color.  (Lat.  rernkolor,  various  in  e(dor;  rerto,  I  turn;  color,  c<dor.)  Pfiti'i.R 
Painted  FiNcii.  Vaiueij  IUtntixo.  Westeun  Xospakeil.  Pkusiaxo.  <J,  adult:  Hind 
hea«l,  throat,  and  fore  breast  brownish-red  or  chiret-eolor,  the  former  sometimes  scarh't  ;  hind 
neck  and  middle  of  back  similar,  but  more  obscured;  fore-part  of  crown  jturplish-rt'd  ;  rump  and 
ui)per  tail-coverts  puridish-blue  ;  below,  from  the  brca.st,  and  the  wings  and  tail,  dusky,  tinged 
or  glossed  with  purplish ;  concealed  white  in  feathers  of  side  of  rump  ;  lores  and  circumrostral 
feathers  black.  Hill  horn-bluish,  j)aler  below,  stouter  than  in  the  other  species,  with  very 
convex  culmen  and  concave  cutting  edge  of  upper  mandible.  Feet  dark.  The  versiccdoration 
is  ditKcult  to  describe ;  the  general  aspect  is  that  of  a  purplish-dusky  bird,  rediler  or  bluer  hero 
and  there.  Size  of  the  others.  9  plain  brown  above,  whitey-brown  below,  like  nmcrna  and 
fliattca;  no  whitish  wing-bars;  no  black  strijie  on  gonys  ;  coii(!ealed  white  on  siil(>s  of  rump; 
bill  stout.  Lower  California  and  ^fexico,  N.  to  U.  S.  border,  esj)ecially  in  the  Kio  Grande 
Valley,  where  eonnuon  in  some  localities.     (Accidental  in  Aliehigan.) 

294.  P.  ainue'iia.  (Lat.  amaena,  delightful,  charming,  dressy.)  I.,azitli  Painted  FiNCir.  ^, 
adult:  Head  and  neck  all  around,  entire  ujiper  jiarts,  and  lining  of  wings,  rich  azure  or  lapis- 
laziili  blue,  more  or  less  ob.scured  on  the  middle  of  the  back;  the  lores  black.  BeloM',  from  the 
blue  neck,  chestnut-brown,  changing  to  white  on  the  belly  and  erissum.  A  firm  white  wing- 
bar  across  ends  of  the  median  coverts,  and  usually  another  weaker  one  across  tips  of  greater 
coverts.  Wings  and  tail  dusky,  glossed  with  blue.  IJill  and  fe(>t  bluish-black.  Length  ."i.2.j- 
5. .50;  extent  8.00-8.50;  wing  2.75-;}.00  ;  tail  2.25-2.50;  bill  0.37;  tarsus  0.05.  9,  adult: 
Above,  flaxen-brown,  nearly  uniform,  but  with  slightly  darker  centres  of  the  feathers,  and  some- 
times a  faint  bluish  gloss.  Below,  buffy  or  brownish-white,  most  colored  im  the  breast,  palest 
on  throat  and  belly.  Wings  and  tail  fuscous,  with  faint  bluish  edgings  usually,  crossed  with  two 
decided  brownish-white  bars,  —  the  chief  distinction  from  9  ci/anea.  $,  young:  Like  the  9  > 
when  changing,  patched  with  browni  and  blue ;  when  very  young,  $  9  somewhat  streaky, 
especially  t>n  under  parts.  Replacing  P.  ci/anea  from  the  Plains  to  the  Pacific,  coiunum  in 
suitable  places  :  habits,  nest,  and  eggs  the  same. 

295.  P.  cya'nea.  (Lat.  cijanea,  Gr.  Kvavtos,  kmtneos,  dark  blue.  Fig.  253.)  Isdioo  Painted 
Finch.  Indioo-biiid.  Adult  $  :  Indigo-blue,  intense  and  constant  on  the  head,  glancing 
greenish  with  different  lights  on  other  parts  ;  M-ings  and  tail  blackish,  glossed  with  greenish- 
blue;  feathers  around  base  of  bill  black  ;  bill  dark  above,  rather  paler  below,  with  a  curious 
black  stripe  along  the  gonys.  9-  Above,  plain  warm  brown,  below  whitey-hrown,  «d)s<detely 
streaky  ou  the  breast  and  sides;  wing-coverts  and  inner  quills  palc-cdged,  but  not  whitish; 


' 


892 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


Fid.  253.  —  Indlgo-blrJ,  rciluceil.    (Sliepimril  Uol.    Nichols  sc.) 


no  wJiitisli  wing-bars;  upper  niunilible  blucl<i!<h,  lower  jmle,  witli  the  bhick  i<trii)e  just 
nientioui'd,  — this  is  ii  pretty  constant  fcuturc,  unil  will  distinguish  the  species  from  any  of  our 
Eastern  little  brown  birds.     Young  ^  :  Like  the  9)  '"'t  soon  shows  blue  traces,  and  afterward 

is  blue  with  white  variegation  below. 
Size  of  the  foregoing.  Eastern  U.  .S.,  N. 
to  Maine  and  Canada ;  W.  to  Kansas, 
Indian  Territory,  and  Texas;  winters 
wludly  extraliniital ;  breeds  throughout 
its  N.  A.  range.  Abundant  in  fields  and 
open  woodland,  in  suninu'r  ;  a  well  mean- 
ing but  rather  weak  vocalist,  Mho.se  low 
rambling  strain  is  delivered  as  if  the  liltlo 
j>erfonner  wi're  tired  or  indifferent.  Xest 
in  the  crotch  of  a  bush,  large  for  the  size 
of  the  bird,  and  not  at  all  artistic  ;  eggs 
usually  4-.'J,  averaging  0.72  X  0.52,  white 
with  a  faint  blue  shade,  and  normally 
plain,  though  not  sehlom  a  little  sjieckled. 

92.  SI'KRMO'l'HIluV.  (Gr.  trnipiM,  speniia,  seed;  <^i>os,  jiliilos,  loving.)  PytiMV  FiXciiK.s. 
Bill  like  that  of  a  bullfinch  in  miniature,  short  and  extremely  turgid  ;  swollen  in  all  directions, 
nulmen  convex  nearly  in  the  sextant  of  a  circle  ;  cutting  edge  of  U|i]ier  nuindible  very  concave  ; 
gouys  short,  about  straight  in  outline.  Wings  short  and  greatly  rounded ;  2d-4th  (piills 
longest,  1st,  5th,  and  even  6th,  little  shorter,  and  secinulariea  nearly  covering  primaries  in  the 
oliised  wing.  Tail  rather  shorter  than  wings,  slightly  rounded,  with  abruj)tly  ]iointed  tips  of 
the  feathers.  Tarsus  etpial  to  middle  toe  and  claw,  and  lateral  toes  to  each  other,  their  claws 
about  reaching  base  of  middle  chiw.  A  large  C.  and  S.  Am.  g<'nus  of  i)ygniy  finches,  one  of 
M"hich  reaches  our  border;  our  most  diminutive  fringilline  (but  Phonqtura  is  about  the  ,sime). 

200.  S.  niorelet'l.  (To  one  Morelet.)  Mouki.kt'.s  I'vti.MY  FiNcii.  LiTTi.i:  Skkd-katkk.  ^  : 
Toj)  and  sides  of  head,  back  of  neck,  broad  band  acro.ss  npper  part  of  breast,  middle  of  back, 
wings,  and  tail,  black  ;  chin,  upper  throat,  neck  nearly  all  around,  rump,  and  remaining  under 
l)arts,  white,  the  latter  often  tinged  with  ]>ale  bulf;  two  wing-bauds,  and  bases  of  all  thcipiills, 
also  white,  that  on  the  secondaries  hid(h>u  by  the  coverts,  that  on  the  primaries  forming  au 
expo.sed  spot ;  inner  secondaries  usually  edged  with  white ;  tail-feathers  sometimes  with 
obscm-ely  whitish  tip.  Bill  blue-black  ;  feet  dark.  9  olivaceous-brown  above,  brownish- 
yellow  or  dull  buff  below;  wings  with  whitish  bars,  but  no  white  bases  of  (|uills  ;  bill  brown; 
feet  dark.  Length  about  4.00  ;  wing  2.00-2.10  ;  tail  l.'JO  ;  tarsus  O.GO.  Mexico  to  Texas,  in 
the  Lower  Bio  (jlrande  valley. 

93.  PHOM'PARA.  ((;r.  </)<a>'i},7>/io«c,  sound,  voice;  Lat.  ^Mrw,  I  produce:  badly  formed.)  (inA.ss 
Qrns.  Bill  small,  acute,  culmen  slightly  convex,  connnissure  about  straight  to  the  angulation 
at  base.  Wings  short,  rounded,  2d-jth  primaries  subequal  and  little  longer  than  1st,  6th,  7th. 
Tail  still  .shorter,  about  even.  Tarsus  if  anything  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw :  lateral 
toes  subecpial  to  each  other  in  length,  scarcely  reaching  base  of  middle  toe.  A  West  Indian 
genus  of  diminutive  finches,  one  of  which  occurs  in  Florida. 

297.  P.  ze'iui.  {Vox  harh.  ;  perhaps  proper  name.)  Bi,.\(K-FA('Eit  GuAS.S  QllT.  ^,  adult: 
Upper  parts,  including  exposed  surfaces  of  wings  and  tail,  dull  olivaceous,  passing  on  the  face, 
throat,  and  breast,  into  .sooty-black,  fading  on  other  under  parts  into  olive-gray,  niore  or  less 
varied  with  whitish  ;  wings  and  tail  \unnarked;  no  decided  demarcation  of  colors  anywhere. 
Bill  blue-black ;  feet  dark  brown.  9  lighter  (divaceous,  passing  to  olive-ashy  where  the  ^ 
is  black;  bill  ))alo  bek)w;  feet  light  brown.  Length  about -1.00 ;  wing  2.00-2.10 ;  tail  1.75. 
West  Indies  and  Florida.     One  of  the  conmion  house  finches  in  various  West  Indian  Ishmds; 


94 


•i'JH 


99 


299 


FRIXGILLWyJJ :   FIXCJIES,   JJ  US  TINGS,    SPAIiIi(nyS,   ETC. 


aua 


npst  ill  biishrs  and  slirulibcry,  large,  iknacil,  with  lutcriil  I'litraiu-c;    I'gus  H-Ci,  O.do  x '•.">(), 
white,  sju'ckli'il  with  I't'ddisli. 

94.  PYRRIIIILO'XIA.  {iMt.  pDrrliiilii  +  Inxiii;  /)i/)t/ih/«,  iv  Imlltiiicli  ;  /«.ci«,  a  (Tiisst-bili.  (ir. 
jru^^r,  i)iirhruii,  red  ;  Xogi'ay,  lo.rias,  crtiolscd.)  llil.l.rixcii  ('AltidNALS.  Hiil  very  >hipit  and 
xtt  lilt,  hot  lived  almost  lilie  a  jjarrot's  :  its  dejitli  at  base  I'xeeedinj,'  its  leiigtli ;  under  niandiblu 
deeiier  than  upper  at  nostrils;  eulnieii  eurved  almost  to  tin- <|Uadraut  of  a  eirele  ;  eomniissure 
foieibly  angulated  in  advanee  of  nostrils;  p>nys  about  straiglit.  Otherwise  generally  like 
CardiiKilis.     L'olors  grayish  and  red  ;  head  erested.     One  large  siieeies. 

aos.  1*.  Hinua'ta.  (Lat.  sinuata,  bent,  Imwed,  eurved;  sitiiis,  abend,  bay:  alluding  to  the  bill.) 
llri.l.rixcil  C'akdixai..  TkxAH  Cauimsai,.  ( 'onsiiicuoiisly  erested,  and  otiierwise  like  the 
eiimmon  eardinal  in  form,  but  tlie  bill  extremely  siiort  and  crooked.  (J:  Asiiy-brown,  paler 
or  wliitish  behiw;  the  erest,  faee,  tliroat,  breast,  and  ndddle  line  of  belly,  witli  tiie  wings  and 
tail,  more  or  less  perfectly  crimson  or  carmine  red;  bill  wldtish.  Length  8.(I((-S.5();  extent 
11.00-1:3. 00;  wing  ;{..')0-t.00 ;  tail  .'1.75-4.2.').  9  similar  to  the  ^,  more  .so  than  9  Ciirdiiinlis : 
red  of  crest,  wings,  and  tail  much  the  same ;  ratlier  brownish-yellow  below,  usually  with  traces 
of  red  on  the  breast  and  belly,  sometimes  without.  Young  ^  like  the  9-  -^t  an  early  age, 
both  sexes  have  the  hill  (djsetired.  In  this  species  the  crest  is  long,  but  thin,  consistiui;  of  a 
few  coronal  feathers,  without  general  elongation  of  tlie  head-plumage.  The  .shade  of  red  is  very 
variable  in  eipially  adult  males.  In  highest  feather  it  is  continuous  on  the  under  jtarts  from 
bill  to  tail  along  the  median  line;  but  it  is  often  binkeii  into  patches  on  throat,  belly,  and 
crissum.  The  tint  is  always  carmine,  not  vermilion  as  usual  in  the  common  cardinal.  The 
intense  rose-cohir  is  well  displayed  on  siireadiiig  the  wings.  A  singular  bird,  inhabiting  tlu^ 
U.  S.  near  the  Jlexieau  border,  from  Texas  to  Lower  (."aliforiiia ;  abundant  in  the  valley  of 
the  Lower  Hio  (1  ramie.  The  habits,  nest,  and  eggs  arc  substantially  the  same  as  tho.se  of  the 
common  cardinal. 

95.  CARDINA'LIS.  (Lat.  cardinalis,  pertaining  to  earth, 
a  door-hinge;  rardhml,  that  upon  which  .something 
hinges  or  depends  ;  hence  important,  principal,  cardinnl 
point ;  cardimd,  a  chief  ecclesiastical  othcial,  wearing 
the  red  hat;  hence  airdiiitd-red,  fnnii  which  color  the 
bird   is  named.     Fig.  :J."i  I.)     Cauiuxai.  Guo.shkaks. 

IVill  very  large  and  stout,  but  ([uiti nic  ;  culmen  a  little 

convex  ;  goiiys  about  straight;  coniiiii.ssure  sinuate,  not 
abruptly  angulat<'d  ;  lower  mandible  about  as  deejt  as 
upper;  rictus  bristled.  Wings  very  short  and  rounded : 
usually  1th  and  5th  ((uills  longest,  <ithers  ra[)idly  grad- 
uated both  ways,  —  5th  to  Lst,  5tli  to  '.tth.  Tail  longer 
than  wings,  rounded,  of  broad  feathers  with  (ddiipiely 
oval  tips.     Tarsus   longer  than  middle  t<ie  and  claw;  nat.sizc.    (.vi  imt.  del.  K.  c.) 

lateral  toes  subequal.  Size  large.  Head  crested.  Color  mostly  red,  including  bill.  Sexes 
subsimilar. 
290.  V.  virgiiiia'nus.  (Of  Virginia ;  name  iiiappro|M'iate  to  Queen  Elizabeth.  Figs.  :254,  255.) 
Caudixai.  GuosnEAK.  Caudixai.  l{i:i)-iiiui>.  ViHiJixiA  XiiiirnxcAi.K.  (J,  adult:  Hich 
red,  usually  vermilion,  sometimes  rosy;  pure  and  inten.se  on  crest  and  under  parts,  darker  on 
back,  where  (discurcd  with  ashy-gray,  as  it  is  also  on  up]ter  surfaces  of  wings  and  tail;  the 
feathers  of  the  wings  fuscous  on  inner  webs.  A  jet-bhick  mask  on  the  face,  entirely  surround- 
ing the  bill,  extending  tin  the  throat.  IJill  coral-red  ;  feet  lirown.  Length  8.00-',l.00;  extent 
11.00-12.00  ;  wing  3.50-4.00  ;  tail  1.25-4.75  ;  bill  0.07-0.75  :  tarsus  0.'.»0-l.(J().  9  rather  less : 
Ashy-brown,  paler  and  somewhat  yellowLsh-brown  below,  with  traces  of  red  ;  reildening  much 
as  in  the  (J  on  erest,  wings,  and  tail.     Young  <J  :  At  first  like  9?  hut  soon  reddening;  at  an 


Flo.  254.  —  Hfiiit  of  fanliiiul  Groslieali, 


I' 


8M 


SYSTL'MA  TIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  PA  SSEIiES  —  OSUINJiS. 


pnrly  iicr.  bill  dark.  Eastern  1'.  S.,  Hontlicrly,  Htldoiii  N.  to  tlic  ('(iiiiucticiit  Vallry  ;  alinij,'  the 
M)'\ii'an  Icirdcr  Hliadiii^'  into  ('.  r.  ifiunin.  A  liird  nl'  utriluiig  aii|>(>araiict>  ai)d  brilliant  vocal 
powiTs,  resident  and  almndant  from  tlir  Middle  States Moiitliward ;  inhabits  thickets,  tangle  and 
underi;ro\vth  of  all  kinds,  wlieiu'e  issne  its  rii'h  rolling  whistling  notes  while  the  |iertornier, 
brightly  elad  as  he  is,  often  eludes  observation  by  his  shyness,  vigilanee,  and  activity.  Tho 
iiost,  built  h)o8ely  of  bark-striiw,  twigs,  leaves,  and  grasses,  is  idaced  in  a  bush,  vine,  or  low 


96. 


300. 


Fwi.  255.  — Canllnnl  Grosbeak,  upiwr;  Uose-brousleil  Uruvbeak,  lowur;  iwlucod.    (Fiuiii  Urelitu.) 

thick  tree  ;  the  esrgs  are  1.00-1.10  long,  0.70-0.80  in  breadth,  i)rofusely  nnirked  with  browns, 
from  reddi.sh  to  dark  chocolate,  with  neutral  tint  in  the  shell,  usually  in  tine  dotting  or  mar- 
bling pattern.  Two  or  three  broods  are  reared  in  tho  South.  Like  the  rose-breasted  grosbeak, 
the  eardimil  is  a  favorite  cage-bird. 

C.  V.  ig'neus.  (Lat.  »V/Hei<s,  fiery.)  Fiery-reh  Cardinal.  Like  the  last;  not  redder,  but  if 
anything  lighter  red  ;  black  mask  narrowed  on  forehead,  or  so  ititerrujited  there  that  the  re«l 
reaches  to  the  bill;  crest  incliniug  to  light  red,  more  lilve  that  of  belly  than  of  back.     Bill 


. 


FIUNGILUDJE:   FINCHES,   BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,   ETC. 


895 


toiiiIiiiK  til  Hwrll,  with  more  (Icciilcilly  ciirvcil  I'liliiK'ti.  Tail  rather  loiigor,  mi  an  avcranp. 
\'all('y  lit' till'  Ciiliiriulii  ami  (>ila,  ami  Luwrr  Calit'iirnia,  ('111111111111. 
06.  I'l'l'ILO.  (Ijat.  /lipilti  or  jiijiiii,  I  pip,  pwp,  chirp.  1  'r<i\viiKK,  HfNTISfiH.  KiiihraciiiK 
iiiiiiH'riiiiN  .sp('(•i<'^^  ami  viirirtif's  of  lurp'  EriniiiUidir,  viiryiii/u'  niiirii  in  systrm  nt'  I'liiiiriitiini  ami 
dctall.s  (if  fiinii,  anil  tlicrrt'iirc  imt  rawy  t"  charat'ti'ri/i'  I'linciwly.  lv\('r|itiii^  mir  s|.i'cii's,  nil  are 
over  aeven  inches  lout/,  lilll  iiiinU'ratt'  in  hv/.v,  ciinlc  wlthmit  fxtrciiit'H  of  tiirKiility  nr  cuiiiiirrN- 
siiiii,  lint  varyinjr  iiiiich  in  pri'dxc  sliapi-  with  thr  .spccifs.  I'ri't  laryr  ami  stnmL',  littril  fur 
gniiiml  wiirlt :  tarsus  almnt  <'lplalliM^  nr  rathrr  I'xci'rilini;  t'li'  niiililli'  t<ir  ami  rlaw  ;  latrral  tucH 
Hiiliorpial,  iintcr  nsually  iv  litth'  tho  Iniigt'r,  its  claw  ri'achiii^'.  in  snnir  rases  rxiTi'ilinir  llir  liasti 
of  the  iniilillr  claw ;  the  claws  all  stunt  ami  ninch  cnrvcil,  in  simii'  species  hiuhly  ilevelnpeil. 
Wings  short  ami  greatly  mnmleil,  almnt  the  4tli-.'ith  primary  Imigest,  whence  the  ipiills  arc 
ra]iiilly  grailnated  tn  1st  ami  i)th  ;  1st  very  slmrt.  Tail  hniK,  o-vceciling  the  wings,  rnuiiileil  or 
much  grailiiateil,  uf  bniail  firm  feathers  with  nnniileil  emls.  harire  species,  inhaliiting  shrnh- 
liery,  ami  partly  terrestrial.  They  fall  in  li  sections  nr  series.  I.  lUmk  Tmvhirn  :  of  which  the 
only  Eastern  sjiecies  is  a  ty]iical  cxaniiile.  In  this,  the  se.xes  are  very  unlike,  hut  the  iliH'erencc 
is  less  in  the  Western  varieties  into  which  it  runs:  all  the  forms  are  hlack  on  heail  ami  npper 
parts,  with  hlack,  M-hite-markeil  wings  or  tail,  tli.  hack  also  white-niarkeil  nr  not  ;  helly  while, 
siiles  chestnnt.     Jl.   llroini    Tmrhern :  variiair-       lirown    alu've,  jialer,  etc.,   helnw,  the    sexes 

nlike.     The.se  nri nfineil  to  the  .Southw«'.st,  wlui'    the  inmierons  species  stand  in  the  .same 

relation  to  Frinfiilli(l(C  that  the  Southwestern  forms  of  JIarjmrhiowliiiH  hear  to  Turdidir.     Ill, 
(Jirni  Toirliir.'< :  one  small  species,  standing  alone. 

Oils.  I.  The  hlack  series  of  Pijiilo  otters  a  case  nearly  iiarallel  with  those  of  Mijn.ijii:ii, 
I'dsserelln  and  Jinict)  alrca<ly  discussed.  'I'here  is  one  Eastern  form  much  more  distinct  from 
the  several  Western  ones  than  these  are  from  one  another.  It  is  nniform  lilack  almve,  seldom 
with  a  trace  of  white  spotting  on  the  scapulars:  the  9  distinctively  lirown  where  the  (J  is 
hlack.  The  Western  ones  all  have  spotted  scapulars  and  sianetinies  also  interscapulars ;  and 
9  9  i"''"  Idackish,  much  like  the  (J  (J.  (Tliesii  furthermore  shade  into  an  iiliruri'ons  .Mexican 
form.)  /'.  (irdivKs  corr('s]ionds  in  a  way  with  J^Ieliispua  heeniidiiiii,  I'uxserrllii  xchiitnt'en,  and 
Jinico  cmikrps ;  1'.  oregituits  with  McUispita  fjuttaUt  or  riifiiiti,  I'lisserelln  iiiDiliisrir  and  Jinim 
Oregon H a  :  1'.  iiiefinloin/.r  c\iwi\y  with  ]'<isserell(t  mcfiarhi/ncha.  It  might  he  more  consistent 
til  treat  all  the  hlack  Towhees  as  races  of  one  incompletely  specified  stock  ;  Iiiil  it  is  not  easy 
to  so  far  ignore  the  sexual  distinctivem'ss,  nor  the  fact  that  though  J',  eri/tlirojihthdhtm.i  has 
(ircasional  spots  on  the  scajtular.'-,  its  intergradation  is  scarcely  estahlished.  II.  The  Hmwn 
Towhees  att'or  one  remarkahly  distinct  species,  ]'.  aherti,  to  he  likened  to  Harjmrhi/iwliii.t 
crissalis;  and  others  incompletely  separated  from  eacli  other,  like  11.  rcdirinis  and  H.  leconlii. 

Analj/sh  nf  .'fpicics  niul  1'ariilii's. 

1.  Ittarl;  Tmrhfi'S.    ColorH  of  tlie  ni.ilo  lilncl*,  wliltc,  and  clicstnut  In  ilcflnlte  areas. 

No  wlilto  oil  tlie  scaimliirs  or  wliig-coverts.     SexeH  very  unlike. 

Kyes  red  In  tlie  breeiling  acnsoii.     Kastern  U.  S.  at  large erythropHlinlmun  301 

Kyo»  wlilte  In  tlie  breeding  season.    Florida,  resident ullmi  .TOli 

Scajiulars  and  wing-coverts  with  wlilte  spots;  sexes  more  alike.    Western. 

Little  if  any  white  at  bases  of  primaries  ;  none  on  outer  web  of  outer  tail-feathers  except  at  end. 

nregnnus  303 

White  on  wings  and  tail  as  In  erythrnplitlialmnn,  but  interscapulars  streaked     ....   arcticua  :m 

Like  the  last ;  claws  highly  developed ;  •exes  nearly  alike mef)alonj/r  306 

2.  Jirnini  Tnirheia.    Colors  not  definitely  black,  white  and  chestnut ;  no  greenish:  sexes  alike.    Snutliwestern. 

Grayish-brown,  puler  below,  without  blackish  face ;  throat  and  crissuni  fulvous  or  rufescent. 

Light;  belly  whitening;  crissum  yellowish-brown;  necklace  of  dusky  streaks    .    .    .    me/inhwm  .IOC 

Similar;  more  white  on  throat alhiriula  .107 

Dark  ;  belly  only  paler ;  crissuni  cinnamon-brown ;  throat  fulvous,  speckleil rrinMlh  3(W 

Oraylsh-brown,  paler  below;  face  blackish  ;  no  other  decided  markings abirti  309 

3.  Green  Toirliven.    Colors  greenish  ;  sexes  alike. 

Crown  brown,  throat  white,  breast  ashy,  edge  of  wing  yellow,  etc chlorunm    310 


396 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


i 


301.  I*.  erythrophtharmuB.  (Gr.  ipvOpos,  eruthros,  red  ;  otpSaXnos,  ophthalmos,  eye.)  Towhee 
HiXTiMi.  Maksh  lioBix.  t'liKwiXK.  (Jjiidiilt:  Glossy  bhick  ;  belly  white  ;  sides  chest- 
nut ;  crissiun  fiilvous-brown  ;  itriinaries  and  inner  secondaries  with  white  touches  on  the  outer 
webs ;  outer  tail-feather  with  outer  web  and  nearly  the  tenninal  luilf  of  inner  web  white,  the 
next  two  or  three  with  white  spots  decreasing  in  size  ;  bill  black  ;  feet  pale  brown;  iris  red  in 
the  adult,  white  or  creamy  iv  the  young,  and  generally  in  winter  specimens.  Nonnally,  the 
black  pure  and  continuous  ;  occasionally,  white  touches  on  wing-coverts  and  scaj)ular.s.  White 
on  iiriuiaries  confined  to  bases  of  outer  6,  and  their  outer  webs  at  about  their  middle  ;  on 
secondaries  to  outer  webs  of  inner  i  or  3.  ]Slack  fe.ithers  of  throat  with  concealed  whitish 
bases.  Length  7.50-8.75  ;  extent  10.00-12.00  ;  wing  3.-20-3.f)0  ;  tail  3.35-4.00  ;  tarsus  1.00- 
1.12;  but  these  extremes  are  rare  ;  average  length  S.OO;  extent  11.25;  wing  3.75  ;  tail  4.50. 
9 :  Kic'  warm  brown  where  the  male  is  black  ;  otherwise  similar,  but  smaller.  Ven/  young 
birds  ar>  streaked  brown  and  dusky  above,  beh>w  whitish  tinged  with  brown  and  streaked  with 
dusky;  but  this  plumage  is  of  brief  duration;  .sexual  distinctions  may  be  noted  in  birds  just 
from  the  nest,  and  they  rapidly  become  much  like  the  adults.  Eastern  U.  S.  and  British 
Provinces ;  X.  to  Canada,  Minnesota  and  Dakota,  where  meeting  P.  ardicus;  W.  to  Kan.sas, 
and  in  .Missouri  Hiver  region  to  about  13°.  Northerly  jierfectly  migratory;  winters  from  middle 
U.  S.  southward;  breeds  nearly  throughout  its  range.  An  abundant  and  familiar  inhabitant  of 
thickets,  undergrowth,  and  briery  tracts,  s])ending  much  of  its  time  on  the  frround,  scratching 
among  fallen  leaves.  Nest  on  the  ground,  bulky,  of  leaves,  grasses  and  other  fibrous  material ; 
eggs  4-5,  0.95  X  0.70,  white,  thickly  .speckled  M-ith  reddish.  The  curious  names  "  Towhee  " 
and  •'  ( 'liewink  "  are  from  its  cry ;  "  Marsh  Hobin  "  from  its  haunts  and  the  chestnut  of  the  sides. 

30a.  P.  e.  al'lenl.  (To  J.  A.  Allen,  the  eminent  naturalist.)  Wimte-kved  Towhee  Uintixo. 
Similar;  snuiller;  less  white  on  the  wings  and  tail;  chiws  longer;  ivix  ichite.  (J,  extremes: 
Length  7.25-8.50;  extent  9.50-11.55  ;  wing  2.80-3.50  ;  tail  3.25-4.00;  tarsu.s  0.80-1.10;  aver- 
age length  7.90;  extent  9.90;  wing  3.12;  tail  3.50;  tail  »•?/«///•<•/// hmger  than  in  Northern 
specimens,  producing  less  ditt'erence  in  total  h'ligth  than  there  is  in  length  and  extent  of  wings. 
♦Vhite  on  outer  tail-feather  about  as  much  as  on  the  next  feather  of  V.  criithruphlhttlmus. 
Florida;  resident;  a  hK'al  race. 

[P.  inacula'tus.  (I^at.  maciilntiis,  spotted.)  Omve-ki.ack  Spotted  Towhee.  A  Mexican 
species,  with  extensively  olivaceous  ctdoration  and  streaked  back,  into  which  tiie  following  tlire(> 
varieties  shade  imperceptibly,  — oreijonus  being  farthest  removed  and  most  like  erythivjilithdl- 
miis,  arcticiis  and  megnlonij.v  successively  nearing  tiie  Mexican  stock-form. j 

303.  I',  ni.  ore'gonus.  (To  the  Territory  of  the  Oregon.)  OuEiiON  To'viiEE.  ^  :  Very  similar  to 
erijthriiphthalmus;  (juitc  as  bhick,  but  not  continuously  8<» ;  wing-coverts  with  small  rounded, 
and  scapulars  with  larger  oval,  white  spots  on  the  outer  webs  of  the  feathers  near  tin;  end; 
interscapulars  sometimes  also  with  white  touches?  white  marks  on  the  ])rimaries  and  inner 
secondaries  very  small  or  wanting,  usually  none  at  the  bases  of  the  former;  white  .spots  on  tail- 
feathei's  very  small,  the  outer  web  of  the  outer  recirix  not  white  exce))t  at  tli<^  end.  Excepting 
these  particulars,  this  form  hniks  more  like  i t  ijihrophthalmux  than  liki' the  tyjiical  nidciihiliin, 
in  which  the  body-colors  are  olivaceous.  9  'l'""'*  innber-brown,  but  not  tpiitt?  blackish. 
Pacific  coast  region,  N.  to  Hritish  Columbia,  S.  to  Southern  California,  melting  eastward 
into  nniicus,  .southeastward  into  megahmijx. 

304.  P.  III.  arc'tloiis.  (Lat.  «rc/icM.'i,  arctic.)  AitcTic  Towhee.  Similar  to  the  foregoing  ;  le.ss 
purely  and  continuously  black,  with  tendency  to  idivaceous  on  back  and  rump  ;  white  sitots  of 
wing-cove.'s  larger,  those  of  scajndars  still  larger  and  lengthening  ii!«o  streaks  ;  interscapulars 
al.sti  streaked  with  white;  white  on  the  <|uills  and  tail-feathers  at  a  maximum,  as  in  rnjthro- 
jthUmhnun;  usually,  alsK,  concealeil  white  sjiecks  in  the  black  of  the  throat.  9  eoniparatively 
dark,  but  not  tpiite  blackish.  In  this  form,  the  white  on  the  wing-quills  and  tail-feathers,  so 
much  reduced  in  the  glossy  black  oregonux,  is  as  extensive  as  in  crijthrophtlmlmus ;  but  the 


FRINGILLIDjE  :   FINCHES,  BUNTINGS,   SPAIili0^y'S,  ETC.  S!)7 


wing-coverts,  scnpulars  and  interscajnilars  are  fully  t.iarkcd  with  white ;  the  black  teutls  to 
olive,  at  least  on  niiiip,  and  tlie  9  is  not  fairly  brown.  Central  region  of  X.  Am.,  from  tlie 
limit  n{  eri/Hirojihthalmus  in  Kansas,  Nebraska,  and  Dakota,  to  that  <>(  oregomis  in  Oregon  and 
Washington  ;  in  the  S.  lloeky  Mt.  region  melting  into  megalonyx. 

305.  P.  m.  megalo'nyx.  (^rydX^,  Wifiyn/e,  great ;  ovv^,onux,  i'Xiwv.)  SPfUBKn  T(1WMKK.  BiNTixfi. 
The  \)revailing  form  in  the  S.  l{(!eky  Mt.  region.  New  Me.xico,  Arizona  and  California.  I're- 
cisely  like  arcticus,  but  feet  larger,  with  highly-developed  claws ;  hind  claw  deciiledly  longer 
than  its  digit ;  lateral  claws  reaching  to  or  beyond  middle  of  middle  claw.  In  this  form  at  any 
rate,  the  9  is  hardly  distinguishable  in  color  from  the  ^ ,  being  slaty-blackish  with  an  appreci- 
able olivaceous  shade,  thus  exhibiting  a  decided  approach  to  the  ty])ical  Mexican  stock.  The 
note  is  entirely  different  from  that  of  the  Ea.stern  Towhee,  being  so  exactly  like  the  scolding 
"mew"  of  a  cat-bird,  that  I  have  heard  persons  stoutly  couteud  that  there  are  cat-birds  in 
Arizona.  The  general  habits,  nest  and  eggs  of  all  these  Western  Towhees  are  substantially 
the  same  as  those  of  the  Easteni. 

[P.  fiis'eus.  (Lilt,  fiiscus,  dark  brown.)  Me.\i(  AN  HuowN  Towhke.  An  obscure  Mexican 
stcxdi  form,  carelessly  described  by  Swainson,  to  which  the  three  following  N.  Am.  birds  are 
pndmhly  referable  as  varieties.] 

306.  1*.  t.  mesoleu'cus.  (dr.  fiitros,  mesos,  middle;  XcvKor,  leucos,  white;  the  middle  uiuler  parts 
whiter  tlian  in  cri.s.inlis.)  HitowN  Tf)win:K.  Ca.non  Towhek.  ^,  9  =  Above,  uniform 
grayisii-brown  with  a  slight  olivaceous  shade;  crown  brown  in  aj)preciable  contrast;  wings 
and  tail  like  the  back,  unmarked,  or  some  tail-feathers  with  rusty  tijts.  IJelow,  a  pah'r  shade 
of  the  color  of  tlie  back,  whitening  on  the  bellj-,  tinged  with  fulvous  and  streaked  with  dusky 
on  the  sides  of  throat  and  middle  of  breast,  M'ashed  with  rich  ru.sty-l)rown  on  the  Hanks  and 
erissuui.  The  belly  is  usually  quite  white,  contrasting  with  the  rusty  Hanks  and  vent ;  the 
throat  is  ochrey,  usually  imnuicuhitc  and  embraced  necklace-wise  with  dusky  spots  in  series  on 
each  side,  aggregated  and  blotched  on  the  breast.  Kill  dusky,  jialer  below  ;  feet  brown,  toes 
usually  darker  than  tarsus.  Sexes  indistinguishable.  In  fresh  fall  specimens,  the  tawny 
sutl'uses  nearly  all  the  under  jiarts  except  middh^  of  belly,  and  the  throat  spots  ant  ditt'used 
instead  of  being  in  series.  In  the  very  early  streaked  stage,  there  is  no  distinction  of  a  brown 
cap  ;  the  wing-coverts  are  ru.sty-edged ;  and  the  wlnde  under  parts  are  dusky -streaked.  Length 
8.00-8.50;  wing  3.00-4.00;  tail  4.25-kf;().  S.  W.  U.  S.,  chietly  New  Mexico  and  Arizoua, 
but  also  W.  Texas,  S.  CNdorado,  Utah  and  Nevada,  and  interior  of  Southern  California.  Nest 
in  bushes  ;  eggs,  as  in  all  the  Hrown  Towhees,  s])ecked  and  scratched  with  blackish  on  a  pale 
greenish  ground.     (P. /k.scx.s  of  the  Key,  orig.  ed.) 

307.  P.  f.  albi'Kiila.  (Lat.  alhiis,  white ;  gula,  throat.)  WiiiTE-TiiuoATEi)  Buowx  Towiiee. 
Exactly  like  the  la.st,  but  the  white  of  the  under  jiarts  extending  further  up  the  breast,  the 
gular  spots  more  restricted,  sparser,  and  better  deHiu'd.  Lower  California.  Slightly  distin- 
guished ;  but  in  good  spring  specimens  the  rusty  is  restricted  to  the  crissuin  ;  the  ochraceous  of 
the  throat  is  less  extensive,  paler,  and  mainly  confined  within  the  necklace. 

30  .  P.  f.  crissK'lis.  (Low  Lat.  cri'.ssa/w,  relating  to  the  cri».iiim,  the  under  tail-coverts,  which  arc 
highly  cohm'd.)  Crissal  Towhee  BtxTixct.  Califou.ma  Towiiee.  Similar  to  niesoleiicii.i ; 
crown  like  the  back ;  rather  darker  above,  with  an  olivaceims  tinge,  (hridedly  so  below,  the 
middle  of  the  belly  scarcely  or  not  whitening,  the  gular  fulvous  .strong,  and,  with  its  dusky 
streaks,  definitely  restricted  to  the  throat;  the  fiauks  and  erissum  chestnut  or  deep  cinnamon- 
brown.  Uather  larger :  wing  4.00  ;  tail  5.00;  9  rather  less.  Coast  region  of  California  (and 
northward?),  abundant.  Nest  in  bushes,  probably  also  on  ground;  eggs  .'{-4,  O.'.la  X  0.72, 
l)ale  greenish  or  blui.sh-white,  fully  spotted  with  blackish  and  neutral  tints.  This  is  the  dark 
coast  form,  bearing  the  same  relation  to  mesolencu8  that  the  coast  Harporhynchus  refltviviis 
hears  to  the  paler  //.  kcontii  of  the  interior.  The  crown  is  brownish,  but  not  forming  a  cap 
contrasting  with  the  back  ;  the  throat  is  fulvous  rather  than  ochrey ;  this  color  of  very  limited 


398 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


extent,  and  spccklt-U  with  dusky  throughmit;  the  orissnm  rich  rusty.  (It  is  the  P.  /uncus, 
Ciiiss.,  111.,  1S54,  pi.  17 ;  Bd.,  1858 ;  but  uot  the  true  fuscus  of  Sw. ;  Fringilla  crissalis, 
Vigors,  1839.; 

309.  P.  a'bertl.  (To  Lieut.  J.  W.  Abert.)  Abert's  Towhee.  Gray  Towiiee.  Somewhat 
similar  to  the  fon-goiug  species  of  this  sectiou  of  the  genus,  but  entirely  distinct ;  a  very 
large,  long-tailed  form,  witii  no  decided  markings  anywhere  excepting  the  dark  face.  Above, 
grayish-brown,  with  a  slight  fulvous  tinge ;  wings  and  tail  darker  and  purer  brown,  the  tail- 
feathers  slightly  rusty-tipped.  Below  as  alH)ve,  but  i>aler,  by  dilution  with  a  peculiar  pale 
pinkish-brown  shade  (like  that  on  the  side  of  an  Oregon  snow-bird),  particularly  on  the  throat ; 
crissuin  more  cinnamon-brown  ;  hires  and  chin  blackish.  Bill  and  feet  brown  ;  under  mandible 
paler  tlian  the  upper.  Young  more  rusty.  Then;  is  much  individual  variation  in  shade,  but 
this  hirge  dingy  wliolc-c(dored  bird  witii  dark  face  is  always  easily  recognized.  Length  about 
•J. 00  ;  wing  3.40-3.70  ;  tail  4.50-5.00  ;  tarsus  1.00-1.10.  New  Mexico  and  Arizoiui,  abundant, 
especially  iu  the  valley  of  the  Gila  and  Colorado,  where  we  find  it  a  wild  and  shy  inhabitant  of 
thickets  and  chaparral;  X.  to  Cohiradoand  Utah.  Nest  in  bushes,  loose  and  bulky;  eggs  3—4, 
1.00  X  0.75,  bluish-wiiite,  sparingly  sjieckled  and  scrawled  with  blackish. 

310.  P.  cliloru'ru8.  ((Jr.  x^'wpoS)  Morox,  green;  oSfM,  oiira,  tail.)  Gri:en-tau.ei>  Towiiee. 
Blaxdixg's  Finch.  <?,  9,  adult:  Above,  grayish-green,  sometunes  quite  olive-gray,  at 
otiiers  bright  olive-green,  the  exposed  surfaces  of  the  wings  and  tail  with  brigliter  greenish 
edgings.  Edge  of  wing  and  under  coverts  and  axillaries  bright  yellow,  (.'rown  rich  chestnut ; 
forehead  blacki.sh,  with  awhitisii  h>ral  spot  on  each  side.  Chin  and  throat  pure  white,  Ixiunded 
by  dusky  maxillary  stripes  as  sharply  contrasted  as  in  the  wliite-throated  sparrow  with  dark 
surroundings.  Whole  breast  and  sides  of  head,  neck  and  body  fine  clear  ash,  or  slate-gray, 
obscin-ed  on  the  Hanks  and  crissum  with  brownish,  fading  to  white  on  the  belly;  coni]iieting 
the  resemblance  to  Zo»io^rtt7iia  ulbicoUis.  Bill  biackish-iilumbeous ;  feet  brown,  toes  darker. 
Length  about  7.00;  extent ',).50 ;  wing  2.80-3.20:  tail  3.40-3.70;  tarsus  0.<.I5.  Less  iiiaturo 
birds  have  the  chestnut  cap  veiled  by  gray  tips  of  the  fcjithers.  Yoh)kj  :  Crown  like  back. 
Upper  parts  dull  brown  tinged  with  greenish  in  places,  streaked  throughout  with  <lusky,  but 
wings  and  tail  as  in  the  adult ;  under  parts  foreca.xting  the  jiattern  of  the  adults,  but  dusky- 
streaked  throughout.  This  stage  is  brief  and  the  birds  resemble  the  adults  after  tiie  tirst  fall 
inoult.  An  interesting  l>ird,  of  no  intimate  relations  with  any  other ;  it  lias  long  been  con- 
ventionally placed  in  Pipilo,  for  want  of  a  better  location  ;  it  is  not  ea.>*y  to  see  how  it  diftei-s  in 
form  from  Zunotrkhia  or  Kmliernagra.  Southwestern  U.  S.,  esjiecially  S.  Bocky  Mts. ;  X.  to 
Wyoming  and  Idaho;  migratory;  winters  over  our  border.  A  sprightly  inhabitant  of  ^hrub- 
bery  ;  nest  in  bush  or  on  the  ground  ;  eggs  O.'JO  X  0.(18,  pale  greenish  (»r  grayish-white,  freckled 
all  over  with  bright  reddish-brown,  usually  aggregating  or  wreathing  at  the  larger  end. 

97.  EMBKRNA'GRA.  (A  villanous  com|Miund  of  emberizn,  a  bunting,  and  taiiaijra,  a  tan- 
ager  ;  the  former  is  only  Latinized  from  Old  German,  tlu;  latter  is  South  American.)  The 
integrity  of  the  genus  is  (pu-stionable.  Said  to  contain  several  extralimital  sjiecies  not  nearly 
allieit  to  ours.  It  is  ditHcult  to  .see  how  the  following  species  differs  more  than  specifically  from 
Pipilo  cMoriirus.  It  offers  the  fidhiwing  details  of  form:  Bill  not  notabh'  in  any  way.  Tarsus 
exceeding  the  middle  toe  and  claw.  Lateral  toes  short;  outer  a  little  longer  than  inner  ;  claw 
of  neither  reaching  base  of  middle  chiw  ;  fore  claws  all  small  anil  weak  ;  hind  claw  about  as 
long  as  its  digit.  Wings  very  short  and  much  rounded  ;  4th  to  7th  prinuiries  about  equal  and 
longest ;  SJd  as  long  as  '.)th  ;  1st  equalling  the  .'hi  from  the  innennost  secondary.  Tail  about  as 
long  as  the  wings,  much  rounded,  the  outer  feathers  half  an  inch  shorter  than  the  middle  ones; 
all  broad  to  their  rounded  ends.  Cohiration  olivaceous  with  yeUow  edge  of  wing  and  incon- 
spicuous head-stripes. 

311.  K.  rufovirga'ta.  (Lat.  r«/(»,  with  rufous,  virgnta,  striped;  virga,  i\  rod.)  Green  Finch. 
Te.\A8  Si'ARROW.     ^,  adult:  Above,  dull  olive-green,  brighter  on  wings  and  tail.     Under 


ICTERIDJE:   AMEBIC  AN  STARLINGS;   BLACKBIIWS,   ETC. 


399 


parts  shading  from  color  of  tho  upper  through  grayish-olivo  and  olive-gray  to  sordid  whitish, 
purest  on  the  middle  of  the  belly.  Inner  webs  of  wing-([uills  fuscous  ;  tail  the  same,  but  nmro 
glossed  with  greenish,  and  sometimes  sliowiiig  traces  of  crosswise  watering  with  darker  waves, 
as  often  seen  in  the  song  sparrow.  Wliole  bend  and  lining  of  wing  bright  clear  yellow.  Crown 
like  back,  with  two  broad  stripes  of  dull  rufous  from  nostrils  to  nape;  a  similar  rufous  stripe 
behind  eye,  scunetimos  traccalde  ])ast  eye  to  the  lore,  then  defining  a  superciliary  line  of  light 
olive-gray  or  whitish.  A  whitish  eye-ring.  Tpper  mandible  light  brown,  lower  drying 
yellowish;  feet  pale.  Length  O.^j-fi.?.)  (in't  5.50,  as  in  Baird)  ;  extent  8.5fM,).(K) ;  wing 
2.40-2.75;  ttiil  the  same ;  bill  0.50;  tarsus  (l.'.i;) ;  middle  toe  and  daw  0.75.  9  said  to  ditler 
immaterially,  and  young  to  lack  the  head-stripes.  Young,  first  idumage  :  Above,  mixed  hmwu 
and  olive-tawny;  wings  brown,  edged  with  olive,  the  coverts  edged  and  tip|)ed  with  tawny  ; 
bri  st  like  back  ;  belly  tawny.  Texa.^,  in  l^owiT  Hio  (irande  Valley.  Iniiabits  .shrubbery, 
e'.aparral,  and  close  cover  of  all  kinds,  where  it  is  dlHicult  to  discover,  owing  to  its  (juiet  ways 
.vnd  greenish  tints.  Keeps  near  the  groinid,  but  builils  a  domed  nest  of  twigs  and  grasses  in 
bushes  and  low  trees;  two  broods  are  reared  in  May-June,  and  Aug.-Sept.  Eggs  2-4,  pure 
white,  unmarked,  averaging  0.85  X  0.65,  but  frtmi  0.75-0.90  by  0.(50-0.70. 


17.  Family  ICTERID-^  :  American  Starlings:  Blackbirds,  etc. 

Cultri rostral  Osciiies  with  9  prima- 
ries.  —  A  family  of  moderate  extent, 
confined  to  America,  where  it  repre- 
sents the  Stitniuhc,  or  Starlings  <if 
the  Old  World.  It  c<nisists  of  tlie 
Blackbirds  and  Ori<des,  among  tiie 
former  being  included  the  ISobolinks, 
Cow-birds,  and  Meadow  "  Larks." 
It  is  nomiinilly  composed  of  150 
species,  half  of  which  nuiy  prove 
valid,  distributed  among  50  genera 
tir  subgenera,  of  which  one-fourth 
may  be  c(msi<lerod  worthy  of  rett'n- 
tion.  The  relationships  are  very  close 
with  the  ErinijillidfC,  on  the  one 
hand ;  on  the  other,  they  grade 
FI0.2M.  — A  typical /cro-Msi/. /<«H<Hi-.).    (.Vftcr  Audubon).        toward  the  Crows  (Co/T If /ff).     They 

share  with  Fringilline  birds  the  characters  of  angulated  commissure  and  '.)  developed  j)ri- 
muries,  and  this  di.stinguishcs  them  from  all  the  other  families  whatsoever ;  but  the  distiiu-- 
tions  from  th*?  Frinfjillida:  are  not  easily  exi)ressed.  In  fact,  I  know  of  no  character  that 
will  reiigate  the  Bobolink  and  Cowbird  to  the  Ideridtc  rather  than  to  the  Frintiillidee, 
in  the  current  acceiitatiou  of  these  terms.  In  general,  how<'ver,  tlu?  Icteridcc  are  citltrirostral 
rather  than  strictly  mnirontral  Osciues,  having  tliat  cutting  rather  than  crushing  style  of 
bill  seen  in  perfection  in  the  crows,  toward  which  some  of  the  Icterid<p  approach  ;  being  thus 
distinguished  by  the  length,  acntetu'ss,  and  not  strictly  conical  shape  of  the  uniiotched, 
unbristled  bill,  which  has  a  peculiar  extension  of  the  cnlmen  on  the  forehead  dividing  tho 
prominent  antite  of  cb)Be-set  velvety  featiiers  that  reach  to  or  on  the  nasal  scale  —  a  character 
well  exhibited  in  Stnrnella,  for  instanci'.  In  length,  the  bill  umudh)  ecpials  if  it  dcM's  not  exceed 
tho  head  ;  the  tip  is  unnotclied,  the  rictus  nnbi-istled,  the  commissure  obtu.sely  but  evidently 
angulated.  The  bill  is  shortest  and  most  fringilline  in  DoUchonyx  and  Mulothnts  ;  most  acnitc 
in   the  Orioles  (^Icterus),  where  it   in  sometimes  actually  deciir\'ed;   most  cnjw-liko  in  the 


400 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEBES  —  OSCINES. 


Graokk'8  {Quiscaliis).  (See  any  figs.,  iM'yoml.)  Excepting  tlie  arboreal  orioles,  the  feet  are 
large  ami  strong,  fitted  for  the  more  or  less  terresitrial  life  wliicli  all  the  species  lead,  walking 
on  the  ground  with  ease  instead  of  hopping  like  most  FrintjUUda:.  Xo  specialties  of  wing  or 
tall;  former  usnally  pointed,  latter  rounded,  sometimes  very  large  and  fan-shaped. 

Among  our  moderate  numlxT  of  species  are  representatives  of  four  of  the  subfamilies  into 
which  the  Icteridm  are  conveniently  and  ipiite  naturally  divisible.  In  most  of  the  genera  black 
is  the  prevailing  color,  —  either  uniform  and  of  iutenso  metallic  lustre,  or  contrasted  with 
masses  of  red  or  yellow.  In  Slurnella  alone  the  pattern  is  "niggled."  In  nearly  all,  the  sexes 
are  conspicuously  dissimilar,  the  female  l>eing  .smaller  and  browni.sh  or  streaky  in  the  iridescent 
black  species,  greenish  and  y(dh>wish  in  the  brilliantly  colored  ones.  All  are  migratory  in  this 
country.  Other  details  are  best  given  under  heads  of  the  sul)families.  These  groups,  with 
their  component  genera,  may  be  analy>!ed  as  fidlows  by  tlie  salient  features  more  likely  to 
attract  the  attention  of  the  student  than  less  <d>vions  technical  characters  :  — 

Anahji'm  of  SnhfnmHies  anil  dturn 

AiiKL.Ki.v.i-:.    Marsh  Jllackhirih.    Terrestrial  anil  gregarioiiii.     mil  ciiiiic-nciite,  HonietiiueH  quite  friiigilliiie, 
nlidrler  or  Hi'ureely  longer  tliuii  liuail.     Feethtoitt. 

JlnlMiliiil.li.    Sexes  unlilce  in  summer.     Illa>'l<  and  bufl°,  or  yellowisli ;  iiu  rcU.    Tail-fcatliers  verj-  acute. 

Tarsus  shorter  tlian  nitilillu  too  and  claw J)i)liiliimj/.i-      !)8 

Covliinlf.    Sexes  unlike.    Lustrous  l>lack  (f,  brown  9  i  »»  reil  or  yellow Mulothriis      09 

JtlacKliirih.    Sexes  unlike.     Lustrous  black  cf.  reil  on  wing;  streaky  $;  no  yellow      .    .    .    Aiirlnna    100 
llUiclhirih.    Sexes  unlike.     Lustrous  black  cf,  brown  $,  lM>tli  with  yellow  bead      .    XnnthiKi'ithalun    101 
Stiknki.ux.k.    Meailnw  Lnrka.    To'.restrialand  imjierfectly  gegarious.    Kill  of  i>eculinr  shape.    Tall  very 
short.    Feet  large  and  stout. 

Soxes  alike.     Jlotley-colored,  extensively  yellow  liciow Slunutln    102 

ICTF.nix.K.     Oridlm,    Arboreal,  non-gregarioiis.     Bill  extremely  acute,  someliiues  decurved.    Feet  weak. 
Sexes  unlike. 

Illack,  with  yellow  or  orange  or  chestnut  In  masses,  in  tlie  J  :  9  greenish  and  yellowish      .    .  Jctiriin    103 
Qt;is<'.\i.iN.l-:.     >'rnw   lilarkhirih.    Terrestrial  and  gregarious,     liill  elongate,  corvine.    Feet  stout.    Color 
of  jf  entirely  Iridewent  black  ;   $  brown  or  blavkisb. 

liill  shorter  than  head;  even  tail  shorter  than  wings ScolivnpliniiuK    IM 

Itill  not  shorter  than  head  ;  graduated  tall  not  shorter  than  wings (^uitcaliia    105 


22.   Subfamily  ACEL^IN^:   Marsh  Blackbirds. 

Gregarious,  graiiivorous  species,  more  or  less  completely  ten'estrial,  and  chiefly  jmlustrine, 
not  ordinarily  conspicuous  vocalists ;  building  rather  rude,  not  pensile,  nests,  laying  4-fi  sjwtted 
or  curiously  limned  <'ggs.  With  the  fei^t  strong,  fitted  both  for  walking  and  for  grasping 
swaying  reeds  ;  the  wings  more  or  less  (Miinted,  eipialling  or  exceeding  the  tail  in  li'ngth  ;  the 
bill  conic-acute,  shorter  or  little  longer  than  the  head,  its  cutting  edges  more  or  le.ss  inflected. 
Four  well-marked  genera,  the  species  of  which  aboimd  in  the  I'nited  .States,  on  jdain  and 
prairie,  in  marsh  and  meadow.  In  the  West,  they  swarm  alKHit  the  .settlements,  stage  stations, 
military  posts  and  other  detestable  places. 

08.  DOLICIIO'NYX.  (Gr.  fioXixoir,  ilolichos,  long:  Sw^.  nnu.r,  claw.)  IJoiioi.lXKK.  Sexes 
unlike,  but  only  in  the  breeding  season  :  ^  black,  liufl'and  white;  9  brownish  and  yeUowish. 
IJill  short,  conic,  fi-ingilline,  not  nearly  as  hing  as  bead.  Wings  long  tind  pointed,  1st  and  2A 
•piills  longest,  others  rapiilly  graduated.  Tail  stifl'ened.  with  rigid  very  acute  feathers,  almost 
like  a  woodpecker's,  shorter  than  wing.  Feet  stout ;  tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ; 
claws  all  very  large.  Oiu^  remarkable  sjM'cies,  though  there  arc  several  others  in  tropical 
America;  noted  for  the  iteciiliar  changes  of  plumage  and  the  ''mad  music  "of  the  ^  ;  abundant 
in  marsh  and  meadow  of  the  Eastern  T'.  S. 

312.  D.  oryafvorus.  ((ir.  opvfa,  t»«.-i,  Lat.  ory-n,  rice ;  roro.  I  devom-.  Fii;.  2.57.)  Hoitoi.iXK. 
Meadow-wink.  Skixk  nLACKniiin,  Northern  folates.  Kkkh-iiihu,  Middle  States.  IJuf.- 
Hino,  Southern  States.  ,J,  in  breeding  plumage:  IJlack ;  cervix  buff;  scapulars,  rump  and 
upi)cr  tnil-coverts  iishy-white  ;  iiitersi-apulars  streaked  with  black,  butt",  and  ashy  ;  outer  quills 


99. 


ICTERIDJE  —  AGEL^INJE :   MARSH  BLACKBIRDS. 


401 


99. 


edged  with  yellowish  ;  bill  blackish-horn  ;  feet  brown.  The  faultless  full  dress  of  black,  white, 
and  buif  is  worn  only  for  ii  brief  jieriod  ;  and  even  in  spring  uud  sunnnor,  most  males  are  found 
to  have  yellowish  touches  in  the  black,  especially  of  the  under  parts.  The  "delirious  song" 
is  oidy  heard  whih;  the  males  are  trooping  their  way  to  their  breeding-grounds,  and  before  the 
midsummer  change  (jf  feather.  $  in  fall,  9  >  «nd  young,  entirely  different  in  color  :  Yellowish- 
brown  above,  brownish-yellow  below;  crown  and  back  cons, '■.•uously,  nape,  rump,  and  sides 
less  broadly,  streaked  with  black ;  crown  with  a  median  and  lateral  light  stripe ;  wings  and 
tail  blackish,  pale-edged ;  bill  brown,  paler  below.  In  this,  the  ordinary  coudition,  the  $  is 
only  known  by  superior  size.  Fall  birds  are  more  buffy  than  the  spring  ?  .  Tiie  $  changing 
shows  confused  characters  of  both  sexes  (see  \i.  89)  ;  but  in  any  plumage  the  species  may  be 
recognized  by  the  stiftish,  extremely  acute  tail-feathere,  in  connection  with  its  special  dimensions. 
$  :  Length  7.00-7.50;  extent  11.50-12.25;  wing  3.50-3.80;  tail  2.75-3.00;  tarsus  1.00; 
middle  toe  and  claw  1.25.  ?  :  Length  C.50-7.00 ;  extent  10.50-11.25  ;  wing  3.25-3.50,  etc., 
averaging  i  an  inch  less  in  length  and  an  inch  in  extent.  Chiefly  Eastern  U.  S.  and  Canada ; 
N.  to  54°  in  the  region  of  the  Saskatchewan,  W.  not  ordinarily  beyond  the  central  plains,  but 
occurs  in  Montana,  Idaho,  Utah,  and  Nevada.  Winters  whidly  extralimital.  In  May,  the 
vivacious,  voluble,  and  eccentric  "  Bobo- 
links" pass  North,  spreading  over  the 
meadows  of  the  Middle  and  Northern 
States  from  the  Atlantic  to  Kansas  and 
Dakota,  perfecting  its  black  dress,  and 
breeding  iu  June  and  July.  After  the 
midsummer  change  the  "Keed-bird"  or 
"  Kice-bird "  comes  back,  thronging  the 
marshes  in  inunense  tiocks  with  the  Black- 
birds ;  has  simply  a  chirping  note,  feeds  on 
tht!  wiltl  oats  and  wild  rice,  and  becomes 
extremely  fat  and  is  accounted  a  great 
delicacy.  The  name  "ortidan,"  applied 
by  some  gunners  and  restaurateurs  to  this 
bird,  as  well  as  to  the  Caroliiui  Kail  {For- 
zana  Carolina)  is  in  either  case  a  strange 
misnomer,  the  Ortolan  being  a  fringilline  bird  of  Europe,  Emheriza  hortulana  L.  (Lat.  hortu- 
lanus,  relating  to  a  garden.)  In  the  West  Indies,  where  this  bird  retires  in  winter,  as  it  does 
also  to  Central  and  South  America,  it  is  called  "butter-bird."  The  names  "bobolink"  and 
"meadow-wink"  are  iu  imitation  of  its  cry;  "skunk  blackbird"  notes  the  resemblance  in 
c(dor  to  the  obnoxious  quadruped.  The  migrations  are  i)erformed  mostly  at  night,  when  in 
May  and  early  September  one  may  hear  the  mellow  metallic  "  chink"  of  the  invisible  passen- 
gers. Nest  on  the  ground,  artfully  ccmcealed  in  the  grass;  eggs  4-0,0.90X0.05,  stone-gray, 
dotted,  mottled,  and  chaided  with  dark  browns. 

MOLO'THRUS.  (Gr.  fjLoKoBpot,  or  fioKo^pos,  vagabond,  tramp,  parasite.)  Cowninns.  Bill 
short,  stout,  conic  and  fringilline,  about  f  as  long  as  head  ;  but  entirely  nnnotchcd  and 
unbristled,  witii  little  bent  of  commissure,  the  broad  (tulmcn  running  well  up  on  the  forehead, 
the  nostrils  well  in  advance  of  the  feathers.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  the  first  3  primaries 
entering  into  the  tip,  rest  rapidly  graduated.  Tail  shorter  than  wings,  nearly  even  or  a  little 
rounded,  tending  to  divaricate  in  the  middle,  the  feathers  broad  and  plane  to  tlieir  rounded  ends. 
Feet  strong ;  tarsus  not  shorter  than  middle  toe.  ^  black  and  lustrous,  without  red  or  yellow  ; 
9  plain  black  or  brown.  Terrestrial,  but  not  sj)ecially  j)alustrine  ;  eminently  gregarious  and 
polygamous,  or  rather  communistic,  never  mating  or  building  nests ;  thus  parasitic,  like;  the  Old 
World  cuckoos;  no  musical  ability.     To  the  single  8i)ecies  long  notorious  in  the  U.  S.,a  second 

20 


Fin.    257.  —  Itoboliiik,    cf >   reduced. 
NichoU  8c.) 


(Sbeppnrd   del. 


402 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


bas  lately  been  added ;  there  are  several  others  in  the  wanner  parts  of  America,  all  of  the  samo 
irregular  and  objectionai   c  tendencies. 

Analj/sit  (if  Sptcies  and  Varieties. 

(f,  Bteely  black  vith  brown  head. 

Larger:  J,  wing  over  4.00;  tail  over  3.00  ;  $,  wing  al)OUt  3.75 ;  tail  about  2.75 ater    313 

Smaller:  cTt  size  of  $  of  the  foregoing obacurus    314 

(f,  brassy  blnc'k,  including  head;  eye8  red;  wing  near S.OO;  tail  nearly  4.00 aneiis    316 

313.  31.  a'ter.  (Lat.  nfer,  black.  Fig.  258.)  Common  Cowbikd.  Cuckold.  ^,  adult:  Lus- 
trous green-black,  with  steel-blue,  purple,  and  violet  iridescence.  Head  and  neck  deep  wood- 
brown,  with  some  i)urplish  lustre.  Bill  and  feet  black.  Length  7.50-8.C9;  extent  13.50; 
wing  about  4.50,  at  least  over  4.00 ;  tail  about  3.25  ;  bill  0.70 ;  tarsus  1.00-1.10.  ? ,  adult : 
An  obscure-looking  bird,  dusky  grayish-brown,  nearly  uniform,  l)\it  paler  below  than  above, 
where  most  of  the  feathers  have  dusky  centres,  and  most  of  those  tif  tho  under  parts  with  dark 
shaft  lines ;  giving  a  somewhat  streaky  apiK-arance.  There  is  some  gloss  on  the  ui)j)er  parts, 
particularly  on  the  wings  and  tail,  where  a  slight  greenish  lustre  is  usually  evident.  IJill 
blackish-brown,  paler  below ;  feet  blackish-brown.  Smaller  than  tho  ^.  Length  7.00-7.50  ; 
wing  about  3.75 ;  tail  2.75.     Young  ^   9  =  Similar  to  the  9  adult ;  still  duller,  and  more 

.-^  -   V       i,  =,  =  variegated;  ni)iH'r  parts  dusky  brown,  the 

j^^^^^^^^^^i^^^^^^^^^     feathers  skirted  with  gray,  ])ro<hicing  a  set 

of  semicircles  on  the  back;  below,  ])ale 
grayish,  or  ev(ni  ochrey-brown,  everywhere 
streaked  whh  dusky.  The  sexual  ditt'ercnce 
in  size  s»Hin  appreciable,  and  the  black  of 
the  <J  soon  begins  to  apjiear  in  patches. 
N.  Am.  at  large  ;  migratory,  abundant, 
gregarious,  polygamous,  parasitic.  The 
iMJLl'jmJJt^^^^M^^immmm^^Kmm^^^  singular  habits  of  this  bird,  .shared  by  others 
ie^-^^^^^BBHS^^^^^^^^B^^^^^E^'        of  the  genus,  form  one  of  the  most  inter- 

_^^^^^^^  ^ esting   chapters  in  ornitludogy.     Like  the 

•'■t-^txr "^'i  .^_,v  j-  x--  European  cuckoo,  it  builds  no  nest,  laying 

Fio.  aS8.  —  Cowbird,    reduced,      (Sheppnrd    del.        its  eggs  by  stealth  in  the  nests  of  vari(Ui8 
Nichols  8c.)  other  birds,  especially  warblers,  vireos,  and 

sparrows;  and  it  appears  to  constitute,  furthermore,  a  remarkable  excej)tion  to  the  rule  of 
conjugal  affection  and  fidelity  among  birds.  A  wonderful  provision  for  the  peqietuution  of  the 
species  is  seen  in  its  instinctive  selection  of  smaller  birds  as  the  foster-parents  of  its  ofispring; 
for  the  larger  egg  receives  the  greater  share  of  warmth  during  incubation,  and  the  lustier  young 
cowbird  asserts  its  precedence  in  the  nest  ;  while  the  foster-birds,  however  reluctant  to  incu- 
bate tho  strange  egg  (their  devices  to  avoid  the  duty  are  s(anetimes  astonishing),  become  assid- 
uous in  their  care  of  the  foundling,  even  U>  the  neglect  of  their  own  young.  The  cowltird's 
egg  is  said  to  hatch  sooner  than  that  of  most  birds:  this  would  <d>viously  confer  additional 
advantage.  The  list  of  birds  in  whose  nests  cowbirds'  eggs  have  been  found  includes  a  largo 
number  of  finches,  warblers,  greenlets,  flycatchers,  etc. ;  there  seems  to  be  really  little  choice. 
While  umall  species  are  nsually  victimized,  this  is  not  always  the  case.  I  have  found  eggs  in 
nests  of  the  kingbird  and  towhee  bunting.  In  the  West,  where  cowbirds  swann  about  the  ranches 
and  settlements,  it  is  the  rule,  I  almo.st  said,  to  find  their  eggs  in  nests  of  the  ])rairie  Frui- 
gilUdtv,  etc.  The'  egg  is  usually  single ;  sometimes  2,  3,  even  1  are  fouiul  in  a  nest ;  they 
range  from  0.80-1.00  in  length,  by  0.G5-0.70  in  breadth,  and  are  white,  fully  speckled  and 
dashed  with  browns  and  neutral  tints. 

314.  M.  a.  obBcu'ruB.  (Lat.  obscurus,  dark.)  Dwarf  Cowbird.  Similar ;  smaller ;  ^  the  size 
of  9  M.  ater;   9  under  7.00;  wing  3.33;  tail  2.33.     The  differeucc  is  strongly  marked,  and 


ICTERW^  —  AGEL.l£IXuE:   MAUSH  BLACKBIRDS. 


403 


apparpiitly  Pdnstunt.  Southwestern  IT.  S.,  Texas  to  California,  tlie  resident  form,  breeding 
there,  wliilo  M.  nter  passes  on,  tliough  tlie  two  are  associated  during  the  migration  of  the  hutor. 
Swarming  lilte  M.  uter;  eggs  as  in  tluit  species,  but  smaller  ;  only  up  to  about  0.80  X  0.60. 

315.  91.  ie'neus.  (Lut.  rt?>ieM.s  or  «/»e»iJM,s,  brassy,  bronzy ;  <es,  brass.)  HuAss.s  C'owiiiun.  Uuonzeu 
CowuiKU.  Ked-eyku  Cowmni).  $,  adult :  Entire  body  and  head  bhick,  sph'udidly  lustrous 
witli  bronzy  i-eHections,  the  tint  much  like  that  of  the  back  of  (juixcidus  cvnem.  This  rich 
brassy-black  unifor.ii  over  the  wlude  bird,  there  being  no  distinction  of  c<dor  between  the  head 
and  body,  as  in  M.  uter.  The  brt)nze  only  on  the  ends  of  the  feathers,  the  covered  jiarts  of 
whicli  an?  vicdet-black,  with  plain  dusky  rimts.  AVings  and  tail  black,  with  violet,  purjilc,  and 
especially  green  metallic  lustre  on  the  upper  surfaces.  Under  wing-  and  tail-coverts  cliietiy 
violaceous-black ;  the  purplish  and  violaceous  tints  most  noticeable  on  the  upper  coverts  of 
both  wings  and  tail,  the  reflections  of  the  quill-feathers  themselves  being  chiefly  green.  Hill 
ebony-black.  Feet  bhick.  Iris  red.  Length  8.00-8.50;  extent  about  15.00  ;  wing  4.50-l-.r5  ; 
tail  H. 25-3. 50  ;  tarsus  1. 15-1.25  ;  bill  0.1)0  ahtng  culmen,  very  stout  and  especially  deep  at  base, 
much  ctnnjiressed  ;  lateral  outlines  concave ;  under  outline  straight ;  upper  gently  convex 
throughout ;  tip  very  acute.  9  notably  smaller :  wing  scarcely  over  4  inches ;  tail  about  3.00  ; 
culmen  scarcely  0.75  ;  tarsus  1 .00.  Color 
not  brown,  as  in  M.  ater  9 .  but  uniformly 
quite  black,  with  considerable  gloss,  though 
nothing  like  the  brassy  splendor  of  the  (J. 
Wings  and  tail  with  greenish  reflections. 
Young  (J  :  Uniform  dull  black,  faintly 
violaceous  <m  back  and  rumj),  greenisli  on 
wings  and  tail.  Early  spring  birds,  in  im- 
perfect dress,  are  exactly  like  the  adult  9 
in  cohir,  but  nuich  larger.  Mexico  to  the 
Lower  Kio  Graiidf,  abounding  in  some 
places ;  a  large  and  very  handsome  Cow- 
bird,  recently  added  to  our  fauna.  Pidyga- 
moHS  and  parasitic  like  the  others,  but  egg 
entirely  different,  beiiig  greenish-white, 
without  markings;  size  0.85-0.95  in  length 
by  0.05-0.75  broad  ;  average  0.(K)  X  0.70. 
Found  in  nests  of  Icteria,  Icterus,  Cardi- 
nidis,  Milfidus,  Tifmnmix,  etc. 

100.  AGELiE'US.  (Gr.  dyfXaior,  agelaios,  gregarious;  ayi\ij,  a  flock.)  Rei>-wino  Maush 
lil.ACKliluns.  Bill  about  as  bmg  as  head,  stout  at  base,  where  deeper  than  broad,  upper  and 
under  outlines  on  an  average  about  Stmight ;  c<nnmissure  variously  simiate  or  bent ;  culmen  high 
on  forehead,  where  flattish  and  broadly  parting  the  feathers ;  mil  rapidly  tapering  to  an  acute 
tip.  Wings  pointed,  but  1st  prii.iary  not  longest ;  usually  2d-4th  entering  point  of  wing.  Tail 
even  or  little  rounded,  of  broad  feathers  widening  a  little  to  very  obtuse  ends,  somewhat  divari- 
cate in  the  middle.  Tarsus  a  little  longer  than  the  bill.  Our  three  forms  are  very  closely 
related:  the  (J  uniform  lustrous  black,  with  bend  of  wing  red ;  8.00-9.00  long;  wingi.50-5.fX); 
mil  3.50-4.00.  The  9  everywhere  streaked  ;  above  blackish-brown  with  palo  streaks,  inclin- 
ing on  head  to  fonn  median  and  superciliary  stripes ;  below,  whitish,  with  many  sharp  dusky 
streaks;  sides  of  head,  throat,  and  bend  of  the  wing,  tinged  with  reddish  or  fulvous;  under 
8.00 ;  wing  about  4.00 ;  tail  3.25.  The  young  $  at  first  like  the  9 ,  but  larger,  apt  to  have 
a  general  bufl'yor  fulvous  sulTusion,  with  bright  bay  edgings  of  the  feathers  of  back,  wings,  and 
tail,  and  scxm  showing  black  patches.  The  9  9  are  scarcely  distinguishable  :  the  (J  ^  may  be 
dctennincd  as  follows : 


Fi«.  25(1.  —  Mnrsli  Blackbird,  J,  rcduceil. 
del.    KiclioU  DC.) 


(Slieppard 


404 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PASSERES—  OSCINES. 


Analysii  <]f  Species  wul  yarieliet. 

Middle  wlng-cnVilH  hiil)',  bordering  tliu  briglit  reil  patch phcenicruB    316 

Midillo  wliig-cii\  jrtit  butt',  but  bluvk-tii>po(l,  uDUuUy  luuving  red  patch  without  buff  border     .  gubfrnator    317 
MliUllo  wliig-covorts  white,  bordering  the  dark  red  patch tricolor    318 

310.  A.  phoBnl'ceu8.  (CJr.  (ftotviKtoi,  phoinikeoH,  Lat.  phomkeus,  rod,  of  a  color  introdnccd  in  Grot'cc 
by  the  rii(jcnicuuis.  Fig.  2.V.).)  Hlackhiri).  Maksii  lii.AcKuiiU).  Kki)-\vin(iei)  Black- 
HiKD.  UEU-AXi)-m'KF-siiori-i)KKKi»  Maksii  liLACKHiui).  (J  :  Lt'sspr  wiiig-covcrts  scarlet, 
like  arterial  blood,  broadly  bordi-rcd  by  browuish-yellow,  or  brownisli-whito,  the  iiiiddlo  row  of 
coverts  being  ontircly  of  tbis  color ;  sometimes  tbe  greater  row,  likewise,  are  mostly  similar, 
producing  a  patcli  on  tlie  wing  nearly  as  largo  as  tlio  red  one;  occasionally,  tbere  are  traces  of 
red  on  tlio  edge  of  the  wing  and  below;  in  some  specimens  the  bordering  is  a'most  i)uro  white, 
instead  of  buff.  Extremes:  ^,  length  8.25-'.).85;  extent  1:}.60-15.;J0;  wing  4.35-5.00;  tail 
3.12-;{.90;  bill  0.75-1.00;  average:  Length  9.00;  extent  14.50;  wing  4.1)5;  tail  3.60.  9, 
length  7.35-S.55  ;  extent  11.85-13.55  ;  wing  3.0.5-4.25;  tail  2.65-3.20  :  bill  0.70-0.80;  aver- 
age: Length  7.()5  ;  extent  12.35;  wing  :5.S5  ;  tjvil  3.00 ;  bill  0.75.  The  extremes  hero  given 
not  often  seen.  Southern-bred  birds  an-  much  smaller  as  well  as  glossier.  Temperate  N.  Am., 
but  chioHy  E.  of  the  Rocky  Mts. ;  brooding  anywhere  in  its  range,  wintering  from  about  35° 
Southward.  From  its  general  disiiersiou  in  low  or  wot  thickets  or  fields,  swani)>s,  and  marshes, 
the  blackbird  (collects  in  August  and  iSeptember  in  immense  Hocks,  thronging  the  extensive 
tracts  of  wild  oats  and  other  aciuatic  plants  in  marslies  and  along  watercourses,  also  visiting  and 
doing  much  damage  to  grain-fields.  Thousands  are  destroyed  by  boys  and  pot-hunters,  but  the 
hosts  scarcely  diminish,  and  every  known  artifice  fails  to  protect  the  crops  from  the  invasion  of 
the  dusky  hordes.  At  other  seasons  the  "maize-thief"  is  inuiK-uous,  if  not  positively  beneficial, 
as  it  destroys  its  share  of  hisects.  \est  usually  in  reeds  or  bushes  near  the  ground,  or  in  a 
tussock  of  grass,  or  on  the  ground  ;  occasionally  in  small  trees,  vines,  and  shrubbery  ;  a  bulky 
structure  of  coarse  fibrous  materials,  usually  strips  of  rushes,  sedges  or  marsh  grass,  lined  with 
fiu(n-  gra.sses ;  eggs  4-G,  1.00  X  0.75,  May  and  July,  pale  blue,  fantastically  dotted,  blotched, 
(ilouded,  and  scrawled  over  with  dark  or  v\va\  blackish-brown,  and  paler  or  pur])lish  shell-marks. 
The  usual  note  is  a  guttural  clwck ;  in  the  breeding  season  the  "  creaking  chorus  "  makes  an 
indescribable  medley. 

317  A.  p.  guberna'top.  (Lat.  gubernator,  a  governor,  alluding  to  the  red  epaulettes,  as  if  a  sign  of 
rank  or  command.)  Rkd-shoitlderei)  Marsh  Blackhiuu.  Lesser  wing-coverts  scariet,  as 
before,  narrowly  or  not  at  all  bordered  with  butf,  the  next  row  having  black  tips  for  all  or  most 
of  their  exposed  portion,  so  that  the  brownish-yellow  of  their  bases  does  not  show  much,  if  any. 
Pacific  Coast,  U.  S.  and  British  Columbia.  Scarcely  different;  9  indistinguishable  from  9 
phaniceus. 

318.  A.  trl'color.  (Lat.  tricolor,  three-colored;  red,  white,  and  black.)  Reu-and-wiiite- 
siiouLDEiiED  Marsh  Blackbirh.  Lessor  wing-coverts  dark  red  (like  venous  blmnl),  bor- 
dered with  pure  white.  Besides  this  obvious  distinction  from  phceniceus,  the  bill  is  usually  slen- 
derer and  the  tail  is  less  rounded;  the  gloss  of  the  phunageis  bluish,  not  greenish  (a))preciably 
so  in  the  9  "s  well  as  in  the  ,J?).  9  with  median  wiug-coverts  white-edged.  California  and 
Oregon,  especially  coastwise  ;  resident  or  scarcely  migratory.  General  habits  the  same ;  nest 
and  eggs  indistinguishable. 

101.  XANTHOCETHALUS.  (Gr.  ^v66s,  .Tn>i<7ios,  yellow ;  K€<l>a\i),  lejihale,  head.)  Yellow- 
Headed  Blackbirds.  General  characters  of  Agel<em;  claws  more  developed,  tlie  lateral 
reaching  much  beyond  base  of  the  middle.  Tail  more  nearly  even,  with  narrower  feathers. 
Wings  long  and  ])ointed;  tip  formed  by  outer  3  quills.     Colors  black,  white,  and  yellow. 

319.  X.  Icteroce'phalus.  (Gr.  ucrtpos,  ikteros,  Lat.  icterus,  yellow.  Fig.  2(10.)  Yellow-headed 
Blackbird.  ,J:  Black,  including  lores  and  small  space  around  eye  and  bill ;  whole  head 
othennse,  with  the  neck  and  breast,  rich  yellow,  orange  in  high  feather,  the  color  extending 


ICTERID^i:  —  STURNELLIN^ :   MEADOW  STAULISGS. 


405 


iutcrnipti'dly  to  »>r  towards  the  belly;  some  feathers  around  vent,  and  the  til>inr>,  usually  yellow 
also.  A  large  white  imteh  on  the  wing,  formed  by  tlie  iiriiiiary  and  many  of  the  greater  seeond- 
ary  eoverts,  iuterru|)ted  by  blaek  of  the  bastard  ((uills.  Hill  and  feet  black.  Length  10.()(>- 
11.00;  extent  lG.50-17.50;  Ming  about  5.50;  tail  4.50 ;  bill  0.75-1.00 ;  tarsus  1.25.  In  less 
jterfwt  dress,  the  yellow  overeast  with  dusky.  9  ,  adult :  Dark  brown,  including  back  of  head 
and  neck  ;  line  over  eye,  tliroat  and  breast  dull  yellow,  with  dusky  lua.xillary  streaks  ;  usually 
there  are  whitish  feathers  in  the  yellow,  and  sometimes  the  same  in  the  black  of  breast.  No 
white  wing-patch.  Hill  dark  brownish  horn-color ;  feet  blackish.  Much  snuiller.  Length 
8.00-9.50;  extent  scarcely  14.00;  wing  under  5.00;  tail  under  4.00.  Nestlings  are  snuH'y- 
brown;  the  sprouting  wing-feathers  black,  already  showing  white;  feet  flesh-color.  It  is  use- 
les.s  to  pursue  the  eudle-ss  ccdor  varia- 
tions ;  the  species  is  unmistakable.- 
Western  U.  S.  and  IJritish  Provinces 
to  58°;  K.  reguhirly  to  Illinois,  Iowa, 
Wisconsin,  etc.,  casually  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, .Massachusetts  and  Greenland; 
S.  into  Mexico  ;  migratory,  very  abun- 
dant. Its  distribution  is  general  on  the 
j>rairies,  but  irregular;  it  flocks  about 
ranches  and  .>*ettlemeuts,  and  collects  in 
ctdonies  to  breed  in  marshy  spots,  any- 
where in  its  general  range.  Nest  a 
light  but  large  thick-brimmed  fabric 
«>f  dried  reeds  and  grasses,  slung  to 
growing  ones,  5-()  inches  in  dianu'ter, 
about  as  <U'ep ;  eggs  S-O,  1.00-1.15 
long  by  0.75  broad  ;  grayisii-green, 
spottetl,  as   iu  i<Cokcophugus,  with   red-  Fkj.  hGO.  —  Vcllow-liijaduil  Itlackbiid,  reduced.     (SUeppaid 

dish-brown,  not  scrawled  as  in  Agelcciis.    '^*'-    Nichols  sc.) 

A  flue  largo  species,  cttnspicuous  by  its  yellow  head  among  the  several  blackbirds  that  tnwp 
together  iu  the  West. 


23.    Subfamily  STURNELLIN^:    Meadow    Starlings. 

If  the  marsh  blackbirds,  orioles,  and  crow  blackbirds  be  respectively  entitled  to  rei)resent 
subfamilies  of  IcteriiUc,  the  meadow  starlings  seem  to  be  equally  entitled  to  such  distinction; 
and  I  lind  that  by  making  Sturuella  (with  Tnipialis)  the  type  of  a  subfamily,  the  Atjelwhuc  are 
susceptible  of  better  definition.  The  characters  are  induiled  under  head  of  the  type  genus. 
102.  STl'RXEL'LA.  (Irregular  diniin.  of  Lat.  .s<«ni«A',  a  .starling.  P'ig.  201.)  MEAixm- Larks. 
(Name  '•  lark  ''  objectionable  and  misleading,  but  apparently  ineradicable.)  A  reuuirkable 
gi'uus  of  IderidfC.  Hill  along  ctdinen  longer  than  head,  .shorter  than  tarsus  ;  depth  at  base 
about  i  the  length  ;  outlines  about  straight  above  and  below,  and  along  commissure  to  the 
8tr<)ng  bend  near  its  base.  Culmen  flattened  throughout,  extending  broad  and  far  into  featiiers 
of  forehead  ;  laterally,  the  frontal  feathers  reaching  the  narrow  scaled  nostrils.  Inner  lateral 
toe  rather  longer  than  outer,  claw  of  neither  reaching  base  of  middle  claw.  Hind  toe  long,  with 
a  great  claw  twice  as  large  as  the  middle  one.  Feet  very  large  and  stout,  reaching  beyond  tlio 
end  of  the  tail  when  outstretched  :  eminently  fitted  for  terrestrial  locomotion.  Wings  sliort  and 
much  rounded;  little  difference  in  lengths  of  lst-5th  tpiills ;  enlarged  inner  secondaries  nearly 
covering  them  in  closed  wing.  Tail  very  short,  rounded,  of  nan'ow,  acute  feathers.  Feathers 
of  crown  stitiish,  bristle-tipped.     No  other  genus  ai)proache8  Stunielhi,  excepting  Tnipialin, 


406 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSJiRES—  OSCINES. 


whicli  is  much  tlu-  siiiiit',  with  red  iiisti-uJ  of  yellow.     C'outaius  several  iiiii)orfectly  diflfereutiated 

coiiMiiet'ies,  3  of  this  country. 

Ana/yiit  qf  ConipecieH. 

Common  Vharnetrrg.  —  PluniBKe  lilglily  vuriugntod ;  each  feather  of  tlie  bnck  lilackUli,  wltli  a  terminal  reililisli- 
browii  area,  and  Blinrji  brownish-) ellnw  Ipoiilcnt;  nvok  Hluiihir,  the  patturn  Hniullor  ;  crown  Htr«akeil  with  bhirk 
ami  brown,  and  with  a  pule  nivdian  unci  KUin-rciliary  i>trl|H- ;  a  biaukUh  linu  liehiiul  oyii ;  gevt-ral  lateral  tall-fuathera 
white,  theothem,  with  the  Inner  iiulUs  and  wlng-covcrtu,  barred  or  Rcallnped  with  l)laek,  and  brown  or  gray.  Edge 
of  wing,  Bimt  over  oyo,  and  nndcr  parln  generally,  bright  yellow,  the  nldcH  and  crUHuni  tiaxen-bruwn,  with  nuuier> 
OUB  Hharp  blackUh  utrcakx,  the  brca»t  with  a  large  black  eresfent  (obminro  In  the  young). 

Prevailing  tone  brown  above:  yellow  of  chin  eonHne<l  to  ipoce  between  forkH  of  the  Jaw;  wingi  and  tall  with 
continent  black  bars  and  gray  xcnlloiHi. 

Larger;  black  le8»  preilouilnant :  wing  4..W  or  more mm/mi    .t2(> 

Smaller  :  black  more  predominant;  wing  4.R0  or  leiw nicrirciiin  321 

Prevailing  tone  gray  above:  yellow  of  chin  vpreading  on  cheeks;  winga  and  tail  with  alternating  black 

and  gray  bars mglirtn    322 

3*10.   S.  mag'nu.     (Lat.  mngna,  large.)     Field  Lauk.    Oli)-kikli>  Laiik.     Mkadow   Lauk. 

Tho  colors,  as  ahove  described,  rich  and  pure,  the  prevailiiiji  aspect  hrowu;    hlaek  streaks 

prevailing  on  crown;   yellow  of  chin 
usually     confined    between    rami    of 
under  mandible  ;  black  bars  on  wings 
..-^.t        and  tail  tisually  conHuent  along  the 
LOiJ^       shaft  of  the  feathers,  leaving  the  gray 
in  scallops.     iScxcs  simihir  :    9  duller 
c.  ;   ,    _        colored,  the  yellow  paler.     Young  at 
.if  f :  r        first  have  little  if  auv   pale    yellow, 
and  the  pectoral  crescent  indicated  by 
a  few  streaks.     Length  of   $   lO.IM)- 
ll.(K);  extent  about  17.00;  winu4.50 
Fu!.  261.  — Hill  and  foot  of  SturneUa,  nat.  size.     (Ad  nat.     or  more;  tail  ."l..")!) ;  bill  1.3.")  ;    tarsus 
''"'•E-C*  l.K).      9:  length  9.00-9.50;    extent 

about  15.00  ;  wing  4.25  ;  tail  ,3.00.  Varies  greatly  in  size,  like  Agehciis  ;  soutlH'ru-bred  birds 
much  smaller  than  northern.  Eastern  V .  8.  and  Ikitish  Provinces ;  X.  to  about  54°  ;  mixing 
in  the  Upper  Mississip]>i  valley  with  ■negleda,  and  extending  to  edge  of  the  plains;  evj'rywhere 
abundant  in  open  country;  winters  usually  from  the  Middle  States  southward;  imperfectly 
migratory  ;  partially  gregarious  when  not  breeding;  strictly  terrestrial  ;  an  agreeable  vocalist. 
Breeds  throughout  its  range  ;  nest  of  dried  gra.^s,  on  the  ground,  usually  domed  or  covered  iu 
some  way  in  the  gra.ss-clump.  Eggs  l-fl.  crystal  white,  speckled  with  reddish  and  ])ur]ilish  ; 
very  variable  in  size,  averaging  about  1.10  X  0.80.  Two  (ir  three  broods  may  be  reared. 
331.  8.  m.  mexiea'na.  (Lat.  Mexican.)  Mkxican  Mioadow  Lauk.  Very  similar  ;  the  browns 
intense,  ap)iroaching  reddish-brown;  black  at  a  maximum  ;  yellow  very  rich.  Size  smaller; 
wing  of  (J  about  4.25;  bill  and  feet  relatively  larger;  bill  1.20:  tai-sus  1.00.  Mexico  to 
Texas. 
328.  8.  neglec'ta.  (Lat.  neglectn,  not  selected,  overlooked  ;  as  the  variety  long  was.)  Western 
Meadow  Laisk.  The  colors  duller  and  paler,  the  prevailing  as|tect  gray ;  black  at  a  mini- 
mum, not  prevailing  over  gray  on  the  crown  ;  j-ellow  of  chin  usually  encroaching  on  sides  of 
h)wer  jaw;  black  on  wings  and  tail  usually  resolved  into  distinct  bars  alternating  with  gray 
bars.  Western  U.  S.,  from  Iowa,  et<'.,  to  the  Pacific.  General  habits,  uumuers,  and  appear- 
ance the  same,  but  soug  said  to  l)c  different. 

24.    Subfamily  ICTERIN/E:    Orioles. 

Non-gregarious,  insectivorous  and  fnigivorous  species,  strictly  arboricole ;  of  brilliant  or 
strikingly  c«)ntrasted  colors,  and  pleasing  song  ;  distinguished  as  architects,  constructing  elabo- 


10£ 


32 


33 


ICTJililDuE  —  ICTERISjJ-:  :   ORIOLES. 


407 


rutcly  woven  pcn«ili'  nests.  Witli  tlie  bill  rt'latively  louiter,  as  well  ns  slenderer  and  more  aente 
than  in  most  of  the  Iclerida:;  the  feet  weaker,  exelnsively  fitted  for  iiereliin>;.  Three  of  our 
upeeies  are  migratory  birds,  abundant  in  sununcr ;  the  Tv»t  merely  reach  our  soutiiern  bonUr 
from  tropical  Anicrini. 
103.    IC'TKRUS.    (Gr.  iKTtpos,  ilteros,  Lat.  icterus,  yellow. 

Fig-  'i>'d.)     (JIUOI.KS.     Our  single  genus  of  the  sub-  •— n 

family:  characters  iirueticivUy  the  same.    Hill  averaging  \^ 

as  long  as  head  (more  or  less)  ;  very  acute,  sometimes 

decurved.     Feet  fitted  for  perching,  not  for  walking; 

tai-sus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw.     I^ateral 

toes,  if  not  of  equal  lengths,  outer  hingest  (the  nde  in  / 

Friiinillithr;  in  Icteridw  the  reverse).     Wings  usually 

...  .  w     /I  1      .       .1       ^  F'o-  2ta.  -  mil  of  Bii  <  iridic, 

pointed  and  averaging  e(|iial  to  (longer  or  shorter  tliau) 

the  rounded  or  graduated  tail.  A  large  and  beautiful  genus,  the  species  of  which  vary  much 
in  details  of  form,  but  are  not  easily  divided  othcrwis*-  than  specifically.  The  colors  are  strik- 
ing:  the  males  black  with  orange  or  yellow,  usually  also  with  white;  iu  one  sjiecies,  black 
and  chestnut.  The  sexes  very  unlike.  The  9  9  "*  sev4Tal  sjM-cies  clo.>;ely  resemble  one 
another,  though  the  $$  are  very  different.  Two  Eastern  sjH'cies;  one  Western;  the  rest 
Southwestern. 

Analfinis  qf  Sjiecief. 

Tlie  (f  l>lack  and  clieRtnut:  npurina,  iijniiin. 
The  (f  black  ami  ormige:  unllmld,  hullnrl.i,cufulliitiis. 
Tlio  cf  black  niid  clear  yoUow  :  jjoridoriiin,  a«rfii'«i)ii,  cH/f/rtW*. 
Fcnthci's  of  throat  Hoft  and  normal. 

(f  Mark  and  cliofitnut  ;  $  olivaccoui*  and  yellovrkli.    Length  T.OO  or  less tpurius    324,325 

(f  lil.ick  and  orange,  or  llanie-color. 
I'ail  rounded,  not  longer  than  wlngn. 

cf  head  and  neck  all  aronnd  Idack ;  white  on  wings  In  tinrs iinll.-iila    326 

cf  crown  and  throat  black,  sliles  nf  head  orange.    White  patch  on  wingH     ....      Inillnrk-l    327 
Tail  graduate<l ;  outer  feathers  an  Inch  shorter  than  ndddlc  one«;  hinger  than  wings. 

tf  head  orange,  with  bhtck  mask riirulltiliis    328 

<f  black  and  pure  yellow. 

(f  head,  neck,  breast  and  back  black.    Sexes  unlike;  length  about  S.OO parimrum    .329 

(f  $  head,  neck,  and  breast  lilack;  bixly  yellow,  greenish  on  back;  length  aljout  9.00     .  nmluhmi    330 
Feathers  of  throat  elongate  and  lanceolate.    Sexes  alike.    length  alxiut  10.00. 

cf  9  niack  and  yellow,  with  white  on  wingH rulfinriit    323 

323.  I.  vulga'rls.  (Lat.  vulgaris,  vulgar,  common.)  TnoiriAL.  IJill  acute,  attenuitted,  elongate, 
and  somewhat  decurved.  Throat-feathers  lengtheiU'd,  loosened,  anil  lanceolate.  IJare  .spiipo 
around  eye.  Adult  (J  9  '•  II<''id  and  neck  all  around,  fore  bn-ast,  isolated  dor-^al  area,  wings 
antl  tiiil,  black.  Rump,  upper  tail-coverts,  cervical  colhir,  and  under  parts  of  the  breast,  rich 
ycHow.  Wings  with  white  jitrtch  on  coverts  and  much  white  edging  of  secondaries.  Large: 
length  about  10.00  ;  wing  and  tail  4.30  ;  bill  over  1.00.  A  common  and  well-known  species 
of  Tropical  America,  said  to  have  strayed  to  the  Southern  Sttites.  Xo  late  cases  of  so  doing. 
(The  species  would  be  better  enumerated  next  after  \o.  330.) 

324.  i.  spii'rius.  (Lat.  spurius,  spurious;  the  species  was  fi>nnerly  called  "bastard  Baltimore 
oriole,"  whence  the  undeserved  name.)  Okch.vrd  Oriole.  Adult  ^  :  IJhick  and  chestnut, 
lleiid  and  neck  all  around,  fore  breast  and  back,  black.  Rump  and  iipjK'r  tail-covt.'rts,  lesser 
and  under  wing-coverts,  iiud  whole  uuder-parts  from  the  breast,  chestmit  or  chocolate-brown. 
Wings  and  tail  black,  former  except  as  said,  and  some  white  or  whitish  edging  of  the  quills 
and  tipping  of  the  greater  eoverts,  the  latter  forming  a  wing-bar  ;  outer  tail-feathers  somctimea 
with  a  touch  of  chestnut.  Bill  and  feet  blue-black.  Length  about  7.00  ;  extent  about  10.00  ; 
wing  3.00-3.23  ;  tail  nearly  as  long,  much  rounded,  its  graduation  nearly  0.50  ;  bill  0.70  along 
culmeu,  very  slender  and  acute,  somewhat  decur\-ed  ;  tarsus  0.90.     9 »  adult :  Smaller  than  the 


408 


SYSTKMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA SSEHES  —  OSCIXh'S. 


^.  Above,  (lull  ycllowisli-ollvo,  clrarest  on  hciul,  rump,  iiud  tail,  obsciirod  ini  the  Imi-k. 
lii'low,  Honlid  yrllowisli.  Wiiius  |iluiii  <liii«ky,  kIohhciI  with  olivaccoiix,  with  whitish  t'ilu:iii^, 
iiiuch  118  ill  till'  (J.  An  iiu'oiispicudiis  olijcct,  Imt  known  from  other  9  orioles  liy  its  siimll 
size  anil  slender  hill,  a  little  eiirved.  Yoiiii)i{  ^  :  First  year  like  9  i '"'t  hirjLfer ;  seeoiid  year 
like  9<  '"'*  "■'•''  "  I'laek  mask  on  tho  face  and  throat.  Afterward  showing  confused  characters 
of  both  sexes.  Three  years  re(|iiired  to  assume  the  full  dress.  Kasterii  I'.  S.,  strictly;  rarely 
N.  to  Maine,  Canada;  W.  tothehijfh  central  plains.  Mreeds  tiifouj;hoiif  its  U.  S.  raufie;  winters 
oxtralimital.  Abundant  in  orchards,  ]iarks,  streets,  the  skirts  of  woods,  etc.  The  nest  is  oiio 
of  the  most  perfect  e.vamples  of  a  woven  pensile  fabric,  even  in  a  |j;rouit  of  birds  distiu^'uishod 
US  the  orioles  are  for  the  dexterity  and  assiduity  they  display  in  their  elaborate  textile  wstrifac- 
tiiren.  They  antedate  Howe  in  the  exjiedient  of  )dacing  thc!  ej-e  of  a  needle  at  i!s  jioint  —  that 
which  revolutionized  hand-sewing,  and  made  sewing-machines  practicable  ;  for  their  bill  works 
to  jirecisely  the  same  effect.  The  orchard  oriole's  nest  is  generally  more  compact  and  homo- 
geneous than  the  Italtimore's,  Avoven  chiefly  of  slender  grass-blades  which  cure  in  the  sun  like 
good  hay,  long  retaining  some  grceuuess,  which  tends  to  its  concealment  in  the  foliage.  ]t  is 
smaller,  less  deep  in  proportion,  and  often  not  so  strictly  pendant  from  its  forked  twig.  Eggs 
smaller  than  the  Haltiniore's,  scarcely  0.8.5  X  O.CiO,  and  sjiotty  rather  than  scrawly. 

335.  1.  s.  afll'nta.     (Lat.  affiiiis,  atTnied,  allied.)     Tio.xah  Okciiakd  Ouiolf:.     SmaUer :    ^  littlo 
over  (').()() ;  wing  usually  under  H.OO.     Texas  ;  Southern  race,  scarcely  distinguishable. 

336.  I.  gal'bula.     (Lat.  gnlyula  ar  rfulhula,  some  small  yellow  bird  of  the  ancients.     "  naltiniore" 
is  not  from  the  city  of  that  name,  but  from  tho  title  of  Sir  (Jeorge  ("alvert,  first  baron  of  Haiti- 
more  ;  the  cidors  of  the  bird  being  cho- 
sen for  his  livery,  or  resembling  those 
of  his  coat-of-arms.     Fig.  iOIi.)     Hal- 

■IIMOUE     OUKII.K.         (ioLDKX      I{i  IIIIN. 

FiKKiiiKU.      Hanonest.      Adult    (J: 

Jtlack   and  orange.       Head  and    neck 

all  round,  and  the  back,  black;  rum)i, 

upper    tail-coverts,     lesser  and    iindi" 

wing-coverts,  most  of  the  tail  featli' 

and  all  the  under  i»arts  fi'"'    '^     i' 

fiery  orange,  but  of  vai 

according  to  age  and  si  Miiidii- 

tail-feathers  black  ;    wiiiu       lick,  the 

middle  and  greater  coverts,  and  iniMT 

(piills,  more  or  less  edged  and  tipjied  with  white,  but  the  M'liite  on  the  coverts  not  foriiiiiui  ,| 

continuous  patch;  bill  and  feet  blue-black,  or  dark  grayish-blue.     Length  7..')()-8.{)0 ;  extent 

IL. 50-12. 5(( ;  wing  'iM\:  tail  H.OO.      9  smaller,  and  much  paler,  the  black  idisciired  by  olive, 

sometimes  entirely  wanting.     Above,   mixed   dusky  and  yidlowish-olive,  somewhat  overcast 

with  a  gray  shade.      IJelow,  dull  orange,  morn  or  less  mixed  with  whitish,  and  usually  with 

black  traces  oii  the  throat.     Tail  and  its  iijiper  coverts  dull  yellowish,   the  central  feathers 

usually  blacki.sh.     Hill  and  feet  lighter  jdumbeous  than  in  the  ^.     Young  ^  entirely  without 

black  on  throat  and  bead,  otherwise  colored  nearly  like  the  9-     Below,  dull  orange  yellow 

whitening  on  throat,  shaded  with  olive  on  sides.     Above,  olive,  more  yellowish  on  rump  and 

tail,  but  latter  without  black;  middle  of  back  idisciired  with  dusky  centres  of  the  feathers; 

wings  dusky,  with  two  white  bars  and  white  edgings  of  the  inner  f|uills.     In  some  splendid 

featherings,  particularly  from  the  Mississippi  valley,  the  orange  becomes  intense  Hamo-eolor, 

and  there  is  so  much  white  on  the  wings  as  to  apprtiacli  the  character  of  /.  hiiUocki.     U.  S. 

and  adjoining  liritish  Provinces  ;  W.  to  the  plains,  and  reaching  toward  the  Rocky  Mts.     This 

is  one  of  our  famous  beauties  of  bird-life,  noted  alike  for  its  Hash  of  cidor,  its  assiduity  in  sing- 


Flli.     L'Ik). 

Nichols  8c.) 


IliiUiiiioru   Oriole,    reduced.     (Slicppard  del. 


M-, 


3'iH 


330 


ICTERIDA}  —  ICTi:my^E :   OIU  ULEH. 


4UU 


ing,  ftiul  ItH  skill  at  the  Ukiiii  ;  itH  (.'liilKtriitcly  fiihriciitcd  and  jH-rft'ctly  juMixilo  iif-HtM  N\viiyiiii( 
from  tlic  tops  (if  our  slmilc-tri'fs,  wiiicii  liiivc  onu  i-lmrin  lultlfd  wlii'ii  liifd  witli  nuuli  lirilliuiify 
88  the  oriolu  liriii^s  to  contruHt  with  vt'i-diirc.  Kg^s  4-U,  uearly  l.UU  X  0.115,  tlius  ratluT 
elongate;  ground  color  ii  Hhaded  wliitc,  irregularly  H|iotteil,  blotcliod,  eloudeil  and  t'l^iierially 
serawled  with  hlaeliish-lirowii  imd  other  heavy  xurfaee  eolors,  together  witli  Hiilidued  slieli- 
inarkingH. 

337.  I.  iMil'Iookl.  (To  Wui.  llulloek,  of  London.  Fig.  2.')(i.)  Mi'LLock'm  Oiuoi.k.  Adult  $  : 
Similarly  lilaek  and  orange,  the  orange  invading  the  sides  of  tlie  liead  and  neek  and  tlu'  fore- 
head, leaving  only  a  narrow  spnoe  on  the  throat,  the  lores,  and  a  line  throui;h  the  eye,  lilaek  ; 
a  hirge  eontinuous  white  jiateh  on  the  wing,  formed  liy  the  middle  ami  greater  eoverts.  l^arijer 
than  th(^  Haltimore.  Length  8.00-8.50  ;  extent  12. 5O-i;{.50;  wingMMt;  tail  ;<.40.  9:  (Hive- 
gray,  helow  whitish,  all  tin-  fore  jiarts  of  the  hotly  and  head  tinged  with  yellow;  the  wings 
dusky,  with  two  white  hars,  lint  the  tail  and  its  under  eoverts  (juite  yellowish.  9  ''"'•■<  ^''O' 
closely  resembling  the  9  Haltimore,  and  more  detailed  (h'scription  nuiy  lie  desiralile.  Larger: 
length  about  8.00;  extent  12.00 ;  wing  H.75  ;  tail  3.25.  Above  olive-gray,  iieeomini;  i|uit(! 
gray  on  the  rumji,  brightening  into  olive.  Yellow  on  inijie,  upjier  tail-coverts  and  tail. 
Forehead,  su|ierciliary  line,  sides  of  head  and  neck,  and  largo  sjmce  on  breast,  bright  yelhiw  ; 
lores  and  throat  white.  Other  under  jiarts  grayish-white,  tinged  with  yellow  on  tlie  under  tail- 
coverts.  Kdgo  and  lining  of  wing  yellow;  middle  coverts  broadly  edged  and  tipped  with 
white;  greater  coverts  and  (juills  less  conspicuously  edged.  Young  $  at  first  like  thi'  9-  soon, 
however,  showing  black  and  orange;  in  one  stage  with  a  black  throat  jiatcli.  Western  l'.  S., 
in  Woodland,  ubinidant,  rejdacing  the  lialtiuuire,  to  which  it  is  so  closely  allied,  and  with  which 
it  corresponds  in  habits  and  manners. 

H'XH.  I.  ciiculla'tus.  (Lat.  ciicHllatiis,  wearing  the  ciiculln,  a  kiml  of  hood  or  cowl.)  1I(mii>kd 
Ouioi-K.  Adult  (J:  Orange  and  black.  General  e(dor  orange;  from  rich  chnnne  yellow  tt> 
Hanie-color.  Middle  of  back  (.scapulars  and  interscapulars)  black.  A  black  mask,  embracing 
eyes,  a  narrow  frontal  line,  and  patch  ou  chin,  cheeks,  and  throat.  Wings  black,  with  wliite 
edging  of  the  (|uills  and  coverts.  Tail  black,  some  <ir  all  of  the  feathers  usually  with  narrow 
whitish  tips.  IJill  and  feet  blue-black,  the  former  extremely  slender  and  somewhat  decurved, 
0.80;  tarsus  O.'JO.  Length  8.00;  extent  10.50;  wing  3.30;  tail  3.50-1.00,  thus  hmger  than 
wings  ;  the  feathers  narrow  and  lanceolate,  the  outenntist  an  inch  or  so  shorter  than  the  central 
pair;  such  length,  mirrowuess,  and  extreme  graduation  of  the  tail  being  a  strong  character. 
9,  adult:  Above,  dull  grayish-(dive;  tail  and  under  parts  dull  yellowish;  wings  dusky,  the 
ipiills  and  coverts  edged  with  dull  wliite.  The  9  thus  resembles  other  species,  but  the  long 
slender  graduated  tail  and  attenuated  decurved  bill  are  diagnostic.  Fairly  smaUer  than  the  (J. 
Y^iung  ^  :  At  first  like  9i  but  bill  pah'  at  base  below.  Various  intermediate  states  during 
progress  to  maturity  ;  sometimes  the  black  dorsal  band  interrupted  by  yelhjwish-gray,  and  the 
iiieral  orange  obscured  with  the  same.  A  frequent  condition,  when  the  general  jdnmage  is 
ike  that  of  the  9j  '>*  t"  haye  a  black  frontlet  and  gorget,  like  /.  spuriuK  under  the  same 
•ircumstances.  Southern  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Arizona  and  California,  chiefly  near  the  Mexican 
bonier.  Nest  woven  like  that  of  other  orioles,  very  substantial  and  durable  ;  in  places  where 
the  Siianish  moss  grows,  it  is  usually  nuule  <if  this  nuiterial,  and  placed  in  a  truss  of  the  .sime. 
Eggs  3-4,  sometimes  5,  varying  from  0.80  to  0.90  long  by  0.60  broad,  usually  (piite  iiointed  at 
both  ends;  color  white,  with  the  usual  scrawling.  In  the  Lower  Kio  Grande  valley  this  is  the 
commonest  oriole  in  some  places. 

380.  !•  parlso'pum.  (To  the  brothers  Paris.)  BLACK-ANn-YEM.ow  Oukile.  I'auis'  Okioi.i'.. 
Adult  (J  :  Black  and  clear  yellow.  Uehiw  from  the  breast,  rump,  anil  upper  tail-coverts, 
lesser,  middle  and  under  wing-coverts,  both  above  and  below,  and  basal  portions  of  all  the 
tail-feathers,  except  the  central  ones,  clear  yelhiw  ;  greater  wing-coverts  tijiped,  inner  (|uill.s 
edged,  with  white.     Head,  neck,  breast,  and  back,  black.     Ou  the  tail,  the  yellow  occupies  the 


410 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSEBES  —  OSCINES. 


basal  half  of  the  lateral  feathers,  but  only  the  extreme  base  of  the  central  jwir.  Length  8.00; 
extent  12.00;  wing  4.00;  tail  3.40-;J.()0,  moderately  rounded,  the  lateral  feathers  gradnatM 
about  0.50;  bill  0.90,  attenuate  and  slightly  decurved ;  tarsus  1.00.  Yonng  ,J  :  The  blaek 
parts  all  overeast  with  grayish-olive  skirting  of  the  feathers,  giving  the  ])revailing  tone  on  the 
upper  parts,  but  on  the  breast  the  black  showing  more  clearly.  The  yelhiw  likewise  obscured 
witli  grayish-olive,  especially  on  the  riunp.  Tail  greenish-yellow,  the  middle  feathers  black- 
ening. Wings  dusky,  all  tlie  (piills  and  the  greater  and  middle  coverts  broadly  edgeil  and 
tip|ied  with  wliite.  ?  ?  resc-mbling  the  last  described  ;  less  white  on  the  wings  ;  central  tail- 
feathers  simply  fuscous  like  the  ends  of  the  others.  Southern  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Arizona 
and  Southern  California,  near  the  Mexican  Iwirder.  Not  y<'t  well  known  or  found  breeding  in 
the  U.  S.  Nesting  essentially  the  same  as  that  of  other  orioles,  often  in  bunches  of  moss 
or  vines  banging  in  cactuses,  <piite  near  the  ground;  eggs  0.90  X  0.()5,  whitish,  variimsly 
blotclied  and  dotted  with  pin'pli.sh  and  blackish-browns. 
330.  I.  inelano<  e'plialiiB  aud'iiboni.  ((ir.  /itAar,  melan,  gen.  iiiXavos,  melmios,  black;  Kft^oXij, 
Aryirt/r,  head.  To  J. , I.  Audubon.)  Hla(K-iik.\i)eu<)ki(U,e.  Ai;i>lb<»n'8  0ri<»lk.  Adult  ^: 
Black  and  clear  yellow.  Entire  Ixwly  rich  gai.iljoge-yellow,  without  orange  <ir  Hame  tint,  but 
shaded  with  greenish  on  back,  sides,  and  upper  tail-coverts;  uikUt  tail-coverts  j»ure  yellow, 
like  the  belly.  Middle  and  le.ss«'r  wing-coverts  and  lining  ,f  wings  pure  yellow,  the  former 
with  bliiek  ba.ses  concealed  by  the  yellow  tips.  Head  all  aroin.d,  fore  neck  and  brea.st,  glossy 
jet-black,  wit!iout  any  concealed  yellow,  except  at  edges  of  the  black  on  the  breast  —  the  black 
there  thus  ending  ragged,  dili'en'nt  from  the  clean-cut  border  of  cuciillatKn.  Wings  black,  tlio 
outer  webs  of  the  (piills  white-edgeil,  esjiecially  (m  inner  secondaries  and  outer  |irimarie8 
toward  their  end  ;  greater  coverts  with  white  sjurt  at  end  of  outer  web.  Tail  black,  the  outer 
feathers  more  or  less  edged  and  tipjied  with  wliite.  ])ill  an<l  feet  plumbeous-blackish,  former 
paler  at  base  below.  Length  9.2.5-9.75;  extent  12.5O-i;J.0O ;  wing  4.00;  tail  rather  more, 
much  graduated,  the  outer  feathei-s  1.00  or  more  shorter  than  the  middle.  JSill  stout,  straight, 
almost  as  in  yl//c/rt'M.<!;  cuhiien  fully  1.00.  Tarsus  1. 10;  middle  toe  and  claw  the  same.  Adult  9: 
Quite  like  the  ^  ;  not  smaller,  and  little  different  in  color,  contrary  to  the  rule  in  the  genus 
and  family.  IJack  nttlier  more  olivaceous;  wings  rather  more  edged  with  white;  outer  tail- 
featlier  edged  and  tijijM'd  with  whitish.  The  sexual  characters  long  remained  undetermined. 
This  fine  oriole  is  little  known  :  it  is  a  large  beautiful  sjiecies,  occuniug  in  the  V.  S.  only,  as 
far  as  known,  hi  the  Lower  Ki<.  Grande  vaUey  ;  thence  southward  runiiiug  into  tlie  true  Mexican 
nwlniiocephulus.  Said  to  hi'  a  magnificent  songster,  and  a  favorite  cage  bird.  Nest  half- 
IM'iisile,  woven  of  grasses;  eggs  0.95-1.00  by  0.()7-<(.72,  white  dusted  with  fine  brown  specks, 
over  which  are  stains  and  splashes  of  dark  brown  and  lilac,  witii  the  coarse  blacki.sh  jiieroglyplm 
usual  in  this  genus. 

25.    Subfamily  QUISCALIN^:    Crow    Blackbirds;    Crackles. 

Closely  resembling 
the  Affrhrhiff  both  in 
etructiire  and  in  habits, 
these  birds  are  distin- 
guished by  the  length 
and  attenuation  of  the 
bill,  with  decidedly 
curved  culmen,  es- 
pecially towards  the 
end,  more  or  h-ss  siii- 
Fio.  284.— Footof  a  Quiwrt/ufC?.  m<i<THrM«,  nat.  ilie).    (From  Balnl.)  |,„j^,   e(iinmissnn>    and 

strongly  inflated  tomia.     The  bill  is  (juite  cultrirogtrul,  and  the  typical  Quiscali  have  u  certain 


104. 


3.11. 


:i32. 


ICTEIUDJE  —  QUISCALINJE :    CHOW  BLACKBllUiS. 


411 


I 


crow-lilsp  aspoct ;  but  thry  nrp  readily  distiiipuislipd  by  several  features,  besidt-s  S.)  instead  of  10 
]iriinarifs.  The  feet  are  large  and  stroiiy:.  and  the  birds  spend  nmcli  of  their  time  on  the 
griiiind,  wliere  they  walk  or  run  instead  of  advancing  by  leaps.  Tliey  gt'neraliy  build  rude, 
bulky  nests,  lay  spotted  or  streaked  eggs,  and  tiieir  best  voeal  .  S'oits  are  hardly  to  he  called 
inusieal.  The  $  of  all  our  species  is  lustrous  black,  with  various  iridesceiici',  the  9  uieri'jy 
blacki'th,  or  brown  and  much  smaller.  There  is  only  one  genus  (Caasiilix)  besides  the  two 
of  this  country  :  in  Sculecoplinf/iis  the  tail  is  slightly  rounded  and  shorter  than  the  wings  :  in 
QiiiscaliiH  the  tail  is  graduated,  and  nearly  ecpials  or  e.\ceeds  the  wings.  They  are  not  sjH'cially 
palustrine.  Individuals  of  all  the  species  abound,  esiweially  in  the  .South  and  West ;  only  two 
are  common  Eastern  birds. 
104.  SCOLKCO'PHAGUS.  ((Jr.  (rKu>\r)$,  gen.  (TKw\rjKOi,  scolf.r,  ncoh'cos,  a  worm  :  <l>ayos,  plinpos, 
eating.)  Ilisrv  Gkacki.es.  Tiiiiisii  Hla»  kbiuds.  IJill  shorter  or  not  longer  than  head, 
slender  for  the  subfamily,  and  somewhat  like  a  robin's,  for  instance;  culmen  little  conve.\,  if 
any,  except  at  the  decurved  tip;  gonys  slightly  eonve.\;  cutting  edges  inflexed,  commissure 
little  sinuated.  Wings  pointed,  decideiUy  longer  than  the  nearly  even  tail:  ]»oint  formed  by 
the  outer  4  primaries.  Tail  much  as  in  Agelteus  in  size  and  sha|te.  Tarsus  rather  longer  than 
middle  tot?  and  claw.  Lateral  toes  short,  with  moderate  ehiws.  scarcely  or  not  reaching  base 
of  middle  claw.     Xest  in  bushes.     Eggs  spotty,  not  veiny  and  streaky. 

Annljin'nt  nf  SpiciiH. 

SmitlliT:  n'iiiK  iiniler  .vno.  Bill  iilciiiler,  tliniHli-like.  rf  Krot-nlnli-blnck,  Inclmling  head.  Sexox  ver>- iiii- 
llkc  :   $  quite  riiHly-l>ri(wii,  even  with  clicMiiiil  ;  11  llj 'it  Hue  over  cyo /irniiiini  im    331 

LnrRiT:  wIiik  n.OO  oriiiore.  Bill  stmitor.  more  blackbird-Uke.  (f  grccnlsli-black,  lieail  nii>rc  vlcilt-t.  9 
Hiilwliiiilar,  Routy-brown  ;  no  pule  snporcllliiry  8trl|ie ei/anoerphaliiK    33'.! 

331.  9.  femiKl'nens.  (Eat. /<')T«f//)(c«.>(,  rust-C(doreil ;  ferriiffo,  mm-nii^i:  only  applicable  to  9  ""d 
young.)  HisTV  (litACKi.K.  T'lursii  IlLACKiuim.  Adult  <J,  in  summer  :  One  lustrous  black 
with  gri'en  metallic  reflections;  head  not  notably  diflerent  from  other  jiarts  in  its  iridescence. 
IJill  and  feet  black.  Iris  creamy  or  lemoti.  (Not  ordinarily  seen  in  the  V.  S.  in  this  full  dress 
—  usnally  with  some  rusty.)  Length  9.(MM).r)0  ;  e.xtent  U.DO-l.j.OO  ;  winu'  under  j.OO  ;  tail 
4.00  or  less  ;  bill  0.80,  only  about  O.H.'i  deep  at  base;  tarsus  1.20;  middle  toe  and  claw  le.ss. 
Adult  9  '"  sunnner:  .Slaty- blackish,  duller  below,  with  greenish  reHe<'tions  chiefly  on  winjrs 
and  tail  ;  nearly  all  the  upper  jtarts  overlaid  with  rich  ru.sty-brown,  and  under  pr.rts  M-ith  a 
paler  shad«?  of  the  same  ;  inner  secondaries  brown-edtred  ;  a  whitey-browii  streak  over  eye;  iris 
brown.  Moderately  smaller  than  the  ^.  The  young  ^  at  first  resembles  the  9.  '"•'  i** 
larger,  and  shows  more  decidedly  lustrous  black,  esjieeially  on  wings  and  tail.  As  usually 
found  in  Hocks  in  the  I'.  S.,  in  fall,  winter,  and  early  s|)ring,  young  and  old  of  both  .m'ncs 
are  very  rusty,  with  light  line  over  eye.  Eastern  North  Amer.,  X.  W.  to  Alaska:  in  the 
IJ.  S.,  W.  to  Dakota,  Nebraska,  etc.,  meeting  an<l  mi.xing  in  the  fall  with  the  next  species. 
Ill  winter,  generally  dispersed  over  tlie  E.  l'.  S.  :  breeds  froni  X.  New  England  northwanl. 
Nesting  and  eggs  like  those  of  XdiithiKrjihnliis ;  breediiit;  in  loose  colonies,  in  swampy  tangle; 
nest  in  bushes,  of  sti(di8  and  gra.sses  mixed  with  mud.  lined  with  fine  grasses  and  rootlets:  eggs 
usually  4,  about  1.05  X  0.7'),  but  very  variable:  dull  greenish-bluish  or  grayish -white,  flecked 
and  mottled  with  dark  brown,  but  with  little  or  no  line-tracery. 
338.  8.  oy«iioec'ph»lu9.  (dr.  levavos,  kiunios,  I.M.  ri/nniis,  hlm>;  Kt<(>a\r],  kejilinlchmii.)  Mme- 
liK/.DKi)  (iuAcKi.F..  Hkkwku'h  Hi.ackiiiki).  Similar  to  the  hist,  but  (|uite  a  different  bird. 
Ailult  (J,  in  summer:  Very  lustrous  green-black,  as  before,  but  with  jyurjde  and  violet  iridi's- 
otMieo,  especially  on  head,  where  the  violet  or  steel-blue  she«'n  eontrastsi  with  the  general 
greenish  hue.  Hill  and  feet  bhiek.  Iris  creamy  or  lemon.  Larger :  length  averaging  lO.(M) 
— '.).73-10.2ri ;  extent  10.00  or  more  ;  winj;  .").fK)-r).2.i  ;  tail  4.(K)-4.2.') ;  bill  0.80,  stout  at  base, 
where  about  0.40  deep  —  more  like  an  abbreviated  Qniscahi/t-\nl\  than  a  thrush's;  tarsus  1.25- 
1.30;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.10-1.15.     9»  «dult,  in  summer:    Ulacki.sh.  with  iluU  greenish 


412 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEBES—  OSCINES. 


slmtlp  (111  Imck,  wings,  iiiul  tail;  more  slaty-blnekish  below.  Fore  parts  of  body  above,  head 
and  most  under  parts  overlnitl  witb  brownisli-gray,  lightest  on  head  and  throat,  never  rich 
riisty-brown.  Xo  light  snpereiliary  line.  Iris  brown.  There  is  thns  nineh  less  sexnal  differ- 
cnee  than  in  S.  frrrutjineiis.  Smaller;  size  abont  that  of  $  ferriujineus :  length  lt.O(Mt..')(); 
extent  1 4. 50- 1.').. 50  ;  wing  1.50-4. !»0,  ete.  Young  $  resembling  9;  s'*"")  however,  showing 
more  lustre,  overeast  with  grayish  (not  rusty)  Vmtwn,  in  same  style  as  ferruginem,  but  difter- 
ent  shade.  Western  l'.  S.,  and  adjoining  Uritish  I'rovinees;  E.  to  eastern  edge  of  the  jdains, 
ovcrlapiting  the  migratory  range  of  S.  ffirttgineus;  W.  to  the  I'aeific.  Hreeds  nearly  through- 
out its  range,  in  suitable  plaees ;  migratory  to  and  from  extremes  of  its  nmge.  Nest  and  eggs 
substantially  the  same  as  tho.se  of  .S'.  ferriigineus. 
105.  (^I'lS'C'ALrS.  (Span.  qiiinqniUu,  Lat.  quinquiUia;?  Vor  barb.,  of  uneertain  ni<'aiiing  and 
applieution.  See  Coues,  Cheek  List,  HA  ed.,  p.  (54.)  Cuow  Hi.ACKiiiuns.  Kill  about  as  long 
as  bead,  (piite  eultnite  and  erow-like,  but  more  attenuate  and  aeute,  with  detleeled  cutting 
edges;  ujiper  and  midcr  outlines  straightish  to  the  terminal  eurve  of  eulmen,  but  varialde; 
commissure  variously  sinuate.  \Vings  relatively  shorter  and  h-ss  acute  than  in  Srohrojihiujiis, 
usually  jtohited  by  the  2d-4th  <|uills,  1st  and  5tli  shorter.  'I'ail  of  varying  develo]>ment  with 
the  spe<'ics ;  at  its  greatest,  much  longer  than  wings,  at  its  least  decidedly  shorter;  always 
graduated,  the  lateral  feathers  1-H  inches  sliorter  tlian  the  middle  l)air,  in  life  ca|)able  of 
slanting  upward  on  each  side,  so  that  the  middle  feathers  make  a  keel  bidow  ;  whence  thv  name 
"boat-tail."  (Tail  usually  described  as  "longer  than  wings"  in  (Jiiisailiis;  but  in  nio.st 
species  it  is  decidedly  shorter.)  Fe<'t  stout  ;  tarsus  about  e(puil  to  middle  toe  and  claw.  The 
(J  (J  in  all  the  species  "  black,'' but  so  magiiiticently  iride.M-ent  that  little  dead  black  is  seen, 
being  brassy,  steel-blue,  violet,  jiurple,  greenish,  ete.      9  subsimilar,  or  plain  brown. 

Anali/Hh  of  S/xriiii  ntiil  Inriitim. 

Tall  iteoldeilly  »liorfcr  tlinn  wiiigB,  grniliiatod  l.no-I..'in.    Sexes  BiibKiiiiilar. 

IrlileMcciioo  viiiiiiiiH  — Brt'oti,  Miie,  purple,  vlnli'l.     J  iimially  i>vor  I'.'.flO iitir]»ir<ii.i  XKi 

IrldeweiK'o  of  Iiiuk  l)ra»sy :  licml  etce.  blue,     (f  usually  over  12.00 tnn  im  '."M> 

IriilcfU'ciiL'e  grei'niitli,  neck  purple,     (f  usually  under  IL'.UO iiiilniis  XU 

Tall  about  e<|Ual  til  wings,  graduatoil  oliiiut  ir>0.    Sexes  very  <llft'ercnt.     ?  brown m.i/Vir  XU 

Tall  di'cldcdiy  longer  tlian  wings,  graduated  2.50-:i.5O.     Sexes  very  iliH'ereiit.      9  iTown      .    .      marruvim  3.13 

333.  Q.  inaeru'riis.  ((Jr.  noKptis,  indents,  long,  large;  otpa,  oina,  tail.)  Fan-TAII.ki>  Ckow 
Ill.ACKIllltl).  Tk.XAS  (iUACKI.K.  ( tf  largest  size,  with  longest,  most  keeled  anil  gratluated 
tail.  Sexes  very  unlike.  IJill  very  stout  at  base,  tapering  to  the  strongly  detlected  tip. 
Adult  (J  :  Irideseeneo  ehieHy  ]iurplisli  and  vi.det,  more  greenish  posteriorly.  Length  about 
18.00;  extent  2:{. 00-24.00  ;  wing  7-50-8.00;  tail  about  il.OO,  graduated  'i.50-;i.50 ;  bill  1.75. 
Adult  9  ■  ihwk  brown;  pah'r,  grayish  orwiiitish  below.  Length  i:{.(K)-14.00  ;  extent  18.00- 
19.00;  wing  5.5O-().00  ;  tail  little  more.  The  species  pndmbly  shades  into  the  next,  but  pre- 
sents dimensions  the  latter  has  not  shown.  Lower  Kio  (irande  of  Texas  and  southward,  very 
abundant,  swarming  in  the  towns,  whci.'  'jonspictious  by  its  curious  antics  as  well  as  great  si/o 
aiul  numbers.  Breeds  in  colonies,  either  in  reedy  marshes,  when  the  wnt  is  placed  in  tho 
rushes  over  water,  or  anywhere  about  the  .settlements  in  trees  away  from  water;  sonu'time.s 
there  are  many  nests  in  one  tree ;  some  nr'sts  at  an  altitude  of  .'(()  or  40  feet.  Xests  built  of  any 
trash,  usually  witb  mud.  Kggs  in  April-May,  usually;},  1.12-1.45  by  0.82-0.95,  averaging 
1.25  X  0.'^5  ;  greenish  or  purplish-white,  clouded  oftener  over  smaller  end  than  at  the  other, 
irregularly  spotted,  veined,  and  scratched  with  dark  browns  and  blackish. 

334.  Q.  major,  ([..at.  major,  greater  (than  Q.  piirimri-Hs).)  IbtAT-TAii.r.D  ("rtow  Iti.At'KiiiKO. 
]b)AT-TAII,KI)  tJltACKI.E.  .IackiiAW.  (if  large  size,  with  lonir,  much  keeled  and  graduated 
tail.  Sexes  very  unlike.  Hill  stout  at  base,  tapering  to  the  detlected  tip.  Adult  ^  :  Iriiles- 
cence  mostly  green,  becoming  jmrjde  or  violet  chietly  on  the  head  and  neck.  Length  15.50- 
17.00,  average   1().50;  extent  21.00-2.'{.5(t,   average  22.50;  wing  and   tail,   each,   (1.25-7.25, 


ICTEliWJE  —  QUISCALTN^ :    CBO W  BLA  CKBIRLS. 


413 


avorago  7.00,  liittor  rathor  the  longer  of  tho  two  ;  its  grsuluation  about  2.50;  bill  1.50  ;  tarsus 
nearly  2.00  ;  niidtUe  toe  anil  claw  about  the  same.  Adult  9  :  Astonishingly  sinallir  than  tlic  $ , 
lacking  entirely  the  groat  development  of  the  tail,  and  easily  to  be  mistaken  for  another  sjieeies. 
Length  12.00-13.50,  average  13.00;  extent  17.25-18.25,  average  17.75;  wing 5.25-0.00,  average 
5.(57  ;  tail  1.73-5.50,  average  5.25.  General  color  plaiu  brown,  only  darker  on  wings  and  tail ; 
below  brownish-gray,  frequently  whitening  on  the  throat.  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  on 
the  coast,  abundant ;  N.  regularly  to  the  Caroliuas,  frei.(uently  to  the  Middle  districts,  but  not 
to  New  Kngland,  as  far  as  certainly  known,  though  very  likely  in  exceptional  ca.-*es.  Tlii.s 
species  difl'ers  from  the  common  crow  bbickbird  in  being  strictly  maritime,  with  the  conse(iU(nt 
moditicatiou  in  food  and  habits  ;  it  may  be  seen  at  times  wading  in  the  water,  and  small  tish  and 
crustaceans  form  much  of  its  fare.  Nesting  and  eggs  as  in  Q.  macruius;  eggs  averaging 
smaller,  but  not  distinguishable  with  c^-rtainty. 

335.  Q.  purpur'eus.  (Lat.  purpureus,  purple.  Fig.  205.)  Prui-I.E  C'm>w  Bi.ACKitiui).  Com- 
mon ('now  lli.ACKHiui).  I't'iU'ia:  Guackle.  ( )f  medium  size,  with  moderately  keeled  and 
graduated    tail,    shorter    than 

wings.  Sexes  subsimilar.  Hill 
usually  less  tapering  and  de- 
flected at  tip,  but  very  variable. 
Adult  ^  :  Iridescence  very 
variable  with  season,  age,  and 
sexMial  vigor,  a.s  well  as  on 
dillerent  parts  of  the  body ; 
but  always  intense  in  healthy 
adults,  and  at  its  height  during 
the  love-ardor ;  variously  piu-- 
ple,  green,  blue,  violet,  and 
bronyv  •      not      the     extensive         Fio.  '^05.  -  I'urple  <  iniuklc,  reiliiccii.    (Slieppunl  del.    Niuliolg  gc.) 

green  of  the  hist  species,  nor  usually  the  decided  brassy  of  tho  next  variety;  wings  anil  tail 
mostly  purplish  ;  dark  ]iiu'pli.sh  and  steel-blue  on  head,  neck,  and  breast;  back  more  green- 
ish or  bronzy.  Hill  and  feet  ebony  black.  Iris  straw-yellow.  Length  12.0()-i;i.50  ;  ex- 
tent 1 7.00-1  S. 50;  wing  5.0<Mi.(MI,  averaging  5.00;  tail  4.50-0.00,  usually  un.ler  5.50;  l)ill 
1.25,  very  variable  ;  tarsus  1.25  ;  graduation  of  tail  1.00-1.50.  Adult  9"  Rlackish,  and  <iuite 
lustrous;  sutliciently  siniihir  to  the  ^•,  length  11.00-12.00  ;  wing  about  5.00  ;  tail  about  k5(). 
Hirds  of  this  character,  without  i)erfectly  brassy  back  and  steel-blue  head,  are  the  usual  kind  in 
the  Atlantic  States  ;  abundant  and  generally  distributed,  migratory  and  gregario\is,  breeiling 
anywhere  in  their  range,  but  chiefly  northerly.  Nesting  variable,  in  tree  or  bush,  on  bough  or  in 
a  hollow,  at  any  height;  sometimes  in  an  artificial  retreat,  or  a  fish-hawk's  nest.  Nest  bulky, 
of  any  trash,  usually  with  mud  ;  eggs  of  the  character  and  with  all  the  indescribable  variability 
of  others  of  the  genus  ;  usually  bluish  or  greeni.sh,  with  pur]dish  veining  and  doudiut;,  zigzagged 
and  floiu'ished  with  dark  browns  or  blacki.sh  ;  avernging  1.25  X  0.90  in  size;  5-0  in  number. 
The  grackles  are  abst'iit  from  their  breeding-grounds  for  only  a  snuill  ]iart  of  the  year,  when 
they  flock  southerly,  often  in  inunense  bands  scouring  about  for  food.  At  times  tlu-y  are  very 
injurious  to  the  croi>s,  but  this  is  offset  by  their  destruction  of  noxious  in.se(!ts.  The  courtships 
of  the  males  look  very  curious  to  a  dis])assionate  observer,  being  carried  on  with  the  most  gro- 
tesque actions  and  ludicrous  attitudes,  as  well  as  curious  vtK-alizatiou. 

336.  Q.  p.  te'neuB.  (Lat.  tnieus,  brassy.)  HitoNZKi)  Citow  Hi.ACKiiiKi).  Hkash  Gkacki.k. 
Hirds  from  the  interior  IT.  S.,  esjiecially  the  Mississipjii  valley,  ac<iuire  in  full  iilumage  a 
s|deudid  iridescence  of  three  kinds,  in  pretty  distinct  areas.  Hody  uniform  shining  brassy. 
Hind  neck  and  breast  chiefly  steel-blue.  Wings  and  tail  chiefly  violet  and  puridi'.  This  bril- 
liant ctjloration  is  that  rei)n'sented  by  Audubon,  pi.  221  of  the  Hvo.   ed.      Such  birds  occur 


414 


SYSTEMATIC  SYyOPSIS.  —PASSERES—  OSCIXES. 


from  Now  Eugliinil,  Hudii<tn'8  Buy,  the  Saskutolu-wan  and  Rocky  Mts.  to  Texas  and  the 
(liUf  States. 
337.  Q.  p.  aglHs'us.  ((jr.  dyXat'or,  iitjUiios,  splendid.)  Florida  ('now  ItLACKBiun.  Gkeen 
GuACKhK.  Hirds  resident  in  S.  Florida  are  smaller  than  averajje  piirpureun,  with  rehitively 
longer  and  slenderer  bill  more  deenrved  at  tip  ;  the  IkmIv  lustre  ehietly  greenish  ;  head  and  neck 
ehietly  vicdaeeoiis  steel-lihie;  M'ings  and  tail  .«teel-ldue,  lieeoining  violet  on  the  coverts.  Aver- 
aging an  inch  less  in  length  than  i>iopiirciis,  and  other  parts  in  proportion,  excepting  the  bill 
and  feet,  which  are  (piite  as  long.     (^>.  baritus,  Ud.,  1858,  uec  auct.  Q.  agkeus,  Hd.,  18(i().) 


18.     Family    CORVID.ffl:    Crows,  Jays,   etc. 

CtiUri  rostra  I  Oxcines  with  1 0  prima- 
ries.  —  A  rather  large  and  inipnitant 
family,  comprising  such  familiar  birds 
as  ravens,  crows,  rooks,  jackdaws, 
magpies,  jays,  with  their  allies,  and  a 
few  diverging  forms  not  so  well  known  ; 
nearly  related  to  the  famous  birds  of 
pjiradi.xe.  There  are  iD  ]iriniaries,  of 
which  the  1st  is  short,  generally  about 
half  as  long  as  the  -id,  anil  several 
outer  ones  are  more  or  less  sinuate- 
atti'nuatc  on  the  inner  web  toward  the 
enil.  The  tail  has  12  rectrices,  as  usual 
among  higher  birds ;  it  varies  much 
in  shajie,  but  is  irenerally  rounded  — 
sovnetinies  extremely  graduated,  as  in 
the  magpie  ;  and  is  not  forked  in  any 
of  our  fonns.  The  tarsus  has  scutella 
in  front,  se]iarated  on  one  or  both  sides 
from  the  rest  of  the  tarsal  envelope 
by  a  gpHive,  .sometimes  naked,  some- 
times filled  in  by  small  scales.  The 
bill  is  stout,  about  as  long  as  the  head 
or  shorter,  tapering,  rather  acute,  irenentUy  notched,  with  conve.v  ciilmen;  it  lacks  the  com- 
missural angulation  of  the  Frintjilliiltr  and  Ictcritlrr.  the  deej)  cleavage  of  the  lUriniditHtln; 
the  slenderness  of  the  C'rrthiidfC,  Sittiilrc,  and  most  small  insect ivi irons  birds.  The  rictus 
usually  has  a  few  stiHish  bristles,  and  there  are  others  about  the  ba.M'  of  the  bill.  An  essential 
character  is  seen  in  the  dense  covering  of  the  nostrils  with  large  lung  lufts  of  clo,>ie-]>resse(| 
antrorse  bristly  feathers  (excc-pting,  among  our  forms,  in  Gi/nnnKitIa  ti\u\  I'siliirhiiiiis).  Thewt 
last  features  distinguish  the  rornWrt;  from  all  our  other  birds  excepting  I'urulte;  the  mutual 
resemblance  is  here  so  close,  that  I  cannot  i>oint  ont  any  <dtvious  technical  <duiracter  of  external 
form  to  distingui.'ih,  for  example,  ('i/anocitta  from  J.ophi>)iho)ie.i,  or  PerixorciiH  from  Pants. 
Hut  as  already  remarked,  nue  is  here  perfectly  distinctive,  all  the  Corridtr,  being  much  larger 
birds  than  any  of  the  Paridtc. 

C)wing  to  the  uniformity  of  cohir  in  the  leading  groups  of  the  family,  and  an  apparent 
plasticity  of  organization  in  many  forms,  the  nnmber  of  s|tecie8  is  ditficult  to  determine,  and 
is  very  variously  estinntted  by  different  writ«'rs.  Mr.  (J.  R.  Gray  admits  upwards  of  2fl<), 
which  he  distributes  in  .50  genera  and  subgenera;  but  thes*'  figures  are  certainly  excessive. 


Pio.  266.  —  Kuropcnn  •Inckdaw  (OircHii  monntuli 
Dixon.) 


(From 


106 


con  VWjE  —  COliVIN.E :    CRO  WS. 


415 


106. 


pnilMibly  ref|iiiring  rcdiietidn  by  at  least  oue-third,  in  Iwth  cases.  The  Corriilie  have  been 
divided  into  five  subfuiiiilies ;  three  of  the.so  are  small  and  api>areutly  speeiulized  in-imjis  cou- 
tiiied  to  the  Old  Wtirld,  where  tliey  are  represented  must  largely  in  tiii'  Australian  and  Indian 
regions  ;  the  other  two,  constitnting  the  p-eat  bulk  of  the  family,  are  more  nearly  cnsmoiiolitan. 
These  art)  the  Comna  and  GarruUna;,  or  crows  and  jays,  readily  distinguishable,  at  least  so 
far  as  our  forms  are  coneerned,  by  the  longer  pointed  M'ings  and  shorter  less  rounded  tail  ot"  the 
former  as  eontrasted  with  the  shorter  rounded  wings  and  longer  more  rounded  or  gniduated  tail 
of  the  latter. 

20.    Subfamily   CORVINE:    Crows. 

With  the  wings  long  and  ]iiiiuted,  mueh  exeeediiiiu' the 

rr       tail ;  the  til)  formed  by  the  Hd,  4th,  and  5th  (|nills ;  iA 

nnich  shorter,   1st  only  about   i  as   long   as  ltd.      The 

legs  stout,  fitted  for  walking  as  well  as  perching.     As 

^         a  rule,  the  plunuige  is  sombre  or  at  least  unvariegated, 

V         — blue,  the  characteristic  color  of  the  jays,  being  here 

rare.     The  sexes  are  alike,  and  the  changes  of  plumage 
Fio.  '.'fi?. -TyiilealCorTliie  bill.  ,.    ,  ^        ...  •     .     i     •     n  •  i-    i 

slight.     Although   technically  om-me,   corviiu!  birds   are 

hitfid y  unmusical ;  the  voice  of  the  larger  kinds  is  raucous,  that  of  the  smaller  strident,  —  witness 
the  croak  of  the  raven,  \\w  "caw  "of  the  crow,  the  screaming  of  jays.  They  frecpient  all  situ- 
ations, and  walk  firmly  and  easily  on  tiie  ground,  where  jays  hop.  They  are  among  the  most 
nearly  omnivorous  of  birils,  and  as  a  coiisetpience,  in  connection  with  their  hardy  nature,  tliey 

are  rarely  If  ever  truly  migratory.     Tiicir  nesting  is  various,  ai rding  to  circum.stances,  but 

tlie  fabric  is  usually  rude  and  bulky  ;  the  eggs,  of  the  avenige  osciiie  number,  are  commonly 
bluish  or  greenish,  speckled.  .\lthou;;h  not  properly  gregarious,  as  a  rule,  they  often  as.siK-iate 
in  large  numbers,  drawn  together  by  community  of  interest.  In  illustration  tif  this  may  be 
instanced  the  extensive  roostinir-places  in  the  Atlantic  States,  conipuriible  to  the  nudiiTies  of 
F.urope,  whitlu'r  immense  troo])s  of  crows  resort  nightly,  often  from  great  distances,  recalling 
the  tine  line  of  the  poet,  — 

"  The  blnckeiiiii);  trains  ufcruwH  tu  their  repoio." 

Our  three  genera  <if  Cnrvuur  are  readily  known  by  the  black  color  of  Cornm,  the  irray, 
white,  and  black  of  I'icicorriis,  and  the  blue  of  GymmtcitUt.  In  the  latter,  as  in  I'silorliiims 
of  Giirriili)i(P,  the  nostrils  are  I'xposed,  contrary  to  the  rule  in  each  subfamily. 
COR'Vl'S.  (Lat.  airnis,  a  crow.  Fig.  -207.)  Uavkxs.  Cuows.  Tiie  spi-cies  throughout 
uniform  lustrous  black,  including  the  bill  and  feet ;  na.'<al  bri.>it1es  about  half  as  long  as  the  bill, 
which  exhibits  the  typical  cultrirostral  styh'.  Nostrils  large,  but  entirely  concealed.  Wings 
much  longer  than  tail,  folding  about  to  its  end.  Several  outer  primanes  sinuate-attenuate  on 
i  .iier  webs.  Tail  rounded,  with  broad  feathers,  sinuate-truncate  at  ends,  with  mucroiiate  shafts. 
Feet  stout ;  tarstis  more  or  less  nearly  efpial  to  miildle  toe  and  claw,  roughly  scutellate  in  front, 
laminar  behind,  with  a  set  of  snmll  plates  between. 

Analyiin  of  Sprrieii. 

Rarent,  with  the  throat-fenthcrH  acute,  lengthened,  <llMonnocte«l. 

AlM>ut  2  feet  long;  wing  16-lS  hiehcg;  tall  nbimt  10.    liuMa  of  rer%ical  feathers  gray   ....    eomr    338 

Smaller;  conecalctl  ^Kix'ii  of  c-crvlcal  feathers  pure  wliito  (Southwcstcnu criiplohucut    XVJ 

Croirn,  with  the  thrnat-fciUhcriiovnl  itnil  lilcndiMl. 

Length  18-20;  wing  12-14;  tall7-8;  hill  l}'2,ltii height  at  base  };  taraut  about  equal  to  tiie  mldille  toe 

and  clnw,  longer  than  bill ;  1st  ()ulll  not  longer  than  10th frmi'irorui    .140,  341 

Small.    Length  14-16;  wing  10-11;  tail6-T;  bill  l]-2;  tarsus  rather  longer  than  bill  or  mldcllo  toe  and 

claw;  Ist  i|iilll  longer  than  lOlh.    (Northwestern) nturiniii    3U 

Small ;  14-ttl  Inches  long ;  wing  lO-l  I  ;  tall  6>7 ;  tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw,  longer  than 
bUl;  Ist  quill  nut  longer  than  10th maritimui    M!( 


4Hi 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSEliES  —  OSCINES. 


I 


33fi.  C  ro'rox.  (Or.  Kipa(,  ktirnx,  Lat.  curihr,  a  croukrr — tin*  ravpii.  Fii{.  2f)8.)  Amehican 
Havkn.  Fcatlu'rM  of  tliroat  ttniiu'what  Htitfciiftl,  Ifii^thciiiMl,  ])oiiiu>tl,  lying  liMme  from  oiio 
another;  thouc  of  ncfk  willi  ij^ny  <l"wuy  bascx,  a«  cIsi-wIhtc  on  the  iMxIy.  Color  entirely  Ini*- 
troiis  black,  with  chietly  ))iir|ilisli  and  violet  liurnishing.  Length  ahont  i  feet  — at  least  over 
20  inelies;  exitause  of  vungs  4  or -li  feet  —  nineh  over  u  yaril.  Wing  ahont  IJ  feel  —  at  leant 
over  13  iuchea.  Tail  alM)Ut  10  inches  ;  its  feathers  grailiniteil  I.5I)-2.5U  iuehes.  liiil  along  choril 
of  eulnieu,  anil  tarsus,  about  i.50.  Varies  inurh  in  size.  Greeuluud  and  Labrador  s|N'einien8 
are  of  great  size,  with  iinnienso  bill  touclung  .'{.(10.  The  bill  is  nsiially  longer  and  relatively  less 
d<N<p  in  the  Auieriean  thiui  in  the  Kuro|ieau  raven  ;  whole  bird  more  sturdy  and  robust.  The 
usual  wint'-formuLi  is:  jirinmry  4> ;{=.")>  2  >(>  >1  =:  S  ;  but  tliese  i|uills  grow  and  moult 
HO  gradually  the  projiortionate  lengths  ditler  niueli  in  s]HTimens  examined.  The  9  is  undislin- 
guishable  from  the  <J,  though  averaging  snuiller.  X.  Amer.  ;  but  now  nm?  in  i\w  V.  S.  east 
of  the  Mississijipi,  and  altogether  wanting  in  most  of  the  States  ;  Labrador,  ranging  southward, 


310 


Fio.  268.  — Ueiul  of  a  very  largo  American  Raven,  nat.  hIec.    (Ail  nat.  del.  R.C.) 

rarely,  along  the  eoast  to  the  Middle  distriets ;  very  abundant  in  the  West,  where  the  .^iablf 
plume  and  the  bleaeliing  skeleton,  the  ominous  emak  and  the  Indian  war-whoo]i,  are  not  yet 
things  of  the  jmst.  Wherever  in  the  We.><t  the  raven  abounds,  the  rrow  seems  to  be  sup- 
pbinted.  Nests  high  in  trees  and  on  elitfs,  seleeting  the  most  iiuiecessible  places.  Kggs  4-8, 
oftener  4-5,  about  2.0(1  X  l-'^O,  greenish,  dotted,  bUitehed  and  elouded  with  neutral  tints,  pur- 
plish- and  blaekish-browns. 
330.  C  oryptoleii'cus.  ((Jr.  (t^wrriir,  ATM;>toK,  erypted  or  hidden  ;  Xfvitos, /fMAos,  white.)  WliiTK- 
NKCKKI)  Kavks.  Throat-feathers  as  in  C.  mriix ;  but  ba.ses  of  the  feathers  of  nei-k  snowy- 
white.  Smaller  than  the  raven;  about  as  large  as  a  giMMJ-sized  crow,  and  genenilly  taken  for 
one  in  those  regions  where  it  iKurnrs  with  the  raven,  the  ditt'ereiiee  between  them  lieing  obvious 
in  life;  the  aeeouuts  of"eroW8"in  some  n'gions  when*  C.  umericmutx  does  not  iH-eur  being 
based  iijum  the  presem-e  of  ('.  crifptoleitcus.  Southwestern  V.  S.,  Llaint  Kstaeado  and  hiuher 
Hio  Oruudu  of  Texas,  Wyoming,  Culorudu,  Now  Mexico,  Arizona,  and  iKirtiuuH  of  California. 


311 


:ii:) 


107 


con  vw.T-:  —  con  i  ly.i-:  .•  cno  ws. 


417 


310.  C.  friiffi'vorus.  (Lut. /rir_7i>()ri«Ai,  friiit-catiiii; : /r«.r,  fniit ;  (Wi,  I  ilcvmir.)  C'<imm(1\  Ameui- 
CAN  Cliuw.  'I'Ijc  I'liiiiiiKDi  <-ri>\v  isn  foot  itml  u  lialf  loii^,  or  riitlirr  iiiorc;  win^  1:2  to  1  (  iiu'lifti : 
tail  7  to  S  ;  Itill  X.'to-iM),  ubout  0.75  liii;li  at  lia.si' ;  tarsu.s  alxnit  clonal  tn  iniilillc  tnr  and  riaw. 
ralluT  exceeding  tlif  Mil.  First  |iriiiiary  not  lnni^cr  than  Kith.  FcathtTs  of  the  thmat  uval. 
soft,  anil  Idcnilcd  ;  no  snowy-white  undcr-pluniafri'.  Tin'  Imrni.shing  is  chiftly  on  the  win^s, 
tail,  and  hark,  the  head  Ix-in^  nearly  clcad-hlack.  The  9  ■>*  dt'cidnliy  sunillcr  than  thr  f, 
and  iindcr-si/cd  cahini't  s|i('cinii'ns  arc  not  stddoni  lahcllcd  "  ossifrajjns.''  Ea.sti'rn  X.  Anifr.. 
chii'lly  r.  S.,  not  ordinarily  t'onnd  westward  in  tin-  interior,  where  the  raven  ahonnds  ;  rare  or 
wantinu  in  the  rpix'r  Missouri  and  Sinithern  Itocky  Mt.  re^'ious  ;  coniinoii,  however,  in  some 
|iarts  of  California.  In  settleil  ))arts  of  the  couiitry  the  crow  lends  to  colonize,  and  some  of  its 
"roosts"  arc  of  vast  extent.  Mine  is  on  the  \'irt;inia  side  of  t!ie  I'utouuic,  near  Washini;ton. 
tVows  are  always  tlyint'  west  oviT  the  city  in  the  afternoon,  iMid  when  as  a  boy  I  nsed  to  see 
the  i;ray  of  the  morning,  crows  were  tlyinit  the  other  way  It  is  ihiahtless  the  same  now;  hut 
I  oftener  hear  miilnitfht  migrants  than  see  such  "  early  liinls  "  these  days.  Nest  in  trees,  any- 
where in  the  woods,  usually  concealed  with  some  art,  thoui;h  so  liulky  ;  huilt  of  sticks  and 
trash;  ews  I— fi-7,  l.'iO  X  !•!?".  lik''  the  raven's  in  color  and  markinu;s,  and  eciually  variable. 
{('.  ittiwriviiHHx,  Aiicl.) 

311.  <'.  f.  Ilurltlit'niis.  (hat.  of  Florida.)  Fl.oltJK.V  ('now.  Iie]iresents  the  i;reater relative  size  of 
tlie  bill  and  feet  sliown  by  many  resident  birds  of  Florida  and  i-orrespondiui,'  latitudes. 

31'^.  <•.  eiiiirriili!!.  (Lat.  riuirus,  the  N.  W.  wind,  whence  ctiiiriuiin,  northwestern.)  XnHTII- 
WKSTKUN  Fl.sil  Cititw.  Small:  about  the  si/e  of  the  common  tish  crow,  but  feet  more  as  in 
('.  (iiiifririiiiiis,  the  tarsus  not  heim;  shorter  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw,  though  rather  li'ss 
tlian  the  bill:  Isl  i.rimary  l"Ut;er  than  lOth.  heniith  1  L(M)-Hi.(HI ;  winy  1(».,)();  tail  ()..')(); 
bill  I.7.)-2.IHI.  N.  I 'acilic  coast,  ( (region  to  Alaska  ;  maritime;  piscivorous;  voice  .saiil  to  ho 
dilfereut  from  that  •>(('.  fniijironis. 

:ii:i.  «".  iiiiirrtiiiius.  (l.al.  iiiiiriliiiiiis,  maritime;  iiiriir,  the  sea.)  S(>rTII-K..\STKIlX  Fisil  <'llo\V. 
.'<mall.  l-euuih  IkOit-Ki.UO;  wiuu;  l(l.(Hl-l  1.(1(1;  tail  (i.()(»-7.()() ;  bill  l.:,U  ;  tarsus  l.liO  ;  mid- 
dle toe  and  claw  1.?.").  First  primary  not  li.nt'ir  than  lOth  ;  a  bare  space  abyiit  thi'  i,'ape  .' 
South  Atlantic  and  (lulf  Stales,  N.  to  New  Kni;land.  Common;  luaritime,  piscivorous. 
Apparently  a  dilfereut  bird  from  any  of  the  forenoiny,  as  it  presents  some  tanuible  distinctions, 
although   eol.-stantly  a.ssociated  with   <'.  J'niffironis.      Nest    and  eyijs  not   to    be  di.stini;uished 

with  certainty  from  those  of  th uunion  crow,  thouuh  averai?int,'  smaller.     (C.  os.sifrwjuH 

Wils.) 
107.  IMCU'OK'VIS.  (Com- 
pounded ii(  /liiiii,  a  wood- 
pecker, or  yjtV'f/,  a  matrpie, 
and  <orviis,  a  i-row.  Fii;. 
iW.)    A.Mi.iti(  AN  Ntr- 

1  llACKKKS.  (leueral 

characters  of  the  F.uro- 
pean  Xiivifnuin.  Kill 
nlenilerer,  more  ueiite, 
with  more  regularly 
curved  culmen  and  com- 
missure, ami  Htraight  in-  *■"'"•  ^CO-  —  JI>'»il  of  I'lcifarrua,  nut.  kI/i'.  (All  luU  ili'l.  V,.  ('.) 
Htead  of  convex  and  nscendini;  emiys  ;  as  a  whole  somewhat  decurveil.  Nostrils  circular,  con- 
cealed by  a  full  tuft  of  plumules.  Winjjs  hmj,'  and  pointed,  fiddin^,'  to  the  end  of  the  tail :  ."ith 
ipull  huiL'est  ;  4th.  :<d,  (>th  little  leKM;  Sid  much  shorter,  1st  not  half  ait  hin^  as  3th.  Tail  little 
over  half  as  lonif  as  wiiiL',  little  rounded.  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw;  the  envelope 
dividt'd  iuto  Hiuall  plutes  oil  the  sidett  iM'hiud  toward  the  b<ittv)iii.     Claws  very  large,  Htroiiif, 


418 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PASSEHES—  OSCIXES. 


scute  and  much  cun-cd,  espofially  that  of  the  hind  toe;  tho  hitrml  rraohing  In-yund  base  of  the 
middle  claw.  Coloration  iK'culiar;  gray,  with  black-and-wliiti' wings  and  tail.  Habits  much 
the  same  as  those  of  Nucifraga;  alpine  and  sub-boreal,  pinicoline,  and  pinivorous.  Ono 
species,  confined  to  \V.  Amer. 

344.  P.  columbla'nus.     (Of  the  Columbia  River.     Fig.  270.)    Clarke's  Crow,     g  9 ,  adult : 
Uray,  often  bleaching  on  the  head  ;  wings  glossy  black,  most  of  the  secondaries  broadly  tipiicd 

with  white ;  tail  white,  including 
the  under  coverts ;  the  central 
feathers  and  usually  part  of  the 
next  pair,  together  with  the  up- 
jwr  coverts,  black.  Hill  and  feet 
black.  Iris  brown.  Length 
about  12.50;  extent  22.00;  wing 
7.00-8.00;  tail  4.00-5.00;  tar- 
sus 1.;$.");  bill  averaging  l.fi7 ; 
feet  from  1.2.i  to  1.?.").  Se.xe.s 
alike  in  cobir,  but  9  smaller  than 
(J.  Young  siuiihir,  but  browner 
ash.  There  is  great  ditl'erence 
FIO.  270. —Clarke's  Crow,  rolucfil.    (Slii'iipunl  dvl.    NIelioIs  sc.)        ji,    {],(.     shade     in    adults,     the 

phnnage  when  fresh  being  more  g1auc<>us-a!«li,  wearing  browner,  and  also  bleaching  in  ]>atclieH, 
especially  on  head.  Coniferous  belt  of  the  West,  X.  to  Sitka,  S.  to  Mexico,  K.  tti  Nebraska, 
W.  to  the  Coast  Hanges  ;  the  American  rejiresentative  of  the  European  nutcracker,  Kudfroyit 
Cari/ocatactes  ;  abundant,  imperfectly  gregarious.  A  remarkable  bird,  wild,  restless,  and  noisy, 
sometimes  congregating  by  thousands  in  the  pineries  of  the  W.,  roving  in  .search  of  fiKMJ. 
Breeds  high  in  pines,  in  alpino  and  northerly  localities,  concealing  the  nest  witli  care;  nest  of 
sticks  as  a  basis,  on  whicli  bark-strips,  gr.is.>ies,  and  other  fibrous  substances  are  well  matteil 
together.  Kggs  1.211  X  O.tKl,  light  grayish-green,  sja'ckled  and  blotched  with  grayish-brown 
au<l  lilac,  chiefly  about  the  larger  end. 
108.  GYMNOCIT'TA.  ((Jr.  yvfivcis.  (/«hi»io,s,  naked,  as  the  nostrils  are  ;  kitto,  A-i7/ff,  a  jay.)  Bl.fK 
Crows.  Mill  of  peculiar  shape,  with  nearly  straight  culmen  moimting  on  forehead,  thus  some- 
what as  in  Sluniclla,  between 
the  prominent  and  somewhat 
antrors('  antia',  which,  how- 
ever, do  not  hide  the  nostrils; 
slender,  tapering,  acute,  not 
notclied ;  gonya  stniightish, 
scarcely  a.sceuding.  Nostrils 
small,  oval,  entirely  exposed. 
Tail  nearly  stputre,  nmcli 
shorter  than  wings.  Wings 
long,  pointed,  folding  nearly 
to  end  of  tail ;   4th  primary 

longest,  8d  ami  3th  scarcely  Kio.  271.  — Blue  Crow,  nnt  size;  culiucn  too  convex.  (Atl  nat.  del,  E.C. ) 
shorter;  2d  shorter,  1st  shorter  still.  Feet  stout,  indicating  somewhat  terrestrial  luibits  ;  tar- 
sus longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw,  the  envelope  sulHlivided  behind  towards  the  Inittom. 
Claws  all  large,  strong,  and  much  curved.  Ctdor  bluish,  nearly  unifonn  :  wxes  alike.  Ono 
species. 

345.  O.  ryanoce'phala.     (Or.  nvavos,  kumws,  blue;  k€<^Xi;,  kephnle,  head.     Fig.  271.)     Hi.fK 
Cbow.     i  :  Dull  blue,  very  variable  in  iutcusity,  nearly  uniform,  but  brightest  on  head,  fading 


CORVIDJE—GABRULINJE:  JAYS. 


419 


on  belly ;  the  throiit  with  whitish  streaks ;  wings  dusky  on  the  inner  webs.  Rill  nntl  feet 
blaek.  Iris  brown.  Length  11.00-12.UO;  extent  1().50-1<J.O() ;  wing  5.50-0.00;  tail  alxnit 
4.50;  hill  1.33,  but  from  1.25-1.50;  9  smaller,  duller.  KiK-ky  Mt.  region:  uiueh  the  same 
elevated  distribution  as  the  last,  but  apjtarently  rather  more  southerly;  deeiiU'dly  greirarious, 
and  very  abundant  in  sonu'  ]daees.  A  remarkable  bird,  eombiuing  the  form  of  a  erow  with 
the  eolor  and  habits  of  a  jay,  and  u  jieeoliarly  sliaped  bill.  It  roves  about  in  noisy  restless 
flocks,  Sometimes  of  thousands,  in  seareh  of  food,  which  is  ]iine  seeds,  especially  piAones,  juni- 
per berries,  acorns,  etc.  Breeds  in  colonies  ;  nest  in  jiirlon  pines  and  other  evergreens,  compact 
but  bulky,  of  twigs,  and  fibrous  bark-strips  well  worked  together ;  eggs  3-i,  1.25  X  O.S7, 
greenish-white,  profusely  spotted  with  light  brown  and  purplish ;  laid  in  April. 

27.    Subfamily    OARRULIN>E:    Jays. 

-  -  ^  With  the  wings  much  shorter  than  or  about 

'  ^     ^^*  r^^''^'ni^>t^-         equalling  the  tail,  both  rounded;    tip  of  the 

.y      \^^B^^--''''^W^'^  ■■      wing  formed  by  the  4th-7th  (piills.     The  feet, 

-'^\^^^i^^-.£.i.    -  ItH^^^'^^      as  well  as  the  bill,  are  usually  weaker  than  in 

2^l$3^-  /"'      the  true  crows,  and  the  birds  are  more  strictly 
iv.^   -^      arhoriccde,  usually  advancing  by  leaps  when  on 
'-■^^?i       the  ground,  to  which  they  do  not  habitually  re- 
'\  wwHS^TiV^^^B9HE3B|^<^^i"        ^'"''-     I"  •'*triking  contrast  to  most  Corvhur,  tho 
_  wf^^v!!^KS^^ki> S  'J'      jays  are  usually  birds  of  bright  and  varied  colors, 

fTr^^j^^^flHR^Ill^R^^l^^^H^^^^O.''^      among  which  blue  is  the  most  prominent;  and 
■  '^T' 3BiHBsy^'s^^^^B('r'^  ^■'       the  head  is  frequently  crest«'d.     The  sexes  aro 
'>^^   =?~  nearly  alike,  and  the  changes  of  plumage  do 

Fto.'.tl'. -Kiiroiwnii  .lay  ((;.irni/«ii  (/famtariuo).     "<'t  aiqtear  to  U'  as  great  as  is  usual  among 
(Frniii  iiixiiii.)  higjily-colored  birds,  although  some  differences 

are  frequently  observable.  f)ur  well-known  lUue  Jay  is  a  familiar  illustration  of  the  habits  and 
traits  of  the  sin-cies  in  general.  They  are  found  in  nuist  i)arts  of  the  world,  and  reach  their 
highest  devehqiment  in  the  warmer  portions  of  America.  With  one  boreal  exception  (I'eri- 
goreiis),  tho  genera  of  the  Old  and  New  World  are  entiri'ly  diflerent. 

It  ispnqier  to  observe,  that,  while  the  American  Corritirc  and  frarruUna,  upon  which  tho 
foregoing  |iaragra|dis  are  mainly  drawn  up,  are  readily  distinguishable,  the  characters  given 
may  require  modification  in  their  application  to  the  whole  family,  the  diflerent  divisions  of 
which  appear  to  intergratle  closely.     Our  six  genera  are  easily  discriminated. 

AnnhiHis  c/  Uruint. 
NontriLs  l:iri;c.  nnkcil. 

Not  ort'sleil.    Goiiernl  color  brown P»ilorhinut    109 

Niwlrilx  iiiiNlurHti'.  oivurtMl  tiy  fi'iitlicrg. 

First  (iriiimry  iittoniiiiteil,  ritlcato:  tail  cxccciliiiKly  long,  grnilimtnl. 

Not  ircHtcil.    ColiirH  liliicli,  wliitc.  ami  iridt'm'ciit I'icn    110 

First  primary  not  attuiiiiale<l.     Tail  iiKMlcrarc. 

Crvstcil.     Kliie:  wiii);H ami  tail  liarrol  witli  black Ciinnix-itln    lit 

Nutcre«ttil.     liliiu:  wiiiKit  ami  tail  uiiliarrctl .4)>hiliH-i>mit    112 

Om^ii  ami  yellow,  with  blue  ami  black  on  head XmitUnnt    113 

dray,  with  Hiaty  wings  ami  tail I'lrianreut    114 

109.  PSILOUIII'NITS.  ((;r.  ^iKot,  pnUon,  smooth,  bare,  bald  ;  pit,  piimt,  hrU,  hrims,  nose.) 
Hkowx  Jays.  .*<Mf»KY  I'iKS.  Nostrils  exjiosed,  large,  rounded.  Mill  stout,  with  very  convex 
culmen,  curved  from  the  base.  Wings  and  tail  of  about  e<|ual  lengths,  both  rounded.  (Jf 
large  size,  and  sinoky-bn>wn  cohir ;  not  crested. 

346.  P.  mo'rio.  (Lat.  mono,  "  a  dark  brown  gem.")  BmtWN  Jav.  Sm(d«y-brown,  darker  on 
head,  fading  on  bidly  ;  wings  and  tail  with  bluish  gU)S8.     Hill  and  feet  black,  sometimes  yel- 


420 


Sl'SlEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSEIiES—  OSCINEH, 


li)W.     Lrnpth  nbout  Ifi.OO;  wini,'  nml  tail  almiit  8.((n,  tho  mrmiluatiou  of  tlio  litter  about  2.00  ; 

bill  1.25.     Uio  OiaiuU'  Valley  ami  :*initli\varil. 
110.    I'I'CA.     (Lilt.  i)im,  a  i)ic.)     Maiumks.     Tail  oxtromcly  long,  when  fully  tlovelnin'il  foniiini: 

iiuin!  than  i  the  total  loniftli,  tiraduattd  for  about  i  its  own  longtli ;  tbc  fi-atlicrs  willi  roumlcil 

rinln,  tbo  niitldle  i)air  at  least  ta)Hiinc,  au<l  six'cially  Ifnijtlipni'il  bcyoud  tbc  rest.     Hill  »(  imli- 

nary  corviiw  HbajM' ;  iins- 
trils  I'oiict'aliMl  by  loin;  iiii. 
Ral  tnt'ts.  VV'iiigs  sbori  ami 
roiiMiled,  witli  very  slmrt. 
narrow,  falcate  first  pri- 
uiary.  Feetntoiit;  tarsus 
little  loiii;iT  tlian  iiiidille 
too  aud  elaw.  Head  imt 
crested.  A  uakeil  sjiace 
about  eye.  I'lun)ai;eblael<, 
irido.sceut,  wilb  iiia.sses  of 
wbite ;  bill  blaek  or  yel- 
low. Sexe8  aliki*.  Habits 
arbor<>al  and  simiewbat  ter- 
restrial, —  very  irregular, 
in  faet,  u  nia^]iie's  p'Ueral 
eburaeter  being  nunc  of 
tlie  best,  tliougb  tlie  cc- 
nerie  eharacters  are  i  x- 
eelleut. 

I>.  riis'tlen  hiKlHon'irn. 
(fiat.  n».s^'crt,  rustle,  rural; 
run,  riiris,  tlie  country. 
Of  Hudson's  Hay.  Fig. 
iT'i-)  .MAdi'iK.  Lui»trous 
black,  with  green,  jiurple, 
violet,  and  even  golden 
iridescence,  especially  mi 
tliii  tail  and  wings.  He- 
low,  from  tbe  breast  to  tbo 
crissum,  a  scai>ular  patch, 
ami  a  great  |iait  of  the  in> 
uer  webs  of  the  primary 
<|uills,  white  ;  some  whit- 
ish touches  on  tbe  throat; 
h>wer  ba<'k  showing  gray, 
owing  to  mixture  of  white 
with  black  :  bill  and  feet 
black  ;      eyes      blackish. 


347. 


Fio.  273.  —  Magiiie,  re<liiiMMl.    ( Krniii  I>Uon. ) 


Length  15  or  20  inches,  according  to  the  development  of  the  tail,  which  is  a  fmrt  or  less  long, 
extremely  graduated  ;  extent  about  2  feet ;  wiug  about  8.00,  the  outer  primary  short,  slender, 
aud  falcate;  bill  1.23;  tjirsusl.67;  middle  too  and  claw  1.50.  9  rather  smaller  than  i,  but 
alike  in  color.  Arctic  Ainer.  and  U.  K.  from  Plains  to  Pacific,  except  C'alifoniia  ;  common. 
The  American  magpie  is  extremely  similar  to  the  notorious  binl  of  Europe,  and  attempts  to 
establish  specific  characters  have  failed.     It  is  a  rather  larger  aud  "  lietter"  bird,  though  quite 


:tl 


11 


^ 


COHrWJJ  —  GAimULIX.E :    J  A  YS. 


421 


Hf  niiirli  lit'  a  niHcal.  'I'ln'  nest  i»  jilacnl  in  thick  KhriiMM-ry,  an  liitf  '•''  ■''  I'lisiicl,  liriKtlinn  witii 
u  rliev<iu.r-(li''frise  mititiilc,  with  a  hitcral  nivcn-d  way  h'ailinu  to  tlir  in'st  vvitiiiii.  V.kK>*  "-U, 
1.2U  to  1.4U  h)iig  by  O.'.M)  to  I.IH)  broail,  pah-  ilrah,  ilottid,  ihi.xhi-il,  aii<l  hiotciitil  with  |iiir|iii.s|i- 
Imiwii. 
:IIM.  I*.  iiiit'tMlll.  (To  ThoH.  Niittall.)  Vki.i.ow-iiim.kh  MA<;nr..  Kill  ami  liare  kiucc  ah<mt 
fVf'  yellow.  OthiTwisf,  itrccinrly  like  the  last,  of  which  it  is  a  ]n-r|M'tiialcil  acci<lciit  !  The 
Kiiro|M'aii  iiia^]>i('  HoiiictiiiicN  i<howH  the  xaiiic  tliiiii;,  ami  in  i'linic  nthir  species,  like  7'.  innrin, 

the  liill  is  imlitl'ereiitly  Mack  or  yellow.     Calironii.i niiiinii. 

111.    t'YAMM'IT'TA.     (Kr.   Kvavos,  kKtiiion,   hhu  :  utTra,   lilhi,  a  jay.)     ('lti:.sTF.ii   lll.iK  .Iav.s, 
Coiispicuoiisly  crested  ;  wiii^s  aixl  tail  Mile,  Mack-harreil :  hill  ami  feet  hiack.     Leiifth  11.00- 

lii.OO;   wiiii;  or  tail  5.00-Ci.OO.     Nostrils  lar^e,  siihcirciilar,  Imt  coi aled.     Wiii^s  ami  tail  of 

eipial  leliKtIiii,  liotli  rounded.  Hind  claw  larue,  ei|uallinu  or  excecilint;  its  di^-jt  in  length. 
Then-  an*  two  fi])eci<>8  of  this  beautiful  p'lius,  one  liuht  blue  uud  white,  Kasteru,  staudiiig 
)|uit<>  alone  ;  the  other  Uimky-bodied,  Western,  running  into  seveml  varieties. 

Anfxt lints  of  SjHt'ii'f  and  I'ltrittUg^ 

rnrt>lliili-bluo,  whitoninK  Iwlnw,  with  u  liliivk  ciilliir crhtalti    340 

S(H)ly-lirii\viilHli  nr  -I>lackl8li,  liluliig  mi  IhmI>'  lit'lilnil.  wiiiipt  iiimI  mil ;  tlie  latlt-r  black-l>iirre<l. 

.SiNit.Y-liliioklKli ;  Htllo  If  niiy  liliic  oil  fiirelivail;  none  alKiiil  eye ;  wliiK-t'nvtTtH  iiiiliarru<l     .    .    ulellcH    3S0 

Si><>ty-lilackli«li;  but  blue' on  forelicad  ami  aliuve  vyu;  wilic-cDViTts  uiiliarrLMl aiiiurtiiiii    .'Ut 

ScKity-browiilHli,  blueoii  furebviul;  Utile  If  any  liluu  alxiut  eye  ;  wiiiK-t'ovcrtH  unli»rre<l .     .    J'iiii,''ilia    U53 
SiM>ty-bro\viilHli,  llic  cruRt  iiulto  blai'k.      Itlulnli-wliilu  Btreuks  uii  furvliuail  and  al>out  eye ;  \vliit(- 
rovcrlii  black-barrol uminilfjilm    IWi 

3I«.  r.  rrlHtii'ttt.  (Lat.  t•»•l.s/«^l,  crested.  Fig.  J7J.)  UuT.  Jav.  <J  :  I'lirpli.sh-Mue,  beh>w  pale 
purplish  -  gray,  whitening  uii 
throat,  belly,  and  crissmn.  A 
black  collar  acros.s  lower  throat 
and  up  the  sides  of  tint  neck  ami 
bead  behind  the  crest  ;  a  black 
frontlet  bonh'red  with  whitish. 
Wings  and  tail  pure  rich  blue, 
with  black  bars,  the  greater 
coverts,  secondaries,  and  tail- 
feathers,  except  the  central, 
broadly  tipped  with  pure  white  ; 
tail  much  rounded,  the  gradua- 
tion ii\)-r  an  inch.  Length 
11.00-1  J.OO  ;  extent  Ki.OO- 
1?. .')();  wing  and  tail,  each, 
.").00-().00 ;  bill  l.-Io;  tarsus 
1. ;{,").  9  similar,  not  so  richly 
blue  :  smaller.  There  is  much 
diHerence  in  size  b.-twoeii  north-  ^"'  ""^^  "  "'""  •'"J-  '^'''<-'^'-   <si.ei.i.ar.|  .lol   SIcholii  «c.) 

em  and  .southern  bred  birds,  as  in  the  AfielmiK.  Florida  specimens  are  particularly  small,  the 
bill  relatively  larger,  the  crost  h-ss,  the  white  <in  winys  and  tail  restricted  ;  as  worthy  as 
Some  iither  Floridau  races  to  be  named  (C.  r.  Jlnriiicola,  X.).  Ka.stern  X.  A.,  esjiecially  I'.  S., 
but  X.  to  Hudson's  Bay;  W.  to  the  central  plains;  a  very  abundant  resident  or  balf-iniirratory 
bird,  breeding  throughout  its  range;  ii  well-known  char.icter  I  Xest  in  trees  and  hushes,  or 
any  odd  nook,  large  and  substantial;  eggs  5-()  in  number,  1.00  to  l.iO  long  by  0. SO  to  0.90 
broad,  drab-colored  with  brown  spots. 

350.   C.  stcl'Ierl.    (To  CI.  W.  Steller.)    Stei.i.eii'h  Jay.     ^  9:  Whole  head,  neck,  and  bark  s<M»ty 
blackisli,  little  if  any  lighter  on  throat,  and  with  little  if  any  blue  in  furehead  or  about  eyes  ; 


422 


SYSTJ-LMA TIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  PASSERES  —  OSCINES. 


I     t|: 


tliiH  Booty  color  iMixniiii;  niBtiisibly  on  tlii'  nmip  niid  breast  into  dull  l>lui'.  Winjfs  uiul  tiUl 
rii'licr  Vtliii',  <To«.Mnl  witli  nnnu'rouH  Muck  Itnri*,  not  on  tho  secondary  covcrtn.  Kill  and  feet 
black.  Youun  more  fiiliKinoU!*,  the  \vin>.'-bars  faint  if  not  wanting.  Size  of  tlio  Eastern  jay, 
or  ratiier  larger.  Tacitic  coa!*f  region.  (>rev;oii  to  Ala:»ka,  K.  to  the  HiM-ky  Mts.,  where  inoscii- 
liitinK  with  C.  ».  macrolopha.  Tiiis  is  the  typical  form,  with  little  or  no  blue,  no  whitish  on 
head,  and  niibaiTcd  wing-covens ;  rnnninK  ihroiij;h  anuevtens,  frontalis,  anil  nmcrolophn  into 
some  very  diHerent  Mexican  forms.  Habits,  nest,  and  effgs  as  described  under  iiiacrolopha. 
3S1.  C.  B.  annec'tens.  (Lat.  aiiHeclens,  anutxiuf;.)  Hlack-iikahki)  Jay.  This  name  has  been 
ftiven  to  specimens  directly  connecting  stelUri  and  mitcivhpha.  General  tone  of  the  former ; 
<|uite  blackish,  short-crested,  with  plaiit  wiuj,'-covert8 ;  but  blue  frontal  streaks  and  whitish 
eye-patch  of  the  latter.  N.  IJocky  Mts.,  I'.  .S. 
353  C\  B.  froiita'Us.  (Lat.  frotiUili.s,  |)ertaininf,'  to  from,  tho  forehead.)  BurK-FHONTED  Jay. 
SiKiiUA  ,Iay.  An  offset  from  stelleri ;  the  sooty  color  rather  brownish  than  blackish  ;  the  bluo 
of  ilitferent  shade  on  body  from  the  deep  indigo  on  wings  and  tail;  whole  crest  gios.sed  with 
bluish,  and  conspicuous  blue  streaks  on  forehead;  no  whitish  eye-patches;  wing-coverts 
obsolctely  or  not  barred.  Sierras  Xevadas  of  California. 
3ft3<  C.  8.  macrolopha.  (Gr.  fioKpos,  makros,  long ;  \6(pot,  InphoK,  crest.  Fig.  275.)  Loxn- 
CUESTEU  Jay.     IJetter  marked  than  tho  connecting  links.     ,$  9  '•  Upper  parts  sooty  uudter- 

browu,  with  a  faint  bhio 
tinge,  blackening  on 
head  and  neck  all 
around  in  decided  con- 
trast, ]>assiug  on  rump 
and  upjier  tail-coverts 
into  beautiful  light  co- 
balt-blue; passing  on 
fore  breast  into  tho 
same  blue  which  (Hum- 
pies all  the  under  parts. 
Crest  black,  but  faciul 
on  forehead  with  bluish- 
white,  which,  when  the 
Fio.  27S.  —  Lonu-crcstwl  .lay,  nat.  size.    (Ailnat.  <lcl     E.  C.)  feathers    are    not   dis- 

turbed, runs  in  two  parallel  lines  from  the  nostrils  U]iward  —  these  colored  tips  of  the  feathei-sof 
firmer  texture  than  their  basal  portions.  One  or  both  eyelids  patched  with  white.  Chin  ab- 
ruptly whitish,  streaky.  Exposed  surfaces  of  wings  rich  intligo-blue,  most  intense  on  the 
inner  .>iecondaries,  which,  with  the  greater  coverts,  are  regularly  and  firmly  barred  across  both 
webs  with  black  ;  the  outer  webs  of  the  immaries  lighter  blue,  more  like  that  of  the  rump  or 
under  ])arts.  rpi)er  surface  of  tail  rich  indigo,  like  the  .secondaries,  and  sindlarly  black-barred; 
these  bauds  most  distinct  towards  the  ends  and  on  the  outer  webs  of  the  feathers  ;  tail  viewed 
from  below  a|)pearing  mostly  blacki.sh.  Iris  dark.  Dill  and  feet  black.  ]..eugth  12.00-I.1.(M) ; 
extent  17.00-10.00;  wing  rj..')0-R..'jO;  tail  the  same;  bill  1.12;  tamis  1.50;  middle  tin-  and 
claw  l.,'i;{.  Sexes  ijuite  alike,  but  9  "'  *'>•'  lesser  diiuensions  given.  Crest  btnger  than  in 
northeni  ste/fcn,  sometimes  U.OO.  Young:  Much  more  sooty;  below  entirely  fuligiu(uis,  with 
tho  future  blue  indicated  by  an  ashy  or  grayish  shade.  Wings  and  tail  nearly  as  bright  blue  as 
in  the  adult,  but  the  black  bars  faint  or  wanting.  Crest  shorter,  not  ipiite  black,  not  faced  with 
blue,  and  no  white  alK)Ut  eyes.  This  form  melts  into  C.  dindenmla  of  Mexico,  which  is 
bluer;  and  this  is  near  the  quite  blue  C.  coronata.  Rocky  Mt.  regiiui,  IT.  S.,  es|)ecially 
southerly;  a  common  bird  of  the  pint*  belt,  displaying  in  marked  degree  the  tiotorions  attributes 
of  its  genus,  or  genius.     Nest  in  trees  and  bushes,  usually  concealed  with  art,  though  bulky; 


CORVIDJK  -  GARHVUS.K :    J  A  VS. 


498 


eggft  5-fi.  1.25  to  1..'55  X  •••8(>  to 0.90,  jiuli-  bltii»h-gr<rii,  profiimly  siH)tt<Ml  ami  blotclird  with 
(liii'k  oliTr-limwii  tiiiil  lijjliter  linixvii. 
112.  APIIKL0'C03IA.  ((Jr.  d(/><Xi}t,  iiithehs,  Hinontli,  hIccU  ;  no/ii;,  kome,  Imir:  uUmliiig  to  tlif 
litck  of  crpst.)  Chkhtlkss  Mi.rK.lAYM.  (jcufnilly  an  in  r//<(»i(W»((.  Iliail  iinrnnlcil.  Tail 
loii>{(>r  or  Hliortcr  tliaii  wiiiirH,  iiintcail  of  uljoiit  f<|ual,  Ki-ailnatnl  (In  sunn'  i-xlniliinital  f.inns 
nltoiit  oipial  to  the  wing  anil  even).  Tarsn»  ratlnr  lonijiT  tlniii  niiildlf  too  ami  i-law.  \Viiii;s 
nnil  tail  blue,  without  Mack  barn,  ami  bliif  th(!  chief  body-color;  wliitich  nndcrncath,  with 
(usnully)  or  without  a  gray  jiatch  on  tho  buck.     All  Houtlicrn  ami  South wcHtcrn. 

Annlytin  of  Sjurl'i  nnil   t'liriilim. 

Tall  loiigpr  tliaii  wlngii,  griKluated.    Above  Iilue,  with  uniy  ilnrml  oroa;  belly  <lliigy  whltUli;  a  »iipcr- 

vllliiry  KtrliM-,  niiil  tlio  tliruut  utrcnky. 
Fiirvlionil  lioiiry-wliltu;  miiiuri'lllury  iitrl|ia  not  wvl|.<lutliicil.    Dtireal  piitcli  wclUletliiol.    CrlMiuii 

blue,  cimtrnHtliig  with  grnylnb  inidor  piirfg jlnrulniut    3M 

Fun'lionil  blue;  iiu|Mtrclllury  Rtrlim  illHtliict.     IXirmtl  pntcli  UIhIcIIiioiI,  uprvailliig  aii<l  blulali.    <'rli>»um 

liliiiKli,  liMl  mil  well  u«iitriutt<»l  wltli  iliiigy  imilcr  purl* iriuiilhiiiinii    'Mti 

Fori'liciul  bliio;  Riiiwrclllury  atrl|io  illHtlnvt.    DorMtl  piitoh  wcll-(letliio<l.    Crliwuni  wliltUli  llkr  otliur 

miller  part* riih/ntniia    3S0 

Tall  ratlier  Hlmrtcr  tliun  wing,  rouDilod,    Blue,  without  dotlnlto  doriutl  area,  ur  iMctoral  or  iU|iuroUiiiry 

atroaks ari:onit    357 

3.14.  A.  florldtt'lia.  (Of  Florida.)  Fi.oKinA  Jav.  (J  9:  Hluc ;  back  with  a  Binall  wcll-dcfini'd 
gray  iiatcli  not  invading  Hcaixihirs  ;  bcdly  and  sides  jtalc  grayisii;  under  tail-coverts  and  tibitu 
btiu>  ill  marked  contra.'<t ;  much  hoary  whitish  on  forehead  and  sides  of  crown,  but  no  shar|i  whit<< 
superciliary  Htripe;  chin,  throat,  and  middle  of  breast  vague  streaky  wliitish  and  bliiisli  ;  ear- 
coverts  dusky;  the  blue  that  seems  to  encircle  the  bead  and  neck  well  (h'fined  against  the  uray 
of  back  and  breast.  liill  comjiarfttively  short,  very  stout  at  the  base.  Length  11. 00-li. ,'>(), 
average  11.7');  extent  l;{. 50-1.'). (10,  average  14.50;  wing  1.00-4.75,  average  4.40 ;  tail  4.50- 
5,50,  average  5.00,  always  longer  than  wing;  bill  about  1.00.  Florida  (and  (iulf  States  f), 
abundant.  Very  local,  ami  not  authentic  as  iMTurring  outsi(h>  of  Florida.  Usual  habits  of 
jays.  Nest  a  Hat  structure,  in  bushes,  of  twigs  lined  with  iibres.  Kggs  4-5,  bluish-green, 
8|mringly  speckled,  chielly  at  larger  eml,  with  brown,  1.00  X  O.SO. 

355.  A.  f.  womlliou'sll.  (To  S.  W.  Woodhouse.)  Wookiioisk's  Jav.  Tho  dorsal  patch  dark, 
glos.sed  with  blue,  shading  into  the  bliK^  of  sun-oiinding  jmrts  ;  under  parts  rather  darker  than 
ill  C.  flofidann,  somewhat  bluish-gray  ;  the  under  tail-coverts  bluish  but  not  contrasted ;  oii 
the  breast  the  blue  and  gray  shading  into  each  other,  the  gular  and  jiectoral  streaks  wliitish 
and  well-dptined,  the  superciliary  line  definite  white,  but  no  hoary  on  forehead  ;  bill  slenderer. 
(J  9  '  ndnlt :  (ioneral  color  blue,  rich  and  jture  on  the  winns,  tail,  runiii,  crown,  back  and  sides 
of  neck,  and  on  the  breast  surrounding  the  streaky  white  area.  Midtlle  of  back  aii<l  scapulars 
dark  gray  much  tinged  with  blue,  shading  insensibly  into  the  surrounding  blue.  Upper  and 
under  tail-coverts  blue.  Under  parts  from  the  breast  gray,  with  blue  tinge  (in  ailijortiicn 
nearly  white).  Chin,  throat,  and  breast  with  a  series  of  whitish  blue-edgeil  streaks,  enclosed 
in  surronmling  blue.  Lores,  orbits,  and  auricnlars  dusky.  A  series  of  shaqi  white  streaks 
over  and  behind  eye.  Wings  and  tail  blue  ;  the  inner  webs  of  most  of  the  ([uills,  and  the  tail 
viewed  from  below,  dusky.  The  iiiniT  Hecondaries  and  tail-feathers,  chmely  examined,  show 
obsolete  barring,  like  that  which  beconies  iironounccd  in  Cijawmtta,  but  the  traces  are  faint, 
and  the  feathers  may  be  properly  called  plain.  Iris  brown  ;  bill  and  feet  black.  Length  of  $, 
about  12.00:  extent  10.50;  wing  5.00;  tail  6.00;  bill  1.12;  tarsus  1.50;  middle  tiM- and  claw 
1.33.  9  Rinallcr:  nverago  11.23  ;  extent  13.50,  ctn.  Young  :  Wings  and  tail  as  in  the  adult ; 
Hp|wr  parts  mostly  gray  :  under  parts  grayish-white,  with  little  or  no  blue  tin  the  breast,  the 
pectoral  streaks  undefined,  as  are  those  over  the  eye.  Km-ky  Mt.  region,  from  Wyoming  and 
Idaho  southward.  Habits,  nest  and  eggs  us  in  other  S]M>eies.  Tho  egi;s  in  this  genus  usually 
differ  from  those  of  Cyanocitta,  by  more  greenish  ground  color  and  bolder  marking,  cs|)cciully 


424 


.sySJl-:MA TIC  J:iYXOl'SIS.  —  PASSEUEH—  OSCIXES. 


ut  llie  larpT  rw\.  In  rcKums  when  WimmHkiusc'h  ami  tlic  loiig-crestcd  jiiy«  occur  together,  tlio 
hitter  lives  eliieliv  in  tiie  \i\ws,  the  fninier  in  the  Hcnih-ouk  and  other  thickets. 

360>  A.  f.  PMllixriilra.  (<  >t' <  iiiitonila.)  ('Ai.irnuMA  Jay.  The  dorsal  patch  light  ami  distinct 
as  in  A.  Jliiriildvii,  Imt  iln  under  parts,  including  tail-coverts  and  tihia-,  nearly  white ;  gular 
Htreaks  very  large,  aggre;;iit<i".  and  white,  causing  the  tliroat  to  lie  nearly  uniform;  a 'vliite 
sM|ierciliary  line,  iu<  in  tn><i  Ihohsii.  hut  ni' hoary  on  forehead;  hill  slemler.  'riius  it  is  seen  that 
eiich  of  the  three  forms  presei.ts  a  '  arying  emphasis  of  conunou  characters.  (J  9  >  adult: 
(Jeneral  color  hliie.  Scapulars  ami  interscapulars  gray,  with  little  if  any  tinge  of  hlue;  rump 
iind  upper  tail-coverts  Iduish-gray,  usually  miNcd  with  some  white.  Forehead  and  nasal  tufts 
lilue  like  crown;  a  sharp  white  superciliary  strii>e  over  and  hehiud  eye;  lores,  eyelids,  and 
aiiriculars  hlackish.  I'lider  jiarls  tVom  the  hreast  -oiled  white,  with  little  or  no  tinge  of  hlue 
except  on  cr'ssmi; ;  hreast  ap|iearing  as  if  hlue,  overlaid  with  hroad  white  stripes,  which  hecouu' 
contiuu'Ms  on  throat  and  chiu  ;  il'e  'ureast  is  really  v  hiti',  in  streaK;.  edi;.'d  with  hlue,  and  with 
a  .(irrounding  of  hlue  iu  which  the  <treaks  are  as  if  framed.  Iris  hrown ;  hill  and  feet  hlaek. 
Length  li.tH)  or  h'ss;  whig  5.(KI ;  tiiil5.50;  lelll.OO;  tarsus  1.50;  middle  tuv  iiml  rliuv  1.25. 
in  I'nmparison  with  iriioilhousii,  •liffe-en-es  are  seen  in  the  well-detiiu'd  gray  dorsal  patch  ;  the 
iM'arly  white  u)iderparts  without  decidedly  hlue  crissum  ;  and  tin  hroader  and  nuire  continuously 
white  gular  streaks.     The  general  huhitu,  nest,  nnil  eggs  are  the  same. 

357.  A.  iiItrHniiirriiu  iirlzo'iitr.  (Lat.  iillrinttariiiti,  hiyond  the  .sea,  iiumc  of  a  hlue  color.)  Altl- 
ziiNA  .Iav.  neliingiiii,'  to  a  different  section  of  the  genus,  distinguished  hy  having  the  tail 
rather  shorter  than  longer  than  the  wings,  the  up|H'r  parts  uniform  hlue,  and  no  throat-streaks. 
<J  9 1  adult:  Ahove,  liylit  hlue,  purer  on  head,  wings,  ami  tail  than  on  hack,  where  rather 
dull,  neneath,  sordiil  hluisli-gray,  hhiest  on  hrea.<t,  pahr  on  throat,  whitening  on  helly, 
tiauks,  aix!  crissum.  Lores  hlackiih  ;  orhits  and  auriculars  dark.  No  super '<liary  si  ripe,  nor 
decided  streaks  ou  throat  or  hrmst.  Mill  normally  hlack,  sometimes  irreyularly  patched  with 
wiiitish.  Feet  hlack.  Length  aho!it  111.00;  winir  fi.-i.'i-fi.?.') ;  tail  ().00-(i.50,  rounded,  the 
luleiul  feathery  gracluated  'iltout  0..')() :  hill  l.i'.),  0.10  deep  at  lia.se:  tarsus  I.C)?  ;  miiliile  toe  and 
claw  l.'M.  Voung:  Little  if  any  hlue  e.\cepting  on  wings  and  tail,  heing  dull  gray  ahove; 
below,  mui  h  like  the  adult.  Hill  tie.di-coloreil  ou  most  of  under  iiiandilih'.  Ari/ona,  and 
prcihahly  New  .Mcvico;  N.  to  ahuiit  .'1,')°.  (C.  nonlida,  lid.,  1S.")H;  Comcs,  l^'ii,  may  he  u 
variety  of  .vor'.iWd,  hut  it  \»  ,ir'..l>ahly  going  too  far  to  bring  in  ultmiiKirimi,  ami  make  both 
this  ami  iii->:oti(C  varietu>s  >i(  norilitla.) 
H£.  XANTIir'KA.  {(Jr.  fii^or.  mi/^/io;.  yellow:  of/m,  if'ira,  tail.)  fJitKKN  Jayh.  No  crest. 
Wings  sii'H-t,  iiiiirh  iitiinileil,  with  lei  gtli -ned  inner  .xrcondaries  foldiii;:  nearly  over  thi'  pri- 
liiiiries.  Tail  1.  iiiii-r  than  wings,  irra<iuited.  Hill  short  and  ileep,  with  ciilmeu  curved  from 
tl.e  base,  ('(dors  green  ■  ml  yellow,  with  l.l.ick  and  hlue  on  head.  Several  tropical  species  of 
these  luxurious  jays,  one  reachiiit;  our  border. 

35N.   X.  lux!sr!'»'su.      fLat.  lu.niriosii,  li'.<;inous.      Coiiiinoiily  writte^i  liu-uomi.)     liin  GitAM>K 

iJay.     .\dult  (Jf :   Hack  and  exposi'd  suifac f  wings  yellowish-green  :  inner  webs  of  iiiost  of 

the  (piills  bhicki>-h  eduid  with  clear  vcIIdw  :  their  shafts  idack  above,  yellmv  or  whitish 
beli'W  ;  lining  of  winu.<  clear  yellow.  F'>nr  middle  tail-feathers  greeni;  li-blue,  at  base  little 
dill'c-eiit  from  back,  bluing  ttiward  mds;  these  fciihers,  si'ca  from  below,  t|uiti'  black;  other 
tail-fea'hers  all  clear  rich  yellow,  includiiu;  their  shafts.  I'nder  pints  from  the  breast  liirht 
gre  'ni  li-y/'llow.  yieldiiit;  to  piuM'  yellow  on  middle  of  belly.  Top  of  head  and,  na.s,il  pliuuuleM 
beautiful  rich  blue,  ynidiiig  on  forehead  to  hoary-white.  Sides  of  head  to  above  eyes,  and 
whole  chin,  thmat,  and  fore-ln-e,ist  jet  black,  enelosiiuf  i.  large  triangular  i)ateh  of  bine  on 
the  sii'.e  of  the  lower  jaw.  and  blui'  touches  ^  u  the  eyelids.  Hill  and  feet  black.  Leiiirtli 
ll.2.')-li.(M);  extent  1  1.,">()-1j,.)0  ;  wiiii:  i..">0-,).00 ;  tail  ."..i'.'i-.)./.") ;  tarsus  LSO  :  middh'  t>ie 
mid  claw  1.25;  bill  l.tKt,  very  .stout.  9  near  the  lesser  of  the  ilimen.sion.s  given.  This  truly 
elegant  bird  is  ahiindant  in  soiiu   liH-alities  in  the  Lower  Ilio  (Jiando  valley.     Nest  in  hushes 


114 


a,->i 


:«« 


iitt 


:i(l- 


l'ohvida:—  (iAiwrLi.wE:  .i.i  vs. 


l-2.'> 


and  Kiiiiill  trees,  ImlUy,  of  twii{»  witli  ftiier  liiiiiij;;  mn*  usually  'I-l-,  l.lu  X  '••'^0,  i;reciii-.li- 
(Irali,  iiiai'Ui'il  as  usual  with  lu'owus. 
114.  I'KltlSO'KICUS.  ((ir.  irf^iKTotiitCw,  jurisdiriKt,  I  Ijeap  up;  ju'cilialdy  iu  alliisinu  to  tlie 
lioai'diug  III'  thievish  jirojiensities  nl'  jays.)  (iUAV  Javs.  Xnt  cresleil.  I'luinaKe  sufl.  t'ui!  an. I 
lax,  txrayish  nr  sooty.  ItiU  very  shoi1,  not  deep  hut  wide  at  l>a.se  ;  euliiieu  litth'  eurvid  ; 
i;onys  a.seeudin^.  Wiiijis  and  tail  of  ap]iroxiuiately  e(|ual  leiiu'ths;  latter  L'radualeil.  .V 
cireuuipidar  and  horual  or  alpiue  genus,  of  one  species  in  Anu'riea,  with  several  varieties. 

Auiih/Hi.1  I'/  t'tirirtii  n. 

Dark  IkhkI  mixlerato  ;  forclieml  wtilto;  tiack  l>riiwiilHli-i!ni>,  Ktrt'iikiil rutunliiiii.^  :w.i 

Dark  liiMxl  extfimivc;  forulicuil  Hiiiuky  :  limk  lirnwiiish-uniy,  iiiislrciikc<l fitmi/miit  M*\ 

Dark  IkxoI  I'Xteiii'lvi' ;  forelivail  wliiliHli ;  liatk  ImiwiiiKli,  uiili  wlilti;  Hluifllliii'H otmciinii  liill 

Dark  liiKxl  restrictetl;  forulivail  uxtuiialvely  wliitu;  liuck  atiliy-tiniy,  iiiiHtroakiHl injnlulix  Mi 

3S0.  1*.  oaiiiMloii'sls.  (Of  Canada.  V'tii.  27<i.)  Caxaha  .Iav.  \\'lll.><Kf;v  .Ia<  K.  .Moo.sk- 
ItlUK.  "ray,  whileninn  oil  heail,  ueeli,  and  hreast  ;  a  dark  cap  on  liind  head  and  nape,  sep- 
arated hy  a  jirny  ei-rvical  eidlar  from  the  asliy-pluiiiheous  buck  ;  winifs  and  tail  pluniheous, 
'*.e  feathers  ohseurely  tijiped  with  whitish.  Hill  and  feet  hlaek.  Yoiiiif,' :  Mueh  darker, 
sooty  or  snioky-luown  :  tiie  lilearhiujt;  protrresses  indetinitely  with  ai;e.  L>  igth  lO.UU- 
11. (H);  extent  aliout  Ui. on  :  wiiiji  .">.i5~ 
5.;.">  ;  tail  rather  more,  jiraduated;  uir- 
sus  \.'M;  hili  under  1,  shaped  like  a 
titmouse's,  .Vrelie  Am.  into  the  \. 
States,  N.  W.  to  Alaska;  breeds  in 
.Maine  and  northward ;  rexident,  ami 
seldom  seen  south  of  its  lireedinif  ranije. 
'I'he  "  WisskachoM  "  (wheia-e  "  whisk- 
ey .)ohn"and  then  "whiskey  Jaek  ") 
is  lilted  for  the  fiuiiliarily  ami  impu- 
dence with  which  it  haiiLfs  about  the 
hunter's  eamp  to  steal  provisions,  for 
eonsortint,'  with  moose,  and  for  m'siimr 
in  winter  or  early  spriiii;.  Xi'st  usually 
on  the  boufihof  a  spruce  or  other  coni-  Fio.  iTU.-lJaiiuJa.lay,  rwluciil.  (Sliipiuir.!  .M.  Xleli.iliiw,) 
ler,  a  larije  substantial  striicture,  ;>f  twii;s,  (jrasses,  inos.ses,  and  feathers  ;  etrus  U-+,  l.:i(l  X 
d.S.').  yellowish -t'l'ay  to  pale  Kr(  eli,  finely  dotteil  and  blotched  with  hmwii  and  slati',  or  lavender, 
especially  about  the  larger  end  ;  others  more  unilorndy  and  lartjely  blotched  ;  variation  wide, 
as  in  other  Jays. 

;j«0.  I*.  «'.  fll'lllifroiis.  (Lat../'/(m«s,  smoke:  jVnOS,  forehead.)  Ai.ASKAN  .Iav.  SM!TTV-NnM.l> 
Jav.  ."^'imilar  :  colonitimi  darker  and  diiiui"r  throughout  ;  white  ..f  t'orehead  ob.sciiie.l  .h-  oblit- 
erated by  smoky-gray.     Coast  nirion  of  Alaska. 

:i(Sl.  **•  »'•  ohM-n'riw.  (I,,at.  ohnruriiM,  idi.scin'e.)  (htntitix  .Iav.  More  ditl'erent :  dark  hood 
eiicro.ichiuj.' Ill  crown,  not  well  detiind;  upper  parts  imibci-brovnish  rather  than  ]iiumbeous, 
the  f.athiis  with  white  shatt-lin.> ;  tail  n.'t  distinctly  tipped  with  whitish.  I'acitii'  coast 
reiriim,  ( >r.  uoii  to  Sitka. 

:uyz.  ''•  «'.  eii|ilta  Hh.  (i.at.  ai/iitiili.t.  lapital,  lehitinir  to  the  heail,  r((y;i(/,)  HocKV  MiUNrAlv 
Jav.  lieiieral  color  ashy-plumbeous,  or  hitdeii-gray,  jialer  below;  wimrs  and  tail  blii.'kish, 
vith  a  jMruliar  ulaiifotis  shade,  no  If  frosted  or  silveri.l  over.  'Ihe  body-<'olot  ffivini;  way  .m 
the  brea.st  and  liiM'k  to  whitish,  established  as  hoary-white  on  tlii'  head,  isolatiiiu  the  narrow 
w.  ll-ili'tined  nuchal  band  of  sooty-iiiay.  Xo  white  lines  on  '  I'k  .  tail-leathers  iii>tincil_\  tipped 
with  whitish,  and  much  edirint;  of  the  same  oil  the  winjjs.  The  clearer  colors  generally —  back 
rati  ir  bliiish-uray  than  browni>h-irray,  very  white  head  with  narrow  nuidial   band       pro.lui" 


426 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  SSHRES—  OSCINES. 


a  l)irtl  (liffcrinj^  visibly  fnmi  tlic  onliimry  >;n»y  jay.  Tin*  clianm'ft  of  |iliiiiiiiu<>  with  uko  are 
IHirallcl.  Si/t'  at  a  iiiaxiiiiinn.  I.tii>;tli  alxpiit  l:i.(M);  (.'Xtciit  17.00;  wiiii;  aiiti  tail,  cacli,  tii-ar 
A.OO  ;  bill  0.7.'j ;  tai-Mis  1..H0;  niidillc  tiH'  ami  rlaw  l.OU.  S.  Itc  ky  Mt.  rcKitui,  <'s]Hrially 
Coliirado,  Wyoming,  N.  Ni'W  Mt'xicu  ami  Arizona,  Malio  and  Montana,  northward  Hhadin^ 
into  ty])ical  cauuilvHsis.     The  high  luuuutaiuM  uf  Culorudo  furuish  tht*  oxtrunu>  vum^h. 


10.    Family    STURNID-iE :     Old    "World    Starlings. 


116. 


-rgi 


1! 


i 


^  ' V^  .—  I. , 

Klii.jrr  —  Tlie  starling.  (From  IHx.pii.) 
of  till"  iipiMT  inniidiblo  ;  oouiiiiirtHUro  olituwly  anjfulatid  ;  •lidcK  of  lowiT  niamliblf  .xtrnhi-  tdy 
dtiiiidcil  and.  i-iini  wliat  <'xrav. 'rd  j  fratix'pt  Hllinif  the  iiitcnuiual  Ni>ar.  •;  im  bristles  about  tlu' 
Mil.      NVin>{«  Ion;;  and   |Miinti'.i ;  \?.\    priMntry  mmrions  a. id  vrry  .small;    id  uud  iid   lnutti'iit, 


A  family  contint'd  to 
thi'Old  World:  diHii-nll 
to  charartrrizf,  owin^  to 
tlu-  Variety  of  forms  it 
includes.  Apitarently 
rtdated  to  the  Ictrriiltr, 
from  whieh  distin^'uisbed 
by  the  jireseuce  of  tm 
primaries  the  first  short 
or  (piile  spnrioMs.  'I'ho 
only  form  with  which  we 
have  here  to  do  is  the 
jreniis  Stitnius,  belong* 
iufi  to  the 

28.   Subfamily 

8TURNIN>C:  Typical 

Starlings. 

STl-K'Nirs.  (l.at.  star- 
mis,  a  .'-tare  or  >tarlinu.) 
StAHMNUS.    ISill  shapeil 

soniew'iat  as  in  Stiirmlla 
or  Jrlrrus,  but  widened 
and  llattened ;  ratlier 
shorter  than  head;  eul- 
men  anil  ^onys  about 
straight,  both  irently 
rounded  in  traiisNersp 
section,  and  at  the  tip ; 
tlie  culmcn  rising  high 
on  the  foridi)  ad,  dividing 
prominent  antia'  which 
extend  into  tlu'  wtdl- 
niarUcd  misal  fossa> ;  n 
conspicuous  nasal  scale, 
overirching  tlie  nostrils  ; 
toi  lial  edges  of  mandibes 
dilated,    especially   tli  iKe 


s 


STUIiNWyK—  mUIiXIXyE :    TYl'ICAL    STAJiLIMiS. 


4i7 


rest  rapidly  ^ruiliiuted.  'I'liil  of  12  fcatlicn-,  ciii»r),niuitc,  littlf  iimre  tliuii  lialf  ax  Inii^  uh  thi> 
wiiii;.  Ft'i't  shnrt ;  tarsus  of  strictly  ost-iiK' ]iui|iitlH'cu,  r'ciiti'llatt'  uikI  lainiiii|ilaiitar,  almut  as 
1(111^'  as  iiiiiidii-  too  withiiiit  its  daw.  Lateral  tors  of  siilM'<{iial  Iriigths,  tlirir  rlaws  falliui; 
short  of  l)asi>  of  iniddlt'  i-law;  liitid  claw  about  as  lou^r  as  its  <ligit.  l'luiiiai;i'  iiii'tallii'  ami 
iridi'sci'iit,  till-  feathers  all  distinctly  outlined. 
.110.  8.  viilKiirlM.  (Lat.  ci/A/^/'/.v.  viilt'ar,  eoiimioii.  Fig.  277.)  Tin:  St.\ki.i.n»i.  Ailult :  (ien- 
cral  |>liiiiiaKe  of  metallic  lustre,  iridesciiii;  dark  grc  ,i  on  most  |iai1s,  more  steel-ldne  on  the 
under  |iarts,  and  violet  or  iiuridish-ldue  on  the  fore  jiarts  ;  more  or  less  variepited  thront;liiiut 
with  |iah-  ochraeeoUH  or  whitish  tips  of  the  feathers.  Wiiifs  and  tail  fuscous,  the  exposed 
jiarts  of  the  feathers  somewhat  frosty  or  silvery,  with  velvety-Mack  ami  pale  oclirey  mari:in- 
iiifrs,  the  foruu'r  within  the  latter.  Hill  yellowish:  feet  reddish.  Youn;;  and  in  winter: 
lMnma^e  moro  iioavily  variegated  throughout,  with  larger  tawny-lirowii  spots  on  the  upiM-r 
])arts,  and  white  ones  below  ;  wings  and  tail  stronirly  edged  with  brown;  bill  dark.  Length 
about  .S..")() :  wing  .).(MI:  tail  2.7'):  bill  !.(((»;  tarsus  l.Dd:  middle  toe  and  daw  1.2.').  Kuropi-, 
etc.,  one  of  the  longest  and  best  kiiuwn  of  birds.  Has  stragt'lcd  to  (ireeidand  in  one  knowu 
iii.'taiice. 


2.  «t  ii()iii.i;ii    I'.vSSKlJES   MKSOMYODl.    <>U   CL.VM.VTOIJK.S : 
N<ix-MKi.(>i)i<»i'.s   im    S(>Mll.l:^ss    I'asskiiks. 

Mrmmn/ixlian  sriilfllijiliiiitiir  ]'<issfren  with  ten  fiillj/  ilrri'liijii'it  jirimnrles.  —  Syrinx  with 
fewer  than  four  distinct  pairs  of  intrinsic  muscles  inserted  at  the  middle  of  the  upper  bronchial 
half-rings,  representing  the  mcsomyodian  type  of  voice-organ,  ami  constituting  an  uncompli- 
cated and  inetl'eetive  nmsical  apparatus.  Side  and  back  of  tarsus,  as  widl  as  the  front,  covered 
with  variously  arranged  scutella,  so  that  thero  is  no  sharp  undivided  ridge  behind   (as,  ('.;/., 

in  fig.  2X0,  <i).     Ten  fully  developed  |iriniaries,  tin-  Lst  of  whii'h,  if  not  e(|ualling  or  ex il- 

ing  the  2d,  is  at  least  ii  as  long.  (See  p.  2 HI,  \»liere  the  Osciiies  are  di'tiiied  as  aero- 
myodian  laminiplautar  I'asseres  with  '.)  fully-developed  primaries,  or  10  and  the  1st  short 
or  spurious.) 

'I'lie  essential  character  of  this  group,  as  di<tini;iiished  from  Osciiies,  is  thus  seen  to  be  ati 
anatomical  oia',  coiisistini,'  in  the  uon-dt.'vdopmeiit  of  a  singing  apparatus:  the  vocal  muscles  of 
the  lower  larynx  {si/iiii.r)  being  small  anil  (I'W,  or  else  forming  simjily  a  tleshy  mass,  not  sepa- 
rateil  into  |iarticnlar  muscles :  in  either  case  inserted  in  a  s| iai  maniu'r  into  the  bronchial  half- 
rings.  This  character,  though  subject  to  some  uncertainty  of  determination,  corresponds  well 
with  the  principal  external  chanieter  »8siginible  to  the  group,  namely,  a  certain  eiuidition  of  the 
tarsal  envelope  rardy  if  ever  seen  in  the  higher  I'tissrri's.  If  the  leu  of  a  Kiiii;-bird,  for  example, 
be  closely  examined,  it  will  be  seen  covered  with  a  row  of  scutella  formini;  cylindrical  plates 
<<iiilMiuously  enveloping  the  tarsus  like  a  segmented  scroll,  and  showing  on  its  postero-intennil 

face  !l  dee)i  gl ve  where  the  edges  of  the   envelope  come  toeether:    this   gl ve  wiili'llillg  into 

a  naked  space  above,  partially  liiled  in  behind  with  a  row  of  small  plates.  Wit'i  some  minor 
iiioditicatious,  this  scutelliplantar  condition  marks  the  Cliiniiiiiiri'il  binls,  and  is  something 
tangibly  ilitlcrent  froni  tln'ty()ical  Osriiirur  laminiplautar  character  of  tli"  tarsus,  which  consists 
ill  the  presence  on  the  sides  of  entire  corneous  lamime  meeting  behind  in  a  sharp  ridge.  .\nd 
PVei)  when,  as  In  the  cases  of  the  osciue  h'mnitphihi  and  .Ih/;)''/).*,  there  is  extensive  subdivision 
of  the  lamina'  on  the  sides  or  behind,  the  arrangement  does  imt  exactly  answer  to  the  above 
The    CUtiimtorfs   re])resent    the    lower  I'nHHerex,   approaching   the    larire    order 


ilescrililion 


pli 


Pirarur  (see  beyond)  in  the  stops  by  which  they  recei'.e  from  Osciiirs,  yet  well  sejiarated  frim 
the  Picarian  birds.  'I'lie  families  eom])iising  the  suborder,  us  connnonly  ricoived,  are  lew  in 
iiuinbei  ;  only  otio  of  tlioiii  is  reprosoiitod  in  North  Ainericti,  worth  of  M<'xk'o. 


428 


sysn:MA ric  sY^oi'sis.  —  vassehes  —  llama toiu:s. 


vm    2-k.  -  inn  "f  « 


20.    Family    TYRANNID^ :     American    P'lycatchers. 

Wliilf  liaviii^  ii  <-liisr  ui'iiiTiil  rcsi'iiililaiii-i'  in  hhik'  nf  tin*  rnnxniiif; 
iiiMTiivipriiii.s  Miiil  o.sciiii-  I'dsxirrs,  tin-  Ncirlli  Aiiicr  ran  n'lHTMi'iitativi'x  nf 
tlii>  I'aiiiily  will  Itf  iii.staiill)'  ili.vtiii^iii.HlD'il  liy  llic  aliuvi'-ilrMTilicil  cniiili- 
tioii  lit  tilt'  larNiis  ;  tu^vtiiiT  with  llif  |irrHi'iii-i>  nf  III  |iriiiiarirH,  wlirri'iil' 
llif  InI  is  liiiit;  111-  |iiii;;i'.st.  Kiuin  tlit'  liiiil.s  of  t|ir  riilliiwjii^r  I'irariaii 
iililcr  liy  iIh'  I'asNCi'ilif  rliarai'lcrs  of  Ixvclvr  iiTlrirrs,  ^'iralrr  M  ilii.'-ciiv- 
rrln  not  iiiori'  than  half  aH  Itiii^  ai*  tlic  roTiiiiilarii's,  ami  liiinl  claw  mil 
Klynil.  li.r  i  />c..«<ih»  sliialjri-  tliaii  tile  iniilillc  rlaw. 
'■"■'"■"''■'•'"""''•"'  'I'liis   family    is  |Mriiliar  In   Aiiii'iica  ;   it  is  .me  nf  llio  must  cxlfiisivr 

anil  I'liararlcrisiic  ^riiii|is  of  its  jrrail)'  in  tiic?  Nrw  Wnrlil,  tlif  Tiuiiiiiriilic  ami  TrtH'UiI'dtv  alniii! 
a))|iriia('liint^  it  in  llii'si'  rcsiMrts.  'I'liiTr  an-  nvcr  HMI  rnrrciit  s|Mi'iis,  ilistrilMiii'il  ai^.mm  almiit 
IIMI  uciirra  ami  siili^riu'ra.  As  wrll  as  I  can  .jni1);i'  at  |ii'csi'iit,  at  liasl  twn-tliirils  i>t'  tlic  s|ii'cics 
arc  valiil,  nr  very  strnn^ly  iiiarUcil  Kcii;;ra|iliical  races,  tlic  rcmainui  r  liciiit;  aliniit  iM|iially 
(iiviilnl  lictwccn  sli^lit  varieties  ami  mere  symmynis.  <  Inly  a  small  !'rai;ment  iil'  tlie  lamily  is 
ri'|ireseiiteil  witliiii  iiur  limits,  ffivin^'  Imt  a  va^ne  idea  <it'  the  nnmeniiis  ami  siii^nlaily  iliver- 
silieil  liinns  uliiiiimliiif;  in  trii|iical  America.  Sniiie  nf  tlicse  t^raile  sn  clnsely  lnwanl  other 
I'amilies,  that  a  strict  ileliiiirnm  nf  tin-  Ti/mtitiiitir  U'cnmes  extremi  ly  iliHii'nlt  ;  ami  I  am  nut 
|ire|iareil  In  (iU'er  a  salislaclury  ilia^jnusis  nf  the  wlmle  (.'rmip.     Our  siiecies,  however,  are  closely 

relaleil  to  eiicli  other,  ami  niav  reailily  he  ileliiieil  in  a  manner 
answering  the  rei|nii'emi'nts  oi'  the  |ireseiil  volume.  With  ii 
|iossihle  exce|iiion,  not  necessary  to  insist  ii|>iin  in  this  coiiiiec- 
lioli,  they  helon^  to  the 


v::.:.^^:::^'^^ 


29.    Subfamily    TYRANNIN^ :   True   Tyrant 
Flycatchers, 

-^  |ireseiiliiii;  the  t'ollowiiiL'  rharailir.-  :  W  ini;  ol  III  |irimariis. 
the  Isl  never  s|iiirii'iis  nor  Mry  ^liori  ;  one  or  more  l'rii|iientiy 
einar^'-iate  or  alleiiuate  ■  'i  llie  iniiei'  ueh  near  the  eml.  Tail 
of  Ii  reclrices,  nsiially  nearly  i\eii,  sometimes  ilee|p|y  forlicate. 
l-'cet  small,  weak,  evcliisively  titled  for  )ierchinK  ;  larsus  little 
if  any  loiiirer  ihan  iiiidille  toe  ami  claw  ;  anterior  toes,  espe- 
cially  the  oiiler,  extelisivi'ly  coheniit  at  hase.  Kill  very  hi'oad 
and  more  or  Ichh  ile|iressed  at  hase,  ta|ierin^'  to  a  line  |ioiiit, 
thus  |iresent<iii;  a  more  or  less  perfectly  triaiiunlar  outline  when 
\ii'\M'i|  from  ahove  ;  ti|i  aliriijilly  ilellecleil  and  ii.->iially  plainly 
mitchi'd  just  hehimi  the  lieiid  ;  iMlinen  snioolli  ami  roiinded 
transversely,  straight  or  nearly  so  leiiiilhwise,  except  towards 
the  end;  coiiiinissiire  slraiuht  (or  slightly  curved)  except  at 
theend;  uoiiys  loiit,'.  Mat,  not  kiilid.  \o>liils  small,  circular, 
strictly  hasal,  ovcrhnnn  hut  not  coiiceale.l  hy  hiisilcs.  Month 
capacious,  it  •  riHif  soiiiewhat  excaxaled  ;  rictus  ample  ami 
ilcpU  cleft  ;  commissural  point  almost  lieneath  aiiterii>r  hor- 
der  of  eye.  Kiciiis  Im'scI  tviili  a  niimhei' ol' loni.' stilf  vihrisKa*. 
soii.etinies  reaching  nearly  to  end  ol'  hill  ;  |r,.|||. rally  sliorler, 
Km  ■.■7II  Ki.i<irKlimtl..i.  Mf  |.rl-  „„.|  ||,„.j„j;  ..tiuvard  on  eacli  side;  other  hristles  or  hiislh- 
limriiH   III     iiiriimiiuii-.    „.    Miliiihit  .-in        i,,.  ,.    i 

f„rH.,ilu»:  !■  7',./r.iHii««.-.ir../Jm  rMi«.  tipped  tealliels  hImiUI  liase  ol  lull,  lliil  \ery  llfihl,  HIVIIIJ?  a 
c  Tiimnnuf  virliiiilin:  il.  I'tiixn-  resonant  sound  ill  dried  HiM-ciiiieiis  when  lapped,  ami  on  heiiiy 
M««   riHirtriiim;   all  iiul.   »Ui'.    I.ld     ,       ,  ,  .-i  i  n    ,       ..         .  •      ■ 

mil  ili'l    K. «;.)  hroUi  n  open,  the  iippir  mamlilili'   will  In-   lound   extensively 


rYliASSIlLK—  TYliAySIS.K:     TYHAST  I'LYCA  rCHKliS. 


A'l'd 


Imlliiw.  Tlii'sc  srviTiil  |H'ciiliarilirs  of  the  Mil  (In  must  of  wliicli  Oniilhiiini  (itl'crs  siiriiiil  cx- 
fi'|itiiiii)  HIT  tlif  iiiiiM  olivioiis  t'catinrs  nf  till'  i;niii|i;  ami  slimilil  |ii't'vi'iit  iiiir  small  nlivaiTuiis 
FlycalcliiTs  friiiii  iM-iiii;  cinifDiiiiili'il  cvrii  liy  tlic  tyni  with  iiisrrtivnrous  ( (sciiicH,  tm  the  War- 
liliTs  anil  N'ili'iis.      (Sit  tii,'s.  -27^,  -JSd.) 

'I'lii*  striirtiirf  i<r  till'  liill  is  ailniiralily  aila|)tr(l  fur  tlir  rajituri'  of  wiiiu'i'il  insn'ts  ;  tlir  Itioail 
niiil  il<'i'|ily  tiHHiM'ril  maiiililiirs  rnnii  a  capiu'lixis  iiiniitli,  wMli'  tlir  Inni;  liiistlrs  ,irv  u(  si'i'viri'  in 
ciilatiuliiiu  tlif  rri-atiiirs  in  a  tra|>  anil  ri'sti'ainini;  tliiir  stlllct:l•'^'  ti>  I'srajir.  'I'lii'  sliajii'  i>l'  tlir 
wini^s  anil  tail  nmrrrs  tin'  |ni\vrr  nf  rapiil  ami  variril  aiTJal  r\  nliilin  is  nrrrssary  tur  llir  siii'i'i'ssl'iil 
|itii>iiiit  nf  iictivi-  llyini;  insi-rts.  A  lillli-  |ira<-tiri'  in  lirlil  cuiiil'  .•inyy  will  malili'  niii'  tn  i-crni;- 
ni/r  till'  Klyi'atrlii'rs  IViini  tlii'ir  lialiit  nf  |irri  liinu  in  wait  fnr  iliiir  |iriy  ii|inn  sniin'  |ii>>niini'nt 
niit|inst,  ill  a  iiri'iiliar  attiimir,  u'itli  tlir  wint.'s  ami  tail  ili'nn|iril  ami  vilmitiiig  in  irailiiii'ss  fnr 
iiiHtaiit  artinii;    ami  nf  ilasliiiii;  iiitn  tlir  air,        ^  „ 

Hi'i/inu  tlir  |iassiiii;  insri't  with  a  i|iiirl(  ninvr-         \?__!!^r!^:r~~,    ^  I'S^"—-^ 

iiii'iit  ami  a  rlii'k  nf  ihr  hill,  ami  tlim  rrlniniiit;        J^,-^ — "'^^'^  ^___^^ 

tn  thrirstaml.      ,\lllinnj,'h  rrrtaili  Hsriiirs  liavr 
.snliii'what  lilt'  saliii'  lialiit,  ihrsr  |inrsiii'  insrrls 

frnin    plai'i-  In  plaiT,   inslrail    nf   |irri'hini;  in  ^*\  

wail  at  a  jiarlii'iilar  spnt,  ami  thrir  fniays  air  y<J#^-\  *>  ^*^^^  \        ^> 

lint  niailr  willi  siii'li  ailmiralilr  c'/"".     |)i'|ii'nil-        ^/^yJ^^'^vY-  '     /r-\ 

riit  rr  tirrly  n|Hi|i  iiisci-l  fnnil,  ihr    Flyi-ali'liiTN      fll Kt  1\     I 

art' II ssarily  miirratnry  in  niir  latilmlrs;  tiny       ^^  ^A        ^sj^ 

apiirai    with  trrrat    nirnlarily   in   siiriin,',   ami  V  v-^  vi'^- 

<li'|iiii't  nil  Ihr  a|>|ii°nai-li  nf  mlil  wrathir  in  llir 

fall.       'I'liry    arr   ilistrilnilnl    nvir    trni|irralr 

Nnrth   Aiiii'rii'a  ;    many  nf  thrni  arr  rnmmnii 

l>iriln  nf  till'  Kastrrn  Stairs.      Tin-  vnirr,  ,siis-        "c—-^^^^  U'l         ~~^<^'' 

i'i'|ilililr  nf  liltlr  ninilnlalinii,  is  nsnally  harsh  ^         "^S^     ^  ^^Sv        \         ^ 

ami    slriilrnl,    llinllt.'li    snllir    s|>rrirs    liavi'    lin  ''""^^ 

iinmiisii'al  whlsllr  nr  twiiirr.     Tlir  srxrs  arr  ^^  ,^ .  > 

lint  nriliiiarily  ilistiiii;iiis!ialili  (rrmarkahlr  rx-  ,itr-^)v\  '         r  I\\ 

(•r|itinii  ill  I'linuriiliiiliis),  ami   ihr  ••hantrr.'*  nf  '      -^Jj\\  " J>      ' 
|ihiniai,'i'  w  itii  aur  ami  srasmi  arr  imt  nnlinarily 

irrrat.     Tlir  nmilrs  nt  iii'stint;  arr  Inn  varimi.H  _  ....  ... 

'^  ,,       .      1  .1.1  |.     I         •  Kl  1.  "iKii,  —  diiniTli'  ili'Inllii  iif   Vwi-'DiniH'r,  fi     Wi/i- 

tn  hr  i-n|lri'livi'ly  linlnl.        I  III'  larpT  Ulllil!*   nl       nnliiii .    '•     .v.i.i/...;'<i.» .    .,    (  „»^,,„„      ,/     /  m/>«/"».i  r  ,• 
l'"lyi'ali'hirs  air  iinmistakahir,  l.iil  srvrral  nf     nil  mhc.  h1/.i'.    i.V.I.  mil.  li.'l   I    r.i 
till'  snialirr  ..prrii's,  nf  ihr  unirra  Siii/inriiis,  ('oiiliiiiiis,  ami  I'.spri'ially  l'Uiiiiiilo)iit.v,  Innk  iniii'h 
alike,  ami  thrir  iliscriiniiiatinii  lircniiirH  a  iiiattcr  nf  iniifli  tiift  ami  ililiiji'iii'i'. 

Tn  thr  S  m'lirta  nf   Tilfiltllliihv  Inlit;    klmwil  In   lir  Nnrth   .^inrrii'MM  havr  latrly  1 II  Milclril 

\\     frnm     .Mi'xini         till'     ininirnsi'-hillrd     I'ltiimjHS,    ihr     sirr.lky,     yrllnw-hrlliril,     rnl'nlls-lailril 

Mllioiliiiiiinlni,  ami  thr  ciirinis  littlr  '•  hrarillr.iM ''  Oriiilliiiim.     Tlir  ]  I  may  hr  rrailily  ilisi'rimi- 

liatril  hy  thr  fnllnwill^  I'liaraclCI'H  :  — 

.tiiithiith  tif  firHt-rti. 

Hill  Itikl' lull,  fully  lirinlliil  mill  IhniIk'iI  iih  iiniiiil  hi  Tiinniniilir. 

OlMi  or  iiiori*  iiiiliT  |iriiiiiirlcii  allriiiiHlii  iit  I'lul      A  lliiliin  or  ynllnw  hihiI  nii  I'riinii.     ( '/V'liini  ) 

Tall  ileitply  rorllritlf,  iiiiii'li  lotik'-r  tliiiii  mIiiKn Mihuliit     IIH 

Tiill  aliiiiili' I  liiiiKir  limn  wliitpi Ttirtn'iiut    III) 

OtlliT  |iriiiiiirii'/i  iMt  iilli'iiiiiili'tl.     A  yrlJMW  rr<>wii-H|Kit. 

WliiKH  unci  lull  i'xli'iii.|nly  nifiMr^;  iM-lly  y.iliiw;  nil  Htri'iikii  oxi'e|il  ciii  lii'iul    ....      I'ilni'iiw     It" 
Tiill  Imt  mil  wliiKii  I'Xti'liKlvi'ly  Mir<iii»  ;  Ik  lly  yiillnw.     NtriiiikiKl  iiIhivi' iiiiil  ImIuw      ,  MjiiinliiHiiftrt     117 

Outrr  iiiimurli'ii  iml  ulliiiiiiili'.     't'litl  iiuHliTUtii.     Nn  yrlliiw  k|iiiI  mi  irnuii      i  TiirnHnulir.) 

Tnil  I'lii'Ktiiiil  iiml  ilimky,  ill  li'ii|{lli»liio  iMtllcrii.     Iti'lly  yi'llnw  ;  tlinuit  iinliy    .     .    .     .  Miiinrrhun     l'>ii 
Titil  nitlloiil  rlii'Kllllll 

Tull  nbiiul  c'i|mtl  In  or  liilU:  nliortiT  lliaii  wliiK,  iliKliHy  or  not  fiirkml.     Illll  ■iiirrnw.    'larsiiH 


480 


aySTKMATIC  SYy<)J',SlS.  —  I'ASilKUE.S  —  CLAMATOHES. 


not  uliorler  <ir  rallirr  longvr  than  mldillc  loo  «nil  t-lnw.    I'nldrntloii  lilnrk  nn<l  wlillo,  rlnnn> 

liiiiii-liriiwti,  nr  ollvuciHiiiH ahvi'tiim     111 

Tull  'li'iiilcilly  nlMirUT  tlmii  wing,  n  llllli'  fnrkiil.     liill  lirooil  uiiil  Hut.    Tarauii  •IuhIit  IIiiiii 

liililillu  ti«  ami  t'liiw.    oliviii im;  Ii-iikiIi  iLl-'Aur  iiinni (iin/n/nM     123 

Tiill  It  llltiv  nliiirtvr  tliiiii  niug,  ubiiiit  cvi^ii.    lull  llal.    TiirKiiK  mil  Hlmrtcr  nr  nilliii  lniiiccr 

Until  iiililillo  tiw  itml  clitw.     Oilnratli'ii  ■>liviir<iiiiHaiii|  jcIIkwIkIi,  ImiI  im  ri'il,  lull)  m  |iiiii' 

limwii.     l^'iiKlli  <>^'>  or  li-M      iiHiiitlly  iiikIit  ••iHi A.'ni/ii>/«iiii  c     Ij;! 

Tall,  fti'.,  aH  III   /•.'«i/ii(/i>ii(i r,  fniiii  wlilrli  Marci'ly  dllliirviit.    Ctilorutlmi   iimri-  lirowiiUli- 

iilhi',  liiitIV  Iwliiw.     ViT)-  Kiiiitll Mili'iihiitirt    m 

Tull  itiiil  larHim  itK  III  A'iH/ii>/iiiiiir.    Illll  iiarrciw.    Iliml  ikh  )iiii|[i'r  tliaii  littrnti  t<H'.    Scxi'it 

iilillko.     if  lilll-tTCDluil,  vcriiillliiii  uimI  pure  lnnwii /'i/nxr/i/oi/iM     I'.'O 

Illll  comiircwHtl,  i|iiltii  iiurliiK  In  ii|i|H.Mtritiiir,  iinbrlKiliHl,  uiniiiiilifil.    <ipiivrul  colnr  imliy,  ultli  m'Mhw 
lliiliiK  of  wiiiKi).     VoryHiiiull:  li'ii|{tli  iiiiilcr  •MIO iiruilhiiim     l.'.l 

lilm.  lltflili'H  Illll  uIhivi',  aiiiillii'r  KriiiiH  ami  hihi'Ich  iliiiilitloii  iict'iirii  In  Ti'Xiih:  MyIozctRTI'm  rr.M'NHtfi.  Itlll 
Hliiirl,  Kliiiil,  wry  iiniitil  at  liaiu-,  wllti  riirvol  I'liliiivii.  liiHiki'<l  iiml  imlrlnMl  lip,  uml  lii'itvlly-lirlHllcil  rli'tim  I'rl- 
niarli'D  Illll  iiimrKliiati';  '.'il.  :i<l,  <ltli  Ioiiki'IiI,  Mli  Hlmrltr:  li>l  uIhhii  ciiual  imlili.  Tail  »liiirli'r  lliiin  wliiK"i  iK'urly 
wiuari!.  Kot<l,  hiiiuII;  larniiit  rather  U'lw  tliaii  iiililillu  tm'  ami  i-l.tw.  Alxivr,  ullvr  ;  ttiiiu'i-  iiml  tail  lirnuii,  »llli  yi'l- 
IiiwIkIi  i'iIicIiiK  ot  lliii  iiiillln.  riiiler  lutrlK,  IihIuiIIiik  IIiiIhk  iirHlii|{i>.  Iirliilit  |iiiri>  yillun  ;  llirual  ili'lliilti'ly  wliiln. 
Tii|i  ami  hIiIiw  uf  liva<l  itray,  Imary  nii  fnfi'lieail  ami  hvit  run,  ihii-ky  mi  Innn  ami  iiiirlriilarn,  <■ll^ln^illK  a  llaiiii-  ami 
yvlliiw  iTiiwii-Kinit.  Illll  ami  tixl  Muck.  IaiiikIIi  abuut  T.uil,  n  Iiik  .l..'iU ;  tull  liuu;  lilll  uini ,  lurmiii  u.;;>,  iiililill« 
tuu  mill  claw  U.tiO. 

116.  I'lTAX'OI'M.  (Vo.rhtirh.;  ii  Mrxiciiii  or  H.  .\m.  iiiiiiH' <if  soiih' liinl.)  Dfuiiy  Fi.vcAn  iikiis. 
<  Mllrr  |ii'iiiiiirirs  imt  i-iiiari;iui>ti'.  .\ii  iiniiiui'  crnwii  |tali-li.  Hill  a.-  Imiu  as  licail,  rxn'riliiiL,'  llii< 
tiirxiis,  HtniiKliI,  xtmit,  Imt  iiarmw,  iim  i|i-i'|i  a.«  Itmatl  at  tlii'  imstrils.  wiili  riilui'il  i-iiliiii-ii  striilulit 
til  till-  liiiiiUnl  I'liil;  (.'oliVN  aliiiiit  Nlraiu'iil.  a^rniiliiii;  :  nniiiiiissiirr  ami  al^n  latrral  niitliin'is 
|MTf<'ctly  htrai^lit.  N"isli'il>  niiiiiilril,  marrr  r<iiiiiiii>siirr  tliaii  i-iiliiicii.  \Viiiu>  I'lUiinli'il,  ii|i|ii'i| 
by  .'<d-'itli  iinills;  '2<l  ami  litli  altmit  i'i|iiai  ami  HJiurtcr,  Ixt  otily  alMiiit  I'ljiial  In  *.llli.  'rail 
hliiirtiT  tliaii  \viiii.'M,  iinirly  I'Vi-ii,  Imt  wmn'uliat  ilniilili'-rniimlril.  Tarsus  alxmi  us  Iniiu  ax 
liiiilillr  Iiir  ami  i-lau.  I.arp'sl-liniliiMl  nf  ,iii_v  N.  .\iii.  Ilyratrhri'.  Krinvii  almvi',  yi'll"W 
lii'liiw,  witli  lilarlt,  wliitr.  ami  iiratiK<'  Ix'ail  :  iiiiillsaml  tail-fcutli«-rH  rxliMisivi'ly  rlii'Nliiiil,  as  in 
Mi/iiii-ihiiK.  Mi'xiraii;  lalrly  fmiml  in  Ti-xas. 
304.  I'.  «li*rlilu'iiH!t.  ('I'll  hiinl  Pirliy.  Fit;.  iM.)  Dr.itiiv  Fi.vc.vniiKU.  I'|i|Mr  parts  liiilii 
wiHHl-lirnwii,  with    ail    nlivi'  lini-i' ;  wiiiKs  and  tail    tin-   siiiiii',   Imt    tin-  rratiirrs   rxiiinsivrly 

linrili'ri'il  witliiitit  auil  witliin  wiili 

rlirstlilll,    InnilillU   a  ciillsliiiMliiim 

■■■HitiiiiitiiiM   ari'a    mi    tlii'    wiiiu- 

•|iiills  ill  till'  rliisi'il  wiiiK.  ami  nil 

iniml  <if  till'  wiiii;  alul  lail-rratlii'rK 
ii<^ .         ,  ,       , 

llliiri'    I'X'IrllMVl'    lliall    lilt'     IllnWII 

|iiii'iiiin  III'  ill!'  iiimr  wrim.  lic- 
liiW  I'min  till'  lii'i'iiMt,  IlirlililiiiK 
liiiiiii;  111'  Miti^s,  rli'iir  ami  run- 
liiimiils  It'iiinii-yi'lliiw.  Wliiilr 
fliiti  mill  tlii^iul  |mi'i'  white,  wiil- 
.     'y^^^^  *«<.__  ■"     M         <'iiiiii;  lifliiml  iiji   iimhr  rar-niv- 

rrls.       Till'    aliil    -iih's    uf    liritil 
lilark,  a  cii'i'li'  of  while  frmn  fnrc- 
Pio. '.'81.  —  IdTliy  I'lycatilifr,  iiat.  »Uo     lA'l  iiBi.  ili'l  I',  I' i  hcail  over  ryi'N  tii  na|M' while,  thu 

••Iifhwil  hlarU  I'lii'limiiii.';  a  h'lmm  ami  iiraiiui- [lali'li.  <  >r,  iiiiililh-  iifrmwn  yrilnw  ami  nraiiui', 
PUrliiM-il  ami  partly  coiifi'ah'il  in  Mark,  this  hlai-k  iiii-hi.sol  in  whitf,  thin  ihr  Imi^'  ami  limail 
black  liar  mi  siilr  nf  hcail,  separatiiii:  thi'  whilr  of  siilr  of  cniwii  froiii  tliut  of  hiiir  of  throat. 
Till'  I'lironal  fratlur*  Iriicthciii'il  ami  rnrtih-  as  in  .i  Kinu-liirfl,  or  inori'  so;  crowii-patcli  of 
Haiiii'  I'harartiT  hnl  iiimi'  rxti'iisivi'.  Kill  onl  feet  Ulnck  :  iri-  ha/.rl.  Si-xrn  alike.  I.inulli 
of  rimlealHiiil   III.5U;    wint'  alHiiit    5.IM) ;  tail  about    i.W  \    bill   I. JO;    tuntUH   l.(H).     A    ureal 


I4 


ryuASMij^ — Ti'iuyMy.i: :  inuM  FLicAiLntiiis. 


4;Jl 


Hyrati'lirr  of  im^jri'itiiivc  ii|i|M>iiniii<-f,  lonj;  known  in  Mexico,  rrn-iitly  ai«MTtainc«l  to  otriir  nii 
till'  l.ciwt'r  Itio  (iniiiili'  ill  'I'l'xaH. 

117.  MYIOI>VNAJ*'TKH.  (tir.  /ivia,  imiihi,  a  lly  ;  dvraimjj.  (/i/mw^w,  a  riilir.)  SriUl'Kii  I'l.Y- 
(  .vr<  IIKItH.  Ki'lali'il  to  MfiiiirrliHn;  tail  I'Mili.-ivi'l)' clioliiiil,  mk  in  that  i;i'iiii>,  liilt  no  fli<'>l!iiit 
OH  wiiiKM.  No  |iriiiiarii'M  i-iiiarKinatr.  A  yrjlow  l■ro\vll-^|Hlt.  Itill  xliortiT  tliaii  lirail,  a»  i<>i\n 
iiM  taixiiH,  very  turbid,  iniicli  ImuMUr  than  hi^h  at  tin-  noxtrih*,  lalcrai  oiitliiitH  xlii;hily  coiivix, 

i-iiliiMMi  nearly   xtrai^rhl   to  the   little  I Keil  lip,  ^onys  loii^,  ax-eiitlinK.      Itic'in.>>  niiHlerately 

lirlsthMl.  \ViiiU!«  loiiK  anil  |><iiiiii'i|  ;  :ii|  i|iiill  .-li^lilly  lonuii'  than  ^il,  Itii  little  ^h•ll'tl'r,  .'illi 
iiiiieli  Hhorter,  IhI  iN'tweeii  jtli  anil  Ctth.  'I'ail  Hhorter  than  wini.'i',  nearly  even,  l-'ert  very 
Hinall,  relatively  i\h  weak  an  in  Ciiiidi/nis;  tar.-iiM  rather  shorter  than  niiihlle  toe  anil  elavv. 
Sevi'ial  .HjieeieH  of  Mexiro  anil  tropiral  Am.  Ilyiali'hu>,  uilh  erow  n-.-|><it,  rnloUM  tail,  ami  the 
wliolf  |ihiiiiaue  ulrriikr)!. 

:i(l,'i.  >l,  lutt'lvt'irtrlN.  (I.at.  Iiilrus,  yi  How,  rnitiis,  ,.(  iiuUr,  the  In  lly.)  Si  i.fllt  l(-liKi.l.li:ii 
.Sftiil'Kit  Fl.vi  A't'C'iii:i(.  Kntire  n|i|Mr  parts,  ineliiiitiii;  the  heail,  streaUeil  ;  the  feathers  with 
liroailly  iliisky  i-eiitres  ami  olive-hrou  n  Imnlers,  linally  <  ilu'iii  sliuhlly  with  yellowish-hrown.  .\ 
yellow  iTowii-s|Hit,  I'oneialeil  an  in  the  Uiiiu-hinl.  Tail  aiul  its  upper  eoverts  rieh  chestnut,  all 
the  reatherH  with  hiaekisli  Hliaft  stri|N-H — on  the  iiiiilille  feathers  alHiiit  half  the  wiiltli  of  either 
well,  oil  the  outer  narrnweil  t<>  the  shaft  it-elf  ami  a  sliuhtly  eliililieil  emi  ;  iVniii  hiliiw,  shafts 
of  the  feathers  white  exeept  at  eiiils.  Wilir-  hlaeUlsli,  the  iiieiliaii  ami  jrreater  eoverts  .iiiil 
inner  ijuills,  Uith  externally  atiii  inienially.  eoiispieiioiisly  eilf;e«l  with  yeMowii)li-while  ;  some 
riifoiis  eil^iiii;s  also  nil  lesser  eoverts.  I'liiler  parts,  im-liiiliiii;  lining  of  wiims,  siilpliiir-yillow, 
failini;  to  white  on  tin'  throat  ;  rverywhere,  exi-rptinu  mi  niiilille  of  Welly  aii<l  i-rissuni,  heavily 
streakeil  with  hlaeUish,  iheMi  ihirk  stri|H's  snil'iiseil  ami  hliiiih-il  mi  the  throat,  piirtieularly 
aloiiu  its  siiles.  I.oies  alul  aiirienlars  iliisky  ;  fmiheail  ami  streak  over  rve  whitish.  Hill 
hlael«i«h.    pale  at  haw  lielow.      \Vin«    I.IM;   tail    .l.lii:   hill  ami   tarsii-  ii.7.'»;   niiilillr  \«v  ami 

elaw  rather  re.     Ceiilial    .Vni.    ami   .Mexieo  In    Ari/.ona,   where  em ii,   ami    lirmliin;   in 

-millieni  part-  "I  the  territory. 

118.  .MII/NIMM.  (l,ai.  iiiilniliis,  iliniiniitive  ..f  milriix.  a  Kill.)  Sw  M.i.nw- lAii.j.ti  I't.v- 
«  .Ml  licnw.  I'ail  in  the  ailult  iheply  fnrlii  at,..  alMmt  Iwiee  as  hmt;  us  the  winir.  <  >utir  priiiiaiy 
or  primaries  iihruplly  atteniiale,  ami  nlhir  eharaetirH  as  in  '/'(/(voiiii/i  pn.pi  r  (l.iymi.l).  .\ 
yellow  or  llaiiiiiiK  erown-spot. 

Amtlfit  <•/ Sitrrift, 

Tliroa  iir  four  |irliiinrliii  ■'iniirnltiiili'      <°inui|.>|n.i  ti'||,.«r,  ii,  |,|:i,|t ,.,,,, fwrxnuni    .1*1 

lliK' |.rliii»r>  I'liiiiritliiiili'      •  o<Mi|.>.|i.it  iliiinin^'.  hi  iii>li>  >a| .     .  /«rH>-)tlu»     .THT 

liOO.  M.  lyriin  niiH.  (|,at.  Iiini„„ii^,  a  tyrant.)  rmiK- 1  Vli.KH  KiMMiiir.M.  .f  9 ,  ailiill  : 
« (merit  or  tprimariis  iinaruinate.      Crown-patih  yellow.      .Mmve,  elear  ash:   IhIow  ,  whilr  ; 

top  ami  siihs  of  hi  ail  lihnk  ;  tail  lilaek,  tl iiiir  feather  wlnti   mi  miti  r  wi  h  for  alimit  h.ilf  its 

liii«ili  ;  winifs  iliisky,  iininarkeil.  ,«<im  -  aliki .  Vmiiiu  similar,  t.iii  prim.irii  -  imi  iniaruMiiaie. 
nor  tail  leiiu'lheiii.,  ,  no  rrnw  n-spm  ;  wiim  ami  tail-eoverts  i  ilu'eil  with  hmwii.  Wiiif  t  I'l  ; 
tail  up  to  a  liHit  Imiy,  fnrkeil  11  S  inehis.  A  iMaiilifiil  liinl  of  irnpieal  Am.,  aeeiihnial  iii  the 
r.  .*«.  (Liiiiisiaiia,  Ketiliieky,  New  .lirsey  !) 

'Mt.  >l.  forlleu'lHH.  (l,at.  finlimhis,  fnrki.l  liki  ./ii»;/i  i .  a  pair  nf  sei-sors.  Kiu'-  •-"».')  Sw  vi. 
inu  I  VII, I. II  I'l.vi  .\n  ,IKU.  .s«  issiiti-rvii..  jj9,  iiilnit  :  First  priiiiiiry  akme  eiiiarui- 
ii.ili'  (11^.  i'lW,  II).     Cinwii  |Hitili  iiniiiiji    or  warlet.     (ieiieral  eulor  hoary-iMih,  paler  or  while 

ImIow  ;  siiK's  III  iiiserti f  wimrs  searh  i  or  IiIibmIx    nil,  nml  nthrr  part-  .if  the  hoilv  xariously 

liliKiil   with    the  same,  or  a   pahr   sal -nil.      Wilms   hlaeki-li.  with  wlolioji   iiluiiius.      Tail 

hlaek,  h'.st  Heveral  of  the  Ioiik  feathers  extensively  while  or  rosy  ;  these  are  imrmw  anil  linear, 
Hoihelinies  wiih'tiiiiK  smm-whal    in  s|Hion-sha|M-.      Winy    4.iii  .-..(Hl  ;    (..xleiit  of  wiii^s    14.. Ml 
15. .10  ;   tail    lip  lo  a  fiH4   hin((,   uMiully  I4.H»>  lU.OO  iiiehm,   fnrke*!   5.UU-<t.tM».      9   av.TiiniiM: 


482 


,S'  YSTJJMA  Tl  V  S  WX  01' SIS.  —  J 'A  SSJ:Hi:s  —  CLA  MA  KUiJ-JS. 


\\ 


Hiimllcr   tliiiii    (J,  witli   tliu  tiiil   ciiiMiiioiily  l<'.''s  iI<'vi'Iii|m'iI.      Yninii;:    Similur ;   |iriiiiiirv  imt 

Hltnifitly  I'liiiiruiiuiti';  tiiil  iiiiilrvrlnpfil ;  im  fruwii-hpnl,  iiiiil  litlli'  nr  im  red.     Lnwrr  Mi.Hsis- 
iii|>|)i  villi)')'  iiiiil  'I't'Xii.s  ;  ii>iiiilly  N.  In   liiiliiin  'I'rrri- 
tiiry  iiikI  Kaiii-as,  rvrii  S.  W.   Mi^'»<lllri ;  lu't'iilciital  in 
Nrw  Ji'iMi'v    ami    Nrw    Kiiu'laiiil !      A    limht    <'li'i;aiit, 

grat'rl'iil,  ami  >lii>\vy  liinl,  aliiiiiilaiit    in    Texas,    niii-  ■    ij>M 
R|ii(Hi()iiN  by  iIk'  display  il  iiiakcN  in  ii|M'nini!  ami  clns- 
in^' till' tail,    like  M'issor-lilailfs  ;   very  arlivr,  ilasliili^ 

ami  mii.sy,  like  a  kiiii.'-))ii'il,  — all  tlx'  larp'  llycatclit'i's  V   ^^^^^^^        *^H*^^^ 

idiariiit;    this    saim-    ini|irtiiiius,    irrital>li'    ilispnsiiiuu.  ^^^  ^^^1^^^^      ^V'S^^S 
Ncsiinu  liki'  till' kiiin-l>iril's  ;   fitus  !-.'>,  wliitr,  Imlilly 
liliitclinl  witli  rt-ililisli  oil  till'  siirfai't',  anil  lilac  slirll- 

s)iniM   laiil  ill  May.  ^ 

119.    TYItANM'S.    (I.al.  ^/r(r»l)ll(.^  a  tyrant.)    Kint,  l''i.v-  ~'^^^*'! 

('A'i't'llKUS.     Tail  innilcrati'  in  si/c  ami  sliajx',  ratlirr  V^Hi 

Hlmrti'i'  than  win^',  rvrn  nr  littlr  rmimlnl,  i'iiiai't.'iiiatf  ^^■''IWI 

111-  liulitly  I'lii'ki'il.      Wilms  luni;.  imiiitril  hy  ihr  :iil-;iil  ^^^■s'*l| 

.piills,  1st   anil  4tli  littli-  if  any  sliiirtcr,  .'ith  ami   ri'st  '    ?^n' v j 

rapidly  ^'mdiiatt'd,     Srviral   niiirr  )>riiiiai'i)'s  ahniptly  iffiS    n* 

I'lnai'ifiiiat)'  or  siniiati'-nan'owi'd  mi  iinirr  wrlis  towards  9(^w!  ('(■ 

end.      Hill  Hloiit,  tiatlish,   I'lilly  hristli'd,   notchi-d,  and  ^f'tft,,'^.^^ 

Iiooki'd  (till,   i'^)-      l'"i'i't   small  and  wr.ik,   tlir  tarsus  tj  ink' J/i^^ 

with   srah's    olivioiisly    lappinu'   anmml.     Si/r    laiu'i':  ' ; JT ^'^ 

IcnKtIi  S  iiiclii's  or  niori' ;  wiim  ovir  4.     .Srxrs  alike;  *,  .'/p 

9  sliarinir  tin-  tiaiiiiiii;  rrnwii-patrh  ;   priniarii's  less  or  '  '    j 

not   i'iMari.'inati'  .'      Voiiiiu  laekint;  the  rro\vi,-s]iot  and  I 
utii'iiiiatiiin  of  |iriiiiari)'s.       Nist    Imlky.  on  a  luiiiuli, 

conipiK'tly    woven    and    t'elled.        Kirt's     white,     Imldly  Km.    •>'.'■- Swiili.iw-I.illnl     l-'ljialiliiT. 

iiiarUed   with    oval   or   tear-shaped    spots   of  reddish-  tSlii.p|,ar.l  .Ifl.  Ni.'lic,i»  w) 

lirowii.     Contains  niinieroiis  spi  riis.  .">  of  \.  Am.,  wliidi  have  heeii  divided  into  several  nai I 

(tiihuenera,  hiil  are   elosely  interrehiled  ihroiiuli  variou.N  exotie  .species.     They  are  the  ••  kiiii:- 
liiids"  proper. 

.lll'lh/xii'  i>/  Sjurirn. 
No  iillvo  iiur  iIuoIiIikI  yvllnw ;  lilurklnli  nml  wIiIIIhIi 

Hilly  lwi>  |irlniiirli'H  i<livliiiiiily  <'iiiiiri;iiint<'.     Tiiil  iiliniil  even,  cniiniiiciiiiiiiily  \vliili'-tl|i|ir<l.     11111  Kinall, 

miller  I. INI.     (7'/(r<(»«ii.«i .•(ir../i(i. »«(.«     .'UIH 

l''lvi!  (ir  six  prhiiurleit  I'liinrKlnntc.    Tall  i'IiiuicIiihIc,  iiicrcly  ll^lilvr  ut  oihI.    Hill  lii|;,  I.IMI  Imi^.    iMtlii- 

I'lrrliim) iliimiiiiiiiiiiii'     'MO 

OlIviK'Udiin,  tvltli  |iiiri'  yi'lltiw  on  iH'lly,  a»liy  on  licail.     Hill  iiiixlerBte.     {I.njilnirh  s.t 
Tnll  lilarklnli,  iiicri'ly  rinarKinatr;  u  Iiikk  ilark  lininn. 

.Scvi'ial  oiilvr  |iriiiiarlrii  Krnilnally  alti'iiiialu  lor  n  loni;  iliKtuni'i'.    (^Hilir  wub  of  outer  tail-t'eallier 

white i;ilif<ilh     :I70 

Several  miter  |iriniarleM  ulirn|illy  eniHrciiiale  for  n  Hliort  illstniicc.    Outer  well  of  outer  tail-feather 

iiierel>  \vlilllKh-e<l|;eil riiri/iiiiiit     IITI 

Tail  <lark  lirouii,  like  tin'  wings,  olivioiisly  forkol 

8uvural  outer  prlinnrleK  nbriiptly  oinnrgliinte  Tor  ii  iilinrt  ilistunce iimrhi    ,'173 

36N.  T.  <-iirolliii>ii'itlH.  ((If  Carolina.  Fit;.  -'s:i.)  KiMi-muu.  l!i;i;-M.\ifnN.  (J  9 ,  ailnli  : 
No  olive  nor  dei'ided  yellow.  (Inly  two  outer  primaries  olivioiisly  eiiiarjiiiu'.te  (lii;.  •Ji'.l,  In, 
Tail  nearly  even  if  anythiiii.'  a  little  loiimled.  Itlaeki.di-ash,  still  darker  or  iplite  hlaek  on 
head,  I'l'iiwii  with  a  llaniiiii;  spot.  lielow,  pure  while,  the  lireast  shaded  with  pliiniheoiis. 
Winers  dusky,  with  miieh  whilisli  eduiiii,'.  Tail  hlaek.  hroadly  and  sharply  tipped  Willi 
white,  the  outer  feather  sonietinies  edged  with  the  same.  Kill  and  feet  hlaek.  Yoiiii);  : 
Lucking  enuirgiuutioii  of  the  priniaries,  and  no  erown-s)>ot  ;  \ery  young  birds  show  rufous 


:{' 


TYUAyXWyE  —  TYliAXM.WK:    TYUAyT  FLyCMnir.US. 


4:5:1 


\ 


Km.  '.'It;!.  — Klnu-lilnl,  rwliii-til.  (.Krnin 
Teiiiioy,  ttfliT  Wllwiii.) 


ol^iiii:  of  tli<-  w'wwir-  ami  tiiil.     Li'iiKtIi   iilHnit   8.110;  <-xt<>iit    ll.JO;    M'iiii;  1.50;   tail    3..'iii, 

rvi'ii  or  sl'mlitly  I'oiiiKlt'il  :    Will  hiiihII,  iiikIci'  nn  iiirli  loim.     'l')'iii|HTtil<'  N.  Am.,  Imt  chirily 

K.  r.  •'^.  to   KiH'ky  .Mtf.  :  rare  or  t-asiial  on  tlu'  I'ai'itii-  >lo|i<' ;  aliiiiitlaiit  in  t<iiniiiii'r;  brcctlit 

tliroiiulKiiii  its  raiiut' ;  wiiitcrx  on  tlii>  xoiitlu'rii   linrilcr  and 

iN'Vonil.     'I'liis  trim    anil    xliaprly   "  martinci,"    in   scvrrc 

Mack  anil  wliiti'  Init  with  ticry  |iom)>on,  \»  familiar  to  all. 

anil  ninally  notnl  for  its  irritaltility,  piiifiiacity,  anil  intrc- 

iiiiliiv.  ami  its  iiivrtrrati' I'limity  to  rrows,  hawks,  ami  owls. 

wliirh  it  ilix's  not  hrsitati'  to  attai'k,  ritlu'r  in  ilffciirt-  of  its 

iit'st  or  jiist  to  show  its  h|iiink.     Nest  a  r<ins|iii'iiiiiis  ohji'i't 

in  thf  orcharil  or  liy  llif  waysiili',  on  tiir  horizontal  hon^li     ^ 

of  a  trc)',  litri;)-,  <-ii|i|h'iI,  comiiartly  woven  ami  niattnl  with 

lihriiiis  anil  ilisiiiiri,'rali'il  vi'i.'<'tahli'  siihstancrs ;  r.i;siisn- 

aily  i-.')-i"i.  •i.'.tO  to  l.OD  hiny  liy  (I.T^  hroail,  wliilr,  rosy,  or 

iTi-aniy,  variously  s])otl<'il  or  hlotrhril  in  hold  patti'm  with 

ri'ddish  and    darkrr    hmwn    snrfart'-s|iots  and   iilar    slii'll- 

markinifs.      Ilrstmys  a  thunsand  noxions  insi'iMs  for  every 

hee  it  lats! 

:i(IV.  T.  (luiiiliilet'n'HiH,  (<  M  St.  Domingo.)  (iiiAV  KlNd-iiiitn.  (^  9  •  "■''I't  =  Five  or  six  oiiirr 
primaries  iisnally  i'mari;iiiate.  ('rown-s|iiit  as  hefore,  (irayish-iilnmlh'ons.  rather  darker  mi 
head,  the  anrienlars  dusky.  Ilelow,  whit<',  shaded  with  ashy  on  hreast  and  sides,  the  nmier 
wiutr-  and  tail-eoverls  faintly  yellowish  ;  winjrs  ami  tail  dusky,  ediieii  with  whitish  or  yel- 
lowish ;  the  tail-leathers  merely  indislinetlv  lighter  at  the  extreme  tip.  I.ariiii  than  the  last  : 
l.eiii.'th  alioiit  '.t.iMi ;  w'xwti  't.M  ;  tail  nearly  .VKH,  more  or  less  emai'Kinate  :  hill  very  tiiru'id.  an 
imdi  li>ni{.  West  Indies;  Florida  regularly;  X.  to  Carolimi  rarely,  to  Mas.^aehn.seits  arri- 
iliiilally.     (ieneral  appearalii-e,  hiihits  and  neslinK  of  the  kinu-hird. 

:I70.  T.  v(>rtini'liH.  ll.at.  miimlis,  relatiiii.'  to  the  vnir.r,  or  top  of  head,  which  has  a  llame-pateh. 
I'ii;.  -T'^.i  .\ltK.\Ns.\N  TviLVNi  Fi,V(  A'rcnf.it.  .Several  outer  prinmriis  uradnally  altennaled 
fur  a  liiiii;  distance  (ti^.  •27\K  <)■  Coloration  olivaceous  and  yellow;  lielly  ami  under  wiii^- 
aud  lail-coverts  clear  yellow  ;  hack  ashy-olive,  chaiiuini;  to  clear  ash  ou  the  head,  throat,  ami 
hreast,  the  chin  whiti  liiiii;,  the  Ion  .-i  and  anrienlars  dusky;  wind's  dark  hrown  vtitli  uliilish 
eduini; ;  tail  Idack  or  Idackish  ;  hill  and  feet  Idack  ;  iris  hmwii.  (Miter  weh  of  oiilii'  tail- 
feather  entirely  white.  Ash  of  the  fore  |iarls  pale,  contrasting  with  dusky  Ions  Miid  aiiric- 
ulars,  fadini;  insejisildy  into  white  on  the  idiiii,  and  chan^int;  ;;railnally  to  yellow  on  the 
helly  ;  adive  predomiiiatiiit;  over  ashy  on  the  hack,  Length  iihoilt  *.I.IHI :  extent  ahoiit  lii..'iU  ; 
wiiii;  ."».(H) ;   tail    l.'t'l ;    hill  0.7.");    tarsus  O.7.").     Youiit,':    Similar:    i,'eneral  ash  of  the  hody 

dull,  with  a  limwuish  cast  ;  little  or  no  olivai us  on  hack  ;  tail  not  ipiile  IdacK  :  yellow  of 

under  parts  Jiale  and  sulphury,  even  whitish;  hill  liuht-colnred  at  ha.se  helow  ;  im  color  on 
crown,  and  primaries  scarcely  or  not  attenuate.  \'ery  yoiiUL'  with  rusty  edyinu's.  especially 
oil  wiim-  and  tail-coverts.  Western  l'.  S.,  ahumlant  ;  accidental  in  I.oiiisiaiia,  New  .Jersey, 
ami  Maine;  K.  n'^nlarly  to  Kansas,  Iowa,  etc.,  N.  to  llritish  Provinces  in  Missouri  and  Milk 
Uiver  reiriiiii  :ind  westwanl.  (Ieneral  traits  those  of  the  kinii-hird  ;  nest  similar,  rather 
lai'uer,  with  more  Unify  and   less  tilinms  material  ;  eui;s  not  distini;uishahle  with  certainty. 

371.  T.  voerferaiiH.  (\.n\.  rofi/iraiis,  vocifenms,  voice-hearim;  ;  ro.r,  voice,  ami  frrn,  I  hear.) 
Cassin's  TviiANT   Fi.V('AT('iii-;i{.     .Several   outer  |irimaries  ahruptly  emariiiiiate  for  a  short 

distal (tii;.  27'.h '').    <  hiter  weh  of  outer  tail-feather  Imn'lyornot  eilfed  with  whitish.    Ceiieral 

coloration  as  in  7'.  nrlifiilis;  hut  ash  of  fon-  parts  dark,  little  dillerent  on  the  lon's  and  anrien- 
lars, chan^inK  rather  ahruptly  to  while  i.ii  the  chin  and  to  yellow  on  the  helly  ;  ashy  predoini- 

iiatiiiK  over  oliviMin  the  hack.     The  ditl'enMiPc  is  ilerisive  m iii]iari.son.     Tlie  outer  primaries 

are  ahruptly  nieki><l  uiid  narrowed  within  half  an  iiicdi  of  the  end.     The  mere  edu'ini;  of  th iter 


484 


i' YSIEMA  TIC  S \\\OP:iIii.  —  I'A S.SEHES  —  CLAMA  TUliEH. 


Uil-fi'iitlior  with  while  iiicirnil  "I"  llw  wlmlc  wcli  hciiii;  wliiti-  Ih  hIho  a  ^imhI  churucti-r. 
CliiiiiKr.i  of  |iliniiai{('  till'  .taiiic  iix  in  rrrliviilis;  n\/.t'  t\iv  suiiii'  ;  l>ill  riitlicr  >tiiut('r,  iiIhiiii  0,65; 
UirHiiK  ^liKlitly  liiiii;fr,  mi  an  avrrauc.  Siiiitli\\'i'.>>ifrii  l'.  S.,  ami  Hoiitliwanl ;  N.  to  Wyoming 
ami  Malio  :  al>iiiiilarit  in  tla*  KihUv  Ml.  nuioii,  tliciv  uiootly  ri>|ilafiiiK  veitlviiliH  in  tin-  lirci-tiinK 
McaMon.  Nt'Ktini;  iiinl  ('Kf^n  tin-  sanir. 
373.  T.  iiii<litiicliuilcii»  cuuchl.  ((ir.  /i«X(iy;(oXuur,  nirliiiichiilikos,  l<at.  mrhnichiiUfiin,  ini'laii- 
clioly,  i.  v.,  atraliiiioux  ;  fiiXat,  niXavut,  iiiiltis,  mrliniiis,  lilack  ;  X"^"''  <'''"'<"<>  Kail,  Itilf.  To 
Li.  |).  N.  Coiifli.)  Cort  ii'h  I'l.vt  .vrniK.it.  N'lry  Hiniilai-  to  tlic  laxt  ;  prinniriiH  alirii|itly 
cninrKinati'  for  a  »liort  ilistaiMT,  an  iu  T,  viicij'fmns,  and  outor  \v«'l>  of  outn-  tail-frathcr  not 
u'liitr  ;  Imt  tail  dark  lirown,  like  the  wln^it,  ami  oltviointly  forked  (altout  ()..'>();  in  rm'ifrrintit 
llie  tail  i|niir  Mark,  Nliu'liilv  I'niartfiuate  or  nearly  even)  ;  all  ItN  featliem  wiili  uliulit  |iali' 
ed^e.H,  and  their  nhaftH  pale  on  the  nnder  Hurl'aee.  ^'ellow  of  under  partH  very  hriulit.  reaehiiit; 
liiL'li  np  on  the  lireaxt  ;  throat  us  well  an  chin  eMen>ively  white.  Si/e  of  the  fore^oini;,  and 
ehanjKeN  of  pInniaKe  eoineident.  A  nniverhally  distrihuied  South  and  Central  Am.  hiH'eies, 
of  whieh  a  .-liitht  variety  reachex  over  our  Mexiean  border. 
120.  .MYlAlt'Clirs.  ((Jr.  fivia,  iniiiii,  a  lly  ;  li^x"**  '"'<'""'•  "  ruler.  Kii;.  i^i),  ii.)  ('kkntk.i* 
•■'i.vtATt  iiKitM.  Anii-tiikii.vtki)  Ki.vr.vn  iikhs.  Iti  toi  n-t.vilkh  Ki.vt'.vrciiF.its.  No 
colored  patch  on  the  crown,  hut  head  >lii;hlly  croted  l>y  lenu'thened  erectile  featherH.  I'ri- 
uuirie.s  einatt^'inate.  ttlivaceoiix;  niore  or  lew*  yellow  lielow,  the  throat  a»li,  the  prinniries 
uiaruineil  wiih  chrKtnut,  tliu  tail-featherx  the  Hanie  or  nioxtly  chestnut  xuch  coloration  tlie 
hexl  mark  of  the  uenux.  'I'ail  nearly  even,  if  anything  rounded,  aliout  a.x  lonu  as  wintis,  of 
hroad  Mat  feathers  with  rounded  ends.  Win^s  rounded,  the  lip  formed  liy  'M  4lh  ipiills 
(Usually I,  the  .'iih  shorter,  lith  ami  1st  niiicli  shorter.  Tarsus  alniut  as  lon^  as  middle  toe  and 
claw.  if  any  ditl'ereni,  longer.  Kill  moderate,  variahle  in  shape  and  relalive  si/e.  Xext  I" 
ihe  characteristic  rufous  on  wini;s  and  tail,  si/.e  is  a  i;ood  clue  to  this  i;eniis  anionu  oiu'  oli\a- 
coous  flycatchers  without  colored  crest  ;  for  the  Miiiiirvhi  excepting  M.  Iiiinrniii  are  much 
lari;er  than  any  others  exceptiuu  ('inituiniM  linrfiiliM  and  ('.  jitrliiiii.r.  Only  one  Knsiein 
species,  hui  four  others  in  the  southwest,  reipiirinu  nice  discrimination.  Peculiar,  all  of  ihem. 
in  nesiiui.'  iu  holes,  and  laying  ecus  s<'ratcheil  ami  snarled,  but  chietly  scrawled  leut'liiwi.se, 
with  dark  brown,  in  close  and  intricate  pattern. 

.Innhitiii  nf  SiHi-im  nnil   t'liriilirii, 

Lurgo;  li'iittlli  s.lKlor re     liiiicr  wcIm  iif  liill-fi'iUlH'rH  liiri;vly  riirniiit. 

liiiriiiiH  iwi'iipyliiK  iii'iirly  <ir  c|iiUc  ull  tlict  liiticr  wulin  iifiwveriil  liilcrnl  tiill-ri-utli(TK    .     .     .     .  rriniliiii    :V!3 
KiifiiiiM  iMvii|i>liiu  tuner  wilis  cif  Minm  rcalliiTK  In  ncurly  ci|niil  ituinnnt  mIiIi  u  Iummiiim  iilrl|iu  iif  f<|iml 

widlli  lhriint;liiiiit.     Kill  iiuarly  or  i|iiltu  l.(Ki no/Hri    880 

ItiiriiUK  iHTii|iyhii;  inner  welw  nt  munn  reiitlierH  in    nearly  isiinil   iinniiinl   Willi  it  flliH-iiiin   i<lri|Mi  of 

e<|inil  wiillli  Ihrniigliniii      mil  iilsmt  ii.T* •nillinHfrrun    .174 

ltiir»iiK  iiteiiiiyliii;  iiinvr  webit  of  miniu  foAtlivra  In  Kruiiler  uiniiinit  Uiaii  u  fuwoiiH  iilri|>a  ulileli  wIiIiiik 

at  einl      mil  vtry  narriiw   ....         iim n i«i »«    ;rr5 

Small:  leiiKtIi  T.iMiiir  li'M.     Inner  wolMiiftnll-reallierH  M-arrely  or  not  rufoiiK /utrnnWi    UTO 

3t3.  M.  crliirtiiH.  (Lat.  niiiitnn,  haired,  i.  e.,  crested;  nhiis,  :  air.  l-'iu;.  iSi.)  (jkk.VT 
l'tlKNTi:i>  l''l.V('.\rcilKll.  (J  9  •  '"I"'!' =  Decidedly  olivaceous  above,  a  little  browner  on  head, 
where  the  feathers  have  dark  centres  ;  throat  and  fore  breast  pure  dark  ash  ;  rest  of  under 
parts  brit;ht  yellow,  the  two  colors  meetiiiu  abruptly:   primaries  marifined  mi  both  edi;es  with 

chestnut;   s ndaries  and  coverts  edi;ed  .iiid  lipped   with    yellowish-while;   tail  with  all  llio 

feathers  but  the  central  ]iair  I'hestnnt  on  the  whole  of  the  inner  web  lexcepiini;  perhaps  a  very 
narrow  s]>ace  next  the  shaft  >  :  outer  web  of  outer  feathers  edtred  wilh  yellowish;  midillo 
feathers,  outer  webs  of  the  rest,  and  winys  excejit  as  stated,  dusky-brown.  The  foret;oiii|{ 
jilirasfH  arc  intended  to  be  chietly  amithetical  to  those  used  in  describini;  vhirrrKcnis,  below. 
No,  li7-'>.  Other  dia^uoslic  points  are:  bill  dark  but  not  ipiit<>  black,  pale  at  base  Im'Iow  ; 
Rtuut  aud  ooiiiparatively  short,  hardly  or  uot  au  Ioiik  iu»  larHUb,  the  latter  perhaps  never  O.UO  . 


TYRAXMlKl-:—  TYRAXXrX.T-::    IYHAXT  FLYiATCIIKJiS. 


4U 


tli«>  iilivc  liuck,  null  tliriiiit,  iiihI  yrllnw  lirlly  i<cviTiilly  pun-  in  color:  all  tiiiUl'ratlii-rH  Imt  uiiilillo 

|)air  Hii  ('Xt)'iiNivi'ly   rut'oiiK  mi   iinu'i'  wcIin  dial   a  iiirrc  liiii',  if  any,  nf  l'ii>c-iiiis  |ii'rr4ii«t>>  next 

liic  Hlial'l  (<'<>iii|iiiri-  rri/thrmrrriin  ami  vitofirrt),  ami  tliJK  fiiM-niix  iiii«-,  if  any,  niiiiiiiii.'  <>('  miimi- 

iiarriiwiirHK  !••  cihIh  of  tli<<  fratlicrH  (ciniiiian-  liHrrrMTUM) ; 

never  imire  tliau  a  traee  nf  riifmis  nii  mner  wetw.      Very 

yiiiiii^  liJrilN  have  nifniiH  hkirtiiii;  uf  many  featlier<<,  in  iiil- 

ilition  to  the  clit'Ntiint  alxive  ilewrilieil,  liiit  lliin  mhui  <li!«- 

appeant.      I,ari;e  :    leiiutli  8.(KI-<,t.lMI;   extent  alHiiit    I.I.IHI; 

wiiiu   ami   tail   alonil    I. DO    (;l.HU-^.:.'(l)  ;    l.ijl    ll.;:,-tl.Hil  ; 

tarsus  (l.7(M).S(l ;  niitlille  tiN>  ami  elaw  O.il.'i-O.;'' :  (•n-ailtli 

nf  l>ill  at  liaxe  OJtH-O.iO,  or  al>oiit  )  ihe  lenutli  of  eiilineii. 

I''.a>ierii   r.  S.,  weNt  to  .Mi>Noin'i,  Kall!<a^,   ArUaii.«a>.  ami 

Texaii,  N.  ti*  Maswu-liiiNelts ;   Mexieo  ami  Central  Am.  in 

winter.     An  ahiiinlaiit  liinl,  in  wiHHllaml,  of  loiiil  liar>li  , 

voiee  ami  iinarrel.siiiiie  iliMpo.vJtion,  noted  for  its  lialiitnal    .>.  _  _     ^V  ^^Vt  ■  «vt{tv     ^ 

use  of  iM!>l-otf  hiiaUe-  'linn  ill   the  striietiire  of   lis  ne>t. 

Nest  ill  hollows  of  treen  .mil  similar  retreats  :  et;us  iiiiii|iie 

(oiitsiile  this  tfeiiiis)  in  pattern  :   Kroiiinl  eolnr  liiitf  or  rieh 

riay-eolor.  with  iiimiheriess    markiiii.'s  of  purpli!<h-elie!<i- 

niii,  or  pnrpiish-eh late,   ami  others  paler,   shaqt  ami 

serateliy,  mostly  leiititliwise,    lint   esiMrinlly  at   the  Imtt 

taii^leil  lip;  si/.e  ahoiit  O.'t.'i   X  H.IW.      lireeds  throiiulioiit 

its  r.S.  ranu'e,  Init  entirely  withdraws  in  winter.     LiN-ally  I-'k-  >4. -tirrni  rr.'i.iiM|  Klyniidior, 

,  .  ,1      ■'.•I.I-..,      II   .   I  itxIiifFil.    (!4lii'tii>ttr<l,  cU'l.     NIvliiilii  MM 

ami  irreunlarly  ilistriliiited  III  woodland.  ^      n      ■ 

HHt>.     (in    addenda.)       -M.    v.    eoo'pi'rl.      (To    Wm.    <'oo|Mr.)      ('iMtl'KH'H    l-Altlif.-IIII.I.KU    CllEHTKll 

l-'i.Vi'.vrniKii.  IHsliiit'ni^JMd  in  its  extreme  develo|iiiient  from  crniifHfi  liy  its  rather  greater 
si»>,  and  especially  the  ^reat  si/e  of  the  hill,  whieli  runs  from  (l.^O  fully  up  to  l.lli  nieasiiied 
aloiiir  eiilmen,  eipiallin{i{  or  even  exeeediiii;  in  lenutli  the  tarsi,  wliieli  are  themselves  usually  II,  111 
loiiuer  than  in  vrinitim.  The  olivaceoii.t  is  usually  not  so  pure,  ainl  the  yellow  not  so  clear; 
hilt  the  chief  ditl'ereiice  is,  that  the  inner  welis  of  the  tail-featlier->  have  a  fuscous  stripe  \  to 
nearly  i  the  width  of  the  feather,  as  in  rriithriH-rrfiis;  from  which  latter  it  ditJers  mainly  in  the 
Ureatersixe,  especially  of  the  hill.  Winusalid  tail  :<.iM>-(.-.':i  ;  hill  II.SII-1.()() ;  tarsus  l).H.i-l).<).') ; 
Mexico  and  over  the  r.  S.  Iiorder  ;  .\rizoiia.  {Ti/rinniiiln  nKi/irri,  Kaup,  IS,)1  f  .1/.  amjirri 
Ihl.,  IS.'iS.  M.  niiiiliis  var.  iiiniiiii,  ('ones,  I'r.  I'hila.  .Viail.,  \^7i,  |>.  •!?.) 
;ni.  X.  e.  frytlircM'tT'cHH.  ((Jr.  «/iv^(mis,  fnilhnm,  nildish  ;  «i^«ot,  hrkos,  tail.)  IIikoih-iaii.kd 
('llKs'i'K.li  ri.Vi'A'nilK.lt.  On  compariiiu  this  lurd  with  typical  .1/.  (ToiiVkm,  it  is  immediately 
perci'ived  to   he  ditlWelit.      The   lateral  tail-feathers   have  a  slri|M-   of  fuscous  on   the  inner  Weh 

adjoining  the  shaft,  this  stripe  i'i|ualliu!.'  or  exc lint;  the  width  of  the  whole  outer  well  nf  the 

respective  feathers,  and  heini;  almut  half-and-half  with  the  rufous  ;  whereas  in  rriiiihin  there  is 
only  the  narrowest  possible  dusky  stripe  ou  the  inner  weh,  nr  imne  at  all.  'I'liis  iliisky  stripe 
is  of  iiiiifnrm  width  tlirnut;hniit,  not  enlart;eil  at  the  eml  to  iM-rupy  inotit  or  all  of  the  feather,  as 
is  the  case  with  r'l'iinv.viriw.  'I'he  entire  up|M'r  parts  are  darker  than  those  of  (•/•ikiVkai  that 
is,  tliey  have  a  sordid  hrowiiish-olive  cast,  instead  of  the  clearer  iiiid  purer  ureeiiish-olive  of 
erinitUH,  The  yidlow  of  the  helly  is  much  paler.  The  ash  of  the  thmal  is  decidedly  liuhler 
and  clean-r,  and  it  coiiies  farther  down  the  hreasi,  yieldim;  to  the  yellow  withnut  the  iuterveii- 
tioii  nf  the  olivaceous  [u'ctoral  area  which  is  usually  c<uispicuous  m  rrhiitiis.  The  i;eueral 
aspect  of  the  under  parts  is  much  as  in  riiifrrsrrns,  hnth  the  distriluitiou  uud  shade  of  the  colors 
heiinj  more  as  witnessed  in  the  latter  than  as  seen  in  rrinihiK.  The  liuht  edi.'iuL'>  of  the  wiiiij- 
feathers  are  also  paler  lluin  those  it(  rriiiiliin.  The  lull  is  Idack,  nut  dark  hrown,  slenderer  than 
in  crinilim;  in  hIzo  nothing  liko  that  of  owi/mti,  imr  has  it  the  very  constricted  shii|ie  of  thai  c  f 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


'^o 


^< 


^r 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


150     ^^^        ■«■■ 

nUU 

1.4  mil  1.6 


■  22 
£f   1^    12.0 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WBT  MAIN  STtEfT 

WIBSTIR.N.Y.  MSM 

(716)  •72.4503 


4^ 


Pa 

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9- 


436 


SYSTEJIA  TIC  SYN^OPSIS.  —  PASSEBES  —  CLAM  A  TORES. 


cinerescens.  Tlio  gcnornl  body-coloration  is  almost  exactly  as  in  cinerescens,  from  which  it  is 
at  oncfi  (listir.giiishcil  l)y  tlio  ditt'oroiit  shape  t)f  tho  bill  and  different  pattern  ot'  the  tail-featiuTs. 
Agreeing  very  closely  in  c(dors  with  cooperi,  it  is  smaller  than  that  species,  and  lacks  in  par- 
ticular tho  enormons  development  of  the  bill,  ■<vhich,  in  cooperi,  is  an  inch  or  more  in  lengtli  of 
culmen,  and  proi)ortionately  broad.  It  is  clearly  neither  crhiitus  proper,  nor  crinittis  cooperi,  nor 
yet  cinerescens.  Av(!rage  length  8.75  j  extent  about  12.75;  wing  .3.00— 1.00  ;  tail  3.75;  bill 
0.75 ;  tarsus  0.85  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.75.  Lower  Kio  Grande  of  Texas,  and  southward. 
Common,  breeding.  Nest  ami  eggs  like  those  of  crinitus.  (M.  crinitits  var.  irritabilis,  Cones, 
Pr.  I'hila.  Acad.,  1872,  p.  65,  nee  Ti/rannus  irritahiJis  Vieill.  31.  crinitus  erytlirocercus,  Coues, 
Bull.  U.  S.  Gcol.  Surv.,  iv,  1878,  p.  32,  and  v,  1879,  p.  J02.  M.  niexicanus  var.  cooperi, 
Kidg.,  Pr.  Nat.  Mus.,  i,  p.  138,  nee  cooperi  Bd.  M.  mexicanu.:,  llidg.,  Pr.  Nat.  Mus.,  ii, 
p.  ll) 

375.  M.  cineres'cens.  (Lat.  cinerescens,  ashy.  Fig.  285.)  A.sii-tiiroated  CnE.STEr>  Flv- 
CATCHEU.      (J  9 ,  .adult:    Rather  olivacecms-bromi  above,  quite  brown  <m  the  head;  throat 

very  pale  ash,  sometimes  almost  wliitish,  changing 
gradually  to  very  pale  yellow  or  yellowish-white  on 
the  rest  of  tho  under  parts.  Primaries  i  's.'"-!  as  in 
crinitus,  but  secondaries  and  coverts  edgeii  .v-iti.  :;:••",■ 
ish-white.  Tail-feathers  as  in  cn»it/;<,s,  but  the  •  :'i>\s 
of  the  inn(>r  webs  hardly  or  not  reacliing  their  en,.o, 
being  cut  off  from  tho  tij)  by  M-idening  of  tho  fuscous 
stripe  (in  young  birds,  in  which  the  (juills  and  tail- 
feathers  are  more  extensively  rufous-edged,  the  last  dis- 
tinction does  not  hold).  Size  of  crinitus,  but  tarsi 
longer  and  bill  slenderer;  tarsi  0.80-0.00;  bill  0.75- 
0.85,  but  only  0.27-0.33  broad  at  tho  base,  where  only 
about  as  wide  as  high,  and  obviously  narrower  than  in 
crinitus;  though  in  Cape  St.  Lucas  specimens  (M. 
pertinax  Bd.)  shaped  quite  as  in  ci'initus,  but  smaller. 
FiQ.  285.  -  Ash-thioatcrl  Flycatcher,  Southwestern  U.  S. ;  N.  to  Wyoming  and  Utah  and 
reduced.   (Slieppard  del.    Nichols  so.)  Nevada;  S.  through  Mexico;  E.  and  AV.  from  Texas 

to  the  Pacific ;  said  to  winter  in  the  Lower  Colorado  valley,  U.  S.  Though  so  similar  to  the 
foregoing,  it  is  a  different  bird  from  any  of  them.  Nesting  and  eggs  as  in  tho  others.  (M. 
mexicanus  Bd.,  1858,  uec  Kaup,  1851.  Tyrannula  cinerascens,  Lawr.,  1851.  M.  cinerescens 
Cones,  1872.) 

376.  M.  lawren'cll.  (To  Geo.  N.  La\vrence.)  Lawrence's  Crested  Flycatcher.  Similar  in 
color  to  M.  crinitus,  but  much  smaller.  No  chestnut  on  tail-feathers  exccj)t  a  naiTow  bcuvler- 
ing  on  the  outer  webs,  and,  in  the  young,  an  inner  margining  also.  Wing-coverts  and  inner 
secondaries  as  well  as  the  primaries  edged  with  rufous  (rarely  yellowish  on  inner  secondaries)  ; 
pileum  dark  or  quite  blackish.  Bill  broad,  flat,  shaped  much  as  in  Cotitopus,  about  i  its  own 
length  wide  at  the  nostrils.  Very  small :  length  7.00  or  less  ;  wing  and  tail  only  3.00-3.33  ; 
bill  0.62-0.70 ;  tarsus  0.C5-0.75.  Texas  (?),  Mexico,  and  Central  Am.,  there  running  into 
M.  nigricapiUus. 

121.  SAYIOR'NIS.  (Name  of  Thos.  Say,  with  Gr.  opvK,  ornis,  a  bird.)  Pewit  Flycatchers. 
The  3  following  species  do  not  particularly  resemble  each  other  ;  most  authors  place  tliem  in 
8ei)arate  genera,  and  some  even  under  different  subfamilies,  of  Ti/raHnidcc.  Tho  discrepancies 
of  form,  however,  are  not  startling,  and  for  tlie  purposes  of  this  work  the  species  may  be  projierly 
put  together,  as  they  agree  in  presenting  a  certain  aspect  not  shown  by  the  other  N.  Am. 
groups.  (Fig.  280,  b.)  They  are  small  species,  about  7-00  or  less  in  lengtli.  ^'  id  with  a 
slight  crest  of  erectile  feathers.     Tarsus  ratlier  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ^ilio  reverse 


TYEANNIDJE  —  TYEANNINJE :    TYRANT  FLYCATCHJiEH. 


437 


in  Contopus).  Bill  narrower  than  in  the  other  little  Flycatchers,  with  nearly  straight  lateral 
outlines,  its  width  at  base  about  i  the  length  of  culnicn.  Wing  pointed  by  2d-5tli  (|uills,  1st 
shorter  than  6th.  Tail  about  as  long  as  wing,  cniarginate,  with  broaJ  fcii'.h'rs  tending  to 
divaricate  iu  the  middle.  One  Eastern,  two  Western  species.  Nest  ah'>;od  to  rocki  and 
buildings,  with  mud ;  eggs  normally  white,  unmarked. 

Analysis  qf  Species. 

Asliy-brown,  with  cinnamon  belly  and  black  tail anyi  377 

Blackish,  with  white  belly nijiricans  378 

Olivaceous  and  yellowish fusca  379 

377.  S.  say'i.  (To  Thos.  Say.)  Sav's  Pewit  Flycatcher.  $  9  ,  adult :  Grayish-brown,  some- 
times with  faint  olivaceous  tinge,  rather  darker  on  liead,  where  the  feathers  iiave  dusky  centres, 
paler  on  throat  and  breast,  then  changing  to  cinnamon-brown  on  the  rest  of  the  under  parts. 
Wings  dusky,  lined  with  tawny-whitisli,  edged  with  whitish  on  the  coverts  and  inner  r|uills. 
Tail  i)ei-fectly  black.  Bill  and  feet  black.  Iris  dtirk  brown.  Length  about  7.00  ;  extent  11.00 ; 
wing  3.73-4.35;  tail  3.25-3.50;  bill  0.50-O.CO,  narrow  and  slender  for  a  flycatcher;  tarsus 
0.80 ;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.07.  Young :  More  extensively  fulvous  or  paler  cinnamon  than  the 
adults,  this  color  extending  far  up  the  breast,  skirting  the  feathers  of  the  back  and  rump,  form- 
ing conspicuous  cross-bars  and  edgings  on  the  wings,  and  even  tipping  the  tail.  But  no  bird 
of  our  country  resembles  this  one.  Western  U.  S.  and  adjoining  British  Provinces,  E.  to 
Kansas,  Iowa,  Wisconsin,  etc.,  common  in  open  or  rocky  country,  where  seen  singly  or  in 
pairs ;  the  principal  flycatcher  of  unicooded  regions,  iu  weedy,  brushy  places,  displaying  the 
usual  activity  of  its  tribe,  and  uttering  a  melancholy  note  of  one  syllable,  or  a  tremulous  twitter. 
Nests  naturally  on  rocks,  but  soon  adapts  itself  to  buildings  like  the  Eastern  Pewee.  Nest  of 
mud,  straw,  moss,  feathers ;  eggs  4-5,  0.80  X  0.62,  white. 

378.  S.  ulg'rlcans.  (Lat.  nigricans,  blackening.)  Black  Pewit  Flycatcher.  Sooty-brown  or 
blackisli,  deepest  on  head  and  breast;  belly  and  other  under  parts  pure  white,  abruptly  defined; 
lining  of  wings,  outer  web  of  outer  tail-feathers,  and  edges  of  inner  secondaries,  whitish ;  bill  and 
feet  black ;  iris  red.  Tlie  coloration  is  curiously  like  that  of  Junco  hiemalis.  Length  about 
7.00 ;  wing  3.50-3.75  ;  tail  3.25-3.50 ;  bill  0.50  or  less, 
very  weak  ;  tarsus  0.67  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.60.  South- 
western U.  S.  and  southward,  but  on  the  Pacific  to  Oregon; 
chiefly  in  unwooded  country,  and  especially  along  rocky 
streams,  and  in  canons  —  I  have  seen  it  at  the  bottom  of 
the  Grand  C'afion  of  the  Colorado,  some  6,000  feet  behnv 
tlie  surface  of  the  earth !  Nest  of  mud,  etc.,  on  rocks  and 
walls;  eggs  0.75  X  0.56,  white.  __^..^_r 

370.    S.  fus'ca.    (Lat.  fusca,  brown.    Fig.  286.)    Pewit  Fly-         -sss^B^^^^"  '< 
catcher.    Water  Pewee.   Pewit.    Phcebe.    Dull  oli-      ,^^_.^__, 
vaceous-brown,   the    head   much    darker    fuscous-brown,  "  -«.^^  ^.  -  . 

almost  blackish,  usually  in  marked  contrast  with  the  back  ; 
below,  soiled  whitish,  or  palest  possible  yellow,  particularly 
on  the  belly ;  the  sides,  and  the  breast  nearly  or  quite  across, 
shaded  with  grayish-brown ;  wings  and  tail  dusky,  the  outer 

tail-feather,  inner  secondaries,  and  usually  the  wing-coverts,  m^^  wg^^ 

edged  with  wliitish ;  a  whitisli  ring  round  the  eye  ;  bill  and 
feet  black.     Varies  greatly  in  shade;  the  foregoing  is  the        Fm. 28c.- Pewit Flycntchsr, reduced, 
average  spring  condition.    As  summer  passes,  the  plumage  (S'lepparJ  del.  Nichols  so.) 
becomes  nmch  duller  and  darker  brown,  from  wearing  of  the  featliers ;  then,  after  tlie  moult, 
fall  specimens  are  much  brighter  than  in  sjjring,  the  under  parts  being  decidedly  yellow,  at 
least  on  the  belly.     Very  young  birds  have  some  feathers  skirted  with  rusty,  particularly  on 


I 


438 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PASSEBES—  CLAMAT0RE8. 


the  edges  of  the  wing-  and  tail-feathers.  The  sexes  are  alike,  the  9  averaging  at  the  lesser 
dimensions  of  the  $.  Tlie  species  requires  careful  discrimination,  in  the  hands  of  a  novieo, 
from  any  of  the  little  olivaceous  species  of  the  next  two  genera.  It  is  larger ;  length  6.75- 
7.25  ;  extent  10.75-11.75  ;  wing  3.00-3.50,  usually  3.40  ;  tail  about  the  same,  slightly  cniargi- 
nate ;  hill  0.50  or  sliglitly  more,  little  depressed,  not  so  broad  for  its  length  as  is  usual  in 
Contopus  and  Empidonax,  its  lateral  outlines  straight ;  tarsus  equalling  or  slightly  exceeding 
the  n\iddle  toe  and  claw,  these  together  about  1.33  long;  point  of  the  wing  formed  by  the  2d 
to  5th  quill ;  2d  shorter  than  6th ;  3d  and  4th  generally  a  little  the  longest ;  1st  shorter  than 
6th.  Eastern  U.  S.,  and  Britisli  Provinces,  very  abundant  in  open  places,  iields,  along  streams, 
and  almost  as  domestic  as  the  barn  swallow.  One  of  the  very  earliest  arrivals  in  spring,  and  a 
late  loiierer  in  fall ;  winters  abundantly  in  tlie  Southern  States.  West  to  Dakota,  Nebraska, 
etc.  Its  ordinary  note  is  harsh  and  abrupt,  unlike  the  drawling  pe-a-wec'  of  Contopus  virens  — 
sounding  like  jie-icit'  ^j/ie'-J/e,  whence  the  name.  The  typical  nest  is  affixed  to  the  side  of  a 
vertical  rock  over  water,  often  itself  moist  or  dripping,  and  composed  of  mud,  grass,  and  espe- 
cially moss,  making  a  pretty  object,  lined  with  hivyor  fecathers.  The  bird  now  builds  anywhere 
about  houses,  bridges,  and  other  buildings  ;  its  attachment  to  pai-ticular  spots  is  so  strong  tliat 
it  will  return  year  after  year,  and  often  persist  in  nesting  under  the  most  discouraging  circum- 
stances. Eggs  4-5-6,  O.80  X  0.60,  normally  pure  white,  not  seldom  sparsely  dotted. 
122.  CON'TOPUS.  (Gr.  Kovrot,  kontos,  a  pole  or  perch,  and  novs,  j)Ous,  foot.  Fig.  280,  c.)  Wood 
Pewee  Flycatchers.  With  the  feet  extremely  small ;  tarsus  shorter  or  not  longer  tlian  the 
bill,  shorter  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw  (except  in  pertinax)  ;  the  t-irsus,  middle  toe,  and 
claw  together,  barely  or  not  one-third  as  long  as  the  wing ;  bill  flattc^ricd,  very  broad  at  base  ; 
wings  pointed,  much  longer  than  the  emarginate  tail,  the  proportions  of  tlie  primaries  varying 
with  the  species.  Medium-sized  and  rather  small  species,  brownish-olivaceous,  witliout  any 
bright  colors  or  very  decided  markings  ;  the  coronal  feathers  lengthened  and  erectile,  but  luirdly 
fonning  a  true  crest.  A  small  group  of  woodland  species,  near  Empidonax,  but  characterized, 
as  above  described,  by  the  feeble  diminutive  feet.     Nest  on  boughs ;  eggs  spotted. 

Annlyais  of  Species. 
Species  7-8  long,  with  a  tuft  of  white  fluffy  feathers  on  tlie  flank. 

Under  parts  slreakij.    Wing  pointed  by  2d  primary,  supported  nearly  to  end  by  1st  and  3d,  4th  much 

shorter.    Tail  about  3.00;  wing  about  4.00.    Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw.    .    .  boreal  is    380 
Under  parts  more  smooth  in  color.    Wing  pointed  by  2d,  3d,  and  4th  quills,  Ist  much  shorter;  tail 

3.50  or  more ;  wing  about  4.00.    Tarsus  not  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw pertinax    381 

Species  under  7.00  long,  without  an  evident  cottony  white  tuft  on  the  flank. 

Tarsus,  middle  toe,  and  claw  together  hardly  or  not  1.00  long virens    382,  383 

380.  C.  borea'Us.  (Lat.  borealis,  northern.)  Olive-sided  Flycatcheu.  Dusky  olivaceous- 
brown,  usually  darker  on  the  crown,  where  the  feathers  have  blackisli  centres,  and  paler  ou  the 
sides  below ;  chin,  throat,  belly,  crissum,  and  middle  line  of  breast,  white,  more  or  less  tinged 
with  yellowish  ;  wings  and  tail  blackish,  unmarked,  excepting  inconspicuous  grayish-brown 
tips  of  the  wing-coverts,  and  some  whitish  edging  on  the  inner  quills  ;  feet  and  up]}er  jnandiJde 
black,  lower  inaudible  mostly  yellowish.  The  olive-brown  below  has  a  peculiar  streaky  appear- 
ance hardly  seen  in  other  species,  and  extends  almost  entirely  across  the  breast.  This  ragged 
aspect  of  mixed  dusky-olive  and  whitish,  together  with  the  large  white  Unify  flank-tufts,  is 
diagnostic.  Young  may  have  the  feathers,  especially  of  the  wings  and  tail,  skirted  with  rufous. 
Length  7.00-8.00  ;  wing  3.87-4.33,  averaging  4.00,  very  long,  folding  to  terminal  third  of  tail, 
and  remarkably  pointed;  2d  quill  longest,  supported  nearly  to  the  end  by  the  1st  and  3(1,  the 
4th  abruptly  shorter ;  tail  about  3.00,  thus  about  J  the  wing,  emarginate ;  tarsus  only  0.50, 
shorter  than  bill,  or  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  tarsus,  middle  toe,  aiu'.  claw  together  only  about 
1.25  ;  bill  0.67-0.75.  N.  Am.  at  large,  apparently  nowhere  very  abundant,  rather  common  in 
some  New  Englau  1  localities,  very  rare  in  the  Middle  and  Southern  States,  less  so  in  the  West. 
N.  even  to  Greenland ;  S.  to  Central  America  in  winter.     Breeds  from  New  England  north- 


TYRANNID^  —  TYRANNIN^ :    TYRANT  FL  YCA  TCHERS. 


439 


ward,  and  much  further  south  in  the  West.  Generally  seen  high  on  some  exposed  outpost ; 
note  querulous,  hut  loud  and  harsh.  Nest  usually  high,  on  a  horizontal  bough,  rude  and  flat, 
of  twigs,  rootlets,  grass,  moss;  eggs  about  4,  0.85  X  0.65,  buffy  or  creauiy-white,  fully  spotted 
with  lighter  and  darker  reddish -browns.  A  stoeky,  able-bodied,  dark  aud  streaky  species, 
quite  unlike  any  other. 

381.  C.  per'tlnax.  (Lat.  pertinax,  pertinacious ;  pertaining  to  C.  borealis;  per,  and  tenax, 
tenacious.)  CoUEs'  Flycatcher.  Stnnewhat  similar  to  C.  borealis;  colors  more  uniform 
and  more  clearly  olive  ;  below,  dull  brownish-olive,  lighter  on  throat,  fading  insensibly  on  belly 
into  dingy  yellowish-white  ;  lacking  the  peculiar  streaky  appearance  of  C.  horealin.  Cottony 
tufts  on  the  flanks  less  conspicuous.  Bill  longer  and  comparatively  narrower  than  in  borealis; 
black  above,  yellow  below;  feet  black.  Wing-formula  entirely  dill'erent;  2d,  ;5d,  and  4th 
quills  nearly  equal  and  longest,  1st  abruptly  0.50  shorter,  about  as  long  as  5th,  or  between  5th 
and  6th.  Feet  small,  weak,  and  jiroperly  "  contopine,"  but  tarsus  if  anything  longer,  not  shorter, 
than  middle  toe  and  claw,  about  equalling  the  bill  (the  reverse  proportion  of  bill,  tarsus,  and 
toe  obtains  in  C.  borealis).  Length  of  ^  about  8.00  ;  extent  l.'J.OO  ;  wing  4.00-4..30 ;  tail  :}.50- 
3.80  ;  bill  iind  tarsus,  each,  about  0.67  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.60.  9  rather  less.  Young  : 
Lower  mandible  and  mouth  orange-yellow  ;  feathci-s  of  wings  and  tail  and  their  coverts  skirted 
with  rusty,  and  a  shade  of  the  same  on  the  under  parts  generally.  Midsummer  adults  wear 
browner,  like  the  common  wood  pewee;  and,  in  fact,  the  whole  coloration  of  the  species  is  the 
counterpart  of  a  wood  pewee's.     Mexico,  N.  into  Arizona,  where  common  in  the  pine  woods. 

382.  C.  vl'rens.  (Lat.  I'irens,  virent,  greenish.  Fig.  287.)  Wood  Pewee.  Olivaceous-brown, 
rather  darker  on  head  ;  below,  with  sides  washed  with  a  paler 
shade  of  the  same,  reaching  nearly  or  quite  across  the  breast ; 
throat  and  belly  whitish,  more  or  less  tinged  with  dull  yellow- 
ish ;  undi,  i'  tail-coverts  the  same,  usually  streaked  with  dusky  ; 
tail  and  wings  blackish,  the  foruiir  unmarked,  the  inner  wing- 
quills  edged,  and  the  greater  and  middle  coverts  tipped,  with 
whitish ;  feet  aud  upper  mandible  black,  under  mandible  usually 
yellow,  sometimes  dusky ;  iris  brown.  Spring  specimens  are 
purer  olivaceous  ;  early  fall  birds  are  brighter  yellow  below ;  in 
summer,  before  the  worn  feathers  are  renewed,  the  plumage  is 
quite  brown  and  dingy  whitish.  Very  young  birds  have  the 
wing-bars  and  edging  of  quills  tiuged  with  rusty,  the  feathers 
of  the  upper  parts  skirted,  and  the  lower  plumage  tinged,  with 
the  same  ;  but  in  any  plumage  the  species  may  be  known  from 
all  the  birds  of  the  following  genus,  by  these  dimensions : 
Length  6.00-6.50;  extent  10.00-11.00;  wing  3.25-3.50;  tail 
2.75-3.00;  tarsus,  middle  toe  and  claw  together  hardly  one  inch,  '^"=«^-  (Slieppard  del.  Nichols  m.) 
or  evidently  less  ;  tarsus  alone  about  0.50,  not  longer  than  the  bill.  Kill  very  flat,  its  breadth 
at  base  more  than  one-half  its  length ;  lateral  outline  bulging.  Wings  very  long  and  pointed ; 
2d  quill  longest,  3d  little  if  any  less,  4th  shorter,  1st  between  4th  and  5th.  Tail  but  little 
(about  0.50)  shorter  than  wing,  emarginate.  Eastern  N.  Am.,  in  woodland;  extremely  abtm- 
dant  in  most  U.  S.  localities,  May-Sept.,  entering  U.  S.  from  the  South  usually  in  March, 
reaching  its  limit  of  dispersiim  by  the  end  of  April  or  early  in  May.  Possibly  winters  along 
the  southern  border.  West  only  to  the  high  central  plains.  In  the  breeding  season  the 
peculiarly  plaintive,  drawling  note  may  be  heard  in  almost  any  piece  of  woods,  while  the 
dolorous  little  bird  is  at  his  post,  perched  on  some  exposed  twig  near  iiis  nest,  and  continually 
raiding  after  insects,  which  he  captures  witli  a  quick  twist  in  the  air  and  a  click  of  the  bill, 
regaining  his  perch  adroitly,  and  standing  erect  with  hanging  tail  and  wings.  Nest  a  very 
pretty  structure,  saddled  on  a  horizontal  bough,  flat  and  thin-bottomed,  with  thick  Malls  and 


Fig.  287. 


Wood    Pewee,  re- 


440 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS. —PASSERES—  CLAMATOliES. 


!    i 


well-tiirnod  brim,  of  line  fibres  stuck  over  with  lichens,  the  whole  looking  much  like  a  nat- 
ural excrescence  of  the  tree.  Eggs  4-5,  creaniy-wliite,  marked  with  reddish -brown  and 
lilac  in  various  pattern,  usually  wreathing  and  blending  about  the  larger  end,  sparser  else- 
where; size  about  0.75  X  0.G5 — pe-a-toee!  a-piie-wee> ! 
383.  C.  V.  rlch'apdsoul.  (To  Sir  John  Richardson.)  Western  Wood  Pewee.  Similar;  darker, 
more  fuscous-olive  above,  the  shading  of  the  sides  reaching  almost  uninterruptedly  across  tlie 
breast ;  belly  rather  whitish  than  yellowish  ;  outer  primary  usually  not  obviously  white-edged ; 
bill  below  liftener  dusky  than  yellow,  sometimes  quite  black.  I  fail  to  appreciate  any  reliable 
differences  in  size  or  shape  ;  or,  in  fact,  any  specific  character.  It  is  impracticable  to  pronounce 
upon  a  pewee,  in  thech)8et,  without  knowing  the  locality ;  but  those  familiar  with  both  Eastern 
and  Western  birds  in  field,  agree  that  they  are  not  exactly  the  same.  Note  not  exactly  like  that 
of  virens;  nesting  said  to  be  difli'rent  (Audulou,  AUeii).  Kocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific ; 
"Labrador"  {Andubon).  (Tyranmda  richardsonii  8w.,  Fn.  Bor.-Ani.,  ii,  1831,  p.  14()? 
Contopns  richardsonii  Bn.,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  p.  189 ;  Muscicapa idmhe  At;i).,  B.  Am.,  8vo.  ed., 
i,  1840,  p.  219,  pi.  61 ;  Nutt.,  Man.  i,  2d  ed.,  1840,  p.  319.  See  CouES,  B.  N.  W.,  1874, 
p.  247.) 
123.  EMPIDO'NAX.  (Gr.  €/«rir,gen.f/ijrifiov,  emiJi's,  emjJiVZos,  agnat;  ai/a|,  wHrta;,  king.  Fig.  280,  rf.) 
The  Little  Olivaceous  Flycatchers.  Small  olivaceous  species,  5.00-0.00  (rarely  C.25) 
long  ;  wing  3.12  or  less;  tail  2.75  or  less;  whole  foot  at  least  4d  as  long  as  wing  ;  tarsus  more 
or  less  obviously  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw,  much  longer  than  bill ;  2d,  3d  and  4th  (piills 
entering  into  point  of  wing,  1st  shorter  or  not  obviously  longer  than  5th  ;  tail  not  over  i  an  inch 
shorter  than  wings  ;  breast  not  buflFy.  (Compare  Sayiornis,  Contopus,  Mitrephanes.)  As  in 
allied  genera,  several  outer  primaries  are  slightly  emarginate  on  the  inner  web,  but  this  character 
is  obscure,  often  inajjpreciable,  and  may  be  disregarded.  The  coronal  feathers  are  lengthened 
and  erectile,  but  scarcely  form  a  true  crest.  There  are  never  any  more  conspicuous  (-(jlor-marks 
than  in  Sayiornis  fusca  or  Contopus  virens.  The  bill  varies  M-ith  the  sjjecies  in  size  and 
shape,  from  almost  as  broad  and  flat  as  in  a  wood  pewee  in  acadicus,  to  the  narrower  shape  of 
a  pewit  in  obscurus;  but  it  is  always  much  shorter  than  the  tarsus.  It  should  n(jt  be  ditficnit 
to  recognize  Empidonax  as  different  from  Contopus,  due  attention  being  given  to  the  nice  points 
of  diagnosis  ;  but  it  is  a  very  difficult  matter  to  discriminate  the  numerous  species,  recpiiring 
much  tact,  care,  and  patience.  The  following  account,  carefully  prepared  after  examination  (tf 
a  great  amount  of  material  from  all  parts  i>f  the  country,  will  probably  suffice  to  determine 
ninety  out  of  a  hundred  specimens ;  but  I  confess  it  does  not  entirely  satisfy  me  ;  and,  as  it  does 
not  fully  answer  all  the  requirements  of  the  case,  it  nuist  be  regarded  as  provisional.  How 
much  alike  are  these  interesting  little  birds  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  Wilson  knew 
but  a  single  species,  acadicus,  to  which  Audubon  added  but  one,  trailli,  until  Baird  showed  him 
two  more,  minimus  and  Jlarirentris.  Yet  these  four  are  perfectly  distinct  birds.  Any  experienced 
collector  knows  them  to  be  different,  not  only  when  he  has  them  in  hand,  but  in  life,  by  their 
haunts  and  habits,  their  notes,  nests  and  eggs  —  indeed,  the  nests  and  eggs  of  each  of  them  iire 
readily  discriminated.  Three  of  them  are  common  New  England  breeders  —  trailli,  minimus, 
and  flavivcntris;  while  acadicus  is  the  common  breeder  in  the  Middle  States.  The  case  is 
complicated,  however,  in  the  West.  The  two  exclusively  Western  species,  hammond'i  and 
obscurus,  are  pretty  distinct  —  entirely  .so  from  each  other;  but  the  recognition  of  "  j)!<,si7/«s" 
and  especially  "  difficilis"  is  somewhat  conventional.  Since  1858,  when  Baird  first  fixed  the 
species  upon  anything  like  a  satisfactory  footing,  no  changes  whatever  of  his  determinations 
and  characterizations  have  been  established;  and  as  it  is  useless  to  exchaugo  one  doubtful 
opinion  for  another,  the  less  obvious  species  may  be  suffered  to  renniin  as  he  left  them.  It  is 
not  reasonably  possil>le  to  analyze  all  the  forms  in  concise  i)hrase  ;  the  student  must  go  at  once 
to  the  detailed  descriptions  ;  but  the  following  raay  help  him  somewhat :  — 


3 


TYEANNIDJE :  —  TYBANNIN^ :    TYRANT  FLYCATCHERS. 


441 


Exclusively  Eastern  Species. 

Largest:  rather  over  than  under  6.00;  wing  nearly  or  over  3.00;  tarsun  0.67  ;  middle  too  and  claw  0.50; 

bill  nearly  or  quite  0.50.    Clear  light  olive-green  iibove,  below  whitish ;  wing-biir»  and  eye-ring  liiwiii/. 

Nest  .rfdMn  forlc  of  a  horizontal  bough ;  eggH  »/)<'c/,7i(/.    Not  New  England arniliriat    384 

Medium:  rather  under  0,00;  wing  2.70;  tarsus  0.67,  but  middle  toe  and  claw  0,00  ;  liiU  hardly  0,. TO, 

OMve-brnwn  above,  below  grayish;  wln?-'.>ar8  and  eye-ring  whitish.    Nest  a  bulky  cup  In  a  bush  ; 

eggs  speckled.    New  Kngiand trnilli    898 

Sin  <  1:  rather  under  5,50;  proportions  and  colors  nearly  as  In  Irailli.    Nest  a  neat  cup  in  upright 

crctchof  a  rffc;  eggs  H7/if(?.    Commonest  breeder  In  S.  New  England       minimus    387 

Medium  :  under  parts  thornuyhly  yellow.    Nest  near  yroumi  in  a  stump  or  log,  bulky.    Eggs  speckled. 

Now  England Jlavirentris    388 

Exclusirely  Western  .Species. 

The  rep.-csentative  of  trailli.    Etjys  speckled pusillus    386 

The  representative  of  flavirentris.    Eyys  speckled dijlirilis    389 

Small,  and  otherwise  like  minimus;  dark  below,  breast  not  very  different  from  back;  bill  extremely 

narrow.     Eijys  white hammnndi    390 

Large,  about  the  size  of  acadicus  ;  olive-brown  above;  breast  dark;  outer  tail-feather  white  on  outer 

web ;  bill  very  narrow.    Eggs  white obscurus    391 

384.  E.  aca'dlcus.  (Lat.  of  Acadiii.)  Small  Gkeek-ckksted  or  Acadian  Flycatcher. 
Above,  oWva-green,  clear,  light,  pontinuous  ami  uniform  (though  the  crowu  may  slunv  rather 
darker,  owiug  to  dusky  centres  of  the  slightly  lengthened,  erectile  feathers) ;  below,  whitish, 
olive-shaded  on  sides  and  nearly  across  breast,  yellowisli-washed  on  belly,  tlanks,  crissum  and 
axillars;  wings  dusky,  inner  quills  edged,  and  coverts  tipped,  with  tawny  yellow;  all  the 
quills  whitish-edged  internally ;  tail  dusky,  olive-glossed,  unmarked  ;  a  tawny  eye-riug ;  feot 
and  ui)per  mandible  brown,  under  mandible  j)ale.  In  midsummer,  rather  darker  ;  in  early  fall 
brighter  and  especially  more  yellowish  below  ;  in  the  young,  the  wing-markings  more  fulvous, 
the  general  plumage  slightly  buffy-suffused ;  when  very  young,  .said  to  bo  mottled  transversely 
with  pale  ochraceous.  Largest:  5.75-6.25  —  rather  over  than  under  6.00 ;  extent  rather  over 
than  under  9.50;  wing  2.75-3.00  (even  3.12) ;  tail  2.50-2.75  ;  bill  nearly  or  quite  0.50,  about 
0.25  wide  at  nostrils,  broad  and  flat,  like  a  pewee's ;  tarsus  0.G6  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.50  ; 
point  of  wing  reaching  nearly  an  inch  beyond  the  secondaries;  2d,  3d,  and  4th  quills  nearly  eciual 
and  much  {\  inch  or  more)  longer  than  1st  and  5th,  which  about  equal  each  other ;  1st  much 
longer  than  6th.  The  9  near  the  lesser  of  all  the  dimensions  given.  Eastern  U.  S.,  southerly, 
scarcely  knoicn  in  New  England;  abundant  in  the  Middle  and  Western  States  in  woodland  ; 
readily  recognized  by  the  points  of  size  and  shape,  without  regarding  coloration.  Nest  in  trees, 
in  horizontal  fork  of  a  slender  bough ;  thin  and  open-worked,  shallow,  flat,  saucer-shaped ;  eggs 
2— t,  0.78  X  0.36,  creamy-wliite,  boldly  spotted,  resembling  a  wood  pewee's.  {Muscicapa  sub- 
viridis  Baktuam,  1791 ;  Empidonax  subviridls  Coues,  1882  (name  acadicus  geographically 
false).  Muscicapa  querulaVf iIjU.,  ii,  77,  pi.  13,  f.  3;  M.  acadicn  Aud.,  13.  Am.,  8vo.  ed.  1840, 
1,  221,  pi.  62 ;  Empidonax  acadicus  Bn.,  B.  N.  A.,  1858,  p.  197.) 

385.  K.  trairii.  (To  T.  S.  Traill,  of  Eilinburgh.)  Traill's  Flycatcher.  Above,  olive- 
hrown,  lighter  and  duller  brownish  posteriorlj',  darker  on  head,  owing  to  obviously  dusky 
centres  of  the  coronal  feathers ;  below,  nearly  us  in  acadicus,  but  darker,  the  olive-gray  shading 
quite  across  the  breast;  wing-markings  grai/ish-white  with  slight  yellowish  or  tawny  shade; 
under  maiulible  pale;  upper  mandible  and  feet  black.  Averaging  smaller  than  acadicus; 
length  5.50-6.00  ;  extent  under  9.50,  usually  8.73-9.00 ;  wing  2.66-2.75,  more  rounded  than 
in  acadicus,  its  tip  only  reaching  about  f  of  an  inch  beyond  the  secondaries,  formed  by  2d,  3d 
and  4th  quills,  as  before,  but  5th  not  so  much  shorter  (hardly  or  not  \  of  an  inch),  the  1st  ranging 
between  5th  and  6th  ;  tail  2.50 ;  tarsfis  0.66,  as  before,  but  middle  toe  and  cLiw  0.60,  the  fi'et 
thus  diiferently  proportioned,  owing  to  lengtii  of  toes  ;  bill  not  so  broad  and  flat  as  in  acadicus. 
Eastern  N.  Am.  to  tin;  Plains,  common ;  an  entirely  different  bird  from  acadicus,  btit  difficult 
if  not  impossible  to  distinguish  from  the  following  variety ;  almost  the  same  in  color  as  minimus, 
but  larger,  and  otherwise  perfectly  distinct.     A  common  breeder  from  New  England  and  Canada 


442 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PASSERES—  CLAMATOBES. 


to  Dakota  and  Missouri ;  migrating  througli  all  tho  E.  U.  S.,  wintering  beyond.  Nest  in  troos 
or  bushes,  usually  the  latter,  in  New  England  at  any  rate ;  nest  in  au  upright  crotch,  thick- 
walled,  deeply-cupped,  more  or  less  com])act- walled,  sometimes  slovenly  and  resembling  that  of 
an  Indigo-bird ;  in  any  case  different  entirely  from  tho  flat  pewce-like  saucer  of  acadicm;  eggs 
not  distinguishable  from  those  of  acati/cii.s,  though  averaging  smaller;  very  different  from  those 
of  minimus.    Note  a  flat  ke'-wink  ke>-wink,  slowly. 

380.  K.  pusil'lus.  (Lat.  pusillus,  puerile,  petty.)  Little  Westeun  Flycatcher.  Replaces 
true  trailli  from  the  Plains  to  the  Pacific ;  may  usually  be  recognized  by  its  more  fuscous  color- 
ation, the  olivaceous  and  yellowish  shades  of  trailli  being  subdued  ;  by  its  larger  bill,  and  tho 
feet  nearly  as  in  ncadicus.  But  are  not  specimens  absolutely  like  trailli  found  in  the  West  ? 
Tho  original  Tyrannula pusilla  of  Sw.,  Fn.  Bor.-Am.,  ii,  1831,  144  ;  Am.,  B.  Am.,  8v<>.  ed. 
ii,  1840,  236,  pi.  06,  is  uncertain,  just  as  likely  have  been  minimus  as  this  bird.  I  therefore 
pass  over  the  name,  which,  if  belonging  here,  antedates  trailli,  and  ado[)t  trailli  for  the  eastern 
form  (although  Audubon  says  "  Arkansas  to  tho  Columbia"),  taking  pusillus  of  Baird  for  tho 
Western  variety.  This  is  the  usual  "little  flycatcher"  in  Western  woodland,  generally  dis- 
tributed.    Habits,  nest  .and  eggs  counterparts  of  those  of  trailli. 

387  E.  nii'nlmus.  (Lat.  minimiis,  smallest.)  Least  Flycatciieu.  Colors  almost  exactly  as 
in  trailli;  usually,  however,  olive-^ray  rather  than  olive-brown ;  tho  wing-markings,  eye-ring 
and  loral  feathers  plain  grayish-white;  the  whtde  anterior  parts  often  with  a  slight  ashy  cast ; 
under  mandible  ordinarily  dusky ;  feet  perfectly  black.  It  is  a  smaller  bird  than  trailli,  and 
noi  so  stoutly  built ;  the  wing-tip  projects  only  about  half  an  inch  beyond  the  secondaries  ;  tho 
5th  quill  is  but  very  little  shorter  than  tho  4th,  tho  1st  apt  to  be  nearer  0th  than  3th  ;  the  feet 
are  difffTcntly  proportioned,  being  much  as  in  acadicus;  tho  bill  is  obviously  under  half  an 
inch  long.  Length  '00-5.50;  extent  about  8.00;  wing  2.00  or  less;  tail  about  2.25.  A 
series  of  (J  <?,  measured  fresh,  runs  5.20-5.50  long,  by  7-00-8.30  in  extent;  several  9  9  are 
4.80-5.10  long,  by  7.40-7.90  in  extent.  Although  a  largo  ^  may  grade  up  to  9  trailli  in 
size,  and  there  is  no  obviously  different  coloration,  it  is  a  different  bird.  Eastern  N.  Am.  to  tho 
Plains,  very  abundant  in  tho  U.  S.  during  the  migrations,  in  orchards,  coppicies,  hedgerows,  and 
the  skirts  ()f  woods  rather  than  in  heavy  forests.  Tho  commonest  breeder  in  New  England, 
especially  Massachusetts ;  very  common  along  Red  River  of  tho  Nortli,  breeding  at  49°.  Ranges 
through  E.  U.  S.  in  migration ;  winters  extr.alimital.  Nest  in  upright  crotch  of  tree,  shrub, 
or  sai)ling ;  small,  neat,  com  pact- walled,  deejdy-cujjped ;  oggs  3-4,  white,  normally  unmarked, 
rarely  speckled,  0.00-0.69  long,  averaging  0.63  X  0.51.  Note  a  sharp  che-hec',  or  se-vjick', 
quickly. 

388.  E.  flavlven'tris.  (Lat.  flaims,  yellow,  ventris,  of  the  belly.)  Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher. 
Above,  olive-green,  clear,  ctmtinuous  and  uniform  as  in  acadicus,  or  even  brighter ;  below,  not 
merely  yellowis/t,  as  in  tho  foregoing,  but  emjtliatically  yellow,  bright  and  pure  on  tho  belly, 
shaded  on  tho  sides  and  anteriorly  with  a  paler  tint  of  tho  color  of  tho  back  ;  eye-ring  and  wing- 
markings  yellotv;  under  mandible  yellow  ;  feet  black.  In  respect  of  color,  this  species  differs 
materially  from  all  the  rest ;  none  of  them,  even  at  their  autumnal  yellowest,  quite  match  it. 
Size  of  trailli,  or  rather  less ;  feet  proportioned  ns  in  acadicus;  bill  nearly  as  in  minimus,  but 
rather  larger ;  1st  quill  usually  equal  to  0th.  Eastern  U.  S.  cand  British  Provinces,  common, 
in  woodland,  swamps  and  shrubbery.  Breeds  probably  from  tho  Middle  States  northward. 
There  has  been  much  misunderstanding  about  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  bird  ;  the  latter  are 
described  by  Brewer  and  by  Cones  (1874)  as  white.  Nest  in  swamps,  close  to  ground,  in  a 
stump,  log,  or  roots  of  an  upturned  tree,  thick  and  bulky,  of  mosses,  etc.,  deeply  cupped ; 
eggs  spotted.     Note  a  low  soft  pe-a,  slowly. 

389.  E.f.  diflfl'dlls?  (Lat.  difficilis,  dis-facilis,  difficult,  tm-doable;  very  appropriate  !)  Western 
Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher.  Not  tangibly  distinct  from  flaviventris;  coloration  dingy, 
instead  of  pure  olivaceous  and  yellow,  tho  latter  dulled  with  an  ochroy  shade  ;  tail  said  to  bo 
longer.     Western  U.  S.,  abundant.     Eggs  speckled. 


TYRANNIDJE  —  TYRANNIN^ :    TYRANT  FLYCATCHEIiS. 


443 


lest  in  treos 
itoli,  tliick- 
liiig  that  of 
diem;  ('jrvs 
t  from  those 

Rephipcs 
scoua  t'olor- 
>ill,  and  the 
1  tlie  West  ? 
m.,  8vo.  ed. 
I  therefore 
the  eastern 
Jaird  for  the 
iierally  dis- 

t  exactly  as 
gs,  eye-ring 
t  ashj/  cast ; 
trnilli,  and 
idaries  ;  the 
th  ;  the  f(!et 
ider  Iialf  an 
lit  2.25.  A 
ral  9  9  are 
9  trailli  in 
.  Am.  to  the 
gerows,  and 
'W  England, 
9°.  Kaiiges 
tree,  shrub, 
f  unmarked, 
or  se-wick', 

lYCATCIIER. 

below,  not 
n  the  belly, 
^  and  wing- 
leeies  differs 
te  match  it. 
inimus,  but 
3,  common, 
northward, 
le  latter  are 
round,  in  a 
ly  cupped ; 

Western 
tion  dingy, 
il  said  to  bo 


390.  E.  ham'mondl.  (To  Dr.  W.  A.  Hammond,  U.  S.  A.)  Hammond's  Flycatcher.  Dirty 
Little  Flycatcher.  Above,  o\\\c-gray,  decidedly  gi-aycr  or  even  ashy  on  the  fore-jiiirts ; 
tiie  whole  throat  and  breast  almost  continuously  oUve-gray  but  little  paler  than  the  back,  tlie 
belly  alone  more  or  less  decidedly  yellowish  ;  wing-markings  and  eye-ring  dull  soiled  wliitish  ; 
bill  very  small,  and  extremely  wMcrojr,  being  hardly  or  not  0.20  wide  at  the  nostrils  ;  thisdi.xtin- 
guishes  the  bird  from  all  but  »iJMtmi<,sand  obseurus;  under  mandible  usually  blackish;  tail  usu- 
ally (lecid(?dly /ocA'crf,  mon?  so  than  in  other  species  (though  in  all  of  them  it  varies  from  sligjitly 
rounded  to  slightly  <'marginate)  ;  outer  tail-feather  usually  whitish-erf(/erf  externally  (a  chanicter 
often  shown  by  trailli  and  niinimm),  but  not  decidedly  white.  About  the  size  of  minimun  ; 
wings  and  tail  relatively  longer.  Plains  to  the  Pacific,  U.  S.,  and  Ikitish  Am.  This  is  the 
Western  representative  of  minimus,  but  is  tangibly  distinct ;  the  general  tone  of  coloration  is 
heai'!/,  fall  specimens  in  particular  giving  somewhat  the  effect  of  a  iVirty  Jlar^iveiiiris;  the  tiny 
bill  is  a  good  mark.  Nesting  substantially  like  minimus;  eggs  white,  unmarked.  Note  "  a 
soft  pit." 

391.  K.  obscu'rus.  (Lat.  obseurus,  dark.)  Wright's  Fly'catcher.  Gray  Little  Fly'catcher. 
Colors  not  very  tangibly  difft.'rent  from  those  of  trailli  or  minimus,  but  outer  web  of  outer  tail- 
feather  abruptly  white  in  decided  contrast.  General  tone  quite  gray;  gray  below  quite  across 
breast,  giving  the  effect  there  of  Contojms  richardsoni;  under  mandible  obscured ;  eye-ring  and 
wing-edgings  quite  whitish.  General  dimensions  approaching  those  of  acadicus,  owing  to 
length  of  wings  and  tail.  Length  doubtless  up  to  (i.OO,  and  extent  to  9.50  ;  wing  2.6()-;5.00  ; 
tail  2.50-2.75;  tarsi  about  0.75;  bill  about  0.50,  extremely  narrow  (much  as  in  Sayiornis 
fusca),  its  width  at  the  nostrils  only  about  ^  its  length.  The  bird  looks  singularly  like  the 
Western  Gontopus,  though  of  course  innnediately  seen  to  bo  Empidonax.  Kocky  and  other 
mts.  of  the  West,  N.  to  49°,  in  woodland,  groves  and  thickets.  To  complete  the  analogies 
between  the  Eastern  and  Western  Empidonaces,  this  may  be  considered  to  represent  acadicus. 
Nesting,  however,  substantially  as  in  minimus :  a  ueat,  compact,  deep-cupped  nest  in  crotch  of 
a  sapling,  and  eggs  I5-4,  white,  unmarked,  but  large,  0.75  X  0.58.  Note  "  a  weird  sweer,"  "  a 
soft  liquid  whit."    (E.  obseurus,  E.  wrightii,  Haird,  1858  ;  but  qu.  Tyr.  obscura  Sw.  1827?) 

124.  MITRE'PHANKS.  (Gr. /iiVpij,  »«j7)e,  a  head-dress  ;  ^aivto,  I  appear.)  Little  IhiFF  Fly- 
catchers. Coronal  feathers  and  rictal  bristles  longer  than  in  Empidonax,  and  general  cast  of 
the  plumage  buffy  or  fulvous  rather  than  olivaceous ;  otherwise  (our  species  at  any  rate)  not 
different  from  Empidonax.  Several  Mexican  species,  one  reaching  our  border.  {Mitrephanes 
CouES,  1882,  vice  Mitrephorus  Scl.,  1859,  preoccupied.) 

392.  M.  ful'vifrons  palles'cens.  (Lat.  fulvifrons,  fulvous-fronted ;  2^<^^^fscens,  growing  pale.) 
Little  IJuff-breasted  Flycatcher.  Above,  dull  grayish-brown  tinged  with  olive,  par- 
ticularly on  the  back  ;  below,  pale  fulvous,  strongest  across  the  breast,  whitening  on  the  belly  ; 
no  fulvous  on  the  forehead  ;  sides  of  head  light  brownish-olive  ;  wings  and  tail  dusky,  outer 
web  of  outer  tail-feathers,  edges  of  inner  primaries  except  at  the  base,  and  tips  of  wing-coverts, 
whitish  ;  iris  brown;  bill  yellow  Mow,  black  abevo  ;  feet  black.  Length  4.75  ;  extent  7.3;{ ; 
wing  2.12;  tail  2.00;  tarsus  0.55  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.45  ;  bill  0.40.  New  Mexico,  Ari- 
zona, and  southward.  (Empidonax pygmccus  Coues,  Ibis,  1865,  p.  537  ;  Mitrephorus  palles- 
cens  CouES,  Proc.  Phila.  Acad.,  18C6,  p.  63.  My  original  specimens,  affording  the  descriptions 
quoted,  and  the  first  known  to  have  been  taken  in  the  United  States,  do  not  appear  to  be 
specifically  distinct  from  Muscicapa  fulvifrons  of  Giraud  (B.  of  Tex.,  1841,  pi.  2,  f.  2)  ;  they 
are  clean  spring  birds,  and  the  species  is  more  fulvous  in  fall  plumage.) 

125.  ORNITH'IUM.  (6r.  opvlBiov,  ornithion,  dimin.  of  opvis,  a  bird.)  Beardless  Flycatchers. 
General  aspect  of  Etnpidonax,  but  remarkably  distinguished  by  the  parine  shape  of  the  bill, 
and  almost  entire  absence  of  the  rictal  bristles  so  conspicuous  in  most  genera  of  Tyrannida:, 
though  a  few  slight  ones  may  be  seen  on  close  inspection.  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  stout, 
compressed,  not  depressed  as  usual  in  Tyrannida,  with  high-ridged  arched  culmen  and  scarcely 


444 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  S  YNOPSIS.  —  PICABI^. 


overhanging  tip  ;  commissuro  gently  decurvcd ;  gonys  about  straight.  Head  a  little  crested, 
as  ill  Empidonax,  Contopus,  etc.  Wiugs  of  moderate  length,  much  rounded  ;  2d  to  5th  prima- 
ries subequal  nud  longest,  Gth  shorter,  Ist  about  equal  to  7th.  Tail  a  little  shorter  than  wings, 
even  or  scarcely  rounded.  Tarsus  long,  exceeding  the  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  lat(;ral  toe.s  sub- 
equal,  their  claws  about  reaching  base  of  middle  claw ;  hind  claw  shorter  than  its  digit.  Of 
diminutive  size,  and  dull  plain  colors,  as  in  the  small  olivaceous  flycatchers  generally;  but  for 
the  bill,  the  species  might  be  mistaken  for  an  Emjndonax. 
303.  O.  Imber'be.  (Lat.  iinberbis,  beardless ;  in,  not,  and  barba,  a  heard.)  Texas  Beardless 
Flycatciieu.  Adult  <J  9  '•  Above,  dull  t)live-gray,  a  little  darker  (browner)  on  the  length- 
ened erectile  feathers  of  the  crown,  a  little  brighter  (greener)  on  the  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts. 
Below,  jialc  dull  gray,  somi-times  almost  grayish-white  anteriorly,  clearing  on  the  belly  and 
under  tail-coverts  to  pale  yellowish.  Wings  and  tail  fuscous,  with  pale  gray  or  whitish  edgings 
of  the  middle  and  greater  coverts  and  most  of  the  quills  of  th(!  wings,  as  in  an  Empithnax. 
Bill  dark  brown  above,  pale  below.  Worn  specimens  are  ([uite  brownish  above,  and  whitish 
below,  with  little  edging  of  the  wings  and  tail.  Young  and  fresh  fall  specimens  are  more  clearly 
olivaceous  above  aud  yeUowish  below,  shaded  with  gray  across  the  breast ;  the  young  with  the 
wing-bars  tinged  with  butf  or  tawny  —  all  (juite  as  usual  in  Empidonax.  Very  small :  length 
about  4.25  ;  wing  2.10;  tail  1.80;  bill  scarcely  0.30 ;  tarsus  0.55;  whole  foot  scarcely  1.00. 
A  curious  little  flycatcher  of  Mexico  and  Central  Am.,  lately  discovered  on  the  Lower  Kio 
Grande  of  Texas.  Nest  and  eggs  unknown. 
126.  PYBOCE'PHALUS.  (Gr.  jrCp,  gen.  jru/ipr,  ^jhc,  p«ms,  Are  ;  Kt(f>aKt),  hephale,  \\caA.)  Fire- 
CROWNEU  FLYCATCUER.S.  Sexes  very  dissimilar :  head  of  $  with  a  full  globidar  crest  (fig.  28S ), 
and  all  under  parts  (usually)  scarlet- red;  other  jiarts  deep  bn>wn  ;  9  brown  and  whitish.  Bill 
slender,  naiTow  at  base,  much  as  in  Sayiornis.  Wings  moderate,  pointed  ;  2d-4th  quills 
longest,  1st  between  5th  and  (5th.  Tail  nearly  even,  shorter  than  wings,  t>f  broad  feathers. 
Tarsus  scarcely  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw.  A  tropical  g('nus  of  several  species,  one  of 
which  reaches  our  border. 
394.  P.  rubi'neus  mexlca'nus.  (Lat.  nibineus,  ruby-red.)  Vermilion  Flycatcher.  Adult  (J  : 
Pure  dark  bR>wn,  including  stripe  along  side  of  head ;  wings  and  tail  blackish  with  flight  jjale 
edgings ;  the  full  globular  crest,  and  all  the  under  parts  scarlet  or  vennilion ;  bill  and  feet 
black.  9  •  Dull  brown,  including  the  little-crested  crown ;  below,  white,  tinged  with  red, 
reddish  or  orange  in  some  jjlaces;  the  breast  and  sides  with  slight 
dusky  streaks.  Immature  (J  shows  gradation  between  the  characters 
of  both  sexes  ;  at  first  there  is  no  red  whatever,  the  bird  otherwise 
resembling  the  9 1  but  pale  yellowish  where  she  is  reddish ;  upper 
parts  gray  ;  all  the  feathers  may  be  skirted  with  whitish,  especially 
on  the  wing-coverts  and  inner  secondaries;  tail  quite  blackish ;  under 
parts  more  purely  white  than  in  the  9?  "ii<l  rather  speckled  than 
strciiked  with  gray.  But  reddish  soon  replaces  the  yellow  of  the 
crissum  and  axillars.  Adult  ^  ^  are  subject  to  much  variation ;  the 
red  is  sometimes  rather  orange.  Length  about  6.00 ;  wing  3.25 ; 
tail  2.50 ;  bill  0.45  ;  tarsus  0.55  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.50.  Valleys  of  the  Rio  Grande  and 
Colorado,  and  southward ;  common  in  Arizona  on  the  Gila ;  a  very  showy  little  bird,  of  the 
usual  flycatcher  habits. 


Fio.  288.  -Head  of  Ver- 
lailioii  Flycatcher,  nat,  size. 


n. — Order    FICARI^!:    Ficarian  Birds. 


This  is  a  miscellaneous  assortment  (in  scientific  language,  "a  polymorphic  group")  of 
birds  of  highly  diversified  forms,  grouped  together  more  because  they  difler  from  other  birds  in 
one  way  or  another,  than  on  account  of  their  resemblance  to  one  another.    As  commonly  received, 


PICABl^:    PICARIAN  BIIWS. 


445 


ttlo  crested, 
)  5th  priiiia- 
thiiu  wings, 
•al  toes  sub- 
;8  digit.  Of 
illy ;  but  for 

Beardless 
the  leiigth- 
tuil-coverts. 
le  belly  and 
tish  edgings 
Empidonax. 
and  whifisli 
more  clearly 
ing  with  th<^ 
nail :  length 
3arcely  1.00. 
Lower  Rio 

ad.)    FiRE- 

«t  (fig.  288), 
liitish.  Hill 
d-'tth  quills 
lad  feathers, 
pcies,  one  of 

Adult  i  : 
Llight  imlo 
ill  and  feet 
d  with  red, 
with  sliglit 
e  characters 
(1  otherwise 
lish ;   upi)er 

especially 
kish;  under 
Dckled  than 
How  of  the 
riation;  the 
wing  3.25 ; 

ande  and 
bird,  of  the 


^oup")  of 
ler  birds  in 
ly  received, 


this  order  includes  all  the  non-passerino  Land  Birds  down  to  those  with  a  cered  bill  (parrots 
and  birds  of  prey).  Excluding  the  jiarrots,  which  constitute  a  strongly  marked  natural  group, 
of  equal  value  with  those  called  ord(M's  in  this  work,  the  Pkuria:  correspond  to  tlic  StrisorcK  -f- 
Scamores  of  authors;  including,  however,  some  that  are  often  referred  to  Clamutores.  (Tliis 
"order"  Scansores,  or  Zygodadyli,  containing  all  the  birds  that  have  the  toes  arranged  in 
l>airs,  two  in  front  and  two  behind  (and  some  that  have  not),  is  one  of  the  most  uniiiitigated 
inflictions  that  ornithcdogy  has  suffered;  it  is  as  thoroughly  unnatural  as  the  divisions  of  my 
artificial  key  to  our  genera.)  I  have  no  faith  whatever  in  the  integrity  of  any  such  grouping 
as '"  Picariiu"  hnplies;  but  if  1  should  break  up  this  conventional  assemblage,  I  should  not 
know  what  to  do  with  the  fragments ;  not  being  prepared  to  ftdlow  Garrod  to  the  length  of 
a  cla.ssification  of  birds  based  primarily  upon  the  condition  of  certain  muscles  of  the  leg;  and 
knowing  of  no  available  alternative.  With  this  protest,  and  upon  such  understanding,  1  retain 
the  Picariau  gronj),  as  in  the  original  edition  of  the  Key,  to  include  all  the  N.  A.  Laud  Birds  of 
uou-i)asserine  character,  without  a  hooked  and  cered  bill,  and  without  the  proper  characters  of 
the  Columbine  and  Galline  families. 

Manifestly,  from  what  has  been  said,  the  Picariec  are  insusceptible  of  satisfactory  definition  ; 
but  I  nuiy  indicate  some  leading  features,  mostly  of  a  nt^gativo  character,  that  they  possess  in  com- 
mon. The  sternum  rarely  conforms  to  the  particular  Passerine  model,  its  posterior  border 
usually  being  either  entire  or  else  doubly-notched.  The  vocal  apparatus  is  not  highly  developed, 
having  not  more  than  three  pairs  of  8ej)arate  intrinsic  muscles ;  the  birds,  consequently,  arc 
nt^ver  highly  music^al.  There  are  some  modifications  of  the  cranial  bones  not  observed  in 
Passeres.  According  to  Sundevall,  the  Picarice,  like  lower  birds,  usually  lack  a  certain  special- 
ization of  the  flexor  muscles  of  the  toes  seen  in  Passerea.  The  feet  are  very  variously  modified ; 
one  or  another  of  all  the  toes,  except  the  middle  one,  is  susceptible  of  being  turned,  in  this  or 
that  case,  in  an  opposite  from  the  customary  direction ;  the  fourth  one  being  frecpiently  capable 
of  turning  either  way;  while  in  two  genera  (of  Picida  the  first,  and  in  two  others  (of  Ake- 
dinida)  the  second,  toe  is  deficient.  'J'he  tarsal  envelope  is  never  entire  behind,  as  in  the 
higher  Panseres.  Another  curious  peculiarity  of  the  feet  is,  that  the  claw  of  the  hind  toe  is 
snuiUer,  or  at  most  not  larger,  than  that  of  the  third  toe  ;  and  on  the  whole  the  hind  toe  itself 
is  inconsiderable,  weak  if  not  wanting,  not  always  perfectly  incumbent  and  api)osable.  The 
wings,  endlessly  varied  in  shape,  agree  in  possessing  ten  developed  primaries,  of  which  the  first 
is  rarely  spurious  or  very  short.  (A  notable  exception  to  this  occurs  in  the  Pici.)  A  very 
general  and  useful  wing-character  is,  that  the  coverts  are  larger  and  in  more  numerous  series 
than  in  Passcres;  the  greater  coverts  being  at  least  half  as  long  as  the  secondary  quills  they 
cover,  and  sometimes  reaching  nearly  to  the  ends  of  these  <]uills.  This  is  the  common  case 
among  lower  birds,  but  it  distinguishes  most  of  the  Picari(e  from  Passeres;  it  is  not  shown, 
however,  in  the  Picidcc  and  some  others.  The  tail  is  indefinitely  varied  in  shape,  but  the 
number  of  its  feathers  is  a  good  clue  to  Picarice.  There  are  not  ordinarily  more  than  ten  perfect 
rectrices,  and  occasionally  there  are  oidy  eight ;  the  Woodpeckers  have  twelve,  but  one  pair  is 
abortive ;  there  are  twelve,  however,  in  the  Kingfishers,  and  some  others.  The  bill  shows 
numberless  modifications  in  form,  and  has  ^ts  own  specialization  in  nearly  every  family ;  it 
assumes  some  of  the  most  extraordinary  shapes,  as  in  the  hombiUs  and  toucans,  and  is  seldom 
of  the  simple  style  seen  in  a  thrush  or  finch  ;  it  is  never  hooked  and  cered  as  in  parrots  and  birds 
of  prey,  nor  soft  and  swtiUen  at  the  nostrils,  as  in  pigeons. 

With  this  slight  sketch  of  some  leading  features  of  the  group  (it  will  enable  the  student  to 
recognize  any  Picarian  bird  of  this  country  at  least,  and  that  is  my  main  object),  I  pass  to  the 
consideration  of  its  subdivision,  with  the  remark  that  a  precedent  may  be  found  for  any  con- 
ceivable grouping  of  the  families  that  is  not  perfectly  preposterous,  and  for  some  arrangements 
that  are  nearly  so.  As  well  as  I  can  judge  from  the  material  at  my  command,  and  relying  upon 
authority  for  data  that  I  lack,  the  PicaricB  fall  into  three  divisions  at  least.     These  I  shall  call 


446 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —I'ICAlilJE. 


Buborilors,  iu>t  liowevor  insisting  in  the  lonst  iip(in  the  question  of  tnxonomio  rank,  but  sitnply 
cnipluying  tlio  terms  oontiirniiiliiy  wiili  my  usugo  in  otlier  wises.  Tije  three  groups  may  be  here 
Uibnluted,  witli  rcmiirlcs  ciilenhiteil  to  give  un  idea  of  tlieir  romiKisition  :  — 

I.  C'Yi'HKl.lFdUMKH — inchuling  only  t'jn  tlireo  famiiicH  Ci/pseli<l(r,  Caprimulgiihc,  und 
Trochilidtc  —  tlio  Swifts,  Uoutsuiricrs,  anil  Ilninmiiig-birds.  They  are  birds  of 
remuriiable  volitorial  powers ;  the  wing  is  pointed,  and  very  hmg  in  its  feathers  and 
terminal  iiortions,  though  the  upper  arm  is  very  short.  The  feet  are  e.ttremely  small 
and  weak,  and  are  seareely  if  at  all  serviceable  for  progression.  The  liind  toe  is 
sometimes  versatile  (among  the  Swifts)  or  somewhat  elevated  (in  the  Goatsuckers 
and  some  Swifts) ;  the  front  toes  are  frequently  connected  at  base  by  movaWe  web- 
bing ((loatsuckcrs),  and  sctmetimes  lack  the  normal  number  of  phalanges  (among 
Swifts  and  Goatsuckers)  ;  but  the  feet  are  never  zygodactyle  nor  syndactyle.  The 
variously-shaped  tail  has  ten  rectrices.  One  family  (Hummhig-birds)  shows  the 
teniiiiostml  type  of  bill ;  the  other  two,  the  fisairustral,  on  which  account  they  used 
to  be  classed  with  the  SwaUows.  The  sternum  is  broad,  with  a  deej)  keel,  entire  or 
doubly  notched  (rarely  singly  notched)  behind.  The  syrinx  has  not  more  than  one 
pair  of  intrinsic  muscles. 
II.  Cuc'ULiFOKMES  * — comprehending  the  great  bulk  of  the  order ;  in  all,  about  fifteen  fajni- 
lies,  rather  more  than  less.  They  are  only  readily  limited  by  exclusion  of  the  charac- 
ters of  the  preceding  and  fidlowing  groups.  The  sternum  is  usually  notched  behind ; 
the  syringeal  muscles  are  two  pairs  at  most.  The  feet  arc  general!;/  short ;  the  dis- 
position of  the  toes  varies  reunirkably.  In  the  Coliida;,  or  colies,  of  Africa,  all  the 
toes  are  turned  forward.  In  the  Trogonidte,  the  second  too  is  turned  backward,  so 
that  the  birds  are  zygodactyle,  but  in  a  different  way  from  all  others.  Fatuilies  with 
the  feet  pernuinently  zygodactyle  in  the  ordinary  M'ay  by  reversion  of  the  fourth,  or 
partially  so,  the  outer  toe  being  versatile,  are  —  the  Cuculida:,  or  Cuckoos,  with  their 
near  relatives  the  Indicatorida;  or  Guide-birds  of  Africa;  the  BhamphaslidfC,  or 
Toucans,  confined  to  tropical  America  and  distinguished  by  their  enormous  vaulted 
bill ;  the  Musophagidce,  Plaintain-eaters  tir  Touracos,  of  Africa ;  the  Biicconida;  and 
CapUonida:,  or  fissirostral  and  scansorial  Barbets  of  the  New  and  chiefly  of  Old  World 
*  respectively ;  and  the  Galbulidte,  or  Jacamars,  of  America.  (The  Cuculida;  and 
Mnsophagidce  are  by  Garrod  placed  together  with  Gallinaceous  birds.)  In  the 
remaining  groups,  the  toes  have  the  ordinary  position,  but  sometimes  offer  unusual 
characters  in  other  respects.  Thus  in  the  Akedinidcc  (Kingfishers),  and  Momotida 
(Motmots  or  Sawbills),  the  middle  and  outer  toes  are  perfectly  coherent  for  a  great  dis- 
tance, constituting  the  syngenesioits,  syndactyle  or  anisodactyle  foot.  The  Bucerotida, 
or  Hornbills,  of  the  Old  World,  characterized  by  an  immense  corneous  process  on  the 
bill,  are  relatives  of  the  Kingfishers  ;  so  are  the  Todida,  a  group  of  small  brightly- 
colored  birds  of  Mexico  and  the  West  Indies.  Other  forms,  all  Old  World,  are  the 
Meropida  or  bee-eaters,  the  Upupida  or  Hoopoes,  and  the  Coraciidce  or  Rollers,  with 
their  allies  the  Leptosomatidce,  of  Madagascar. 
ni.  PiciFORMES  —  comprising  only  three  families,  the  lyngidw,  or  Wrynecks,  with  one 
genus  and  four  species,  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa ;  the  Pkumnida,  with  one  or  two 
genera  and  nearly  thirty  species,  chiefly  American ;  and  the  Picida  or  true  Wood- 
peckers. The  digits  are  permanently  paired  by  reversion  of  the  fourth,  except  in 
two  tridactyle  genera,  having  no  hind  too  proper;  there  is  a  modification  of  the 

•  While  the  Cypseliformei  and  Pic\formes  are  each  of  them  well  characterized  and  perfectly  defined  groups 
of  birds,  the  rererBe  la  the  case  with  the  ri(c«/i/ornie«,  —  a  mixed  lot  requiring  to  be  reconstructed  by  exclusion  of 
mnie  of  the  families  here  given  as  entering  Into  Its  composition.  The  Troyanulix  have  already  been  eliminated 
by  Sclater  under  the  name  of  Iltterodactyli. 


CAVKIMULGIIKI-::    GOATSUCKEIiS. 


44T 


,  but  Hiinply 
iniiy  be  hero 

ulgidfC,  and 
re  birds  of 
fciitbers  and 
eiiiely  small 

liiiid  toe  is 
Li<»at.sufl{er8 
jvablc  web- 
f^t's  (auKing 
ctyle.     The 

shows  tlio 
It  they  UHod 
lel,  entire  or 
I'O  than  Olio 

fifteen  fanii- 
tlio  charac- 
lu'd  beliind ; 
rt ;  tlio  (lis- 
rica,  all  the 
ackward,  so 
iiuilies  with 
e  fourth,  or 
i,  witli  their 
\hastidce,  or 
lous  vaulted 
cconida  and 
f  Old  World 
icuUdce  and 
s.)  In  the 
ffer  unusual 
Momotid(B 
a  great  dis- 
Bucerotidee, 
ocess  on  the 
11  brightly- 
rid,  are  the 
Pollers,  with 

i,  with  one 
1  one  or  two 
true  Wood- 
,  except  in 
tion  of  the 

lefined  groups 
y  exclusion  of 
in  eliuiinuted 


lower  end  of  the  metatarsus,  c<irrespondiiig  to  tlie  reversed  positiou  of  the  fourth  toe, 
nud  tlio  ujiper  part  of  tho  same  bono  is  perforated  i)y  canals  for  Hexor  tendons.     Tho 
basal   piialanges  of  tiie  toes  are   short.     Tiio   wing  has    10   primaries,    and  siiort 
secondary  coverts  (contrary  to  tho  rule  in  I'icmiit)  ;  tiio  tail  10  rectrices,  soft  and 
rounded  in  lyuyidtc  and  I'icnmnidtc,  rigid  and  acuminato  in  I'itikUe,  where  also  u 
Bupplcmentary  pair  of  sjiurious  feathers  is  developed,  mulling  H  in  all.     The  nostrils 
vary:  they  are  large  and  of  peculiar  structure  in  lyiigidw,  usually  covered  with 
autrorso  plumules  in  tiio  rest.     Tlie  bill  is  straight  or  nearly  so,  hard  and  strong, 
acute  or  truncuto,  the  mandibles  o<[ual;  tho  tongue  is  lumbriciform,  and  very  gener- 
ally extensile  to  a  remarkable  degree,  by  a  singuhir  elongation  of  the  bones  and 
muscles  (figs.  73,  74).     The  structure  of  tlio  bony  palate  is  unique  among  birds;  it 
is  called  saurognathoiis  by  Parker  (see  p.   \Ti).     Tlio  salivary  glands  have  an 
unusual  development,  in  tho  typical  sjiecies  at  any  rate.     Tlie  sternum  is  doubly- 
notched  behind.     A  very  strongly-marked  group  ;  in  some  respects  it  approaches  tiio 
i-'«s.<ierine' birds  more  nearly  than  other  I'kuruc  do. 
However  impossible  it  is  to  define  any  such  group  as  the  conventional  Picnria,  and  how- 
ever difficult  it  may  bo  to  make  three  or  any  otlier  small  number  of  subdivisions,  tlie  very 
divcTsity  of  tlio  forms  enables  us  to  define  the  familwH  witli  ease.     The  student  can  never  bo  ia 
doubt  to  which  one  of  tho  six  North  American  families  his  specimen  belongs. 

3.   Suborder  CYPSELIFORMES:  Cypseliform  Biui>8. 

Fissirostral  {Cajmmitlgidtc,  Cypselidcc)  or  tcnuirostml  (Trochilidw)  Picarice.  Wings 
lengthened  in  tho  distal  joints,  shortened  in  the  proximal,  with  10  fully-developed  primaries ; 
makii.g  aii  instrument  of  remarkable  power.  Feet  never  zygodactylo  nor  syndactyle ;  small, 
weak,  scarcely  fitted  for  progression ;  hind  toe  often  elevated  or  versatile ;  front  toes  often 
webbed  at  base,  or  witli  abnormal  ratio  of  phalanges,  or  both  these  modifications  togcither 
(figs.  40,  41).  Tail  of  10  rectrices.  Palate  tegitliognathous  (p.  172).  Sternum  deep-kecded, 
its  posterior  border  usually  entire,  or  doubly -notched  or  fenestrate.  Syringeal  muscles  not  more 
than  one  pair.  The  oil-gland  nude.  No  coeca  in  Ci/pselidcc  and  Trochilida  ;  ca-ca  present  in 
Cuprinndgidee.     Anomalogonatous ;  no  auibions  nor  accessory  fomoro-caudal  muscle. 

Contains  the  3  families  named  above,  —  Goatsuckers,  Swifts,  and  Humming-birds,  Not- 
withstanding the  peculiarities  of  the  latter,  especially  their  long  slender  bill,  they  are  really  more 
nearly  ndated  to  tho  fissirostral  Swifts  than  these  are  to  tho  fissirostral  Caprimulgidce,  in  essential 
structural  characters. 

21.    Family   CAPRIMULGID-^ :    Goatsuckers 

(So  called  from  a  traditional  superstition). 
Fissirostral  PiearicB.  Head  broad,  flattened ; 
neck  inappreciable ;  eyes  and  ears  large.  Bill 
extremely  small  in  its  homy  portion,  which  is 
depressed,  and  triangular  when  viewed  from 
above,  but  with  enormous  gape  reaching  be- 
low the  eye,  and  generally  with  bristles  attain- 
ing an  extraordinary  development.  Nostrils 
basal,  exposed,  roundish,  with  a  raised  V.order, 
sometimes  prolonged  into  a  tube.  Wings 
more  or  less  lengthened  and  pointed,  deriving  their  sweep  mainly  from  elongation  of  the  distal 
joints  and  the  feathers,  the  proximal  segment  being  short ;  of  10  primaries  and  more  than  9 
secondaries ;   the  latter  not  so  extremely  short  as  in  Cgpselid<e.     Tail  variable  in  shape,  of  10 


Fio.  289.  —  ■Wlilppoorwlll,   a  getiroBtral   Caprimul 
glne.    (From  Tenney,  after  ■Wilson.) 


448 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —PICARIJE—  CYPSELIFOliMES. 


rectrices.  In  certain  genera,  either  wing  or  tail  develops  a  pair  of  immensely  lengthened 
feathers.  Feet  extremely  small;  tarsus  usually  short,  and  partly  feathered;  hind  toe  very 
sliort,  commonly  elevated  and  turned  sideways ;  front  toes  connected  at  base  by  movable  web- 
bing, and  frequently  showing  abnormal  ratio  or  phalanges,  the  4th  toe  having  but  4  joints 
(p.  127,  lig.  41) ;  middle  toe  lengthened  beyond  the  short  lateral  ones,  its  claw  usually  pecti- 
nate (fig.  291).  The  oil-gland  is  nude,  and  coeca  are  i)resent.  The  arrangement  of  the  leg- 
muscles  is  anomalogonatous  (p.  195);  the  ambiens  and  accessory  femoro-caudal  are  both 
absent. 

A  definitely-circumscribed,  easily-recognized  group  of  about  14  genera  and  rather  more 
than  100  species,  of  temperate  and  tropical  parts  of  both  hemispheres.  They  are  all  more  or  less 
nocturnal,  and  have  a  certain  resemblance  to  owls,  —  particularly  the  genus  Stcatornis,  which  is 
quite  owlish.  The  iligiit  is  perfectly  noiseless ;  the  plumage  is  very  soft  and  lax,  as  in  owls, 
and  the  colors  are  usually  blended  in  the  most  intricate  pattern.  Th(^  Cuprunulgida  are 
divisible,  according  to  the  structure  of  the  feet,  into  two  subfamilies :  Podarginee,  cliiefly  Old 
World,  with  tiie  normal  ratio  of  ])halauges,  and  CaprimulghuB  (as  below).  Considering,  how- 
ever, other  points,  particularly  the  shape  of  the  sternum,  a  more  elaborate  division  is  into  (I) 
Potlargince,  jilialanges  normal,  tarsus  naked  and  lengthened,  sternum  doubly-notched,  with 
three  genera  {Podargus,  Bairuchostomus,  and  JEgotheks  »i  the  Old  World;  (2)  Nyctibihw, 
])h.i!.inges  normal,  tarsus  short,  feathered,  sternum  doubly-notched,  upper  mandible  toothed, 
containing  one  genus  (Nyctibius)  of  tro))ical  America  ;  (3)  Steatontith'ma;,  pluilanges  nonnal, 
sternum  singly-notched,  with  one  nnnarlcable  genus  (Steaiornis)  of  tropical  America,  which 
might  properly  be  made  type  of  a  separate  family,  so  many  are  the  peculiarities  of  this  owlisli 
bird ;  <ind  finally  (4)  Caprimulgincc,  comprising  the  rest  of  the  family.  The  latter  alone  is 
represented  in  North  America.  Our  "  Whipjioorwills  "  are  typically  caprinuilgine,  and  give  a 
good  idea  of  the  essential  characters  of  tlie  family;  our  "Night-hawks"  are  more  aberrant, 
representing  a  particular  section  of  tlie  subfamily;  but  neither  of  these  gives  any  hint  of  tlie 
sin^ 'lar  shapes  which  some  of  the  genera  assume. 

30.   Subfamily  CAPRIMULCIN^:    True  Goatsuckers;   Night-Jara. 

Steruuin  singly-notched  on  each  side  bel)ind;  its  body  not 
scpiare.  Katio  of  phalanges  abnormal.  Outer  ioc  i-Jointed ; 
middle  daiv  pectinate;  hind  toe  very  short,  elevated,  semi-lcteral; 
anterior  toen  morahly  webbed  at  base  (tig.  41);  lateral  toes  not 
nearly  reaching  1)ase  of  middle  claw.  Tarsus  very  short,  com- 
monly much  feathered  (longer  and  naked  in  Nyctidromtis  and 
Phalanoptihis).  Besides  the  semipalmatiou  of  the  fe<?t,  tliere 
is  another  curious  analogy  to  wading  birds ;  for  the  young  are 
downy  at  birtli,  as  in  Prtecoces,  instead  of  naked,  as  is  the  rule 
among  Altrices.  The  plunuige  is  soft  and  lax,  much  as  in  the 
Owls;  the  birds  bave  the  same  noiseless  llight,  as  well  as,  in 
most  cases,  noctunial  or  crepuscular  habits;  and  some  of  tlieni 
bear  an  odd  resemblance  to  Owls.  Besides  this  tiufliness  and 
laxity  of  the  plumage,  the  skin  is  very  thin  and  tender ;  it  is 
difficult  to  make  good  spe(!imen8  of  the  whippoorwills,  and  the 
curiously  variegated  blended  shades,  of  exquisite  beauty,  like 

„       ^„  V.  •     ,    '  .  .    the  powdery  coloration  of  a  moth's  wings,  are  at  best  not  easy 

Fia.   290. —  Night-hawk,  a  Rlal>-         ,        .,  .  .,  ,     .  ,.    ,  .  i    .      i 

rlrostral  Cnprlmulgine.  (From  Ten-  to  describe.     An  evident  design  ot  the  capacious  mouth  is  tlie 

ney,  after  Wilson.)  capture  of  insects;   the  active  birds  quarter  the  air  with  wide- 

open  mouth,  and  their  minute  prey  is  readily  taken  in.  But  they  also  s(>cure  larger  insects  in 
other  ways;  and  to  this  end  the  rictus  is  frequently  strongly  bristled,  as  in  the  Tyrannidw.     In 


CAPBIMULGID^—CAPRIMULGIN^:  TRUE  GOATSUCKERS.       449 


127. 


all  our  genera  excepting  Chordediles,  tlie  rictal  bristles  are  an  inch  or  more  in  length,  in  a  firm 
regular  series  along  the  gape — they  are  relatively  longer  and  stiffer  than  the  whiskers  of  a  eat. 
Our  several  genera  are  readily  discriminated  by  good  charactcTs  of  the  nostrils,  enormous  rictal 
bristles,  and  comparatively  short  wings  of  the  Night-jars  proper,  in  comjjarison  with  tl>e  slight 
bristles,  forked  tail  and  long  pointed  wings  of  Chordediles;  they  respectively  represent  two 
sections  of  the  subfamily  —  Setirostres,  bristled-billed  (fig.  289),  and  Glabrirostres,  smooth- 
billed  (fig.  290).  In  both  the  feci  are  so  extremely  short  that  tlie  birds  cannot  perch  in  the 
usual  way,  but  sit  lengthwise  on  a  large  branch,  or  crouch  on  the  ground.  Tliey  lay  two 
lengthened,  white  or  thickly  spotted  eggs,  on  or  near  the  ground,  in  stumps,  etc.  The  sexes 
are  distinguish.ible,  but  nearly  alike.  The  voice  is  peculiar,  and  has  given  several  of  the 
species  their  fanciful  onomatopoetic  names.     Migratory. 

Obs.  Since  the  orig.  ed.  of  the  Key  was  published,  a  fine  genus  and  species,  Nyetidromiis 
alhicolUs,  has  been  added  to  our  Fauna.  "  Xuttall's  Whippoorwill "  has  been  made  the  type  of 
a  new  genus,  Phal<B)wptili(s,  on  the  ground  of  its  naked  feet,  sJKjrt  square  tail,  and  other  good 
characters.  The  (iomnion  whippoorwill  has  been  referred  back  to  the  old  genus  Caprimulgus. 
While  it  certainly  dittera  from  the  chuck-will's-widow,  type  of  Antrostomus,  in  not  having  the 
rictal  bristles  garnished  with  lateral  filaments,  and  is  not  very  obviously  difierent  from  Capri- 
mulgus t)f  the  Old  World,  it  may  be  best  to  keep  it  with  Antrostomus,  where  all  the  New 
World  species  are  usually  referred,  until  the  limits  of  the  respective  genera  are  better  under- 
stood. 

Anali/sia  of  Genera. 

A.  Setiroatres.    Long  rictal  bristles.    Plumage  very  lax. 

Tarsus  extensively  feathered.    Nostrils  not  extensively  tubular. 

Tail  roundeil,  much  shorter  than  viiig.    Primaries  all  mottled,  without  white  spaces.    Eggs 

colored.    Large  and  me<lium-size<l Antroatomua    128 

Tarsus  naked,  except  on  Joint  above.    Nostrils  extensively  tubular. 

Tail  square,  much  shorter  than  wing.    Primaries  all  mottled,  without  white  spaces.    Eggs  color- 
less.   Small    (Western.) PhaUenoptUus    129 

Tail  rounded,  about  as  long  as  wing.    Outer  primaries  mostly  whole-colored,  with  great  white 
spaces.    Eggs  colored.    Very  large    (Southwestern. ) NyctUlromua    127 

B.  Glabrirostres.    No  long  rictal  bristles.    Plumage  more  compact. 

Tarsus  moderately  feathered.    Nostrils  not  extensively  tubular. 

Tail  forked,  much  shorter  than  the  i>ointcd  wing.    Outer  primaries  mostly  whole^;olored,  with 
great  white  spaces.    Eggs  colored.    Medium-sized ( 'hordediles    130 

NYCTI'DROMUS.       (Gr.    wf    gen. 

joiKTor,    mix,    nuctos,    iiii;ht;     Spofios,  jT                                   "\,_^      \  r)~ 

dromos,  act  of  coursing.      Pig.  291.)  A  ''  '^ .-:.'.>->-.■•>' ..-^^-^  - 

Night  CouRSEUS.    Nostrils  prolonged  ^^;^^L^^    '   -KCSMo^      y*  ^^^           nl/ 

as  cylindric  tubes  opening  forward  and  ^^r^-^i'S^^S;^          ^srr-i^        ^^       /// 

outward.       Rictal    bristles    immense,  V  ^  - — ^'^ 

simple  ;  other  bristle-tipped  or  bristle-  \  ^                         rt 

bearded  feathers  about  the  bill.     Tar-  "^'^'^                 -''      '^' 

sus  lengthened,  but  not  exceeding  the  

middle  too  without  claw,  naked  except  x-^:;=^-,  f 

just    on    the    joint.      Wing    scarcely  ...^^^  _^^ 

rounded ;    tipped   by  2d,   3d,  and  4th  "  "" 

quills,  1st  longer  than  5th,  folding  to  — .^- — =-_£       -\            jvm 

about  the  middle  of  the  tail,  wliich  is  ^<^ 

rounded,  and  approximately  of  equal 

length  with  the  wing.      Plumage  not         Pig.  291. —Head,  foot,  and  pectinated  claw  of  JVyctlrfromtij, 

•  .  I.  -11 .   ■     ai.-  nat.  size.    (Adnat.  del.  R.  Uldgway.) 

80  lax  as  in  a  whippoorwill ;  in  this,  as  *     '  < 

in  the  stiffish  primaries  with  little  marbling  but  great  white  spaces,  and  the  under  parts  barred 

crosswise,  is  seen  an  approach  to  Chordediles,  between  which  genus  and  Phakonoptilus  Nycti- 

29 


450 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  — PIC ARI^—  CYPSELIFOBMES. 


dromus  probably  comes.  One  or  two  species,  long  well  known  in  tropical  America,  lately 
found  N.  to  Texas. 
395.  N.  albicol'lls.  (Lat.  albus,  white;  collum,  neck.)  White-throated  Night-courser. 
Pauraque.  Adult  (J :  Assuming  brownish-gray  as  the  ground  color  of  the  upper  parts : 
Crown  heavily  dashed  with  black  streaks  along  the  middle  line,  with  narrow  black  shaft-lines 
at  the  sides  and  on  nape.  Back  more  diffusely  streaked  with  black  in  smaller  pattern,  tending 
to  break  up  in  chains  of  shaft-spots,  and  with  lighter  gray  and  brown  marbling.  Scapulars 
and  tertiaries  boldly  and  beautifully  marked  with  firm,  even,  shaii)  lines  of  white  or  tawny- 
wliite  —  the  arrow-headed  edgings  of  angular  black  terminal  fields.  Wing-coverts  curiou.sly 
mottled  with  black,  white,  and  tawny  —  the  white  and  tawny  conspicuous  as  large  irregularly 
roundish  spots.  Five  outer  primaries  with  a  largo  oblique  white  spot,  on  the  1st  at  about  its 
niiddle,  on  the  others  ncaring  their  ends ;  these  primaries  otherwise  plain  blackish,  except  a 
little  marbling  at  their  ends  —  the  whole  effect  thus  as  in  Chordedile.s.  tHher  primaries  and  all 
the  secondaries  blackish,  fuUy  scalloped  and  barred  with  tawny  in  increasing  amount  and  regu- 
larity from  without  inward.  Four  middle  tail-feathers  clouded  with  the  same  variegated  colors 
as  the  other  upper  parts,  but  without  definite  white  —  the  markings  tending  to  wavy  cross-bars. 
Next  two  lateral  feathers  on  each  side  with  great  white  spaces  on  one  or  botli  webs  at  end,  2-3 
inches  long,  the  rest  of  these  feathers  chiefly  barred  with  black  and  tawny ;  outer  feather  chieHy 
black,  but  with  marbling,  and  with  white  and  tawny.  Ear-coverts  rich  diestnut,  well  con- 
trasted with  surroundings.  Throat  with  a  bnjad  wliit(!  collar,  some  of  the  white  feathers  black- 
tipped.  Under  parts  ochraceous  or  jiale  tawny,  varied  with  whitisli,  and  pretty  regularly 
barred  crosswise  with  blackish-brown,  thus  somewhat  as  in  Chordediles.  Length  13.00 ; 
extent  25.00:  wing  and  tail,  each,  7.30;  tail  graduated  1.00 ;  tarsus  1.00;  middle  too  and 
claw  1.25.  Another  Texas  specimen  (])erhaps  9  >  I'l't  "''th  even  more  white  on  the  tail,  but 
white  on  only  4  primaries)  is  much  snuiller:  length  about  10.50  ;  wing  ().50  ;  tail  6.00.  The 
species  is  said  to  be  very  variable  in  size  and  markings  ;  9  to  have  the  collar  buff.  Tropical 
America,  N.  to  Texas,  where  common  in  the  valley  of  the  Lower  Kio  Grande.  Eggs  2,  laid 
on  the  ground  ;  1.25  X  0.92,  creamy-buff,  spotted  witli  ])inkish,  brown,  and  lilac. 
128.  ANTRO'STOMUS.  (Gr.  avrpov,  antroti,  a  cave;  arofia,  stoma,  mouth;  alluding  to  the  cav- 
ernous mouth.  Fig.  292.)  Ameuican 
XiOHT-jARS.  Nostrils  oval,  with  a  raised 
rim  not  j)rolonge(l  as  a  tube,  opening  up- 
ward and  outward.  Rictal  bristles  im- 
mense, with  or  without  lateral  filaments, 
and  other  bristly  or  bristle-bearded  feathers 
.about  the  bill.  Tarsus  not  longer  than 
middle  toe  without  claw,  feathered  in  front 
nearly  to  the  toes.  Wing  rounded,  tipped 
by  2d  and  3d  quills,  folding  to  beyond  the 
middle  of  the  tail,  wliicli  is  rounded  (not 
enough  so  in  fig.  293)  and  much  shorter 
than  wing.  Plumage  very  lax,  with  mi- 
nutely nnirbled  cidoration,  in  some  places 
as  if  dusted  or  frosted  over ;  primaries 
weak,  all  mottled  with  tawny,  without  great  wliite  si)aces ;  under  parts  mottled,  with  little 
tendency  to  regular  crosswise  barring ;  nuirkings  of  crown  longitudinal.  Size  medium  atid 
rather  large;  sexes  distinguishable;  eggs  2,  heavily  colored.  Highly  nocturnal.  Containing 
those  shadowy  birds,  consorts  of  bats  and  owls,  —  those  scarce-embodied  voices  of  the  night, 
here,  there,  and  everywhere  unseen,  but  shrilling  on  the  ear  with  sorrow-stricken  iteration. 


Fio.  292.  —  Head  and  foot  of  WliippoorwiU,  nat.  size 
(Adnat.  del.  U.  Kldgway.) 


CAPRIMULGIDJE  —  CAPRIMULGINJE :   TRUE   GOATSUCKERS.      451 


Analytis  of  Speciei. 
Large:  rlcUl  bristles  garnished  with  lateral  fliumeiits.    Tail  with  large  whole-colored  spaces  in  S  only 

(Antroatomus  proper) carolinenaia    396 

Small :  rictal  bristles  simple.    Tail  with  white  spacea  in  both  sexes  ( Caprimulgus .')     ....     vociferua    397 

3i>6,  A.  carolinen'sis.  (Lat.  Carolinian.)  Chuck-WILL's-widow.  The  rictal  bristles  with 
lateral  filaments.  Singularly  variegated  witli  black,  white,  brown,  tawny,  and  rufous,  tho 
prevailing  tone  fulvous  ;  a  whitish  or  tawny  throat-bar ;  several  lateral  tail-feathers  with  large 
whole-colored  space  in  the  ^,  all  variegated  in  the  9-  Adult  ^  :  Taking  dark  wood-browu 
as  the  ground  color  of  the  upper  parts,  this  is  heavily  dashed  with  black,  lengthwise  on  tho 
crown  in  large  pattern,  elsewhere  similar  in  smaller  style,  everywhere  minutely  punctulated 


Fio.  293.  —  WhippoorwiU,  }  nat.  size.       (From  Brehm.    Tail  not  rounded  enough.) 

with  ochrey  and  gray,  as  if  dusted  over ;  wing-coverts  and  inner  quills  more  boldly  varied  with 
black  centre-fields  and  tawny  or  whitish  edgings  of  the  feathers.  Four  middle  tail-feathers 
singularly  clouded  with  gray  and  tawny  on  a  seeming  black  ground,  the  pattern  tending  cross- 
wise. All  the  other  tail-feathers  with  the  inner  webs  having  2-3  inch  long  whole-colored 
spaces,  white  viewed  from  above,  tawny  seen  from  below  (a  curious  difference,  which  has 
caused  some  cfuifusion  in  descriptions  of  the  sexes  of  this  bird)  ;  their  outer  webs  mottled  with 
black  and  tawny.  Primaries  black,  fully  mottled  with  broken-up  tawiiy-reddish  cross-bars. 
General  tone  of  tho  under  parts  ochraceous,  becoming  quite  so  posteriorly,  with  pronounced 
tendency  to  black  cross-waves.  Length  11.00-12.00  ;  extent  about  25.00  ;  wing  8.00  or  nuire  ; 
tail  5.00  or  more  ;  whole  foot  1.75.  9  only  differs  in  lacking  the  whole-colored  spaces  on  the 
tail,  all  tho  feathers  being  motley  throughout ;  primaries  more  closely  mottled  with  reddish  ; 


452 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PICABI^  —  CYPSELIFORMES. 


rather  smiiller.  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  Carolina  to  Indian  Territory,  Texas  and  N. 
Mexico,  S.  to  Central  America ;  resident  ou  our  southern  border.  Twice  as  bulky  as  a  whip- 
poorwill,  the  general  tone  rufous.  Eggs  2,  1.45  X  1.05,  heavily  marked  in  intricate  pattern 
with  browns  and  neutral  tints. 
397.  A.  vocl'ferus.  (Lat.  vociferus,  voice-bearing.  Figs.  289,  292,  293.)  Whippoorwill. 
NiGHT-jAK.  TJie  rictal  bristles  sinqAe.  Upper  parts  variegated  with  gray,  black,  whitish,  and 
tawny ;  prevailing  tone  gray ;  black  streaks  sharp  on  the  head  and  back,  the  colors  elsewhere 
delicately  marbled,  including  the  four  median  tail-feathers ;  wings  and  their  coverts  with  bars  of 
rufous  spots;  lateral  tail-feathers  black,  with  large  white  {$)  or  small  tawny  (?)  teniiinal 
sjiaces;  a  white  (^)  or  tawny  (9)  throat-bar.  Adult  $  :  Assuming  stone-gray  as  the 
ground-color  of  the  ui)per  parts :  Crown  with  a  purplish  cast,  heavily  dashed  lengthwise  with 
black  ;  back  darker,  with  smaller  streaks ;  tail  beautifully  marbled  with  slate-gray  and  black 
tending  cro.sswise  on  the  4  middle  feathers  ;  scapulars  with  bold  black  centre-fields  set  in  frosty 
niarbUng ;  hind  neck  with  white  specks,  as  if  continued  around  from  the  white  throat-bar. 
Primaries  black,  with  a  little  marbling  at  their  ends,  fully  broken-barred  with  tawny -reddish; 
no  white  spaces.  Three  lateral  tail-feathers  mostly  black,  with  pure  white  tenninal  spaces 
1-2  inches  long.  Under  parts  quite  blackish,  on  the  breast  jiowdered  over  with  hoary-gray, 
more  posteriorly  marbled  with  gray  and  tawny,  tending  crosswise.  Lores  and  ear-coverts  dark 
brown.  It  is  only  in  perfect  jdumage  that  the  colors  are  as  slaty  and  frosty  as  described ; 
ordinarily  more  brown  and  ochrey.  Length  9.00-10.00;  extent  16.00-18.00;  wing  6.00  or 
more  ;  tail  5.00  or  less  ;  whole  foot  1.40  ;  the  distance  across  from  one  corner  of  the  mouth  to 
the  other  about  as  much  as  length  of  gape.  9 ,  adult :  General  tone  more  brownish  and  odirey ; 
throat-bar  tawny-whitish ;  tail-spaces  very  slight  and  ochraceous ;  rather  snuiUer.  Eastern 
IT.  S.  and  British  Provinces  to  the  central  ])lains,  abundant,  migratory  ;  breeds  throughout,  but 
chiefly  northerly;  winters  beyond.  A  shady  character,  oftener  heard  than  seen,  of  recluse 
nocturnal  habits  and  perfectly  noiseless  flight,  in  the  breeding  season  ceaseless  in  uttering 
its  strange  uncouth  cries  with  startling  vehemence.  The  notes  are  likened  to  the  phrase  which 
has  given  the  name ;  they  are  very  rapidly  reiterated,  with  strong  accent  on  the  last  syllable ; 
when  very  near,  a  clicking  sound,  and  sometimes  low  murmuring  tones,  may  also  be;  heard. 
No  nest;  2  eggs  on  ground  or  log  or  stump,  1.25  X  0.90,  creamy-white,  heavily  marked  with 
browns  and  neutral  tints.  The  young  are  helpless,  shapeless,  downy  masses ;  both  eggs  and 
young  are  often  removed  in  the  parent's  mouth  if  disturbed,  as  a  cat  cames  oft'  her  kittens,  —  a 
practice,  however,  habitual  in  this  curious  family  of  birds.  Unlike  the  night-hawk,  the  whip- 
poorwill rarely  flics  by  day,  unless  flushed  from  its  shady  retreats. 
881.  (addenda)  A.  V.  arlzo'n».  Arizona  Whippoorwill.  Similar:  larger:  rictal  bristles  longer. 
$  :  Throat-bar  and  superciliary  streak  ochraceous ;  lores  and  eai>covert8  tawny ;  white  spaces 
on  tail  short;  under  tail-coverts  nearly  unbarred. 
Length  10.20;  extent  19.40;  wing  6.65;  tail  4.45; 
longest  rictal  bristle  1.80 ;  longest  tail-spot  1.55. 
Arizona.  Perha])s  approaching  A.  macromystax. 
129.  PHALiENO'PTILlJS.  (Gr.  ^dXatra,  jiihalaina,  a 
moth;  TTTtXov,  ptUon,  feather:  alluding  to  the  pow- 
dery plumage,  like  the  furriness  of  a  moth's  wings. 
Fig.  294.)  Poor-wills.  Nostrils  tubular,  cylin- 
dric,  opening  forward  and  outward.  Rictal  bristles 
immense,  but  simple.  Tarsus  naked  except  just  on 
the  joint  above  (as  in  Nyctidromus),  as  long  as  mid- 
dle toe  without  claw.  Tail  square,  much  shorter 
than  the  rounded  wings,  which  fold  nearly  to  its 
end.    Plumage  peculiarly  soft  and  velvety,  in  hoar- 


Fio.  294.  —  Head  and  foot  of  NuttnllV  Poor- 
will,  nat.  size.    (Ad  nat.  del.  U.  Ridgwny.) 


CAFIilMULGinJ^—CAPSIMULGIN.^:    TRUE  GOATSUCKEBS.     453 

frosted  pattern  of  coloration.  Markings  of  crown  transverse ;  priinurics  barred  with  black  and 
tawny.  Size  small.  Soxes  alike.  Note  dissyllabic.  Eggs  \\\\\W. 
398.  P.  nut'talll.  (To  Thos.  Nuttall.)  Nvttall's  Poou-wn.i..  $  9 »  "dull :  Assuming  the 
upper  parts  of  a  beautiful  bronzy-gray  ground  color,  this  is  elegantly  frosted  over  with  soft 
silver-gray,  and  watered  in  wavy  cross-i)attern  with  black,  these  black  double  crescents  enlarg- 
ing to  herring-bone  marks  on  the  scapulars  and  inner  quills.  Four  middle  tail-featliers  patterned 
after  the  back ;  others  with  firmer  black  bars  on  motley  brown  ground,  and  short  whito  tips. 
Priniarics  and  longer  secondaries  bright  tawny,  with  pretty  regular  black  bars,  and  niarbh'd 
tips  (the  half-opened  wing  viewed  from  below  is  curiously  like  that  of  the  short-earetl  owl.) 
A  large  firm  silky-white  throat-bar.  Under  parts  grounded  in  blackish-brown,  giving  way 
behind  through  ochrey  with  dark  bars  to  nearly  uniform  ochrey.  It  is  impossible  in  words  to 
give  an  idea  of  the  artistic  blending  of  the  colors  in  this  elegant  little  night-jur.     The  sexes 


Fig.  295.  —  Niglit-liawk,  or  Bull-but,  i  nat.  size.    (From  Brclim.    Bill  too  brUtly.) 

scarcely  differ ;  specimens  before  me  marked  ?  have  as  purely  white  throat  as  the  $ ,  but  the 
tail-tips  are  shorter  and  tinged  with  tawny.  Length  7.00-8.00 ;  extent  15.00 ;  wing  about  .5.50 ; 
tail  3.50  or  less;  tarsus,  or  middle  toe  without  claw,  0.fi5.  Plains  to  the  Pacific,  U.  S.  and 
southward,  abundant.  Note  of  two  syllables,  the  first  of  the  "  whippoorwill  "  omitted.  Eggs 
2,  1.05  X  0.80,  elliptical,  white. 
130.  CHORDEDI'LES.  (Gr.  x°P^hi  chorde,  a  stringed  musical  instrument;  &ei\ri,  evening: 
alluding  to  the  crepuscular  habits.)  Night-hawks.  Glabrirostral :  the  rictus  without  long  stiff 
bristles.  Homy  part  of  beak  extremely  small.  Nostrils  cylindric  and  rimmed  about,  hardly  tubu- 
lar, opening  outward  and  upward.  Tarsus  feathered  part  way  down  in  front.  Tail  lightly  forked, 
much  shorter  than  the  extremely  long,  pointed,  stiff",  and  thin-bladed  wing,  with  1st  primary 
as  long  as  the  next.  Plumage  more  compact  and  smooth  than  in  the  night-jars ;  primaries 
mostly  whole-colored  (in  C.  texetisis  spotted),  with  large  white  (or  tawny)  spaces  on  the  outer 
4-6 ;  under  parts  barred  across ;  a  largo  white  for  tawny)  V-shaped  throat-bar.  Eggs  2, 
heavily  colored.     Not  strictly  nocturnal.    Remarkably  volitorial. 


454 


HYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PICAEI^  —  CYPSELIFORMES. 


■      ! 


Analysis  (\f  Species. 

Large:  wing  near  8.00.  Primarieg  dusky,  with  large  wlilte  spot  on  6  of  them,  in  both  sexes,  about  half 
way  from  bend  to  point  of  the  wing pnpetue    390,  400,  401 

Small :  wing  about  7.00.  Primaries  more  or  less  spotted  with  tawny,  with  large  white  ((f)  or  tawny  (  9 ) 
spaces  on  4  of  them  nearer  point  than  bend  of  the  wlug.    (Southwestern.) texeiiaia    403 

309.  C.  popetue.  (Vox  barb.,  incog.  Figs.  290,  295.)  NioiiT-iiAWK.  Bull-bat.  Above,  mot- 
tled with  black,  brown,  gray  and  tawny,  the  former  in  excess ;  below  from  the  breast  transversely 
barred  with  blackish  and  white  or  pale  fulvous  ;  throat  with  a  large  white  ( (J )  or  tawny  (  9  ) 
cross-bar ;  tail  blackish,  with  distant  pale  marbled  cross-bars  and  a  large  white  spot  (wanting  in 
the  9  )  on  one  or  both  webs  of  nearly  all  the  feathers  toward  the  end ;  primaries  dusky,  unmarked 
except  by  one  large  white  spot  on  outer ^cf,  about  midway  between  their  base  and  tip  ;  second- 
aries like  primaries,  but  with  whitish  tips  and  imperfect  cross-bars.  Sexes  nearly  alike  :  9 
with  the  wliite  spaces  on  the  quills,  but  tluit  on  the  tail  rejilaced  by  tawny  or  not  evident. 
Young  similar,  with  the  wiug-spots  from  the  nest,  but  the  markings  liner  and  more  intricately 
blended,  in  effect  more  I'lkn  Antrosiomus;  ipiills  edged  and  tijjped  with  tawny.  Length  9.00  or 
more;  extent  about  23.00  ;  wing  about  8.00 ;  tail  i.30;  whole  foot  1.23  ;  culmon  scarcely  0.25  ; 
gape  about  1.25.  Temperate  N.  Am.,  chiefly  Eastern,  abundant;  migratory;  breeds  through- 
out its  range ;  winters  beyond.  This  species  flies  abroad  at  all  limes,  though  it  is  p('rhai)s 
most  active  towards  evening  and  iii  dull  weather ;  and  is  generally  seen  in  ('(jinpanies,  busily 
foraging  for  i.. sects  with  rapid,  easy,  and  protracted  Hight;  in  the  breeding  season  it  iM'iforms 
curious  evolutions,  falling  through  the  air  with  a  loud  booming  sound.  Eggs  2,  ellijjtical,  1.52 
X  0.87,  finely  variegated  with  stone-gray  and  other  neutral  tints,  over  which  is  scratched  and 
fretted  dark  olive-gray;  but  the  pattern  and  tints  are  very  variable.  The  young  hatch  cov<'red 
with  Huffy  down,  whitish  below,  varied  with  blackish  and  brown  above.  It  may  be  necessary 
in  this  family  for  the  young  to  be  covered  from  the  first,  to  protect  them  from  the  cold  groun<l. 
On  being  disturbed  while  brooding  the  female  feigns  lameness,  dragging  and  fluttering  about, 
moaning  jiiteously,  and  will  sometimes  remove  her  young. 

400.  C.  p.  hen'ryl.  (To  Dr.  T.  C.  Henry.)  Western  Night-hawk.  The  lighter-colored  form 
prevailing  in  the  dryer  or  unwooded  portions  of  western  United  States;  the  gray  and  fulvous 
in  excess  of  the  darker  hues,  the  white  patches  on  the  wing,  tail  and  throat  usually  larger ;  the 
under  t,ui-covcrts  more  nearly  tmiform  ;  but  no  specific  character  can  be  assigned. 

401.  C.  p.  mi'nor.  (Lat.  minor,  smaller.)  Cuban  Night-hawk.  A  form  found  in  tlie  West 
Indies,  similar  to  C.  i)opetue  in  color,  but  rather  more  tawny,  and  decidedly  smaller:  wing 
7.00  ;  tail  4.00.     Florida. 

402.  C.  acutipen'nis  texeu'sis.  (Lat.  aciittis,  acute;  imina,  a  feather:  alluding  to  the  sharp- 
l)ointed  wings.  Of  Texas  :  our  bird  a  northern  race  of  the  S.  Am.  si)ecies.)  Texas  Night- 
hawk.  Smaller  than  the  foregoing,  and  otherwise  very  distinct.  General  tone  lighter,  pattern 
more  blended  and  diffuse,  more  as  in  a.i\  Antrostomus.  $,  adult :  Assuming  upper  parts  gray, 
this  color  intimately  punctate  with  lighter  and  darker  shades,  more  boldly  marked  with  blackish, 
chiefly  in  streaks,  and  with  tawny  and  white,  largest  on  the  scapulars  and  wing-coverts. 
Under  parts  barred,  as  in  popetue,  with  bhickish,  tawny,  and  wliitish,  but  the  two  former  pre- 
vailing. A  large  white  V  on  the  throat.  Four  outer  primaries  with  large  white  spot  on  both 
webs,  nearer  tip  than  bend  of  the  wing ;  inner  primaries  and  all  the  secondaries  spotted  with 
tawny  in  broken  bars.  Tail  blackish,  with  broken  gray  or  tawny  bars,  and  a  complete  sub- 
tenninal  cross-bar  of  white  on  all  the  feathers  but  the  central  pair.  9  lacking  this  white,  all 
the  tail-feathers  being  motley-barred  with  gray  and  tawny  throughout;  the  primaries  all  spotted 
with  tawny,  larger  spots  of  this  color  replacing  the  white  of  the  $  ;  throat-V  tawny.  Young 
more  suffused  with  tawny  on  a  pearly-gray,  black-speckled  ground ;  but  young  $  with  the 
white  tail-  and  wing-spots  from  the  first.  Length  8.00  or  more ;  extent  20.00-22.00 ;  wing 
about  7.00  ;  tail  4.00.     S.W.  U.  S.,  valleys  of  Rio  Grande  and  Colorado,  Texas  to  California 


CYPSELID^:    SWIFTS. 


455 


and  southward,  common.    General  habits  and  traits  of  a  night-hawk,  but  the  difforcnpo  between 
the  two  is  obvious  when  they  are  flying.     Eggs  2,  heavily  veined  and  marbled,  1.20X  0.87. 


22.    Family  CYPSELID-^ :    Swifts. 


Fio.  296.     Northern  Black  Cloud  Swift,  nat.  t\ze.   (E.  H.  Fitch.) 


Fissirostral  Picariee : 
Bill  very  small,  flattened, 
triangular  when  viewed 
from  above,  with  great 
gapo  reaching  below  the 
eyes ;  unuotched,  unbris- 
tled,  the  gape  about  six 
times  as  long  as  the  cul- 
men.  Nostrils  exposed, 
superior,  nearer  culmen 
than  commissure,  the 
frontal  feathers  tending  to 
reach  forward  tmdor  them. 
Wings  extremely  long, 
thin,  and  point(!d  (fre- 
quently as  long  as  tlie 
wh<de  bird) ;  the  prima- 
ries acute  and  somewhat 
falcate ;  the  secondaries 
extremely  short  (nine?). 
Tail  of  10  rectrices,  va- 
riable in  shape,  often 
mucronate.  Feet  small, 
weak,  the  envelope  rather 
skinny  than  scaly ;  tarsi 
naked  or  feathered  ;  hind 
toe  frequently  elevated,  or 
versatile,  or  permanently 
turned  sideways  or  even 
forward ;  lateral  toes  near- 
ly or  quite  as  long  as 
the  middle;  anterior  toes 
deeply  cleft,  the  basal 
phalanges  extremely  short, 
the  penultimate  very  long, 
the  number  of  phalanges 
frequently  abnormal  (2,  3, 
3,  3,  instead  of  2,  3,  4,  5 ; 
see  p.  127,  fig.  40);  claws 
sharp,  curved,  never  pecti- 
nate. Plumage  compact, 
usually  sombre  and  whole- 
colored,  or  only  relieved 
with  white;  sexes  alike. 
Sternum       deep  -  keeled, 


456 


SYSTEMATIC   SYNOPSIS.  -PICAHIJE  —  CYPSELIFOBMES. 


131. 


403. 


widening  behind,  its  posterior  margin  entire;  fureuluni  stout,  rather  U-  than  V-shaped.  Oil- 
gland  nude.  No  coeca.  Leg-muscles  auonuilogouatous  (p.  195)  ;  fenioro-caudal  present,  but 
accessory  fcmoro-caudal,  seniiteudiuosus,  accessory  seniitendinosus  and  anibiens  absent.  Eggs 
sovcrul,  narrowly  oval,  white. 

"  One  of  the  most  remarkable  points  in  the  structure  of  the  CypseUd<e  is  the  great  dt^vel- 
opment  of  the  salivary  glands.  In  all  the  species  of  which  the  nidificatiou  is  known,  the 
secretion  thus  protlueed  is  used  more  or  less  in  the  constructit)n  of  the  nest.  In  most  cases  it 
forms  a  glue  by  which  the  other  materials  arc  joined  together,  and  the  whole  nest  is  ai{i.\ed  to  a 
rock,  wall,  or  other  object  against  which  it  is  placed.  In  some  species  of  CoUocalia,  however, 
the  whole  nest  is  made  up  of  inspissated  saliva,  and  becomes  the  '  edible  bird's  nest '  so  well 
known  in  the  East."     (Sclat'^ti.) 

A  well-defined  family  of  (i  or  8  genera  and  about  50  species,  inhabiting  temperate  and  warm 
parts  of  the  globe.  They  are  rather  small  birds,  of  plain  plumage,  closely  resembling  swallows 
in  superficial  respects,  but  with  no  real  affinity  to  these  Oscines.  Notwithstanding  the  utmost 
difference  iu  the  shape  of  the  bill,  the  real  affinities  are  with  the  tcnuirostral  Trochilida;  in 
every  structural  peculiarity.  Tliey  are  birds  of  extraordinary  volitorial  ability,  being  only  sur- 
passed in  this  respect  by  the  hummers  themselves.  The  family  is  divisible  into  two  stibfami- 
lies,  according  to  the  structure  of  the  feet. 

Analysis  of  Subfamilies  and  Genera. 
Cvi'SELiNjj.    Front  toes  with  3  Joints  apiece.    Hind  too  lateral  or  versatile.    Tarsi  feathered. 

Toes  feathered.    Tall  not  spiny I'anyplHa    131 

Ch.«:ti;uina:.    Front  toes  with  3,  4,  and  5  Joints  from  Inner  to  outer.    Hind  toe  imstcrior  or  lateral,  hut 
not  reversed.    Tarsi  and  toes  naked. 

Tall  emarginate,  not  mucronuto Nephitcetea    132 

Tail  rounded,  mucronate      i'hatura    133 

31.    Subfamily   CYPSELIN^:    Typical  Swifts. 

Ratio  of  the  phalanges  abnormal,  the  3d  and  4th  toes  having  each  3  joints  like  the  2d ; 
basal  phalanges  of  all  the  anterior  toes  very  short  (fig.  10).  Hind  toe  reversed  (in  Cypselus, 
where  nearly  all  the  species  belong),  or  lateral  (in  Pimyptild).  Tarsi  feathered  (in  Cypselus)  ; 
toes  also  feathered  (in  Panyptila).  Contains  only  these  two  genera  and  nearly  half  the  sjiecies 
of  the  family.  Of  Panyptila  there  are  only  three  well-determined  species,  all  American  ;  while 
Cypselus  has  upward  of  twenty,  mostly  of  the  Old  World ;  the  three  or  four  American  ones 
being  sometimes  detached  under  the  name  of  Tachornis. 

PANY'PTILA.  (Gr.  ndw,  j)anu,  much,  very;  nrikov,  ptilon,  wing  :  in  allusion  to  the  length 
of  wing.)  Rock  Swifts.  Tail  about  i  as  long  as  wing,  forked,  with  stiffish  and  narrowed, 
but  not  spiny  feathers.  Wing  pointed  by  the  2d  primary,  the  1st  decidedly  shorter.  Tarsi 
feathered  to  the  toes  ;  these  also  feathered  to  some  e.^tent.  Hind  toe  elevated,  lateral,  but  not 
reversible.  Front  toes  with  slight  basal  webs.  Eyelids  naked.  Colors  black  and  white. 
P.  saxa'tilis.  (Lat.  saxatilis,  rock-inhabiting ;  saxiim,  a  rock.)  White-throated  Rock 
Swift.  Black  or  blackish ;  chin,  throat,  breast,  and  middle  lino  of  belly,  tips  of  secondaries, 
edge  of  outer  primary  and  lateral  tail-feathers,  and  a  flank-patch,  white.  Forehead  and  lino 
over  eye  pale ;  a  velvety  black  space  before  eye.  Bill  black ;  feet  drying  yellowish.  The 
purity  of  the  color  varies  with  the  wear  of  the  feathers,  some  specimens  being  dull  sooty 
brownish,  others  more  purely  and  even  glossy  blackish.  The  extent  of  the  white  along  the 
belly  is  very  variable.  The  flank-patches  are  conspicuous,  in  life  sometimes  almost  meeting 
over  the  rump.  Length  G. 50-7-00;  extent  about  14.00:  wing  the  same  as  total  length ;  tail 
about  2.66,  forked,  soft.  Southwestern  U.  S.  and  southward,  breeding  iu  colonies  on  clifis ;  a 
large  and  beautiful  swift  —  a  high-flier  of  almost  incredible  velocity,  with  a  loud  shrill  twitter, 
nesting  in  the  most  inaccessible  places,  sometimes  by  thousands.  The  eggs  do  not  appear  to 
have  been  taken  yet,  but  are  presumed  to  bo  white,  as  in  all  the  species  the  eggs  of  wliich  are 
known.     Found  N.  to  Wyoming,  Utah,  and  Nevada. 


CYPSELIDJE—CHJETUMINJE:    SPINE-TAIL  SWIFTS. 


457 


Flo.  20'.  —  ('Iiieltiriiiii;.  Heiiil  and  mu- 
cronate  tail-feather  of  Chtelura  pelaagica, 
nat,  size.    (Ad  iiat,  del.  £.  C) 


32.    Subfamily   CH^TURIN^:    8plne-tall    Swifts. 

Toes  with  the  iinriiml  number  of  phalanges;  nil  but 
the  pcnultiinutc  ones  extremely  short.  Anterior  toes  eleft 
to  the  base  (no  webbing).  Hind  too  not  reversed,  but 
sometime.s  versatile;  our  species  have  it  obviously  ele- 
vated. Tarsi  never  feathered  ;  naked  and  skinny,  even 
on  the  tibio-tarsal  joint.  In  the  princij)al  genus,  Ch(C- 
turn,  containing  abont  half  the  species  of  the  subfamily, 
of  various  parts  of  the  world,  the  tail-feathcra  are  stiffened 
and  mucromtte  by  the  projecting  rliachis.  The  other 
genera  are  Collocalia  and  VcndrocheUdon  of  tbo  Old 
World ;  Cijpxeldides,  and  the  scarcely  different  Nephaece- 
tes,  of  the  New. 

132.  NEPHOS'CETBS.  (Gr.  vi(f>os,  neplios,  a  clond;  oikcjt;^,  otl-cto,  an  inhabitant :  well  applied  to 
these  high-flyers.)  Cloud  Swifts.  Tail  forked  or  einarginate,  with  obtusely -pointed  but  non- 
mucronato  stiffish  feathers.  First  i)riniary  longest.  Tarsi  naked,  skinny.  Hind  too  elevated, 
but  pfii-fectly  posterior.    Front  toes  cleft  to  the  base.    Nostrils  embedded  in  feathers.    Utiicolor. 

401.  N.  nl'ger  borea'lis.  (Lat.  ni(/ei;  black;  i)ore«Zi.s,  northern.  Our  species  is  a  variety  of  the 
West  Indian  N.  niffer.  Fig.  296.)  NoKTHEiiN  Bl.\ck  Cloud  Swift.  (J  9  ,  adult.  Entire 
plunmge  sooty-black,  with  slight  greenish  gloss,  little  paler  below  than  above,  the  feathers  of 
head  and  belly  with  grayish  edges.  A  velvety  black  area  in  front  of  eye  ;  forehead  hoary  ;  eye- 
lids partly  naked.  Bill  black  ;  feet  probably  dusky-purplish  in  life.  Length  6.50-7.00  ;  wing 
the  sjime;  tail  2.75,  forked  nearly  0.50  in  the  adult  ^,  merely  einarginate  in  the  9  ;  tarsus 
0.50 ;  middle  toe  and  claw  about  the  same.  Young :  Tail  rounded ;  plumage  dull  blackish,  nearly 
every  feather  skirted  with  M-hite,  especially  noticeable  on  belly,  rump,  and  upper  tail-coverts  and 
inner  wing  quills ;  crissuin  mostly  white ;  supposed  to  require  several  years  to  [jorfect  the  black 
•  plumage.  Kocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific,  U.  S.  and  British  Columbia ;  a  great  black  swift  still 
little  known  ;  supposed  to  nest  in  cliffs  up  to  11,000  feet ;  ranges  to  about  13,000 ;  crops  found 
filled  with  Ephemeridw. 

133.  CH.a2TU'RA.  (Gr.  xo'"?'  chaite,  a  bristle;  o5pa,  oiira,  a  tail.  Fig.  297.)  Spine-tail 
Swifts.  Tail  short,  less  tlian  half  as  long  as  wing,  even  or  a  little  rounded,  mucronate,  — the 
stiff  spiny  shafts  of  the  feathers  protruding  like  needles  beyond  the  webs.  First  primary  longest. 
Tarsi  naked  and  skinny.  Hind  toe  elevated,  but  posterior.  Front  toes  all  of  about  the  same 
length,  cleft  to  the  base.  Feathers  reaching  to  but  not  far  below  the  nostrils.  Unicolor  or 
bicolor  (our  species  one-colored,  sombre).     Sexes  alike. 

405.  C.  pelas'gica.  (Gr.  IlrXao^oi,  the  Pelasgoi,  a  nomadic  tribe  ;  Lat.  pelasgica,  i.  e.,  migratory.) 
CiiiMNF.Y  Swift.  Chimney  "Swallow."  Sooty-brown,  with  a  faint  greenish  gloss  above; 
below  paler,  becoming  gray  on  the  throat ;  wings  black ;  a  velvety  black  space  about  eyes. 
Length  about  5.00;  wing  the  same;  extent  about  12.50;  tail  2.00  or  less,  even  or  a  little 
rounded,  spiny.  Eastern  U.  S.,  migratory,  very  abundant  in  summer.  Like  the  swallows, 
which  this  bird  so  curiously  resembles,  not  only  in  its  form,  but  in  its  mode  of  flight,  its  food, 
and  twittering  notes,  it  has  mostly  forsaken  the  ways  of  its  ancestors,  who  bred  in  hollow  trees, 
and  now  places  its  curious  open-work  nest,  of  bits  of  twig  glued  together  with  saliva,  inside 
disused  chimneys,  in  settled  parts  of  the  country.  In  districts  still  primitive,  however,  it  con- 
tinues to  use  hollow  trees,  to  which  it  resorts  by  thousands  to  roost.  Not  impossibly  winters 
in  such  retreats  in  a  lethargic  state !  The  twigs  for  its  pretty  basket-like  nest  are  snaj)ped  off 
the  trees  by  the  birds  in  full  flight.  The  eggs  are  4-5,  0.75  to  0.80  long  by  0.53  broad,  thus 
narrowly  elliptical,  and  pure  white.  So  great  are  the  volitorial  powers  of  this  bird,  that  the 
sexes  can  come  together  on  the  wing. 


458 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PIC ARIJE  —  CYPSELIFOBMES. 


1    ,1 


■ 


406.  C.  vaux'l.  (To  Wm.  S.  Vaux,  of  I'hilnilolithia.)  Vaux's  Swift.  Similar;  jmlor,  tlin  rmiip 
and  ui)i)pr  tail-covcrtK  liglitor  than  the  rest  of  thu  ui)i)('r  i>artH;  tho  throat  whitish.  Sniall(;r ; 
lengtii  4.50;  wing  the  same;  tail  1.67.  I'aeitie  Coast,  U.  S.,  autl  southward.  SecniN  to  be 
ditfercnt  from  2ielas(/ica,  but  jjcrhaps  the  same  as  a  S.  Am.  species.  Ncstiug  and  eggs  as  in  tlio 
conimon  spccits. 

23.    Family   TROCHILID^ :    Humming-birds. 


>c      >4 


X 


Via.  298.  —  Huniniing-birils.    (From  .Michelet. ) 


Tenuirostral  Picaria.  These  beau- 
tiful little  creatures  will  be  known  on 
sight;  and  as  the  limits  of  this  work 
preclude  any  ade([uate  presentation  of 
the  subject,  1  prefer  merely  to  touch 
upon  it. 
>^  ^   ^Pv   V  i'-^'"^    J.' '•"  '^  '"^^  Trocliilitl<r,  in  all  essential  struc- 

^a      A  ^  v^i^^J^ifetti^^^-^  ^""''  *'l"""'"'''^''"''>  "'■'"  nearest  related  to 

^mH^*'^  -.r^^^^M^JBr^lffWlr^'^^^'  "  *'"'  Cypselula:    These  two  groups  have 

^^^^^^•^-'^wi^KT^^fit.  my^t^^^K^-^  in  fact  been  united  by  some  in  a  super- 

family  Macrochires,  in  allusion  to  the 
lenfj;th  of  the  linnd  and  its  feathers,  and 
tersely  described  as  schizofftutthous  In- 
sessorcs.  Tiio  Hying-ajiparatus  is  as  in 
the  swifts:  a  very  deep-keeled  sternmii, 
for  attachment  of  powerful  pectoral  mus- 
cles, a  very  short  upperarin,  but  the 
distal  segments  of  tlie  fore  limb  length- 
ened, bearing  a  thiu-bladed  or  even 
falcate  wing;  j)rimaries  10,  the  Ist 
usually  longest ;  secondaries  reduced  to  fi,  and  very  short.  Tail  of  10  rcctrices,  but  otherwise 
too  variable  to  be  characterized,  presenting  almost  every  ]>eculiarity  in  size  and  shape  as  a 
whole,  in  size  and  shape  of  individual  fe.ithers,  and  often  differing  in  form  as  well  as  color  in 
the  opposite  sexes  of  the  same  species.  Feet  extremely  small  and  weak,  unfit  for  jjrogression, 
formed  exclusively  for  perching ;  tarsi  naked  or  feathered.  Iliud  too  incumbent.  Claws  all 
large,  shaqj  and  curved.  The  bill  exhibits  the  tenuinwtral  type  in  perfection,  beiug  long  and 
extremely  slender  for  its  length  ;  it  is  usually  straight,  subulate  or  awl-shaped,  or  with  laucc'.- 
shapcd  tip ;  it  is  often  decurved,  sometimes  recurved,  and  again  bent  almost  at  au  angle ;  in 
length  it  varies  from  less  than  the  head  to  more  than  all  the  rest  of  the  bird.  The  cutting 
edges  of  the  mandibles  are  inflected :  the  rictus  is  devoid  of  bristles.  The  nostrils  are  linear, 
with  a  supercumbcnt  scale  or  ojwrculum,  sometimes  naked,  oftener  feathered.  In  size  the 
Hummers  average  the  least  of  all  birds,  the  giants  among  them  alono  reaching  a  length  of  6  or 
7  inches,  the  pygmies  being  under  3  inches ;  the  usual  stature  is  3  or  -A  inches.  In  a  few  the 
coloration  is  plain,  or  even  sombre;  most  have  glittering  iridescent  tints  —  "the  most  gor- 
geously brilliant  metallic  hues  known  among  created  things."  The  sexes  are  usually  unlike 
in  color. 

The  chief  anatomical  peculiarity  is  the  structure  of  the  tongue,  which  somewhat  resembles 
that  of  woodpeckers,  in  being  protrusible  or  capable  of  being  thrust  far  out  of  the  beak  by  n 
muscular  mechanism  connected  with  the  long  horns  of  the  hyoid  or  tongue-bone,  which  curve 
up  around  the  back  of  the  skull.  The  tongue  is  in  effect  a  double-barrelled  tube,  supposed  to 
be  used  to  suck  the  sweets  of  flowers.  The  character  of  the  sternum  and  wing-bones  has  been 
already  mentioned.     How  perfectly  the  feet  are  fitted  for  grasping  and  perching  may  be  inferred 


TROCHJLIDJE  —  TROCHILINJE :   HVMMIXG-JillWS. 


459 


in 


from  the  fact  that,  as  in  Paascres  projtcr,  the  flexor  longus  hnllncis  is  independent  of  tlio  flexor 
liingiis  (ligitoruni,  — that  is,  the  inusole  wliich  bends  tlie  hind  too  wori<»  separately  from  tliat 
wliicii  flexes  the  other  toes  colh'otively.  Tlie  arningenient  of  tlio  thigh  muscles  is  the  same  an 
iu  Ciipselidic,  There  is  one  carotid  artery,  the  left ;  a  nude  oil-gland  ;  no  ca'ca.  The  pterylosis 
is  eliaracteristic. 

The  food  of  the  Ilinniners  was  formerly  supposed  to  be  the  sweets  of  flowers.  It  is  now 
known  that  they  arc  chiefly  insectivorous.  Their  little  nests  are  models  of  architectural  beauty. 
The  eggs  are  always  two  in  number.  The  yoinig  hatch  weak  aiid  helpless,  reipiiring  to  be  fed 
by  the  parents,  the  Hummers  being  thus  of  altricial  nature.     The  voice  is  not  musical. 

The  family  is  one  of  the  most  perfectly  circumscribed  in  ornithology,  and  one  of  the  largest 
of  its  grade.  So  intiuuitely  and  variously  are  the  genera  interrelated  that  every  attempt  to 
divide  it  into  subfamilies  has  proven  unsatisfactory.  The  hummers  an!  peculiar  to  America. 
Species  occur  from  Alaska  to  Patagonia  ;  but  wc  have  a  mere  sprinkling  in  this  country.     The 

centre  of  abundance  is  in  .:-';-—  :^'  -^^-■^-  ^^^  ,  

tropical  South  America, 
pailiciilarly  New  Gra- 
nada. Nearly  .500  sjjc- 
cies  are  current ;  the 
niunber  of  positively  spe- 
cific forms  may  be  esti- 
mated at  about  400  or 
more.  Tlie  genera  or 
subgenera  vary  with  au- 
tliors  from  50  to  150. 
The  latest  critical  author- 
ity upon  the  subject  gives 
420  species,  assigned  to 
125  genera.     (Elliot.) 

None  of  the  known 
N.  A.  Hummers  exhibits 
the  extremes  of  shape  of 
bill  or  tail  which  some  of 
the  tropical  genera  illus-  Fio.  299.  —  Unliy-tlnoiited  IIuiiiiuiiig-bir4lH,  J,  5,  ami  nest,  nearly  iiat.  size, 

trate;  inonlyone(CrtZo-    (Slieppard  del.     XIcIioIh  se.) 

thorax  hicifer)  is  the  bill  decidedly  curved.  Only  one  species  is  as  much  as  4  inches  long,  — 
the  magnificent  Eugenes  fuhjens.  Some  curious  shapes  of  tail,  including  marked  sexual 
characters  in  this  respect,  arc  exhibited  by  certain  genera. 

Only  one  species,  the  common  Ruby-throat,  is  known  to  occur  in  the  East ;  this  was  the 
only  one  known  to  Wilson.  Audubon  gave  fiair  species,  but  one  of  them  erroneously.  Since 
his  time,  however,  new  fonns  of  these  exquisite  creatures  have  successively  been  brought  to 
light  over  our  Mexican  border.  In  1858,  Baird  gave  seven  (one  of  them  Lampornis  mango, 
erroneously,  as  Audubon  hml  done).  In  1872,  in  the  "  Key,"  I  was  able  to  increase  the  number 
to  ten,  but  with  two  wrongly  given  (the  Lampornis  and  Agyrtria  linntei).  The  same  ten,  with 
the  two  errors,  were  given  by  Baird  and  Ridgway  in  1874.  Within  a  few  years  the  discoveries 
have  been  so  many,  that,  after  eliminating  the  two  errors,  I  am  able  to  describe  no  fev.-or  than 
fifteen  perfectly  distinct  species  of  United  States  Humming-birds ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  that 
several  others  will  in  due  time  be  found  over  our  Mexican  border. 

The  discrimination  of  the  females  and  young  is  difficult ;  but  with  the  adult  males  there 
should  be  no  trouble.  The  following  table  is  intended  to  enable  the  student  to  tell  the  genus 
and  species  directly  of  any  U.  S.  Hummer,  if  the  specimen  ho  has  in  hand  be  an  adult  male. 


400 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —VICAUIJE—  CYVSELIFOmiES. 


Ifu  f(>iiialo  or  yuiin^,  \u'  must  refer  to  tho  detuilud  dcHerlptiouH.  He  will  be  iiiueli  UNHiMted  1>y 
tlie  tigiircM  tpf  gi'iieriir  detailw,  driiwu  tniiii  imtiire  by  Mr.  K.  Kidgwiiy  for  Mr.  \).  G.  KUidtV 
iiioiiugriipli,  and  kindly  loaned  to  me  by  i'rof.  Haird. 

Anali/tla  i{/'  tienem  anil  Specimii/X.  .1.  TroehiUdit  (lulult  male$). 
Friiiitiil  feathori  not  fully  cuvcrliiK  imaal  hcuIu.    Tumi  feutliorixl.    Tail  emariiliiutti.    Bill  broad,  in  part 
Uealwoloreil. 
NuHiil  Dciilu  uiitlrvly  naked. 

Wliitu  Htrlpu  (111  liBitil.    Crown,  face,  and  cliin,  block.    Tail  riifouR llatillnna  xnnt mi    407 

Nasal  Hcalo  partly  naked. 

Crown  cruon ;  tliroht  blue;  lull  blackUh laelu  lalimitrit    Vl\ 

Tlirout  green ;  tall  rufoun;  Hides  rufoUH Imnzil'm  vivrinirmlriii    420 

Tliroat  Kreeii ;  tallrnfonH;  HideiiKroon Amti^ilia/uHniCdutldlii    411) 

Frontal  reutlierH  covering  nu«al  scale. 
Jiill  nut  iwrfcctly  straight. 

mil  curved  throughout.    Tail  Torkod,  with  ulmoHt  lllirorni  lateral  feather  .    .   ('iiUilhiirn.v  liici/ir   4tR 
Kill  nearly  straight.     Length  over  4  inches.    Throat  and  breast  green     ....  KiijinwH/iiljiniH    40A 
Bill  iKsrfcctly  straight.    Length  under  4  inches. 
Crown  as  well  us  throat  with  nictullic  scales. 

Scales  liluc-crinison.     Lateral  tail-feather  |iarallel-cdged Cal i/jilr  nmur    414 

Scales  violet.    Lateral  tall-featlier  acutely  falcate Cnlnpti-  cotltt    415 

Crown  simply  ghissy,  like  back  ;  throat  with  metallic  scales. 
Middle  tuil-feulhers  unlike  buck  in  color. 

Scales  ci>nllneil  to  enils  of  throat-feathers,  their  bases  snow-white    .    .    .  Stelluta  calliope    417 
Middle  tail-feathers  like  back  in  color  ;  throat-scales  lorndng  a  continuous  surface. 

{..literal  tuil-feathcrs  whlto-tlpi>cd  ;  none  aoundnate.    (Juter  primary  abruptly  eniarginute 

and  acute Allhin  heloixr    416 

Lateral  tail-feathers  not  wldte-tlpi>cd ;  some  or  all  anundnate, 
Throat-scales  copiwry-reii ;  back  and  tail  greeidsh ;  (Uitcr  two  prlmnrios  acute,  faU'ato ; 

all  tho  taii-featherH  acuminate,  tho  two  outer  uchuilur Siltinphonm  nllim    412 

Throat-scales  coiniery-rcd ;  back  and  tall  mostly  chestnut;  primaries  us  in  .S'.  rufim: 

next  to  middle  tall-feuthcr  abruptly  notched Silunplmrim  riij'm    411 

Throat-scales  lilac-red;  back  g(dden-grecn ;  1st  primary  emarginuti>,  turned  outwuril, 

next  oblhiuoly  Inclseil  at  end Silimjilinnis plnli/cii-niH    4lil 

Throat-scales  opa<iue  black,  becoming  violet  posteriorly;  back  golden-green  ;  primaries 

not  iieculiar TriM-liihm  nUxanilrl    410 

Throat-scales  ruby-red;  back  gidden-green.    Primaries  not  peculiar  (Kastcrn) 

TrncliiliiH  coluhrin    409 

134.    BASILIN'NA.     (Gr.  fiaviKivva,  basilinna,  a  queen.)     Quekn   IIitmmeus.     Head  ajipearing 
more  globose  than  in  any  other  N.  Am.  g(niu8,  in  consequence  <if  the  non-extension  of  the 

feathers  on  base  of  upper  mandible,  when!  they  do  not  reaeh 
opposite  those  on  ehin,  leaving  the  turgid  nasal  scale  entirely 
~"^     \        exposed.    JJill  broad  at  base,  tapering  reguhtrly  to  tiji,  with  dis- 
tinct supra-nasal  grooves;  scarcely  longer  than  head,  straight. 

^     —;, s^^    Tarsi   feathered.      Tail    ample,    all    tho   ft^athers    broad    and 

-'^.^ — ^'tyZ^'^^^^^/     rounded;    nearly  even,  in  $  a  little  doubh.'-rounded  by  short- 

--^     —^  ^^       iiess  of  both  lateral  and  central  pair  of  feathers,  in  9  *<iniply  a 

little  rounded.    No  peculiarity  of  prinuiries.    Sexes  net   i'  alike 

in  form  ;    9  lacking  the  green  gorget  of  $  ;  bill  in  botu  sexes 

Flo.  300.— Xantus  Humming-    largely  Hesh -colored ;    $  \\\\\\  white  stripe  on  head;    no  white 
bird,  nat.  size.    (From  Elliot.)  „„  ^j,;",  „(•  pi,,,^.^  g^,^        (j^r    jj        rpj,;^   ^^^^^  ^^^^^jj   ^^   ^^^^^^^ 

ranged  next  after  lache.) 
407.  B.  xan'tusi.  (To  J.,.  J.  Xantus  de  Vesey.  Fig.  300.)  Xantit.s  IIummino-biiid.  Adult  $  : 
Above,  and  the  throat,  metallic  grass-green;  below,  cinnamon-rufous;  face  blue-black;  a 
white  stripe  through  the  eye ;  wings  purplish-dusky ;  tail  purplish-chestnut,  the  central  feathc^rs 
glossed  with  golden-green ;  bill  flesh-colored,  black-tipped.  9:  Shining  green  above,  including 
central  tail-feathers ;  below,  and  the  face,  pale  rufous,  whiteri^g  about  the  vent,  and  the  sides 
greenish ;   head-stripe  rufous,  whiteijing  on  the  auriculars ;  taii-feathers,  except  the  central, 


135. 


40H. 


TliOClllLllKE  —  TU(H  11 1 L  IS.K :    II  rMMl.S  G-HIUDS. 


4til 


400 


clioHtnut.  with  a  dark  torininal  h\w{.  Loiigth  U.50;  extoiit  4.75;  wiiiK  "i.K) ;  tiiil  l.;.'j:  bill 
0.7'i.  ("iijM'  St.  liiiniN. 
135.  EU'tJKNKS.  (iir.  tvytvTit,  eiigexi-SyWoW-hDni.)  FfLOENT  HfMMKUH.  ( »f  ^rcut  itizc  :  about  .") 
iiicliCH  long.  Kill  iiiucli  longer  than  lu'uil,  not  i|iiit(>  Mtraight,  tliittt'ncd  untl  Hiiglitly  wiilcncil  at 
baMP,  subcylindrical  in  continuity,  witii  lani'ct-pointt'd  tij).  Frontal  fi'atht'rs  rxtcmling  on  na^<al 
spalt".  Tail  aniph',  in  (J  moderately  forked,  in  9  ilonble-ronnded,  all  the  leathers  broad,  witii 
roinided  endw.  Tarsi  feathered.  A  tuft  of  downy  while  at  insertion  of  feet.  Outer  primary 
but  littlo  narrower  or  more  faleate  than  the  rest.  Sexes  nearly  alike  in  form,  nnliku  in  color. 
Kill  black  ;  no  white  on  tail  of  ^. 
40H.  K.  fiil'Kens.  (Lat. /((/f/e^w,  glittering.  Figs.  SOI,  liOiJ.)  HKKi'l.dKNT  llrMMlNd-lilKi).  <J  : 
Tail  sinijdy  forked.  General  body-cidor  shining  golden-green  above  an<l  below,  duller  on  belly 
and  crissnin,  on  breast  Hhowing  opaciuo  black  when  viewed  from  before  backward.      Crown 

glittering  metallic  vio- 
let in  proper  light, 
opaciue  black  viewed 
obliipiely  from  behind 
forward.  Gorget  glit- 
tering einerald-grceu 
in  proper  light, opatino 
greenish-black  from 
tho  o]ipo8ite  direc- 
Tail  like  body,  but  more  brassy. 


136. 


Fio,  301.  ^  Rofiilgent  Uumnilng-btrd,  heiul, 
nat.  Hize.    (From  Klliot.) 


Fio.  802.  —  Tiill  of  tho  laiiio,  <f , 
lint,  gizo,    (Kruiii  Klllot.) 


tion.  White  nuirks  abont  eyes.  Tail  like  body,  but  more  brassy.  Wing-coverts  and  lining  of 
wings  like  body  ;  quills  dusky-purplish.  Large  :  length  abont  5.00  ;  extent  G.50  ;  wing  2.75: 
tail  1.75  ;  bill  over  an  inch  from  tho  feathers  on  culnien,  nearly  1.50  along  gape.  9  '■  I'pjH'r 
parts  like  those  of  tin;  ^,  but  crown  like  back.  No  emerald  gorget,  the  whole  under  jtarts 
whitish,  specked  here  and  there  with  green,  the  throat  with  dusky  specks.  Wings  as  in  <J,  but 
tail  very  different;  double-rounded,  both  central  and  lateral  feathtirs  shorter  than  intermediate 
ones ;  middle  feathers  brassy-green,  others  the  sann-  in  decreasing  extent,  increasing  in  bhickish 
towards  ends,  and  squarely  tipped  with  dull  white.  Smaller:  length  about  4.50  ;  wing  2.50; 
tail  1.50 ;  bill,  however,  about  as  long.  Our  largest  and  most  magnificent  species,  lately 
discovered  in  Arizona.     Texas? 

TRO'CHILU8.     (Gr.  Tf)6)(t\os,   trochilos,  Lat.  trochihts,  a  runner:  a  plover  so  named  by 
Herodotus :    by  Liuuieus  transferred  to  Hutnming-birds.) 
Gorget  Hummers.    Bill  slender  and  subuliite,  not  widened 

at  base ;   frontal  feathers  covering  nasal 

scale.    Tail  in  ^  forked  or  eniargimite, 

with  lanceolate  feathers;   in    9    sim- 
ply  rounded   or  double-rounded,  with 

broader  feathers.     Outer  four  prinniricjs 

not  peculiar;  but  the  Ist  one  strongly 

curved  or  bowed  at  end  inwards ;  inner 

six  abruptly  smaller  and  more  linear  (in 

^  at  least).    Tarsi  naked.    Bill  black. 
A  metallic  gorget  in  ^ ,  not  prolonged  into  a  ruff;  no  scales 
on  crown.     9  lacking  the  gorget ;  and  tail  white-tipped. 
409.  T.  colubrls.     (Latinized  from  the  barbarous  colibri.     Figs. 

299,  303,  304.)  Ruby-throated  Humming-bird.  ^  :  f,o  304.  _  Ruby-throatcd  Hum- 
Tail  forked,  its  feathers  all  narrow  and  pointed ;  no  scales  mlng-btnl,  (f,  nat.  size.  (From  Elliot.) 
on  crown;  metallic  gorget  reflecting  ruby-red.  Above,  golden-green;  below,  white,  tho  sides 
green;  wings  and  tail  dusky-purplish.   9:  Lacking  the  gorget;  throat  white,  specked  with 


Fio.  303.  —  Ruby- 
tbroated  Humming- 
bird, $,  tail,  nat.  size. 
(From  Elliot.) 


462 


SYSTEMA  TIC   SYNOPSIS.  —  PICARI^  —  CYFSELIFORMES. 


OJUV 


Fio.  305.  —  Alexander  H  um- 
niing-bird,  tall  of  young  J  anil  $ , 
nat.  size.    (From  Elliot.) 


dusky;  tail  double-rounded,  the  central  feathers  shorter  than  the  next,  the  lateral  then  gradu- 
ated ;  all  broader  than  in  <J  to  near  the  end,  then  rapidly  narrowing  with  concave  inner  margin ; 
tail  with  black  bars,  and  tiie  lateral  feathers  white-tipped ;  nt>  rufous  on  tail  in  either  sex. 
Length  of  ^  3.25;  extent  5.00;  wing  1.75  ;  taill.25  ;  bill  0.66.  ?  snmller:  length  2.80; 
extent  4.60.  Eastern  N.  Ain.,  especially  U.  S.,  abundant  in  summer,  generally  seen  hovering 
about  flowers,  sometimes  in  flocks.  Feeds  on  insects,  and  the  sweets  of  flowers.  Nest  a  beau- 
tiful structure,  of  downy  substances,  stuccoed  with  lichens  outside;  eggs  two,  white,  0.50 
X  0.a5. 

410.  T.  alexan'drl.    (To  Alexander.    Fig.  305.)    Alf.xander  Hummikg-bird.     Size  and  general 
appearance  of  T.   colubris.     $  :  Tail  double-rounded,  i.  e.,   centrally   emarginate,  laterally 

rounded:  central  emargination  about  0.10,  lateral  graduation 
more ;  the  feathers  all  acuminate,  and  whole-c(dored.  Upper 
parts,  including  two  middle  tail-feathers,  as  in  T.  colubris. 
Gorget  oi)aque  velvety  black,  only  posteriorly  glittering  with 
violet,  sapphire  and  emerald.  Other  under  parts  whitish,  green 
on  sides.  Length  3.25  ;  wing  1.75 ;  tail  1.25  ;  bill  from  frontal 
feathers  0.75.  9:  Tail  different  from  that  of  $,  both  in  .shape 
and  color ;  simply  slightly  rounded  (witliout  appreciable  central 
emargination),  the  lateral  feathers  scairely  acuminate;  middle 
feathers  \\\n'  the  back,  darkening  at  ends;  others  with  broad  purplish-black  space  near  end, 
and  white-tipped ;  thus  so  closely  resembling  colubris  9  that  tlie  lack  of  decided  emargina- 
tion of  the  tail  is  the  principal  character.  No  g<irget,  the  throat  whitish  witli  duslcy  specks. 
California,  Utah,  Arizona,  and  probably  other  portions  of  SW.  U.  S. 
137.  SELAS'PHORUS.  (Gr.  trtXay,  light ;  ^opo'y.  bearing.)  LiciiTXixu  HuMMF.RS.  IJill  slender 
and  subulate;  frontal  feathers  covering  nasal  scale.  Tail  in  ^f  9  graduated  or  rounded,  not 
forked,  and  extensively  rufous  or  tipjjed  with  white.  The  central  mud)  broader  than  the  lateral 
feathers.  Details  of  shapes  of  the  feathers  varying  witii  the  species,  and  with  the  sexes  (.•^eo 
descriptions,  and  figs.  306,  307).  Outer  jjriiiiary,  or  two  outer  ones,  of  ^  abruptly  attenuate, 
the  end  bowed  ;  inner  six  primaries  not  abruptly  narrower  than  those  furtlier  o.itward. 
Tarsi  naked.  IJill  black.  A  metallic  gorget  in  (J,  little  or  not  produced  into  a  ruff;  no 
scales  on  crown.      9  lacking  the  gorget,  and  tail  wliite-tippcd. 

411.  S.  ru'fus.  (Lat.  rufus,  reddish.)  KEr>-BAtKED  Rufous  Humming-bird.  Nootka  Hum- 
Mixo-Biun.  ^  :  No  metallic  scales  on  crown.  Gorget  glancing  coppery-red,  somewhat  jiro- 
longed  into  a  ruff.  Tail  cuncate  ;  middle  pair  of  feathers  broad,  narrowing  rather  suddenly  to 
a  point.  Next  pair  broad,  nicked  or  emarginate  near  end  (fig.  306). 
Next  three  pairs  successively  narrowing  gradually,  but  not  even  the  outer 
becoming  aciculai'.  Two  otiter  primaries  narrow,  falcate,  gradually  very 
acute,-  the  ends  bowed  inward.  General  color  above  and  below  cinnamon- 
red,  becoming  more  or  less  green  on  the  crown,  and  sometimes  flaked 
with  green  on  the  back,  fading  to  wliite  on  the  belly.  Tail-feathers 
cinnamon-red,  deepening  to  dusky-purplish  at  ends.  Quills  dusky- 
purplish.  Length  about  3.50;  wing  1.50-1.67,  averaging  1.60;  tail 
L30;  bill  0.65.  9  showing  the  characters  of  the  tail  and  wing,  but  less 
plainly.  Coloration  extensively  rufous,  but  overlaid  with  green ;  no  fig.  306.  Tall  of  S. 
gorget,  replaced  by  a  few  dusky-greenish  feathers ;  under  parts  exten-  "(/""i  "at-  »'ze- 
sively  white,  but  shaded  with  cinnamon  on  the  sides  and  crissum.  Middle  tail-feathers  glossed 
M-ith  greenish,  darkening  to  black  at  end,  and  usually  touched  with  cinnamon  at  base ;  otlier 
tail-feathers  extensively  rufous,  then  black,  finally  white-tipped.  Length  3.20;  wing  1.70; 
tail  1.20.  (On  comparing  9  r»fi<s  witli  9  pM'Icercus,  a  great  difference  in  tlie  size  of  the 
outer  feather  is  observable;  in  rufus  this  ftather  is  only  0.12  broad,  and  under  1.00  long;  in 


TROCHILID^  —  TBOCHILIN^ :    HUMMING-BIRDS. 


463 


Fio.  307.  —  Tall 
of  S.  alltni,  iiat.  size. 


Fio.  808. —  Green-backed  RufouR 
Hiimiiiini;-bir(l,  tf ,  nut.  size.  (From 
Elliot. ) 


platycercus  the  same  feather  is  0.25  wide,  and  over  1.00  long.)  Rocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific,  N. 
to  Ahiska ;  the  commonest  and  most  extensively  distributed  species  in  the  West.  Noted  as 
the  northernmost  known  species  of  the  family.  (This  is  S.  ruftis,  Gm.,  the  true  "  Nootka 
Sound  Humming-bird,"  the  ^  easily  known  by  its  cinnamon-red  back,  and  vne  nick  in  the 
ne.xt  to  the  middle  tail-feather.     S.  hemhmci  Elliot.) 

412.  8.  al'lenl.  (To  C.  A.  Allen,  of  California.  Figs.  307, 308.)  Grf.en-backed  Rufous  Humming- 
Biui>.    Allen  Humming-bikd.    In  generalities  similar  to  the  last.    $:  Two  outer  tail-feathers 

ciu  each  side  very  small  and  narrow,  the 

outermost  almost  ucicular ;    next  little 

larger;  third  abruptly  larger ;  fourth  from 

the  outer  smaller  than  third  or  middle 

pair.     Upper  parts  golden-green,  dullest 

on  crown.     Under  tail-coverts,  belly  and 

sides  cinnamon,    paler   on   the    median 

line,  white  on  breast  next  to  the  gorget. 

Tail-feathers  cinnamon,  tipi)ed  and  edged 

with  dusky-purplish.  Gorget  liery-red. 
Length  about  3.00;  wing  1.50;  tail  1.18 ;  bill  0.64.  ? 
similar  to  9  ''"/"s  .*  averaging  smaller ;  tail-feathers  nar- 
rower, especially  the  outer  ones.  Coast  region  of  California 
an-1  northward.  (This  is  the  bird  of  ten  described  as  9 
riifus;  carefully  distinguished  by  Henshaw,  Bull.  Nutt. 
Club,  ii,  1877,  p.  53 ;  considered  by  Elliot  to  be  true 
riiftis  Gm.) 

413.  S.  platycer'cus.  (Gr.  jrXorus,  platus,  broad  ;  KfpKos,  kerkos,  tail.  Fig.  309.)  Broad-tailed 
HUMMiNO-Biuu.  (J  :  No  scales  on  toji  of  head  ;  crown  like  back.  A  gorget  of  scales,  not 
prolonged  into  a  ruff.  Outer  primary  attenuate,  acuminate,  ending  acicular,  the  point  turned 
outward  ;  next  primary  also  narrowed,  not  so  much  so  as  the  first,  its  end  obliquely  incised  with 
a  slight  nick.  Tail  amjile  ;  niiddUt  feathers  scarcely  or  not  shorter  than  the  next,  but  the  rest 
mpiilly  graduated ;  middle  and  several  lateral  ones  broad,  briefly  acuminate,  the  outermost  nar- 
rowed linearly  with  rounded  end.  Above, 


including  crown,  golden-green;  the  two 
middle  tail-feathers  purer  shining  grass- 
green  ;  lateral  tail-feathers  ])uritlish- 
dusky,  some  of  them  with  narrow  longi- 
tudinal chestnut  edging  only  on  one  or 
the  other  web  (a  stnnig  character  of  the 
species :  compare  extensively  rufous  tail- 
feathers  of  the  two  foregoing  specues). 
Gorget  glancing  lilac-red :  other  under 
parts  whitish,  glossed  with  golden-green 
on  the  sides  and  sometimes  elsewhere. 

Fio.  309.  -  Bro.id-taned  Hummlng-blnl,  J.  ?,  nat.  size.    Qu'Hs  puqilish-dusky.     Length  nearly 
(From Elliot.)  or  quite  4.00;  extent  4.75-5.00;  wing 

nearly  or  quite  2.00;  tail  1.35  ;  bill  0.70.  9:  Outer  primary  narrow  and  falcate,  but  without 
special  attenuation  at  end.  Outermost  tail-feather  narrower  than  the  rest,  as  in  the  ^,  but  the 
others  i-ouuded  at  ends,  not  acuminate.  Lateral  tail-feathers  chestnut  at  base  quite  acrcss,  then 
black  for  a  space,  then  white-tipped.  Above,  like  ^  ;  below,  no  gorget,  the  throat  white  with 
dark  specks  ;  no  green  on  sides,  which  are  more  or  less  rufous,  as  in  S.  rufus  9 1  f''""i  which 
some  care  must  be  taken  in  discrimination.    It  is  usually  less  rufous  below ;  middle  tail-feathers 


464 


138. 


414. 


415. 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PICABIjE  —  CYPSELIFOBMES. 


entirely  green,  these  having  dark  ends  in  rufus  9  ;  rufons  on  lateral  tail-feathers  confined  to 
their  bases  and  of  less  extent  than  the  black,  while  in  riifua  ?  the  rufous  equals  or  exceeds  the 
black  area.  The  next  to  tlie  middle  tail-feather  in  platycercuH  9  is  green,  with  only  rufous 
edging  of  outer  web  near  base,  short  black  end,  and  wliite  tip ;  in  rufus  9  the  same  feather  is 
rufous  on  both  webs  to  an  extent  equal  to  the  green,  black,  and  white  spaces  all  together. 
Though  such  details  are  not  fibsolutely  constant,  they  suffice  to  distinguish  all  the  many  speci- 
mens I  have  examined.  (See  also  S.  rufus  9  •)  Southern  Rocky  Mt.  region,  U.  S.  and  south- 
ward. N.  to  Wyoming,  Idah(j,  Utah,  Nevada;  Sierras  Nevadas  of  California. 
CALYP'TE.  (Gr.  KaXvTrrij,  Kalupte,  a  proper  name.)  Helmet  Hummers.  Crown  of  $ 
witli  metallic  scales  like  the  gorget,  which  is  prolonged  into  a  ruff;  outer  primary  not  attenu- 
ate ;  tail  of  (J  forked,  the  outer  feather  abruptly  nanow  and  linear,  of  9  sliglitly  double- 
rounded.  No  peculiarity  of  primaries.  Bill  ordinary,  as  in  Selasphorus  or  I'rochilus;  black. 
No  rufous  color  any  where.  Tail  of  (J  unvaried ;  of  9  white-tipped.  (Our  only  genus  with  bill 
ordinary  and  scales  on  crown  of  (J.) 

C.  an'nic.    (To  the  Duchess  of  Kivoli.    Figs.  310,  311.)    Anna  Humminq-birij.     ,J:  Top  of 
head  with  metallic  scales  like  those  of  throat,  the  latter  prolonged  into  a  ruff ;  the  iridescence 

lilac-crimson,  covering 
whole  head  and  throat, 
except  a  separating  line 
through  eye.  Tail  deeply 
forked ;  middle  feathers 
m„.i"  ,^^  'KHMf  rili  A  ^i  very  broad  and  rounded,  fio.  311.- Anna Humming-bir.l,  j, 
\  /\U'    I  I       //IK>/\m\     ^^^    lateral    all    succes-  "at.  size.    (From Elliot.) 

sively  more  narrowed  and  linear,  especially  the  outermost, 
but  all  still  with  obtuse  ends.  Outer  primary  narrower 
than  the  next,  but  of  no  special  peculiarity.  Back  and 
middle  tail-feathera  golden-green  ;  other  tail-featlicrs,  like 
the  wing-quills,  purplish-dusky,  without  any  rufous  or 
white ;  under  parts  whitisli,  nearly  everywhere  glossed 
over  with  green.  Length  about  3.50;  wing  1.90;  tail 
9  like  the  J  excepting  on  head  and  tail.    No  metallic  scales  on  head ;  crown 

Tail  gently  rounded,  witli  slight- 


Pio.  310.  — Anna  Humming-bird,  (f, 
,  nat.  size.    (From  Elliot.) 


1.35;  bill  0.75. 

like  back,  golden-green ;  throat  whitish  with  dusky  specks, 
est  centr.ll  emargination,  all  but  the  middle  feathers  (which  are  like  back)  green  (or  gray)  at 
base,  then  blaek  for  a  space,  then  white-tipped  (no  rufous).  Under  parts  gray,  with  much 
green  gloss.     Califoniia,  common,  resident. 

C.  cos'tae.  (To  —  Costa.  Fig.  312.)  Costa  Humming-bird.  (J  :  Metallic  scales  on  top  and 
sides  of  head  as  well  as  throat,  latter  prolonged  into  a  flaring  ruff;  the  iridescence  violet,  sap- 
phire, steel-blue  or  purplish,  not  red.  Tail  lightly  forked ;  middle  5 
feathers  broau  and  obtuse,  lateral  narrowing  successively,  but  the 
outennost  abruptly  nan'owest,  falcate  —  very  noticeable.  Outer 
primary  simple.  Back  and  middle  tail-feathers  golden -green ; 
other  tail-feathers  like  the  wing-quills,  puri)lish-dusky.  Below 
whitish,  the  belly  gray,  glossed  with  golden-green.  Sm.iU:  length 
3.00-3.25;  wing  1.75-1.80;  tail  1.00;  bill  0.67.  9  =  No  scales  Fir..3i2.-Co8taHumniing. 
on  head.  Tail  simply  rounded,  or  with  least  possible  central  bird,  <y,  $.  nnt.  size.  (Elliot.) 
emargination ;  lateral  tail-feathers  narrowing,  but  outermost  not  noticeably  different  from  the 
next.  Crown  like  back;  throat  like  belly,  with  dark  sjiecks.  Middle  tail-feathers  like  back, 
others  green  or  gray,  then  black,  then  white-tipped.  Entire  under  parts  whitish.  Compared 
with  anncB,  the  only  other  with  scales  on  crown  in  <J,  costee  is  smaller:  throat  ruff  much 
more  fluring ;   glitter  entirely  different  (not  red  at  all) ;  tail  less  forked,  with  almost  acicular 


TROCHILID^  —  TEOCHILINJE :   HUMMING-BIRDS. 


4Go 


fiUcate  outermost  feathor  instead  of  straight  linear  parallel-sided  rouuded-ended ;  and  under 
parts  less  glossed  with  green.  Tiie  9  costce  lac'Us  green  glo.ss  on  under  jiarts,  which  are 
nioro  white,  has  much  narrower  tail-feathers,  and  is  smaller,  in  comparison  with  9  nnnrv. 
The  9  coste  m(jre  closely  resemhles  9  Slellulu  calliope,  but  the  latter  has  traces  at  least  of 
rufous  on  tail  and  under  parts.  Also  resembles  9  Trochilm^,  but  has  all  the  lateral  tail- 
feathers  whitc-tijiped.  Arizona  and  Southern  California,  and  southward. 
139.  AT'THIS.  (Gr. 'Artfir,  ^<^/iis,  Attic;  also  a  proper  name.)  Attic  IlfMMEUs.  Crown  of  ^J 
not  metallic  like  the  gorget,  which  is  pndongcd  into  a  ruff;  outer  jmnuirydf  ^  attenuate;  tail 
graduated,  the  feathers  rounded  at  the  end,  the  lateral  black-barred  and  white-tipped  in  both 
se.\es  (peculiar  in  this  respect  among  X.  Am.  genera).  IJill  only  about  as  long  as  head.  Size 
very  diminutive. 
•116.  A.  lieloi'ste.  (Fig.  313.)  Heloisk  IIuMMiNO-Bmn.  ^ :  Outer  primary  attenuate  at  end, 
with  a  needle-like  point,  as  in  S.  plutycerciis,  but  not  bowed  outward.  Tail  graduated,  the 
central  featiiers,  however,  slightly  shorter  than  the  next,  all  round-ended,  nont^  notably  nar- 
rowed.    No   scales  on  (Town ; 

s  ■ 


those  of  throat  prodiu-ed 
into  a  ruff.  IJill  diminutive. 
Above,  including  crown  and 
middle  tail-feathers,  golden- 
green,  the  tail-feathers  rather 
nu)re  grass-green,  sometimes 
^>^t,A^^  M.>^V^',N.         darkening    at   end   or  with    a 

Fig.  313.  — HelolsoHumming-biril,  (f,  9,  iiat.  tlze.)  From  Elliot.)  touch  of  rufous.  Other  tail- 
feathers  rufous  at  base,  then  black-barred,  then  white-tipped  —  the  only  case  of  such  parti- 
coloration  in  the  male  in  United  States  species.  Gorget  glancing  violet,  sapphire,  and 
lilac.  Under  parts  snowy-white,  glossed  with  g(dden-green,  touched  with  rufous  on  Hanks. 
Very  small:  length  2.75;  wing  1.25;  tail  0.75;  bill  0.50.  9=  ^*>  peculiarity  of  outer 
primary.  Colors  much  as  in  the  $,  but  no  gorget,  the  throat  being  white,  specked  with 
dusky ;  tiie  Hanks  and  crissum  more  rufous.  Texas  and  southward ;  probably  also  New 
Mexico  and  Arizona. 
140.  STEL'MJLA.  (Lat.  .sW?»/rf,  dim.  of  ,sfe?/«,  astar.)  Starry  Hitsimeus.  No  scales  on  crown  ; 
those  of  throat  confined  to  the  tips  of  the  lengthened  feathers,  thus  not  forming  a  continuous 
metallic  surface,  but  set  like  stars  in  a  Heecy,  snowy  bed.  Tail  of  ^  slightly  double-rounded, 
the  lateral  feathers  graduated,  tiie  central  also  shorter  than  the  next;  middle  feathers  «»ilike 
back  in  color ;  all  broad,  and  rather  widening  to  near  the  suddenly  cmitracted  ends ;  outer  feather 
slightly  incurved,  the  others  ending  about  as  acutely  as  a  silver  teaspoon.  Outer  primary 
sim]de.  IJill  longer  than  head,  ordinary,  but  not  entirely  black.  9  ''''*'  $  "'  f'""'"  "f  t»il  "i"! 
wings.     Size  very  diiMinutiv<'. 

41T.   S.  calli'ope.     (Or.  KaXXtoTnj,  KalUope,  ^^ ^  Z  -3 

Lat.  Calliojw,  one  of  the  Muses.     Fig.  "^^"^f^^f-:,^-.©. 

314.)     (^VLUOI'E  UUMMING-BIUI).     ^ :  Y^^^^S^^  ""X  ft      i'li 

Crown   and   back   golden-green.      All  .'^^i;^-^?^— -  nL  I  Si     /^ 

tail-feathers  dusky,  with  rufous  at  base  ^^ 

and  slightly  pale  tips.      Gorget  vi<det  lllVyW 

or  lilac,  set  in  snowy-white;   sides  of 

throat,    and    crissum,    white.      IJelow,  Fio.  314.  -  Stellula  calliope.  <f,  n.it.  sUe. 

white,  glos.sed  with  green  on  the  sides.     IJill  yellowish  below. 


(Prom  riHot.) 

Length  2.75;  wing  1. 60;  tail 
1.00;  billO.CO.  9=  Form  of  the  (J;  C( dor  of  upp(T  parts  the  same.  No  gorget ;  throat  whitish 
with  dark  specks ;  other  under  parts  quite  strongly  tinged  with  rufous.  A  white  mark  under 
eye;  bill  light  ut  base  below.     Middle  tail-feathers  green,  not  so  golden  us  the  back,  ending 

:50 


if 


466 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PICAEI^  —  CYPSELIFOBMES. 


with  dusky;  others  green  (or  gray)  for  a  Uistanco  decreasing  xn  suocessivo  feathers,  crossed 
with  black,  tipped  with  white  to  reciprocally  increasing  extent,  and  touched  with  rufous  at 
base,  as  in  several  allied  species ;  but  the  small  size,  slight  rufous  on  tail,  and  the  extensive 
rufous  on  under  parts,  are  characteristic.  Mts.  of  whole  Pacific  slope,  U.  S.  j  E.  to  Nevada ; 
S.  into  Mexico. 

141.  CALOTHO'RAX.  (Gr.  (caXor,  Aratos,  beautiful ;  ^<ipa|, //nyrao",  chest.)  Lucifer  Hummeus. 
Very  different  from  any  of  the  foregoing.  Hill  curved  throughout,  hmger  tliau  head ;  but  nasal 
scale  covered  as  usual  by  feathers,  and  color  of  bill  blnck.  Tail  deei>ly  forktnl ;  lateral  tail- 
feather  shorter  than  next,  and  in  our  species  filiform  and  acicular.  Tarsi  partly  plumose. 
Si.'xes  unlike. 

418.  C.  lu'cifer.     (Lat.  i«ci/c)-,  the  light-bearer ;  lux,  light, /oo,  I  bear.     Fig.  315.)     Licifer 

IIliMMiX(t-Hlui).  (J:  Above,  bronzy-green;  gorget  lilac- 
purple  ;  wings  and  tail  purplish-dusky.  IJelow,  white, 
bronzed  with  green  on  the  Hanks.  IJill  black.  Lengtli  IJ.2.") ; 
wing  1.50;  laill..'i,");  bill  0.75.  9:  Above,  like  ^,  but 
browner  on  head ;  ni  gorget;  under  parts  rufous.  Middle 
tail-feathers  bronzy-green,  next  green  tipped  with  black; 
the  rest  rufous  basally,  then  crossed  with  black  and  tipjied 
with  wliite.  Tail  sliaped  as  in  the  (J?  (.My  description  is 
unsatisfactory;  but  the  species  sliouid  be  known  by  the 
curved  bill.)      Arizona:    introduced  into  our  fauna  upon 

Fio.  315.  -  Lucifer  Hummiug-bird,    '^  9  wrongly  identified  as  "Doricha  eniciu-a."     (.'^ee  Hull. 
<f,nat.  size.    (From  Klllot.)  Xutt.  Club,  ii,  1877,  p.  108.) 

142.  A31AZI'LiIA.  (Latinized  from  ama~iU,  vox  barb.)  Amazii.i  IIitmmer.s.  Iblouging  to  a 
group  which  includes  Basilinna  and  laclic;  very  unlike  any  of  tlie  others.  Nasal  scale  large 
and  tumid  ;  nasal  slit  entirely  exposed  ;  feathers  extending  in  a  point  on  the  sides  of  the  cul- 
men,  sweeping  obliquely  across  the  basal  part  of  the  nasal  scale,  and  forming  at  the  angle  of 
the  mouth  a  deep  re-entrance  with  those  of  the  chin,  which  reach  much  farther  forward  on  the 
inteiTamal  space.  Bill  liglit-c(dored,  dark-tipped,  quite  broad  and  flattened  at  base,  thence 
gradually  tapering  to  the  acuminate  tip,  slightly  bent  downwanl,  the  curve  most  noticeable 
just  back  of  the  middle.  Tarsi  appearing  feathered  nearly  to  the  toes,  but  really  naked  except 
at  the  top  in  front.  No  lengthened  ruffs  or  tufts  about  tlie  head  ;  no  metallic  scales  on  top  of 
head,  different  from  those  of  the  upper  parts  at  large  ;  no  special  head-nuirkings.  Tail  amjile, 
forked  or  emarginate,  the  feathers  all  broad  and  obtuse,  with  simply  rounded  ends.  No  peculiar 
primaries,  though  the  outer  ones  are  narrower  and  more  falcate  than  the  next.  Of  large  size, 
usually  4-5  inches.  Sexes  alike  in  form  and  color.  An  extensiv(!  genus,  covering  some  25 
species,  two  of  which  are  known  to  reach  our  border :  above  characters  more  particularly 
applicable  to  these. 

419.  A.  fuscocauda'ta.  (Lat. /«sco,  with  dusky,  ca«rfato,  tailed.)  Dusky-tailed  Hummiko-birk. 
(J  9  :  Above,  metallic  grass-green,  f)rgolden-gr(!en,more  brassy  on  crown  and  rump,  the  long 
upper  tail-coverts  cinnamon-rufous.  Wings  purplish-dusky,  their  coverts  like  back.  Tail 
deep  chestnut,  the  feathers  edged  and  ended  with  bronzy-purplish.  Throat,  breast  and  sides 
metallic  green,  glittering  emerald  in  certain  lights  on  the  former,  on  the  latter  duller  and  more 
bronzy;  feathers  gray  beneath  the  metallic  tips,  and  this  color  prevailing  on  the  abdomen; 
crissum  rufous ;  flank-tufts  fleecy  white.  Hill  extensively  liglit-cidored,  dusky  at  end. 
Length  about  4.00;  wing  2.25  ;  tail  1.00;  bill  O.SO.  Diflers  from  the  next  in  not  having  the 
under  parts  extensively  fawn-ctdored.     Lower  Rio  Grande  of  Te.xas,  to  S.  Am. 

420.  A.  eerviniven'trls.  (Lat.  cervimis,  like  a  deer,  cervus;  in  this  case  meaning  fawn-cfdored  > 
renirts,  of  the  belly.)  Rufois-bellied  Humming-bird.  (J  9  '■  Upper  parts  shining  g(dden- 
grcon,  nearly  unitbrin  from  head  to  tail,  but  top  of  the  head  rather  darker,  and  with  a  reddish 


TROCIIILIDJE  —  TROCHILIN^ :    HVMMING-BIIWS. 


467 


gluss  in  some  lights,  and  upper  tuil-covcrts  soincwliat  shaded  with  reddish.     Metallic  gorget  (if 

great  extent,  reaching  fairly  on  the  breast,  glittering  green  when  viewed  with  the  bill  of  the 

bird  pointing  toward  the  observer,  dusky-green  when  seen  in  the  opposite  direction.     Less 

scintillating  and  more  golden-green  feathers  extend  a 

little  farther  on  the  breast  and  sides,  and  most  of  the 

under  wing-coverts  are  similar.     Belly  and  under  tail- 
coverts  dull  rufous  or  pale  ciunamon ;  Hocculeut  snowy- 

whito  patches  on  the  Hanks.      Wiugs  blackish,  with 

purple  and  violet  lustre.     Tail  large,  forked  about  oue- 

tliinl  of  an  inch  ;  ccdor  intense  chestnut,  having  even  a 

purplish  tinge  when  viewed  below,  the  middle  feathers 

glossed  with  golden-green,  especially  noticeable  at  their 

ends,  and  all  the  rest  tiitped  and  edged  for  some  distance 

from  their  ends  with  dusky.      Length  4.00  or  more ; 

extent  5.50;   wing  2.30;   tailLSO  ;   bill  0.90.     Lower 

Rio  Grande  of  Texas  to  Yucatan. 
143.    I'ACHE.     (Gr.  'lax"},  luche,  a  proper  name.      Fig. 

310.)     Circe  IIummicks.     Xear  Amazilia;  with  broad 

and  not  perfectly  straight  bill  longer  than  head,  reddish 

at  base,  and  frontal  feathers  covering  the  nasal  scale ; 

the  sui)ranasal  groove  very  distinct.    Tail  ample,  forked, 

with  broad  obtuse  feathers;  no  wing-  or  tail-feathers 

peculiar  in  shape.     Tarsi  feathered.     Se.Kes  unlike  in 

color. 
421.    I.  latiros'trls.     (Lat.   latits,  broad;   rostrum,  beak.) 

CiiuK  HusiMiXG-Bmi).  (J  :  Above  and  below  glit- 
tering green ;  more 
golden  above,  more 
emerald  below ;  throat 
sapphire  -  blue  ;  tail 
steel-blue-black,  the 
fijathers  tipped  with 
gray;  Hanks  and  un- 
der tail-coverts  white. 
Bill  reddish,  tipped 
with  black.  Length 
nearly     4.00 ;     wing 

2.00-2.25;  tail  1.30,  forked  0.35;  billOSO.      9  above 

like  (J,  but  middle  tail-feathers  bronzy-green;   others 

bronzed  at  base,  then  broadly  bluish,  tlien  white-tipped. 

Under  parts  dark  gray.     Easily  recognized  among  our 

species  by  the  special  c<doratiou,  as  described,  and  by 

the  peculiarities  of  the  bill;  in  all  our  genera  excepting 

lache,  Amazilia  and  Basilinna,  the  nasal  scale  is  fully 

,  ,      .,          4       •       r.     ..  1  ,,      ,  .   .                 ,  Fto.  317. —  Paradise  Trogon.  or  Qiiesal 

covered  by  the  extensive  frontal  feathers.  Arizona  and  (Phammacrua  mocinno),  j,    $.    TFrom 

Mexico.  MIchelet.) 


Flo.  ."ilG. 
,  nut  Hue. 


—  CIrco  Humming-bird, 
(From  Elliot.) 


4.    Suborder  CUCULIFORMES  :    Cuculiform  Birds. 
The  nature  of  this  large  group  has  been  indicated  on  the  preceding  page  (416). 


I'   ll 


I    ( 


408 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  —PICARI^—  CUCULIFOliMES 


24.    Family   TROGONID^ :    Trogons. 


Feet  zygodaetyle  by  reversion  of  the  second  toe  (seo  p.  127).     Tho 
liiisi' of  tlio  short,  broad,  (lentatc  bill  i.s  liiilileu  by  aijprosscd  iintrorso 
f('atlu'r.s ;  tli»}  wings  are  short  and  rouuded,  with  falcate  (luills ;  the 
tail  is  long,  of  twelve  broad  feathers ;    tho  feet  are  very  small  and 
weak.     The  general  plnniage  is  sfift  and  lax,  tho  skin  tender,  the 
eyelids  lashed.      A  well-marked   family  of  about   50  species   and 
perhaps  a  dozen  genera,  chiefly  inhabiting  tropical  America.     They 
Fio.  318.  —  llend  of  Cop-    '"""  '^''"  !i<^'",«<'"us  ctdors,  and  among  them  are  found  the  most  magni- 
pcr-taiicil  Trogon,  iiat.  size,      ficent  birds  of  this  continent  (fig.  .'JIT). 
144.   TROGON.     (Gr.  rpcaycai/,  <»'0(/oH,  a  gnawer  :  alluding  to  tho  dentate  bill.)     The  leading  genus, 

to  which  the  above  characters  fully  ajiply. 
428.  T.  ambl'guus.  (Lat.  ambigitus,  ambiguous,  as  doubtfully  distinct  from  T.  mexicantts.  Fig.  318. ) 
Coi'PEU-TAiLKi)  TuoGON.  Metallic  golden-green;  face  and  sides  of  head  black ;  below  from 
the  breast  carmine;  a  white  collar  on  the  throat ;  middle  tail-feathers  coppery-green,  tht!  outer 
white,  finely  variegated  with  black  ;  quills  edged  with  white.  Length  about  11.00;  wing  5. '25  ; 
tail  G.75.    Valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande,  and  southward. 

[Family    MOMOTID  JE  :     Sawbills. 

Feet  syndactyle  by  cohesion  of  third 
and  fourth  toes  (p.  12!)) ;  tomiu  serrate. 
Avery  .small  family  of  tropical  American 
birds,  com;)rising  abcmt  1.5  species,  none 
having  really  rightful  place  here ;  but 
the  Momotus  cceruleiceps  (tig.  319)  comes 
near  our  border,  and  is  included  to  illus- 
trate the  suborder.  In  this  species,  the 
central  tail-feathers  are  long-exserted, 
and  spatulate  by  absence  of  webs  ahuig 
a  part  of  the  shaft — a  mutilation  effected, 
it  is  .saiil,  by  the  birds  themselves;  the 
Fio.  319. —  Head  of  Bluc-lica<le(lSaw-blll,  nut.  size.  bill  is  about  as  long  as  the  bead,  gently 

curved;  the  nostrils  arc  rouuded,  basal,  exposed ;  the  .viugs  arc  short  and  rounded;  tlio  tar.si 

are  scutellatc  anteriorly.     It  is  greenish,  with  blue  head.     Mexico.] 

25.     Family   ALCEDINID-S: :     Kingfishers. 

Feet  syndactyle  by  cohesion  of  third  and  fourth  toes  (p.  129,  fig.  44) ;  totnia  simjile.  Bill  long, 
large,  straight,  acute  (rarely  hooked)  ;  somewhat  "  fissirostral,"  the  gape  being  deep  and  wide. 
Tongue  rudim(!ntary  or  very  small.  Nostrils  basal,  reached  by  the  frontal  feathers.  Feet  very 
small  and  weak,  scarcely  or  not  ambulatorial ;  tibiae  naked  below ;  tarsi  extremely  short,  reticu- 
late in  front ;  hallux  short,  flattened  tmderneath,  its  sole  more  or  les.s  continuous  with  the  s<de 
of  the  inner  toe ;  soles  of  outer  and  middle  too  in  common  for  at  least  half  their  length  ;  inner 
toe  alwaj's  short,  in  one  genus  rudimentary,  in  another  wanting  (an  abnormal  modification). 
Developed  toes  always  M-ith  the  nonnal  ratio  of  phalanges  (2,  .S,  4,  .5  ;  p.  127)  ;  middle  claw  not 
serrate.     Wings  long,  of  10  primaries.     Tail  of  12  rectrices,  variable  in  shape. 

"  The  Kingfishers  form  a  very  natural  family  of  the  great  Picarian  order,  and  arc  alike 
remarkable  for  their  brilliant  colonition  and  for  the  variety  of  curious  and  aberrant  forms  which 


11, 


ALCEDINIDJE  -  ALCEDININ^ :    KINGFISHERS. 


400 


arc  included  witliin  their  miinber.  .  .  .  '  Tlieir  churncteristic  liubit  is  to  sit  motionless  wtiteliing 
for  tlu'ir  prey,  to  dart  lifter  it  and  seize  it  on  the  wing,  and  to  return  to  their  original  position 
to  swallow  it-'  .  .  .  Tho  Alcedinula: 
nest  in  holes  and  lay  white  eggs.  It 
is,  however,  to  be  remarked  that,  in 
aceordance  with  a  modification  of  tho 
habits  of  the  various  genera,  a  cor- 
responding inodificatiou  has  taken 
place  in  tho  mode  of  nidification,  tho 
piscivorous  section  of  the  family  nest- 
ing for  the  most  part  in  holes  in  the 
banks  of  streams,  while  the  insectiv- 
orous section  of  the  family  generally 
nest  in  tlie  holes  of  trees,  not  nec- 
essarily in  the  vicinity  of  water." 
(Shaiu'e.) 

The  nearest  allies  of  the  King- 
fishers are  the  Ilornbills  {Bnccro- 
ti(1(C)  and  Hoopoes  {Upupklw)  of 
the  Old  World,  and  the  Toucans 
{l{h<im})1utKti(la')  and  Harbets  (^Cap- 
itonidfp)  of  the  New.  All  these 
families,  like  the  Woodj)eckers 
(l'iciil(c),  agree  in  being  auomalo- 
gouatous,  with  two  carotids,  a 
tufted  oil-gland,  and  nocceca.  Tlio 
formuhi  of  th(f  leg-muscles  is  the 
same  as   in  TivgotiidfC,  tho  acces- 


PlO.  320.  —  A  typical  Kingfisher,  the  European  Alci'do  ispUln. 
(From  Dixou.) 


145. 


sory  fomoro-caudal,  accessory  semitcndhiosus  and  anibicns  .all  being  absent.  (Garuod.)  One 
would  gain  an  imperfect  or  erronettus  idea  of  the  family  to  judge  of  it  by  the  American  fragment, 
of  one  genus  and  ()  or  8  species.  According  to  the  author  ftf  the  splendid  monograph  above  cited, 
there  are  in  all  125  species,  belonging  to  19  genera;  the  latter  appear  to  bo  very  judiciously 
handled,  but  a  moderate  reduction  of  the  former  will  be  rofpured.  They  are  very  uneiiually 
distributed.  Ccri/le  ahme  is  nearly  cosmopolitan,  absent  only  from  the  Australian  region;  the 
Northern  portion  of  the  Old  World  has  oidy  2  i)eculiar  species  ;  3  genera  and  24  species  are 
characteristic  of  the  Ethiopian  region;  one  genus  and  2.5  species  are  confined  to  the  Indian  : 
while  nf)  less  than  10  genera  and  59  species  arc  peculiar  to  tlie  Australian.  Mr.  Sharpe  recog- 
nizes two  subfamilies ;  in  the  insectivorous  DaccloniiKe  (with  14  genera  and  84  species),  the 
bill  is  more  or  less  depressed,  with  smooth,  rounded,  or  sulcate  culmen.     In  tho 

35.    Subfamily  ALCEDININ^,   Piscivorous   Kingfishers, 

the  bill  is  compressed  with  carinate  culmen.  The  American  species  all  belong  here.  It  is  the 
more  particularly  jiiscivorous  section  ;  the  Vacelomna;  feed  for  the  most  yian  I'.pon  insects,  rep- 
tiles and  land  mollusks.  Cerifle  is  the  only  American  genus,  with  2  North  Anu-rican  species. 
They  are  thoroughly  aquatic  and  piscivorous,  seeking  their  ])rey  by  plunging  into  the  water 
from  on  wing  ;  and  nest  in  h(des  in  banks,  laying  numerous  white  eggs. 
CE'UYLE.  (Gr.  (c^puXoy,  kerulos,  a  kingfisher.)  Beltkd  Kingfishers.  Head  witli  an 
occipital  cre.'it.  IJill  longer  than  head,  straight,  stout,  acute.  Wings  long  and  pointed.  Tail 
rather  long  and  broad  (in  comparison  with  some  genera),  much  shorter  than  wing.  Tarsi 
short ;  legs  naked  above  the  tibio-tarsal  joint.     Plumage  belted  below. 


470 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PICAEIJE  —  CUCULIFORMES. 


Large  ipecicB,  dull  blue  nbove alcyon    423 

Small  specieH,  glas»y  green  above cabanisi    424 

423.   C.  al'cyon.     (Liit.  ulajon,  a  kingfisher.     Fig.  321.) 

Beltkd  KiNCiFlSiiKii.     Upper  parts,  broad  pectoral 

bar,  ami  siiles  uiuler  the  wings,  dull  blue  with  fine 

blaek  shaft  lines.     Lower  eyelid,  spot  before  eye,  a 

eervical  eolhir   and  under  j)arts  excejrt  as  said,   pure 

white;  the  9  with  a  chestnut  belly-band  and  the  sides 

of  the  same  color.     Quills  and  tail-feathers  blaek,  spec- 
kled, blotched  or  barred  on  the  inner  webs  with  white; ; 

outer  webs  of  the  seccmdaries  and  tail-feathers  like  the 

back  :    M'ing-coverts  frequently  sprinkled  with  white. 

Bill   black,  pale   at  base  below.      Feet  dark  ;    tibia) 

naked  below.      A  long,  thin,  jiointed  occipital  crest ; 

plunuigc  compact  and  oily  to  resist  water,  into  which 

the    birds    constantly   plungi;   after    their   finny   prey. 

Lengtii  1 2.00-1:5.00;  extent  21.00-2;5.00 ;  M-ing  (i.OO- 

f).,)0;   tail  3.30-5.00;  whole  foot  1.33;  cuhnen  1.7")- 

2.25.     N.  Am.,  cnmmon  everywhere,  resident  or  only 

forced  southward  by  freezing  of  the  waters.     This  fine 

bird,  whose  hiud  rattling  notes  are  as  familiar  soun<ls 

along  our  streams  as  the  noise  of  the  mill-dam  or  the 

machinery,  buiTows  to  the  depth  of  si.\  or  eight  feet  in  the  ground,  and  lays  as  many  crystal 

white  sjdieroidal  eggs,  1.25  X  1.05,  at  the  enlarged  extremity  of  the  tunnel. 
434.   C.  ainerlca'na  eaba'iiisi.     (To  Dr.  Jean  t'abanis,  of  Germany.)     Tkxan  Green   Kixa- 

FisiiEU.     Ad'U  (J  :  Entire  upper  parts  glo.ssy-green,  with  bronze  lustre,  the  bases  of  nearly 

all  the  feather!  snowy- white,  which  appears  sometimes  upon  the  surface ;  crown,  scai)ulars  and 

wing-coverts  supei-ficially  sprinkled  with  white.     Wing-ipiills  dusky  on  inner  webs,  green  on 

the  outer,  both  marked  in  regular  double  series  with  pairs  of  white  spots,  scallops  or  bars. 

Central  tail-feathers  dark  green,  usually  touched  with  white  along  the  edges,  the  others  green 

with  white  bars  becioming  confluent  at  the  bases  of  the  feathers,  where  forming  white  spaces 

more  extensive  than  the  green  portion.     Cervical  collar  and  entire  under  parts  white,  the  breast, 

belly,  sides  and  crissum  sj)otted  with  glossy-green.     Bill  black,  usually  light  at  base  below ; 

feet  dark.     A  supposed  9  difl"ers  in  having  the  green-spotted  idumage  of  tlio  under  parts  and 

adjoining  white  urea  tinged  with  chestnut.     Length  about  8.00 ;  wing  3.25-3.50 ;  tail  2.50  ; 

bill  1.07;  whole  foot  1.00.     Valleys  of  the  Lower  Kio  Grande  and  Colorado,  and  southward; 

common.     Nesting  and  eggs  as  in  C  alcyon;  eggs  4-(),  very  thin  and  smooth,  lilic  porcelain, 

rounded  oval,  0.90-1.00  X  0.()8-0.75. 


Fio.  .^L'1.  —  lieltnl    Kliigfislicr.  reduced. 
(From  Teiiney,  after  Wilson.) 


26.     Family    CUCULID.^ :     Cuckoos. 

Feet  ztigodadyh  hij  reversion  of  the  fourth  toe.  This  character,  in  cnnnection  with  those 
given  below,  will  answer  present  jiurjioses ;  and,  in  my  ignorance  of  some  of  tlie  exotic  forms,  1 
cannot  attempt  to  give  a  full  diagnosis.  The  only  other  North  American  birds  with  the  toes 
yoked  in  the  same  combination  are  the  Picidtr  and  the  Psittaci,  whose  numerous  specialties  will 
prevent  any  misconception  regarding  Cuciiliilce.  The  latter  are  desmognathous  in  palatal  struct- 
ure, and  homalogonatous,  having  the  ambiens  and  three  or  all  four  of  the  other  leg-muscles  used 
by  Garrod  for  classilicatory  pur])oses  ;  in  these  important  respects  differing  from  all  birds  pre- 
viously treated  in  this  work.  There  are  two  carotids.  The  oil-gland  is  nude,  and  coeca  aro 
present.     The  family  is  a  large  and  important  one.    It  comprehends  quite  a  number  of  leading 


CUCULWJE  CliOTOniAGINJE :    ANIS. 


471 


forms  showing  peculiar  ii)inor  inodificiitioiis ;  tlicse  correspond  in  great  measure  with  certain 
gcograpliical  areas  of  faunal  distribution,  and  are  generally  hold  to  constitute  subfamilies. 
Three  or  four  such  are  con- 
fined to  America ;  about  twice 
as  many  belong  exclusively  to 
the  OU  World ;  among  them 
are  tlie  CucuUna,  or  typical 
cuckoos  allied  to  the  European 
C.  cnnoruH  (tig.  322),  famous, 
like  our  Cowbird,  for  their 
parasitism.  This  sectiim  com- 
prehends the  great  majority  of 
the  Old  World  species ;  the 
Couiim  are  a  peculiar  Jlada- 
gascan  type ;  others  rest  ujjon 
a  si)ccial  condition  of  the 
daws  or  plumage.  There  arc 
about  200  current  species  of 
the  family.  Many  of  them, 
besides  the  one  just  cited  in 
instance,  lay  their  eggs  in 
other  birds'  nests.  The  Amer- 
ican cuckoos  have  been  de- 
clared free  of  suspicion  of  such 


Fio.  322.  —European  Cuckoo,  Ciiailua  camrus.    (From  Dixon.) 


domestic  irregularities  ;  but,  though  pretty  well-behaved,  their  record  is  not  quite  clean  :  they 
do  .sometimes  slip  into  the  wrong  nest.  The  curious  infelicity  seems  to  be  connected  in  some 
way  with  the  inability  of  the  9  to  complete  her  clutch  of  eggs  with  the  rapidity  and  regularity 
usual  among  birds,  and  so  incubate  them  in  (tne  batch.  The  nests  of  our  species  of  Cocci/giis 
commonly  contain  young  by  the  time  the  last  egg  of  the  lot  is  laid. 

Wo  have  three  very  distinct  genera,  usually  referred  to  as  many  subfamilies. 

Analysis  of  Subfamilies  and  Genera. 
Crotophaoin.*;.    Terrestrial.    Tall  of  8  feathers.    Bill  compresseil,  crested.    Plumage  lustrous  black 

Crolnphniin  14(! 
SAUROTnEniN.K.  Terrestrial.  Tail  of  10  feathers.  Feet  anibulatorial,  with  long  tarsi .  .  .  Gmcnnyx  147 
CoccYGlN.i:.    Arboreal.    Tail  of  10  feathers.    Feet  insessorial,  with  short  tarsi Cnccyyus    148 


36.     Subfamily    CROTOPHACIN^:     Anis. 

Tail  of  eight  feathers,  graduated,  longer  than  the  rounded  wings.  Bill  exceedingly  com- 
pressed, the  upj)er  mandible  rising  into  a  thin  vertical  crest,  the  sides  usually  sulcate,  the  tip 
deflected.  Plumage  uniform  (black),  lustrous,  the  feathers  of  the  head  and  neck  lengthened, 
lanceolate,  distinct,  with  scale-like  margins  ;  face  naked.  Terrestrial.  Nest  in  bushes.  Ono 
genus,  of  three  species,  of  the  warmer  parts  of  America. 
146.  CROTO'PHAGA.  (Gr.  Kporatv,  h-oton,  a  bug  ;  (fmyos,  phagos,  eating.)  Anis.  In  additiim 
to  the  characters  of  the  subfamily  :  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  with  regularly  convex  or  angu- 
lated  culmen,  its  aides  smooth,  wrinkled,  or  sulcate  ;  tip  of  upper  mandible  decurved  over  end 
of  lower ;  gonys  straight.  Wings  n)unded  ;  4th  or  .5th  primary  longest,  1st  quite  short.  Tail- 
feathers  broad,  widening  to  very  obtuse  ends.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe,  anteriorly 
broadly  scutellate,  the  sides  with  large  plates  meeting  in  a  ridge  behind.  According  to  tho 
concurrent  testimony  of  various  independent  observers,  the  cuculine  irregularity  of  nesting  is 
expressed  in  a  very  curious  manner,  in  the  case  of  C.  ani  at  least ;   several  birds  forming  a 


■  1 1 


472 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— PIC ARIJE-  CUCULIFOIiMES. 


425. 


sort  of  colony  of  Coininuiiists  uniting  to  build  ft  largo  nest  to  be  used  in  comnioii.  The  eggs 
are  greenisli,  overlaid  with  u  white  elialky  substance,  easily  rubl)ed  off  when  fresli. 
C.  a'ni.  (The  Urazilian  name.  Fig.  3;j;{.)  Ani.  Hi-aik  Witcii.  Savanna  HLACKninD. 
IJill  smooth  or  with  a  few  transverse  wrinkles  ;  culmen  regularly  curved.  Color  black,  with 
violet  and  Stcel-bluo  rcHeetions,  duller  below,  the  lanceolate  feathers  of  the  head  and  neck 
M-ith  bronze  borders.  Iris  brown.  Length  i;i.00-15.00 ;  wing  fi.OO  ;  tail  8.00;  tarsus  1.50. 
Tropical  America ;  West  Indies  ;  Florida  ;  accidental  near  I'hiladeliihia. 


Fio.  323.  —  Ani,  1  nat.  bize.    (Kicini  Brchm.) 

430.    C.  sulciros'trls.     (Lat.  s«fcK.«,  a  groove  ;   ros/n,'*,  jiertaining  to  the  beak.)     GuoovE-Bii.LKn 
Axi.     IJill  with  three  distinct  grooves  on  upper  mandible,  i)arallcl  with  the  regularly  curved 

culmen.  Black,  with  stee]-I>ln('  and  violet  reflections,  more  olive- 
brown  on  belly  ;  scaly  feathers  of  bead  and  neck  bronzy,  of  breast, 
back  and  wings  metallic  greenish.  Wing.'*  with  4th  and  5th 
([uills  bnige.st,  .3d  little  shorter,  2d  nearly  an  inch,  Lst  nearly  2 
inches  from  point  of  wing.  Hill  more  than  twice  as  high  as 
broad  at  the  base  ;  0.85  high,  O-.S?  broad,  1.20  long.  Hill  and 
feet  black,  scaling  grayish  in  some  places.  Iris  brown.  Length 
14.50;  extent  17.00;  wing  5.50-0.00  ;  tail  7.50-8.00,  graduated  2 
inches;  tarsus,  or  middle  toe  and  claw,  1.50.  Tropical  America  ; 
N.  to  Texas  in  the  lower  Kio  Grande  Valley.     Eggs  said  to  be 


FiQ.  324.  —  Head  of  Qeococcyx. 
(After  Cassln.) 


usually  five,  and  no  peculiarity  of  nesting  noted;   iiest  of  twigs, 
lined  with  fibrous  roots,  in  a  tree  or  bush. 


lil 


CUCULID^T.  —  SA  VllOTHElUXyK :    GROUND  CUCKOOS. 


473 


••KK8 


X>l 


37.    Subfamily   SAUROTHERIN^ :    Ground    Cuckoos. 

Tnil  oiten  featluTs,  grmliiati'd,  IciiiiriT  tlmn  the  slmrt,  rninidcd,  (•(mcavc  winqs.  Rill  nlxuit 
ns  Inufj  as  tho  licatl,  coinjircs.scd,  sitrnifjlit  at  liasr,  taiicriii^,  with  dcHt'ctpd  tip.  gently  fiirvcd 
niliiion  and  auipli-  rictus,  Fci-t  large*  and  Htrong,  in  adaptation  tii  terrestrial  lite  ;  tarsus  Icmirer 
than  tho  toes,  seutellate  before  and  hehiiid.  One  West  Indian  genus,  Saurothcni,  with  thruo 
or  four  sjjeeies,  and  the  following,  with  two:  — 
147.  OEOCOC'CYX.     (Gr.  yrj,  tje,  the  ground;  k6kkv^,  lolkux,  a,  cuckoo.)    Ground  Cuckoos. 


.'■^^ 


:-v>^^ 


Fio.  325.  —Ground  Cuckoo,  \  imt.  8ize.    (From  Brelim.) 

Head  crested  j  most  feathers  of  head  and  neck  bristle-tipped ;  eyelids  lashed  ;  whole  jduinago 
coarse.  A  bare  colored  space  around  eye.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  nearly  straight,  but  with 
culnien  and  commissure  much  decurved  toward  end,  gouys  if  anything  a  little  coneave.  Wings 
very  short  and  concavo-convex,  with  long  inner  secondaries  fidding  entirely  over  the  primaries; 
4th,  5th,  and  succeeding  primaries  longer  than  3d,  2d,  and  1st,  which  rapidly  shorten.  Tail  of 
long  tapering  feathers,  much  graduated,  making  more  than  half  the  total  lengtli  of  the  bird. 
Feet  as  above.  Plumage  lustrous  and  variegated  above.  Sexes  substantially  alike.  Eminently 
terrestrial ;  nest  in  bushes ;  eggs  numerous. 


474 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  I'lCAHlJE—  ClfCl'LlFOHMES. 


487.   Ci.  I'lillfornlu'nus.    (Of  {'ulifdniiii.    Fijfs.  324,  H;J5.)    Groi'M)  f'rrKoo.    C'iiai>auuai.  (Nick. 

IJoAK    UrXNKU.      SNAKK    KlI.l.Klt.       I'AIMANO.      MoHt    of  tllC    foiltlHTH   (if    the   licud    lliul   IKck 

l»ri«llt'-tii»|M'(l ;  a  iiiikcil  iirni  iii'imiiil  i'yi> ;  crown  cri'Hti'd  ;  |>luiiiaK<' coiirHi'.  (J  9  '•  Above,  lim- 
troiiM  lii'oiizy  or  fo|i|)i'ry-j,'n'('ii,  cliaiiKitig  to  dark  Htwl-hluc  on  tlici  licad  auil  neck,  to  ])iir))liNli- 
violct  oil  tho  middle  tail-fcatlicrs ;  cvcrywln'rc  cxi'cpt  on  ninii)  <'onsiiii<'UoiiHly  strrakcd  with 
wiiili',  niiNcd  with  tawny  on  the  head,  neck,  and  win^s  —  thif  wliite  and  butf  streaking  roii- 
sistinj;  of  tlie  oilp's  of  the  leathers,  whicli  am  frayed  out,  fringe-like,  ])rodneing  a  jieenliar 
elVe<'I.  Breast,  tliroat  and  sides  of  neck  mixed  tawny-white  and  black  ;  other  nnder  parts  dull 
Hiiled  whitish.  I'rinuiries  white,  tijijied  and  with  oblique  white  8i)acc  au  outer  webs,  liateral 
tail-feuthers  steel-blue  with  green  and  viidet  rcHections,  their  onter  webs  fringed  i)art  way  with 
while,  their  tips  broadly  wliite.     Lower  back  and  rumj),  where  covered  by  the  folded  wings, 

dark-colored  and  unmarked;    nnder  surtiK f  wings  sooty-brown.     IJare   n\»iw  nround  eye 

bluish  and  orange.  Hill  dark  horn-color;  feet  the  same,  the  larger  scales  yellowish.  Young 
birds  are  very  similar,  the  iridescence  developing  with  the  first  growth  of  tlu^  feathers,  as  in  a 
magpie  ;  more  white  and  less  tawny  in  tho  streaking.  Nearly  two  foot  long  ;  tail  a  foot  or  less  ; 
wing  ()-7  inches;  tarsus  2.00;  bill  l.()(l-2.0().  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  California  and 
southward;  ('(dorado;  Arkansas  IJivcr.  A  bird  of  remarkable  asjicct,  noted  for  its  swiftnes.s 
of  foot ;  aided  by  its  wings  held  as  outriggers,  it  taxes  the  horse  in  a  race  ;  feeds  on  fruits,  roj)- 
tiles,  insects,  and  land  moUusks.  Nest  in  bu.shes ;  a  .slight,  loose  structure  of  twigs,  as  if  the 
birds  were  just  learning  how  to  build.  Eggs  (i-S-9,  white,  ellijitical,  averaging  1.55  X  i.2(). 
They  are  laid  at  considerable  intervals,  and  incubation  begins  as  soon  as  a  few  are  deposited. 
The  development  of  the  chicks  i.s  rapid  ;  iierfectly  fresh  eggs  and  newly  hatched  young  may  be 
found  together;  and  by  the  time  the  last  y(Uing  an^  breaking  the  shell  the  others  may  be  graded 
uj)  to  half  tho  size  of  the  adult.  The  birds  are  sometimes  domesticated,  making  amusing  ]»ets. 
They  arc  shigular  birds  —  cuckoos  coinpouuded  of  a  chicken  and  a  mag]iie  ! 

Subfamily   COCCYCIN^:    American    Cuckoos. 

Tail  of  te)i  soft  feathers,  much  graduated, 
little  longer  than  the  wings,  which  are 
somewhat  pointed,  although  the  first  and 
second  (piills  are  shortened.  Hill  about 
equalling  or  rather  shorter  than  tho  IknuI, 
stout  at  base,  then  much  compressed,  curved 
throughout,  tajiering  to  a  rather  acute  ti)> ; 
nostrils  basal,  inferior,  exposed,  elliiitical ; 
feet  comparatively  small,  tho  tarsus  naked, 
not  longer  than  i\w,  toes.  There  are  four  or 
five  genera,  and  perhaps  twenty  sjiecies, 
of  this  subfamily ;  one  genus  only  is  North 

Fio.  326. -American  Tree  Cuckoo  (foecj/ffMs  ameri^n-  American,  with  three  distinct  species. 
«««),  reduced.    (From  Tcnncy,  after  Wilson.) 

121.  COC'CYGUS.  (An  adjectival  form  derived  from  KoKKuf,  a  (Mickoo.)  Trke  Ct:CKOOS.  Head 
not  crested;  all  the  feathers  soft.  Bill  as  above.  Wings  pointed,  but  not  longer  than  tho 
tail ;  inner  quills  not  folding  over  much  of  the  primaries ;  Hd  and  4th  primaries  longest,  2d  and 
5tli  shorter,  1st  nuich  shorter  still.  Tail  of  soft  rather  tapering  feathers,  with  very  obtuso 
ends;  much  graduated.  Tibial  ft^athors  flowing;  tarsi  naked,  shorter  than  middle  toe.  Our 
sjiccies  aro  strictly  arboricole  birds  of  lithe  form,  blended  plumage  and  subdued  colors;  tho 
head  is  not  crested ;  the  tibial  feathers  are  full,  as  in  a  hawk ;  tho  sexes  are  alike,  and  tho 
jroung  scarcely  different;  tho  upjier  jiarts  are  uniform  satiny  olive-gray,  or  "  quaker-color," 
with  bronzy  reflections.     Lay  numerous  plain  greenish  elliptical  eggs,  in  a  rude  nest  of  twigs 


' ! 


T' ''' 
1 ,1 


CUCVLIDJE—COCCYGIXJI':!  AMKIilCAN  CUCKOOS. 


476 


tho 


saddled  (Hi  ii  briiiuOi  or  in  u  fork.  Tlumiili  imt  liuMtimlly  piiriiditif,  llicy  nCti'ii  olip  nn  ivk  in 
otliiT  liii'ds'  iii'Hts,  (ir  ill  fucii  ntiicr's.  <lvi|)ii.siti(iii  Im  tiinly  iir  im'^iiliir  ;  tlir  iicsts  iiHimlly  t'lHi- 
tiiiii  ^'H^i»  ill  diffiTciit  staff's  "f  di'vciiiiniu'iit,  or  v^iin  and  ymiiiif  tufV'tiii'i'.  Tlii'y  ar<'  wi'll-ldiowii 
iiiiialiltantM  of  diir  Htrt'cttt  and  (tarltH  as  well  as  of  wiMKliand,  imti'd  for  tlicir  loud,  jrrUy  cricH, 
wliich  tlipy  arc  supposed  to  utter  most  fV<'(|U('nily  in  liilliiig  wratlier,  wiirnce  tlii'ir  popular 
uanic,  "  rain-crow."     Migratory,  insectivorous,  and  fnigivoroiis. 

Analyili  c/  Specif t. 
Bill  Mnrk  nnil  Miilali 

Wlitto  below.    WlngB  with  llttis  or  nocliiiinnion.    Tnil-fentlicra  not  bromlly  wliltc-cndod. 

iriiUnniililliiilmiiK 
Bin  liliuk  nnil  yellow.    Tall-fe»tlier(i  liromlly  wliltc-emleil. 

Wlilto  below.    Wings  o.\tcn»lvoly  c'liiiiiiniiiii nmrrii'iniii.i    i. 

Tawny  below.    Ears  dusky tininilim    *:m 


FlQ.  327.  —  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  i  iiat.  size.    (From  lircUm.) 

428.  C.  erythrophthal'mus.  (Gr.  ipvBp6s,erHthros,TcMi»h  ;  6<t>6ai\ii6t,  ophthalmos,  eye.)  Black- 
nii.LEO  Cuckoo.  <J  9  :  Bill  blackish  except  occasionally  a  trace  of  yellowish,  usually  bluish 
at  base  below.  Above,  satiny  olive-gray.  Below,  pure  white,  somotimes  with  a  faint  tawny 
tinge  on  tho  fore-parts.  Winga  with  little  or  no  rufous.  Lateral  tail-feathers  not  CGntrasting 
with  tho  central,  their  tips  for  a  short  distance  blackisb,  then  obscurely  white  ;  no  bold  contrast 
of  black  with  large  white  spaces.  Bare  circumocular  space  livid :  edges  of  eyelids  red.  Length 
11.00-12.00 ;  extent  about  15.50 ;  wing  5.00-5.50;  tail  6.00-C.50 ;  bill  under  an  inch.    Very 


470 


SYSTE3IA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PICAltlJE  —  PIVIFOEMES. 


young  h\t(\s  have  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  skirted  with  whitisli ;  tl>c  bill  and  feet  palo 
bluisii.  Eastern  U.  S.  and  Canada,  M-est  to  the  Roclcy  Mts.,  X.  to  Labrador,  conniion  ;  ratlirr 
more  northerly  tlian  C.  americanus,  being  the  commoner  species  in  New  England ;  said  to 
winter  in  Florida.  Nest  preferably  in  busiies,  often  quite  near  the  ground;  eggsl.lU  X  0.80, 
greenish,  deeper-colored,  less  elliptical  and  smaller  than  those  of  the  yellow-billed  cuckoo, 
though  probably  not  to  bo  distinguished  with  certainty. 

429.  C.  amerlea'nua.  (Lat.  Anierican.  Figs.  .'526,  327.)  Yellow-billed  Cickoo.  Bill  black, 
extensively  yellow  below  and  on  the  sides  of  upper  nuindible.  Feet  dark  plumbeous.  Above, 
satiny  olive-gray.  Below,  pure  white.  Wings  extensively  cinnamon-rufous  on  inner  webs  of 
the  quills.  Central  tail-feathers  like  the  back  ;  the  rest  black  with  large  white  tips,  the  outer- 
most usually  also  edged  with  white.  Very  constant  in  cob)r,  the  chief  variation  being  in  extent 
and  intensity  of  the  cinnamon  on  the  wings,  whidi  sometimes  sliows  through  wlien  th(>  wings 
are  closed,  and  even  tinges  the  coverts.  Young  difter  chielly  in  Iiaving  tlie  white  ends  of  the 
tail-feathers  le.ss  trenchant  and  extensive,  tlie  black  not  so  pure ;  this  state  apiu-oaches  the  con- 
dition of  C.  erjithrophthahmis,  but  docs  not  match  it.  Length  11.00-12.00  ;  extent  15.50-1()..")0 ; 
■wing  5.50-1). 00;  tail  about  G.OO ;  bill  a  short  inch;  tarsus  LOO;  middlt^  toe  and  daw  rather 
more.  U.  S.,  rather  more  .southerly  than  the  last  species,  and  chiefly  Eastern;  but  also,  I'l'.citic. 
coast  and  Southern  Kocky  Mts.  Nest  ii  slight  structure  of  twigs,  leaves  and  catkins,  on  a 
bough  or  in  fork  of  a  tree  rather  than  in  a  bu.sh;  eggs  -i  to  8,  pale  greenish,  1.25  X  O.'JO,  laid 
irregularly,  mostly  hi  June. 

430.  C.  seni'culiis.  (Lilt,  seniculus,  a  little  old  man  ;  diminutive  of  sciic.r,  probably  alluding  to  the 
gray  on  the  head.)  JlANdKOVE  Cl'CKOO.  Hill  much  as  in  the  last.  Above,  thi^  same  (|uaker- 
color,  but  nuire  decidedly  ashy-gray  toward  and  on  head.  IJelow,  pah'  orange-brown.  Wings 
suffused  with  the  color  of  the  belly.  Auriciilars  dark,  in  contrast.  Tail  as  in  the  last,  but 
outer  feather  not  white-edged.  .Size  of  the  others,  or  rather  less.  \\'est  Indies;  Florida, 
rarely.     Eggs  as  in  C.  americanus. 


5.   Suborder  PICIFOKMES:   Piciform  Birds. 

See  p.  446  for  characters  of  this  suborder.  It  is  a  perfectly  homog<'neous  group,  so  much 
so  as  to  be  often  reduced  to  tlie  grade  of  a  single  family,  Picidtr,  then  with  IiitujuKC  and 
P(CH)H)ii)i<e  as  subfamilies.  In  palatal  characters  the  Piciform  birds  exhibit  "  a  sim])lification 
and  degradation  of  the  a>githognathous  structure"  (Hii.rlf;/),  and  this  pa.sserine  aHinity  is  bonio 
out  by  the  common  reduction  of  the  first  primary  to  small  size  or  even  spurious  condition,  leav- 
ing but  9  functionally  deveh)ped  primaries;  but  the  details  of  the  construction  of  the  bony 
palate,  as  worked  out  by  Parker,  are  so  extraordinary  that  he  has  proposed  to  make  the  I'ivi- 
forines  one  of  the  nnijor  divisions  of  Carinate  birds  (see  p.  173,  tig.  80).  The  greater  secondary 
coverts  are  likewise  as  short  as  in  Pa,<i.<<crcs.  Tlie  feet  are  high.y  scnnsorial  by  reversion  of  tlie 
fourth  toe.  In  typical  Pici  the  bill  is  straight,  hard,  often  strengthened  by  lateral  ridges,  and 
forming  an  efficient  chiselling  in.strument.  The  salivary  j^'niids  are  highly  developed,  and  the 
hyoidean  apparatus  is  peculiar.  The  sternum  is  doubly-notched.  Only  the  left  carotid  is 
present ;  the  oil-gland  is  tufted,  and  there  are  no  ca'ca.  The  accessory  feinoro-candal,  accessory 
semitendinosus  aiid  ambiens  muscle  are  absent.  The  nearest  relatives  of  the  Piciform  birds  are 
the  Ca})ito)}i(l(r  or  Scansorial  Barbets,  and  the  Touchus  {lihumphastiiUc) ;  both  of  which  are 
so  closely  affined  that  they  might  come  under  the  above  head,  with  little  modification  of  the 
characters  here  assigned.  Of  the  three  families  here  meant  to  be  included  by  the  term  I'ki- 
formes,  the  Old  World  Ii/ngidec  or  Wrynecks  are  most  unlike  Woodpeckers,  having  a  soft  tail 
and  various  otlt  r  peculiarities.  The  Picummda'  are  more  Woodpecker-like,  but  still  the  tail 
is  soft ;  in  general  superficialities  they  resemble  Nuthatches  quite  cm-iously.  Exclusion  of  these 
two  families  leaves  us  the 


PICin.E :    WOODPECKEliS. 


477 


27.     Family    PICIDjE  :     "Woodpeckers. 

Feet  perfecfhj  zi/godacti/le  by  rerersion  of  the 
fourth  toe  (in  two  gfiicra  the  first,  toe  wuutiiiir) ; 
tail-feathers  rigid,  acuminate;  hill  a  chisel.    TJiis 
cx])rt'ssi()ii  will  serve  tor  the  reeoiiiiition  of  any 
wooilpeeker  (eoiiiparo  diagnoses  ot'firevious  I'iea- 
rian  families).      Wing  of  10  ]irinniries,  the  1st 
quite  short  or  even  si)urions,  the  wing-forninla 
being  (inite  as  in  most  passerine  hinls  —  a  crow 
or  thrush,  for  examph'.     Greater  row  of  seeond- 
-     ary  eoverts  short,  as  in  passerine  hinls  at  large. 
Tail  of  12  reetrices,  hut  the  outermost  pair  rudi- 
mentary, lying  concealed  at  the  base  of  the  tail 
Fio.  328.  —  European  Spotted  Wooilpeeker  (/"icus    between  the  ponidtimate  (now  exterior)  and  next 
major),  reiluce.l.    (From  Dixou.)  j,,,;,.^  j,,,  ^]y^^^  ^]^^,J^  appear  to  be  but  10,  as  usual 

in  Picarian  birds  (a  strong  peculiarity).  Tail-feathers  very  stiff  and  strong,  with  enlarged 
clastic  shafts,  and  acuminate  at  the  end.  Tarsi  scutellate  in  front,  on  the  sides  and  behind 
variously  reticulati'.  T<jcs  strongly  scutcllat(!  on  top.  The  usual  ratio  of  tlie  toes  is :  1st 
(inner  posterior)  shortest;  2d  (inner  anterior)  next  longer;  3d  (outer  anterior)  longer;  4th 
(outer  posterior)  longest  of  all  (in  most  typical  species ;  iu  some,  however,  scarcely  or  not 
e(pniUing  the  3d  in  length).  The  basal  joints  of  the  toes  are  abbreviated.  There  is  a  very 
unusual  arrangement  of  the  flexor  tendons  of  the  toes  (shared,  however,  among  Toucans, 
Scausorial  Barbets,  and  Jacamars). 

These  birds  have  been  specially  studied,  with  more  or  less  gratifying  success,  by  Malherhe, 
Sundevall  atul  Cassin.  There  are  nearly  250  well  determined  sjjecies,  of  all  parts  of  the  world 
except  Madagascar,  Australia,  and  Pidynesia.  Their  sei)aratiou  into  minor  groups  has  not  been 
agreed  upon;  our  species  are  commonly  thrown  into  three  divisions,  which,  however,  1  shall 
not  present,  as  consideration  of  exotic  forms  shows  how  the  genera  are  inten-elated,  and  how 
nice  is  the  gradation  in  form  between  the  Ivory-bill  and  tlio  Flicker,  which  stand  nearly  at 
extremes  of  the  family  ;  the  little  diversity  of  which  is  thereby  evident.  One  of  our  genera, 
without  very  obvious  external  peculiarities,  stands  apart  from  the  rest  in  the  character  of  the 
tongue.  In  ordinary  Pici  the  "  horns  "  of  the  tongue  are  extraordiiuirily  produced  backward, 
as  slender  jointed  bony  rods  curling  up  over  the  skull  behind,  between  the  skin  and  the  bone, 
to  the  eyes  or  even  further ;  these  rods  are  enwrapped  in  highly  developed,  specialized  muscles, 
by  means  of  which  the  birds  thrust  out  the  tongue  sometimes  several  inches  beyond  the  bill 
(tigs.  73,  7t).  This  is  not  the  case  in  Sjjhyropicus,  whcr(!  the  hyoid  cornua  do  not  extend  beyond 
the  base  of  the  skull,  and  the  tongue,  consequently,  is  but  little  more  extensible  than  in  ordinary 
birds.  The  tongue  of  SphijropicuH  is  beset  at  the  end  by  numerous  brushy  filaments,  instead  of 
the  few  acute  barbs  connnonly  obser\-ed  in  tlie  family.  The  same  or  a  similar  ccmdition  of  the 
parts  is  observed  in  Xenopicus.  In  most  of  our  species  the  bill  is  perfectly  straight,  wide  and 
stout  at  the  base,  tapering  regularly  to  a  compressed  and  vertically  truncate  ti}),  chisel-like,  and 
Strengthened  by  sharp  ridges  on  the  side  of  the  upper  mandible  — an  admirable  tool  for  cutting 
into  trees;  i\nd  in  all  such,  the  nostrils  are  hidden  by  dense  lufts  of  antrorse  feathers.  Iu 
t'hers,  like  the  Flicker,  the  hill  is  smooth  and  barely  curved ;  the  tip  is  acute  and  the  nostrils 
are  exposed.  There  is  a  regular  gradation  in  form  between  those  with  the  most  and  the  least 
chifol-like  bills.  The  former  are  more  stocky-bodied  birds,  with  larger  heads  in  comparison 
with  the  constricted  neck,  as  any  one  may  satisfy  liimsclf  by  skinning  a  Plicated  or  Hairy 
Woodpecker,  and  trying  to  pull  the  skin  over  the  head  — an  operation  which  nuiy  he  i)erformod 
on  a  Flicker.     The  ridges  of  the  bill,  the  bevelling  of  the  end,  the  uosal  tufts,  and  usually  tho 


1 


SYSTEM  A  TIG  SYNOPSIS.  —  VIVARIJE  —  PICIFORMES. 


length  of  tlie  outer  hind  toe,  are  characters  wliich  diminish  or  are  lost  together  as  we  pass  from 
the  Ivory-bill  extreme  to  the  Flicker  end  of  the  series.  The  claws  are  always  large,  strong, 
sharp,  and  much  curved;  the  feet  do  not  present  striking  generic  modifications,  except  in  the 
three-toed  genus  Pico'ides;  the  length  of  the  outer  hind  toe  is  the  most  variable  factor.  The 
wings  are  specially  noteworthy,  for  the  shortness  of  tlie  coverts,  in  exception  to  the  Picariau 


Fio.  329.  — Ivory-bllled  WooJpeckcr,  i  iiat.  size.  (From  Brcliiu.) 
rule ;  and  the  shortness  of  the  first  primary,  which  may  fairly  be  called  spurious ;  but  these 
points  and  tlie  remarkable  character  of  the  tail  have  been  already  mentioned.  This  member 
offers  indispensable  assistance  in  climbing,  when  the  stiff  strong  quills  are  pressed  against  the 
tree,  and  form  a  secure  support.  To  this  end,  the  muscles  are  highly  developed,  and  the  last 
bone  (vomer  or  pugostijle)  is  large  and  peculiar  in  shape.  \Voodp<'cker8  rarely  if  ever  climb 
head  downward,  like  Nuthatches,  nor  are  the  tarsi  applied  to  their  support. 


4: 


PICIDjE  ;    WOODPECKERS. 


479 


\ 


Species  arc  abundant  in  all  the  wooded  portion  of  this  country,  and  wherever  found  aro 
nearly  resident.  For,  although  insectivorous,  tliey  feed  principally  upon  dormant  or  at  least 
BtatioJiary  insects,  and  therefore  need  not  migrate;  they  are,  moreover,  Iiardy  birds.  They  dig 
insects  and  tbeir  larvse  out  of  trees,  and  are  einineiitly  beneficial  to  the  agriculturist  and  fruit- 
grower. Contrary  to  a  prevalent  impression,  their  boring  does  not  seem  to  injure  fruit-trees, 
which  may  be  riddled  with  holes  without  luirmful  result.  The  number  of  noxious  insects  these 
birds  destroy  is  simply  incalculable ;  what  little  fruit  some  of  them  steal  is  not  to  be  mentioned 
in  the  same  connection,  and  they  deserve  the  good-will  of  all.  The  birds  of  the  genus  Sjihii- 
ropicus  are  probably  an  exception  to  most  of  these  statements.  Hut  Woodpeckers  also  feed 
largely  u|)on  nuts,  berries,  and  other  fruits;  and  those  which  thus  vary  their  fare  to  the  greatest 
extent  are  apt  to  be  more  or  less  migratory,  like  the  common  Ked-head  for  example.  Wood- 
peckers nest  in  holes  iu  trees,  which  they  excavate  for  themselves,  sometimes  to  a  great  depth, 
and  lay  numerous  rounded  pure  white  eggs,  of  which  the  shell  has  a  smooth  cry.stalline  texture 
like  porcelain,  on  the  chips  and  dust  at  the  bottom  of  the  hole.  The  voice  is  loud  and  harsh, 
susceptible  of  little  modulation.  The  plumage  as  a  rule  presents  bright  colors  in  large  areas  or 
in  striking  contra.sts,  and  is  sometimes  highly  lustrous.  The  sexes  are  ordinarily  distinguishable 
by  color-markings  ;  the  young  either  show  sexual  characters  from  the  nest,  or  have  special 

markings  of  their  own. 

Artijicial  Analysis  of  X.  A.  Genera  of  Picida. 

Toes  3    .    . Picouhs    153 

Toes  4. 

Tongue  not  decideilly  extensible. 

Body  entirely  bliicli  ;  Iieud  wliite Xeiinpiriis     152 

Body  variegiited  ;  liead  not  white Uplii/rojiitits    l&t 

Tongue  very  extensible. 

Consi)ion()U.sly  crested;  much  over  .a  foot  long. 

Bill  white;  outer  liitid  toe  longer  than  outer  front  too Campephiltis    149 

Bill  dark ;  outer  hind  toe  not  longer  than  outer  front  too l/iilolomus    150 

Not  crested ;  a  ftH)t  htng  or  less. 

Sides  of  upper  inandil)k' distinctly  ridged;  wings  spotted /'ietts    151 

Sides  of  upper  mandible  indistinctly  or  not  ridged. 

Back  lustrous  green;  belly  carmine Asi/utle.imu.i    ir>l 

Baek  l)lue-black  ;  belly  wldte Melttni  rpis    l.'iO 

Back  black-barred ;  belly  black-spotted (olaplis    138 

Back  black-barred ;  belly  not  sjiotted Centunm    156 

149.  CAMPE'PIIILUS.  (Gr.  (cdfwn/, /i-nw^ie,  a  caterpillar ;  (^jXos,  ^>/ii7os,  loving.)  Ivouv-iull.s. 
Of  largest  size,  with  very  strict  neck,  conspicuously  creste(l  head  and  white  bill;  color  black, 
with  white  on  wings  and  neck,  and  scarlet  crest.  Bill  longer  than  head,  perfectly  straight, 
with  truncate  tip,  bevelled  sides,  with  .strong  ridges  ;  broader  than  high  at  the  base.  Gonys 
very  long  ;  more  than  half  the  coimnissure.  Nostrils  concealed  by  large  nasal  tufts  ;  antrorso 
feathers  also  at  base  of  lower  mandible.  Outer  hind  toe  much  the  longest.  Wings  pointed  ; 
4th,  :5d  and  .jth  <(uills  longest ;  2d  intich  f<horter ;  1st  very  short  and  narrow.  Tail  very  cuneate. 
Containing  the  largest  tmd  most  magnificent  known  Woodpeckers,  of  sevcnil  species,  peculiar 
to  America. 
431.  C.  principalis.  (Lat.  principalis,  principal;  ^jnftce^js,  chief.  Fig.  320.)  IvonY-BlLLEi> 
WooDi'ECKEU.  (J  9  '•  Glossy  blue-black  ;  a  strijjc  down  side  of  neck,  one  at  base  of  bill,  the 
scapulars,  under  wing-coverts,  ends  of  secondaries  and  of  inner  primaries,  the  bill,  and  nasal 
feathers  white  ;  feet  grayish-blue  ;  iris  yellow.  A  hnig  pointed  crest,  in  the  ,J  scarlet  faced  with 
black,  in  the  9  black.  Length  19.00-21.00  ;  extent  30.00-;53.00  ;  wing  9.75-10.7.5  ;  tail  7.00- 
8.00;  bill  2.. 50  ;  tarsus  2.00.  Varies  much  in  size  ;  9  smaller  than  the  (J.  A  large  powerful 
bird  of  the  S.  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  N.  to  No.  Carolina  along  the  coast,  to  the  Ohio  Kiver  iu 
the  interior ;  common  in  the  dark  heavily  wooded  swamps,  but  very  wilil  and  wary,  and  ditticult 
to  secure.     Nests  high  in  the  most  inaccessible  trees ;  eggs  about  G,  1.35  X  1-00. 


480 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PICARIJE  —  PICIFORMES. 


i :  it 


150.  HYLO'TOMUS.  (Gr.  vXord/ior,  hnlotomos,  a  wnoil-cuttcr.)  Pileated  Woodpeckers. 
General  form  as  in  CampepliiluH.  \\\\\  as  in  that  genus,  but  not  white,  witli  shorter  gonjs 
only  about  half  as  long  as  commissure;  nasal  plumes  as  before,  but  no  iintrorso  feathers  on 
sides  of  lower  nuiniUble.  Wings  and  tail  substantially  as  in  Ciimpeithilns.  Feet  peculiar : 
outer  posterior  shorter  than  <juter  anterior  toe,  and  tarsus  shorter  than  inner  anterior  toe  and 
claw ;  inner  posterior  toe  very  short  (fig.  3:50).  Kill  dark ;  general  color  black,  relieved  by 
white,  tlie  (J  with  a  jMiintcd  scarlet  crest :  9  <'restc(l,  but  with  black  only.  Our  single  si)ecies 
is  the  representative  of  the  famous  black  woodpecker  of  Europe,  Picm  maitius  ;  a  classic  bird, 
by  some  considered  the  type  of  the  LiunsDau  genus  Picus.  There  are  several  typical  American 
species. 

432.    II.  pilea'tus.    (Lat.  pikatus,  capped,  i.  e.,  crested ;  pileitm,  a  caj).)    Pileated  Woodpeckeu. 
General  odor  dull  black ;  throat,  post-ocular  line,  u  long  .stripe  from  nostrils  along  side  of 
^^^^^^  head  and  neck,  sj)reading  on  side  of  breast, 

^^^^^^^^^^^|k|^^^  lining  of  wing,  and  a  great  white  space  at 

^^^^^^^^^P^^^^^^^^^^^H^^         the  bases        the  more 

'^^^^^^^^^^^^    .^^n^^  ^^^^^^       or  less  tinged  with  sulphury-yellow.  Feath- 

■iC^^^^  ^p    ^H  ^^^^k     ers  of  Hanks  and  belly  often  skirted,  and 

^^  ^^^  .^^^^B    some  of  the  quills  often  tipped  with  the 

^^V  ■!   same.      $ :    Top  of  head,   including  the 

^^L^     A         ^    whole  crest,   and  a  cheek-patch,   scarlet. 
^^H^^     -^^       9  •    Posterior  i)art  of  crest  only  scarlet. 
Fig.  xio.- Right  foot  of  Pileated  Woodpecker,  iiat.  size.    HH'l    "<'   dieek-patch.       $    9:    ]$illdark 
(Ad.  iiat.  del.  E.  c.)  horu-color,   paler   below;    feet  blackish- 

plumbeous;  iris  yellow.  Quite  constant  in  coloration;  very  variable  in  size.  Length  I'j.dO- 
l'J.(JO  inches,  usually  17.00-18.00;  extent  2.j.00-;J0.00,  usually  2().00-28.00 ;  wing  8.00-10.00, 
usually  8..-)O-'J.00  ;  tail  ().00-7.00  ;  bill  1.50-2.00  !  9  averaging  about  2  inches  less  in  length 
than  (J,  and  other  dimensions  proportionally  .smaller.  Northern  individuals  averaging  much 
larger  tlian  southern  ones.  North  Am.  at  large,  common,  resident  anywhere  in  heavy  timber; 
but  this  is  a  very  wild,  wary,  and  solitaiy  bird,  —  one  which  grows  scarce  or  di.sippears  among 
the  first  with  the  clearing  away  of  forests  in  advance  of  civilization.  Nests  in  remote  and 
secluded  woods  and  swamps,  usually  at  a  greixt  height ;  the  taking  of  eggs  is  something  of  an 
exploit.  The  eggs  measure  about  1.25  X  1.00.  Eggs  of  woodjjeckers  are  proportioned  rather 
to  tiie  bird's  bulk  of  body  than  its  linear  diuu>nsious;  tho.se  of  Camptplxilus  and  Ilylotomus  are 
relatively  smaller  than  a  flicker's,  for  instance. 

151.  Pl'CUS.  (hilt.  picHs,  a  woodpecker.)  Hi.AiK-AXD-wiiiTE  Spotted  Woodpeckeu.s.  Hill 
more  or  less  nearly  e<puil  to  head  in  length,  stout,  straight,  truncate  at  tip,  bevelled  toward  end, 
with  shar[)  culmcn  and  distinct  lateral  ridges  on  upjicr  mandil)le  ;  at  base  rather  broader  than 
high,  with  large  nasal  tufts  hiding  the  nostrils;  culmen,  commissure  and  gonys  straight  or 
nearly  .so  (Kg.  !W3.)  Feet  with  the  outer  posterior  longer  thau  outer  anterior  toe;  inner  anterior 
intermediate  between  these.  Wing  lontr,  jiointed  by  the  4th,  3d  and  5th  quills  ;  2d  decidedly 
shorter  (shorter  thau  Tth,  except  in  P.  boirulis)  ;  1st  fairly  spurious.  Species  of  medium  and 
small  size,  all  black-and-white  (one  brown-backed),  the  back  striped  or  barred,  the  wiugs  with 
numerous  sunill  round  white  spots  on  the  quills;    ^  with  red  on  the  head. 

AnalyaiH  of  Sjtecii'S  nnil  ]'itrWtU's. 

Back  dark  l)rowii,  neitlicr  strli>eil  nor  fully  liarrcd  with  wlilte stricklanili    437 

Back  black,  not  xtripcil  lengtliwloe,  but  barrcil  crosswlpc  with  white:  "ladder-backs "(as  in  Hg  yj',)). 

One  large  white  space  on  side  of  head.    Crown  black boreath    433 

Two  white  8tri|ic8  on  sides  of  head. 

Nasal  feathers  white;  cf  crown  black,  nape  rc<l,  both  white-spotted nultnlli    4a'5 

Nasal  feathers  brown ;  J  crown  and  na|>o  red.  both  white-simttcd. 

Outer  web  of  outer  tail-feather  entirely  black-barred scaiar'i    434 


PJCID^:    WOODPECKERS. 


481 


Outer  web  of  outer  tall-feather  partly  black-barrol lucasanut    436 

Back  black,  not  liarreil  croKswIse,  but  striiwil  loiiglliwiHc  with  white:  •'  polc-backa," 
Outer  tiill-fuiitlicrH  wholly  white.     Length  usually  "J-IO  inchev. 

Greatoi-eovorts  and  Inner  »econJarle»  profusely  whitu-»iM)tte(l villoHm    438 

Greater  coverts  and  Inner  scconilarles  sparsely  or  not  white-spotteil Iiiini.ii    439 

Outer  tall-feathers  barreil  with  black.     Length  usually  <>-7  Inches. 

Greater  coverts  ami  inner  sei.'ondaries  profusely  white-simttod pulvaci  na    440 

Greater  coverts  and  inner  secondaries  sparingly  or  not  whitc-siHitteil yainliirri    441 

433.  V.  borea'lis.  (Lat.  horealis,  northcrii ;  inapiiropriiite  f<ir  a  U.  S.  8i)ecics.  Fig.  3;J1.)  Rkd- 
CocKADKi)  WooiU'KCKEK.  IJodj'  spiitti'd  ami  crosswise  baiiiU'd,  but  imt  stri'akcil.  Head 
black  oil  top,  with  a  largo  silky  wliito  auricular 
patch  eiiibiaciiit;;  the  eye  and  extending  on  the  side 
of  th(!  neck,  bordered  above  in  tin;  (J  by  a  scarlet 
stripe  not  meeting  its  fellow  on  the  nape;  nasal 
feathers  and  those  on  the  siiU;  of  the  under  jaw  '^CST' 

white;    black   of  th((  crown  connected  across  the  v^^ 

lores  with  a  black  stripe  running  from  the  corner  of  \ 

the  bill  down  the  side  of  the  throat  and  neck  to  be  - 

dissipated  on  the  side  of  the  breast  in  black  sp(»ts  /'' 

continued  less  tliickly  along  tlie  whole  side  and  on  /W',,/v 

the  crissuni ;    under  i)arts  otherwise  soiled  white.  pJi^'J'Ji,'^' 

Central    tail-feathers  black;    others  white,  black-  •^^■m*." 

barred.  Hack  and  wings  barred  with  black  and  Fio.  3;(1.  -  itcd-cocka.lud  Woodpecker,  nat.  size, 
white,  the  larger  ijuills  and  many  coverts  with  the    (Ad  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 

white  bars  resolved  into  jjaired  spots.  9  lacking  the  red  cockade.  A  ))eculiar  isolated  species; 
wiugs  longer  and  more  pouited  than  usual  in  this  genus ;  2d  (juill  bnigcr  than  7th ;  spurioua 
primary  very  short;  bill  .smaller  than  usual,  decidedly  .shiu'ter  than  head.  Length  8.00-8.50; 
e.xtent  14.00-1.). 00 ;  wing  4..50-4.90 ;  tail  3.25-3.75.  I'ine  swamps  and  barrens  of  the  8. 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  States  ;  N.  to  Pennsylvania.     Eggs  0.95  X  0.70. 

131.  I*,  scaln'ris.  (Lat.  scalitris,  ladder-like;  scnla,  a  scale,  flight  of  stairs,  etc.;  alluding  to  tho 
black  and  white  cross-l'iirs  on  the  back.)  Ti;.\'AN  Woooi'ECKEK.  Entire  back,  from  nape  to 
iipjier  tail-covei'ts,  barred  across  in  bhudi  and  white  stripes  of  equal  width ;  a  narrow  space  on 
back  of  neck,  ui)per  tail-coverts,  and  4  middle  tail-feathers,  entirely  black  ;  wing-coverts  with  a 
round  white  spot  at  end  of  each  feather,  and  a  hidden  spot  tir  pair  of  spots  further  along  tho 
feather.  Primaries  reguhirly  marked  with  white  spots  in  pairs  on  the  edges  of  the  webs,  thoso 
on  the  outer  webs  .small  and  angular,  on  the  inner  webs  larger  and  more  rounded  ;  on  tho 

s< ndarii's  ilie.se  spots  changing  to  broken  bars  ;  so  that  tins  primaries  antl  coverts  are  spotted 

alike,  the  secondaries  and  back  barred  alike.  Ci"own  black,  speckled  with  white,  in  the  ^ 
extensively  crimson  ;  the  feathers  being  black,  specked  with  white,  finally  tipped  with  red, 
which  becomes  continuous  on  the  hind  head,  where  the  white  specks  cease.  Side  of  head 
white,  with  )i  long  black  stripe  from  bill  under  eye,  widening  bi'hiiul,  there  joining  a  black 
)iost-ocuLir  strijie  and  spreadhig  over  side  of  neck.  Nasal  feathers  siiudsy-brown.  Under  parts 
ranging  from  soiled  white  to  smoky-gray,  with  numerous  bhu-k  sjtots  mi  sides,  flanks  and  cris- 
Hum  ;  lateral  tail-feathers  perfectly  barred  with  black  and  white  in  e(iual  amounts.  9  lucking 
red  on  the  crown.  Simill :  length  7.00-7.50;  extent  13.00;  wiug  3.50-4.00;  tail  2.75-3.00; 
bill  0.G6-0.87.  Southwestern  U.  S.  and  southward,  abundant.  It  is  obviously  im])ossiblo,  in 
the  cases  of  these  profusely  spotted  wood])eckers,  to  frame  a  description  which  will  meet  every 
ea.se,  without  being  t(M)  vague,  or  going  into  tetlious  particulars.  Tin.'  foregoing,  taken  from 
Kio  Granilo  specimens,  covers  the  usual  style  of  the  sjiecies  as  found  along  our  southern  border ; 
but  the  student  must  not  be  surprised  if  I  fail  to  uccuuut  for  every  spot  of  tho  particular  speei- 
iiioii  ho  bos  iu  huud. 

31 


482 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYA'Ol'SIS.  —  I'lCAltnH:  —  PICIFOEMES. 


435.  P.  s.  nut'talli.  (ToTluis.  NiittiiU.  Fig.  :5.'{2.)  Nittall's  Woodpecker.  Similar;  rather 
larger;  more  wliitc,  this  jircvailiiig  oil  the  back  over  tlio  Llaok  hars  ;  nai)e chiefly  white  ;  iia.sal 

tufts  white;  lateral  tail-feathers,  especially,  sparsely 
tir  imperfectly  barred.  The  t'alifornian  coa.-it  race, 
tlifl'eriiig  ileciileiily  in  some  respects,  and  constantly; 
but  connected  with  general  series  of  ladder-backs. 
Harring  restricted  to  tiie  back  proper,  the  hind  neck 
being  black,  succeeded  anteriorly  by  a  white  space 
adjoining  the  red,  wanting  in  xcalaris,  where  red 
joins  black.  Ked  chiefly  confined  to  the  occiput, 
the  rest  of  the  crown  black,  spotted  with  white. 
Lateral  tail-feathers  white,  not  barred  througlioiit, 
having  but  1-15  black  bars,  all  beyond  their  mid- 
dles, all  but  the  terminul  one  of  these  broken. 
Wiiite  jiostocuhir  stripe  running  into  the  white 
nuchal  area,  but  cut  off"  from  i\w  wliite  of  tlie 
shoulders.  AVliito  maxillary  strij)e  enclosed  in 
ria.  332.  -  Nuttall's  Woodpecker,  nut.  size,     l^l"^'''  '"*  '"  "cchiriK,  but  this  black  continuous  with 

(From  Elliot.)  the  cervical  black  patch,  which  is  not  tlie  case  in 

scalnris.     No  smoky-brown  state  of  the  under  jiarts  observed. 

436.  P.  8.  lucasa'nus.  (Of  ("ape  St.  Lucas.)  St.  LrcAS  WooDPF.rKER.  A  L)cal  rac(M)f, scrt/nns. 
Smoky-brown  nasal  tufts  and  style  of  head  and  back  as  in  that  species.  Lateral  tail-feathers 
imperfectly  barred  and  only  toward  end,  as  in  nuttnlU.  Red  of  crown  of  $  broken  up  anteriorly. 
Peculiar  in  disproportionate  size  of  bill  and  feet :  bill  1.10 ;  tarsus  0.75. 

437.  P.  striek'IaniU.  (To  II.  E.  Strickland.)  STRiCKLAxry.s  Woodpecker.  Entirely  difierent 
from  any  of  the  foregoing  or  following  species.  Adult  $  :  Upper  ])arts  dark  brown,  immacu- 
late; top  of  head,  rump,  and  't  middle  tail-feathers  black;  the  occijiut  with  a  scarlet  band. 
Sides  of  head  with  white  post-ocular  and  nui.villary  bands,  expanded  and  more  or  less  confluent 
on  sides  of  neck.  Wing-quills  like  the  back,  their  outer  webs  with  a  few  snuill  \vhite  sjxits, 
the  inner  webs  with  mon?  numerous  larger  white  spots  or  broken  bars.  Outermost  tail-feathers 
evenly  barred  throughout  with  blackish-browni  and  white ;  intermediate  feathers  partly  so 
banded,  but  mostly  blackish.  Entire  under  parts  sordid  whitisli,  thickly  spotted  witli  dusky ; 
the  markings  few  and  somewhat  liueur  on  the  throat,  crowded  and  cordate  on  the  brt^ast,  widen- 
ing and  tending  to  become 
bars  on  the  lower  belly, 
flanks,  and  crissum.  Itill 
and  feet  blackish -plumbe- 
ous. Size  of  a  small  P. 
villosus;  wing  4.50;  tail 
3.25;  bill  1.12;  tarsus 
0.75;  middle  toe  and  claw 
0.90.  9  similar:  no  red 
on  nape ;  color  of  upper 
parts  duller,  and  some 
featliers  of  middle  of  back 
barred  with  white.  Young: 
Like  adults  of  the  respec- 
tive sex ;  but  top  t>f  head 
brown  like  back,  and  spot-  F«o-  833.  -  Hairy  Woodpecker,  nat.  nlze.    (Ad  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 

ted  with  red.     A  Mexican  species,  lately  ascertained  to  bo  of  common  occurrence  in  Arizona. 


,11 


PICin^\-    WOODPECKERS. 


483 


438.  P.  villo'sus.  (Lat.  ciWosffs,  liiiiry,  8linj;i;y,  villous.  Fiir.  IJU;}.)  IIaiuy  WonnrKCKER.  Sixittcd 
aiul  U'ligtliwisc  strcakcil,  but  not  baiiilcil.  Usually  ',)-!()  hnij; ;  nutcr  tail-fratlu'rs  wliuUy  white. 
Hack  black,  with  a  hiug  white  strijie  lUiwii  the  middle.  Quills  and  wiiig-corerts  with  a  i>rii- 
fusiou  of  white  sjiots  ;  usually  ()-7  pairs  ou  the  ]iriinaries,  several  on  all  the  seeoiularios,  and 
olio  or  more  on  eaeli  of  the  eoverts.  Four  middle  tail-feathers  black  ;  next  jiair  bhudc  and 
wliite;  next  two  ]iairs  wliite,  as  .stated.  Under  parts  white.  Crown  and  sides  of  head  black, 
with  a  white  stripe  over  and  behind  the  eye;  another  from  the  iia.sal  feathers  runniuir  below 
the  eye  to  spread  on  the  side  of  the  neck;  a  scarlet  nuchal  band  in  the  (f ,  sometimes  liroken 
in  two,  wanting  in  the  9-  Voung  with  tlie  crown  mostly  red  or  bronzy,  or  even  y(dlowisli. 
Ea.stern  X.  Am.,  abundimt.  Length  usually  9.00-10.00  ;  extent  1.")., 50-17.30  ;  wing  4.:)0-5.00  ; 
tail  S. 50  ;  bill  1.12  ;  whole  foot  l.fifi.  Varies  greatly  in  size,  mainly  ac<'ordiiig  to  latitude.  In 
tho  West,  shades  directly  into  P.  v.  linrrisi,  by  di.sap|»earaiice  of  the  spots  from  the  covertsi  and 
inner  secondaries;  tlie  change  occurs  on  the  Eastern  slopes  of  the  Hocky  Mts.  One  of  the 
common  Eastern  U.  S.  woodpeckers,  in  British  Am.  trending  westward  to  the  Pacific  in 
Alaska  ;  but  not  so  often  noticed  as  the  little  P.  pubexceiis,  as  it  is  less  familiar,  and  keeps  more 
in  the  woods.     Kesident  wherever  occurring.     Eggs  KJ  or  7,  1.00  X  0.75. 

rt.  iiKijoi:     Xortliern :  very  large  and  lioary.     Length  up  to  11.00;  wing  over  5.00;  tail 
ni'arly  4.00;  whole  foot  1.90  ;  bill  1.50!     {P.  leucomelas  Bodd.) 

b.  mcdius.     The  ordinary  bird,  as  above. 

c.  minor.     Southern  :  very  small  and  dark.     Grading  down  to  8.00,  thus  within  an  inch  of 
tlie  maximiim  of  P.  puhcscem.  (P.  auduboni  Sw.) 

430.  P.  V.  Iiar'rlsi.  (To  Edward  Harris.)  Hauris'  Woodpecker.  Exactly  like  villosus,  except- 
ing fewer  wing-spots  ;  generally  none  on  tho  coverts  and  inner  quills;  with  specimens  enough 
we  can  see  tho  spots  disappear  one  by  one.  Generally  white  below,  but  in  some  regions 
smoky-gray  (a  thing  not  observed  in  Eastern  birds),  such  being  especially  the  case  on  the 
Pacific  slopes,  where  tlic  smoky-bellied  birds  also  sometimes  acquire  a  few  thin  black  stripes 
on  the  sides ;  those  from  the  interior  being  quite  purely  white  below.  Size  of  au  average 
P.  rillosufi.     Kocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific,  U.  S. 

440.  P.  pnbes'cens.  (Lat.  p«fcc*"ceH.<i,  coining  to  puberty ;  i.  e.  hairy.  Fig.  334.)  Down'Y  Woon- 
PECKER.  Usually  0-7  long ;  outer  tail-feathers  barred  with  black  and  white.  Exactly  like 
P.  villosus,  except  in  these  respects.     Length  6.00-7.00 ; 

extent  11.00-12.00;  wing  3.50-4.00;  tail  under  3.00; 
bill  about  O.GO ;  whole  foot  1.25.  Eastern  N.  Am., 
abundant  in  orchards,  and  all  wooded  jilaces.  Range 
substantially  the  same  as  that  of  the  hairy  woodpecker, 
but  in  most  U.  S.  localities  the  more  abundant  of  the 
two ;  on  the  whole  rather  more  southerly.  This  is  tho 
little  spotted  bird  that  bores  the  apple-trees  so  persist- 
ently ;  but  it  does  not  appear  to  hurt  them.  There  is 
no  such  difference  in  the  character  of  the  plumage  as 
the  terms  "downy"  and  "  hairy"  imply.  Eggs  about  Fio. 334.  —  Downy  Woodpecker,  nat. size. 
0,0.85X0.70.  lAdnat.del.E.C.) 

441.  P.  p.  gaird'nerl.  (To  Dr.  Meredith  Gairdner,  a  Scotch  naturalist.)  Bearing  the  Stame  relation 
to  P.  piibescens  that  harrisi  does  to  P.  villosus  ;  the  wing-spots  few  or  wanting  on  the  inner 
quills  and  the  coverts,  the  belly  smoky-gray  in  some  localities.  Kocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific, 
U.  S.,  but  much  rarer  than  P.  piibescens  is  in  tho  East,  and  almost  wanting  in  tnuch  of  the 
Rocky  Mt.  region,  where  P.  harrisi  abounds. 

162.  XENOPl'CUS.  (Gr.  ^ivot,  xenos,  rare,  foreign.)  Masked  Woodpeckers.  Form  as  in 
Picua  proper.  Body  uniformly  black.  Head  white.  Tongue  said  to  bo  but  little  nuir" 
extensible  than  in  Sphyropicus  (not  verified  by  me). 


ill  i 


■  r< 


'f  P 


484 


,iYt)TEMATia  SYNOPSIS.  —PICAIil^  —  PICIFOIUIES. 


442.  X.  albolarva'tus.  (Lat.  albo,  with  white,  lanatus,  masked.)  WiiiTE-iiEADEn  Woon- 
PECKEK.  l$()dy  not  banded,  streaked,  nor  spotted.  Uniform  blaek  ;  wliole  head  white,  in  the 
^  with  tt  scarlet  nuclial  baud  ;  a  largo  patcli  of  white  on  the  wing,  formed  by  white  spaces  on 
both  webs  of  the  primaries,  divided  only  by  tlieir  black  shafts;  on  the  secondaries  commonly 
resolved  into  a  number  of  blotches.  Bill  and  feet  plumbeous-blackish.  Iris  red.  9  without 
the  red  on  the  nape.  Length  8.75-9.50;  extent  15. 75-10.25  ;  wing  5.00-5.25;  tail  3.50. 
Mountains  of  California,  Oregon  and  AVasliington,  common  in  pine  M-oods.  A  remarkable 
species,  unique  in  coloration,  and  still  more  peculiar  in  the  little  extensibility  of  the  tongue, 
which  can  be  pulled  out  scarcely  an  inch  ;  that  of  P.  villosiiis,  for  instance,  extending  2  inches 
or  more  beyoml  the  end  of  the  bill. 


163. 


Fio.  335.  —  Kuropcaii  Thrce-tocd  Wooili>ccker(/'tcoif(/«s  tridactylus),  \  nut.  sizu;  liurdly  iliKtIiigiilsliablo  in  tliu 
out  from  P.  amcricniiH.t,    (From  Brelim.) 

PICOi'DES.  (Lat.  ^Jiei<.s,  a  woodpecker;  Gr.  tifios,  cfV/os,  resemblance.  Fig.  33.5.)  Three- 
toed  Woodpeckers.  Three-toed  :  the  hallux  (Ist  toe)  absent,  the  ith  toe  reversed  as  usual 
in  the  family.  Bill  as  in  Picits  projier.  about  as  long  as  the  liead,  stout,  straight,  with  bevelled 
end  and  lateral  ridges,  and  nasal  tufts  hiding  the  nostrils ;  very  broad  and  much  depressed  at 
base,  with  the  lateral  ridges  very  low  down,  in  most  of  their  length  close  to  and  parallel  with 
commissure  ;  nostrils  very  near  commissure  ;  gonys  about  as  long  as  from  nostrils  to  end  of  bill. 
Wings  very  long  and  ])ointed  ;  1st  quill  spurious  ;  2d  between  6th  and  7th  in  length.  Crown 
■with  a  square  yellow  patch  in  the  ^  ;  sides  of  h'  ■'  striped,  of  body  barrtMl,  with  black  and 
white ;    under  parts  otherwise  white ;  quills  but  not  coverts  with  white  8i)ots ;   tail-featlu^rs 


I'ICILJE :    WOODPECKERS. 


485 


ilnoiily 


imlmrred,  tlic  outer  wliito,  tlio  oc  utrul  bltu-k.  All  tlic  siti-cics  of  tills  ponus  are  uufiucstionubly 
iiiodiKed  (Icrivativi's  of  oiu'  cifcuiiijiolar  stock  ;  the  Anicricau  si'ciii  to  liavo  bi'coiiu'  comiili'tcly 
dift'crciitiatcd  froiii  tlu^  Asiatic  and  Eiiro)i('aii,  and  further  diviTgciu'c  seems  to'  have  jieil'ectly 
Ht'parated  arcficiis  from  umericunus ;  but  dorxalia  and  americanus  ai'u  still  liuked  together. 

Analy»is  of  Speciei. 

Bnck  uiiiform  black ureliviin  443 

Back  wltli  fiitirely  liitcrriipteil  Iciigtliwiso  white  Hlripc umivininiis  444 

Hack  witli  nearly  or  quite  uiiliitorriipted  leiigtliwlsc  whitu  stri, 10 ilarmlis  445 

443.  P.  arc'tlpus.  (Lat.  nrcticus,  aretic.)  Hlack-uackkd  Tiiuiok-tokd  Woom'KCKint.  Kn'iro 
upper  parts  glossy  blue-black,  with  only  a  few  white  spots  jiain^d  ou  the  wing-ipiills.  Hclow, 
M'hite  from  bill  to  tail,  the  sides,  flanks,  and  liuini;  of  wini;s  barred  with  black.  A  slis;lit  or 
concealed  white  post-ocular  striiie  (often  wanting)  and  a  siile-stripe  on  head  from  across  fore- 
head to  neck,  <'iit  off  by  black  from  the  white  of  the  under  parts.  Four  middle  tail-feathers 
black-,  the  rest  white,  but  the  intermediate  one  usually  touched  witli  black.  ^  with  a  s(|uare 
yellow  patch  ou  crown,  wanting  in  9-  I'i'l  !>"'!  ^''''t  blackisli-iilumbeous  ;  iris  brown.  J^cngtli 
9.00-10.00;  e.\tent  15.00-17.00;  wing  5. 01 1-5. .50;  tail  4.00;  bill  1.^5  or  more.  Xorthwesteru 
Am.,  S.  in  winter  through  New  England  and  generally  ahmg  the  uortheru  tier  of  V.  S.,  in  tin; 
mountains  of  the  West  to  about  39°  in  Nevada  and  California.  Ilaliits  of  ordinary  I'icus. 
Kggs  i).U-2  X  0.72. 

4.;4.  r.  ainpriea'niis.  (Of  America.)  LAMDKH-itACKKD  Tiiukk-tokd  WooDPixKint.  Tjipcr 
parts  black,  the  mi<ldle  line  white,  more  or  less  completely  barred  across  with  bhick  ;  the 
general  etiect  thus  <if  a  "  ladder-back."  All  the  primaries  and  secondaries  witli  [laired  white 
spots  or  bars.  Four  middle  tail-feathers  black,  others  white,  the  intermediate  one  usually 
tduclied  with  black.  Helow,  white  from  bill  to  tail,  the  sides,  flanks,  and  lining  of  wings 
black-barred.  A  white  post-ocular  stri))e  to  nape,  and  a  larger  white  stripe  from  lore  to  side 
of  lu'ck.  (J  with  a  yellow  s<(iuire  on  crown,  wanting  in  9  I  i"  both,  crown  seldom  uniform 
black.  IJill  and  feet  blackish-plumbeous;  iris  brown.  .Smaller  than  the  last ;  length  8.00- 
9.00:  extent  U.OO-Ul.OO  ;  wing  4.50-.').00;  tail  under  4.00;  billl.25  or  less;  whole  foot  1.50. 
Northern  \.  Am.,  S.  to  Massachusetts  and  along  northern  tier  of  States. 

445.  I*,  a.  dorsa'lls.  (Lat.  dursalis,  relating  to  dorsum,  the  back.)  Pole-backi;i>  TiiitEE- 
T(>i;i)  WodHPECKKU.  In  extreme  ca.se,  the  back  with  an  uninterrupted  white  lengthwise 
stripe,  producing  the  effect  of  a  "  pole-back,"  as  in  1'.  villusus  for  instance;  this  is  produced  by 
such  increase  of  white  on  the  ends  of  the  individual  feathers  that  their  black  bases  do  not  show, 
the  subterminal  black  bars  of  P.  hirsittits  disappearing.  Usually  partly  banded  black  and 
white,  and  grading  bar  by  bar  into  hirsitttis.  The  amount  of  spotting  on  the  wings  is  about 
as  in  Picus  hnrrisi  —  on  jirimaries  and  secondaries,  not  on  coverts.  Size  of  hirsutiis.  Rocky 
Mt.  region,  M.  S.,  S.  to  New  Mexico. 
154.  SPIIYROPI'CUS.  (Gr.  (r<^i)pa,  .S7j//»cr<,  a  hammer;  and  Lat.  ;)ic«.s.)  Sap-suckixg  Wood- 
i'Ei'KEi{.s.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  not  so  stout  and  chisel-like  as  in  the  foregoing  genera  ; 
pointed,  with  little  bevelling  at  extreme  end  only,  and  lateral  ridges  running  obliquely  into  the 
commissure  at  about  its  middle;  culmcn  and  gonys  both  a  little  eurved  ;  nasal  tufts  moderate. 
Wing  pointed  by  4th  jminary;  3d  and  5th  nearly  as  long ;  2d  between  Oth  and  7th  ;  spurious 
1st  very  short.  Tail-feathers  long-aeuniiuate.  Outer  hind  toe  little  longer  than  outer  front 
one  ;  inner  hind  toe  extremely  short.  Plumage  highly  variegated  with  yellow  and  red.  Sexes 
unlike.  Tongue  scarc(dy  extensile  ;  the  tip  (d>tuse,  brushy  ;  hyoid  bones  short.  Birds  of  this 
remarkable  genus  feed  much  up(m  fruits,  as  well  as  insects,  and  also  upon  soft  inner  bark 
(cambium)  ;  they  injure  fruit-trees  by  8trip]iing  off  the  bark,  sometimes  in  large  areas,  instead 
of  simply  boring  holes.  Of  the  several  small  species  commonly  called  "  .sa]>suckers."  they  alone 
deserve  the  namt!.  In  declaring  war  against  woodpeckers,  the  agriculturist  will  do  well  to 
discriminate  between  this  somewhat  injurious  and  the  highly  beneficial  s[)ecies. 


488 


SYSTEM  A  TIC    SYNOPSIS.  —  PICAlilAC  —VIClFOliMES. 


m 


i  r 


440.  S.  va'riiis.  (Liit.  fciriits,  varicgntiil.  Fit.'.  33(1.)  Yi:m,()\v-iii;i,i,ii:i>  Woodpeckeu.  ^: 
Crowu  oriiuHdii,  biinlcrcil  all  iiroinnl  with  Mack  ;  cliin,  tliroiit,  and  breast  black,  ciicldsiiig  a  largti 
ii'iinsoii  patch  on  the  forincr  (in  the  (J  ;  in  tlic  9  this  patch  white)  ;  siilcs  of  head  with  awhito 
lino  Htartitig  from  the  nasal  feathers  and  dividing  the  black  of  the  throat  from  a  trans-ocular 
black  stripe,  this  separated  from  the  l)lack  of  tlie  croM-n  by  a  white  post-ocular  stri])e  ;  all  these 
stripes  frequently  yellowish.  I'nder  parts  dingy  yellow,  brownish  and  with  sagittate  dusky 
marks  on  the  sides.  Jlai.'k  variegated  with  black  and  yellowish.  Wings  black  with  a  largo 
oblicpie  white  bar  on  the  coverts;  the  fjnills  with  numerous  paired  white  spots  on  the  edges 
of  both  webs.     Tail  black,  most  of  the  feathers  white-edged,  the  inner  webs  of  the  middle  pair, 

and  the  upper  coverts,  mo.stly  white.  ]{ill 
brownish;  feet  greenish-plumbeous ;  iris 
lirown.  Young  birds  lack  the  definite 
black  areas  of  the  head  and  breast,  and  tlie 
crimson  throat-patch,  these  jiarts  being 
mottled  gray  ;  but  in  any  plumage  the  bird 
is  recognized  by  its  ycUmruesa,  ditferent 
from  what  is  seen  in  any  other  Eastern 
species,  and  the  broad  whit(!  wing-bar,  to 
say  nothing  of  the  generic,  characters. 
Length  8.25-S.7.")  ;  extent  ]5.()l)-l().0ii : 
wing  4.SO-.").2();  tail  3.50.  Eastern  N. 
Am.,  abundant  in  most  V.  S.  biealities, 
resident  in  the  Soutii,  mis^ratory  northerly  ; 
N.  to  i\\°  at  least;  AV.  to  Dakota;  S.  into 
Central  Am.  and  W.  I.  The  liyoid  bones 
are  the  shortest  of  those  of  any  N.  Am. 
species  ;  the  tongue  is  jirotrusible  only  about  i  inch  iM-yond  bill.    Eggs  l-Ci,  about  0.'.).")  X  0.70. 

447.  S.  T.  nuchalls.  (Lat.  «w/i«/is,  jtertaining  to  HHc/irj,  the  nape;  notclassic.)  N'icii.M.  Woon- 
PFX'KEK.  Like  the  last;  with  an  additional  band  of  scarlet  on  the  iiaiie  (where  the  white  is 
seldom  even  tinged  with  red  in  S.  vnriits)  ;  red  throat-patch  invatling  the  surrounding  black,  and 
9  with  this  j)atch  at  h'ast  in  part  red  :  all  the  yellowish  variegation  very  j)ale,  almost  white  on 
the  belly  (where  viirhis  is  yeUowest)  ;  bill  slaty-black  (not  brownish).  Size  o(  variiis.  Hocky 
Mt.  region,  U.  S.,  abundant.     In  .S'.  variiisi 

the  red  rarely  spreads  on  the  najie,  and  the 
9  seldom  has  any  «ni  the  throat.  In  S. 
vuchalis  this  extension  of  red  is  a  step 
which  culminates  in  S.  ruber. 

448.  S.  V.  ru'ber.  (Lat.  ruber,  red.)  Ked- 
imEASTEi)  WooDi'ECKEH.  Like  the  last, 
but  M-hole  liead,  neck,  and  breast  canniue- 
red,  in  both  sexes,  in  which  the  markings 
of  varius  are  more  or  less  completely  dis- 
solved, though  usually  traceable ;  gray  in 
the  young.  Size  of  the  last.  Pacific  coast 
region,  U.  S.  A  remarkable  extreme,  long 
supposed  to  be  perfectly  distinct ;  now- 
known  to  Intergrade  in  every  degree  with  Fi...  XST.  -  Brown-headed  Woodpecker  (9),  not.  size. 
nuchalis.                                                                      (.A.l  imt.  del.  E.  ('.) 

440.  S.  tliyroi'des.  (Gr.  6vptofiSr]s,  Ihureoeides,  shield-like :  Bvptos,  thureos,  a  shield ;  ctfior, 
resemblance ;  alluding  to  the  black  ]dastrun  of  the   9 .     Figs.  3.37,  338.)     Bkown-iieaded 


Pro.  336.  —Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker,  iiat,  size, 
lint.  del.  E.  C.) 


(Ad 


PICIJU-J :    WOODPECKEliS. 


487 


155. 


WoODPECKEK  (  9).       ni,A('K-ltUi;.\Sli;i>  WdOKPECKKUf  9)'       He1)-TIIU<)ATE1>  WoOlM'KCKKII 

(c?)-  Williamson's  Wooiumukkk  (  c?)-  Adult  ^  :  (ilnssy  Mark,  includiim  all  the  tail- 
ffutlicrs.  llt'lly  gaiiiliipgc  yollow.  A  narrow  scarlet  j)at('li  (Hi  tlii'  tlirnat.  r|i))i'r  tail-cnvcrts, 
a  broad  id)li(|iio  bar  on  tlio  wiug-covorts,  a  imst-ocnlar  striin",  a  striiit'  t'rotn  iicistrils  tx'low  oyo 
and  car,  and  small,  in  |)art  paired,  si>ots  on  the  ([iiills.  white.  Lining  of  wings,  sides  of  body, 
Hanks  and  crissnin  varied  with  white,  leaving  the  black  in  l>ars  and  cordate  sjiots.  Itill  slati'- 
color;  foot  greiMiish-gray ;  iris  reddish-brown.  Length  '.).(HMI..")<) ;  extent  10.00-1 7. OK  ;  wing 
5.00-,'). . ')0  :  tail  H.7.")  ;  bill  0.90;  whole  foot  1.07.  Adult  9:  Altogether  different  ;  oidy  n]>iier 
tail-coverts  white  and  belly  yellow  as  in  $  ;  only  continuously  black  in  a.  shield-shaped  area 
oil  breast  of  varying  ostont.  Otherwise,  entire  body,  including  wing-coverts,  inner  secondaries 
and  most  tail-feathers,  closely  and  regularly  barred  crosswise  with  black  and  white,  or  brownish- 
white  I  most  brownish  on  body,  <|uite  whiti'  on 
wings  and  tail).  Whole  bead  uniform  hair- 
brown,  invaded  more  or  less  with  the  varie- 
gation of  the  body,  sometimes  with  traces  of 
the  i)ost-ocular  stripe  of  th(^  (J,  and  often 
touched  with  red  on  the  throat.  Quills  more 
heavily  white-spotted  than  in  $,  tho  spots 
paired  on  all  the  feathers,  clninging  to  bars 
on  tho  inner  ones.  Two  or  three  interme- 
diate tail-feathers  black,  but  middle  and  one 
or  two  outer  pairs  barred.  Size  of  the  $. 
Tho  extraordinary  sexual  differenco.s  long 
kept  thifro'ides  and  "  williumfiohi"  apart  in 
the  books  as  perfectly  distinct  species;  espe- 
cially as  they  begin  with  tho  first  featherings,  Fio.  338.  —  Reil-tUroatod  Woodpecker  (j),  iiat.  size, 
tledgliiigs  in  the  uost  showing  tho  opposite     <■*''  ""'■  •'*'•  ^'-  <^-) 

l)atterns  perfectly.  Young  (J  :  Like  adult ;  no  rod  in  tlio  white  throat-patch  ;  belly  merely 
y(dlowish;  tail  varied  with  white.  Young  9=  I-'ike  adult,  but  wh<do  bead,  neck,  and  breast 
banded  with  dusky  and  gray,  cimfonnable  with  the  general  variegation  of  the  body.  Tho  best 
9  9  '"■•'  those  with  the  cleanest  brown  bead  and  most  black  l)reast.  Though  tho  general 
effect  of  this  beautiful  woodpecker  is  so  peculiar,  in  each  sex,  thtf  cobiration  is  referable  to 
the  pattern  of  S.  varius.  lu  both,  yellow  belly,  red  throat  ((J),  white  upper  tail-coverts, 
S]iotted  (luills,  varied  flanks  and  crissum,  stripes  on  head,  black  breast  (only  circumscribed  in 
9),  white  oblique  wing-bar  (oidy  develope<l  in  $},  variegation  of  inner  web  of  middle  tail- 
feather  (9  and  young  (J);  geni'ral  variegation  of  back  of  !v<ni(s  repeated  in  9i  while  gray 
bead  of  young  variiiK  is  met  by  brown  head  of  9  thyro'ides.  Hocky  ^Its.  to  the  Pacilic,  \j.  S., 
chiefly  in  the  piuo-belt,  of  which  it  is  one  of  tho  characteristic  sjiecics,  like  Clarke's  crow, 
^teller's  jay,  and  other  birds ;  abundant  in  favorable  localities.  It  is  strictly  a  Sphi/ropicus, 
with  little  extensible,  brushy  and  obtuse  tongue,  and  feeds  on  juices  of  trees,  as  well  as  insects 
and  berries.  Eggs  not  j'et  taken :  doubtless  indistiugui.shable  from  those  of  S.  varius. 
CENTU'RUS.  (Gr.  Ktvrpov,  kentroii,  a  prickle  ;  oipd,  oura,  tail ;  but  the  species  not  sliarjier- 
tailed  tlnin  other  woodpeckers.)  Zebua  W(H)niM;cKEK.s.  Bill  about  as  long  as  bead,  com- 
pressed, little  bevelled  or  truncate  at  end,  with  decidedly  curved  culmen ;  lateral  ridges  near 
culmeu,  subsiding  before  reaching  end  of  bill ;  misal  tufts  moderate,  partly  concealing  nostrils. 
Outer  hind  toe  shorter  than  outer  anterior  one.  Wings  and  tail  ordinary.  Soxes  alike,  except 
less  or  no  rod  on  head  of  9  •  "  Ladder-backed;  "  Lack  and  wings,  except  larger  rpiills,  closely 
banded  with  black  and  white ;  primaries  with  largo  white  blotches  near  the  base,  and  usually  a 
few  snuillor  spots ;  below,  imm.iculato,  j'xeept  sagittate  black  mark.s  on  the  flanks  and  crissum  ; 
the  belly  tinged  with  red  or  yellow ;  9-10  long ;  wing  about  5.00 ;  tail  ubout  3.50. 


4HH 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  I'lCAHI^i: ~  a  WI FORMES. 


Aniiliifi»i\l'Siitrieii. 

Uelly  reddoiilnij ;  111)  yellow  about  lifiiili  (f  wlioUi  iiowii  luil;   $  iiii|)c  red i-iii-hIiiiiih  I'lli 

Uelly  yulliiwliig ;  (f  crowii-Miint  rwl ;  V  ii"  rod  on  lu'iul. 

Front  mill  imiicyullow;  niiiii)i;iillrily  wldtu;  lull  iiliiKiat  fiitlroly  blai'k iiiiri/rdim  451 

No  yellow  on  licad;  rump  uiid  lull  miiuli  burred  with  bliu'k  und  white Hifi/ij/r/in/lii  4.12 

450.  C.  caroH'nus.     (Of  Caroliim.     Fij;.  339.)     Kkd-ukllikh  Woodj'kckkk.     Wliolo  i  luwii  ami 

iiaiic  Bcarlet  in  tlic  ^  ;  luii nly  so  in  the  ?•     Hiilt's  <it'lioa(l,  and  uiiilcr  parts,  grajiNli-wliitr, 

nsiially  "itli  a  jclluw  sliatli',  rnldcnintj  ou  the  belly;  tail  black,  out!  tir  two  outer  CeatlierN 
Mliile-liaiTcil ;  inner  web  of  central  featli- 

ers'wliite  with  black   spotft,  outer  web  of  ^^        '■    ''    ,:''''''V'''; '  "''''''^'-ii,:  ,v 

tbe  xanie   black  with  a  white  space  next  ^    -.    .\  ^^^^|         idflilj^^    ' 

the  shaft   for  most   of  its  leujith ;    white  X^\\^^>^B^r          .^^P^^^        ¥" 

iireiioiiiiiiatini;  on  the  mini).     Itill  aiul  feet  v^^^V^vCV  v.\  S^F        ^HPv  '    ,f  ^B 

dusky  pluinbeoiis.    Iris  red.  l<arge ;  length  aES^^\^MvV\                   />r'''''*'iil^^ 

the  Kocky  Mts. ;  Texas;  connnon  Bouth-  NS^vlM^-'Vjjffili  \)^^  -"^ 

451.  C.  au'rifrons.     {XaW..  auruin,  fuM:  frtmx,      ^^^al^]^j^P^i!l'^V  '*'^^JliRBy 

belly  y<'nowish,  not  reddish  ;  red  of  head        \      l^^^^'X-^il^^'- ■Si'^M^f/    M 
in    <J   confined   to   a  croM'n-patch,    in    9       V^r^^^^^ii^^^KV)l   vrvU 
wanting.       Ftirehead    and    nasal    phiuies      ^        ^- S  B^^BwriV I   V^ 
golden-yeUow;  nap(!  with  a  goltU'ii,  orange,  *         '         ^^^^1''  '''i 

or  reddish  band  (in  both  sexes,  besides  tlui  Fio.  3yi».  —  Uwl-hillied  Woodiicckcr,  rcdncod.     (Sliep- 

scarlet  crown-patch  of  the  $).     Lad(h'r-     I'»'-'l'Iel-    NIcI.oIhsc.) 

rungs  of  back  narrow,  nunierou.s,  and  distinct.  Head  aial  under  parts  dear  ashy-gray,  very 
ditlerent  from  the  smoky-gray  of  C.  iiropygiuUs,  \\w.  belly  yellowish,  tlu?  fianks  and  crissum 
whitish,  varied  with  black.  Upper  tail-coverts  white,  not  barred.  Middle  tail-featiiers  entirely 
black;  outeriuost  not  entirely  barred  ;  next  black  or  only  touched  with  white.  Hill  and  feet 
bluish-black.  Iris  red.  l^ength  <.)..)0-i;)..")()  ;  extent  1()..5()-17..")0  :  wing  ,').0()-.5..")(l ;  tail  3.2.")- 
3.75.  9  differs  as  said.  ■  Young  (f  :  Distinctively  like  the  adult ;  nearly  all  the  crown  bronzy- 
red  ;  nasal  jdunies  not  yellow;  najie  dull  yellowish;  a  few  thin  streaks  of  dusky  on  breast. 
Texas  and  southward  ;  very  abundant  in  suitable  localities  on  the  Lower  Hio  (Jrande.  Habits 
not  peculiar.     Eggs  4-0,  1.00  X  0.80. 

452.  C.  uropyKla'Iis.  (Gr.  ovponvyiov,  oiiropugion,  Lat.  iiropi/f/iitm,  the  rump;  banded  in  this 
species,  not  M-hite  as  in  aurifroits.)  (iu..\  Woodim'.ckkr.  SAtifAKo  AVoonPF.CKEii.  Head 
all  around  and  entire  under  parts  fulvous-gray,  with  front  and  nape  not  notably  difl'erent,  the 
middle  of  the  belly  yellowish,  the  tlanks  and  crissum  whiti.sli  witli  black  bars  and  cordate  spots; 
middle  of  crown  crimson  in  f.  Hack,  rumj),  upper  tail-coverts,  wing-coverts,  and  inner  (piills 
closely  and  regularly  banded  with  black  and  white,  latter  not  jaire  I'li  dorsal  region.  Primaries 
blackish,  not  regularly  barred  or  spotted  like  the  iimer  quills,  but  slightly  white-tipped  and 
-edged,  and  with  large  white  blotches  at  base,  of  irregular  shapes  and  tending  to  resolve  into 
sets  of  smaller  spots.     Middle  pair  of  tail-feathers  black,  with  long  white  shaft-space  on  outer 


riCJD.V: :    WOOUI'KCKEliS. 


4.H'.t 


(Sliep- 


wob,  on  imicr  web  wliiti' with  lilack  liiirs  ami  s|ints ;  iiitcniit'clinti'  tiiil-fciitlicrs  liluck  ;  oiitiT- 
iiioHf  rcniiliirly  Imrrcd  with  liliiflv  iiml  wliitc  ;   next  In  iiiilfniinst   tims  liiirml  nt  cihI  mily.      Kill 
MiU'kifili ;   feet   ii1iiiii1m<pus  ;   ir'iM   |iriilmlily  rt-d.     Size  of  tlic  ntlicrr*,  <ir  I'Mtlicr  Ifss.      9   willmMl 
rr<l  ou  lii'iul.     A  jiociiliiir  sjiccii's,  iiImiiiihUiiu:  iiitlii'  vallry  nl'tlic  (iila  iiml  Luwit  ('(>liir;ii|i>,  ;iiiil 
Hoiitliwai'il,  wIhtc  it  nests  iisimlly  in  tlir  triiiiit  cMctiiM's. 
156.    MKLANKK'I'KS.     ((ir.  fif\ai.  iiiiliis.  Murk;  I'pjrrjr,  livrjirs,  n  crfi'\Hr.)     'rmtni.nii  ^\■()lll>- 
I'KCKF.KS,     Kill  aliiiut  as  Idii^  as  litail,  ili'|ii'rssi'il  at  liasr,  ('(iMi])i'('ss<'(l  licyniiil,  ciilnicli  and  umiys 
riiltrcd  Idit  curved  tln-(ini,')i(Piit,  sides  of  iipiier  iiiainlllile  distinctly  ridu'i'd  Inn  a  little  way,  end  <<\' 
bill   |ii)inted  with  little  hevellini;  ;   nasal  tnl'ts  small,  nut  ecnu'ealini;  nnstrils.     Outer  |iiisleric>r 
and  aiit«'ri(ir  toes  nF  e(|nal  lengths.     Win^s  pointed  l>y  lid,  Ith,  and  .Itli  ipiills  ;  :.'d  shorter  than 
Cith  ;    Ist  spurioiis,     IMuniap'  lustrous  and  "  liroail"  in  coloration,  wiiii  Mack,  white,  and  red  in 
masses,  little  or  not  spotty  or  streaky.     Sexes  alike  and  younn  dillerent,  or  sexes  unlike  and 
vounn  similar.     The  two  species  are  very  diH'erent,  reipiiriuf;  no  analysis  ofthe'r  characti'rs. 
4,13.    M.  (>rytlirui-i>'pliuliiM.     (Hi.  ipvOpos,  I'l'iilhriin,  rvi\;  KfpnXr],  liijiliiilf,  hci\i\,     Fii;,  liK).)     Ukd- 
iir.Ain'.i)  W(Kii/i'i:(Ki:u.     'riticoi.oi!.     <J  9'"<1"1''   beautifully  tricolor  with  ■  the  red,  white, 
and  blue."     Hack    wiiij,'s  and  tail  ulossy  Mue-black  ;  seconda- 
ries, upper  tail  '      irts,  under  winn-coverts,  umler  parts  from 
the  breast,  and  eiulf*  of  «>lno  orltPf  tail-feathers,  white.    Whole 
head,  neck   and  fore    lireast   <'rimson,    usually  hlack-bordered 
where  adjoiiiinir  tlie  white.     The  white  of  the  winu;s  and  rump 
is  pure  ;  that  of  helly  usually  tinj^ed  with  ochra( us  or  red- 
dish :   the   white  ipiills  have  black  shafts.     The  red  feathi'rs 
are  stillish  and  .somewhat    bristly  in  their  c(dored    portions. 
The  kUihh  is  soniotinies  ffreeu  instead  of  blue.     Hill  and  feet 
dusky    liorn-c(dor.      Iris   brown.     Leni;th   8. ,50-'.). 50  ;    extent 
1  ().( 10   18.00  ;  win,irr).(K)-.-)..")(l:  tail  ;{..")0  ;  bill  1.00-1.12;  whole 
foot    I.()7.      (J  9.  youn^r:     'V\h-   red  jiarts  of  the  adult   gray, 
streaked  with   dusky  ;   the  red   apjiears   in   irregular  patches. 
Feathers  of  back  and  wing-coverts  skirted   with  light  gray, 
and  mixed  with  concealed   whitish,  in    bars.     Primaries  and 
tail-feathers  tipped  and  edged  with  white.     White  of  sfconda- 
rii'8  broken  M-ith  black  bars  or  spots.     At  a  very  early  age, 
wlitde  under  jiarts  .streaked  with  dusky  much  like  the  head, 
but  these  jiarts  whiten  before  the  head  reddens.     Kastern  U.  !S. 
and  British   I'rovinc^ps,  irregularly  rare  or  common  northerly, 
abounding  in  most  V.  S.  localities;  common  N.  to  1!)°  along      I>ccker,  reiluced. 
Ked  Kiver  of  the  North  ;   W.  to  Kocky  Mts.,  sometimes  to     '^"''■''°''  "''■' 
Utah  and  California;  migratory  in  most  sections.     A  very  familiar  bird,  in  orchards  and  gar- 
dens as  well  as  in  the  M'oods,  conspicuous  with  its  gay  tricolor  ])linuage,  and  a  great  genius,  no 
less  brilliant  and  versatile  in  character  than   in  plumagi^  —  very  accomplished,  of  endless  re- 
sources, with  tricks  and  m.inners  enough  to  fill  the  rest  of  this  volume  with  good  reading 
matter!     Feeds  much  on  acorns,   nuts,   berries,  and  various  fruits  as  well  as  u]>on  insects, 
and  sometimes  lays  uj)  a  store,  like  the  Californian   Woodpecker.     Xest  anywhere  in  wood, 
preferably  the  blasted  to])  of  a  tree.     Kgus  .5  or  0,  glassy  and  spheroidal  as  usual  in  the  family, 
1.10  to  1.1.")  hdig,  0.80  to  0.90  broad.     Two  Imiods  southerly. 
454.    M.  formlci'vorus  bairdl.    (Lat. /ormicrt,  an  ant;  roco,  I  devour.    To  S.  F.  Haird  ;  our  species 
a  variety  of  the  Mexican  one.    Fig  IV]  1.)    (".m.ii'ohnman  Woodpeckeu.     (J  9  =  f-h'ssy  blue- 
black  ;  rump,  bases  of  all  the  quills,  edge  of  the  wing,  and  under  parts  from  the  breast,  white  ; 
sides  with  sparse  black  streaks;  forehead  squarely  white,  continuous  with  a  stripe  down  in  front 
of  the  eyes  and  tlieuce  broadly  eueircling  tho  throat,  there  becoming  yellowish ;  this  cuts  otf  the 


Fio.  .340.  —  Re<l  -  licu<lcil  Wo(nl- 
(Slicpparil  del. 


;  f 


! 


Ill 


41)0 


SYSn-JMA  TIC  SYS  or  SIS.  —  PICARIJE  —  I'ICIFOILMES. 


black  aromitl  l)a8P  of  bill  anil  <m  the  oliin  coiiiplptcly ;  crown  in  tho  ^  criinsfm  from  tlip  white 
front.  In  tlic  9  si'l'aratcd  from  the  white  by  a  black  interval  ;  freriuently  a  few  red  feathers  in 
the  black  breast-jiatch,  which  is  not  sharply  defined  behind,  bnt  diaiiffes  by  streaks  into  the 
white  of  the  belly.     IJill  bhudi  :  eyes  white,  often  rosy,  creamy,  yellowish,  milky,  bluish,  or 

brown.  Yoiini.'  not  j)articnlarly  ditter- 
ent,  biit  have  the  heail-iinirkin_-s  less 
delinod,  the  red  bron/y.  In  th(>  9i 
the  succession  of  white,  bhndi,  and  red 
on  the  crown  is  very  sharp  and  sipiare. 
In  some  speciinens  of  either  sex,  the 
secondaries  are  edtjed  and  tijiped  with 
white.  The  trloss  is  sometimes  rather 
fireen  than  bine.  Si/eof  the  last.  Hill 
varies  in  size  from  0.87  to  1.1:2  !  Uocky 
Mts.  to  the  l'aciti(%  T'.  S.,  abnndant  ; 
noted  for  its  habit  of  stitdiinj^  acorns  in 
little  hides  that  it  diijs  in  the  bark  for 

rio.3II.-CallfornianWoo<li.ecker,imt.  si'c.    (Ad  nat.  del.    ''"■  l"in'">'e  :    whole  branches   are   fre- 
K.  C.)  ([ueiitly  studded  in  this  manner,     (ien- 

eral  manners  and  bearinji  those  of  the  common  red-head.  Ki,'i;s  l.lO  X  ••.<)0. 
455.  M.  t.  HiiKiis'tifrons,  (Lat.  njii/frs^xs, narrow,  straitened;  frous,  forehead.)  Nauuow-fuontkk 
Wooitpr.CKKU.  Said  to  have  the  white  frontid  bar  narrower ;  bill  somewhat  ilitt'erently  shapecl ; 
white  bar  narrow(>r  than  the  blacdi  one  tif  the  9  ?  1'"'*''  totrether  less  than  the  red.  L.  California. 
157.  ASYNDES'Ml'S.  (dr.  a  jn-ivative,  crvv,  situ,  together;  SfCTfiin.  ilfsmos,  a  bond  ;  allndintr  to 
the  loosened  texture  of  the  feathers  of  certain  parts.)  15i!I.sti.i:-iii:i.i.iki>  WiioDPKCKi'.its.  IJill 
abnost  colaptine  in  seneral  as])ect,  but  with  .short  distinct  lateral  ridfjes  as  in  Meluucipes;  as 
Ions;  as  head,  rather  hmiier  tlian  tarsus,  not  broader  than  hiirh  at  base,  coin|tr'ssed  and  some- 
what curved  toward  end;  jMiinted 
with  scarcely  any  lateral  bevidlini;. 
culmen  curved  and  scarcely  ridt;ed  ; 
tjoiiys  straight.  Wings  of  excessive 
leuirth,  toldinir  nearly  to  end  of  tail, 
and  jieculiar  in  jiro|Hprtion  of  prima- 
ries :  4th  (|uill  loniiest,  'M  and  .")th 
about  e(|Mal  and  shoi-ter  than  2d. 
Inner  aiit(>rior  claw  reatdiint;  little 
beyond  ba.sc  of  outer  anterior.  Feath- 
ers of  untler  parts  anil  of  a  nuchal  col- 
lar with  the  tibrilhe  of  their  colored 
portions  eidart"':'.  m  calibre,  bristly, 
of  siliciouR  hardness,  loosened  and 
disconnected,  beint;  devoid  of  bar- 
bictds    and  booklets.       Dorsal    |du-         Fio.  .■M'.'.  —  Lewis' Woiwlpci-kcr,  nat.  size.    (Ad  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 

matje  coni])act.  of  inti'use  metallic  lustre.  Feathers  of  faci!  soft  and  velvety.  Sexes  alike; 
yount;  ditt'erent.  I  do  not  see  why  my  friends  have  snubbed  thi.s  genus;  it  is  a  good  one,  as 
genera  go  now. 
450.  A.  torqua'tiis.  (I-at.  torquntus,  collared.  Figs.  ;U-'.  '\\'.\.^  Lewis'  Woodi'Eckeh.  Coi,- 
l.Aur.i)  AV(M)i>PK('KKli.  <J  9  •  adult  :  I'jtjter  jtarts,  including  wings  and  tail,  tlanksand  crissuin, 
ij;reen-bla(d(  with  intense  bronzy  lustre,  especially  on  the  back  —  this  iridescence  like  that  of 
Qv.iyndun  tcneiw  alnm.st.     Face  dark  crimson,  in  a  patch  of  v<  Ivety  feathers  around  bill  and  eyes. 


PICTDjE  :    WOODVKCKKItS. 


491 


("OL- 


A  narrow  distinct  tollar  aro.iiid  baek  of  ncclt,  and  breast,  Ixiary  Idnish-cray,  trradnnlly  i)rit;htt>n- 

'm\r  Ix'liind  on  the  uider  parts  to  intense  rose-red  or  lake,  delicately  ipencilled  in  liaiv  lines  with 

the  hoary-gray.     X'l   white  on  winirs  or 

tail,    their   under   surfaces    simply   black. 

Hill    blackish ;    feet    |t;reenish-]iIunibeons. 

Iris  brown.     Lengtii  10.00-11 .00  ;  extent 

20.00-22.00;  wing  6..')0-7.00 ;   t."i1    1.59; 

bill  1.20.     Young:  Little  lustre  at  first, 

but   this   soon    appears,    before    any   red. 

Little  or  no  trace  of  the  hoary  c(dlar  or 

crimson   mask ;   face  sooty-black  ;   throat 

and  breast  nii.xed  fuscous  and  gray,  chang- 
ing on  the  belly  to  sooty-black,  tinged  or 

slushed    here  and    there    with    red.      'J'he 

hoary  and  lake-red  are   established   with 

the  feathers  that  are  of  the  bristly  charac- 
ter above  described.     A  remarkable  bird, 

inhabiting   wooded   mountainous   parts  of 

the  West,  especially  the  piiu'-belt,  Kocky 

Mts.  to  the  I'acific,  U.  S.  and  IJritish  C(d- 

umbia.     It  is  found   with    Clarke's   crow 

and  Steller's  jay  ;  wild  and  wary,  liki'  our        Fio.  ;M3.  -  I.owl»-  Woodpecker,  rwluced.    (Slieippunl  .lul. 

Hylotomus  ;   keeps  high  up  in  the  trees,    Nichols  sc.) 

and  in  flying  looks  more  like  a  crow  than  a  woodjiecker.     Its  aerial  excursions  arc  very  con- 

s)iicuous.     Nest  and  eggs  as  usual  ;  size  of  eggs  1.12  X  0.95. 
158.   COLAP'TES.    (Gr.  Ko\atrrr)i,  lolnptea,  a  chisel,  hammer.)    Gilded  Woodi'ECKKRs.    Fmck- 

Eus.     Hill  about  as  hmg  as  head,  slender  and  weak  for  this  family,  without  any  lateral  ridges  or 

bevelling,  pointed  without  truncation,  culnien  and  commissure  curved,  gonys  nearly  straight, 

only  about  half  as  long  as  culmcn,  nostrils  not  concealed  by  the  slight  nasal  tufts;  culmen  and 

gonys,  however,  both  ridged. 
Outer  posterior  toe  shorter 
than  the  outer  anterior  ;  in- 
ner posterior  very  short. 
Wings  long,  pointed  by  lid 
to  6th  <piills;  2d  sliorter 
than  7th  ;  l.st  about  \  the 
2d.  Tail  lengthened.  Se.xes 
generally  alike,  but  distin- 
guishable by  positive  marks 
about  head.  Plumage  highly 
variegated  and  very  showy. 
Under  parts  with  numerous 
circular  black  spots  on  a 
pale  ground.  A  large  black 
pectoral  crescent.  Kump 
snowy-white.  Hack,  wing- 
Fio. 344. -Flicker,  nut.  bi/.e.    (Ad  nat.  del.  E.  C.)  coverts  and  innennost  <iuills 

brown  with  an  olive  or  lilac  shade,  and  thickly  barred  with  black;  ipiills  and  tail  black,  ex- 
cepting as  below  stated;  red  or  black  cheek  patches  in  (J,  wanting  in  9-  About  a  fool 
long  ;  wing  about  (i.OO;  tail  4.50.     A  beautiful  genus,  of  0  AmeiMcan  species,  3  of  X.  Am. 


492 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PICAIUJt:  —  PICIFOMMES. 


Analysis  of  Species. 


Bed  moustaches  In  (f  ;  no  red  on  najie  In  J?;  wings  ami  tall  orange-re<l  umlerneath ;  cap  lilac-brown ; 

throat  ashy  ;  m>  yellow  on  belly  ;  back  uniber-brown  (Western) mej-iconus    459 

(Mixed  in  every  degree  with) 
Black  nioustaclics  in  j  ;  red  nuchal  crescent  in  ^  ;  wings  and  tail  golden-yellow  underneath ;  cap  ashy ; 

tliroat  lilac-brown;  yellow  on  belly;  back  olive-brown  (Kastern) aiiratus    467 

(Not  mlxcil  with) 
Bed  inoustachcH  ill  J;  no  red  on  naim  in  (f  9  :  wings  and  tail  golden-yellow  underneath;  cap  lilac-brown; 
throat  ashy;  yellow  on  belly;  back  umbcr-lirown  (Southwestern) chrysoules    45S 


Km.  340  —  Cioldcii-winged  \Viiod|iecker,  i  nat.  size.    (Kmni  Kriliiii  ) 

Obs.  It  will  lie  iRitcil,  litnv  curiously  these  species  iire  tlistiiifjiiislieil  iiiaiiily  l>y  ii  ilifferent 
cuinbinatiiiu  of  ciiiniiinii  eliaructers.  —  Colapti's  iii/resi  Ari>.,  C  liiihrMii.s  lt.Miti>,  ('.  anvato- 
mexicanus  Siwukvam,,  isii  fnrin  frmii  the  Missmiri  and  Hocky  Sit.  refjitnis  in  which  the  charac- 
ters of  mexicanus  and  aiiratun  are  blended  in  every  conceivalile  de;;ree  in  different  s)H'ciinens. 
Pcrha]is  it  is  a  hybrid,  and  perliaps  it  is  a  transitional  I'orni,  and  doubtless  there  are  no  such 
things  as  species  in  Nature.  Kastern  siieeinien.s  of  (iiiraliis  soinetinieH  show  red  touches  in  llu' 
black  maxillary  jtatcli,  as  isj  fre<|ucntl;   the  ease  with   Kansas  exani|iles.     In  the  West,  yon 


457. 


PIVIILE :    WOOD!' IX  KEJiS. 


498 


will  find  sppcimcns  aiirntiis  on  one  side  ttf  tlio  body,  mexkanits  on  tho  other,  —  tail  gilded  on 
souk;  fcatliors,  rubrifutt'd  ou  others,  otc. 
457.   G.  aiira'tus.    (Lat.  ««r«^<s,  g(dden,  gilded.    Figs.  344,  Ula.j    GoLnKX-wiNOEnWooni'F.CKKU. 

PlOEOX  WOODI'ECKEU.  FlKKEU.  YlCKEll.  Ill(!ll-l[OM)El!.  Hiick  and  exiMised  Slllfliccs 
of  wing-coverts  and  secondaries  olive-brown  with  numerous  black  bars.  Hump  snowy-white; 
umier  tuil-eoverts  white,  nii.\ed  with  black.  Primaries  blackish,  with  golden  shaft.s,  and  glossed 
with  gidden  un(U'rn(!ath,  at  their  bases  paler  and  more  tawny  yellow.  Tail-feathers  above  black, 
their  shafts  and  under  surfaces  golden,  blackened  at  ends,  the  outeriuo.st  with  a  few  touches  of 
yidlow  or  white.  Top  of  heail,  with  back  and  sides  of  neck,  ash,  with  a  .scarlet  nuchal  band  (in 
both  sexes).  Sides  of  head,  whole  chin,  throat,  and  fore-breast  lilac-brown,  with  broad  black 
cheek  patches,  the.so  '  moustaches '  wanting  usually  in  the  9-  -^  broail  black  pectoral  semi- 
lune.  Other  under  jiarts  shading  from  a  lighter  shade  of  the  ctdor  of  the  brea.st  into  creamy- 
yellow,  marked  with  numerous circidar  black  spots.  Itill  and  feet  dark  plunibemis.  Iris  brown. 
Length  12.00-1:1.00;  extent  18.O0--21.O0,  usually  about  20.00;  wing  .-).7r)-().25  ;  tail4..')0;  bill 
1.2r)-1.50;  wludc  foot  2.:5;j.  Young  similar :  more  red  on  lu'ad.  Kastern  North  Am.  ;  kce]iing 
pretty  .straight  to  tho  upper  Missouri,  where,  as  said,  adulterating  with  iiic.rkaniis;  ]>ure  to  tlii^ 
Pacific  in  Alaska.  The  tir.st  deviation  is  the  a])pearance  of  red  feathers  in  the  black  maxillary 
]iatches;  these  increase  till  they  jirevail,  finally  to  the  exclusion  of  the  black,  resulting  in  tins 
wholly  red  \ti\tch  of  (,'.  me.ricrimts.  With  this  change  occurs  the  diminution  and  final  extinction 
of  the  scarlet  nuchal  crescent;  when,  coincidently,  we  find  tho  characteristic  golden-yellow  on 
the  wiiiKs  and  tail  i)assing  through  an  intermediate  orange  into  the  red  of  mexkanus,  a  change 
accompanied  with  another  affecting  the  j)eculiar  lilac-brown  of  the  throat  and  (dive-brown  of 
tlie  back,  which  become  respectively  ashen  and  pur]>lish-gray.  One  of  the  most  abinidant  and 
best-known  species  of  the  family,  in  any  woodland,  and  sometimes  foraging  for  food  in  open 
country  far  from  trees  ;  a  great  ant-eater.  A  liv(dy  bird,  of  sunny  temperament,  like  its 
feather.s,  faithful  atid  devoted,  assiduous  and  successful  in  domestic  affairs,  and  a  good  hou.se- 
keeper.  Kgt;s  usually  (1  or  7  ;  under  exceptional  cinHunstauces  18  to  23  have  been  taken  from 
one  hole  ;  averaging  1.10X0.00.     Miirratory  northerly. 

4.j8.  <'.  chrysoi'des.  ((ir.  xpviy6s,chriisi)s,  tii<U\;  fi8os,eiilo!<,  Vikti.)  Gil.ni'.ii  Woodpeckeu.  Body, 
wings  and  tail,  substantially  as  in  iiurutiis;  bead  as  in  mcxknnus;  ^  with  scarlet  moustaches  ; 
no  red  on  nape  in  either  sex ;  crown  lilac-brown  ;  chin,  throat,  and  fore-breast  ash  ;  sides 
tinged  with  creamy-brown,  bidly  with  yellowish.  There  are,  however,  some  specialties, 
(iolden  of  wings  and  tail  less  vivid  than  in  iiiirtitHs;  tail-feathers  black  for  about  half  their 
length,  (ieneral  tone  of  under  parts  pale,  without  the  decided  tints  of  eitlu'r  of  the  other 
species,  the  round  black  spots  large  and  crowded.  To|>  of  tiead  ])urer  and  more  cinnamon 
i)rown  than  in  me.rkdniis.  Smaller:  wing  about  .°)..'>0  :  tail  about  4.00.  Gradation  between 
this  form  and  mcj-kiiniiK  has  not  yet  been  id>served.  Valley  of  the  Colorado  River,  Lower 
California  and  southward. 

I.">«.  <!.  inexiott'nus.  (Of  .Mexico.)  Ked-siiakted  WooiU'ECKEU.  Mexican  Fuckek.  Hack, 
rinnp,  and  upper  surfaces  of  wings  and  tail  as  in  C  aiirdliis.  but  a  different  shade  of  color,  a 
faintly  reddish  replacing  the  olivaceous  tinge  of  the  ground-color.  Wings  and  tail  of  the  .same 
l)attern,  hut  the  auration  replaced  by  rubefaction.  'I'op  of  head  rufous  (like  the  throat  of 
miratiis)  ;  no  occipital  red  crescent  in  either  sex.  Throat  and  sides  of  head  and  neck  clear 
a.sh,  with  scarlet  maxillary  patches  in  the  jj.  A  black  pectoral  semilune.  I'nder  jiarts  very 
pule  lilac-ltniwn,  fading  to  whitish  on  the  belly,  nuirked  with  numerous  round  black  spots. 
Hill  blackish-slate  ;  feet  dark  plumbeous.  Iris  brown.  Size  of  (\  (iiinttus.  Western  North 
Am.,  mostly  rej)lacing  the  yellow  flicker  from  the  Rocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific,  Sitka  into 
Mexico.     In  habits  a  perfect  counterpart  of  the  cumniuu  flicker. 


494 


SYSTEJIA  TIC  SYyOI'SJS.  —  I'SITTA CI. 


ni.    Order  PSITTACI:    Parrots. 


!'    !f 


Feet  permanenth/  ci/fiodactiilf 
by  rerersiiiu  of  the  J'ourlh  lur, 
cdvcrcd  with  riigosf  t;raiiiiliir 
scales  or  plates;  bill  slmrt,  ex- 
trciiicly  stdiit,  Ktrouffli/  eiiujtm- 
tlidiis,  (iiul  fiiniinhed  with  a  (frc- 
qui'iitly  fi'athert'd)  cere,  as  iu  the 
birtls  <»f  prey ;  ^vin^s  ami  tail 
variable.  The  jiarrnts,  ineliuliiiir 
the  iiiaeaws,  eockatous,  hiries, 
Pte.,  form  tine  of  the  innst  strnnj,'- 
ly  marked  p'oiips  uf  birds,  as 
easily  ree<itriiizableby  their  i)eeii- 
liar  external  a|)pearaiiee  as  de- 
fined by  teehuieal  points  iif  struc- 
ture. They  were  formerly  in- 
cluded in  an  "order"  Sainsores 
(»n  account  of  the  jiaired  toes,  but 

this  is  a  comparatively  trivial  cir- 
Fio.  546.  —  Carolina  Parroqnct,  reduced.    (From  Toiinev,  after  Wilson.)       ,,     ,  .11*  •   1 

'      '  •'  cumstan<'e  ;   they  Iiave  no  special 

affinity  with  other  zygodactyle  birds,  ami  their  peculiarities  entitle  them  to  rank  with  groups 
called  orders  hi  the  present  vtdunie.  They  iniiiht  not  inaptly  be  styled  friif/irorous  Itiiptoirs; 
and  in  some  respects  they  exhibit  a  vague  analogy  to  the  <|uadruniana  (monkeys)  among 
mammals.  The  tongue  is  thick  and  fleshy,  in  some  genera  peculiarly  brushy  ;  it  is  used  to 
some  e.Ktent  in  prehension,  objects  being  handled  between  the  tongue  and  upper  numdible. 
Th(!  upper  mandible  is  much  more  freely  movable  than  is  usual  in  birds,  being  articulated  in- 
stead of  suturally  joined  with  the  forehead  ;  and  the  bill  is  commonly  used  in  climbing.  'I'he 
bony  orbits  of  the  eyes  are  frecjuently  completed  by  union  of  the  lachrynnil  hones  with  postor- 
bital  proces.xes.  and  in  some  genera  develop  a  bony  bridge  across  the  temporal  fossa.  The 
symphysis  of  the  lower  jaw  is  short  and  obtuse.  The  sternum  is  entire  or  simply  fenestrateil 
posteriorly;  the  furculum  is  weak,  sometimes  defective,  or  wanting.  The  principal  metatarsal 
bone  is  short  and  broad,  and  its  lower  extremity  is  modified  to  suit  the  ]iositiou  of  the  fourth 
toe.  The  lower  larynx  is  j)eculiarly  constructed,  with  three  pairs  of  muscles  :  the  ability  to 
articulate  human  s))eech  is  one  of  the  most  notorious  faculties  of  some  ]iarrots.  'I'he  plumage 
shows  aftei-shafts  ;  the  oil-gland  is  wanting  in  certain  genera ;  when  present,  it  is  tufted. 
There  are  no  ca'ca,  and  the  gall-bladder  is  wanting.  Though  the  family  is  so  jierfectly 
circumscribed  that  no  one  doubts  of  any  bird  whether  it  be  psittacine  or  not,  jtarrots  differ  re- 
markably among  themselves  in  certain  .structural  charactere  which  have  iu  most  birds  a  high 
classificatory  value.  Thus,  there  are  three  decided  modifications  of  the  carotid  arteries  —  of 
which  right  and  left  may  both  be  present,  and  both  running  deep  in  the  vertebrarterial  canal  ; 
»»r  both  may  be  present,  but  the  left  superficial ;  or  only  the  left  is  <h'V(doped  (in  Cacatua),  as 
usual  in  biiils.  The  ainbiens  muscle,  again,  may  be  present  and  normal,  present  and  incom- 
plete, or  wanting  altogether.  The  femoro-caudal  muscle,  .semitendinosus,  and  accessory  scmi- 
tendinosus  are  present ;  the  accesstiry  femoro-caudal  is  absent. 

The  division  of  the  Puittaci  into  family  groups  has  taxed  the  ingenuity  of  oniithologi.sts  ; 
for  so  variously  iuterrehited  arc  the  numerous  forms,  that  the  grouping  fluctuates  with  almost 
every  character  or  set  of  characters  selected  for  use  in  cla.«sification.  IJut  (JarnKl's  admirable 
auutuinical  investigations  show  that  the  Psittaci  may  bu  ranged  in  two  series,  according  to  tho 


PtHTTA  CI :   rAimUTS. 


495 


charnctcrs  afforilod  by  tlio  eiirotid  artprios  and  aiiibioiis  iiuisi'lc.  I.  PAi..T:nnNiTiiin^, :  Caroti'b 
two  (cxci'jtt  in  CacatiKi),  tlu'  li-ft  iionnal,  and  no  anibicns.  II.  I'sri'TAtiD-K :  Carotids  two, 
Uio  left  siiiiertieial,  tlie  anduciis  i»n'si'iit  in  one  series  of  genera,  absent  in  others.  In  the  snh- 
faniily  (1)  Paleroniithhier,  there  is  no  farther  deviation  ;  in  (2)  Cacdtithxc,  bi^ides  tlic  lacit  of 
a  riglit  earcitid  in  Cncuiua  itself,  the  orbital  rinj;  is  eonipletely  ossified,  and  develops  a  bony 
proeess  bridgint;  in  the  t(  inpora!  f'>ssa ;  in  (U)  Strimjiipbw,  wliieh  ineliules  the  <'urious  lliglitlcss 
ground  I'arrot  or  (twl  Parrot  of  New  Zealand  {Stritujtps  haliropUlim),  the  frircnhnn  and  sternal 
keel  are  detieient  or  defective.    I'siltacidtr  ineliicle  ( i)  tiio  Arinef,  in  which  the  andjiens  niusele 


Fio.  347.  —  Ciiruliiia  l'arro<iu«t, }  nut.  size.    (Fruai  Ilrcliui,  after  Audubon.) 

ia  present ;  (5)  PyrrhitriiKP,  in  which  it  is  absent,  without  further  mwlification ;  (0)  Platif- 
cercincp,  no  aiubieiis  and  no  fnrculiiin ;  (7)  Chrijmtina;  no  aiubiena,  no  furculuni,  and  no  oil- 
glaud.     There  arc  thus  7  subfamilies  of  i  families  of  Puittaci. 

"  Parrots  abound  in  all  tropical  countries,  but.  except  in  Australia  and  New  Zealand, 
rarely  extend  into  the  temperate  zone.  The  Indian  and  i£thio|iian  regions  are  p<Mir  in  jiarrots, 
while  the  Australian  is  the  richest,  containing  nniny  genera  and  even  wh<de  fiiinilier  ])eculiar 
to  it."  (Newton.)  The  highest  authority,  FiNwii,  n'oognizes  U.54  species  as  well  deter- 
mined, distributing  them  in  20  genera;  142  are  American,  23  African,  and  18  Asiatic;  the 
Moluccas  aud  New  Guinea  have  83,  Australia  59,  and  Polynesia  29. 


4'J(> 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —liAl'TOliES. 


28.     Family    PSITTACID-^ :     Parrots. 

Sro  above.  Two  ciirotiils,  tin;  left  sii|)i'rticiul.  All  New  World  PaiTots  belong  here  (but 
all  I'sittacida  are  not  of  the  New  World). 

30.    Subfamily   ARIN^:    Parrots. 

Soe  abcivr.  Ambions  iiiusdo,  tufted  oil-jL,'land  and  coiiiiilete  furculuin.  Of  this  siibfainily 
the  Macaws  (vine)  and  our  speck's  of  Comtrits  are  characteristic. 

169  C'OXLT'Itrs.  ((Jr.  K&vos,  kunos,  a  cone;  oiipa,  onrti,  tail;  cuneate-tail.)  Pauroqijets. 
Tail  Icngtliencil,  la'arly  equalling  wings,  cuneate,  with  tajjeriiig  feathers.  Face  entirely 
feathered  excepting  a  slight  space  about  the  eye.  Nostrils  in  the  feathered  cere.  Hill  very 
stout,  with  bulging  lateral  outline,  broadly  rounded  cuhnen,  and  toothed  or  l(d)ed  commissure. 
Tarsi  very  short,  much  less  than  the  inner  anterior  toe  ;  outer  anterior  longer  than  outer  pos- 
terior toe.  Feet  granular-reticulate,  becoming  scutellate  on  the  toes.  Wings  pointed  ;  in  our 
specii's  the  2d  and  Hd  jirimaries  longest,  the  1st  and  4th  subequal  and  shorter.  A  large  genus 
of  tropical  America,  with  one  U.  .S.  .species. 

460.  <'•  earoUnen'sls.  (Lat.  Candinian.  Figs.  340,  .'$47.)  Cauolixa  Parroquet.  Green ;  head 
yellow;  face  red:  bill  white;  feet  flesh-color:  wings  more  or  le.ss  variegated  with  blue  and 
yellow.  Sexes  alike.  Yomhi/ simply  green.  Length  12. .'>()-i;i. 50;  extent  21.00-22.50  ;  wing 
7.00-8.00  ;  tail  0.00-7.00.  Southern  States  ;  up  the  Mississippi  Valley  to  the  Missouri  region  ; 
W.  to  Arkansas  and  the  Indian  Territory ;  recently  Kansas,  Nebraska,  Iowa,  etc.  ;  formerly 
strayed  to  Pennsylvania  and  New  York,  but  of  late  has  receded  even  from  the  Carolinas;  ."still 
abundant  in  Fltirida.  But  it  would  seem  that  if  the  cru(d  and  wanton  slaughter  to  which  the 
gentle  creatures  are  subjected  by  idlers  goes  on,  they  must  before  long  be  exterminated.  Gre- 
garious, frugivorous,  and  granivorous  ;  not  regularly  migratory,  but  roving.  Said  to  breed  in 
cuuipauies  iu  hollow  trees;  eggs  whitish,  1.40  X  l''J5,  elliptical  in  sha)>e,  rough  in  texture. 

IV.     Order    RAPTORES:     Birds    of    Prey. 

Jiill  qyignnihoHs,  cered;  and 
feet  not  ziigodadyle.  The  rapa- 
cious birds  (J{aj)forex,  Baptntores 
or  Avripities  of  authors,  Ai-to- 
morpluc  of  Huxley)  form  a  fairly 
natural  assemblage,  to  which  this 
expression  furnishes  a  clew. 
(The  i)arrots,  probably  the  only 
other  birds  with  strongly  hotdced 
and  truhf  cered  bill,  are  yoke- 
toed.)  The  Jiajitores  ])resent 
several  ostecdogical  and  other  an- 
atomical characters.  The  ster- 
num is  ample  and  dee))  keeled, 
its  j)osterior  margin  doubly  or 
singly  notched  or  fenestrate  on 
each  side,  or  (.-ntire  with  central 
emargination;  the  furculuin  an- 
chylo.sed  or  not.  Angle  of  man- 
dible not  recurved ;  inaxillo- 
palatines  united  o  au  ossified 
septum  ;  rostruii.  arched  and 
hooked;  basipterygoid  processes 


Flo.  318.  —  Death  as  a  bird  uf  prey.    ( From  Miclielet. ) 


IIAI'TOHES:   BIJWS  OF  PliEY. 


4U7 


present  i)r  absent.  Hallux  iilwiiys  present,  usually  valid  and  insistent ;  outer  toe  reversible  in 
some  cases,  never  permanently  reversed.  The  anibiens  is  jm'sent  (except  in  Strigex) ;  all  ex- 
cepting Gypogerunides  and  some  CathartUks  possess  the  i'eninro-caudal  muscle,  but  unt  its 
accessory,  nor  the  semi-tendinosus  nor  its  accessory  (excepting  C'lithiirtuks,  which  liave  the  two 
last  named,  and  GypogcvunidvH,  which  have  these  and  the  accessory  I'enioro-eaudal).  t'u-ca 
are  ])resent  (except  in  (kithurtkh's).  The  oil-gland  is  present  in  all,  and  tutted  except  in 
Cathartides.  After.shafts  are  present  (usually),  hu'king  in  some  Accijntres,  all  Sirigrs  and 
Cathartides.  There  are  two  carotids  ;  the  syrinx,  when  developed,  has  but  one  pair  of  intrinsic 
muscles.  The  nature  is  altricial,  yet  ptilopiedic,  the  young  being  downy  when  hatch  ^-d,  and 
long  fed  by  the  parents  in  the  nest.  The  alimentary  canal  varies  with  the  families,  but  ditters 
from  that  of  vegetarian  birds,  in  adaptation  to  an  exclusively  animal  diet.  In  the  higher 
types,  the  whole  structure  betokens  strength,  activity,  and  ferocity,  carnivorous  j)ropensities 
and  i)redaceous  nature.  Most  of  the  snuiller,  or  weaker,  species  feed  much  ujiou  insiu-ts  ; 
others  more  i)articularly  upon  re|)tiles,  and  fish  ;  others  upon  carrion  ;  but  the  nuijority  prey 
upon  other  birds,  and  small  mammals,  captured  in  open  warfare.  To  this  end,  the  claws  no 
less  than  the  beak  are  specially  adapted,  by  their  development  in  the  "  tahnis  "  which  we  con- 
.»<fantly  associate  with  our  ideas  of  birds  of  prey.  These  weapons  of  offence  and  defence  are 
as  a  rule  of  great  size,  strength,  crookedness,  and  acuteness;  and  also  peculiar  in  being  con- 
vex on  the  sides,  gradually  narrowed  to  the  point,  and  little  or  not  excavated  undi-rneath.  The 
inner  claw  is  larger  than  the  outer,  and  the  hinder  one  smaller  than  the  middle ;  and  all  are 
very  llexibly  jointed,  so  that  they  may  be  .strongly  bent  underneath  the  toes,  carrying  to  the 
extreme  the  grasping  power  of  the  feet.  The  legs  are  muscular  and  largely  free  from  the 
body,  feathered  to  the  sufl'rago  or  beyond;  wh.en  unfeathered,  the  tarsal  envelope  varies  in 
character.  The  wings  are  ample,  and,  as  usual  in  birds  below  Passeres,  the  eoveiis  are  long 
and  numerous,  covering  three-fourths  or  more  of  the  folded  wing.  The  tail,  very  variable 
in  shajK',  has  twelve  rectrices  (with  rare  exceptions). 

liepresentatives  of  this  order  are  fomid  in  every  part  of  the  world.  They  are  divisible  into 
four  primary  groups,  of  more  classiticatory  value  than  that  attaching  to  average  families  in 
ornithology,  and  therefore  to  be  held  as  superfamilies  or  suborders.  t)ne  of  these,  Ggpogeranides, 
consists  of  the  single  remarkable  sjiecies  Gi/pofferouun  serpmtarius,  th<'  secretary-bird  or  serpent- 
eater  of  Africa  ;  this  shows  a  (lurious  grallatorial  analogy,  being  mounted  ou  long  legs  like  a 
Crane,  and  has  .several  im])ortant  .structural  mollifications.  The  other  three  are  the  Sfriges  or 
Owls;  the  Accipitrcs  or  Hawks,  Kagles,  etc.,  including  the  (Md  World  Vultures  :  and  the 
Cathartides  or  American  Vultures,  — these  last  more  diU'erent  from  the  others  collectively  than 
the  re.st  are  from  one  another.  All  are  well  rejn-esentcd  in  this  country.  They  are  recognizable 
at  a  ghincc,  but  the  following  analysis  will  .serve  to  jdace  the  characters  of  the  suborders  and 
their  respective  families  in  strong  relief. 

Analysis  nf  Snlmrihra  nml  I'nmilUs. 

Feet  scarcely  raptorial,  wltli  weak,  blunt,  loiictlieiicd.  Utile  ciirvecl  or  oontractlle  cliiwH.  Mind  toe  ele- 
vated, not  more  tliaii  lialf  aH  long  at  outer  toe,  with  Bniall  claw  ;  ndddle  toe  lengthened ;  outer  too  not 
verdatllc;  front  toes  all  tvol>lie(l  at  bane;  l)aBal  joint  of  middle  toe  longer  than  either  of  the  »ueeee<ling 
ones.  NoHtrilit  large,  |icrforate.  Dill  little  raptorial,  lengthened  and  Honiewhat  I'ontraeteil  in  conti- 
nuity, tomia  never  lobed  or  toothed,  tip  liliint,  little  hooked.  Head  largely  naked.  Inde.\  iligil  with 
a  large  claw.     No  lower  laryn.x,  eivca,  aftersliafls,  or  tuft  of  oii-gland.     .Vnibienx  present ;  fenioro- 

caudal  present  or  absent ;  semlteniilnosuH  and  its  accosory  present C.VTHAHTIDKS. 

Diurnal:  gressorial;  fecil  exclusively  on  carrion Catii.vutiii.k. 

Feet  highly  raptorial,  with  large,  strong,  sharii,  curved,  contractilo  chiwg.  Hind  too  not  elevated,  lenglh- 
encil,  more  than  half  as  long  as  outer  toe,  with  large  claw;  outer  toe  often  versatile;  front  toes  with 
slight  l)asal  webbing  l)etween  outer  and  middle,  or  none  Nostrils  small,  inijierforate.  Hill  short, 
stout,  very  seldom  contracted  in  its  continuity,  tomia  often  once  or  twice  lobed  or  toothed,  tip  sharp, 
much  hooked.  Head  feathered  comjiletely  or  in  greatest  part.  Lower  larynx  with  one  pair  of  intrinsic 
muscles.  Ca'oa  present.  Plumage  with  or  without  aftcrshafts.  Anibiens  present  or  alwnt.  Fcmoro- 
caudiil  present,    Scmitcndinosus  and  its  aecegsory  absent.    As  a  rule,  saltatorlal,  and  kill  their  |>rey. 

32 


498 


SYSTEMATIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  liAVTORES—  STlilGES. 


i 


I 


-1 


Pbysiognoiny  not  ixiciillar;  no  great  lateral  expanninn  of  the  cranium  nr  thickening  of  its  walls 
with  (li|iloi'i  cyi'B  l(K>lilng  Hldewayii;  no  fuciul  ilidc  or  only  an  iniiicrfcct  one;  Imso  of  lilll  not 
hiilduii  by  apprcusud  fuathers.  NoBlrliH  wholly  in  the  cere.  Toniia  tii<naily  tootlu>il  or  lolied. 
No  I'xturnai  uar-eoncii.  Uutor  tou  not  Hhorter  tiian  Inner,  and  rureiy  vvritullle.  lluval  Joint  of 
ndddic  toe  longer  tliiui  the  next.  Feet  with  rare  excciitions  mostly  or  entirely  naked  of  feiitlierii 
geiilillrtto  or  reticulate,  or  both  ;  toes  always  bare  and  scaly.  Sternum  commonly  Kinule- 
notciicd  or -fenestrate  on  each  side,  sometimes  entire.  Oil-gland  tufted.  Plumage  coin|iiict, 
usually  aftershafted ;  lliglit  au<llble.    Ambiens  jiresent.    Diurnal     ....     ACCIPITHKS. 

Outer  toe  not  reversible,  and  iiluuiage  usually  aftershafted Fauoxid.i:. 

Outer  toe  reversible,  and  plumage  without  aflershafts Pa.muoxid*;. 

Pbyslogniiniy  iieculiur  by  reoscui  of  great  lateral  expansion,  Icngtliwise  contraction  and  diploVc 
thickening  of  tliu  often  unsymmutrlcal  cranium ;  eyes  looking  forward,  surroundcil  w  Itli  a  radi- 
ated disc  of  nKMillied  leathers,  in  front  appressed,  antrorse,  liiding  base  of  bill.  Nostrils  usually 
at  cilgu  ol  tlie  cere.  Tonda  never  lolicd  or  tisilhed.  A  'arge  external  ear-conch  often  devel- 
ojicd.  Outer  toe  completely  versatile,  sliortcr  than  inner  toe.  Basal  Joint  of  middle  toe  not 
longer  than  secomi,  much  shorter  than  the  iienultlnmtc  one.  Feet  usually  feathery  or  bristly 
to  or  on  the  toes.  Oil-gland  nude.  Plumage  without  aftcrsliafls,  soft  and  lax ;  Hlglit  noiseless. 
Ambiens  absent.     Nocturnal STUKJES. 

tjterimm  entire  behind,  with  central  cmarglnatlon ;  furculuni  anchyloiietl.    Middle  claw 
pectinate.    Facial  disc  complete,  triangular Alicosid.i;. 

Sternumdoiible-notched  or  fenestrate;  furculum  free.    iMiddle  claw  not  pectinate.    Facial 
disc  circular  when  complete Stiikud.*;. 


r>.   SnionnF.R  STRIGES:   NofTunNAL  Bmns  op  Prev. 

Head  very  large,  ami  csjicfially  broad  from  aidi-  tti  side,  but  sslioitciu'd  Ifiigthwisp,  the 
"fare"  tlnLs  foi'iiu'd  furtlitT  di'fincd  by  a  mort!  or  l<'.«s  coiniiU'tc '' ruff,"  or  ciiTlet  of  radiatiiifr 
foatluTs  of  )ifculiar  ti'Xtiiro,  oii  t-atdi  side.  Eyes  very  large,  looking  more  or  less  directly  for- 
ward, set  ill  a  eirelet  of  radiating  bristly  feathers,  and  overarched  by  a  supereiliary  shield. 
External  ears  extremely  large,  often  provided  with  an  o))ereiiluni  or  iiiovabh'  flap,  presenting 
the  nearest  ap]>roaeli,  among  birds,  to  the  ear-eoneh  of  nianiinals.  Hill  shaped  much  as  in 
tirdinary  Accipitren,  but  tliickly  beset  at  base  with  elo.se-))ressed  antrorse  In-istly  feathers, 
and  never  toothed.  Nostrils  large,  eonimonly  opening  at  the  edge  of  the  eere  rather  than 
entirely  in  its  substance.  Ifallux  of  average  length,  not  idiviously  elevated  in  any  case;  outer 
toe  more  or  less  [terfectly  versatile  (but  never  perniaiieiitly  reversed),  and  shorter  than  the 
inner  toe  ;  its  fir.st  three  joints  very  short,  altogether  not  as  long  as  the  sueceeiling  one  ;  Ita.sil 
joint  of  middle  toe  not  longer  than  the  next.  Claws  all  very  long,  mtieli  curved  and  extremely 
sharp,  that  of  the  middle  toe  ]iectiiiatc  in  some  species.  As  a  rule,  the  tarsi  are  more  or  less 
comjdi'tely  feathered,  and  the  whole  foot  is  often  thus  coven-d.  Among  numerous  osteologiciil 
characters  may  be  mentioned  the  fre<|tieiit  want  of  symmetry  of  the  skull,  wide  sep;iration  of  the 
inner  and  outer  tablets  of  the  brain-case  liy  intervention  of  spongy  diploe,  the  spongy  maxillo- 
palatines  and  lacrymals,  which  latter  long  persist  distinct;  the  basijiterygoid  jtroce.^ses ;  the 
inanubriated  iind  commonly  4-notclicd  (if  not  entire)  sternum  ;  a  jieculiar  structure  of  the  tar.so- 
nietatarsiiB;  a  particular  arrangenient  of  the  bones  about  the  shoulder-joint,  and  the  weakness 
of  tho  furculum  when  not  aiiehylosed  with  the  steniuni.  The  gullet  is  capacious  but  not 
dilated  into  a  special  crop;  the  gizzard  is  only  moderately  iiiu.sciilar :  the  intestines  are  short 
and  wide  ;  the  eoeca  are  extremely  h»iig  and  club-shaped.  The  syrinx  has  one  pair  of  intrinsic 
muscles.  The  oil-gland  is  nude.  Tho  anibieiia  is  absent.  The  feathers  have  no  aftershaft, 
and  the  general  jdiimage  is  very  soft  and  Idended. 

The  Xocturniil  Birds  of  I'rey  will  be  inimediutcly  recognized  by  their  peculiar  jdiysiognotny, 
indeiiendently  of  the  technical  characters  that  mark  them  as  a  natural,  sharply-detined  group. 
They  are  highly  monomorphic,  without  extremes  of  aberrant  form;  but  the  ease  with  which 
they  are  cidlectively  defined  is  a  measure  of  the  difficulty  of  their  rigid  subdivision,  which  is 
not  yet  satisfactorily  det<'rmiiied.  Too  much  stress  has  Iwen  laid  upon  the  trivial,  although 
evident,  circuiiistauco  of  presence  or  ubscucc  of  the  peculiar  '*  horns  "  that  iiiany  species  possess. 


STIildES:  XOCTUJiXAL  BIRDS  OF  I'llEY. 


li)U 


These  nre  tufts  of  lengthened  featlirrs  risiiiu;  over  the  eyes  fnini  the  forehead,  iind  ooimnoiily 
called  "  eiir-tufts" ;  but  they  have  nothing  to  do  witli  the  ears,  and  are  more  aiiiirojiriiitfly 
named  '"  idiunicorns,"  or  feather-horns.  More  reliable  cliaraeters  may  be  drawn  t'roni  the 
striieture  of  the  external  ear  and  fiu-ial  disc,  tlio  modifications  of  which  ajjpear  to  bear  directly 
u]ton  mode  of  life  ;  thes(!  j)arts  being  as  a  rule  most  highly  develojittd  in  tlie  more  nocturnal 
species  ;  some  jioints  of  internal  structure  have  been  found  corresjM indent.  Thus,  one  group, 
of  which  the  burn  owl,  Aluco  JlamineuH,  is  the  type,  is  very  distinct  in  the  angular  contour  and 


FlO.  349.  —  "  Kst  illis  SIriiiihiiit  iinmen  :  sc<l  iioiniiiiB  hiijiis 

CauDii  quod  liorrcndft  strlilcro  iiocto  solcnt."  —  OviD,  Faeli,  vi.  139. 

"  Sfreerh-otrls  tlicy  're  rnlletl,  l)ccausc  wltli  dismal  cry 
In  darkling  night  fk'om  place  to  place  tlicy  fly." 

high  development  of  the  facial  disc,  pectination  of  the  middle  claw,  and  other  characters  upon 
wliich  a  family  Aluconidic  may  he  established.  Probably  the  rest  of  the  suborder  fall  in  two 
subdivisions  of  a  single  family  Strif/idtc,  the  essential  characters  of  which  have  already  been 
contrasted  with  those  ^)(  Atiicotiultc. 

Tiie  nean?st  relatives  of  the  Striffen,  outside  their  own  order,  are  the  Cuprinhtlgi — the 
relationship  being  really  very  close  through  the  genus  Sfeatornis.  As  is  well  known,  owls  are 
eminently  nocturnal  birds ;  but  to  this  rule  there  are  numerous  striking  exceptions-  This 
general  habit  is  correspondent  to  the  modification  of  the  eyes,  the  size  and  structure  of  which 


600 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  HA  PTORES  —  STItlCES. 


ennblo  the  birds  to  boo  hy  iiii;lit,  iin<l  wuisr  tlicm  tc»  siiffrr  from  tlio  glare  of  thr  sunlight.  Most 
Bpocics  jiass  tlif  (laytiiiic  sccrctcil  in  liollow  tri'rs,  or  ticiist'  I'oliagt'  and  otliiT  dusky  retreats, 
roHuniiiig  their  wonted  activity  after  niylittail.  Owing  to  tiie  jieiMdiar  texture  of  tlie  jduniage 
tlieir  tlight  is  perfectly  noiseless,  like  the  niineiuu  steps  of  ii  cat ;  and  no  entirely  fanciful  anal- 
ogy has  heeii  drawn  between  these  birds  and  the  feline  carnivora  that  chietly  i)rey  stealthily  in 
the  dark.  The  nest  is  commonly  a  rude  aH'air  of  sticks  gathered  in  tlu^  various  places  of  diurnal 
resort ;  tho  eggs  a!-e  several  (commonly  .'{-(i),  white,  subs|ih<>ricul.  The  9  i  "»  ii  rule,  is  larger 
than  the  $,  hut  the  sexes  are  alike  in  cohir:  the  coloration  is  conuuonly  blended  and  diffuse, 
ditlicult  of  concise  description.  Owls  feed  entirely  ujmmi  animal  substances,  and  capture  their 
prey  alive  —  small  quailrupeds  and  birds,  reptiles  and  insects,  and  oven  fish,  l/ike  most  other 
HaplorfiK,  they  eject  from  the  mouth,  after  a  meal,  the  boin's,  hair,  feathers,  and  other  iudigesti- 
bh;  substances,  niado  u])  into  a  round  pelh't.  They  are  noted  for  tlieir  loud  outcries,  so  stranije 
and  often  .so  lugubrious,  that  it  is  no  wonder  traditional  sujierstition  places  these  disnuil  night- 
birds  in  the  category  of  thint;s  ill-omened.  Mesides  the  well-known  lines  whi(di  are  set 
beneath  two  of  the  accompanyinir  tiirures,  the  reader  may  recall  the  owl  as  among  the'  portents 
weird'  which  foretidl  the  fate  of  the  unhappy  <iueen  of  Carthage,  when,  deserted  by  'pious' 
yEneas,  she  resolves  to  die. 

"Sola(|iii!ciilniiiiibiiH  fL-rnll  fiirniiiir  Imlm 
Sffiiioinicri,  et  Ii)iigni4  in  Hut  mil  iliiciTo  voccH."  —  Vkiio.,  .Kn.,  Iv.  462. 

Tlie  lioiit-owl,  tiriHxIiiii;  diiiIiiiiiih  aliori; 

Her  fiitufiil  liniin',  is  wi'iiriii);  iliHiiiiil  iii|>lit  uwiiy 

With  will!  vcM'ircration.    PurtciitM  wt-inl,  etc. 

Owls  lire  among  the  most  ciim|detely  cusinopiditan  of  birds  :  with  minor  modili<'ations 
nceordi))g  to  circumstances,  tlu'ir  general  habits  are  much  the  same  the  M'orld  over.  A  dilli- 
culty  of  correctly  estimating  the  number  of  s]>ecies  arises  from  the  fact  that  numy,  especially  of 
tho  more  generalized  types,  have  a  wide  geographical  distribution,  and,  as  in  nearly  all  su<'h 
cases,  they  split  into  niori'  or  le.ss  easily  recognized  races,  the  interpretation  of  which  is  at 
j)r(!sent  a  nnitter  of  opinion  rather  than  a  settled  i.ssue.  About  :J()()  species  )tass  current ;  tliLs 
number  must  be  reduced  by  uue-third  :  out  of  about  50  generic  names  now  in  vogue,  prcdtably 
less  thuu  uuc-hulf  represcut  some  structural  ]>eculiarity. 


160. 


29.     Family    AL.UCONID-<E :     Bam    Owls. 

J.  Two  genera  of  Owls,  Aliico  and  I'hodilns,  differ  so  much 

'is>'^  i.  fr,,|,,  other  Slri<iis  thai  they  may  jn-operly  ciMistitute  a  family 

ajiart  from  Striijidii:  The  jirinie  character  is  anchylosis  ot 
the  furcnlmii  with  the  sterninn,  which  latter  bone  is  entire 
behind  (unusual;  compare  tig.  .">()).  Kxterual  characters 
are:  facial  di.sc  and  outer  ear-jiarts  highly  develojied,  the 
former  not  cin-ular.  but  rather  triautjular,  the  latter  sym- 
metrical ;  middle  and  inner  toes  of  about  eipial  lengths  ;  inner 
edge  of  middle  cl.iw  serrate  or  jagged,  siunilatiug  the  pecti- 
nation seen  in  Capriiiiiilffiflff,  to  which  birds  these  owls  .-u'c 
^1  curiou.sly  rel.-ited  fhroui;h  Stt'otoniis.  The  patteni  of  cidor- 
ation  is  iM'culiar :  the  plumage  is  very  downy;  tho  habits 
of  the  species  are  eminently  noctunial.  The  leading  genus. 
Allien,  of  several  species  or  races,  is  nearly  co.smopolitan, 
bi-ing  absent  only  from  high  latitudes  and  some  insular  re- 
gions;  the  other,  of  one  species,  Phoiiiliix  hndiun,  inhabits 
Fio.  3B0.  — BamOwl.    (From  Dixon.)  ,„  i    •      /.     i         t  in  xt    n 

|M>rtions  of  f^a.steni  Asia,  (  eyion,  .Java  and  IJomco.  —  A.  H. 

Adoption  of  the  name  Aluco  for  the  Bani  Owls,  instead  of  Strix,  retiuires  the  present  family  to 


ALUCoxiiKj:.-  n.iKx  owi.s. 


CM 


bo  callpd  Aluconid(C,  insti'iid  of  Stfiyidfr  ;  wliicli  latter  imiiic  i.-*  tn  lie  a|>i>li»(l  t<>  tlir  miccccdiiif; 
family. 
160.  ALIT'CO.  (Ital.  rt/o<7io,  wiini'kind  (if  owl.  Fiirs.  47,  H.")l.)  IJah.n  <  hvi.H.  'I'lialinvc  cliainctcrs 
add:  Wings  very  long,  jiointcd,  folding  beyond  tlietail,  the  1st  or  SJd  jiriniai'v  lonircst,  ami  none 
emarginate.  Tail  sliort,  nearly  even  or  emaryinate,  about  1  as  long  as  the  wing.  Tarsns  nearly 
twice  a.s  long  iiti  middle  toe  without  elaw,  clo.sely  feathered,  the  jdmnage  becoming  scant  and 


Flo.  351.  —  Bam  OwIk,  )  imt.  ►Izc.    (From  Itrcliiii  ) 

"  Krum  vdiiilir  ivj-in;iiilleil  towiT. 
Tliu  iii(>|>iiii;  iitvl  iliH'H  til  tlio  inmiii  ciiiii|il:iiii 
Of  mcli,  as  waiKTriiie  iienr  litr  Hccrct  Ikiwit, 
Miili'.it  lirr  iiiu'ieiit  Holitury  rciun."  —  filiAV. 

bristly  below,  like  that  on  the  nearly  naked  toes,  and  reversed  in  direction  on  the  posterior 
aspect  :  claws  extremely  long  and  acute  (see  tig.  47).  Hill  lengthened,  compressed,  the  cere 
nearly  as  long  as  the  rest  *if  the  culnien  ;  no.strils  oval:  no  plumiconis  ;  eyes  comparatively 
small,  black  ;  bill  liglit-c(dored;  jdumane  Hagraut,  not  dichromatic;  size  ineditnn.  One  North 
Am.  species. 


602 


systj:ma tic  ni'yoi'sis.  —  haptouks  —  snuaEs. 


433.  A.  flam'inous  pratln'colit.  {\ai\.  Jldmiiirux,  tlaini'-fnlnrcil ;  jtriiliiiroln,  iiicailow-iiihiiliiliii^'.) 
Uaii.N  (»\vi„  AIhi\c,  iiicliidiiij;  ii|)|i('r  siiifaiM's  nf  wiiiu's  ami  tail,  tawny,  I'iiIvchim,  or  oraiiu'c- 
browii,  ili'licatcly  cluudi'il  or  niarMnl  witli  asliy  ami  wiiitr,  ami  iliittri!  with  bliu'luMJi,  NdinctiiiK'M 
also  with  white  ;  such  iiiarl«iiii;  rcsolvi'il,  or  tending  to  resolve,  into  t'onr  or  five  hars  of  dark 
mottling  on  the  wings  and  tail.  Itelow,  including  lining  of  wings,  varying  fruni  |inre  whilit  to 
tawny,  oclirey,  or  fnlvoiis,  hut  nsxiiilly  paler  than  th<'  U|))ier  parts  ami  dotted  witli  HMiall  hut 
distinct  hiackish  sjieeks.  Face  varying  from  white  to  fiilvoiis  or  purplish-brown,  in  some  shades 
am  if  stained  with  claret,  usually  ijuit*'  dark  or  even  black.  About  thi'  eyes,  and  the  border  of  the 
diw,  dark  brown.  Thus  extremely  variabh-  in  ton(>  of  ccdoration,  but  the  pattern  moro  constant, 
while  the  generi<'  characters  render  the  l>ird  nnniistakable.  Xi'stlings  are  covered  with  tlull'y 
white  d.iwn.  Length  15.00-17.IMt :  extent  about  ROO;  wing  l.'J.OO-li.OO;  tail  (1. 00-7.00  ;  bill 
O.'.Kf,  tarsus  2.75.  9  larger  than  ,J.  The  superior  size  is  the  chief  ilistliictioii  from  thi'CUd 
World  A.  Jldiiiiiifun.  V.  S.  from  Atlantic  to  Pacific;  somewhat  southi'rly,  only  known  X.  to 
Massachusetts  aial  corresponding  latitudes;  S.  into  .Mexico,  West  Imlies  and  Central  America; 
abundant  in  wooded,  settled,  aial  especially  maritime  regions;  usually  resident.  Ibeeds  natu- 
rally in  hollow  trees,  frei|uently  in  the  barn,  belfry,  tower,  or  other  building;  eirgs  ;{-(')  in 
number,  cidorless  or  soiled  yellowish-white,  about  1.75  X  1.25,  nearly  eiiual-eialed,  lai<l  with 
little  or  no  ])re]iaration  upon  the  debris  of  the  hole,  commonly  bones  and  other  refuse  of  the 
food,  which  is  chiefly  small  (inadrupeds  and  in.sects. 


161. 


30.    Family    STRIGID^ :     Other    Owls. 

All    other    SlriqcD,    as   far   as 


known,  have  the  stenimn  once 
or  twice  notched  on  each  side 
behind,  and  the  fiurnlun".  free 
from  that  bone.  'l"he  outer  ear- 
parts  are  sometimes  as  highly 
dcvel'Mii'd    M-  AlllCoiiidic,   or 

iiiM  ipiite    small ;    the 

'  <•»  iu  si/e  and  jier- 

I,  I.  largest,  most  <'ir- 

,  and  -I  coniidetely  radi- 
a  iig  from  till)  eye  as  a  centre  iu 
tliosp  species  in  which  the  I'ar- 
'Mich  is  best  develojH'd.  These 
two  characters  would  tb'reforu 
seem  to  go  together,  ai  iliey 
Fio.  362. —Mobbing  an  owl,    (From  Mlchelet.)  are  not  correlated  with  t'        wcs- 

rnce  or  absence  of  jdumiconis.     'I'he  inner  toe  is  shorter  than   the  middle,  and  ''  lUlle 

claw  is  not  iM'c.tinate.     It  nniy  ]irove  advisable  to  make  these  features  the  basis  oi  >  ision 

(if  the  Strigkhc  into  two  subfamilies,  Strifiiiur  and  liuhonhue,  as  proposed  by  .Mr.  Slin  but 

1  do  not  deem  it  expedient  to  present  such  arrangement  on  the  present  occasion.  In  i  event 
tif  snch  final  determination,  our  genera  Strix,  Asio,  and  Nyctala  would  fall  iu  Striffnuc;  tho 
rest  iu  Biihimitur. 

ytiiah/sh  nf  (Icni'ra, 
(40)  STBmiN.i:  ?    Eyo  centric  In  large  complete  circular  illuc,  and  ear-conch  larger  than  eye,  with  well 
(IcTeloped  njicrciiliini. 
Pluniicorng  iilmciit :  ccro  iiliort. 

Enr-iiart»»yiiini«trlciil.    Largo:  length  over  12  Inches .S/ri.r    164 

Ear-part«  niiymmctrk'iil.    Small:  Ifiigth  under  12  Inches Xyetaln    107 

Plumlcorns  present;  cere  longer  than  rest  (if  ciilnicn .^"'o    103 


STUiaiDyE:    OTllKJi   OWLS. 


6o:J 


161. 


402. 


(41)  lUiioMN.i;  V    Kye  eirciilrlc,  iiniriT  tdp  llmii  bottum  of  iiinrf  or  lou  liicuuiplcio  illic,  oud  cnr-ci.m-li 
iKit  liiruer  lliiiii  cyi',  wllliinil  clevrl.iiPi'd  i>|hiicii1iiiu. 
I'liiiiiliciiiiH  preMiMit,  welUloviilcipi'il. 

ViTV  liir({<i:  luiiKlli  civcr  IH  ImlieB;  tall  olwiit  3  tl>»  wt»B ""'"    '"' 

Hiiiiill:  loiiglli  umlir  I'.' liiilii'ii;  hill  uliniil  i  ll'"  "I'm aVi./m    liU 

riiiiiiU'i>niiiiiri'wiit,  nicllmt'iilnry.    Vury  lurgo:  leinjlluivur  18  llldie».    Wliitu .N>7.a    lua 

PllllIlll'OrilH  llllHt'lll. 

TiirBiiH  full-friuUi'reil, 

Tall  xniilualoil.     Li'iiRtli  over  VJ  Im-lico.     Hawk-llkc .">iirn(/i  ItW 

Tiill  riiiiinliMl.     I,iii«tli  iiiiii'li  iiiiilur  1:!  liicliuH (lliiiniiliiim  1(18 

TnrHim  luiki'd  or  waiil-fnitliereil. 

Liiiatli  uiHler  H  liiehus Mirnilln  if  Uil» 

LuiiKtli  over  K  llicliOH Sj„i,ti/I<'  170 

nr'no.  (Lnt.  ^"/w),  thr  linnil'll  owl.)  'J'lIK  (iUKAT  HoilNKI)  OWI.S.  Hi  in  T  ( Iwi.s.  Skull 
anil  rar-imrts  syiniin'lri<al  {<<(  saliic  si/c  on  Imtli  sides  uf  iicail).  tlir  latlir  xiinjiiy  clliiitiral, 
iicin-<i])crculatt',  not  Imip'r  than  tlii'  );m\\  yellow  eye,  which  is  pcci'iitric  in  the  nKxliratrly  dcvi'l- 
ojicd  facial  disc  (nearer  its  toi>  than  liottoiii).  I'lii- 
niiconis  hiulily  develojied.  Nostrils  oval,  in  tho 
ed;;!'  of  the  cere,  which  is  not  iiillated,  nor  as  lon^ 
as  the  rest  of  the  cidinen  ;  hill  rid)nst,  black,  not 
liuried  in  the  frontal  bristles.  Win^s  rather  .short, 
fcddiiiK  "'"'rt  of  the  end  of  the  tail,  the  Ud  or  Ith 
l>riniary  longest,  the  first  i  or  H  eniarginate  near 
their  ends.  Tail  rounded,  more  than  i  as  hai)^  nH 
the  win>;.  its  under  coverts  not  reaching  its  end. 
Feet  densely  feathered  to  the  last  joint  of  tlie  toes, 
but  claws  exjio-sed.  Of  mcdinni  and  very  larf^e  size 
(.soino  of  the  species  are  nearly  the  larjiest  of  tho 
owls),  and  variegated,  usually  dark,  colors  ;  jiliiniage 
not  dichromatic.  Knibracin^'  numerous  species,  of 
all  Amoricft  and  nearly  all  of  the  Old  World  ;  only 
one,  however,  in  X.  Am. 

B.  virfflniii'iuis.  (l^at.  rirfiiiiinniis,  Virginian. 
Fig.  3.j.'J.)  (Jkkat  Houxki)  Owl.  Hoot  Owl. 
Cat  Owl.  Distinguished  by  its  large  size  and  con- 
spicuous ear-tufts,  our  other  species  of  similar  stature 
being  tuftless  or  nearly  so.  Length  nearly  or  about 
two  feet ;  e.\teut  4  or  5  feet ;  wing  li.OO-Ki.OO 
inches;  tail  8.00-10.00;  tarsus  2.00-2.2.J  ;  cubnen  Fm.  a-a.- Great  Home.! Owl,  much reaucod. 
without  cere  1.10-1.20.  9averaging  larger  than  (J.  (From  Tenucy,  after  Aiiduboii.) 
Plumage  varying  interminably,  no  concise  de.icription  meeting  all  its  phases.  A  white  collar  on 
the  throat  is  the  most  constant  color-mark.  (h\  the  upper  parts,  the  iiniler-pluiuage  tawny,  but 
81)  overlaid  with  course  mottling  of  blackish  and  white,  that  it  shows  chietly  on  the  head,  na]ie, 
uud  scapular:*;  the  mottling  chietly  transverse,  and  resolving  into  7  to  9  continuous  or  broken 
bars  on  the  wings  uud  tail.  Tnder  jmrts  white,  indefinitely  tawny-tinged,  nnd  for  the  most 
part  barred  crosswise  with  blackish,  changing  on  the  fore  breast  to  rag>;eil  and  rather  lemrtli- 
wise  bhitcbes.  Feathering  of  feet  la'arly  jilain  tawny.  Ear-tufts  black  and  tawny  ;  a  dark 
mark  over  eye ;  border  of  the  facial  disc  black,  the  face  white  or  tawny,  but  the  feathers  mostly 
bluck-shufted.  Hill  and  claws  black  ;  iris  y(dlow  ;  pui)il  always  circular:  when  fully  .lilated  us 
large  as  a.  finger-ring,  contractile  to  the  size  of  a  pea.  Young  covered  at  first  with  white  down ; 
first  plumage  more  unifonnly  tawny  and  ligbter-c(dored  than  it  becomes  after  the  first  moult, 
when  tho  white  collar  and  other  distinctive  markings  are  assumed.     This  powerful  bird,  only 


604 


aYHTEMA  nv  SYSOJ'SJS.  —  HAl'TORES  —  STliWES. 


yicldinj;  to  the  firciit  jiriiy  owl  in  Btaturc,  ami  t»  iiom-  in  spirit,  is  a  coimnon  iiilialtitant  of 
Nortii  Am.  at  larirc,  ri'iucsciitiiii.'  H-  iffnanis  of  Kuropi'.  It  is  uoii-minratory  ;  lirtfds  in  late 
wiiitiT,  and  I'ariy  .sprinf;  niuntli.s  (  usually  Frbruary  or  Marcii  i,  layinj;  in  hollows  of  trees  or  rifts 
of  rocks,  or  in  a  bulky  nest  of  sticks  on  the  branches  of  tall  trees,  often  appvopriatin-,'  that  of 
a  larp'  hawk,  as  a  huU'o.  Kl'^Is  said  to  be  Il-O,  not  known  to  me  to  be  more  than  i  in  num- 
ber;  colorless,  subs|)herical,  about  i.ii  X  !•'•"•  in  size;  duration  of  incubatiiii  said  to  be  abo'it 
three  weeks.  The  yount;  begin  to  hoot  when  about  4  months  old.  Tliis  owl  preys  upoTi 
birds  and  (|uadrMpeds  up  to  the  size  of  domestic  fowls  and  rabbits.  It  is  habiinally  abroad  in 
the  daytime,  apparently  not  at  all  iuconveiiienced  by  sunlight.  Huns  into  the  fidlowing  vari- 
eties, which,  however,  are  not  as  strictly  geographical  as  the  names  would  indicate  :  — 

403.  H.  V.  are'tieiiH.     ( I, at.  (ur/ici/.v,  northern.)      WlllTK  lloUNKU  (>\VI,.      X'ery  pale  cidored,  fre- 
qneutly  ipiile  whitish,  and  not  distantly  resembling  the  snowy  ov  I.     (See  .Swainson's  Hg.  in 

V.  \\.  A.,  pi.   lid.)      Iloreal  and  alpine  N'orth  Am.  :   such   specimens  asiunal   in    Northern 

I'.  S.  in  winter,  and  Itocky  .Mt.  region. 

404.  H.  V.  imerileiiH.  (I.at.  imcijicun,  of  the  I'acilic  ocean.)  DrsKV  IIoitNF.K  Owl,.  Very  dark 
colored,  ciiietlv  Mackish  and  grayish,  with  litlle  or  no  tawny.  .Apparently  a  littoral  jdiase,  sup- 
posed to  bt  more  particularly  de- 
veloped on  the  I'acilic  coast ;  I>ut 

the  extrei f  this  style,  in  whici; 

the  tawny  is  extinct,  and  which 
has  been  called  It.  siiliinilii.s,  is 
from  Labrador,  where  also  occur 
the  darkest  specimens  of  (iyr- 
falcons. 

162     8<;OI'S.    rOr.  (Titaxjf.  Lat.  NTO^w,  II 
kind  of  owl.    Fig.  .'{54,)    Litti.k 

IIiiltM'.l)  ( )\V1,S.    .ScHKKCII  OWI.S. 

Like  a  miniature  Jiiilxi  in  form 
(all  our  species  under  a  fiiot  hmg). 
Skull  and  ear-parts  synnnetrical ; 
latter  small,  simply  elliptical,  with 
rudiuientary  operculinn ;  facial 
ili.>ic  moderately  developed;  plumi- 
corns  evident  ;   nostrils  at  edge  of 

th re,   which    is    not    inllated, 

and  shorter  than  the  rest  of  the 
culiru'U.  Wings  rounded,  but 
long,  about  twice  the  length  of 
the  short  roinided  tail,  alxait  to 
tho  Olid  of  which  they  fold  ;  in 
our  speci"s  the  4th  anil  5tli  priinaries  longest,  llie  1st  i[uile  short;  .'1  or  4  outer  primari''H 
sinuate  or  emarg'uate  on  inner  webs.  Tarsus  featln'red  (in  our  species),  but  toes  only  partly 
bristly  (in  the  iS'.  «.ii<»  group)  or  (piite  naked  (as  in  S.  Jlamiiwola).  I'lumage  ilichromatic 
in  some  ca.ses  ;  i.  r.,  some  individuals  of  the  same  s])ecies  normally  inolt'.ed  gray,  while  otlr  rs 
are  reddish,  the  two  pha.se.s  very  distinct  whi'ii  fully  developed,  but  slunliug  insensibly  into 
each  other,  and  entirely  independent  of  ago,  Hoasoii,  or  sex.  In  normal  plumage,  a  white  or 
whiti.sh  sca)iular  stripe;  lower  parts  with  lengthwise  blotches  or  shaft-lines  and  crosswise 
bars  or  waves  of  blackish  or  dark  ctdor  :  upper  |tarts  with  black  or  blackish  shaft-lines  on  a 
finely-dappled  brown  or  gray  gniuiid  (more  or  less  obliterated  in  llie  red  phase)  ;  facial  disc 
black -iHtrdered  nearly  all  around;  \ving-(inills  spotted  or  marbled  ou  outer  webs,  burred  ou 


Kl(i.;J."i4.  — Scruccli  Owl,  rciliictil.    (Kiuui  Hull.; 


Kl.'i. 


100. 


sTinaiiKK:  <yriii:ii  owls. 


o05 


inner  wpbs.  Tail  with  light  and  dark  hars.  A  larpf  and  noarly  cosTnopolitnn  ponns,  pspocially 
rich  in  tropical  spncics ;  but  only  two  an-  known  to  inhabit  N.  Am.,  one  of  then)  running 
into  several  local  races  very  dilKcult  to  characterize  satisfac-torily. 

/.••ah/nin  of  Sprcim  <tiitl  lOriiiiea. 

Toes  lirlstly  or  partly  fontlicreil.    riuiiiiciiriiH  ciiiispiciiuui) iinjo    405 

DIcliroiimlic  :  ruil  pimsu  bright  rusty.    Eniitcrii. 

Mcdiiiiii  III  hIzo:  wing  uHually  Iwtweeii  aoo anil  7.00;  tnil  alioiit  3.50.    Mnrkingsor  under  partii 
coitrKC,  irrcKulnr,  iiiiil  liliitcliy,  usuiiliy  wiintiiit;  <>»  mi'Mli!  uf  belly;  of  upiier  partH  tiiiu  but 

irri!i;ul!ir,  without  iiiicliiil  collar.    KiiHtuni  U.  S.  ami  ('.inuila nain    40.1 

Sinull:  wini;  UBually  fi.SO-O.OO;  tail  about  .'1.00.    Markings  an  in  ruio,  t'lt  rather  heavier.    Florida 

jlnriiliiiiuH    469 
Small:  bIzk  nt  jlitriilaiiim.    MnrkiiiKs  of  under  parts  lino,  regular,  of  upper  parts  coarse,  but  rcg- 

iiliir,  with  tiMidiMicy  to  11  iiucliiil  oollar.    Tivxas mnrcnUi    468 

llk'liroiiiatk' ;  red  pliaso  ruxty-brown.    Northwestern. 

l.iir«o  ;  wing  usually  over  7  (K).     In  the  gray  phase  like  aain,  but  markings  of  under  iiarts  liner, 

inoru  regular  mill  eontlmioUB.     Northwestern kiiininitti    466 

DU'hroniatlsin  not  known  to  m'eur.     Western. 

Medium:   size  of  average  (iHin.     Markings  of  iinilcr  parts  thick,  regular,  continuous  over  the 

whole  surfiu'c;  of  upiier  parts  exactly  as  in  «.<i().    California Innilirii    4fl(W 

Mcdiiiin  :    size  of  average  ri.iio.     .Markings  of  all  parts  very  light,  the  gray  pale,  with  iiiiich 

white,  esjicclally  on  wings  ami  uiiiler  parts         niiirinlhr    467 

Toes  perfectly  naked.     I'liimlcorns  short.     Southwestern jUimmmln    471 

Ifl,"!.  S.  a'Hto.  (Lat.  umiii,  a  kind  of  hornnl  owl.)  liiTTi.K  lIouNP.n  (Mvi,.  .Sckkkcii  Owi.. 
M<1TTI,EI>  Owi,.  UkkOwi-.  Of  niediuni  .size  ;  length  S.OO-lO.dO  ;  extent  about  22.00  ;  wiiiir 
(i. 00-7. 00,  usiijijly'ietween  these  nuiiibei-s  :  tail  .'{.i2,')-.'{.."iO.  Unii/  or  iinniiiil  pliasi;  adult  ^  ^  : 
Tpper  piirt.s  bfowni.sh-pruy  in  minutely  dappled  pattern  of  lighter  and  darker  shades,  every- 
where finely  but  irregularly  streaked  with  black  or  blackish  shaft-lines,  usually  most  evident 
im  the  crown.     A  i-onspicuous  obliipie  scajiular  bar  formed  by  the  white  or  creiimy  outer  webs 

of  several  sc;i]iulars,  etudi  usually  touched  with  black  iit  its  end  ;  a  s ml  similar  bar  on  outer 

W(dis  of  sever;il  outer  wiug-i'overts.  \Viiig-<|uills  dusky,  the  outer  webs  of  the  ]irimaries  with 
M'veral  distinct  cimspicuous  white  or  buff  s]iots;  the  inner  widis  of  the  |)rimaries  and  liotli  webs 
of  the  secondaries  with  numerous  alternating  lighter  and  dtu'ker  b;iis  :   lining  of  wings  mostly 

yellowish-white.     Tail  like  the  .s( ndaries,    but  the  light   bars  mostly  ragired  or  di.ssijiated  in 

marbling.  Facial  disc  set  in  a  blackish  frame  nearly  all  around  ;  mostly  finely  mottled,  but 
the  lores  and  chin  usUiiUy  whitish,  immaculate.  Taking  white  as  the  ground  of  the  under 
parts,  this  is  coarsely  and  irreguhirly  blotched  and  streaked  with  thick  shaft-lines  giving  off 
numberle.xs  finer  curved  or  wavy  cro.ss-bars  ;  the  general  aspect  patchy;  the  markings  usually 
Wiinting  on  the  middle  of  the  belly.  Iris  yellow  ;  bill  livid  or  slate-gray,  pale  horn-color  lit 
tip  ;  claws  blackish.  From  this  stage  the  '  mottled  owl  '  passes  by  insensible  degrees,  through 
wood-brown,  hazel-brown,  and  tawny  into  the  '  red  owl.'  —  lied  or  rri/tlirisnuil  jihusr  :  Hri^iht 
rust-red,  sometimes  even  bronzed;  most  of  the  special  markim;s  dissipated  or  absorbed  in  the 
red,  continuous  and  uniform  tibove,  showint;  only  traces  if  any  of  the  black  shaft-stripes  ;  below, 
black  stripes  and  blotches  usually  preserved,  .lud  the  red  also  nii.\ed  with  much  white.  The 
dark  rim  of  the  disc,  and  white  sca|iular  stripes,  are  usually  preserved.  The  two  jdiases  are 
distinct  from  the  first  feathering.  Xestlinu's  are  covered  with  white  down.  The  first  feather- 
ing, in  the  normal  plia.se,  is  almost  everywhere  closely  and  regularly  barred  or  waved  cross- 
wiso  with  dark  gray  and  pale  gray  or  whitish.  Kastern  V.  S.  and  Canada,  \V.  to  the  Hocky 
Mts.,  on  the  confines  of  its  rsinge  sliadim;  into  the  several  varieties  noted  beyond  ;  resident,  and 
on  the  whole  the  most  abundant  owl.  iireeding  about  buildings  as  well  as  in  hollow  trees  or 
stumps,  and  feeding  on  small  ipiadrupeds,  as  mice  and  shrews,  small  birds,  and  insects  ;  nest  a 
slight  structure  in  the  hollow  selected  for  a  resident  ;  eggs  .5  or  <>,  white,  subspherical,  1.150  to 
I.IOX  1.15  to  l.'iO. 
400.  8.  ».  kennioot'tl.  (To  llidiert  Kennicott.)  Kkxxicott's  Schkkcii  Owi,.  The  larger 
northern  form.     Length  about  11.00;  wing  usually  7.00-7.50,  but  grading  down  in  sonic  cases 


60(5 


.V I'smMA  TIC  SYyorsi:s. — haptohes  —  stujges. 


t(t  (i.jO  ;  tail  ul»<tut  4.00.  In  tin-  fjray  jOimm',  vrry  similar  tu  xsw  ihoimt,  the  iij)j)Pr  parts  lioiiit; 
ill  tact  iiiilistini^iiislialilc,  liiit  the  markings  nt' the  iiiulcr  ])art.s  tiiicr,  iii<ii't>  regular  ami  ciiiniiiiiniis 
over  the  whnle  siirfaee  :  in  the  '  red'  phase  dusky  iiiiiher-ln'own,  ([iiite  unlike  the  hriyht  rusl- 
eoliir  ct'  ((,s/t».  This  state  was  liiiit;  suii|iipse(l  to  he  the  only  one,  and  eharaeteristie  of  the  hinl ; 
it  oeeiirs  ehielly  coastwise  and  far  north,  while  the  gray  piia.se,  only  distinguishalde  from  tiiat 
it\'  itsin  as  ahove  said,  seems  to  he  the  rule  in  the  l".  S.  In  size,  sonu"  New  Kiigland  siiecimeu;, 
are  fully  uji  to  the  average  of  kriinicolli.  West  and  Xorthwest  N.  Am.,  from  Malio  to  ."^ilka. 
40Ga.  S.  a.  heml'lrll.  (To  ('apt.  ('has.  JJendire.)  ('AUKoltM.V  ScitKIU  ll  Owi,.  No  red  jdiase 
known  to  oeenr.  Size  of  asio,  and  extremely  like  it,  difl'ering  ehietly  in  the  finer,  more 
mmierons  anil  continuous  cross-liars  of  the  under  parts,  which  cross  the  middle  of  the  lielly  as 
elsewhere;  the  shaft-stripes  al.so  a)ipear  less  blotchy.  It  is  thus  ijiiite  like  the  gray  phase  of 
hnniiviiiti,  hut  smaller.  The  plumicorns  are  8aid  to  lie  shoiler.  Coast  region  of  California, 
ciPiiiiMon.  I  have  yone  carefully  over  a  series  of  Sivps,  and  appreciate  the  jioiuts  lately  made 
hy  .Mr.  Mrew.ster  and  .Mr.  Hidgway.  If  tlie.se  tine  sliach's  are  to  he  recognized  by  name,  the 
|ireseiit  seems  entitled  to  he  named  with  the  rest. 

407.  S.  ».  iiiii.xwcriM'.  (To  Mrs.  .M.  A.  Maxwell,  of  lloiilder,  Colorado,  a  noted  huntress  and 
taxidermist.)  Ctii.uii.viio  ScitlCKCII  ()\\h.  Size  of  (o/o;  no  red  ))liase  <disevved  ;  hut,  on  the 
contrary,  the  whole  plumage  very  pale,  almost  as  if  bleached,  the  dill'ereiice  evident  in  nestlings 
even.  I'jiper  jiarts  pale  gray,  with  reduced  lilai'k  lines;  lower  whiter  with  reduced  dark  shaft- 
lines  and  cross-bars,  the  .scapular  bar  very  <'ouspicuous  ;  much  white  on  wing-coverts;  white 
spots  on  outer  webs  of  several  primaries  running  into  continuous  areas  only  indeiiti'd  with  small 
dark  spaces.     .Mountains  of  ('(dorado,  ami  <loubtless  adjoining  ones  ;  an  alpine  form. 

408.  S.  H.  iiiaeeurii.  (To  Col.  (ieo.  A.  McCall.)  Tk.XAN  StHEKni  (»\vi..  A  Kiiiall  sonthern 
form;  size  <>(  lltniildiiiix;  gray  and  red  phases,  as  in  tisiit  ]iroper.  Aery  similar  to  itsii>;  in 
tlie  gray  pha.se,  the  markings  of  the  under  parts  liner,  lirmer,  more  regular  and  coiitinuous,  the 
shaft-lines  strict,  not  blotchy,  the  cross-lines  sharp;  the  strijies  of  the  upper  parts  coar.se,  but 
reiriilar  and  the  nape  with  a  tendency  to  present  a  light  nuchal  collar.  'I'exas  and  southward, 
to  (iiiatemala  (.V.  mdiniUi  Ca.ss.,  iJS.il,  iS.'iS;  C<iiks,  \S'i-i\  S.  nsio  var.  ctuiiio  Lawk., 
Klixav..  Ilist.  N.  A.  H..  iii,  ls7t,  p.  48,  but  not  imurnUi,  ihid.,  p.  :>i.) 

400.  s.  a.  florida'iiiis.  (Of  Floriila.)  Fi.ohiha  Sciikkcii  (hvi..  .\  small  southern  form;  wing 
ri.,')(M'i.()() ;  tail  about  .'{.()().  Coloration  as  in  naio;  red  jiliase  frei|nent  if  not  the  usual  one;  in 
its  full  development,  the  ru.sty  makes  ([uite  tirm  broad  cross-bars  on  the  under  parts,  wliicli  in 
not  the  rule  in  <isin,  though  very  evident  in  s)ieciiuelis  from  .Southern  Illinois,  for  example, 
where  the  reil  is  by  far  the  most  fre(|uent  plumaije,      Florida,  and  adjoining  regions. 

"^TO.  s.  trieliop'ttls ?  ((Jr.  Bpt^,  r;iix'>s.  tlin'.i-,  Irichiis,  hair,  oyjfis,  iiiisi»,  aspect.)  An  alleged 
species,  or  a  subspecies  ii{  (isiit,  with  which  I  am  niiaci|uainted.  Described  as  having  the  bars 
of  the  lower  surface  tine,  nearer  together  than  in  nsio,  and  much  more  uniformly  distributed  ; 
the  general  aspect  being  paler  than  in  (isia,  with  miK-li  finer  vermiculatioiis  (IJidgway).  Cali- 
fornia, N<w  .Mexico,  and  southward.  (.'>'.  a.  mmrulli,  liiinav..  Ilist.  N.  A.  U.,  iii,  187  !•,  p.  ■")2  ; 
.V.  Iiirlioiisis,  UiiMiw.,  I'r.  r.  S.  Xiit.  Mils.,  1S78.  p.  lU;  but  whethi-r  <.f  \Va(1i.kh,  IS.'J^  0 

471.  8,  flaiiiiiie'ula.  (L.it.  fliiiiimioln,  here  signifyiiur  a  little  reddish  thing.)  Klam.MII.ATK.K 
StKI'.r.cil  (>wi,.  A  small  spt'cies,  with  much  the  general  aspect  of  an  nugrown  S.  asiu;  lint 
the  close  feathering  of  the  tarsiiH  stops  abruptly  at  the  bases  of  tlie  toes,  which  are  naked,  and 
the  plumicorns  are  i|uite  short.  Leiiuth  (i..")'l-7.0') ;  wing  .').i.'.")-.')..")0  ;  tail  i.l't  ;  tarsus  O.'.IO  ; 
eulmeii,  without  cere,  •)..'{.')  ;  middle  toe,  without  claw.  ((..'i.').  Adult  ^  9-  I''acial  disc,  soiiie- 
tiniPH  whole  head,  rusty-rufons,  or  light  chestnut,  speckled  with  black,  on  the  to]i  of  the  head 
also  with  white,  tending  to  form  a  superciliary  striiie.  (Jrouiid  of  under  pails  white,  but  heavily 
overlaid  with  sh.ift-stripes  or  blotches  of  black  giviiii.'  off  irregular  cross-waves,  on  the  breast 
tinged  with  rusty-rufous  here  and  there;  tarsi  while,  speckled  with  dusky.  I'ppiT  parts 
niiiuitely  dappled  with  dark  brown  and  hoary-gray,  anil  with  ragged  dark  shaft-i<tri|>CH  ;  u  cou- 


163. 


srmailt.E:   OTllLli   OWLS. 


607 


163. 


47a 


spii'urms  wliitish  sciqiiilar  bar,  as  in  .S'.  r/x/'j.  Tail  jiivc  liack.  Imt  with  miiiirrotis  narrow  aiid 
rairu't'il  crnss-liars  of  jiaic  riisiy  <ir  wiiiiisli.  'Winy-iinilis  '  liittcn  in"  nii  laitcr  wtl>s  wiili  wliin- 
<ir  liiiH',  ciinspicniinsiy  Hum  several  (iriniarics.  their  inner  wehs  with  reirular  hut  inirrow.  distant 

anil  weak  hars,  sfrenu'theninu,  Imwever,  tciward  the  hases  i>t"  the  s mdaries.     Ymnii;  Mrds. 

like  those  of  .S.  asin,  ti'iid  to  a  iniil'orni  eross-liarriiii.'  id'  tlie  whole  ]dninai:e,  hnt  esjie.-iailj  of 
the  under  parts,  with  li.i;ht  and  dark  :  the  top  of  tlie  head  is  finely  verniicuhited  in  this  manner  ; 
the  eliestnnt  first  appears  on  the  ear-eoverts  and  ahoni  the  eyes  :  hut  in  any  ndor-variation  this 
inlerestini;  little  Sio/if,  only  ahoiit  as  lartre  as  a  (iliiiin'iliiiHi,  is  nninistakalde. 
A'SIO.  (Lat.  «.s(((,  a  kind  of  horned  owl.)  K.\im;i>  ( >wi.s.  M.vusii  Owi.s.  Skull  and  ear- 
j)arts  more  or  less  unsyiiimetrical :  the  conidi  of  immense  si/e.  ahont  as  loni;  as  the  sknll  is  hii,'h, 
famished  with  a  niovalde  operculum  for  its  full  h  n;:th.  Kyi's  centrie  in  the  perlcv'tly  developed 
facial  ilisc.  I'lnmicorns  more  or  less  developed.  Nostrils  at  edije  of  the  cere,  which  is  some- 
what ilillated,  and  longer  than  the  chord  of  cidnien  heyond  it  ;  hill  rather  weak.  Winsrs  ahont 
twice  as  loii^'  as  tail,  pointt'il,  ;.'il  primary  usually  loni;est,  oidy  1  or  ;.>  ]irimaries  emariiinate  on 
ilMier  wehs.  Feet  closely  feathered  to  the  ends  of  the  toes.  Of  medium  bi/e  ;  our  species  IJ- 
11)  inches  loiii;,  Kmhracing  numerous  species,  and  nearly  <-osiuopolitan.  Our  lon^-eared  owl 
is  decidedly  different  from  that  of  Kiirope,  Asia  otxs,  hut  the  short-eared  has  not  been  sati!>fac- 
torily  distinguished  from  the  almost  co.smojiolitau  .1.  iKvipilriiius. 

.■Innh/Hii*  nf  Sjwrii'f. 

riiniiii'ornH  Inii);,  inaiiy-fcntlicrcil  (^nj'i  liroinTi inVnoHidnHji  4T2 

riiuiilriiriiH  dlinrl,  frw-fwitlicroil  (//iiii7(;/ii/i(») iicrijiilriiir.H    473 

A.  wilsoiiia'iiiisi.  (To  A.  Wilson.  Fii;.  .")(i.  i  A.mkhhax  Lono-kauki)  Owi..  Kar-tnftscoii- 
fipicuiais,  about  as  loni;  as  middle  toe  andtdaw,  of  S-l-i  feathers.  First  jnimary  only  emarjii- 
intte  on  imier  W(d).  I'pper  parts  brownish-black,  miiuilely  mottled  with  j;rayi.*h-white,  and 
variegated  with  the  tawny  of  basal  jiortions  of  the  feathers  which  comes  to  the  surface  liere 
and  there;  the  general  effect  dark,  ipiite  ilitferent  from  the  tawny  streakini;  of  A.  iitiis  of 
Kurope.  I'mler  jiarts  coufu.seil  blatdiish-brown,  ;.'rayish-white  and  tawny:  on  the  breast 
marbled  in  larire  pattern,  for  the  rest  with  dusky  shaft-lines  throwiiiK  off  dusky  cross-bars 
(several  on  each  feather)  on  a  whitish  >.'ronnd,  and  the  tawny  bases  of  the  feathers  sliowinif 
more  or  less :  feet  and  crissuni  mostly  imnuicidate,  tawny  or  whitish.  (Quills  bhudiish-brown. 
rej{ularly  barred  with  mottled  >{ray,  niul  towards  their  bases  with  tawny,  which  latter  forms  a 
couspicuous  area  on  the  outer  wehs  of  several  jirimaries.  Linintr  of  wintrs  tawny,  separated 
by  a  dusky  area  from  the  similar  bases  of  the  inner  webs  of  the  primaries,  'fail  like  the 
secouilaries,  dusky  with  ^ray  marbled  bars,  and  more  or  less  tawny  towards  the  ba.se  ;  but  from 
below  presentin;;  <|nite  lit,'ht,  with  numerous  firm  narrow  dusky  hars.  Facial  disc  mostly 
tawny,  franu'd  all  around  in  a  hlacUish  border  speckled  with  whitish,  and  more  or  less  Idaid;- 
cned  about  the  eye;  usually  a  whitish  superciliary  line;  bristles  at  base  of  bill  mixed  whitish 

and  blackish  ;  plnml is-ldackish,  basally  tawny,  edu'i'il  on  one  siih'  with  whitish.     Hill  and 

claws  Idackish  ;  iris  yellow.  Leni;th  li.(Ml-lC..(M) ;  extent  about  :tll.(K);  winij  1  l.dit  1-i.OU  ; 
fail  .■)..")IM1..)0;  tarsus  I. :?.'">- 1.. '>() ;  ehonl  of  whole  enlmeii  about  1.0(1.  Less  variable  than 
many  owls,  and  always  easy  to  ncoimize.  N.  Am.  at  laru'e.  common  and  iri'uerally  dis- 
tributed, resident  ;  perfectly  nocturnal,  and  thus  screened  from  casual  idiservation.  even  where 
it  is  numerous,  but  often  surprised  in  the  daytime  in  shadv  resorts,  as  thick  bushes  aloni: 
iitreams,  caffons,  caves,  etc.  Nestinir  various,  in  a  hidlow  tree  or  stniu]),  rift  of  rock,  on  the 
^rouinl,  or  in  (h'serted  lu'sfs  of  other  birds,  as  hawks,  prows,  magpies,  or  even  herons  ;  usually 
constructed  with  little  art,  as  when  in  a  hollow  or  on  the  irronnd,  sometimes  better  built  in 
branches  of  a  thick  tree.  Food  small  <piailrupeds,  birds,  and  iusects.  Kiru's  white,  snb>ipherical, 
I..'i0  to  1.(10  X  l..'«)  to  1.40. 
113.  A.  arrlpltrl'iiiiH.  (Laf.  rtrri7)i7riHH,i,  hawk-like.  Fip.  H.').').)  Siioiir-F.AiiKit  Owi,.  Maiish 
Owl.     Far-tufts  ineouspicu<Mis,  much  shorter  than  middle  toe  und  tdaw,  few-feathered.     First 


fiOH 


SYSTh.UAJlC   SY.\<)J'SIS.  -  UAVTOUES  -SrUKiKS. 


:  ±1. 


i    I, 


anil  id  immiirios  ciiiar^iiiati-  mi  iiinor  wclis.     Above,  coiiiplctfly  viiri('i;!itc(l,  cliicHy  in  streaks, 
with  fnlvoUH  or  tawny,  and  dark  brown  ;  breast  much  the  same,  imt  other  nmler  parts  paler 

oelirey,  usually  bleaehing  on  the 
belly,  whieh  is  sparsely  but  sliarply 
streaked  (never  barred)  with  dark 
brown:  feet  pale  tawny  or  whilisli. 
usually  Immai-ulate;  llnint;  <if  \vinu;> 
interruptedly  whitish.  \Viiii.'-<piills 
varied,  mostly  in  lari{e  pattern,  and 
tail  pretty  ret^nlarly  barred  (about  .') 
bars)  with  the  two  colors  of  the 
U](per  parts.  Facial  area  while  or 
nearly  so,  but  with  a  larue  bhi<'k  eye- 
patch  ;  tlie  disc  minutely  spiM-khd 
with  fulvou.s  and  blackish,  bordered 
with  white  internally  and  usually 
liaviuL,'  a  blackish  patch  behind  the 
ear  :  radiating  feathers  of  the  oper- 
culum streaked  with  blackish  and 
fidvous.  Iris  briiriit  yellow  :  hill 
and  claws  dusky-bluish  :  the  naked 
t;rauular  soles  yellowish.  The  ear- 
openillj;  of  this  species  is  extliniely 
lar^e,  bein;;  two  inches  or  more 
Jicross  the  longest  way.  Lenirth  of  a 
(J  I4.."jO;  extent4l.(i0;  winjr  l;j.(it): 
tail  fi.(ll):  tarsus  to  end  of  miildle 
claw   .S. .")();    chord   of  culmeii,    cere 

iniduded,  1.1:2;    ?>  averaiiinju'  hn-;!!- 

Fio.  a-W.  —  .Sliiirt-furcil  Uwl.r.'iluccd.   (Sliepiuird  del.    NleluiUw.)     .1  »        1    1     1    .     v     t  .1 

'     than  (f.      Inliaoits  N.  .\m.  at  larije, 

and  most  other  parts  of  the  world.  It  a|ip(>ars  to  be  somewhat  migratory  with  us,  and  is 
Hometimt'S  .seen  in  considerable  tiiH-ks,  especially  in  marshy  places,  which  are  its  favorite 
hnntin^-irrounds  for  the  small  (|uadru|ieds  and  other  animals  upon  which  it  preys.  It  is  a 
jrreat  destroy  of  shrews  and  lield-niice,  deservini;  on  this  account  to  be  protected  in  the 
interests  of  i\^  'ultiire.  The  nest  is  coiiunoidy  built  on  the  ^round,  sometimes  in  an  under- 
ground burrow,  cousistinu  of  a  little  hay  and  leathers:  the  ciius  ari'  4-7  in  number,  dull  white, 
roundish,  about  1. .").'>  X  l.'^').  This  owl  breeds  inditleri'iitly  in  any  latitude,  and  is  one  of  tho.se 
fre(|uently  abroad  in  the  daytime. 
164.  STKIX.  (Cr.  (TT/iiyf,  slrii/.i;  l.at.  Klri.r,  a  screech-owl.)  (ilt.w  «twi,.s.  Uihiwn  Owi.s. 
\V(ioi>  t)\vi..><.  i^kiill  and  ear-parts  more  or  less  iinsynimi'trical,  the  latter  lartre,  furnished 
with  a  iiioilerate  operculum  .scnrcely  reachint:  the  whole  leiifilh  of  the  openini;.  Mead  very 
larfie,  ap]ieariiiK  as  broad  as  the  body,  and  perfectly  smooth,  there  bciiifj  no  pliimicorns  :  facial 
disc  complet*'  and  of  ^rreat  extent,  the  comparatively  small  eyes  centric  in  the  radiating  H-athers. 
Nostril  in  edye  of  cere,  which  is  shorter  than  rest  of  ciilmen.  Mill  yellow;  iris  yellow  or 
black.  Tail  very  lonj;.  jj  to  ■[  as  loiiu'  as  the  wili«;s.  Wiuu'*  much  rounded  :  1-  to  (i  prinuirieH 
Hiniiiite  on  inner  webs;  1st  (plite  short.  Feiith(Tilij;  of  feet  variable;  tarsus  always  fi'alhered, 
but  toes  whidly  or  ]iartly  feathered,  or  naked.  A  laru'e  yciiiis  of  •earless'  owls,  chielly  of  the 
iiiirthern  hemisphere,  of  medium  to  very  larirest  size.  North  Ami'rii'a  has  at  least  three  per- 
fectly distinct  sjiecies  ;  the  commonest  one  of  these,  H.  nebuUtsii.  lepresents  the  Kiiro|M'an 
tawny  ow),  S.  tihico. 


ill. 


iTrt. 


SmjaHKK:    OTllHli   OWI.S. 


fi08 


AuiihjfiA  lit'  Sjtrrifs, 

Uiiiler  parts  strcnkpil  on  tlir  lircMt,  olnewlicri"  liiirrt-"!.    Iris  yellow.    Six  niillls  Kinnate. 

Of  limiiciiso  njzi';  length  ■-' ffcl  iir  iiiiirr  :  liH-»  cluiiwiy  foalliiii'il.    Nurlln'iii cinrrra    V\ 

L'liilcr  pnrtM  liarrol  dm  tliu  bri'iint.  rlM-uliuruatreal<i'<l.     Iri>  lilai  k.     I'ivi'  i|iiilli>  Hiiiiiulo. 

Of  IlKXlilllll  Hi7.l' :    IvIIKtiMllHIIII   1)  ft'L't. 

Ti>c»  fully  fuiitlioii'il.    KiihUtii mliiilDtn  \;f, 

TocK  iiiniitly  iiikkml.     Kli>riila •illmi  477 

Uiiilcr  purls  liarroil  evorywlierc.     Irlit  Muck.     Klv«  i|uillH  iiliiiiiktit. 

Ofiiit'iliiiiii  hI/.o:  tiK's  fully  fcatlierol.     Western luiiihulnliH  471 

471,  S.  J'liio'rea.  (Lat.  </»i<rtvi,  iisliy.)  GitKAT  (Jlt.vv  ( Iwi,.  Si'iu  TUAl,  <  >wi..  Fret  fuiiiplttcly 
ffiitliiTc'tl  t<i  tlic  claws  ;  liill  and  ryes  yt'llow:  tl  iiriiiiarics  cut  mi  inner  wclis.  Kntii'i' ii|i|M'r 
parts  (larU  bmwn,  niuttlcd  witli  ^'rayisli-wliiti'  in  cniit'iisi'il  anil  intricate  jiattcin,  rcdiicililr  in 
giMicral  to  (li8si|iatiiiii  of  liars.  Wiii^s  and  tail  similar,  lirokrii-liarrcd  with  grayisli-whito 
niarlilinK.  I'lulcr  parts  of  the  same  dark  limwn  and  |iali'  ^ray,  the  pattern  in  streaks  on  the 
lireast,  in  cripss-harsmi  the  lielly  and  Hanks,  in  spnts  nn  the  feet.  The  trreal  facial  disc  watered 
with  dark  brnwn  and  lii;hl  yray  in  rei;ular  rintfs  euucentric  with  each  eye,  the  niitennnst  ring 

dark  hrown,  and  str<>ni;er  than  the  rest,  Imunded  lielow  with  a  ragged  whit illar.      Leniflli 

2  feet  iir  mure;  e.xleiit  alimit  .")  feet;  wiiiju'  Ki.OO-lS.IM)  inclies  :  tail  I  l.l)((-l:i..j(l  ;  ciihiieii 
1.00  witlKHit  cere.  .\li  iniiiieii.se  iiwl,  one  of  the  larirest  <if  all,  inhaliitint;  .Victic  America, 
straying  irreirnli.Jy  s  >uth  into  the  U.  S.  in  winter,  even  to  New  Jersey.  Illinois,  and  California ; 
said  to  he  common  from  mir  northern  liorder  northward,  and  perhaps  resident  in  Northern  New 
Kiigland.  Nest  in  trees,  of  sticks,  mosses,  and  feathers  ;  eggs  usually  ;}  or  4,  not  ei|iial-ended 
and  rather  small  for  the  hird.  2.2."i  X  \.W.  hike  others  of  the  ueiiiis  it  is  a  wood  owl  :  while 
its  |irowe.ss  enaldes  it  to  prey  upon  creatures  tip  to  the  size  of  grouse  and  hares. 

•n."!.  S.  €'.  Iiippo'iiicii.  iLat.  /'i/<;«i»i/r(i,  of  Lapland.  I  LaI"  Owi,.  Specimens  from  .\laska.  liuhter 
colored  than  ordinary,  have  been  referred  to  the  Kiiropean  rather  than  the  American  variety. 

ITrt.  H.  iii>liiilo'im.  (Lat.  iM''*i(/().«(,  cloiiih'd.  Tii:.  S.'iCi.)  Makkkii  Owi,.  Ilmir  Uwi..  .Vmkiih  an 
Wood  Owl.  Toes  fully  feathered,  nearly  or  <|iiite  to  the  claws,  which  are  lilackisli  ;  hill 
yellow;  iris  Mack.  Of  medium  si/e  in  the  genus:  length 
|S.(iO-20.00:  extent  alK.iit  14.00;  wing  I2..'j0-l:{..')0.  rounded; 
tail  '.(.00-10.0<),  rounded.  Murkimis  of  hack  and  Iireast  in 
cross-hars,  of  helly  in  lengthwise  stripes.  Ahove,  imiher- 
lii'own  or  liver -color,  everywhere  liarred  with  white  or  tawny, 
or  lioth  ;  lireast  the  same  ;  on  the  lielly  the  pattern  chanuiiur 
alirnptly  to  heavy  dusky  shaft-stripes  on  a  while  or  tawny 
ground  ;  crissiim  the  same  ;  t'eet  speckled  with  dusky  :  wiuu:s 
anil  tail  like  the  hack  or  rather  darker,  regularly  liarred  with 
gray,  liijht  hrown  or  tawny,  some  of  the  liars  usually  making 
white  spots  iit  their  ends,  and  the  marking  of  the  wing-coveits  I'"io.  .Vit!.  —  narrvil  owl,  rfMliuTfl, 
rather  in  spots  than  hars.  Lining  of  wiims  tawny,  with  some  dusky  spotting.  Facial  disc 
8ut  ill  a  frame  of  Idaek  and  white  specks,  with  Idackened  eye  lids,  and  oliscurely  watered 
with  lighter  and  darker  colors  in  rinu's  around  the  eye  as  a  centre,  the  bristly  feathers  alioiit 
the  hill  mixed  hlack  and  white,  or  white  at  base,  Idackened  terminally.  .\  iiotaldy  large  and 
Homewhut  iinpivssive  owl  of  Ka.stern  N.  Am.,  roiiiiiuin  in  wiHidland  of  the  I'.  S..  es]iecially 
southerly  ;  not  known  to  ramre  much  north  of  the  I'.  S..  though  occurrini;  in  parts  of  Canada, 
and  not  reported  from  the  West,  where  apparently  replaced  liy  .S'.  oniilniliilis.  It  is  the  coui- 
iiionest  '  hooting'  owl,  the  strange  oiitliursts  of  midnight  discord  which  one  may  hear  .iliout  the 
farm-house  or  camp-tiro  priM-eedini;  oftener  from  this  s)iecies  than  from  tlie  u'reat  horned  owl  ; 
and  it  is  strong  enoui;h  to  prey  njMin  poultry,  <|uail,  rahhits  and  si|uiri-els,  as  well  as  hiimhlir 
jjame.  Nest  in  a  hollow  tri'e,  or  a  deserted  huwk'H  or  crowV  iieHt ;  eggs  laid  early  in  spring, 
white,  siilis)iherical,  about  ;.M)0  X  l.7'>. 


;■)!() 


SYS'j.t:MA  TIC  si'yopsjs.  —  lurroiiKs—  snaai-js. 


477.  S.  n.  al'leni.  (To  J.  A.  Alloii.)  Fi.oitinA  n.\nuKi>  OwL.  T/ik«'  .S".  iwlnilosn  nrop<T,  but 
ti'i's  nliiiiist  ciitin'l.V  uakcil.  Tlic  ti'itlluTiiif;  »(  tin-  tarsii.s  stcijis  at  tlic  rinit!<  of  the  tncs  aliimst 
as  al)ru]itlv  as  it  ilocs  in  Scoj)!<  jUimmeoUi,  in  I'niiiparisdU  with  H.  <isii>,  tii(Hii;li  a  sii^Jit  stiip  of 
bristly  t'catlicrs  nius  almij;  tlu'  oiitsiilc  of  tlic  iniilillc  toe.  The  barriiit;  of  tlie  hrcasi  sceiiis 
to  be  lieavier,  on  an  averap'.     Fhii'iila  ;  a  local  raci-. 

478.  S.  oeciileiitu'lls.  (Lat.  ovcideiitdlis,  western.)  Wksti.KN'  nAliKKi)  (»\\I,.  Toes  feathered  as 
in  iS'.  iii'biiliisa.  DeeiiU'illy  sniaUer  than  that  species,  and  otherwise  readily  distint^uished. 
fJronnd-color  of  npiMT  ]»arts  much  the  same,  but  the  barring  broken  up  into  spotting,  for  the 
most  part  ;  on  the  back  and  wing-coveils  resulting  in  irregular  variegation,  on  the  head  making 
small  round  white  spots.  Wings,  tail,  and  facial  tlisk  much  as  in  .S'.  iicliiildsii.  I'nder  jiarts 
(piite  dirterent,  the  markings  being  in  bars  everywhere,  with  little  ditterence  in  |)attern  between 
the  belly  and  the  breast.  The  latter  is  closely  and  regularly  barred  with  brown  and  white,  as 
in  S.  iwlmldKii,  and  if  the  barring  is  at  all  ditt'erent  on  the  belly,  it  is  from  separation  of  the 
white  bars  into  jiairs  of  spots,  in  any  event  very  ditt'erent  in  appearance  from  the  firm  length- 
wise stripes  of  S.  whiilosii.  The  ditterence  between  the  two  sjiecies  in  this  regard  is  comparable 
to  that  between  the  long-  and  short-eared  owls.  The  lining  of  the  wintrs  is  fully  spotted  with 
dusky  on  a  tawny  ground.  The  general  brown  color  of  the  bird  is  on  the  wlnde  warmer  than 
that  of  S.  tiehnhsa.  Length  about  Ul.OO  :  wing  li.Ol)-l:{.(K) ;  tail  S.OU-'J.OO.  Western  V.  S., 
southerly;  a  very  distinct  sjiecies,  apparently  replacing  the  barred  owl,  common  in  parts  of 
California,  Arizona,  and  New  Mexico.     Kgg  i.OO  X  1.7'>,  yellowish-white,  granular. 

165.  NYt'TKA.  (tJr.  v\,KTiis,  iiukteiin,  Lat.  ni/cteus, 
nocturnal.)  Sxow  Owi.s.  Much  the  same  gen- 
eric characters  i\n  Bubo,  which  see;  but  plundcorns 
rudimentary,  and  geiu'rally  considered  wantint;; 
facial  tlise  ipiite  incomplete,  and  eyes  not  centric 
to  it;  bill  nearly  bin-ied  in  the  frontal  feathers; 
feet  densely  clothed  in  long  shaggy  feathers  which 
even  hide  the  claws  ;  four  outer  (piills  eniarginate 
on  inner  webs;  imder  tail-coverts  reaching  end  of 
tail,  which  is  rounded,  and  rather  more  than  i  as 
long  as  the  wing.  One  circumpolar  species  of 
great  size,  and  mostly  white  color;  young  covered 
with  sooty  down. 

479.  N.  seanilia'ra.  (Lat.  scamliaca,  of  Scandinavia. 
Fig.  .S.)7.)  SxowY  Owl.  Pin-e  white,  spotted 
and  barred  with  brownish-black  markings,  wholly 
indetermiiuite  in  size  an<l  innnber;  but  entirely 
white  specimens  are  very  rare.  There  is  often 
more  blackish  than  white ;  and  in  the  darkest 
birds,  the  markings  tenil  to  l>ar  the  pbnnage  with 
rows  of  simts,  such  pattern  specially  evident  on  the 
wings  and  tail.  A  common  average  jilinnage  is  Kiu.  ;k);.- snowy  owl,  rcdiicc.l.  (FromTcnney, 
si)ott<'d  all  over  the  upper  parts,  broken -barred  on     after  AmlulKjn,) 

the  ipiills  and  tail-feathers,  regularly  barred  on  the  under  parts,  and  with  white  face  and  paws. 
The  face,  throat,  and  feet  are  usually  whitest.  Hill  and  claws  Idack ;  iris  yellow.  Nearly  or 
about  two  feet  bmg;  extent  4.."»f)-.').00  feet ;  wing  1(1.00-1^.00  inches  :  tail  !).00-l 0.00;  culinen 
1.10  without  cen-;  tarsus  2.00:  middle  ttM'  without  daw  1.35.  This  remarkabli"  owl,  conspic- 
uous in  size  and  color,  abounds  in  the  boreal  regions  of  both  hemispheres,  whence  it  counts 
southward  irregularly  in  winter.  sonietim<>s  raiding  in  large  numbers.  With  us,  it  is  of  every 
winter  occurrence  in  the  Xortheru  uud  Middle  S 


mo. 


pi 


ling 


ray 


the 


STlilall).E:    uniElt   OWLfi. 


611 


but 


Carolinus  mid  Texas ;  thorp  briiifi  no  part  of  tlie  U.  8.  when-  it  may  not  appoar  at  that  scaMHi. 
It  is  far  from  hcing  cxcliisivfly  noctin'iiMl,  ami  limits  abroad  in  tlir  (lay-tiiiir  as  rt'ailiiy  as  any 
liawk.      It  has  never  been  ascertained  to  breed  in  tiie  V .  S.,  tliougb  it  prohaiily  dues   so  in 
Maine,  as  is  certainly  the  case  little  further  north.     It  is  capable  of  endin'ini;  I  lie  rii;nrs  df 
Arctic  winters.     The  nest  is  usnally  upon  the  ^'I'omid  or  rocks;  the  ei,'i;s  are  .')  to  lo,  laid  at 
intervals  (as  is  the  <'ase  with  various  other  owls),  so  that  the  nest  may  Mintain  fresh  and  incu- 
bated e;;i;s  and  yomij;  birds  at  once:  they  are  ei|ual-ended.  about  i.'ii)  X  1  •'•">■      Tbe  bird  prey.s 
upon  grouse,   ptarmigan,   hares,   and  siimller  t;anie,  especially  the  ticld-mice  and  leniniinuH 
which  swarm  in  the  Arctic  regions. 
168.    8ri{'NIA.     (Ktym.  of  Siiniiii  or  Si/rniiim  unknown.)     Hawk  Owi.s.     .skull  and  lar-parts 
much  as  in  Bitho  or  Xi/ctva;  latter  non-ojierculate,  the  openiut;  of  sniall  size  ;  facial  dis<'  very 
little  devehiped,  and  eyes  not  centric  to  it;  no  plumicorns.     Wings  foldint;  far  short  of  end  of 
tail;  third  jtrimary  longest;  first  4  emargiuate  on  inner  webs.     Tail  remarkably  lontr,  little 
shorter  than  the  wing,  much  graduated,  with  lancecdate  feathers.      Feet  thickly  and  completely 
feathered  to  the  claws;  tarsus  S(!arcely  or  not  lonyer  than  middle  to<'.     Of  medium  size,  with  a 
peculiarly  neat  and  dressy  appear;ince,  for  an  owl,  the  wliidir  plumage  being  more  strict  than  in 
other  members  of  this  family.     There  is  but  one  species,  common  to  northern  portions  nf  hotli 
hemispheres,  as  hawk-like  in  habits  as  in  mien,  though  unmistakably  an  owl. 
4H0.   8.  fiine'rea.     (I.at.  finirmi,  funereal.     Kig.  -i'tS.)     Amkkk  AN   Hawk  Owl.     Dav  (>wi,. 
Itill  and  eyes  y»dlow ;  claws  brownish-black.     I'liper  parts  bistre-brown,  darkest  and  aluautt 
blackish   on  the  head,   where  jirofusely 
s]iotted  with  small  round  white  marks, 
to  which  succeeds  a  niudial  interval  h'ss 
spotted  or  free  from  spots,  then  an  area 
of  larger  and  lengthened  spots  ;  scapulars 
l)rofiisely  spotted   with   white   in    large 
])attern,  forming  a  scapular  bar   as   in 
Sfit2>.i;    back  and  wiug-ctiverts  more  or 
less  spotted  with  white  also ;   primaries 
and  seconclaries  with  white  s^tots  in  pairs 
on  opposite  edges  of  the  feathers.     Tail 
bridicn-barred  with  white  or  jtale  gray, 
usinilly  narrowly  aud  distinctly,  on  one 
or  both  welis,  and  tip|ied  with  the  same; 
but  there  is  great  individual  variatiiui  in 
this  respect,  as  may  also  he  said  of  the 
amount  and  character  of  the  spottitig  of 
the   whole    upper   parts.      I'lider    parts 
from  the  breast  backward,  including  the 
crissnm,    (dosely    and    regularly    cross- 
barred  with  rich  reddish-brown,  or  even 
reddish-black,  upon  a  white  ground,  the 
alternating    bars    of    color    usnally    of 
about  e(pial  widths  —  if  auythiiu;,  the 

white  the  broade.sit.  The  linimr  of  the  Fio.  358.  —  Hiiwlc  Owl,  ri-<l»cc<l.  (Sliepimnl  del.  NkliolitwM 
wings  shares  the  same  character,  but  is  more  si>ntty  :  the  paws  are  mottled  with  brown  and 
whitish,  in  different  pattern.  On  the  '.reast  the  regular  barrinj;  gives  way,  the  tendem-y  beinu' 
to  form  a  dark  |iectoral  band  on  a  white  or  spotted  groiiml,  but  this  disposition  is  seldom  per- 
fected. Facial  disc  mostly  whitish,  bounded  by  a  conspicuous  blackish  crescent  behind  the 
car.     When  the  dark  nuchal  ctdlar  is  perfected,  a  second  bar  curves  down  behind  the  first  on 


;')l:i 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  HA  VTORES  —  STRIGES. 


the  sitlo  of  the  mrk,  »qmnit<'(l  by  a  wliili.sli  interval;  tlic  cdjifOH  of  tlu'  eyoliilH,  iiiuiiy  (d"  ilif 
lnral  lii'i.stli's,  a  liiir  just  in  front  nt'  tin*  v\v,  and  a  <-)iin-Hpiit,  arc  bla<'k  nr  dnsky  ;  the  iiiwrr 
jiart  nt'  tiic  ilisc  liclow  the  cars  lia.s  also  dusky  streaks.  Tlif  cxiiiiscd  part  nl'  the  l)ill  is  l)rinlil 
yellow,  as  wiid,  Itiit  most  of  that  hidden  Ity  tlie  ItristlcH  is  of  a  dark  livid  cidor.  However  vari- 
able in  detail,  the  markings  of  this  species  are  unmistakable  ;  those  about  the  head  are  better 
defined  than  in  most  owls,  and  i|nite  peculiar.  Leii^rth  l.i.UI);  extent  HM.UO ;  win^  about 
9.00;  tail  about  7.00;  tarsus,  or  middle  toe  without  claw,  1.00  or  less;  culmen  without  cere 
0.75.  A  handsome  and  s|iirited  owl,  abuialant  in  northern  portions  of  N.  Am.,  S.  into 
northern  V .  S.  in  winter,  frequently  and  rej,'ularly  :  ajipareutly  resident  in  Maine.  I/ike  the 
snowy  owl,  it  endures  the  ripirs  of  Arctic  winters.  Nest  usually  in  trees,  sometimes  on  rocks 
or  stumps,  of  sticks,  mosses,  fjra.s.ses,  and  feathers;  e^ns  1-7,  April.  May,  about  1. .'>.")  X  \-'i'i, 
whitish.  The  food  of  this  sjiecies  seems  to  be  chielly  tield-mice  and  other  small  rodents, 
hawked  for  in  broad  daylight,  this  owl  bein^  ajiparently  the  least  noctm-nal  of  its  tribe. 
4NI.  S.  f.  ll'Iulu.  (Lat.  h/i////.  a  screech  owl.)  KfUopKAN  Hawk  Dwl.  Lifjhter-colored  speci- 
mens from  Alaska  have  been  considered  to  represent  this  variety,  just  as  darker-colored  ones, 
froMi  the  Itritish  Islaniis,  have  been  referred  to  the  ])recedin^  variety. 
167.  NVC'TALA.  ((ir.  vvieraKoi,  iiiikldlos,  slee))y.)  .Saw-wmkt  Owi.s.  Skull  and  ear-parts 
highly  unsynnnetrical,  the  latter  of  trreat  size,  and  fully  opercidate.  Head  very  larp'  (as  in 
SIri.i),  without  jilundcorns  ;  facial  tlisc  complete,  with  centric  eye.  Nostril  at  edt;e  of  the  cere, 
which  is  inflated  or  not.  Tail  from  i  to  i  as  lon^  as  the  wint;,  rounded.  Third  anti  Itli  primaries 
longest ;  1st  (piit<-  short ;  2  or  it  emar^iinite  on  inner  webs.  Feet  thickly  and  clo.sely  feathered 
to  the  claws.  In  this  interestint;  f;enus  the  ear-)>arts  are  of  yri'at  si/.e,  and  reach  the  extreme 
of  asymmetry,  the  whole  skull  seeming  mi.sshapen.  Three  species  are  known,  all  of  snuill 
size;  one  of  circumpcdar  distribution,  one  peculiar  to  N.  Am.,  tln'  third  of  unknown  habitat, 
]iro)iably  American.  They  are  notable  for  the  umisual  ilecree  of  difference  between  olil  and 
younu  :  and  oiu'  species  are  readily  distin^'uishetl  by  stroiijjer  characters  than  are  ordinarily  founil 
between  cougeiu'ric  owls.  The  adults  are  umber  or  chocolate-brown  above,  spotted  with  wliite, 
belciw   whiti',   striped  with   brown;  the    youni;  more    uniform.      Eyes    yellow;    bill    black    or 

yellow. 

.  tniitifHtii  iij'  S/H't'h'H. 

I.ari;ur:    wlni;  iiIhiiiI   T.ini;  tnil   4..'i(l.     Hill   yellow;    ccri'  iiiit   lumld;   iiiiHtrllH  prcgcntiii);  lutrnilly,  unci 

"liliiliiely  (iviil.     Anili' rivhiinhnui    4S'.' 

Siniillor:  wliii:  .'i  fill;  tail  2.)iT      Hill  bliick  ;  cvro  tumid ;  nnHtrlls  proiieiitiiiK  iiiitLTinrly,  mid  ulH>ut  ciniiliir. 

I'.  S iiiiiilirtt    483 

<IN*i.  N.  teiiK'malnil  rleli'Hrilsuni.  (To  1*.  <i.  Tengmalm,  and  .1.  llicliardson.)  Aitiric  A.MI-.U1(  AN 
SAW-wiif.T  Owl,.  Adiill :  I'jiper  parts.  iu<-ludin^  winus  ami  tail,  uniform  clmci  ate-brown. 
spotteil  with  white  :  on  the  to|i  of  the  head  the  spots  small  and  iirofuse,  on  the  nape  larger  and 
bh'Uih'd  into  a  nudial  collar,  on  the  back  and  winu-coverts  larp'  and  spar.se,  but  tending  to 
form  a  scapular  bar,  on  thi'  win>;-i|uills  and  tail-feathers  in  )iairs,  at  the  opposite  edj;es  of  the 
welis,  on  the  inner  webs  lartrer,  nmre  like  bars,  and  more  or  less  run  together,  especially  on 
the  inner  secondaries.  I'nder  parts  white,  thickly  and  confusedly  streaked  lengthwise  with  the 
color  of  the  bai'k.  Facial  disc  mostly  white,  but  with  bhn-kish  eyelids  anil  loral  spnt,  set  in  a 
frame  of  dark  brown  s)ieckleil  with  white.  'I'he  ceneral  tone  of  the  brown  of  this  sjiecies  is 
oftenest  ruddy,  nearly  as  in  X.  iKiiilicii,  but  sometiiries  dark  and  pure.  Ytnituj  not  .seen  by  me  ; 
said  to  differ  from  the  adult  much  as  .V.  mivliiii  does.  Lenu'th  11.00^-12.00;  extent  21.00; 
wini:  7.00;  tail    f..'iO;  tarsus   1.00;  middle  toe  without  claw  0.(17  ;  culmen  without  citc  0.(10. 

Said  to  be  distinuuislnd  from  the  F-uropeai ns|M'cie«  (H>;.  ."J.")',!)  by  its  darker  coloration,  iM-hrey 

feet  spotted  with  brown  instead  of  beinu  nearly  immaculate  white,  and  more  heavily  streaked 
miller  tail-coverts.  This  line  species  inhabits  the  Arctic  retrioiis,  beinir  seldom  seen  in  the 
V.  S.,  where  only  known  in  winter  and  not  further  south  than  New  Knulanil,  Wisconsin, 
Northern  Ohio,  and  Oreuon  ;  thoujili  it  is  ]iro1>ubly  resident  in  Northern  Maine,  like  tlio  snowy 


483.    1 


STItiailfJ::    OTIIEIi   OWLS. 


618 


mill  liawk  (iwls.  Tho  iipst  Is  said  tn  In*  Imill  in  a  tree  ;  tlic  egj^s  aro  variously  stated  to  Iw  from 
2  to  ft  in  nuiiibt'r;  Mi/«  1.25  X  \M'i, 
483.  N.  apn'ilica.  (Lat.  luiidivn,  of  Acmliii.)  AcAiHAN  f)\vi,.  Saw-whet  Owi,.  Aiiiilf  : 
Tpper  parts,  iiicliuliiii;  wiiiys  ami  tMil.  vrry  siiiiiliir  to  tlios<!  of  llic  lust  sprcics,  Imt  tiie  |L;roiiiui 
usually  a  riiilclicr  brown,  tlir  spottinu  less  rx-imsivo,  tli<>  inariis  on  tint  top  of  tlu>  head  ]M>ucill<Ml 
ill  (h'licafo  sliaft-lincs  instead  of  rcmnd  spots,  tlmsf  of  liic  wintrs  and  tail  exactly  as  in  A.  rklt- 
tmlsoui.  I'lider  |)arts  wliite,  ditl'iisely  streaked  or  dappleii  w  itii  a  pecniiar  liu'lit  l>rowii,  almost 
l>inkish-l»rowii.  Feet  iinmaculate  wliilisli,  liiipMl  willi  Itiitf.  Facial  disc  mostly  white,  but 
blackened  immediately  about  tlie  eye  and  on  tlic  loral  1>ristles,  and  pencilled  witli  dusky  on 
the  aiiriciilars;  set  in  a  frame  of  tlie  <-o|or  of  tiie  back,  touched  witli  white  points  behind  the 


.■^^a:fV'^^^:^ 


Fifi.  Xi'X  —  I'liinT,  Ti'iiKiimlm's  Kiiropviiii  Siiw-wlict  Owl,  very  uour  No.  4Bi.    Lowur  Kiiru|>ouii  Spurruw  Owl, 
ronnililiiiK  No.  4»tl.    Ilotli  J  nat.  »ir.v.    (Kroiii  liruliiii.) 

ear;  this  frame  distinct  on  tlie  tliroat  wlicre  it  separates  the  white  of  the  disc  from  a  wliite 
Juijular  collar,  before  the  pectoral  streaks  bei;in.  liill  l)liick  ;  claws  dark  ;  I'yes  yellow.  Yitinii/ 
i|uite  ditl'ereiit  (A',  iilliiffotis)  :  .\bove,  ruddy  chocolate-browii.  without  any  spots  ;  wiiifjs  and 
tail  more  fuscous  brown,  marked  substantially  as  in  the  adults.  Itelow,  the  c(dor  of  the 
back  exteiidiiii;  over  all  the  fore  parts,  ihe  rest  beiii;;  brciwiiish-yellow  ;  no  streaks  whatever. 
Facial  disc  sooty-brown,  with  whitish  eye-brow,  and  some  white  touches  on  the  rim  behind 
the  car  curviiit;  forward  to  the  chill.      Hill  l)lack,  as  before.      I^eii^tli  7.-"<"-S.(J0  ;  extent    I7.'t0- 


18.00;  Willi; 


;).:i.i-.)./.) 


tail  2. •»()-:>.<)() ;  tarsus  O.7.")  ;  bill  without  cereO..")0;  middhaoe  with- 


out claw  O.ftO.  'I'his  curious  little  owl.  the  most  diiiiiniitive  species  found  in  Kasterii  N  Am., 
inhabits  the  U.  .*<.  from  Atlantic  to  I'acilic,  and  t;oes  somewhat  further  North  into  JSritisli 
America,  and  also  S.  into  Mexico),     'riioiiyh  apparently  common  and  generally  distributed,  it  i8 


514 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  UAPTOUKS  —  STUKiES. 


not  very  well  known,  a.s  it  ii*  xliy  and  ntirinju',  and  i|uitc  nix-tiirnal  in  liadits.  It  itt  cliictly 
noted  for  itM  idiriil  liaryli  nutt-.s,  wliicli,  iM'in^  liiicnt-d  to  tiling;  a  Haw,  have  ofcaiiiniK'd  its  name. 
Tlic  ni'st  in  usually  made  in  tlir  IjoIIow  of  a  tnr  or  stnni|>,  in  A|iril ;  tin;  I'ffgH  are  ll-(i  in  ninnlirr, 
wliitc,  nearly  iilolmlar,  alMinf  l.(((l  X  O.S?. 
168.  «L.VI'('l'l»ll'>l.  ((ir.  iliniih.  of  yXav{. ///fiff.r,  an  owl.)  Cnomk  Owi.H.  SPAititow  Owi.h. 
I'VUMY  Owi.s.  Size  very  small.  Head  |Mrftflly  snicHitli  ;  no  |duniiforns  ;  oar-iiarts  small, 
non-o|icr<'nlal<';  facial  dis»  very  iiir<im|ilete,  ilie  eye  not  eentrie.  N.istril  circi'lar,  opening  i»» 
tiiu  tumid  i-ere  :  Mil  r<d>ust.  Tarsus  fully  and  elcwly  feathered,  l>ut  toes  only  bristly  for  tlie 
most  ]iart.  Win^s  .short  and  much  rounded,  the  Ith  priuiary  Icmp'st,  the  1st  i|uite  short,  the 
H  outer  ones  omarginate,  and  next  one  or  two  sininite.  Tail  lon^'.  ahout  '{  as  Ion;;  as  the  wiiiL'. 
even  or  nearly  so.  Claws  stroni;,  mncli  eurveil.  A  laru'e  uenus  of  very  snuill  owls,  mostly  of 
tropical  countries.  The  numerous  sjK'cies,  chielly  of  warm  parts  of  America,  are  in  dire  con- 
fusion, hut  the  only  two  known  to  inhahit  N.  Am.  are  well  determined.  The  plumage  of 
)iMX\\  or  most  species  is  di<-hromatic.  as  in  Svops,  there  hein^'  a  red  and  a  i;ray  pluL-ie  indepen- 
dently of  a>;e,  seasiui,  or  se.\  ;  hut  the  rtil  is  not  known  to  occur  in  our  (i.  iiiiomu.  'I'lii-  upper 
parts  are  marked  with  s|MitH  or  lines  ;  Imn,  or  rowti  of  s|Hits,  cross  the  wings  and  tail;  the 
under  parts  are  streaked  ;  there  is  a  cervical  collar.  NotwiihstaiMling  their  slight  stature,  the 
gnome  owls  are  hidd  aial  predaceous,  sometimes  attacking  hirds  ipiite  as  large  as  them.selves. 
They  arc  not  sjKieiaUy  nocturnal.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  holes  in  trees,  and  are  not  iM-culiar  in 
character. 

AnahfHiM  of  Spt-rtef, 
MarltliiRfi  «r  iipiior  piirtH  ill  ilotM  anil  rouml  *|K  ts.    Tnil  ilurk  liniwii,  with  rnwn  of  white  Kpiita    .    .  r/nnmn    4k4 
Mnrl<iii|iM  of  il|i|ii'r  |Hirt8  ill  Dimrp  line*.    Tiiil  roliliKh,  willi  iiarl(  lirciwn  liiirH      .....     firruijinrum    4S5 

484.  <<.  K»o'iiiii.  (fiat,  (/mx/m,  a  spirit  of  tlio  mines.)  ('Ai.iroKNiAN  fis'o.MK  Owi,.  (^  9,  adult: 
Tail  coiicolor  with  the  hack,  and  markings  of  the  iip]ier  parts,  as  widl  as  lho.se  crossing  the 
wings  anil  tail,  in  the  form  of  dots  or  round  spots,  not  lines  or  hars.  I'pper  parts  one  shade  of 
dark  hrown,  everywhere  dotted  with  small  circuhir  sjMits  of  white;  a  collar  of  lui.xed  hlackish- 
hrown  anil  white  around  the  hack  of  the  neck  ;  hreast  with  a  haiiil  of  mottled  hrowu.  separatini; 
the  while  throat  from  tlie  white  of  the  rest  of  the  under  parts,  which  have  irregular  lengthwise 
streaks  of  reddish-hrown.  Wings  and  tail  dusky-brown,  tlie  feathers  marked  on  both  webs  with 
rows  of  round  white  spots,  largest  on  the  inner;  under  wing-coverts  white,  crossed  oldiipiely 
by  a  blackish  bar.  Hill,  cere,  and  fei't  dull  t'reenish-yellow ;  soles  cliroiiie  yellow;  claws 
black;  iris  bright  yellow ;  moutli  livid  Hesh-color.  Length  of  ^  r.tMJ  or  a  little  less;  extent 
H.iVh  wing  ;J.75  ;  tail  .'{.00.  Leni;th  of  9  Z-'i'':  extent  1, '».."»(),  etci.  In  the  9  the  upper  ]iarts 
are  rather  lighter,  with  fewer  lari.'er  spots,  and  a  nearly  obs<dete  nuchal  collar;  hut  hotli  sexes 
vary  in  tlie  tint  of  the  upiMT  parts,  which  ranges  from  jmre  deep  brown  to  pale  grayish,  almost 

(divaceous,  brown,  proliably  a rdini,'  to  age  and  season,  the  newer  feathers  heinir  darker  than 

they  are  when  old  and  worn.  The  condition  of  erythriMii,  so  well  known  in  the  next  species, 
has  not  lieeii  (diserved  in  the  )iresent  one.  which  is  closely  related  to  the  sparrow  owl  of  Kiirope 
{ft.  iKinsfriiiinn,  fiu'. .'{.')'.!).  |{iM-ky  .Mts.  lothe  I'acific.  V .  S.  and  southward,  coiiinion  in  wooded 
regions;  an  interesting  little  owl.  crepuscular  and  rather  diurnal  than  strictly  nocturnal,  ]ireying 
cliietly  upon  insects,  but  also  upon  birds  and  <|iiadrupeds  sometimes  about  as  large  as  itself. 

483.  CJ..  ferruKriiPiiiii.  (I.,at.  fnruijinviitii.  rusty-red.)  Fi'.iiiti'iiiNKiii's  tt.NoMK  (Iwi..  (J  9 1 
ailult.  tuinmil  iiliniinrif :  Tail  entirely  ferriiiiineous.  or  liu'lit  chestnut-red,  crossed  with  7  to  W 
hars  of  hlackish-brown,  —  of  the  .sime  width  as  the  rufous  interspaces,  and  both  sets  of  mark- 
ings tpiite  regular.  (These  tail-marks  distinguish  the  s|wcies  in  any  plumage  from  (t.  ijwimn.) 
Entire  top  of  the  head,  iiImivc  the  su|M'rciliary  riilu'es,  and  sides  of  the  heail  behind  the  auriciilars, 
olivaceous-brown,  stn-aked  witli  small,  distinct  lines  of  while  or  fulvoiis-whitish  ;  lhe.se  mark- 
ings being  on  the  forehead  ami  most  of  the  crown  like  pin-scratches  in  their  sharpness,  and 
though  a  little  less  so  liehind  the  ears,  everywiicre  retaining  their  narrow  linear  character.     (In 


ami  a  1 1)  a:  :  utiikh  owls. 


516 


169. 


U.  fitwma,  thi>  tiP)id-iimrkiiif{M  arc  ilnU  iiihI  H|MitH,  not  liiicH.)  liiu-k  liko  tlu-  h«>iiil,  (ilivuVcoiiH' 
lirou-ii,  liiit  witliiiiit  iiiurkiiif;!*,  rxr^'pt  on  tlic  wa|iiiliirH,  imiHt  of  which  fcathcrn  liiivc  ii  larK(> 
roiiiiil  white  »\>i>t  on  tlic  oiitiT  wch  near  tlir  cnil,  and  more  or  fcwrr  jiairH  of  fiilvoiiH  h|miIh  on 
Uith  wchw.  Color  of  hack  and  head  divided  hy  an  idivioiiH  cervical  collar,  consi.xlin^  of  a  hcriex 
of  ditfuxv  wliitiA<h,  and  another  of  fulvous,  x\»\\n,  Neparated  hy  a  nearly  continuimN  line  of  hiack. 
I'ltper  tail-covertH  nHiially  more  or  less  riifesceiit,  a|i|iroxiniatiii);'  to  the  color  of  the  tail. 
Kenii^eH  olivaceoiis-fiiscoiis,  like  the  hack,  the  primaries  imperlectly  and  indistinctly,  the  sec- 
ondaries completely  and  decidedly,  cross-liarred  witli  numerons  rnfescent  hands,  narrower  than 
the  dark  intervals  ;  hesides  whii'li  markings  some  of  the  primaries  have  an  incompleted  series 
of  small  whitish  or  very  pale  fiilvous  spots  alonj;  the  outer  edu'c,  and  all  have  larj;e  and  deep 
indentations  of  white  or  whitish  ahai^  the  inner  weli,  increasini;  in  si/e  from  the  ends  toward 
the  hases  of  all  the  feathers,  and  also  on  individii:)l  feaihers  from  the  oriter  primaries  to  tjje 
inner  secondaries,  on  which  last  they  reach  ipiite  across  the  inner  wehs.  I^ininu  of  wiM|;s 
white,  with  an  obliipie  dark  har,  and  another  cnrved  dark  l>ar,  the  latter  across  the  emls  of  the 
under  coverts.  I'nder  part.s  white,  heavily  streaked  alony  the  siiles  with  the  ccdor  of  the  hack  ; 
lliiii  color  extending  <|uite  across  the  hreast,  where,  however,  the  feathers  '  .wv  dilated  shaft- 
lines  of  whitish  :  chin  and  throat  white,  divided  into  two  areas  hy  a  Idackish  w  dark  tfular  col- 
lar, which  curves  across  from  one  post -auricular  region  to  the  other.  'I'he  markings  all  ditl'use. 
Aiiriculars  dark,  sharidy  scrat<'lied  with  white  shaft-lines,  hounded  helow  hy  pure  while.     Kye- 

hrows  white,  pretty  detinitely  hounded  alwive  hy  tli lor  of  the  crown.      Keirion  innnediately 

alHint  the  hill  whitish,  hut  mixed  with  the  lont;.  heavy,  hlack  hristles  that  project  far  heyoiid 
the  hill,  which  latter  is  greenish  at  liase,  growint;  dull  yellowish  at  the  end;  sparsely-haired 
tiH's  somewhat  like  the  hill;  claws  hrownish-hlack  :  iris  lemon-yellow.  Length  of  <J  ahoul 
(l..")0;  extent  li.."itt;  wing  I<..")0  :  tail  i..')<l;  tarsus  (J.7.'i  ;  middle  toe  without  claw  ahnut  the 
same,  its  claw  0.  id.  9  '"rger ;  length  ?.(H(  or  more;  wing  4.(J0 ;  tail  nearly  IS.'IO,  Uid 
filiilge  :  Kntire  upper  parts  deep  rufoiis-red,  with  the  lighter  markini,'s  of  the  heati,  etc.,  ohsolete 
or  olditerated  ;  tail  the  same,  with  dark  bars  s<-arcely  traceahle.  Dark  cervical  collar,  however, 
conspicuous.  White  of  imder  parts  tinged  with  yellowish  or  fulvous  ;  the  markings  of  the 
under  parts  similar  iucoliu-  to  the  ground  of  the  upper  parts,  hut  ilullerand  paler;  tiliia*  rufous, 
withiait  markings,  (iular  collar  hlackish.  \'ari  lus  intermediate  stages  have  been  ohserved, 
and  the  species  is  to  he  fouiid  i'l  every  degree  of  transition,  from  the  slitrhtest  departure  from 
the  normal  state  to  the  completely  erythritic  cunditiou.  riie>e  colnr-conditious  are  conuiiou  to 
IhiIIi  sexes.  In  extreme  ca.ses,  the  rufous  hecouies  intense  and  almost  uniform,  a  light  rufous 
replacing  even  the  white  of  the  iniiler  parts,  and  there  heinix  no  traces  left  of  h.irs  on  the  wings 
or  tail.     'I'exas  to  Ari/.cuia  and  Southern  ('alifornia,  and  soulhward. 

MK'ltATIIK'NK.  ((!r.  fiiKinW,  inll,-rtm,  small;  '.\^r;i'i;,  Athene,  goddess  of  wi,s(him,  to  whom 
the  owl  was  sacred.)  Kl.KOwt.s.  Itelated  to  (iliiHiiiliinii ;  of  very  diminutive  size,  including 
the  smallest  known  species  of  owl,  and  one  of  the  least  of  all  raptorial  birds.  Head  perfectly 
smooth;  noplumicoms;  ear-parts  small,  non-opercnlale  ;  facial  disc  incomplete,  with  eye  not 
centric.  Nostril  circular,  opening  in  the  tundil  cere.  Tarsi  scarcely  feathered  behiw  the  suf- 
fnigo,  !)eing  almost  entirely  naked  and  bristly,  like  the  toes;  this  is  as  in  S/irnliiln,  thouu'h 
other  characters  .ire  ([iiite  different.  Claws  remarkably  small  and  weak  ;  middle  too  ami  claw 
about  as  long  as  the  tarsus  ;  outer  <'law  rea<-hing  a  little  beyond  ba.se  of  miildle  claw  ;  iuniT 
intermediate  between  miildli!  ami  caiter.  Winirs  very  long,  rather  nmre  than  J  the  total  lenirlh 
of  the  bird,  but  much  rounded,  the  1st  primary  only  j|  as  long  as  the  |oni;est  one;  .'{il  and  Ith 
longest,  5th  but  little  shorter,  'id  about  eipial  to  fith  ;  the  outer  four  sinuate  on  inner  wehs. 
Tail  of  nioik  rat<'  length,  J  as  long  as  the  wing,  the  feathers  not  graduateil,  ami  broad  to  their 
very  tips.  Kill  small  and  weak,  compressed  at  base,  where  hidden  in  dense  antror-e  bristly 
feathers;  cnlmeii  aiul  gony.s  oidy  moderately  convex;  lower  mandible  ohsoletely  nolcdied. 
One  sjK'cies  known. 


61H 


SYSTKMATIC  HYXUl'SIS.  ~  lU I'TOJiES ~  STUl(JJ<JS. 


460.  M.  wlilt'npyl.  (To  I'rof.  J.  I>.  Wliitmy.)  Ki.K  Owi,.  (f.uiliill:  AImivi>,  VinUt  iiiiiImt- 
brown,  tliickly  niarkctl  with  irrc^iiliir  iiii^iilnr  |>ali'  lirowiiiHli  tlotn,  one  on  cvrry  t'catlii'i',  ami 
iniiiutrly  iiiiiluliktnl  with  li^htrraml  ilai'ktT  mlor.  A  ronccali'il  white  riTvii-al  roljar,  thix  color 
t)C4'.M|)yin^  thi>  iniildlc  of  tiu'  t'cathiTM,  which  arc  hrown  at  their  cniin  ami  plinnhi'oii.s  at  Inihc. 
A  white  Hcapiihii'  Ntri|>e,  the  outer  wehn  of  the  Hea|iularH  iH'in^'  ahiioNt  entirely  of  thiH  color. 
WingH  like  the  hai'k  ;  IcHHcr  covertH  with  two  |iale  hrowni^•ll  r<|iotH  on  eacii  feather  ;  niiiidle  ami 
greater  covcrtH  holilly  (tjHittcil  with  white  at  the  eml  of  tlie  outer  weh  of  each  feather,  anil  with 
|iale  lirowii  ^|llltl4  near  the  end.  (jnillN  with  '.i  to  ti  pale  hrown  Hpot»  on  each  weh,  forinini; 
hrokcli  liars,  nio.stly  pahr^inj;  to  white  on  the  eilf(e  of  the  leatherN,  thoxe  on  a  few  iiiterineiliatc 
primaries  alnioNt  white.  'rail-featherH  like  the  \\ing-i|niIlK,  with  .')  hrokeii  liari*  ami  one  ter- 
minal, of  pule  hrowni^h  whitening  on  the  inner  wehh.  Linint;  of  winuM  white,  interrnpteil 
with  dark  hrown.  l-'ace  ami  re({ion  ahoiit  I'ye  white,  helow  it  harred  with  litflit  and  dink 
brown  ;  hrit<tlesat  hai<e  of  hill  hlack  on  terminal  half.  Chin  and  throat  white,  fonninu  a  hroad 
mark  from  >ide  to  ^ilh',  (icncral  color  of  under  partx  whitihh,  the  hreast  hlotched  ami  imper- 
fectly harred  with  hrown,  formini;  t  iward  the  ahdomen  larue  patches,  t)ie  hides  more  urayinh, 
the  tlanks  )duniheons,  tihia!  narrowly  harred  with  li^ht  hrown  ami  duxky.  'I'arxal  hrixtles 
whiti.sh  ;  those  of  the  toes  yellowish  ;  liill  pale  txreenish  :  iris  hriuht  yellow.  I.,ent;th  .'i.7')-').2.') ; 
extent  H..2J-l.).-*.">  ;  wiiiK  4.^.")-l..")lt :  tail  -'.UO-i.^.")  ;  tarsus  (I.MMI.IM).  Arizona  and  s..iith- 
wanl ;  a  very  curious  little  owl,  not  yet  well  known,  few  specimens  havintf  In-en  (lecured.     'I'he 

general  luihits,  iicNting,  and  food,  appear  to  he  similar  to  those  of  the  gnon wis. 

170.    SI'KOTYTO.      (tir.  oniot,  njiiun,  a  cave;  tvtio,  tiilii,  u  kind  of  owl.)      Itl'ltltowiNi)  ()\\  l,s. 
Of  medium  and  rather  small  si/e.      Head  smooth;  im  phimicorns  :  ear-parts  small,  mm-oper- 

culate  ;  facial  disc  incom- 
A  ^      J^     plete.     Nostril  opeiiini;  in 

■ '"*  ^  the  tumid  cere.  Win^sof 
moderate  length  ;  2d  to 
Mil  <|uills  loiit.'est ;  1st 
ahoilt  ei|ual  to  .'ith  ;  two 
or  three  sinuate  on  inner 
weliH  lu'tir  tli(>  eml.  'I'liil 
very  short,  only  ahoiii 
half  as  liin^  as  the  wiiiu. 
even  or  scarcely  rounded. 
Tarsi  e.vtremely  loiii;, 
ahoiit  twice  as  loni;  as 
the  middle  toe  without  its 
claw,  very  scant -feathered 
in  front,  harehehiml;  toes 
bristly.  The  long  slim 
IlillH  mill  feel  (.r  >/<,.i/;//..,  nut.  *\m.    U^\\Kt,  s.  hnjiiiytui ,  iipiier,    h'gs  are  i|nite  peculiar  (lij.'. 

StiO).      A  genus  contineil 

to  America,  where  tlicre  are  several  varieties  of  apparently  a  single  s] ies,  of  diurnal  and 

terrestrial  hahits,  noted  for  inhahiting  iiiiilertrroiind  hiirrows. 
•18T.  8.  riiiiiciilM'riii  hypoKic'n.  (I.,at.  ciiiiiriiliirid,  a  Imrrower;  Gr.  vniiytios,  hii/mijeios,  nnder- 
ground.  Fiu'.  Mfil.)  ,\dult  (J  9  '■  .Vhove,  dull  trrayish-hrown,  ))rofii.sely  spotted  with  whitish  ; 
the  markini;s  mostly  rounded  and  paired  on  each  feather,  )iut  anteriorly  lengthened,  (jiiills 
with  i  ti)<i  whitish  liars,  entire  or  hrokeii  into  cross-rows  of  spots;  tail-feathers  similarly  marked. 
There  is  much  individual  variation  in  the  tone  of  the  ground-color,  and  size  and  numher  of  the 
8I)uts,  which  may  also  he  rather  oclirey  than  whitish.  ."Superciliary  line,  chin,  and  throat,  white, 
tho  two  latter  separated  by  adark  brown  jiiuular  collar ;  auriciilars  brown ;  facial  bri.stles  Idack- 


Fni.  .toil. 
S.fltiriiliinn     (A<l  imt.  ilvl.  It.  K.) 


INH. 


ACCIl'lThhS:    1)1  U  UN  A  L   HIRDS  OF  VUKY. 


r,i7 


4NH. 


■Iiuftctl.     Under  partn  wliito  or  piilu  oohruy,  tho  hreuHt,  bt'lly,  iiikI  hIiIch  Immil  with  trnni«v«>r»e 

ii]NiU  of  Imiwn,  in  ii  pnttty  n-Kular  iimiiiivr  ;  It-^H  ami  uiulcr  tail-covctlM  iiiiiiiarkrd.     Lining  of 

wiii^H  tuwiiy-wliitc,  iliiHky-N|Mitt*'(l  on  tin-  |iriiiiary  cuvci'tK.     H<>x('h  iiiilidtingiiiiiluiMo  in  xi/.o  or 

color:  Iciigtli  <.),.jl);  itxtciit '^:{.()() ;  wiii^  ('i.5U-7.()i(;  tail  .\M)-\\.i:> ;  tarxtiM  1.50-1. ?:>;  iiiiddln 

tiNi  witlioiit  cIuwO.hO;  diord  of  <'ulmi'ii  without  cere  ()..')(Mi.(i(l.     Yoiini;  ditl'rr  in  nnicli  hsu 

ti|Htttiiii;,  or  <>v<>n  iinifonn- 

ity,    of    \\\v     hody    ahovc, 

and    wiiitinh    under    partH, 

('X(-('|itinK  the  ju^uhir  (-(d- 

hir;   winu-  and  tail-coverts 

lart'cly  wliite.     A  remark - 

aide  owl,  ahoniidiiitr  in  Huit- 

alde  |dai'es  in   Western   N. 

Am,,    IVoni    tlie    IMaiuM    to 

the   I'aeilie,   in   tlie  treeless 

rc'^ioim    inhaltited    liy    the 

"  prairie  do^s,"   {(hpiomiis 

UiiloricUuntu  and  (L  giiiiiii- 

sntti)  and  other  burrowinu 

rodents,  espeeiaily  Sjii'niii)- 

Itliilii.i    rirliiirdnoni    in    the 

Uorth,    and    >S'.    hircliei/i    in  Kn..  ^Kil,  — Itiirniwlngunl,  ruduuwl.    islifpimnl  dul.    Niclmlii  m' i 

California.     1  have  found  e<do)iies  in  Kansas,  N(d)raska,  Wyoniini;,  Dakota,  Montana  N.  to 

4'.('',  Colorado,   New  .Mexico  and  California,   in  all  eases  oceupyin>(  the  de.^erted  hurrnws  of 

tin'  i|iiMdrupeds,  not  livini;  in  eoniniou  witii  tlieni  as  usually  supposed.     Tiiey  also  oecupy  the 

holes  made  hy  hadi^ers  anil  foxes.     The  eyiis  may  he  laid  even  11  or  H  feet  from  the  entrance  of 

the  harrow;  they  appear  to  vary  in  nuuiher  up  to   10;  are  wliite,  suhspiierical,  !.•'(•)  X  i.l". 

'i'he  species  has  exceptionally  occurred  in  Massachusetts.     Its  food  is  eliielly  insevtM  and  small 

reptiles,  hirds  and  <|iladrupeds  heinir  apparently  rarely  taken.      Wherever  I'oiilid,  the  species  is 

resident,  heinir  aide  to  endiu'e  extrena'ly  cold  weather. 

S.  f.  Ilurlirmin.     ((tf  Florida.     Fii;.  .'KiO.)     Fi,uitii>.\    Hi  itlinwiNd  Owi,.     I, ike  the  last; 

ratiier  smaller ;  win^  ti.lKMi.,')!) ;  tail  scarcidy  .'l.lll);  shanks  more  <'\teiisively  denuded,   only 

feathered  ahout  half  way  down  in  front ;  feet  and  hill  relatively  loiiu'er.      Cpper  parts  darker, 

ratiier  histre-hrown,  more  profusely  and  confiiseilly  s|>oited  with   siiialli'r  and  wliiier  m:"ks; 

under  parts  more  heavily  and  ret;iilarly  harred  with  darker  hrowii.      Florida,  an  isolated  local 

race,  cidouies  of  which  are  eomnnai  in  scaiie  places. 


7.  Si:iu)ni»KU  Al'CII'ITIlK.S:   Diiknai^  Hiuds  <»k  1'uky. 

This  larire  i.'<*oup,  com])risinir  the  lartje  majority  of  the  order  l{iijttorcs,  may  he  most 
readily  defined  by  exclusion  of  the  particular  cliaracters  of  the  other  suborders.  '1  lieie  is 
nothiiit;  of  the  ^rallatorial  aiuihtfjy  shown  by  tlie  siiii;iilar  Gijpnijernnide.i.  Tlie  nostrils  are 
not  completely  imtvIous,  nor  is  the  hallux  elevateil,  as  in  <\itli(irtiilf<i:  while  other  jieculiarities 
of  the  American  vultures  are  wantin^.  Coniparinir  Accipilrca  with  SIriges,  w"  miss  the  peculiar 
physioijnomy  of  owls,  the  eyes  lookini;  laterally  as  in  ordinary  birds,  and  tin  facial  disc  beiii^ 
absent  (rudimentary  in  Circiiur)  \  aftcrshafts  are  usually  jiresent.  and  the  outer  toe  is  not  versa- 
tile nor  shorter  than  tho  inner  one  (exc.  PaniUonuhv).  The  external  ears  are  moderate  and 
n<Mi-opercidate.  The  eye  is  nsinilly  sunken  beneath  a  much  [irojectin^  siiiicvciliary  shield, 
ronferrinK  u  decided  and  threatening  gaze.  The  bill  shows  the  rajitorial  type  p(  rfectly,  and  is 
always  provided  with  a  ccro  in  which  (not  at  its  edge  as  in  most  owls)  the  nostrils  open  ;  tho 


:•  'i^ 


I     '' 

\% 

1    ^ 

M 

rAH 


SYSm.MA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  JiA  PTOUES  —  A  CCIPITRKS. 


cut'iug  ci!gc8  uni  ii.siiiilly  lobcil,  or  tixitlicil  (soc  any  figs.).  Tlio  hires,  witli  (M'ciiHioiml  flxrcp- 
tiiiiiH,  duo  t<i  iml«'<lii('i«H  or  iIciim*  mtt't  fciitlKTiiigs,  uni  xcantily  riotliod  with  riuliiitiiig  hristly 
h'Uthcrs,  whii-h,  howcviM',  ih>  imt  fonn,  as  ii.siial  in  nwl.s,  u  ilciisi-  a)i|in>sHL'(l  nitf  hiilini;  th«  hnnv 
of  tiif  liijl.  \Vinu.'<  of  10  |iriiiiarit'.-i,  ami  tail  of  li  rcctrifcs  (with  rare  L'xci'ptiinih);  hoth 
cxtrrniciy  variaMi'  in  .shaiic  ami  rclativi*  and  absolute  h'nuths.  The  feet  are  usually  Htroiig  ami 
ntlieieiit  iustnimrnts  of  (ireheusiou  and  wea|ioiis  of  otTeiici    or  dofenee,  with  widely  separahh) 


Fio.  iW.  —  StimililiT-JoInt  of  .In  i/iitriM.  iiflcr  Itlil^wny.    n,  nntiirlur  riiiI  of  rnrmoiil ;  '',  upper  onil  of  tluvlclc; 

e,  ix'i>|iulHr  iirnroiiof  riirarolil,  ri!iu'liiii|{  '•  In  tln'  iiihi III;.  (/Vi.'iii  inriiirinui),  tint  not  In  llio  !  'I't.liuiul  !)){.  {ttiiUo 

hiri'ilin),  niir  in  tin'  i)|.'lii  liaiiil  tig,  {/'niiilinn  Intlinfluii);  il,  lowvr  oliil  of  ■vniiulo,     Tlio  lijpt  iiat,  ilzo,  tuft  rIiIc, 
viowuti  ttom  i<p|K>«lte  ulilc 

an.i  stioii)[;lv  eoiitractile  toes,  eleft  to  the  hase  or  there  onlv  illiifed  hv  sniiill  inovjilile  wehs,  and 


generally  seahroiis  Miidenieatli  wi:li  wart-liUe  pads  or  lylari  to  prevent  >lippin^,  as  shown  in 
i\n.  Mi.  The  elaws  tire  developed  into  large  sharp  eiirved  tahtns.  Thi!  tarsal  envelope  (pod- 
oihei'a)  varies;  sometimes  (he  wliolr  i.irsiis  is  feathereil,  and  il  is  iisnally  so  in  part  ;  the  horny 
eovi'iiiiL'  tiilies  the  form  of  s< 


la,  or  retii'idations,  or  riii;oiis  granulations,  and  is 


oecasioiiallv 


fused.  The  eaparioiis  tfullet  dilat>'s  into  a  crop;  the  i;ix/.ard  is  iiiiHlerately  iiiuseiilar  :  the 
eo-e:i  are  extremely  small,  'i'lie  iill-ulan<l  is  Inl'leil,  The  syrin.v  has  one  pair  of  inlrinsie 
niMsfdi's.     The  umhieiis  iind   feniofo-eandal   miiseles  are  present ;   the  aeei'ssory  feieoro-eandal. 


I'niiii'ndiuos'w   ami   its  aeee.s.sorv  are   ahseiit,     'I'here  are  y I  cisieciloi;ieal   ehariu'tei 


Tlh 


phalaliues  o!  the  hind  toe  are  more  than  half  as  I. mi;  as  lliose  of  tlii'  milir  toe  ;  the  hasal  joint 
of  th.'  Iliiiidle  o!  outer  tor  is  loiiuer  than  the  llexl  olie.  There  are  no  l(asipt<'ryi.'oiil  proeesses. 
The  stennini  is  inaniihr'ated,  and  when  not  mtire  hehind  is  sint;le-n>itrlied  or  leliesirate  on  eaeli 
Bide  (l^>llhly  .MO  in  most  owls).      Iliixley  has  I'alled  .itteiition  to  a  eharaeter  of  the  shoiilder-L;irdle, 


alleiivjud  well  elahoratd   1>)   Mr.  Wid^way  (litr.  Uli-):    In  rertain  ireiiem,  as  FhIid,  Miiiii.->liii\ 
Ifi riiiiiillii:  's,  and  in  the   i'iili)lii>riiiii\  the  .seapiilar  pr'H-i'ss  of  the  eoraeoid,  lit;,  itf'ij,  e,  i.s  pio- 

lon^'ed  heheath  the  'leapnh'i,  </.  to  meet  the  elavieli',  '<;   whieli  is  iml  |I nsr  ii    niher  groups  of 

genera  -pf  the   /''iilroiiiiltr.  imr  in  Pii:iilii>iiiilii .     This  distinetion   has  lirrii  made  the  liasis  of  a 
prima  V  (!l\isioii  .  !'  il  i-  ilii:rnal   .tni/ii'/rs  into  two  snhfaiiiilies.  l''<ilrii!:iii.i  am 


lliih 


iitimi'- ,  till' 


toiiner  imdiidinu  i'lili/lionis  timl  its  allies,  the  latter  inrlmlint;  I'miilioii :  hnt  some  modilii-alioii 
oftliiit  Heheiiie  is  advisahie,  I  thiu'ii.  il  seems  to  lae  that  the  priliitirii  divisiiiti  should  he  niadi 
as  on  p.    I'.l*>.   hy  •  xi'lndini.'   fniiiliuniiltr  as  a  fimily  dislinci   from    FnUiniilii    |iiiipir,  mi   tin 


irroiind  of  its  nmny  p'ruljaiilies.  This  heiiu.'  dune,  ll.e  eliaraeler  of  iIm  sinaddi'r-joiai  may 
properiv  he  (;(Uisidered  in  ilividintf  the  l-'iili-itniilir  into  siihfamilies.  I  am  pi-rfeelly  willini;  to 
approxiiiiale  I'tilfiliiinit  to  Fnlrn  on  this  tei'hnieal  ijroiiml,  nolwilhslandinii  the  L'tejit  oi.uv.ird 
lissimilarit)  n(  these  t\\<i  I'orms  ;   mil  il  is  unlilitly  that   o:nith<dot.Msls  will  allow  the  eonslnir- 

tion  tif  ilie  shoulder -joint  t itwei;;h  all  other  eliaraeters  eondiineij. 

i)iurnal  Kinls  of  I'ny  alM.nnd  in  all  pails  of  the  world,  Inddilltr  thi'  relation  to  the  rest  of 
their  ehiss  that  the  carnivorous  hiasts  do  to  other  mammals.  With  many  exeeptioiis,  the  sexes 
ni^'  alike  in  eolor.  hut  tin'  female  i--  almost  inv.irialdy  larger  than  the  male.     The  ehaiii;i  s  of 


I'ALCONlJJyE :    VULlTliKS,    l-AUOSS,    HAWKS,   ETC. 


519 


oxct'p- 
bristly 

1)1   IlilMf 

;  Ixith 
11;;  .-iliil 

•ill'lllllu 


(iliiiiiMije  witli  ill!*'  iiro  uri'iit,  ami  rondcr  tlif  ilclcrniiimtinii  of  the  s|M><'ii's  ]i<'q>lt'xiiii» — tin*  inure 
Hii  xinrp  piirrly  iii<)iviiliial,  ami  sniiit'wliat  I'linialit-.  cnlcir-variatioiis,  ami  >iicli  ;;|H'rial  c-Miiclitimi.s 
M  lllclaiiisiii,  art'  very  tVi'i|Uriit.  Tlif  iijimIcs  i>['  m'stiiii;  ari'  varimis;  tlic  f^ijis  us  a  rule  arc 
bliitrlicil,  ami  imt  ;.<>  nearly  s|ili('rical  as  llinsc  nt'  ciwls.  'I'lir  I'immI  is  rxclMsiMly  >•(  an  animal 
liatun',  tliiiiigh  cmllrssly  varieil  ;  liir  refuse  nt  tin-  stuniael  is  ejeeteil  in  a  hall  liy  the  nioiilli. 
Tho  vi»i('4(  w  loud  ami  harsh.  As  a  rule,  the  hiril«  »(  jirey  are  m>t  strieily  niiuratory,  thmi^'h 
many  nf  iheni  chanue  their  ahmle  with  much  rci;nlarity.  Their  nmilc  ">('  lilc  ri'nclers  them 
usually  niiu-nri't;ariiins,  cxce|itiiu.',  hciwcver,  the  viillurcs  and  vulturc-lilic  hawks,  which  cnn- 
j;renate  where  carrion  is  plenty,  i|nitc  like  the  American  Cnllinrtiili's.  There  are  upwanls  ot' 
liOO  species  or  i;o(mI  ueoirra|)liical  races,  justly  rel'crahle  to  ahnul  .ill  full  irenera,  and  divisildi' 
into  two  families  —  t'lilconiilir  and  J'tiiidiimiila: 


31.  Family  FALCONID-^ :   "Vultures,  Falcons,  Hawks,  Eagles,  etc. 

characters  as  aliove.  ex- 
clusive of  those  markinu  the 
tish-hawks,  J'liuilioiiiihf,  ]»■- 
yoiid.  No  unexccptionaMc 
division  of  the  family  liavini; 
been  proposed,  and  tiie  i<uli- 
families  hciui;  still  at  issue,  it 
may  he  hest  not  to  nia'nially 
modify  the  arrant;! meiit  pre- 
sented in  the  earlier  edition 
of  ihi'<  Work,  fiirthei  than 
to  .-I  pa  rate  I'linilimiiilif  from 
Fdlconiilir  proper. 

'I'he  Olil  ll'.x/'/  Viilliirr^ 
t'orm  a  u'loup  -landins;  some- 
what apart  fi>>m  t!ie  rest  in 
many  |ioints  of  >uperticiul 
-iructure  and  liahits.  thoiitrh 
>.i   closely  C(irie:-|iondenl   with 

j.^y^-f^' . ...^jJWBWW^*'^       •  *'**^^SfN*f«<^»     ordinary  "/•<(/.-o»..V/„..  an.i 
1'      '  «'f~ ""  '"■'".i-^^^^^T^'"  ■  ;"'     pccially   with    lliilioiiiiur,   in 

all     i.-.TUlial     respects,     that 
Fm.  Ml.  — Till' Viillnrc'H  l«iiii|iiri ;  lUimlniiliik' »iil>rMiiiil\  liiliiiriiiir»t       they  can  form  at  moKt  a  suli- 
nmilly  A-'  .,i,i,/,i.,  ii.)t  ri'|«n.n.iiic.il  111  .\iiurlia     vl  i.iiii  .Mkli  lei.  familv    Vullilliiui     i  Htr.    IK'i.'t.  ( 

'I'liey  have  nothing  to  do  with  llu>  Aiiirfifini  N'uitui'es  (~iihorder  <'<illiiiiiiilts),  with  which  they 
liave  Im'cii  wroiiiriy  united  in  a  family  \'iiltiiriiln\  'I'liey  are  a  small  jjroup  of  >ome  >i\  ueiicra 
and  alioiit  twelve  species,  of  which  the  most  decidedly  raptorial  is  tli<'  hearded  L'ritlin.  (iiiiiiirhiit 
bnihiitiix;  other  characteristically  ■•  Miiiiiriiie"  fonnr.  l.eiiiu  ViiUnr  iiitiiiinhiis.  (Hiniiips  <iiii-iiii- 
fcl''i.«,  (iii/is  f'lilriis.  .Vi()/i/i/V()i  jiirciiiiiilrnis,  and  (iiiimliiiriir  iiii-inlninis. 

'1  he   Siiiilh   .\iiierica:i  jfeiiera,  .I/icckhV//;' and  HiriMiiillni's,  are  each  deserihed  .i«  In  in^ 

HO  peculiar  a»  to  luriii  n  p'oiip  of  supe'ueneric  value inparalde  wiili  iIiom  tirniMl  siihfamilieit 

in  the  (.reseiii  Work.     Their  rri.iti.iiiships  are  with  I'llniuiiitf.  ( HidL'way. ) 

The  N'ortli  .'.merican  Valiituiila  with  which  we  have  here  to  do  fall  in  sever.d  uroups, 
which  I  .-hall  call  siihfamilies,  without  insisting  upon  their  laxniiniiiic  rank,  or  raising  tii<- 
iplestion  whethi'r  the  faniil_  at  laiu'  is  divisildi'  in  this  manner.  These  Lrioiip>  are  six  iu 
iiiimlM'r:    I.   Ciniiitt;    liaiiiers  ;    -2,  ilihinu,  kitcH;    A.  AccijiHiiim,    hawks;    i    I'liliuiinirt, 


S  'iM 


!___, 


')20 


SYSIKMA  TIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  HA PTOIiluS—  A CCIl'ITlil'.S. 


falciiiiH;  5.  I'oli/lHiriiitr,  cariicaras ;  (1,  liiiteonincr.  \»y/.7Mnh  and  cables.  If  it  In-  urijoil  that 
tlit'iu-  griiu|)8  gratif  into  one  aiiotiicr,  it  may  )><'  ri'pllcd  that  iiioHt  lar^c  ^r(ai|is  uf  likr  ^'railc  in 
nniith<iliii;y  iln  the  saint' ;  aiul  that  '  ty|ii(-al'  or  crntral  genera  of  each  nf  tlicni  iitlri'  |iractical 
ilintint'tiiiiis  wliich  have  hctn  rrcu^Mii/rd  t'i'iiiii  tinir  imt  of  niinil,  in  ]iii|iniai°  <i|iinioii  and  vrr- 


i-uiar  I 


inK'nap', 


In  niv  riM'cnt  rcvi>ion  of  tin'  North   Anii'iii-an  Fitlinuidic,  niaiU>  to  chrck 


and  ani|tlify  tiir  di'M-riptions  in  tliis  work,   an  inliTrstini;  relation  hriwrrn  thr  >lni| f  the 

wiiit.'^  and  ihcir  |iattrrn  of  roioration  iiri'srntcd  itself,  (a)  \i  we  lake  a  '  ludde  '  falenii,  such  as  a 
[lerem'ii.e  or  a  laiiner.  We  tinil  a  stinn;;.  yet  sliarp  wiim,  with  the  seeoiid  |iriniary  loimesl,  siip- 
|iorted  marly  to  the  end  hy  the  rn'>t  and  third  :  the  niekint;  of  the  i|iiills  conlined  to  a  few.  if 
oceiirriii;.'  on  nmre  than  one,  and  .-iinaled  near  the  tip,  ,Siieh  a  win^;  is  as  potent  in  its  feiitliers 
as  in  the  cciiistrnelion  of  ii>  >iioiildi  r-joint,  and  indirate>  the  aenie  of  raptorial  )lo\^'er  in  its  po>- 
sessor,  a  fali'oM  lieinu  ahle  to  dash  <lown   npoii   it>  ipiarry  with  ailnost  incredihle  \eioeily  {iinl 


ileiie 


Tl 


je  niarkiiii: 


da  fa  I 


nil's  wiiii;  are  no  less  eliararterislie,  eoiisistiiiK  o 


feh 


nt.  di 


linct  siiuls  of  liMhl  eolor  on  holh  wchs  of  the  pi  i  ma  lies  Mlid  seeondaries,  lliroMt;hotlt  their  «  hole 
extent,  or  almost  >o.  (Ii)  Any  trne  '  hawk.'  a>  an  Aslin  or  Aii  i/iilir,  has  a  rounded  eoiieavo- 
eoiivex  wiiit',  eoiili  riint.'  .1  rapid,  alinoHt  whirrinir,  Hitllit,  like  that  of  a  piiriri(li:e  at  full  speeil : 
and  -nrh  a  hiid  i'a|itlires  its  prey  hy  ehasinu  after  il  with  Wonderful  impelno>ily.  hiil  not  :•  a 
>inule  pliinue  like  n  fal"on.      S\tr\\  a  v\'inir  has  more  primaries  nil.  far 


Ihi  r  f 


I'oni  Ilieir  eiiils,  am 


the  inarkiiiLTs  are  pretty  i.'ffiilar  and  distim-t  Inns,     (e)   Any  '  hiix/ard,'  as  n  Itiilm,  a  heavy  and 
eoinparatively  slow  or  even  Inmherini;  hird  in  tliulit,  takinu  its  prey  hy  snrprise  ainl  merely 


droppinu  on  it  withonl   s|iei 


iai  ad>lre>s,  has   inanv  or  most   of  the 


1" 


ciie>  I'lil,  far  from  their 


ends,  and  the  teiideiii'y  of  the  iiiarkinus  is  to  fuse  and  hleml  in  lari;e  irregular  masses  id'  eolor, 
the  sharp  markiniis  id'  /•'((/<■()  or  .Icri/ii/i';' heini;  thus  dissipated.  Of  ronr>e  there  are  exeeplions, 
as  V  ell  a.-  every  possihie  gradation,  in  the  ease  ;  hut  if  one  will  rompare  the  wilii;  of  Cirrus  or 
Arc'iiliiilrii  with  that  of  Atiii'ilrr  and  l-'ulni,  he  imiiiioI  fail  to  pereeive  the  point  I  rai>e.  The 
tail  IS  in  somewhat  like  eaM-,  In  the  most  imhle  hird>  of  |>rey  it  i>  Mry  siilf  and  si>uiit:,  ,(|ih 
almost  lanceolate  feathers,  sharply  spotted  as  a  rule:  in  a  h.iuk,  longer  .iml  weaker,  still 
iiunlarly  haind:  in  a  hn//ard  iinnriilhi  (ilnre  ,iie  marked  exeeptioii^)  of  medinm  leni;lh  and 
>'ii'en>.'tli,  with  the  iiiarkiii(:s  tending'  to  nierp'  in  laif^e  areas  o|  color,  just  as  iliore  of  the 
wiii^s  ilo. 

it  may  lie  remarked  further,  w'lhonl   spreial   reference  to  what  has  preceded,  that  in  larue 


and  ditlicnli   L'lnera. 


Itilliii    t.ir  •'X:iiii|i|i 


ih. 


•ie>l 


.peel 


lie  el 


lar.iciers  may 


iiiarkinus  of  the  lai 


I.     Tl 


lese  are  ii>nallv  eiiile  dilfereiit  in  voniit.'  and  old  hi  ids  ;    Imt 


led  hy  the 

ire  anions 


a  liawk'>  most  >pecilic  credentials,  after  the  mature  pliim.iue  i>  a>~iimed,  even  wh-n  the  rot  of 
the  pliimai;!'  varie.-  ureal ly.  or  issnhjict  to  melanism,  erythri.-m.  etc.  In  line,  m.iny  hatv  Ks 
are  lies!  kicowii  hy  their  tails.  Melanism  in  freipieiit  in  Fnlnmiiltr  :  eryihrism  i>  not  (jiisi  the 
reverse  ol  ihe  cast  of  Slrifiiilii).  The  further  ueiieralixatioii  may  he  made,  that  the  coloration 
of  the  under  parts  of  luilrutmlf  is  more  di>tinctive  of  species  than  that  of  the  upper  parts;  and 
that  when  these  parts  are  harred  ero.shwise  in  the  adult  they  are  hireaked  leiit;thwise  in  'i'>- 


yoiini;. 
r.\ei'ptional. 


'Xiial  dll*'"i'ence~  are  rather  in  >j%e  than  in  color,  siicli  a  case  as  that  of  ('inns  hi 


intf 


.tllotft^HA   Iff'   Vn/;/iMM*/l,.<. 


Mi'iipuliir  priHi  HH  "(i  •  r:ii'i>|il  n'licliiiin  rlio  i.  ji- 

t'|>|n'i'  iiiiumIIIiIi'  I'"'IIii'i|.  Imhi  r  iimii'llhli   m.^IiIiihI 


Mniiilllili'i,  witlioiit  liHilh 


til 


K\l.i  iiM\  K 
i'ol.V  IIOIIIN  I 


Si'ii^iiilur  pr'K-i'.M  tif  I  urarolil  iml  rciirltliitf  i'lii\  l;'l«i 
Kiit'i*  Willi  a  rtilV''i>iui'\\liul  MH  III  •*»!)• 


I'liri'  uilhiiiil  mil. 

Tiiri>iii<a|i|iriixliiiiili'l)'i'i|iiiil  In  llliiii  In  linc"     riMiiiiKil  »|iii;«  III  lie  IniiUrr  iliiiii  tail   Ai  i  ll'l  I  liix  i: 


I'lirsiiH  i|i>i'|i|i'<lly  slinrdT  tliiiii  lililii. 

I'.iM  Icirkril,  <  r  I Il  i-linrtir  Iti.iii  tlir  Imiik  |im|iiIi><|  u|ii;!s  . 

Tnll  mil  fiirlicil.  mmlvratiily  •ImrtiT  lliitii  the  hIiIumi  wIiikh 


Mll.MN.K 
lit  rl.oKI.V.K 


I  i     i5 


^'.l  L  ( OXIJKE  —  L'lUClS.E :  11 A  laUKIiS. 


521 


42.    Subfamily   CIRCIN/i :    Harriers. 

I'acc  .tiiri'iiiiiiilt'il  with  an  iii('i>iii|i|rtt'  riiir  (as  in  innst 
i'wIn)  ;  (iriKi'c  of  car  alMHit  as  larp'  as  tlii'  eye,  and  in 
sdUK'  cases  at  least  willi  a  ileeiiled  I'lnieli  (tit;.  'M\\).  Itill 
ratlier  weaU,  not  Iiicitlini  nr  nutrliiil.  \.tc>  linuthineil, 
llie  tarsus  a|>|ir<i\iniately  ciinalliiit.'  tiir  liliia  in  linulli  (as 
ill  Acciiiilriiiii).  \Vini;sanil  tail  lenu'tlieneil.  Ki.rin  liijlit 
ami  litlii';  plunia^'i'  'inise;  mineral  mLMni/atiun  uf  tlie 
liilteiinine   rallier   than    nl'  tin-  ralemiini'   ilivisinn    nf  ihe 

Ki..  :iftl.-E.ir-|Niris..rr»vH.,.   (After    family.     Tims,  the  srai.nlar  pionss  ..fth. laeni.!  is  n..t. 

ViU'Killivriiy  )  |in>ilu('i'il   ti>  the   elaviele  :    there   is   ni>   meilian    riili;e  mi 

the  palate  anteriorly  ;  the  seiitiiin  na>i  is  less  niin|ih  le  than  in  h'ulvii,  ami  the  imstrils  ari'  m>t 
eireiilar  with  a  central  tiihercie.  'I'lie  harriers  ccinstitiile  a  ssnall  i,'riiM|i.  nf  the  single  lieiiim 
Cuius  ami  it>  siili.i'ix  i.-iciiis  (tn  whicii  sunie  ailil  the  African  I'lili/liiiriiiiiis),  luntaiuini:  some  l.'i 
or  -.'(I  spec-ies  of  varions  parts  ot'the  Horhl. 
171,  ciKi'l'M.  (tir.  »ci'(»«"«.  /•"'/•'"■"■.  I.at.  (//I'/s,  a  liimi  of  liawk  :  IVmii  its  cirdim;  in  tiie  air.  Vk- 
MM.)  II MEitii'.iis.  ilill  thickly  lieset  with  many  ciirxeil  railiatiiiu  liristles  snrpassinu'  in  lenutli 
t' e  cere,  which  '\>  larue  ami  Ininiil  :  tohiia  loheil  or  l'estoon(  il.  Imt  neither  tootheil  nor  iiotcheil. 
Nostrils  ovatt  -(ilili>iii.r,  nearly  hurizoiital.  Snperciliary  shiehl  prominent.  'I'arsiis  Ion;:  ami 
-lemhr,  scntellate  liet'ore  ami  mostly  so  liehiml,  reticulate  laterally  ;  Iih's  slender,  the  middle 
v\ilh  its  claw  much  shorter  than  the  tarsus;  a  lia.ial  ui'h  hetweeii  the  outer  and  iiiiildle  ;  all 
nil.erculale  underneath:  claws  very  larue  and  sharp,  mnch  cinveil.  \Vini;s  \ery  lonu;  ami 
ample:   ;hl  and    Ith  'piills  loiit'csl :    1st  shorter  than  fith  ;  outer  II-,')  (in  onr  s|MiMe>.  I)emarui- 

nale  on  inmr  wehs  :   -Jd-.'itli  emaiL'inal i  outer  wel.s.      'I'.iil  very  loiij;,  alMiut  ij  a^  loliu  us  the 

«int.',  nearlv  even  or  r ideil,  tin-  roldid  wint;-.  lailiuL'  short  of  its  end.      In  our  species.  «hich 

-carcelv  diller;.  t'roiu  the  r.nidpean  C.  rifaiii'iis,  the  se\es  are  ixtreniely  imlik^'  in  color  and  si/.e  ; 
the  •■Id  ^  is  chielly  Iduisli-uriiy 
ind  «hiii':  i!ie  9  •""'  younu  of 
lioth  sexes  are  dark  laown  and 
reddish-lirowii  or  ta\>ny,  with 
white  rniMp:  ilie  9  i'*  much 
larger  than  the  ,(.  The  ne>i 
is  placed  upon  the  uroMliij  ;  th 
'U'L's  are  I'olorless  or  nearly  so. 
The  harriers  are  ainoiii;  the 
most  "  iunolde"  of  hawks,  prey- 
iiii;  upon  hunddi'  ijuarry.  childly 
Kinall  ipiadrupeds,  reptiles,  and 
itist'cts,  for  wlilidi  they  hunt  hy 
iplatlerinir  low  over  the  uroinid 
with    an    easy    ulidi'ii;    llit.'lit. 

They     :ile    "  liyht  -  Weiu'hts  "     in  Km.  ;ift1  -  M.irMi  lluwk,  rial    -1/.  .     i.V.I  iml. -Irl    K  C.l 

proportion  to  their  linear  dinieiisions,  all  the  tueinhers  heini;  leiiu'theiiei!,  and  the  wiiiL's  espe- 
cially aiiiple.  Till'  plumaue  is  also  loose  and  Huffy,  Noinewliat  like  that  of  owls,  ti>  which  the 
harrieiN  are  reiali  d  in  several  respects. 
|N)t.  (!.  cyti'lH-ilH  liMiUuii  lilH.  (I.at  riiiiiiiiis,  hlue,  the  color  id' the  old  ^  :  liiiilsniiiiis.  <<{  \\wi\-i'ti'y 
liny.  I'ii.'.  'il',:,,)  A.mkuu  as  Makmi  Hawk,  or  iJAitiiiKii.  ili.n.  Hawk.  Adult  ,(  :  In 
perfect  plumanc  pale  |iearly-1duisli,  or  Idui-h-ash,  ahove.  w'th  the  upper  lail-covirts  eiiliri  ly 
pure  while  ;  hul  iiioMt  s^H'ciiiiens  have  a  ilusky  wash  idiM'uriiig  the  Iduisli,  and  retain  traces  of 


\\\ 


SYSTKM.  1  Ti<  •  s  yyovsis.  - 11. 1  /> Tnni:s  -  a  c<  in  tkes. 


brown  or  nifoiifi.  Five  imti>r  ))riiiiiirirM  niimily  Mix-kiHli,  nil  of  tliciii  ami  tlio  w-omnlarii's  witli 
larp'  wliiti'  l>a.-al  an'a>  mi  imitr  wclis  ;  tail-lratlinw  liaiiilrd  wiili  5  m-  (>  nliHi-iirc  (lii>liy  liar>. 
the  tt'niiiiial  mii'  .stroiiur.st  ami  iiin.si  ili^timM,  ami  iiiarltli'd  witli  wliitr  towanl  tlioir  liaM's.  'I'Ih' 
Itlnisli  cast  iiivaili-H  tlx'  f<ii'<'  iimlcr  )iarts,  rlir  irst  of  wliirli  arc  \vliiti>,  with  s|)ai'Mc  ilrop->i|ia|ii'il 
I'lifniis  K|Hits  ;  liiiiiiu  iif  wiiiuM  wliit)'.  rrmii  tlil>  liliic-aml-wliilr  xtatrtlii'  l>lril  is  fniiml  crailinu; 
l>y  ili-t;i't'i's  iiitii  till' very  ilillrri'lit  |ililliiap'  nl'  tlic  9  oiiil  yoiiii^' :  AIhivc,  ilailt  iiiiiliri'-lii'iiwn- 
^'Vcrywlicro  iiiori'  or  less  viirit'il  with  ri'ildish-hrowii  or  ycllowish-hrowii,  the  ii|i|Mr  tail-covcri>, 
linwcvrr,  irhilf,  fnrniint;  a  very  <'oiis|ii('iioiis  mark;  initltT  parts  a  variahir  shaili'  of  limw  iii.-h- 
ycllow,  or  iM'inaiTipiis,  strrakcil  m  iili  niiilMT-hrnwii,  at  Ifasi  mi  hrrasl  ami  .vidis  ;  tail  crossed  « iih 
(1-7  hlacUish  liars.  The  ymiiiircr  tlu'  liird  the  heavier  the  coloratimi,  which  is  smiietiiiies  i)iiiie 
blackish  and  reddish,  rxci'|ilini;  the  white  iipiier  laii-coverls.  ^  ?:  Iris,  tarsi,  and  loes  hriuht 
yellow;  cere  yellow  or  yellowish;  bill  blackish;  claws  black.  (J:  leni:ili  17.">0-I".I.(MI  i 
vxteni  K).(H»- 14.0(1  ;  wine  l:i.(M)- U.IIO  ;  ta"  '.t.(MI-;  ..>M) ;  tarsus  H.dil  or  le.-s  :  middle  toe  with- 
out claw  \.H).  9:  leUKth  l'.».()()-:.'l..')0 ;  e.Mciit  l,-i.(H(-.-|(l  (Ml ;  wiuu'  ll.(MI  l(i.(M);  tail  '.»..",(»- 
l()..')ll ;  tarsus  -'{.(H)  or  more  ;  midille  toe  without  idaw  l.HI.      North  Am.  at  hnxe,  miv  »(  tin 

most  ahumlaut  and  widely-dill'nsed  of  its  family.  es| iailv  in  meadowy  and  marshy  |il.ici-s,  ainl 

easily  recoi;ni/ed  by  its  yi'iieric  characters,  in  all  iis  \aiialion  of  si/.e  and  color.  The  nest  i> 
placed  upon  the  t;round,  and  rather  neatly  liiiilt  of  hay.  a  font  in  diameter.  .'I  inches  liit:li  ;  rua- 

:t- (i  .'    conin ly  l-'i.   broad   and   nearly   e(|iial-ended,  l.SO  to   I. ".MIX  l.tii-l.l'i,   dull   white. 

with  more  or  less  i;rreni>h  iir  bluish  shade;  no  tlrciilcd  marking's,  but  frec|iieiitly  small  s|Hits 
ami  laru'e  blotches  of  very  pale  brownish  on  the  ■iiuliice.  and  some  neutral-tint  slndl-spoi.s. 
No  specific  ilitl'ereiice  from  ' '.  ri/iniiiis  of  Kiirope  ;  avei.mini;  a  little  laii;'r:  old  ^  retaining  .i 
few  rnfoiis  spots  in  white  of  umler  parts,  and  more  evidenl  barrinu  of  wiiit;s  ami  tail. 

43.    Subfamily  MlkVIN^:    Kites. 

-  ;VTr..,  No  nil'  or  eai-i'on<di.      i.niil 

bristles  miHlerate,  scanty  or(|iii;i 
wanlini:,  the  head  biini;  then 
(dosely  and  .-oflly  I'eatlnled  !•• 
the  bill.     Supel'cili.irv  >liielcl  i'\  i- 

ilent  or  not.  {till  usually  weak. 
sonH'limes  extremely  slender. 
the  I'litliiii.'  id^e  iif  thi-  Upper 
maiKlible  stlalL'lit  to  the  curve, 
or  lolled  or  festooned,  but  iiol 
toiithed,  nor  the  lliidel  malidible 
truncate  .iiid  iniliheil.  Ni»lriN 
iml  circular,  iior  with  central 
b.iny  lulu  icle.  Wilms  very 
loliL'.  liMile  or  less  narrowed 
and  pointed,  with  several  (in 
our  u'enera  i  to  .'>)  primaries 
cmaruiiinte  on  inner  webs.  Tail 
very  variable  in  length  and 
shape,  ill  our  ueiiera  nearly 
even  or  deeply  forked.  Feet 
Very  small:  tjirsiis  much  shortir 
than  liliia,  approximately  eipial 
to  middle  toe  without  claW,  — 
Kii!.  :totj.  -A  ()iiiitti  Kiioi/.(.o.,.....«/..i;(ti«<M»)     ^Kroni  Ml.liclot.)         Usually  feathered  above,  ihe  test 


FALCOSllKK  -  Mil.  VIS.V. :    KtTKS. 


:5 


ii's  with 

.'  Til.. 
■>liii|ii'ii 
Cniiliiij; 
-ln'owil. 
riivcrt>, 
iwiii.^h- 

'I  «itll 

■■  >|ilitr 
lirii;lii 

I'.i.on; 
">■  Willi- 
il  '.t..V)- 


IlliiMtly  <ir  entirely  relieiilate  in  .»iimll  jmtterii  (with  few  or  iin  hiriie  traiisviTse  seiilr]l:i).      Tlie 

j;eiieral  orifaniziitiidi   \*  linteniiiiie  ;    tlie   sea|iiiiar   pmi'i'ss   uf  llit laetiid  iIih's  mil   inn  i   ilie 

eluvii'le,  the  Ke|itillii  lia>i  is  il ln|iietely  iis!<itieil,  a:iil   tlie  aiiteiim'  l'iili.'e  nl'  the   |ialute   i>   little 

<ievelii|M'(l  if  at  all  :  the  Nn|iereiliary  shield  is  in  mie  i>r  twn  pieces.  The  kites  furni  a  rather 
extensive  i;riiii|i  nf  hawks  nl'  iin  ureal  streiitrlh  anil  less  than  average  size.  ihmiL'li  very  aelive. 
^enerally  nt'  lithe  and  uraeel'tjj  sha|H',  with  Iniit;  thin  wind's  and  nfleii  Iniliid  tail.  Thi'y  are 
"iunnhie"  liirds,  snhsistiiiK  u|Hin  small  piine,  esjieeially  inseels  and  reptiles.  In  J'rniis 
oiiiriinis,  the  liee-eatini!  Iiawk  "f  Ku'npe.  the  wlmle  hi'ad  is  i!'  nsely  and  sullly  I'ealhered  t"  the 
hill.  The  ^nnip  is  less  hnniiiueii)  iins  than  the  nlliers  here  presented,  and  niiulil  lie.  perhaps, 
<liHiiietiiliered,  or  inerKed  in  U>ilfouiiM\  'I'he  t;enei'a  a.ssi^ned  diller  with  nearly  excry  writer 
who  reeii^ni/es  the  t^rnnp  at  all.  'I'he  type  tif  the  ;;riinp  is  the  i;eiiiis  Milrils,  near  which 
stands  unr  FAinuiiiks  (tii;.  'MM't),  and  with  which  it  may  imt  Im'  iinprii|ier  to  aswM'iale  J'Jlaims, 
Jfliiiia,  and  JtoslrhdiiiKH. 

Tall  iipnrly  an  liiliKiu)  llii' wliiKi,  (looply  forktfil;  lii-a<l  rliim.>ly  frullii^reil A,7(iii..ii/. ..  \;:< 

Tall  tiiMirly  or  almiil  cmmi 

Klvc  iiiitcr  |irliii»rl(.ii  t'liinrtfliiato  iin  liiiiiT  wi'lm;  lilll  ami  claus  uxironioly  ■Ivmler      .    .      Ilf/tilifimiiii  l?.' 

'I'wii  iiiitiT  prliiiarliH  ciiiariilnalu^  (armi*  waii'llalc  in  fniiit htini<t  \'.\ 

—  ciillrcly  ri'Ili-iilati! A.7<oiii«  ITl 

172.  IIOSTKII.VMI'S.     (hat.  i().s7n«m.  a  heak  ;  /kimii/.v,  a  I k.)     SnKl.E-iiii.i.r.K  Kni;s.     ISill 

e.xtreinely  loiit;  and  slender,  the  np|M'r  in  iiidihle  hiHiked  almost  into  a  sickle-shape,  the  enrva- 
Inre  also  impressed  to  Mime  extent  upon  the  under  niaadihle  ;  enttlnii  edu'es  entirely  witliuiit 
tooth  or  lohe,  lint  simply  cnrved  like  the  cnlineii  ;  uoiiys  slraiiiht.  Cere  contracied  ;  nostrils 
narrowly  oval,  hori/.ontal.  Loral  hristles  sliirhl.  Space  lietweeii  hill  and  eye  nearly  naked 
and  colored,  as  it' u  continnalion  of  ihe  cere.  Wiiius  hnii; ;  ltd  and  Itli  ijiiills  longest  ;  .'ilh 
next ;  1st  shorter  than  lith  ;  outer  .'i  emaruinaie  on  inner  wehs.  Tail  ahoiii  half  as  loni;  as  the 
win^;,  s!ii;litly  eiiiaruinale  or  nearly  even.  I'eet  small  :  tarsus  fealhered  alioiii  A  way  down  in 
I'lnnt,  then  scillellate,  for  the  rest  reticiilale:  middle  toe  and  claw  ahoiit  a.s  loiii;  as  taisiis. 
Inner  toe  without  i-luw  shorier  than  outer  ditto;  inner  toe  and  claw  loiiuer  tliaii  ditto  ;  no  evi- 
dent weldiint;  lielweeii  either  of  llieiii:  soles  uraimlar,  lull  lillle  Inlierciilate.  Claws  very  loiiu 
and  aciile,  Imt  slender  and  comparaiivelv  little  ciirveil  ;  inner  edue  of  the  middle  one  dilated 
and  jai;i.'ed.  .\  ueiins  marked  liy  the  extreme  hookiiiu  of  the  slender  hill,  othiTwise  near 
h'/iniiis;  conlainiiit;  two  or  three  spei-ies  of  the  waiiiier  pails  of  .\merica. 

11)0.  It.  Hoeiii'ltllls  iilMin'lieiiK.  (Lai.  siHidhilis.  ^'I'euarioiis  ;  jiliiiiilniis.  lead-coloied.)  KvKlt- 
la.Aiii:  Ki'i'i:.  .\dnli  ^  9  '■  (ieneral  color  Maekish-pliimlieons,  Idaekeiiiii);  on  wintfs  and  tail. 
Itase  of  tail,  with  loii^'er  upper  coverts  and  all  under  coveiis  while,  increasinu  in  extent  on  the 
tail  from  middle  to  lateral  feallieis  :  tail  also  with  a  pale  uray  or  whili  di  lermiiial  /.one.  Kill 
and  claws  Idaek  ;  hase  of  hill,    cere  and   feel   lirii;hl  oianiie,  dryiiiL'  diniry  yellow  :  iris   red. 

Lentfth  Ifi.dll   Is.lHI:  extent  al t    II.IMI:   winu  l:t..')il-|.'i..'')ll ;  tail  li..V)-;..'iii ;  hill  i).<lll-l. nil ; 

tarsns  |.7'i-'i.'i,'>  :  middle  loe  without  daw,  rather  less.  Yonnt;  hirds  are  iniicli  varied  with 
hrown,  yellowish,  and  while,  Imt   the  species  is  nnmistakal.'.     in  any  pliiniaue.     I'lorida  anil 

the  West  Indies:  said  to  he  i nion  ill  the  "  e<eri!  lades,"  and  to  reseinlde  the  marsh  hawK  ill 

haliits;  nest  in  a  lin>li.  eu^s  commonly  two,  whitish,  irreunlarly  spotted,  hlotched,  or  smirched 
with  hrown,  ahoni  I.J.'X  l.l'i.  Compared  with  the  S.  .\ui.  J{.  SDcidliilis,  ihe  Fluiida  hiid 
averau'is  laruer,  iiiihler-colnicd,  and  wraker-liilled. 

173.  IC'I'IM.V.  (to.  iVruKnr.  iklimis.  a  kile.  Fii.'.  Ml-)  LlAH  Kiri:s.  Itill  i.iiliir  -mall.  Imt 
rolmsi,  very  deep  .'iiid  «  ide  for  its  liiiL'th  :  lip  of  upper  mandilde  ninch  ovi  ihaimiin;,  ii>  cuiiiin; 
eilt;<'  very  prominently  lohed,  sometinie-  almost  tooihid  like  a  filcon's,  sonieliines  i ire;:! daily 
iiiiiiiate-serrale ;  the  nick  jiisi  in  finni  nf  the  lohe  iisiially  |H'rinitliiiu  the  median  ridue  uf  ihe 
pal. lie  to  lie  xisihle  Ironi  the  side:  ciilmeii  very  strongly  archill  ill  neirly  a  i|naih'anl  of  .i  liicle; 


■n 


■  \ ' 

\  I 

i 


iti 


li 


401. 


r>'24 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PA  PTOPES  -  A  CCIPITPES. 


giiiiyH  <'<invc'X,  nwriidini.' :  cprc  slmrt  ;  iKistrilxsiniill,  Hiibi'ircular  ;  luml  liriHtliiit;  xlipht ;  siiprr- 
ciliiiry  nIiIcIiI  miimII,  in  iiii<>  ]ii<'t'c,  \\'iii).'s  nt' iiioili'nite  Iciiutli,  aiiiph- ;  .'M  i|iiill  luiip'st  :  i^il  Imt 
littlf  'iinrtcr:  1st  i|nit('  slmrt.  alMHit  numl  tofitli;  outer  2  riiiiirf,'iimt<' nii  iiiix-r  Wfli,  and  next  i 
siniii'Wliat  sinuate.  Tail  nimierate,  even  or  eniaruiiiate.  the  t'eatliers  timail  to  their  obtusely 
rounih'ii  ends.  Feet  sliort  and  stout  ;  tarsus  scantily  fealliered  al>ont  J  way  down  in  IVoiit,  then 
seilteihite.  lor  the  rest  retiridate:  middle  toe  without  elaw  about  as  ioni:  as  the  tarsus  ;  outer 
and  middle  toes  eonne<-ted  by  a  bawil  web  for  the  whole  lenjrth  of  the  basal  .joint  of  the  latter ; 
inner  toe  without  elaw  shorter  than  the  outer,  with  claw  lonu'er,  ifH  elaw  beinir  niuch  laruer 
than  that  of  the  outer  toe,  rearhintr  beyond  ba.se  of  niidille  idaw.     Soles  broad,  esjiecially  under 


l-'Kl.  ;i»i7.  —  fypft,  MiivlMlppi  Kite,  }  nnt.  size;  rlijlil,  S«:ill"«-l!illi'<l  Kile.  .'.  mil   size,    (from  llri'tini.) 

the  hind  toe,  whieh  is  widely  niai'irined  :  claws  -^hort.  stout,  much  curved.  A  ifelins  ol  two 
species,  coiitined  to  teni|ierate  ami  tropical  .Vmerica  :  of  irreat  volitorial  power,  spemlinir  iniuli 
of  their  time  on  the  winir  in  ai'rial  i:yrations:  .somewhat  ureearious  like  other  Milrimr.  aui\ 
preyini;  H|Hintlie  hmiiblest  ipiarry.  especially  insi'i'ts  and  small  nptiles.  often  feedinu  from  their 
talons,  as  they  sail  tliii'Ut.'h  the  air.  after  sweepinir  down  upon  their  prey  and  sei/inu  it  as  they 
pas>  w  itleiut  -tayini.'  their  tliu'lit. 
I.  Hiiitcu>ru'U>u.    (I.al.  v'('«'i7'i(/(V(.  b|ui>h.)    Missi.ssii'i'i  Kiri;.    Adult  ,(9-   ••eueral  |p|iimau'e 

plumbeoiiH  or  -Inrk  .-i.shy-trray.  bleaebini,'  on  the  head  and  s< ndarie«,  blackeiiiiii;  on  ihe  tail 

and  wiit){H,  <<evcrH)  primaries  moiir((^)or  less  (9)  suHuseil  with  chestnut-red  on  the  inner 


174. 


FALCON  I  lU:— MIL  VIS.K:    KITES. 


will  or  (III  liiitli  ^v^l)^».     Forrliciiil  ami  ti|m  of  m iitliincs  iisimlly  xilvfry-wliili.-li ;  i'i>iir*'uli><l 

wliitf  .s|>otH  on  iIh'  hcii|inliirs  ;  liasrs  of  rciitliri-  ol'  IhmuI  jiikI  iiihIit  |iiirt>  llnry-wliilf.  I.^irfu, 
t'Vi  liilti,  ami  liill.  iiicliuliiiu;  I'rri',  lilm-k  ;  iiapi'  ol'  moiiili  ami  li  rt,  oraiii.'<'.  iIh'  lattiT  oli.Hriiriil  oii 
till'  front  of  till'  t.irsiis,  ami  aloni;  thi'  to|m  of  tlir  toi-M ;  iri>  lakc-nil.  V\t\  mimI  crrr  ilryinu  to  n 
iianii'li'M'  iliuuy  I'ojor.  l.i'iiL'tli  of  f  alioiit  li.(H);  rxtint  ''«).( H I :  wiiii;  Id  jll-l  I.Tiii :  tail  il.nii- 
li.JO;  tarsus  1.1.');  9  alxnit  I.'). (Hi;  wiiit;  I  I.IHI-I '^..')(i ;  tail  t'l. .')(>-;. (Ml.  Voiiiit::  lliail.  m  vk 
ami  iimirr  |iart.s  wliitish,  s|i<>tt<-il  with  ilark  lirown  or  ri'dilisli-lirowti.  i'<(rr|itiiii;  on  tlir  throat 
ami  aloiii;  a  sii|m  ri'iliary  liiii';  liiiinu  of  wiiius  tawny.  >|ioltril  with  riisty-lirown  :  ii|>|ii'r  |iai'ts 
hlackisli,  most  of  tlir  fratliri's  )'iIl:i'cI  with  tawiiy-wliiti':  iiiiills  ti|i|>i'it  with  wliili' ;  tail  Mark, 
with  iihoiit  'I  |ialr  ashy  hamis,  ami  as  many  rows  of  whiti'  spots  on  ihr  Inner  wi-hs.  Soiiilnrii 
I'.  S.,  ri'u'iilarly  N.  to  South  Carolina,  Illinois  ami  Imliaii  Territory,  I'lisimlly  to  I'lunsylvania. 
Iowa,  ami  Wisi'onmn  :  S.  into  Mi'xii'o;   rr|ilari'il  in  Ci'iitral   ami   S.   Am.   hy  thr   rrlatrd   Iml 

iiilitr  clislilH't    /.  Iilillllhiit.       Nrst  of  ■•tirks.  ill'.,  in  tl'i'l's  ;    I'lZt's  .' 

174.  IC'hAM'S.  (I,al.  i7(/ii((>,  a  kilr.)  rK.VKI.  KlTi:.'^.  IJi'laliil  to  thr  last:  u'lnnal  fmni  ami 
aspt'i-t  siniilar.  I'atti'rti  of  coloriitioii  iMiliri-ly  ililfririit.  Kill  lathiT  wiak  ami  i'oni|iri'ss*'il.  thf 
toiiiia  of  the  ii|>|>i'i'  inamlilih'  ilcvoiil  of  lohc  or  fi'.st<ion.  lint  slightly  ^iiiii.iti'  to  tlu'  ovi'rhaiiL'int.' 
ti|i  ;  t'onys  ahoiii  slraiirhl  :  ciiliiK'n  h'ss  stroiiuly  convrx  than  in  liluiin:  nostrils  siiln'iri'iilar, 
mar  iniilillr  of  the  nioiliratt'  rrri'.  Fri't  vrry  sinall  :  tarsus  iVathrrril  half-way  ilown  in  front, 
for  till'  rrsi  lini'ly  ulii'iihitt'.  likr  thr  to|i>  of  thr  tors  to  nrar  tlirir  mils  ;  hilnl  tiM'  xcry  short; 
claws  all  small  ami  litlh'  i-iirvnl  ;  liasal  wrh  lit'twicii  niiihlli'  ami  outer  tiM's  slight  (i'iini|iari' 
fi'i't  of  Itliiiiii)  Winu's  nearly  or  alioiit  twiee  as  lont;  as  tail :  |ioiiit<il,  M  ami  <'<il  i|nills  lonuest, 
1st  alioiit  eijiial  to  Itli.  1st  ami  ;.'<!  eniaruinate  on  inner  wehs.  Tail  eniaruinate.  hiii  mitei 
feather  shorter  than  the  next,  all  the  feathers  liioail  In  ilieir  ohtiisely-roiimleil  eml-  .\  small 
L'eiiiis  of  [  or  '}  s|H>i'ies  inhaliitinu  the  wanner  parts  of  the  worlil. 

u»'i.  I':.  kIiiii'i'i*"  (Lai.  f/ZifKei/.x.  hliiish.)  Ki.vi'K-siiiM'i.iiKitr.ti  Kith.  \Viim:-i\ii.i:i>  Kiik. 
.\cliill  ^  9  '■  I'l'l"'!'  I'iii'ts  pale  hinish-asli.  most  of  the  lieail,  the  whole  tail,  anil  entire  iiinler 
parts,  inelmlin^  linim;  of  the  wind's,  pure  while  ;  les.ser  anil  niiilille  wiiiir-i'ovetls  hiaek.  lormiiiL- 
a  ^reat  hlai'k  area  ;  a  patch  on  iimler  »  inu-coverts,  ih.'  shafts  of  nmst  tail-t'eatlier>,  iiihI  a  loral 
Hpot,  also  lilaek.  'The  white  ot  the  iimler  parts  ami  niiilille  tail-feathers  often  with  it  |H',irly 
hliiishcast.  Mill  and  claws  hlack  ;  cere  anil  feel  yellow  nr  oraiiue  ;  iris  nil  or  nsjilish.  I.r  ii;th 
I(i.l)()-I7.l"l;  extent  .!'.).»»«»  H..')(l;  Willi;  I  •,'..".()- |:i..')()  ;  tail  /.'HI  s. (Ml  ;  tarsus  |.:iii;  niiiliUe  toe 
witllon'  claw  alioill  the  s.ime  ;  9  lil'h'  larger  thiin  ^.  Yoiiiit:  iiiiirkeil  with  iliisky  ainl 
r<'ilili'>h-hro\\  n,  the  wiiiu-feath  -I's  while-tippeil,  the  tall-feallh  is  with  a  snhterniinal  .ishy  har 
In  this  species  the  tail  is  eiiiaru'inale  to  a  ilepth  of  ahoiit  i)..'i(l,  tlie  onter  tail-fealher  also  ahoiit 
as  much  shorter  than  the  next,  which  is  the  loiiuest  oiie.  Southern  I'.  S.  from  Atlantic  to 
I'aeilic  ;    N.  to  South  Carolina.  Illinois,    Imlian  Territory,  ami  Miilille  California;   S.  tiiri>iii.'li 

Central  ami  most  of  S.  Am.  ;  cin n.      With  hahits  in  ireiieral  like  those  of  the  last  s|Mi'ies, 

this  I'lcKiilit  kite  is  slron^er  iilul  trnm'  piiiluceiiiis,  preyiiii:  upon  small  liirilsaml  ipnulntiMtU  le^ 
well  as  insects  ami  reptih's.  It  nests  in  trii  •  ainl  lin>-his  ;  rtn:-^  4  ll,  siihsplierical,  l.il'i  X 
l.l.'>,  whitish,  hlotcheil  ami  sniircheil  with  mahoi;any  coloi 

175.  KhANOI  l>K8.     (Lat.  ilinins,  ami  (Jr.  uK>t.  >iil„x.  resenihlai .)     SwAl.l.nw-r  \II.K.I»  KlTK". 

I'roniinenlly  characleri/.eil  hy  the  extremely  elonuiihsl  .'iinj  iliiply  forlieali  t;iil,  the  ientrlh  ••*' 
wliich  nearly  eipials  that  ot  the  winu.  the  narrow,  acnniiiiaie  l.-iiei.-il  feathers  heinu  more  than 
twiee  as  loni;  as  the  niiilille  pair  when  full  urown.  Winus  also  very  loiii;.  thin  ami  aen*<  ; 
'ill  ami  :iil  ipiills  formint;  the  point  ;  Isi  alHiiit  eipml  to  -Mh  ;  Isi  ami  M  emaru'inale  •m  inner 
Wehs.  Keel  Very  nhoi1,  hilt  Htoiit  I  titisiis  feiitliei'eil  alMiii'  '„  way  4>>wn  ill  tr»inl,  elsewhere 
irri'uulai'ly  lelicnlati';  toes  mostly  .•.eiilell.ile  on  top,  hnl  relicul.iti  to«vari|  then  hase-,  craii»>lar 
ami  pailileil  umlermath  :  claws  short,  stnin,  stninuly  areiiate,  si'ihi|h'iI  out  uiiiltrtieath.  u<ih  sK.irp 
eiltiex,  tliill  of  the  inidille  ililateil.  Itill  rather  weak,  with  iiiiHlentHly  I'lmvex  cnliiieti  ami  small 
ceri'  ;    the  cutting  e<lp'  fesloolieil.       Nostrils  oval,  oltliijlie        lleail  closely  l^-Hlhel'i'*!  "li  ihe  siih-s  ; 


r»2« 


SYSlhMA  TIC  SYMU'SIS.      UMTOltES  -  ACCH'ITIU.'S. 


H  Hiiiall  Hii|i('ri>rltiiiil  Nhii'ld  i)f  a  mIiikIi*  txiiic.  A  IxtiMtifiil  p'liiiH  nf  ii  sIiikIi'  H|H>«-i<i«,  ri'latnl  tu 
ilir  (Mil  Wiirlil  Milnis  (typiful  kilch)  ami  i')>|H'rially  In  \iimlrnix,  willi  wliirli  latter  it  li:i> 
il!<ilall\  li'Tii  a.-Miriati'il, 
40:i.  !•;.  furlh'it'lUH.  (\.it\.  Jinjinihii,  t\ii\t\\  {iirUi'tl.  KiijH.  ,'1(1(1,  ;i(i7.)  .'^WAI.I.nw-TAII.KO  Kill:. 
Ailiilt  J  9  '  lli'iil,  iK'i'k,  liaml  <iii  i'iiiii|i,  ami  riitirt'  iimlrr  |iart!<,  iiirluiliiiL'  liiiiiii;  of  \viiii;!<,  Mmw- 
wliitr:  liarii,  \\iiik;>,  ami  tail,  ulii>.-<y  lijarli,  willi  vailniis  lii.xtir,  cliirlly  unin  ami  \ inlet.  Ilill 
li|iii>li-lilaek  ;  cere,  eilu'en  nf  iiiamlililes,  ami  feet  |iale  IiIiiIkIi,  the  latter  tllii.'eil  \«itli  t'leeiiixli ; 
rla»>  liulit-enlnreij.  I.eii(;tli  alxmt  ilJtil,  lait  very  varialile  ;  extent  .'(((.(Ml :  -.viii^  I,'i..'i(l-I7..'i(i ; 
tail  ii|)  til  II. .'id,  <'let't  iimre  than  ^  itn  len^Mli  :  tarniiH  alxiiit  I. -J.');  iniilille  tne  witlmut  elaw 
rallier  le.H.'*.  ^  iiiiiii;  :  Similar;  lixs  lii.stnuis  ;  u  iii^'- ami  tail-l'eatliers  \vliite-ti|i|ieil :  l'iatlier>«  nf 
lieail  ami  lieeU  |iem'illeil  with  ilelieale  hlial't  lilieM  nf  lilacUiMli.  'i'lii.^  iiin.st  ele^'aiil  kite,  >ii|ier- 
lulive  ill  ea>e  ami  uraee  nf  the  wiii^,  llnalx,  NiiiirH,  ami  ilaxlieN  nver  the  ifrcater  part  of  Aiiieriea, 
anil  even  rnmses  the  .Vtlalltie  nil  ilH  lillnyailt  jiininnH.  It  is  alilimlallt  in  the  Snutliern  r.  .">., 
hnnietinie>  u  iiiuiiii;  its  way  tn  tiie  .Miilille  Stales,  ami  nxMilarly  ii|i  the  whnle  Mississi|i|ii  valley, 
In  Minnesntii  ami  l>aknta,  latilmle  W°.     Kiaiwii  In  nest  frnm  Wisennsiii  ami  fnwa  sniithwaril. 

'The  liesi  !.•.  jilareil  nil  a  tree,  (•nlistnirteil  nfstieks,  hay.  llinss,  ete.  ;    ey^s  I-   Ci,  whiti>ll,   l.'.td  X  l.")ll, 

irregularly  hlnielieil  ami  sjierkeil  with  rii.-ty  aiiil  eliestniit-lirnwii. 


170. 


I    '        It 


44.   Subfamily   ACCIPITRIN/C :    Hawks. 

(ieiieral  fnnii  .striel.  with  small  lieail,  slmrtened  wiiitrs, 
ami  leiiulheiieil  tail  ami  let;s.  'Tarsi  a|i|il'n\iiiiately  eijilal 
tn  the  tihiii  in  leiiu'lh.  Ilill  slmrt,  I'nlnist.  Iiiuh  at  liax)' ; 
Innthless,  lint  nsiially  with  a  |irniiiineiit  fe.stnnii  ;  im  een- 
Iral  tnlieirli'  in  the  Innailly  nval  imstiil,  imr  keel  nf  palate 
aiiteriiirly.  Siipereiliary  shielil  pmniiiient.  Cnraniiil  ar- 
raiiijenienl  a.s  in  ItiiliiHiiiDi,  IwUi  \\]i\{-\[  ^rmip  the  present 
nlie  urailes.       \\'ilii.'>  eniieavn-eniivex,  the  IM  tn  (ith  iplills 

Iniip'si,  the  iKt  very  slinrt  ami  ninre  nr  less  linweil  inwai'il, 
the  niiter  :l  tn  ,')  eiiiarciiiate  nr  sinuate  mi  inner  welis. 
Tail  iplite  Inii^,  Nipiare  nr  I'niimleil,  sniiietiines  eniai'^i 
iiale,  nearly  eipialliiiL;  ihe  winu  in  lenu'th.  Tarsi  slemler, 
Iniif^'er  than  iniilille  tne  witliniit  elaw.  Usually  extensively 
if  lint  eniiipleli'ly  ileiimh'il  nf  feallierx,  llllil  .seiltellate 
liefnre  ami  ImIuihI.  This  is  an  extensive  ^:rnnp  nl 
nieiliiiin->i/eil  ami  small  hawks,  little  if  at  all  interinr  in 
spirit  nf  amiai'ily  tn  the  true  faleoiis,  ihniicli  less  pnwer- 
fiilly    nriz.'inixeil    am!    in    faet    i-niifnrniini:    i<i    aiiatniniral 

eharaeters  with    the  Itilltdlliiiii    rather   than    with    the    b'lihtiiiiiKl.       In    the   le.liliie  nf  fill iiy, 

the  Arnftilritiiv  are  styleil  "  iijniilile,"  lieeiiiise  these  short -uiiiueil  hawks  rake  after  the  i|iiarry. 
iiisteail  nf  plmminu  npnii  it  like  the  "iinlile"  |nn:,'-«iiii.'i'l  falemis.  Their  tlitrht  is  swifi  ami 
ilashinn;  tliev  iMplnie  their  pn-y  in  npen  eliase  with  ama/iiii;  iilirity  ami  aililress,  alvvays 
killiii|{  fnr  theiiiselNes  ami  ilisilaininu  lel'iise.  Their  ipiarry  is  rhietly  liinis  ami  ipiailrnpeils. 
.1  W/<c  anil  All  ij, ill)-  are  the  typieal  ami  prim-ipal  liinera,  nf  vihieh  some  ."i(»  .-peeies  (rliielly  of 
(he  fonmr  u'einis)  are  kiinvMi.  inlialiilini;  most  pails  ,if  the  worhl.  ( ••  repriMiitatives  of 
tiiene  ueiiera  are  ea.-ily  ili>riiiiiiiiatiil,  Imt  snine  exniie  speeies  imel  them  iplite  rinsely, 

Ann  I II  Kin  ol'  ilnhni. 

Hiniill  Miiil  nii-illiiiii-iilr.o<l!  ti-TiBth  "JO 'HI  or  li'hs     Tiiisiis  inure  vxIrnRlvoly  ilcnmlixl,  niiil  Hnili'llntp.  immo- 

llliii>  IuimIi'iI  .     .  Airiinlir     ITI! 

■  .iirue;  li'iii;llt   ivrr  .111111.     Titrmiii  Iemi  I'Xtonnlvi'l.v  ili'iiihli'il,  ami  M'liti'lliilc,  m^vcr  liiH)lril    .     .     .       Aaliir     177 


Km  ;WW.— .\  lyplfiil  .Vrclliltrhif    1  rnmi 
|i|\iiii.i 


FAWOSIIKE  —  A  ('('II'HUIX.K .    Jl.i  Whs. 


oiiT 


I'latoil  ti> 
IT  it   lia.s 


176.  ArCI'PlTEK.  (L.it.(ifri>i7<T.  iiliuwk.  Kiif-^l'^.)  SiiauI'-hiiisnki)  IIawkh.  Tiirxi  fiiitlnn<l 
aliiiiit  i  way  ilnwii  in  I'mnt,  nr  less  (in  Astiir  altniit  \  way),  aiiil  <|iiil('  kIi'IuIit  (wIkmiim'  the  (itiii 
"  Hliar|i->«liiiiii<'il  ")  ;  in  <>M)'  Kpccicn  iii'ianinrntly  and  niiitiniiniii'ly  Hcnhllatc  liil'iiii'  an<i  licliintl, 
tli(>  wntcllalion  continui'ii  on  to  tlic  tiM'it ;  in  thcniln'r  the  miUM',  or  finally  fiiKcil  in  a  <'oniiniioiii« 
"  lioot."  Toi's  lonu.  Klrndcr,  llic  onirr  one  nincli  wrlilinl  at  lia.sc  aii<l  |>atlil('<l  niiilcriK'ath; 
iiiiKT  I'law  niiii'li  lai'^)'!'  tiiaii  tin*  iniildli'  one,  a|i|)i'(ixiinati'ly  ri|naHinK  tli*'  liind  claw  ;  laif^ht 


Km.  n<;9.  —  (i<//nVir  ih'.iim  ipf  Kiii"|k',  miIuIi  f,  ;  iml.  .li/o;  ii.t  ilisliiii;iii8linl>lo  In  a  ml  frnni  mir  Sliar;)- 
hIiIiiiu'iI  Hawk  ;  takiii  an  <il'  \  nut.  nUu  il  wiiulil  I'l'lMcniia  (;<hi|iui''»  llik»k  Jtint  an  writ  ;  at  \  it  wmild  iln  iliilY  ti>r  a 
*i<i»liawk.    iKroiii  llii'lnn.) 

of  liill  at  Ita.sr  ^'icatcr  tliaii  clioid  of  ciilint'ii  :  1th  and  .')tli  i|iiIIIh  longest,  .td  and  (itii  iH'.\t. 
ii\  >lioft('r  tliaii  (>tli,  1st  vrfy  short.  'I'lic  two  followiiij,'  s|H'cirs  arc  cxaftly  aliki'  in  color:  one 
is  a  ihiniatiiri.'  of  the  other.     'I'hc  ordinary  idillna^c  is  dark  lirowii  ahovc  (deepest  on  tlic  head, 

the  occijiital  fcathii's  showilii;  while  vv  hen  disturlied),  with   an  ashy  or  |dMlidi is  .-hade  wiiieh 

incri'iises  with  atie,  till  tiie  t;etierai  cast  is  i|nite  liliiisli-iihh  ;  below,  white  or  whitish,  variously 
streaked    with   dark   hrown  and   rusty,  limilly  cliaii^niL,'  to  lirownish-rcd  (|>alest   hehiiid  and 


r>2fi 


SYSTi:M.irH'  SYXorsiS.      liM'lnUES      ACCIPIHIHS. 


xliuliily  iihIiv  ihtohm  tht'  brt'iixt),  tin-  «vliiti>  then  only  filiowiiii;  in  nitrmw  <T<iNit-)ian« ;  rliin, 
ilirnat  iinil  l■ri^•l<llnl  wliit)',  willi  lihirki.-li  iNiirillini;,  \\\r  crixKinii,  linwrvcr,  nMually  iiMinafiilitti- ; 
wini;i<  mill  tail  Itiiinil  witli  ii.-liy  ami  lirown  or  liinrkiKli,  tlir  i|ui!li«  wliitt'-liiirrcil  liaxally.  llir  lail 
\vliili>li-ti|i|H'il  ;  liiil  liaik  :  rlawM  Mark:  irin,  rnr  ami  I'nt  yellow.  SexcM  alike  in  eolor ;  9 
iniieli  larger  llian  J. 

.tnntit*tt  itf  S/Mi'tr^, 

KpvI  I'^trt'iiii'ly  uli'tiilcr ;  l>ar<'  |airlli>ti  nf  inroiiK  iMiincr  lliioi  iiilililln  liw  ;  mmiIi'IIii  rri'ipii'ialy  t\im»\ :  tall 
M|iiiiri>.  if  liMi<)  l-.'.iiu;  I'xii'iii  iiUiiii  :.'l  i»> .  HhiKUm^T  mi,  lull  .Vtio-il  (H).  ',  \j.i»<HMU.  rxtuiil  iilxMit 
'.'.'■.'HI;  nliiit  T  IHi  h.(»i;  Iftll  tt.uO-T.iNi,  mIk.Ii' foil  M.VIor  liiw J'utrut     \>M 

Frri  in'xli'riili'ly  r>liiiil  .  Imri-  |«irll<>ii  nf  itirviiii  Klmrlcr  tliitii  iiil<li|li>  lii<>:  M'Uli'llik  iilwnyii  illnlliii'l  .  lull 
r>Miii.|i.<l  ,f  IIkINI  Ih.ihi;  i'\I|.|ii  iiInmii  :imni.  « iii|{ ihiiiIii  INI;  lull  ;  IIO-H.INI  V  ■"OU-'.II.OII;  nxli'lil  iiIhuiI 
;i.'.  INI;  uliiu  KI.IIO- II.UO;  tall  N.OU  umi;  wliiilv  fiMiM  IKiiir  liiiirii ri«>/«ri     -IliC 

lUI.    A.  fiiM'iiB.    (hat./iimiifi,  ilark.    Kijr  WJ.)    Sii.\iif-NiiiNNKi>  Hawk.    "  I'kikux  "  II.wvk.  ho- 

I'alletl,  lillt  not  to  he  eollfolimleil  Willi  FaUii  nilunihiirillii,  No.  .'id,').  Atllllt  (J  9^  .Miove, 
ilai'k  iiIiiiiiIh'iiiih,  Hlate-enlnr,  i>r  liliii>li-i;ray.  hoioewliat  niore  fiiNeniiM  mi  tlie  wiii^M  ami  tail 
lliall  nil  till'  ImhIv,  llie  I'eatliers  of  the  liiiiil-lieail  with  tieeey  white  liaite.-,  the  M'a|iillarK  with 
eoneealeil  white  ii|hi|n.      'I'ail  cnniM'tl  liy  iiImiIiI   I  MaekiKll   Imm,  the  tii>t    iiliilei   the  envertx,  the 

la>t  Milileriiiiiial  anil  hrnailot : 
extreme  tijih  of  the  l'ealhei> 
while.  I'l'iiiiai'ii '^•  alunliiarlii  il 
with  hlaekL^li  liar.s  or  i*|iiil>, 
ami  wliitetiini;  at  their  haiie!>, 
ill  harN  or  iiiileiit.'<  nl'  the  iniiei' 
Melm,  I'liiler  parts  harnil 
eroMHV-JKe  with  rnfoiiN  mi  a 
while  uroiiml,  the  hars  mi 
Millie  jiarlK  emilale  ami  enn- 
lieeteil  almii;  (he  i>hat'l>  uf  the 
feather.-',  wliii'h  are  hlaekish  ; 
ear-  eoveriN  nii'mis  :  ni|mi<. 
iiiiiNtly  or  entirely  waniliiu 
nil    the    I'heekH,    throat,    ami 


Kli,.  :i;ii.  —  llvuk  anil  lalulisnf  .lr<'i/ii/<rl.l.  >->«>/>•»,  nul.  nlU'l.    (Ail  iiul. 
ilel.  K.  r  I 


eriMMillii,  whieli  are  limre  or  IrM  tin«-ly  |M'iieille<l  with  the  hiaek  Hhaftn  of  the  featherH;  eris.'-illii, 
however,  ol'teii  |iiire  white.  .\.xillar>  harreil  like  other  iimler  |iiii1r<:  liniiit'  of  wiiii.'.s  white,  with 
ilii.sky  fjiot.x.     Diniensiiiii!' as  alMive,     ^'011111;:   Almve,  iiniher-liiKWii,  varieil  with  nntty-hrown 

eil^ilii;.-4  of  most  of  the  feathers  ;    while  s|MitH  of  IU'a|llllarN  eX|Hiseil.       lleloW.  W'llite  more   or   less 

tawiiy-tiiit'eil,  siripeil  leiiifthwise  w  iih  ilark  hrown  or  reildish-hrowii  mi  most  |iaits,  the  feaihers 
mostly  lilaek-shafteil.  'I'lii.s  stati'  is  ofteller  seen  than  the  jierleeleil  |ilnmat;e;  4'Veiy  iiili  r- 
liieiliate  Hla^e  is  seen  :  hilt  there  can  Ix*  no  iniHilliilerMtamlint;  the  speeies,  as  mir  only  other 
hawks  (/•'((/(■()  inhitiilMiriii"  ami  /•'.  ^/inrrrriiiii  of  similar  slichl  iliiiirnsioiis  lnlonL'  to  a  iliU'ereiit 
^eiins  ami  siihfamily.  N.  Am.  ai  larue,  mie  of  mir  most  aliiimliiiit  h.iwks,  ami  one  uhieli, 
notwithstamliiii;  its  smallnrHi',  HMHiuiiiM  tlie  n'|)iilation  of  Airipitriiitr  fnr  nerve  ami  |irowess. 
The  nest  is  llsii;illv  hiiilt  ill  the  liraiiehes  of  a  trie,  sometimes  in  a  hollow  or  oil  a  leilue  of 
roeks,  lieiiii;  a  |ilallonii  of  small  siieks  ii|mi|i  whieh  lists  a  heil  of  hay,  moss,  leaves,  or  hark  : 
the  etfUM  are  ((I'lierally  laiil  in   May.  to  tlie  iiiiml>er  of  i  or   .'1.     The  white  (;roimil-eo|or  has 

often  a  livid  or  even  )iiirplish   lint,  aial  is  marked,  ofien  so  thii'kly  as  to  I hseiired,  with 

larixe,  irregular  sphishes  of  various  sli;i)les  of  hrown,  inleriiiiiialdy  i'haiii.'ealile  in   inimher,  si/e, 
and   pattern,  Honietimes   im  lininu  to  form   iiiahM-K  or  a  wnalh,   sometimes  more  evenly  dis- 
triliiiled.     The  I'L't;  is  of  nearly  eipial  si/eat  Imtli  ends,  ,'inil  measures  alimit   l.l.'i  X  I. la.     Il 
is  not  ili-tiiiuuishalde  with  eertainty  from  that  of  l-'iiho  iiiliniiliiiiiiis, 
1"5.    A.  roo'iH'rl.   (To  Will.  ('iMi|Mr.    FiL'.  •i/O.)    CimiI'KK'k  ll.\w  K.    ( 'iiiiKKN  II.XWK  (a  name  shared 


l-M.CltSUKK-ACCII'tiniS.K:    IIA  WKS. 


29 


I'liin, 
■iiliili' : 
till'  l;iil 
it;    9 


liy  H|Hfi<'H  of  Butfo),     Til liirM  mill  (■Iiiihucn  of  |>lniiiaKf  i>t'  tliii>  ii|Nrif!<  Im-'mii.'  |inictii'iill)r 

llr    oilllli'  a>  tlinsr  III'   /(.  filsniM,  lirnl  liiil    lii'  rr|M'iiti'il.      Til)'   rliiif  iliHrri'lli'i'  i>>,  (lull  lllr  rrnWII 

iif  till-  iiiliilt   in  iiHiiiilly  a|i|iri  riiilily  ilarkrr  Mlatr  than  tlic  dark  :  tlic  wliiti-  !»'a|iiilar  k|ii>n  arc 

•iiiulliT.   ffWiT,  or  wiiiitiiiu  ;   in   liiuli  pliiiiiaui'  tlir  U|i|H'r  part.«  arr  i-li'iirrr  Miii»li,  wliilr  llif 

liri'ant   liiiN  a   liiii'  ulaiiniiiK   IiIihuh  nvrrlyiiiu  tin'   riiroiDt  ami  wliiti-  cMinnl-rnli'i' :    tlir  tail  i-> 

niori'   iliriilriliy  \vliitr-ti|>|H'<l.     A   itiiiall   ^  ritofHTi  uraili'it   in   ni/i'   nrarly  ilnwn  t>>  a  larur  9 

fiinriiH,   lint    tliiTi'   a|i- 

|H'ar'<  III  Im'  rimHlantly 

u  ilitTi'ri'lirr  i>f  a  riiii|i|ii 

iif  inclirM  iif  total  li'nutli 

lit   Iriift  ;    anil   in   any 

rvrnt,  till'  iitliiT  rliar- 

arlii-*  alinVf  L'ivrii  «  ill 

MilliiT  riiri'iriiiliM'iini- 

liiatinii.     In  I'iilii'r  m|H'- 

cil-,   till'    yrlliiW   III'   till- 
rirr  anil  frrt  is  nl'lrn  iif 


iiHiiiilly  iiliwiiii'il  with  -^jiijj^      ♦'^•^ 

urii'iii-li.       In   niiiiiiii,  wV^r    I  .  iTv'^/'i'     -■•  I 

till'    lar>al   nriili'ila  an-  l     •  ,        ^      I 

itnllii'tillirM  ll'HH  iliMlilli-t  (■    /M            H 


C 


tliiiii  i'<  nnrnial,  Iml  ari' 
iiiit  kiiiiwn  III  I'liT  intii 
a  ImmiI.  a  iai'ui'  9  nut 
ili->tanlly    riM  iiilili'>    a 

l/lillliil   Hllllr  (  iiisliiuvk  ; 

lint  till'  liitri'i'i-ncii  ill 
fratlirrini;  nf  tlir  tardus 

i>  ili>lilirli\i'.  Trlil- 
|irrali'  \.  Am.  at  lai'ui-, 
mill  Miiilliwanl ;  nni'  nf 
tlicciiiiiiiiiiii"<'liii-ki'ii'' 
lia\vk>,  ami  a  IrliuU' 
III'  t.'1'i'at  amiarily  ami 
|iriiWfss,  jirryini;  mi 
liinl.i  n|i  til  till'  si/i- 
iif  uniiiHi'  ami  ilimirslir 
IMiiiltry.  Ni'Hiiiit;  ax 
ili-M-riliril  fiir  .1 .  t'lisriiM. 
Till'  <'Uti>  I  liavr  I'X- 
iiiiiinril    nii'axnri'    I'l'uiii 

l.Hd  X  l.l'')  til  :i.l<i  X  1><'>II  (liitMri'M  sliiiwini;  tlir  variatinii  Imtli  in  A/.v  ami  "liaiii'),  avorauini; 
tilHiiit  l.'.H)  X  I'll).  Tiny  ii'M'tiililr  tliiixi'  III'  ihr  liiar>'li  liawk  xn  rlnxrly  ax  nut  (<■  In-  I'lTtaiiily 
ili>tiiii;iiii<lialili>,  liiit  iiri'  iiNUiilly  imiri'  ulnlmlar,  ami  vviili  a  innn-  t'laniilalril  hIh-II.  Tlir 
LTi-aii-xt  ilianu'trr  ix  at  nr  very  iirar  tlir  iniilillr:  ilitfrri'iici'  in  xlia|M'  nf  tlir  two  rmlx  ix  rarrly 
a|i|in  rialil)'.  All  iiri>  iimrr  nnironn  in  ciilui'  than  tlmxi'  i>l'  iiiuxt  hawkx,  ri'xi'inlilinu  tin'  jiali', 
x4-arrrly-inai'ki'il  rxani|ilrx  ni'i-ar-iiinally  laiil  hy  nmxt  kimlx :  mnir  ari'  riin>|iii'iiiiii.>ly  ilark- 
inarki'il.  Thr  );i-iiiiml  is  wliitr,  faintly  lintcil  wiih  lixiil  nr  Krri'iii>h-L'ray :  it' inarki'il,  it  ix  with 
faint,  Moini'tiini'H  alnnixt  uhxiilcti-,  lilntrlicx  nCilrali,  liahlc  to  he  nVfiliHiki'il  wilhniit  i'Iuxl-  iiiM|H.r,- 
tiun;  (iiily  an  iK-caHiniial  H|Hriiiii'ii  ix  fiiinnl  with  ilcciili'il,  tlmuuli  otiH  <hill  ami  x|iarHi',  inarkiiiuH 

■■11 


Fill  :tTt.  —  t',iirM|>ciiii  ()'>iiliawk.  iifmin  (* .  |  mil  "Ijo.  imt  <IMIiii;iiiii|iii1ili'  In  llio 
I'll!  riiiiii  lliii  Aiiiri'ii'iiii  liiwlmnk;  >'liiiii|{i'  of  m  iilr  Im  \  or  )  wmiM  iiiiikr  il  ri'|>iu- 
M'lit  lliD  yniuiu  S  ('iio|H)r'»  iir  Sluirp-iililiiiiuii  lluwk.   (Frniii  llrflini.) 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


,/^..^^ 


1.0 


1.1 


11.25 


12.0 

!4U4 


■  2.2 

««      lAO 

lit         !■■ 

Ill 


ttuu 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRfIT 

«ViBSTER,N.Y.  14580 

(716)t72-4S03 


630 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  BAPTOEES—  ACCIPITRES. 


of  pale  brown.  Tluee  or  four  eggs  are  the  usual  nest-compleinent ;  in  the  Northern  and 
Miilille  States  they  are  laid  in  May. 
177.  AS'TUR.  (Lat.  asUn;  a  liawk.)  Goshawks.  Characters  in  general  as  above  given  for 
Acc'qnter;  size  superior,  and  organization  more  robust;  feet  stronger,  the  tarsus  featliered 
about  i  way  down  in  front  and  on  the  sides,  leaving  only  a  narrow  bare  strip  beliind  ;  the 
scutellation  discontinuous  at  the  bases  of  tlie  toes,  which  are  finely  reticulate;  resumed  beyond  ; 
never  fused.  These  "  goose-hawks  "  or  "  star-hawks"  are  a  small  genus  of  five  or  six  "  ignoble  " 
species,  held  in  high  estimation  by  falconers  for  their  prowess  in  the  chase.  Ours  appears  to 
be  quite  distinct  from  A.  jxdumlarius,  tliougli  closely  related. 
400.  A.  atrieapil'lus.  (Lat.  atricajnllus,  black-haired.  Fig.  371.)  Ameuican  Goshawk.  Ulle 
Hkn  Hawk  (adult).  Chukex  Hawk  (young).  Adult  ^  9 :  Above,  dark  bluish-slate  color, 
each  feather  black-shafted;  top  of  head  blackish,  cftuspicuously  dift'ercnt  from  other  upper 
parts,  the  feathers  there  witli  fleecy  white  bases ;  a  long  white  superciliary  or  rather  post- 
ocular  stripe  ;  auriculars  blackish.  Ground  color  of  under  parts,  including  lining  of  wings, 
white,  closely  barred  or  vermiculatcd  in  narrow  zigzag  lines  with  slaty-brown,  except  on  throat 
and  crissum,  and  everywhere  sharply  pencilled  with  blackish  shaft-lines,  one  on  eacli  featlier. 
The  barring  is  largest  and  uiost  regular  on  tlie  belly,  flanks,  and  tibitu,  hut  is  for  tlie  most  jiart 
much  dissipated  iu  a  tiue  mottling.     It  varies  greatly  iu  coarseness  in  different  specimens,  some 

of  which  approach  A.  ii'tlum- 
hariits  in  this  respect.     Tail 
like  back,   banded  with  four 
or  five  blackish  bars,  the  ter- 
minal one  nuudi  tlie  broadest. 
Bill  dark  bluish ;  iris  yellow- 
ish ;  feet  yellow,  claws  black. 
Wing-quills   in   similar   pat- 
tern, and  both  these  and  the 
tail  showhig  tendency  to  some 
whiti.sh  mottling  of  inner  webs 
of  the  feathers.    Young :  The 
difference   is   substantially  as 
in  species  of  .4cci))i7er.-  above, 
dark  brown,  varied  with  rusty- 
brown  and   whitish ;    below, 
white,  more   or  less  tawny- 
tinged,   witli    t)b]oug,    lance- 
linear,  clubbed  or  <lrop-shaped 
Fio.  372.  —Prairie  Falcon,  J  nat.  size.    (From  life,  by  II.  W.  Elliott.)         dark  brown  markings.     Tail 
more  distinctly  barred  than  in  the  adult,  and  with  white  tip.     But  in  any  equivocal  plumage, 
the  goshawk  may  be  recognized  by  its  size,  which  is  tliat  of  an  average  Buteo,  together  with 
the  short  rounded  wings,  very  long  fan-shaped  tail,  and  other  gt'ueric  characters.     Length  of 
$  20.00-22.00;  extent  alx.ut  42.00;  wing  12.00-13.00 ;  tail  9.00-10.00;  tarsus  2.75  ;  middle 
toe  without  claw  1.75;  cliord  of  cuhneu  without  cere  O.'JO  ;    9,  length  22.00-24.00;  extent 
45.00  or  more;  wing  13.00-14.00;  tail  11.50-12.50.     A  large,  powerful,  and  when  iu  perfect 
plumage,  a  very  handsome  hawk,  of  splendid  spirit,  the  terror  of  the  poultry-yard.     A  larger, 
brighter,  and  altogether  better  bird  than  the  European.     It  inhabits  northern  N.  Am.  ;  the 
northern  half  of  the  V.  S.  chiefly  iu  winter,  but  is  also  resident  in  some  parts,  and  breeds 
Iu  mountainous  regions  as  far  south  at  least  as  Colorado,  where  1  have  seen  it  iu  suimner. 
Its  ordinary  quarry  is  grouse,  ptarmigan,  and  hares.     The  nesting  and  the  eggs,  as  described, 
are  most  like  those  of  Accipiter  cooperi ;  the  eggs,  probably  only  distinguishable  by  their  supe- 


Ten 


FALCONID^  —  FALCONING :  FALCONS. 


631 


nor  size,  nioasiiring  about  2.30  X  1-90,  soiled  wliitish,  "umrkcd  iiTcgularly  M'ith  large  l)ut  quite 
faint  blotchi's  of  drab  and  yellowish-brown." 
40T.  A.  a.  strla'tulus?  (Lat.  strkUulus,  finely  striped.)  Westehn  Goshawk.  Deseribed  as 
having  the  markings  of  the  under  parts  so  fine  and  dense  as  to  present  a  nearly  (iniforin  bluish- 
ashy  nebulation,  pencilled  with  line  black-shafted  lines.  Rocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific.  (Probably 
uutenable.) 

45.   Subfamily  FALCONING:    Falcons. 

^__  Bill  furnished  with  a  sharp  tooth  and  notch  near  the  end  of 

the  cutting  edge  of  the  upper  mandible  (sometimes  two  such 
teeth),  and  end  of  under  mandible  truncated,  with  notch  near 
the  tij)  (figs.  372,  37i).  Nostrils  circular,  high  in  the  cere, 
with  a  prominent  central  tubercle  (fig.  372).  Inter-nasal 
septum  extensively  ossified.  Palate  with  a  median  keel  ante- 
riorly. Sujterciliary  sliield  prominent,  in  one  large  piece. 
Shoulder-joint  strengthened  by  union  of  scapular  j)rocess  of 
the  coracoid  with  the  clavi(de  (fig.  3(12)  as  in  Mkraxtur,  Hcv- 
lietotheres,  and  the  I'oli/borhuc  alone  of  Falconidrc.  Wings 
strong,  long,  and  ixiiiited,  with  rigid  and  usually  straight  and 
tapering  flight-feathers ;  the  tip  formed  by  the  2d  and  3d 
i|uills,  supported  nearly  to  their  ends  by  the  1st  and  4tli, 
both  of  which  are  longer  than  the  5th ;  oidy  ime  or  two  outer 
primaries  enuirginate  on  imier  webs  near  the  end.  Tail  short 
and  stift",  with  more  or  less  tapering  rectrices.  Feet  strong, 
rather  short,  the  tarsus  of  less  length  tlian  the  tibia,  feathered 
more  or  less  extensively,  elsewhere  irri'irularly  reticulate  in 
small  pattern  varying  with  the  genera  or  subgenera;  never 
s(uitellate  in  single  series  before  or  behind.  Middle  toe  very 
y,  '•         .  long;   talons  very  strong.     The  true  ./w/cohs  are  thus  enii- 

Fio.  :!7.'!.  —  A  "noble"  Falcon,    nditly  distinguished  from  other  menibers  of  the  family;  a 
(From  Micliulet.)  glance   at   the   toothed   beak  sutfices  for  their   recognition. 

They  are  birds  of  medium  and  small  size,  some  kinds  being  not  larger  than  a  sparrow,  but 
extremely  sturdy  organization,  vigorous  physique,  and  temerarious  disposition.  They  capture 
their  tjuarry  with  sudden  and  violent  onslaught,  and  exhibit  the  raptorial  nature  in  its  highest 
degree.  The  typical  and  principal  genus  is  Falco,  of  which  there  are  several  subdivisions 
corresponding  to  minor  modifications.  Upwards  of  fifty  species  are  recognized.  Our  rather 
numerous  species  represent  the  several  grades  of  gyrfaleons,  laimers,  peregrines,  merlins,  and 
kestrels.     These  I  sluJl  consider  under  one  genus,  Falco,  with  indication  of  the  subgenera. 


Fio.  374.  —  Peregrine  Falcou,  greatly  reduced.    (From 
Tenney,  after  Wllsnu.) 


<-*«. 


Fio.  37.1. —  Kestrel  Falnon.  like  our  Sparrow-bawk 
{Tinnunculus),  ledaceil.    (From  Dixon.) 


532 


SYSrmiA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  liAPTORES—A  CCIPITRES. 


178.    PAL'CO.    (Lilt. /«?to,  a  falcon  or  faucoii.)     Cliaracters  as  above,  with  minor  modifications  as 
follows :  — 

Analysis  of  Subgenera  and  Species. 

Tarsus  more  or  lesf  featlicred  above,  elHewliero  irregularly  reticulate  in  small  pattern  (no  large  plates 
like  Bcutella;;  2d  primary  longeitt;  1st  longer  than  4th,  and  decidedly  emargiuate  on  inner  web.  (Gyr- 
falcoiis,  tanners,  and  pereyrinea.) 

Gyrj'alcons:  Tarsus  feutliorcd  fully  }  down  in  front  and  on  sides,  leaving  but  a  narrow  strip 
bare  Itohiml ;  longer  than  nii<ldlo  toe  without  claw ;  1st  quill  shorter  than  3<1.  Sexes  ulilir. 
Very  large;  about  1!  feet  long.    (II'kkofalco.) 

Prevailing  coliir  dark  ;  head  and  neck  darker  than  bock aacer    498,499 

Prevailing  color  dark ;  head  and  neck  lighter  than  back islnntlicus    CflU 

Prevailing  color  white ramlicmis    501 

Lnnnrm:  Tarsus  feathered  i  way  down  in  front,  broadly  bare  behind;  longer  than  middle  toe 
w.thout  claw;  1st  quill  sliorter  than  3d.    Medium;  grayish-brown  above;  sexes  alike.  (Ukn- 

:  .4IA.) nie.iiranuH    .Wi 

I'et -iirinin :  Tarsus  feathered  but  a  little  way  down  in  front,  broadly  bare  behind  ;  not  longer 
thin  middle  toe  without  claw;   Ist  quill  not  shorter  than  3d.    Medium:  slaty-bluish  above; 

sexi's  alike.    (Falco.) pereyrinus    503,  504 

Tarsus  scarcely  feathered  above,  with  the  plates  in  front  enlarged,  like  a  double  row  of  alternathig 
scutella  (anil  often  with  a  few  tiiic  seutella  at  base);  2d  or  8d  primary  longest;  1st  not  longer  than 
4th;  Ist  ani  2d  cmarginate  on  Inner  webs.    (.Verliiis  and  Kestnls.) 

Mirlins:  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw.    Sexes  unlike;  young  of  both  like  adult 

fem.ile.    Small ;  wing  7.50-8.50.    (.Ksalon)        (■nlnmlmriun    ,50,"),  .5flfi,  507 

Kfntii'h:  Tarsus  longiT  than  middle  too  without  claw.  Sexes  very  unlike  at  all  ages.  Smullest: 
wing  7.00-7.50.    (TiNXf.NciLL-8.) 

Under  parts  white  or  tawny ;  back  of  mole  and  female  rufous,  barred  or  plain  spnrrerius    50K,  509 

Under  parts  rufous;  back  of  male  plumbeous,  of  female  rufous spdrnriimltn     610 

HoMiies:  Tarsus  little  longer  than  middle  too  without  claw.  Sexes  alike;  young  little  ilifl'orent. 
Medium ;  wing  10.00  or  more     (Rhtkchopalco.) /iiiii:icurulis<-(n.t    511 

498.  p.  sa'cer.  (Lat.  sacer,  .sacred.)  American  Continental  Gyrfai.con.  Oho  of  the  large.st 
:iiid  most  powerful  I >f  the  I'^ikonina;.  Feet  very  stout ;  tarsus  rutlior  Linger  than  middle  tue 
without  claw,  feathered  fully  half-way  down  in  front  and  on  sides,  with  narrow  haiv;  striji 
behind;  elsewhere  reticulate.  Wing  iiointed  by  2d  quill,  suiijiorted  nearly  to  the  end  by  the 
3d ;  1st  rather  shorter  than  ;hl,  only  the  1st  decidedly  emarginate  on  inner  web.  'I'ail  rounded. 
Sexes  alike.  Young  little  different.  Wing  of  (J  13..50-11.50;  tail  8.50-9.50;  wing  of  9 
15.00-lG.OO;  tail  9.00-10.00.  Adults:  General  plumage  of  the  upper  parts  haired  with  dark 
brown  and  pale  ash,  the  former  predominating,  especially  on  the  head  and  neck  ;  tail  closely 
barred  witli  light  and  dark  in  about  ef|ual  amounts.  Lower  parts  white,  immaculate  on 
throat,  elsewhere  streaked  and  variously  spotted  with  dusky.  Young  darker  than  the  adults  ; 
at  an  early  stage,  some  of  the  lighter  markings  tinged  with  ochraceous.  This  is  the  stock- 
form  of  Continental  N.  Am.,  probably  inseparable  from  F.  gyrfalco  of  Europe;  the  distinctions 
from  F.  inlandicm  being  moreover  not  very  apparent.  I  suspect  the  truth  to  be,  in  respect  to 
all  the  gyrfalcons,  that  there  is  but  a  single  circumpolar  species;  that  with  specimens  enough 
an  uninterrupted  sei-ies  could  be  established  connecting  the  blackest  "  obsoletus  "  with  the 
whitest  "candicans"  ;  and  that  the  races  even,  whicli  most  ornithidogists  recognize,  arc  not 
coincident  with  geographical  areas.  But  I  defer  in  this  case  to  those  authorities  who  have 
formed  the  contrary  opinion,  upon  mucdi  further  investigation  of  the  subject  than  I  have 
ever  made.  Gyrfalcons  of  the  ])resent  kind,  or  of  Nos.  499,  500,  not  infrequently  visit  the  North- 
em  States  in  winter,  sometimes  even  reaching  the  Middle  States  and  Kansas.  They  reside 
in  summer  beyond  the  U.  S..  and  abound  in  the  Arctic  regions,  nesting  in  trees  or  cliffs,  preying 
upon  hares,  grouse,  jitarmigan,  ducks,  auks,  etc.  The  eggs  range  from  2.25  to  2.50  in  length, 
X  1.60  to  1.90  in  breadth,  and  are  usually  heavily  colored  with  reddish  and  brownish  pig- 
ments in  interminable  variety. 

499.  p.  8.  obsole'tus.  (Lat.  obsoletus,  unwonted.)  Labrador  Gyrfalcon.  A  dark  phase  of 
the  last,  almost  entirely  dusky,  the  usual  markings  nearly  obliterated  ;  from  the  f(»ggy  coast  of 


FALCONID^  —  FALCONINJE :  FALCONS. 


633 


Labrador  into  U.  S.  in  winter.  {F.  labradora,  And.,  folio  pi.  196.)  I  have  seen  it  perfectly 
dark,  — no  marltings  whiitevor. 
500.  F.  islan'diciis.  (Lat.  form  of  Icelandic.)  Icelaxu  Gyufalcon.  Resembling  F.  .sficpr  as 
above  described,  and  probably  not  fairly  separable ;  on  an  average  lighter  colored,  more  ex- 
tensively white  below,  the  head  and  neck  lighter  than  the  rest  of  the  upper  parts. 
This  form  occurs  in  Iceland  and  southern  Greenland,  straggling  in  winter  into  the  N.  E. 
U.S. 


,409 
fiOO 
501 


rM 


501. 


Fio.  376.  — Laiiner  Falcon,  }  nat.  size;  not  dlBtinguisbnble  in  the  cut  from  tbe  Prairie  Falcon.    (From  Brehm.) 

F.  can'dlcans.  (Lat.  candimns,  whitening.)  Greenland  Gyrfai.con.  The  extreme 
form,  averaging  when  adult  as  white  as  a  snowy  owl.  Head,  neck,  and  under  parts  pure  white, 
with  few  dark  touches  if  any.  Back,  wings  and  tail  with  white  and  dusky  in  about  eciual 
amounts,  or  former  rather  prevailing,  giving  the  ground  color,  on  which  tlie  dark  appears  in 
bars,  crescents,  and  cordate  spots.  Bill  and  feet  light.  This  form  is  characteristic  of  Greenland, 
straying  south  in  winter;  but  I  know  of  no  case  of  its  occurrence  in  the  U.  S. 


534 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYXOl'SIS.  —  RAPTORES—  A  CCIPITRES. 


! 


502.  F.  mexica'nus.  (Liitjnej-icnjiws.  Mexican.  Fig.  376.)  American  Lanxku  Falcon.  Prairik 
Falcon.  A  mediinn-sizcd  sMefics,  (li.stiiiguislu'tl  from  any  gyrfiik'on  by  the  smaller  size, 
(liflbreut  feathering  «if  tlic  tarsus,  ete. ;  tVimi  the  Juek  hawk  by  the  general  much  lighter  color, 
which  is  (lull  browiiisli  above  instead  of  dark  slate,  etc.  Adult  ^  9=  Upper  parts  brownish- 
drab,  each  feather  with  a  paler  border  of  brown,  grayish,  or  whitish ;  the  top  of  the  head  more 
uniform,  the  occiput  and  nape  showing  more  whitish.  Under  parts  white,  everywhere  ex- 
cepting on  the  throat  marked  witli  linn  spots  of  dark  brown,  most  linear  on  the  breast,  then 
more  broadly  oval  on  the  belly,  enlarging  and  tending  to  merge  into  bars  on  the  Hanks,  very 
spar.se  or  obsolete  on  the  crissum,  in  the  maxillary  region  forming  a  broad  firm  moustache  ; 
these  markings  corresponding  with  the  ground  color  of  the  upper  jiarts.  J'riniaries  ashy- 
brown,  with  narrow  but  lirm  pale  edging  of  outer  webs  and  ends,  the  inner  webs  regulni'ly 
marked  with  white  in  form  of  barred  indents  or  circumscribed  spots,  most  numerous  and  regular 
on  the  outer  few  i)rimaries  ;  the  white  tinged  with  fulvous,  next  to  the  shafts  ;  the  outer  web 
of  the  first  i)riniary  either  plain,  or  with  whitish  indents  as  in  E.  Icmarius  ;  outer  webs  of  sec- 
ondaries more  or  less  marked  with  fulvous;  axillars  plain  dark  brown;  lining  of  wings  other- 
wise white,  spotted  with  dark  brown.  Tail  j)ale  bri>wnish-gray,  nearly  uniform,  but  ■with 
white  tip,  and  more  or  less  distinct  barring  or  indenting  with  whitish,  esjjecially  on  the  lateral 
feathers,  producing  a  pattern  not  unlike  that  of  the  jjrimaries.  Bill  mostly  dark  bluish  horn- 
color,  but  its  base,  and  much  of  under  mandible,  yellow ;  feet  yellow.  Young  birds  have  m<ire 
fulvous  in  the  dark  ground  of  the  upper  parts ;  are  more  heavily  spotted  below,  and  the 
white  is  there  tinged  with  buff  or  ochrey,  feet  plumbeous.  ISize  very  variable :  length  of  $  about 
18.00,  extent  40.00  ;  wing  12.00-13.00  ;  tail  7.00-8.00;  tarsus  about  2.00  ;  middle  toe  witliout 
claw  about  the  same;  chord  of  culmen,  including  cere,  1.00.  ?  larger:  wing  13.00-14.00; 
tail  8.00-9.00,  etc.  A  noble  species,  representing  the  Old  World  lanner  an<l  jugger,  and  scarcely 
separable  therefrom  ;  abundant  in  Western  N.  Am.,  csjiecially  on  the  plains ;  E.  occasionally  to 
Illinois.  I  have  traced  it  from  Montana  at  lat.  19°  to  Arizona  and  S.  Califoniia,  find  found 
it  very  numerous  in  Wyoming,  where  it  is  the  characteristic  sjiecies  of  its  genus ;  it  extends 
into  Mexico.  In  the  region  first  named  it  was  nesting  on  cliffs.  Eggs  2-3,  from  2.05  to  2.23 
X  1.55  to  1.65,  white  or  creamy-whitish,  irregularly  but  usually  thickly  clouded,  mottled,  and 
Idotchcd  with  reddish-brown ;  often  with  a  purplish  shade;  thus  indistinguishable  fr<mi  those 
of  related  species.     (JP.  XMlijngrus  Cass.) 

503.  F.  peregri'mis.  (Lat.  jjecejfnuMS,  wandering.  Fig.  377.)  Perkorine  Falcon.  DcckHawk. 
Great-footed  Hawk.  A  medium-sized  falcon,  about  as  large  as  the  foregoing,  but  known 
at  a  glance  from  any  bird  of  X.  Am.  by  the  slaty-plumbeous  or  dark  bluish-ash  of  th(>  nji-icr 
parts,  the  black  "  moustache,"  and  other  marks,  taken  M-ith  its  particular  size  and  shape. 
Wings  stiff,  long,  thin,  pointed  by  the  2d  quill,  supported  nearly  to  its  tip  by  1st  and  3d ;  1st 
quill  alone  abruj)tly  emarginate  on  inner  web,  this  about  2  inches  from  its  tip  ;  none  cut  on 
outer  webs.  Tomium  of  upper  mandible  strongly  toothed,  t^f  under  mandible  deeply  notched. 
Tarsus  feathered  but  a  little  way  down  in  front,  otherwise  entirely  reticulate ;  toes  very  long, 
giving  great  gras])  to  the  talons.  Adult  $  9  '■  Above,  rich  dark  bluish-ash  or  slate-cidor, 
—  very  variable,  sometimes  quite  slaty-blackish,  again  much  lighter  bluish-slate;  the  tint 
pretty  unifonn,  whatever  it  may  be,  over  all  the  upper  parts,  but  all  the  feathers  with  sonie- 
trhat  paler  edges,  and  the  larger  ones  for  the  most  part  obscurely  barred  with  lighter  and 
darker  hues.  Under  parts  at  large  varying  from  nearly  pure  white  to  a  peculiar  muddy  buff 
color  of  different  degrees  of  intensity;  the  throat  and  breast  usually  free  from  markings  (or 
only  with  a  few  sharp  shaft  peucillings),  and  this  white  or  light  color  mounting  on  the  auricu- 
lars,  so  that  it  partly  isolates  a  blackish  moustache  from  the  blackish  of  the  side  of  the  liead; 
the  under  parts,  except  as  said,  and  including  the  under  wing-  an  1  tail-coverts  closely  and 
regularly  barred,  or  less  closely  and  more  irregularly  spotted,  with  blackish ;  the  bars  best 
pronounced  on  the  flanks,  tibiae,  and  crissum,  other  parts  tending  to  spotting,  M'hich  may  extend 


I 


FALCON. ID^^— FALCONING :   FALCONS. 


635 


fonvnrJ  to  invaJo  tlip  breast  (this  is  the  rule  in  European  birds,  the  exception,  tliough  not  ii 
rare  one,  in  American  birds).  Tail  and  its  upper  coverts  regularly  and  closely  barred  with 
blackish  and  asliy-gray,  the  interspacing  best  marked  on  the  iinier  webs,  and  all  the  featlicrs 
narrowly  tipped  with  white  or  whitish.  Primaries  all  showing  uniforn!  blackish  on  their  ex- 
posed surfaces,  but  on  tlio  inner  webs  seen  to  be  marked  with  numerous  regular  and  close-set 
spots  of  white,  whitish,  or  muddy  buff,  for  the  most  part  isolated  within  the  webs,  but  on  the 


Fio.  3T7.  —  Peregrine  Falcon,  or  Duck  Hawk,  J  nat.  size.    (From  Brclim.) 

inner  primaries  and  secondaries,  and  toward  the  bases  of  all,  becoming  or  tending  to  become  bars 
reaching  the  edge  of  the  feather.  Bill  blue-black;  cere  and  much  of  base  of  bill  yellow; 
feet  yellow ;  claws  blackish.  Size  very  variable ;  length  of  a  good-sized  9 ,  I'J.OO ;  extent 
45.00;  wing  14.50;  tail  7.00.  <?  averaging  smaller;  wing  12.50;  tail  0.00;  a  usual  range, 
sex  not  considered,  is,  wing  11.50-U.OO;  tail  6.00-8.00;  tarsus  1.73-2.10;  middle  toe 
without  claw  rather  more.  Young  :  Recognizably  similar  to  the  adults  in  general  characters ; 
not  barred  below,  but  there  more  or  less  extensively  and  heavily  streaked  lengthwise ;  upper 


536 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  liAPTOBES  —  A  CCIPITItES. 


parts  brownish  or  bltickish,  in  either  case  without  the  gliiucous  bloom  iind  appearance  of 
transverse  inarltings  wliich  the  adults  show,  the  variegation  being  chieHy  in  light  gray  or  rusty 
edgings  of  individual  feathers.  This  faleon  is  the  central  figure  in  the  whole  genus,  and  in 
one  or  another  <if  its  geographical  guises  is  cosmopolitan ;  it  is  universally  but  irregularly  dis- 
tributed in  N.  Am.,  scarcely  to  be  considered  common  anywhere  ;  breeds  as  far  south  as  Vir- 
ginia at  least,  usually  in  mountainous  regions ;  nests  indifferently  on  trees  or  difls  or  tlin 
ground;  eggs  2-5,  oftener  3-1,  2.10  to  2.35X1.00  to  1.75,  averaging  about  2.25  X  1 .05 ; 
white  or  whitish,  spotted,  blotched,  wreathed,  clouded,  etc.,  with  the  reddish-browns,  from 
chocolatt!  or  even  purplish  to  the  ochres.  The  peregrine  is  a  bird  of  noted  prowess,  habitually 
striking  a  quarry  as  large  as  itself  or  larger,  as  grouse,  ducks,  herons,  hares,  etc. 

604.  F.  p.  peal'ii?  (To  T.  K.  locale.)  Peale's  Peueokine.  A  dark  form,  described  from  the 
N.  W.  c(iast.     Dubious. 

605.  F.  columba'rlus.  (Lat.  columhariiis,  a  pigeon-fancier.)  Pigeon  Hawk  (a  name  also  aj)- 
I)lied  to  Accqnter  fiiscns).  Smaller  than  any  of  the  foregoing  ;  about  tiie  size  of  an  Acvipi- 
terfuscus,  but  much  stouter  and  differently  proportioned.  Tarsus  mostly  with  a  d<mble  row 
of  alternating  scutella  in  front,  feathered  but  a  little  way  down  ;  middl(!  toe  without  claw 
nearly  as  long  as  tarsus.  Tail  about  f  the  wings,  lightly  rounded.  Wings  ])()inted  by  2d  and 
3d  (piills,  1st  about  equal  to  4th;  1st  and  2d  ennirginate  on  inner  webs  near  tlie  end; 
2d  and  3d  sinuate  on  outer  webs.  Sexes  unlike ;  old  ^  blnish  above,  9  and  young  dark 
there.  Old  <?  :  Above,  some  shade  of  bluish,  from  j)ale  bluish-gray  or  bluish-ash  to  dark 
bluish-shite,  each  feather  i)encilled  with  a  fine  black  shaft  line.  Tail  banded  with  the  color 
of  the  upper  parts  and  black,  about  three  zones  of  each,  the  subterniinal  bhick  band  broadest, 
all  subject  to  much  variation  ;  tail  tipped  with  wliite.  Primaries  blackish,  with  lighter  edges 
or  tips,  and  numerous  oval  transverse  spots  of  wliite  or  whitish  on  the  inner  webs;  outer  webs 
often  showing  traces  of  ashy  markings  ;  a  similar  pattern  continued  on  the  secondaries.  T'n- 
der  parts  white,  or  whitish,  generally  pure  and  innnaculate  on  the  throat,  elsewhere  tinged  witli 
tawny  or  ochraceoas,  almost  everywhere  longitudinally  streaked  with  dark  umber-brown  ; 
the  individual  streaks  very  variable  in  size  and  distinctness,  generally  blackish-sliafted,  as  a 
rule  heavy  and  thick  on  the  breast,  more  strict  on  the  Hags  and  vent,  duiuging  to  spots  or 
even  bars  on  thetlanks;  these  latter  markings  sometimes  hivolved  in  a  bluish  ch)udiug. 
Side  of  head  with  fine  dark  jiencilling  on  a  light  or  whitish  ground,  not  gathered  into  a 
maxillary  stripe,  but  coalescing  on  tlie  ear-coverts ;  a  pretty  well  defined  light  su[ierciliary 
streak ;  maricings  of  side  of  head  confluent  on  nape,  forming  a  nuchal  hand  which  interrupts 
the  continuity  of  color  of  the  upper  parts.  Iris  brown;  feet  yellow;  claws  and  most  of  bill 
bluish-black;  cere  and  base  of  bill  greenish-yellow.  This  plumage  is  comparatively  seldom 
seen.  Length  about  11.00;  extent  about  23.50:  wing  7-50-8.00;  tail  5.00-5.50;  tarsus 
1.35  ;  middle  toe  without  claw  1.25.  Adult  9 ,  and  specimens  of  ehher  sex,  as  usually 
observed :  Pattern  of  c(doration  as  before,  but  upjier  parts  and  tail  quite  different.  Above, 
the  bluish  shade  replaced  by  dark  umber-brown,  nearly  uniform,  or  only  interrupted  by  the 
nuchal  band  of  streaks,  but  the  feathers  usually  with  appreciably  paler  edges,  and  black  shaft- 
lines,  the  latter  especially  on  the  head.  Tail  like  back,  and  tipped  with  white,  and  crossed  by 
about  four  other  narrow  whitish  or  light  ochraceous  bands,  formed  of  bars  or  transverse  spots 
on  both  webs  of  the  feathers  ;  the  uppermost  of  these  bands  lying  under  the  coverts  ;  there  are 
generally  only  three  exposed  ones,  besides  the  tenninal  one ;  the  intervening  dark  zones  are 
all  of  about  the  same  width,  say  an  inch,  but  the  subtermiual  one  is  usually  rather  wider  than 
the  others.  Pattern  of  quill-feathers  iis  in  the  (J,  but  the  spots  rather  tawny  or  fulvous  than 
whitish.  Under  parts  as  before,  but  the  ground  color  ranging  from  nearly  white  to  quite  rich 
buff  or  even  fulvous,  and  showing  a  wide  range  of  variation  in  the  heaviness  of  the  streaking. 
Length  of  9  about  12.50;  extent  about  26.50;  wing  8.00-8.50;  tail  5.50-6.00.  In  quite 
young  birds,  the  edgings  of  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  may  be  tawny  or  rufous.     A  spir- 


508. 


FALCONIDJE  —  FALCONIX^: :   FALCONS. 


687 


ited  littlo  falcon,  generally  distribiitod  in  N.  Am.,  coininou,  representing  tlio  merlin  of 
Einrnpv,  F.  cesaloii.  Nests  chieHy  nortlierly,  on  Itranulies  or  in  holes  in  trees,  or  (Jii  rocks; 
eggs  ranging  in  size  and  sliajte  from  1.50  to  1.80  X  1.30,  sorne  being  sniispherical,  otlii-rs  elon- 
gato-ovai.  Tlio  coloration  ranges  from  a  nearly  uniform  deep  rich  brown  (chestnut  or  burnt 
sienna),  to  whitish  or  white,  only  marked  with  a  fow  indistinct  dots  of  dull  grayish  or  drab. 
Such  extremes  aro  connected  by  every  degree ;  a  yellowisli-brown  ground-C(dor,  irregularly 
splashed  with  rich  ruddy  brown,  is  tiie  usual  style.  Tlie  markings  may  be  very  evenly  dis- 
tributed, or  mostly  gathered  in  a  wreath  around  one  or  the  other  cud,  or  even  both  ends.  Tlio 
quarry  is  chicHy  birds,  even  np  to  the  size  of  a  ptarmigan. 

606.  F.  c.  suck'leyi?  (To  Dr.  Geo.  Suckley.)  A  dark  form,  described  from  the  N.  W.  coast. 
Dubious. 

."iOT.  F.  c.  rlch'ardsonl.  (To  Sir  J.  Richardson.)  Richardson's  Pioeon  Hawk.  Ajieuican 
Merlin.  "  Adult  ^  ;  Upper  plumage,  dull  earth-brown,  each  featlier  grayish-umber  cen- 
trally, and  witli  a  conspicuous  black  shaft-line.  Head  above,  approaching  ashy-white  ante- 
riorly, the  black  sliaft-strcaks  being  very  conspicuous.  Secondaries,  i)rimary-coverts,  and 
primaries,  margined  terminally  with  dull  white;  the  primary-coverts  witii  two  transverse 
series  of  i)ale  ochraceous  spots;  primaries,  with  spots  of  the  same,  corresponding  with  tlioso 
of  tho  inner  webs.  Upper  tail  coverts,  tipped  and  spotted  beneath  the  surface  with  white. 
Tail,  dear  drab,  much  lighter  tlian  tlie  primaries,  l>ut  growing  darker  terminally,  having 
basally  a  slightly  ashy  cast,  crossed  with  xl.r.  sharply  defined  perfectly  continuous  bands  (tlie 
last  terminal)  of  asliy-white.  Head  frontally,  laterally,  and  beneath  —  a  c(dlar  round  the  nape 
(interrupting  the  brown  above) — and  entire  lower  parts,  white,  somewhat  ochraceous,  tiiis 
most  perceptibh'  on  tlie  tibiie;  dieeks  and  (>ar-coverts  witli  sparse,  fine,  liair-like  streaks  of 
black  ;  nuchal  collar,  jiiguliiin,  breast,  abdomcin,  sides,  and  flanks,  with  a  median  linear  stripe 
of  clear  ochre-brown  on  eacii  feather  ;  these  stripes  broadest  on  the  flanks  ;  each  stripe  witii  a 
conspicuous  black  sh.-ift-strciak  ;  tibiie  and  lower  tail-<'ovcrts  with  fine  shaft-streaks  of  brown, 
like  the  broader  strip(!s  of  tlio  other  portions.  Chin  and  tliroat,  only,  immaculate.  Lining 
of  tho  wings  spotted  with  ochraceous- white  and  brown,  in  about  equal  anumnt,  the  former  in 
spots  approaching  the  shaft.  Inner  webs  of  primaries  with  transverse  broad  bars  of  pale  och- 
raceous—  eight  on  the  longest.  Wing  7.70;  tail  5.00;  cidnien  0.50;  tarsus  1..'50;  middle 
toe  1.25  ;  outer  0.85 ;  inner  0.70 ;  posterior  0.50.  Adult  9  '•  Differing  in  coloration  from 
the  male  only  in  the  points  of  detail.  Ground-color  of  tlie  upper  parts  clear  grayish-drab,  tho 
feathers  with  conspicuously  black  shafts;  all  the  feathers  with  p.'iirs  of  rather  indistinct  rounded 
ociiraceoiis  spots,  these?  most  conspicuous  on  the  wings  and  scapulars.  Secondaries  crossed 
witii  three  bands  of  deeper,  more  reddish-ochraceous.  Hands  of  the  tail,  pure  white.  In 
other  resp(>cts  exactly  like  the  male.  Wing  0.00  ;  tail  0.10  ;  eulmen  0.55  ;  tarsus  1.40  ;  niid- 
dle  too  1.50;  Young  $  :  DiffV-riug  from  the  adult  <mly  in  degree.  Upper  surface  with  tho 
rusty  borders  of  tlie  feathers  more  washed  over  the  general  surface  ;  the  rusty  ochraceous 
forming  tho  ground-C(dor  of  the  head, — paler  anteriorly,  where  the  black  shaft-streaks  aro 
very  conspicuous  ;  spots  on  the  primary  coverts  and  jiriinaries  deep  reddish  ochraceous  ;  tail- 
bauds  broader  than  in  the  adult  and  more  reddish ;  the  terminal  one  twice  as  broad  as  tlie  rest 
(0.40  of  an  inch),  and  almost  cream  color.  Beneath,  pale  ochraceous,  this  deepest  on  the 
breast  and  sides ;  markings  as  in  tho  adult,  but  anal  region  and  lower  tail-coverts  immacn- 
lato;  the  shaft-streaks  on  the  tibiw,  also,  scarcely  discernible.  Wing  7.00;  tail  4. 00." 
(Uidgway.)  Interior  N.  Am.,  especially  from  the  Mississippi  to  the  Rocky  Mts. ;  very  near  the 
last,  both  being  closely  related  to  F.  asalon,  the  fewer  bars  on  the  wings  and  tail  apparently 
the  principal  character.  A  9  I  took  in  Dakota  measures :  length  12.75;  extent  26.75;  wing 
8..50. 

.508.  P.  sparve'rlus.  (Lat.  xparverius,  a  sparrower.  Fig.  378.)  Rustv-crowned  Falcon.  Spar- 
row Hawk.     Smallest  of  our  FalconincE;  sexes  unlike  in  color,  but  of  nearly  the  same  size, 


538 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  ItAPTOIiES—  A  CCIPITHES. 


Flo.  378.  —  Sparrow  Hawk,  iiat. 
size.    (Ad  nat.  dol.  E.  C.) 


contrary  to  tlio  rule  in  tliis  family.  Tail  rounded,  at  least  3  "s  long  as  the  wing,  nstially 
more.  Wings  iiointal  by  M  and  lUl  <|iiills;  1st  about  equal  to  4tb ;  1st  and  2d  cmarginato 
on  inner  M'dis  near  the  end;  2d  and  3<1  sinuate  on  outer  webs.  Tarsus  featliered  but  a  little 
way  down  in  front,  decidedly  longer  than  middle  toe  without  elaw,  usually  suri)assing  middle 
toe  and  (daw.  Young  differing  less  than  usual  from  adults  of  their  respeetive  sexes.  Adults: 
Orown  ashy-blue,  with  a  ehestnut  imteli,  sometimes  small  or  altogether  wanting,  sometimes 
^_^^_^  occupying  nearly  all  the  crown.     Consiiicuons  bhick  ma.xil- 

lary  and  am'ieular  patches  which,  witli  three  others  around 
the  nape,  make  seven  places  in  all,  usually  evident,  but  snnuf 
of  them  often  obscure  or  wanting.  IJack  cinnamon-rufous, 
or  chestmit,  like  the  crown-patch,  in  the  ^  with  a  few  black 
sjxtts  or  none,  in  the  9  with  numerous  black  bar's.  Wing- 
coverts  of  the  (J  fine  ashy-blue,  like  the  crown,  witii  or 
without  black  spots;  of  the  9  cinnamon-rufuus  and  black- 
barred,  like  the  back.  Quill  feathers  in  <J,  9  bla(d«ish, 
usually  with  pale  edges  and  tips,  and  the  inner  webs  with 
numerous  white  indentations,  or  bars  continuous  along  the 
inner  webs,  leaving  the  black  chieHy  in  a  series  of  dentations  j>roceeding  from  the  shafts ; 
ends  of  secondaries  usually  also  slaty-blue  like  the  coverts.  Tail  bright  cliestnut,  in  the  ^ 
with  M-hite  tip,  broad  black  subterminal  z(me,  and  outer  feathers  mostly  white  with  several 
black  bars,  in  the  9  the  whole  tail  with  numerous  imi)erfect  black  bars.  Under  parts  white, 
variously  tinged  with  buff  or  tawny,  in  the  ^  with  a  few  black  spots  or  none,  in  the  9  with 
many  dark  brown  streaks ;  throat  and  vent  usually  in>maculate.  Bill  dark  horn ;  cere  and 
feet  yellow  or  orange.  Length,  either  sex,  10.00-11.00 ;  extent  20.00-2:5.00 ;  wing  6.50- 
8.00;  tail  4.50-G.OO;  tarsus  1.35  ;  middle  too  without  claw  1.00.  The  young  dt>  not  recpiire 
to  be  separately  described,  as  the  si)ecies  is  a  strongly  marked  one,  and  as  the  young  speedily 
acquire  recognizable  sexual  characters.  They  may  bo  distinguished  when  just  from  the  nest. 
N.  Am.,  e  very  where,  very  abundant.  Desjtitc  its  great  variation  in  markings,  aside!  from  the 
normal  sexual  dift'erences,  this  elegant  little  falcon  will  be  innnediately  recognized  by  the  sub- 
generic  characters  of  Tiiinuneuhis,  its  small  size,  and  entirely  peculiar  coloration.  Its  char- 
acteristic habit  is  to  hover  or  poiso  in  the  air  over  some  (diject  which  seems  to  promi.se  a  meal, 
and  then  pounce  down  upon  the  prey.  The  birds  are  very  active  and  noisy  during  the  breeding 
season.  They  build  no  nest,  but  lay  iu  the  hollows  of  trees,  often  deserted  woodiieckers'  holes, 
or  similar  nooks  iu  rocks  or  about  buildings.  Eggs  5-7,  nt^arly  spheroidal,  about  1.33  X 
1.12 ;  ground-color  usually  buffy,  or  pale  yellowish-brown ;  blotched  all  over  with  dark  brown, 
tho  splashes  of  which  aro  usually  largest  and  most  numerous  toward  the  greater  end,  at  or 
around  which  they  may  run  into  a  crown  or  wreath.  Some  eggs  are  pale  brown,  minutely 
dotted  all  over  with  dark  brown ;  some  are  white,  with  pale  brown  spots ;  and  a  few  arc  whit- 
ish without  any  markings. 
609.  P.  8.  IsabelU'nus  ?  (Low  Lat.  isahellinus,  color  of  a  dirty  chemi.'<e.)  Isabel  Sparuow 
Hawk.  A  Middle  American  form  of  the  last,  occurring  in  the  Gulf  States,  shading  directly 
into  sparveritts  proper:  $  without  rufous  on  crown;  several  Lateral  tail-feathers  variegated, 
and  the  black  zone  an  inch  wide ;  black  spots  on  back  and  sides  very  sjjarse ;  breast  ochra- 
ceous,  9  with  the  black  bars  of  the  upper  jiarts  very  broad,  upon  a  ferrugineous  ground. 
510.  F.  sparverloi'cles.  (Lat.  sjiarveriits,  and  Gr.  ciSoy,  eidos,  likeness.)  Cuban  Sparrow  Hawk. 
Closely  related  to  F.  sjmrverins,  and  generally  similar,  but  apparently  a  distinct  species.  ^  : 
"  Above,  except  the  tail,  entirely  dark  plumbeous,,  with  a  blackish  nuchal  collar ;  primaries 
and  edges  and  subterminal  portion  of  tail-feathers,  black.  Beneath,  deep  rufous  (like  tho 
back  of  sparverius)  with  a  wash  of  plumbeous  across  the  jugulum ;  throat  grayish-white. 
Inner  webs  of  primaries  slaty,  with  transverse  cloudings  of  darker.     9  differing  from  that  of 


FALCON WJ!!  —  VOL  YJiOHLWK :    CAR  A  CAJtA  S. 


689 


tlR'  nbdvo  gpmcs  in  <liirk  riifcms  lower  jiiirts,  anil  dusky,  niottk'il  inner  \vel)s  of  iiriniiirios." 
(Hidijwiiy.)  ('iil)ii;  Florida. 
511.  F.  fiiselctprules'ceiis.  (Lat.  fiisciis,  dark;  cwriilescenfi,  bluish.)  Fejkirai,  Kai.con. 
Ai'l.DMAix)  Falcon.  Quite  different  from  any  of  tiie  foreijoini;  ajieeies,  though  belonuinu  to 
the  sparrow  hawk  grouj)  {TinniiHCiiliis)  ;  it  ha.s  been  made  a  separate  subj^enuH  (UIuiiuIm- 
falco).  Hill  ridiust,  with  lartfc  cere;  irregular  scutelhitiou  of  tarsus*  eontinuous  on  the  toes; 
tarsus  a  little  loufier  than  middle  toe  without  claw  ;  iA  and  IJd  ([uills  longest;  Ist  about  ei|ual 
to  4th ;  Ist  and  2d  ouuirginato  on  inner  webs  ;  -2(1  and  ;id  sinuate  on  outer  wobs.  Si/e 
medium  (among  tlio  smaller  faleons);  form  slender;  sexes  alike.  Adult  (J  9  •  Above,  uniform 
plumbeous;  tail  with  about  8  narrow  white  bars,  and  tipped  with  white,  as  are  the  seeondaries; 
primaries  with  numerous  narnuv  white  bars  on  inner  webs,  mostly  being  isolated  transverse 
spots,  reaching  neither  shaft  nor  inner  edge  of  the  feathers;  the  same  pattern  less  definitely 
contiiuied  on  to  the  seeondaries.  Side  of  head  with  a  broad  white  or  tawny  jxistocular  stripe, 
continuous  with  the  narrowly  white  forehead,  .shading  into  orange-brown  on  the  nape,  where 
continent  witli  its  fellow  ;  aurieulars  mostly  white,  set  in  the  black  of  the  side  of  the  head,  but 
continuous  with  the  white  of  the  throat,  so  that  a  black  su])ra-atu'icular  strijie  meets  a  black 
mystachil  stripe  under  the  eye.  Sides  of  body  and  a  broad  belly-band  black,  with  or  without 
numerous  narrow  white  bars;  the  extent  of  this  bhudc  very  variable;  it  usually  leaves  tho 
breast  white  or  tawny,  but  in  younger  specimens  tlu;  whole  breast  is  streaked  with  black  on  a 
tawny  ground.  Throat  usually  white.  Lining  of  wings  blackish,  sjiotted  with  white,  tho 
border  mostly  white  or  tawny.  Flaidis,  Hags,  and  crissuni  uniform  tawny  or  orange-brown. 
Young  sulliciently  similar,  but  upper  parts  rather  dark  brown  than  plumbeous.  Length  15.!)0 
or  more ;  wing  10.00-11.00;  tail  7.00-8.00;  tarsus  1.7.5;  middle  too  without  claw  1.50.  A 
handsonu!  hawk,  w.ell-known  and  wide-ranging  in  S.  and  C  Am.,  reaching  just  over  our  Mex- 
ican border.  Nest  in  trees  or  bushes;  eggs  1.80  X  l.(j5,  white,  finely  dotted  with  light  brown, 
overlaid  with  blotches  of  dark  brown. 


179. 


535. 


46.  Subfamily  POLYBORIN^:  Caracaras. 

Anatomical  characters  of  FalconiiifC  proper,  in  the  scapular  arrangement  by  which  a  pro- 
cess of  tho  coracoid  reaches  the  clavicle,  the  central  tubercle  of  the  extensively  ossified  nasal 
boiu'S,  tho  antcTior  keel  of  the  i>alate,  and  the  supcrorbital  shield  in  a  single  piece ;  extin'nal 
characters  very  unlike  those  of  Falconinir,  and  general  aspect  vulturine.  Hill  toothless. 
Sternum  single-notched  on  each  side  behind.  Three  or  more  primaries  sinuate-omarginate  on 
inner  wel)s;  .'Jd  or  4th  longest ;  1st  shorter  than  5th.  A  small  but  remarkable  group,  com- 
bining some  of  tho  essential  charai;ters  of  falcons  with  others  more  vulture-like  ;  the  species  are 
chietiy  teiTestrial,  rather  sluggish,  and  fe<,'d  much  on  carrion.  The  genera  are  Volyhorus, 
Phdlcohccniis,  Sener,  Milvaffo,  Ibijcter,  and  Dnptrim,  all  confined  to  America. 
POLY'BORUS.  (Or.  iroXv^opoj,  liohjboyoi^,  very  voracious.  Fig.  379.)  Caracauas.  Bill 
long,  high,  much  compressed,  little  hooked,  the  commissure  nearly  straight  to  tho  deflected 
end ;  cere  ending  anteriorly  in  a  nearly  straight  vertical  line ;  nostril  high  in  tho  front  ujiper 
corner  of  the  cere,  linear,  oblique,  its  posterit)r  end  uppermost,  its  tubercle  concealed.  Chin 
and  sides  of  head  bristly,  extensively  denuded ;  a  naked  pectoral  area ;  an  occipital  crest. 
Tibiffi  shortly  flagged.  Tarsus  nearly  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  without  claw,  almost 
entirely  naked,  chiefly  reticulate,  but  in  front  broadly  scutellate  in  single  or  double  row; 
lateral  toes  of  about  equal  lengths ;  hind  toe  much  the  shortest ;  claws  long  and  little  curved. 
Wings  very  long,  with  3d  and  4th  quills  longest,  2d  and  5th  next,  1st  shorter  than  Gth  or  7th  ; 
outer  4  or  .5  cmarginate.  Tail  rounded,  about  §  as  long  as  wing.  Cinnprising  two  or  three 
species  of  large  vulture-like  carrion  hawks,  of  terrestrial  habits,  and  anibulatorial,  not  salta- 
torial,  gait,  P.  cherivay,  P.  andiihoni,  and  P.  hitosus,  of  the  warmer  parts  of  America. 
P.  au'dubonl.    (To  J.  J.  Audubon.)   Common  Caracaua.    Ad.  (J  9  :  General  color  blackish, 


640 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —liAPTORES—ACClPlTUKS. 


the  thnint,  nock  all  aniuiid,  anil  uiurr  ur  less  of  foro  back  and  breast  whitish,  siiotted  and  chietly 
barred  witli  blackisli  ;  iijuter  and  under  tail-coverts  and  most  of  the  tail  white,  the  latter  very 
nnnieroiisly  barred  with  blackisii,  of  which  color  is  the  broad  terminal  zone;  the  shafts  white 
along  tile  white  portion  of  each  feather.  Basal  portion  of  priinarii  <  likewise  barred  with 
whitish.  Hill  variously  pale  colored;  cere  carmine;  iris  brown  ;  fi  t ;  yellow;  claws  black; 
soft  parts  drying  to  a  dingy  indefinable  coh)r.  Y(»ung  similar,  but  rather  brownish,  llie  mark- 
ings of  the  body  in  lengthwise  streaks,  not  cross-bars;  tail,  however,  barred.  Length  (eitlier 
sex)  21.00-23.00;  extent  about  48.00;  wing  U.50-iC.50;  tail  S.00-10.00;  tarsus  about  3.00; 


Fig.  37!>.  —  The  Cnracara,  i  nat.  size.    (From  Brehm.) 

middle  toe  without  claw  2.00.  I  describe  the  N.  Am.  bird,  which  is  much  less  extensively 
barred  than  that  of  S.  Am.  (See  Cassin,  Pr.  Phila.  Acad.,  1865,  p.  2.)  The  difference  in 
several  specimens  handled  is  striking,  nearly  the  whole  body,  wings,  and  tail  of  the  S.  Am.  bird 
being  multitudinously  rayed  across,  while  in  Texas  and  Florida  specimens  the  body  and  wing- 
coverts  are  mostly  uniform,  the  barring  being  restricted  to  the  neck  and  fore  half  of  the  body, 
and  to  the  primaries  and  tail-feathers.  If  I  have  compared  ago  for  age,  the  bird  is  certainly 
different.  P.  lutosus  is  barred  throughout,  and  otherwise  different  again.  S.  border  of  U.  S., 
Florida  to  L.  Cala.  and  southward,  common,  in  some  places  abundant,  gregarious  like  a 
turkey-buzzard  where    offal  is  exposed.    Nests  bulky,  in  trees  and  bushes,   of  sticks  and 


'   falconult:  —  nrTi:<)\ lyj: :  iwzzards. 


641 


Iouvi'h;  p^UX  ciiiiiindiily  2,  hromlly  oval  or  snliN|ilirri('iil,  ln'iivily  t'olort'il  witli  Mntclics  anil 
cliiHtcrH  of  rich  rrddiHli-lirowii  and  smaller  IdacUiedi  ovi'r-M|iots  ;  si/i-  -J.JO  to  2.40  )iy  al>oiit 
1.85.  The  loiij^  iii'ck  and  Icjrs  of  tliis  biril,  itH  ti'm-strial  ImliitM  and  walldiii;  |iowi'rs,  fjivo 
it  |ii'ciiliar  cliaractfr,  aliiicmt  mijiitcstiiii;  (huHujvmnuK.  Like  our  vultiirfi',  it  is  a  coiiMtant 
feuturo  of  till!  sceno  in  Monio  Hoiitlicrly  iocaliticft. 


180. 


47.  Subfamily  BUTCONIN^:   Buiiards  and  Eagle*. 

Hill  varialdi!  in  w/a>  and  shape,  but  witlmiit  the  tootiiinj;  ami  notoliiiig  of  tjiat  of  Fiih'onhitp 
(witli  rari'  cxcoptions),  the  cuttinju;  od^e  being  variously  lobed  or  festooned,  or  simple.  Nos- 
trils not  circular,  nor  with  a  central  tubercle;  nasal  septum  incompletely  ossilied.  Sujier- 
ciliary  shiidd  more  or  less  prominent,  usually  consisting  of  two  jiieces.  Scapular  j)ro<'ess  of  tlm 
coracoid  not  produccil  to  m(?et  the  clavicle.  Wings  and  tail  variable,  but  not  i)resentini;  tho 
Hpecial  characters  noted  under  Fitkoniiur,  nor  the  relativt?  lengths  of  those  of  Avrijiitrhun. 
Tarsus  obviously  shorter  than  the  tibia',  generally  scutellatc  before  and  beliiial,  .sometimes 
feathered  to  tho  toes.  Tho  huzznrils  form  a  large  group,  not  easy  to  define  excejjt  by  exdu- 
fiion ;  thotigh  rpiite  distin<'t  from  Foko)iiiur  and  J'oh/borinre,  they  grade  into  each  of  the  otiier 
subfamilies  here  presented.  They  an^  hawks  «if  medium  and  rather  large  si/e,  heavy-bodied, 
of  Htrong  but  measured  Hight,  inferior  in  spirit  to  the  true  hawks  and  falcons,  and  as  a  nilo 
feed  ujiou  humble  game,  which  they  rather  snatch  stealthily  than  capture  in  open  pirai-y. 
The  extensive  geiuis  Jiiiti'o  with  its  subdivisions,  and  its  companion  Airliihiiico,  typify  tho 
bu/xards  ;  they  include,  howi^ver,  a  great  variety  of  forms.  AVith  them  must  be  associated 
the  erif/ks;  for  the  ])opular  estinnite  of  these  famous  gri-at  birds  as  something  renuirkably 
diH'erent  from  ordinary  hawks  is  not  confirmed  by  examination  of  their  structure,  which  is  the 
same  as  that  of  other  buzzards.  Although  usually  of  large  size  and  jiowerfid  jdiysiipie,  tliey 
are  far  below  the  smallest  falcons  in  raptorial  character,  i)rey  like  the  buzzards,  and  often 
stoop  to  carrion.  The  genus  4(/i/i7rt  nniy  stand  a.s  the  type  of  an  engle ;  its  several  species 
are  contined  to  the  Old  World,  with  one  exception.  UulinHtus  reitresfuits  a  decided  modifica- 
tion, in  ada])tation  to  nii.''ifi!;ie  and  piscivorous  habits.  A  celebrated  bird  of  tiiis  group  is  tho 
harpy  eagle,  Thnisijiwtus  harpi/ia,  with  innncnae  bill  and  feet,  and  one  of  tho  most  powerful 
birds  of  tho  whole  family.     There  are  several  other  gimera  in  either  heinisphero. 

Analyais  nf  Genera. 
Torsi  fentliercd  in  front  to  the  toes. 

Buzzards  not  over  2  feet  long Aralillmlio    181 

Kngles   about  ,1  feet  long Aquila    186 

Tarsi  nakeil  and  scutellate  or  reticulate  below. 

Crested.    Kagles  about  4  feet  long Thrnniini'tu/i    185 

Not  crested.    No  basal  webbing  of  toes.    Kagles  about  3  feet  long Hnliititus    187 

A  basal  i  -b  between  outer  ami  middle  toes.    Bustzards  not  over  two  feet  long. 

No  tibial  Hag;  outstretched  feet  reaching  beyond  tail Onyrlintea    184 

Tlblaj  tiaggcd J  under  parts  of  adult  finely  barred  crosswise;  wings  rounded  .    .    .    .    Aaturinn    182 
—otherwise;    wings    more  pointed     .    .    .      Vrubitinya,  \1!3,  at  Itutin    180 

BUTEO.  (Lat.  6i(feo,  a  buzzard-hawk.)  Bizzakd.s.  Size  medium  and  largo ;  form  heavy, 
robust.  Bill  of  moderate  size  and  ordinary  shape.  Wings  rather  long  and  pointed,  exceed- 
ing the  tail  to  a  variable  extent ;  3d  to  5th  quills  longest,  1st  to  5th  emarginato  on  inner  webs, 
1st  not  longer  than  8th.  Tail  of  moderate  length,  probably  averaging  |  of  the  wing,  a  little 
rounded.  Feet  more  or  less  robust ;  tarsi  scutellate  in  front  at  least,  feathered  in  front  for  a 
varying  distance ;  tibia?  flagged.  This  is  the  central  or  typical  genus  of  its  subfamily,  as 
Falco  is  of  Falconina;,  embracing  numerous  (about  30)  species  of  nearly  all  parts  of  the  world 
excepting  Australia ;  about  half  of  them  American.  Tho  type  is  B.  vulgaris  of  Em-ope,  to 
which  the  N.  Am.  B.  swahisoni  is  so  closely  related.  Four  of  our  sjiecies  (BB.  borealis,  swain- 
soni,  lineatus,  and  pennsyleanicus)  arc  abundant  ''hen  hawks  "or  "chicken  hawks"  of  the 
U.  S.,  the  first  named  running  into  several  varieties;  tho  others  are  little  known  {BB.  hurlani. 


542 


SYSTEM  A  TIC   SYNOPSIS.  —  HA  PTOSES  —  A  CCIPITRES. 


cooperi),  or  of  very  partial  distribution  in  N.  Am.     In  all  cases,  the  sexes  are  alike  or  similar; 

the  9  is  larger  tluin  tlie  $  ;   the  young  are  ditferent  from  tlie  adults ;  melanism  is  frequently 

exhibited. 

Analysis  qf  Subgenera  ami  Species, 

Five  outer  primaries  emarginate  or  fiiiuato  on  ititier  webs  ;  tail  iiioro  tlian  J  the  wing  ;  bill  lilgh  at  bnso  ; 
nostrils ovnl,  witli  uecentrie  tubercle.    (Purtibutio.) 

Tail  blackish  (with  wlilte  base  ami  tip) ;  lesser  wlug-coverts  and  tibiiB  reUdisli  ;  general  plumage 

blackish.    Southwestern  U.  S.,  common unicinelus    512 

•  Four  outer  primaries  emarginate  or  sinuate  on  inner  webs. 

Tail  triiite,  with  a  broad  black  subterminal  zone  and  numerous  very  narrow,  zig-zag,  or  broken, 
blackish  cross-lines.    Texas albocaudnlus    513 

Tail  mostly  white,  ashy-clouded ;  marked  len<itliwise  ■with  rufous  and  darker;  and  with  dark  sub- 
terminal  zone  ;  under  jiarts  mostly  white.    C'ala.,  one  specimen  known conpcri    514 

Tail  mottled  with  dusky  and  white,  and  with  subterminal  blackish  zone;  showing  also  reddish 
touclies.  I'lumage  almost  entirely  blackish,  with  tleecy-whitu  bases  of  feathers.  Kas.  to  Tc.k., 
little  known Iiarlani    ,"»15 

Tail  of  adult  cliestnut-re<l,  with  broad  black  subterminal  bar,  and  others  or  not ;  no  reddish  on  wlng- 
coverts ;  white  prev.iiling  on  under  parts,  especially  breast.  Tail  of  young  closely  barred  with 
grayish  and  blackish.  Largest  and  most  robust  ;  wing  usually  14.00  or  more  ;  tarsus  stout. 
N.  Am., abundant Imnalis    51G-519 

Tail  of  adult  blacL;  crossed  by  about  6  white  bars  ;  primaries  spotted  with  white  ;  lesser  wing-coverts 
reddish,  like  under  parts.    Tail  of  young  dusky,  numerously  barred  with  whitish;  under  jiarts 
whitish,  streaked  with  dusky.    Less  robust;  wing  usually  under  14.00;  tarsus  slender.    N.Am., 
^  abundant tim-iilus    5:iO,  'j'l\ 

Tail  of  adult  black,  with  3  brood  white  zones  on  Inner  webs  only  of  the  feathers,  ashy  on  outer  webs  ; 
plumage  black,  spotted  or  not  with  white.    Tall  of  young  dusky,  Inner  webs  mostly  white, 

black-barred.    Southwestern  U.  S abbrerialiis    522 

Three  outer  jirimaries  euuirginatc  or  sinuate  on  inner  webs. 

Tail  numerously  and  narrowly  cioss-barred  with  liglitcr  and  darker.  Plumage  extremely  variable, 
but  not  extensively  reddish  underneath,  nor  cheeks  with  a  dark  mustache.  Large ;  wir.g  usually 
over  13.00.    Chietly  western  U.  S.,  abundant siniiiinnui    r>'23 

Tall  of  adult  blackish  with  •  bout  3  light  gray  bamls  exposed  ;  under  parts  extensively  rufous  ; 
a  dark  moustache.    Small ;  wing  under  12  00.    Eastern  U.  S,  common     ....     jiciinnnlrauicu.i    .'J24 

Tall  (of  adult  ?)  crossed  with  numerous  light  and  dark  bars  (6-8  of  each);  ger<eral  cnlur  fuliginous, 
scarcely  or  not  varied.    Southwestern  U.  S brachyurns    ia'i,  8ti;i 

*  Heavy-weights ;  5  outer  primaries  cut. 
518.  B.  unlcin'ctus  liar'risl.  (Lat.  ««i-,  once;  ci«c^(,s'.  girdled.  To  Ya\\\.  Ilanis.)  HAitnis's 
IJuzzARU.  Adult  $  9  •  <^ioneral  pluniago  blackish,  more  or  loss  intense,  sometimes  rather 
dark  chocolate-brown,  blackening  on  wings  and  tail,  but  in  tiny  case  pretty  uniform  over  tb(? 
wlude  body.  Lesser  and  jiart  of  middle  wing-coverts,  lining  of  wings,  and  the  tibia>,  bn>wiiish- 
red,  or  rich  chestnut.  Tail-coverts  and  base  of  tail  broadly  white,  thus  girdling  the  whole 
figure  ;  end  of  tail  also  white  for  an  inch  or  more.  Length  of  $  about  20.00;  e.\teiit  41.00- 
4G.00;  whig  12.50-i;}.,")0  ;  tail  8..J0-n.,50;  tarsus  .3.00-3.2.);  middle  toe  witliout  claw  2.00. 
9  larger;  about  2:5.00;  e.Ktent  43.00-17.00;  wing  13.,)0-14.30;  tail  9.50-10.50.  Young: 
Less  decidedly  blackish,  the  upper  parts  varied  with  rusty-brown,  lower  quite  tawny  with 
dusky  spots  or  streaks,  chestnut  of  wings  not  mibrokeii,  and  white  of  tail  less  distinctly  defined. 
Tibia?  tawny-white,  distinctly  barred  with  chestnut.  Hut  in  any  jdumage  the  species  is  un- 
mistakable, forming  a  separate  subgenus  from  Buteo  proper,  by  some  ranked  as  a  genus  ; 
the  loral  region  is  e.Ntensively  denuderl  to  the  eye,  and  furnished  with  short  radiating  bristles. 
In  some  resiiects  it  resembles  Poli/bonis,  being  a  sluggish,  carrion-feeding  bird,  usually  found 
associated  with  the  caracara,  turkey-buzzard,  and  black  vulture.  It  is  a  common  inhabitant  of 
the  warmer  parts  of  America  and  over  our  Mexican  Itorder;  abundant  in  some  parts  of  Texas. 
Nest  in  a  tree  or  bush;  eggs  commonly  2,  measuring  2.00-2.10  X  1.70,  white  or  whitish, 
unmarked  or  with  faint  brownisli- yellow.     (Parahtitco  Bidg.     Erijthrocnema  Sharpe.) 

**  Heavy-weights  ;  4  outer  primaries  cut. 
513.   B.  albocauda'tus.    (Lat.  albus,  white  ;  caudatus,  tailed.)    White-tailed  BrzzAHD.    Adult 
(J    9  •     Tail  and  its  coverts  white,  with  a  broad  black  subterminal    zone,  with  numerous 


FALC0NID2E  —  BUTE0NINJE:  BUZZARDS. 


548 


very  fine  zig-zag  or  broken  blackish  cross-lines.  Upper  parts  (excepting  the  niinp,  which  is 
white  like  tiie  tail),  definitely  including  the  sides  of  tlie  iicad  and  neck,  ash-cohir  or  plumbeous, 
ligliter  or  darker  in  different  cases,  the  feathers  Heecy-whito  at  bases  so  extensively  as  to  sliow 
with  the  least  disturbance  of  the  plumage,  and  on  the  scapulars  tinged  with  reddish.  Most  of 
tlie  lesser  wing-coverts  (but  not  quite  to  tlie  bend  of  the  wing),  chestnut,  somewliat  as  in 
B.  unicinctus.  Entire  under  parts  pure  wiiite,  lightly  touched  witli  fine  dusky  cross-bars  on 
the  sides,  lining  of  wings,  and  usually  the  tibite.  On  the  surface  of  tlie  wings  tlie  plumbeous 
of  the  upper  parts  deepens  to  the  blackish  of  tlie  primaries,  whose  inner  webs  are  ligliter  and 
more  brownish,  crossed  with  numerous  darlcer  bars,  and  toward  the  base  are  cut,  barred,  or 
B[)eckled  with  white,  wliich  increases  in  regularity,  firmness,  and  extent  on  the  secondaries. 
Siiafts  of  wing-feathei"s  brown  or  black,  those  of  tail  wliite  along  the  white  portion  of  tlie  tail- 
feathers.  Bill  mostly  dark,  in  part  light;  feet  yellow;  claws  black.  Length  of  $  23.00; 
extent  48.00:  wing  16.00;  tail  7.00;  chord  of  culmeii,  including  cere,  1.40;  tarsus  about  3.25; 
featlicred  about  1.00  down  in  front.  ?  larger;  length  24.00;  extent  54.00 ;  wing  17.50;  tail 
8.00,  etc.  (Described  from  Sennett's  and  Merrill's  Texas  specimens.  Young  unknown  to 
me.)  A  fine  large  hawk  of  the  warmer  parts  of  America,  lately  ascertained  to  reach  the 
Kio  Grande  of  Texas;  it  is  very  unlike  any  other  of  this  country. 

514.  B.  coo'perl?  (To  Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper.)  CooPEii's  BuzzAKD  =  ^l)c/ii6i(^eo/(?m///i))c«s  f  "Head, 
neck,  and  whole  lower  parts  wliite ;  feathers  of  tlie  head  and  neck  with  medial  longitudinal 
streaks  of  black,  tlie  white  prevailing  on  the  occijiut  and  suiierciliary  region,  the  black  i)ri'- 
dominating  over  the  cheeks,  forming  a  "  mustache ; "  throat  with  fine  lanceolate  blackish 
streaks ;  sides  of  tlie  breast  with  broader,  more  cuneate  markings  of  the  same ;  Hanks  with 
narrow,  huKieolate  stripes,  these  extfindiiig  sparsely  across  the  abdomen;  tibite  and  lower  tail- 
coverts  immaculate,  the  inner  face  of  the  former  with  faint  specks.  Upper  plumage  in  general 
dark  plumbeous-brown,  inclining  to  black  (m  the  back;  plumbeous  clearest  on  primaries, 
which  are  uniformly  of  this  color,  the  inner  ones  inclining  to  fine  cinereous.  Scapulars  and 
wing-coverts  spattered  with  white  beneath  the  surface.  Rump  black ;  upper  tail-coverts 
white,  tinged  with  rufous,  and  with  irregular,  distant,  transverse  bars  of  blackish.  Tail  with 
light  rufous  [irevailing,  but  this  broken  up  by  longitudinal  daubs  and  washes  of  cinereous, 
nud  darker  iiiottlings  running  longitudinally  on  both  webs ;  basally,  the  ground-color 
approaches  white;  tips  white,  with  a  distinct  but  very  irregular  subtermiual  bar  of  black,  into 
whicli  tlie  longitudinal  mottlings  melt;  outer  wel»  "f  lateral  feathers  entirely  cinereous,  and 
without  the  black  band.  Under  side  of  the  wing  white,  with  a  large  black  sjiace  on  the  lining 
near  the  edge;  under  surfaces  of  primaries  white  anterior  to  their  eniargination,  finely  mottled 
with  ashy  and  with  indistinct  transverse  bands  terminally.  4tli  quill  longest ;  3d  shorter  than 
5th;  2d  equal  to  6th  ;  1st  equal  to  10th.  Wing  15.73  ;  tail  9.10;  tarsus  3.23;  middle  toe  1.70." 
Santa  Clara  Co.,  Cala.,  one  specimen  known,  probably  the  last  as  well  as  the  first ;  for  I 
sujipose  this  to  be  Archibuteo  fernigineus  ( witli  or  without  a  mesalliance  of  Buteo  boreali.s), 
witli  abnormally  denuded  tarsi.  I  have  carefully  examined  the  type  specimen,  but  copy  Mr. 
Ridgway's  description  in  preference  to  constructing  a  new  one. 

616.  B.  har'lanl.  (To  Dr.  R.  Harlan.)  H.\ki.ax'.s  Hizzard.  "Black  Warrior."  "Form 
strong  and  heavy,  like  B.  borealis,  but  still  more  robust;  tibial  plumes  unusually  developed, 
long  and  loose,  their  ends  reaching  to  or  beyond  the  base  of  the  toes;  lateral  toes  nearly  equal. 
Four  outer  primaries  with  inner  webs  cut.  Wing  14.23-13.75  ;  tail  8.80-10.00 ;  culmeii  1.00; 
tarsus  2.75-3.25;  middle  toe  1.50-1.70.  Nearly  uniform  black,  varying  from  a  soiity  to  ii 
carbonaceous  tint,  with  more  or  less  of  concealed  pure  white.  Adult :  Tail  confusedly  mottled 
longitudinally  with  grayish,  dusky,  and  wliite,  often  tinged  or  nii.xed  with  rufous,  the  ilifferent 
shades  varying  in  relative  amount  in  different  individuals;  a  subtermiual  band  of  black. 
Young:  Tail  grayish-brown,  crossed  by  about  9  very  regular  and  sharjily  defined  broad  bands  of 
black  about  equal  in  width  to  the  gray  ones."     (Ridgway.)     La.  and  Tex.  to  Ivas. ;  an  obscure 


644 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  UAPTORES  —  A CCIPITRES. 


species,  variously  interpreted  by  writers.  Different  "  blaelt  hawks"  have  been  called  "  ?iar- 
lani,^^  such  as  the  inelauistic  phases  of  botli  borealis  and  swainsoni,  and  hurlani  lias  been 
supposed  to  be  not  different  from  borealis.  A  few  specimens  in  the  Sniitlisouiau  Institution, 
identified  with  Audubon's  bird  by  Mr.  Kidgway,  agree  sufficiently  with  the  plate  and  description, 
and  the  alleged  species  may,  for  the  present,  stand  upon  its  own  demerits. 
516.  B.  borea'lls.  (Lat.  borealis,  northern.  Fig.  380.)  Ked-tailed  Buzzard.  "  Hen  Hawk." 
Adult  (J  9  '•  Upper  surface  of  tail  rich  chestnut,  with  wliite  tip  and  usually  a  black  subteruiinal 
zone,  with  or  without  other  narrower  and  more  or  less  imperfect  black  bars;  sonietii.uis 
barred  throughout.  From  below,  the  tail  appenr.,  pearly  whitish  with  a  reddisii  tinge,  either 
quite  uniform,  or  barred  throughout  with  the  \>!iitish  and  blackish.  In  general,  it  is  tlie  9 
with  the  most  barred  or  completely  baired  tail,  the  J  with  the  uniform  tail,  only  siibtcr- 
miually  once-zoned.  Upper  parts  blackish-brown,  with  a  thoroughly  indeterminate  amount 
of  light  variegation,  gray,  fulvous,  and  whitish;  feathers  of  hind  head  and  nape  with  (cottony 
white  bases,  showing  when  disturbed ;   those  of  hind  neck  usually  with  fulvous  edging ;   of 


Fks.  380.  —  Kud-tuilcil  Uuzzanl,  iiat.  size.    (Ad  nat.  del.  E.  C.) 

scajiular  region  showing  most  variegation  with  tawny  or  whitisli,  or  both,  the  scapulars  and 
a<ijoining  feathers  being  largely  barred,  and  only  blackish  on  their  exposed  jmrtions ;  U])])er 
tail-coverts  showing  much  tawny  and  white.  Ground  color  of  under  parts  M-liitc,  more  or  less 
buff-toned,  the  dark  color  of  the  ui)per  parts  readiing  nearly  or  (|uit('  around  the  tliroat,  the 
flanks  and  lower  belly  heavily  nuxrked  with  dark  brown  or  blackisli,  but  a  large  i)ectoral  area, 
with  the  tibiiP  and  crissum,  mostly  free  from  markings,  as  a  rule ;  but  no  description  will 
cover  the  latitude  of  coloration.  Primaries  blackening  on  tlieir  cxpo^'d  portions,  for  th(^  rest 
lighter  grayish-brown,  dark-barred  a<'ross  both  webs,  and  exteusivi'ly  white-areated  on  inner 
webs  basally.  Length  of  ^  19.00-22.00;  extent  about  48.00;  wing  Ia.50-1G.50;  tail  8.50 
-10.00;  tarsus  2.50-3.00,  feathered  half-way  down  in  front.  9  larger;  length  21.00-24.00; 
extent  about  .56.00 ;  wing  14.50-17-50;  tail  9.50-10.00.  (J  9,y"""g:  General  character  of 
tlie  ujjper  parts  the  same  as  in  the  adult,  but  less  variegated,  and  that  chiefly  witli  whitisli  and 
buff,  instead  of  grayish  and  fulvous  ;  upper  tail-coverts  more  regtdarly  barred  with  dark  and 
wliite.  Tail  entirely  different,  without  any  shade  of  red ;  light  gray,  with  numerous  (6-10) 
regular  dark  bars,  and  narrow  white  tips ;  the  gray  gradually  yields  to  the  chestnut  shade 


. 


FALCONIBJE  —  BUIEONINJE :  BUZZARDS. 


640 


617. 


518. 


510. 


with  reduction,  intemiptiou,  or  extinction  of  all  these  hara  except  the  last  one.  Uutjer  parts 
somewhat  as  in  tlie  adult,  but,  like  the  upper,  without  the  fulvous  or  rufous  shades ;  usually 
white,  unmarked  in  a  large  pectoral  area,  with  circlet  of  throat  stripes,  and  pronounced  abdom- 
inal zone  of  dark  or  blackish  markings;  tibia)  spotted  or  not;  crissum  immaculate.  There 
should  be  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  this  hawk  among  those  of  the  Eastern  U.  S.  in  any 
plumage;;  the  red  tail  of  the  adult  is  of  c<turse  distinctive;  a  weakly  young  male  might  raise  a 
doubt  with  reference  to  B.  lineatun;  in  that  case,  notice  the  stout  tarsi,  feathered  about  half- 
way down  ;  the  decided  white  pectoral  area,  free  from  sjxits,  circumscribed  by  dark  markings, 
especially  those  of  the  abdominal  zone;  and  absence  of  any  reddishness  on  the  upper  parts  or 
wing-coverts.  Such  is  the  ordinary  "hen  hawk"  so  abuutlaut  in  Eastern  North  Americii, 
where  it  is  subject  to  comparativehj  little  variation.  In  the  West,  however,  where  it  is  e(]ually 
numerous,  it  sports  almost  interminably  in  color,  and  not  always  coufonnably  with  geograph- 
ical distribution.  Several  of  these  phases  have  received  special  names,  as  given  beyond. 
I  am  willing  to  spread  them  upon  my  page,  but  too  nmch  of  my  life  is  behind  me  for  me  to 
spend  much  time  in  such  trivial  mutabilities.  The  tendency  is  to  melanism  and  erythrism,  the 
extreme  case  of  which  is  B.  calurus  of  Cassin.  A  pure  borealis,  exactly  matching  the  normal 
Eastern  type,  is  seldom  seen  in  the  West.  But  in  all  its  color-variation,  the  bird  prest.'rves  its 
specific  characters  of  size  and  robust  proportions,  being  thus  readily  distinguishable  from  the 
smaller  and  weaker  species,  B.  swainsoni,  in  any  of  the  endless  and  somewhat  jiarallel  varia- 
tions of  the  latter.  The  nest  is  usually  built  high  in  a  tree,  a  bulky  mass  of  sticks  and  smaller 
twigs,  mixed  toward  the  centre  with  grass,  moss,  or  other  soft  material,  and  often  some  feathers. 
Eggs  generally  3,  about  2.10X^.00,  dull  whitish,  sometimes  with  only  a  few  i)ale  markings, 
oftener  boldly  and  richly  blotclied  with  warm  shades  of  brown.  The  young  are  slow  to  acr|uiro 
their  perfect  plumage,  being  long  full-grown  before  the  red  appears  ujjon  the  tail,  and  this 
usually  precedes  the  fulvous  of  the  under  parts. 

B.  b.  calu'rus.  (Gr.  koXm,  A'rtfo.s',  beautiful ;  ovpd,  oura,  ta,i\.)  Western  UEn-TAiL.  Black 
Keo-tail.  The  extreme  case  is  chocolate-brown  or  t^ven  darker,  <|uite  unioolor,  with  rich  red 
tail  crossed  by  several  black  bars ;  from  which  erythro-inelanism  grading  insensibly  into 
ordinary  borealis.  The  usual  case  is  increase  over  borealis  of  dark  rufous  and  dusky  shades 
in  bars  and  si)ots  underneath,  particularly  on  the  flanks,  flags,  and  crissum,  and  presence  of  other 
than  the  subterminal  black  bar  on  the  tail.  One  case  is  chocolate-brown,  with  a  great  reddish 
blotch  ou  the  breast.  Western  N.  Am.  at  large,  particularly  U.  S.  from  1{.  Mts.  t(i  tiie 
Pacific. 

B.  b.  lucasa'nus.  (Of  Cape  St.  Lucas.)  St.  Lucas  Red-tail.  A  light-colored  form,  like 
krideri,  white  below,  tinged  with  rufous  on  the  tibitB,  uud  no  black  subterminal  bar  on  the  tail. 
Lower  Cala. 

B.  b.  kri'deri.  (To  John  Krider.)  Krider's  Red-tail.  A  light-colored  form,  pure  white 
below,  with  few  markings  or  none,  and  the  subterminal  tail-bar  reduced  or  obliterated.  High 
central  plains,  U.  S.     This  and  the  last  hardly  tenable. 


•  •  •  Light-weights ;  4  outer  primaries  cut. 
520.  B.  linea'tus.  (Lat.  lineatus,  striped.)  Red-shouldered  Buzzard.  Winter  Hawk. 
"  Chicken  Hawk."  Adult  $  9  :  Feet  and  cere  chrome  yellow,  the  anterior  tarsal  scales 
tinged  with  greenish.  General  plumage  of  a  rich  fulvous  cast.  Above,  reddish-brown,  the 
feathers  with  dark  brown  centres,  giving  the  prevailing  tone,  and  black  shafts ;  head,  neck, 
and  entire  under  parts  orange-brown,  mostly  with  dark  shaft-lines  and  white  bars,  especially 
on  the  lower  parts  posteriorly  ;  lesser  wing-coverts  rich  orange-brown  or  chestmit,  forming  a 
conspicuous  area  on  the  bend  of  the  wing.  Quills  and  tail-feathers  black,  beautifully  n)ark<d 
with  white  ;  the  primaries  and  secondaries  with  white  spots  or  bars  on  both  webs  terminating 
on  each  edge  oi  the  feather,  the  light  bars  which  cross  the  feather,  and  the  darker  intervening 

36 


646 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  BAPTORES—  A  CCIPITBES. 


gpiices,.  being  more  or  less  touched  with  reddish.  The  same  style  of  marking  on  the  wing- 
coverts;  the  tiiil  crossed  with  several  narrow  white  bars,  and  the  tip  white.  Young  very 
different ;  little  or  uo  fulvous  or  orauge-brown ;  above,  plain  dark  brown,  the  wing-patch 
indicated  or  not;  head,  neck,  and  under  parts  white  or  butfy-wliito,  fully  streaked  or  arrow- 
headed  with  dark  brown.  Tail  brown,  crossed  with  many  lighter  and  darker  bars,  the 
former  mostly  tawny  on  the  outer  webs,  whitish  on  the  inner  wtfbs;  wing-quills  extensively 
variegated  in  similar  pattern.  Length  of  (J  18.00-20.00;  extent  about  40.00;  wing  Ij  '0- 
13.50;  tail  7.50-8.50;  tarsus  2.75-3.25;  ?  20.00-22.00;  extent  about  45.00;  wing  12.' 0- 
14.00;  tail  8.50-9.50.  There  is  much  variation  in  size;  Florida  and  Gulf  specimens  are  very 
small.  Nearly  as  long  as  B.  borealis,  but  not  nearly  so  heavy  ;  tarsi  more  (,'xtensively  denuded. 
The  adult  of  this  handsome  hawk  is  unmistakable;  but  the  student  may  require  to  look  closely 
after  the  young.  Eastern  N.  Am.,  one  of  tlie  commonest  hawks  of  the  U.  S.,  especially  in 
winter;  not  far  N.  in  Brit.  Am.  Habits  and  niditication  simihir  to  those  of  B.  borealis ; 
eggs  2-4,  2.00-2.25  X  about  1.75,  with  the  usual  range  of  color-variation. 

521.  B.  1.  e'legans.  (Lat.  elegans,  choice.)  Western  liED-SHOULnEKKi)  BiizzAun.  Tin; 
erythrism  of  the  last.  In  extreme  case,  the  whole  under  jiluinage  ricrh  dark  reddish,  almost 
obliterating  the  usual  marking.s;  wings  and  tail,  however,  still  elegantly  barred  with  pure 
white.     R.  Mts.  to  the  Pacific,  U.  S. 

528.  B.  abbrevia'tus.  (Lat.  abbreviatus,  shortened.)  Band-tailed  BirzzARi).  Adult  ^  9  : 
t^oal-black,  glossy  and  uniform  over  the  whole  body.  Tail  black  ;  viewed  above,  it  seems  to 
be  crossed  with  3  zones  of  ashy-gray  or  slate-color,  increasing  in  width  and  firmness  from  the 
proximal  to  the  distal  one,  and  is  narrowly  tipped  witli  white  ;  from  below,  there  aj)pear  3  pure 
white  zones,  since  the  ashy  is  on  the  outer  webs  only  of  the  feathers  (both  webs  of  the  middle 
pair,  however),  and  the  white  is  on  tlie  inner  webs.  The  j)laniagc  of  the  head  is  snowy-whito 
at  the  roots,  and  in  some  specimens,  probably  less  mature,  it  is  so  extensive  on  the  head, 
neck,  and  breast  as  to  appear  in  spots  on  the  least  disturbance  of  the  feathers.  The  wing- 
feathers  appear  quite  black  in  the  folded  wing,  but  their  inner  webs  basally  acquire  the 
usual  light  and  dark  spacing,  with  more  or  less  whitish  nebulation,  or  white  areation.  The 
feet  appear' to  be  yellow,  the  bill  mostly  dark.  Young  recognizably  similar?  Length  of  my 
Arizona  specimen  19.50;  extent  47.50;  wing  15..^0-l().5O  ;  tail  8.50-9.00  ;  tarsus  2.50;  middle 
toe  without  claw  1.(50.  A  peculiar  hawk,  very  unlike  any  other  of  the  TJ.  S.,  slightly  built, 
witli  long  wings  and  tail ;  not  yet  well  known  nor  worked  out  in  all  its  iilumages.  Cent.  Am. 
and  Mex.  into  Southwesteni  U.  S. ;  Ariz.,  (!ala.  (B.  zonocevcm,  Scl.,  Tr.  Z.  S.,  185S,  pi.  59; 
Kidgw.,  Hi.st.  N.  A.  B.,  iii,  1874,  p.  272.    B.  aUmnotatits,  (iray.) 

**•*  Light-weights ;  3  outer  primaries  cut. 

523  B.  swaln'soni.  rTo  Wm.  Swainson.)  Common  American  Buzzard.  Swainson's  Buz- 
zard. Adult  <J  9  :  Upper  parts  dark  brown,  very  variable  in  shade  according  to  season  or 
wear  of  tlu;  feathers,  varied  with  paler  brown,  or  even  reddish-brown  edgings  of  the  feathers, 
but  without  the  clear  fawn-color  of  tlie  young ;  the  feathers  of  the  crown  showing  whitish 
when  disturbed,  and  usually  sharp,  dark  shaft-lines ;  tlie  upper  tail-coverts  chestnut  and  white, 
with  blackish  bars.  Quills  and  tail-featliers  as  below,  but  tlio  inner  webs  of  the  former 
8ht>wing  more  decided  dark  cross-bars  ujion  a  lighter  marbled-whitish  ground,  and  the  latter 
having  broader  and  sharper,  dark  wavy  bars.  These  large  (iiiills.  and  imrticularly  those  of  the 
tail,  vary  much  in  shade  according  to  wear,  the  new  feathers  being  strcmgly  slate -colored,  the 
old  ones  plain  dark  brown.  The  tail,  however,  never  shows  any  trace  of  the  rich  chestnut  that 
obtains  in  the  adult  B.  borcnJk.  Iris  brown,  never  yellow  ;  feet,  cere,  gape,  and  base  of  under 
mandible  rich  chrome-yellow;  rest  of  bill  and  claws  bluish-black.  Adult  $  :  Under  parts 
showing  a  broad  i)ectoraI  area  of  bright  chestimt,  usually  with  a  glaucous  east,  and  sharp  black 
shaft-lines ;  this  area  contrasting  sharply  with  the  pure  white  throat.     Other  under  parts  white, 


FALCON  ID JE  —  B  UTEONtN^ :  B  VZZABDS. 


647 


more  or  less  tinged  and  varied,  in  different  sjieeimens,  with  light  chestnut.  In  some  males,  this 
chestnut  is  diminished  to  traces,  chieHy  in  tiuiik-bars  and  arrow-heads,  and  the  white  throat  is 
immaculate  ;  in  otliers,  the  throat  shows  blackish  [)encilling,  and  the  rest  of  the  under  parts  are 
s<»  much  marked  with  chestnut,  chiefly  in  cross-bars,  that  this  color  predominates  over  the 
white,  and  appears  in  direct  continuation  of  the  pectoral  area  itself.  Some  feathers  of  this  area 
are  commonly  dark  brown.  Length  I'J.OO-iJO.UO  ;  extent  about  49.00;  wing  15.00  or  a  little 
more ;  tail  8.50  ;  tarsus  2.50 ;  middle  toe  without  claw  1.50.  Adult  ?  :  Much  darker  under- 
neath than  the  male ;  throat  pure  white,  but  other  under  parts  probably  never  whitening 
decidedly.     Pectoral  area  from  rich  dark  chestnut  or  !nahogany-color,  mixed  with  still  darker 


Fig.  381.  —  Dutm  vulijaris  of  Earope,  i  nut.  size;  not  iliBtingulslmble  in  the  cut  ft-om  one  of  the  plumages  of 
II.  strainsoni.    (From  Brelim. ) 

feathers,  to  brownish-black  ;  and  other  under  parts  heavily  marked  with  chestnut,  chiefly  in 
cross-bai-s  alternating  with  whitish,  but  on  the  flanks,  and  sometimes  across  the  belly,  these 
markings  quite  blackish.  The  general  t(nie  of  the  under  parts  may  be  quite  as  dark  as  the 
pectoral  area  of  tlie  nnile,  hut  it  hicks  uniformity,  and  the  increased  depth  of  color  of  the 
pectoral  area  in  this  sex  suffices  to  })reserv('  tlie  strong  contrast  already  mentioned.  Length 
20.00-22.00  ;  extent  50.00-.'')4.00  :  wing  15.()0-1().50 ;  tail  9.00.  Changes  of  plumage  with  age 
affect  cliiefly  the  under  parts ;  the  back,  wings,  and  tail  are  more  nearly  alike  at  all  times. 
Young  (J  9  ■  Entire  upper  parts  dark  brown,  everywhere  varied  with  tawny  edirings  of  tlie 
individual  feathers.  The  younger  the  bird,  the  more  marked  is  the  variegation  :  it  corresponds 
in  tints  closely  with  the  color  of  the  under  parts,  being  palest  in  very  young  examples.  Under 
parts,    including  lining   of  wings,   nearly  uniform  fawn-col  .r  (pale   dull   yellowish-brown), 


548 


SYSTEM  A  TIG  SYNOPSIS.  —  HA  PTOSES—  A  CCIPITltES. 


thickly  and  sharply  marked  with  bliickiah-lirawn.  Thcso  largo  dark  spots,  for  the  most  part 
circular  or  gnttit'orm,  crowd  across  the  torcbrcast,  Hi^attcn-  on  the  middle  belly,  culargo  to  cross- 
bars on  the  ilauks,  become  broad  arrow-heads  ou  the  lower  belly  and  tibitu,  and  are  wanting 
on  the  throat,  which  is  only  marked  with  a  siiarp,  narrow,  blackish  jjencilling  along  the  median 
line.  Quills  brownisii-black,  the  outer  w<d)s  with  an  ashy  shade,  the  inner  webs  toward  the 
base  grayish,  jjaler,  and  marbled  with  white,  and  also  showing  obscure  dark  cross-bars;  their 
shafts  black  on  top,  nearly  white  underneath.  Tail-feathers  like  the  quills,  but  more  decidedly 
shaded  with  ashy  or  slatt'-gray,  ajid  tipped  with  whitish  ;  their  numerous  dark  cross-bars  show 
more  plainly  than  those  of  the  quills,  but  are  not  .so  evident  as  they  are  in  the  old  birds. 
Nestlings  are  covered  with  white  Huffy  down.  Western  N.  Am.,  Mississippi  Valley  to  the 
Pacific,  abundant ;  in  nuiny  regions  the  commonest  and  most  characteristic  of  the  large  hawks  ; 
occasionally  eastward  through  the  N.  States  to  Canada  and  New  England.  Nests  inditl'erently 
on  the  ground,  cliffs,  bushes,  trees ;  nest  indistinguishable  from  that  of  other  large  hawks ;  eggs 
usually  2,  —  I  have  never  found  more,  sometimes  cmly  one;  they  are  iibout  2.2.)  X  1.75,  resem- 
bling hen's  eggs,  being  nearly  colorless  and  unmarked,  like  those  of  the  marsh  hawk  ;  some- 
times stained  with  rusty-brownish,  probably  never  marked  all  over  nor  boldly  blotched  anywhere. 
This  buzzard  represents  the  Euro]>ean  B.  vulgaris  (fig.  381)  in  N.  Am.,  being,  in  fact,  little 
different.  (It  is  Falco  buteo  Aud.,  fcdio  pi.  372 ;  B.  vulgaris  Sw.,  F.  ]J.  A.,  \)\.  27  ;  And.,  8vo, 
pi.  0;  B.  montamis  Nutt.,  1810,  not  of  authors;  B.  bairdi  Hoy  (young  i ;  ?jB.  oxypterus  Casj. 
I  young);  B.  imignatus  Cass.,  111.  pi.  31  (melanistic) ;  B.  guituralis  Maxim.;  B.  obsolctus 
Sharpe,  1874  (not  Falco  obsoletus  Gm.).  It  is  probably  also  B.  "  vulgaris  "  of  Maynard,  Bull. 
Xutt.  Club,  i,  187<),  p.  2;  and  of  Itidg.,  ibid.  p.  32.) 
524.  B.  penn8ylva'nlcu8.  (Lat.  pennsylvamcus,  of  Wni.  Penn's  woods.)  Buoad-winged 
UuzzAiii).  Adult  $  9  :  Above,  dark  brown,  the  feathers  with  blackish  shaft-lines,  and  pale 
grayish-brf)wn  or  even  lighter  (edgings,  those  of  hind  head  and  nape  cottony-white  basally ; 
usually  also  some  featln.Ts  with  fulvous  edgings,  especially  on  the  hind  neck ;  upper  tail-coverts 
barred  or  spotted  with  white.  Prinuirics  and  secondaries  blackish  on  outer  webs  and  at  ends, 
most  of  the  inner  webs  white  in  large  area,  more  or  less  perfectly  barred  with  dusky;  concealed 
parts  of  scapulars  thus  barred  ou  both  webs.  Exi)osed  portion  of  tail  with  three  blackish 
zones,  the  terminal  one  broadest,  alternating  narrower  pale  gray  or  grayish-white  zones,  one  of 
these  terminal ;  from  below  these  zones  appear  whitish,  but  from  above  grayish.  Under  parts 
mixed  white  and  fulvous-brown,  trdull  chestnut,  the  latter  nearly  as  pronounced  as  in  B.  linea- 
Ins,  the  pattern  being  rather  that  of  Accipiter  fuseus  or  A.  cooperi;  the  fulvous  in  excess  ante- 
riorly, the  white  prevailing  posteriorly  and  nearly  or  quite  innnaculate  on  crissum  ;  the  middle 
regions  with  the  white  in  oval  paired  spots  or  incomplete  bare  ou  each  feather,  the  flanks  and 
tibiiu  pretty  regularly  barred  with  the  two  colors ;  most  of  the  feathers  black-shafted,  producing 
a  fine  jjencilling,  this  black  increasing  to  decided  streaking  on  the  white  throat,  and  forming 
noticeable  maxillary  patclies.  Lining  of  wings  mostly  white,  but  with  some  reddish  and  black- 
ish spotting.  Bill  mostly  dark  ;  feet  yeUow;  claws  black.  Length  of  (J  1 1.00 ;  extent  33.00: 
wing  10.50-11.00;  tail  6.50-7.00;  tarsus  2..30;  middle  toe  without  claw  1.20.  ?  larger; 
wing  11.00-11.50;  tail  7.00-7-50.  Young:  Ditters  as  usual  in  the  genus,  in  Licking  the 
special  coloration  and  jiattern  of  the  under  pnrts,  tail-pattern  dift'erent,  wing-))attern  nnich  the 
same.  Upper  parts  blackish-brown,  highly  variegated  with  fulvous,  tawny,  or  whitish  edgings 
of  all  the  feathers,  on  the  head  and  neck  the  light  and  dark  coloi>  in  streaks  about  balancing 
each  other.  Under  jiarts  white,  more  or  less  buff-toned,  with  more  or  fewer  linear  or  clubbed 
fuscous  markuigs  ou  the  breast  and  sides,  changing  to  arrow-heads  on  the  flanks  and  sides, 
the  amount  of  this  nnirking  wlxdly  indeterminate.  Tail  crossed  with  numerous  light  and  dark 
bars  (six  or  eight  of  each  exposed),  on  both  webs  of  middle  feathers  and  outer  webs  of  the  others ; 
these  on  their  inner  webs  largely  white,  with  consequently  better  pronounced  dark  bars;  all 
the  ♦'eathers  tipped  with  white.     Eastern  N.  Am.  and  throughouc  Middle  America,  conunon ; 


883, 


181. 


525, 


I 


FALCONID^  —  BUTEONIN^:  BUZZARDS. 


549 


a  Hinall  but  stout  Buteo,  with  aitiplo  wings  and  tail,  very  different  from  any  of  the  forpgoinj^, 
and  easily  rt'cognized  by  its  size  and  proportions,  aside  from  color.  A  largo  9  rrscinblcs  ii 
small  (J  Ii.  lineatm  in  some  respects,  but  the  difference  is  too  great  to  require  detailed  com- 
parison. Nesting  nowise  peculiar  ;  eggs  S-.5,  2.00  X  l.'iO,  heavily  marked. 
882,  883.  B.  bracliyu'rus.  (Gr.  ^pa^us, '"■"(.'/«»•''■,  short :  oi(jd,  oi(;y(,  tail.).  Fli.UilNOUS  IUzzard. 
Kesombling  B.  abbrcciutus  in  being  blackish  or  fuligiiiuus  all  over,  liiit  entirely  another  bird, 
belonging  to  a  different  secticm  of  the  genus.  Only  three  primaries  are  abruptly  enn\rginate  on 
the  inner  web,  though  the  next  one  is  sinuate.  Adult  9^  Color  fuliginous,  or  dark  umber- 
brown,  nearly  uniform,  but  barred  on  the  under  wing-  and  tail-coverts  with  white,  and  the 
feathers  of  the  hind  head  and  nape  fleecy-white  at  base ;  the  color  blackening  on  the  exposed 
surfaces  of  the  primaries,  the  inner  webs  of  whicii  are  extensively  whitened,  with  the  usual 
dark  bars ;  little  white,  however,  on  the  secondaries,  exce})ting  the  inner  ones,  most  of  them 
being  simply  spaced  gray  or  light  brown  between  their  dark  bars.  Tail-pattern  as  usual  in 
young  hawks  of  this  genus,  there  being  nunua-ous  (f)  or  8  exposed)  blackish  and  lighter  grayish 
bars  alternating,  the  subterminal  one  of  each  broadest,  the  whole  tail  tipped  with  grayish- 
white;  the  inner  webs  of  all  the  feathers  excepting  the  ccmtral  pair  whitening  in  the  spaces 
between  the  dark  bars.  Length  IG.OO;  wingi;5.00;  tail  7.00;  tarsus  2.00.  I  Described  from 
No.  12,117,  Mus.  Smiths.  Inst.,  from  Mazatlan,  Mex.,  agreeing  with  U.  fuUginosus  Scl.,  1'.  Z.  S., 
18 j8,  p.  I$5();  Tr.  Z.  S.,  1838,  p.  267,  pi.  Ixii  ;  a  bird  supposed  to  be  the  young  of  the  same 
is  B.  oxypterns,  Cass.,  Pr.  Phila.  Acad.,  1855,  p.  28!i;  both  are  treated  as  a  variety  of  B. 
smiinsoni  by  Ilidgway,  Hist.  N.  A.  B.,  iii,  1874,  p.  26(5 ;  but  are  now  supposed  to  be  melanistic 
adult,  and  young,  of  a  good  species,  probably  B.  brachyurus  Vieill.,  which  normally  has  the 
face  and  most  under  parts  white.)  Mexican  border,  Florida,  and  southward. 
181.  ARCHIBU'TEO.  (Lat.  «rc/w-,  from  Gr.  apx'k,  archos,  a  leader,  chief;  buteo,  a  buzzard.) 
IIaue-pooted  Buzzahds.  Chars,  of  Buteo  proper,  but  tarsi  feathered  in  front  to  the  tties, 
naked  and  reticulate  ahmg  a  strip  behind.  Wings  very  long;  3d  and  4th  qnills  longest;  1st 
shorter  than  7th;  4  or  5  emarginatc  on  inner  webs.  A  small  group,  well  marked  by  the  char- 
acter of  the  feet.  The  species  are  among  tlu!  largest  of  the  buzzard-hawks,  but  are  rather  dull 
heavy  birds,  preying  upon  humble  quarry,  especially  small  quadrupeds,  reptiles,  and  insects. 

Analysis  of  Species 

Below,  white,  variously  dark-marked,  and  •  ften  with  a  broad  black  abdominal  zone,  but  generally  no 

ferruginous  ;  in  melanotic  state,  whole  plumage  nearly  uniform  blackish.    .    lariopns  sancti-jokannis  525 

Below,  pure  white,  scarcely  or  not  marked,  excepting  that  the  legs  are  rich  rufous  witl-  black  bars, 
in  marked  contrast ;  above,  varied  with  dark  brown,  chestnut  and  wliite  ;  quills  brown,  with  much 
white ;  tail  silvery-ash  and  white,  clouded  with  brown  or  rufous fenmgineus  626 

525.  A.  lago'pus  sancti-johan'nis.  (Gr.  \afi)T:ovs,  layopous,  hare-footed  ;  Lat.  sancti-johannifi, 
of  St.  John,  Newfoundland.  Fig.  :582.)  American  KoiTr.H-i.EOOEi)  Buzzard.  "  Black 
Hawk."  Adult  (J  9-  Too  variable  in  jdumage  to  be  concisely  described.  In  general,  the 
whole  plumage  with  dark  brown  or  blackish  and  light  brown,  griiy,  or  whitish,  the  lighter 
colors  edging  or  bamng  the  individual  feathers ;  tendency  to  excess  of  the  whitish  on  the.  head, 
and  to  the  formation  of  a  dark  abdominal  zone  or  area  which  may  or  may  not  include  the  tibia- ; 
usually  a  blackish  antcorbital  and  maxillary  area.  Lining  of  wings  extensively  blackish.  Tail 
usually  white  from  the  base  for  some  distance,  then  with  dark  and  light  barring.  The  inner 
webs  of  the  flight-feathers  extensively  white  from  the  base,  usually  with  little  if  any  of  the 
'  dark  barring  so  prevalent  among  buteonine  hawks.  From  such  a  light  antl  variegated  plmn- 
age  as  this,  the  bird  varies  to  more  or  less  nearly  uniform  blackish,  in  which  case  the  tail  is 
usually  barred  several  times  with  white.  Our  lighter-colored  birds  are  not  fairly  separable 
from  the  nornial  European  A.  lagopus  ;  but  our  birds  average  darker,  and  their  frequent  mel- 
anism docs  not  apjiear  to  befall  the  European  stock.  But  In  any  plumage  the  rough-leg  is 
known  at  a  glance  from  any  Buteo  by  the  feathered  shanks ;  while  the  jieculiar  coloration  ttf 


550 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  HA  I'TOliES  —  A  CCIPITRES. 


A.  ferrugineus  is  highly  distinctive  of  the  latter.  Length  of  a  9>  22.(X);  extent  54.00;  wing 
17.50;  tail  9.00;  iris  light  brown;  bill  mostly  blacikish-bliie,  cere  juile  greenish-yellow,  feet 
dull  yellow,  cLiws  blue-black.  This  is  about  an  average  size ;  the  ^  averages  smaller  ;  wing 
about  10.00,  etc.  The  name  adojHed,  it  must  be  ob.ierved,  is  not  intended  to  discriminate  the 
black  from  the  ordinary  plumage,  but  to  separate  the  American'  bird  subspecifically  from  the 
European.     N.  Am.,  at  large,  common,  especially  in  fertile,  well-wntcred  regions,  as  those  of 


Fio.  382.  —  Kougli-legged  Buzzard,  (  nat.  8ize.    (From  Brehm.) 

the  Atlantic  seaboard  ;  a  large,  heavy,  and  somewhat  sluggish  hawk,  haunting  meadows  and 
marshes,  to  some  extent  crepuscular  in  habits,  of  low,  ea.'iy,  and  almost  noiseless  flight ;  prey- 
ing upon  insignificant  quarry,  particularly  small  rodent  and  insectivorous  mammals,  reptiles, 
batrachians  and  insects.  Nest  usually  in  large  tree.",  but  frequently  on  a  ledge  of  rocks  or  the 
edge  of  a  cut-bank  ;  a  bulky  mass  of  interlaced  sticks,  with  softer  matted  material  of  miscel- 
laneous kinds ;  eggs  3-5,  laid  late  in  May  and  in  June,  measuring  2.10-2  25  in  length,  by 
1.75-1.80  in  breadth;  varying  in  color  from  dingy  whitish  with  scarcely  any  marking,  or  but 


FALCONID^  —  PUTEONINJE :  BUZZARDS. 


661 


faint  cloiidinp,  to  crcamy-whito  boldly  vuriogated  with  blotdioa  and  wnslios  of  dark  brown  on 
tlio  siirfaci',  with  nciitral-tint  markings  in  the  ^^ul)StanLT  of  tiic  shell. 

520.  A.  ferrugl'neuB.  (Lat.  feiriiyo,  iion-nist.)  Ficuitrdisorn  Itoi'oii-i.EnoEii  IIizzaiik. 
"Califoknia  SyuiKUKi,  Hawk."  Adult  ^  9  :  UtldW,  juno  wliito  fimn  hill  to  end  nf  tail, 
tho  legs  rich  rufou.s  or  bright  chestnut  haired  witli  black,  in  marked  contrast;  usually  a  few 
chestnut  bars  or  arrow-heads  on  the  belly  and  Hanks,  'ind  the  breast  'vith  sharp  shaft  lines  of 
black.  The  older  the  bird  the  pun^r  >i'hite  below,  wich  more  perfci-l,  contrast  of  the  chestnut 
legs;  the  9  retaining  marks  of  immaturity  longer  than  the  ^  ;  these  consisting  in  extension 
of  tho  blaek-ban'ed  chestnut  markings  on  to  the  belly,  Hanks,  and  even  more  of  the  under  parts, 
and  spreading  of  the  fine  shaft  lines  on  the  breast  into  ordinary  streaks.  Tail  silvery-white 
below,  above  white  at  ba.so  and  extreme  tij),  in  most  of  its  extent  clouded  with  silvery-ash  and 
iriore  or  less  tingi'd  with  ferruginous.  IJack,  rump,  and  wing-coverts  mixed  bl;ickish  anil 
bright  chestnut  in  varying  but  about  equal  amounts,  the  former  color  making  central  markings 
on  the  exposed  ]>ortion  of  each  feather,  the  chestnut  yielding  to  white  at  the  bases  of  the 
feathers.  Top,  back,  and  sides  of  head  streaked  with  blackish  and  white  in  about  e(|ual 
amomits,  the  feathers  being  eottony-white,  with  ilark  streaks  or  spaces  on  their  exposed  ]ior- 
tions.  Primaries  blackish,  with  a  glaucous  bloom  on  their  outer  webs,  their  shafts  almost 
entirely  white,  several  outer  ones  with  extensive  pure  white  areatioii  on  their  inner  webs: 
inner  ])rimaries  and  secondaries  continuing  this  pattern,  but  with  more  or  less  evitlent  ashy 
spacing  between  blacki.sh  bars,  astisual  in  buteoniue  hawks.  Length  of  ^,  22. .")();  extent  .Vl'.- 
50;  wing  1(1.7.');  tail '.).2.j  ;  tarsus  2.?.") ;  length  of  9  .  2:5. .")();  extent  .jd. ,")();  wing  i7-2>;  tail 
9.7").  Iris  [lale  brownish  to  light  yellow;  cere  and  feet  bright  yellow;  bill  dark  bluish  horn- 
color  ;  mouth  purplish  Hesh-cohir.  Third  and  4th  quills  subequal  and  longest ;  2d  between  5tli 
and  Oth  ;  1st  about  e(jual  to  8th  ;  1st— ith  abruptly  ennirginate  on  inner  webs  ;  2d-.5th  sinuate 
(m  outer  webs.  Thi;  foregoing  is  from  a  lino  pair  I  procured  in  Arizona  in  ISOl'.  A  younger 
bird  is  described  as  loss  rufous  above,  ami  almost  entirely  white  below,  the  flags  scarcely  varie- 
gated or  contra.sted.  The  first  plumage  does  not  .seem  to  bo  described  ;  I  have  seen  it  in 
Dakota,  but  have  no  specimen  at  hand,  and  cannot  trust  my  memory.  One  of  the  largest, 
handsomest  and  most  distinctively  marked  hawks  of  N.  Am.,  somewhat  recalling  Buteo  nlho- 
caudatus;  common  in  the  west,  from  the  region  of  the  Ked  Uiver  of  tho  North  anil  of  the  .Sas- 
katchewan t.>  Texas  and  into  Mexico,  ami  from  the  Plains  to  the  Pacrific;  sometimes  oven  E. 
of  the  Mississippi,  as  in  Iowa.  Nesting  and  habits  in  no  wise  peculiar,  as  (Mimpared  with 
those  of  other  large  hawks;  nest  in  trees,  on  ledges  and  banks,  comi)o.sed  of  sticks,  with  mat- 
ted lining  of  various  softer  materials ;  eggs  not  characteristif ,  but  large,  averaging  2. .50  X  1. !*■"'. 

182.  ASTURI'NA.  (Modified  from  Lat.  nstin;  a  hawk.)  Star  IUzzaud.s.  General  chars,  of 
Buteo,  in  proportions,  but  system  of  cohiration  as  in  Astiir :  sexes  alike;  adults  ashy,  with 
black,  white-barred  tail,  the  under  parts  closely  barred  crosswise  with  ashy  and  white;  young 
different,  the  under  parts  marked  lengthwLse  with  blackish  on  a  whiti.sh  ground.  Wings  short 
for  this  subfamily  ;  Sd,  4th,  and  .")th  quills  longest,  1st  very  short ;  outer  4  emarginate  on  inner 
webs;  2d-5th  cut  on  outer  webs.  Tail  even,  long,  about  J  the  wing.  Logs  longer  than  usual 
in  Buteonints,  more  nearly  as  in  Accipitrinm ;  feet  stout;  tarsus  scutellate  before  and  half-way 
up  behind,  shortly  feathered  above  in  front,  elsewhere  .strongly  reticulate.  A  small  gniup  of 
handsome  under-sized  hawks,  peculiar  to  America. 

627.  A.  plaga'ta.  (Lat.  plagata,  striped.)  Gray  Star  Buzzard.  Adult  ^  9  :  L^l)per  parts 
nearly  uniform  cinereous,  or  light  plumbeous,  tho  feathers  dark-shafted,  and  with  nearly  obso- 
lete undulations  of  lighter  ash  ;  upper  tail-coverts  in  part  white.  Tail  black,  with  several 
white  zones,  sometimes  broken,  and  white  or  whitish  tip.  Under  parts,  including  tibia?,  white, 
beautifully  and  closely  cross-barred  with  tlark  ash,  except  upon  the  throat  and  crissuin  ;  some 
of  tho  feathers  also  dark-shaftod.  Lining  of  wings  white,  less  clo.sely  barred  with  ashy. 
Primaries  darkening  from  the  color  of  the  back,  their  inner  webs  spaced  lighter  and  darker,  and 


552 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— RAl'TORES—ACCIPITKES. 


with  extensive  whiter  nrentioii,  wliicli  clinmcters  incrense  on  the  secondaries.  Iris  brown  ;  cere 
and  feet  hright  yellow;  bill  and  claws  bltic-black.  Winj;  of  $  10.00;  tail  7-00;  tarsus  2.75  ; 
middle  foe  without  claw  1.50.  Wing  of  9  H-OO;  tail  S. 00.  Young:  Hlackish-brown  above, 
much  variegated  with  reddish-buff,  the  white  upper  tail-coverts  sjtotted  with  blackish;  below, 
whitish,  dashed  with  large  blackish  nuirks,  the  Hags  barred  ;  tail  dark  brown,  with  ninnenms 
narrow  blackish  bars.  Cent.  Am.  and  .Me:;.,  regularly  into  southwestern  U.  S.,  occasionally 
uj)  the  Mississippi  Valley  to  Illinois.  Nest  in  trees  tu-  bushes,  not  peculiar;  eggs  2,  nmnd- 
oviil,  colorless,  2.00  X  1.<J0. 

183.  UIIUBITIN'GA.  (.S.  Am.  «n(fcH,  a  vuhure;  /i»)/7«,  bright.)  ANTiiUACiTi;  JJitzzauuh.  (Jcn- 
eral  chars.  i>(  Biiteo,  but  system  of  cidoration  peculiar,  the  adults  being  chietly  black  and  white, 
the  tail  typically  broadly  zoned.  The  limits  of  the  genus  vary  with  different  writers ;  it 
contains  several  species,  confined  to  America,  one  of  them  reaching  our  border.  In  this  tlic 
tail  is  about  S  as  long  as  the  wing,  emargiuato  or  nearly  oven  ;  the  wing  with  3d-5th  (piills 
longest,  2d  about  equal  to  Gth,  Ist  very  short  ;  outer  1  sinuate  on  inner  webs  ;  the  jioint  of  the 
fcdded  wing  reaching  but  littlo  beyond  the  longest  secondaries;  the  bill  lengthened  and  rather 
weak  ;  the  tomiaof  the  upper  nnindible  strongly  festooned  or  almost  hd)ated  back  of  the  hook  : 
gonys  convex  ;  nostrils  large,  subcircular ;  lores  extensively  denuded  ;  tarsus  much  longer  than 
middle  too  and  claw,  feathered  but  a  little  way  down  in  front,  scutollate  before  and  behind, 
reticulated  laterally  like  the  basis  of  the  toes,  which  in  the  rest  of  their  length  are  broadly 
scutellate. 

528,  U.  aiitliraci'na.  (Lat.  fl»i</)rnc/»i((s,  carbuncular ;  in  this  case  coal-black.)  Antiiuaciti; 
IJlZZAKi).  Adult  (J  9  •  Coal-black  ;  feathers  of  head  and  neck  with  concealed  white  ba.«es  ; 
tail  white  at  extreme  base  and  tip,  and  crossed  about  the  nuddle  with  a  broad  white  zone;  ends 
of  coverts  white  ;  (pulls  of  wing  nuire  or  less  mottled  with  rusty-brown  ;  cere,  rictus,  and  base 
of  bill,  and  feet,  yellow;  bill  and  claws  blackish.  Length  about  23.00;  wing  115.00-15.00; 
tail  S. 00-10.00  ;  tarsus  3.25  ;  9  larger  than  ^.  Young :  Extensively  varied  with  rusty  or  huff, 
which  is  gradually  obliterated  as  the  bird  matures ;  tail  numerously  barred  with  black  and 
'  i.hite.  There  arc  0-9  such  bars,  mostly  broken  or  otherwise  irregular.  The  whole  undiM- 
parts  are  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with  buff,  ])cncilled  on  the  throat,  heavily  striped  on  the 
breast  and  sides,  closely  barred  across  on  the  tibite  and  erissum,  with  blackish.  The  feathers  of 
the  head,  nape,  and  foreback  are  largely  white  or  whitish,  appearing  in  streaks  among  the  over- 
lying blackish  of  the  ends  of  the  feathers.  The  exposed  portions  of  the  primaries  are  blackish, 
obscdetely  crossed  with  lighter;  these  featliei"s  lightening  basally  and  internally,  where  narrow 
blackish  bars  alternate  with  wider  spaces  t>f  white  tinged  M'ith  brown  and  fulvous.  The 
secondaries  and  larger  coverts  are  Lrown  with  naiTow  dark  bars,  their  inner  webs  also  indented 
with  whitish  and  tawny.  The  younger  the  bird  the  more  the  whitish  or  buff  prevails  over  the 
<lark  colors.  'I'lie  contrast  between  the  cross-barred  tibiw  and  the  lengthwise-strijied  breast 
and  sides  is  always  notable.  The  tail  varies  from  rounded  through  square  to  emarginate. 
A  remarkable  hawk  of  Cent.  Am.,  W.  I.,  and  Mex.,  lately  ascertained  to  occur  in  Arizona. 

184.  ONY'CHOTES.  (Gr.  ovv(,  owxoi,  onux,  onuchos,  a  claw,  and  a  suffix -n/r,  -ten.)  Clawed 
BtZZARK.  "  IJill  short,  the  tip  remarkably  short  and  obtuse,  and  only  gradually  bent  ;  cere 
on  top  about  equal  to  culmen ;  very  broad  basally  in  its  transverse  diameter,  and  ascending  in 
its  lateral  outline,  on  a  line  with  the  culmen ;  commissure  only  faintly  lobed.  Nostril  jiearly 
circular,  with  a  conspicuous  (but  not  central  or  bony)  tubercle  ;  cere  densely  bristled  below  the 
nostril,  almost  to  its  anterior  edge;  orbital  region  finely  bristled.  Tarsus  very  long  and  slen- 
der, nearly  twice  the  length  of  the  middle  toe ;  toes  moderate,  the  outer  one  decidedly  shorter 
than  the  inner ;  claws  very  long,  strong,  and  sharp,  curved  in  about  one-qnarter  the  circumfer- 
ence of  a  circle.  Tibial  feathers  very  short  and  close,  the  plumes  scarcely  reaching  below  the 
joint.  Feathers  of  the  forehead,  gular  region,  sides  and  tibia;  with  white  filamentous  attach- 
ments to  the  ends  of  the  shafts.    Wing  very  short,  much  rounded,  and  very  concave  beneath  ; 


FALCON lU^E  —  BUTEOXINyJ'J :   AM  fJIJCS. 


("»;'){$ 


4th  )iuill  longest ;  1st  shortor  tliiin  9tli ;  4  itriiimricH  ciimrgiiiiitrd,  iiiiil  one  uinuiiti'il,  mi  inner 
weba  ;  5  sinuatcil  on  ontiT  wi'lm.  Tail  aliout  S  as  long  ii»  wing,  roiniilfil.  Oiitstrotclii'd  feet 
rcafiiing  licyond  end  of  tail.''  (Kidgway.)  (hie  Hiiccics. 
5'i«.  O.  Rrii'beri.  ('I'o  F.  tiniln'r.)  (iitiUKu'H  Hr/./CAiti>.  "  Innnaturc  f  General  plumage  dull 
darU  bistre,  with  a  grayish-umber  east  in  some  liglits,  darkest  on  the  bead  above  and  baeU  ; 
the  posterior  lower  jiarts  paler  ami  more  redili^ii  ;  throat  and  neek  miirb  tinged  witii  pale 
rnsty  ;  primaries  uniform  black.  Tail  lik<-  the  rum|i.  but  with  a  more  boary  tinge,  not  paler 
at  the  tip,  and  crossed  with  ?  or  8  very  narrow  obscure  bars  of  darker,  the  last  of  which  is 
distant  an  inch  or  more  from  the  end.  Lining  of  wings  dark  bistre,  miu-h  tinged  with  rusty, 
tliia  jirevalent  toward  the  edge  ;  under  surfaces  of  primaries  white  anterior  to  their  ennirgina- 
tion,  beyond  which  they  are  ashy,  approaching  black  at  the  ends;  ashy  portion  with  distant, 
very  obscdete,  dusky  bars,  but  the  cheeks  and  throat  streaked- idt.soletely  with  this  color.  No 
distinct  white  anywhere  about  head  or  neck.  Wing  10,00;  tail  .5.>0;  tarsus  -i.TO  ;  middle  toe 
1.40."  (Hidgway.)  California  ?  A  second  specimen  has  been  discovered  since  the  deseri[ition 
here  co]>ied  was  made.     "Closely  allied  to,  if  not  identical  with,  ('nthitiiigu."     (Sbariie.) 

185.  THRASYAK'Tl^S.  {(',r.  $i)a<Tvs,  thrasus,hithl;  diros,  (li'tos,  nuvHgh'.)  IIaui'Y  KA(U,K(s.  A 
genus  containing  one  species  of  enormous  size,  the  most  jiowerful  raptorial  bird  of  America,  if 
not  of  the  entire  sub-order.  Head  with  a  broad  flowing  occi|)ital  crest.  Bill  of  great  length 
and  depth,  much  compressed,  so  hook<'d  that  the  curve  of  the  eulmen  is  about  a  ([uadrant  of  a 
circle,  the  commissure  about  straight,  the  tomia  festooned  but  not  toothed;  cere  e.\tensive,  with 
nearly  vertical  fore-edge,  close  to  which  are  the  narrowly  oval  nostrils  about  midway  between 
tomia  and  eulmen:  lores  extensively  naked  and  bristly;  superciliary  shield  prominent;  feet 
and  talons  of  innuense  strength  ;  tarsus  feathered  a  little  way  <lown  in  front ;  the  covering  of  the 
feet  reticulate,  excepting  a  few  scales  on  top  of  the  toes  ;  lateral  toes  much  shorter  than  iniddle 
one:  inner  claw  much  larger  than  middle  one;  hinder  one  much  the  hirgest  of  all.  Wings 
rather  short,  but  very  ample,  the  seconilaries  entirely  covering  the  primaries  when  folded  ; 
wing  as  a  whole  much  vaulted,  the  outer  quills  strongly  bowed.  Tail  long,  f  the  wing,  fan- 
shajied,  vaulted. 

331.  T.  hurpyi'a.  (Gr.  5/3jrwa, /lar/jMtrt,  a  harpy.)  Harpy  Eaole.  The  largest  and  finest  spcci- 
nuMi  before  me  1  judge  to  have  been  nearly  or  about  4  feet  long  ;  the  wing  is  about  2  feet ;  the 
tail  18  inches;  chord  of  eulmen,  including  cere,  2.75  inches;  depth  of  bill  1.50;  tarsus  over 
4.00;  chord  of  hind  claw  nearly  Il.OO.  Head  and  entire  under  parts  dull  white,  more  or  less 
obscured  with  ashy  or  dusky,  particularly  on  the  crest,  across  the  throat,  and  on  the  tibiro, 
which  latter  are  in  some  cases  regularly  barred  with  blackish.  llpi)er  parts  at  large  ashy-gray, 
intimately  hut  irregidarly  barred  with  glossy  black,  especially  on  the  wing-coverts.  Flight- 
feathers  mostly  blackish,  but  with  more  or  less  ashy  nebulation,  to  which  whitish  variegation  is 
added  on  the  inner  webs.  Tail  pretty  regularly  barred  with  black  and  ash,  in  other  cases 
irregularly  nebulatcd  with  light  and  dark  ash.  The  bill  appears  to  have  been  blackish,  the 
feet  of  some  yellowish  color.  Young  birds  are  much  darker.  V.  and  S.  Am.  and  Mexico,  a 
well  known  and  most  formidable  bird  of  ]irey.  reaching  the  Texas  border. 

186.  A'QUILA.  (Lat.  aqiiila,  an  <'agh'.)  Golden  Eagi.ks.  Hirds  of  great  size,  robust  form  and 
powerful  pbysicpie,  but  in  technical  characters  near  Buico  an<l  especially  Archihuteo.  Tibia 
extensively  flagged.  Tarsus  closely  feathered  all  around  to  the  toes;  toes  mostly  reticulate  on 
top,  margined,  outer  and  middle  webbed  at  base.  Hill  large,  hing,  very  robust;  tomia  lobed  ; 
nostrils  oval,  oblique  ;  superciliary  shield  prominent.  Wings  long,  pointed  by  the  :5d-5th  ([uills, 
2d  subequal  to  0th,  1st  very  short,  5  or  (i  emarginate  on  inner  webs;  2d  to  0th  or  7th  sinuate 
on  outer  webs.  Tail  moderate,  rounded  or  graduated.  Feathers  of  occiput  and  nape  lanceidate, 
acute,  discrete,  like  a  raven's  throat-plmnes.  Sexes  alike;  changes  of  plumage  not  great. 
This  extensive  genus  includes  the  eagles  properly  so  called,  of  which  there  are  numerous  Old 
World  species,  but  only  one  Americau. 


654 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  lit  VTORES  —  A  CCIl'ITUI'.S. 


533.  A.  rlirymte'tiiH.  (Or.  ;(pvcrd(rot,  c/n-i(A(i«to«,  ^iilili'n  riiKlc.  Fi^.  Ii8<').)  (Siildk.n  Kaoi.k.  HinO' 
TAIm:i>  KAdi.i:.  Ailiilt  ^  9  =  "mk  lirowii,  with  a  )iiirj)liwh  ^lims,  liiilitcr  on  tlic  oovitIh  of  tlui 
wings  mill  tiiil  ami  on  tlic  llai;s  or  tarsi;  tin'  cowl  of  lancuolatu  feathers  golden-brown,  (jiiill.s 
anil  tail-teathers  hlaclush,  but  basally  more  or  less  varieirated  or  areated  with  limht  brown,  gniy, 
or  whitisii ;  at  niatnrity  these  niarhiiigs  beconiint;  e.\tensiv()  and  detinite.  Yonng  birds  are 
blacker  than  tiie  adult!,  whicii  "  grow  gray  "  with  age,  and  are  "  ring-tailed,"  that  is,  the  basal 

)H)rtiun  aiul  tinally 
|l'"l!l  ....'I  '  '*Hi«  most  of  the  tail  is 
white,  offset  by  a 
broad  black  termi- 
nal zone.  Length 
about  ;{  feet ;  extent 
(1  foot  orinore:  winu 
2  feet  (  (Jl  or  more 
(9);  tail  14.00- 
15.00  inches  (f?i 
or  more  (  9  );  bill, 
without  cere,  1.50- 
1.75;  tarsMs  .'1.50- 
4.00.  This  great 
bird  inhabits  N.  Am. 
at  large,  as  well  ns 
Euroi)o,  Asia,  etc. ; 
in  this  country  rathir 
northerly,  S.  ordina- 
rily to  about  35°. 
The  Americnn  is  not 
fairly  to  be  distin- 
guished from  the 
Europoan,  but  on 
the  whole  is  a  larger 
and  "better"  bird, 
like  several  others 
of  the  present  fam- 
ily, as  well  as  of 
the  goo.«e  and  duck 
Fio.  383.  —  The  Eyrie  of  tlio  GolUeii  Eagle.    (l)e»lgncU  by  H.  W.  Elliott.)  tribes.     This  I  SUII- 

pose  to  be  owing  to  the  fact  that  there  is  more  room  for  them,  more  food,  loss  persecution,  and 
altogether  less  competition  in  the  struggle  for  existence.  It  breeds  cbiefly  in  mountainous  or 
boreal  regions,  the  eyrie  being  usually  upon  a  crag,  the  nest  an  enormous  platform  of  sticks, 
etc.  The  eggs  are  subspherical  and  equal-ended;  four  selected  specimens  measure:  2.65  X 
2.15  ;  2.90x2.40;  3.00x2..'}5  ;  3.10X2.25  ;  in  12  cases,  only  one  is  white  like  a  bald  eagle's; 
the  rest  are  wliitish,  wholly  indeterminately  spotted,  splashed  and  smirched  with  rich  sienna, 
umber  and  bistre  browns,  with  neutral-tint  shell-markings  ;  2,  3,  or  4  are  laid. 
187.  HALIAE'TUS.  (Gr.  dXid»Tor,  7tn/jae7rt.'«,  a  .oea-eagle ;  t.  e.,  the  osprey.)  Sea  Eagles.  Fish- 
ing Eagles.  General  chars,  of  Aqttila,  as  above,  but  the  tarsi  only  feathered  about  half-way 
down,  and  no  webbing  between  outer  and  middle  toes.  This  nakedness  of  the  shank  is  an  in- 
fallible character :  among  the  several  different  kinds  of  eagles  popularly  attributi^d  to  North 
America,  only  tivo  have  been  found  on  the  continent ;  the  one  with  the  feathered  shank  is  No. 
532  ;  the  one  with  scaly  shank  is  No.  534,  whatever  its  size  or  color.     The  scutellation  of  the 


FALCONriiJE  --  h  V  IKON  IN  M :   KA  GLKS. 


666 


WXi. 


tnnius  vnriPH  in  tliiH  opocioM;  tlirrc  in  iiontially  li  oliort  mw  of  hciiIi'm  in  IVinit,  ilisi'imtiiiii(-il 
iilxii'.t  the  liiiscs  i>f  tiu'  toi'f),  wlicri'  hit  ^rainiliir  rctiriiiatioiiM,  the  Nciitfllaticiii  litinj,'  rcsiiiiii'd 
fnrtlH'r  on  tliu  toes.  Wings  pciiiitcd  hy  .'{(l-,)tli  tiuills  ;  ii\  nearly  i'<|Mai  to  tllii :  1st  longiT 
than  Utii ;  6  to  (I  cinarginatc  on  inner  welm.  'J'ail  roumleil,  grailuuteil  or  eiineatc,  of  12  reit- 
trieeH  (14  in  the  Aniatie  II.  iii'liifficiis),  FeathfTs  of  neek  all  iiruuml  Jance-aente,  discrete. 
Ahont  8  species  of  this  geinis  ar<>  recogni/ed  ;  one  of  them  is  appro|)nato  to  this  continent; 
unothor  occurs  in  Greenland  ;  a  third  (//.  jirldi/icui))  may  he  expected  in  Alaskii. 

Alinll/ult  Hi'  Sfiirlm. 

Adult  witli  licnil  mill  lull  white le.ucocrphiiUi*    ri34 

Adult  with  tnll  only  wlilto nlli'uilhi    Tia,': 

II.  alblcll'lu.  (Lat.  iilhicillu,  white-tailed.)  Wiirn;-TAii,i:ij  Si;a  r,.\(iLK.  Adult  ^  9: 
Dark  hrown,  hlackoning  on  jiriniaries,  the  liead  and  neck  gray,  the  tail  white.     Kill  and  feot 


Put.  384.  —  Hald  Knglc.    ( From  Tcnuej ,  nftor  Wilson. ) 

yellow.  Yonng  with  tail  not  white,  and  otherwise  different.  Rather  larger  than  the  next 
species.  Enrope,  etc.,  only  North  x\ineiicaii  as  occurring  hi  Greenland. 
634.  H.  leiicoceph'alus.  (Gr.  ^tvKos,  leucon,  whho ;  K((f)a\^,  Icephale,  h^ixd.  Fig.  .3^.)  Wittte- 
iiKADKi)  Ska  Eagle.  "Hai.d  Eaole."  "  Biiii)  or  Wasiiinotos  "  (the  yonng).  Ailult: 
<J  9  '•  I5iiil<  hrown  ;  quills  hlack  ;  head  and  tail  white ;  bill,  eye.s,  and  feet  yellow.  Length 
about  .'5  feet ;  extent  (i  or  7  feet ;  wing  2  feet  (9  )  <'i'  less  (  ^)  ;  tail  afoot,  inoro  (  9  )  or  less  (  ^). 
Three  years  are  required  for  the  i)erfection  of  the  white  head  and  tail  of  the  "bald"'  eagle. 
The  first  year,  the  young  arc  "bla<-k"  eagles;  very  dark  colored,  with  fleecy  white  bases 
of  the  feathers  showing  here  and  ther(> ;  bill  black ;  iris  brown  ;  feet  yellow.  The  next 
year,  they  are  "gray"  eagles,  and  usually  larger  than  the  old  birds,  the  Lirgest  Icufiwn 
specimens  being  of  this  kind.  Young  in  the  <lo\vn  are  sooty-gray.  N.  Ain.  anywhere, 
coiTimon  —  for  an  eagle;  jiiscivorous ;  a  piratic.il  parasite  of  the  osprey:  otherwise  notorious 
as  the  emblem  of  the  republic.  Nest  on  trees  or  cliffs ;  eggs  ordinarily  2,  white,  unmarked, 
about  3.00X2.50. 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  BAPTOBES  —  ACCIPITHES. 


32.   Family  PANDIONID--E  :  Fish  Hawks  ;  Ospreys. 


188. 


530. 


See  page  498.    Plu- 
iiiiif;((    i)('<'iiliiir,    c'ldsc 
and   firm,    iiiilji-icatod, 
oily,     lacking     al'tci- 
sliat'ts;    head    d<'ns<'ly 
fi'atlicrcd    up    to    tin; 
eyes;    dccipital   foatli- 
crs   Iciigtlieucd ;     legs 
cldsely  featlicred,  witli- 
ont  any  sign  of  a  flaa-, 
•liiills  of  tlic  wings  and 
tail  acinninatc,  stiff  and 
liard,  and  the  primary 
coverts  of  similar  char- 
acter.   Feet  inunense- 
ly   larg(!    and    strong, 
roughly  granular-retic- 
ulate; tarsi  little  feath- 
ered  above   in    front; 
toes    all    free    to    the 
liase,  the  outer  versa- 
tile.   Claws  very  large, 
all   of   equal   lengtlis, 
snbc.ylindric  or  taper- 
ing terete,   not  being 
scooped     out     under- 
neath, but  all  compressed,  and  the  middle  one  sharply  grooved  on  the  inner  face.     I?ill  tooth- 
less, contracted  at  the  cere,  elsewhere  inflated,  with  very  large  hook;  gonys  convex,  ascending; 
nostrils  oval,  oblique,  without  tubercle,  and  in  tlie  edge  of  the  cere.     The  peculiarities  of  the 
plumage  and  of  the  feet  are  in  evident  adaptation  to  the  senii-aqnatic  piscivorous  ha1)its  of 
these  "fishing  hawks,"  which  require  a  water-jtroof  covering,  and  great  talons  to  grasj)  their 
slippery  quarry.     The  structural  characters  arc  rather  those  of  the  buteonine  than  the  falconine 
birds  of  prey,  in  the  coracoid  aiTangement,  etc.      The  supraorldtal  shield  is  rndiinentary, 
leaving  the  eye  flush  with  tlic  side  of  the  head.     The  family  consists  of  a  single  genus,  and 
probably  but  one  cosmopolitan  species,  the  well-known  Os[)rey,  Pamliov  lutliaetits. 
PAXDl'ON.     (Or.   TlavSiiav,  Lat.   Pmidion,   noui.  propr.      Fig.  38.5.)      O.sfUKYS.      To  the 
foregoing  add:  Wings  very  long,  pointed;  2(1  and  3d  prinniries  longest;  1st  between  3d  and 
5th;  3  outer  ones  abruptly  emarginatc  on  imier  webs,  and  2d  to  4th  sinuate  on  <inter  webs. 
Tail  short,  scarcely  or  not  half  as  long  as  tlie  wing.     Hexes  alike;    9  l"''ger,     Young  similar. 
P.  baliae'tiis.     (See  Haliaetiis.)     Fish  Hawk.     Osi-itKY.     Adult  ^  9  :  Above,  dark  van- 
dyke-brown,  blackening  on  the  quills,  the  featiiers  of  the  upper  parts  more  or  h'ss  conqiletely 
edged  with  white  —  the  older  the  bird,  tlie  more  conspicuous  the  wliit(^  markings.     Tail  dark 
brown  with  dusky  bars,  white  tip  and  shafts,  and  inner  webs  of  all   but  tlie  middle  pair  of 
feathers  regularly  barred  with  white  and  dark.     Head,  neck,  and  under  parts  white,  the  crown 
more  or  less  extensively  streaked  with  blackish,  and  a  heavy  bhickish  jMistocuIar  stripe  to  the  nape ; 
the  breast  more  or  less  spotted  with  dusky  hniwn  ;  the  white  more  or  less  tinged  with  tawny  in 
some  places,  especially  under  the  wings  and  on  the  head.     Coloration  very  variabU^  in  the  relative 


FIO.-385.  —  The  Fish  Hawk,  or  Osprey.    (After  J.  Wolf.) 


CATHAUrWES :   AMERICAN    VULTUHEH. 


om 


amounts  of  tho  dark  and  white  colors ;  young  darker,  the  upper  parts  without  the  wliitc 
crescents.  IJill  blackish,  bluing  at  base  and  on  cere;  feet  grayish-blue;  claws  black;  iris 
yellow  or  red.  Length  2  feet  or  rather  less;  extent  about  ii  feet;  wing  17.50-21.50;  tail 
8.50-10.50;  tarsus  i.'ij;  middle  toe  without  claw  1.75:  chord  of  culnien  M-itliout  cere  l.SO; 
chord  of  claws  nearly  tlie  same.  Nearly  cosmopolitan;  entire  temperate  N.  Am.,  over  inland 
waters  and  especially  ahmg  the  sea-coasts,  migratory,  abundant.  P\'W  birds  are  better  known 
than  tins  industrious  fisherman,  so  often  tlie  purveyor  p(,'rforce  of  the  bald  eagh,'.  IJreeds 
anywhere  in  its  range;  nest  bulky,  finally  ac(|uiring  enormous  dimensions  by  yearly  repairs  and 
additions,  jdaced  usually  in  a  tree  or  stout  busli,  sometimes  on  rocks  cr  the  ground  ;  .sometimes 
hundreds  together.  Eggs  usually  laid  in  May,  2  or  ;5  in  number,  very  variable  in  si/e,  say 
2.50X1-75,  running  through  all  the  variations  in  cidor  common  to  hawks'  eggs,  from  a  white  t<i 
creamy,  tawny  or  reddish  ground,  from  few  browni.sh  markings  to  heaviest  blotching  with 
sieiiiui,  umber,  bistre  and  sepia ;  c(doration  usually  richly  reddish  or  mahogany.  Some  nests 
grow  to  be  6  or  8  feet  in  diameter,  and  as  mudi  in  depth,  and  smaller  birds,  such  as  purple 
grackles,  frequently  build  theirs  in  the  interstices  of  the  mass. 


8.   SuHouDER  CATIIAllTIUES :    Ameuicax  Vultures. 

As  already  stated  (page  497),  the  characters  of  this  grouj)  are  of  more  than  family  value, 
for  whidi  I  lately  pro])osed  the  above  luime  (New  England  Hird  Life,  vol.  ii,  p.  1155).  In  no 
event  have  tliese  birds  anything  to  do  with  tlie  Old  World  vultures,  which  scarcely  form  a  sub- 
family apart  from  lutkonklce.  In  a  certain  sense,  tliey  represent  the  gallinaceous  type  ttf 
structure;  our  species  of  Cathartes,  for  instance,  bears  a  curious  superficial  resemblance  to  a 
turkey.  They  lack  tlie  strength  and  spirit  of  typical  Ituptores,  and  rarely  attack  animals 
cai)ablo  of  ofi'ering  resistance ;  they  are  voracious  and  indiscrin'inate  gormandizers  of  carrion 
and  aninnil  refuse  of  all  .sort.-*  —  efficient  and  almost  indis])ensable  scavengers  in  the  warm 
countries  where  they  abound.  TJiey  are  uncleanly  in  their  mode  of  feeding;  the  nature  of 
tlu^ir  food  renders  them  ill-scented,  and  when  disturbed  they  eject  the  fuetid  contents  of  tho  crop. 
Althougli  not  truly  gregarious,  they  assemble  in  multitudes  wliere  food  is  i)leuty,  and  some 
species  breed  in  connnunities.  Wlien  gorged,  they  appear  heavy  ami  indisposed  to  exertion, 
usually  passing  the  period  of  digestion  motionless,  in  a  listless  attitude,  with  the  wings  half- 
spread.  But  they  .sjtend  much  of  the  time  on  wing,  circling  high  in  the  air  ;  their  Hight  is  easy 
and  graceful  in  the  extreme,  and  cai)able  of  being  indefinitely  protracted.  On  the  ground, 
they  habitually  walk  instead  of  pnigressing  by  leaps.  Possessing  no  vocal  apparatus,  these 
vultures  are  almost  mute,  emitting  only  a  weak  hissing  sound. 

33.    Family  CATHARTID--E :  American  Vultures, 

See  page  H)7.  Head,  and  part  of  the  neck,  more  or  less  comph'tely  bare  of  feathers, 
sometimes  caruncular ;  eyes  Hush  with  the  side  of  the  iiead,  not  overshadowed  by  a  suj)er- 
ciliary  shield  ;  ears  small  and  simple.  Bill  lengtliened,  contracted  toward  the  base,  moderately 
hocdied  and  comj)aratively  weak.  Nostrils  very  large,  completely  perforated,  through  lack  of 
a  bony  seiituiu.  Wings  very  long,  ample,  anil  stning;  tail  moderate.  Anterior  toes  long  for 
this  order,  wel)bed  at  base;  bind  toe  elevated,  very  short;  claws  comparatively  lengtliened. 
olituse,  little  curved  and  weak.  To  tiiese  external  ciiaracters,  which  distinguisli  our  vultures, 
I  may  add,  that  there  are  numerous  osti'ologic;il  |ieculiarities.  A  lower  larynx  is  not  de- 
veloped. The  capacious  gullet  dilates  into  an  immense  crop.  Ca>ca  are  waiitiiiir.  Tiie  caro- 
tids are  double.  The  featiiers  lack  an  aftershaft ;  the  plumage  is  sombre  and  unvaried  ;  its 
changes  are  slight ;  the  sexes  are  alike,  and  the  9  '>*  uot  larger  than  the  ^.  The  famous 
Condor  of  the  Andes,  Sitrcorhumphiis  (/i-i/phiis  ;  the  King  ^'llItllre,  (ii/jxiirhiis  j)fi/iii.  which 
probably  occurs  in  Arizona,  and  species  uf  the  three  following  genera,  compose  the  family. 


568 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  — HAPTORES—  CATHARTIDES. 


AnalyHt  of  Getifm. 

Head  and  neck  entirely  naked;  tail  square Pseudogryphm    189 

Uca<l  and  up])cr  part  of  neuk  naked ;  tail  rounded Cathartes    190 

Head  naked,  but  feathers  running  up  to  it  behind ;  tail  8<|uarc CathaHula    191 

189.  Pseudogpy'phus.  (Gr.  ^tuSor,  pseudos,  fiilse :  Lat.  (/ri/2'hus,  ii  griffin.)  ("amfoknian 
CoNiH)R.  Size  iinineiisi-,  abuut  equalliug  that  of  the  Comlor.  Head  and  neck  entirely  bare, 
smooth,  witliout  caruncuhir  appendages.  No  cervical  rutf  of  snowy,  downy  feathers ;  jjluniagc! 
beginning  over  the  shoulders 
with  loose  lance-linear  featherp, 
and  that  of  the  under  parts 
generally  of  similar  character. 
Frontal  region  depressed  below 
the  level  of  the  inflated  cere, 

but  the  general  ])rofile  straight-  ,^^^^^^HH^^^^^^^^B&l^f 

ish  from  the  hook  of  the  bill 
to  the  hind  head.  Bill  wid<' 
and  deep,  comparatively  little 
hooked.  Nasal  passage  much 
more  contracted  than  the  nasal 
fossa.  Wings  of  great  ampli- 
tude, folding  to  or  beyond  the 
end  of  the  square  tail,  the  ends 
of  the  primaries  uncovered  by 
the  secondaries ;  4th  or  5th 
(juills  longest.  Tarsus  about 
as  long  as  middle  toe.  One 
species. 
536.  P.  callfornia'nus.  (Of  CJali- 
fornia.  Fig.  38G.)  Califou- 
NiAN  Condor.  Adult  <J  9 : 
lilackish,  the  feathers  with 
browner  tips  or  edges,  quite 
gray  or  even  whitish  on  the 
wing-coverts  and  inner  ([uills ; 
primaries     and     tail  -  feathers 

black ;    axillars  and   linine  of  ,        „       ,„  ,.     .    ,  . 

'      ,.  ,  .,,         ,,       .  ,  Fig.  386.  —  Oalifornian  Condor.    (From  Tunney,  alter  Audubon.) 

wnigs   white;    bill    yellowisli, 

reddening  on  cere,  and  skin  of  the  head  orange  or  reddish;  iris  said  by  some  to  be  brown,  by 

otiiers  carmine.     Length  4-4i  feet;  extent  about  9i  feet;  wing  2*-3  feet;  tail  U-U  foet: 

tarsus  4.50-5.00  inches;  middle  toe  without  claw  4.00-4.50;   middle  claw  1.90;    hind  claw 

1.50  ;  chord  of  culmen  without  cere  about  1.50,  but  whole  bill  about  4.00,  whole  head  about 

7.00  ;  cere  on  top  nearly  3.00.     Young  with  the  bill  and  naked  parts  dusky,  and  more  or  less 

downy;  plumage  without  white.     Nestlings  covered  with  whitish  down.     I'aciHc  coast  region. 

U.  S.  and  southward,  conunon.     This  great  creature  rivals  the  condor  in  size,  and  like  it  i.-^ 

powerful  enough  to  destroy  young  or  otherwise  helpless  animals,  tiiuugh  its  usual  food  is  carrion. 

The  nidifieati(m,  as  described,  is  like  tluit  of  the  turkey  buzzard  ;  but  the  eggs  are  whitish, 

unmarked.     They  measure  about  4..")0X2.50.     The  general  habits  appear  to  be  the  same  as 

those  of  the  turkey  buzzard  ;  the  flight  is  similar. 

190.    CATHAR'TES.      (Gr.  icadapTijr,  kathartes,  a  jturitier.)      TiiRKEV   Hiz/ards.     Of  medium 

size;  body  slender.     Whole  head  and  upper  part  of  neck  naked,  the  plumage  begimiiiig  as  a 


.-|37 


CATHARl'ID^:    AMERICAN   VULTURES. 


559 


53* 


circlet  of  ordinary  feathers  all  around  the  neck ;  the  naked  skin  cornigated  and  sparsely  beset 
with  bristles,  especially  a  patch  before  the  eye.  I$ill  long,  moderately  stout  and  hooked,  the 
nostrils  large,  elliptical,  completely  pervious,  the  cere  contracted  opposite  them.  Wings 
extremely  long,  not  particularly  broad,  pointed,  folding  beyond  the  tail,  which  is  short  and 
rounded.  Point  of  the  wing  formed  by  Ud  or  4th  quill ;  '2d  and  5th  nearly  as  long  ;  1st  nmcli 
shorter ;  outer  4  or  5  emarguiate  on  inner  webs.  Tarsus  about  as  long  as  middle  toe  without 
claw.  Of  Cathartes  as  restricted  there  are  several  species  described,  but  only  one  is  estab- 
lished as  N.  Am.  They  are  noted  for  their  extraordinary  powers  of  sailing  flight. 
C.  au'ra.     (Vox  barb.,  name  of  the  bird.     Fig.  387.)     Tikkey   HrzzAKU.     Adult  ^  ?: 


>^\i-^^^-: 


Fio.  387.  —  Turkey  Buzzard,  ^  uat.  site.    (Krom  Brehm.) 

Hlackish-brown,  grayer  on  the  wing-coverts ;  quills  black,  ashy-gray  on  their  under  surface ; 
tail  black,  with  pale  brown  shafts.  Head  red,  from  livid  crimson  to  pale  carmine,  with  wliitisli 
specks  usually ;  bill  dead  wliite ;  feet  flesh-colored ;  iris  brown.  Length  2}-24  feet ;  extent 
about  fi  feet;  wing  2  feet  or  less;  tail  a  foot  or  less  ;  tarsus  2.25  inches;  miihlle  toe  without 
claw  rather  more  ;  outer  toe  1.50 ;  inner  1.25;  liiiid  0.75;  chord  of  culmen  without  cere  1.00. 
Weight  4—5  pounds.  Young  darker  tlian  the  adults ;  bill  and  skin  of  head  dark,  tlie  latter 
downy.  Nestlings  covered  with  wliitisli  down.  U.  S.  and  adjoining  jirovinces,  Atlantic  to 
Pacific,  and  south  clear  through  C".  and  S.  Am.;  N.  to  about  5H°;  resident  \.  to  about  40°, 
beyond  which  migratory,  being  starved  out  in  winter.  Nests  on  the  grouml,  or  near  it  in 
hollow  stumps  or  logs,  generally  in  communities.     Eggs  commonly  2,   sometimes  1,  about 


560 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  RAPTUHES  —  CA THARTWES. 


2.75  X  1.90,  wliitp  or  creamy,  variously  spottod  ami  blotched  with  different  browns,  and  with 
lavender  or  jiiiridish-drab  shell-markings.  Tiiis  species  has  a  curious  habit  of  "  playing 
possum,"  by  simulating  death  when  wounded  and  captured ;  the  feint  is  admirably  executed 
and  often  long  protracted. 
191.  CATH ARISTA.  {(\\:  Ka6api(m,  kiithitrizo,  \  \mv\h\)  Caruion  Cuow.s.  Of  medium  size ; 
body  stout.  Head  naked,  and  geiu'rally  as  in  Cuthurtes,  but  feathers  of  the  neck  running  up 
behind  to  a  point  on  the  occiput,  the  outline  of  the  plmnage  thus  very  different.  Cere  con- 
tracted ;  nostrils  narrow,  less  openly  pervious  than  ii'  Cuthurtes.  Wings  shorter  and  relatively 
broader  than  in  Catharte.'i,  not  folding  to  the  end  of  the  tail,  which  is  short,  only  about  half  the 
wing,  and  even  «)r  eniarginate  ;  4th  and  5th  quills  longest.     The  difference  in  size  and  shaiic 


tvy^??^->^ 


Fio.  388.  —  Black  Vulture,  i  iiat.  size.    (From  Brolim.) 

between  Caihartes  and  Cathurista  is  strikingly  displayed  when  the  birds  are  .seen  flying  together ; 
there  is  abo  a  decided  difference  in  the  mode  of  flight,  as  Cutharista  never  sails  for  any  distance 
without  interrupting  that  easy  uu)tion  by  flajjping  the  wings. 
538.  C.  atru'ta.  (Lat.  atrata,  blackened.  Fig.  3^8.)  Cauhion  t^uow.  IJlack  Vitltire.  Adult 
$  9  :  Entire  jdumage.  including  skin  of  head,  and  bill,  blackish ;  shafts  of  the  primaries 
white :  bases  of  the  ])rimaries  paling  to  gray  or  whitish.  Tijt  of  bill  and  feet  grayisli-yell-.w  ; 
iris  l)rown  ;  claws  black.  Smaller  than  C.  aura,  in  linear  diuiensious,  but  a  heavier  binl ; 
length  abo"t  2  feet;  extent  only  about  H  feet;  wing  IT.OO  inches;  tail  8.00;  tarsus  :}.O0; 
niidiUe  toe  i  .ther  less  ;  chord  of  culmen  without  cere  1.00  or  less.  Nesting  like  that  of  C.  aunt; 
eggs  similar,  but  larger,  or  at  any  rate  longer;  about  ;{.25X^."0.  CliieHy  S.  Atlantic  and  (Ju!f 
States,  especially  maritime,  there  very  numerous,  out-numbering  the  turkey  buzzards,  and 
semidomesticated  in  the  towns,  where  their  good  oHices  are  appreciated  ;  N.  regularly  to  X.  ('., 


COLUMB^:   COLUMBINE  BIRDS. 


oUl 


tliciK^o  straggling  to  Mass.  and  even  Maine ;  not  authenticated  as  occurring  on  the  Pacific  side, 
but  of  general  distribution  in  C.  and  S.  Am. 

No  one  can  fall  to  observe  with  Interest  the  great  <llft'erenco  In  the  form  ami  general  apiiearunce  of  the 
Turkey  Buzzard  and  Carrion  Crow  when  he  compares  them  silting  side  by  Hide  sunidng  themselves  upim  chlnnuy 
or  hou.'.e-top  ;  and  CHpeelally  the  discrepancy  In  their  mode  of  flight  as  tliey  wheel  together  overhead  In  endless 
inosculating  circles.  The  Turkey  Buzzards  look  larger  as  they  tly,  tliough  really  they  are  lighter  weights  ;  they 
arc  dingy-brown,  with  a  gray  space  underneath  the  wing ;  the  tall  is  long  ;  tl-.e  fore-border  of  the  wing  is  lient  at 
a  salient  angle,  and  there  is  a  corresponding  rcentranco  in  its  hind  outline  ;  the  tips  of  the  longest  (pillls  sprcail 
apart  and  bend  upward  j  and  one  may  watch  these  splendid  Hyers  ftir  hours  without  perceiving  a  movement  of  the 
pinions.  Comparing  now  the  Carrion  Crows,  they  are  seen  to  be  more  thick-set,  with  less  sweep  of  wing  and 
shorter  and  more  rounded  tall,  beyond  which  the  feet  may  project ;  the  front  edge  of  the  wing  is  almost  straight, 
and  the  back  border  sweeps  around  In  a  regular  curve  to  meet  It  at  an  obtuse  jiolnt,  where  tlie  ends  of  the  quills 
are  ncltiicr  spread  apart  nor  bent  upward.  The  birds  show  almost  black  Instead  of  brown  ;  in  place  of  a  large  gray 
area  under  the  wing,  there  is  a  smaller  paler  gray  spot  at  the  point  of  the  wing.  And,  finally,  the  Carrion  Crows 
flap  their  wings  five  or  six  times  in  rapid  succession,  then  sail  a  few  moments  ;  their  flight  apiwars  heavy,  and 
even  laborious,  besMo  the  stately  motion  of  their  relatives. 

Own.— CatJmrti'H  bnrrovianus  Cass.,  B.  N.  A.,  ISiW,  p.  6  ;  Eliot,  B.  N.  A.  pi.  30,  a  doubtful  sjiccies,  is  said  to 
Inhabit  Lower  California.  —  From  various  accounts,  It  seems  probable  that  the  king  vulture  (f;,i/;«<'"c/i».'<  P'lpn) 
really  occurs  on  our  southern  border,  but  this  remains  to  Iw  determined.  (See  Bartram,  Trav.  In  Fla.,  p.  150  ; 
Cass,,  B.  N.  A.,  p.  6 ;  Cones,  Proc.  Phlla.  Acud.,  1806,  p. 49  ;  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Com|>.  Zool.,  11,  1871,  p.  313  ;  Coucs, 
Bull.  Nutt.  Club,  vi,  1881,  p.  248.) 


V.   Order  COLUMBiEi:  Columbine  Birds. 

An  essential  character  of  birds  typical  of  this  group  is  found  in  the  structure  of  the  bill, 
which  is  horny  and  convex  at  tlie  tij),  somewhat  contracted  in  the  continuity,  furnislied  at  the 
base  with  a  tumid  membrane  in  which  the  nostrils  open.  Tliere  are  four  toes  ;  three  anterior, 
generally  cleft  to  tlio  base,  but  occasionally  with  slight  webbing;  one  behind,  with  few  e.xcej)- 
tions  perfectly  insistent  or  not  obviously  elevated.  The  feet  are  never  much  lengthened  ;  the 
tarsus  is  commonly  shorter  than  the  toes,  either  scutellate  or  extensively  feathered,  reticulatti 
on  tlie  sides  and  beliind,  the  envelope  rather  membranous  than  corneous.  (One  N.  Am.  genus, 
Starnwnas,  has  entirely  retic-ulate  tarsus  and  elevated  hallux.)  On  the  whole,  the  feet  are  inses- 
sorial,  not  rasorial ;  the  liabit  is  arbtireal,  not  terrestrial ;  but  there  are  many  ground  pigeons, 
some  quite  fowl-like  ;  and  progression  is  always  gradient,  never  saltatory.  The  wings  and  tail 
do  not  afford  ordinal  characters;  but  it  maybe  remarked  tliat  the  rectrices  are  usually  (net 
always)  12  or  14  instead  of  the  higher  numbers  usual  in  gallinaceous  birds;  and  that  the  wings 
are  usually  long  and  tiat,  not  short  and  vaulted.  The  jjlumage  is  destitute  of  aftershafts  (qu. 
Didiis  ?  small  aftershafts  in  Pterocletes  ?).  The  syrinx  has  one  pair  of  intrinsic  muscles,  if  any 
(none  in  Pterocletes).  The  oil-gland  is  nude,  when  iiresent  (small  in  Tieroti,  etc.;  wanting  in 
Goura,  Starnoenas).  The  gall-bladder  is  generally  absent  (present  exceptionally  in  some  true 
Pigeons).  The  copca  are  absent ;  or  present,  but  small.  There  are  two  carotids.  The  gizzard 
is  muscular.  There  are  many  good  osteidogical  characters.  The  palat<,'  is  schizoguathous. 
The  nasal  bones  are  schizoriiinal.  The  sternum  is  doubly  notched,  or  notched  and  fenestrate, 
on  each  side  ;  the  pectoral  ridge  of  the  humerus  is  salient  and  acute,  and  doeb  not  receive  the 
insertion  of  the  second  pectoral  nmscle.  The  ambiens  muscle  is  normally  present,  the  birds 
being  unquestionably  hoinalogonatous ;  but  is  sometimes  lost;  the  femoro-caudal,  accessciry 
femoro-caudal,  semitendinosus,  and  accessory  semitendinosus  are  present ;  the  fourth  gluteal 
muscle,  which  in  other  schizorhinal  birds  covers  the  femur-head,  is  uudevehjped  {Garrod). 

Some  ornithologists,  like  Liljeborg,  enlarge  the  Columbine  order,  under  name  of  Pullas- 
trae,  to  receive  the  American  Curassows,  {Cracidte  —  see  beyond)  and  the  Old  World  Big-feet 
or  Mound-lrirds  (Megnpodida)  ;  mainly  on  taccount,  it  would  appear,  of  the  low  position  of 
the  hallux  in  these  families.  But  the  balance  of  characters  favors  their  reference  to  the  galli- 
naceous series,  where  they  are  relegated  by  Huxley.  While  there  is  no  question  tiiat  the 
Columbine  birds  are  very  closely  related  to  the  Galline,  in  fact  inosculating  therewith,  it 

86 


562 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  COLUMBJE  —  rERlSTEli^. 


seems  best  to  draw  the  liue,  if  one  must  be  drawn,  so  as  to  incliitlc  the  Pterocktea  in  Cohimha, 
and  leave  the  Cracida  and  MegapodidcB  with  GallitnE.  The  Sand-grouse  (better  Sand-pigeoUM), 
or  Pterocletes,  re[)resent  the  inoscuhitiou  of  the  two  series.  Tliey  are  terrestrial  Columbines, 
uiodiiicd  for  a  grouse-like  life ;  the  digestive  system  is  fowl- like  (cujca  several  inches  long,  etc.); 
but  the  jiterylosis,  the  sternum  and  Immerus,  the  cranial  and  many  other  characters,  are  pigeon- 
like.  The  only  alternative  to  reference  of  Pterocletes  to  the  Columbine  series  is  their  elevation 
to  independent  ordinal  rank,  as  proposed  by  Huxley. 

The  Columbee,  as  above  indicated,  are  intended  to  be  made  conformable  to  Huxley's  Periste- 
romopluc  plus  Pterocletes.  Assuming  the  imperfectly-known  extinct  Dodo,  Didus  ineptus,  to 
have  been  a  modified  Columbine,  and  considering  the  Pterocletes  to  rej)re8ent  a  rasorial  modi- 
ficiitiou  of  the  Columbine  series,  the  Order  Columbee  may  be  separated  into  three  groups,  or 
suborders,  Didi,  Pteuocletes,  and  Pehister^,  the  first  two  certainly,  the  last  probably,  of 
a  single  family.     The  Peristerce  alone  are  American. 

9.   Suborder  PERISTER^  :   True  Columbine  Birds. 

(Equivalent  to  the  Peristeromorpha;  of  Huxley ;  the  Gemitores  of  Macgillivray,  or 
Columhai  proper  of  most  autiiors  ;  the  Gi/rantes  of  Bonaparte,  jdus  Uiduiiculus;  Columba;  of 
Garrod  minus  Pterocletes ;  PiiUastrce  of  Liljeborg  miims  Crackltc  and  Meyapodidw.)  Skull 
Bchizognathous,  schizorhinal ;  basipterygoids  prominent ;  angle  of  mandible  not  produced ; 
rostrum  externally  as  above  said.  Sternuni  doubled-notched  or  notched  and  fenestrate,  on 
each  side;  pectoral  crest  of  humerus  salient,  acute.  Carotids  two.  Syringeal  muscles  one 
pair.  Coeca  coli  small  or  wanting ;  gizzard  muscular  ;  crop  develojied  ;  gall-bladder  generally 
absent.  Fourth  glutwal  muscle  undeveloped ;  second  j)ectt)ral  specially  inserted ;  ambiens 
nonnally  present,  or  wanting.  Oil-gland  nude,  small,  or  wanting.  Plumage  without  after- 
shafts.  Feet  insessorial ;  hallux  normally  insistent ;  tarsus  normally  scutellate.  Rectrices 
normally  12  or  14.  (Rasorial  tendency  in  more  rectrices,  hallux  up,  and  tarsus  reticulate.) 
Altricial ;  psilopsedic ;  monogamous ;  eggs  few.     One  family  ? 


34.   Family  COLUMBIDuE :    Pigeons. 

The  family  is  here  taken  to  be  co-extensive  with  the 
suborder  as  defined.  With  one  exception  {Starnanas 
cyanocephala),  all  our  species  will  be  innnediately  recog- 
nized by  their  likeness  to  the  familiar  inmates  of  the 
dove-cot.  One  seemingly  trivial  circumstance  is  so  con- 
stant as  to  become  a  good  clue  to  the.se  birds :  tlie  frontal 
feathers  do  not  form  autise  by  extension  on  either  side  of 
the  culmen,  but  sweep  across  the  base  of  the  bill  with  a 
strongly  convex  outline  projected  on  the  culmen,  thence 
rapidly  retreating  to  the  commissural  point.  The  plumule- 
less  plumage  is  generally  compact,  with  thickened,  spongy 
rhachis,  tlie  insertion  of  wliich  will  seem  loose  to  one  who 
skins  a  bird  of  this  family.  The  head  is  remarkably 
small ;  the  neck  moderate ;  the  body  full,  especially  in  tlie 
pectoral  region.  The  wings  are  strong,  generally  length- 
ened and  pointed,  conferring  a  rapid,  powerful,  whistling 
flight ;  the  peculiar  aerial  evidutions  that  these  birds  are 
wont  to  perform  have  furnished  a  synonym  for  the  family, 
Gyrantes.  The  tail  varies  in  shape,  from  square  to  grad- 
uate, but  is  never  forked;  as  a  rule  there  are  12  rectrices,  frequently  increased  to  14,  rarely  to 


Fio.  389.  —European  RInfc  Dove  {Co- 
ktmba  palumbM).    (From  Dixou.) 


COLUMBID^ :  PIGEONS. 


5fl3 


16,  exceptionally  to  20;  all  the  North  Aiiierican  have  \i,  excepting  Zmaidura,  with  U.  The 
feet  sliow  C(m!<i<l('rable  iiKiilificatioii  wiieii  tlie  strictly  urlmricole  are  couip.ired  witli  the  more 
terrestrial  species;  their  general  character  has  just  been  indicated.  The  gizzard  is  lari;o  and 
muscuhir,  particularly  in  the  species  tluit  feed  on  seeds  and  other  hard  fruits  ;  the  gullet  dilates 
to  form  a  capacious  circumscribed  crop,  divided  into  lateral  halves,  or  tending  to  that  state. 
This  organ  at  times  secretes  a  peculiar  milky  fluid,  which  mixed  with  macerated  food,  is 
poured  by  regurgitation  directly  into  the  mouth  of  the  young;  thus  the  fabled  "pigeon's  milk" 
has  a  strong  spice  of  fact,  and  in  this  remarkable  circumstance  wo  see  probably  the  nearest 
a])proach,  among  birds,  to  the  characteristic  function  of  nuiinmalia.  "  The  voice  of  the  turtle 
is  heard  in  the  land  "  as  a  plaintive  cooing,  so  characteristic  as  to  have  atl'iirded  another  name 
f'.r  the  family,  Geniitores.  Pigeons  are  altriciul,  psilopu'dic,  and  monogamous  —  doubly 
monogamous,  as  is  said  when  both  sexes  incubate  and  care  for  the  young ;  this  is  a  strong 
trait,  com{)ared  ivith  the  praecocial,  ptilopjcdic,  and  often  polj'gamous  nature  of  rasorial  birds. 
They  are  amorous  birds,  whose  passion  generally  results  in  a  tender  and  constant  devotion, 
edifying  to  contempLite,  but  is  often  marked  by  high  irascibility  and  pugnacity  —  traits  at 
variance  with  the  amiable  meekness  which  doves  are  su])posed  to  symbolizes  Their  blandness 
is  supposed  to  be  due  to  absence  of  the  gall-bladder.  TIh^  nest,  as  a  rule,  is  a  rude,  frail,  flat 
structure  of  twigs;  the  eggs  are  usually  two  in  number,  sometimes  one,  white;  when  two, 
supposed  to  contain  the  germs  of  opposite  sexes.    (For  anatomy  of  a  pigeon,  see  frontispiece.) 

"  The  entire  number  of  Pigeons  known  to  exist  is  about  300;  of  these  the  Malay  Archi- 
pelago already  counts  118,  while  only  28  are  found  in  India,  23  in  Australia,  less  than  10  in 
Africa,  and  not  more  than  SO  in  the  whole  of  America."  They  focus  in  the  small  district  of 
which  New  Guinea  is  the  centre,  where  more  than  a  fourth  of  the  species  occur.  Mr.  Wallace 
accounts  for  this  by  the  absence  of  fruit-eating  forest  mannnals,  such  as  monkeys  and  s(]uirrels; 
and  iinds  in  the  converse  the  reason  why  pigeons  are  so  scarce  in  the  Amazon  valley,  and  there 
chiefly  represented  by  sj)ecies  feeding  much  on  the  ground  and  breeding  in  the  bushes  lower 
than  monkeys  habitually  descend.  "  In  the  Malay  countries,  also,  there  are  no  great  families 
of  fruit-eating  Passeres,  and  their  place  seems  to  be  taken  by  the  true  fruit-pigeons,  which, 
unchecked  by  rivals  or  enemies,  often  form  with  the  Psittaci  the  prominent  and  characteristic 
features  of  the  Avifauna."     (Newton.) 

There  are  several  prominent  gri>ups  of  Pigeons  ;  but  authors  are  far  from  agreed  upon  the 
subdivisions  of  the  family.  It  is  not  probable  that  Garrod'a  three  subfamilies  of  Cohimhida-, 
based  up(m  characters  of  the  ambiens,  coeca,  gall-bladder,  and  oil-fflan<l,  will  not  stand  without 
modification,  and  I  cannot  adopt  his  arrangement.  Sclater  divided  tlie  suliorder  Cohunlm'  as 
above  defined  into  two  families,  Columhidec  and  Carpophaf/idw,  to  which  he  afterward  ailded 
Gouridm,  and  probably  DiduncuUdcc.  IJonaparte  made  five  families,  Did iivcid idee ,  Treronidw, 
Columbidw,  Calaenadidcc,  and  Gouridte  three  of  them  upon  single  genera),  with  twelve  sub- 
families.    Some  of  the  leading  groups  may  be  thus  indicated  :  — 

1.  The  extraordinary  Tooth-billed  Pigeon  of  the  Samoan  Islands,  Didttnculus  striffiros- 
tris,  alone  represents  a  subfamily  or  family,  with  its  stout,  compressed,  hooked  and  toothed  beak, 
and  many  other  peculiarities.  The  length  of  intestine  is  excessive,  being  seven  feet  instead  of 
about  two,  as  usual  in  Columbidee.  The  ambiens  is  present ;  the  oil-gland  and  gall-bladder 
are  absent.     There  are  11  tail-feathers. 

2.  The  singular  genus  Goura,  with  two  New-Guinean  species,  is  outwardly  distinguished 
by  its  innnense  umbrella-like  crest,  and  possesses  anatomical  peculiarities  which  entitle  it  to 
stand  alone  as  type  of  a  subfamily  or  family.  The  tarsi  are  reticulate  ;  there  are  16  rectriccs; 
coeca,  gall-bladder,  oil-gland,  and  ambiens  muscle  are  all  wanting ;  the  intestines  are  four  or 
five  feet  long. 

3.  The  single  genus  and  species,  Calaenas  nicobarica,  has  a  very  tumid  bill,  and  acu- 
minate, lengthened,  pendulous  feathers  of  the  neck ;   but  there  are  only  12  rectrices,  as  in 


664 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  COL  UMBJE — PERISTEUM. 


192. 


orilinnry  Pigcous,  iviid  tin;  aimtoiny  is  (lonformablo  to  a  usual  tyi)P,  cxcopt  that  the  liniug  of  the 
gixzaril  is  ossitit'd. 

4.  'J'hi!  liii'gc  01(1  Worlil  g<Mi('ra  Trcron  ami  Ptilopus,  with  wlii(ih  latter  another  largf 
genus,  ('(irpophatfa,  is  clostdy  related,  are  a  group  of  fruit-eating,  arborietde  species,  with  a 
tthort,  stout  beak,  short,  soft,  broad-s(ded  and  extensively  feathered  feet,  normally  14  reetri(?es, 
and  soft  lustreless  plumage,  of  wliieii  green  is  the  characteristic  color.  Of  such  Treroniiice  or 
Treronidw.  "  54  speciijs  are  confined  to  the  Austro-Malayan,  while  28  inhabit  the  Indo- 
Malayan,  subregion :  In  India  14,  and  iu  Africa  a  species  are  ftiund;  30  inhabit  the  I'acific 
Islands,  and  8  occur  in  Australia  or  New  Z(>aland,  while  New  (Juiuea  has  14  species  " 
(  Wnllnce). 

5.  There  are  a  large  number  of  Pigeons  of  both  the  Old  and  New  World,  possessing  neither 
the  peculiarities  already  stated  nor  those  of  the  Columhina  jtroper,  to  be  i)resently  given. 
'I'liey  are  the  Zenaidinee  and  Phnpina;  of  Bonajjarte,  with  more  or  less  lengthened  naked  tarsi, 
and  of  more  or  less  terrestrial  habits.  They  are  exemplified  by  such  genera  as  Chamtcpelin 
and  Melopelia  witii  1-2  rectrices,  and  Zenaidtmt  with  14,  of  America;  by  Lopholeemus  with  12, 
Geopelia.  Phlogcenan  and  Oci/phnps  with  14,  and  Phaps  with  1(5,'  of  the  Old  World.  Nearly 
all  possess  the  anibiens  and  oil-gland,  without  ca>ca  or  gall-bladder.  Having  many  points  in 
common,  these  ground-doves  might  fonn  a  subfamily  Zennidhio'  or  Pluiphuc,  notwithstanding 
the  ])eculiarities  of  (certain  genera.  Such  a  group  would  correspond  to  the  two  Boua))artian 
subfamilies  just  named,  and  clo.«ely  with  the  I'hiipitM!  of  Garrod. 

0.  From  the  Zenaidina;  thus  composed  our  genus  Starnatias  differs  more  notably  than 
authors,  excejjtiug  Garrod,  seem  to  have  appreciated.  It  is  a  pullet-like  ground-pigeon,  with 
long  reticulate  tarsus,  short  and  somewhat  elevated  hind  toe;  with  ca'ca  and  without  oil-gland 
or  ambiens  muscle,  the  reverse  of  the  rule  in  Zenaidinai  as  above  noted.  It  can  hardly  bo 
referred  to  the  totally  difierent  TrernnincB  on  the  single  circumstance  of  lacking  the  ambiens, 
and  must  stand  alone,  in  such  division  of  the  family  as  is  here  sketched,  as  type  of  a  new  sub- 
family Starnanadina. 

7.  With  the  remaining  (Mumhi(.  r.  there  is  no  difficulty,  as  they  form  a  wrdl  character- 
ized restricted  subfamily  Coluwhintc.  The  leading  genera  are  the  sipuire-taiknl  Coliimhn,  of 
both  Worlds;  the  round-tailed  Tuiinr  of  the  Old  ;  the  wedge-tailed  il/ncco^jf/jfirt  of  the  Old, 
matched  by  the  wedge-tailed  Eciapisten  of  the  New.  The  sj)ecies  arc  arboreal,  with  short  feet, 
scutellate  or  partly-feathered  tarsi,  and  12  tail-feathers;  coeca,  oil-gland,  and  anibiens  ])resent; 
gaU -bladder  absent. 

Of  the  seven  groups  thus  indicated,  three  are  North  American.  Tlw^y  may  readily  be 
distinguished  as  follows. 

Analysia  of  North  American  SubfamUlea  of  Colmnbiila. 

Tarsi  scutellate,  feathered Cnlumbinm 

Tarsi  scutellate,  naked ZinnUVma 

Tarsi  reticulate,  naked StamwnatUnas 

48.   Subfamily  COLUMBINE:   Typical  Pigeons. 

Feet  small ;  tarsus  short,  not  longer  than  the  lateral  toes,  scutellate  in  front,  feathenMl 
above.  Wing  pointed,  of  10  ])rimaries.  Tail  variable  in  shape,  of  12  rectrices.  Bill  typically 
as  described  above.     Arboreal.     (See  above  for  anatotnical  character.) 

Analijsi)  nf  Genera. 

Tall  nearly  even,  much  shorter  than  the  wing,  with  broad  obtuse  feathers Columba    19i 

Tail  long,  cuneate,  equal  to  wings,  with  narrow  tapering  feathers Ectopistea    193 

COLUM'BA.  (Lat.  columba,  a  pigeon.)  Bill  .short  and  comparatively  stout,  about  half  as 
long  as  head.  Wings  pointed,  2d  and  .3d  quills  longest.  No  black  spots  on  scapulars.  Lateral 
toes  of  about  equal  lengths,  with  claws  about  as  long  as  middle  tw  without ;  hind  toe  and  claw 


539. 


COLVMBIDJE  —  COLUMBINJE :   TYPICAL  PIGEONS. 


565 


about  as  long  us  )n.teral  without.    Contains  tlie  domestic  Pigeon,  C.  livia,  the  Stoclt  Dovo, 
€•  anas,  King  Dove,  C.  jHilumbus  (tig.  389),  and  several  other  sjieeies  of  both  llciiii.sphercM. 

AnalyaU  of  Specirt, 

A  wliito  band  on  nape ;  metallio  itcales  of  nape  without  borilura.    Tail  wltb  liglit  terminal  and  dark  nub- 

terniinul  bars ;  bill  and  feet  yellow ,  former  l>lauk-tippe<l fimrinlti  CIO 

No  widto  (in  liead  ;  no  luetuUic  Hcales  on  najio  ;  tail  not  bande<l ;  bill  and  feet  not  yellow    .    ,    friilliriiin  n40 

Topof  head  white;  tall  not  banded  ;  metallio  feathers  of  uapo black-bordered Ivucociphata  541 

539.  C.  fascia'ta.  (Lat.  fasciata,  banded;  alluding  to  tlic  bars  on  the  tail.)  JIand-taii.kk 
PltiEON.  WlliTK-coLLAUEi)  Pkskon.  Adult  (J  :  Head,  neck,  and  uiulcr  parts  purjiiisii 
wino-red,  fading  to  white  on  belly  and  erissum,  the  nape  witli  a  distinct  white  lialf-collar,  the 
cervi-v  with  a  j)atch  of  metallic,  scaly  bronze-green  featiuirs.  liiunp,  ui)per  tail-covertu,  lining 
of  wings  and  sides  of  body  slaty-blue.  IJack  and  scapulars  dark  greenisli-brown,  with  con- 
siderable lustre,  changing  ou  the  wing-coverts  to  slaty-blue,  the.se  feathers  with  light  edging. 
Quills  blackisli-brown,  with  pale  edging  along  the  sinuous  j)ortioii  of  the  outer  webs.  Tail 
bluish-ush,  paler  beyond  the  middle  on  top  and  much  ])aler  below,  crossed  at  the  middle  by  a 
black  bar.  Hill  y(dlow,  tipped  with  black ;  feet  yellow,  claws  black  ;  a  red  ring  r(jund  eye  — 
these  c(dors  very  conspicuous  in  life.  A  large  stout  species :  length  IC.OO  ;  e.\tent  about  27.(lf* ; 
wing  8.00-8.50,  pointed;  tail  5.50-G.OO,  square;  bill  0.75,  stout  for  a  pigeon;  tarsus  1.00, 
feathered  half-way  down  in  front ;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.67.  Adult  9  •  Back,  wings,  and 
tail,  as  in  (J  ;  metallic  scales  and  white  collar  obscure  or  wanting.  Head  and  under  parts 
nuich  less  purplish,  the  rich  hue  replaced  by  a  rusty-brown  wash  on  an  ashy  ground;  yellow 
of  feet  and  bill  obscured;  smaller;  wing  7.50;  tail  4.75.  Young  ^  :  Kesembling  the  ?. 
Uocky  Mts.  to  the  Pacific,  II.  S.,  common  and  of  general  but  irregular  distribution,  chiefly  in 
woodland,  and  especially  where  acorns,  upon  which  it  largely  subsists,  can  be  procured ;  some- 
times in  flocks  of  great  extent.  Nest  in  trees  and  bushes ;  eggs  2,  cc^ual-ended,  white, 
glistening,  1.50X1.20. 

540.  C.  erythrl'na.  (Gr.  €pv6pivos,  eruthrinos,  reddish.)  Red-billed  Pigeon.  Adult  <?  : 
Head,  neck,  and  breast  dark  purplish  wine-red,  with  a  slight  glaucous  overcast,  like  tlie  bloom 
on  a  grape  ;  no  metallic  scales  on  ueck.  Middle  wing-coverts  like  the  head.  Middle  of  back, 
and  some  inner  wing-quills,  dark  olive-brown  with  a  bronze-green  gloss.  Greater  wing- 
coverts,  lining  of  wings,  sides  of  body,  belly,  crissum,  and  rump,  slate-coh)red,  sometimes  quite 
sooty,  sometimes  more  bluish  ;  tail  like  rump,  but  nion*  blackish.  Quills  of  wing  dark  slate 
with  narrow  pale  edging.  Bill  pink  for  basal  half,  rest  pale  horn-color;  feet  purplish-red, 
with  pale  claws  ;  eye-ring  red  ;  iris  orange.  Bill  and  feet  drying  an  undefinable  color.  Bill 
remarkable  for  forward  extension  of  feathers  on  cuhnen,  to  with  lialf  an  inch  of  tip,  covering 
the  nasal  scale.  Length  13.50-11.50;  extent  23.00-25.00 ;  wing  7.50-8.00;  tail  about  5.00; 
tarsus  0.87  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.50.  9  'I'ld  young  similar,  duller  and  more  dilute  in  color, 
the  wine-red  and  slato-color  more  ashy.  Texas,  Mexico,  Lower  California.  A  dark,  richly- 
colored  pigeon,  common  in  the  Valley  of  Lower  Rio  Grande  and  southward.  Nest  in  trees  and 
bushes,  of  twigs,  grasses,  and  roots,  well-formed  for  a  pigeon's ;  egg  single,  equal-ended, 
glistening  wliite ;  averaging  1.54X1.09;  laid  in  Aiir.,  May. 

541.  C.  leucoce'phala.  (Gr.  'KtvKos,  lettcos,  white ;  Ke(/)aA^,  kephale,  head.)  White-crowned 
Pigeon.  Adult  (J  9  '•  Dark  slaty,  paler  below,  the  quills  and  tail  feathers  darkest.  Whole 
top  of  head  pure  white;  hind  neck  above  rich  maroon-brown,  lower  down  and  laterally  metallic 
golden-grern,  each  feather  black-edged,  giving  the  appearance  of  scales.  Bill  and  feet  dark 
carmine  or  lake  red,  the  tip  of  the  former  bluish-white;  bill  drying  dusky  witii  yellowish  tip, 
feet  dingy  yellowish.  Iris  yellow  or  white.  Length  13.00-14.00 ;  extent  23.00  ;  wing  7-50  ; 
tail  5.75.  9  ^^^y  duller  than  <J.  West  Indies  and  Florida  Keys.  Nest  in  trees  and  bushes, 
of  twigs,  roots,  and  grasses ;  eggs  2,  white,  1.40  X  1-05. 

193.   ECTOPIS'TES.    (Gr.  iKToni<rn)s,  ektopistes,  a  wanderer:    very  appropriate.)     Passexgeu 


566 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  COL  VMBJE  —  PEmSTERJE. 


PiOEONS.  Tiiil  lonj;,  equal  to  the  wings,  cnnrnte,  of  12  tapering  acmniimto  feather?,  parti- 
colored. Wing  acutely  jxiinteil  by  first  A  primaries,  with  blacli  spots  on  the  coverts.  Hill 
ainall,  with  culnien  less  than  half  tlie  head,  short  gonys,  feathered  far  forward  between  the  rami. 
Tarsi  short,  feathered  ]>art  way  do\m  in  front,  wlicre  seutellute,  but  not  in  one  regular  row  of 
8(uiles.  Lateral  toes  unequal.  Sexes  unlike. 
543.  E.  mtgrato'riuB.  (Lat.  migratorim,  migratory.  Fig.  390.)  Passexuer  Pkieon.  Wild 
Pi(iE()N.  Adult  (J:  Upi)er  parts,  including  head  all  around,  slaty-blue,  bright  and  pure  on  head 
and  nnnp,  siiaded  with  olivaceous-gray  on  the  back  and  wings ;  the  back  and  sides  of  the  neck 

glittering  with  gidden 
and  vi(det  iri<le8cence, 
the  wing-coverts  with 
velvety -bliick  spots. 
Helow,  from  the  throat, 
light  purplish-chestnut, 
paler  behind  and  fad- 
ing into  white  on  the 
lower  belly  and  cris- 
8um.  Til)iie,  sides  of 
body,  and  lining  of 
wings  like  upper  parts. 
Quills  blackish,  with 
rufiius  -  white  edging. 
Two  middle  tail-feath- 
ers blackish ;  others 
fading  from  pearly - 
Fio.  ;t!)0.  -  Piissciigor  Pigeon.    ( From  Tonnoy,  after  WllHon.)  bluish  into  white,  their 

extreme  bases  with  black  and  chestnut  spots.  Bill  black  ;  feet  lake  red,  drying  an  undeiinable 
cidor;  iris  orange;  skin  about  eye  red.  Length  about  17-00,  but  very  variable,  according  to 
development  of  the  tail;  extent  23.00-25.00;  wing  8.O0-S.50;  tail  about  the  same,  the  lateral 
feathers  graduated  rather  more  than  half  its  length  ;  bill  0.75  ;  tarsus  1.00 ;  middle  toe  and  claw 
1.25.  Adult  9 :  Upper  parts,  wings  and  tail,  as  in  $  :  below,  brownish-gray,  fading  ])oste- 
riorly.  Young:  Like  the  9  i  hut  still  duller;  little  or  no  dear  slaty  e.vcept  on  rump;  plumage 
varied  with  white  crescentic  edges  of  the  feathers,  especially  on  the  back  and  wings  ;  quills 
edged  about  with  rufous;  most  of  the  lateral  tail-feathers  gray.  '"Wanders  continually  in 
search  of  food  throughout  all  parts  of  X.  Am. ;  wonderfully  abundant  at  times  in  particular 
districts;"  chicily,  however,  temperate  N.  Am.,  East  of  the  K.  Mts.  We  do  not  have  the 
'*  millions  "  that  the  earlier  writers  speak  of  in  the  Eastern  U.  S.  now :  but  I  remember  one 
great  llight  over  Washington  when  I  was  a  boy :  the  greatest  roosts  and  flights  we  now  hear 
of  are  in  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley.  Nest  in  trees  and  bushes,  a  slight  frail  platform  of 
twigs,  so  open  as  to  leave  the  egg  visible  from  below.    Eggs  1  or  2,  equal-ended,  1.45  X  L05. 


49.  Subfamily  ZENAIDIN^:  Ground  Doves. 

Feet  larger  than  in  Columbina.    Tarsus  lengthened  to  exceed  the  lateral  toes,  entirely 

n.aked  and  scutellate  in  front  Csearcoly  feathered  in  Scardafella).     Tail-feathers  nonnally  12, 

rarely  14  or  more  (Zenaidura  the  only  North  American  Pigeon  with  more  than  12).     Seven 

North  American  genera,  each  of  a  single  species  in  this  country. 

Analysis  of  Genera, 

Tall  of  14  feathers Zenaidura    195 

Tall  of  12  featliers. 

Outer  primary  attenuate,  biitoary-like Kngyptila    191 


COL  I  'MBIDJE  —  XKNA  11)1  XJh: :    G ROUND  DO  VKS. 


;>;? 


Outer  primnry  normal. 

Tall  longer  rliim  wing,  <Iouble-rniinileil Sniriliifrlht    loe 

Tall  about  e<|ual  to  wing.    TarauK  not  nliortor  than  miiMlo  too  anil  claw Ilmtrnijon    'Ma 

Tail  iiliortrr  tlian  wing.    Tnmiin  aliorlor  tlinn  mlildlc  loe  anil  claw. 

No  bluo-blark 'iHit  nor  nietnlllu  luHtre  on  liunci  or  neck rhnmapelia    1W 

A  bine-block  upot  ami  metallic  luHtru  on  lieail  or  neck 

DIack  ii|H>tK  anil  no  wbitu  |iatcli  on  wtng ZmnUln    ItiO 

Whito  patch  anil  no  block  s|>ots  on  wing Mrlopeliit    VJJ 

194.  ENGYTTILA.  (dr.  «yyvr,  fr/iyiM,  narrow,  striiitoni'il ;  jttiXov,  ;;/i7om,  foathcr  ;  nlliKiiiij;  tn  tlm 
outer  iiriiiiiiry.)  Pix-wixci  DovKS.  First  primary  uliriiiitiy  t'liiarKinato,  attonuuto  and  liiinir 
near  tlie  end.  Willis  of  iiiudonitu  Irn^th  ;  .'Jd  and  4th  ]iriinari('a  lonp'st ;  first  siiortiT  than 
7th.  Tail  much  sliorti-r  tlian  tlic  \viiig.x,  rounih'd,  of  12  broad  feathers.  Tarsus  entirely  nuked, 
equalling  or  rather  exeeeding  the  middle  toe  and  elaw.  Lateral  toes  nearly  equal,  the  ends  of 
their  elaws  reaehing  about  ojiposite  the  base  of  the  niiddie  elaw.  Hind  toe  shortest  of  all,  but 
perfectly  iucuinbcut.     Bill  small  and  sluudur,  iimcli  shorter  than  the  head.     A  cunsiderublo 


542. 


.^^ 


Fio.  391.  —  Details  of  EngyptUa  albi/rons;  head  and  foot  nat.  site ;  wing  and  tall  roiluced. 
(Ad  nat.  del.  K.  Ridgway.) 

naked  space  about  the  eye,  thence  extending  in  a  narrow  lino  to  the  bill.  Size  medium  or 
rather  small.  Body  full  and  stout.  Coloration  subdued,  but  hind-head  and  neck  iridescent. 
No  metallic  spots  on  wings  or  head.  Lining  of  wings  chestnut.  (Only  N.  Aui.  genus  with 
attenuate  outer  primary.) 

E.al'bifrons.  (Lat.  «?6ms,  white ; /ro»is,  forehead.  Fig.  391.)  White-fronted  Dove,  g, 
adult:  Upper  parts  brownish-olive,  with  silky  lustre  (much  as  in  Coccygus  americanus  for 
example).  Hind-head,  nape,  and  back  and  sides  of  neck  with  coppery-purplish  iridescence. 
Top  of  the  head  of  a  bluish  or  glaucous  "  bloom,''  fading  to  creamy-white  on  the  forehead.  Under 
parts  dull  white  or  whitish,  more  or  less  shaded  with  olive-brown  on  the  sides,  deepening  on  the 
fore-breast  and  jugulum  to  pale  vinaceous;  belly,  cri-ssum,  and  chin  quite  purely  white.  Wing- 
coverts  and  inner  quills  like  the  back,  and  without  metallic  spots ;  other  larger  reniiges 
slaty-blackish,  with  very  narrow  pale  edging  toward  the  end.  Under  wing-coverts  and  axilla- 
ries  bright  chestnut.  Two  middle  tail-feathers  like  the  back ;  others  slaty-black,  tipped  with 
white  in  decreasing  amount  from  the  outer  ones  inward,  the  largest  white  tips  about  half  an 
inch  in  extent.     Bill  black.     Feet  carmine-red.     Iris  yellow.     Bare  skin  around  eye  red  and 


.'■>(;h 


SYSTKMA TIC  SYNffJ'SIS.  —  COU'MJIA':  —  VEUISTF.UJE. 


llvia  liliH'.  Lnigth  ia,0()-12,5();  oxtoiit  19.(t()-10.5() ;  wiii^  «.0(l-ft..'H) ;  tail  4.25-4.50;  liill 
0.fl()-0.7(( ;  tiirsiiH  1.2.')-1.H.'» ;  niiddlo  too  and  claw  nitlior  Ichk.  9  »*iiiiilar.  (In  |ii'iiitiiif;  tlu' 
f'hcrk  List,  tlic  Nil.  of  tills*  Hiiccico  acciilrntally  transpiiNi'il  with  No.  ."JIH,  KvUt]tislvn.) 
196.  ZKNAinr'IlA.  (/rod/VAi,  nom.  iiroiir.,  and  oipa,  oi(»v»,  tail.)  I'iN-TAll,  1>(»vkh.  'I'ail  loii^r, 
iibdiit  (M|imlliii>;  uiiitiH,  ciiiicaU',  nf  II-  narrow,  taiicrinj;,  olitusc-cndi'd  rcallicrt*  (nniijuc  anioiif; 
N.  Am.  ('oliimhi(lfr).  Wmikk  jioliitcd  ;  'id  primary  rather  longest,  Iwt  and  tlic  Ud  aliont  ('i|nal 
and  st-arcfly  KliorttT.  Tarsiiw  naUcd,  Hcntfllatf  in  front,  in  Icnf^tli  intermediate  between  middle 
and  lateral  toe.s ;  tlie  latter  of  inuMpial  len^'tlm,  the  miter  t<liortei<t.  Mill  miieli  Nlmrter  than 
head,  slender  and  weak,  the  featherw  running  out  far  between  the  rami.  A  bare  eirriim-orbltal 
space,  Volvoty  black  HjxitH  on  head  and  wiiiffn.  Lining  of  wiuga  not  rnfonH.  Sexes  nnlike. 
There  is  a  cin-ioim  mimicry  of  h'ctopistes  in  form  and  even  in  cfdor ;  but  the  technical  characters 
are  widely  ditferenf. 
ft44,  K.  rnrollnen'stti,  (Of  Candina.  Fip.  392.)  ('AUoi.iXA  Dovi;.  MniUNiNd  DoVK.  WiU)  DOVK. 
Adult  (J  :  rpper  jiarts,  including  miildle  tail-feathers,  urayish-lilue  shaded  with  brownish-idive, 
the  head  and  neck  ochrey-browu  overlaid  with  >,'laucoiis-bliie,  the  sides  of  the  neck  jilittering 

with  golden  and  ruby  iridescence;  a  vi(det- 
bliick  spot  under  the  ear-covert.><.  L'nder  jiarts 
glaucous-purplish,  (dianging  gradually  t<i  oidira- 
ceoiis  on  the  Ijcily  and  crissum,  to  bluish  on 
the  sides  and  under  the  wings,  to  whitish  on 
the  chin;  the  purplish  tint  s)ireadiiig  up  on  the 
sides  and  front  of  the  head  ti>  blend  with  the 
glaucous-blue.  l$lack  spots  ou  mmw  of  the 
scapulars  and  wing-coverts,  most  of  which  are 
c(dor('d  to  eorrosponil  with  the  bacdj,  the  larger 
ones  being  rather  bluish-plumbeous.  Lateral 
tail-feathers  plunibeous-bluish,  crossed  with  a 
black  bar,  the  outer  four  on  each  side  broa<lly  ended  with  white.  Hill  black ;  angle  of  mouth 
carmine  ;  iris  brown  ;  ban;  skin  around  eye  livid  bluish  ;  feet  hike-red,  drying  dull  ycdiowish. 
Length  aVont  12.50:  extent  about  18.00;  wing  5.75  ;  tail  the  same,  the  feathers  graduated  for 
half  its  length;  cuhnen  0.00;  tarsus  0,80;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.00.  9 ,  adult :  A  little 
snuiller,  not  purplish  below,  the  rich  C(dor  replaced  by  grayish-brown,  like  the  back  but  paler; 
head  and  neck  with  little  of  the  glaucous  blue  shade,  and  less  iridescent.  Young  :  I^ike  the  9  I 
but  at  an  early  age  the  velvety-black  sjiots  and  iridescence  are  wanting,  and  the  general  tone 
is  quite  gray;  many  feathers  with  whitish  edging,  as  in  the  wild  pigeon,  with  which  not  only 
the  ccdors  but  the  sexual  and  juvenile  differences  are  thus  closely  correspondent.  Temjieratc 
N.  A.,  anywhere,  the  most  widely  and  ecjuubly  difl'used  of  its  tribe,  abundant  in  most  localities, 
in  some  swarming ;  "  millions  "  in  Arizona,  for  example.  Irregularly  migratory,  imperfectly 
gregarious;  great  numbers  may  be  together,  but  scarcely  in  compact  flocks.  Terrestrial  rather 
than  arboreal,  almost  always  feeding  on  the  ground;  where  very  numerous,  they  become  famil- 
iar, like  blackbirds  in  the  West.  Nest  indifferently  on  the  ground  or  in  buslies;  eggs  2,  white, 
equal-ended,  averaging  1.12X0.82;  2  or  even  .S  broods  in  the  South.  During  the  mating 
season,  where  those  birds  arc  numerous,  their  cooing  resounds  on  every  hand,  but  at  other 
times  they  arc  silent. 
106.  ZENAI'DA.  (A  proper  name,  that  of  Zenaido,  cousin  and  wife  of  Prince  C.  L.  Honaparte.) 
Love  Doves.  Tail  rounded,  shorter  than  wings,  of  12  feathers.  Wings  long,  pointed  by 
2d  and  3d  quills ;  1st  little  shorter.  Hill  short,  slender,  black.  Feet  as  in  i>t\wr  ZeitaidiiKe ; 
tarsus  intermediato  in  length  between  the  iniddio  and  lateral  toes  ;  the.so  of  unequal  length, 
inner  a  little  the  longer.  Circuuiorbital  space  little  bare.  Metallic  iridescence  on  neck  ;  blue- 
black  ear-spot,  and  others  on  wings.     Sexes  similar.     (West  Indian.) 


545. 


Fio.  802. 
E.  C.) 


-Carolina  Dovo,  imt.  hIzo.    (Ail  nat.  del. 


197. 


A4n. 


198. 


r,n. 


548, 


COL  VMIilDJh:  -  ZEN  A  Ih/X.-K :    (niOt'NU  DOVES. 


AC.O 


518.  Z.  «mii'l»IU».  (]Mt.  ainahiliH,  \it\p\y,)  Zknaioa  Dovi;.  Olivp-Rruy  with  u  rrddlHli  tiiinf ; 
(Town  mill  uiiik'r  |)arts  vinact'oiis-ri'd  ;  hiilcs  anil  axillaiN  l>liii>li ;  a  vrlvcty-lilack  aiiriciilar 
H|i<it,  ami  iitlicrH  mi  tlic  wiiiK-cnvcrts  ami  tci'tiarit's;  Mrcumlarli's  ti|i|inl  witii  wiiitc  ;  luck  wiili 
iiii'tallir  liiHti'c;  iiiiildic  taii-t'catlici'H  like  tiic  l)a<'k,  otiici'M  liliiisli  with  whiter  ti|m,  u  hiark  hami 
intcrvcnint,' :  liili  hlack  willi  iTinisini  cnnicrs  nf  llic  niniitli  :  iris  Ihhwii  :  Itft  red;  ciuwn  Idark. 
Li'liiilii  al t  10.00:   wiiiir  <'>.00  ;   tail   1.0(1.      West  Indies  and  Kliirida  Krys. 

197.  MKMU'KLl'A.  (ii]-.  niXiis,  inclits,  uwhiAy  ;  triXtia, /WW«,  a  dnvf.)  \ViiiTK-WIN(l  Dovus. 
Tail  riiiindcd,  slmrtrr  than  winy,  ol'  12  hniad,  ruiinili'd  t'ralhcrs.  Wind's  imiuti'd;  l.st,  ii\,  ami  .'<il 
]iriiiuii'i('N  nearly  ('i|nal  ami  Imigcst.  Mill  sli'iidcr  and  Irnythi'iii'd,  ('i|iialliiii;  tarsus,  hlark.  A 
large  bar<>  eircinnorhital  H|iaco.  A  bliie-hhiek  spnt  belnw  auricnlurs,  Itnt  uuui'  on  wiiigH  ;  neck 
with  inetallie  lustre.     A  ureat  white  spaee  on  wiin;.     Feet  as  in  itthiT  Xetiniilind:    Se.ves  alike. 

.110.  M.  leuco'ptoru.  ((Jr.  XeuKor,  Iniros,  wliite ;  jrrf/jdi',  ptiTon,  wiiii;.)  \Vlirri:-WIN(l  Dnvi;. 
Wing  with  a  liroad  white  har  ol)lii|ne  t'nnii  tlie  carpal  juint  to  tlie  ends  of  the  lonu'est  coverts, 
continned  hy  white  edging  at  and  near  ends  of  outer  wehs  of  the  secondaries  ;  very  coiis|iiciions, 
recognizahle  at  giin-sliot  range.  Lower  hack  iind  rniiii),  some  of  the  middle  coverts,  lining  of 
wings,  and  entire  under  jtarts  from  the  hreast,  tine  light  Idnish-ash.  I'rimaries  hlackish  with 
narrow  white  edging.  Tail,  excepting  two  middle  feathiM's,  shity-hlne,  becoming  gradually 
Bhity-black,  then  broadly  and  8i|uarely  tipped  with  ashy-white.  General  color  of  back,  lesser 
wiiig-cMiverts,  inner  ipiills,  and  middle  tail-feathers,  (dive-brown  with  some  lustre;  the  tail- 
feathers  browner;  the  top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  ])urplish-vinims  with  a  slight  glancons 
Himde;  sides  of  neck  iridescent  with  g(dden-green  ;  a  violet  or  steel-blue  sj)ot  below  auricnlars. 
Hill  black,  very  slender.  Length  11.25-12.2.) ;  extent  19.00-20.00;  wing  (•..0(M)..")0 ;  tail 
4.0()-l..')0 ;  bill  0.S7;  tarsus  O.ST  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.25.  ?  scarcely  distinguishable. 
In  the  youngest,  the  white  wing-bar  apjiears,  though  there  is  little  or  no  iinrpli.sh,  or  iri- 
descence, or  blue-black  Ixdow  ears.  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Arizona  and  S.  Calu.  and  southward, 
abundant  in  suitable  localities.  In  the  breeding  season,  A|)r.-May,  the  sonorous  cooini;  is 
incessant.  Ne.st  in  hushes  and  h)W  trees,  slight  and  frail,  of  stick.s  and  weeds;  eggs  2,  whito 
or  vrvdimj,  averaging  l.lSXO.SH. 

1 98.  CH  AMiKPELI'A.  ('Jr.  xaiiai,  chamai,  on  the  ground ;  W  X«a,  peleia,  a.  dove.)  Dwarf  Doves. 
Very  small.  Wings  short  and  broad,  with  (doiigated  inner  secondaries,  nearly  overreaching 
primaries  in  the  folded  wing.  Tail  still  shorter  than  wing,  nearly  even,  of  12  broad  feathers. 
Hill  slender,  about  half  as  hnig  as  head,  mostly  yellow.  Feet  largely  zenaidine ;  tarsus  as 
long  as  middle  toe  without  claw.  No  iridescence  nor  blue-black  si)ot  on  head  ;  such  sputa  on 
wings.     Sexes  unlike,  but  Arcades  umbo. 

.547.  C.  passerl'iia.  {Ln\.  pasxcriiid,  sparrow-like;  from  the  pygmy  stature.)  GRoirNH  DovE. 
Urayish-olive,  glossed  with  blue  on  the  hind  head  and  neck,  most  feathers  of  tlie  fore-parts 
with  (hirker  edges,  those  of  the  breast  with  dusky  centres.  Forehead,  sides  of  head  and  neck, 
lesser  wing-coverts  and  under  parts  ])iir|)lish-red  of  variable  intensity,  j)aler  or  grayish  mi  the 
belly  and  crissuni ;  under  surface  of  wings  orange-brown  or  chestnut,  this  color  siiU'nsing  the 
quills  to  a  great  extent  ;  upper  surface  of  wings  sprinkled  with  lustrous  steel-blue  sjiots.  Middle 
tail-feathers  like  the  back,  others  jiliinibeous,  blackening  toward  ends,  with  paler  tips.  Feet 
yellow;  bill  yellow  with  dark  tip.  Diminutive:  length  (i. 50-7. 00;  extent  10.00-11.00;  wing 
3.50,  with  inner  secondaries  nearly  as  long  as  the  primaries;  tail  2.75,  rounded;  bill  0.45; 
tarsus  0.67;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.75.  9  '""l  young  dift'er  as  those  of  the  wild  pigeon  and 
candina  dove  do,  the  pur])lish  tints  being  replaced  by  gray  or  "  a.slies  of  rosr's,"  the  very  young 
bird  having  whitish  skirting  of  the  feathers.  Southern  IT.  S.,  Atlantic  to  Pacific,  but  chietly 
coastwise;  N.  to  the  ('andinas,  and  accidentally  to  Washington,  I).  C. ;  common.  Nest  on 
the  ground  or  in  hushes  itiditi'erently :  eggs  2,  white,  O.S7XO.()3. 

548.  C.  p.  palles'cens  ?  (Lat.  jjaWcsfCHS,  bleaching.)  Scarcely  difterent ;  described  as  paler.  Cape 
St.  Lucas. 


6T0 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  COL  IIMBJE  —  PEBISTEE^. 


199.  SCARDAPEL'LA.  (Italian,  siKimlizinf^  the  scaly  appoarancc  of  tho  feathers,  duo  to  their 
eoliir.)  Shell,  Doves.  Tail  of  peculiar  shape,  double-i 'umled,  median  and  lateral  feathers 
both  shorter  than  intermediate  ones;  all  narrow  and  tapering;  12  in  number.  Wings  as  in 
ChamcBpelia.  Bill  very  slender,  rather  long,  black.  Feet  not  typically  zenaidinc  ;  tarsus  very 
short,  slightly  feathered  abt)vo.  No  blue-black  spots  on  head  or  wings  ;  no  iridescence  on  neck. 
Size  very  small.  Sexes  similar,  llemarkable  genus,  of  2  trojrical  Am.  species,  one  reaching 
our  border. 

649.  S.  iii'ca.  {Inca  or  ynca.i,  a  Peruvian  title.)  IxoA  Dove.  Scaled  Dove.  $  9 .  a'hdt : 
Above,  grayish-brown  with  the  usual  olive  shade,  anteriorly  also  with  a  slight  "ashes  of  roses" 
hue  ;  below,  ])ale  ashy-lilac,  changing  to  ochracMions  on  the  belly  and  crissum — nearly  all  the 
plumage  nuirked  with  black  cresceutic  edges  of  the  feathers,  producing  the  shelly  or  scaly 
appearance.     Primaries  and   bastard  quills  intense  chestnut,  with  blackish  ends ;  lining  of 


\ 
F 
a 
f 
1 
1 
550.   < 


i' 


800. 


Fio.  3i)3.  —  Blue-lieaded  (juail  Dcivu,  i  nut.  bIzu.    (From  Brclini ) 

wings  black  and  chestnut ;  outer  secondaries  blackish  with  chestnut  central  ar.-as,  gradually 
diminishing  till  the  inner  secondaries  assimilate  with  the  color  of  the  back.  Middle  tail- 
feathers  like  back  ;  three  lateral  ones  basally  plumbeous,  then  black,  tlien  broadly  tipped  M-ith 
white  —  the  black  running  out  into  tho  wliite  as  a  shaft  line.  9  similar  Xo$  ;  young  similar, 
but  with  little  or  no  ashy-rosy,  and  sprinkled  with  white  <ni  upper  j)arts.  L?ngth  about  8.00  ; 
wing  !{.75  ;  tail  more  ;  bill  0. 1-5  ;  tarsus  0.50  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.87.  A  very  pretty  little 
dove,  with  mahogany  wings  upholstered  in  shell-figured  ashes-of-roses  velvet;  a  curious  mini- 
ature of  the  conuno  dove  in  form.  Mexico  to  Te.xas,  New  Mexico  and  Arizona,  along  the 
borders.     Nest  in  bushes  ;  eggs  2,  white,  0.90X0.70. 

GKOTRY'GON,  (Gr.  yfo,  {len,  the  earth  ;  rpvymv,  trugon,  a  cooer.)  Lustue  Doves.  Tail 
about  as  long  as  wings,  a  little  rounded,  of  12  broad  rounded  feathers,  with  curved  shafts. 


201. 


551. 


COLUMBIDJE  —  STARN(EJ^ADIX^:    QUAIL  DOVES. 


671 


Wings  short,  rounded;  3d  and  4th  quills  longest,  ^d  and  4th  little  shorter,  1st  mu(;h  shorter. 
Feet  strongly  zenaidiiie;  tarsus  not  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  still,  soutellate  in  front, 
and  hind  toe  more  than  half  as  long  as  the  middle,  perfeetly  insistent.  Hill  rather  long  and  stout ; 
frontal  feathers  obtuse  on  culmen.  Head  and  wings  without  Itlue-bhu-k  spots;  whole  upper 
parts  highly  lustrous.  Medium  size ;  form  stocky,  somewhat  <]uail-like,  but  tail  long.  Ap- 
proaching the  ne.xt,  but  at  a  distance.  West  Indian  and  Tropical  American. 
550.  G.  martl'nlca.  (Of  Martini(pie.)  Key  West  Dove.  Above,  vinaceons-red  with  highly 
iridescent  lustre  of  various  tints ;  below,  pale  j)uri)lish  fading  to  creamy ;  an  infra-ocular  stripe 
and  the  throat  white.  Length  11.00  ;  wing  and  tail  about  0.00.  West  Indies  and  Key  West, 
Florida,  where  not  observed  of  late. 

50.  Subfamily  STARNOENADIN^:  Quail   Doves. 

See  p.  504.  Hallux  not  perfectly  insistent;  short,  only  about  half  as  long  as  the  middle 
too  and  claw.  Feet  large  and  stout ;  tarsus  longer  than  the  nuddle  toe,  entirely  bare  of 
feathers  even  on  the  joint,  conipletely  covered  with  small  hexagonal  scales.  With  ca'ca,  but 
without  oil-gland  or  anibiens  muscle,  the  reverse  of  the  Zcnaidinai,  of  which  it  is  a  remarkable 
outlying  fori>",  grading  toward  gallinaceous  birds  in  structure  and  habits  ;  like  some  partridges 
even  to  t'.io  special  head-markings.  Including  one  isolated  American  genus  and  species,  not 
referable  to  any  established  Old  World  group. 
201.  STAI.  E'NAS.  (Stania,  name  of  a  genus  of  partridges  ;  Gr.  oivat,  aenas,  a  dove.)  Qi;ail 
Doves.  In  addition  to  the  foregoing  :  IJill  short,  stout;  frontal  feathers  projected  in  a  point  on 
culmen.  Wings  short,  broad,  vaulted  and  much  rounded  ;  first  primary  reduced.  Tail  .short, 
broad,  nearly  even.  Size  medium  ;  whole  form  and  appearance  quail-like.  West  Indian. 
551.  8.  cyanoee'phala.  (Gr.  Kvavos,  kuanos,  blue;  Kf^aXiy,  kephale,  head.  Fig.  ',i'Xi.)  Hi.ite- 
HEADEu  Quail  Dove.  Crown  rich  blue  bounded  by  black ;  a  white  stripe  under  the  eyi>, 
meeting  its  fellow  on  the  chin ;  throat  black,  bordered  with  white.  General  color  olivaceous- 
chocolate  above,  purplish-red  below,  lighter  centrally.  Length  11.00  ;  wing  5.50  :  tail  4.50. 
West  Indies  and  Florida  Keys. 


VI.   Order  GALLINiE:  G-allinaceous  Birds;  Fowls. 

Equivalent  to  the  ohl  order  i^asor^s,  exclusive  of  the  Pigeons  —  this  name  being  derived 
from  the  characteristic  habit  of  scratching  the  ground  in  search  of  food  ;  coimecting  the  lower 
terrestrial  pigeons  with  the  higher  members  of  the  gn^at  plover-snipe  group.  On  the  one  hand, 
it  shades  into  the  Columhte  so  perfectly  that  Huxley  has  j)roposed  to  call  the  two  together  the 
"  Gallo-columbine  series  ;  "  on  the  other  hand,  scmio  of  its  genera  show  a  strong  plover-ward 
tendency,  and  havt;  even  been  placed  in  Limicolcc.  I  have  already  (p.  502)  noted  the  inoscula- 
tion of  GalUtue  with  Columbce  by  means  of  the  grou.se-like  Pigeons,  Vterocklcfi  ;  it  reuuiins  to 
indicate  the  limits  of  the  GaUintc  in  other  directions,  by  referring  to  two  remarkable  grou[is, 
one  n-presented  by  Opisthocomus  iilone,  the  other  con.sistiug  of  the  Huuiipods  or  Tunikes. 
Both  of  these  have  usually  been  referred  to  fiaUintr. 

1.  The  wonderful  Hoatzin  of  Guiana,  Opisthocomus  crisfatufi,  is  one  of  the  most  isidated 
and  |)uzzling  forms  in  ornithcdogy,  sometimes  [daced  near  the  Muxophugidii' ,  but  assigned  by 
maturer  judgment  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  fowls,  which  it  resenibh's  in  many  respects,  a.s  an  in- 
dependent order  Opistiii,  OMI,  sole  relict  of  an  ancestral  type.  The  sternum  and  shoolder-girdlo 
are  anomahms  ;  the  keel  is  cut  away  in  front ;  the  furcula  anchylose  with  the  coracoids  (very 
rare)  and  with  the  manubrium  of  the  sternum  (unique)  ;  the  digestive  system  is  scarcely  less 
singular  ;  and  other  characters  are  remarkable. 

2.  The  bu.sh-quails  of  the  Old  World,  Tiirnicidae,  differ  widely  from  the  Cfallincr,  rc- 
Bombliug  the  Grouse-pigeons  and  Tinamous  in  !jome  reH])ects,  and   related  to  the  Plov  rs  in 


672        SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  GALLIN2E  —  PERISTEBOPODES. 


others.  A  siugiilur  circuinstance  is  a  lack  of  the  extensive  vertebral  anchyloses  usual  iu  birds, 
all  the  vertcbriB  remaining  distinct.  The  palatal  structure  is  curiously  like  that  of  Pussercs 
(a'githognathous).  Tiie  crop  is  said  to  be  wanting  iu  some  ;  as  is  also  the  hind  toe,  and  one  of 
the  carotids.  There  are  some  20  current  species  of  the  principal  genus,  Turnix,  to  wliich  Gray 
adds  tlie  African  Orty.rdos  meiffrcni,  and  tiie  Australian  Pedionomus  tovquaius.  Late  studies 
of  tlie  group  have  resulted  in  the  view  that  it  should  represent  a  distinct  order,  IIemipodii. 

Elimination  of  these  non-confonnable  elements  renders  the  Gallince  susceptible  of  much 
b<?tter  definition,  as  foUows:  — 

Bill  generally  short,  stout,  convex,  with  obtuse  vaulted  tip,  not  constri(  ed  in  the  con- 
timiity,  wholly  hard  and  corneous  except  in  the  uasiil  fossa.  Tomia  of  upjjcr  mandible  over- 
hippiug  the  lower ;  culmen  higli  on  forehead,  the  frmital  feathers  there  forming  a  re-entrance. 
with  wore  or  less  salience  on  either  side.  Xi>strils  scaled  or  feathered,  in  a  siiort  abrupt  fossa. 
Legs  usually  feathered  to  the  suffrago,  often  to  the  toes,  sometimes  to  the  chiu  .  Hallux 
elevated,  excepting  iu  Cracidtc  and  Megupodida,  normally  shorter  than  the  anterior  toes. 
Tarsus  generally  broadly  scutellate,  when  not  feathered.  Front  toes  commonly  webbed  at 
base.  Claws  blunt,  little  curved.  Wings  sliort,  strong,  vaulte<l.  Kectrices  commonly  more 
than  12  (not  more  in  Cvacidw,  beyond).  Head  and  brain  small  in  proportion  to  the  body,  us 
in  Pigeons.  Plumage  with  after-.';hafts.  Oil-gland  tufted.  ('aroti<ls  two  (except  in  Megapudidic). 
No  intrinsic  syringeal  nuiscles.  Sternum  generally  deejdy  doubly-notched,  and  furculum  witli 
a  hypocleidium.  Palate  schizognatlmus.  Xa.-'al  bones  schizorhinal.  Sessile  basipterygoid 
processes  present.  Angle  of  niandible  produc<'d  into  a  recurved  process.  Pectoral  muscles, 
three  ;  the  second  extensive  ;  femoro-caudal  variable  ;  accessory  femoro-camlal,  senii-tendiuosus, 
accessory  senii-tendinosus  and  ambiens  j)resent.  Intestinal  cceca  extensive  ;  gizzard  muscular. 
Nature  jmecocial  and  ptilopaHlic,  tyi)ically  pcdygamous.     Chiefly  terrestrial. 

The  order  thus  defined  is  etiuivalent  io  the  AlectoromorphfC  of  Huxley  (18G7),  minus 
PtcrocMes  and  Hemipodii.  The  birds  composing  it  fall  into  two  series  or  suborders,  according 
to  the  structure  of  the  feet  and  more  essential  characters. 


5.'»tJ. 


10.     SuBouiJER  PERISTEROPODES  :   Pujeox-toed  Fowls. 

Framed  to  accommodate  the  Old  World  Megapodidee,  or  Mound-birds,  and  the  American 
Cracida,  or  Curassows. 

The  Mound-birds,  Megnpodido",  as  the  name  implies,  have  large  feet,  with  little-curved 
claws,  and  lengthened  insistent  hallux.  They  share  this  last  feature  with  the  Cracidcc 
(bej'ond)  ;  and  the  osseous  structure  of  these  two  families,  except  as  regards  pneumaticity,  is 
strikingly  similar.  Both  show  a  modification  of  the  sternum,  the  inner.iuie  of  the  two  notdies 
being  less  instead  of  more  than  half  as  deep  as  tiie  sternum  is  long,  as  in  typical  Callhuc. 
The  Megapods  do  not  incubate,  and  the  j-onug  pass  through  i\w  downy  stage  in  the  egg, 
hatching  with  true  feathers  (p.  22(i).  Tiu-y  are  confined  to  Australia  and  the  East  Indies  ; 
Mcfjnpodius  is  the  principal  genus,  of  a  dozen  or  more  species  ;  there  are  three  others,  each  of 
a  species  or  two. 


36.    Family  CRACID-^  :   Curassows. 

This  type  is  peculiar  to  America,  where  it  maybe  considered  to  represent  the  Megapodida; 
though  differing  so  much  in  habit  and  general  appearance.  The  affiniti<'s  of  the  two  are  indi- 
cated above,  and  some  essential  chanicters  noted.  According  to  the  hltest  authority  on  the 
family,  Messrs.  Sdater  and  Salvia,  it  is  divisible  into  three  subfamilies  :  CniciiKe,  curassows 
and  hoccos,  with  four  genera  and  twelve  species  •  Onophasintc,  with  a  single  genus  and 
species,  Orcophasis  derhianus,  and  the 


en  A  CIDjE  —  VESEL  OPINjE  :    G I  'ANS. 


573 


u  birds, 
'asseres 
one  of 
h  Gray 
studies 

IPODII. 

f  inucii 

le  cdii- 
over- 

traiK-e. 
fossa. 

Hallux 

tilt's. 

I)cd  at 
iiioro 
ody,  as 
'J(li(Uc). 


51.    Subfamily  PENELOPINiC:  Cuans, 

with  sovpn  genera  and  tliiity-nine  species,  one  of  which  reaches  our  Iwrder. 

802.  ORTALilS.  (Gr.  opToXir,  ort«/(s,  a  pullet.)  GlANS.  Head  crested  ;  it.s  sides,  and  strips  on  the 
chin,  naked,  but  no  wattles.  Tarsi  naked,  scutellatc!  before  aiul  behind,  with  small  scales 
between  the  scutellar  rows.  Hind  toe  insistent,  about  i  the  middle  toe.  Tail  graduated, 
ample,  fan-shaped,  longer  than  the  miKrli  rounded  wings,  of  12  broad,  obtuse  feathers.  Wings 
short,  concavo-convex,  with  abbritviated  outer  primaries,  the  secondaries  reaching  about  to  the 
ends  of  the  longest  primaries  when  the  wing  is  folded.  Bill  slender  for  a  gallinaceous  bird, 
without  decided  frontal  antisc.  Coloration  greenish.  Sexes  alike.  In  some  points  of  she 
shape,  and  general  aspect,  there  is  a  curious  su))erticial  resemblance  between  this  genus  and 
Geococci/x,  though  the  two  genera  belong  to  different  orders  of  birds. 

S.j'i.  O.  ve'tula  inaccal'll.  (Lat.  vettila,  a  little  old  woman.  To  Geo.  A.  McC'all.)  Te.\ax 
Gl'AX.  CuAt'HALACA.  Dark  glossy  olivaceous,  paler  and  tinged  with  brownish- yelhw  below, 
plumbeous  on  the  head ;  tail  lustrous  green,  tipped  with  grayish-white  except  on  the  middle 
pair  of  feathers  ;  bill  and  feet  plumbeous;  iris  brown.  Length  2^.00-24.00;  extent  24.00- 
28.00;  wing  7-50-9.00  ;  tail  9.00-11.00;  tarsus  2.00  or  more  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  about  the 
same.  9  similar.  Downy  young  :  Above,  mixed  brown,  ashy  and  tawny,  with  a  black  central 
stripe  from  bill  to  tail;  below  white,  ashy  on  the  jugulum.  Mexico  to  Texas  in  the  Lower 
Kio  Grande  Valley,  abounding  in  some  localities.  A  notable  bird,  unlike  anything  else  in  this 
country.  Easily  domesticated,  said  to  be  used  as  a  game  fowl.  Very  noisy  in  the  breeding 
season  (.\pril),  reiterating  the  syllables  cha-cha-lac  in  a  loud  hoarse  tone.  Nest  in  bushes, 
a  slight  structure;  eggs  generally  3,  with  a  thick,  granular,  and  very  hard  shell,  like  a 
Guinea-fowl's,  oblong-oval,  buff-colored  or  creamy-white,  large  for  the  bird,  2.35XL*J0. 


11.    Slboudeu  ALECTOROPODES :    True  Fowls. 

The  birds  of  this  suborder  are  more  or  less  perfectly  terrestrial;  the  legs  are  of  mean 
length,  and  stout;  the  toes  four,  three  in  front,  generally  connected  by  basal  webbing,  but 
sometimes  free,  and  one  behind,  always  short  and  elevated.  The  tibia)  are  rarely  nakcnl  below; 
the  tarsi  often  feathered,  as  the  toes  also  sometimes  are;  but  ordinarily  both  these  are  naked, 
s<mtellate  and  reticulate,  and  often  developing  processes  (^spurs)  of  horny  substance  with  a  bony 
core,  like  the  horns  of  cattle.  The  bill  as  a  rule  is  short,  stout,  convex,  and  obtuse ;  never  cered, 
nor  extensively  membranous;  the  base  of  the  culmen  parts  prominent  antite,  which  frequently 
till  the  nasal  fossa;;  wluni  naked  the  nostrils  show  a  superincumbent  scale.  The  head  is 
fnxiuently  naked,  wholly  or  partly,  and  often  develops  remarkable  fleshy  i)rocesses.  The 
wings  are  short,  stout,  and  concavo-convex,  conferring  ])ower  of  rapid,  whirring,  but  unpro- 
tracted,  flight.  The  tail  varies  extremely;  it  is  very  small  in  some  genera,  enormou.'»ly  devel- 
oped in  others;  the  rectrices  vary  in  number,  but  are  commonly  more  than  twelve.  The 
sternum  without  certain  exception  shows  a  peculiar  eonfonnation ;  the  posterior  notches  seen 
in  most  birds  are  inordinately  enlarged,  so  that  the  bone,  viewed  vertically,  seems  in  most  of 
its  extent  to  Im'  simply  a  narrow  central  jirojection,  with  two  long  backward  processes  on  each 
side,  the  outer  conimoidy  hammer-shaped.  There  are  other  distinctive  osteological  charactei-s, 
as  noted  above.  The  digestive  system  presents  an  ample  sj)ecial  crop,  a  highly  nuiscular 
gizzard,  and  large  cceca.  The  inferior  larynx  is  always  devoid  of  intrinsic  muscles;  the 
structure  of  the  trachea  varies  with  genera,  jjresenting  some  curious  modifications.  There 
are  after-shafts,  and  a  circlet  around  the  oil-gland.  Alectoropoiles  are  jiran-ocial  and  ptilopa-dic. 
A  part  of  them  are  pcdygamous  —  a  circum.'<tance  shown  in  its  ])erfection  hy  the  sultan  of  the 
dung-hill  with  his  disciplined  harem ;  and  in  all  such,  the  se.\es  are  conspicuously  dissimilar. 
The  rest  are  monogamous,  aud  the  sexes  of  these  are  as  a  rule  nearly  or  <|uitu  alike.     The 


574 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  GALLING— ALECTOROPODES. 


eggs  arc  very  nuincnms,  usually  laid  iin  the  ground,  in  a  rude  nest,  or  none.  The  suborder  is 
cosmopolitan  ;  but  most  of  its  groujjs  have  a  special  geographical  distribution.  Its  great  eco- 
nomic importance  is  perceived  in  all  forms  of  domestic  poultry,  and  principal  game-birds  of 
various  countries;  and  it  is  unsurpassed  in  beauty — some  of  these  birds  tiffer  the  most 
gorgeous  coloring  of  the  class. 

Genetically,  the  Fowls 
are  nearer  than  most 
birds  to  a  generalized, 
old-fashioned  tyjie.  They 
have  relations  in  the  cu- 
riously ostrich-like  Tiua- 
mous  of  South  America 
(Tinumida:  or  Crijpturi), 
the  lioatzin  {Ojusthoco- 
nius),  and  other  antitpie 
relicts.  Notice  a  (|uarter- 
grown  Turkey  with  this 
idea  in  mind,  and  you  will 
hardly  fail  to  see  that 
it  looks  like  au  o.strich 
in  miniature.  Leading 
types  of  existing  Alec- 
toropod  Gulliiia:  are  the 
Quail,  the  Grouse,  the 
Guinea-fowl,  the  Tur- 
key, and  the  domestic; 
Cock.  The  two  former 
are  very  close  to  each 
other,  and  hardly  .sepa- 
rable as  families ;  the 
three  latter  are  nearer 
one  another,  and  often 
placed  together  in  a  fam- 
ily. The  families  Tct- 
rctouida,  Grouse,  Quail, 
and  Cartridges;  and  Me- 
Iciigridida:,  Turkeys,  are 
iudigcntius  to  N.  Am., 
and  fully  treated  beyond. 
A  word  on  the  others  will 
not  be  misplaced  here. 

The  Guinea-fowl,  ^Vm- 
mididcp,  of  which  a  sj)e- 
cies,  Numida  mdeagris, 
is  commonly  seen  in  do- 


Fio.  3M.  —  Engliiili  Pheasant,  Phaaianus  colchicus.    (From  Dixon.) 


tnestication,  are  an  African  and  Madagascan  type.  While  the  foregoing  families  are  strongly 
specialized,  this  one,  like  the  turkey  family,  more  closely  approiudies  the  true  fowl,  and 
lK)th  may  be  only  subfamilies  of  PtMsianidte.  The  bones  of  the  pinion  have  a  certfiin 
peruliarity  ;  the  frontal  generally  develops  a  protuberance  ;  there  are  wattles,  but  no  spurs  ;  the 
tail  is  very  short ;  the  head  naked.     There  are  six  or  eight  species  of  Xumida,  in  some  of 


PHA  SIA  NWJE :   PIIEA  l^ANTS. 


575 


which  the  trachea  is  convoluted  in  an  appendage  to  the  fiireuhiin  ;  AcryUhim  vulturina,  Agelns- 
tes  meleagridcs,  and  Phasulun  niger,  are  the  reinaiiiiutr  ones. 

The  Phasianid<e,  or  Plieasants,  are  a  inagniticent  family  of  typical  Gnllinte,  of  which  the 
domestic  fowl  is  a  characteristic  example.  The  feet,  nasal  fossie,  and  usually  a  part,  if  not  the 
whole,  of  the  head,  are  naked,  and  often  comhed,  homed,  or  wattled.  The  tarsi  commonly 
develop  spurs.  The  tail,  with  or  without  its  coverts,  sometimes  has  an  extraordinary  develop- 
ment or  a  remarkahle  shape  (p.  118).  There  are  fifty  or  si.xty  species,  distributed  in  numerous 
modern  genera,  about 
twelve  of  which  are 
well  marked ;  they 
are  all  indigenous  to 
Asia  and  neighbor- 
ing islands,  focusing 
in  India.  In  the 
Peacock,  Pavo  cris- 
tatus,  the  tail-coverts 
form  a  superb  train, 
cjipable  of  erection 
into  a  disk,  the  most 
gorgeous  object  in 
ornithology ;  in  an 
iiUied  genus,  Poly- 
jjlectron,  there  are  a 
pair  of  spurs  on  each 
leg.  The  Argus 
Pheasant,  Argusa- 
nus  giganteus,  is  dis- 
tinguished by  the 
enonnous  develop- 
ment of  the  secon- 
dary quills,  as  well 
as  by  the  length  of 
the  tail-feathers  and 
peculiarity  of  the 
middle  pair.  The 
combed,  wattled,  and 
spurred  bam  -  yard 
fowl,  with  folded  tail 
and  flowing  middle 
feathers,  are  descend- 
ants of  Gallus  bank- 
t'crt,  typo  of  a  small 


Fio.  395.  —  Turkey.    ( From  Lewis. ) 


genus.  The  Tragopans,  Ceriornis,  are  an  allied  form  with  few  species;  the  Macartneys, 
Enplocomiis,  with  a  dozen  species,  are  another  near  form,  as  are  the  Impeyans,  Lnplwplwriis, 
with  a  slender  aigrette  on  the  head,  like  a  peacock's.  The  naturalized  English  pheasant,  P. 
colchicus  (fig.  391),  introduced  into  Uritaiu  prior  to  A.  D.  1056,  is  the  type  of  Phasianus,  in 
which  the  tail-feathers  are  very  long  and  narrow  ;  in  one  species,  P.  reevesii,  the  tail  is  said 
to  attain  a  length  of  six  feet.  Tiie  Golden  and  Amherstian  Phcasa.iits, Chrysolophus  pictus  and 
C.  amhiTstiw,  are  singularly  beautiful,  even  for  this  group.  The  other  genera  are  Crossoptilon 
and  Pucrasia. 


676 


SYSTJiMA  nV  SYNOPSIS.  —  GALLING  —  ALECTOROPODES. 


36.    Family  MELEAG-RIDID^  :   Turkeys. 

Iload  and  ui>per  neck  naked,  faniuculatc ;  in  tmr  s|ii'cics  with  ti  dewlap  and  erectile  jji-o- 
cess.  Tarsi  naked,  scutellate  before  and  behind,  si)urred  in  tlie  <J.  Tail  broad,  roiinde((,  of 
14-18  fwithers.  Plumage  compact,  lustrous;  in  our  species  with  a  tuft  of  luiir-like  feathers 
on  the  breast.  One  genus,  two  8i)ecics.  M.  ocellatun  is  the  very  beautiful  Turkey  of  Central 
America. 
203.  MKLEA'GRIS.  (Gr.  ixtktaypis,  Lat.  meieagris,  a  guinea-fowl ;  transferred  in  ornithology  to 
this  genus.)     TmKKYS.     Characters  of  the  family. 

553.  M.  gallipa'vo.  (Lat.  gallus,  a  cock,  pavo,  a  jtea-fowl.  P^ig.  395.)  Tukkey.  Upper  tail- 
coverts  chestnut,  with  paler  or  whitish  tips;  tail-featliers  tipjied  witli  brownish-yellow  or 
whitish  ;  3-4  feet  long,  etc.  Wild  in  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Arizona  and  southward ;  domesti- 
cated elsewhere.  The  Mexican  bird  is  the  original  of  the  domestic  race  ;  it  was  upon  tills 
form,  imported  into  Europe,  that  Linuieus  imposed  the  name  galloitaro  (Fn.  Suec.  No.  108; 
Syst.  Xat.  i,  17'j(),  'M>'^),  which  has  generally  been  apjdicd  to  the  following  feral  variety : 

554.  M.  g.  america'na.  Eastekx  Wild  TruKEY.  Ujjper  tail-coverts  without  light  tips,  and  ends 
of  tail-feathers  scarcely  paler.  This  is  the  ordinary  wild  turkey  of  Ea.steru  North  America; 
N.  to  Canada,  where  it  is  said  still  to  occur  ;  extirpated  in  New  England.  XW.  to  tlie 
Missouri,  and  SW.  to  Texas.  The  .slight  differences  just  noted  seem  to  be  rennirkably  con- 
stant, and  to  be  rarely  if  ever  shown  by  the  other  form;  although,  as  usual  in  domestic  birds, 
tills  last  varies  interminably  in  color. 


87.    Family  TETRAONID-ffi  :    Grouse  ;  Partridge  ;  Quail. 

AU  the  remaining  gallinaceoua  birds  an;  very  closely  related,  probably  constituting  a 
single  family ;  although  the  term  Tetraonido!  is  usually  restricted  to  the  true  Grouse  as  below 
dciiued  (Tetraiminee),  the  Partridges  and  Quails  being  erected  into  another  family,  Perdicidd', 
with  several  subfamilies.  But  tin;  Grouse  do  not  appear  to  differ  more  from  the  Partridges 
and  Quails  than  these  do  from  each  other,  and  they  are  all  variously  interrelated;  so  that  no 
violence  will  be  offered  in  uniting  them.  One  group  of  the  Partridges  (Odontophorince)  is 
confined  to  America;  all  the  rest  ti>  the  Old  World.  The  leading  fonns  among  the  latter  are 
Perdix,  the  true  partridgt* ;  Coturnix,  the  true  Quail ;  Francolinux,  the  Fram^olins ;  with 
SoUulus  and  Caccabis.  In  all,  jjerhaps  a  hundred  species  and  a  dozen  genera.  Without 
attempting  to  frame  a  family  diagnosis  to  cover  all  their  moditicatious,  I  will  precisely  define 
the  American  forms,  as  two  subfamilies. 

Anaiyfla  of  SuhfamilicB. 

Tetraoktk^k.    (trnune.    Tlie  shank  (tarsus)  more  or  less  feathered.    (Plenty  more  characters,  but  tills 

is  perfectly  ilisthictlvc.) 
Odontophorin.k.    American  Partridge)  and  Quails.    The   shank  entirely  bare  and  scaly.    (Plenty 

mure  characters,  etc. ) 

Oiis.  —  The  vernacular  names  "  pheasivnt,"  " partridge,"  and  "quail,"  as  applied  to  our 
game  birds  in  different  sections  of  the  country,  arc  the  cause  of  endless  confusion  and  misun- 
derstanding, which  it  seems  hopeless  to  attempt  to  do  away  with.  (1.)  The  word  "  jdieasant" 
(derived  from  the  name  of  the  river  Phasis  in  Colchis)  belongs  to  certain  Old  World  Phasianidee 
(see  above ;  and  fig.  394-)  having  no  representatives  in  AnuTica.  But  early  settlers  of  this  country 
applied  it  to  the  Ruffed  Grouse,  BoHa.sa  umhella —  and  "pheasant"  is  the  Ruffed  Grouse  called 
to  this  day  by  the  common  people  of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States.  (2.)  "  Partridge  "  is  an  old 
English  word,  specifically  designating  the  English  Perdix  cinerea,  then  enlarged  in  meaning  to 
cover  iUl  the  family  Perdicida"  (see  beyond).  In  the  Northern  States,  both  the  Spruce  Grouse, 
Canace  canadensis,  viwA  the  Ruffed  Grouse,  are  connnonly  called  "partridge."     In  the  Middle 


TETliA  ONW.E  —  TETliA UMX.E :    GliOUSE. 


677 


and  Southern  States  —  wherever  the  Kuffod  Grouse  is  culled  "  iiheasiint,"  the  Hob-wliito,  (Miix 
virt/iniana,  is  called  "partridge."  (15.)  The  term  "([uail"  is  s])eeialiy  aiijilieahle  tn  the  Euro- 
jieau  Migratory  or  Messina  Quail,  CoUirnix  ductijUsonam.  Hut  this  reseiuhles  our  llob-white 
not  distantly,  causing  the  latter  to  be  called  "(|uail  "  in  the  sections  where  the  KuHcd  and  Spruce 
Grouse  arc  called  "partridge;"  and  in  the  Southwest,  the  sjiecies  of  Jjijiliorti/.r,  Oirtirti/.v,  and 
Cijrtonijx  arc  universally  called  "  quail."  The  following  tabular  statement  should  bring  the 
matter  clearly  into  view. 

Siimmari/  of  yorth  American  Ti'.ruAONin.K  —  Grouse,  Partrkhje,  Qtmil. 

A.  (Ji!  )i!si:,  with  feathers  on  shank  (Tetruonincc). 

1.  Saiif  Fowl:  Sage  Cock;  Sago-Him ;  Cook-of- the- Plains.  Western.  One  8i)eeies  : 
( 'iHtrorercus  urophasianu.'i. 

•2.  Shttrp-tuikd  Grouse:  I'in-tail  Grouse;  Prairie  Um  or  Prairie  ("hicken  of  the  North- 
west :  1  species,  2  varieties  :  I'ediu'cctes  phasiduellus. 

3.  Pinnated  Grouse:  common  Prairie  Hen  or  Prairie  Chicken  of  the  Mississi])pi,  Ohio, 

and  Lower  Missouri  valleys.     One  species;  two  varieties:    Cujiidouiit  rujiido. 

4.  Tree  Grouse:  Spruce  Grouse;   Hhu^k  (Jrou.se;  the  Nortiiern  Stati's  species  improperly 

called  "  partridge."     One  si)ecies,  two  varieties  :   Cunnee  canadensis. 
Another  s])ecies  of  'i  varieties,  confined  to  the  West :   Canace  obscurn. 

5.  ]{ujl'id  Grouse  :  improperly  called  "  partridge  "  in  the  Xortliern  and  '•  pheasant  "  in  the 

Middle  and  SoiitiuTU  States.     One  si»>cies,  Jionasu  umlnUii.  of  'A  varieties. 
0.    Snow  Grouse,  or  Ptarmit/an.     Three  sj)ecics  of  Luf/opus,  boreal  and    alpine,  turning 
white  in  winter :  L.  albus,  L.  ri(2)estris,  L.  leucurus. 

B.  PAUTUiixiE  and  Qit.ml,  without  feathers  on  shank  (OdontopJwrinre). 

7.  The  imported  Messina  (^JHfdV,  or  Migratory  Quail  of  Kurope  :  one  species:  Coturnix 

dacti/lisonans. 

8.  Bob-white:  called  "iiuail"  in  Northern  States;   called   "partridge"   in  the   Miihlle 

and  Southern   States.     One  species :    Ortiix  cirginianu,   with  -2  varieties,   one  in 
Florida,  the  other  in  Te.xas. 

9.  Helmet  Partridtjes  :   of  the  Southwest,  commonly  called   "  <iuail,"  with  a  beautiful 

recurved  tojj-knot.    Two  species  of  Lophorti/.r :  L.  (jambeli,  L.  californica,  (tonimonly 
called  "  valley  <piail." 

10.  Arrow  Partridije :  with  two  long  arrowy  jilumes  on  the  head.     One  species,  of  Cali- 

fornia:  Orortijx  picta,  commonly  called  "mount'iin  (juail." 

11.  Shell  Partridije :  bluish-white  markings,  as  if  scaly.    One  species.  Southwest.     Calli- 

pepla  s(/namata. 

12.    Masscna  Partridije  (not  to  l)e  confused  with  the 
imported  Messina  Quail) :  with  a  soft  crest  anil 
nnnil)erless  white  "eyes"  on  the  belly.    South- 
west.    One  species  :   f'l/rtoni/x  massena. 
In  all,  »'l)  varieties,  of  Id  species,  of  12  genera,  of  2 

subfamilies,  of  1  family. 

52.    Subfamily  TETRAONIN^:  Grouse. 

Head  com]>letely  featherecl,  excei)ting.  usually,  a 
naked  strip  of  skin  over  the  eye.  Nasal  fossil"  densely 
feathen'd.  Tarsi  mon;  or  less  perfectly  feathered,  the 
feathering  sometimes  extending  on  the  toes  to  the 
claws;  the  toes,  when  naked,  with  horny  fringe-like 
proce.>iS(!s.  Tail  variable  in  shape,  but  never  folded. 
37 


Fio.  39C.  — '  Kcd  Game '  of  Brituiii,  Lagopus 
scolicus.    (From  Hlxoii.) 


678 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  GALLINJE  —  ALECTOROI'ODES. 


of  1(1-20  feathers.  Sidt's  of  tho  neck  frequently  with  lengthened  or  otherwise  modified  feathers, 
or  a  bare  distensible  skin,  or  both. 

The  true  Grouse  are  confined  to  the  northern  hemisphere,  and  reach  their  highest  devehip- 
meut,  as  a  group,  in  North  America,  where  singularly  varied  forms  occur.  The  only  Old  World 
species  are  —  the  great  Tetrao  urogallus,  or  Capercaillie  of  Knrope,  and  its  allied  Asiatic  species; 
Li/rurits  tetrix,  the  "black  game''  of  Europe,  with  curiously  curled  tail-feathers;  Cnnuce 
falcipeiiHis  of  Siberia,  tiie  representative  of  our  Spruce  I'artridgc  ;  Bonasa  hetulina  of  Northern 
Europe  and  Asia,  like  our  Ituttcd  (irouse  ;  and  two  or  three  species  of  Ptarmigan  (Laijojxis). 

All  the  species  <if  this  subfamily  used  to  be  referred  to  a  single  gnnis  Tclnto  —  the  luiiy 
generic  name  familiar  to  sportsmen  and  others  who  make  no  technical  sttidy  of  birds.  Hut  such 
must  not  be  surprised  to  find  me  discarding  this  well-known  name,  and  ado|>ting  several  ditl'erciit 
ones  as  generic  designations  of  our  Grouse,  which  ditler  much  among  themselves,  in  jioints  of 
form  and  structure,  and  are  all  widely  diverse  from  Tiiruo  nroffallitu  of  Eiu'opc,  type  of  llu' 
genus. 

Anali/Hin  of  A.  Am.  (lemrti  of  Tclriioninir. 

Tnil  stiff,  pointed,  weilge-sliniicd,  eiiimlliin;  or  exceeding  tlio  wings,  of  LH)  fentliern;  waly  and  tiiiir-liko 

ftiiitliei'8  on  bruust.    Titrti  tull-featliured.    Very  large Vintrnrvrom    2(i5 

Tall  utitt',  i>ulnted,  wedge-sliaiml,  much  shorter  tbun  wings,  of  18  feutliera;  no  obviously  iieeuliiir  feathers 

on  neek.    Tarsi  full-feathered J'ldiiictits    'JUC 

Tail  stiltisli,  rounded,  much  shorter  tliau  wing,  of  18  feathers :  wing-like  tufts  and  great  bare  space  on 

neck.    Tarsi  scant-feathered Cuiiiiloiiia    2(17 

Tail  soft,  roundeil,  about  as  long  as  wing,  of  18  feathers;  uuibrclla-liko  tufts  on  neck,  but  no  obvious 

bare  ^ipace.    Tarsi  bare  below Jionanti    'J08 

Tail  stiflish.  Hat,  B<iuare,  shorter  than  wing,  of  1G  or  20  feathers ;  no  evidently  peculiar  feathers  or  oliriiiiinlji 

bare  si>ace  on  neck.    Tarsi  full-feathered ('(iiiiirr    234 

Tail,  etc.,  a»  in  faHiirc.    Tarsi  and  toes  fully  feathered.    White  in  winter I.iujopus    20!) 

204.  CA'NACE.  (Lat.  Ciinace,  a  proper  name.)  Tkek  Gkoitse.  Hlack  (iuoisi;.  No  (devi- 
ously lengthened  or  otherwise  peculiar  feathers  on  neck  or  head.  No  ohciously  naked  space  on 
neck:  but  tiiere  is  a  [licce  of  skin  capable  of  distension,  especially  in  the  Western  species  of 
Dcndnujuims.  A  strip  of  baiv  colored  skin  over  eye.  No  crest.  Tarsi  feathered  to  the  toes. 
Tail  little  shorter  than  wing,  stiHish,  nearly  square,  of  broad,  «dttuse  feathers,  normally  lii  (in 
Cnnace  proper)  or  iJO  (in  Dendraf/apus)  in  number.  Of  medium  iind  large  size,  and  dark 
blended  colors,  inhiibiting  woodland,  like  the  species  of  Ilonasa,  and  (juite  arboretil ;  U(jrtherly 
and  alpine.     Sexes  distinguishable.     Eggs  heavily-colored. 

Anahisis  of  Suhgencrn,  Species,  and  I'arhtii'H. 

Tail  normally  of  16  feathers  (exceptionally  of  14  or  18,  as  an  indiviilual  iiecnliarity).   {Canacf  proiwr.) 

Tail  with  broad  orange-brown  cud,  its  upi>er  coverts  without  white  »iN)ts.     Kastcrn      .    .    rioiai/cn.ii.i    5rA 

Tail  without  orange-brown  end,  its  upiier  coverts  with  widtesiwts.     Western franklini    556 

Tail  normally  of  20  feathers  (exceptionally  18  or  22  ?).    (ncmlntijainto.)    Western. 
Tail  black,  with  broad  slate-colored  end. 

Under  parts  clear  bluish  slate  color.    Kocky  Mts.,  etc.,  southerly nbscuni    MT 

Under  parts  sooty  plumbeous.    Alaska.    .         fiiliyiiiosa    559 

Tall  black,  with  narrow  or  no  slate-colorcd  end.    Rocky  .Mts.,  etc.,  northerly richartlaoni    558 

555.  C.  canaden'sis.  (Of  Canada.  Fig.  V.ST.)  Canaoa  GuorsE.  Spotted  Grouse.  Spruce 
Grouse.  Spruce  "  Partridcje."  Adult  cock:  Head  smtKith,  but  feathers  susceptible  of  erec- 
tion into  a  slight  crest.  A  cidored  comb  of  naked  skin  over  the  eye,  bright  yellow  or  reddish 
wlien  fully  injected.  Tail  slightly  rounded,  of  If)  feathers,  a  scant  inch  broad  to  their  very  ends. 
Tarsi  full-feathered  to  the  toes,  wliich  are  naked,  scaly,  and  fringed.  Tail  black,  broadly  tii)ped 
with  orange-brown  ;  its  ujiper  coverts  witht)Ut  decidedly  white  tips.  Under  parts  glossy  bliick, 
extensively  varied  with  white  ;  under  tail-coverts  tippeil  with  white  ;  sides  and  breast  with 
white  bars  or  semicircles  ;  white  spots  boundini:  the  throat  ;  white  spots  on  lore.  Upper  parts 
wavy  —  barred  with  black  and  gray,  usmiUy  also  witii  some  tawny  markings  on  the  back  and 
wings.     In  full  feather,  the  appearance  is  of  a  black  bird,  grayer  a\  :  .e,  spotty  with  white 


bel( 


.-..-•7. 


TETRA ONIDJE  —  TETRAONINJE :    GROUSE. 


579 


ncli 

■lit 
>{ 
lie 


2(15 


aw 


i;a4 


l'"iii.  3117.  —  Ciuiailii  tir()ii!<t',  iiiit.  size.     (Ad  iiat. 
tlfl,  K.  C.) 


bolow,  and  orange  tail-ond.     Length  ii.sually  16.00-17.00;  wing  7.00;  tail  5.50.     Hon  rather 

sinallor.     No  ctiiitiiiiKnis  blacit  licluw.  wiicre  white  ant!  tawny,  hitter  jiarticnhirly  on  brea.«t, 

nearly  everywhere  pretty  regularly  wavy-harrej  with  blackish.    Ab..ve,  nn.re  like  the  tnale,  but 

browner.      Knd  of  tail  nmre  narrowly  orange. 

I'ulh'ts  resemble  the  hen.      N.  Am.,  E.  of  the 

U.  Mts.,  northerly,  in  w<iodlaiiil.     N.  nearly  or 

(|iiite  to  the  limit  of  trees;    N'.  W.  to   Alaska. 

S.   into  the  northern   tier   of  States,   es]tecially 

Maine,    Michigan,   anil   Minnesota ;    casually  to 

.Massachusetts.     It  is  a  very  hardy  bird,  enduring 

the  rigors  of  sub-arctic  winters,  and  not  properly 

migratory.     Kggs  numerous,  1.6S  X  1-20,  rather 

pointed,  buff-c(dored,  dotted,  sjiotted,  and  boldly 

splashed  with  rich  chestnut.     Shape  and  j)attern 

of  eggs  more  like  those  of  ptarmigan  tlian  of  the 

prairie  grouse. 

.»56.  f.  e.  fraiik'llnl.  (To  Sir  John  Franklin.)  Fi{.\nki-in's  Si-uick  (litoisi;.  Si/c,  shape,  and 
whole  appearance  of  the  foregoing.  Tail  rather  longer,  more  nearly  I'ven,  with  broader  featiiers  ; 
lacking  the  terminal  orange  bar;  tipped  narrowly  with  white,  its  u](iier  coverts  tipped  with 
white,  making  the  up])er  side  of  the  tail  conspicuously  spotty.  Hocky  and  Cascade  Mts., 
northerly,  in  V.  S.,  and  northward  about  sources  of  tli(^  Saskatchewan,  Athabasca,  and 
.McKenzie  Uiver.s.  A  mere  variety  of  C.  cunudensis :  the  variation  parallel  with  that  of  C. 
rwhardsom  as  compared  with  (.'.  obscitra. 

.■».'>7.  C.  obseu'ra.  (Lat.  nhsciira,  dark.)  DiSKV  Guot  SE.  Hu'K  Gijoi  si;.  IJit.w  (iuoisE. 
I'INE  Guoi'.SE.  Old  cock:  Hack  and  wings  blackish-brown,  finely  waved  and  vermiciilated 
in  zigzag  with  slate-gray,  mi.ved  with  more  or  less  ochrey-brown  and  soiiui  white  on  the  scapu- 
lars. F^ong  feathers  of  the  sides  witli  white  ends  and  shaft  stripes:  other  under  parts  line 
bluish-gray  or  light  slate  color,  varied  with  white,  esjiecially  on  the  lower  belly,  thinks,  and 
vent-feathers.  Cheeks  black  :  chin  and  throat  finely  speckled  with  black  and  white.  Though 
the  lateral  feathers  of  the  neck  are  sniootl.  and  simple,  formiusi  no  decided  tufts  as  in  Ciipidoiiia 
or  lionasii,  they  are  somewhat  enlarged,  covering  a  nulimeutary  tyiiipaniiiii :  these  feathers 
with  snowy  white  bases  and  black  tips.  Tail  brownish-black,  veined  and  marbled  with  tcray, 
and  with  a  broad  slate-gray  terminal  bar:  of  Ht  feathers,  broad  to  their  very  ends,  the  tail  a,-* 
a  whole  sligiitly  rounded.  Hill  black;  iris  brown -orange  ;  comb  over  eye.  Size  very  variable; 
well-grown  cocks  usually  20,  or  ii  inches,  sometimes  up  to  i  feet  long:  extent  of  wiiii;s  about 
.'50  inches;  wing  1)  or  10;  tail  7  or  *>.  Hen  smaller,  and  more  motley,  lighter  colored  and  more 
extensively  varied  with  white  and  tawny;  but  showing  the  distinctive  slate-gray  of  the  under 
parts,  and  the  slate  bar  at  end  of  the  tail.  Pullets  like  the  hen,  but  the  upper  parts  with  ham- 
mer-headed white  shaft-lines.  Tail  with  white  shaft-lines  enhirged  at  tlie  end,  also  niark<'d  on 
some  of  the  feathers  with  wavy  blackish  crossbars.  Uocky  and  other  Mts.,  U.  S.,  to  the  i'acific. 
As])ecies  of  general  tlispersion  in  eh'vated  and  wooded,  especially  conifenais.  regions  of  the  We.st. 
S.  to  N'ew  Me.\ico,  and  in  the  White  .Mts.  in  Arizona  ;  in  the  H.  .Mts.  northerly  shading  into 
var.  richardsoni.  A  large  cumbrous  bird,  itsually  disjilaying  stolidity  or  indifference  to  the 
presence  of  man,  taking  to  trees  when  disturbed,  and  very  easily  slauuhtered.  Eggs  larger, 
more  elongated,  and  less  heavily  c(dored  than  those  of  spruce  grouse  and  ](tarmigan  ;  creamy- 
buff,  finely  freckled  all  over  with  chocolate-brown,  seldom  with  any  large  spots  :  2.00  X  l-')0. 

358.  C.  o.  ricli'arrtsonl.  (To  Sir  John  Hiciiardson.)  HiciiAunsoN's  DiSKV  (iuotSE.  Size, 
shape,  and  whole  appearance  of  the  fia-egoiiig.  Tail  rather  longer,  more  nearly  even,  with 
broader  feathers,  having  the  terminal  slate  bar  reduced  or  wanting :  general  color  more  uni- 
formly darker,  black  of  throat  more  extensive.     Kocky  Mts.,  northerly,  U.  S.  and  northward. 


680 


SYSTEMATIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  GALIJXJF.  — ALECTi)R<)P()l)Kfi. 


A  mere  variety,  only  rccogiiizublc  when  fully  developed  ;  many  intermediate  specimens  cannot 
be  fairly  rcfcrvcd  to  one  ratlier  than  the  otlier. 

S50.  V,.  o.  fiiliKino'sa.  (Lat.  fidiffinosa,  s(K)ty.)  Sooty  Okoisk.  With  tlie  hroad  slate  tail- 
l>iir  of  ohsciim  projjer,  but  culors  darker  than  iu  richardsoni  even.  Al>ove,  blaekisli,  niinnti'iy 
ficekled  with  gray  and  rusty-brown;  below,  dark  pliiinbcous.  Tlie  lien  is  more  diHerent.  with 
prevailinj^  rich  rusty  and  cliestuut-browu  markings.  Nortliweji  coast  inouutuins,  Oregon  to 
Sitka. 
206.  CKXTKOCER'CUS.  (Or.  Kivrpov,  Tcentrnn,  a  sjiine,  jnickle;  (ctpitoy,  kerlcon,  tail.)  SA(iF, 
OltnisE.  Sl'IXE-T.\IL  Guof.SE.  Of  great  size.  Tail  very  lolii;.  ciiualliiiu:  or  e.\ceediiig  tlie 
wings,  of  20  stiifened,  narrow,  acuminate  feathers,  much  graduated  in  lenuth.  Xeek  su.seept- 
ible  of  enormous  distension  by  means  of  air-sacs  covered  with  naked  livid  skin — not  reiridarly 
lieniispherical  and  lateral  like  those  of  Cii])iilimiii.  but  forming  a  ureal  protMberanci'  in  front  of 
irregular  contour;  surmounted  by  a  fringe  of  hair-like  filanicnts,  several  inches  long,  springing 
from  a  mass  of  erect  white  feathers;  covered  below  with  a  solid  set  of  sharj)  white  horny 
feathers,  like  lish-scales.  (Tlie  affair  is  not  easy  to  describe  in  few  words,  especially  as  it  is 
constantly  changing  with  the  wear  of  the  feathers,  and  is  only  fully  exhibited  by  thi^  cock 
during  the  amours.  The  anatomical  arrangement  for  inflation  is  only  a  sjiecial  e.xhibition  of 
the  air-sacs  of  other  genera,  as  Ciipkhiiia  and  I'cdiuwtvs  ;  the  peculiarities  of  the  feathers 
are  the  inherited  results  of  habitual  attrition,  the  birds  rubbing  the  breast  against  the 
ground  in  their  love-sjiasms  ;  and,  as  said,  the  state  of  the  i)arts  is  always  changing  with  the 
wear  of  the  feathers.  This  accounts  for  the  vague  or  conflicting  statements  of  authors.) 
Tarsus  feathered  to  the  toes.  Digestive  system  remarkable  for  the  slight  muscularity  of  the 
trizzard,  which  is  rather  a  nu-mbraucais  paunch  than  a  grist-mill ;  the  idrd  browses  rather  than 
scratches  for  a  living,  feeding  on  wormwood  and  al.so  extensively  on  insects.  Sexes  similar  in 
color,  unlike  in  size  and  to  sonu'  extent  in  form.     One  jirairie  species,  perfectly  terrestrial. 

500.  C!.  uroptaasla'nus.  ((Ir.  ovpa,  oiirii,  XaW;  (^atriai/oy,  y^/c/sfVoias-,  a  jiheasatit.)  S.\(ie  Cock. 
S.MiE  Hex.  Cock  of  the  I'laixs.  Lamest  of  American  Grouse.  Full  grown  cock  2-2i 
feet  long;  extent  of  wings  3  feet  or  more;  wing  anil  tail  about  a  foot;  M-eight  upwards  of  4 
pounds.  Hen  a  third  smaller.  Above,  varied  with  black,  gray,  brown  and  buff;  below, 
chiefly  white,  with  a  larg.;  sipnirish  black  area  on  the  belly.  To  describe  the  peculiar  neck- 
feathering  of  the  idd  cock  more  |)artieularly  :  On  eacii  side  is  a  jtatch  of  feathers,  meeting  in 
front,  with  extremely  stiff  bases,  pndonired  into  hair-like  filaments  some  three  inches  in  length; 
with  the  wearing  away  of  these  feathers  in  the  peculiar  actions  of  the  bird  in  ])airing-time, 
their  hard  horny  bases  are  left,  forming  the  "  tish-scales "  above  said.  In  front  of  these 
peculiar  feathers  is  the  naked  tympauum,  capable  of  enormous  inflation  under  amatory  excite- 
ment. Above  them  is  a  tuft  of  down-feathers,  covered  with  a  set  of  long  soft  filamentous 
plumes  corresponding  to  the  ruff  of  Bonriia.  Many  breast  feathers  reseiid)le  the  .scaly  ones  of 
the  neck,  and  are  commonly  fiamd  worn  to  a  bristly  "  thread-bare"  state.  Scaly  bases  of  the 
feathers  soiled  white:  the  thready  ends  blackish;  the  Huffy  feathers  snowy-white,  like  wool, 
the  longer  ovi'rlying  lihnnentous  plinnes  mlossy  blaidj.  Chin  and  throat  blackish,  speckled  with 
white  ends  of  the  feathers,  usually  jm'senting  a  definite  white  half-collar.  Lining  of  wings 
white.  Hen  :  Lensith  about  -20  inches;  wing  10  inches  ;  tail  7  or  S,  of  same  general  <-haracter 
as  the  cock's,  but  softer,  shorter,  less  enneate,  with  more  ra]iidly  tapering  featlufrs.  A  small 
tympanam,  but  no  obviously  jieculiar  feathers  on  neck.  Coloration  (piite  like  that  of  the  cock. 
I'ullet :  No  peculiar  neck-feathers  ;  tail  beginninir  to  show  its  special  form  ;  general  coloration 
of  the  hen.  Before  the  September  moult,  all  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  with  sharj) 
white  hannner-headed  shaft  lines,  and  circular  sjwitting  of  the  feathers  of  the  breast.  Sooty 
belly-patch  .showing  with  the  first  feathering.  Chick  in  down  altogether  different  from  the 
dingy  yellow  chick  of  Pediacetes  ;  below  grayish-white,  above  gray-brown  mottled  with  black; 
bill  black.     This  remarkabh'  bird,  quite  u  Roland  for  the  Capercaillie's  Oliver,  inhabits  the 


TKTUA  <K\WyK  -  TKTHA OSIN^E :    GliOriSE. 


681 


laiiiiot 

tail- 
lilfcly 

with 
l;i)||  tl> 


stprilp  saRr-liiish  plains  of  tlic  Wrst;  an  a)inn<Uiiit  and  cliaraotoristii'  s])('rip»  fif  thosp  fiirliidflinfr 
regions,  licgiiininK  with  tlic  Ka.>.t('rn  slnpi's  and  t'lHit-liiils  of  tlif  I{.  Mts.,  Smitli  into  New- 
Mexico  and  Arizona,  sparingly  N.  to  4!(''  or  inlightly  fnrther,  in  the  Milii  Kiver  reginn.  Not  in 
Ualiota  east  of  the  ("otean,  or  in  the  Missouri  llasin  niucii  below  the  ^'elhiwstone  eoinilry. 
Its  eentre  of  ahundanee  is  the  arteniisia  traets  of  Cnjorado,  Wyomint;.  I'tah,  Nevada,  Idaho, 
Eastern  Ciilifornia,  and  Oregon.  It  straggles  throiiiih  the  sage-i>iish,  hiit  I  have  seen  packs  of 
hnndreds  in  the  fall.  In  the  breeding  season  its  sononms  hiillaliulloo  resounds  on  every  hand 
where  the  birds  are  numerous.  The  llesh  is  edihli'  or  not,  "as  you  liive  it."  The  bchavinr 
towards  man  varies  with  circumstances;  sonietiiiies  tlie  birds  may  almost  be  kliocUed  over  with 
ii  sti<'U,  at  others  it  is  diliicult  to  get  a  shot.  In  walking,  the  tail  is  somewhat  idevated.  and 
swings  sideways  with  each  step.  The  Might  is  extremely  vigorous,  and  at  times  greatly  pm- 
tracteil,  with  wings  so  widely  expanded  that  the  tips  of  the  primaries  stand  apart;  the  course 
rapid  and  steady  when  the  bird  is  once  fairly  on  wing,  accomplished  with  a  succession  of  <piicU 
energetic  wing-beats,  alteniating  with  sailing  with  stitHy  motionles.s  wings  until  the  iiii|)ul-<' 
is  spent.  From  the  natnn^  of  its  resorts  the  bird  is  exclusively  terrestrial.  The  egi;  is  nar- 
rower and  more  |>ointed  than  that  of  any  other  grouse  of  oin- conntry,  measuring  from  2.05  to 
2.25  in  length  by  1.50-1.00  in  breadth;  grayi.sh  or  greenish-drab  f(dor,  thickly  speckled  with 
choc<date-brown,  mostly  in  minute  dots  evenly  distributed,  occasionally  with  well-defined  spots 
np  to  the  size  of  a  split  pea.  tending  to  circular  shape. 
206.  PEDICE'CKTES.  ((Jr.  trtfiioi/,  pediou,  a  plain;  o(«'n;r,  oiAWr.v,  an  inhabitant.)  I'lX-TAil. 
(illDf.SK.  Xeck  without  obviously  peculiar  feathers,  like  those  either  of  the  pinnated  or 
ruffed  grouse  or  .sage  cock,  but  with  a  hidden,  definitely  circuniscrilied  space  on  each  siile  of 
reddish,  vascular,  and  distensiblf  skiu,  constituting  an  undeveloped  tyiripanuni,  over  which 
lies  a  lateral  series  of  slightly  eiilartfed  feathers.  Head  lightly  crested,  the  longest  feathers  of 
the  crown  fallini;  on  the  occiput ;  a  cresccutic  naked  i)atcli  over  each  eye  of  numerous  orange 
or  chronie-yeUow  fringe-like  ]trocesses,  in  several  jiarallel  curved  rows.  Feet  full-featheir  1  to 
between  the  bases  of  the  toes,  with  long,  hair-like  plumage  reaching  to  or  beyond  the  end  of  the 
hind  claw;  toes  above  with  one  row  of  Itroad,  transverse  scutella.  a  row  on  each  side  of  smaller 
rounded  scales,  and  a  conspicuous  frinire  of  horny  processes;  below,  bossed  and  scabrous. 
Tail  much  shorter  than  the  wings,  normally  of  IS  true  rectrices,  of  wliich  the  central  jiair  are 
soft,  parallel-edged  and  sfpntre-tipped,  projecting  an  inch  or  two  beyond  the  next  pair;  the 
rest  rapiilly  graduated,  stiflish,  and  crisp  (making  a  creakini:  .sound  when  rubbiul  together)  ; 
at  first  about  straight-edged,  soon  beeoming  eluli-shaped  (with  a  constriction  near  the  apex) 
by  mutual  attrition.  Sexes  simihir,  but  cork  rather  larger  and  darker  than  thi'  hen,  with  more 
jiroininent  snpraciliary  papilla-,     due  species,  of  two  varieties,  of  prairie,  perfectly  terrestrial. 

.■tnnhiiii.1  nf  t'iiriitif>. 
Northern  Sharp-lailetl  (irou.ii:    The  ni.irkiiigs  bl.ick,  wliito  and  il.irk  brown,  with  little  or  no  t.iwny; 
spots  on  the  under  parts  numerous,  blackish,  V-shaiied ;  thi-ont  white,  speckled.    (.Vrctlc  America.  | 

plinninnilhtH    3C1 
Common  Sharit-taihd  (Iroime.    The  markings  Mack,  white,  and  especially  tawny ;  below,  the  bimiIs  fewir, 
lirown,  U-shaped;  throat  bulf.    (U.S.  and  adJoiidnK  ISrltisli  Province rolitmhiniiii.i    .102 

501.  P.  phasianel'lus.  (Diminutive  of  Lat.  ^(/(rt.smjNrs,  a  pheasant.)  Xoutiierx  Sii.\ni'-T.\ri,i:n 
Gkoise.  As  above,  in  compari-Son  with  the  ordinary  bird  next  described.  Very  clark-cidored, 
in  blackish  and  white  variegation,  with  little  buff",  even  in  the  fall.  The  inarkint:s  below 
heavier,  in  shaqior,  more  aiTow-headed  shape,  quite  blackish.  The  feet  very  heavily  feathered, 
almost  like  a  ptannigan's.  Interior  of  Uritish  America,  E.  to  Hudson's  Hay.  X.  and  W.  to 
the  Yukon,  southward  shading  directly  into  the  T".  S.  bird,  before  reaching  19°.  This  is  the 
true  Tctran  phasifoieUKs  —  a  name  conunonly  a|)plied  to  the  next  variety. 

562.  P.  p.  oolunibla'nus.  (Of  the  ('(dunibia  River.  Fig.  ,'?98.)  Common  Sii.\np-T.\ii.i".i>  Gkhusk. 
Pr.\iuie  Chicken'  ok  the  Xokthwe.st.     Adult  ^  9  :  Upper  parts  closely  and  pretty  evenly 


682  SYSTEM  A  I'lC  SYNOPSIS.  —  GALL  TNuE  -  A  LECTOliOl'ODKS 

vftriegated  with  bliuikiMli-hrowii,  rt'ddisli-hrowii,  mid  ffruyisli-brDWti,  tlu<  ]mttoni  Hiniil  on  tlm 
riimi)  mid  Idwit  l)ack,  wlicrt'  tlic  Idui'kisli  in  mostly  in  !timri>-iin)u;l<'d  starx  ;  X\w  rrddisli  nmst  con- 
Hliicinms  on  tlir  MpiHT  l)a('i<,  and  Ixitii  tin'  JiiflittTrniiirM  nvorywlicrt"  finely  xprinldcd  witli  blacklKJi. 
Win>,'-<'i)V('rts  like  thi'  npiicr  hack,  hat  with  nniniTonr*  cimHiiirniMm  ninndvd  white  spots,  one  mi 
tho  end  (if  each  feather.  Crown  and  hack  of  neck  nearly  like  the  hack,  hut  in  smaller  pattern,  and 
the  nlHrkin^s  mostly  transverse.  An  illy-delined  white  area  on  each  side  of  the  neck,  over  llie 
tympanum,  and  slight  whitish  stripe  behind  the  eye.  'i'hroat  tine  li>;ht  hnff,  usually  immac- 
ulate, hut  sometimes  finely  speckled 
<pnte  across.  Under  ])arts  white,  more 
or  less  tinted  with  hnti'  toward  the 
throat:  the  hreast  with  nunn'rous  r(*)t;u- 
lar  dark-hrown  I'-shaped  spots,  imo 
on  each  feather;  similar  hut  snuiller, 
sharper,  and  fewer  such  spots  thence 
scattered  over  most  of  the  under  parts, 
only  the  middle  of  the  helly  h  ';  left 
unmarkeil.     L<in/;  featlier,s  (  sitlcs 

unth'r  the  wings  nnitching  ]>or 

wing-coverts  nearly  ;  iniih'r  wii.^-cov- 
erts  and  a.xillaries  pm-e  white,  not 
markeil ;  flunks  with  hars  or  U-spots 
of  <iark  brown.  Kegs  grayish-white, 
umnarked.  Quills  of  the  wings  fns- 
••oiis ;  outer  webs  of  the  secondaries 
with  equidistant,  s([uari.sh,  white  or 
tawny  sj)ots,  the  secondaries  tipi)ed 
and  imperfectly  twi<'e  or  thrice  barred 
with  white,  and  gradually  becoming 
sprinkled  with  the  varied  ccdors  of  the 
back,  .so  that  the  innermost  of  them  are 
almost  precisely  like  the  greater  coverts.  Four  middle  tail-feathers  variegated,  niucii  like  the 
back  ;  others  white,  or  grayish-white,  on  tlni  inner  wtd)s,  the  outer  webs  being  mottled  ;  a  few 
under  tail-coverts  .spotted,  the  rest  white  ;  np]ier  tail-coverts  nearly  like  the  rump.  Iris  light 
brown;  bill  dark  horn-color;  part  i>f  imder  nnmdibh!  Hesh-colored  ;  (daws  like  hill;  toes  on 
top  light  bom-color,  the  8(des  darker.  Length,  18  or  20  in(dies;  e.vtent  <Jf  to  150;  wing 
8  to  9 ;  middle  tail-feathers  4  to  0;  shortest  tail-feathers  (outennost),  about  li  ;  tarsi, 
2  inches;  middle  toe  niid  claw  about  the  same;  culmen  of  bill  about  H ;  gape  of  bill  1  to  U  ; 
depth  of  bill  at  ba.se  \  or  ratht?r  l(>ss.  Pullets,  before  first  moult :  IVown  bright  brown,  varied 
with  black.  Sharp  white  shaft-lines  above,  which,  with  a  bhudt  area  on  ea(di  feather,  conti'ast 
with  the  fine  gray  and  brown  mottling  of  the  upper  purt.^.  Wing-coverts  and  inner  (piills 
with  whitish  sjiots.  Several  inner  tail-feathers  with  whiti.sh  .shaft  lines,  and  mottled  with 
blackish  and  brown.  Lower  throat  and  brea.st  with  ninuerous  dark  brown  spots;  sides 
similar,  the  nnirkings  lengthening  into  streaks.  Hill  brown  above,  pale  below.  This  lasts 
till  the  Sejitemher  moult  is  com]deted.  Chicdis  hatch  dingy  yellow,  mottled  on  the  crown, 
back,  and  M-ings  with  brown  and  black.  The  I'in-tail  f'hi(d«en  inhabits  the  western  portions  of 
Minnesota,  a  small  |)art  of  Iowa,  all  of  Dakota,  thence  diatronally  across  Nebraska  and  Kansas 
to  Colorado  in  the  Laramie  and  npper  IMatte  rt>gions  ;  thence  westward  in  suitable  country  to 
the  Sierra  Nevada  and  Cascade  Ranges ;  northern  limit  to  be  conventionally  established  along 
the  N.  border  of  the  V.  S.,  beyond  which  it  shadi>s  into  the  true  phnsianelluH.  In  fine,  this  is 
the  prairie  chicken  of  the  whole  Northwest ;  usually  occurring  where  C.  cupido  does  not,  the  two 


Fio.  3!)8.  —  lluoU  of  Slmrp-tallod  Oruuse,  imt.  hIzu.    (Ad 
nat.  del.  E.  C.) 


207. 


TLTJiA ONIDJE ~  TETliA ONINA: :    GROUSE. 


688 


•II  tlm 

Nt   I'OII- 

ii-kJNli. 

•Illl'   nil 

I'll,  mill 
vcr  III.. 

IIIIIJIC- 

H'cklnj 
nil  ire 
I  tli.i 
n-Kii- 

r  IIIIC 
lllllci', 

ICIICC 
JIIIIIn, 

J    Ml 

sides 
jior 


I 


Flo.  399.  —  Koot  of  Pralrlo  lion,  imt.  nlzc.    (Ail  tint.  ilul.  K  t;  ) 


ovprlnp  til  BoiiiP  oxti'iit,  Fomiprly  niii^oil  in  all  ilin  iirairic  of  Miiiiii'sntn,  Mio)iii;an,  nml  Iowa, 
but  in  iiunIu'iI  wrHtwiiril  liy  tlii'  uniiii-liflils-  tlir  siiiiir  ciiiTyiiit.'  riipiilo  ulllll^.  V.nn»  .'i-lD  12- 
13,  ill  Jlllir;  uruyiHli-olivc  or  (Inib-folnri'il,  iinirnrnily  ilnttril  with  limwii  imiiits,  rmrly  liiri;ir 
than  II  iiiii-licail ;  always  i|uit<i  iliti'iTi'iit  iVniii  l\nisf  ii( i:ii]ti(lo  ;  l.lill  tn  I. SI)  Imii;  hy  1,-20  In  l..'|fl 
briiail;  aviTago  1.7")Xl-«''-  A  tiin'  Kaiiic  ami  labile  binl,  in  all  iTmici'tM  lilic  riiiiiilu. 
207.  CUI'IDO'MA.  (N'aiiii'  ilrrivi'il  tViUn  ('((ynWo,  which  f*ir  brlnw.)  I'lN-NF.iK  (Jlinr.sK.  Nii'k 
with  a  |ii'i'uliar  tuft  nn  inieli  Hidu  <>(  Unmv,  leugthciit'il,  U4'uiiiinatt)  tratluTH,  like  littli.'  wings, 
beneath  which  in 
a  I'inmlar  )iiiti'h  nl' 
bare,  yi'lliiw  skin, 
I'lijiabli'  III'  ^'reat 
ilistoiisiiiu,  like  tlm 
hairiif  a  small  or- 
nufH'.  llcail  with  |i%^ 
a  sliiflit  siil't  cri'st. 
Tarsi  scaiit-lrath- 
ercil  to  till!  tors  in 
front  anil  on  siiles, 

bare  on  a  strip  behind  ;  toes  extensively  webbed  at  liase.  Tail  short,  rotniilril.  of  IS  broad 
stitKsh  feathers,  with  obtusely  roiindeii  ends.  .Sexes  nearly  alike  in  size,  form,  and  eolnr; 
]iluinaf;(S  below  barred  transversely.         »■  s|ieeies,  l'  varieties,  of   prairie,  perfi'etly  terrestrial. 

Auahi-'"*  of  ynrirtifn. 
The  Common  iiiiiii.    Tariial  rontliors  lililliit;  tlm  biiro  xtrlp.     Dark  liars  aboTo  block,  anil  broail;  top  of 

lieail  miiBtly  bliu'klith rii/iiiln    rti:) 

Tkx.vs  niiii).    TiirHi  very  Hcniil-featliored,  tlio  bare  atrip  exposed.    Dark  bars  almve  brown  anil  iiiirn>»  : 

top  of  liRoil  llttlu  liliU'klMJi imltiilwhiclun    MM 

503a    C.  cupi'du.     ('I'lie  tufts  on  the  mrk  likened  to  eoiiventional  "eupid's  wiiijis."     Figs.  3'J'J,  400.) 

PiNNATFI)      (iltDl'Si;. 

"tV  .  ^-^  I'UAIUIK  IIkn.     (J  9: 

Above, variegated  with 
blai'k,  brown,  tawny, 
or  oehrey,  ami  white, 
the  latter  ospeeially 
on  the  wintis;  below, 
]iretf  y  regularly  barred 
with  dark  brown, 
white,  and  tawny ; 
throat  tawny,  a  little 
speckled,  or  not;  vent 
and  cri.ssuni  mostly 
white;  unills  fuscous, 
with  white  spots  on 
the  outer  webs:  tnil 
fuscous,  with  narrow 
or  imperfect  white  or 
-•■^**v.'-t-  tawny  bai-s  and  tips; 

Fio.  400.  —  Pralrlo  Hen.    (From  Lewis.)  sexes    alike    in    color, 

but  9  smaller,  with  shorter  neck  tufts.  Length  16.00-18.00 ;  extent  about  2*^.00 ;  wing 
S.00-9.00;  tail  about  4..50;  tarsus  rather  over,  middle  toe  and  claw  rather  under,  2.00;  neck- 
tufts  2.00-3.50  inches  long.     This  well-known  bird  formerly  ranged  across  the  United  States, 


M^Jih 


6«4 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  GALLING  —  ALE CTOROP ODES. 


in  iipen  (•oiintry,  fnnn  the  Atliuitif  to  the  Eastoni  fnot-hills  nf  tJie  R.  Mts.,  in  sonip  Intitudos, 
unil  low  iibi'uuilst  on  the  jirairifs.  frimi  Illinois  and  Wisconsin,  to  .Midilie  Kansas  at  least,  if  not 
found  on  tlie  dryer  plains  westward.  Its  usual  range  includes  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri,  Eastern 
half  of  Minnesota,  Soutbcastern  Dakota,  Middle  and  Eastern  Kansas  and  Nebraska,  Arkansas, 

and  Eastern  Texas.  It  is  cre<'i)ing  westward 
with  the  grain  fields.  Ten  years  ago  it  mixed 
ivith  the  sharp-tails  about  St.  Paul's,  Minne- 
sota, and  up  the  Missouri  to  beyond  Sioux 
;*^^^^^^fc^gf»~^  (.'ity.     TIh"  line  of  railroad  is  a  favorite  liigh- 

I^Qy^^^H^^I^^  way  for  the  birds.      It  has  been  almost  ex- 

hi^SS|^^^^S^^Bk  tirpated   in   the   Middle  and    Eastern   States, 

^VapjB^SSB^^^^^  thougli    it  still   oeeiirs   s]iaringiy  in  isolated 

'-^-'-,  '  f^^MH^^^^^^^^     localities   in  New  York,  New  Jersey,   Penn- 
■•^  J  ,  ii^-.'S^-^*^^^^   sylvania.  Long  Island,  Nantucket,  and  Mar- 
'*^  tha's  Vineyard,  etc.      Its  abundance,  and  the 

excellence  of  its  tlesli,  render  it  an  object  of 
Fiu  4(11. —  Head  of  itutiua  Uioiiso,  iiat.  size.    (Ad     connnercial  importance.     Though  there  may 
nat.  del.K.  C.)  I„.  ,•„,,,,  j„.„i,,n,iii,y  „f  i,^  ..xtinction,  legisla- 

tion against   its  wanton  or  ill-timed  destruction   is  a  measure  of  obvious  jimiiriety.      Eggs 
averaging  shorter,  rounder,  and  smaller  than  those  of  the  sharp-tail;  pale  greenish-gray,  with 
sometimes  a  glaucous  bloom,  usually  unmarked,  sometimes  very  minutely  dotted  with  brown. 
564.    C.   e.    pallidicinc'tn.       (Lat.  piillidiis,  pale;   ciiicliis,   begirt.)     Pai,e  Pixxatki)  Guoisk. 
Above,  the  dark  markings  not  in  excess  of  the  lighter  markings,  and  rather  brown  than  black  : 
below,  the  dark  bars  very  pale  and  narrow.     Tarsi  scant  feathered,  exposing  the  bare  strip 
behind.     Southwestern  prairies;  a  local  n'.ce,  from  warmer  and  dryer  regiims. 
208.    BOXA'SA.     (Gr.  liovaaos, 
Lat.  hiniusiix,  a  bison:  tlu! 
■•dnmiming"  of  the   bird 
being  likened   to  the  bel-  W^^^v^^P  \  >, 

lowing  of  a  bull.)    Hifked  ]d^---^^^m  S      ^^a . 

(iKors;:.      Head    with    a  ■'^Si^l^^^^tjfeilSSS^  "^    fk  v  ^'^ 

tull   soft    crest.       Neck    on  y       's    '.i^j^HHl^Xi^cr^^'-"^^^^'!^^^ 

e.ich    side   with    :i    tuft    of  J  ..;,.{c3,,  "  " 

numerous    (13~;i0)    broad  A^fr^ -^      '^^^^^H^^^I^SH%^^^^^'' 

soft  ghissy-black   feathers,  V^  l.'.'^Bi-      '^^^^^^i^^^^^^^HM 

covering   the    rudimentary  jL'^^B^H^^    ^^^^^^HRSIOI^H^POF ^   /'/_ 

tvmitanum.    I'ail  about  as  ^mA^^I^^k!'  .^^V^^^^^^SB^^^/'        ^""•'■'* 
long  as  the  wings,  amply 

roiuided  or  fan-shaped,  nor-  h^^^^^^^^b^^^^b^^^Hv    ^n         ^^^M^'i    iiill 

feathers,      with      truncate  ^Ilil^&MHRr^^ 

ends.       Tarsi     scantfeath- 

ered,    naked    below,    with  ,        <v'..«,    'jJr,'^..-    -     ■~> 

two  or  three  rows  of  sen-  '^^>./-^^,  ..'*^*">^.'^ " 

tcHa  in  front.    Plumage  of 

blended  and  vmie.l  colors  :  *"'"•  •*"-  "  ""«''^''  '■•"""^''    <"•'■•""'  ''«"'«•' 

se.v.'s  alike.    Woodlaml  species,  more  or  less  arboreal,  of  common  occurrence  in  suitable  places. 

Annlijuiii  r\f  I'ariitiin. 

Bronii,  i>f  mixed  ami  varied  vliadeH  of  reiMlitli  and  gray.    Kai«terii  and  Xdrllicm vmlnlla  MTi 

Pale;  slaty-Krav  tlie  prerailiiiK  xliade.     ItiHky  Mniintniii  rei;i(in uniliillciili.i  Till! 

Dark;  clicstiiut-bruwn  the  iirevailitiK  eliado.    Pacillc  Coast  region mhinii  Ml 


r,a:t.  1 


snn. 


,'i«7, 


I        ^^^ 


TETRA ONIDJI':  —  TKrUA  ONINyE :    GROUSE. 


585 


udos, 
if  not 
stern 
nsas, 
ward 

ixp(l 
niiiL'- 
•iiiiix 
lijrli- 

cx- 

atcs. 

lati'il 

■nn- 

Mar- 

tlic 
•vt  of 


.'i()5.  B.  iiinbel'la.  {Lut- umbella,  an  nnilu  I,  mnlircll;.;  f/m6«v(,  ^shuJ(^  shadow ;  alludiui;  totlii- ncok- 
tufts.  Figs.  401,  KW.)  UiFFKi>(Jij<)i -i!;.  ••  I'AUTUiiMiK  ;  "  New  Kuglund.  "  I'ukasam  ; " 
Middle  and  Southern  States.  J  9  '■  Almxc,  variegated  reddisli-  or  grayisii-hrown,  tlie  haek  with 
nuiiH-nitis,  oldong,  pah',  hhiei\-edged  spots,  iielow,  wliitisli,  harred  with  lirowii.  Tail  hrowu 
or  gray,  numerously  and  narrowly  hiacU-iiarred,  witii  a  hroad  suhtenninal  Idaek  zone,  ami 
tipped  witli  gray.  Tho  neek-rutlle  of  the  ^  mostly  glossy  black,  and  very  full  ;  of  tin;  9 
smaller  and  more  lirown.  The  colors  are  endlessly  varied  as  well  as  blended,  and  tlie  prevailing 
tone  of  the  brown  birds  of  the  F.ast  shatles  insensibly  into  that  of  the  Western  varieties. 
Length  Kl.Od-lS.OO;  extent  ^':i.()(t ;  wing  r.lll)->.il(( :  tail  about  the  .same.'  A  woodland  bird, 
like  the  species  of  ('(Iikicc,  abundantly  distributed  over  Fastern  .\orth  America;  in  the  I'.  S. 
to  the  central  plains:  in  Hrit.  Am.  to  Alaska.  If  is  well  known  under  the  above  names  in 
ditt'erent  sections;  but  it  is  neither  a  "partridge"  nor  a  "  pheasant,"'  heiui;.  in  tine,  a  IkUll'i  il 
flrouse.  Till  '•  drunnning"  .sound  f<ir  which  this  bird  is  noted,  is  not  vocal,  as  some  siipposi', 
but  is  produced  by  rapidly  beating  the  wings.  Kgg.s  very  characteristic,  from  creamy  white  to 
creamy  butt',  usually  immaculate,  sometimes  minutely  dotted  or  even  speckled  with  brown;  they 
resemble  partridgi'  eggs  also  in  shaiie,  which  approaches  the  pyriform,  broad  and  blunt  at  one 
end.  pointed  at  the  other;  size  about  l.CtV)  X  \.'iO. 

jftO.  It.  II.  iiinbrllu'i'ilrH.  (Lat.  iimhclUi,  as  above  defined,  and  Gr.  «t8oj,  fidoK,  resemblance.) 
(iHAV  l{ri"I'i:i>  (JkcU'.si;.  A  variety  of  the  last,  of  very  ditt'erent  tone  of  color  in  its  extreme 
development,  but  shading  into  the  conunon  Hiitl'ed  by  insensible  (h-grees  in  llrit.  Am.  When 
fully  manifested,  as  follows:  Lower  hack,  rump,  upper  tail-coverts  and  tail  slate-gray,  with 
little  if  any  brown  tinge:  the  feathers  of  the  back  and  rump  with  light  gray  cordate  or  arrow- 
beaded  spots  narrowly  bordered  with  black,  the  tail-feathers  linely  vermiculated  with  black,  and 
with  a  hroad  snbterminal  black  zone.  HutHe  glo.ssy  greenish-black.  I'nder  parts  whitish,  more 
or  loss  tinged  with  tawny-browii,  with  several  broad  brown  cross-bars  on  each  feather,  largest 
and  most  clistinct  on  the  long  feathers  of  the  sides,  some  of  which  have  also  white  shaft  lines; 
heavy  feathers  of  Hanks  anil  vent  mostly  whitish,  unmarked.  Feathers  of  fore-neck  and  .scap- 
ulars blendi'il  with  gray,  rich  reddish-brown,  odirey-brown,  and  white,  in  inde.scrihabl(!  con- 
fusion. .Most  of  the  wing-coverts  with  white  sliaft-lines.  Hen  with  the  ruiHe  le.ss  ih'vcdoped, 
varied  with  brown  and  white,  (leneral  torn-  more  rufous  than  in  the  cock.  Kocky  Mt.  region, 
V .  S..  running  into  both  the  other  varieties. 

."jfll.  H.  siihiiiii.  (To  ,F.  Sabine.)  IJkii  Wiiikm  (iitdisi;.  (»iti;(i()x  l{i;rn.i>  (fitof.sK.  More 
nearly  resembling  the  common  riiHed  grouse.  l)ut  the  coloralion  more  heavily  brown, — darker 
and  richer.  .Mori"  blackish  to  the  brown,  and  the  latter  almost  chestmit  in  well-marked  cases. 
I'acilic  coast  region,  Oregon  to  Alaska. 
209.  K.VtlO'l'l'S.  (dr.  Xnyojjrot't,  littlDiiiiiin.  Lat.  Iilfiiijtiis,  hare-l'ool  :  the  densely-feathered  feet 
resemhli'  those  of  rabbits.)  I'tak.MIcan.  Snow  (iltoisi;.  No  peculiar  feathers  on  head  or 
neck.  Tarsi  ami  toes  ileiisely  feathered.  Tail  short,  little  rounded,  normally  of  1  I-  broad 
feathers,  with  long  upper  coverts,  some  of  which  resemble  reclrices.  the  central  pair  of  these 
usually  rei'koued  Jis  rectrices,  m.ikiiig  Id.  .\  naked  red  coinh  over  eye.  Horeal  and  alpine 
grouse,  sh;ipe<l  nearly  as  in  Ciinnci',  reniiirkable  for  thi'  seasonal  changes  of  plniiia!;e.  becomini; 
in  winter  snow-while  (excepting  the  Ihitish  insular  race),  '{'here  are  only  five  or  six  species, 
at  most,  and  probably  fewer:   we  eertaiirly  have  the  three  here  given. 

.innhiMiM  »;/"  S/ii  rii  .<. 

1'ilil  bliick  at  nil  soiiiiniiH. 

Tlio  HiuiiimT  iiliun.iBC  mimtly  rich  I'lieKlmil  nr  (iriiiiKi'-lirown,  anil  binrk.     In  whilor,  no  liliii'k  i<trli«' 

on  lieinl.     Hill  Ktmit nlhiif    .lOS 

Tlie  Kuminci'  plinnntff  wIkiIIv  lirownliili-.vcllciw  ami  block,  except  im  winKx  anil  lall.    In  u  Inlrr  .1  bl  nk 

ntriim  iin  licail.     Illll  Hlcnilcr i-h//.  .</n.<    ."KiS 

Tnil  nlilli!  at  all  noaHiniH. 

Tlie  Riuinncr  plumage  oclirey-bniwn  ami  black.     In  winter  entirely  wliito Iruriinia    riM 


686 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  GALLINJE  —  ALECTOlifJPODL'S. 


568.  L.  airbus.  (Lat.  albus,  wliito.  Figs.  403,  40i.)  Willow  Grocse.  Willow  Ptaumiuan. 
Bill  very  stout  ami  eoiivox,  its  depth  at  base  as  much  as  the  distance  fnnii  nasal  fossa  to  tip; 
whole  culinen  0.75  ;  bill  black  at  all  seasons.  ,J  J  ,  in  -.viiiter :  Snow  white  ;  14  tail-feathers 
black,  white-tipi)ed  ;  the  middle  pair  (which  most  resemble  and  perhaps  are  true  rectrices,  hav- 
ing no  after-shafts)  together  with  all  the  coverts,  tme  pair  of  which  reach  to  end  of  tail,  white ; 
shafts  of  several  outer  wing-quills  black;  no  black  striiie  ou  head.     ^,  iu  summer:  The  head 


500. 


wmm 


Fio.  40.3.  —  Willow  Ptnrmigan,  summer  plumage, )  nat.  bIzo.    (From  nrclim.) 

and  fore  parts  rich  chestnut  or  orange-brown,  more  tawny-brown  on  back  and  rump;  the  richer 
brown  parts  sparsely,  the  tawny-brown  more  closely.  barre<l  with  black  ;  most  of  the  wings  and 
under  parts  remaining  white.  9  similar,  wholly  colored  excepting  tli(<  wings,  the  color  more 
tawny  than  iu  the  $,  and  more  heavily,  closely,  and  uniformly  barrecl  with  black.  Length 
15.00-17.00;  wing  about  S. 00;  tail  5.50.  Arctic  and  Xorthern  X.  Am.  from  ocean  to  oceau, 
into  the  northernmost  U.  .S.  Kggs  very  heavily  colored,  with  bold  <'ontluent  blotches  of  intense 
burnt  sienna  cidor,  upon  a  more  or  less  n^ddish-tinted  buff  ground.  All  the  eggs  of  birds  of  this 
family  are  colorless  when  the  shell  first  forms  liiuh  in  the  ovidifct,  ac((uiring  pigment  as  they 
pass  down;  iu  the  ])tannigan,  where  tho  coloring  is  so  heavy,  an  egg  cut  from  the  pigment- 


PUAX. 

tip ; 
litliors 

luiv- 
Hiito ; 

head 


TETEA  OXIIKIC  —  TETRA ONIN.E :    GROUSE. 


587 


secretinjg  part  (»f  the  passage  is  as  if  covcrt'il  with  fresh  paint,  soft  and  sticky,  wliich  may  be 
rubbed  off  before  it  "  sets '"  on  the  shell.  Size  l.SO  X  1-^0. 
569.  l<.  rupes'trls.  (Lat.  riipestris,  relating  to  riipi.s,  a  rook;  nipe.strine.)  Hckk  I'taumki.vn. 
Bill  slenderer  for  its  length  than  that  of  L.  nibus,  its  depth  at  basi'  less  than  tiie  distaiirr  tVom 
nasal  fossa  to  tip;  whole  eiilnien  0.07;  bill  always  blaek.  jj  9i''i  winter:  As  in  £.  «//*«.s, 
but  a  blaek  trausiK'ular  stripe  on  side  of  head.  (J  ?  ,  in  suininer:  'I'iie  whole  |diiinage,  exeeptiuK 
the  wings  and  tail,  barred  with  blaekish-brown  and  brownish-yellow,     liatlier  smaller  than  the 


Fio.  404  —Willow  Ptnnnigiin.  winter  pliiiiinKi',  \  ii:it.  t,l/.v.    (From  rirrlim.i 

foregoing.  I^eiititli  14.00  1."). 00;  wing  7-00-7. ."lO  ;  tail  1.. 50.  Arctie  Aincrii-a.  not  ."<.  to  the 
U.  S.  Kggs  l.'J-l.'j  or  more,  like  those  of  A.  nlliiis,  but  ilarker  and  rather  smaller:  size 
1.70  X  1.18.  "The  sunnner  plumage  is  iissumed  at  variable  jM'riods  of  the  months  of  .\pril, 
May,  and  even  in  early  ,Fune,  aeeording  to  the  loeality.  The  moult  for  the  simimer  is  usually 
shown  first  on  the  head  anil  nerk,  fidlowed  by  the  lower  baek,  sides,  breast,  luitldle  Itack,  tlaiiks. 
and  alidomen,  in  ihi'  order  iiami'il.  The  ahilomen  and  chin  are  the  last  areas  to  show  the  emu- 
plete  moult.  The  parts  named  also  assume,  in  the  order  given,  the  white  winter  ]dnmage. 
During  the  time  of  the  summer  plumage  scarcely  a  single  day  j)asses  that  the  gen<>ral  color  of 
the  feithers  is  not  inodiHed  by  the  api)earance  or  loss  of  some  feather."  (Tnrnrr.)  Hence  the 
ilitfieulty  if  not  impossil)ility  of  estahlishini;  races  of  this  s|H>cies  upon  color,  as  the  amount  of 
barring,  veniiiculation,  or  uebulation  with  dusky,  tawuy,  uud  gniy  is  incessantly  changing  in 


588 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  GALLINJE  —  ALECrOUOrUDES. 


I 


the  !<aiiie  individual!- :  and  birds  taken  at  different  dates  in  the  siiinnier,  in  the  same  locality, 
may  ditler  frnni  one  anotiier  more  than  speeiniens  fruni  different  regions,  repi'^senting  several 
alleged  varieties,  are  always  t'cmnd  to  do.  The  Anieriean  bird,  in 
fa^-t,  is  seareely  distingiiisliable  from  tile  European  L.  mHtnmw  alpinus. 
The  (Ireenlaud  bird  lias  been  ealled  L.  reinhdfdti  by  Hrelnn.  That 
of  tlie  Aleutian  Islands,  L.  iiiutux  atkemis,  Turner.  The  latter  is 
said  to  liave  the  bill  and  elan's  about  0.10  longer  than  usual. 
570.    L.  leiien'rus.     (Or.  Xtuicoj, /f«c«s,  white  ;  oupa,  o)«)V(,  tail.    Fig.  405.) 

WmrK-TAll.KK    I'TAH.MltlAX.       UoCKV    MolTNTAIN    SNOW    GkOUSE. 

cf  9  • '"  winter :  Entirely  snow-white  ;  bill  blaek,  rather  slender,  and 
general  size  and  jiroportions  nearly  as  in  L.  rtqtestris.  ^  ^  ,'m  sum- 
mer: Tail,  most  of  the  wing,  and  hiwer  part.s 
from  the  breast,  remaining  while;  rest  of  the 
plumage  minutely  marked  with  black,  white, 
and  tawny  or  grayi.sh- brown,  varying  in  pre- 
cise character  almost  with  every  specimen ;  but 
there  is  ih>  difheulty  in  recognizing  this  white- 
tailed  sjH'cies,  of  alpine  distribution  in  West- 
•■rn  X.  A.  from  the  Arctic  regions  to  New- 
Mexico  (lat.  ;{7").  In  Slimmer,  inhabits  the 
mouutain  ranges  from  timber-line  to  the  high- 
est peaks,  in  winter  ranging  lower  down. 
Eggs  very  different  from  the  iie;ivily-painted 
onus  of  L.  iilhiis,  of  dull  creamy  complexion, 
minutely  dotted  over  the  wlude  surface  with 
luirnt-sienna,  few  of  the  markings  exceeding 
a  pin's  head  in  size,  and  not  thick  enough 
to  obscure  the  ground-c<dor ;  shape  purely 
uvuidal,  greatest  diameter  near  the  middle  ;  size  1.70  X  1.14  ;   number  variable,  about  a  dozen 


Fio.  40,5.  —  Wliitc-tailuil  Ptarmigan;  uiiiicr,  in  siiui- 
mer;  lower,  in  windT.    (From  Haydcii.) 


53.  Subfamily  ODONTOPHORIN^ :  American  Partridges  and  Quails. 

Head  completely  feathered,  and  usually  crested, 
the  crest  fretpiently  assuming  a  remarkable  shajie. 
Nasal  fossa-  not  filled  with  feathers,  the  nostrils 
coverelwith  a  naked  scale.  Tarsi  and  toes  iiaked, 
tlie  latter  scarcely  or  not  fringed,  the  former  seu- 
tellate.     Size  smaUer  than  in  T<t)<i<tuiiur. 

Our  Partridges  may  be  <listiiigiiislied,  among 
American  GuIUikc,  by  the  foregoing  characters,  but 
not  from  those  of  the  Old  World;  and  it  is  highly 
improbable  that,  as  a  group,  they  are  separable  from 
all  the  forms  of  the  latter  by  any  decided  peculiari- 
ties. The  principal  supposed  character,  namely,  a 
toothing  of  the  uiiiler  mandible,  is  very  faintly 
indicated  in  some  foniis,  niid  entirely  wanting  in 
Fio.  400.  — Euro|>ean  I'liririiii;.-.  (i'ruiii  Kixon.)  ,,t|„,rs.  Pending  final  issue,  however,  it  is  expe- 
dient to  recognize  the  group,  so  strictly  limited  treographically.  if  not  otherwise.  Several 
beautiful  and  important  genera  occur  within  our  limits,  but  these  Partridges  are  most  numerous 
fn  sjiecies  in  Central  and  South  .\inerica.  Orloutoplwrus  is  the  leading  genus,  with  perhaps 
1j  sjK'cies;   Eupsychortyx  and  Dmdrovtyx  are  other  extra-limital  forms;   and  in  all,  some 


^^.■iim 


210. 


TETBAONII)^ -OhONTOPHOmNJE:   PARTiaDUES  OH   QVAIL        r)H9 


pral 


210. 


forty-odd  siiwit's  arc  known.  In  habits,  tlioy  agree  more  or  less  completely  with  the  well 
known  IJob-wliitc.  Our  spech's  are  apparently  monogamous,  and  i;ii  in  small  Hocks,  called 
"coveys,"  usually  consisting  of  the  nuMuhers  of  oni^  family;  tliey  are  terrestrial,  hut  take  to  the 
trees  on  occasion;  nest  on  the  ground,  laying  numerous  white  or  speckled  eggs;  are  chielly 
gruuivorous,  but  also  feed  on  hnils,  soft  fruits,  and  insects;  and  are  uon-nugratory. 

Analjisia  of  Giiiira. 
An  iiii-oiispU-iioiiH  crt'Ht,  Ncarcely  visililu  cxt'cpt   in  life.    Tall  about  j{  as  long  an  tlio  win);.    Coloration 

cverywlioru  vaiiegateil.    (Unu  »iM;cieii ) thiiir    'Jlii 

A  Hliort,  Hoft.  full  crest.    Tall  J  tlie  wing     Coloration  much  tliu  same  all  over,  sliowing  eurtouH  Heini- 

cirenlar  niai'kiugH.    lOne  H|ieeie») <iillijir/ilii    '.'l!! 

A  long.  Hieniler,  arrowy  orcsl,  two  or  three  inches  long,  of  two  narrowly  linear  feathers.    Tall  i,  as  long  as 

the  wing.     Parli-<-olorciI,  hut  the  coloration  chiefly  in  masses     (One  sjiecies) iin-rhi.r    211 

A  long,  recurved,  helniet-likc  crest,  of  several  Imhricateil  jilunies,  enlargeil  at  the  extremity.    Tail ;  as 

long  as  the  wing.    Coloration  chietiy  in  masses     (Two8|iccie») I.iijiliniln.r    'Jia 

A  short,  soft,  full  cri'sl.    Tail  scarcely  )  us  long  as  the  wing.    Coloration  |ieculiar,  in  round,  white  s|i..ts 

on  the  under  parts  of  ||[,.' (f.    (One  siwcles) Ciirlimiir    2U 

As  all  these  genera  have  each  hut  a  single  species  in  this  country,  excepting  l.ophorliix.  t\w  foregoing  is 
nearly  ciiuivalent  to  a  determination  of  the  8l>ecie8. 

OH  TYX.  ((Jr.  opTv$.  oiiii.r.  a  (|uail.) 
Feathers  of  crown  lengthened  and  erec- 
tile, hut  hardly  forming  a  true  crest. 

Tail   about    '|   as   long   as    the   wing.  s-Si^^.r^^^  f!  \ 

()ut.>itretched  feet  reaching  hevond  end  >raP^<ifli^^  mJ    '  /— >' 

of  tail.  Coloration  much  variegated; 
a    rcddish-bi'own    varied    with    black 

and   white   the   leading  color.      Eggs  / 

white,  pyriform,  numerous.  Fic.  407.  — IMll  ami  foot  of  r>;7i/,r,  nat.  size.    (Ad  m»t.  ilel.  i:.  C.) 

A)\nUjMA  nt'  I'tiriifits. 
Length  of  rf ,  1»  indies  or  rather  more;  extent  1.5 or  more;  wing  4.00  itv  more.     Hill  hl.ickisli-browii. 

Ground  color  dull  pinkish-red  with  narrow  hlack  bars  helow liriiiiiiinin    ,171 

Length  of  (f.  scanely  lOinciu'w;  extent  under  15;  wing  scarcely  or  not  iM     Hill  jet  hiack.    (ir.piinil 

color  dark  reddish,  with  much  hroader  hlack  hars  lielow ilnriihinn    572 

Length   etc.  as  in   tlnritldiin.    (ironnd  cohir  paler  than  in  riniiiiiaim,  wltli  numerous  t.l'n'U-  hars.  and 

increase  of  ashy  and  tawny ttjuun    .173 


Fm.  408.  —  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bob  White,  nal.  size.    (Ad  nat.  del   K.  C.) 

•»71.    O.  virginia'na.     (Of  Virginia.     Figs.  107,  40S,  109.)    ViiiiiiMA  Pahtiudck.  or  "  Qi  .ML." 
Bou-WJIITK.     "Quail:  "  New  Knglaml,  wherever  the  Uuffed  Grouse  is  called  "  partriiltre." 


690 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  GALUN^J:  —  ALECTOHOPODES. 


"  I'AUTIIIUOK : "  .SoutluTU  and  Mitldlc  States,  whoicvir  the  Huffed  Gniusf  is  called  "  pheasant." 
(J  :  Foreliead.  stipei ciliary  liiii',  and  tiimat,  white,  hcirdered  with  hiaek  ;  er<iwn,  neek  all  round, 
and  njiper  jiar  of  lirca.st,  hrownisli-reil ;  other  nnder  parts  tawny-whitish,  all  with  more  orft^wcr 
douldy-ereseentie.  Idack  hars  :  cri.ssnin  rufous;  sides  hroadly  striped  with  hrownish-red  ;  uj>per 
parts  varifirated  with  i-hestnnt,  hlaek,  gray  and  tawny,  the  latter  edging  the  inner  iiuills,  form- 
ing a  conliniious  line  when  the  wing  is  elosed.  9  '•  Known  hy  having  the  throat  huff  instead  ot 
white,  less  Idaek  ahout  the  fore-parts,  and  general  eoloration  snhdued.  The  reddish  of  this  hird  is 
of  a  peculiar  dull  pinkish  shade.  The  Idaek  crescents  of  the  under  jiarts  ari'  scarcely  or  not  half 
the  width  of  the  intervening  white  spaces;  the  bill  is  not  jet  black.    Length  of  (J  10.00-10.50; 


."»**• 


.-.-73. 


211. 


Fio.  409.  —  Tlio  Bob  Wlilt6  feinily.    (Prom  "Sport  witli  (iun  and  Kod;"  Tlio  Century  Co.,  N.  Y.) 

e.\tent  15.00-I.')..'j0;  wing  4..50  to  nearly  5.00 ;  tail  -2.75-3.00.  9  'J..50-10.(iO ;  extent  14.50- 
15.00;  wing  4.25- 1-.50;  tail  2.50-2.75.  Among  the  thousands  of  Bob-whites  yearly  destroyed, 
albinotic  or  melanotic,  and  other  abnormally  colored  specimens,  are  fre(|uently  found  ;  but  the 
percentageoftlie.se  ca.xes  is  nothing  uinisual,  and  the  sportsman  must  be  cautioned  against  su]i- 
|Mising  that  such  birds  have  any  statuo,  in  a  scientific  iMiint  of  view,  beyond  tlu'ir  illustration  of 
certain  perfectly  well  known  variations.  Such  specimens,  however,  are  interesting  and  valuable, 
and  shoulil  always  be  j)reserved.  Ka.stern  I'niteil  States.  North  to  Mas.sachusetts  and  slightly 
beyoml ;  Canada  West  :  .Minnesota.  West  to  high  central  jilains.  I'p  the  .Mi.ssouri  to  White 
Hiver.  Salt  Lake  Valley  (introduced).  The  charjicteristic  game  bird  of  this  country.  Eggs 
indefinitely  nunicruus,  pure  white,  pointed  at  one  end  and  very  blunt  at  the  other,  about 
L30X1.00. 


yi\. 


TETRAONW^  —  ODONTOPIIORINJI'::    PARTRIDGES  OR  QUAIL.       591 


lint." 
Innd, 

Wiii- 

ad  (>r 

|iril  is 

liair 

1.50 : 


.-)*2. 


O.  V.  florida'na.     (Of  Floiidu.)     Fr.oKiDA  Qi'AIL.     Uatlicr  siimllcr,  the  $  about  the  size  of 
the  9  ririjiniunu,  hut  hill  rclativfly  larijcr,  and  jil-hhu-k  ;  (Mdcir.s  darker,  all  the  lilack  mark- 
ings heavier,  tliKse  of  the  under  parts  nearly  as  hroad  as  the  intervening  white  spaces.     I'Mnriila, 
and   similar  sjioeiinens   in   the  lower  Mississippi   Valley;    an  approach  to  tiie  Cnhau   form 
( (K  cuhunenxis). 
'iTi.    O.  V.  texa'na.     (Of  Texas.)     Tk.XAS  QfAii,.     SU'.v  «( Jloriiliina  ;  colors  paler,  the  prevailing 
.shade  rather  gray  than  hrown  ;  upper  ]iarts  much  variegated  with  tawny.     Kggs  1.20  X  0.93. 
These  two  are  mere  climatic  varieth's  of  one  species. 
211.    OltOR'TYX.      (Gr.  opor,  WO.V,  a  unaintain  :  o()ri;|.  (i;7«.r,  a  (|iiail.l      I'l,!  Mi;i)    t^fAIl,.      Head 
adorned  with  an  arrowy  crest  of  two  slender  keeled   plumes,  IJ-l  Indies   long  in  the  (J  when 
full-developed;   present  in  9 »  **1'"  "■'•'•■•      Hill  and  feet  stout ;  tarsus  eipial  to  the  middle  toe  and 
claw.     Tail  about  I  the  wing,  hroad,  rounded,  with  long  coverts.     Sizct  large;  cidors  ma.ssed 
ill  large  areas  ;  sexes  alike.      l\gt;s  colored.     One  species. 
514.   O.  plc'ta.    (Lat.^y(tY«,  pictured,  painted.    Fig.  111.)  I'l.fMi'.K  I'Ainiuixn;.    Mountain  Qiaii, 

of  the  Califoriiians.  S9-  adult:  Hack,  wings  and  tail 
olive-hrown,  thi,'  inner  secondaiies  and  tertiaries  bordered 
with  whitish  or  tawny,  forniini;  a  lengthwise  burder  in 
single  line  when  the  wings  are  folded;  the  jiriniaries  fus- 
cous, tho  tail-feathers  fuscous,  iiiiuutidy  marbled  with 
ihecolorofthe  back. 
Fore -parts,  above 
and  bidow,  slaty- 
blue  (iibove  more  or 
less  ulossed  with 
the  idive  shade  of 
the  back,  below  mi- 
nutely marble(l  with 
black)  ;  the  throat 
chestnut,  imniedi- 
at(dy  bordered  lat- 
erally with  black, 
then  framed  in  a 
Krm  white  line, 
bridieii  through  the 
eye,        reappearing 

around  base  of  im-  

d<.r  maialible.     Kx-     ""y.  "fter  A11.I11I...1,.) 

treme  forehead  whitish.  The  arr<iw-|duiiies  hhick.  Ilelly  (diestnut,  the  xides  baiuU'cl  with 
broad  bars  of  black  and  white,  or  rufous-white;  middle  of  tin.*  lower  belly,  tibia,  and  llanks, 
whitish  or  rufous;  crissiiin  velvety-ldack,  streaked  with  chestnut.  Bill  du.sky,  paler  btdow ; 
feetbp.wn.  Length  11.00-12.00;  extent  IG.OO-l?.  ";  whig  5.00-.)..")0;  tail  :{.(IO-;j.,V);  tarsus 
1.07;  middle  toe  and  claw  about  the  same.  An  eh'gant  sjiecies,  much  larger  and  more  beauti- 
ful than  the  Hob-white,  inhabiting  the  mountainous  parts  of  Oregon.  California  and  Nevada. 
The  ndative  extent  of  the  olive  and  slaty  parts  is  very  variable.  There  is  soiiiethint,'  of  a 
grouse  in  tin;  composition  of  this  partridge.  Egg  a  miniature  of  the  ruffed  grouse's,  only  dis- 
tinguished by  smalhr  size —  1.40  X  1.10. 

LOPHOR'TYX.  (Or.  \6(fios,  lojihos,  a  crest:  Sprv^,  orfii.r,  a  quail.)  JlKi.Mtrr  (^lAii,. 
With  an  eh'gant  cre.st,  recurved  helmet-wise,  of  several  (Ci-IO)  keeled,  clubbed,  irlossy-black, 
imbricated  feathers,  more  than  an  inch  long  when  fully  developed;  in  the  9,  smaller,  of  fewer 
feathers.     Tarsus  slightly  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw.     Tail  about  J  as  long  as  the  wing ; 


212. 


Flo.  410.  — Helmut  yiiiiil  (L.  ymnlKli). 
iiat.  xize.    (Atl  imt.  ilul  K.  (1) 


Km.  411.  —  riiiim.d  yuall.   (From  Ten- 


o92 


tlYSTJiMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  GALLINjE  —  ALECTOROPODES. 


uutsti'L'tched  fvet  not  rciicliiiig  to  its  end.  Bulk  of  the  liob-whitP,  but  longer;  10.0f)-11.50; 
wing -i.OO  or  more;  tiiil  .'l.OD  or  more.  Coloration  ciiieHy  in  inu.sxrs ;  sexos  uulike.  $  witli 
th(!  cliin  and  tlnoiit  jtt-ldack,  sliarjdy  bordered' wltli  wliite  ;  a  wliite  line  aerosa  tin'  vcrtcN  and 
along  tlie  .sides  of  tlie  erown,  bordered  behind  by  black;  9  witliout  these  head-markings. 
£ggs  colored.     Two  elegant  species  iu  the  U.  S. 

Analyiin  of  Specim 
(f  inlilillo  of  belly  oraiige-cliefitiiiit  ;  sltluH  like  back,  with  white  Htripes  ;  liliul-heail  smoky-brown ;  forc- 

Iieiul  c'hiutly  whitish,  with  white  lural  lino caUfnrn'wa    S75 

(f  iiihlillu  of  bully  jet-lilitck  ;  didpR  clieBtiiut  with  white  Htrii>e8;  hinil-heml  chestnut;  fore-liend  chietty 

black  ;  no  white  loral  lino gambrll    S76 


510 


•  .  Fig.  412.    California  Ilclmct  Quail,  J  nat.  size.    (From  Urchin.) 

ST.'i.    L.  enHfor'nIcrt.    (Lat.  Camoniiaii.     Fit;.  IH.)    ('.\i.iFoitxi.\x  PAitTHincK.    V.m.i.ky  Qiail 

of  tlic  Caliloniian:-.  ^  :  Willi  a  sinali  white  line  from  bill  to  eye  ;  foreliead  whitish  witii  black 
lines;  occiput  smoky-brown  ;  niicjial  and  cervical  feathers  with  very  dark  edging  and  shaft-lines, 
and  tine  wjiitisli  s)ieckliim.  (!eneral  <-(ilor  nf  upjier  parts  ashy,  with  strong  olive-brown  gloss, 
the  edging  of  the  inner  iinijls  Itnivvnish-iiraiigi'.  Fore  breast  slaty-bliie  ;  ntlier  under  jiarts  tawny, 
deepening  centrally  intii  rich  guldcn-brown  or  orange-chestnut,  all  the  ft'athers  sharply  edged 
with  jet-black:  siilcs  olive-ashy  like  the  back,  with  sharp  white  stripes;  vent,  Hatd<s,  and 
crissnni  tawny,  with  dark  stripes.  Length  lO.HO-l  1.00  ;  wint;  4.;2.j  ;  tail  ;i.75  ;  tarsus  1.25; 
middle  toe  and  claw  rather  more.  Ib'sides  lacking  the  definite  head-markings,  the  9  wants 
the  rich  sienna  color  of  the  under  j)arts,  which  are  whitish  or  tawny  with  black  semicircles 


.50; 

(u-itli 

mill 

lugs. 


B76 
57f. 


TETltAOXIDJE—  ODONTOPHOmNJE :   I'AHTIUDUES  OK  Ql'AIL.     iV.)3 

as  in  the  <?  ;  the  breast  is  olive-gray.  The  cliaiiges  of  plumage  are  parallel  with  those  of  L. 
gamheli.  Lower  j)ortioiis  of  Culiforiiia  and  Oregon  ;  K.  nearly  to  llie  ("olorado  Kiver ;  ahun- 
(laiit.  A  fine  speeies,  entirely  di.>*tinet  from  the  next,  hut  hahitH  and  nnmners  in  uU  rcHpcit.i 
the  same  ;  replaee.s  L.  gamheli  westward.     Kggs  speckled,  as  in  the  next. 

570.  L.  K»m'belt.  (To  Wni.  (Jambel.  Fig.  HO.)  (Jamiikl's  I'autuikiie.  Ahizona  Qi'Aii.. 
<J  :  Without  white  loral  line;  forehead  blaek  with  whitisii  lines;  rxiciput  ehestnut ;  nnehal  and 
cervieal  feathers  with  dark  shaft  lines,  but  few  dark  edgings  or  none,  and  no  white  speeklinj;. 
General  color  of  upper  jmrts  (dear  ash,  the  edging  of  the  inner  ipiills  white.  Fore-breast  like 
the  baek  ;  other  under  jtarts  whitish,  the  middle  of  the  belly  with  a  large  jet-blaek  patch  ;  sitles 
rich  purplish-chestnut,  with  sharj)  whitt)  stripes;  vent,  tlanks  and  crissuin  white  with  dusky 
streaks.  ltilll>la<-k  ;  iris  brown.  Ilesidos  lacking  the  definite  head-markings,  the  ?  wants  the 
black  abdominal  area,  where  the  feathers  are  whiti.sh  with  dark  lengthwise  touches ;  cri-st  dark 
brown,  not  recurved,  and  fewer-feathered  than  that  of  the  cock.  Toj)  of  head  grayisii -brown, 
nearly  uniform  from  bill  to  uapc  ;  throat  grayish-whito  with  slight  dark  pencilling,  ('hicks, 
in  the  down:  Kill  above  reddish,  nearly  white  below;  feet  dull  fiesh-color.  lleatl  dingy 
yellowish,  with  a  large  brown  spot  on  the  occiput,  a  few  black,  white-streaked  feathers  on 
crown,  and  the  crest  sprouting  in  a  week  or  two.  Upper  parts  grayish-brown  mottled  with 
black  spots,  and  conspicuously  strijK-d  with  white  lines.  Outer  webs  of  the  sprouting  (piills 
marked  with  blackish  and  whitish.  Throat  white;  other  under  parts  narrowly  barred  with 
black  and  tawny- white,  striped  lengthwise  with  pure  white.  Sprouting  tail-feathers  like  the 
primaries.  Pullets,  (pnirter-growu,  f)-7  inches  long :  Leaden-gray,  becoming  tawny  on  the 
wings,  which  are  .still  a  little  mottltHl  a«  above  described  ;  below,  light  gray,  nearly  white  on 
throat  and  belly.  Hrea.st  waved  with  light  and  dark  gray,  with  tract's  of  the  white  stripes. 
Sides  uinh'r  the  wings  slightly  fulvous  or  rufescent,  but  without  definite  stripes.  Quills  j>lain 
dusky ;  tail-feathers  more  ]>lumbeous,  marked  with  blackish  and  whitish.  A  broad  white 
superciliary  line.  With  the  progress  of  the  fall  moult  this  dress  changes  for  one  like  that  of 
the  adults,  and  the  sexes  are  soon  distinguishable.  Eggs  1.25X1.00,  pyramidal,  narrow  and 
pointed  at  one  end,  very  obtuse  the  other;  color  buti' or  rich  creamy,  dotted  and  spotted  all 
over  with  bright  brown,  splashed  here  and  there  with  large  bhifchcs  of  the  same  ;  number  in 
definite  —  8-12  or  more.  Nest  like  that  of  any  other  partridge.  New  Mexico  and  Arizona, 
both  in  mountains  and  valleys,  very  abundant ;  E.  to  Pecos  and  San  Klizario,  Texas,  beyond 
which  replaced  by  the  Massena  partridge  ;  W.  to  ('ob)rado  R.  and  .slightly  beyond  ;  N.  to 
TTtah  ;  S.  into  Mexico.  The  characteristic  game  bird  of  Arizona. 
213.  CALLIPKP'LA.  (dr.  (caXXiirfjrXor,  Aa//(^)f/>/o.s',  beautifully  arrayed.)  Shell  QlJAlL.  General 
character  of  Lojihortyx,  but  head  with  a  short,  full,  soft  cre.st  as  in  the  Mas-^ieiui  inniil  (fig.  413). 
Coloration  of  under  parts  jtruducing  a  shelly  or  scaly  appearance.  Sexes  nearly  alike.  Eggs 
not  heavily  colored.     One  U.  S.  species. 

577.  C.  squama'ttt.  (Lat.  squamata,  squamous,  scale-like.)  Scaled  Paiitridoe.  IIu'b 
(ji'AiL.  <J,  adult:  General  color  bluish-plumbeous,  shading  into  (dive-browu  on  the  back 
and  wings  and  to  rufous  on  the  under  parts  behind  the  wings,  with  a  large  abiiominal  area  of 
orange-brown  ;  the  feathers  of  the  neck  all  around,  and  most  of  those  of  the  under  parts, 
sharply  edged  with  black,  producing  a  i)eculiar  shell-like  appearaiu'e ;  cm  the  breast  the 
feathers  also  with  concealed  reddish  shaft-lines.  Long  feathers  of  the  sides  like  the  back  in 
color,  with  white  brown-edged  stripes  or  long-oval  spots.  On  the  Hanks  and  crissum  the- 
feathers  lose  the  scaly  appearance,  becoming  blended  rusty-brown,  with  linear,  sagittate,  or 
cordate  dark  sptrts.  Inner  secondaries  edged  with  buff  or  whitish,  affording  to  the  folded  wing 
the  lengthwise  stripe  so  characteristic  of  N.  A.  partridges.  Quills  plain  fu.scous ;  tail-feathers 
plumbeous.  No  definite  stripes  about  the  head  ;  crest  dark  brown  ending  in  pure  white. 
Length  10.00-11.00;  extent  U.50-15.50;  wing  4.50;  tail  3.50;  tarsus  1.25;  middle  toe  and 
cluw  1.04.     9  little  different;  head  markings  the  same;  the  orange-brown  of  the  belly 

38 


594 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  GA  LLINJE  —  ALECTOROPODES. 


Ill 


reduced  or  wanting;  size  rather  less.  Texas,  N.  M.,  Ariz,  and  soiitliward  ;  generally  dispersed, 
but  far  less  numerous  than  the  top-knot  (piails,  and  apparently  more  southern;  extends  along 
the  Kio  Grande  to  about  100  miles  from  the  roast.  Kggs  10-12-10,  rather  elliptical  than  con- 
ical, 1.25X0.98,  white,  minutely  freckled  with  buff. 
214.  CYRTCNYX.  (Or.  xvprdr,  kurtos,  bent,  crooked;  8w(,  ohiijc,  nail,  claw.)  IlARi.KuriN 
Ql'AlL.  Hill  very  stout.  Head  with  a  full,  soft,  dejiressed  occipital  crest.  Tail  very  short, 
soft,  almost  hidden  by  the  coverts,  scarcely  or  not  half  as  long  as  the  wiugs.  Wing-coverts 
and  inner  quills  highly  developed,  folding  entirely  over  the  primaries.  Feet  small ;  tarsus 
rather  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  t(K's  short,  but  with  renuirkably  developed  claws.  A 
very  distinct  genus.  Plumage  of  head  of  <J  curiously  striped ;  of  under  parts  o<'elluted.  Sexes 
very  unlike. 
578.  C.  masse'na.  (To  Andre  Massena,  Prince  D'Essling  and  Marshal  of  France.  Fig.  413.)  Mas- 
8ENA  Partridge,  g,  adult:  Upper  jiarts  intimately  waved  with  black  and  reddish-brown 
and  tawny-brown,  and  marked  with  sharp  buff  or  whitish  shaft-lines  ;  on  the  wings  the  irregular 
black  variegation  changing  to  black  bars  and  round  spots,  in  regular  paired  series  on  each 

feather.  Outer  <iuills  fuscous,  their  outer  webs 
Slotted  with  white  or  buff.  Under  parts  crowded 
with  iunumenibie  round  white  spots  on  a  dark 
ground,  several  i)airs  on  each  feather ;  the  middle 
line  of  the  breast  and  belly  mahogany-culored, 
the  flanks,  vent,  and  crissum  velvety-black.  'I'op 
of  head  black  in  front,  with  slight  white  touches, 
changing  on  the  crest  to  brown.  Sides  of  head 
and  throat  fantastically  striped  with  black  and 
white;  a  broad  black  throat-imtch ;  another  <in 
the  cheeks,  across  lores  and  alongside  of  crown  ; 
a  third  on  the  ear-coverts  ;  a  fourth  bordering  the 
white   all  around  behind.     I^'ugth  about  '.1.00; 

extent  17.00;  wing  4.7.");  tail  2.00;  tarsus  1.20; 
Fio.413.-Ma«enaQaail.  J.nat.ilze.  ,„ijj,j,  ^^^,  „,„,   ^.j.^^.   j  ^.q  .   j,^  ,.,„^^.  ^,„„p   y  jq 

9,  adidt:  Upper  parts  as  in  the  ^,  but  the  markings  of  the  wings  less  regular,  more  assimi- 
lated with  the  general  variegation,  and  the  tone  more  fulvous.  No  peculiar  marks  on  head ; 
throat  whitish  or  buff;  general  tone  of  the  under  parts  pale  pin']dish-cinnanon,  with  fine 
mottling  of  black  and  white  on  each  feather.  Young  (J  :  Kesenibling  the  hen,  but  the  under 
parts  oi'hrey  or  whitish  with  black  variegation.  Chicks,  scarcely  Hedged,  3-4  inches  long  : 
Bill  reddish  above,  whitish  behiw;  fe«'t  dull  brownish.  AImivc,  light  wann  brown,  varied 
with  black,  b(ddly  strii)ed  with  white  —  each  feather  having  a  hammer-headed  white  shaft- 
line.  Some  inner  wing-cpiills  like  the  back  ;  others  dusky  with  whitish  shafts,  broken-barred 
with  buff,  chieHy  on  outer  webs.  Below,  buffy-white,  with  numberlt-ss  spots  of  blackish  ])aired 
on  each  feather,  sharp  and  circular  on  breast,  further  back  widening  to  bars.  A  singular 
species,  very  showy  in  full  plumage,  inhabiting  portions  ot  Texas,  N.  M.,  and  Ariz. ;  in  the- 
latter,  \V.  to  Fort  Whipple  at  least. 

[Subfamily  PERDICIN^:    Old  World  Partridges  and  Quail. 

It  becomes  necessary  to  introduce  this  group,  in  consequence  of  the  naturalization  of  the- 
imported  Migratory  or  Messina  Quail  of  Europe.  I  know  of  no  characters  to  distinguish  it 
from  Odontopliorintp,  and  doubt  that  there  are  any.] 
215.  COTUR'NIX.  (I^at.  coturnijr,  a  (piail ;  from  its  note.)  Bill  smaller  and  much  slenderer  thaiv 
that  of  any  of  the  foregoing  genera  of  (Montophorina- ;  nasal  fossw  feathered,  excejit  on  the 
tumid  nHsal  scale.    Wings  of  moderate  length,  little  vaulted  and  not  rounded,  |)ointed  by  the 


tetraomikt:  —  pehdiclwi:  :  old  would  quail. 


505 


>rr8od, 
aldiig' 
II  con- 

sliort, 
•  •verts 
tarsus 
A 
Scxt's 


lBt-3d  quills,  the  Ist  not  shorttT  than  tin*  next.  First  jiriiniiry  emnr^inute  on  inner  web ;  2(1 
and  3d  wiiumte  on  outer  wel>.  Tail  extremely  short  and  Hliglit,  not  half  as  long  as  the  wing, 
pointed,  its  feathers  very  soft,  the  fentral  pair  laneeolate.  Feet  small ;  tarsus  shorter  than  niildle 
toe  and  claw,  slightly  feathered  ahove  in  front,  with  two  rows  of  alterniiting  large  scutella  in 
front,  two  rows  of  smaller  rounded  scales  meeting  in  a  ridge  behind,  the  sides  tilli'd  in  with 
small  plates.  Size  smaller  than  that  of  any  of  the  foregoing  species;  pattern  of  coloration 
somewhat  as  in  OrtifX  ;  sexes  nearly  alike. 
579.  C.  dactyll'sonans.  (Cir.  ioKrvkos,  daktitlox,  the  finirer ;  a  metrical  measure  consisting  of  a 
long  anil  two  short  syllables ;  Lat.  soikuks,  sounding.     Fig.  IH.)    Messina  Qlail.    Miuua- 


Fio.  414.  —Common  Quail  of  Euro|ie,  i  nat.  size.    (From  Brehm.) 

TORY  Quail.  Common  Quail  of  Europe.  Adult  ,?  9  :  Upper  parts  variegated  with  huflF 
or  whitish  and  black  u|>on  a  mixed  reddish-brown  and  gray  ground,  the  most  conspicuous  nnirk- 
ings  being  sharp  lance-linear  lengthwise  stripes  of  butf  or  whitish  over  most  of  the  upper  parts, 
these  dashes  mostly  edged  with  Mack ;  other  less  ]iromiuent  buff  or  whitish  cross-bars,  several 
to  a  feather,  likewise  framed  in  black.  Crown  mixed  brown  and  black,  with  sharj)  median  and 
lateral  buff  stri|>es.  Throat  white,  bounded  before  by  a  dark  bar  curving  down  behind  the 
auricuLirs;  behind,  by  a  necklace  of  ruddy-brown,  blackish,  or  whitish  sjtots;  chin  varied  with 
dark  marks  in  advance  of  the  auricular  bar.  Under  parts  fading  to  whitish  from  the  buff  or 
pale  yellowish-brown  breast,  withiuU  any  dark  crtissbars,  hut  the  long  feathers  of  the  sides  and 
flanks  with  large  and  conspicuous  white  shaft-stripes  and  otherwise  variegated  with  black, 


696 


SYSTEMATIC  :iYAU]>SIS.  —  LIMIVOL.E. 


brown,  and  butt".  I'r'iiniirii's  fimcoiiH,  Hpottcd  witb  ligl't  brown  on  ontiT  wobft;  BPconilarics 
Hiniilur,  but  tlic  marking's  bi'i'oniini;  bars  on  ImiiIi  wcbw.  'ruil-friitlifr.s  browniNh-black,  niiich 
varifd  witli  .slial't-lincM,  rro.sM-bars,  and  I'd^in^H  of  bntl':  crisxuni  iinniaculati',  like  tlir  ubdoirMMi. 
liill  dark  ;  t'ri't  pale :  iris  dark  brown.  Length  about  7-01);  wing  •'i.7') ;  tail  1.75;  tarsus  IM); 
niidille  too  and  <'law  ratiirr  more.  Knrojii',  Asia,  etc.,  recently  imported  and  tnrncil  loose  In 
(uinsiderable  ninnbers  in  the  I'.  S.,  as  in  New  Kngland  ;  bnt  its  permanent  naturalization  lit 
still  open  Iti  ([Uestion.  It"  one  will  compare  this  bird  with  the  bcd)-wliite  be  will  see  how  very 
ditferent  is  the  Old  World  ((nail  from  onr  Orti/j;  or  any  otlnT  birds  of  this  country  called 
'•i|uail;"  but  that  it  resembles  Orly.r  iw>rv  nearly  than  the  Km'o|M-an  partridp',  I'enlij'  cinirfii, 
does;  so  that,  if  we  nnist  borrow  ii  nanu'  from  any  (Mil  World  birds  for  oin-  species  of  Oiii/j; 
Lophorli/.r,  C(tUi])epl(i,  etc.,  the  term  '(puiil'  is  rather  more  appropriate  than  '  jmrtridge.' 

VII.    Order  LIMICOLJB:     Shore-birds. 

Counnonly  known  as  the  jjreat  "  plover-snipe  grou]i,"  trom  the  circumstance  that  the 
pinvialine  and  scolopacine  birds  form  the  bulk  of  the  order,  which  is  practii-ally  ei|uivalent  to 
the  Charadriumorplue  of  Hu.xley.  The  species  average  of  snuill  size,  with  rounded  or  de- 
pressed (never  e-xtremely  conijjn-ssed)  body,  and  live  in  open  places  on  the  jtfronnd,  usually  by 
the  water's  edge.  Witb  rare  exceptions,  the  head  is  completely  feathered  ;  tbe  general  i)tery- 
losis  is  of  a  nearly  imiforni  pattern.  The  osteological  characters  are  shared  to  some  extent  by 
certain  swinnning  birds,  as  (iulls  and  Auks ;  the  ])alate  is  .xchizognathous ;  the  nasal  bones  are 
normally  .Hcbizorhiual :  tbe  angle  of  the  nuindible  is  produced  into  a  slender  hooked  process ; 
tbe  niaxillo- palatines  are  thin  and  .scroll-like;  there  are  prominent  basipterygoid  processes- 
the  rostral  bone.s  are  slender,  often  much  idongated  ;  the  sternum  is  usually  doubly,  sometimes 
singly,  notched  behind  ;  the  carotids  are  double  ;  the  syringeal  muscles  not  more  than  one  pair. 
The  physi(dogical  nature  is  ])ra'Cocial  and  ])tilopa-ilic ;  the  eggs,  averaging  four,  as  a  rule  are 
laid  on  tbe  ground  in  a  rude  nest  or  bare  depression;  the  yoimg  hatch  clothed  and  able  to  run 
about.  The  ftxKl  is  inisects,  worms,  and  other  small  or  soft  aninnils,  either  picked  up  from  the 
surface,  or  jmibed  for  in  soft  sand  or  mud,  or  forced  to  rise  by  stamping  with  the  feet  on  the 
ground;  from  this  latter  circumstance,  the  birds  havt!  been  mimed  ( 'akatores  (stam)iers). 
With  a  few  exceptions,  the  wing  is  long,  thin,  flat  and  pointed,  with  narrow  stitt'  jirimaries, 
rapidly  graduated  from  Ist  to  10th  ;  secondaries  in  turn  rapidly  lengthening  from  without 
inward,  the  posterior  border  of  tbe  wing  thus  showing  two  .salient  points  separated  by  .i  'leep 
ennirgination.  The  tail,  never  long,  is  commonly  quite  short,  and  has  from  1 
number)  up  to  20  or  even  26  feathers  (in  one  remarkable  group  of  Sni|  i  ). 
connnonly  lengthened,  sometimes  extremely  so;  randy  ([uite  .short,  ..lii 

they  are  indifl'erently  scutellate  or  reticulate,  or  both.     The  feather.'-  ..ai.  (frag 

The  toes  are  short  (as  compared  witli  the  case  of  Herons  and  liail.s),  tl.  ^terior  n^  .y  senii 
palmate,  frequently  cleft  to  the  base,  only  jmlmate  hi  liecurviroslrii  and  i.i,l_\  lobate  u  Phaluro- 
jHxlida.  The  hinder  is  always  short  and  elevated,  or  ab.-icnt.  The  length  of  '  ]dialanges 
of  the  anterior  toes  decreases  from  the  basal  to  the  penultimate.  Thi'  lower  pan  -f  the  crus 
never  has  feathers  inserted  u|)on  it,  though  the  leg  may  appear  feathered  to  the  suffrago, 
owing  to  the  length  of  the  feathers.  The  bill  varies  much  in  length  and  contour,  but  is  almost 
always  slender,  contracted  from  the  frontal  region  of  the  sknll,  and  is  as  long  as,  or  much  longer 
than,  the  head,  representing  the  " ])ressirostral "  (pinvialine)  and  "  longirostral "  (scoloi)acine) 
types.  Furthennore,  it  is  generally  in  large  part,  if  not  entirely,  covered  with  softish  skin, 
often  membranous  and  sensitive  to  the  very  tip,  and  only  rarely  bard  throughout.  The  nostril 
is  generally  a  slit  in  the  membranous  part,  and  probably  never  feathered. 

Most  of  the  families  of  this  order  are  well  represented  in  this  country,  and  will  be  found 
fully  characterized  beyond.  The  position  of  Parridte  is  in  question,  and  it  probably  belongs  here 
ruther  than  among  the  families  where  it  la  ranged  (beyond).     There  are  several  outlying  or 


<  1 1. 1  It  A  DJifi/Lj-:  -  (11. 1  n.  I  nims.E .  pl  o  vkr. 


r»j»7 


rifs 

lU'h 

Mil. 

(«); 

ill 

is 

rry 

I.mI 


f 

4 


liKiHriilaliii^;  fiiiiiilics  in  \\w  \\v\m\)- >>{  LimicitUr  i\w\  AUrlnrideii,  u{  iiiiccrtnin  |H.t<iti,iii.  'I'lir 
liir^i-Kt  of  tiicsc  is  the  Hii.staril  I'iiiiiily,  Otiilitln;  wliicli  (•..iiiiccts  /.tmiailtr  ami  Alectoriilrs  m< 
pcrt'cctly,  tiiaf  iln  iMisifiuii  iiait  lung  xvavcrcil  Ixtwccii  tlu'sc  two  (.nlfrs  ;  tin-  liaiuucc  nf  cviilcut'L' 
fiivorn  its  referiiice  to  tiic  lattiT.     'I'lif  typical  families  aro  Chtirmtiiidu:  ami  .Sailojidciila: 

38.     Family  CHARADRIID^ :   Plover. 

Tliiit  is  ft  large  ami  iiiiiMir- 
laiit  family  of  nearly  a  liiin- 
dreil  Hjiecies,  of  all  jiarts  of 
the  World.  Its  limits  tire  imt 
settled,  there  being  a  few 
forms  sometimes  referred  here, 
sometimes  made  the  types  of 
distiiK't  families.  The  (Uare- 
(des  ((ildrnilidrr)  are  a  re- 
iiiarkalde   Hid    WorM    form, 

liki'      loIlg-lejLrged      swallows, 

with  n  puekoo's  hill ;  the  tail 
is  forked;  therenre  four  toes; 
the  wings  are  extremidy  long 
aud  pointed  ;  the  tarsi  are 
sclltellate  ;  thi'  middle  <da\\' 
(leiiticnlate.  The  Coursers 
(Citrsoriiiur)  are  another  Old 
World  type,  near  the  IJiis- 
Fio.  416. —  A  Plover,  llio  Eiirojieiin  LaiiwltiB,  reUueml.    (From  Dixon.)  tarils,   of   cine  or  twu  eelierii 

mill  less  than  ten  species.  In  both  of  these  the  gajie  of  the  month  is  longer  than  in  the  trim 
plovers;  the  hind  toe,  lui  nsnal  for  this  family,  is  absent  in  the  Coursers.  The  thick-knees, 
((K(Ucnemiiitr)  are  inoro  plover-like  birds,  with  one  exception  belonging  to  the  Old  World, 
comprising  about  eight  sjiecies  of  the  genera  (Kdiainiiiin  and  Esticus  ;  they  are  related  to 
the  Bustards,  and  most  pluvialiuc  birds  appear  to  fall  in  the 

54.  Subfamily  CHARADRIIN^:  True  Plover. 

Toes  giinerally  three,  the  hinder  absent  (excepting,  among  our  forms,  SinmtaroUi ,  Vandhm, 
niid  Aiihrizd);  tarsus  reticulate,  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  toes  with  a  basal  web  (chl'i  in 
Aphri-a)  ;  tibia?  naked  below.  Hill  of  moderate-  length,  much  shorter  or  not  lonjrer  than  the 
bead,  shajied  somewhat  like  that  of  a  I'igeon,  with  a  convex  horny  tenninal  ]iortion,  con- 
tracted behind  this;  the  nasal  fossa-  rather  short  and  wide,  tilled  with  soft  skin  in  which  the 
nostrils  open  as  a  slit,  not  basal,  and  perforate.  Gajievery  short,  reaching  a  little  beyond  base 
(if  culnien.  Wings  long  and  )iointed,  reachinir,  wlu-n  fidded,  to  or  beyond  the  end  of  tlu-  tail, 
and  sometimes  spurred  ;  crissal  feathers  loiii:  and  full;  tail  short,  generally  nearly  even  and  of 
12  feathers;  body  plump ;  neck  short  and  thick;  head  large,  ghdiose,  sloping  rapidly  to  tho 
small  base  of  the  bill,  usually  fully  feathered.     i^W.i'  moderate  or  small. 

Our  species  (excepting  Aphriza,  if  really  belonging  herei  are  very  closely  related,  and  will 
be  readily  recognized  by  the  foregoing  characters.  There  are  in  all  perhajis  sixty  species. 
The  most  singular  of  them  is  the  Atutrhifxc'liii'i  fronUdis,  in  which  the  bill  is  bent  sideways. 
Tliinornis  zehindue  of  New  Zealand,  I'hegoniis  mitchelli  ami  Oreophilus  totaniro.stris  of  Chili, 
are  peculiar  forms.  Species  of  Chettiisiti,  Lobiranelliix  and  llophptfriis  have  tleshy  wattles, 
or  a  tubercle,  often  devehiped   into  u  spine,  ou  the  wiug,  or  both ;  some  of  these,  and  others, 


598 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LIMICOL^. 


arc  rroHtcil.  Tlirso  aro  all  noar  Vanenun  proprr,  and  a  part  «f  tlioin  aro  l-tood.  Our  8p-'cics 
arc  liiiniil  iilnug  the  !«>a!<lii>r<',  liy  tlif  witcr'it  od^o  in  otlicr  cip<>ii  |)laci's,  and  in  dry  ]daiiis  and 
ticldM.  Tlicy  all  pcrfonii  oxtcnsivf  migrations,  appearing  with  great  regularity  in  the  .spring 
and  tall,  and  most  nf  them  lireed  far  northward.  They  are  all  more  or  ]v»»  gregarious,  except 
when  breeding.  They  run  and  Hy  with  great  rapidity;  the  voice  is  a  mellow  whi.><tle ;  the 
food  is  chietly  of  an  animal  natni-e.  The  eggs  are  commonly  four  in  number,  speckled,  very 
hirge  at  one  end  and  pointed  at  the  other,  plaeo<l  with  the  small  ends  together  in  a  slight  nest 
or  mere  dei)ression  in  the  ground.     The  sexes  are  generally  similar,  but  the  changes  with  age 

and  season  are  great. 

AnalytU  qf  Genera. 
Toes  4. 

Uenl  not  crenteil. 

Tani  Bcutvllntc  In  front  ;  toes  cleft  to  bane .-Iphri-.n    'J21 

Tarn)  rctlciilatu  ;  tova  with  liusal  web Siiuntrntiln    '.'Itt 

Hew)  with  a  loiiK  tluwiiig  crest yunrllut    2'JI) 

Toes  3. 

Plumage  of  upiier  iiartM  Diieoklecl ;  no  ringH  or  Imiiils  nf  color  nlxiiit  head  orncck    .    .    .  Ckamilriun    217 
I'lumage  orii|i|>cr  luirtH  nut  xiiucklud  ;  rings  iir  biinds  or<'cilur  iilHnit  houci  iinil  neck. 

TursUH  not  nearly  twice  lu  loo;;  :u  niiilille  too  without  claw KijinHlm    'JIM 

Tarsus  about  twice  as  long  as  nililillo  too  without  cinw /'oilniux-i/ii    '.'I'.i 

216.  SQUATARO'LA.  (Itul.  xi/Mataro/fl,  name  of  the  .necies.  Fig.  H«.)  FofK-TOKD  I*I.()VKK. 
A  small  but  ilistiiiut  hind  toe,  contrary  to  the  rule  in  t!<is  family.  Tail  less  than  half  as  hing  as 
wing.  Tarsus  nnich  longer  than  niiildle  tiH'  and 
claw.  Tibia  bare  below,  reticulate  like  the 
tarsus.     Hasal  web  lM;twoen   outer   and   nuddle 

toes.     Upper  plumage  .speckled,  lower  black  or  .^IF'''^,c5V . 

white;  no  rings  .,r  bars  of  color  about  head  or  '    '" 

neck.     Legs    dark-coloreil.      Tail    fully   barred.    ^^5~'^""«<i5I^^^Ji^^('*l""*'*_-^    '■■''' 
Seasonal  changes  of  plumago  very  great ;  sexes 

alike.  ,_i,^^ 

580.   S.  helve'tlca.    (Lat. //rfiWi'oo,  Helvetian,  Swiss. 

Fig.  417.)     Swish  Plovku.     lii.ACK-iiKi.i.iKi)  -^     Mf:i 

I'UlVKIt.       HtLI<-llEAI)      I'LOVEH.       WlllSTI.IXd 

FiKLi)  Pi,ovF.H.     ().\-KYK.      (J  9 .  '"  summer: 
I'pper  parts  fretted  with  bh'ckish  and  ashy-whiti",  Fio.  418.  —  Hill  ami  hinil  loo  of  .Squalnrnia,  nat. 

the    feathers    being    white   basally,    then    black,    »'"«•    (A.I  nat.  .kl.  K.  C.) 

tipiMil  and  usually  scallojied  with  white.  I'pper  \ail-coverts  mostly  white,  with  few  (hirk 
touches.  Fore-h<'iid,  lim-  over  eye  and  tlieneo  more  broa<lly  over  side  of  neck,  the  lining  of 
wings,  tibia-,  vr-iit  and  under  tail-coverts,  white.  Siih's  of  head  to  an  extent  embracing  t''e 
ryes,  axillary  plumes,  and  entire  under  parts  (excejit  as  .slid),  black.  Tail  closely  barred  with 
black  and  white.  Primaries  (htrk  brown,  blackening  at  tips,  with  large  basal  areas  and  a 
portitm  of  their  shafts,  white.  Hill  and  feet  black.  Length  1 1.0<i-l:i.tM) :  wing  7.00-7.50; 
tiil  .'{.OO;  bill  l.()0-l.;>.) ;  tarsus  2.00;  midille  toe  and  claw  l.M:  tibiie  bare  LOO.  Hut  such 
n  binlas  this  rarely  seen  in  the  I'.  S.  {J  9  i  "•''»  '"  f""  »'"'  winter,  as  usually  seen  in  U.  S. 
Under  i)artH  white  or  whitish,  anteriorly  .sjM'ckled  or  mottled  with  gniyish -brown ;  axillary 
plumes,  however,  black,  as  before;  a  gtsid  color-mark  of  the  species,  in  any  plunnige,  in  com- 
parison with  the  golden  plover.  Hirds  changing  show  every  mixture  of  black  and  white  below. 
<J  9'  young:  Similar  to  winter  adults,  but  upper  jtarts  sju-ckled  with  golden-yellow,  as  iu 
V.  dominiciis,  most  of  the  feathere  having  edgings  of  this  cobir.  Feet  gmyish-bliie.  A  largo 
Btout  plover,  with  a  little  hinil  toe.  commoidy  ditfuse<l  over  most  parts  of  the  world  :  in  Amoriea, 
breeding  in  Arctic  regions,  tlix-king  south  and  north  in  fall  and  s]iring,  preferably  coastwise ; 
rommon,  but  less  so  than  C.  ilominivu.i.  Eggs  i,  i>yrifonn,  l.UO  to  -J. HO  loni:  by  1.40  to  1.4') 
broiid  ;  drab  or  dark  brownish  clay-etior,  very  heavily  marked,  eB|H>cially  on  the  larger  half  of 


CUARADRIWX:   CHARADRIIX^ :  PLOVER. 


599 


TICS 

aiiil 

priiijT 

I'pt 

til.. 

Ivciy 

I  iii'.si 

m;c 


:.'iii 


21T 

I'lH 
Jill 


the  sIh'U,  with  int'mihir  bhifchosof  hrowiiisli-bliiek,  smaller  spots  being  more  tliiuly  distribiitetl 
over  the  rest  of  the  siirt'iice ;  the  iimrkiugs  uboiit  the  greiit  end  usually  coiittuent  uucl  wreatliy  ; 
a  few  pale  markings  in  tho 

shell.  .^   i-ii^i^^:       ju 

217.    CHARA'DBIIJS.       (Or.  .    ":  "'^    -  ^       ^ 

^apaltfiios,  chitrndrios,  Lat.  ~^^'  J* 

cImmilriuH,     a     jilover.)  0^^^       J  '  ^*  ; 

(toi.DKX  l'u)VKK.s.  Char- 
acters   as    ill    SquntaroUt, 

but  nil  liiiiil  (This       "^-^ -t|^-|,      ^^BLT^^^^^^^^B^^^^^^f^^"^~, '^^ 

the  type-^eiiiis  of    the       "'''^K^^-'^^KKi'^^^^^^^^^^Sf^J^^       -^^^^-^ 
whole  ftimily.    The  several  ^^BIH^^^BI^^^^^.J^^"^'^^        ^'^""^ 

speries  are  closely  relateil :        ..^k-^^M^.^  >. .  ^ ,= ^C    .^''' 

to  our  loiii^  known  golilcn 
plover  have  lately  been 
ailtled  as  birds  of   N.   .\.        ■sryiMig'^'  *•     ■*-^  -^  —'tA-<i ' 

both  the  Kuropeau  s| ics 

and    the   Asiatic  variety;        — *? 
the  former  from  its  occur- 
rence   in    (ireeillillid     the  Fin.  417.  —  liln<'l<-l)cllleil  Plowr,  in  Hummcr,  rixliiceil.    (Kroni  I.cwi«.) 
latter  in  Alaska.     V .  S.  birds  are  all  I.'.  ihminicHs,  —  the  ('.  virginicus  of  most  authors.) 

A  Hit  I  nth  nf  Spfcir$. 

Ltiiiiig  of  wIngH  Mliy. 

I.eiii;l)i  lo.no-II.OO  ;  wiiigT.OO;  tnll<3.no  ;  inrHiiK  I.T.t ilnmimru*    SRI 

l^iiKthil.OO-inoO;  wiiiKU.SI);  tall2.ri0;  turHiiH  I  UO fuhut    Wi 

LiiiiiiK  ofwIiigH  wlilte pluriiilit    S83 

581.  C.  floiiil'nieiis.  (Lat.  </«miHiciM,  of  St.  Domingo.  Fig.  H8.)  Amehic.vn  Ooldkv  I'l.oVKii. 
FiKi.it  l'i.i>VKK.  Hi'u.-iiKAii  1'i.nvKK.  Iti'U.-iiKAi>.  (^  9  i  ><>  ^onuDer  :  Upper  |iarts  black, 
everywhere  s|H'okled  with  golden-yellow,  and  mostly  also  with  white,  the  britrhter  color  in  excess. 
The  markings  of  individual  leathers  are  a  tippilii;  undone  or  several  paired  scallops,  ilind  neck 
|p88  strongly  marked  than  crown  or  back.  Forehead,  and  hiiig  .stripe  over  eye  snowy-white. 
Region  immediately  around  bill,  sides  of  head  to  include  eyes,  and  entire  under  |)arts,  glos.sy 

brownish-black.  I.inintj  of  irintjK,  and  ii.ril- 
lars,  soittjf-griiif  or  oshy.  Tail  dusky  i;rayish- 
brown,  with  numerous  irregular  pale  gray  bars, 
and  reddish-brown  shafts;  upper  tail-coverts 
anil  rinii])  like  back.  IVimaries  fuscous,  black- 
ening at  tips  and  whitening  at  bases  of  inner 
webs,  thoui;h  without  delinite  white  spaces  ; 
shafts  white  for  a  space.  Secondaries  and 
many  of  the  coverts,  like  the  primaries,  plain 
fuscous,  without  thetfoldeu  and  white  fretwork 
of  the  back.  Itill  and  feet  Idack.  I^eni^th 
lO.OO-ll.OO;  extent  iJi>..')0 ;  wing  7.00;  tail 
^~**-     _^  ;{.00;  bilKl.ilO;  tibiie  bare  1.00;  tarsus  1.7.">; 

^•^Jy-  middle  foe  and  claw  l.:JO.      <J   9>  "i  winter, 

?jt"  '    '"T'j-j^ii^V  ■    .-T.  '-^  and  yoiinif,  much  alike,  very  different  from  the 

_      „ ,      ,     breeding  dress:   rpiwr  iiarts  much  as  before, 

Fin.  41S. —liulden  Plover,  In  fell  nr  winter,  reducGil.  "  ,   . 

(Frnin  N'uttnll,nfter ?|  but  colors  not  so  pure  and  intense;  and  spot- 

ting mostly  giddeii,  with  little  white  if  any.  Front  and  line  over  eye  not  purely  white,  but 
tawny,  with  dusky  streaks.     Tail  lacking  transvenie  Imre,  the  feathers  being  dark  gniyish- 


uoo 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —LIMICOUK. 


brown  with  wliiU'  nr  yellow  edging  iiml  iKitcliiii^.  Axillara  and  liniiii;  of  winijs  iisliy-jiray  as 
ill  KUiiiiiirr  ;  but,  an  in  Siiimtarubi,  the  i-hief  difference  is  in  the  under  parts,  wliieh  liave  mi  lilack, 
Ijeing  j;rayisli- white,  clearest  nnchin,  belly,  and  erisMUni,  the  throat  and  sides  of  head  streaked, 
the  breast  and  sides  of  neck  and  btwly  niottleil,  with  dark  prayish-brown.  Le^'s  not  jierfectly 
black.  'I'iiis  is  the  state  in  which  the  {irohh-n  jdover  is  p'nerally  seen  in  the  l'.  !S.,  thouijih 
beautiful  black-bellied  birds  may  be  found  late  in  the  vernal  init;ration.  N.  Am.  at  large; 
breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions;  pa.^ses  N.  and  S.  in  great  waves,  in  spring  and  fall,  atl'ording  tine 
.sport  at  thu  lutter  season.  Kggs  4,  similar  to  those  of  Sqwitiirold,  suuiller,  and  usually  jmlcr 
clay  eolnr,  sometinies  whitish;  markings  of  same  toni'  ami  pattern:  size  1.S()-12.00  X  l.-i") - 
1.10.  Thi-s  is  the  usual  "  tiehl  plover"  of  sjMirtsmen  ;  a  well-known  and  highly-esteemed 
game-bird. 

682.  C.  (1.  fiil'viis.  (Lat. /«/(•««,  yellowish.)  Asiatic  (!i>i. KEN  Pi.oVKii.  Similar;  more  suHii.sed 
with  yellow  on  head,  es])ecially  aloni;  the  supen'iliary  stripe;  smaller;  length  about  0..")H  ; 
wing  (). .5(1  ;  tail  2. (id;  tarsus  l.dO  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  1. 10;  bill  0.',».).    Alaska,  from  Asia. 

583.  C.  pliivla'Ils.  (Lat.  pliniatig,  rainy.)  KliiofKAX  (ioi.ni'N  I'l.iiVKit.  Like  ('.  (Inmiiiini.-; 
and  of  same  size.  Liniut;  of  winijs  irliile.  (irei'uland,  from  Kurope, 
S18.  /KOIA'LITKS.  ((Jr.  aiyiaX/njr.  a  iloer  by  the  sea.)  KlXii  l'l.nvi,lis,  .V  genus  not  easy  to 
define  with  precision,  owing  to  the  diH'erem-es  in  details  of  form  which  the  numerous  species 
present.  Ilest  distinguished  from  Clmratlriiis  by  eolnr  :  ujijier  jiarts  not  speckled  ;  lower  never 
extensively  black.  Mars  or  rini;s  ■  if  eolnr  about  head  and  neck.  Se.ves  usually  distiii;iuishable, 
though  similar.  Tarsus  not  twice  as  long  as  nuddle  toe  without  claw.  IMales  .if  front  of  tarsus 
tending  to  enlarge  in  tivo  or  three  special  rows,  inst^'ad  of  uniform  reticulation.  \Vr  have,") 
perfectly  good  X.  American  species,  a  variety  of  one  of  these  (?).  and  two  Kuropean  estrays. 

Aualyniii  qf  Sj>erii»  {iiihill  mnlr»). 
Bill  enlircly  black. 

Itniiip  I'lioHtiiut;  two  lilark  liniiilHiiii  tliront  ami  lirvavt rufi/inm    .'ist 

l(uiii|i  liliiiii;  lint' liliick  liiiliil  nil  lii'L'UHt.     Hill  i>tiiiit irilmiiiiiiH    rM 

Kiiiii|i  pliiin;  nil  ('i>iii|iK'li' lilai'k  liarH  nil  lirt-aht.     Hill  blunder nirimuii    GtU 

Dill  iiraiiKU  <ir  yellow,  lilack-liiiiivil  :  or  Maik  ullli  oran^fv  at  liaw. 

Si'inipalnintu:  wcli  liclwiv    inner  anil  niiiliilti  liie  vviilent,  llial   lietwern  oiiUt  iinil  niiilillu  rencliini; 
to  riiil  of  Heeoiiil  Joint  i<(  niiilillc 

Heavy  lilack  lianilM  on  iinaii  anil  iiei-k;  colored  ring  niiiii'l  i-vii Hriiiiiiiilniiitii.i    5Mi 

No  eviilenl  well  lielwreii  inner  ami  niiilillo  tin-;  llmt  liet ween  outer  ami  niiilillc  only  ruai'liini;  to  enil 
nf  lirst  Joint  of  niiilille. 
Heavy  lilaek  liaiiiU  on  lieail  ami  nn.-k  ;  one  on  riilu  of  lieail. 

Niieoloieil  ring  I'ounil  eye.     WinK  alHiiit  ,".IHI Iiinliiiiln    fiHll 

A  eoionil  ring  rouml  eye  ;  wing  iiniler  i.W rHroiiii-iiK    .V.Hi 

No  lilack  lianil  on  n'Ae  of  lieail ;  oolorcii  ring  rouml  eye. 

King  arounil  iieek  ineomiiletc ukIimIiih    .'■*7 

King  aroniiil  iieek  eoiu|iluto <-irrii»i<  iiirdu    Ws 

584  iK.  vot-rforus.  ( Lat.  toti/friM,  voice-bearing,  noisy.  Fig.  41".t.)  Kii.ukku  I'l.ovt.ii.  $  9, 
adult  :  Above,  grayish-brown,  with  an  idive  shade,  and  in  high  ]ilnmage  a  slight  bronzy  liisti'e. 
Uump  and  upper  tail-coverts  bright -i-olori'd,  very  variaide  in  tint,  from  tawny  or  orange-brown 
to  cinnamon-brown  or  che.xtnin.  Forehead  with  a  white  baud  from  eye  to  eye,  more  or  h'ss 
pridonged  as  a  superciliary  streak,  and  a  black  band  above  it.  A  white  collar  around  hind 
neck,  continuous  with  white  of  the  throat.     A  black  collar  arniind  back  of  neck,  continuous 

with  a  black  jiectoral  band.      Uai-k  of  the  latter  a  black  \ total  belt.     Thus  the  fore-parts  are 

encircled  with  one  comph-te  Idack  ring,  behind  which  is  a  black  half-rinii  on  lueast.  before 
which  is  a  coin)dete  white  ring.  A  while  stri]M'  over  and  liidiiiid  eye;  a  dusky  stripe  below 
eye.  I'lider  jiarts  entirely  )iure  white,  except  the  two  |M'ctoral  belts,  rrimary  i|uills  blackish  ; 
a  white  space  on  the  outer  webs  of  most  of  them,  fnrmini;  an  oblii|iH'  series,  and  a  longer  white 
space  on  their  inner  webs.  .Secondaries  mostly  white,  but  with  black  areas  in  increasing  size 
from  within  outwanl.     Long  inner  secondaries,  or  terliaries,  like  the  back.    Tail-feathers  siiigu- 


WT». 


CUA  liA  imilDAC  —  C  HA  HA  DRIIS.K :    PL  O I  'i:i{. 


601 


Ilii'd. 
I'ctly 

[v ; 

I  tiiii! 
Iiiilcr 


larly  varu'^iitfd :  scvcriil  inner  jmirs  liltt-  tlic  Imck,  inwnsilily  blacUfninij  tnwnnls  mils,  tlini 
ligllt(•Mill^  ai;ain,  aiitl  usually  witii  nisty  tijis  ;  lateral  ones  jrainiiin  more  and  nion-  "f  the  luiu'lit 
piditr  lit  the  ruui]i,  with  ninrr  dctiiiiti.'  liliick  siilitt-niiinal  liars,  and  \\wv  wliiti-  ti|is  ;  niiirrniiist 

l)air  mostly  while,  with  the  rufous  shade,  and  several  liroken  hlaeU  hars.     Tl H'eet  of  all  this 

varie;;alion  is  very  slrikini,'  when  the  parts  are  displayed  in  tlitrht.  Hill  Idaek  :  eye  hhn-k. 
with  a  hrijiht  rin^  amnnd  it  :  h'gs  pale.  Lenj;th  '.t.OO-Kl.dO  :  ext<'nt  ;!().()(l :  wing  ti.dO  ;  tail  3..)()- 
4.(M),  proportiiinally  loni;er  and  more  rounded  than  usual  in  this  genus  :  hillO.vO;  tiliia' hare 
(».'^(>:  tarsus  l.K);  mitldle  toe  and  ehiw  l.|-i.  (J  9  ,  youiii::  The  hlaek  hands  replaeed  l.y  gray  ! 
upper  parts  duller  and  more  grayish;  and  when  ([iiite  yiMmg  the  leathers  of  the  upjter  jiarts 
8|MitteiI  with  rusty  brown  ;  rump  pale,  markings  of  tail  ineouiplete  :  hut  the  birds  speedily 
aeijuire  a  phnnagc  like  that  of  the  adults.  Downy  young:  Above,  uray  with  a  ruddy  tinge; 
a  rini;  round  top  of  head,  a  ring  round  neek, 
a  stripe  down  baek,  and  uiiotlier  on  eaeh 
side  of  the  eolored  area,  blaek  ;  eolhir  round 
baek  of  neek.  forehead,  and  ends  of  wing- 
tufts,  while:  tail-tuft  and  hill  blaek  —  (pieer 

little  ereatures.  reatlily  n g'i/ed.    N.  .\ni. 

at  largi'.  very  abundant,  breedintr  anywhere; 
abiiunds  in  the  West.  Not  gregiiiioiis  nor 
maritime  ;  extensively  but  snmewhat  ir- 
reiiularly  niiyratory.  A  very  noisy  bird  — 
the  I'lirinus  name  is  derived  fmni  its  shrill 
two-.syllabhd  whistle,  like  l,il-iltrr .'  kil- 
dfrr!  Nest  anywhere  in  tiie  trrass  or 
shinule  near  water.  Kirus  1.  about  l.jll  X 
1.1:2,  of  usual  wading-bird  shape;  gruund 
varying  from  drab  through  elay-ei.lor  to 
creamy,  marked  in  endless  v.'iriation  with 
blaekish-hrowii.  Kildeers'  egi;s  and  those  of  'l'ri)iiii>i(lfs  maailiiriiis  do  excellent  duty  in  boys' 
and  amateurs'  cabinets  for  those  of  most  small  waders. 
.W.'i.  yK.  wilsu'iiliis.  (To  .Mexander  Wilson.)  Wilson's  I'l.oVKIt.  .\ilidt  J  9  :  Above,  |iale 
ashy-i;ray  (dry-sand  color),  the  feathers  with  still  paler  edges,  the  shade  tendini;  to  fulvous  on 
the  na|H'  and  hind  neck.  .\  narrow  black  band  across  vertex,  not  reaching  to  eyes,  being  cut 
of!"  by  white  of  the  forehead  which  extends  backward  over  each  eye  to  na|M'.  .V  blackish  loral 
stripe,  not  prolonged  behind  eye,  not  meetiuu  its  fellow  over  base  of  bill,  where  the  white  fore- 
head comes  down  to  the  bill.  A  black  half-rinu  on  the  foreneck.  iiitt  eonipleled  aroiind  back 
of  neck.  White  of  throat  passing  around  hind-neck  as  a  slight  collar.  I'nder  parts,  exceptjni; 
the  black  bar,  entirely  while.  I'rinuiries  blackish,  bleaching  towards  bases  on  inner  webs,  the 
short  iiMU'r  ones  also  with  white  on  outer  webs.  .*>haft  of  Isl  primary  almost  entirely  white; 
of  others  hriiwn,  then  a  long  white  space,  then  blackening  at  end.  .'Secondaries,  exceptini.'  the 
hing  inner  ones,  mostly  white  on  inner  wehs,  (hirk  on  outer.  .Middle  and  iiitennediate  tail- 
feathers  like  back,  urowing  dusky  toward  ends,  iH'arly  all  with  while  tips,  and  the  miter  one 
or  two  white.  No  colored  riii;;  round  eye.  Itill  entirely  black  ;  extremely  larye  and  stout.  I.egs 
flesh -eolored  ;  miti-r  toe  semipalmMte,  inner  cleft.  I<ength  7-<X»-*».(l() ;  winu  4..')l)-r).(l(l ;  tiiil 
2.IM).  nearly  sijiiare  ;  tarsus  about  l.lil;  niiddle  toe  and  claw  O.'.MI :  bill  II. '.Ill,  not  much  shorter 
than  head.  Young:  Similar:  no  black  mi  vertex  or  lore;  a  broad  band  of  the  color  of  the 
back  across  the  neck  in  front.  Seacoast  of  S.  Atlantic  and  I ! iilf  , 'Elates,  common  :  N.  to  the 
iiiiddle  districts,  and  rarely  to  New  KiiL'land  ;  also  on  the  I'iieltic  side  to  Callforniaf  S.  in 
winter  into  S.  Am.  Kggs  laid  on  the  bate  shinule  of  the  beach  ;  usually  ><,  I.J'i  to  l.i.i  Imit;, 
l.lHt  to  1.05  broad,  pale  ollve-dmb,  more  greenish  in  soine  cases,  more  clay-odim-d  in  others, 


Fio.  4t'.i.  —  Kllileor  Plover, nal.  fizc.    (.\il.  nut.  ilel.  K.  C. ) 


602 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.— LIMICOL^IC. 


tliioklj'  innrkoil  all  ovor  with  Mackish-browii  in  irn's^ular  sliarply-dcfiiu'il  spots,  splashes  ami 
fiiii-  (lilts.  Nil  )'  liiw,  pi)iiiit;,  anil  nitlicr  plaintive. 
5M.  JK.  seniipalnia'tiiii.  (Lat.  M<-m/,  half :  7»i/wri/HA,  pahnateil :  the  speeies  is  roinurkalily  ilistin- 
Unislieil  l>y  the  extent  "I"  tiie  half-welihinjj;  between  the  tix-s.)  Sk.MII'.VI.matkk  I'i.uvkk. 
Hi.no  I'i.dvku.  Kixti-NKCK.  <J  9>  iitlnit :  I'jtper  parts  nniforni  ilaik  ashy-fiiay  (wet-saml 
ciihir)  ;  miller  |)arts  ]inre  white.  A  limail  hiaek  rint;  eneirelin^'  the  neck.  In  advanee  of  this 
a  white  lialf-'MJlar  anuinil  hack  of  nei-k,  spreading  into  the  M'hite  of  the  throat.  A  white 
froulal  \>.\r.  entirely  snrnMiniled  hy  hIaek  :  i.  c.  a  lilaek  coronal  liar  anil  lilaek  stripe  alon^  lore 
anil  side  of  head,  ineetini;  its  fellow  over  liase  of  njiper  niandilde.  I'rinniries  lilaekish,  with 
narrow  white  spai-es  rednced  to  a  portion  of  the  shaft  aloni"  on  the  outer  primary  ;  seeonilaries 
hu'Kely  white,  and  f^reater  eoverts  wliite-tipped  ;  tertiaries  like  the  liaek.  Tail  like  liaek, 
the  feathers  insensilily  Idaokenini;  toward  tlieir  ends,  most  of  them  white-tip]ied,  the  outer- 
most nearly  all  white.  An  orange  rin^' round  eye,  very  liriKht.  Itill  lilaek,  with  orange  liasr; 
letrs  yellowish.  Web  In^tween  outer  and  middle  toe  reaehing  to  end  of  the  seeiind  joint  of  the 
latter.  Length  alniut  7.00  :  extent  l."i.Ot)-l.')..j() ;  wing  4.7">-.').()0  ;  tail  2.2.5,  rounded  ;  hill  (t.,"iO  ; 
tiirsns  <i.'.M) :  middh;  tm*  and  claw  th<*  same.  Young:  No  black  coronal  har,  the  white  of  fore- 
head reaching  bill  and  eyes,  and  pndonged  over  the  hittiT ;  »ieck-ring  and  lornl  stripe  gray, 
not  lilaek  ;  bill  mostly  black.  Ujiper  parts  with  slight  whitish  or  rusty  edging  of  the  feathers. 
Chick  :  Upper  jiarts  mottled  with  gray,  black,  and  brown,  in  no  special  pattern.  Collar  round 
ne«-k  and  under  parts  white.  N.  Am.  at  large,  the  most  abundant  and  generally  diffused  of  the 
ring-necks,  es|M-cially  plentil'ul  in  Hocks  on  the  beaches  late  in  the  summer  and  early  autumn. 
Hreeds  northward  ;  eggs  i  to  4,  like  the  kildeer's  ;  only,  of  course,  distinguishabli!  by  much 
smalh-r  size:  length  \.H)  to  1.40,  by  O.'.MIto  ().<).'>  in  breadth. 

5S7.  ./K.  mclo'dus.  (I.,at.  m»7(«/«.s-,  mehidious. )  I'llMNO  I'l.oVKlt.  I'ai.K  HlSd-XECK.  (f,  adult. 
Above,  very  pale  ash,  lighter  than  any  other  N.  A.  species.  A  white  half-collar  round  back  of 
neck.  .\  black  ring  behind  this,  tending  to  I'licircle  the  neck  ;  but  I  have  seldom  seen  it  com- 
jilete  on  the  cervix,  and  as  a  matter  of  fact  it  is  seldom  comjdete  on  the  fore-neck  either;  ordi- 
narily a  link  only  on  each  side  of  the  neck.  A  black  coronal  bar  from  one  eye  to  the  other. 
Forehead,  sides  of  head,  and  entire  under  parts  snowy-white,  exeeiiting  the  Idack  on  sides  of 
n«'ek,  there  beiiii;  no  dark  bars  on  lores  or  sides  of  head.  I'rinuiries  dusky,  with  large  white  spaces, 
tlieir  shafts  wliiti-  for  a  eiirres|ioniliug  extent.  Sec<uularies  and  greater  coverts  mostly  white; 
loiur  tertiaries  like  back.  I'pper  tail-coverts  and  bases  of  tail-feathers  white  ;  the  latter  black- 
eninu  towards  their  ends,  the  outer  pair  or  two  entirely  white.  A  colored  ring  round  eye.  Itill 
yellow,  the  end  beyond  the  nasal  fossic  black  —  very  obtuse  and  short  and  stout  for  its  length. 
Web  iM-tween  outer  and  middle  toe  not  reaching  to  end  of  the  basal  joint  of  the  latter,  liather 
snuiller  than  the  last  ;  wing  4.;)  4.7'>  ;  tail  L'.n()--2.25  ;  bill  under  0.50  ;  tarsus  (1.87  ;  middle 
too  and  <-law  0.75.  9  •  "(l*itt :  11"  coronal  bar  reduced  to  ii  trace,  dark  brown  ;  the  ringing  of 
neck  reduced  to  a  dusk y-trniy  spot  on  each  side.  Young;  Resembling  9  us  just  said,  but  no 
tnice  of  dark  color  on  In  ,id  and  little  if  any  on  sides  of  ui'ck.  A  very  pretty  little  species,  willi 
its  pale  dry-sand  colored  upper  ]iarts  and  stumpy  bill ;  perfectly  distinct  from  the  last,  with  which 
it  is  often  a-ssiM-iated.  V .  S.  and  Urilish  Provinces,  V..  of  the  H.  Mts.  (beyoinl  which  ajipar- 
enlly  n-|ilaeed  by  A.  iiirosus) ;  abundant  along  the  -Atlantic  coa.st  of  tln^  l'.  S.,  bni'ding  N.  to  the 
St.  Lawrence,  wintering;  from  the  Carolinas  soulhward.  Kggs  laid  preferably  on  the  shingle  of 
the  iM'aeli,  while  the  seuiipalmated  usually  goes  to  some  grassy  or  mossy  spot  back  of  the  sand. 
Kutis  pretty  certainly  disiiiuiuishable  from  those  of  the  other  ring-neck  by  their  lighter  color- 
ing—  then*  is  much  the  same  difference  in  tone  that  there  is  between  the  birds  themselves; 
elav-color  or  palest  creamy-brown,  sparsely  and  pretty  uniformly  nuirked  with  blaekish-brown 
f<l»wk»,  without  sjmts  of  any  size,  or  scratchy  lines,  soinetinu's  mere  |Miint8  ;  eggs  of  nbiiut  same 
capacity  as  the  ring-neck's,  but  rather  less  elongate  and  pointed  ;   1.20  to  l.HO  X  0.95  to  l.tKI. 

S8S.   AZ.  m.  (.'ircumclnc'tus  t    (Lut.  circumcincluH,  bound  abont.)     Heltkh  1*u>in(I  Pluvkk.     A 


,'iHO. 


590. 


.'iOI. 


CHARADliJIDJh:—CHAIiAl)liIINJE :  PLO VKR. 


G03 


iikI 


Stlll- 

IVKIt. 
ilnl 


lute 


uitli 


ItlT- 


viirioty  (^porlmps  only  some  individimls)  witli  tlio  l)liu'k  uookliico  rtiiiii)l(ti'.    DescriluMl  from  tin' 
I Ifiiil waters  of  tlii>  IMiitlc,  in  Xchraslia,  .Iiily  ;  |>rol)al>ly  hrcctliiin  llicrt". 

5N0.  JK.  Iiinti'cula.  <^I)iiiiin.  of  hat.  hiatus,  a  gapo  ;  hialiciilii  hfiiig  a  translation  of  ;yapndp<ot, 
vlinriidrios,  1m>uuusi>  tin-  liird  is  found  about  the  nioutlis  {hiatus)  nf  rivers.)  Kikhi'k.w  HiNti 
I'l.oVKU.  Sizo  of  Xo.  580,  or  rather  larger,  and  t;<>iieral  asjM'ct  tlio  same;  no  evident  wel> 
lietween  inner  and  middle  too,  tlnit  between  outer  and  middle  only  reacliing  to  enil  of  fii-st  jniiit 
of  tlu!  latter;  no  ccdored  ring  round  eye;  one  deseripliou  would  answer  for  the  head-markings 
of  hoth,  liut  hlaek  liars  very  heavy;  white  touches  on  eye-iiils.  l'|i|irr  parts  hair-lirown. 
Primaries  hlaekish-hrown,  the  outer  four  or  tive  with  white  only  on  the  shafts  fcir  a  s]iaee  near 
their  ends,  the  white  liuginning  to  invade  the  W(d)s  on  the  fourth  or  tifth,  ami  eidaruing  in 
width  with  diminishing  length  on  the  rest.  Seeoi.daries  white  with  dark  ends  nf  diniinisiiing 
length  inwarils,  till  one  or  two  of  the  .slmrt  inner  ones  are  almost  entirely  white  ;  the  loni;  Hnw- 
ing  innennost  ones,  Imwever,  like  the  hack.  Tail  as  in  ^K.  Sfiiiiiiiilmatas.  I^ength  ahout 
7..')lt ;  wing  .').()(» ;  tail  iA'y  ;  hilKt.CiO,  orange,  with  hla<-ktip;  tarsus  ().',(.") ;  middle  toe  and  daw 
O.S.")  ;  feet  orange  ;  claws  hlaek.  Young  like  that  it{  yJ'^.  srwi/ialmatiis  ;  n<>  black  on  vertex  ; 
that  of  side  of  head  and  around  neck  dnsky-gray  ;  whitish  front,  line  over  eye,  anil  under  eyelid  ; 
primaries  quite  dark  with  white  spaces  on  .shafts  ami  webs  well  nnirked  ;  feathers  of  njiper  parts 
with  pale  beady  tips  ;  ends  nf  even  middle  tail-feathers  white.  Wi<lely  di.stribnted  in  the  ( >ld 
World;  Greenlanil ;  Cumherland  Sound,  X.  A.     (Descrijition  from  a  N.  A.  spt'cimen.) 

590.  JK.  euro'liloMs.  iLat.  niroiiiras,  of  Cnurland,  on  the  Baltic.)  KckoI'ka.n  Lksskk  Kino 
Pl.oVKK.  Closely  resembling  the  last;  snniller  ;  black  bands  not  so  broail ;  black  of  vertex 
and  aurieulars  bordered  behind  with  white ;  shaft  of  1st  prinniry  alone  white ;  bill  extrenu'ly 
slender,  black,  yellow  only  at  base  of  lower  nnintlible  ;  legs  yellowish  tlesh-ctdor  ;  a  <-olored 
ring  round  eye.  Length  about  )>. 01) ;  bill  0. 00  ;  wing 'l'.3,'> ;  tail  :2.H() ;  tarsus  O.'.IO.  Inhabits 
much  of  the  Old  World  ;  ipiestionably  X.  Am.,  on  the  Pacific  side.     Youni;  :   Differs  much  as 

young /ii«/ir«/rt  does.     King  around  neck  dusky-gray ;  that  on  side  of  head  ehietly  redu I  ti> 

n  loral  stripe.     Xo  black  across  vertex  ;  while  of  forehead  soiled.     Upper  parts  darker  than  in 
adult,  in  an  early  stage  with  pale  or  fulvous  edgingsof  the  feathers.     (.1.  niicrorhi/nchus  Uidg.) 

501.  JK.  ciintta'nuii  iiivo'siis.  i  Lat.  (YOi^VniK.v,  Kentish  ;  Lat.  »ii('».vi(.i,  snowy  (.white).)  .Snowv 
Kino  Plovkk  tJ,  in  breeding  dress:  Above,  pale  ashy-gray,  little  darker  than  in  -7v. 
meloiliis.  Top  of  head  with  a  fulvous  tinge.  A  broad  black  cormnil  bar  from  eye  to  eye. 
A  narrower  black  post-ocular  strijie,  tendini;  to  meet  its  fellow  on  nape,  and  thus  encircle 
the  t'niviius  area.  A  broad  black  ]iatcli  on  each  side  of  the  breast  :  no  sign  of  its  completion 
above  or  below  ;  no  comph-te  black  loral  stripe  (as  in  --7'.'.  rautianas),  but  indication  of  such 
in  a  small  dark  patch  on  either  side  of  base  of  upper  mandible.  Fon'head,  continuous  with 
line  over  eye,  sides  of  head  exce|iling  the  black  post-ocular  strijie,  and  whole  under  parts 
excepting  the  black  lateral  breast-patches,  snowy-white.  Xo  white  rinv  complete  around  back 
of  neck.  Primaries  blackish,  es|iecially  at  ba.ses  ami  ends,  the  intermeiliate  extent  fuscous; 
sbalt  of  the  1st  white,  of  others  white  tor  a  space;  nearly  all  th<>  jfinniries  bleacbint;  toward 
bases  of  iinier  webs,  but  only  some  of  the  inner  ones  with  a  while  area  on  outer  webs. 
Primary  coverts  like  the  prinniries,  but  white-li|iped.  Grt'uter  coverts  like  the  back,  but 
white-lipped.  Secondaries  dark  brown,  bleaching  intermilly  and  ba.sally  in  increasini;  extent 
from  without  inwards,  ibi'ir  shafts  white  along  their  respective  white  |Hirtions,  Tertiaries  like 
back.  Several  intermedialt^  tail-feathers  like  back,  darkenint;  toward  ends  ;  two  or  llireo 
lateral  pairs  entirely  white  ;  all  the  feathers  more  pointed  than  usual.  Pill  slender  and  acute, 
black.  Li'gs  black.  Length  ()..-)0-7.00 ;  extent  1.'<.50-U.OO ;  wing  4.00-l.:J.'i  ;  tail  i.OM  or 
less;  bill  O.fiO;  tarsus  1.00;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.7.'i.  Fn  winter  (young  ?)  :  I'pper  plunuigi) 
rather  darker  than  as  above  said,  and  less  uniform,  the  individual  feathiTs  with  pale  edues. 
Whide  crown  like  back  ;  no  black  or  fulvous  on  head  ;  forehead  while  ;  lores  slightly  dusky  ; 
black  of  sides  of  breast  repWed  by  a  patch  uf  tho  color  of  the  back.     Mill  black  ;  tarsi  livid 


604 


SYSTEMATIC  SYSOI'SIS.  —  LIMICOLJE. 


bluish;  tws  Maokisli.  IJ.  S.,  diiefly  west  of  the  K.  Mts. ;  T'tiili ;  C'ala.  coast,  bn'cdiiijj  aiid 
wiiiteriui;;  also,  coast  of  Texas.  A  s|H'cinu'n  ((J,  Corpus  Cliristi,  Texas,  June  24,  Sviiiirll) 
tliou^h  in  iiiidsuiniiier  |iluina^i',  has  uo  fulvous  on  head  ;  no  trace  of  loral  mark:  the  coronal 
I>ar,  |io8t-o<-ular  stripe,  anil  latenil  |>eetoral  blotch  dark  brown,  not  black,  hlfina  '>i;  tone  ami 
style  of  coloration  about  as  in  ivilsonius;  sixe  as  in  wel<Mlii.s,  but  markings  more  numerous  and 
scratchy;   1.20X".',)U.     (I'robably  six-citically  ilistinct  from  JI'J.  vdntiaiiiix.) 

219.  I'ODASO'CYS.  (The  Homeric  epithet  of  Achilles,  nodas  ukvs,  podn.i  okus,  swift  as  to  iiis 
f«-et.)  MoiXTAiN  Plover.  In  general,  eharactci-s  <if  JtlijiulHen ;  but  no  black  belt  or 
patches  on  neck  or  breast;  a  coronal  and  loral  black  bar.  Si/e  lari;e.  Tail  short,  half  the 
wini,',  square.  Legs  very  long;  tibia-  nude  for  a  di.Mance  S  the  ]<'iigth  of  tarsus.  Latter 
more  than  half  as  long  again  as  middle  toe  and  claw.  Toes  very  short,  the  lateral  of  unequal 
length.s.     Tarsus  and  tibia  entirely  reticulate.     .Se.xes  alike.     One  species. 

SOS.  I*,  nioiitit'nus.  (Lat.  imnitdiiiis,  of  mountains.  Itailly  named:  it  is  a  prairie  bird.) 
I'k.mkik  I'l.ovKit.  "Moixtain"  I'l.oVEK.  ,J  9.  '»  summer:  ri)per  i)arts  nnifnrui 
grayish-brown;  in  most  breeding  individuals  the  shade  is  pure,  but  in  many  cases  the  feathers 
are  skirted  with  tawny  or  ochrey.  I'nder  parts  entirely  whiie  (iiii  black  belt  or  patches):  but 
the  brea.st  often  shaded  across  with  ditfuse  fulvous  or  gray.  A  sharp  Idack  loral  line  from  hill 
to  eye,  cutting  oH"  the  white  forehead  anil  superciliary  line  from  the  white  of  other  i>arts.  .\ 
coronal  black  bar  acro.ss  the  sinciput,  varying  in  width  from  a  mere  line  to  a  band  nearly  half 
the  length  of  <Town  in  width,  t^uills  blackish,  the  shaft  of  the  first  white,  of  the  others  white 
for  a  space;  some  of  the  inner  primaries  with  white  sjiaces  toward  the  ba.M's  of  the  outer  webs, 
uud  the  secondaries  ii  little  pah-  on  their  inner  webs.  Terliaries  and  greater  coverts  like  back, 
the  latter  white-tipiM-d.  Tail-feathers  like  back,  blackening  toward  ends,  the  outermost  pale 
tiironghont  ;  all  tipped  with  whitish.  Kill  Idack,  slender  ;  legs  pale;  the  toes  darker.  Li-nglh 
9.50;  extent  18.00;  wing  5.5O-«.00 ;  tail  2.5()-:{.0(»;  bill  0.!l()-1.0() ;  tibia"  bare  over  0.50; 
tarsus  Dw:  middle  toe  and  claw  0.1)0-1.00.  The  full  breeding  dress  has  not  before  been  fairly 
described.  (J  9 1  i"  winter:  No  black  coronal  or  loral  stripe;  otlierwiM',  geni'rally  as  in 
summer;  but  the  general  pbunage  more  rusty,  with  more  decided  wash  <if  color  on  the  breast. 
Young:  As  last  .said  ;  whole  upper  j)arts  rus»y  from  extensive  edgings  of  all  the  feathers;  sides 
of  head  and  neck  similarly  suffused  with  tawny.  The  ground-odor  of  the  n]iper  parts  is  also 
darker  than  that  of  the  adults.  Chick  in  down  :  Forehead,  sides  of  li(>ad  and  under  parts 
white,  with  sulphury-yellow  tinge.  Crown,  ba-k  and  tibiie  sulphury  or  tawny-yellow,  closely 
nnd  evenly  mottled  with  black.  I'mnarked  lini-  over  eye ;  black  ear-spot.  Hill  light  at 
«'Xtreme  ba.se  below,  and  at  the  ]Miiut.  Livi<l  (latch  of  naked  skin  on  neck.  An  interestiiiir. 
isidated  sjH-cies,  plentifully  and  generally  distributed  in  western  {'.  S.,  Plains  to  the  Pacific: 
N.  to  49°  at  lea.st.  I  havo  shot  it  in  Kansas,  Colorado,  Wyoming,  New  .Mexico  (June), 
Arizona,  Montana  (40°,  .lune),  California  coast  (November),  etc.  It  is  not  Kiuhomiiix, 
and  sufliciently  unlike  Jt^ijiuliU'x.  It  inhabits  the  mo.st  sterile  prairie  as  well  as  better  watered 
regions,  tpiite  iialependently  of  water,  anil  is  not  in  the  least  aipuitic  :  even  on  the  Cala.  coast 
it  haunts  the  plain,  never  the  marsh,  mud-Hal,  or  beach.  Feeds  chiefly  u]ion  insects,  especially 
grasshcippiTs.  and  is  generally  .seen  in  loose  straggling  conipanies  of  small  extent.  Nest  any- 
where on  tho  bare  prairie;  eggs  .'1-4;  L40  to  1.50  long,  by  1.10  broad,  less  pointed  than 
plovers'  etiirs  usually  are,  olive-drab  with  a  brown  shade,  profusely  dotted  all  over,  but  espe- 
cially at  the  larger  end,  with  blackish,  dark  brown  and  neutral  tint ;  the  markings  all  mere  dots 
and  points,  the  larcest  scarcely  exceeding  a  |iin's  head.     .lune,  .Inly. 

220.  V.VNKIVIA'S.  (Lat.  iv(»ic//iM  or  rrtOHW/Kx,  diminutive  of  r(i»iiiM.«,  a  fan.)  Lapwings.  Hill 
filinder,  shorter  than  head,  jterfectly  idiivialiiie.  Legs  long:  tibia  much  denuded  below;  tarsus 
greatly  longer  than  middle  too  and  claw.  A  web  between  bases  of  midilli:  and  outer  toes  ;  inner 
tiK-  cleft  to  the  base.  A  small  hind  toe.  Wings  very  long,  folding  to  end  of  the  long  .square 
tail,  but  rounded,  iA  5th  prinuiries  subequal  ami  longest,  Ist  about  <'i|ual  to  7th;  primaries 


.'S»». 


504. 


CHAHAVIillJXE  —  A PlllUZiyjI-: :   SURF-BIUDS. 


605 


iilJd 
nifti) 

:iiicl 
>  iiiid 


vory  broad,  3  "f  4  outer  ones  inueh  nnrroweil  toward  ond.  A  loiiij  thin  ri'cur\Td  <HM'i|iital  cn'st 
of  lilaiiH'iitous  fcatlicrs.  I'UniiaKf  "f  iiinicr  parts  liijjlily  liiMtroiii*  witli  iiirtallic  iridt'scfiicf. 
593  V. crIsta'tHs.  (I.at.  i/'w^j^im,  ercsti'd.  Fig.  H5.)  Cukstki)  Lai'wisii.  Adult  <J  ;  Tn](  and 
front  of  licad,  including  tho  i-'i  imdi  long  crest,  tliroat-line,  and  large  |iectoral  area,  glossy  black. 
Sides  <jf  head  mostly,  and  side."*  of  neck,  white,  on  hind  neck  mixed  with  gray,  rpperand 
under  tail-coverl.s  chestnut  or  orange-brown.  Under  parts,  except  as  said,  snowy-white.  Tail 
M-hite,  with  broad  bhick  bar  at  ends  of  feathers  excepting  outermost,  tips  of  all  inirrowly  white. 
I'pper  parts  iridescent  green,  passing  on  wings  to  violet-purpli>  and  steel-hlue.  tjnills  glo.ssy 
blue-black,  several  outer  priuniries  fading  to  grayi.sh-white  on  the  narrow  terminal  portion, 
the  secondaries  whit(!  at  base.  Hill  black  ;  feet  red.  This  splendiil  wanton  of  the  eresv 
iidiabits  Europe,  etc.,  and  has  occurred  in  Greenland. 


5B.    ?  Subfamily  APHRIZIN^:    Surf-blrda. 

The  peculiarities  of  tho  single  species  seem  t(j  be  sujjer  generic,  but  the  position  of 
Aphrhii  is  still  open  to  ipiestion  ;  as  may  be  judged  from  the  follnwiug  diagnosis. 
221.  AI'IIKI'ZA.  ((Jr.  d(f>p6s,  aphros,  sea- foam  ;  fdu.  zao,  I  live:  badly  formed,  but  euphonious.) 
SniK-HiUD.s.  Hill  plover-like,  shorter  than  head,  stout  at  base,  contracted  in  continuity,  with 
enlarged  horny  t<'rmiiiation  ;  both  mandibles  deei)ly  grooved  to  their  horny  ends;  nostrils  sub- 
basal,  chnie  to  commissure,  linear,  jyerforate  ;  feathers  reaching  eipuilly  far  forward  on  side  of 
each  mandible,  much  farther  in  int'-rrainal  sj)ace.  Wings  very  long  and  acute,  f<dding  to  nr 
beyond  eiul  of  tail.  1st  primary  longest,  all  rapidly  graduated  ;  tlowing  inner  quills  nut  nearly 
reacliing  point  of  wing.  Tail  very  short,  square,  less  than  one  half  as  long  as  wing,  12- 
featliered.  Feet  scolopacine.  with  well-develojied  hin<l  toe;  short  and  stout,  much  as  in  Strfji- 
silas  ;  tibiie  naked  below,  but  the  feathers  falling  to  the  sutfrago ;  tarsus  little  longer  than 
middle  toe  and  claw,  reticulate,  scutellati'  in  front;  toes  cleft  to  the  base,  lateral  of  equal 
lengths,  reaching  base  of  middle  claw  ;  inner  edge  of  middle  claw  ililated  and  jagged,  (ieneral 
character  of  plumage,  in  its  i)attern  of  c<doration  and  .sea.sonal  changes,  as  in  TriiigcfC.  One 
8j>ecies  ;  a  remarkable  i.s(dated  form,  perhaps  a  plover  and  connecting  this  family  with  the 
next  by  close  relatiou-ships  with  Slrepsila-i,  but  with  hind  toe  as  well  develoj)ed  as  usual  in 
Sandpipers,  and  general  appearance  rather  sandpi]ier-like  than  idovcr-like.  Aphrizina'  might 
go  under  Iltcmatopodiihc  next  to  Strepsilas  ;  or,  jjcrhaps  better,  Aphrun  and  SIrrpsiluH  might 
together  constitute  a  family  ApilHlZin.K,  next  to,  but  apart  from  Iheiiiatopodiihr. 
501.  A.  virKu'ta.  (Lat.  ri/v/afa,  striped.)  Si'ltK-niKi).  In  snnnner  :  Dark  ashy-brown,  streaked 
with  whitish  on  head  and  neck,  varied  with  rufous  and  black  on  the  back  and  wings.  I'pjier 
tail-coverts  and  basal  half  or  more  of  tail  i)ure  white;  rest  of  tail  Idack,  white-tipped.  I'nder 
parts  white  or  ashy-white,  variously  marked  with  browni.sh-black  ;  the  throat  and  fore  breast 
narrowly  streaked,  the  streaks  changing  on  the  breast  to  curved  bars,  and  there  very  profuse, 
on  other  under  i)arts  sparw  ami  si)otty.  I{a.ses  and  .shafts  of  ])rimaries,  tips  of  niost  ot  them, 
greater  part  of  the  seconilaries,  and  tips  of  greater  coverts,  white  ;  exposed  portions  of  primaries 
blackish.  Hill  black,  fle.sh-ecdored  at  base  below;  legs  dusky  greenish  f  In  winter: 
Plinnage  of  the  head,  neck,  breast,  and  upper  parts  tiearly  uniform  dusky  brown,  unvaried 
with  white  or  reddish,  but  with  obsoletely  darker  shaft-lines;  white  nmler  parts  slightly 
spotty;  ([uills  and  tail-feathers  as  in  summer.  Length  9.00-10.00;  extent  17.00  or  more; 
wing  0.5O-7.0O ;  tail  2.75;  bill  1.00;  tarsus  1.25;  middle  toe  and  chiw  1.10.  Varies  greatly 
in  phnnage  with  aj;e  and  season,  but  unmistakcihle  in  any  guise.  Extensively  dispersed  over 
the  coasts  and  islands  of  the  Pacific;  along  whole  W.  coast  of  X.  A.  In  Alaska,  according  to 
Nelson,  it  occurs  N.  to  Hering's  Strait  ;  and  about  St.  Michael's  frequents  in  August  the  rocky 
shores  of  the  small  outlying  islatids,  and  the  ca]>es  whose  rugged  shore-lines  atford  congenial 
resorts  to  tho  surf-birds  aud  the  Heteroscelua  incaniis. 


606 


SYST^:^[A  tic  synopsis.  —  limicola::. 


39.    Family  H^MATOPODID-^: :  Oyster-catchers.    Turnstones. 

A  small  family  of  two  gcnerii  uiul  six  or  ci^lit  8|M'ci*'M,  with  (in*  l>iil  hard,  ami  citlicr  acute 
or  triiiicati',  the  iiaMal  foHMi*  slmrt,  bmud,  uud  mIiu11(i\v  ;  the  li-^s  Nliort,  stunt,  brigiitly-ciiliu't'il. 
Tin-  two  following  gciii'ra  ilitfor  iiiiich  —  in  fuct,  iiioro  tlmii  Ajihruu  jIck-n  from  Slrfjisilns  :  it 
in  uiincccMMary  to  give  ii  formal  uiiulyMiH.     Kach  itlioulJ  W  ty|>v  of  u  nubfuitiily  at  li-aMt. 

56.    Subfamily   H^MATOPODINiC:  Oyster-catchers. 

222.  H^KM-V TOPI'S,  (dr.  ulfuiTotroit,  lidimatitjHius,  Tvi\-(iH>U'A;  atfta,  hdima,  \t\in«\,  novs,  poits, 
foot.)  OYsTKK-t'.VTciiKiiN.  No  liiiitl  tot'.  Front  to«'8  witli  busal  wt'liltiiiir,  i'oii!<|ii«-iiouH  between 
miiltllc  uud  outer,  uud  broadly  fringed  with  ineinbrikne  eontinnoii.s  with  tlie  welw  to  the  enilx. 

TarxMK  longer  than  middle  toe 
and  elaw,  retieiilate,  the  platen 
iu  front  enlarged  ;  Hliorler  than 
bill.  Tihiu-  l»rietly  hare  below. 
Legs  as  u  whole  very  stout, 
eoarsi?  and  ruin;h,  and  liyht- 
eohired.  Wintfs  i<>ng  and 
|)oinled  ;  1st  and  2<l  (juills  snh- 
ei|ual  and  longest,  'fail  short, 
Fin.  41.'0.  —  lilll  of  Oyatvr-catclier,  nut.  lUo.    ;AiI  nat.  ilvl.  K.  C.)  s(iuar4',   seareelv  or  not   half  as 

long  as  the  wing.  Hill  peeuliar  —  longer  than  tarsus,  twiee  as  hmg  as  head,  eonstrieted  near 
the  ba.xe,  mneh  eompressed,  almost  like  a  knife-hlade  toward  end,  ami  truncate,  something 
like  a  Woodpecker's  (it  is  an  etticient  intitrinneni  tor  prying  open  the  shells  of  bivalve  mol- 
bisks),  hard,  straight  or  deflected  sideways,  highly  i-olored  (tig.  I2<l.)  Na.sil  groove  very  short, 
broad,  and  shallow;  grooving  of  lower  mandible  sliijlit ;  interramal  space  very  short,  scarcely  a 
third  the  length  of  the  long  ascending  gonys.  N'o.Mrils  renioti"  from  the  feathiTs,  linear,  close 
to  edge  of  bill.  .^i/.e  large.  Sexes  similar.  Coloration  dark  aud  white,  iu  nniHses.  Several 
sjN'cies,  inhabiting  the  sea-coasts  of  most  countries. 

.IH'I/i/HM  nf  .s'/xrii ». 

llfitd,  tUH'k  mill  iipiH'r  linck  glniw.v-bliK'k  :  iH'lly  wliilr ntlrihiiHt    Mm 

IIi'IkI  mill  iii!i:k  Kliwxy-IHack ;  Imvk  Hniokv-limwii;  Iwlly  wliito imUMtim    tt'M 

llvuil  uikI  ii»'k  Klinuiy-lilitck ;  Imck  kiiil  iKlly  •iiioky-bruwii iiiyir    .V.I7 

505.  II.  OHtri'U>ffU».  (!.,at.  ostrmi,  an  oyster;  lerfo,  I  gather.  Fi^.  121.)  Ki'KoI'F.an  Oystkk- 
CATCIIKK  (oyster-opener  would  be  a  belter  name,  as  oysters  do  not  run  fast).  .Similar  to  the 
next  to  be  described.  I'pper  )iarts  glossy-bhiek,  like  the  head  and  neck,  (juills  black,  broadly 
margined  with  white  on  inner  webs  excepting  towards  end,  and  also  with  isolated  white 
shafts  ami  !  paces  near  end.  Hack  below,  interscapulars,  rump,  and  upper  tail-coverts  entirely 
white,  as  well  UH  Itases  of  the  tail-feathers.  Leni;th  about  lO.UO;  bill  about  •'<.<)() :  wing'J.DU; 
tail  4.:U);  tarsus  nearly  2.01).     Kurope,  Asia,  Africa  ;  X.  .\m.  as  iH-curring  in  (ireenland. 

506.  II.  palliu'tiis.  (I^at.  }Mllintui>,  wearing  the  pnlliiim,  a  cloak.)  Amkkican  Oyntkk-catchkk. 
ItKowN-ltACKKi)  ((VMTKK-CATCIIKU.  Adult  ^  ?  :  Itill  Vermilion  or  coral-red,  changing  to 
yellow  at  end.  Feet  pale  ]Mirplish  Hesh-color,  drying  dingy  yellowish.  Hyes  and  ring  around 
them  red  or  orange.  Whole  lieati  and  neck  all  around  ulossy-black,  fretpiently  overcast  with 
an  ashy  or  glaucous  shade.  Duck  aud  wiuK-coverts  smoky-brown  —the  contrast  with  the 
head  anil  neck  decided.  Hump  and  central  Kehl  of  np|N'r  tail-coverts  like  back  (not  white); 
lateral  aud  longest  central  coverts  white.  Tail-feathen<  white  lit  base  for  nearly  th<!  space 
covered  by  the  coverts,  on  the  lateral  feathers  rather  farther;  then  like  back,  blackening  at 
emls.  Terliaries  aud  long  inner  HeeondarieH  like  back  ;  next  few  secondaries  pure  white;  rest 
guiuiug  dark  color  iu  increai>ing  uinouut ;  tlio  white  uf  the  secuudarieri  forming  with  the  loug 


HJEMA  TOl'ODIUJE  —  H^MA  TOPODINJE :  O YSTER-CA  Tl llEltS.        »507 


lUMItl' 
I'lTll. 


WI'IIIS, 
|\VCIM1 

i-ikI.s. 
toe 

lati's 


307. 


wliit<'  tipti  of  tlio  uri'iitiT  coviTtn  ii  contiiiiciiiiim  broad  obliqiio  white  bur.  I'riiiukricH  iliixky, 
bliickt'iiiii^  tiiwani  t'inl,  toncln-d  witli  wliiti'  at  bast-s  of  tlif  imifi-  wcl>«  of  limber  ciiii'8,  with  whiin 
(III  (iiit<T  wi-bNiit  th<!  Hliiirt  iiint'r  oiivk,  but  no  iisohitcil  white  HiibttTiiiiiml  HpaccH.  (ThiiN  iiiiich 
Ic(ts  whitr  oil  wiiiKH  uiid  tail  tiiaii  in  ontrilfijHs,  biTtidcH  t!'o  iliHtTcncf  in  ctdor  of  tiic  bacli  ; 
tlioiiKli  Home  aihiwuiici>  in  cither  cuMt-  niuxt  ix-  niadf  for  normal  variation  from  tlu;  miniitvnceiii 
of  my  dfsrri|ition.)  Kiitirc  niulcr  parts  pur<'  white,  iiii-iudiiiK  lining  of  wiugM,  where,  however, 
II  few  dusky  feathers  eonimonly  show  alonj^  the  edfje.  Lenjtth  17.00-21.UO  ;  extent  HU.OO-.'JIi.OO  ; 
win^  10.01)  or  more ;  tail  i. 00  or  more  ;  tarsus  ^'.00  or  more  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  under  2.00. 
Bill  'i  url  iuehvii  long,  varying  in  shape  with  almost  every  siHrimcn,  with  wear  and  tear  under 


•NI 


■(. 


■.■;^- 


Fiu.  4'.'l.  —  Kiirniican  Oyoter-antclicr,  \  nut.  Hizii,    (Prom  Itrelim.) 


the  roui;li  usage  to  which  it  is  subjected  ;  onlinarily  both  mandibles  truiuvited  ;  often  the  lower, 
Hometimes  botii,  acute.  Kills  worn  thinnest  and  most  knifi-blaile-like  towards  end  are  often 
bent  sideways,  as  if  from  habitual  use  of  them  in  a  jiarticular  direction.  N.  Am.,  ('.  and  S.  Am., 
nliiioHt  entirrly  coast-wise,  and  c.hi<'Hy  aloni;  the  Atlantic,  but  aNoon  the  Pacific  side.  Migra- 
tory all  aloni;,  wintering  from  the  middle  districts  southward,  breeding  in  abundance  but 
irreuuliirly  at  ditt'ereut  points.  There  are  extensive  breedini;  resorts  alonp  tlie  Virifinia  coast. 
II.  iil'Ker.  (hat.  mV/rr,  black.)  llt.ACK  OvKTEii-CATtllKK.  Size  and  shape  of  the  fore- 
going. Head  and  neck  the  same,  but  no  wliite  on  eye-lids,  and  no  white  anywhoro;  rest  of 
plumage  dark  smoky-brown,  blackening  on  wiugs-(|uill8  and  tail-feathers.     I'aciKc.  coast. 


608 


SYSTEMATIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  UMICOUK. 


57.   Subfamily   STRKPSILAIN^:   Turnstones. 

Tho  cliaritctiT  of  ilic  ^ulifmiiily  hIidiiIiI  Ik-  finiMtriictod  to 
iiU'liid)'  Ajihrha,  unless  Slirpsilas  ami  A/)liri:ii  iimy  ron- 
Btitutc  two  siil>faiiiilu>H  of  ii  family  Ajihruiitir.  (Soi-  ji.  605, 
niiiliT  AjiUrizintr.) 
223.  HTKKI'MILAS.  (Cr.  (rrp<>ir,  strrpsiM,  ii  tiiriiiiiu  over, 
Xuf.  Ills,  a  stone.  Fii;.  Hi.)  TfUNSToNKH.  Hill  slmrter 
than  lieati,  not  lonpT  than  tarsus,  eonstrictetl  at  liase,  then 
tapering  to  an  aente  tip,  almost  a  little  reeiirved.     Cnlmen 

Mli'aii;ht  or  a  littl mcave,  es|NTially  over  nostrils;  eoni- 

missnre  straight  or  slightly  reenrvetl;  nmler  ontlint-  enrving  np  from  tin*  haso,  or  straight  to 
aiigli'i  then  gouyH  uiiveudiug.     NuiMil  fusstu  shurt  und  broad,  ahont  half  the  length  of  tiic  Mil ; 


Fin.  4'.>2.      mil  of  Turnstone,  n«t 
size.    (All  nut.  ilul.  K.  U.) 


Fio.  423.  —  TuniMone,  |  nat.  »ize.    (From  Rmlim.) 

grooving  of  under  mandible  tdiort  and  shaUow.  Gonys  longer  than  mandibular  rami.  Wings 
long  and  ]K)inted.  Tail  short,  a  little  rounded,  searcely  or  not  half  as  long  as  wing.  Legs 
short  and  8t«mt ;  tibia-  little  denuded  ;  tarsus  wrutellate  in  front,  reticulate  on  sides  und  behind, 
about  as  long  as  middle  too  and  claw.  T<k>s  4,  the  hinder  short,  but  as  well  developed  us  iii 
8itndpi|H>rs  gcncrully,  the  front  toes  cleft  to  the  base.  Claws  curved,  compressed,  acute. 
There  is  probably  but  one  c«>sino]Mditan  s|N>cies,  the  scientific  and  venimmlur  names  of  which 
arc  both  derived  frum  its  habit  of  turuiug  over  pebbles  along  the  shore  iu  s(>arch  of  fiMid. 


ll.KMA  TOPODIDJi  —  STHKISILMS.E :    irUSStOSKS. 


«;o<) 


Inst 


Anitlytii  i]f  .Spicim. 

ritnl  Willi  bliK'k,  wliltv,  anil  cliLKtiiut  ;  fcoturuuKu inlirfir-t    aOH 

llllt•'kl^ll  iukI  whlli)  ;  f«il  iliirk  V wiK/.iiKxv/jA.i/m    tM.t 

3UH.  a.  Inter  pr««».  ( l.iil.  (>W»-r/(»r.<,  a  I'lM-tor,  ii«<iil,  uo-liitwiiu.  Fii;.  li'H.)  Tiusntonk.  ItiUNT 
Uilti).  ('Ai.u-o-iiArK.  Adiili  (J,  ill  lircrdiiiu  (liisn:  I'iicl  alxivc  Willi  liliiik,  wliiir,  Imnvn, 
anil  clicstiiiit-rcil;  ImIi.w,  Himwy,  wiili  jii  liiiasl.  'I'lip  i.l' hrail  stniiUril  with  lilai'k  ami  wliiti-. 
F<irclii-ail,  rlirrks,  .tiili'.s  iif  hniil  ami  liack  of  neck,  wliitf,  witii  a  liar  nf  lilark  romiim  il|i  iVoiii 
till'  NJilf  of  iirrk  to  Im'Iihv  rvf,  llifii  fiiiiiint;  liirwiiicl  ami  niiTtiii!;  nr  trmliiit;  In  inrrt  il.«  ffllnM- 
ov*-i'  Ita.HC  of  liill.  I'lirlioiiit;  or  iicaiiy  t'iirlii>iiii:  a  uliiir  loral,  ami  aiintln'r  Mark  |iniloimati"ii 
on  sitlc  of  iirfk  :  lower  fyr-liil  wliitc  or  imi,  l^i.wir  liimi  iio-k,  liiti.'rwii|iiilin'N  anil  !«ca|mlar.-', 
pii'il  willi  lilai'k  ami  rlicstniit  :  liark,  rinii|i,  ami  ii|i|ii'r  tail-i-nvi'rts,  rtuou-y-wliitr,  wiili  a  larui' 
crnlral  I'larkisli  tii'lil  mi  tlif  latter.  'I'ail  wliite,  with  liroail  ^^iilitenniiial  lilackisli  lirl'l, 
iiarrowiiiK  on  oiitfr  fciitlicn*  iiinl  incoiii|il<'li',  wiilciiini;  to  usually  I'lit  off  white  tips  of  eeiiMMl 
feathers.     \Vin;;-fiiverts  ami  loni;  inner  seninilaries  pieil   like  tlie  si'a|inlars  with   lilaek   ainl 

chestnut,  the  yreater  eoverts  liroailly  wliite-ti|i|ieil  or  iiioslly  white,  the  short   inner  si mlaries 

entirely  while,  the  rest  aeijuirin^  ilusky  on  their  emis  to  inereasini;  evieiit,  with  result  of  a 
liroail  olilii|ue  while  winc-liar.  I'riinaries  hlaekish,  the  Ioniser  ones  will:  lai'i;e  white  tiehls  on 
inner  welts,  the  shorter  ones  also  iletinitely  white  on  outer  wel>s  for  a  H|iace,  the  shafts  white 
unless  at  eiiil;  |iriniary  eoverts  white-ti|>|ieil.  I'mler  |iart>,  iiieluilinj;  umler  wiiit^-eoverts. 
siiowy-white,  the  hreast  anil  juculuni  Jet-l>laek,  enelosinu  a  white  tliroat-imtch,  ami  semliiii; 
limits  on  siiles  of  heail  ami  neek  as  above  saii!.  Kill  blark  ;  iris  blaek  ;  fcot  itrani;e.  9  '■iniilar, 
larkini:  iiiueli  of  the  eliestnut,  replaeeil  Ity  plain  Itrown,  espeeially  on  tlie  winu-eoverts  ;  the 
ilark  p.'irts  in  same  pattern,  Imt  restrieteil  somewhat,  the  hlai-k  not  jet  ami  ^'lossy.  Ailulls  in 
winter,  ami  yonni;.  larkinu  the  eliestnut  entin-ly,  tim  black  inoiitly  replaced  liy  lintwns  ami 
grays,  that  of  the  breast  especially  restrieteil  or  very  imperfect.  Length  8.(M)-',>.<M)  ;  extent 
H'l.llO-l'.i.lH):  win^' .'>..'>iMi.llO:  tail  2..'>(l ;  bill  D.siJ D.'.H) ;  tarsus,  or  iniilille  toe  ami  claw,  altoiit 
l.llO.  Nearly  cosniopolitan  ;  in  N.  Am.,  both  coasts  altiimlantly,  ami  infrei|Uently  on  the  larger 
inlaiiil  waters;  iiiit;ratiiu;  throUi;h  ami  winteriiu;  in  the  I'.  S.,  breeilim;  in  hii;li  lalilmles. 
,*iUU.  S.  iiit^liiiiucv'pliMliis.  ((ir.  fttXas,  wilns,  black:  KtrftaXi'i.  hrjiliulf,  lieail.)  Ml.ArK-IIi;AI>i:i> 
'I'l  ItNSTiiNK.  Willioiit  any  of  the  chestnut  coloration  of  the  last,  the  parts  that  are  pieil  in 
iiiliriirrs  being  blackish;  the  white  parts,  howevi'r,  anil  the  ilisiribution  of  the  coloreil  areas, 
nearly  tlie  .same.  In  the  most  perfect  i-as^es  I  linve  seen,  the  entire  bead,  neck,  ami  breast  are 
dark  snioky-brown,  the  color  extendint;  further  aloiii;  the  breast  tlian  the  jet  plistron  of 
ilitiriiri's.  ii\u\  not  uniforiii,  but  the  dark  brown  nebulaleil  with  sooty  centres  of  the  feathers, 
and  sliaded  by  nii.xtnre  of  white-tip|ieil  feaihers  into  tlii)  white  of  the  under  parts.  White  lower 
back,  mill]!,  and  upper  lail-coverls,  with  black  central  flehl  of  the  latter,  as  in  iiitrriirrs;  black 
and  wiiite  of  winv's  sultstaiitially  the  same,  but  most  of  the  primaries  narrowly  while-tipped. 
Feet  apparently  of  soinu  obscure  dark  color.     Other  specimens  have  a  distinct  white  loral  s|Mtt, 

and  indication  of  the  while  of  head  and  neck  of  hi- 
ter/iri'-i  in  white  specklins;.  No  trace  of  chestnut 
seen  in  any.  Size  and  form  precisely  as  in  i/i/fcyi/yw. 
Apparently  a  permanent  melanism;  if  so,  a  very 
curious  case,  and  a  nood  species      I'acitic  coast. 

40.   Family  RECURVIROSTRID-.E  : 
Avocets.     Stilts. 

Another  small  family,  characterized  by  tlii^  ex- 
treme leiiitth  of  the  slender  leys,  and  the  extreme 
slenderness  of  the  loni;  acute  hill,  wbich  is  either 
straight  or  curved  upward.    I{ccurvi rostra  is  l-toed. 

ao 


-W--:^y^ 


Fio.  424.  —  Iloail  anil  fistt  of  Avitcct,  nlioiit  i 
nat.  kIxp 


610 


SYSTE^Li  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LIMICOL^. 


iiiul  fiiU-wiltlwd  ;  the  bill  Ih  dccidoilly  n'ciirvcd,  HuttctU'd,  and  Iiiimtm  tn  a  iiicdli-likf  |mliit; 
tiic  Ixidy  Ih  (if|iri-n.M('d  ;  tlio  |iIiiiiiiiki'  iniilcnifiitli  ii«  tliifkciicd  iin  in  wiitfr-liiriU.  'I'lii- H|K>eii-H 
Hwiin  well,  HiitunilojiUH  is  .'{-tixil,  M'Miiimliimtf,  tlic  l>ill  ninrly  NirulKlit,  mid  nut  llattiMicd  ;  in 
rclutivf  IciiKtii  III"  \vf!  it  in  pndialdy  nut  siiriiH.sHcd  l»y  any  liird  whatmH'vcr.  Tlirw  twn  >{cncra, 
carli  <■(■  three  itr  tour  .xiMties  «(  variouti  partH  of  the  wtirld,  with  the  ('ImhirhtiH'hm  itntornliii 
of  AiiHtralia,  corniioHo  tin-  family. 
224.    KH<;URVIU08'TIIA.     (Lat.  »WMrnw,  bent  uiiward ;  rod^no/i,  hill.     Fig.  lij.)     Avihktm. 


Flu.  423.  -  Eurn|ieAii  Aviicot,  Itecurvirotira  aroeilla,  \  imt.  kIzo.    (Froiii  Ilrt'lnii.; 

Hill  excessively  slender,  more  or  less  reeiirved,  then  the  npper  mandible  hiudied  at  the  e.xtn'me 
tip;  ninch  longer  than  head,  more  or  less  nearly  ei|nallin(;  tail  and  taixns  ;  tiatteneil  on  tM|), 
withont  cnlminal  ridge.  Wings  short  (for  a  wader).  Tail  very  short,  sipiare,  le.is  than  half 
the  wini;.  Legs  exceedini;ly  long  and  slender;  tibia'  loni;-deniided  ;  tarsus  nearly  twiee  as 
long  as  middle  toe  and<-law:  eoverim;  of  leys  skinny.  Ki'et  1-toed;  the  front  toes  full-webbe4l, 
hind  toe  short,  free.  Ilody  remarkably  depressed  ami  feathered  nnderneath  with  tliii-k  duck- 
like  ]dunnige ;  altogether,  as  in  swimming  rather  thuu  U8  in  wading  birds.     It  is  a  modiiieatiuu 


UKcruyiuosTniiLK :  Avuctrvs  AXit  srius. 


Wi 


liko  thilt  WTii  ill  ilii-  li>lM-f(M.t)'(l  |iliiiliirci|M'N.     Scxi'ii  niitl  yoinuf  alike;  uinti-r  iiiul  miiiiiiur  |>lii- 
iiiiii;)'  liiHiTi'iil  (ill  till'  Niirtli  Aimricaii  .»|M'cii'N  at  miy  rati). 

(100.  II.  unuTlott  ii».  (Lat.  iiiiinininii,  .\iiuiiiMii.  Ki^.  »-^l.)  A.MKUii  an  Amuj.t.  IJi.i  k.- 
Nl'iMKrNO.  .\iliilt  J  9-  <"  xiiiiiiiiir:  Wliitr,  I'haiiuiiiu  unKliially  tci  ciiiiiaNiini  nr  i'l:<'!<tliilt- 
lirtiwii  ciii  imtU  mill  lirail,  cxi'i'iitiii^,  ll^<llally,  tlir  parts  alxnit  liaNc  nf  liill.  iiiti'i>ra|iiilar»  ami 
part  of  the  M-apiiliirs  liliu'k  ;  wiiigK  Mark,  with  tlic  liniiif;,  ainl  iniiMt  <>r  tin-  wriniilarii'M,  wliiti'. 
Tall  pfarl-irray.  Iris  rrd  (Miiiin'tiiiii'!*  Iirowii).  Ley!*  dull  liliic  (ilryiiii:  l>lacki»li),  iiiiii-li  of  tln« 
wclm  llrHli  nilnr;  tiill  Mai-k,  nt'ti'ii  pair  at  Ita^r  liilnw.  .<^i7.i'  I'Xti'i'tiiily  variitlilc :  li'ii^tli 
Ift.(M)  -iO.m;  cxti'iit  4S.(M)-:iS.(Kl !  wiiiK  r.(l(l-',).,'i() :  tail  lUHt-^lM);  liill  :i..'iiMiinri>iir  Ii-hh,  tmin 
iii-ai'ly  straiu'lit  t<>  strmiKly  rrciirvril  ami  limiki'il:  tiliiic  l>ari'  i.'Ai;  taixns  :|..')(liir  iiinri'  ;  iiiiililli> 
(III'  anil  rlaw  lMIO  ur  IrsH.  .\iliill  ^  9>  '"  n'ml'i"-  Iliad  ami  iirrk  axliyur  prarl-u'ra).  likr  tlii> 
tail;   lliiN  lias   liri'ii    I'lilli'd    l{.  ixriilmliilis;  al'trrwai'd    ruiisiilfn'd  tlir  yniuii;.      Viiiniti :   'I'liii 

lirail  ami  I k  strmiiily  waslii'il   witli  rimiaiiiini-liruMii ;  rusty  or  lawny  iili;iiiL's  "I*  llir  Mark 

fi'atiirrs.  I  liavr  shut  si-ari'i'ly  tli'ilp'd  iiii'ds  in  thisstatr; 
till-  Hliaiik  Im  alwi  pi'ciiliarly  swiilli'ti.  i'.  S.  and  Kiitish 
I'riiviiii'i's  ;  ran-  imw  in  K.  I.'.  S.,  mily  i-isiial  in  N'i'W  Kiu.'- 
iand  ;  iiliniimlini;  in  tin-  west,  rspi'i-ially  in  the  alkaliiii> 
ri'i;iii!iM,  as  tliiisi' iif  the  Yclliiwstniii' and  .Milk  liivrr  rcuimis, 
I'tiih,  I'tr.  Its  appraraiiri'  is  striking',  as  iiii^'ht  hi'  sup- 
piisi'd  :  its  i-laninr  is  iiu-rssaiit  wlirii  tin-  lirci'diiii;  plai-rs  arr 
invadrd.  It  is  iiut  a  wary  liird,  and  may  easily  lie  ap- 
prnarhed  when  wailini.'  almut  in  small  llnrks  in  the  shal- 
low alkaline  pools  it  loves  so  well.  Feeds  liy  jiiiiiiersiiii^ 
the  head  ami  iieek  I'lir  sniiie  iiionieiits  whilst  proMiii;  alioiit 
with  the  I'urioiis  Mil  in  the  soft  slimy  uo/.e.  On  t;eitiii^ 
lieyoiid  its  depth,  it  swiiiis  with  pirfeet  ease,  and  often 
aliiihts  IVoiii  on  wini;  in  deep  water.  Kitl's  -i-i,  as  variaMe 
in  sixe,  shape,  and  markings  as  the  parents;  Irom  l.Si)  to 
2.1(1  loiiK  Ity  \.i')  to  1.4.)  Iiroad  :  ground  i-iilor  frmii  dark 
olive  to  lirownish-ilrah,  tlieiiee  to  ereaiiiy-hrown  or  liiill", 
like  those  of  Sh.iimliai  fowls:  pretty  uniformly  and  pm- 
fiisely  marked  witii  small  sliarp  spots  of  dillrieiit  shades  i.f  cliociihite-lirnwii,  with  neutral- 
tint  sliell-markiiius  ;  on  the  liull' eiru's  usually  siiiallest  and  most  iiuiiieroiis,  liolder  on  the 
olive  lilies. 
225.  IIIMAX'TOITS.  (tir.  Ifitti^iinint  liiiiiii„t«i„>iis,  strap-lei;.  Fiu'.  k'fi.)  .s^riMs.  Mill  ex- 
tremely  slender,  liilt  not  llatteiied,  imr  turned  up,  nor  liiiuked  ;  luiiyer  than  head,  ratlier  shorter 
than  tiirsuM.  Winu  Ion;;  ami  pointed,  foldini;  heyoml  the  slioit  and  Mipian-  tail,  wliieli  is  le.sx 
than  half  the  wiii^.  Lei;s  of  imiipie  leiii;th  and  slemlerness,  the  hare  part  almut  as  Ioiil.'  as 
tlle^vill^;  tiliiie  denuded  for  a  ;;reat  distaiiee;  tarsus  ahmit  twice  as  Ion;;  as  tiM>H.  Feet  :i-toei|, 
seiiiipalmate  ;   liiit  the  species  wareely  swim.     Se.ves  similar  :   yoiiiii;  dilierent. 

001.  II.  nicxicii'iiiiM.  (Lat.  iiir.rit'niiis,  Mexican.  Fii;.  ^i7.)  .^ril.l'.  l.iiNii-sllASKS.  Lawvi^:ii. 
Adult  (^  9  '■  .Miintle,  constituted  l>y  tlie  interscapulars,  scapulars,  and  wiiit;s  (almve  and  lirlow) 
;;Io.ssy-ldack,  proloiiucil  up  the  hack  of  the  neck  and  on  top  and  sides  of  head,  emhracini;  the 
eyes.  .\  spot  over  and  heliiml  eye,  one  on  mider  eyelid,  forehead  to  ii]iposite  eyes,  sides  of  head 
lieliiw  eyes,  sides  of  neck  and  entire  under  parts,  touether  with  the  louir  hark,  rump,  and 
upper  tail-cDverts,  while  ;  tail  pearl-L'ray.  In  life  the  loiiir  Mack  winus  fold  entirely  over  the 
while  upper  parts  and  tail,  so  that  the  Mnl  looks  entirely  Mack  iiliove.  Kill  Mack  :  eyes  anil 
lo^s  carmine,  latter  dryini;  yellowish.  Lenu'lh  aliniil  l.'i.lHI;  extent  almut  .'Itl.tlil;  win;;  "n. .">()- 
O.-IO:  tail  2.75-;i.i.'.  ;  hill  i.:>i)-i.7:>:  liMa' hare  .i.MO-.'l.riO :  tarsus  4.iiO- 1. .'>():  midilie  toe  and 
claw  \.7'}-JM).     Adults,  not  in  perfect  dre.ss:  Some  of  the  dark  parts  brown,  iioj  ulossy-hl.iek. 


Km.    •4111.  —  stilt      iKnini    Ti uy, 

llfli'l'  Wllixill   I 


612 


SYSTKMA  TIC  SYXOfSlS.  -  Ll.VK'OUf:. 


Yoiiiik:   Mautlx  uxliy-liioKii,  larh   IriitliiT  cilui'il  with  wliitinli ;   wiiit;-  liliirk,  liiit  .sniiii' nf  tin- 

<|iiillN  \vliitf-(i|>|H'tl,  till'  *-il(;i'  III'  tliii  wiiiK  wliit4',  tlm  ttovurU*  ciIki'iI  with  palu  iM-.lirc.     Tail  noi 

Ml  |it'arly  j^ray  a>  in  iln- 

ailillls.  with  Miinr   ii'ii'i;- 

iihtr     iluhhy     iiiarkiiiup. 

Ia'Hh    |;r'>](alily    iliH'rri  iil 

(»kili>     ull'oiil    III"    ciilc- 

riitii).    Ciiicli,  ill  iliiwii : 

Itill  ii|)|)ai'riilly  lilarki.sli ; 

h'Ui'  |iah'.      I'liih'!'  |iai'ts 

wtiiN' ;  iiIm)Vi',  jiiTttily  limttlril  with   lih  I'K,  lnnwii,  auil  lawny 

•  ir  oniii^i'.      {'.    S.    ufiM  rally,   likr  llif  avurrl   rare   ivi.slwai'i, 

ahnnilant   in  tin'  wrst,  ralhrr  iiinic  HitiilJK'iiy  than   thi'  av i. 

Nl•^■I    at    thr  wiilrr'.«-r(li;<'  (ir  oil    |it';i|M'il    Mi;iliitiii|i   jn.»l    ahuM 

ihf  Mirlarr  ill  ^hallovv  wiiliT ;  vau^  I.  |iyiit'iiriii,  l.tini,,  l.s.'iX 

l.l.'i    til    !.:.''i;    t;rr)  nisli-ili'iili  nr   luili'   lii'iiwiii>li  nlivr   tn  ilark 

..„ iirhrarriiii.-,  Imlillv  Miaikiil  all  uvii  «  ilh  .-iint.i  ami   uhlunhi'.'  •;! 

Kli;    427.  -  Itliitk-iiii  liivl    Sljll.  .  •  '  ' 

]  iiiti.  hI«!.     (Kriiiii  Ni'liiti'i . j  lilackiHli-liniWii. 


41.    Family    PHALAROPODID^ :    PhalaropoH. 

'I'lii.'*  Is  liki'UiM'  :i  miimII  laiiiily  :  llir  llini'  rjiirir.-  i'iiiii|iri>lnu  il  irMinlih  Minil|ii|H'i>,  Iml 
ail'  iiniiii'ilialrly  ili.sliiii;ni.-liri|  liy  llif  hiliati'  lirl  :  tin'  Im.--  an'  ln|■ni^ll^ll  with  jilain  ur  .•MMllnpril 
llirilil)rail)-H,  likr  tlliw  iif  riHil.s  ami  l'IiIms,  iiiil  i.iil  Ml  liiiiiiil.  'I'lii  ImiiI)  i?4  ll^•|>l•l•^.sl•ll,  Mini  ihr 
uiiiirr  |iliiinau)'  tliirk  ami  i|iirk-lik<'  In  ri'si>t  w.ilii,  nii  wliii'h  llir  liinU  >uiin  with  iinlrrt  ium' 
ami  urai'f.  'I'lir  Mint;>  ami  l.i.l  an-  likr  tlniM-  >■(  nnliiiary  haniliii|MT-  ;  ihr  lai>i  air  iiimh  nmi- 
|irt'KM'il ;  llicrt'  i.s  lla^al  xtiMiini,'  nt  ih'-  tm  ~  lii'>ii|i  >.  tin'  inaruiiial  iiK'iiilinilii' ;  llir  l>ill,  ami  Munr 
iitl  <'r  ili'lailH  III'  riii'in,  liitli  i  in  fiidi  nl'  lln'  llirn'  uini  la.  'I'lirsr  ItiiiK  iiihahit  tin'  iiui'tlirrii  (hh 
tiiillN  III'  liiith  lii'iiii>|ilii'lrs,  iwii  III'  tlii'in  .'It  ii'a>t  lirrrillliL'  nlily  in  Imrriil  ti'i;iiin>,  hill  tlii'N  all 
WainliT  fai-  nniilliwal'il  iliuilitrr.  TIhtc  air  hnl  lliirr  >|Mi'iis.  niir  |ii  rnli.n  l>i  .\iiiriira.  ihr 
(«lhl^^    f'  uiiiira!  ili«tri)iiitiiiii. 

.Ill'l'i/l'i  '!'    ''*  "•  '■'' 

Miiiilinitii>  |ilulii;  liill  M  iv  hIimmIit,  ►::/iiil»li'  ... .s/i.i;ii«.i/iii»     ;■■.'•■. 

.Mi'iiil.rniiin  Miill.iiK'.l;  lilll  viT)  uli'inli  1.  »iit'iili«tii  •     •  /.■•'•i/»»    '.••.'; 

M.nil.r  iiM- i-.i1|.i|-mI.  I.lll  .I.Milir.  Iliilliiii"!,  Willi  liiii'i'iKlmi  ••!  lit •     fli'il.,,.,„i»    •.-> 

226.  SI'»-«;,\>  on  H.  'I.i  iiTfyaiomai-.  sliiltitii>/ii>ils,  wrii  rml.)  rilivill  -Hmh  l';i.M..\lliii'i;."' 
I'lill  Iniii;.  ii|n:i|liliL'  ihi'  laCMls.  fXi-iTililii;  thr  hiail,  I'Slrrinily  .-li'mli'i',  lilrlr  itliil  ai'lltr.  ( 'i.Iiniii 
ami  uiiiiy."  Innail  ami  i!i'|in'HM-i|.  I.iiirial 
KrlHlVl•^i  Iniit,'  iimi  iiariiiM,  vnirhintj  n.  urly 
III  lijiof  dill.  Inlri-raiiial  >|i.  ^i'  iiariMW  ami 
viTV  fliiirl,  ixiriiillni;:  niil)  hah  \Vii\  Iimmi' 
iif  hill.  N.i'ilril.'*  at  I'xlii'ini'  haxi'  nf  Itill. 
Wine-  "f  imiilrr.ili'  linirlh  i'a'l  .••hurt, 
iifi|i|y  i!iiiilily-.'iiiai'i.'inati' :  Uc  cually 
••liiiiiliili'il ;  liliia'  hair  fur  a  riiii!«'nliT,il<lc 
ili-lam-i   ;     t.-il'"!!!     <'\ri'rirnii:     liliihlh'    li"'.  Pin   -IVM,  _  llami  nr  Wiln'in'ii  Pli»liirii|H',  mil    >l/i      i.l<l 

'I'lirs  Imiiu-   ami   r'liiil.r.  Iir..a.|ly  inamimil      ""'  ''*'   ''■''' 

uith  .'III   I'Vi'li,  nii>«Miliii|M'<l   ini'iiilii'anr.  niiiti'il  lint  I'nr  a  lirirl'  .s|iari'  liMMally.      ('lawn  imiihiati  ly 
li  .nr.  aii'llr.l.      III,   luntt', 

aO'i.    S.   «v(l  Hoiil.     CI  .1  .\.  WiImiii.      V\u-    k'*«.)     \Vii.M>N'>   I'll  M.Ainiri'..     Ailiill   9.  in   Imiilini.' 
itli'H.s  :    Hill   ami  li'it  Mirk.     Crnwn  nf  hcail   jiah'  anh,  jiaxfinu   iiitu  whitr  alniiu  a  liiirruw  r^trilH' 


227. 


IIO.'I 


l'lf.lLAHOP(U)nKK .    fllALAHOJ'KS. 


fits 


III! 
lint 
tl,.' 

,.y. 

ml 

Mr- 

ni : 

Ills 

I  iiy 

l'. 

It. 

ii\r 


■."•-T. 


237. 


803.    I 


ill  tln'  iii'iic.  A  iiiimtw,  (liHtirict,  iiiirc \vliiti>  lim-  ovit  tlir  ryi'.  Siilix  i.f  nork  iiitrnw  |iiir|ili»h- 
(•li('Miiiit,  or  tliii'k  wiiif-rcil ;  aiit:  rimly  (Iri'iM-iiiiii;  ii|n>ii  ilir  iiiiririilai'M  into  vclvrty-lilat'k  ;  |mih- 
t!>riiii'ly  riiiitiiiiii'tl,  HmiM'wIiiil  iluilcr  in  tint,  iik  a  .slri|H-  aluiiir  I'lU'li  !*i<l<'  <'l°  the  lnu'k  ti<  tli<-  tipn 
iif  tlic  M'a|iiilar>4.  Otlicr  ii|>|M'r  paitM  |ii'arly-a.->li,  lilancliini;  mi  tlif  niiii|i  auil  iipiMT  lail-rnvrrlc, 
\Vin;;.s  |iali'  nrayi!<li-l>ri>\vn  ;  nivcrts  ^liu'lllly  wliiti-ti|i|M'il  ;  jiriniarir.s  ilioky-lin-vvn,  iliiir  ^llal'tN 
lii'<iwiii.sli-u-|iitc,  <'Xt'i'|it  at  tip.  'I'ail  inailili'il  witli  |i<'arly-t.'i'ay  ami  uliilc.  All  I  ir  iinilcr  |iartn 
p  ire  wliitc,  lint  llic  fnrc  part  ami  xiilcH  of  tlif  liri'axt  wa.slicil  witli  pale  rlicHtiiut-hniM'ii,  n»  if  with 
a  '.vcak  solution  of  tlic  rii-li  color  on  tlir  m-rk,  and  a  faini  tini.'<'  of  tlir  sanir  aloni;  tin-  siilrs  of  thi' 
lioily  to  till'  Hanks,  {till  ami  fri't  Mark.  Iris  lirown.  |.*'ii);ili  s..'i(i-'.).nii ;  ixti-iit  l.'i.,'iii-|i>.(M) : 
wiii^  5.(10-5. 2.'i  ;  tail  -i.-.'.'i  :  hill  l.-'H;  larsn.s  l.^>.')  ;  iniihlh'  tin-  anil  flaw  l.l'i.  .Viliilt  J  :  l^-ra 
lirhly  n.loriil.  ami  siiialiir  ;  h'iii.'th  ^,<l()  s  .-,11:  .xtiiit  l.'i.iKl;  xviiiL'  l.;."i  .'(.(HI.  A. lull  J  9  .  in 
vvintiT  ;  No  riisly  ml  or  purr  Mack,  .\liovr,  pine  a.sh) -tiiay.  each  iValhir  usually  skirlnl  with 
whitish  :  rri'ipicntly  Miiiir  lilacUisli,  palc-i'ilKi'il  I'l-iithi-rs.  WiiiK-ipiilld  fuwiuiH,  iiHi'.,ii'.y  with 
liuht  I'llu'inL's  :  tail  as  in  siinuiirr  ;  nppir  tail-covirts,  iiiic  over  cyi',  parts  ahoiit  hill,  anil  wliolc 
nmlcr  jiarts,  uliitc,  tin-  jiiirnlinii  ami  siilis  usually  shailcil  with  ashy.  N  immil'.  Iiifoir  lirst  nimill  : 
Kill  Itlackish,  alioiit  I.  ill  loni.' ;  h'(;s  iliill  yellow  (tarsiis  1.-2(1;  niiilillc  tor  ami  claw  l.o.'i). 
I'ppcr  parts,  incliiilini.'  ciown  ami  iipprr  siirfacc  of  wiui;s,  hrownish-hlack,  each  feather  eilueil 
with  nisty-hrown,  very  conspic.ioiis  on  the  loin;  inner  secomlaries,  ami  uivinu  a  ueneral  aspect 
like  (hat  of  a  samlpipi  r  of  the  ceiiiis  Ailiiiliouiiis.  I'pper  tail-coverls  pure  white.  T.ul  clear 
a.sli,  eilueil  ami  niiicli  iiia'iileil  with  white,  the  ash  ilarker  at  its  line  o|  ileniarcation  from  the 
white.  Line  over  eye,  aiiil  whole  iimler  parts  while,  the  hreast  with  a  faint  riisty  linue,  ami 
the  sides  sliuhlly  inarldid  \"ith  t-ray.  (^. tills  dusky,  (he  secnndaries  wlcili-edi.'ed.  ami  the  shalts 
(if  the  primaries  whitish,  '('his  slaire  is  of  eMieiiii  ly  hrief  diiialioii,  hiLiiniiini;  to  i;i\i-  way. 
.iliiiost  .'IS  soun  the  liiril  is  full  (.'I'own,  to  the  clear  iiniforni  ashy  ol'  the  iipp>  r  |iart->ot  ihc  fall 
and  winter  condition.  The  clianue,  in  some  specimens  shot  early  in  .Vimnvl.  i>  ilready  \ery 
evident,  clear  ashy  feathers  hi  int;  iniMil,  on  the  crown  and  all  the  upper  parl^.  with  such  as 
jiixt  di'-criiieil.  f<\/,v  of  tin  smallest  specimen  only  H.:{,'i  in  lenutli  hy  I  I. .'Hi  in  exteiil  ;  the  winu 
■J. (Ml.  Chicks  are  covered  with  hiiir-colori  ij  .lown,  spotted  with  Mack  ahove.  In  full  pltimau'e 
this  Ih  the  iiandsoinesl  and  largest  of  the  phalai'opi  s,  and  one  ol  the  liiosl  ele^Miit  of  tin  wailers. 
r.  S.  and  Itritish  I'rovinces,  N.  to  the  Saskatchewan  ;  rare  in  I'.  S.  K.  of  lllinnis  and  Lake 
Micliiuiin  ;  ahnndant  in  the  Misiissippi  Valley  at  laru;e  .itid  westward.  Mii;ratory,  leaviiii.'  I',  .""l. 
in  winter:  hneds  iti  Miitalde  places  throiiulioiit  its  rani:i'.  Nest  i--  low  grassy  meadows  and 
marshes.  KtUS  .'l-l,  l.JII  to  I.H.'i  |o|ii>  hy  |.!)(l  hmail,  thus  eloliitille  pyrilonil,  clay -coloi  to 
iirownish-drah,  heavily  marked  with  lart'e  spl.ishcs  and  sixeahle  spots,  with  niimlierli  ss  specks 
anil  scrali'lies,  of  dark  Icslre  or  cIhm'oIiiIi  -lirowii  ;  some  eu^s  luiicli  less  |)u:iiti-il  than  otlierH,  in 
liner    lallern  :   im'uh.iled  hy  the   J. 

I.O'UII*KH.     (i.at.  liiliiiK,  a  tlap,  ;»'.<,  foot.)     I.itiii:-! I'  I'll  \i..Mtiii't:H.      Hill  L'enenilly  as  in 

SIviimioituH,  Imt  Hlmrter,  hiiNiilly  ■.lonler,  ami  la|HTiii;;  to  a  very  acute,  i'iitii|in'MM'il  tip  ;  ridue  of 

I'lilmen  and  tfoiiys  less  ileprci  seil :   interranial  sp.ice  longer  anil 

hi'oader.      \Viiii;s  lonix.      Tail  short,  tfieally  I'oiimleil.      I,ii;m 

and  feet  Hlmrt  ;  tlliiii    ilenndeil  for  hill  a  hriiT  xpace  ;  lamilM 

not  longer  than  midille  toe.    ToisMiy  hroadlv  rnaruined  with 

II  ini'inhrane  which  is  scalloped  or  indented  at  •ach  joiiil.  ami 

linitcil  hasally  tn  sccoml  joint  hetweeli  oilier  Ulii'  niiilil'c  tiH-, 

til  tirst   joint   hetwcen   the  inner  and  middle  tie;   feet   thus 

hcmipaliiiate.      ClaWH  small  alul  -horl 

liypcrlio  retiM.     (I,al.     /(///»  c/kd'ik.v,     lieyonil     ihe    north    wind.      Kit'      I'J'.l.)      Null  i  tll'.IIN 
I'll.xi.Aiini'i:.     l!i:ii'NK.('KKii  I'liAi.Aiini'i';.      .\diilt   ^  9  •  ■■!  stiinmer :   AImivi  ,  HiHity-k'ray,  with 

lateral  stripes  of  ocliriii lis  or  t.'iwny  :   neck   rich  rnsl-reii,  nearly  •>.' <|iiite  all  ,ironnil ;    under 

imrtM  (itlierwise  white,  the  siili'H  iiiarki  d  with  ih    color  of  hack        I'pp*''  lail-coverts  like  hack, 


fill        4'.".t.  Kiml      ■<     l(.i|-IUsl(li| 

PlmUr>iI>c,  nil.  Kite    {M  iiitl.ilvl.  I'M 'I 


614 


sYSTKMA  nc  .syyoj'sis.  —  jjmicol^e. 


8<)in<'  liitcral  onrs  wliitf.  Wiiiir"  l>lafki:<li.  tlic  ends  of  tlic  fjn'iilfr  rnvrrtH  lirnailly  wliitp,  funn- 
ill^  II  cdUHpiciliiiis  ri'iixs-hiir,  fiiiililiilcil  itii  miihc  <it°  tlif  itiiii'i'  si'niii(|iiri<'.«.  Itill  iiliil  Icct  liliick. 
Li'iiytli  7.(J<I ;  fxli-iit  i:i.50:  wini;  1.25-4.50;  tail -2. 00  ;  liill,  tantiiH,  ii:iililli>  t<M!  and  daw,  rarli. 
uiiiirr  1.00.  Varies  iniicli  in  |iIiiiiuik)'  witli  ai;<-  and  xi'iiwin,  Imt  •'a>ily  riTii^ni/<'d  liy  tlic  hmall 
»uv  and  gi'Hfric  ••liarartfiK.  CliickM  in  di>\vn  lirli  liutra'  )Vt',  >ilvfiy-t;i'ay  liclnw;  criiwn  inixni 
black  and  yi'llnw:  a  lnn^  Mark  xtri|H-  down  liack,  anntliiT  nvcr  rarli  lii|>,  unr  arins.s  ihr  i'imii|i, 
and  a  nIhmiMi'I'-nihiI,  N.  Iii'mi-^idicri-  at  laruf.  Iiririliii;;  in  Aii'tir  ii'^inn^,  niiuratint;  into  ilir 
ti'<>|iii'>  Honirtina-.s  ;  urnnaliy  dii^triinitrd,  lint  <'.s|M'('iaily  inaiilinir.  l.iiii><  -i-l.  •Innr,  av<rat;i' 
\.i»  X  O.SO(rinni  l.;iO  X  0.7.)  to  1.10  X  O.s^),  very  vaiialdf  ill  >izf,  .sjiaiif,  and  i-olor;  nivcniKli- 
olivi'.  llro\vlli^'ll-o|ivl'  to  various  drali  and  Imtly  siiadcs  of  i;ronnd  t-olnr,  iiMially  v.  ry  ludilly 
s|>iitti'd  and  sjilaslird  sonii'liiiii's  in  tinrr  |iatti'rii,  witlj  liistnuis.  rliondatr,  and  liuhlrr  Innwii. 

228.    i'ii.\I...V  iiOI'I'M.       (<ir.    il>a\ai>i'movs.  filiiiUiiiiiiitiis t-l'ool.)      Cddt-Koii'I'     I'ii.\I..viiu|>kh. 

Kill  M'.irri'ly  loiiu't'i'  than  laad  or  tarsus  ;  very  sloiii  for  this  family;  iiinrh  drprrssrd,  mi  Imuid 
as  to  hr  almost  sjiatiilatr,  tlif  tip  only  mo<li-ratrly  acute,  laMrft-slia|H'd.  TjijH'r  niandildi'  with 
the  I'idi:)'  liroad  and  llattciK'd,  its  a|M'\  aichi'd  and  drciirvtil,  its  lateral  u'l'oovis  uide  and  shallow 
luterianial  spiiee  liroad  and  very  hmi;,  e.xlendinK  nearly  to  the  end  of  the  hill.  Nostrils  Mih- 
huMal,  at  some  distatire  from  tiu>  t'lMit  (if  the  hill.  Wind's  loii^  ami  |Miiiiled.  Tail  lolii;, 
rounded,  the  eential  I'ertriees  iirojeetiiiu.  rather  aeiiniinate.  I.e^'s  and  feet  niiieh  as  in  I.dhijMs, 
Imt  the  seiiii|ialliialion  of  less  extent. 

•04.  1*.  flllli'U'rlH!«.  (I,at.  fiiliiiiriils,  eoot-like  ;  fiilini,  a  eoot  ;  fii'iijn,  siiot.l  ('oiir-Kuiimi 
TniNii.v.  jfi.ii  rii.M..MtHi'|-,.  (iii.w  I'll Ai.Aitiii'i;.  Adult  J  9  ,  in  Slimmer  :  I'lider  |iarts.  with 
sides  of  ni'el..  and  ii|i|ier  tail-niverts,  d.irk  |air|dish  or  wine-red,  with  a  ulailnnis  Idoon  'rop 
of  lieail  and  around  hill.  MHity.  Sides  of  head  white,  this  eolur  naetinu  on  iia|ie.  l{iini|i 
white.     Itaek  Idark,  all  the  feathers  eil|;ed  with  tawny  or  riisty-lirown.     (jiiills  lirownish-lilaek, 

with  white  shafts  iiiid  iiiin-h  while  at  hases  of  wehs  ;  thi verts  ilark  ash.  the  ends  and  inner 

wehs  of  the  u'reate"  row  white;  some  of  the  seeondaries  entirely  white.  Kill  yellowish,  '.vitli 
dusky  tip;  feet  yellowish,  Lenutli  7,50;  extent  U..1O;  wiii^  ,'i,iK);  tail  i!..'iO ;  hill  O.IIO; 
tarsus  0.7');  midtlle  tiM'  and  idaw  nillier  nniri'.  .\diilt  ^  9  •  ■■>  winter:  Mead  all  around, 
ami  entire  iindi  r  parts,  white,  -with  a  dusky  eireiimoeiilai' area  and  nnehal  eri'seent,  and  a 
wash  of  ashy  aloiiu  siiles  >rf  iHHJy.  Ahove,  nearly  uniform  asli.  \Viii(,'s  asliy-hlaidiish,  the 
while  I'l'oss-liar  very  eonNpiinioiiit ;  lull  mostly  <lark  ;  feet  ohsi'ii red.  .\  speeien  uf  lilretim polar 
distriliiition  in  siiniuier,  wanderiiii;  tar  ••oulh  in  wieor,  ehielly  eoastwi.si>.  Nesting  and  ecus  imi 
diNlilitiuisliahle  from  those  of  the  last  ;  iulis  aveiaiiiiiu  laiu'er,        l.l.'i  -  I. .'to  X  O.ltO-O.Ua. 


42.   Family   SCOLOPACIDiE :    Snipe,  etc. 

Siii|H'  and  till  11  allies 
form  a  well-delilied  and 
peilietiy  natural  asseni- 
(ilaue,      one     of     the     two 

larci'si  limieoliiie  familii'i*, 
aupiinu  with  I'lover  ill 
most  eNseiitial  rexpeets, 
yet  well  diiitint.'niHlied  from 

the    plnvialilie    hii-ilit.       Ill 

general,    the    hill   '>    tiillell 

elongated,  freipienlly  wv- 

ei.il  tiiiiei*  loii|.'i'r  than  t'ii> 

head,    and   in  ihocr  e  ,m'* 

in  wliieh   it    i»  as   Mhorl   as 

Km.  4.11.  -  Wll-iiri-snii*. 
Ktiitli>)i!lui|i>i.  iFtKiii  liU'iii,)   Ui  plover,  it  dtH'it  Hot  itlioW    Tuniiey,  uftvr  Wllauii.) 


^Kfum 


scoi.opAcn)^?::  riiK  ssivf.  family. 


CM 


tliP  |>nrtiiMilnr,  («<im('wlmt  pitrcon-liki-,  «luii«'  di'MrrilM'il  uinlrr  t'haniilninie,  Immiiu  olt'iiilrr  ami 
iMit'i-skiiiiif<l  tliroii^liiiiit.  It  Ik  ut'iKTitlly  xtraiclii,  l>iii  tVn|ii)'iitly  I'lirvctl  up  nr  itcivvn  'I'Ih' 
uawil  ^i-iMivi-H,  ahvayx  Inii^  ami  narrow  rliaiiiit'lK,  raii^i*  IVnm  nm'-liall'  t<>  aliii<>i>t  iht'  whole 
li'iiutli  of  the)  bill ;  Kiiiiilar  kdnivi'.*  u^iialiy  onMipy  tliu  »iiit<H  «>f  tliv  iiiiili-r  iiiuiiililiit' ;  tlii'  iiitiT- 
raiiial  ii|)af<-  i.^  i-orr*-!<|Mimliiii.'ly  loni;  aiiil  narrow,  ainl  nearly  naked.  'I'liis  lenctli.  ^ienllernel»^, 
(!r<Hivinu,  anil  |ieeiiliar  sfiisiliniirnH,  are  tin-  prinie  i'liaraeleri>lieA  ol'  the  >i'o|ii|iarine  hill.  The 
f;a|>e,  never  ample,  jm  generally  very  oliort  ami  inirrow,  reaehini;  little,  if  any.  U-yonii  the  liaM' 
of  the  hill.     The  nostriU   are  hhort  tnirrow  clits,  expnseil.     The  heail  i>  eonipliti'ly  I'eathereil 

to  the  Mil  (exeept  ill  one  Mpeeie.>),  at  the  ha.-e  i  .|'  which  the  ptilo>i>  r.|iip>  alirilptlv  withoiit 
foriiiinu  projeeliiii;  antia'.  The  wiiiun  roi<r>ioiily  !,how  ihe  thin  jHiiiiteil  contour  ileMtrihetl  iimler 
J.iiiiiniltr,  liiit  tliev  are  oci-ahioiiallv  hhtirt  ami   loiimleil.     'I'he   tail.  alwaVN  xlmrt   ami  noft,  liao 


lie  a  rii 


h'  1; 


reelrices:   in  one  ^enilx.  however,  there  an 


from  \i  to  ^I'l.     Tl 


le  crura  are   rarelv 


feathereil  to  the    hlltri:ii.'o.      The    tai>i    are   H'lltellate    hefore   and    heliiiid.  and    reticulate  oii  the 


hiilex,  except  ill  the   curie 


here  they  are  .sciilellate   only  in   Ironi  :  they  are   prohahly  neviT 


rntirely  reticulate   (the   normal   ^tate   in   plover).     The   hallux   it-  all^ent  in  only  two  or  thn 


instances 


il 


le  anterior  i<m's  connnoi 


Iv  >U: 


lia.'>al  Well,  and  ol'len  tun,  he*  in  iiiaiiy  >pi 


tiiey 


are 


entirely  cleft.     The  n'oliipacine  hiriU  are  of  mediuni    and   Miiall   .-i/e,  raiikiiii;  with 


|iliiviT  ill  thi>  re(«|M'ct  ;   none  attai'i  the  averaui'  ctatiire  of  Hrri»lioiii'i. 

The  u'eneral  economy  of  these  liinls  i?t  >imilar  to  iliat  of  plover;  a  chief  |H'cii1iarity  heini» 
pmlialily  their  iiiihIc  of  piociiriiiu'  fiHid,  hy  feelinu  l"r  il.  in  th;'  majority  of  ca.oei.,  in  the  ^aiid 
or  inild  with  tlic'.'  lielicatidy  xeii^iti.e,  jirohe-like  hill.  The  ei;i;M  arii  eoininonly  four,  parti- 
roloreil,  |Hiinted  at  one  end  Mid  liroad  at  the  other,  placed  with  the  siiiail  eml^  tnuetiier  in  a 
hiiu'ht  iiei>t  or  mere  ilcpi'es>iiiii  on  the  ^'niiind  :  the  yoiiiiu  run  alioiil  at  hirth.  The  M'xe>.  with 
very  rare  except  ions,  are  alike  in  color  or  nearly  so,  and  the  9  i"  nsinilly  a  little  larger  than 
the  (J  :  liiit  the  sexual  distinctions  are  very  rarely  stroni;  enoiiuh  to  he  |M'rfectly  reliahle 
(remarkahle  exception  in  .ymliilrs),     Cnlor  distinctions  with  at'e,  likewise,  an-  rarely  marked: 


Imt  oil  till iitrary,  seasonal  plumages  are  in  many  case; 


ihioiiLrhout  the  saiiilpi|H>rs,  very 


Mtroiiifly  indicated,  the  nuptial  dresM  lieiiiK  entirely  ditlerelit  from  that  worn  the  rest  of  the  year. 
Kxceplini;  a  few  s|M-eies  that  freipieiit  dry  o|m-ii  |ilaeeii  like  many  plover,  these  liirds  are  found 
hv  the  water's   edi;e  where  the  irroumi  is  S'  fl     llid  oo/v  -  -  ill  llloist  thickets,   low  rank   meadoMs, 


Hi^s  ai 


III  marshes,  hv  the  riverside,  ami  on  the  seaslmr 


.*<iiiue  are  solitarv 


hut  tl 


le  majoiilv 


am  KreKiirioiiH  when    not   hreediiiK<  mnl  iiiaiiy  gather  in  imtiieiise   liiH'ks,  especially  during  the 
I'xteiisive  mit;rations  that   nearly  all  perform.     The  voice  is  a  melh 


>w  liliM',  a  sliarii 


Ideal. 


harsh  scream,  accordinu  to  the  s|Mciis.  Kew  hinls  surpass  the  snipe  in  sapid  i|Ualily  of  llesh. 
and  many  kimlH  rank  liiuli  in  tlie  esiiinatioii  of  the  sportsman  and  epicure.  The  faiiiil\  is 
coMiiiipolitaii,  hill  the  majority  inhahit  the  iiorlherii  hemisphere,  hreediiu;  in  horeal  reuions. 
There    are    aholll    ninety    wcll-di'teriliimd     sjiecies    of    scoliipacilie    hiids.    reli  lahlc     perhaps    III 

(iflceii  teiiahle  KiMiera,  allhoiiuh  many  more  than  this  an*  often  eii!|i|oyed.  N'ariiius  attempts 
to  divide  tile  urnilp  into  silh-faliiilies  liave  met  with  little  success,  owini;  to  the  close  inler- 
^'radatioii  of  the   seMi'iil    tyjH's.      .Ml    the  leadiiii;  forms  of  the   family,  with  most  of  the  lesser 


(.'•■iiera,  ar 


re  represented  in  this  country. 


Ill    are    indicated    hv  th 


speciti 


c  diM-riptioii"   mveii 


lieyoiid :  while  its  entire  composition  may  Ih'  pointed  out  ami  rendered  iierfecily  intellicihle  hy 
a  liriif  simiiiiary  :  — 

i(.  In  W'liiiilidil  (SiiiliijKi.i  and  I'liilnli'ln)  iiiid  /cue  Smif  ((iiilliiiiiiii>)  the  ear  appears  ImIom 
mid  not  iH'hind  the  eye,  which  is  placed  far  hack  ami  hiuli  up;  and  if  the  hraiii  he  examined, 
it  will  Im>  foiiiitl  curiously  tilted  over  no  that  itN  uiiatomieal  hase  IiMik*  forward.  TIh*  liill  id 
|M'rfeclly  straijrhl  and  niiicli  Ioniser  than  the  he.id.  deep-u'nMived  to  the  vi'ry  end.  which  in 
cither   kllohlied,  or  wiih  lled  just    hehind   the    tip,  where   there    is  11  furrow  ill  the    llatteiied   cill- 

iiipii.     The  memhraiioUN  niveriiitr  is  aliiindaiitly  siijiplied  with  ihtvi-k;  thifi  oruiui  e<iiiittitMlrs 
«  prolM'  of  ileliciitu  M'llNihilily,  ati   ellicielit    ilistrilliicnt  of  touch,  used  to  feel  for  fissl  lielow  tlif 


(>1<i 


SYSTJ-JMA  TIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  UMlC(tLJE. 


mirfiUT  of  the  ^rriiiiiKl.  In  tlu-  dried  ntatc,  tlu>  «>ft  okin  xlirinkH  tijjlit  like  pnrphmonf  to  the 
Imhic,  uikI  IxM-nini'H  .studded  with  hiiiiiI!  pitH.  'I'iie  pipe  of  the  liioiitii  is  extreiiiidy  sliort  and 
narrow  ;  the  toed  are  eleft  :  ilie  U%»,  neck,  and  wiiign  ar<'  eoniiianitively  siiort,  and  tlie  ImmIv  is 
ratlier  full.  There  are  no  idivioiis  seasonal  or  sexual  difl'erenees  in  ]dinnai;e.  Not  eonipletely 
grepirioiis  :  no  siieli  liit;lits  of  \viHideo<'k  and  true  snipe  oeeiir  as  are  nsiuiliy  witnessed  ainoni: 
Muidpi|H  rs  and  hay-sni|ii'  :  tiiey  iiilialiit  tiie  liot;  an<l  hrak<-  rather  tium  tiie  open  waterside  : 
they  ealinot  he  treaehevousiy  nnissaer<'d  l>y  scores,  iik<'  some  of  tneir  relatives  ;  they  are  know- 
ing hirds.  if  their  urains  are  upset,  ami  their  siieeessful  pursuit  ealls  into  a<'tioii  all  the  hetter 
<|nalities  of  the  true  s|Hirtsnian.  There  is  hnt  one  speeies  of  I'hihilirin  :  two  or  three  of 
SciihiHi  ,  and  uImiuI  twenty  of  (iiilliniiffii.  The  eurioiis  cirrunistanee  oeeiirs,  anioni;  the 
latter,  that  the  tail-feathers  ranp'  from  12  to  SJfi  in  iliH'erent  species;  and  in  those  with  the 
liigher  iiinnlH-rs,   several  pairs   are,  narrow  and   linear  —  a   character  n])on  which   the  peniis 


Kli..  iXi.  —  Aiiicrlraii  WiMMlcwk,  ulmiit  J  nut.  itlzi'.    (Frimi  AniiTiri.ii  Klul(!.) 

Spihirii    n-sts. —  T'le   singular    (jenus     /{lii/twIiiTfi,    with    two    species.    /^    rn)>riisi.-<    (Africa) 

and    U.   srniirtilliiri'i  (S.  America),  may  h'dont:  hrrv.       Mdninliiniiiiliiis niainint'  only  onr 

HIN'cies.  and  one  other,  At  sniiiiinlmtiliis  of  the  ( llil  World,  has  a  l>iil  exactly  as  in  (tiiUiiiiiiju. 
hut  is  dislini;uish)Ml  hy  more  jiointed  wine's,  and  dili'en'Utly  proportioned  le-is.  with  basal  weli- 
hint'  of  the  liH's       It  stai:!!."  exactly  hetweeu  the  tfui'  snipe  and 

h.  Tlie  (liiihiils  {l.i:m>i>il  I.  in  which  v\e  liud  the  sime  Very  loUl.',  wholly  grooved,  ;iud 
extremely  sensitive  hill,  wdich.  however,  is  not  dilated  at  (he  end,  nor  furrowed  on  thi-  ciilmen, 
and  is  l«-nt  ulitihtli/  upward  ;  the  irajie.  as  heforc.  is  exceediiiijly  constricted.  The  toes  .^how 
!•  I>;i.«al  well.  These  are  ratlier  laru'e  hinl-',  with  the  colors  and  n«'neral  iisp»'cf  of  curlews, 
hnt  the  hill  is  not  decurved  an<l  the  tarsi  are  scutellale  iM-hiud.  They  frefpienf  marshes,  hays 
and  esiuariex.  and  are  amoui;  the  miscellaiu'oas  assortment  of  liiril.-<  that  are  collectively 
desijinaled   "  hay -snipe,"     There  an    only  'ive  t>r  six   species,  of  the  sinnle  genus  Limosa. 


I 


S((U.(tPA(in.h:    IHF.    SSIVK   FAMILY. 


«u: 


lis 
Iv 


Tlip  Terekia  ciiieira  i<(  varimiH  i>iirls  nf  ilic  Olil  WnrM,  witli  tlu'  bill  recunMil  aliiioxt  as  in  an 
aviK'ct,  stanils  lit'twrrii  tlii'  miihvii-  ainl  tiitili'i>. 

f.  'I'lic  Siiiiil/tiprrs  (Tiiiii)ii.  cti.)  arr  a  rallicr  extrusive  irriiii|>,  uotalile  for  tlie  variatinn 
ill  liiilior  iletail.s  "f  fnrill,  timt  it  slmw.s  xvilli  aliiii»t  every  speeies  —a  eireilliiMaiiee  liiat  lia.H 
eaii.sed  the  creftidii  of  a  iiiiiiilier  of  iiiiiieees?-ar\  u'<'iii'i'a.  Here  ihe  liill  lelains  iiineli  of  ilie 
sell.sitiveliesN  of  a  Mlipe's,  and  tiie  i.M|>e  iikewise  is  iiiiieii  restricteil :  lint  the  liill  is  inni'il 
sliorliT,  avfra^iii^  aliont  i'i|ual  to  the  iieail.  One  trivial  eircniiistanee  aH'onls  a  ^ooil  i-iiie  to 
this  ^ron]i :  tlie  tail-featliers  are  |iiaiii-eoliire(l,  or  with  simide  e<li;ini;s,  wiiih'  in  iiliiiosl  all 
the  s|U'eies  of  other  u'roiips  these  feathers  are  liarreil  eroxswise.  In  this  uronji  the  seasonal 
changes  of  |ilnnia;;e  are  very  j^reat  ;  the  |iro|ioifions  of  the  hus,  and  weldiin^  of  the  toes,  are 
varialde  with  the  speeies.  hnt.  as  a  rnle,  the  toes  are  ehft  to  the  liase  (not  so  in  *W«/"//i»/(Ihi« 
anil  Firinietrs),  and  four  in  niiinlier  (exrept  Ciilidri.).  The  sandjiipers  lielont'  partienlarly 
to  the  northern  hemisphere,  and  I'l'eed  in  hiuh  latitinles;  they  perform  extensive  migrations, 
and  in  winter  s|  read  over  inoKt  of  tin-  world.     Ainoiig  them  are  the  mo^t  dlniiniilive  of  waders. 


Km    l:i.'l.  —  AmiTli'iiii  Siii|H-,  iiInhiI  J  tint.  rizo.    iKnim  Aniirli'.'iii  i'lrl.l 


They  arr  proliahly  without  exeeption  j;rei;arions,  and  often  llecK  tlie  lieaeli  in  vast  ninltitndes; 
they  live  liy  preferenee  in  (i/irii  wet  places,  rather  than  in  fens  and  marshes,  and  feed  hy  pioli- 
iii^,  like  snipe  ',  the  voice  is  mellow  anil  pipint;.  They  are  pretty  well  distinunished  frniii 
liolli  the  fM|ei;oinii,  thiiiicli  Mitiniiiiltiiiin  connects  with  the  snipe  throiiuh  Miiniiihniiiiilnis; 
hnt  shade  directly  into  the  Tallliis.  lln'oMtth  siii-h  ueiiera  as  Tfin>(liU'i<  and  'I ii..:iiiilii.  Nearly 
.ill  the  forms  of  sandpipers  aii'  descrilied  in  detail  lieyond.  There  are  in  all  ahonl  •,'((  s|H'cies. 
'I"ln'  only  jieiierie  form  not  represented  in  this  country  is  the  Liiiiimln  iiliihtrlniii'liii.  the 
|H'ciiliarity  of  which  is  expressed  in  its  name.  The  I'.'iiriiiiiiiliiiii'liiii  iii/iiimni'i.  a  woihjerfii! 
and  exceedinirly  rare  species,  in  which  the  hill  is  expandi'd  and  llaitened  at  the  end,  somiwli.it 
i.M  ill  the  spiHiiiliill,  has  lately  hren  stated  to  occur  on  our  Arctic  coa»t.  The  hingiilar  Mailirlrn 
])i(f/na.r  shoiihl  perhaps  rather  come  here  than  ammi^ 


018 


MA/ A'.i/.i TIC  syyupsis.  —  UMiatUK. 


it.  Tlic  Tiilllfru  iToliniiis,  rtr.  s  with  whidi  it  is  ruiii;i'il,  li<'yi>iii|.  In  tliis,  tli<'  larucKt  iiiiii 
iiiii^t  viirii'il  L'i'iMi|i,  till-  liill  liiiA  i-iiiii|iiirativi'ly  littlt-  nf  tiir  i«>iixitivi'iit'»M  of  tliiil  nl'  all  tin-  t'ort'- 
piini;,  mill  iIk'  uii|H'  is  longer,  rvtciiilin^  iilivimixly  lifyoiiil  tin*  Imm'  ul'  the  ciihiK'ii,  ami  hhiiii'- 
titiirn  til  iirarly  Im'Ihw  the  rsvu.  It  \ari<'.-<  iiiiicli  in  IrMtfth  iitiil  .-lia|i<',  Imt  it  in  iisiinllii  liini;)')' 
tliun  till'  hrail,  anil  vi-ry  sIi'MiIit,  mil  nflrn  ({I'linvnl  in  tlii>  tip,  ami  \h  cithiT  nirii^ht,  nr  hrnt 

nliKliiiy  ii|i\raril.    'I'lit'  iHHiy  ami  ilH  ini'inltiTK  an uiinniily  luurr  i-liinf;iit<'  than  in  tin*  fnri'iinini;, 

ihr  tors  liavi-  a  liawil  Wf\>  or  two,  ami  tlii'  himlrr  in  always  |iri'si'iit.  'I'lir  tail  is  usually  liariril. 
'I'lirsr  all'  miisy,  ri'stli'ss  liinis  nf  tlir  inai'slii's  ami  sinnl-llals  ami  niiiil-liars  nl  isliiarirh,  ami 
a|)|)arriitly  ili>  m>l  |iriilii'  fur  IimhI  tu  any  i-xtrni  :  tiny  lmIii  llicir  naiiii'  IVniii  tliiir  harsh  vniri'. 
Till'  VilliiWslianks  is  a  ty|iii'al  i'xani|i|r  iil'  thr  L'r">ii|i :  must  nf  ihi-  s|H'rii's  rliislrr  rinse  alimit 
this   ly|ie,    ami    iiiiuht   l,'i>   in   ihe   sinule   uiniis    Inliiiiiis.     The   only  extra-liniital    fnrins  are 

^KihmiiihfitirhiiM  fiiirrii'Dslris  ami  I'l'imiilMiiiin  Iriiiii/ili'i'ii,  of  the  I'arilii'  Islamls  ;  I'lirimih  s| iex 

ii|)|iarenlly  near  'IriiHi/Hi'".     There  are  almiil  |S  speries  in  all,  nnixersally  ilisirihiiteil.      I'Mnally, 

f.  The  Ciirlnrs  [  .\iiiiiriiiiis)  are  ilistint'iiisheil  hy  llie  ilnwiiwaiil  ciirvaliire.  eviieiiie  shli- 
ilerness,  ami  usually  ureal  leliulh  i>f  the  hill,  with  ihe  sliuiil  si'litellalinn  nf  the  larsiis.  In  si/e 
ami  ^1  neral  ap|H'arani'e  ihey  are  near  ihe  lintlwils  ;  they  inhahit  all  parts  nf  the  wnrlil.  Thev 
all  helnni;    In  the   (.'eniis    S'lnnriiilis,  whii'h  hai«  almnt  a  iln/eii   speeies  —  exeeplint;   the    llmlnr- 

hi/iiiliii  .slrnlliiisi  ,,(  Awia,  whirh  is  a  thne-tneil  Curlew,  nnt  shnwin^  tin Inratimi  eharai'ler- 

istii'  nf  (he  rest.  .(m,i/,„m  „r  W.rlli     Inn  n.,iii   li.u.ni  nf  .s,'.,/,./»i.  ,,/,f 

Ten'"  :i     |Suni||il|H'r  ) .     .  .     .     .    ( •iliilnn    •Jlii 

Ti«-»  I. 

mil  K|HH>l|-)lllll|l<tl| /.'Hr>/li'>r/i//Hi7iii«      'Jll 

Hill  ii'it  s|HMiii  -hIiu|h-iI. 
Oiiii  iiiiliT  |irliiiiir>  ciiiiiruliiiili',  iiiirniwiil.     ( WixMliiH^lt  |         .         .     •    .     .     .  ....       Srnht/uir    zm 

Tliri'i' oiili'i  |iiliiiiiilr<4 1'liiiiruliiiiti',  iiiirriiwly  lliii'iir.    (WckmIi'ih'Ii I'lnlnhiln    '."..'■i 

Nil  oiilir  |<i  hiiiirli'ii  I'liijiriiliiiilr 

T<H'»  I'll'tl    III  llll'  lillMt. 

'i'lirmiK  hliiirlrr  limn  niiiMli'  Im'  ninl  rliiw 

lull  nlxiiil  Inlrii  IIS  I'liiu  Hs  lii'ii'l  ;  tllilii' niiki'il  Ih'I'iw.     (SiiI|h'  i  ,     .     .     .  (iiilliiiiiiin    'J.'ll 

Hill  mill' I'liiUi-r  tliiiii  Iii'ikI  ,  lllihi'  li-alliiTi'il  In  III,' Jiiiiit      iSiuMl|'i|s'r  I         .     .  .In/UHlrlhi    'jiu; 

Turmis  iiImiiii  I'ljinil  in  ni'  iMiijjt'r  lliiiii  iiii>Mlt-  >■"-  :iit'l  ■  hiH      (SuimI|i||i('mi  j 
mil  sliiililly  iiirMsl,  IniiKi'i  tlitiM  liiail 

Tarsim  I'vl'li'iillv  Intiifir  lliiiii  iiiliMli' tiK- iiikI  I'liiw ...    .liM'f/'iH'Ai/ii»    'J:is 

'I'lirHIIII  )'i|lllll  III  nr  lllttl'l)    InlilllT  lllllll  llllilllll'  t'H'llllll  I'llIM  ...  I'llillllll      I'.'IT 

itill  l«'rr<'<'lly  siriilKlil.  iiiiK'li  slmrliT  lliiiii  lii'tiil.     riliiiiirli'H  iiinllUsI   ,    .    ,    .     TinHinh »  '2i!i 

Hill  iH-rrtNlIt  Klriil|(lil,  i'<|iiiil  III  lit  liuiKi'i  lliiiii  lii'iiil. 

Tiiisiia  iiiiirli  IniiKir  lliiiii  iiiliMli' I'N' mill  I'liiw Triiifia  'J.'lii 

TiiiHiiN  almnt  i-i|ii  il  III  iiijililli*  lis'  mill  rliiw lcti»lmMii»  I'.'k'i 

Tnf*  M'lllllillllllilll',   hIIIi  I'lli'  I.!    iHii  I'Vllll'lll    HI'liK. 

Tlirslls  W'llli'lllllr  III  frnlll  nMl>      lilll  M'ly  |ii|l|{.  ili  rlir\  ri|       irilrli'Un  I  .      .     .Vlinii  HIH»     'i,1| 

'I'jii  aim  Null  Hull' III  rrniil  mil)  ;  Mil  nun  ly  liuiuri  iliiiii  lii'tnl.  sltiilitlii  /A /•  xmri /»«    L'.Vi 

'riiimiM  M'titi'tliitfi  In  friitil  iiml  Ih-IiIii<I 

'lull  mil  linrrisl      iiih' ii:liiiiii' uili      I'riiiiiiili  -  iimllliil Triinilil"    '.'<!• 

Tllil  liOl    ImiI    isl.        Thii  lull   lillKll  Wilis         l'llllllll|i'>  |i|lllll.      (Slllll||ll|H<rit.| 

Hill  sliiirli'r  nr  M-iin-i  l>  Inii^i'i  lliiiii  lii-iiil  .  ...  /-.'iviifii/tii    'Ml 

Hill  iiiiii'li  Iniiiirr  IIliii  Iii-ihI  .  Uiini/xi/iiniii    U!l.'l 

Tiill  lull  ml  I  iii>.»»l»i'  ulih  llulil  mill  iliirk  I'nlnrs 
liii|s  mil  ii-ai  liliiK  liimml  Iuiik  nf  Mil 

I  iilimii  furnini'il  ul  i'IhI      IiiiIii  h  fisil  ImiU      (Siil|«'  ■        ...    Muriorli'imiihu^    \:.ti 
I'ulliiuii  iiiil  fiirrnwisl      Hill  If  iiiiyUiitiK  ■'•«  urvisl     liMr  ii  Innl  Iniiu     (IjihIhIIi.  i 

I  imifHit     ifl. 
(In|s' IniiuiT      Ijiiglli  iiiiilir  ti  liii'hrs      n'lilllirii  i 

Hill  ul'HiMsl  iii'iiily  In  ll|>  .  TrmgnUli t    '.tlM 

Hill  Knmvisl  iiliiMii  liiiir  »n>  I"  11)1  .  .     .    IlkftitrK/ihiliit    'HH 

Uii|S' liiii||,'r      l.i-hi^lli  iivi'i  'I  liii'hi'H      I'l'iiltlrrs.l 

Hill  ii'i  I'liitiiT  tliiiii  liniil,  Krimvi'il  lliriv-riiiirllis  Ha  IniiKtli. 

lull  tiliiiiil  liiiir  ii>  Iniin  IIS  wliiu / 'iiOiiiiiiii     Vts 

Tnll  iini  Imlf  lis  Iniid  us  oliiK    ...  Mnilfiin    1'I7 

Hill  liiiiKir  lliuii  lii'iul 

l^>  liliiUli      TiM.'>  MUilimlimili'      milslniit.    iWlllet.)  ....    .Syni/i/n  miii    'Uli 
l,«(p  Krii'ii  III  yt-Huw     UIII  •U'liilir     ( Vi'llnMnliuiikii.) TnliiuHt    VM 


nn,"!. 


SCOLOPACIlKK:    II  OODCOCh. 


•  M!) 


ll.'CI 


I  nil. 


t«'U\ 


■J  1 1 


:'i!i 


229.  I*IIIM)'IIKLA.  ((ir.  <f>l\iitt,  philog,  \t>\iun\  i\ot,  hrliis,  II  ]h>i:.}  Amciiu  an  Wcihihim  k. 
Kiri't  Ihrrr  |iriinari)'ii  I'liiaiuiiiMlr,  iitli'iiiiiil)>  anil  lalcatr,  al>ni|itl\  Kluittrr  {iinl  iiarrowi'i'  llian  tlir 
Uli.     \Viu|;it  Kliitrt  ami  riiiniilfil ;  wliru  fnlili-il,  tiu'  |iriiiiai'ii'H  liiililni  liy  llii'  ciivii'l.''  ainl  iiiiirr 


Flu.  431.  -  lli'iiil  mill  iilli'iiiiiiti' 


(  A<l  mil 


.■I  !■:  <  M 


iiiiln  .;  iiriiiiuiifH  of  /•//('■■/n/.i,  iiiil    »lzr 

(|llillH.  I'l't^S  HJliil't  :  tilii^i'  I'lMlliriril  til  llir  jiiilit  :  tai^lls  Klliil'lrr  than  iniililli'  liir  ;iiiil  rlaW,  >fli- 
ti'llalr  lii'fiiri'  ami  lii'liimi  :  tni's  Imit;  ami  slrmlir,  rlrfl  In  tlii'  ItaMr.  hill  iiinrli  ImiuiT  tliaii  liiail, 
IM-rlrrtly  strai^lit,  Ntmit  ut  \>nni-,  ulirri'  llir  riili;r  riso  liii;li,  kimlilMMl  at  rml  nt'  ii|i|iri'  iiiamlililr. 
very  ilri'|ily  i;riiiiv)'il  iirarly  all  it.-<  li'iit;ili.  tlir  I'lilnii'ii  ami  liiir  nl'  pniVM  aUn  I'lii'mwi'il  tnwanl 
(•ml;  vi'i'y  Mi'll  ami  srii^ltivr  ;  >:a|H  \iiy  >liiiil  ainI  iiainiw.  Ilr.iil  l,iii;r  ;  m  rl>  .-liiiii  ;  I'lir  muln 
tin'  i-yr.  wliirli  IM  vrry  lull,  m'I  in  li.irk  ii|i|n  r  i-iniici  nlllir  IhjhI.     .'^rxr»  aliUr  ;    9   lai'ci'cl. 

OO.'i.    I*,  iiil'iiur.     (I.at.   minor,  sinalliT      tliaii    llir  l'jirii|iraii   Wnml k.     FicH.  VM,  4>U,    IH.'i.) 

WiHiiM'iii'K.  Itiiii-srcKKIt.  ('iiliU's  alx'vi'  lianiiiiiiinii^h  lilrmliil  ainl  varinl  lilark.  Iii<>\mi, 
^i'ay<  ami  riisNi't ;  Im>- 

liiw,  |»al<' vvnriii  linnvii  ,       \^    ^^j    i.i^^ii^i    \i  V '■ ',     ^^^\.  .  U' 

iif  varialili'  .-^liailr,  mil 
liarrril,  A  ilark  .stri|ii' 
IVniii  liill  III  i<yi>, 
( 'niwii  IViiiii  ii|i|Misili' 


ryi'    with    Mark    ami    \l  * 
litilit  liars  ;  almiK  tlir     '\  t 


iiiiirr  I'llni's  (if  llic 
W'iiik;)*  a  liliii.sli-a.Hliy 
Mlri|ii';  liiiiii«iir«iiius 
riiHt  -  lii'iiwii :     i|iiill> 

|ilaiii      I'lis I":     tail 

lilai'k,  M|iiitlril.  ami 
ti|i|ii'il  ;  liill  lii'iiwiiiNli 
tli'Hli-i'Mliir.  iliisky  at 
illil  ;  Irrl  jiali  ITil- 
ili>li  til  ^li-i'iilm.    'i'lii- 

\v Iriirk  i.M    lit  cir  I  I 

ilirlliM    Inim.    ami     111  '•'"••='•■'       •*• '"^^ c.«.k.„i,..lM, 

Ill  17  ill  iMciit :  wiiiu  I. ."ill   ^.7•■> :   liill  i.W-i.l'i  ;  tai-sus  \.i:)\  iiiiiWI<>  I'm  ami  ila.\   I  ."»ii:  ami 

WrinliH  llNiially  .'».  '».  "P  7  iiillii'i'M.  'I'lif  Wiiiitllii'li,  UK  Miliif  ll'Ntlii'lU*  liiarkrl-wnlmn  ('H  !•  r  lo  I'lill 
lirr,  is  larKiT,  II  or  1^  Iih-Ik'k  lniin;  fxti'iil  17  or  Is  ;  wiiiij  t.J.'i  .i.iMi :  liill  v  ^■l  ll.tMl ;  smiic 
KiKiil  I'at  iiiii'M  ii|i  III  ^  or  9  ox.  in  wciulil.  Hokh,  ^;\vaiii|>!<,  wt-t  wiMiillamI  ami  lii'lil>.  {''.iihtirii 
r.  ,S.  ami  Ciiiiaila  :   .\.  In  Nova  Sr..ti.i  ;   N.W.  i.i  .Minnr»oi;i  iiml  ti|i  tin    Mi-«.iiiii  i..  K'.it  \l\f*  ; 


l.t  \%lh.  I 


t'i:!o 


sysii:ma  iir  svmu'sis     i.imhih.k 


KiiliNiiK,    Ni'liriiHliii,    liiiliiili  'I'l'ii'.    iniil  Tcxiin  ;   i xlniliiinlMl  nrnnl  ;   iiiiuiiil<>i;<),   Im;    lurrils 

lliritii(;lii>iil    ilN  I'lniur  :   wiiiliin  In  llir  hcnitli.     'I  his  is  lln    ^aiiii'  liinl,  uHir  ;ill,  hiiy  wliiil    y<>ii 

jilrjlN)'    ci|    Sllipr,   <^llllil,  cil'  I  ilnllHI'.        I'^KK"    llliiM'    Milllllil    lllllll    llliislnl    llliisl   MiiiiH   Wllill'I'N,  ml' 

ri>|>iiiiiliiii!  I<i  tlir  |iliMii|i  riii'iii  III  llic  liji'il,  iivci'ii^iiiK  I.TiOX  l.l'^;  ii  sliml  limail  niir  I. MIX  l.'JO; 

II  Iniii.'  11,11 1  nw  mil'  1..').!  X  I.  I>'i  ;  liioW'iiisli  i-liiy  i-i'li'i,  nil  III '  liully  m  niinr  ur.iusli,  \nl|i  nnnilirr- 
li'hh  rli<irii|,ilr   ln'iivtll  Kinlarr   mill  It  lll^s  iiikI  htnlir  k;liiy   hlii-ll   h|i.i|s,  nniir  Miy  hilur  ul'  liiilil  ;    hi/.i' 

mill  iiilriiKily  III'  iiiiii'kiiiKN  Mi'iirriilly  ('iiii'i'h|Hiiiiliiiu  in  ili'|iili  nl  (.'ruiiiiil  ciiliir  ;  iiHiiiilly  laiil  in 
A|ii'il,  I'liilii'i'  In  llii*  Miiiilli.  Till'  wiHiili'iirIi  Ims  many  rniinns  artnuiH  iliiiint;  llii'  maliiiu  srahnii, 
rill'  yiilllii;  air  Miiiii'llmi'H  rrnii'Vril  Iniiii  ilaiiuri  li_\  llir  jiairlil,  raiisiii);  llniii  willi  llir  I'lrl. 
\  I  r\  I  ii:ilir  anil  i'a|M  ii'liiiln  ill  lis  mnxrliirlils. 
1330.  fH^'O'LOTAX.  ((ii  iritiiAiinii^,  4i(/ii/)iir,  l.al.  .sro/ii/iw  i ,  iiaiiii' nl  lliis  \iiy  Mnl.)  |''.|  liiiri.w 
W'liiilM  III  l\.  Nil  lllllll  |illliiaiirH  sliiirlriii'il  ni'  |ii'i'ii|lai',  llir  Isl  mil  TiiM  I'll  hiillli'Willll  nil  llllliT 
tvrli  lirai'  iml  ;  Isl  ami  .'il  Iuiiki'kI,  llil  llllli'  sliiHlii,  llli  miirli  sliiiilii' ;  mIiil's  Iihil',  i'iHii 
|iaialiM'l\ ,  llir  |iiilnl  iif  llir  wlii^  rHlriiilin^  liiyniiil  llir  iniiri'  sii'iiinlai  irs,  w  liii'li  niily  lulil  aliMiit 

III  I'liil  III  .(ill  ijiiill.  Iirlii'lir  rlilirtli'li'I'ii,  l'Xrr|ilillt;  llmsi'  nl  llir  VMli^,  li.ilrli  as  ill  I'hiliilirhi ; 
^ami' si\  Ir  nl'  lull  ami  liil  ami  riiiilii.'iiiiilinn  nl'  IhhIn  ami  lir.iil  ;  iiliimaur  iniilaily  \aii)'u..tri| 
aliiiM',  liiil  lii'InH  lianril  rm '-vu-'i'  lliiniii.'linill  ;  si/r  miirli  >il|irriiir.  IM  all  ilii-  ''ni|ii'  lilir  liililn 
III  lllls  tnllllliy,  liinsi'|\  I'alllil  "  Slillilfill  I  ,"  lllls  sll'.limll'l  linlll  |''.ll|n|il'  !-<  llic  nllly  nllr  In  Vllilrll 
llii'  ii.iiiir  I'    ■llirlly  a|i|illi'alili'. 

<IOIl.  H.  rnxll  i'HIii.  (l.al.  iiislinis,  a  liislir;  iiislii  iihi,  a  lillli  rnimli  s  man  )  I'.l  llnl'l  W  W'imiIi- 
IIH'K.  I'nrMiiiil:  ('nlniK  iiliiiM'  liaiimililnilsly  lilrliilril  ami  v.iiiiil  lilirK,  li|n\ui,  rlii 'liinl,  ami 
>|'IIiimIs|i   Itlay  1    iimli'l     jialls    limwiiisli    \\  liilr,    itlmiLii  l\     i\a\\    liiiiiil     lliinllulinill     Vlllli    ilaili 

I  III  iM  II,  .\  iliisky  siiijii'  Irnni  lull  in  tm'.  'I'iiji  ami  li,irli  nl  Inail  limw  iii-<li  Marlt  ami  Innwii, 
iliMili'il  li_\  llii'i'i'  III  rniir  rl'iwH-liars  nl  Innunisli  wlnlc  jiml  liin\in.  I'larli  I'l'allii'i'  nl  ii|i|irr  ,iailn 
liirHiniil   .mil   lilai'li,  in  viiriruiillnii,  llii'  lilai'k    iisii.illy  rniiiiinu  a  lait'r  siiliii-rimnal  sjinl.      \  \\ 

Inivlsll    Uiay   ll'llililll!   In  1111111  a  Hni|ll|lMI'    nI|'I|H'  mi  llirll  nlilr  III'   llir  li,irlt.       l/nills    ami    I'lM  il  ,  n| 

Willi:  lihirliisli,  |iii'lly  ii'(.'nlaily  \aiiril  uilli  ilaiK  rlii'slniil  liar-,  mi  llir  I, nun  i|iiills  llns 
i-lir-lniil  pali'i  mill  ii'iliiri'il  In  iiiait>iiial  imli'iilaliniis  ;  milri  uilinl  lii-l  |iiiiiiaiy  |ilaiii  uliillsli, 
r|i|iir  tail  r.iMilr-  lirli  rliisliinl.  Illllr  vailiil  ttllli    iiLirlt.  Mllli  ji.ili'  lijis.      'I'.iil   I'l'iillirl's    liliirli, 

II  llli  iiiiL-Milai  I'lu'-tiiiil  imli'iilalimis  III  niiiii  \iiIit,  ;  linn  ti|>s  u'l'iy  limn  .ilmM',  \  iruril  liniii 
lirlnll  I'll'lrllinu'  'lllrly  Vlllllr.  I'llilil  jialls  li|n\llll-ll  wllilr,  llinll'  m  li  ss  .sllHlIM  il  Mllll 
I'lirhliitll  lllllll  II  mi  llir  liri'iisl,  till'  ii'pniar  iliislty  liauiiiL'  mill  uii  iiil;  ii,i\  mi  llir  ii  liilisli  llimal, 
rlianuiiiL'  In  lriii>lliii  Isi'  nliialts  nil  llii'  iiinlii'  lall  rnii'il-.  Urn  :  I 'iimi'<lal%.ilil|  sjiiiilai'  miiIi- 
Nlaiilially  till' xaiiii' ;  ^-layii  alinvi,  inmli  nl'  lli"  iiisxrl  innllliim  nl'  llir  ,f  n  jilarnl  liylinaiy- 
KHiy,       A  niiH'li  "  lirllrl    lill'il  "  lliaii   nill   iiiiihIi'in'Ii  ;    ii  llillil    llll'^l'r  ;    wilulil    I'.'    I.I  11/..      (Ivt'l'll 

fiHil  Innu  ;    iiliiL'   sririi   ini'lii'H  III   inmr  ;   lail  ,'t.,''iO  ;    Mil  mily  almiil  as  Iniiu  as  in  mil   iimi'l li  ; 

llllhils  I  .'  .  ;  inlilillr  Inr  aiul  riaiv  llinir.  I  ilrsriilir  tin-,  '|iri'irs  iiilli  |iai  I  Irillal  lly,  anil  s|inrls- 
liii'ii  II  Im  ^I't  a  lilnl  III'  lliJH  mill  ivlll  ilii  ivi'll  In  i'i'|Miit  llir  lat'l  nl  iniri'.  Il  iias  riiiimilly 
inlrnilni'i'il  In  mil'  raiina  in  llir  mlulnal  riilllmi  nf  llir  "  Kry."  'I'lirir  air  srinal  aillliriilir 
lllhlalirrn  nl'  IIn  ni|ilnir  in  llilx  rminliy,  ami  il  is  iim|iirHliiiiialil\  rnllllril  In  siii'li  |ilai'r,  iin  a 
sll'iiuulri  lllllll  r'.iiiii|ii.  III'  mIiii'Ii  innntii  II  Is  llir  I'niiiinnli  iinnili'iH-k.  i'lt'v  l.riiis,  .\nirili'ail 
!<<|Hil'l;Mlli'll.  I  il    nl   iMi'i,  |i     lli'.l,   Innlmilr  (.Vrii   Jrlsry  )  ;    I  ,iill  rrlii'r,  .Villi.  I.yr.   S.ll.  Illsl.  .\ ,  V., 

iHllll,  |i,  iWi  (Itlinilr  Islaml  anil  Nrtv  .IrrHcy )  ;    llninl,  Am    .1 S,-\.  sli,  ISlill,  |i,  'Ja  (Nriv- 

rminillamll:   ( 'mirs,   ,\ni    \al  ,  \,   1^711,  |i    .'17'.'  ■  N'nuiiii  i ). 

Sittl.     <<,%I<I>IN.V 'iO       ll.iil    iinlliiiii,  a  Inn,  ii  lii'lin    i/ii//uiiii/n,  lilir  niiiiint iii    )       Till  I    SMI'K. 

Ilill  mmli   IniiiM'i  than   hiail,  iirifi'i'lly  hlriu^lil,  Mill  in  tin   rml,  M  hirr  il  is  Mimnihal   iinlrmil, 
m'liiiM'il  nil  ln|i,  lasi'iilai  anil  sriislliir,  in  llir  ilriril  sialr  jiilliil  ;    lalrial    tJlnnM's    innilillf'  liinir 
llijin    hiill'ilay    In   li|i;   i:a|ii'   ii,innii,   iml    iraihinu    lirimiil    liasr   nl'  I'lilinrn.       I'',ar   nmlrt   ry 
'rililii'  Il  alliri'ril  Iml  ijiillr  In  llir    jnilil,      'raiHiin  a  Illllr  nlmtln   lliati  iiilihlli'  Im    ami   rlail  ;    Inrx 
IMTlrrlly   Itrr,  rli  II   In  llir  liasr,  slrliilrl   .iml  lliil   lllliui'il,       Wiiil'i  IIiIIii'I   '■Imil   an, I    I'nlimlril  (Inr 


Oil' 


st'in.iH'M'iiKi::  ssiri-: 


(iji 


:.'(l: 


ITl. 


\N 


lllln     Kllllll)    ,    ll'nn    Hit    lllllll    ill     iS'rrl/ii/iil  i     iii      I'lllliillllil :  llii     |>l  1111,11  UN    altt'lllllltr.       'I'llll    hlliill, 

liiilliilnl,  III    llllllK'I'iillit  (ill    iHii    K|in'ii  n    III)    ri'iillii'i'n,  III'  wlilrli    lln     l.ilrrill    iilr    liiirt'iiWiil  ;    tail 

SlU'iril    ('I'lihNU  IM'.      SrM'M    mIIIii';    hi'il^nliiil    I'lialiuin   nl  |iIiiim;ii;i'    iml    |iliiliiiiliiri  il        Niiiiii'IhiIh 
ii|H'rii-i«  III  nil  ciiiiiiliii'n  ;   h 


III'  N.   Allii'I'inill,  ami   almlliri    >liiiui{llliu  (■>  I  ■H'lulaliil    llnlll  Mill 


ll|M 


.lnii/|i/ai 


M   If/     S/UI'Ira. 


Atlliiim  mill  II  ink  n  ulilli',  llii'iiiii|ili'li'lt  hi  Iiii|i<  i  I<  i  iU  Ihiim'I  nlili  lii  i<  i.Mi 
Akilliiin  uikI  lliiiikx  liill>  iiiiij  ri'Uiil»il\  ii.iiii'il  null  »hlloiiii'l  l<l  i<  ki^li 


»t)i/i<i    (Ui; 
in/iiiiM    IMki 


Ol>*.   <i.   IIM'tllll.       (IjIiI.  iiiiiIiiI,  liirilllllii  (ill  M/r,  lirUMril  lt\<ii>lliii    I  .illii|ii'ail  n|Hrii'».  )       I'lU.    IHll.  ) 


I.I  KMl'I.AN  SmCI; 


r.NHI. 


I  ""I" 


II 


fn 


iiii.iitiil  urmral  riilMialinii  iin 


ll^ll 


^iiinlialili'  IViiiii  Nil.  litis,  liiil  llir  a\illiiiy  Iralliiiri  al >l  iiitiii  ly  uliili',  »illi  ."li^lil  aiul  njiai-^i' 

ilurit  iiiui'Kiiif^H,  ami  llir  I'l'iillirrN  nl'llir  lliiiiltH  ami  niilrn  li'xn  lii'i|iii'iitl)'  ami  li'HN  ii'^iilarly  liainil 


I 


III-' 


Willi  liailt  Kia\.      (Ill  liii'  Ir.iMi   lviiii|ii'iiii  Siii|M  ,  <i.  fliilliiiiilii,  III!    Miiif<  aiiil  liniiii!  nl  \vili«H  arn 

lillly  liailiil  an  in  mii    -V  iiilsuiii,  Iml  llin  lail  I'imiiIh'I'm  an-    I  I,  tin-  milr ^   lilllr   --Inillfi    ami 

mil  alilil|illy  liaiiin\rl   lliali  ilii'  ^l•^l.)      l''.lll'i|ii' :    Only  N     .V 


llirllrali  a-'  oi  riir<  nil.'  Ill  liirilii 


mil 


(ION.    (a,     nirmilll 


(I'll    .\.  WiIm.ii.       rit;>     l.ll,    t.l.l,     IHi'i.)      .\miiiii\n     Ssiit 


\Vi 


I.SIIS  H 


Snii'i;.     •' KNtii.iHii"  Smi'I.  (Hn-ralliil)      Jaik-Smi'i:      .\iIiiIi  ,(  V     r,„\\„  M.iilt.  wiih  a 

jijilr  iii'lilry  liiiililli'    blli|ii'.       r|i|irl    |iail^    liliiWIii  <li   liiai'li ,  V  aili'ii  \«  illi    Ihil'IiI     li.iy  ami    la\«liy, 
llii' M'a|iiilai    liMllii  It  miiiMillily  ami  I'M  Illy  i  ilui  il  v>  illi    lawny  m   «  lillihli,  '.iiiiiinii    U\>i    |i  iilMIi 


Klri|M'«  nil  riicll   hIiIi'  wlifli   llii'   uini-i   an 


ilili 


il.     l^nillN  iiml  lii'i'i'trr  < 


M'llh    lilarliinli- 


il'iiWli, 


iiMiially    »itli   wliilr    li|in,   aiiil    milrr   vvrli  nl'   lii><l    |iiiiiiai'y   iiMiiilly 


lllill 


I 


IIIIIIU    III 


f 


I   iiMlJaiN  "liilf,   Inlly  ami  nuiiiaily  ItaiTfil  willi    l.larli       ltiiiii|i   lil.nli,  llm   liallirlw 
litli   Hlillrll|ir'        r|i|iri     l.illriiMll^    lil«  liy    VMili    nmiiinill^'  lil.irli   liiilM,  iiml  l.ill    li  .illnif  lilarli 


Wlll^n    am 


GU2 


SYSTHMA  III!  SYXdl'SIS.  —  UMU'Ol^E. 


liiiNiilly,  llicn  lirit'lit  I'lioliiiit,  Milli  II  iiarmw  Hiilili'niiiiial  lil.'ick  l>ar,  llicir  tipN  fiulInK  to  wliil- 
IhIi  ;  mmii'  cif  till'  laliral  niiin  \«  liiir,  ailli  lilllr  riir>iiiM  tiiiur  ami  ri'vi'DiI  liiKli'a<l  nl'  niir  Mark 
liar.  Iti'lly  wliiti' ;  inuuliiiM  ami  liin--l>ri'a«l  IIkIiI  Iimwii  N|N'rkli'il  willi  iliisky  limwii;  i-liiii 
iirai'ly  wliilc:  hlilrn  of  iMHiy  Kliailril  Willi  lirowii,  ami  xiilli  iiiiiiii'miiN  ri'i;iilar  iliixky  liarn 
lliriiiiKliiiiii  :  i'rl.«Hiiiii  inure  ur  IrxH  riilmiR,  willi  iiiiiiicroiH  ilii-'ky  liai>.  liiiiKtli  of  i  |0.,'iil- 
11.511;  cxtriit  I7..'ill-I<.)..'i0;  uiiiK  i.('i-5.)t.'i  ;  liill  ^'..Vl  (iiinrc  ur  Iikn)  :  tail  i.i:*;  tarxiiH 
l.'i.'i  :  iiiiililli-  li><>  ami  i-law  I. .'ill.  9  avi-rauiiic  Niiiallrr.  Wriulit  i>|'  varimiN  N|H'i-iiiii'iiH 
li  11/.,  (  ill',  til  (  iix.  :( <lr.  Kill  uri't-iMRli  uray,  ilii.-<ky  mi  irrtiiiiial  lliinl  ;  irin  lit'own  ;  Irri  ^rrfii- 
JNli-ltray.  'I'liiii  In  tin*  p-iiuiiio  iNf/N*,  of  all  tlif  liirilx  Iinim'Iv  wi-rallnl ;  IIh  iiaiiii'  ol'  "  KiiuMkIi" 
i>iil|H'  i.i  a  iiii»miiiirr,  a->  il  '\*  imliui'iiniiM  In  iIiIn  I'liiiniry,  ami  ili>liiiri  rnnii  any  Kiii'i>|M'aii 
H|H'i'ii-M.  llmiiuli  I'limi'ly  n'M-nililint;  iwunf  ilii'iii  ('»'.  iinthu  nr  iirlistis  ami  (i.  iinllimilii).  In 
•  iiir  H|H'i-ii'H  iIh-  lail  ih  nomially  i'iiiii|hiki'iI  nf  111  fcalliriK,  iIk'  two  lali'i'al  of  tvliirli  mi  cacli 
Ml'  arc  aliriiplly  xitiallcr,  ^lll■rt<'r,  ami  iiim'li  ii.irrovvrr,  ri'm'inlilint;  llii'  iimlrr  cnvi'rlN  wiiiirwlial  ; 
ami  llii'  »li<>li'  ..jilrn  III'  llii'  iHuly  I'nini   linasl  In  lail,  as  wi'll    as   llic   avilLnx   anil    liniiii;  nl'  llii- 

winuH,    an ii|ili'lrly   ami    r<'t;iilarly    liarri'il,    as  is   aUn    I  lie    i-riHsiiin.     lt|H'n    wi-l    jilarrM  nl 

Nniili  Anicrira,  al  larui- ;  niiuralnry  ;  lirt't-ilH  IVniii  \.  I',  .''i.  iinriliwanl:  ."(,  inin  S.  .Viiii'r.  in 
winter,  tliniiKli  many  rrinain  in  I'.  .'^.  'I'lir  urneral  lialiilH  >>(  lliir*  lavnrilr  Kainc-ltinl  air 
tnn  well  known  In  ri'i|niri'  ninark.  Kiium  .'I  (,  imHirralrly  iiyiilnrni,  ^rayi^li  nlivr,  with  nimi' 
nr  \rttn  limwiiisli  Kliailf  1  iiiarkiiii;N  IhiIiI  ami  nnnn'iniiN,  innni  .»n  mi  llir  lai^cr  cml,  nf  \aryiiii; 
hIiiiiIi'm  nl'  iiiiilM'r-liriiwii ;  iiNiially  aJMi  Hliur|)  xrralrhy  linrM  n|'  Mack  ;  >licll-s|in|N  mil  nnticc- 

alilc.  Next  a  lucre  ilc|ii'csshili  in  ^raxx  nr  nin..N  nf  llie  lin|r  ;  rliick.s  ninlllnl  willi  wllile,  asliy, 
nclircy  ami  ilark  Itrnw  n. 
332.  M.\rK<>|{||.\M'l*lll  S.  (lo  /ioir^Hiv,  mxArxM,  Imiu,  ptt^i/im.  /il»m/i/i»H,  Leak.)  Wl.ll  liMii 
.*>Ml'l.  Kill  a>  in  (iiilhiiiiiiii.  Winn-.  Iniii»cr  ainl  ninie  |i.iiiiiril,  nmie  aN  in  I'tiiiiin.  'I'lliia- 
tiakcil  liclnw  lor  a  space  .ilmiii  half  llic  Icimlli  nf  larMih.  Taixis  ImiKcr  llian  iiinlillc  loe  ami 
claw,  .\nterinr  liH-H  ucMh'iI  at  lia^e;  ueliltint;  iiinNi  exIeiiMive  lielwccn  niiilille  ami  outer. 
Tail  iloiiMy  einaruinate,  nf  nnly  I'.'  xtillUli  (,is  ciiiii|iarcil  willi  fii(//Miifi/ii)  teal  hers  ;  all  tlie 
Icallicl-N  I'losely  ami  rcuniarly  liarreil.  Scxcn  alike:  >iltniiier  and  wiiiler  |i|itiiia|;es  ilillerenl 
(aN  in  Hanil|>i|M'r'<)  '^llnrnn^llly  sni|M--like  in  llie  lull,  Inn  nilierwiNc  like  Iiiiik-Ic^'kciI  winil 
|ii|ici»  ;  near  .Uici'ii/iii/xiiix,  Inr  i'\ani|ile.     'I'wn  allcceil  >>|H'cie!<,  nr  varieticN. 

1,1  until   liiini  lii  r.v:.<i.  ixiiiii   i;.:<i  ■.iiio.  wlnit  .'■■Iimiini,  uti'rii|t<'  ■>''".  ''HI   -  <«•  3'"li  Inmiiii  I.Wl  7.\ 
■vi'riiui'  I  .'■;i .  iiiI'Mli'  ic>'  willi'iiii  iIjiu  0  im  I  In,  iit<'i.i|{>'  I  im. 

Winn   .'i '.',1  .1  IKi.  iuiinu>>   Mo.  /■•".  ■-•  IKI   '  W,  imiiiKi'  v  ;i<i,     Ihihiii..  iinniui.,  I  .ll;  iii|ili|ii>   Iih<   niniii-, 

ItVlTIIUI'  Din.       til  allllltlll'r       III  li>    Wlllllnll  .    illCIIKl    IIImI  nilll'H  l<|i<',  kilMl   » il  il  illl>k  V      .       .  >/l  )«■  11.4      IKK) 

Wliiu   ■•  inilim.  iivi'tiu'i'  .■.;.■•     '.i","J".1t  :r.ti,  im-mi!!.  Jhii.    iiir>ii>.  i(\.iiii(i.,   I  mi.   imI<IiII<'  |i»'  iii , 

nv4'riiK<'   I  <><>      III   xiiiiiiiiir .    Iti'llv  •hiiiiiiiiini  Iuhhii.   liri'Nui    wi 


liiirint  »llli  itiialijr 


Illy  K|ii 


«<i>/i>/nii',  IM    mil 


Mi'llKllll'ini'tllx   nf  llllli'    Illllhl'lllItU,  kIiiiI    •lilt    of  ii|ii<   tliak    III  llllktlhl.  riirilli'llt   ■■ll|i|niM4|    to  llli'lllili'    l»,l|| 
KiMH'il'K    :ll|il    I.I  nil, iW   llli'lr    |«'||>.I    li'l'I'lll'iO  la  aUc  .    Ilnw  KllplniMxl    In   »li.>n    lllill\  lilll  li    >  ill  llll  inli  |||    I/. 


llliilK'. 


Il 


■uittU 


Kxli'iil  iifnliiKu 

Wlim 

WIkiIc  iiiiIii'-I  Ii'4 

Hill  .     . 


;i  III 


'.'  Jil 


t-iiil 


.1  III 
•.'  Ill 


In  .'ill 


.1  Ml 


!  fill 


it  •J.% 

m.'.-i 


.1.1 


I I  .Ml 

III  INI 

fiT.'V 

4  im 


III  .'ill 


I  III 


II  im 

III  7-v 


I  mi 

■J  iifi 


fJ.W 


II  III 
4  III 


I'.'.riii 
iii.riii 

ftKft 
I   l.% 


It(l9.    ^'-    wl  >•<•"»»•      (l.al.   >innruH,   «ray,      l-'iij.   lit,.)       I{i:i>-lilii:  \k|'|.i>  .^mit,    iHiiiiitner).      «!iiav 

,Sstfi:  (wiiiii  I  ).      KitiiWN  iiMK.      |)ii\Mi<  III  II.      .\iliili  9    ,f.  ill  Mill r:     I'mlcr  |iarlN  rich 

riihty-reil,  |>alir  nr  wliiii>li  mi  llie  lully  :   |iii.>iiliiiii,  lircaxl,  ami  siiles  rnlly  sjiccklnl  uitli  iliiHkv. 
AxillarH  ami  linini;  of  wiiiL"*  uliitr,  with  anuular  <liiHky  niiirkiiicN.      \Viii(;-<|iiillH  fiiNcouH,  tlii< 

Hlial'l    nf   the    Isl    jirilliary  white,   nf   the  ntherH    limwn  :    i-ecnmlaricN  ^nllh|licl|nll^ly    ri|i|ieil    with 
while,      .\ltnve,  hIacU,  \arieil   everywhere  with    llie    leilili.sh   cnlnr   nf  the    iimler  |iarlK,  ami  mi 


ItlO. 


233. 


nil. 


s((n.iH'M'in.K:  ssivk. 


»;2S 


iiii- 

|lar|< 
llill 


Ihr 


\U\ii 


lhi<  luii'k  iiml  iMMi|>iiliirM  M'itli  M'Inic ;  tlii>  rtiiii|i  Miiuwy-whitc,  iiiininrkiMl,  vrry  fiiiiii|il<MiiiiiM  m 
lliulil.  Tail  itml  il'<  >!|i|H'r  t-nvrrlN  l>la<-k,  I'liwly  lianiil  uilli  wliilr  or  nil'miN.  \  iliinky  line 
rmiii  lull  III  ry.  llill  aiiil  tVi't  Kirriiinii-lilaili.  liiMiiittr:  harU  ^ray  alNivr,  llir  rrallicnt 
witli   iliixky   D'lilrcH  uml  pair  uray   or  wliiti^li  i'iluc.«;  jnwer  Itack    |iiiri'   \vlii(<> :    xiiiN'ri'iliary 

lilM*  illlil  N|Hit  nil  llllilri  ryt  -llil  \«  llitr  ;    \»\i<\\  .  \l  liilr,  tlic  inuullllll,  tnrr-lirraKl,  .lllil  niili'M  liiax  ily 

NliailrtI  with  uray,  Iraviiiu  rliiii  \vliiii«li  ;  ilir  llatil<-<  ami  rii-smii  wiili  wavy  <lii!>ky  i>|i<itN  nr  liarw. 
(Kiir  iliiiii'iiNiiiiiH  M'i>  itlMivc.)  'I'IiIh  varirty  Ih  hii|i|hini'i|  tn  lir  rcNlricli'il  to  K..  N.  A.(f)i  iiIoiik 
(III'  Atlaiilir  riiai-l,  wlirrr  it  alHiiiinU  iliiriiit;  tin-  iiiii;ratii>ii,  in  |irii|Hirlii>ii  of  l,(HHI  in  nin'  iif  llir 
iii'Xt  variety.  KriTiU  in  lii^li  latiliiilcN,  Aiimii^  iln'  slmrr  liinl-,  iln*  \-*  a  ^rrat  luvnriti'  w  iili 
Uiiiiiii'rH. 
•no.  M.  K.  iu-(llll|MlV«>IIM.  (Lit.  xololtihfllH,  Khi|M  -lilii'.^  \Vl  Mills  DitNMI'i  IIKIt.  lU'.ll-lll'.l.- 
I.ll.i>  SMi't:.  liiil.A  it'.K  Lii\i.-lii:Ak.  l.iKi'  till'  laxt  :  aMrauini;  l.iri-<'i.  iIk'  l>ill  )'s|H'i'ially 
liiiiKrr  {>»'!'  iiImivi')'  Wi'ii;lit  :t  n/..  7  <lr.  tn  4  nx.  I  ilr.  Kiitirc  iiinlt'r  |iartM  rirli  riiHly-n-il, 
iiii'lii)liii|!  U'lly  ;  tliriMii  ami  lirrast  xraiilily  N|HTkli'il,  F<ii|i'H  anil  Hanks  thickly  liarrnl,  with 
iliisky.  Winirr  and  iniiiiatiin-  K|H'i'iinrnH  liiiliNlinL;uiNhal>h'  iVnin  tlir  hiMt,  i'\ri'|ilinu  tlnmr  xiir- 
|ia>siii|;  ihi'  inaxniinni  hi/i- nl'  tlic   latlrr.      N.  Am.  at    larur,  hU|i|Hisi'i|  in  lie  i.iif  nr  I'ahiial  nii 

till-  Atlaiilii'   niilr,  aiiil  tn  lif  il Illy  ri'iirrsmtaiivi' nl'  ilir  ui'Iiih  in  tlir  \Vi>l  (.').     l.iUc  Ihr 

nihi'r,  it   li>  altiniilaiil  :  iiiii{rati>ry  :  lirrciU  in  lii^li   lalitnilcH.      Ilnth  uriicraily  Ily  in  lari; mi- 

|iarl  lliH-k^,  liki-  till'  Naiiil|ii|H'r>  ami  slmri'liiriU  Kriirrally,  ralliir  than  ninuly  nr  in  wi.«|m  like 


fill.  i;ri.       lull  "I   l/.ii'n»A>i»i/iAii<  i/ria>  iia,  mil    >U<'.  Ill  |ii'>llli'.  iiikI  ll<  i'ImI  ti.iiii  ulmvi'.     i  Vi|  iml    ilil    i:   <' ) 


lilU 


till-  ir 


in.l 


•lir  thi'  ■.linirs  nl    li.l\s  ,im|  I •^llla|■il•s,   illsllihl  III' 


\M't   iiiiai 


|n«- 


I 


U'C 


if 


llii'*  Viirii'ly  nr  llir  la^t  an'  imi  |ii'i'iili.ir  anmim  lliiir  allii"<;  :i  Hn  nninhrr  ;  Iriiulh  l..ij  In 
I. it,  liy  l.ll>  tn  l.l.i  lit'nail :  Kiniiml-rnlnr  a.i  III  finlliniujo,  ami  uriirral  Iihk'  aiiil  Mtylr  nl'  iiiink- 
jii|!K  tin*  laiiir. 


333.     MHUOIV\l-\MA       (li 


fllltfHIV. 


(/ 


iiiiKiiiH,   Niiia 


II 


miAiifii;,    jiiiliiwf 


Mll.l     .>>\\l>- 


I'lniis.      llill  niiirli  a>  in  llii'  l.i-l    uriiiix,  litll  slmrli'i,  h 


ilrlllU 


a    Will.) 

iilrmil  at  till'  I'liil  anil  mil 


nil   ilintiiiflly    I'lirmwi'il    mi    |ii|i,   Niuni'tiincN    |H'r<'i'|itilily    riirviil       W'inii-'    Innu,    |injiiti'(|,    l-t 
|iriniary  liin^i'Hl,  rr>t    rapiilly  uiailnalnl.     'Tail   almiil    hall'  as  jniiu  as  w  ini;s,   ><lii;htly  ilmililv 
finaruinati'.      Lrus  vrry  Imii;  :   iihiir   liair  an  inrli ;   tai'Miis  as  Iniii;  as  tlir  hill.      I''i  rt    srini|ial 
inatf,  till*  I'mnt    Iih's  iH-iiit;  nniiiri'ti-il   liy  twn  rviilriit   liasal  writs,      |'liiiiiai;r  rrsi'inlilini;  thai 
111'  Mnrritrhiunfiliii*   in   iii'iirral  rharartrr :     ils  rluinui's   ihc   Naiin* ;     srxrs  alikr.     'I'lii'sr  twn 
ifi'iirra  ari'  iiirliri  links  liriwiin  sni|ii'  .iihI  saiiil|ii|ii'rs.     I  Mii'  sjirrirs. 
•III.    M    liMiiiiii'l)i|iiiH.      (lir.   ifiiii^iiiriii'v.    liiiiiiiiitniHiin,  strap  Iru'ui'il.      I'm.    I.'ts.)      Si'ii.r   Swn- 
I'll'I.K.      .\ililll    ,(    9  •■'■''"■■■'■■■''' '    .\hiivr,  lilarklsh,  I'ai'li    I'latliir  ril^nl  anil   li|i|ii'il  with  wliili' 


anil   tiiwiiy  nr  hay,  \v 


rliifh 


till 


ihi 


II'  sraiHilars   lirfiiiiu's  si-allii|H'i 


il. 


Iii'sliiiil  ;  a  I 


litll'  ri'iiin   llill    In  ryi',    ami   a   huhl    rrihlish   sii|iri'i'iliary    mir ;    n|i|irr   tail  I'nvrrls  whili'   with 


Insky 
iih 


iliiskv  har- 


riinarii-s  i 


lii-k 


y  w 


ilh    lilarklsh  tips 


I'lath 


shv 


Uiay 


III. 


Ill 


II  i'i>iitral  lii'lil  wliilr :  nmlfr  piirtH  inixnl  rrililish,  hlark,  ami  whilish,  in  sirraks  nn  tin'  inunliiin, 
I'lsi-wht'iv    iiiliiii-..     llill    an. I    riil    irri  riiish-lilaik.      l.i'iiL'tli    S..'|il  <MIII;    rxliiit     pi.lill    i;.l|ll; 


(,  <^^, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


Uif2&    12.5 


mm 


■2.2 

■^     140 

m 


-    6" 


12.0 

1.8 


i 

Imi: 


L25  iU   11.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporalion 


33  WiST  MAIN  STRiiT 

WIBSTRR,N.Y.  145S0 

(71«)t72-4S03 


f 


624 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LIMICOLJE. 


234. 


wing  5.00;  tail  2.25  ;  1)1111.50-1.70;  tarsus  the  saino ;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.00;  tibia  bare 
1.00.  Young,  and  adults  in  winter :  Ashy-gray  above,  with  or  witliout  traces  of  black  and 
bay,  the  feathers  usually  with  white  edging ;  line  over  the  eye  and  under  parts  white,  the 
juguluni  and  sides  suffused  with  the  color  of  the  back,  and  streaked  witli  dusky ;  legs  usually 
pale  greenish-yellow.  The  full  breeding  dress  is  of  brief  duration  ;  the  birds  are  usually  ashy 
and  white  from  September  to 
April,  both  inclusive.  N.  Am., 
generally ;  not  observed  W.  of 
the  R.  Mts.  ;  ran;,  lirecds  in 
liigh  latitudes;  migrates  to  W. 
I.  and  C.  and  S.  Am. 
EBEUNE'TES.  (Gr.  ipcvvr)- 
T^s,  ereuneics,  a  searcher,  i)ro- 
ber.)  Semipalmated  Sand- 
pipers. Bill  normally  about  as 
long  as  head,  straight,  quite 
stout  for  this  family,  both  man- 
dibles deeply  grooved  to  the  ex- 
panded vascular  and  sensitive 
tip.  Wings  h)ng,  pointed ;  sec- 
ondaries obliqu(!ly  incised.  'J'ail 
moderate,  doubly-emarginate, 
witli  pointed  and  projecting  cen- 
tral   feathers.       Tarsus    rather 


612. 


Fio.  4.18. —Stilt  Snnilplimr,   in  breeding  (lrcs8,  reduced. 
Nuttall,  after  Snalnson, i 


fFrom 


longer  tlian  middle  toe  and  daw,  equal  to  the  normal  bill  in  length.  Bare  portion  of  tibia; 
]i  as  long  as  tarsus.  Toes  connected  by  broad  basal  webbing,  and  broadly  margined.  A  true 
sandpipi.'r,  chieHy  distinguished  from  Tringa  proper  by  the  semijialmate  feet  (fig.  'iS)  ;  frou) 
Microjxtlnma,  which  is  similarly  webbed,  by  the  shortness  of  the  bill  and  feet.  Very  small ; 
sexes  alike ;  summer  and  winter  plumages  dift'cnmt. 

E.  pusirius.  (Lat.  pusiUus,  puerile,  petty).  Semipalmated  SAxnpiPEn.  Peep.  Bill, 
tarsus,  and  middle  toe  with  its  claw,  abniit  equal  to  each  other,  an  inch  or  less  long,  but  bill  very 
variable,  and  apt  to  be  sliorter  —  O.lKi-O.S?  ;  feet  semipalmate,  witli  two  evident  webs  ;  length 
5.50-0.50;  extent  about  11.75;  wing  :5. 25-3. 75;  tail  2.00,  doubly-emarginate,  the  central 
feathers  projecting.  Adult  ^  9  >  i"  summer:  Above,  variegated  M'ith  black,  bay,  and  ashy  or 
white,  each  feather  with  a  black  field,  reddish  edge  and  whitish  tip;  rump,  and  uiii)er  tail- 
coverts  except  the  lateral  ones,  bhudiLsh.  Tail-feathers  asliy-gray,  tlie  central  darker;  jiri- 
maries  du«ky,  the  shaft  of  t\w  first  M'hite.  A  d\isky  line  from  bill  to  eye,  and  a  white 
superciliary  line.  Below,  ))nre  white,  usually  rutVvscent  on  the  breast,  and  with  more  or  less 
ilusky  speckling  on  the  throat,  breast,  and  sides.  In  winter:  U|iper  parts  mostly  jdain  ashy- 
gray.  Young  in  July  and  August  liave  .scarcely  any  traces  of  the  sjiots  beneath,  being  there 
almost  entirely  white,  with  a  light  buff  wash  across  breast ;  there  is  also  more  white  edging  of 
the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts ;  but  in  any  plumage!  and  under  any  variation,  the  species  is 
known  by  its  small  size  and  semipalmate  feet.  Tlw  extreme  variation  in  the  length  tif  the  bill 
is  from  0.50  to  1.25,  or  SO  per  cent  of  the  average  (O.SS).  N.  Am.,  everywhere  ;  an  abundant 
and  well-known  little  bird,  thnniging  our  beaches  during  the  migrations,  which  extend  to  the 
West  Indies  and  S.  Amer.  It  is  only  known  to  breed  in  higli  latitudes,  though  it  commonly 
appears  in  the  U.  S.  in  August,  and  may  sometimes  be  seen  in  other  summer  months.  The 
size,  general  a))pearance,  and  changes  of  plumage  are  much  the  sanu!  as  those  of  Actodro- 
mas  minufilla,  and  the  habit.?  of  the.se  two  birds  are  very  similar.  Eggs  ;5-l-,  -XO.84,  of 
usual  shape ;   ground   from    day-color    (usual)    to  grayish  or    greenish-drab  or  decidedly 


SCOLOPACIDJE :   SANDPIPERS. 


C2o 


619 


olivaceous,  usually  boldly  spotted  and  splashed  with  umber  or  chocolate  brown,  massed  at 
larger  end ;  sometimes  more  uniformly  spotted  in  smaller  pattern. 
613.    E.  p.  occidenta'lls  f     (Lat.  occiV/(  )i<a?i,«,  western.)     Westeux  SemipalmAiTD  PAiJoi'iVEU. 
An  alleged  variety,  jffobably  untenable,  ascribed  to  Western  N.  Am. 

235.  ACTODRO'MAS.  (Gr.  axr^,  aktc,  the  seashore;  S^ofuir,  rfjomas,  running.)  Pectoka;. 
Sandpipers.  Spotty-thkoat  Sandpipers.  Hill  about  equal  to  head  or  tarsus,  short, 
straight,  very  slender,  somewhat  compressed,  the  tip  punctulate,  scarcely  expanded,  acute. 
Grooves  on  both  in..iidibles  very  deep,  and  extending  nearly  to  the  tip.  Nostrils  situated  very 
near  the  base  of  the  bill.  Feathers  extending  on  the  lower  mandible  much  beyond  those  ou 
the  upper,  and  half  as  far  as  those  between  the  rami.     Wings  long,  pointed,  first  primary 

'  usually  longest ;  tertials  long,  slender,  flowing.     Tail  rather  long,  deej)ly  doubly-emarginato 

(in  one  species  cuncate),  the  central  feathers  much  projecting  ;  upper  tail-coverts  moderately 

long.    Tibia  bare  for  more  than  half  the  length  of  the  tarsus  ;  the  feathers  very  short,  making 

the  exposed  portion  nearly  as  great.     Tarsus  equal  to  the  middle  toe  and  claw.     Toes  long 

slender,  very  narrowly  margined,  entirely  free  at  base.     A  group  of  several  species,  including 

the  smallest  representatives  of  the  family,  agreeing  in  form  and  al.so  in  having  the  jugu- 

lum  and  fore-breast  thickly  streaked  or  spotted,  usually  also  with  a  brownish  or  ashy  suffusion. 

Analysis  of  Species. 
Tall  grnduated,  with  acuminnte  feathers. 

Jiigiiliiin  ruddy  brown,  with  very  small  sharp  dark  streaks.     Upper  tail-coverts  and  rump  with  black 

central  tield acumiiKita 

Tail  not  graduated ;  its  featlicrs,  except  central  pair,  not  acuminate. 

Jugulum  with  brownish  or  ashy  suffusion,  thickly  streaked.    Upper  tail-covcrts  and  rump  with  black 
central  field. 
Largest  ;  length  9,00  ;  wing  6.25.    Crown  much  darker  than  hind  neck,  the  transition  abrupt. 
Cliin  immaculate.    Edgings  of  feathers  on  upi>er  parts  liglit  chcstiiut-rcd,  not  making  inden- 
tations toward  the  shaft.    Suffusion  on  Jugulum  very  deep,  the  darker  streaks  narrow,  distinct. 

Bill  and  feet  dusky-green maculatn 

Medium;  length  7.25;  wing  4  80.  Crown  not  conspicuously  darker  than  hind  neck.  Edgings  of 
feathers  on  upper  parts  light  reddish-yellow,  scarcely  brighter  on  the  scapulars,  making  inden- 
tations toward  the  sliaft.  Suffusion  on  jugulum  very  light,  the  darker  markings  rounded,  some- 
what obsolete.    Bill  and  feet  black bairdi 

Smallest;  a  miniature  of  the  prece<ling;  length  S.T5;  wing  3.40.    Edges  of  feathers  chestnut- red, 
usually  more  or  less  indented,  their  tips  lighter.    Bill  black  ;  legs  dusky-green    .    .    .    mimitilla 
Jugulum  with  little  or  no  brownish  or  ashy  suffusion.    Upper  tail-coverts  white. 

iNIcilium  ;  length  7.50;  wing  4.80.    Jugulum  thickly  streaked  with  narrow  dark  lines.    Upper  tail- 
coverts  immaculate,  except  the  outermost.    Central  tail-feathers  nearly  black    .    .    .  bonnparlii 
Large;  length  9.50;  wing  5.75.    Jugulum  thinly  marked  with  oval  spots  or  streaks.    Upper  tail- 
covcrts  witli  dark  arrow-heads.    Central  tail-feathers  scarcely  darker  than  the  lateral.    .  coopirl 

014.  A.  mlnutll'la.  (Lat.  mimttilla,  very  minute;  ditn.  of  mimttus,  small.)  American  Stint. 
Wilson's  Stint.  Least  Sandpiper.  Peep.  Smallest  of  the  sandpipers ;  length  5.50-6.00 ; 
extent  about  11.00 ;  wing  3.25-.3.50 ;  tail  2.00  or  less ;  bill,  tarsus,  and  middle  toe  with  claw,  about 
0.75.  Bill  black ;  legs  dusky  greenish.  Upper  parts  in  summer  with  each  feather  blackish  cen- 
trally, edged  with  bright  bay  and  tipped  with  ashy  or  white;  in  winter,  and  in  the  young,  simply 
ashy.  Quills  blackish,  the  shaft  of  the  first  white,  the  secondaries  and  greater  coverts  ti|)))ed 
with  white.  Tail-feathers  griy  with  whitish  edges,  the  central  ones  blackish,  usually  with  reddish 
edges.  Crown  not  conspicui;usly  different  from  hind  neck;  an  indistinct  whitish  line  over  eye, 
and  dusky  one  from  eye  to  bill.  Chestnut  edgings  of  scapulars  usually  scalloped.  Below, 
white;  jugulum  and  sides  of  body  for  some  distance  with  ashy  or  brownish  suffusion,  thickly 
spotted  and  streaked  with  dusky.  This  species  and  the  last  are  usually  confounded  under  the 
common  name  of  "  sandpeeps,"  and  look  much  alike ;  but  a  glance  at  the  toes  is  sufficient  to 
distinguish  thein.  N.,  C.  and  S.America  and  W.  I.,  anywhere;  very  abundant  during  the 
migrations.     Breeds  in  high  latitudes,  returning  to  the  U.  S.  in  August.     Eggs  unknown. 

015.  A.  balr'dl.  (To  S.  F.  Baird.)  Baird's  Sandpiper.  Fonn  and  proportions  typical  of  the 
genus.     Bill  small,  slender,  rather  shorter  than  the  head,  equal  to  the  tarsus,  the  tip  scarcely 

40 


C16 


015 


614 


617 


618 


626 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LIMICOLJE. 


016. 


expanded,  its  point  very  acute.  GriKJves  in  both  mandibles  very  long  and  deep,  that  of  the 
lower  very  narrow.  Feathers  extending  (jn  the  side  of  lower  mandible  much  farther  than  those 
on  the  upper,  about  half  as  far  as  those  between  tlie  rami.  Wings  long ;  first  and  second 
primaries  about  equal,  but  varying,  tliird  nnich  shorter ;  tertials  long,  slender,  flowing.  Tail 
rather  long,  but  slightly  doubly-eniarginate,  the  central  feathers  rounded,  jirojecting  but  little. 
Toes  long,  slender,  sliglitly  margined,  the  middle  witli  its  claw  about  c<iual  to  tarsus.  Adult 
in  breeding  phunage :  Entire  upper  ))arts  a  very  dark  brownish-black,  deeper  on  the  rump  and 
lighter  on  the  neck  behiud,  eacli  feather  bordered  and  tipped  with  light  reddish-yellow  ;  on  the 
scapulars  the  tips  broader  and  nearly  pure  wiiite,  and  tlie  margins  brighter,  making  several  deep 
indentations  towards  tlie  sliaft.  Upper  tail-coverts  long,  extending  to  witliin  half  an  inch  of 
the  tips  of  the  central  tail-feathers,  black,  except  the  outer  series,  which  are  whito  with  dusky 
markings.  Central  tail-feathers  brownish-black,  the  rest  successively  ligliter,  and  all  with  a 
narrow  border  of  white.  Juguluni  with  a  very  decided  light  brownish  suffusion  (much  as  in 
A.  maculata),  and,  together  with  the  sides  under  the  wings  to  some  distance,  with  rounded 
obsolete  spots  and  streaks  of  dusky.  Tliroat  and  under  parts  generally  wliite,  immaculate. 
Bill,  legs,  and  feet  black.  Young  in  August :  Dimensions  and  proportions  as  hi  tlie  adult. 
Upper  parts  a  nearly  uniform  liglit  ashy-brown,  deeper  on  the  rump,  each  feather  with  a 
central  dark  field  and  with  a  light  edge,  these  whitish  edgings  usually  (>ons|)icuous.  Traces  of 
the  brownish-black  of  the  adult  on  the  scapulars.  Breast  and  juguluMi  with  the  suftusion  very 
light  reddisli-brown,  the  streaks  sparse  and  very  indistinct.  Lengtli  7-'lO-7."iO;  extent  15.25- 
10.50 ;  wing  4.25-4.75 ;  tail  2.25 ;  bill,  tarsus,  and  middle  toe  witli  claw,  about  0.87.  Colors  almost 
exactly  as  in  the  last  species  ;  edgings  of  iipjicr  plumage  rather  tawny  tiian  die.stnut ;  jugular 
sufiiision  pale,  rather  fulvous,  tlie  streaks  small  and  sparse,  sometiiiies  almost  (disolete.  Size 
of  honapartii,  but  not  easy  to  confound  M-ith  that  white-rumped  species.  Nortli  and  South 
America  ;  rare  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  comuion  in  the  interior  ;  the  most  abundant  small  sand- 
piper in  some  parts  of  the  west,  during  the  migrations.  Breeds  in  Arctic  regions  ;  eggs  8-4, 
1.30  X  0.92,  clay-colored,  grayer  or  more  buff'y  in  dift'ereut  specimens,  spotted  witli  rich  umber 
and  chocolate-browns  of  varying  shades;  in  some  cases  the  markings  fine  and  innumerable,  in 
others  massed  at  the  greater  end,  sometimes  with  black  tracery  also;  pale  sliell-spots  usually 
evident.    June,  July. 

A.  luacula'ta.  (Lat.  maculata,  spota-d.)  Pectoual  Sandpipek.  Guass-sxipe.  Jack- 
snipe.  Bill  a  little  longer  than  the  head,  about  ecpiiil  to  the  tarsus  or  middle  toe,  moderately 
stout,  straight  or  very  lightly  decurved,  the  tip  more  expanded  and  punctulate  than  in  the  type 
of  the  genus.  Grooves  in  both  mandibles  long  and  deep.  Wings  long,  pointed,  first  primary 
decidedly  longest ;  tertials  very  long,  narrow,  and  flowing.  Tarsus  eiiual  to  middle  tot;,  both 
about  equal  to  the  bill.  Tail  rather  long,  deeply  douhly-emarginate,  the  central  featlti-rs  pointed 
and  greatly  projecting.  Adult  in  spring :  An  ill-defined  wliite  line  over  tlie  eye,  and  a  more 
distinct  one  of  dusky  between  eye  and  bill.  Crown  streaked  with  browiiish-bladt  and  light  chest- 
nut, conspicuously  different  from  the  neck  behind,  which  is  streaked  witli  dusky  and  light  <iclire- 
ous.  Upper  parts  generally,  a  very  dark  brownish-black,  every  feather  edged  witii  ashy  or  dark 
chestnut-red,  brightest  on  the  scapulars,  the  tips  usually  lighter,  and  the  margins  never  making 
deep  indentations  toward  the  shaft.  Rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  black,  the  outer  series  of  the 
Litter  white,  with  sagittiUe  spots  of  dusky.  Primaries  deep  dusky,  almost  black,  the  shaft  of  tlie 
first  white,  of  the  others  brown.  Secondaries  and  greater  coverts  dusky,  edged  and  tipped 
with  white.  Lesser  coverts  dusky,  fading  into  light  grayish-asli  on  their  edges.  Central  tail- 
feathers  brownish-black,  lighter  on  their  edges,  the  lateral  light  ashy,  margined  with  white. 
Jugulum  and  breast  with  a  heavy  wash  of  ashy-brown,  and  witii  very  numerous  well-tlefined 
streaks  of  dusky  ;  the  suffusion  extending  on  ilie  sides  under  the  wings  to  some  distance,  where 
the  dusky  streaks  are  mostly  shaft-lines.  Chin,  anil  under  parts  generally,  white,  iminaculate. 
Bill  and  feet  dusky  greenish.     Young  in  September  :  Edges  of  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts 


61 


SCOLOPACIDJE :   SANDPIPESS. 


627 


generally,  and  of  the  tertials  and  central  tail-feathers,  light  brifjht  chestnut,  and  the  tips  pure 
white.  Lesser  wiug-coverts  broadly  edged  and  tipped  with  light  ferruginous.  Suffusion  on 
the  breast  and  jugulum  with  a  yellowish  ochreous  tinge  not  seen  in  the  adult,  and  tiie  streaks 
less  distinct.  Other  parts  as  iu  the  adult.  Not  known  to  have  a  i)lain  ashy  and  wliite  winter 
plumage  like  most  sandpipers.  Length  9.00-9.50  inches;  extent  10.50-18.00 ;  wing  (average) 
5.50;  bill,  tarsus,  and  middle  toe  with  claw  about  1.10.  N.,  C.  and  S.  Am.,  W.  I.,  Green- 
land, Asia,  and  Europe;  thus  of  wide  and  general  dispersion;  in  U.  S.,  chieHy  during  tho 
migrations,  when  abundant  in  wet  grassy  meadows,  muddy  ponds  and  Hats,  etc.  It  goes  very  far 
north,  quite  to  the  Arctic  Ocean,  and  is  supposed  to  breed  only  in  high  latitudes ;  the  nest  and 
eggs  are  still  unknown.  In  some  respects  of  liabit  it  is  ((uite  snipe-like  ;  it  never  flocks  on  tho 
beaches  with  tho  smaller  sandpipers,  and  it  has  at  times  a  wayward  towering  flight,  like  that 
of  a  snipe.  During  the  amours,  this  sandpiper  has  the  power  of  inflating  the  throat  to  a  won- 
derful extent,  forming  a  swelling  which  hangs  like  a  great  goitre  upon  the  breast.  '  I'l^ctoral 
sandpiper'  is  a  book-name,  seldom  spoken,  the  bird  being  better  known  as  tho  'grass-snipe,' 
and  'jack-snipe';  but  both  these  names  are  objectionable,  as  it  is  not  a  snipe;  and  'jack- 
snipe,'  moreover,  is  the  proper  name  of  an  English  species  of  Grillitutgo  (G.  gaUinula),  not 
found  in  this  country,  where  G.  wilsoni  sometimes  takes  the  same  designation. 

617.  A.  bonapar'tii.  (To  C.  L.  Bonaparte.)  White-rumpeu  Saxdpipeu.  Bill  quite  stout, 
moderately  long,  ('(pial  to  the  head  or  tarsus,  the  tips  st)mewluit  expanded.  Grooves  on  both 
mandibles  long  and  deep.  Feathers  extending  on  tho  lower  mandible  but  little  beyond  those 
on  the  upper.  Wings  long,  pointed,  first  primary  decidedly  longest ,  tertials  long,  narrow, 
and  flowing.  Tail  moderate,  quite  deeply  doubly-emarginate,  the  central  feathers  somewhat 
pointed  and  considerably  [)rojecting.  Tarsus  rather  longer  than  tho  middle  toe.  Toes  long, 
slender,  and  slightly  margined.  Crown  and  upi)er  parts  generally  light  brownish-ash,  each 
feather  with  a  large  ti(d(l  of  dusky  towards  its  end,  and  on  tho  crown  and  middle  of  tho  back 
edged  with  light  yellowish-red,  deepening  into  bright  sienna  on  the  scapulars.  Lesser  wing- 
coverts  dark  brownish-ash,  fading  into  light  ashy  on  tho  edges,  and  with  shaft-lines  of  blackish. 
Secondaries  and  greater  coverts  light  grayish-ash,  edged  and  tipped  with  white.  Tertials  very 
dark  brownish-ash,  fading  into  light  a.shy  on  tho  edges.  Primaties  deep  dusky,  their  shafts 
white  iu  the  central  portions,  and  tho  innermost  edged  with  white.  Rump  brownish-black. 
Upper  tail-coverts  white,  their  outer  series  with  sagittate  spots  of  dusky.  Central  tail-feathera 
brownish-black,  the  rest  very  light  grayish-ash,  broadly  edged  and  tipped  with  white.  Jug- 
ulum and  breast  with  a  scarcely  appreciable  wash  of  light  ashy,  with  luunerous,  distinct,  linear- 
oblong  streaks  of  dusky  brown  ;  these  extend  as  minute  dots  nearly  or  quite  to  tho  bill,  and  aa 
narrow  shaft-lines  along  the  sides  to  the  vent.  Rest  of  under  parts  white,  immaculate. 
Lower  martdiblo  flesh-colored  for  half  its  length  ;  rest  of  bill,  with  the  legs  and  feet,  black. 
Length  7.50;  extent  15.00;  wing  4.80;  bill,  tarsus  and  middle  toe  witli  claw  rather  less  than 
1.00.  Young  in  August:  Upper  parts  a  nearly  uniform  dark  ash,  the  black  of  the  adults  show- 
ing at  intervals,  but  principally  on  tho  scapulars,  where  also  tho  reddish  margins  of  tlie  feathers 
are  apparent.  Jugulum  and  sides  under  the  wings  with  an  ashy  suffusion,  more  conspicuous 
than  in  the  adult,  but  much  more  restricted,  and  tho  streaks  more  obsolete  and  indistinct. 
Central  pair  of  upper  tail-coverts  usually  dusky.  Other  parts  as  in  the  adult.  America  at  large, 
but  not  yet  observed  W.  of  tho  R.  Mts.,  nor  in  Alaska ;  Greenland,  Europe.  Breeds  from 
Labrador  northward  ;  migratory  through  the  E.  U.  S. 

018.  A.  coo'perl?  (To  Wm.  Cooper.)  Coopeu'.s  Sandpiper.  Bill  considerably  longer  than  tho 
head,  exceeding  the  tarsus,  straight,  rather  stout,  tip  scarcely  expanded.  Feathers  extending 
on  side  of  lower  mandible  scarcely  further  than  those  on  the  upper.  Wings  long,  i)ointcd,  first 
primary  decidedly  longest ;  tertials  moderately  long  and  rather  slender.  Tail  moderate,  slightly 
but  decidedly  doubly-emarginate,  the  central  feathers  projecting.  Tarsus  rather  lr)nger  than 
the  middle  too  ;  tibia  bare  for  half  the  length  of  tho  tarsus;  toes  all  long,  slender,  and  slii;litly 


628 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —LIMICOLJE. 


margined.  Adult  in  spring :  Upper  parts  a  nearly  uniform  light  grnyish-ash,  each  feather 
with  a  central  brownish-black  field,  deepening  into  pure  black  on  the  .scapulars,  where  also  the 
edgings  of  some  of  the  feathers  have  a  reddish  tinge.  Tertials  sooty-brown,  fading  into  light 
ashy  on  tlie  edges.  Secondaries  and  greater  coverts  dark  grayisli-ash,  edged  and  broadly 
tipped  with  wliite.  Primaries  deep  dusky,  almost  black  on  the  outer  vanes  and  at  the  tips, 
the  innermost  edged  with  wliito ;  shafts  of  all  brown  at  base  and  black  at  tip,  the  central 
portion  b(dng  white.  Upper  tail-coverts  white,  with  sagittate  spots  of  dusky.  Tail-feathers 
ashy-brown,  the  central  pair  darkest.  Under  parts  white ;  the  juguhun,  breast,  and  sides  of 
the  neck  with  a  slight  reddish  tinge,  and,  together  with  the  sides,  with  numerous  streaks  and 
oval  spots  of  dusky,  which  become  largo  and  V-shajted  on  the  flanks.  Length  9.50 ;  wing 
5.75  ;  tail  2.75;  bill  1.25  ;  tarsus  1.12.  Long  Island  ;  only  one  specimen  known.  It  is  still 
uncertain  whether  this  is  a  good  species  or  an  unusual  state  of  T.  canutus  or  A.  maculata. 
619.  A.  acumina'ta.  (Lat.  acuminata,  acuminate.)  Shakp-tailed  Sandpipek.  A  large  species, 
of  the  size  and  with  somewhat  the  general  aspect  of  the  pectoral  sandpiper.  Tail  graduated, 
almost  cuueate,  all  the  feathers  more  or  less  acumiuate,  the  projecting  middle  pair  particularly 
so.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head ;  tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw ;  toes  perfectly  free.  Cnjwn 
bright  chestnut,  streaked  witli  black,  bounded  by  decided  whitish  superciliary  lines ;  difl'erent 
from  the  hind  neck.  Upper  parts  with  the  pattern  of  coloration  of  those  of  A.  muculata,  the 
feathers  being  black,  witli  bright  chestnut  edges,  and  many  of  them  also  with  whitish  tips,  the 
edgings  not  making  scallops,  and  particularly  straiglit  and  firm  on  the  long  tertials.  Central 
field  of  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  black,  scarcely  or  not  varied  with  reddish  tips  of  the  feathers, 
the  sides  of  this  area  white  with  dusky  touclies.  Tail-feathers  dusky,  the  middle  ones  darker 
or  black,  all  firmly  rimmed  about  with  chestnut,  buff,  or  whitish  edging.  Primaries  blackish, 
their  shafts  mostly  white;  secondaries  dusky,  successively  acquiring  white  tips  and  edges; 
greater  coverts  dusky,  white-tipped.  Entire  under  parts  white,  more  or  less  suffused  on  the 
juguhim,  breast,  and  sides  with  a  light  ruddy  brown  (much  as  in  Poilasocys  montanus),  tlie 
jugulum  alone  with  a  set  of  sii.all  sharp  dusky  touches,  being  an  extension  across  the  throat  of 
better  pronounced  streaks  of  the  sides  of  the  head,  neck,  and  breast,  leaving  the  chin  definitely 
pure  white.  The  effect  is  quite  different  from  that  produced  by  the  heavy  streaking  of  A.  ma- 
culata. Bill  and  feet  blacldsh.  Length  probably  9.00-9.50;  wing  5.25;  tail  2.50  ;  billl.OO; 
tarsus  1.20 ;  middle  toe  and  claw  the  same.  (Described  from  several  late  summer  and  early 
fall  specimens,  taken  in  Alaska.  An  Australian  specimeu  before  me  is  smaller  (wing  under 
5.00,  etc.),  and,  excepting  the  crown,  lacks  any  reddish  of  the  upper  parts,  all  the  edgings 
being  simply  gray ;  the  ruddy  suffusion  of  the  breast  is  scarcely  seen.)  An  interesting  species, 
widely  diffused  in  the  Old  World,  lately  found  in  Alaska,  where  it  is  common  in  summer  in 
some  localities,  as  Saiut  Michael's,  and  where  it  doubtless  breeds;  extent  of  its  migration  in 
America,  if  any,  unknown. 
236.  ARQUATEL'LA.  (Lat.  arquatella,  dim.  of  arquata,  for  arcuata,  bowed.)  Feather-leg 
Sandpipers.  Bill,  tarsus,  and  middle  toe,  obviously  not  of  equal  lengths.  Tarsus  shorter 
than  bill  or  middle  too ;  tibite  feathered,  the  feathers  reaching  the  suffrage.  Toes  very  long, 
broadly  margined,  and  flattened  underneath.  Hind  toe  very  short;  claws  short  and  blunt. 
Tail  moderate,  wedge-shaped.  Bill  variable,  always  longer  than  head,  straight  or  slightly 
decurved,  very  slender,  much  compressed,  tip  scarcely  expanded,  groove  on  lower  mandible 
shallow  or  obsolete.  A  generic  group  established  upon  the  well-known  "purple"  sandpij)er, 
to  which  two  other  species  or  varieties  have  recently  been  added.  The  following  analysis  ia 
taken  from  B.  N.  0.  C,  v,  18S0,  p.  162. 

Analysit  Cff  Speciei  or  Varieties. 
Breeding  drett:  Crown  Btreakeil  witli  yellowish-gray,  or  grayish-white;  scapulars  and  interscapulars 
irregularly  sirattcd  and  indented  with  dull  buff,  or  whitish,  and  tipped  with  white  ;  fnre-necl<  dis- 
tinctly streaked  with  dusky ;  breast  dull  gray,  everywhere  spotted  with  darker,     n'inter  dress :  Back 
and  scapulars  sooty-black  strongly  glossed  with  purplish  ;  the  feathers  bordered  terminally  with  <lurk 


I 


SCOLOPACID^i: :   SANDPIPERS. 


G29 


plumbeous-gray;  fore-neck  uniform  mouse-gray,  or  brownisli-pluaibeous.  WlngS.OO;  culmon  1.20; 
tarsus  0.99;  middle  too  without  vlnw  0.90 mnritimn 

Breeding  tlrci>8 :  Crown  strcaljed  witli  deep  rusty;  scapulars  and  interscapulars  liroadly  borderctl  willi 
bright  ferruginous :  fore-nccl{  irregularly  eluuded  witli  dull  pale  butt'  or  soiled  winte  and  sooty- 
plumbeous,  the  breast  more  coarncly  clouded,  with  more  or  less  of  u  black  [latch  on  each  siilo. 
fCinter  ilress:  Like  that  of  miiritiina,  but  the  plumbeous  borders  of  dorsal  feathers  broader  and 
lighter,  or  more  bluish.  Jugulum  streaked  or  otherwise  varied  with  white.  Wing  4.8G;  cuimen  1.13; 
tarsus  0.9.1 ;  miihile  toe  without  claw  0.86 coiitsi 

Breeding  drest:  Crown  broadly  streaked  with  ochraceous-buff:  scapulars  and  interscapulars  broadly 
bordered  with  bright  ochroceous-rufous ;  fore-neck  pure  white,  sparsely  streaked  witli  brownish-gray ; 
breast  white,  streaked  anteriorly  and  clouiled  posteriorly  with  dusky,  latter  forming  more  or  less  of  a 
patch  on  eacli  side.  Winter  dress:  Sindlar  to  the  corres|)onding  stages  of  each  of  the  foregoing,  but 
very  much  paler,  the  whole  dorsal  aspect  being  liglit  cinereoux,  the  scapulars  and  interscapulars  with 
small,  nearly  concealed,  central  spots,  the  wing-coverts  very  broadly  edged  with  pure  white  ;  fore-neck 
with  white  largely  predominating.  Wing  5.16;  cuimen  1.33;  tarsus  0.98;  ndddie  too  without  claw 
0.90 ptilocnemis 


620 


621 


622 


020.  A.  mari'tima.  (Liit.  maritima,  maritime.)  Purple  Sandpipeu.  Bill  little  lonijrcr  than 
head,  much  longer  than  tarsus,  straight  or  nearly  so;  tiljial  feathers  long,  reaching  to  the 
joint,  though  the  legs  are  really  bare  a  little  way  above;  tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and 
claw.  Length  about  9,00:  extent  about  16.00  ;  wing.'). 00;  tail  2.60,  much  roinided  ;  bill  1.20; 
tarsus  0.90-1.00  ;  middle  too  1.00  or  a  little  more.  The  breeding  dress,  little  known  :  I'jijier 
parts  black,  conspicuously  varied  on  the  head,  neck,  back,  and  scapulars,  with  chestnut  or 
cinnamon,  and  ])ale  buff  or  whitish,  the  darker  reddish  cohirs  edging  or  indenting  tlie  .>iides 
of  the  feathers,  the  paler  colors  chiefly  tipping  their  ends;  the  rusty-red  also  suffusing  the 
sides  of  the  head,  separated  from  the  black  and  rtjddish  crown  by  a  pale  or  whitish  superciliary 
stripe.  A  lighter  tawny  shade  invades  the  jugulum  and  breast  ;  otherwise,  under  ])iirts 
white,  streaked  on  the  breast  with  blackish,  elsewhere  nebulated  with  dusky-gray,  but'  no 
definite  blackish  area  formed.  Hump  and  upper  tail-coverts  brownish-ldack,  unmarked. 
Wings  plain  fuscous,  the  lesser  coverts  narrowly,  the  greater  broadly,  tipped  with  wliite, 
the  secondaries  mostly  white  in  increasing  amounts  fi'(un  without  inwards,  and  the  shaft  of 
the  first  primary  white.  Tail-feathers  plain  dusky.  Adult  in  winter  :  Entire  upper  parts  a 
lustrous  very  dark  bluish-  or  blackish-ash,  with  purple  and  vicdet  reflections,  and  eiu-h  feather 
with  a  lighter  border.  Gresiter  and  lesser  wing-coverts,  tertials  and  scapulars  edged  and  tipped 
with  while.  Secondaries  mostly  white.  Primaries  deep  dusky,  the  .shafts  dull  white  ex(H'pt  at 
tip,  where  they  are  black.  Upper  tail-eoverts  and  central  tail-feathers  brownish-black  with 
purplish  reflecti(jns,  the  outer  pairs  of  the  former  white-barred  with  dusky.  Lateral  tail-feathers 
light  ashy.  Jugulum  and  breast  bluish-ash,  each  feather  of  the  latter  edged  witii  white,  and 
the  ash  extending  along  the  sides  beneath  the  wings.  Rest  of  under  parts  white,  immaculate. 
Legs,  feet,  and  bill  at  base  light  flesh-color ;  rest  of  bill  greenish-bliick.  Most  immature  birds 
of  the  first  fall  and  winter  resemble  this,  but  arc  duller,  without  tlie  gloss.  Young :  Upper 
parts  much  the  color  of  the  adult,  but  with  each  feather  broadly  edged  and  tipped  with  light 
buff  or  reddish-yellow.  Light  edging  of  wing-coverts  ashy  instead  of  pure  white.  Under 
parts  everywhere  thickly  mottled  with  ashy  and  dusky,  deepest  on  the  breast  and  jugulum. 
Chicks  in  down  arc  very  pretty :  grayish-brown,  mottled  with  black,  the  back,  wings,  and 
rump  spangled  <\'ith  white  points  ;  heiul  grayish-white,  tinged  with  fulvous,  variously  marked 
with  black;  h)rcs  with  two  parallel  black  stripes  ;  below,  grayish-white.  A  species  of  circuin- 
polar  distribution,  breeding  and  often  wintering  in  Arctic  regions;  in  America  S.  to  tlie  Middle 
States;  chiefly  maritime,  but  also  occurriug  on  the  Great  Lakes.  Egg  of  usual  pyriforni  sha[>e, 
about  1.40  X  1.00,  clay  cidor  with  olive  shade,  with  large  b(dd  markings  of  rich  unibcr-brown 
of  varying  shade,  with  neutral  tint  shell-markings ;  markings  over  all  the  surface,  but  largest 
and  most  massed  at  the  greater  end. 

021,  A.  coues'l.  (To  E.  Coucs.)  Aleutian  Sandpiper.  Very  near  the  last.  The  following 
ia  the  original  description,  in  substance.     Breeding  dress :  Above  fuliginous-slate ;  featliers  of 


r 


630 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  — LIMICOL^. 


0S2. 


crown,  back,  and  scapulars  broadly  edged  witli  rusty-ochraccous,  or  bright  cinnamon,  the 
central  liold  of  each  feather  nearly  black,  much  darker  than  wings  or  runip,  some  of  tlic  scap- 
uhirs  and  interscapulars  tipp<;d  with  white  in  some  specimens.  Lesser  coverts  narrowly, 
greater  coverts  broadly,  bordered  terminally  with  white  ;  greater  coverts  broadly  tipped  \vith 
white,  forming  a  conspicuous  cross-bar ;  several  inner  secondaries  chiefly  white ;  tlie  others, 
also  the  inner  primaries,  narrowly  skirted  and  tipped  with  white.  Kump.  upper  tail-cos-erts, 
and  middle  tail-feathers,  uniform  fuliginous  dusky,  the  other  rectrices  ]>alcr,  or  dull  cin- 
ereous. A  conspicuous  long  whitish  superciliary  stripe,  reaching  to  najie,  and  couiluont 
with  whitish  of  under  side  of  head,  thus  posteriorly  bounding  a  large  sooty-brown  auricular 
area;  anterior  portion  of  lores,  and  forehead  dull  smoky-grayish;  neck,  jugulum,  and  breast, 
dirty  wliitish,  sometimes  soiled  with  dingy  buff,  and  clouded  or  spotted  witli  dull  slate,  sooty- 
plumbeous,  or  dusky-blackish,  this  sometimes  forming  a  large  patch  on  each  side  of  breast. 
Other  under  parts  pure  white,  the  sides  with  a  chain  of  slaty  spots  and  streaks,  the  crissum 
streaked  with  dusky  ;  lining  of  wing  pure  white.  Hill  and  i'eet  brownish-black  in  the  dried 
skin ;  iris  brown.  Winter  jdumage :  Above,  soft  snioky-plunibeous,  the  scapulars  and  inter- 
scapulars glossy  purplish-dusky  centrally,  tlie  plumbeous  borders  of  the  feathers  causing  a 
squamous  appearance;  head  and  neck  uniform  plumbeous,  excepting  the  throat  and  a  supra- 
loral  patch,  which  are  streaked  whitish  ;  jugulum  squaniated  with  white,  the  breast  similarly, 
but  nioro  broadly  marked.  Wing,  tail,  and  rumj),  as  in  summer.  Young,  first  ]duniage  :  Scap- 
ulars and  interscai)ulars  black,  broadly  bordered  with  bright  rusty  and  buffy-wliite,  the  latter 
chiefly  on  the  longer  outer  scapulars  and  lower  back  ;  wing-coverts  broadly  bordered  with  huffy- 
white  ;  pileum  streaked  black  and  och.rey ;  jugulum  and  breast  pale  huff,  or  buti'y-white,  streaked 
with  dusky.  Downy  young  :  Above,  bright  rusty-fulvous,  irregularly  mottled  with  black,  the 
back,  wings,  and  rinnp  flecked  with  yellowish-white  papillic ;  hi'ad  abov(!  deep  fulvous-brown, 
atrij)ed  with  velvety  black  from  forehead  to  occiput,  where  continent  with  a  cross-bar  of  the 
same ;  lores  with  two  parallel  strip(>s  of  same.  Lower  i)arts  wliite,  distinctly  fulvous  on  sides. 
W^iug  4..50-5.15  inches,  average  4.80;  culmen  0.9S-1.23,  average  I.l.'J;  tarsus  0.88-1.00, 
average  0.1)5  ;  middle  toe  without  claw  0.78-0.90,  average  0.8G.  Aleutian  Islands  and  Coast 
of  Alaska  all  the  year  round  ;  extent  of  migrations  unknown,  if  any. 

A.  ptilocne'mis.  ((ir.  Trn'Xoi',  ptilov,  a  featiier  ;  Kvrjfiit,  hiemis,  a  greave  ;  the  cms  being  feath- 
ered.) PiiYHiLOV  Sanupipeu.  Black-bueastei)  Sandpipeu.  Different.  Adult  in  breeding 
dress :  Witli  somewhat  the  appearance  of  a  summer  VcUdna  alpina,  but  the  black  area  pec- 
toral, not  abdominal.  Crown,  interscapulars,  and  scajmlars  black,  completely  variegated  with 
rich  chestnut,  ochrey,  and  whitish,  the  body  of  each  feather  being  black,  with  one  or  another 
or  all  the  lighter  nnu'kings ;  the  connial  separated  from  the  dorsal  variegation  by  a  grayish- 
white,  dusky-streaked  cervical  interval.  Lower  back,  rump,  and  upper  tail-coverts  blackish, 
little  variegated  with  chestnut.  Secondaries  nearly  all  pure  white,  a  few  of  the  outermost  and 
innermost  touched  with  grayish-brown  near  end.  Primai'ies  grayish-brown  with  white  shafts 
except  at  tip,  fading  to  white  on  iniuT  webs  toward  base  ;  several  of  the  inner  ones  also  largely 
white  on  outer  webs,  and  tipped  with  white.  Central  tail-feathers  brownish -black  ;  next  pair 
abruptly  paler,  grayish  ;  rest  white  or  whitish  with  pale  gray  tint.  Front  and  sides  of  head, 
superciliary  line,  tufts  of  flank-feathers,  and  entire  under  parts,  white,  interrupted  on  the 
breast  with  a  large  but  not  well  defined  nor  perfectly  continuous  blackish  area,  and  marked 
on  the  upper  breast  and  sides  with  a  few  sharp  blackish  shaft-lines.  A  dusky  auricular  patch* 
Legs  and  bill  dark.  Length  apparently  about  9.50 ;  wing  4.80-5.30 ;  tail  2.30-2.70 ;  bill 
1.10-1.40!  tarsus  0.90-1.00;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.03-1.20;  9  averaging  less  than  ,J. 
Winter  plumage  as  above  said.  First  plumage  :  Upper  parts  much  as  in  the  adults,  but  the  rusty 
markings  in  curved  rather  than  angular  lines,  and  much  narrower ;  edges  of  wing-coverts  ochrey. 
lnt(>rior  tail-feathers  rusty-edged.  Throat  and  breast  more  or  less  suflTused  with  rusty;  no  black 
pectoral  area,  but  the  jugulum,  breast,  and  sides  suflFused  with  rusty.     Chicks  in  down  (July) ; 


SCOLOPACILJE :   SAXDPIPERS. 


681 


Below,  Bilvcry-wliito  ;  above,  rich  icildish-hiowii,  viirietl  with  white,  with  purimis  little  rotnid 
(lots,  like  mildew.  Kacli  sucli  spot  is  us  large  as  a  pin-head,  and,  niuler  a  lens,  is  seen  to  lie 
the  enlarged  brnshy  end  of  a  down-featiier,  wheuee  several  tiny  bristles  sprout.  Kaeh  such 
plume  is  white  at  base,  then  black,  then  white-tufted  as  said;  the  dotted  areas  thus  correspond 
to  the  areasofl.hiek  variegation,  but  there  are,  also,  a  bhiek  nndotted  frontal  line,  loral  stripes, 
and  some  other  markings.  Only  known  from  the  I'rybilov  or  Fur  .Seal  Islands,  where  it  breeds, 
and  northward  to  St.  Matthew  and  St.  Lawrence  Islands.    Eggs  i,  like  those  of  .1.  marilinui. 

237.  I*f:LID'NA.  (Gr.  mXiUvos.  pelUhws,  gray  f)  DiNux  Sandpii'kus.  Hill  stout,  much 
longer  than  head  or  tarsus,  slightly  decurved,  tip  somewinit  e.xpanded  and  punctulate  ;  grooves 
in  both  iiuvndibles  deep  and  distinct.  Wings  moderate;  tertiais  long  and  flowing.  Tail 
moderate,  doubly-eniarginate,  the  central  feathe-:-  projecting.  Legs  ratherjong;  tarsus  not 
shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw,  if  anything  i(niger.  Hare  portion  of  tibia  more  than  half 
the  tarsus.  Toes  vather  long,  cleft  to  tlie  base,  narrowly  margined.  Contains  a  few  species 
or  varieties  in  summer  reddi-sh  above,  with  a  great  black  abdominal  area. 

Analyaia  <\f  I'arii'lies. 

Siimlleat:  length  nbniit  8.0U;  bill,  average,  1.40;  tarsus  little  if  any  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw; 

tiir»UH  and  middle  toe  together  1.75 nlpinu    C23 

Medium :  length  about  8.50 ;  bill,  average,  l.'O ;  disproportionately  longer,  stouter,  more  decurved ;  tarxu.s 
"                   dci'ideilly  longer  than  middle  too  and  claw  J  tarsus  anil  middle  too  together  2.00     ....     aimriaiini    C'ii 
[Largest;  bill  and  legs  still  longer  than  in  the  last.    Pacitlc  Coast,  N.  A .' jMci_fiea] 

023.  P.  nlpl'na.  (Lat.  alpina,  alpine.)  Eiuopean  Dunlin.  Purue.  Ditt'ering  as  above  said  from 
the  X.  A.  species.     Straggler  to  Greenhmd. 

024.  V.  a.  aincrica'iia.  (Fig.  439.)  A.mkuican  Ditnlin.  Black-iikllikd  Sandpipf.u.  Red- 
iiACKEU  SANDrU'EU.  Ox-BIUD.  Hill  longer  than  head  or  tarsus,  compressed  at  the  base,  rather 
depressed  at  the  end,  and  usually  api)rcci;ibly 

decurved.  Length  8.00-0.00;  extent  15.00; 
wing  4..")0-5.0();  tail  2.00-2.;W ;  bill  1.50- 
1.75  ;  tibiie  bare  about  0.50 ;  tarsus  1.00  or 
rather  more ;  middle  too  and  claw  1.00  or 
rather  less.  Adult  in  suinuicr  :  Above,  chest- 
nut-red, each  feather  with  a  central  black 
field,  and  most  of  them  tipped  with  whitish  ; 
rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  blackish  ;  tail- 
feathers  and  wing-coverts  ashy-gray,  the 
greater  coverts  tipped  with  white ;  quills 
dusky  with  pale  shafts  ;  secondaries  mostly  white,  and  inner  primaries  edged  with  the  same  ; 
outer  webs  of  primaries  bhudiish,  sonui  of  the  inner  ones  white-edged  toward  the  base ; 
secondaries  mostly  white.  Under  parts  white ;  belly  with  a  broad,  jet-black  area ;  brea.st 
and  juguhnn  thickly  streaked  with  dusky.  Bill  and  feet  black.  Adult  in  winter,  and 
young :  Above,  plain  ashy-gray,  with  dark  shaft  lines,  with  or  without  red  (u-  black  traces. 
Below,  white,  with  little  or  no  trace  of  black  on  belly;  jugulum  with  few  dusky  streaks  and 
an  ashy  suffusion.  White  edgings  of  inner  primaries  very  conspicuous.  The  summer  dress  is 
long  worn  ;  it  is  assumed  more  or  less  perfectly  in  April,  and  many  come  from  the  north  still 
wearing  it.  All  of  N.  Am.,  breeding  in  high  latitudes,  migrating  through  and  wintering  in  the 
U.  S.,  preferably  coastwise;  common,  in  flocks  on  the  beaches  and  elsewhere. 

238.  ANCYLOCHI'LUS.  (Gr.  dydvXo'xfiXor,  ngkulocheilos,  Imving  a  curved  bill.)  CunLEW 
Sandpipeus.  Bill  much  longer  than  the  head,  slender,  comjiressed,  considerably  decurved, 
the  tip  not  expanded,  and  rather  hard.  Grooves  in  both  mandibles  very  narrow  but  distinct. 
Wings  long,  pointed.  Tail  very  short,  nearly  even.  Legs  long,  .slender;  tarsus  and  tibia 
both  lengthened,  the  latter  exposed  for  nearly  or  quite  half  the  length  of  the  fonner,  which  is 


Fio.  439.  —  Bill  and  foot  of  /'c/irfiio  alpina  americana, 
nat.  size.    (Ad  nat.  del.  K.  C.) 


632 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  — LIMICOLJE. 


1  -I 

ii 
'I 


ncnrly  as  long  as  the  bill.     Toes  inotU'rate,  slciidor,  ("liglitly  iiiarginod,  tlic  iniddlo  ono  about 
tbrco-fourtlis  the  tarsus.     Oijp  species,  noted  for  its  reseiiiblanco  to  a  iniiiiaturo  ciiiicw. 

635.  A.  Bubarqiia'tiis.  (Lat.  8((to»v/i(f(^(s  or  .s«i)arci««<«s,  littled  curved,  as  the  bill  is.)  CfRl.KW 
Sanupipek.  Fkhuuoixkois  SANUi'it'Eii.  Adult:  Crown  of  head  and  entire  unjier  itarts 
lustrous  grcenisii-black,  each  feather  tipped  and  deeply  indented  with  bright  yellowish-red. 
Wing-coverts  ashy-brown,  each  feather  with  a  dusky  shaft-lino  and  reddish  edging.  Primaries 
deei>  dusky,  their  shafts  brown  at  base  and  black  at  tij),  the  central  portion  nearly  white. 
Upper  tail-coverts  white  with  broad  bars  of  dusky,  and  tinged  at  their  extremity  with  reddish. 
Tail  light  gray  with  greenish  reflections.  Sides  of  the  neck  and  entire  under  parts  unifonn 
deep  brownish-red.  Under  tail-coverts  barred  with  dusky.  Axillars  and  under  wing-coverts 
white.  Bill  and  legs  greenish -black.  Young  in  antunni :  Crown  of  head  and  back  brown- 
ish-black, with  a  slight  greenish  lustre,  each  feather  edged  with  M'hite  or  reddish-yellow. 
Rump  plain  dusky:  upper  tail-coverts  white.  Wing-coverts  with  broad  grayish-white  borders. 
Tail  light  ashy,  edged  and  tijiped  with  white,  the  c<;ntral  feathers  witli  a  subterminal  dusky 
border  in  addition.  Under  parts  entirely  white,  the  breast  and  sides  of  the  neck  linely  streaked 
with  dusky,  the  fonner  with  a  light  buff  tinge.  Length  8.50;  wing  4.90;  bill  (average)  1.50; 
tarsus  1.30;  toe  0.90;  tibia  bare  0.70.  Inhabits  most  of  the  Old  AVorld ;  in  America  very 
rare,  little  more  than  a  straggler  along  the  Atlantic  (*oast.  (For  particulars  of  a  dozen  or 
more  instances  of  its  occurrence,  see  New  England  Bird  Life,  v(d.  ii.,  p.  224.) 
239.  TRIN'GA.  (Lat.  tringa  or  in/nga  or  tryugus,  a  sandi)iper.)  Kohin  Sandpiper.  Bill 
about  as  bmg  as,  or  rather  longer  than,  the  head,  straight,  stout,  somewliat  compressed, 
widening  uniformly  from  the  middle  to  the  .<*lig]itly  expanded,  rather  hard  tip;  the  culnien 
depressed  on  the  terminal  half  to  the  expansion  at  tip,  and  obsidetely  furrowed.  Both  mandi- 
bles deeply  grooved  to  tlic  tiji.  Nostrils  very  large  and  placed  far  forwanl  in  the  upper  gro(»ve. 
Feathers  extending  on  the  lower  mandible  much  further  than  on  tiie  ujtper,  and  nearly  as  far 
as  those  between  the  rami.  Wings  long,  pointed,  first  primary  decidedly  longest.  Secon- 
daries moderately  incised.  Tertials  short,  broad,  and  comparatively  slitt".  Tail  rather  shoil, 
nearly  even,  the  central  feathers  projecting  but  little  if  any.  Legs  short  and  very  sstout ; 
tarsus  usuiilly  shorter  than  the  bill ;  longer  than  the  middle  toe.  Tibial  feathers  reaching 
nearly  to  joint ;  tibiie  bare  for  nearly  tM'o-thirds  the  tarsus.  Toes  very  short  and  stout,  free 
at  base,  widely  margined  ;  outer  lateral  longer  than  inner.  Hind  toe  present,  well  developed. 
Claws  short,  stout,  blunt,  much  curved,  dilated  on  the  inner  edge.     Size  large,  form  stout. 

620.  T.  eanu'tus.  (Named  for  King  Canute.)  Red-bkeasted  Sandpiper.  Ash-colored 
Sandpiper.  Grav-back.  Robin-,snipe.  Knot.  Largest  of  North  American  Tringea:. 
liill  stout,  straight,  rather  longer  than  the  head,  upper  mandible  widely  and  deeply  grooved  to 
the  exj)ausion  at  tip.  Feathers  extending  on  lower  mandible  much  farther  than  on  upper, 
and  nearly  as  far  as  those  between  the  rami.  First  primary  decidedly  longest ;  tail  short, 
nearly  even ;  legs  short,  stout ;  tarsus  usually  shorter  than  the  bill,  but  much  exceeding  the 
middle  toe.  Adult  in  summer :  Upper  parts  brownish-bliick,  each  feather  broadly  tipped  and 
edged  with  ashy-white,  tinged  witji  reddish-yellow  on  the  scapulars.  Rump  dark  ash,  barred 
with  dusky ;  upper  tail-coverts  white,  with  transverse  sagittate  or  crescentic  bars  of  brownish- 
black.  Tail  grayish-ash,  edged  with  ashy-white.  Outer  webs  and  tips  of  primaries  deep 
dusky,  the  inner  \m\d\  lighter.  Secondaries  and  coverts  grayish-ash,  broadly  edged  and  tipped 
with  ashy-white.  Line  over  the  eye  and  entire  under  parts  uniform  brownish-red,  fading  into 
white  on  the  flanks  and  imder  tail-coverts,  which  latter  are  marked  with  sagittate  spots  of 
dusky.  Bill  and  feet  greenish-blacli.  Young  in  autumn :  Upper  parts  a  uniform  dark  ash, 
or  cinereous,  each  feather  tip])cd  with  ashy  or  j)ure  white,  and  having  a  subterminal  edging  of 
dusky-black,  jiroduciug  a  conspicuous  set  of  black  and  white  semicircles,  very  characteristic  of 
the  species  in  this  plumage.  Indistinct  line  over  the  eye,  and  whole  under  parts,  white,  more 
or  less  tinged  with  light  rMldish,  the  throat,  breast,  and  sides  with  rather  sparse,  irregularly 


240. 


aCOL  OVA  CIDJi: .-  sa  njjpipeiis. 


♦laa 


disposed  linos  and  spots  of  dusky,  which  bwoine  trnnsvorso  wuvcd  Imrs  on  the  hittrr.  Length 
10.50;  extent  20.50;  wing  (1. 10  ;  tail  2.70;  liill  about  1.10;  tarsii.^  1.20;  middle  too  1,00; 
tibia  bare  O.flO.  A  hirgc  liandsonie  species,  iuliabitinf,'  most  of  t lie  World ;  in  America, 
cliieHy  along  the  Atlantic  coast,  but  also  in  tlie  interior,  about  the  large  lakes  and  rivers. 
Migratory;  breeds  only  in  liitrli  latitudes. 
240.  CALI'DRIS.  ((ir.  (coXtfi/Mt,  kdlidris,  Lat,  calidn's,  name  of  some  beach  bird,  perlia))s  this 
one.)  SAXDEKLlNd.s.  IJiU  stout,  straight,  about  as  long  as  head  or  tarsus;  tip  thickened, 
expanded  and  rather  bard,  the  culmen  just  beliind  it  somewhat  concave.  Nostrils  far  forward. 
Wings  long,  pointed  ;  tail  short,  doubly-emarginate,  central  feathers  projecting.  Tibin-  bare 
for  two-thirds  the  length  of  tho  tarsus;  toes  very  short,  widely  margined.  Xu  hind  toe. 
(General  characters  of  Triiiga  iirojier,  but  3-toed.     See  fig.  HO.)     (.)nc  species. 


Fia.  440.  — Sanitcrling,  i  imt.  size.    (From  Brebm.) 

027.  C.  arena'ria.  (Lat.  arenaria,  relating  to  arena,  .sand.  Fig.  440.)  Saxdermno.  RrnuY 
"  Plovek."  Adult  in  summer:  Entire  njiper  parts  an'',  neck  all  round  variegated  with  blm-k, 
light  ashy  and  bright  reddish  ;  on  the  back  and  scapulars  each  feather  haviuit  a  central  black 
field,  and  being  broadly  margined  and  tipped  with  asliy  or  reddish.  Under  parts  white,  innnac- 
ulate.  Outer  webs  and  tips  of  primaries  deep  brownisli-black,  inner  light  ashy.  A  white  spot  at 
base  of  inner  primaries.  Secondaries  mostly  pure  white;  the  outer  vanes  and  part  of  iimer  on 
the  latter  half  dusky.  Greater  coverts  dusky,  broadly  tipped  and  narrowly  edtred  with  pure 
white.  Rump,  upper  tfiil-coverts  and  central  tail-feathers  dusky,  tipped  and  narrowly  edged 
with  ashy-white;  lateral  tail-feathers  very  light  ash,  nearly  white.  Bill  and  feet  black. 
Length  7.50-8.00;  extent  15,00-10,00;  wing  4.00;  tail  2,25 ;  bill  about  1.00;  tarsus  rather 


684 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —LIMICOLJE. 


less  5  middle  too  and  claw  0.73.  Younjj  in  autumn :  No  traces  <if  the  reddish.  Upper  j)nrtn 
very  light  nsh,  each  feather  fading  into  wliito  on  tlie  edges,  and  with  a  narrow  siuift-liiie  of 
duslty.  Entire  under  parts  pure  white.  Hcajmiars  duHky,  edged  witli  whitish.  Otlier  jmrts 
as  in  samnier  adults.  In  a  usual  winter  dress,  tiiere  are  traces  of  the  reddisli  on  the  upper 
parts  generally,  and  on  the  hrenst.  Each  feather  above  ia  brownish-hlaek,  regularly  indented 
and  tipped  with  ashy-white,  tlitis  giving  to  the  ui)per  parts  tlie  aj)pearance  of  heing  evenly 
niotth'd.  There  is  a  buff  tinge  on  tlie  breast,  and  also  on  the  tips  of  the  rump-feathers.  The 
bend  of  the  wing  is  nearly  as  dark  as  in  the  adult.  At  all  times  the  under  parts  from  tlie 
jugulum  are  j)ure  white.  Inhabits  the  sea  coasts  of  nearly  all  countries ;  N.  A.  at  large, 
abundant  coastwise,  also  in  the  interior  on  large  bodies  of  'A'atcr.  Migratory ;  breeds  in  high 
latitudes. 

241.  EUUYNORIIYN'CHUS.  (Gr.  tipvva,  euriino,  I  M.iU' ;  pvyxot,  hrugchos,  hen\i.)  Spoon- 
niLi.ED  Saxiu'U'Eii.  Bill  about  us  long  as  head,  straight,  spatulate  at  end,  the  "  sjioon  "  being 
about  as  wide  as  long,  lozenge-shaped,  witli  tlie  distal  angle  well  marked,  the  lateral  angles 
rounded  olf,  the  proxnnal  one  of  course  running  into  the  rest  of  the  bill;  both  mandibles  share 
this  extraordinary  dilation  to  about  equal  extent.  The  shape  is  not  exactly  as  in  the  necom- 
])aiiying  sketch ;  but  the  expansicm  is  remarkably  vascular,  doubtless  changes  somewliat  in 
drying,  and  may  not  be  quite  alike  in  different  specimens.  J^xcepting  this  prodigy  of  a  bill, 
the  characters  are  those  of  ordinary  sandpipers,  especially  the  smaller  sjiecies  of  Actodromas. 
Toes  entirely  free;  hind  toe  extremely  small ;  middle  toe  and  claw  a  little  shorter  than  tarsus. 
One  species. 

884.   (addenda)     E.  pygmw'us.     (Lat.  ^y(irm<PMs,  dwarf.     Fig.  4il.)     SrooN-niLLEi)  Saxdpipeu.. 
Adult  9 )  iu  breeding  plumage :  General  apiiearance  of  a  stint  (as  Actodromas  minuiiUa,  for 

example),  and  size  little  greater.  Coloration  of  upper  parts 
almost  exactly  as  in  the  species  just  named,  the  feathers 
being  black,  with  indented  light  chestnut-red  edgings,  and 
mostly  grayish-white  tips;  crown  simply  streaked  with  the 
reddish  c<dor  and  black.  Under  parts  white,  the  whole  throat, 
breast,  and  sides  of  the  neck  ovcTlaid  with  bright  chestnut  (as 
in  a  highly-plumaged  sanderliug),  the  breast,  back  of  this 
colored  area,  and  the  sides  of  the  body,  spotted  with  dusky. 
Primaries  plain  dusky,  with  blackish  outer  webs  and  ends, 
and  mostly  white  shafts;  secondaries  mostly  white  from  the 
base ;  greater  coverts  white-tipped.  Bill  and  feet  black. 
Length  probably  6.00  ;  wing  3.90 ;  tail  almost  gone,  probably 
1.75;  tarsus  0.90;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.80;  bill  0.90,  the 
spoon  0.45  wide;  this  singular  instrument  probably  acting  as 
a  sifter  or  strainer  rather  than  as  a  shovel,  in  dabbling  in  soft 
mire.  (Described  from  No.  92,281,  Mus.  Smiths.  Inst., 
Plover  Bay,  E.  Siberia,  June  20,  1S81,  E.  W.  Nelson,  figured 
in  colors  in  Nelson's  Birds  of  Bering  Sea,  etc.,  Voyage  of  the 
'  Corwin,'  Washington,  4to,  1883,  p.  87.  Only  one  other  specimen  in  this  plumage  is  known 
to  exist;  figured  in  Ibis,  1809,  p.  462,  pi.  12 ;  see  also  P.  Z.  S.  1871,  p.  111.  A  plain  ashy 
and  white  plumage  is  more  usual.)  Asia,  especially  India,  breeding  on  the  eastern  Arctic 
coast  of  Siberia,  and  also  on  the  Arctic  coast  of  Alaska;  one  of  the  rarest  of  birds  in  collections, 
only  some  25-30  specimens  being  known,  mostly  from  India ;  in  tliis  country,  there  is  prob- 
ably at  present  scarcely  another  specimen  known  than  the  one  here  described. 

242.  LIMO'SA.  (Lat.  limosa,  muddy,  miry ;  limus,  mud,  slime.)  Godwits.  Bill  much  longer 
than  head,  longer  than  tarsus,  curved  a  little  upward.  Culmen  flattened  toward  end,  but  not 
furrowed ;  end  of  bill  not  notably  enlarged  or  punctulated.     Lateral  groove  of  both  mandibles 


Fio.  441.  —  Spoonbilled  Sandpiper, 
nnt.  size.  (By  Sliufeldt,  from  Kldg- 
wny,  after  nature. ) 


scolopacw.j:  .•  godwits. 


035 


roaching  nonrly  to  ond  of  bill;  Byinitliywiil  proovti  loss  cxtcmled.  Gnpo  of  mouth  iiioilcnitt', 
.Mcarc'cly  deft  bcyoiitl  luiao  of  t'uliiicii,  lis  in  Snipes  iiml  Siiiidiiipci'tt,  not  as  tisnnl  anions  'I'attlcfs. 
Winj{  long  and  jMiiiitinl ;  tail  sliort  and  sfjiiari'.  'J'iliia  di'uudrd  below  for  a  niodrnitr  space. 
Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  aud  claw,  scutellate  before  and  behind,  reticulate  on  sides.  'I'oes 
short  and  stout,  much  Hattened  uiidenieatli,  and  widely  margined;  outer  and  middle  semi- 
palmat(<,  imier  and  middle  with  a  slight  web.  .Si/e  large;  general  aspect  curlew-like,  but 
bill  recurved,  not  deourved.  In  character  of  bill  apiiroaehing  Snipes,  esiM'cialiy  MHcrorhaiinihiim, 
to  which  it  is  nearly  related  in  some  other  res]iects,  as  seasonal  changes  of  pluuiiige  of  most 
species.  Sexes  similar.  Two  N.  Am.  species,  and  two  others,  occurriug  iu  Alaska  and 
Urecuhuul,  from  Asia  and  Euroi)e. 

Anahjaia  of  Sper'wa. 

Bump,  tall  nnd  Uh  upper  coverts  bnrred  throiigliout  with  bhukUli  and  riifoug.  Lining  nf  wingn  vliciitnnt. 
No  extcnHlvo  barring  on  under  pnrtH,  Ki>  great  Kcasonal  cbangcH  uf  plumage  7  FcutluTH  not  oxIi'mU 
Ing  (111  itble (if  under  inumlible  far  boyoiul  tlidHO  on  upper juiln    C28 

Rump,  tiill,  and  Its  upper  covertfi  barred  tbrnughout  wltli  white  and  block.  Lining  of  wliigK  and  axilhirH 
white,  with  dusky  marks iiniiiiniiiilia   031 

Itump  bhicklhh,  upiier  tall-covorta  mostly  white,  tall  black  with  white  base  and  tip.  Under  parts  In 
■iiminvr  liiteimo  ferruginous,  barred  throughout.  Lining  of  wings  mostly  blackish.  Feathers  extend- 
ing on  side  of  lower  mandible  to  a  point  beyond  those  on  upper h(vmii.ilira    629 

Similar  to  L.  luvmnalica  ;  rump,  tail  and  its  coverts  substantially  the  same.    Lining  of  wings  and  axillurs 

white ajinrijihiilii    630 

628.  L.  foo'da.  (Lat.  fada,  ugly,  ungainly,  unseemly.  Fig.  412.)  Grkat  Makhlkh  Udhavit. 
Marlin.  Feathers  not  extending  on  side  of  lower  mandible  to  a  point  far  beyond  those  on  upper. 
No  white  anywhere ;  rump,  tail,  and  its  coverts  btirred 

tliroughout  with  blackish  and  the  body-cohir.  Lining 
of  wings  chestnut ;  axillars  the  same,  more  or  less 
barred  with  black.     General  color  rufous  or  light  dull 

eiiiiiamon-red,  uniform  imuI  nearly  uninti.'rrupted  on  ^^^^^^^^^^^W^n 

iiU  tiie  under  jiarts,  richer  and  more  chestnut  on  the 
lining  of  the  wings  and  axillars ;  somewhat  marked 
with  dusky  on  the  sides  of  the  breast  and  body;  on 
the  whtdo  ujiper  part.s  variegated  with  the  brownish- 
black  central  field  of  each  fetither,  the  blackish  pre- 
dominating, leaving  the  rufous  chiefly  as  scallops  and  «_^  ""'~s.~ 
tips  of  the  feathers.     This  rufous  very  variable  in  in-  ^~ —  " 
tensity  ;  usually  paler  on  upper  than  on  under  jiarts, 
and  strongest  under  tho   wings.     Primaries   rufous, 
successively  darkening  from  last  to  first,  the  outer 
webs  and  ends  of  the  few  outer  ones  blackish,  tho         Kio.  442. -Oodwlt,  greatly  reduced.  (Prom 
shaft   of   the  first  white.      Kill    livid  flesh-colored,      *""''y' " 

blackish  (m  about  terminal  third;  legs  ashy-blackish.  Largo:  length  10.00-22.00  niches; 
extent  30.00-40.00;  wing  somewhero  about  9.00;  tail  3.00-4.00;  bill  3..50-5.50,  generally 
about  4.00;  tarsus  3.00,  more  or  less;  middle  too  and  claw  1.50;  few  birds  vary  more  in 
size.  Sexes  not  distinguishable ;  no  ashy  and  whitish  plumage  known.  Temperate  N.  Am. ; 
the  largest  of  the  "bay-birds"  excepting  the  long-billed  curlew;  conspicuous  by  its  size  and 
red  color  among  tho  waders  that  throng  the  shores  and  muddy  or  sandy  bars  of  bays  and 
estuaries  during  the  migration.  Known  to  breed  chiefly  in  the  upper  Mississippi  and  Eastern 
Missouri  regions,  in  Iowa,  Minnesota,  and  Dakota,  to  tho  Saskatchewan ;  does  not  appear  to 
go  far  along  tho  Atlantic  coast  northward.  Nests  anywhere  on  the  prairie,  not  necessarily 
near  water ;  eggs  3-4,  about  2.2S  X  1.60,  light  olive-drab,  numerously  but  not  very  boldly 
spotted  with  various  umber-brown  shades,  and  the  usual  stone-gray  shell-spots. 

629.  1j.  hsemas'tlca.     (Gr.  aifiatrriKSt,  haimastikos,  of  bloody-red  color.)    Hl'dsoxiax  God  wit- 


636 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LIMICOLJE. 


American  Black-tailed  Godwit.  Ring-tailed  Marlin.  Feathers  on  side  of  lower 
luaudiblc  reacliing  to  a  jwiut  far  in  advance  of  tliose  on  upper.  Rump  blackish.  Most  upper 
tail-coverts  conspi«mously  wliite ;  longest  coverts  and  the  tail-feathers  black  v;ith  white  bases, 
those  of  the  tail-featliers  most  extensive,  and  the  latter  also  white-tipped.  The  aiipearaiice 
of  the  parts  conuectively  is  tlierefore  of  a  black  rump,  then  a  broad  white  bar,  then  a  broad 
black  bar,  then  a  narrow  white  bar.  Lining  of  wings  sooty- blackisli,  mixed  with  some  wliite; 
axillars  black.  Under  parts  rich  ferruginous  or  chestnut-red,  everywhere  crossed  with  numer- 
ous in'cgular  black  bars,  several  on  each  feather,  and  usually  also  crossed,  especially  behind, 
w-ith  similar  white  bars,  such  variegation  of  black,  white,  and  red  most  pronounced  on  the 
under  tail-coverts.  Upper  parts  blackisli  (brownish-black  with  greenish  gloss),  intiinately 
mixed  witli  rufous  and  ochrey  or  whitish,  these  lighter  c(dors  farming  indentations  on  the  edges 
of  each  feather.  Primaries  blackish,  with  white  shafts  and  white  basal  spaces  ;  their  coverts 
the  same,  with  white  tips.  Bill  light,  probably  orange  or  reddish,  the  terminal  third  black  ; 
legs  black.  Length  14.50-1G.50 ;  extent  24.00-26.50;  wing  7.50-8.50;  tail  3.00-3.50;  bill 
2.75-3.50;  tibia  bare  1.00  or  more;  tarsus  2.23-2.55;  middle  too  and  claw  1.30-1.70.  ? 
averages  larger  than  $ ;  M-eight  9.00-9.50  oz. ;  <J  7.50-8.00  oz.  Immature  or  winter  specimens : 
Specific  characters  of  wings  and  tail  much  tlm  same.  Upper  parts  dark  ash,  with  blade  shaft - 
lines,  the  back  varied  more  or  less  with  black  patches  and  whitish  or  rufesc^nt  mai'kiugs. 


Fio.  443.  —  WlUet,  iiat.  size.    (Ad  iiat.  del.  E.  C.) 

Under  parts  whitish,  more  or  less  rufescent,  with  traces  of  black  bamng.  N.  Am.  generally  ; 
C.  and  S.  Am.  and  VV.  I. ;  not  noted  AV.  of  the  It.  Mts.,  and  a])parently  not  common  any- 
where in  the  U.  S. ;  breeds  in  high  latitudes.  Tlie  American  representative  of  L.  (cgocephala. 
Eggs  4,  average  2.18  X  1.40,  very  heavy  brownish-olive,  with  the  usual  markings. 

630.  li.  tegoce'phala.  (Gr.  aiyoKci^aXor,  aigolcephalos,  goat-headed ;  name  of  some  bird.)  ElTRO- 
PEAN  Black-tailed  Godwit.  Very  like  the  last ;  characters  of  rump  and  tail  substantially 
the  same ;  at  once  distinguishable  by  white  (not  black)  lining  of  wings  and  axillars.  Europe, 
etc. ;  only  American  as  occurring  in  Greenland. 
031,  li.  uropygla'Ils.  (Lat.  vropygialis,  relating  to  uropygium ,  \\\o  rump.)  White-tailed 
Godwit.  Pacific  Bar-tailed  Godwit.  Rump,  tail,  and  its  up])cr  coverts,  white,  more 
or  less  tinged  with  rufous,  barred  throughout  with  black.  Lining  of  wings  and  axillars  white, 
former  varied,  latter  barred,  with  dark  gray.  In  summer,  upper  parts  blackish,  everywhere 
varied  with  rusty-red ;  head,  neck,  and  under  parts  rusty-red.  In  winter,  grayish-brown 
above,  the  feathers  with  darker  centres  and  blackish  shaft-lines ;  below,  whitish ;  sides  and 
crissum  with  sagittate  black  marks.  Averaging  less  than  L.  fada  ;  bill  3.50-4.50.  A  widely 
distributed  Old  World  sjiecies,  very  near  the  bar-tailed  godwit  of  Europe,  L.  lapponim,  and 
probably  identical  with  L.  norcc-sealandia:  ;  lately  ascertained  to  occur  in  Alaska,  where  it  is 
common,  and  known  to  breed.     Eggs  like  those  of  other  godwits,  2.22  X  1.47. 

243.   SYMPHE'MIA.     (Gr.  (rvfi<^i;/«,  niivqjhemi,  I  speak  with.)     Semipalmate  Tattlers.     Bill 


632. 


SCOL  OP  A  CIDJE :   TA  TTLEliS. 


637 


longer  than  head,  straight,  its  tip  n<it  cxpauJed,  knobbed,  nor  notably  sensitive;  grooved 
abcut  half  its  length  only;  culnien  not  turrowed.  Gajie  of  month  reaching  beyond  base  of 
culnieu.  Bill  much  stouter  tlian  usual  in  Tattlers.  Legs  stout.  Feet  .semii)alinate,  witli 
decided  web  between  inner  and  middle  as  well  as  outer  and  middle  tu('s.  Tarsus  longer  tlian 
middle  toe  and  claw,  sciUellate  betore  and  behind.  (General  characters  of  Tutanits  at  large, 
but  bill  and  feet  stout,  latter  bluish,  and  toes  seniipalniate.  See  fig.  4i).)  One  N.  Am.  species. 
632.  8.  semlpalma'ta.  (Lat.  semipalmata,  half-webbed.  Fig.  444.)  Skmipai.m.vted  Tatti.kh. 
WiLLKT.  Adult  $  9  >  '»  sunnnor :  Upper  parts  ashy,  confoundedly  speckled  to  greater  or 
less  extent  with  black- 
isli ;  this  sometimes 
giving  tiie  prevailing 
tone,  but  in  lighter  col- 
ored cases  the  blackish 
restricted  to  an  irregu- 
lar central  field  on  each 
feather,  throwing  out 
angular  pnjcesses  and 
teuding  to  become 
transverse  bars.  When 
suiih  dark  fields  pre- 
vail, the  upper  parts 
become  <iuite  blackish, 
speckled  with  ashy- 
white,  like  Totanus 
melanoleucus,  for  ex- 
ample. Furthermore, 
there  is  often  a  slight  ru- 
fescence.     Under  parts 

white,  sometimes  with  a  rufuus  or  brownish  tinge,  the  juguluin  and  brea.'t  spotted  and  streaked, 
the  sides  barred  or  arrow-headed,  with  brownish-black.  Axillars  and  lining  of  wing,  edge  of 
wing  and  primary  coverts,  sooty-blackish.  Primaries  blackish,  with  a  great  sjiace  white  at 
base,  partly  overlaid  and  concealed  by  the  primary  coverts,  partly  .showing  conspicuously  as  a 
speculum ;  shafts  white  along  this  space.  Most  secondaries  white ;  most  ui)per  tail-c(jverts 
white,  the  shorter  ones  dark  like  rnmp,  the  longer  ones  barred  like  tail.  Tail  ashy,  incom- 
pletely harred  with  blackish ;  lateral  feathers  pale,  or  marbled  with  white.  Hill  dark  ;  legs 
bluii.li.  It  is  evidently  a  mistake  to  describe  the  willet  as  merely  gray  and  white.  Length 
about  Ki.OO;  wing  8.00;  tail  3.00;  bill  2.23-2.75;  tarsus  the  same;  middle  toe  and  claw 
1.67.  (J  9  hi  winter,  and  young  :  Character  of  wing  as  before.  Above,  light  a.shy.  nearly 
or  quite  uniform  ;  tail  cinTe.sponding  witli  this  gray  state  ;  upper  tail-coverts  white,  lielow, 
white,  shaded  «ith  ashy  on  the  jugulum,  breast,  and  sides.  Every  stage  occurs  between  the 
two  here  described.  Temperate  N.  Am.  at  large,  N.  to  56°  at  least,  but  chiefly  U.  S. ;  breeding 
throughout  its  U.  S.  range,  and  resident  in  the  Southern  States.  A  large,  stout  tattler,  known 
at  a  glance  by  its  white-mirrored  black-lined  wings  and  blue  legs,  too  plentiful  for  such  a  wary, 
restless,  and  noisy  bird  in  marshes  for  the  convenience  of  gunners,  as  its  shrill  reiterated  <'ries, 
incessant  when  its  breeding  places  are  invaded,  alarm  the  whole  neighborhood.  Breeds  by 
pairs  or  in  small  companies  in  fresh  or  salt  marshes ;  nest  a  slight  affair  in  a  tussock  of  grass 
or  reeds  just  out  of  the  water;  eggs  3-4,  1.90  to  2.12  X  1-45  to  1.5.5,  average  2.00  X  1.50, 
less  pointedly  pyriform  than  usual  in  this  family,  brownish  or  huffy-olive  or  clay  color,  boldly 
and  distinctly  spotted  and  splashed  with  umber-brown  shades,  little  masst>d  at  the  great  end, 
with  the  usual  shell-markings. 


Fig.  4U  —  WlIletB.    (From  Lewis.) 


■^ 


638 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —LIMICOL^. 


244.  TO'TANUS.  (Ital.  totano,  sciine  bird  of  this  kind.)  Tattlers.  Bill  longer  than  head, 
straight  or  nearly  so,  if  anything  rather  bent  up  than  down,  \x'ry  slender,  without  expansion  at 
tip  or  fuiTow  on  eulmen,  the  lateral  grooves  little  if  any  more  than  half  its  length  ;  gape  reach- 
ing beyond  base  of  ciihnen.  Wing.s  long,  pointed;  tail  short,  even  or  little  rounded,  barred  in 
color.  Legs  very  long  and  slender  ;  tibiiu  much  denuded  below;  tarsi  hmger  than  middle  to(! 
and  claw,  sentellate  before  and  behind.  Toes  with  decided  basal  M-ebbing  between  outer  and 
middle  toe,  that  between  inner  and  middle  slight.  Legs  green  or  yellow.  Numerous  species 
of  various  parts  of  the  world. 

Analysis  of  Speciea. 

Legs  yellow. 

Leiigtli  over  12;  wing  over  7  J  tail  3  or  more;  bill  over  2,  bent  up  a  little melanoleucus  033 

Length  uiuler  12;  wing  under  7;  tail  under  3;  bill  uiiiler  2,  straight Jtaiiprs  334 

Legs  greenish ;  size  and  form  nearly  as  in  T.  melanolvucus ytollis  635 

633.    T.  melanoleu'cus.     (Gr.  /if'Xas,  melas,  black  ;  X»u(cds,  leucoH,  white.     Fig.  41.j.)     Greater 
Tell-tale.    Greater  Yellow-shanks.    Loxc-LEuciED  Tattler.    Stone-snipe.    Bill 


034. 


Fig.  445.  — Greater  Yellow-shanks,  nut,  size.    (Ad  nut.  del.  E.  C.) 

Straight  or  slightly  inclined  npwtird,  not  witli  regular  curve,  but  as  if  beat  near  the  middle, 
black  or  greenish-black.  Legs  very  long  and  slender,  chrome-yellow.  Length  13.00-14.00 ; 
extent  23.00-25.00;  wing  over  7.00,  nearer  8.00 ;  tail  3.00  or  more  ;  bill  2.00  or  more  ;  tarsus 
about  2.50;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.70.  Length  from  end  of  bill  to  end  of  outstretched  feet  17 
or  IS  inches.  ^  9  ,  adult :  Above,  blackish,  more  or  less  ashy  accordintt  to  season,  everywhere 
speckled  with  whitish,  in  a  series  of  indentations  along  edge  of  each  feather;  the  markings 
sjiotty  on  the  back  and  wings,  streaky  on  the  head  and  neck.  A  slight  white  superciliary  line. 
Upper  tail-coverts  mostly  white.  Under  parts  white,  the  jugulum  and  fore-breast  streaked, 
the  sides  and  Hanks,  lining  of  wings  and  axillars  barred  and  arrow-lieaded  with  the  color  of  the 
back.  Tiiil  like  back,  with  numerous  white  bars,  generally  broken  on  the  middle  feathers. 
Primaries  blackish,  with  black  slmfts,  mostly  with  white  tips;  secondaries  and  their  coverts 
the  same,  but  their  edges  marbled,  spotted,  or  broken-barred  with  white.  The  seasonal 
changes  of  plunutge  are  inconsiderable,  consisting  chiefly  in  the  tone  of  the  upper  parts,  more 
blackish  and  white  in  summer,  more  gray  and  ashy  in  winter  and  in  the  yonng ;  and  in  the 
emphasis  of  the  dark  mtirkings  of  the  under  ptirts.  N.  Am.  at  large ;  in  U.  S.  chiefly  as  a 
migrant,  and  in  winter ;  breeds  in  high  latitudes ;  abundant,  like  the  last  a  noisy,  restless 
denizen  of  the  marshes,  bays,  and  estuaries. 

T.  fla'vlpes.  (Lat.  fliwipen,  yellow-foot.)  Lesser  Tell-tale.  Yellow-shanks.  A 
miniature  of  the  last ;  ctdors  precisely  the  same ;  legs  comparatively  longer ;  bill  grooved 
rather  farther,  perfectly  straight.  Length  under  12.00,  usually  10.00-11.00 ;  extent  19.00- 
21.00;  wing  under  7.00 ;  tail  2.50;  bill  always  under  2.00,  about  1.50;  tarsus  about  2.00; 


SCOLOPACin^ :   TATTLERS. 


639 


middle  toe  and  claw,  and  bare  tibia,  each,  1.25.  N.  Am.,  abundant,  in  the  same  places  as 
the  last.  Breeds  frf)ni  the  N.  States  UDrtluvard,  and  winters  in  the  U.  S.  Eggs  H-4,  pointedly 
pyriform,  1.58  to  1.78  X  about  l.Ki ;  ground  clay-eidor,  buffy  or  creamy,  not  olivaceous,  tlie 
markings  showing  boldly  on  the  pale  ground,  but  in  great  diversity,  some  eggs  being  heavily 
splashed  with  blotches  confluent  about  the  great  end,  others  having  small  elean-edged  spots  all 
over  the  surface  ;  markings  rich  umber,  chocolate,  or  blackish,  with  neutral-tint  shell-spot.s. 
035.  T.  glot'tis.  (Gr.  yXMrra,  (jlotta,  the  tongue ;  i.  e.  noisiness.)  Gi{EEN'-.shanK8.  .Size  and 
form  almost  exactly  as  in  T.  vielanoleucus :  rather  smaller ;  bill  about  2.25;  wing  7-50;  tail 
3.25  ;  tarsus  2.50 ;  colors  nearly  the  same,  but  bill  and  legs  greenish  ;  n\\\\\\  and  Iowct  back, 
as  well  as  the  tail  and  its  coverts,  white  with  more  or  fewer  dark  marks,  chictiy  broken  bars 
or  otlier  variegation  on  the  tail-feathers  alone.  "  Florida."  T.  glottis  Afn.,  B.  Am.,  8vo  ed., 
V,  321,  pi.  31C.  There  is  no  reason  to  suppose  that  this  bird  is  anytliing  more  than  a  strag- 
gler to  this  country  ;  Audubon's  specimen  is  absolutely  identical  with  European  ones. 
245.  RHYACO'PHILUS.  (Gr.  pva$,  gen.  pvaKos,  hrunx,  hruakos,  a  brook  ;  (ftiXot,  phiios,  loving.) 
GuEEN  Tattleks.  Bill  moderately  longer  than  head,  perfectly  straigiit,  very  slender, 
grooved  a  little  beyond  its  middle.  Legs  not  very  long  for  this  group ;  tarsus  little  e.xceeding 
middle  toe  and  claw;  bill  and  legs  both  dark-colored.  Only  the  most  rudiuu'utary  web 
between  inner  and  middle  toe ;  a  moderate  one  between  outer  and  middle.  Upper  parts  dark- 
colored  ;  tail  rounded,  fully  barred  with  white.     Small. 

Analysis  of  Species. 

Length  over  9.00;  upper  tail-coverts  white ;  legs  grayi»Ii-blue  , ocliropus    03C 

Length  under  9.00;  upi)er  tail-coverts  lll<e  bavic ;  legs  grceiiisli,  drying  blackish solilarius    ti37 

630.  R.  och'ropus.  (Gr.  ^xpos,  ochros,  pale,  .sallow,  wan;  irovs,  pons,  foot;  not  well  chos'-i.) 
Green  Saxdpu'ER.  Upper  parts  blackish-brown,  with  faint  olivaceous  metallic  gloss, 
streaked  on  the  iiead  and  neck,  speckled  on  the  back  and  wings,  with  wliite ;  upper  tail-coverts 
white.  Tail  white  at  base ;  lateral  pair  of  rectrices  white,  others  marked  with  white  and 
blackish  in  bars.  Below,  white,  jugulum  and  sides  marked  with  dusky.  Bill  blackish  ;  iris 
brown  ;  feet  grayish-blue,  greenish  on  the  joints.  Length  about  10.00  ;  wing  5.50 ;  tail  2.50  ; 
bill  1.50 ;  tarsus  1.30.  Nova  Scotia ;  a  straggler  from  Europe  (one  instance,  Bull.  Nuttall 
Club,  iii,  1878,  p.  19). 

637.   R.  solita'rius.  (Lat.  .Wi'taniM,  solitary ;  so?((s,  alone.  Fig.  44G.)   Solitary  Tattler.  A.mer- 
ICAK    Greex    Sandpiper.      $   ? ,   adult : 
Above,   dark  lustrous  <dive-brown,  streaked 
on  the  head  and  neck,  elsewhere  finely  speck- 
led, with  white;  no  continuous  white  on  rump 
or  upper  tail-coverts.    Below,  white;  tlie  jug- 
ulum and  sides  of  neck  shaded  with  brownish  -«^  ^^^ . 
and  streaked  with  dusky ;  sides,  axillars,  and  "^^y  ^~ 
lining  of  wings  regularly  barred  with  dusky.          Fio.  44C.— Solitary  Sandpiper,  nat.  size.    (Ad  nat. 
Rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  like  back  ;  tail    •'*'•  *■•  *^'' 

bcai..ifully  and  regularly  barred  throughout  with  black  and  white;  white  ])revailing  on  the 
outer  feathers,  where  the  dark  bars  nuty  be  broken,  and  white  reduced  to  a  scries  of  marginal 
spots  on  the  middle  feathers.  Primaries  and  edge  of  wing  blackish,  unmarked ;  secondaries 
like  back,  mostly  unmarked,  the  inner  ones  gradually  gaining  white  spots.  Bill  blacki.sli ; 
legs  dull  greenish  (drying  quite  black,  like  many  scrophulariaceous  plants).  Lentrth  8.00- 
9.00,  usually  between  the.se  figures;  extent  15.50-17.00;  wing  4.75-5.40 ;  tail  2.25;  bill 
1.12-1.24;  tarsus  1.20-1.30;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.12-1.20.  Young:  Above,  lighter  and 
less  olivaceous  brownish,  without  gloss,  the  speckling  less,  or  else  of  a  rusty  tinge.  Suffusion 
of  jugulum  paler  and  more  restricted.  White  around  and  over  eye  better  defined.  Bill  and 
feet  ashy-greeuish.    N.  America,  the  representative  of  R.  ochropus;  N.  to  Alaska.    Breeds 


640 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  LIMICOLJE. 


in  N.  U.  S.  aud  northward,  if  not  also  thn)ngh  most  of  its  U.  S.  rangr;  M'inters  altogpthor 
or  chioHy  cxtniliuiital.  Almndant  during  tlic  migrations;  a  sliy,  ((iiict  inliabitant  of  wet  woods 
aud  niwidows  and  s(!eludi'd  pools,  rather  tlian  of  the  niurslifs.  Eggs  still  (1883  !)  desiderata; 
but  SCO  Bull.  Nuttall  Club,  iii,  1878,  p.  107;  Now  England  Bird  Life,  ii,  1883,  p.  210;  and 
Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  No.  20,  p.  97. 

246.  TRINGOI'DKS.  (Gr.  rpvyyas,  triujgas,  Lat.  tryngas,  or  tringa,  a  sandi)ij)er;  tiCoy,  eichu,  re- 
semblanoe.)  Spotted  Saxiu'II'kk.s.  Bill  straiglit,  only  about  as  long  as  head  ortarsus,  grooved 
for  about  three-fourths  its  length.  Tibiiu  scarcely  denuded  for  half  the  length  of  tarsus.  Tar- 
sus about  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw.  Outer  and  niiddle  toes  webbed  for  the  length  of 
their  first  joints;  inner  cleft.  Tail  fully  half  as  hmg  as  the  wing.  Upper  parts  glossy, 
under  spotted  on  white  ground;  bill  and  feet  pale.     Of  small  size. 

638.  T.  iniwula'rlus.    (Lat.  wiacu/artMS,  spotted.    Fig.  447.)    Spotted  Saxopiper.     ^9,  adult: 

Above,  silken  ashen-olive  ((juaker-eolor  —  as  in  our 
cuckoos)  with  a  coppery  lustre,  finely  varied  with 
blackish,  in  streaks  on  head  and  neciv,  elsewhere  in 
wavy  or  otherwise  irregular  cross-bars.  Line  over 
eye,  and  entire  under  parts,  pure  white,  with  nu- 
merous sharp  circular  black  spots,  larger  and  nioro 
crowded  in  the   9  than  in  the  ^.     Secondaries  and 

Fio.  447.  —  Si)ottoa  Saiid|(iper,  nat.  Blze.    their  coverts  broadly  white-tipped ;  some  white  feath- 
(Adiiat.  del.  E.  C.)  ,  i        i    r      •  -n  ,   ,•    •  o     ■ 

ers  along  bendof  wnig;  axiUars  and  lining  of  wmgs 

white,  the  latter  with  an  oblique  dusky  bar.  Primaries  and  most  of  tlu;  secondaries  brownish- 
black,  with  brown  shafts  and  large  white  basal  spaces,  concealed  in  the  folded  wing,  consjiicuoua 
in  tiiglit.  Upper  tail-coverts  aud  middle  tail-featliers  like  back ;  lateral  ones  .successively  acquir- 
ing white  tips ;  outer  with  several  incomplete  white  bars.  Feet  jiiiikish-white,  drying  yellow- 
ish. Bill  flesh-color,  black-tipped;  sometimes  much  of  cnlinen  dusky;  sometimes  much  of 
under  mandible  orange.  $  :  Lougth  7.25-7.60;  extent  13.00-13.,')0  ;  wing  3.S0-4.00 ;  bill, 
tarsus,  and  middle  toe  with  claw,  each  0.95-1.00.  9  :  Length  7.60-7.90 ;  extent,  13.50-U.OO ; 
wing  3.90-4.10.  Young:  Above,  less  glossy,  with  litth'  if  any  blackish  variegation.  Below, 
white,  entirely  free  from  spotting.  Downy  young  :  Below,  white  ;  above,  mottled  with  dark 
brown  and  buff;  a  sharp  black  strijie  from  top  <if  head  down  middle  of  back,  aud  au(jtlier 
through  eye.  N.  Am.  at  largC;  extremely  abundant  everywhere  near  water,  and  breeding 
throughout  the  country  ;  winters  in  Southern  States  and  beyond ;  familiarly  known  as  the 
sandlark,  pectweet,  teeter-tail,  tip-up,  etc.,  these  last  names  being  given  in  allusion  to  its 
habit  (shared  by  allied  species)  of  jetting  the  tail  as  it  moves ;  a  custom  as  marked  as  the 
continual  bobbing  of  the  head  of  the  solitary  tattler  and  otliers.  Nest  a  slight  affair  of  dried 
grasses,  on  the  ground,  often  in  a  field  or  orchard,  but  generally  near  water;  eggs  4,  jiointed, 
creamy  or  clay-colored,  blotched  with  blackish  and  neutral  tint ;  about  1.30  X  100. 

247.  MACHE'TES.  (Gr.  /iaxi/rijs,  muchetes,  a  fighter.)  Fiohtino  Sandpipers.  Bill  straight, 
about  as  long  as  head,  shorter  than  tarsus,  grooved  nearly  to  tij).  Gape  reaching  behind 
cuhnen.  Outer  and  middle  toe  webb(>d  at  base ;  inner  cleft.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  too 
and  claw.  Tail  about  half  as  long  as  wing,  baired.  $  in  the  breeding  season  with  the  face 
bare  and  beset  with  papillae,  and  the  neck  with  an  extravagant  frill  or  ruffle  of  elongated 
feathers.     9  without  these  ornaments. 

639.  M.  piig'nax.  (Lat.  ^^K^/nrtj-,  pugnacious.  Fig.  448.)  Riff,  $.  Reeve,  9-  Combatant. 
Gambetta.  Adult  ^,  in  wedding  dress :  Varied  above  with  black,  brown,  buff  and  chestnut, 
the  sides  of  rump  white ;  under  parts  white,  breast  and  sides  and  crissum  black,  spotted  with 
white ;  tail  brown,  barred  with  chestnut  and  M-hite ;  quills  dusky,  with  white  shafts ;  wing 
coverts  ashy-brown.  Bill  blackish,  fiesh-colored  at  base ;  legs  dingy  yellow ;  warty  excres- 
cences yellow ;  feathers  of  the  ruff  endlessly  varied  in  color.     Length  about  12.00 ;  wing  7.00  ; 


SCOLOPACID^: :   TATTLEBS. 


641 


248. 


taJl  3.00;  bill  1.50;  tarsus  2.00.  9  smallor,  lacking  the  ruff  and  tuborelos,  otr.  A  widely 
distributed  bird  of  the  Old  World,  noted  for  its  pugnacity;  occasionally  killed  on  the  coast  of 
New  England  and  the  Middle  States.  (Lawrence,  Ann.  Lye.  Nat.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  v,  1852,  p.  220, 
Long  Island.  Coues,  Pr.  Esse.\  Inst.,  v,  1868,  j).  290  ;  New  England.  Brewster,  Am.  Nat., 
vi,  1872,  p.  300;  Massachusetts.  Brewster,  Bull.  Nuttall  Club,  i,  1870,  p.  19;  Maine. 
Wheaton,  Bull.  Nuttall  Club,  ii,  1877,  i».  83;  Ohio.  —Forest  and  Stream,  Oct.  7,  1880,  p. 
186 ;  Massachusetts.     See  Freke,  Zoologist,  Sept.  1881,  p.  376.) 

BARTRA'MIA.  (To  Wm.  Bartrani.)  Bill  rather  shorter  than  liead,  much  shorter  than  tar- 
sus, about  equal  to  middle  toe ;  straight,  the  culinen  a  little  concave  in  most  of  its  length,  the 


010. 


^sP-iJ^.^^   .-^^/X'l 


Fio.  448.  —  The  liulf,  cf ,  in  full  featber,  }  nat.  size.    (From  Brehm.) 

upper  mandible  grooved  for  three-fourths  its  length.  Gape  very  wide  and  deep,  reaching  below 
eyes.  Feathers  on  side  of  lower  mandible  si^arcelyor  not  reaching  opposite  those  on  upper,  and 
n.>t  filling  the  interramal  space.  Tail  very  long,  more  than  one-half  the  wing,  graduated. 
Wings  moderate,  pointed.  TibiaB  denuded  for  nearly  the  length  of  the  middle  toe.  Tarsi 
scutellate  before  and  behind,  much  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw.  Outer  toe  moderivtely 
webbed;  inner  cleft  to  the  base.  Size  medium;  neck  and  legs  long;  head  small;  coloration 
higiily  variegated ;  sexes  alike ;  no  great  seasonal  changes.  One  species. 
B.  longicau'da.  (Lat.  longus,  long ;  Cauda,  tail.)  Bartramian  Sandpiper.  Bartram's 
Tattler.  Upland  Plover.  Field  Plover.  Grass  Plover.  Prairie  Pigeon.  Adult 
(J  9  •  Above,  blackish,  intinuitely  variegated  with  tawny  or  whitish  edgings  of  all  the 
feathers  ;  blackish  prevailing  on    :rown  and  back,  the  lighter  colors  on  the  hind  neck  and 

41 


04^ 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  UMICOLJE. 


249. 


wings;  on  the  scapulars  and  long  inner  seoondaries  the  black  resolved  in  re|G;ular  angular  bars 
on  a  greenish-brown  field.  Ruuip  uiid  most  up])er  tail-coverts  brownish-bluek,  uuviiried  ;  a 
fow  of  the  longer  coverts  barred  to  correspond  witli  tail.  Middle  tail-feathers  dark  ashy- 
brown,  with  paler  or  rufesceut  edges,  and  irregular  or  broken  bars,  throughout ;  other  tail- 
fcatliers  becoiuing  orange-brown,  with  numerous  irregular  or  broken  bars  or  spots  of  black  ; 
with  one  broad,  firm,  subtermiual  black  bar,  aud  tips  white  for  a  distance  increasing  on  succes- 
sive feathers.  Under  parts  dull  soiled  white,  or  tawny-white,  the  rufescence  strongest  on 
jugulum  and  breast,  the  jugulum  streaked  with  blackish,  and  sides  with  sharp  arrow-heads 
of  the  same.  Axillars  and  liuiug  of  wings  pure  white,  regularly  barred  with  black.  Prim- 
aries brownish-black;  the  1st  at  least,  and  sometimes  all  of  them,  barred  with  white  on  the 
inner  webs  ;  shaft  of  the  first  white,  of  the  otliers  brown.  .Secoudaries  like  ]>rimaries,  but 
usually  barred  with  white  on  both  webs,  the  inner  ones  gradually  assiiniluting  with  the  back 
in  diaracter  of  markings.  Rill  yellow,  with  black  ridge  and  tip;  feet  dull  yellowish,  drying 
darker;  iris  dark  brown.  Length  11.75-12.75;  extent  21.50-23.00;  wing  6.25-7.00;  tail 
about  3.50;  tarsus  1.75;  bill,  and  middle  toe  and  claw  1.00-1.25.  Downy  young:  Varie- 
gated above  with  white,  brown,  or  black  ;  white  below ;  bill  bluish  with  dark  tip  ;  legs  clay- 
color.  They  are  5  or  ()  inclies  long  before  any  feathers  sprout.  N.  Am.  at  large,  rare  W.  of 
the  R.  Mts.,  in  profusion  on  the  jirairies  of  the  interior,  and  co.iimon  eastward;  X.  to  the 
Yukon.  Breeds  from  the  middle  districts  northward  ;  winters  e.xtralimital.  A  fine  game 
bird ;  but  thi-se  who  only  know  it  when  its  fears  are  excited  by  incessant  jiersecution  have 
little  idea  what  fi  gentle  and  confiding  creature  it  is  on  the  western  prairies.  Nest  any- 
where on  the  prairie,  in  June ;  eggs  normally  4,  averaging  1.75  X  1.28 ;  clay-cidor  or  jmle 
creamy-brown  without  olive  shade ;  spotted  all  over,  but  most  thickly  at  the  large  (nid,  witli 
small,  sharji,  rounded  surface  marks  of  umber-brown,  among  which  are  tl>e  i)uriilish-gray  shell- 
spots  ;  the  spots  rarely  if  ever  larger  than  a  split  pea,  and  seldom  confluent. 
TRYN'GITES.  (Gr.  rpvyyas,  triKjgas,  a  sandpii)cr,  with  suffix  -njy,  -tes.)  MARnLE-wiXfi 
Sandpipers.  Bill  shorter  than  head,  very  slender,  tapering,  and  acute,  grooved  nearly  its 
whole  length,  and  thus  much  as  in  Tringa  ;  but  gape  of  mouth  extensive,  and  end  of  bill  not 
dilated  and  sensitive.  Frontal  feathers  embracing  base  of  upju-r  mandible  in  nearly  transverse 
outline,  and  extending  (piite  to  nostrils ;  those  on  side  of  under  mandible  reacliing  further  still, 
and  t<  ose  of  chin  completely  filling  the  interramal  sjiace  ;  such  extension  of  the  feathers 
making  the  bill  appear  remarkably  short.  AViugs  of  ordinary  shape.  Tail  about  one-half 
as  long  as  wings,  rounded,  with  projecting  central  feathers.  Tibiaj  denuded  below  for  a 
space  less  than  length  of  middle  toe.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw.  Toes  cleft  to 
the  base,  or  with  only  the  most  rudimentary  basal  webbing.  Primaries  peculiarly  marbled  in 
color.  Tail  not  barred.  Related  to  Tringa  in  many  respects ;  but  the  acute  and  hardened 
tip  of  the  bill,  and  long  gape,  are  totanine,  and  on  the  whole  the  affinities  seem  to  be  with 
the  last  genus.     One  species. 

(Lat.  rtifescens,  rufescent,  reddish.  Fig.  419.)  BrFF-HREASTED  Sandpiper. 
(J  9 ,  adult,  in  breeding  plumage :  Above,  brownish- 
black  with  a  greenish  gloss,  every  feather  broadly  nuir- 
giued  with  tawny  or  yellowish-brown,  the  latter  the 
l)r(ivailing  tone.  Under  parts  buff  or  fawn-colored,  with- 
out nuirkings  except  a  few  small  blackisli  spots  on  sides 
of  breast.  Central  tail-feathers  greenish-brown,  blacken- 
ing at  ends ;  others  paler,  often  rufescent,  with  white  or 
Pio.  449.  —  Buff-lireasted  Sandpiper,  tawny  tips  and  subtermiual  black  bar;  and  usually,  also, 
Ut  size,   (Adnat.  del.  E.  C.)  some  bliusk  marbling  or  streaking.     Primaries  and  sec- 

ondaries ashy-brown   blackening  at  end,  the  extreme  tip  white  —  most  of  the   inner  webs 
of  the  primaries,  and  both  webs  of  the  secondaries  pearly  white,  speckled  and  marbled  witli 


641.    T.  rufes'cens. 


SCOLOPACID^:   TATTLERS. 


648 


black.  This  curious  tracery,  best  seen  from  below,  is  diacniistic;  though  tho  precise  pat- 
tern varies  iutcriniiuibly.  Tlie  patch  of  uuilor  coverts  at  tlie  bases  of  ilie  primaries  have 
tho  same  character.  Axillars  wliitc ;  lining  of  wings  wliite  or  rufescent.  Iris  brown. 
Bill  brownish-black;  legs  greenisii  or  yellowish.  Length  7.50-8.25;  e.\tent  about  16.00; 
wing  5.00-5. "25;  tail  2.50;  bill  along  culnieu  0.(57-0.75,  along  gape  1.00;  tarsus  1.20; 
middle  too  and  claw  under  1.00.  Fall  plumage :  Under  parts  less  rufescent,  frequently  simply 
tawny-whitisli;  and  the  broad  ochrey  or  tawny  edgings  of  the  featiiers  of  the  upper  parts 
replaced  by  narrow  whitish  streakings,  in  a  set  of  semicircles.  Wings  and  tail  as  in  sjjring. 
N.  Am.  at  large,  and  a  frequent  European  straggler,  but  apparently  nowhere  abumlaiit ; 
migratory  in  the  U.  S. ;  8.  in  winter  through  S.  Am. ;  breeds  in  high  latitudes.  Eggs  usually 
4,  pointedly  pyriform,  1.40  to  1.50  X  1-02  to  1.10;  the  ground  chiy,  st)metimcs  slightly  oliva- 
ceous, often  vinito  grayish ;  markings  extremely  bold  and  sharp,  in  heavy  blotches  and  indeter- 
minate spots  all  over  the  eggs,  but  largest  and  most  numerous  at  the  greater  end ;  colors  rich 
umber-brown,  of  varying  shade.  Nearest  thcso  blotched  samples  are  the  splashed  ones,  with 
markings  massed  at  greater  end,  elsewhere  sjdattered  in  small  pattern.  Others  are  spotted  with 
narrow  markings  radiating  from  the  large  end,  almost  wreathing  about  the  greatest  diameter. 
All  with  the  usual  neutral-tint  shell-markings;  most  with  scratchy  blackish  marks  over  all. 

250.  HETERO'SCELUS.  (Gr.  «r»pof, /teteros,  different,  otherwise  ;  a-KfXos,  skelos,  leg.)  SiiouT- 
LKOGED  Tattler.  Hill  totanine,  longer  than  head  or  tarsus,  straigiit,  rather  stout,  much  ci im- 
pressed, both  mandibles  grooved  for  about  two-thirds  their  length,  with  inflected  tomia  lieyoiul. 
Gai>o  of  mouth  extending  beyond  base  of  column :  feathers  of  equal  extent  on  sides  nf  botli 
nnindibles,  those  of  chin  reaching  much  farther.  Wings  long,  pointed,  folding  about  to  end  of 
tail ;  1st  and  2d  quills  subeipial  and  longest.  Tail  short,  less  than  half  the  wing,  nearly  even. 
Legs  short,  somewhat  rugous,  reticulate  except  on  front  of  tarsus,  whei'c  imperfectly  or  incom- 
pletely scutellate  ;  tibiie  denuded  for  a  space  about  half  as  long  as  tarsus ;  tarsus  longer  than 
middle  toe  and  claw,  shorter  than  bill;  outer  longer  than  inner  lateral  toe;  a  large  basal  web 
between  outer  and  middle,  a  rudimentary  one  between  midtUe  and  iimer  ;  bind  toe  long,  abcmt 
equalling  1st  joint  of  inner  toe.  One  species,  remarkable  for  the  character  oi  tarsal  envelope 
and  perfect  un'firmity  of  color  of  upper  parts. 

9i%,  H.  Inea'nus.  (Lat.  incanits,  (piite  gray.)  Wandering  Tattler.  Upper  parts  perfectly 
uniform  dark  plumbeous,  or  slaty-gray,  including  tlie  wluilly  unmarked  tail,  wing-coverts,  and 
inner  quills,  the  longer  quills  gradually  blackening,  tho  shaft  of  the  first  primary  nearly  all 
white  ;  a  white  line  over  eye.  Lining  of  wings,  axillars,  and  sides  nf  body  crdored  like  the  back, 
but  varied  with  white.  Under  parts  in  general  white ;  in  o>ic  plumage  without  nuirlcings,  but 
heavily  shaded  on  neck,  breast,  and  sides  with  the  color  of  the  back  ;  in  another,  heavily 
marked  with  blackish-plumbeous  —  speckled  on  throat,  streaked  on  neck,  wavy-barred  on  breast, 
sides,  and  crissum.  Bill  black,  apparently  pale  at  base  of  under  mandible.  Lengtii  abtuit 
10.00;  wing  6.50;  tail  3.00;  bill  1.50;  tarsus  1.25;  mid- 
dle toe  and  claw  a  little  less.  A  species  of  almost  universal 
distributi(jn  on  the  coast  and  islands  of  the  Pacific,  com- 
mon in  summer  on  the  shores  of  Alaska ;  described  under 
at  least  twelve  different  names. 

251.  NUME'NIUS.  (Gr.  vtos,  neos,  new;  firivrj,  mene,  the 
moon:  the  long  cur\-ed  bill,  like  a  crescent.  Fig.  450.) 
Curlews.  Bill  of  very  variable  length,  always  longer 
than  head,  probably  .always  exceeding  the  tarsus,  some- 
times more  than  length  of  entire  leg;  slender,  curved 
downward,  the  tip  of  the  upper  mandible  knobbed  and 
overhanging  the  end  of  the  lower;  obsoletely  grooved  nearly  to  end.  Gape  of  mouth 
extended  beyond  base  of  culmen.     Feathers  reaching  about  equally  far  on  sides  of  each  nian- 


Fio.  450.  —  Long-billed  Curlew,  greatly 
reduced. 


e# 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LIMICOLJE. 


diblo.  Wings  and  tail  ordinary;  latter  barred  in  wdor.  Lcrs  rather  stout;  tibiw  largely 
denuded  below;  tarsus  much  longer  than  middle  toe  and  daw,  sentellate  in  front  only,  else- 
where reticulate.  Toes  short  and  thick,  flattened  underneath,  broadly  margined  on  sides. 
Of  largo  and  medium  stature,  and  plumi)  form.  Coloration  variegated;  rufous  usually  prevail- 
ing. Sexes  alike ;  changes  of  plumage  not  pronounced.  A  cosmopolitan  genus  of  several 
S2)ecies ;  in  character  of  bill  unique,  in  that  of  the  legs  very  similar  to  Limosa.  In  fact, 
barring  the  bill,  Numenius  hngirosiris  closely  resembles  Liinosa  fceda.  It  is  a  curious  fa(!t 
that  Old  and  New  World  representatives  of  both  these  genera  dift'er  from  each  other  in  a  simi- 
lar maimer,  the  former  having  the  rump,  tail  and  its  coverts,  and  lining  of  wings  white,  barred 
or  not,  while  some  or  all  of  these  parts  in  the  latter  are  dark.  Compare  Limosn  fceda  with  L. 
uropygialls  ;  L.  hudsonica  with  L.  lapponica  ;  Numenius  hudsonicus  with  N.  phaiopus,  etc. 


043. 


Fig.  451.  —  The  European  Curlew,  Xumeniui  arguatus,  I  nut.  size.    (From  Brebm.) 

Analysis  qf  Species. 

Feathers  of  belly  bristle-tipped taitensis 

Feathers  of  belly  normal. 

Rump  white,  more  or  less  sjHjtted  with  dusky. 

Upper  tall-coverts  and  under  wlng-coverts  white  spotted  and  barred  wltli  dusky     .    .     p?UKopus 
Sump,  upper  tall-coverts  and  lining  of  wings  not  white. 

Primaries  varied  with  rufous.    General  coloration  strongly  rufous,  especially  below ;  lining  of 

wings  deepest  rufous,  little  or  not  varied.    Large ;  bill  4-6-8  inches longirostris 

Primaries  varied  with  rufous  or  whitish.     General  coloration  scarcely  or  not  rufous;  lining  of 

wings  entirely  varied.    Medium-sized ;  bill  8-4  inches huasnnicus 

Primaries  not  varied  with  rufous  or  whitish.    General  coloration  scarcely  or  not  rufous;  lining 
of  wings  entirely  varied.    Smallest ;  bill  under  3  Inches borealis 


MT 


644 


643 


64S 


646 


644. 


G45. 


A'C'OL  OP  A  CIDjE  :    CURLE  WS. 


646 


643.  N.  loagiros'trls.  (Lat.  to«(;Ms,  long;  ro.s<»Hw,  betik.)  Loxa-BiLLED  Curlew.  Sickle- iiii.u 
Hill  of  extrt'ine  length  iiiul  curvature,  inwisuriiig  tVoni  4  to  0  or  S  iuclifs.  Of  iargi'st  size :  length 
24.00  or  more;  extent  aS.OO;  wing  10.00-12.00;  tail  about  4.00;  tarsus  •2.;,j-;i.o0.  IMumago 
very  similar  to  that  of  the  goilwit,  Limom  fvedu  :  prevailing  tone  rufous,  of  varying  intcn.-'ity 
in  ilitfereut  specimens,  usually  ileepest  on  the  lining  of  tlie  wings,  which  are  little  varic.l  with 
other  color.  Primaries  varied  with  rufous.  Top  of  head  variegated  with  blackish  and  rufous 
or  whitish,  without  distinct  pale  median  and  hiteral  lines.  Upper  parts  brownish- black, 
speckled  with  tawny  or  cinuamou-brown,  each  feather  having  several  indentations  or  broken 
bars  of  this  color;  rufous  prevailing  on  wing-coverts.  Tail-feathers  and  secondaries  einnamon- 
hrown,  with  pretty  regular  dark  bars  througliout.  Under  parts  rufous  or  ciimamon  of  varying 
intensity,  usually  di.'epcning  to  chestnut  under  the  wings,  fading  to  whitish  on  throat;  the 
jugulum  and  fore-breast  with  dusky  streaks  which  tend  on  the  sides  of  breast  and  body  to  arrow- 
heads or  more  or  less  complete  bars  ;  lining  of  wings,  axillars,  and  crissum,  mostly  unmarked, 
though  some  spots  may  appear.  No  white  on  rump,  tail,  or  wings.  Hill  black,  much  of  under 
mandible  pale-flesh-color  or  yellowish  ;  legs  dark.  Little  variation  in  plumage  with  sex,  iige, 
or  season.  Chicks  hatch  in  whitish  down,  thickly  blotched  above  with  brownish-black;  tlio 
bill  striiight,  an  inch  long.  Like  other  exceptional  develoi)ments  of  parts  of  birds,  this  member 
grows  to  indetermi- 
nate length.  Up  to  .. -:--.-i-T ;-:,-. - 
the  time  it  is  not  over 
3  or  4  inches  long, 
the  species  may  be 
distinguished  from  N. 
hiuhonicus  by  the 
strong  rufesecnce  of 
tlieundcrparts,  which 
are  nearly  clear  of 
dark  markings.  En- 
tire temperate  N. 
Am. ;  breeds  nearly 
throughout  its  range ; 
migratory  northward, 
resident  in  the  south, 
but  also  S.  in  winter 
to  C.  Am. ;  uncom- 
mon in  New  England. 

XT     «      1  ]•      1     FlO.  452.  —  Hmlsonlnn  Curlew,  miieli  reduced.    (From  Lewis.) 

Nests  aboundnigly  on  ' 

the  S.  Atlantic  coast,  and  on  the  prairies  of  the  Northwest.  Eggs  3-4,  not  very  pear-shaped, 
more  like  hen's  eggs;  2.45  to  2.80  long  by  1.80-1.90  broad;  clay-colored,  tending  either  to 
darker  olivaceous  shades  or  to  buff;  spotting  generally  pretty  uniform  and  of  small  pattern, 
in  some  cases  blotched  or  massed  at  the  greater  end,  of  sepia,  chocolate,  or  umber-brown,  the 
paler  shell-markings  usually  numerous  and  evident. 

644.  N.  phse'opus.  (Gr.  <^aws,  jj/tfliV/s,  dusky,  swarthy ;  jroCy,  poMS,  foot.)  Etropeax  Wiiimhuel. 
In  stature  and  general  character  resembling  the  Hudsonian  curlew  ;  at  once  distinguished  from 
that  species  by  the  white  rump,  upper-tail  coverts  and  lining  of  wings,  spotted  or  barred  with 
dusky.  An  extensively  distributed  Old  World  species,  only  N.  American  as  occurring  in 
Greenland. 

645.  N.  hudson'lcus.  (Of  Hudson's  Bay.  Fig.  452.)  Hudsonian  Curlew.  Jack  Curlew.  Of 
medium  size ;  bill  moderate  in  length,  stout,  curved.  Bill  3  or  4  inches  long.  Length  16.00- 
18.00  ;  extent  32.00  ;  wing  9.00-10.00 ;  tail  3.50  ;  tarsus  2.25-2.50.    General  tone  of  coloration 


646 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS— LIMICOL^. 


scarcely  rufmis,  the  under  parts,  and  the  variegation  of  the  upper,  hciug  whitish  or  ochmccouo. 
No  wliito  on  rump,  tail,  or  lining  of  wings.  Top  of  head  uniform  blackish-brown,  with  well- 
defined  wiiitish  median  and  lateral  stripes  (as  h\  phaopm,  but  neither  longiro8tna  nor  borealis). 
Upper  parts  brownisii-black,  speckled  with  whitish,  oehraceous  or  pale  cinnamon-brown,  in 
same  pattern  as  in  longirostris,  but  the  dark  in  excess  of  the  light  colors,  and  these  never 
strongly  rufesccnt.  Tail  ashy-brown  (not  rufous),  with  numerous  narrow  blackish  bars.  Prima- 
ries fuscous,  marbled  or  brokeu-baiTcd  with  pale  color  (pattern  as  in  lotifjirostris,  tone  not 
strongly  r«f(jus).  Lining  of  wings  and  axillars  rufescent,  but  spotted  or  barred  throughout  with 
dusky.  Uuder  parts  soiled  whitish  or  somewhat  oclu-aceous,  only  obscurely  rufescent  on  cris- 
sum,  if  anywhere ;  the  jugulum  and  fore-breast  with  dusky  streaks  which,  as  in  other  sjjecies, 
change  to  arrow-heads  or  incomplete  bars  on  sides  of  breast  and  body.  IJill  blackish,  some 
part  of  lower  mandible  pale ;  feet  dark.  The  N.  Am.  n'presentativo  of  N.  phaopm,  but 
obviously  different ;  generally  distributed,  not  so  common  as  either  lotigirostris  or  horealis ; 
breeds  in  high  latitudes,  migratory  through  the  U.  S.,  wintering  in  the  S.  .States  and  far  beyond. 
Eggs  of  iuteriuediato  size,  but  not  distinguishable  with  certainty,  the  markings  being  as  in 
other  species;  2.12  to  2.30  long,  by  about  1. GO  broad. 

646.  N.  borea'lis.  (Lat.  borealis,  northern.)  Eskimo  Curlew.  Doroii-niRU.  Of  smallest 
size ;  bill  short,  slender,  and  little  curved.  Bill  2.00  or  more,  perhaps  never  3.00.  Length 
J2.00-15.00;  extent  28.00  ;  wing  under  9.00;  tail  3.00;  tarsus  2.00  or  less.  General  tone 
little  rufescent,  the  under  parts  and  the  variegation  of  the  tipjicr  rather  oehraceous  than  rufous. 
Top  of  head  variegated  throughout,  without  median  line,  but  with  tolerably  well  dctined 
wliitisli  superciliary  stripes.  Upper  parts  brownish-black,  speckled  with  oehraceous  or  very 
pale  cinnamon  brown,  the  general  effect  as  in  hudsonicus  ;  dark  ctdoration  in  excess  c)f  the 
pale.  Tail  barred  much  as  in  hudsonicus,  the  broader  light  bars  often  rufescent.  Priuuiries 
and  most  secondaries  jdain  fuscous,  entirely  lacking  the  variegation  seen  in  the  foregoing. 
Under  parts  oehraceous,  t)r  somewhat  rufescent,  very  variable,  fre(juently  whitish,  marked  as 
in  other  species  with  dusky  streaks,  arrow-heads,  or  bars,  but  these  more  numerous,  frecpu'Utly 
occupying  all  the  under  parts,  excej)ting  chin  and  middle  of  belly.  Axillars  and  lining  of 
wings  rufescent,  barred  throughout  with  dark  brown.  Bill  black,  with  ba.se  of  lower  nuindibh' 
pale  <>r  yellowish  ;  feet  greenish-black.  In  handling  perhaps  a  hundred  fresh-killed  birds,  I 
have  noted  much  variation  in  tone,  but  the  sjjeiues  is  unmistakable.  N.  Am.  at  large,  breeding 
within  the  Arctic  circle,  migrating  through  the  U.  S.,  where  rarely  if  ever  known  to  winter, 
never  to  summer,  and  wintering  in  C  and  S.  Am.  Extraordinarily  abundant  in  some  places 
during  the  migration,  as  in  Labrador,  where  it  fairly  swarms  in  August.  In  the  nort'  ern 
regions,  feeds  chiefly  on  th(!  Empetrum  nigrum.  Nest  in  open  plains.  Eggs  4,  from  1.90  to  2.12 
long,  by  1.33  to  1.40  broad  ;  (dive-drab,  tending  to  green,  gray,  or  brown  in  different  cases,  with 
large,  bold  and  numerous  markings  of  bistre,  chocolate  and  sepia-brown,  tending  to  aggregate 
on  the  greater  end,  with  the  ordinary  stone-gray  shell-marks. 

647.  N.  ta'iten'sis.  (Of  Otahiti.)  Otahiti  Curlew.  Bristle-bellied  Curlew.  Of  medium 
size,  about  equalling  K.  })h<eoj)US  ;  wing  9.00  or  more ;  tail  4.00  ;  bill  about  3.50  ;  tareus  about 
2.25.  Crown  with  light  median  and  superciliary  lines;  upper  parts  brownish-black,  with  the 
usual  tawny  variegation  ;  no  white  on  rump,  tail,  or  lining  of  wings  ;  tail  and  its  coverts  tawny, 
the  coverts  spotted  or  streaked  with  dusky,  the  rectrices  pretty  regularly  and  firmly  baired  with 
about  6  dusky  bands,  and  tipped  with  tawny- white;  lining  of  wings  and  axillars  fully  baiTcd 
with  tawny  and  dusky.  Primaries  blackish,  varied  to  some  extent  on  inner  webs,  the  shaft  of 
the  first  white.  Under  parts  pale  tawny,  the  chin  white,  the  jugulum  thickly  streaked,  the 
sides  more  loosely  barred  with  dusky,  Init  most  of  under  parts  inunaculate,  and  nuuiy  feathers, 
especially  of  the  flanks,  ending  in  long  glistening  bristles.  Bill  and  feet  dark.  Alaska,  not 
common,  perhaps  only  a  straggler  from  Asia  ;  a  well-known  and  abundant  curlew  of  various 
Pacific  islands,  only  recently  added  to  our  fauna. 


HERODIONESi  HEBOXS  AND  THEIR  ALLIES. 


647 


Vni.  Order  HERODIONES:   Herons  and  their  Allies. 


AUridal  GiaUatores:  inchuliiiij  the  Ilprnns,  Stoik», 
Ibises,  iSpudiibills,  and  roliitPil  birds.  Tiiu  species 
avenvfo  of  largo  size,  some  standing  niiumg  the  tall- 
est of  Carinatc  birds,  witU  ooinprossi'd  body  and  ox- 
trenioly  long  neck  and  legs.  The  neek  has  usually 
15-17  vertebra',  and  is  eajmble  of  very  strung  flexion 
in  S-shape.  The  tibiic  are  naked  below ;  the  podo- 
theca  varies.  The  general  pterylosis  is  peeuliar,  in 
the  presence,  in  central  groups  of  this  order,  of 
powder-down  tracts,  and  in  some  other  respects.  The 
oil-gland  is  present,  and  tufted.  A  part  if  not  the 
wlude  of  the  head  is  naked  as  a  rule,  as  much  of 
the  neck  also  frequently  is.  The  toes,  usually  long 
and  slender,  are  never  fully  welibed.  The  hallux  is 
more  or  less  lengthened,  and  either  little  elevated,  or 
else  perfectly  insistent.  A  foot  of  insessorial  character 
results ;  the  species  frequently  perch  on  trees,  where 
the  nest  is  usually  i)laced.  'J'he  jihysiological  nature 
is  nltricial  and  usually  psilopiedic  ;  the  young  hatch- 
ing naked,  unable  to  stand,  and  being  fed  in  the  nest. 
The  food  is  fish,  reptiles,  molhisks,  and  other  animal 
matters,  generally  procured  by  spearing  with  ii  quick 
thrust  of  the  bill,  given  as  the  birds  stand  in  wait, 
or  stalk  stealthily  along;  hence  they  are  sometimes 
called  Graiiatores  (stalkers).  The  bill  normally  rep- 
resents the  "cultrirostral"  pattern  ;  it  is  as  a  rule  of 
lengthened  wedge  shape,  hard  and  acute  at  end  if  not 
hard  throughout,  with  sharj)  cutting  edges;  enlarging 
regularly  to  the  base  where  the  skull  contracts  gradu- 
ally in  sloping  down  to  meet  it  ;  but  deviations  from 
such  typical  shape  are  frequent  and  striking.  It  is 
firmly  affixed  to  the  skull,  and  always  longer  than  the 
head.  The  nostrils  are  small,  elevated,  surrounded 
by  bone  and  a  horny  sheath,  with  little  if  any  soft 
skin.  The  wings  normally  show  a  striking  dift'enmco 
from  those  of  Limicolce,  in  being  long,  broad,  and  ample.  The  tail  is  short  and  few-feathered, 
usually  having  12  rectrices. 

The  cranial  characters,  though  varying  to  some  extent,  agree  in  several  important  respects. 
The  palatal  structure  is  desmognathous,  but  without  keel  along  line  of  junction;  the  maxillo- 
palatines  arc  large  and  spongy.  The  nasal  bones  are  typically  holorhinal ;  schizorhinal  in 
Ibides  ;  in  which,  also,  the  angle  of  the  mandible  is  produced  and  recurved,  being  noinially 
truncate.  The  sternum  is  ample,  once  or  twice  notched  on  each  side  behind.  The  cervical 
vertebrje  are  numerous ;  usually  15-17.  The  trachea  and  bronchi  present  some  remarkable 
dispositions,  but  here  and  there  only,  such  conformations  being  therefore  not  characteristic  of 
the  order.  The  carotids  are  double  (in  Bofaunis  (fig.  93)  unique,  as  far  as  known,  in  uniting  at 
once).  An  intestinal  coBcum  or  two  cccca,  present.  Different  genera  vary  in  the  classificatory 
muscles  of  the  leg,  the  ambiens,  femoro-caudal,  and  its  accessory  being  present  or  absent. 


Fig.  4.')3.  — Tlie  Bittern's  Bog. 
Michelct.) 


(From 


648 


SYS  JEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  HEHODWNKS  —  i  HIDES. 


The  group  hero  noted  corresponds  to  the  I'dimjomorithw  of  lliixley,  tlio  Cicoiiiijhrmrs  of 
Gnrrod  (minus  ('alh(irliihe.'),i]w  Grnlhitores  tilliiKirex  of  Sundeviill,  iind  inchides  tlw  Hvroilia', 
PeUirifi,  iiiid  Ueiiii(jli)ttiiles  itf  Nitzscli,  —  respectively  tiie  Hmin  series,  the  Stork  series,  and  tjie 
m-rivs  of  Ihise.'*  and  Sjtooubilh.  Tiie  first  of  thehc  differs  more  from  tlie  otiiers  than  thesi;  do 
from  one  anotlier.  As  usual,  there  are  eertain  oiitlyin;;  genera,  types  of  fanalies  or  suhfauiilies, 
the  (xisition  of  wliieii  is  not  assured,  lint  appearances  are  tluit  tlie  ((Uestionaldo  forms  will 
fall  in  iMie  or  another  of  the  three  series  indicated.  All  of  these  series,  to  he  conventionally 
rated  as  suhorders  or  superfiimilies,  aro  rei)re8euted  in  North  America,  where  also  all  the  large 
Hud  leading  families  occur. 

12.   Suborder  IBIDES:  The  Ibis  Serifs. 

Skull  schizorhinal.  Angle  of  mandihie  produced  and  recurved.  Anihiens  musele,  femoro- 
rnudal  aiul  accessory,  st'mitendinosus  and  accessory,  ami  post-acetahidar  portion  of  tensor  fasciie, 
present;  pectoralis  nuijor  simjdc;  hicepscubiti  connected  with  tensor  patai;ii  longus.  Sternum 
double-notched  on  each  side.  Carotids  double,  normal.  'J'wo  int(>stinal  cieea.  Tongue  ex- 
tremely small.  A  tufted  oil-glaud.  I'lunuige  without  powder-down;  feathered  tracts  broad. 
Tarsi  reticuhito  (rarely  scutellate).  Hallux  n((t  fairly  insistent.  Claws  resting  upon  a  horny 
"  shoe."  Inner  edge  of  middle  chiw  not,  or  not  fairly,  pectinate.  Side  of  upper  mandible  with 
a  deep  narrow  groove  for  its  wlnde  length  ;  bill  otherwise  very  differently  shaped  in  the  two 
families,  Ibidida  and  IHatakidee,  of  which  this  series  consists. 


43.   Family    IBIDID-^ :    Ibises. 

Bill  very  long  and  slender,  compressed-cylindrie,  curve<l  throughout,  deeply  grooved 
nearly  or  quit(Mo  tij),  which  is  rather  obtuse,  not  notched;  end  of  cuhnen  rather  broad  and 
depressed,  in  the  rest  of  its  extent  the  culmen  narrow  and  rounded;  interranuil  s]iace  narrow, 
acute,  produced  nearly  to  tip  of  bill.  (Whole  bill  thus  closely  resembling  a  Curlew's  ;  one  of 
our  species  is  frequently  called  "  Spanish  Curlew.'')  Legs  rather  short  (for  Jlciodioiwn). 
Claws  com  presfied,  acute ;  the  middle  maybe  dilated  and  jagged,  but  is  not  fairly  pectinate. 
Hallux  sub-insistent.  Tarsi  reticulate,  or  scutellate  in  front  only.  Anterior  toes  more  or  less 
webbed  at  base.  Pteryhisis  more  or  less  coin\detely  stork-like,  lacking  the  i)owder-dowu 
tracts  of  Herons  :  head  more  or  less  extensively  denuded.  Birds  of  medium  and  large  size 
(among  Herodiones),  long-legged,  long-necked  and  small-bodied,  with  ample  more  or  less 
rounded  wings,  of  which  the  inner  quills  are  very  large;  tail  very  short,  usually  if  not  always 
of  12  broad  rectrices.  ChieHy  lacustrine  and  palustrine  iidiabitants  of  the  warmer  parts  of  the 
globe,  feeding  on  fish,  reptiles,  and  other  animals.  The  sexes  are  alike ;  the  young  ditt'erent. 
There  are  about  24  species  of  Ibises,  among  which  the  minor  details  of  form  vary  cousiderablv, 
nearly  every  one  of  them  having  been  made  type  of  some  genus,  according  to  shap"  'f  bill, 
character  of  head-feathering,  condition  of  tarsal  envelope,  etc.  The  two  leading  modii.  'itions 
are,  tarsus  entirely  reticulate,  and  tarsus  scutellate  in  front ;  om-  genera  illustrate  the  latter. 

Obs.  Our  Wood  "  Ibis,"  so  called,  is  a  Stork.     See  beyond,  p.  052. 

Analysh  of  Genera  and  Species. 
Head  bare  on  sides  and  beneath.    Claws  scarcely  curved.    Colors  dark,  metallic,  greenish  oiid  chestnut. 

Plkgadis  252 

Face  without  white  feathers  in  adult /a/rinillua  649 

Face  surrounded  by  white  feathers  in  adult giiaraiiiia  660 

Head  extensively  bare  on  fTont,  sides,  and  beneath.    Claws  curved.    Colors  light,  dull,  red  or  white. 

ErDociMUS  283 

Adults  white allius  651 

Adults  scarlet ruber  652 


lUIDTlKK :   IlirSKS. 


tU!> 


252.  PLK'<iAni9.  ((ir.  »r\ijydj, /)/('.»;fi,i.  u  Ni-ytlic.  !*i(Ulc.)  (ii.ossv  IniREH.  Hill  t\vici>  as  l.iiig 
us  licml,  or  iiiorc,  rcifiilai'ly  ilccurvcil ;  Ixitli  iiiaiiilililrs  ttindvcd  mi  s'uU-*  t'ur  tlnir  wlinlc  Icnuili; 
ciiliiit'ii  prtiiniuciit  tVuiii  ncai'  base  fur  iiioMt  nf  its  Inintli,  tliittciicil  and  urodvctl  mi  tcnniiial  iwo- 
fifllis;  HyinitlijHiHof  lower  iimudililc  Kroovcd  to  tip.     'I'liiw  <'a('li  iimii<lilili',  tinvard  tliccml  of 

the  bill,  lia.s  H  fjroovi'H,  oiio  median  and  two  lateral;  (1  in  all.     Nostriln   linear,  in   advant f 

Irnse  of  n|i|H'r  niandildt',  in  its  lateral  ifiooves.  Frontal  feathers  sweepini^  with  stionyly  convex 
iiutliiie  aerosH  foridieud,  near  Init  not  i|nite  at  hase  of  hill  ;  lores  Itmudly  naked,  the  hare  Mpace 
einliraein^  eyes;  a  pointed   projection  of  feathers  on  side  of  lower  niandihle  ;  another  niediaii 

one  advaneiiii;  farther  and   iiior<'  acutely  on  hare  spai f  chin,  which  is  thus  forkeil  hehiiid. 

Tihiin  hare  for  ii  distance  e<|iial  to  half  or  more  of  the  length  of  tarsus  ;  mostly  reticnhite,  Init 
with  smooth  hare  skin  for  ii  space  ahove  in  front.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw, 
reticulate,  sciitellate  in  fr(ait.      Lateral  toes  nnei|ual,  the   inner  shortest.     Hind  toe   somewhat 

elevated,   without  claw  not   half   as   loiii,'  as  middle  toe  will t   claw.     Claws  all    loni;   and 

slightly  curved;  inner  edije  of  muliUe  one  dilated  and  cut  three  or  four  times,  hut  without  the 
reijnlar  "  comb  "  of  aileron's.  Winys  and  tail  ordinary,  latter  of  1;J  feathers.  Colors  dark 
j{lossy-i{reen  and  chestnut  ;  l)ill  and  feet  dark.  Two  or  three  species,  one  cosmopdlitan,  one 
or  two  confined  to  Anieriea.     Se.\es  alike;  young  diH'erent.     KkK**  whole-colored. 

010.  I>.  fiilclnel'lu8.  (Lat. /rtfcMiic«/«.s  <ir/«/ci)ie///M,  a  litth' scythe.)  Gl-ossY  hiis.  J  9i '"'"'': 
No  white  feathers  around  face.  Cleneral  c(dor  ri<'h  dark  pmplish-chestmit,  opac|ue,  channiut,' 
on  head,  back,  wings  (e.\<'e|iting  lesser  coverts),  and  tail,  to  flossy  dark  purplish-green  ;  sides 
and  lining  of  wings  and  crissiun  dii.sky  greenish ;  primari<'s  greenish-black.  Dill  blackish  ; 
legs  grayish-black  ;  iris  brown;  bare  skin  of  head  slaty-bliic.  Young:  Head,  neck,  and  under 
parts  grayish-brown,  the  two  former  streaked  with  whitish  ;  upper  (larts  glossy  dusky-green. 
Length  about  2  feet;  extent  about  M  feet;  wing  10.00-11. OH  inches;  tail  i.OO  ;  bill  l.M)- 
ii.M :  tibiie  bare  about  2. .50  ;  tarsus  U.50  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  rather  less.  This  birtl  is  chietly 
(Hd  World,  not  common  or  regular  in  America,  fiamd  occasionally  anywhere  K.  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, esiiecially  coastwise  and  .southerly  ;  N.  casually  to  New  England.  The  next  species  is 
much  more  abundant  in  its  prop(>r  range.  Kggs  with  shell  rougher  and  heavier  than  that  of 
heron's  eggs,  ovoidal,  not  elliptical,  greenish-bltip,  1.90  to  2.10  long,  by  about  1.48  broatl. 

050.  I*.  RHftrau'iia.  (Vox  barb.,  .S.  Am.)  WmTi:-K.\('i:i>  (ti,(i,ssY  Ini.s.  Adult  (J  :  A  white 
margin  of  feathers  entirely  surr(ainding  the  bare  sjiace  on  head.  Head  otherwise,  neck,  and 
entire  niuler  parts  of  the  body,  including  the  tibia*,  rich  purplisli-che.stuut,  (|uitc  iniiform  on 
the  under  parts,  (discured  with  dusky  <pn  the  bead  and  nape,  there  iridescent  with  violet.  Hack 
and  wings  inten.sely  iridescent  with  various  metallic  tints  ;  back,  wing-coverts,  and  inner  (piills 
shining  with  vitdet,  green,  and  purple;  scapulars  more  like  under  i)art8,  being  of  a  rich  deep 
wine-red  and  less  lustrous  than  the  wing-coverts.  Primaries  green,  with  brassy  or  almost 
golden  lustre.  Hump,  upper  tail-coverts  and  tail  chietly  green,  but  with  various  violet  and  purple 
reHections ;  lower  tail-coverts  similar,  cmitrasting  with  the  chestnut  of  the  belly.  i.,ining  of 
wings  brassy-green,  like  the  primaries;  axillars  viidet,  like  the  upper  wing-coverts.  l$aru 
facial  area  apparently  reddish.  Bill  blackish,  reddening  toward  end  ;  legs  and  feet  dusky- 
reddish ;  daws  blacki.sh;  iris  red.  Length  22.00-21.00;  ext<nt  ;}8.00-40.(M» ;  wing  10.00- 
11.00  ;  tail  3.75-4.25  ;  bill  5.00-5.50  ;  tibiie  bare  2.50  ;  tarsus  .'}.75  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  U.25  ; 
inner  do.,  2.50;  outer  do.,  2.90;  hind  do.,  1.60.  9  similar,  averaging  smaller ;  length  21.50; 
extent  HO. 00,  etc.  In  this  beautiful  species,  the  feathers  sweep  down  on  the  fca-ehead  with 
roguhir  conve:city,  nearly  but  not  (piite  to  the  base  of  the  culmen,  thence  retreating  around 
back  of  the  eye,  which  is  wlndly  in  bare  skin,  then  running  forward  to  a  point  on  the  sid<'  of 
the  lower  mandible ;  retreating  again,  then  running  forward  in  a  point  on  the  middle  line  of 
the  chin,  further  than  on  jaw  or  forehead  ;  there  being  thus  enclosed,  on  each  si(h'  of  the 
head,  abroad  iniked  space,  widest  forward,  narrowing  hebind  to  embrace  the  eye  ;  and  between 
the  rami  of  the  jaw  another  bare  space,  forked  behind  to  receive  the  projecting  feathers  of  the 


m 


650 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  HERODIONES  —  IBIDES. 


cliin,  and  not  quite  separated  from  the  bnro  loral  space,  because  the  feathers  on  the  side  of  the 
jaw  stop  a  little  short  of  the  liard  base  of  the  mandible.  Young,  first  ])luniagu  (with  traces  tit" 
down  still)  :  Iteniarkably  lustrous.  Plunuige  entirely  green  ;  legs  black  ;  bill  blackish,  irreg- 
ularly Wotched  or  regularly  banded  with  pinkish-white.  This  green  unic(dor  plumage,  consti- 
tuting Ihis  thalussinus  of  some,  is  retained  till  full  growth,  gradually  giving  way  through  a 


Pio.  4M  — Enrnpenn  Spoonbill,  Plalnlen  leucorotlia,  I  nat.  size.    (From  Brelini. ) 

Vmnvnish  or  grayish  to  the  purple-chestnut  and  iridescent  jdumage.  ("hicks  hatch  clothed  in 
blackish  down,  with  whitish  bill.  Southwesteni  IT.  S.,  especially  Texas;  N.  to  Kansas;  W. 
through  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  to  California  (to  OrcL'ou?),  and  fur  S.  in  tropical  America. 
Swarming  by  thousands  at  some  points  along  the  Ku>  (irande.  Nest  in  vast  heronries  with 
various  herons,  in  the  beds  of  reeds  and  rushes,  rising  in  air  by  "  hundreds  of  acres  "  when  a  gun 
is  fired.     Nest  strongly  and  compactly  woven  of  dead  reeds,  affixed  by  twining  to  broken  down 


253 


651 


053 


25< 


65: 


PL  A  TALEID^ :   SPOONBILL  S. 


051 


253. 


651. 


052. 


or  upright  living  ones,  about  a  foot  in  diiunptor  and  nearly  as  (Icep,  well  cupped,  tliua  unlike 
the  frail  platforms  herons  build.  Kggs  3-i,  rarely  5,  deep  bluish-green,  not  elliptieal,  from 
1.72  X  l-SO  to  2.-20  X  1.50,  averaging  1.99  X  1.12. 

KUDO'CIMUS.  (Gr.  (uddxt/xot,  well-tried,  approved,  famous.)  White  Ibis.  Scaui.kt 
Inis.  General  character  of  Plegadis.  Face  more  denuded,  witii  whole  chin  bare  (in  the  adults). 
Claws  stout,  obtuse,  curved.  I'lumage  not  metallic.  Color  white  or  red.  Eggs  spotted  (in 
E.  aUrns  at  least). 

K.  nl'buB.  (Lat.  rt/b«s,  white.)  White  Inis.  Spanish  Ciklew.  Adult  (J?:  Plumage  pure 
white  ;  tips  of  several  outer  prinuiricN  glossy  blacit.  Hare  face  and  most  of  hill,  and  legs  orange, 
red,  or  carmine ;  bill  tipped  with  du.sky.  Iris  pearly  blue.  Length  about  2(5.00  ;  extent  40. (tO  ; 
wing  11.50-12.50;  tail  5.00;  bill  5.00-7.00;  tansus  :5.50  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  2.50.  Sexes 
aliiic  ;  9  averaging  s'naller.  Young  :  Dull  brown,  rump  and  under  i)arts  white  ;  hare  parts  of 
head  of  less  extent,  yellowisli,  bill  the  same  ;  legs  bluish  ;  iris  brown.  Younger  :  Dull  brown  all 
over,  with  whitish  rump  and  gray  tail.  !^.  Atlantic  and  (Julf  States,  N.  to  the  Ohio,  rarely  to 
the  Middle  States,  casually  to  New  Kngland  :  W.  to  Tc'xas ;  resident  in  Florida.  Breeds  in 
commnnities  by  thousands  in  tangle  and  brake  and  tule  of  the  S.  coast;  nest  similar  to  that 
above  described,  but  of  twigs,  etc.  Kggs  3,  2.25  X  l-<)0,  dull  chalky  white,  blotched  and 
spotted  with  pale  yellowisli  and  dark  reddish-brown. 

K.  ru'ber.  (Lat.  )'i(?w,  red.)  Scaui.et  Iius.  .\dult  (J?:  I'lumage  scarlet :  tips  of  several 
outer  primaries  glossy  black.  Hare  parts  of  head,  hill,  and  legs  pale  lake  red.  Young  brownish- 
gray,  darker  above,  paler  or  whitish  below.  Size  and  proportions  nearly  as  in  the  last.  This 
splendid  creature  is  a  native  of  Tropical  America  :  accidental  in  the  IT.  S.  (.Seen  at  a  distance, 
not  procured,  Louisiana,  July,  1821,  Aiiihthim:  fragment  of  a  .specimen  examined,  Los  I'inos, 
N.  .M..  on  the  Rio  (Jrande,  .lune,  1864,  Cones  ;  "  Florida,"'  specimen  in  Museum  of  Charleston 
College,  S.  C,  Brewster.) 


44.    Family  PLATALEID-^:   Spoonbills. 

Hill  long,  flat,  remarkably  widened,  rounded,  and  sjioon-shaped  at  the  end.  Birds  of  this 
group  are  known  at  a  glance,  by  the  sinirularity  of  the  bill  ;  they  closely  resemble  the  foregoing 
in  structure  and  habit,  being  simply  spoon-billed  Ibises.  Two  genera,  with  five  or  six  species 
of  various  countries.  The  Anu'rican  genus  ditlers  notably  from  the  type  of  I'lat'dea,  in  having 
the  trachea  simple,  bifurcating  into  the  bronchi  high  in  the  neck  ;  the  bronchi  with  fusiform 
partly  membranous  dilatation  before  entering  the  thorax.  In  PluUilen  leiieortnliii  (fig.  151)  the 
trachea  is  peculiarly  couviduted  within  the  thorax. 
254.  Ajii'ja.  (Vox  barb.,  .S.  Am.)  Ameuican  Spooxnii.i.s.  Cliaracter  as  above  said.  In  addi- 
tion :  lleail  entirely  bah',  in  the  adult.  Throat  somewhat  ))ouched.  Nostrils  basal,  linear- 
oblong.  Tibial  and  tarsi  reticulate  witli  hexagonal  plates.  Toes  semipalnnite  ;  hind  toe  well 
down.  Tail  of  12  feathers.  Hill  broader  than  head  at  the  great -st  widtli  <if  tlu^  spoon.  A 
lateral  groove  the  whole  length  of  the  upper  mandible.  A  nail  at  end  of  bill ;  much  of  bill 
rugous  and  skinny.  A  recurved  tuft  of  feath<>rs  on  the  foreneck  below.  Colors  white  and  red. 
Se.\es  alike  ;  young  ditferent.  One  species. 
053.  A.  ro'sea.  (Lat.  rosea,  roseate.)  Roseate  Sioonbill.  Adult  ^  9  :  Ctround  cohir  white ; 
back  and  wings  delicate  rose-c(dor ;  under  parts  more  rosy  ;  plumes  of  the  lower  fore-neck, 
lesser  wing-coverts,  upper  and  under  tail-coverts,  rich  carmine  ;  shafts  of  wing-  and  tail-feathera 
cainiinc.  Tail  brownish-yellow,  and  a  patch  of  the  same  color  on  the  sides  of  the  breast ;  neck 
white.  Bald  head  varied  with  gr(>en,  yellow,  orange,  and  black  ;  bill  varied  with  greenish, 
bluish,  yellowish,  and  blackish  tints.  Legs  lake  red.  Iris  carmine.  Chiws  blacki.sh.  Length 
31.00-35.00;  extent  50.00-55.00;  wing  15.00-16.00;  tail  4.00-5.00;  bill  7.00,  2  inches  or 
more  across  the  Bpoou ;  tibia  bui'o  3.00 ;  tarsus  4.00 ;  middle  toe  and  daw  3.50  ;  hind  do. 


652 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  HERODIONES—  FELAUGI. 


2.00.  9  similiir,  smaller ;  length  30.00  or  less ;  extent  48.00.  Young  :  Head  mostly  feath- 
ered, and  general  color  grnyish-wliite  ;  acquire  white  with  rosy  the  second  year  ;  full  phnnago 
the  third.  Weight  of  adults  \\  or  4  lbs.  Tiiis  bird,  so  singular  in  fonn  and  magnificent  in 
color,  inhabits  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  and  soutliward  in  Tropical  America  ;  resi- 
dent in  Florida ;  N.  only  tt)  the  Carolinas.  Breeds  in  communities  in  trees  and  bushes  of 
tangled  swamps.  Nest  a  platform  of  sticks  like  a  heron's ;  eggs  usuaUy  3,  laid  iu  April,  nearly 
elliptical,  2.60  X  1.90,  white. 

13.   Suborder  PELARGI  :   The  Stork  Series. 

Skull  holorhiniil.  Angle  of  mandible  truncate.  Ambiens  muscle  and  accessory  femoro- 
caudal  absent ;  fomoro-caudal  present  or  absent ;  semitendiuosus  and  its  accessory  present ; 
pectoralis  major  double ;  biceps  cubiti  and  tensor  patagii  longus  disconnected.  Carotids  double, 
normal.  Two  intestinal  cceca.  A  tufted  oil-gland.  Plumage  without  powder-down ;  feath- 
ered tracts  broad.  Tarsi  normally  reticulate.  Hallux  not  fairly  insistent.  Claws  resting  upon 
a  horny  "shoe."  Inner  edge  of  middle  claw  not  pectinate.  Side  of  upper  mandible  ungrooved, 
witliout  nasal  fossa,  the  nostrils  bored  directly  in  its  substance;  bill  very  stout,  compressed, 
tapering,  straight  or  recurved  or  decurved. 

The  Storks  belong  chiefly  to  the  Old  World,  the  warm  and  temperate  portions  of  which 
they  inhabit.  There  are  about  a  dozen  species,  representing  nearly  as  many  genera  of  authors ; 
among  these  Anastomus  and  Hiator  are  remarkable  for  a  wide  interval  betwe<Mi  the  cutting 
edges  of  the  bill,  which  only  come  into  apposition  at  the  base  and  tip.  The  singular  African 
Scujjus  umbretta,  type  of  a  family,  is  often  placed  among  the  Herons,  but  its  pterylosis  is  that 
of  Storks. 

45.   Family  CICONIID-a: :  Storks. 

Bill  longer  than  head,  very  stout  at  base,  not  grooved,  tapering  tt>  the  straight,  recurved  or 
decurved  tip.  Nostrils  pierced  directly  iu  the  horny  substance,  without  nasal  scale  or  mem- 
brane, high  up  in  the  bill  close  to  its  base.  Legs  reticulate.  Hallux  not  or  not  completely 
insistent.     Claws  not  acute. 

The  family  falls  in  two  American  subfamilies,  that  of  the  Storks  jnopcr,  an<l  that  of  the 

so-caUed  "  Wood  Ibises."     Both  are  represented 
in  N.  America. 


58.  Subfamily  TANTALIN^:  Wood  Ibises. 

Bill  long,  extremely  stout  at  base,  where  it  is  as 
broad  as  the  fa<'e,  gradually  tapering  to  the  de- 
curved  tip,  without  nasal  groove  or  membrane,  the 
nostrils  directly  j)erforating  its  substance,  high  up 
at  base  of  upper  mandible.  Toes  lengthened,  the 
middle  not  less  than  half  as  long  as  the  tarsus,  the 
outer  longer  than  the  inner;  hind  toe  nearly  insist- 
ent;  claws  less  nail- like  than  hi  Ciconiiiifr.  One 
American  genus  and  s[)ccies,  and  one  genus  with 
3  or  4  species  of  Africa,  Southern  Asia,  and  part 
of  the  East  Indies.  As  these  birds  have  been  as- 
certained to  be  Storks,  it  is  unfortunate  that  the 
name   of   "  Ibis,"  tending  to  promote  confusion, 

,„      ,„    ,„,  „       ,      ,    ,„         should  be  too  firmly  attached  to  them  to  leave  any 

«-). —Wood  Ibts,  greatly  reduced.    (From  ,.      ,    .  i    ,.  ,     ,  /. 

after  Audubon.)  hope  of  its  bemg  abolished  from  such  connection. 


Fio. 
Tenney, 


I 


255 


648 


256. 


654. 


CICOMID^  —  CICOXIIX.E :   STOliKS. 


053 


Just  as  we  saw  tho  American  Spoonbill  Jistinguished  from  Plataka  of  the  Old  World,  so 
does  the  American  Wood  Ibis  difl'er  from  Old  World  Tautahis  to  a  marked  dejjirec  in  tho 
structure  of  the  windpipe;  but  this  time  it  is  <mr  bird  which  has  that  organ  simple,  it  being 
remarkably  complicated  iu  the  other.  In  I'anfnhi.i  ibis,  typical  of  the  genus,  the  trachea  is 
several  times  folded  and  doubled  upon  itself  iu  the  thorax.  In  Tantalus  loculator,  the  trachea 
is  short,  straight,  and  simido  in  its  lowi.T  ))art,  with  numenms  reduced  and  modilied  rings,  and 
ilattened  from  side  to  side,  producing  a  ridge  iu  front.  It  has  been  maiU)  type  of  a  genus 
Tantalides,  but  that  name  being  preoccupied,  a  new  one  seems  to  be  refpiired. 
255.  TAN'TALOPS.  (Gr.  TdwTaXot,  hat.  Tanta'its,  a  mythical  character;  wt/r.  o})S,  aspect.) 
Ameuican  Wood  Stouk  or  Wood  "Ibis."  Character  as  above.  In  addition:  Wlude  head 
and  part  of  the  neck  hare,  rugous  and  scaly  in  the  adult.  Nasal  fossic  not  continued  beyond  the 
nostrils.  Anterior  toes  webbed  at  base.  Tibise  bare  for  half  their  length.  Olaws  com- 
pressed, but  obtuse.  Head  feathered  in  the  young.  Sexes  alike.  Color  while  and  black. 
648.  T.  locula'tor.  (Lat.  locus,  a  place;  loculus,  a  little  place,  but  (|u.  loculator  in  its  application 
to  this  bird  ?  Fig.  455.)  Ameuican  Wood  Stouk.  Wood  litis.  Colorado  Ti:ukev. 
Adult  ^  9  •  Plumage  white,  the  wing-(piills,  primary  (diverts,  alula,  and  tail,  glossy  black. 
The  bald  head  livid  bluish  and  yellowish.  Bill  dingy  yellowish.  Legs  blue,  becoming  hlacki.sh 
on  the  toes,  the  webs  tinged  with  yellow.  Iris  dark  brown.  Lengtli  nearly  -1  feet ;  extent 
5.50  feet;  wing  1.50;  tail  0.50;  bill  9  inches,  2  or  more  deep  at  base:  tibiie  bare  0.00; 
tarsus  8.00  ;  middle  too  and  claw  4.75.  Weight  10  or  12  lbs.  9  smaller  than  ^.  Young: 
Head  downy-feathered;  the  jdumago  dark  gray,  with  blackish  wings  and  tail;  plumage 
whitening  and  liead  becoming  bald  after  tho  first  month.  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States, 
and  across  in  corresponding  latitudes  to  tiie  Colorado  River,  where  abundant.  N.  to  the 
Carcdinas;  up  the  Mississippi  to  the  Ohio;  casually  straying  to  Penn.,  N.Y.,  and  even  New 
England  (?).i  W.  I.,  Mcx.,  C.  and  S.  Am.  Resident  in  the  S.  States;  abundant ;  gregarious; 
freciuents  the  most  thickly  wooded  swamps  and  bayous,  fairly  swarming  in  its  heronries;  flight 
performed  with  alternate  flapping  and  sailing;  at  times  mounts  high  in  air  and  i)erfoniis  tiu; 
most  beautiful  evolutions,  with  motionless  wings,  like  a  turkey  buzzard.  Eggs  2-3,  elliptical 
in  contour,  shell  rough  with  flaky  substance ;  color  white  ;  size  2.75  X  1'75. 


59.    Subfamily  CICONIIN^:  True  Storks. 

iJill  as  above  described,  but  end  not  decurved  (straight  or  rwurved).  Nostrils  nearly 
lateral.  Toes  short,  the  middle  less  than  half  the  tarsus.  Lateral  toes  nearly  e(jual.  Ilind 
toe  not  insistent.  Claws  short,  broad,  obtuse,  flattened  like  nails.  Several  Old  World  and 
two  American  genera,  Dissoum  (D.  maguari)  and  Mi/cteria. 
256.  MYCTE'RIA.  (Gr.  nvKTTjp,  mv.kter,  the  snout;  fivKnipiCat,  vuikterizo,  I  turn  up  tho  nose.) 
Jaihuus.  Bill  immensely  large,  recurved.  Whole  head  and  neck  bare,  except  a  hairy  patch 
on  the  occiput.  Tail  not  peculiar.  (In  Dissoura,  bill  moderate,  straight,  head  mostly  feathered, 
tail  forked,  and  its  under  coverts  stiffened  and  lengthened,  resembling  rectrices.) 
654.  M.  amerlca'na.  American  Jauiuu.  Adult :  Plumage  entirely  white.  Bill,  logs,  and  feet, 
and  bare  skin  of  head  and  neck,  black,  the  neck  with  a  broad  bright  red  collar  round  the  lower 
portion.  Immature  (transition  pluunige) :  Rump,  upper  tail-coverts  and  tail,  white ;  rest  of 
upper  parts,  including  feathered  portion  of  lower  neck,  soft  light  brownish-gray,  irregularly 
mixed,  except  on  lower  neck,  with  white  feathers  of  the  adult  livery;  lower  parts  entirely 
white.  Bill,  etc.,  colored  as  in  the  adult.  Wing  24.50-26.00;  tail  9.50  ;  culmon  9.73-12.;iO  ; 
depth  of  bill  through  base  about  2.50  ;  tarsus  11.25-11.50;  middle  too  4.20-4.50.  Tropical 
America,  N.  to  Texas. 

•  Mr.  Allen  infomiB  me  that  the  alleged  New  England  case  is  doubtless  errnnenu(.(Bull.  Nuttall  Club,  vtll, 
July,  1883,  p.  187). 


654 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —HEliODIONES—UEKODII. 


U.     SiBOKDEit  IIEllODII :   TiiK  Hkkon  Skuies. 

Skull  holorhiniil.  Anglo  of  iniuuliblo  truiieiito.  Aiiibions  intisflc,  and  accessory  fciiioro- 
caiuUil,  ab.^i'iit  ;  IViiiioro-ciuulal,  si'initeiuliiious  ami  its  accessory,  present.  Carotids  doiiMe, 
Buiuctiiiies  abnormal  (p.  198).  One  intestinal  ccecnni.  Tongue  moderate.  A  tufted  oil-gland. 
I'hnnage  with  2— t  pairs  of  powder-down  tracts;  feathered  tracts  very  narrow.  Tarsi  normally 
Bcutellate.  IIallu.K  long  and  perfectly  insistent,  with  long  claw.  Inner  edge  of  middle  claw 
distinctly  pectinate.  Hill  variable  with  the  families,  normally  narrow  and  wedged,  with  long 
nasal  fossti;. 

The  «-xtniordinary  liahemceps  rcr,  the  Shoe-bill  or  Whale-lieiul,  of  Africa,  with  an 
enormous  head  and  bill,  thick  neck,  and  one  jtair  of  powder-down  tracts,  is  the  type  of  a  family 
B(diemcipitid<c,  which  may  beUaig  here;  but  it  approaches  the  Storks,  and  its  peculiarities  are 
so  great  that  it  may  constitute  a  separate  superfamily  group.  The  Hoat-billed  Ilenm  {('aucnmia 
cochlcaria)  of  Central  America,  with  a  singular  shape  of  bill  that  has  suggested  the  name,  and 
four  pairs  of  jiowder-dowu  tracts,  constitutes  one  family  of  Jlerodii  {Voucromidte).  The  dis- 
puted cases  of  Eiiii/pinin  and  Scopun  have  already  been  mentioned.  These  and  .some  other 
doubtful  forms  aside,  the  Heron  series  is  represented  by  the  single 

46.    Family  ARDEID^  :   Herons. 

It  ia  in  this  family,  as  in  Cunciomid<e,  that  powder-down  tracts  reach  their  highest  devel- 
opment; and  although  these  peculiar  feathers  occur  in  sonie  other  birds,  there  appears  to  be 
then  only  a  single  pair ;  so  that  the  jirescnce  of  two  or  three  pairs  is  probably  diagnostic  of 
this  family.  In  the  genus  Ardea  and  its  immediattv  allies  {Anhin<r)  there  are  three  ))airs, 
tl'.e  normal  nmnber;  one  on  the  lower  back  over  the  hips,  mm  on  the  lower  belly  under  the 
hips,  anil  one  on  the  breast,  along  the  track  of  the  furcula.  In  the  Bitterns  {liutunriiuc)  the 
second  of  these  is  wanting.  (In  the  noat-billed  Heron,  Caucroma  (vcldvarid,  there  is  still 
another  pair,  over  the  shoidder-blades.)  There  are  other  pterylographic  characters ;  in  gen- 
eral, the  tracks  are  extremely  narrow,  often  only  two  feathers  wide;  there  are  lateral  neck 
tracks  ;  the  lower  neck  is  frequently  bare  behind.  More  obvious  characters  are,  the  complete 
feathering  of  the  head  (as  compared  with  Storks,  etc.)  except  definite  nakedness  of  the  lores 
alone  —  the  bill  appearing  to  run  directly  into  tin?  eyes ;  a  general  hioseness  of  llu'  plnniage 
(as  compared  with  Liiiiicohr),  ami  especially  the  fre(|uent  devi'lopment  of  remarkably  length- 
ened, or  otherwise  modified,  feathers,  constituting  the  beautiful  crests  and  dorsal  plumes  that 
ornanu'Ut  many  species,  but  which,  as  a  rule,  are  worn  only  during  the  breeding  .season. 
These  features  will  suHice  to  determine  the  Ardeidte,  taken  in  connection  with  the  more  general 
<mes  indicated  unih'r  head  of  llerodiows,  and  the  following  details  :  — 

IJill  longer  than  head,  usually  about  as  long  as  tarsus,  straight,  or  very  nearly  so,  more 
or  less  compressed,  acute,  cultrat<^  (with  sharp  cutting  edges) ;  upjier  mandible  with  a  long 
groove.  Nostrils  mortMir  less  linear,  j)ervious.  Head  narrow  and  elongate,  sloping  down  to 
the  bill,  its  sides  flattened.  Lores  naked;  n'st  of  head  feathered,  the  frontal  feathers  extending 
in  a  rounded  outline  on  the  base  of  the  culmen,  generally  to  the  nostrils.  Wings  broad  and 
ample;  the  inner  (piills  usually  as  long  as  the  primaries,  folding  over  them  when  the  wing  is 
closed.  Tail  very  short,  of  twelve  (usually)  or  ten  (in  Zvbrihis  and  Butniiriiue)  soft  broad 
feathers.  Tibia'  naked  below  (exci']>t  Xrhrillux),  sometimes  for  a  great  distance.  Tarsi 
sciitellate  in  front  (except  TifiriHotna),  and  sonu'times  behind,  generally  reticiilat<'  there  and 
on  the  sides.  Toes  biug  ami  slemlor  ;  the  outer  usually  connected  with  the  midille  by  a  basal 
web,  the  hinder  very  long  (fia-  wailing  birds),  inserted  on  the  level  of  the  rest.  Hind  claw 
larger  and  more  curved  than  the  middle  one  (always  i)  ;  the  middle  v\n\v  jJi'ctiiiute. 

The  group  thus  defined  offers  little  variation  in  form;    all  the  numerous  geiuTii  now 


AKDEWJH:   HERONS. 


666 


in  vogue  have  beeu  successively  dctaelied  from  Arikn,  tlie  typical  one,  with  which  mauy 
of  theui  should  be  reuuited.    The  "  Niglit  llciuus"  (Ni/ctuinlea  uud  Syderodiun)  differ  sonie- 


Fio.  450. —  llorDiis,  lilcallzcil  from  .(iv/ki  ciiiiita.    (From  Mlclielut) 

what  in  shortness  ami  especially  stoutness  of  Mil ;  while  the  Hitterns  (lUitiiKiiis  and  Ardrllo), 
tlie  South  Aiiii.'ricau  genera  TiijrUoiiM,  Hebrilus,  and  a  tow  others,  arc  still  bettor  marked. 


656 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  HEROLIONES  —  HEBODII. 


There  are  aTiout  seventy-five  species,  very  generally  distribnted  over  the  gh)be,  but  especially 
abounding  in  the  torrid  and  temperate  zones.  Those  that  penetrate  to  cold  countries  in 
sununer  are  regular  migrants;  the  others  are  generally  staticmary.  They  are  maritime, 
lacustrine  and  jialudieole  birds,  drawing  their  chief  sustenance  from  animal  substances  taken 
from  the  water,  or  from  soft  ground  in  its  vicinity  ;  such  as  fish,  reptiles,  tostaeeuns,  and 
insects,  captured  by  a  (piick  thrust  of  the  spear-like  bill,  given  as  the  bird  stands  in  wait 
or  wades  stealthily  along.  In  cimformity  with  this,  the  gullet  is  capacious,  but  without 
special  dilatation,  the  st<mnu-h  is  .small  and  little  muscular,  the  intestines  are  long  and  ex- 
tr(;mely  slender,  with  a  large  globular  cloaca  and  a  coecum.  Herons  are  altricial,  and 
generally  nest  in  trees  or  bushes  (where  their  insessorial  feet  enable  them  to  j)er(di  with  ease), 
in  swampy  or  other  places  near  the  water,  often  in  large  communities,  building  a  large  fiat 
rude  structure  of  sticks.  The  eggs  vary  in  number,  coincidently,  to  some  extent,  with  the 
size  of  the  species;  the  larger  herons  generally  lay  two  or  thre<',  the  smaller  kinds  five  or  six  ; 
the  eggs  are  somewhat  ellipticial  in  sha])e,  and  usually  of  an  unvariegated  bluish  or  greenish 
shade.  The  voice  is  a  rough  croak.  The  sexes  are  nearly  always  alike  in  cidor  (remark- 
able excejitiou  in  Ardetta) ;  but  the  species  in  Avhich,  as  in  the  Bittern,  the  plumage  is  nearly 
unchangeable,  are  very  few.  Indeed,  ))r(d>ably  no  birds  show  greater  changes  of  ])lumage, 
with  age  and  season,  than  nearly  all  the  herons.  Their  beautiful  plumes  are  only  worn 
during  the  breedin/i;  seasim;  the  young  invariably  lack  them.  There  are  . still  more  remark- 
able difterences  of  plumage  in  many  cases,  constituting  dichmniatism,  or  permanent  nornuil 
difi'erence  in  color,  like  that  of  the  "  red  "  and  "  gray  "  specimens  of  Scops  Owl.  Thus,  some 
species  are  pure  white  at  all  ages  and  seasons,  hi  both  sexes,  other  individuals  of  the  sanu' 
species  being  variously  colored.  Such  dichromatism  ai)pears  in  our  Ardea  occidenttdis,  iJi- 
chromiiHusm  rufa,  and  Florida  carulea.  It  was  fornu'rlj-  believed  in  the  cases  of  the  tw(» 
latter,  that  the  white-  w<!re  the  young,  the  ccdored  the  adults ;  but  it  now  apjiears  that  the 
difi'erence  is  permanent,  and  independent  of  age,  sex,  or  season.  Many  specic^s  are  jjure  white 
at  all  times,  and  to  these  the  name  of  "egret"  more  particularly  belongs;  but  1  should 
correct  a  j)revalent  impression  that  an  egret  is  anything  particularly  dift'crent  from  other  herons. 
The  name,  a  corruption  of  the  French  word  "  aigrette,"  simply  refers  to  the  plumes  that 
ornament  most  of  the  herons,  white  <u-  otherwise,  and  has  no  dassificatory  nu'aning ;  its 
application,  in  any  given  instance,  is  purely  conventional.  The  colors  of  the  bill,  lores,  and 
feet  are  extremely  variable,  not  only  with  age  or  season,  but  as  individual  peculiarities  ;  some- 
times tlu!  two  legs  of  the  same  specimen  are  not  cidored  exactly  alike.  The  9  's  commonly 
smaller  than  the  $.  The  normal  individual  variability  in  stature  and  relative  length  of  j)arts 
is  very  great ;  and  it  has  even  been  noted  that  a  specimen  may  have  one  leg  larger  than  the 
other,  and  the  toes  of  (nie  fo(jt  longer  than  those  of  the  other  —  a  circumstance  jierhaps  result- 
ing from  the  common  habit  of  these  birds  of  standing  for  a  long  time  on  one  leg. 

The  North  American  Ardeidai,  if  not  the  whoh?  family,  are  divisible  into  the  two  subfamilies 
of  Ardei)ia,  or  Herons  proper,  and  Botanrin<p.,  or  Bitterns. 

Analysis  of  Subfamilies,  Genera,  and  Subgenera. 

BoTArRiN^,.    Tail-feathers  10.    Two  pairs  of  powder-down  tractu.    (Bitterns.) 

Very  small ;  length  about  a  foot.    Sexes  unlike Ardetta    267 

Sledlum  sized ;  length  about  2  feet.    Sexes  alike Boiaurus    286 

Abdein*.    Tail-feathers  12.    Three  pairs  of  powder-down  tracts.    (Herons.) 

Bill  stout  and  comparatively  short,  not  longer  than  very  short  tarsus,  which  Is  not  perfectly  scutel- 
late  in  front.    (Night  Herons.) 

Gonys  convex,  like  the  culmen ;  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw Niiclerodius    26S 

Gonys  about  straight;  tarsus almut  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw Xyctiardea    264 

Bin  ordinary.    Tarsus  scutellate  in  front. 

Length  under  20  Inches.    Tarsus  almut  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw.    Greeu   ....  Butorldcs    263 
Length  over  20  inches,  under  30.    Blue,  white,  or  variegated. 

Blue  or  white.    Adult  without  decomposed  feathers  on  back Florida   268 


■^ 


AUDEIDyi:  —  AUDEINA:  :   HKHON,^. 


\\i)i 


257. 


fl5!J 


Always  white.    Adult  with  ilecorapoaed  recurvoil  featlierB  on  buck Giir-:etltt    WJ 

^Vuhy-blue,  white  liuluw.    Bill  luiigur  thuii  turHii.s Ilyttranussn    I'liO 

Length  30,  nut  3U  inches.    Blue  or  white.    Titrsuit  twice  uh  lung  as  miildle  too.    Bill  itliortci' than 

tursus Diihnimnuiuaii 

Length  30  or  more.    Kntlrely  white  ;  no  crest ;  long  lU'comiiimcJ  feathers  on  hack    .    .    JliioiliiiH 
Length  •!:!  or  more ;  of  dark  varied  colors,  or  white  ;  crested,  wilhout  dorsal  plumes     .    .     .Inha 


■-■fil 

•a-, 


60.    Subfamily  ARDEIN/E 

Tivil-foathcra  12  (in  nil  N. 
Am.  goiioni),  broiid  and  .stitt- 
i.-ih.  I'owder-dowu  Iriicts  3 
pairs.  Tibitu  naked  bidow. 
Outer  toe  not  shorter  than  in- 
ner. Claws  moderate,  curved. 
(Embracing  most  of  the  spe- 
cies of  the  family,  and  all  our 
species  excepting  the  IJit- 
toriis.) 

AR'DEA.  (Lat.  ardea^  a 
heron.)  Great  IlEitoxs.  Of 
largest  size.  Neck  and  legs 
very  long,  former  well  feath- 
ered all  around.  Tibiic  exten- 
sively denuded  below.  Tarsus 
longer  than  middle  toe  and 
claw.  Outer  lateral  toe  longer 
than  inner.  Bill  sliorttir  than 
tarsus,  equal  to  or  longer  than 
mid<lle  toe  and  claw.  Colors 
dark  and  varied,  exceptionally 
white;  back  without  length- 
ened loosened  plumes ;  scai)U- 
lars  lanceolate,  lengthened,  but 
not  loosened;  lower  fore-neck 
with  lengthened  feathers ;  head 
crested,  in  breeding  season  with 
two  long,  slender,  flowing,  oc- 
cipital plumes.  Sexes  alike; 
young  similar,  but  lacking  all 
lengthened  feathers.  Di(diro- 
matic.  (Genera  258-263  should 
be  reduced  to  subgenera  of 
Ardea.) 


True  Herons. 


Fio.  457. —Great  Blue  Heron,  greatly  reduced. 
Audubon. 


(From  Tenney,  after 


Analysis  of  Species. 


Tibiic  and  edge  of  wing  white;  occiput  and  plumes  black.    (Europe.) cinerea  657 

Tibias  and  edge  of  wing  rufous ;  or  whole  plumage  white. 

Occiput  and  plumes  black ;  whole  iihunage  varied.    Bill  6  or  less;  tarsus  .S  or  less    ....   Iifnulian  fiS.'i 

Occiput  and  plumes  white;  or,  whole  plumage  white.    Bill  (i  or  more;  tarsusS  or  more     orriil,  lUalis  ti.')0 

A.  hero'dlas.  (Lat. /iwof/ias,  a  proper  name  ;  Gt.  tpaSias,  erodias,  nhi'ritu.  Fig.  t.57.)  Great 
Blue  Heron.  Of  large  size,  and  varied  dark  colors;  not  dichromatic.  Back  without  peculiar 
plumes  at  any  season,  but  scapulars  lengthened  and  lanceolate  ;  au  <jccipital  crest,  two  de- 

42 


658 


SYSl'EMA TIG  SYNOPSIS.  —  HEIiODIONES  —  HERODII. 


dduouB  feathers  of  which  in  tho  breeding  season  uro  long  and  filamentous;  long  loose  feathers 
on  the  lower  neck.  Length  42.00-50.00;  e.xtent  about  70.00 ;  wing  lS.00-20.00;  tail  7-00- 
8.00;  bill  4.50-6.25,  usually  between  5.00  and  (i.OO;  tibiic  bare  ;5.00-4.00;  tarsus  G. 00-8.00, 
usually  (1.50-7.00 ;  middle  toe  and  claw  about  5.00.  9  average  smaller  than  $.  Weight  C)  or 
8  lbs.  Adult  $  9 ,  in  breeding  dress:  Hill  yellow,  jnore  or  less  blackened  on  culnien ;  lores 
blue  ;  iris  chrome-yellow  ;  legs  and  feet  blackish,  the  soles  yellowish.  Tibhi  and  edge  of  wing 
chestnut-brown.  Forehead  and  middle  of  crown  white;  sides  of  crown  and  occipital  crest 
black.  Neck  jtale  purplish-gray,  with  a  mixed  white,  black,  and  rusty  throat-line,  yielding 
to  white  on  chin  and  cheeks.  Plumes  of  lower  neck,  the  breast,  and  belly,  black,  more  or  less 
interrupted  with  wliitc  streaks  on  the  middle  line  ;  crissum  white.  Uin)er  parts  in  general 
slaty-blue ;  tail  the  same ;  long  scapular  feathers  more  pearly-gray ;  wing-(iuills  deepening 
from  this  ctdor  to  the  black  primaries.  Young :  Without  any  long  feathers.  Crown  and  front 
witliout  white ;  whole  tojt  of  head  blackish.  Tibiie  and  edge  of  wing  paler  rufous,  or  whitish. 
General  c(dor  of  upper  ])arts  paler  and  more  grayish-blue,  more  or  less  tinged  with  rusty. 
lilack  of  under  parts  replaced  by  ashy.  Upper  mandible  mostly  blackish  ;  lores  and  most  of 
lower  mandible  greenish,  rest  of  tiie  latter  and  the  eyes,  yellow  ;  tibite  greenish.  There  are 
endless  variations  in  plumage  and  colors  of  the  soft  i)arts,  but  this  great  species  cannot  be 
mistaken,  being  only  closely  related  to  the  c(dored  phase  of  tlie  ne.\t.  N.  Am.  at  large,  and 
much  of  C.  and  S.  Am.,  N.  to  Labrador,  Hudson's  IJay,  and  Sitka  in  Alaska;  northerly  migra- 
tory; elsewhere  resident.  Breeds  in  suitable  places  throughout  its  range,  sometiines  singly, 
oftener  in  gn^at  heronries  to  which  the  birds  resort  year  after  year,  shared  usually  with  otluT 
species  of  its  tribe.  Nest  usually  in  trees  or  bushes,  in  tiie  West  sometimes  on  cliffs ;  eggs 
3-6,  oftener  3-4,  pale  dull  greenish-blue,  ellipsoidal,  about  2.50-1.50. 

656.  A.  occidenta'lls.  (Lat.  occidentalis,  western.)  Florida  Hkron.  Great  White  IIeuon. 
Wi'iRUEMANN's  Heron.  Similar  to  the  last;  larger;  dichromatic.  Length  54.00;  extent 
83.00;  wii.g  19.00-21.00;  tail  8.00;  bill  6.50;  tarsus  8.00-8.50;  tibiie  bare  5.50.  ^  ?, 
adult,  (Hdo  ed  phase  (wurdemanni  Bd.)  :  Head,  with  the  cre.st,  white,  the  forehead  streakeil 
with  black  edges  of  the  feathers.  Under  parts  white,  the  sides  streaked  with  black  ;  lower 
])lumes  of  neck  white,  mostly  streaked  with  black  edges  of  the  feathers.  Neck  purplish-gray, 
darker  than  in  A.  herodias,  with  a  similar  throat-line  of  white,  black,  and  rufous.  ITnder 
wing-coverts  streaked  with  white;  rufous  of  edge  of  wing  less  extensive  than  in  A.  herodias, 
that  of  the  tibia;  paler.  Tibiie  and  soles  of  feet  yellow  ;  tarsi  and  top  of  toes  yellowish-green. 
Young:  Like  young  herodias;  top  of  head  dusky,  the  feathers  with  whitish  shaft-lines  and 
bases.  Lesser  wing-coverts  sj)eckled  with  rusty,  the  under  ones  with  white.  Adult  <J  9  hi 
white  phase  (occidentalis  And.):  Color  entirely  pure  white;  bill  and  eyes  yellow;  culmen 
greenish  at  base;  hires  bluish;  legs  yellow,  greenish  in  front.  Southern  Fhirida;  Cuba; 
Jamaica;  "  S.  Illinois  and  Indiana."     Eggs  3,  2.75  X  1.67. 

Obs. — A.  warrtl  is  described  as  indistinguishable  in  its  white  plia.se  from  the  last;  in  its 
cohired  phase  exactly  like  tlie  last,  but  head  colored  as  in  herodias;  bill  6.50-7.00;  tarsus 
8.50-9.0(1.     Florida.     (Hull.  Nutt.  Club,  vii,  Jan.  1882,  p.  5.) 

657.  A.  cine'rea.  (Lat.  OHerert,  ashy.  Fig.  156.)  Eruoi'EAN  Hue  Heron.  Character  similar 
to  that  of  A.  herodias  ;  easily  distinguished  by  the  white  (not  chestnut)  tibia'  and  border  of 
wings,  aiul  ashy  neck.     Europe;  only  N.  American  as  a  straggler  to  Greenland. 

268.  HERODIAS.  (Lat.  herodias  ;  see  above,  No.  6.55.  Fig.  458.)  Great  Egret  Herons. 
Character  of  Ardea  proper,  excepting  in  plumage;  color  white;  no  crest;  a  long  depending 
train  of  stiff-shafted  loose-webbed  scapular  feathers  in  the  breeding  season.  Size  large,  only 
exceeded  by  the  species  of  ylrrfcrt.     (See  fig.  of  the  European  species,  //.  alba.) 

658.  H.  egret'ta.  (0.  H.  G.  hieyro,  a  heron;  Fr.  aigrette,  a  jdume;  Engl,  egret.)  Great 
White  Eoret.  White  Heron.  No  obviously  lengthened  feathers  on  the  head  at  any  time; 
in  the  breeding  season,  back  with  a  magnifiwint  train  of  very  long  plumes  of  decomposed,  fas- 


259. 


:  \ 


AlWEID^i:  —  AIWEINJE :    HERONS. 


ti59 


tigiiito  feathers  droriping  far  beyond  the  tail;  neck  closely  feathered.  Plumase  entirely  white 
at  all  seasons.  Hill,  h.res,  and  eyes,  yellow;  legs  and  feet  Mack.  Lengtii  ;{(>.()0-k>.(l()  (not  in- 
cluding the  dorsal  train,  wiiich  is  a  Foot  or  more  longer)  ;  extent  55.00  ;  wing  1(1.00-17.00  ;  tail 
5.50-().50;  1)1114.50-5.00;  tarsus  about  (i. 00 ;  tibiie  bare  3.50.  ?  averaging  suiallcr  tiian  f. 
U.  S.  southerly,  and  inucii  of  W.  I.,  C.  and  S.  Am.  ;  straggling  northward  to  Nova  Scotia^ 


Fio.  438.  —  European  Great  White  Kgret, //crw/ius  a/6rt,  J  nat.  size.    (From  Brelim.) 

Canada,  Minnesota,  etc.;  resident  in  the  south.  Breeds  like  other  Iiemns:  eggs  ."5-1-, 
2.20-1.55. 
259.  OARZET'TA.  (Ital.  name  of  a  iieron.  Fig.  159.)  Smam.  EdUKT  IIkuoxs.  Form  of  the 
preceding,  but  size  small;  letigth  about  i  feet.  C<dor  white:  an  occiiiital  crest,  and  sliort 
recurved  train  of  stiff-shafted  loose-webbed  featiiers  in  the  breeding  season  ;  lower  neck-feathers 
lengthened,  depending.     (See  fig.  of  the  European  species,  G.  iiicca.) 


m 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOr:iIiS.  —  llEliODWNES  —  llEUODll. 


050.  O.  candidls'slnia.  (Liit.  candidissima,  very  wliitc ;  Candida,  white.)  Littlk  White 
EuUET.  Snowy  IIkuon.  Adults  witli  u  long  (jccipital  crest  of  dciMiinpowd  fciithurs,  and 
siiiiilar  dorsal  pliniici,  latter  recurved  whau  pert'ect;  .xiiuiiar,  but  not  rt'curvcd  ]dnni<.'s  on  thi] 
lower  neck,  which  is  bare  behind.  Lore.s,  eyes,  and  toes  yellow  ;  1)111  aftd  leg.s  black,  lornier 
yellow  at  base,  latter  yellow  at  the  lower  part  behind.  Plumage  always  entirely  white. 
Length  about   24.00;  extent  30.00-40.00;  wing  U.uO-ll.OO;  tail  4.00;  bill   3.00  or  more; 


Fio.  459.  —  European  Little  White  Egret,  Gar:eltn  ninca,  J  iiat.  size.    (From  lirclim,) 

tibiflB  bare  2.50  ;  tarsus  3.75  •  middle  toe  2.75.  S.  States  ;  Cala. ;  Middle  States,  in  .summer  ; 
N.  ocrasionally  to  New  England,  f'anada,  and  Nova  Scotia.  Abundant  in  its  regular  range; 
resident  in  the  South  and  beyond  ;  breeds  throughout.  Eggs  about  4,  l.()7  X  1.25. 
260.  HYDRANAS'SA.  (Or.  v8a>p,  hiidor,  water,  giving  in  Lat.  /*//(/)•- ;  I'vaa-aa,  aiitis.sa,  a  queen.) 
Dkmoiski.i.e  EdUETS.  Of  medium  size:  length  under  two  and  a  half  or  three  feet.  Hill 
very  slender,  contracted  from  the  base  toward  the  middle,  Avith  almost  a  little  concave  upper 
and  under  outline,  then  tapering  to  a  point ;   in  length  equalling  or  exceeding   the  tarsus. 


A RDKIDA:  —  A UDEIS.E :    HK110.\S. 


Gdl 


Toos  coinpnrutivcly  short,  tlio  iniildlc  littlo  morr  tlmii  Imlt'  the  taisns.  Ailiilt  with  fciithrrs 
(if  the  lu'iul  and  neck  IciiiHtlu'iKMl,  liiiicoipliite,  witli  Wfll-di'tincd  cdycs ;  an  (icciiiital  crest  nf 
Hcvi'ral  Idiii;  jdiiincs,  and  siplciidid  dur.sal  train  ut'  dccdniimscd,  tVinuf-iiitc  fcatiicrs  dcpi'mlinn 
licyond  tlic  tail.  Diclirmiiatifini  nut  lomwii. 
BOO.  H.  tplVolor.  (I^at.  ^I'co/oc,  thrct'-c(d<ircd.)  LinisiAXA  EdUK.r.  "  I-Ai>v  or  Tin;  Watk.us  " 
Aiinlt :  Siaty-I)lni'  on  tlio  baolt  and  wings,  mostly  white  helow  and  alontf  the  throat-lini' ;  crest 
and  most  of  the  neck  reddish-imrple,  uuxf'd  helow  with  slaty;  the  longer  narrow  feathers 
of  tiio  crest  white  ;  lower  back  and  rumii  white,  hut  concealed  hy  the  <lnll  imrplish-hrown  feath- 
ers of  the  train,  which  whiten  towards  tho  oud.  Hill  hlack  and  yellow;  lores  yellow;  legs 
yeliowish-grren,  dnsky  in  front.  Iris  red.  Yonug  variously  ditfereiit,  bnt  never  white; 
lacking  the  long  occi[iital  jilnniPs  and  dorsal  train;  nock  a.ud  hack  bright  brownish-red; 
rump,  throat-line  and  nniUir  parts  white  ;  <|nill«  and  tail  pale  jinrpli^h-bliie ;  legs  dnsky- 
grecnish.  Length  24.(1(1-27.(111  (exclusive  of  the  hmg  train) ;  I'.xtent  ;i7.liO-:j',».(iO  ;  wing  Kl.oo- 
11.00;  taii;i..")0;  bill  4.(IO-.').(IO ;  tibiit- bare  2.25  ;  tarsus  1.00;  middle  toe  and  claw  .'i.OO.  S. 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  chiefly  miiritinui,  very  rarely  N.  to  the  Middle  districts  ;  ,S.  in  tropical 
Am.  Resident  along  our  southern  coasts.  Hreeds  in  communities  like  other  herons.  Nest  and 
eggs  scarc(dy  distinguishable  fr<im  those  of  the  snowy  heron;  eggs  rather  less  elli|ilical, 
usually  4  in  number,  averaging  1.78  XI  .'iO. 

261.  DICIIROMANAS'SA.  ((Jr.  fii'j  (lis,  twice;  xi'^t^"'  ''l'>'f»ii(l,  c(dor ;  anil  am(T<Ta;  alluding 
to  the  dichromatisni  of  I),  nif'o.)  I)i(;iik()ic  K(;ifi:rs.  ( )f  medium  sizi- ;  length  about  two  and 
a  half  feet.  Hill  slencU'r,  much  as  in  the  last,  but  shorter  than  the  very  long  tarsus,  which 
is  about  twice  as  long  as  the  middle  toe  and  (daw.  Toes  extrenudy  siiort  (for  this  family). 
Feathers  of  head  and  ne(d{  (doiigate,  lance-linear  aiul  stillish,  distinct ;  the  longest  forming 
occipital  and  jugular  tufts.  A  dorsal  train  of  long  (h>composed  fastigiate  feathers,  with  siilf- 
eiied  shafts.  Dichnjnnitic ;  pure  whit(^  or  ccdored  ;  in  latter  state,  without  the  white  throat- 
lino  of  most  herons. 

801.  D.  ru'fa.  (Lat.  »•«/(■«,  reddish.)  Hkhkisii  iMiitKT.  I'i:ai-k's  KciiiKT.  In  the  colored  ]duise: 
Adult  grayisb-bltie,  rather  paler  Ixdow  ;  no  white  throat-line;  lie;id  and  neck  lilac-brown; 
ends  of  th(i  train  y(dlowisb.  Hill  bla(di  on  the  terminal  third,  the  rest  ilesh-c(dored,  like  the 
lores;  iris  white  ;  kigs  blue,  tho  scales  of  th(^  tarsus  hlacki.sh.  In  the  white  phase:  Plum- 
age entirely  pure  white.  Hill,  lores,  and  eyes  as  before;  legs  dark  greenish,  the  sides 
yidlowish ;  in  which  state  the  bird  is  "  I'eale's  Kgret."  long  held  for  a  distinct  species,  then 
long  decided  to  be  tho  young.  Length  2S.(IO-31.00 ;  extent  about  46.00;  wing  12..')0-14..")O ; 
tail  4..')0;  bill  4.00;  tibia!  bare  4.00;  tarsus  5.50-().()0  ;  middle  toe  and  (daw  3.00.  (iulf 
States  strictly;  maritime;  resident,  abundant.  Nests  in  connnunities,  with  other  species, 
upon  low  bushes,  sometimes  on  the  ground;  eggs  .'i— i,  of  usual  shape  and  cidor,  from  l.!)0  x 
1.48  to  2.12  X  1.55,  averaging  2.00  X  L50. 

262.  FLO'RIDA.  (Named  for  the  State.)  I'.uiF,  AND  Whitk  Herons.  Of  small  size  ;  length 
about  2  feet.  Hill  slender,  very  acute  ;  cuhnen  gently  curv(^d  from  near  base;  under  (aitliue 
straight  or  slightly  concave;  about  as  long  as  tarsus.  Head  of  adult  with  lengthened  de- 
composed feathers;  those  of  lower  neck,  and  the  sca])ulars,  lengthened  and  linear-lanceolate, 
but  conipact-w(!bbe(l ;  no  (hirsal  train  of  fringed  feathers.  Neck  bare  behind  below.  Di- 
chromatic ;  c(dor  blue  or  white,  or  both. 

002.  P.  ccBfu'lea.  (Lat.  cceriilea,  blue.)  Littlf,  Hi.i'e  IIkuon.  Litti.k  Wiiiti:  IIi;ito\  (not 
to  be  confused  with  Little  White  Egret).  In  the  colored  phase;  Shity-bhu',  or  dark  grayish- 
blu(!,  becoming  purplish-red  or  maromi-polored  on  the  ne(di  and  head.  Hill  and  loral  s]iace 
blue,  shading  to  black  toward  the  end;  legs  and  feet  bhndc ;  ej-es  yellow.  Length  about 
24.00;  extent  40.00-42.00;  wing  about  11.50;  tail  4.25;  bill  3.00-3.40;  tarsus  about  the 
same,  rather  more ;  tibiip  bare  2.00.  In  (piie  jdiase,  entirely  white ;  but  generally  showing 
traces  of  blue.     Pure  white  birds  require  a  second  glance  to  distinguish  them  from  immature 


662 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —HEIWDIONES—  IIEJIODJI. 


Garzetta  candidinsimn,  us  tlioy  iiii!  of  the  siimo  nizo,  lunl  not  siiikiii^ly  iliffiTt'iit  in  form ; 
nutk-(!  lorcH  anil  \M>m\  liiilf  of  1)111  Kr(>c'iiish-i)lni',  tlw;  mtti  hliickiNli;  nioiit  of  lower  niiuiilihlt' 
ytillowi.sh ;  h'^^n  nrrcnish-l)lin',  with  yellow  tniccti,  or  bluiitli-ltliu^k ;  the  snowy  heron  Iiuh  no 
bliiinhur.Hs  iiliuiit  the  Nuft  jmrts.  S.  Athmtle  iinil  Gulf  .States,  resident,  nlmnilant ;  N.  in 
BUinnier  often  to  the  Miilille  States,  eusnally  to  Now  England.  Nestiiii;  as  UHiml ;  ej,'>»s  H-i, 
1.75  X  1.2.),  of  usual  shaiie  and  color. 

263.  BUTORI'DKS.  (Lat.  hutor,  a  bittern ;  Gr.  tldos,  eiJon,  resenihlanee.)  Gkken  IIrkdnh. 
Kize  sniall  ;  len^^th  one  and  a  half  feet,  liill  moderate,  longer  than  tarsus,  with  gently  <;onvex 
uulnien  and  gonys.  LegH  short;  tibiio  little  dunudetl;  tursuti  Hcareely  or  not  longer  than 
niiddli^  to(!  and  (daw.  An  occipital  crest  of  lengthened,  lanceolate,  not  decomposed,  feathers; 
neck-feathers  long  but  blended,  those  beh>\v  dep<-nding  in  a  tufi,  those  on  sides  hiding  an 
extensive  bare  space  behinil.  In  the  breeding  season,  feathers  of  back  lengthened,  lance- 
linear,  but  conii)aet-wel)l)cd,  and  not  forming  a  train.     Upper  parts  glossy  green. 

063.  B.  vlres'ceiis.  (Lat.  D»re."ice>is,  growing  green.)  (iiiEKN  IIkkon.  Adnlt  in  the  breeding  season 
with  the  crown,  long  soft  occipital  crest,  and  lengthened  narrow  featht.'rs  of  the  back  lustrous 
dark  green,  sometimes  with  a  bronzy  iridescence ;  the  dorsal  plumes  in  high  plunuige  with 
a  glaucous  bluish  cast.  Wing-coverts  green,  with  conspicuous  tawny  edgings;  neck  rich  dark 
purplish-chestnut,  the  throat-line  variegated  with  dusky  and  white.  Under  parts  nn)stly  dark 
brownish-ash ;  belly  variegated  with  white,  tiuills  and  tail  greenish-dusky  with  a  glaucous 
shade;  edge  of  the  wing  white;  somo  of  the  quills  usually  white-tipped.  Hill  greenish-ldack, 
nnich  of  the  under  nnindibh?  yeUow ;  lores  and  iris  yellow;  legs  greenish-yellow ;  lower  neck 
with  lengthened  feathers  in  front,  a  bare  sjiace  behind.  Young  :  Head  less  crested  ;  back  with- 
out long  narrow  plumes,  but  glossy-greenish;  neck  merely  reddish-brown  ;  M-lnde  under  j)arts 
white,  variegated  with  tawny  and  dark  brown.  Length  IG.OD-IS.OO ;  extent  about  2.5.00; 
wing  0.50-7.50 ;  bill  2.50;  tarsus  2.00;  middle  toe  and  claw  about  the  same ;  libin)  bare  1.00 
or  less.  U.  S.,  and  a  little  beyond,  abundant  in  sunnner;  resident  in  the  South,  and  beyond. 
This  is  a  very  pretty  and  engaging  little  heron,  in  spite  of  the  ridicnions  nickname  by  which  it 
is  so  well  known  to  the  great  unwaslnul  democraciy  of  America.  Breeds  anywhere  in  its  range, 
sometimes  in  communities  with  larger  species,  often  by  it.self  in  jiairs.  Nest  a  rude  platform 
of  twigs,  on  tree  <n-  bush  ;  eggs  U-6,  elli))tical,  1.37  X  1.12,  pale  greenish. 

264.  NYCTIAR'DEA.     ((jv.  vv(,  geii.  wktus,  mix,  niiktos,  u])iht:   Lat.  «>'rfea,  a  heron.    Fig.  460.) 

NidiiT  Hkuoxs.  Of  medium  size;  length  about 
2  feet.  IJill  very  stout  for  this  family  ;  bill,  tarsus, 
and  middle  too  with  claw,  of  approxinmtely  equal 
lengths.  Tarsus  reticulate  in  front  b(dow.  Tibiae 
briefly  naked  below.  Neck  short,  coi'responding  to 
the  short  legs;  body  stout.  No  peculiar  jdumes, 
excepting  two  or  three  extremely  long  filamentous 
feathers  springing  from  the  hind  head,  generally 
imbricated  in  one  btmdle.  Sexes  alike ;  younj; 
very  diflerent.  A  better  genus  than  any  of  the 
foregoing,  as  distinguished  fnnn  Anlea,  but  very 
iH'ar  the  next,  \vhi<'h  might  be  combined  with  it. 
664.  N.  gri'sea  nae'vla.  Black-ckowned  Nioht  Hkrox.  QtA-HiiiD.  Squawk.  Adult  ^ 
9 :  Crown,  scapulars  and  interscapulars  very  dark  glossy  green ;  other  ui>por  parts,  wings 
and  tail,  i)ale  bluish-gray  with  a  lilac  or  lavender  tinge,  most  decided  on  the  neck.  Fore- 
head and  throat-line  white,  shading  into  the  lilaeeous  of  the  neck ;  under  parts  whitish, 
tinged  with  lilac.  The  long  occipital  plumes  white.  Eyes  red ;  lores  greenish ;  bill  black  ; 
legs  yellow;  claws  brown.  Length  2:}.00-2C.00 ;  extent  about  44.00;  wing  12.00-14.00; 
tail  5.00;  bill,  tarsus,  middle  toe  with  claw,  each  3.00  or  a  little  more;  tibiaj  bare  about  an 


Fro.  460.  —  Nlglit  Heron.    (From  Lewis.) 


ARDEWJK:  BOTAUHiyAi:  JillTEIiNiS. 


tjoa 


inch.  Yontip  vrry  tliffi'mit ;  pri»yish-l)rown  n))iivp,  tlio  fcutliiMx  with  pnlrr  rilgcg,  iiml  ('(ni- 
8j)iini(UiHly  is|Mitt('il  witli  wliitish  ;  the  lnwcr  parts  imlcr  or  liull  wliiti.xh,  sttrmky  witli  ilaiki'i-; 
Rrpon  of  hcMil  rt'iihicfd  hy  <>li<M'<ihU(>-hri)Wii ;  (|ulll8  chouiilutc-hniwii,  whitt'-ti|i|if(l;  iiti  cicci|(. 
ital  iiltmirs.  V.  S.  ami  llriti.»h  Priiviiicc?*,  (■oiiiiiinii;  iiiii;i'ati>ry ;  ri'sidfiit  in  the  Himtli. 
HiTcds  in  hcroiiricN,  soiiirtimcs  nf  vast  cxtt'iil,  nwirtcil  to  year  after  year.  Nest  lari;i'  and 
frail;  t'Ujrs  15-4,  of  iihuuI  Hhapi',  very  pale  Hni-Krecn  color,  avcrauini?  2.00  X  l.'»'t.  (»nr 
sjM'cics  i«  only  iv  varii'ly  of  thi^  Kin'o|u'an  ^Y.  grisea,  wliunci!  the  trinomial  iniuio;  "  mcvin" 
is  only  apidicaldc  to  tlir  yonni;  in  the  .-ipotti'd  stai;c. 
265.  NYCTKIlO'l>lt'S.  ((jr.  i/t^,  «iu',  iiijjlit;  fpo)8(ok-,  i/'w/i'o.'i,  ahcron.)  'riiicK-niLi,  Niuui  Mi  \j. 
()N,s.  Of  uicdiinn  itizo;  l('ii]|;th  ahout  -2  iVrt.  Hill  ('.xtrcnicly  Mtmit  for  this  family  ;  cnlnicn  •  i;!'viil 
throni;hout ;  ^""y''  convex,  a.scendinir ;  eoniniissiire  ami  lateral  outlines  of  hill  straii;ht;  In,.! 
much  shorter  than  tarnns.  Tarsn.s  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw,  reticulate  exceptiiit;  nlxiv.- 
in  front.  Feathers  of  occiput  lengthened,  the  longest  of  ^reat  extent,  and  linear,  formini;  :i 
hantfini;  crest ;  fenthers  of  hack  h'nKthenetl  and  lanceolate,  the  lonyest  loose-wehhed,  oxttnidiiij; 
heyond  the  tail.  Sexe.s  alike;  cohu's  Variegated  ;  yoiinj;  very  ditl'erent. 
005.  N.  vloltt'oeu8.  (Lat.  ri()/((cei(,«,  violet-colored :  straininu;  a  point.)  Yk.i.i.ow-crownkI)  Nkjut 
IIkkon.  Adidt  (J  9:  (jeiioral  «<dor  ij;rayish-i)lmnheoU8,  or  light  >;rayish-hlue,  darker  on  the 
back,  wlieni  the  feathers  have  black  centres  and  pale  edijes,  and  rather  paler  below.  Head  and 
ujtper  neck  behind  blai'k,  with  ii  cheek-j)utch,  the  crown,  ami  nnist  of  the  crest,  white,  more 
nr  lost)  tinged  with  tawny.  Quills  and  tail  dusky  (dumlx'ous.  Mill  black  ;  eyes  orange;  lores 
greenish;  feet  black  ami  yellow.  Length  about  i^i.OO  ;  extent  4k00;  wing  12.00  ;  tail  ."j. 00  ; 
bill  scarcely  :}. 00,  over  0.. 50  deep  at  base  ;  tibial  hare  2.00;  tarsus  l-.OO  ;  midille  toe  and  claw 
'2.7.5.  Young:  Above,  grayish-brown,  with  an  (dive  shade,  .streuketl  and  spotted  with  brown- 
ish-yellow ;  below,  streaked  with  brown  ami  whitish  ;  siiles  of  head  and  ne(d<  yellowish-brown, 
streaked  with  darker;  toji  of  head  and  neck  above  beliiml  blacldsh,  variegated  with  white. 
Bill  blacki.sh,  with  ninch  of  the  lower  nuindilile,  and  the  lores,  greenish-yedlow ;  legs  the  same, 

obscured  on  front  of  tarsus;  iris  yellow.     S.  Atlantic  and  fiulf  States,  ami  .southward ca- 

sionally  \.  to  the  Middle  States;  not  abundant,  and  <diietly  conhned  to  the  coast.  Hesident  in 
Florida.  Nest  as  usual  iu  trees  and  bushes,  in  conimnnities  ;  eggs  .3,  pale  greenish-blue  ;  2.00 
X  1.45. 

61.    Subfamily  BOTAURIN^:  Bitterns. 

Tail-feathers  10,  broad  and  very  soft.     I'owder-down  tracts  2  pairs.     Outer  toe  sliorter 
than  the  inner.     Claws  long  aud  little  curved.     The  Hitterns  form  u  well-marked  section  of 


Fio.  461.  —  Bill  of  Bittern,  nnt.  size.    (Ad  nat.  ilel.  E.  C.) 

the  family,  if  not  <me  of  subfamily  value.  They  are  retiring  and  solitary  birds  of  the  marsh, 
not  gregarious,  not  nesting  in  connnunities  on  trees,  but  by  separate  jjairs,  aud  on  the  ground  ; 
and  the  eggs  have  not  the  characteristic  color  of  those  of  true  Herons. 


664 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  HEIiODIONES—  HEliODII. 


I 


Kio.  402.  —  Amerkun  ISittcrn.    (From  Teniiey,  lifter  Aiuliilinn.) 


266.  BOTAU'RUS.  (Lntc  Laf.  hotamus,  a  bittern ;  said  to  l)e  not  equal  to  ho/t-taurus;  from 
the  lidll-jw  ffuttural  ery  ?)  IJittekns.  Of  inwliiiiii  size;  lengtli  almiit  'ii  feet.  Bill  mod- 
erately lonfier  than  head,  shorter  than  tarsus,  wliicii  is  shorter  than  middle  too  and  claw. 
Tarsus  broadly  .seutellatc  in  front.  No  crests  or  peculiar  dorsal  plumes ;  ncck-fcathers  long 
and  loose ;  plumage  blended,  spotty  and  streaky.  Neck  in  part  bare  behind.  Sexes  and 
young  alike. 

666.  B.  mugi'tans.    (Lat.  muijitans,  bellowing.    Figs.  461,  4C2.)    American  Bittern.    Indian 
Hen.    .Stake-driver.    Boo-itrLi..    I'ltnnage  of  the  upper  parts  singularly  freckled  with  brown 

(if  various  shades,  blackish,  tawny, 
and  whitisli ;  neck  and  under  jiarts 
ocbrey  or  tawny-white,  each  feather 
marked  with  a  brown  dark-edged 
stripe,  the  throat-line  white,  with 
brown  .streaks.  A  velvety-black 
j)atch  on  each  side  of  the  neck 
above,  ("rown  dull  brown,  with 
buff  su])erciliary  stripe.  'I'ail  brown. 
Quills  greenish-black,  with  a  glau- 
cous .shade,  brown-ti])ped.  Iris  yel- 
low. Bill  ou  the  ridge  brownish- 
black,  tli(>  rest  ]iale  yellowish ;  a 
(lark  brown  loral  stri])e.  Legs 
(lull  yellowish-green;  claws  brown. 
Length  from  ^o.CU  to  lii.OO  !  extent 
:{2.ob-45.00 !  wing9.5()-i;{.00;  bill 
about  3.00;  tarsus  alxmt  15.50;  middle  toe  without  claw  about  the  same;  its  claw  above 
an  inch  long.  9  smaller  than  $  ;  but  few  birds  (jffer  .«o  much  in  size  as  this  species,  indepeu- 
(Icntly  of  sex.  Entire  temjK'rate  N.  Am.,  N.  to  58°  or  60°,  S.  to  C.  Am.  ;  accidental  in  Europe. 
Regularly  migratory ;  resident  in  the  South.  The  bittern  is  a  bird  of  very  marked  character. 
It  inhabits  bog  and  brake,  singly  or  in  pairs  ;  has  a  hoarse  gurgling  outcry  of  alarm,  and  a 
note  sounding  like  the  strokes  of  a  mallet  on  u  stake.  Ne.sts  on  the  ground  ;  eggs  3-5,  brown- 
ish-drab with  a  gray  («o<  green)  shade,  1.90  to  2.00  long  by  about  1.50. 

267.  ARDETTA.  ( I tal.  diminutive  of  .^rrfeff.)  DwARF  Bitterns.  Very  small,  least  of  the  whole 
family;  length  about  a  foot.  In  form  very  nearly  as  in  Bo/f(i(»'ws.  Bill  slender.  Tarsus  about 
equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw.  No  {wcnliar  feathers  ;  those  of  lower  neck  long  and  loose  ;  head 
slightly  crested.  Colors  of  back  in  large  areas.  Se-xes  dissimilar ;  young  similar.  There  are 
several  species  of  these  queer  little  herons,  of  America  and  the  Old  World  ;  they  mostly  inhabit 
reedy  swamjis,  and  somewhat  approach  I'ails. 

667.  A.  exl'Iis.  (Lat.  cxilix,  for  exirjilis,  exignous,  slight,  snniU.)  Least  Bittern.  Adult  ^ 
with  the  slightly  (T(>ste(l  crown,  back,  and  tail,  glcssy  greenish-black.  Neck  Ixdiiud,  most  of 
the  wing-coverts,  and  outer  edges  of  inner  quills,  rich  chestnut ;  other  wing-coverts  brownisli- 
yellow.  Front  and  sides  of  neck,  and  under  parts,  brownish-yellow,  varied  with  white  along 
the  throat-line,  the  sides  of  the  breast  with  a  blacki.sh-brown  patch.  Bill  mostly  ]tale  yellow, 
the  cuhnen  blackish;  lores  light  green;  eyes  and  toes  yellow;  legs  gr(>en,  tlie  hinder  scales 
yellow.  9  ^''i'''  •''•'  black  of  the  back  entirely,  that  of  the  crown  mostly  or  wholly,  replaced 
by  rich  purplish-chestnut;  the  edges  of  the  scapulars  forming  a  brownish-white  stripe  on  either 
side.  Length  11.00-14.00  ;  extent  somewhere  about  18.00  ;  wing  4.00-5.00  ;  tail,  hill,  tarsus, 
middle  toe  and  claw,  ea'-h,  2.00  or  less.  IT.  S.  and  Brit,  i'roviuces,  common;  migratory; 
resident  in  the  South  ;  breads  throughout  its  range.  Found  also  in  W.  I.  and  V.  Am.  Inhabits 
reedy  swamps  and  marshes,  such  as  rails  frequent;  nest  on  ground  or  in  bush  tir  reed  patch, 


I 


ALECTOIUDES:    CliA.XES,   HAILS.   AM)   TllEIll  ALLIES. 


t!G5 


a  inero  platform  of  dcaU  rushes.     Eggs  ^-5,  I'lliptical,  about   U)i  X  1.2-',  white,  with  faintest 
tiuge  of  bluish. 

IZ.    Order  ALECTORIDES:   Cranes,  Rails,  and  their  Allies. 

A  jiortion  of  these  birds,  representing  the  Crmw  type,  have  a  general  resemblance  to  the 
foregoing,  but  are  readily  distinguished  by  the  techuieal  eharactrrs  given  beyond  under  tlie  head 
of  (iniida;  and  in  essential  respeets  accord  with  the  rest,  reiiresentiug  tUv  Jiiiil  tyjie.  The  hitter 
are  birds  of  medium  and  small  size,  Mith  compressed  body,  and  the  head  featiiered.  The  neck 
and  legs  are  not  particularly  leugtb<'ned,  but  as  a  rule  the  toes  are  remarkably  long,  enabliiig 
the  birds  to  run  lightly  over  the  soft  oozy  giduud  and  lloating  vegetation  of  tlu^  reedy  swamps 
and  marshes  they  inhabit.  This  h'ligtli  of  the  toes  has  given  a  name,  jV«c/-w/m////(,  to  the 
group;  their  shy  retiring  habit  of  skulking  anioiu;  the  rushes  has  caused  them  to  be  souu'timcs 
called  Lafitorcs  (skulkers).  Their  nature  is  prarocial  ;  the  eggs  are  numerous,  usually  laid 
on  the  ground,  in  a  rude  nest.  The  nourishment  is  essentially  the  same  as  that  of  the  LimimUc, 
Imt  it  is  simi)ly  ]iicked  up  from  the  surface,  not  felt  for  in  the  mud,  nor  stami)ed  out  of  the 
ground.  The  hallux  is  usually  leilgtheued,  and  but  little  elevated,  but  may  be  short  and  well 
up,  or  even  absent.  The  feet  are  conspicuously  lobate  in  some  forms,  but  never  e.xteiisivelv 
paliinite  ;  the  phalanges  of  the  front  toes  diminish  in  length  from  first  to  penultimate.  The 
lower  part  of  the  orns  is  bare  of  feathers.  The  wings  are  usually  short,  roniKh'd,  and  concave; 
the  tail  is  very  short,  few-feathered,  often  held  cocked  up,  and  wagged  iu  time  with  a  boliliing 
motion  of  the  head  that  occurs  with  each  step  taken. 

l^\\c  Akctorides  are  sehizoguathous  in  palatal  structure.  The  nasal  bones  are  schizorhiual 
in  the  Crane  type.  Indorbinal  in  that  of  the  h'liils.  'I"he  angle  of  the  mandible  is  trimcate.  TIk* 
ma.xillo-palatines  are  not  spongy,  but  thin  and  laminate.  There  are  iiornuilly  no  basipterygoid 
processes.  The  sternum  is  typically  long  and  narrow,  and  luay  be  entire,  or  deeply  notched; 
it  is  sometimes  excavated  to  receive  folds  of  the  windpipe.  There  are  two  carotids  ;  and  two 
intestinal  c(eea  are  present.  While  the  general  pterylosis  is  not  peculiar,  the  Alcctorides  mir- 
nuilly  lack  the  powder-down  tracts  so  characteristic  of  Herons  and  their  allies.  As  to  the 
classiHcatory  muscles  of  the  thigh,  all  five  are  present  nearly  throughout  the  (U'der;  exception- 
ally the  feinoro-caudal  or  its  accessory  is  wanting. 

'I'hese  norimilly  prircocial  and  jjtilopa'dic  (with  whatever  exceptions)  birds  are  more  sharply 
distinguished  from  the  perfectly  altricial  llcrodioiiea  than  they  are  from  the  completely  pra'cocial 
and  ptiloptedic  LimicoUc  ;  with  which  latter,  in  fact,  the  Alcctinides  are  directly  connected 
through  the  IJustards  (Otididcc)  ami  the  Thick-knees  {(Ediciwmidfc)  —  the  liiu>  between  the 
two  orders  being  probably  to  be  drawn  between  these  two  families. 

This  country  attords  typical  representatives  of  the  two  leading  forms  of  the  order,  that  of 
tlie  Cranes,  to  which  Arawiis  belongs,  and  (if  the  Rails,  Coots,  and  (Jallimdes,  as  given  beyond. 
There  ;ire,  however,  a  number  of  remarkable  outliers  that  maybe  briefly  mentioned,  as  fol- 
lows: The  large  ami  imiMirtant  Old  World  family  of  the  Mustards,  Otididrr,  has  already  been 
mentiiuied  as  the  coimeetiug  link  between  Alcdnridfs  and  Limicola:  Tlie  Kagti,  liliiiiiifliirlus 
jiilmlun  of  New  Caledonia,  and  the  Ctirle,  Euriipjiga  lirlins  of  (iuiana,  each  the  typi'  and  single 
re[iresentative  of  a  family,  are  m-ar  the  Cranes  in  principal  osteolonical  characters,  although 
ptervlograpiiically  they  are  more  like  Herons,  both  possessinj:  powder-down  tracts:  and  Eiiri/- 
J>!/fl(i,  in  particular,  resembles  Herons  in  other  respects.  More  closely  allied  to  the  Cranes  are 
the  Trumpeters,  Psophiidfr,  of  oiu'  genus  and  few  species  of  South  America  :  with  the  Cariaiuas, 
Caridiiiidcr,  of  the  same  country,  represented  only  by  the  Caritimn  rristafn  and  the  Cliiiiifia 
hurmcisieri.  The  Horned  Screanu'rs,  I'liliimedridfC,  of  South  .\meriea,  consisting  of  three 
sjieeies,  I'fdamedcn  cornutn,  Chaiiva  chnnirin.  and  C.  dcvhimxi,  seem  to  be  nearer  the  Kails,  and 
also  to  closely  approach  some  water  birds  :  one  of  theui  is  by  soiue  consicU'rcd  the  nearest  living 


6G6 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  ALECTORIDES  —  GR  UIFOBMES. 


ally  of  the  mesozoic  Archoeopteryx  ;  they  should  probably  constitute  an  order  apart.  Some 
gigantic  extinct  birds  hulout;  in  the  ucighborliood  of  the  rails  and  coots.  Apparently  rail-like, 
but  probably  more  truly  plover-like  birds  arc  tlie  Ja^auus,  I'arridm,  noted  for  the  l«;ngtii  of  tlie 
toes,  and  especially  of  the  claws ;  they  have  a  sharp  spur  on  the  wing.  There  are  less  than 
12  sjjecies,  usually  niferrcd  to  several  genera,  of  various  i)arts  of  the  world  ;  one  of  them  lately 
ascertained  to  occur  in  our  country.  Finally,  tlie  Sun-birds,  Heliornithidec,  are  a  small  bnt 
remarkable  family  of  one  or  two  genera  and  about  four  species  of  tropical  America,  Africa,  and 
southern  Asia.  They  have  been  classed,  on  account  of  their  lobate  feet  and  a  certain  general 
resemblance,  with  the  grebes ;  but  the  feet  are  like  those  of  coots,  and  their  whole  structure 
shows  that  they  belong  with  the  ralliform  birds. 

Waiving  consideration  of  certain  disj)uted  forms,  the  Alectorides  may  be  ranged  in  two 
series,  suborders,  or  superfamilies,  according  as  they  arc  crane-like  or  rail-like. 


n 


268. 


668. 


15.    SuBOUDER  GRUIFORMES  :  Cranes  and  their  Allies. 
Represented  in  N.  Am.  by  two  families,  Gruidcc  and  Aramida:. 

47.    Family  GRUID-E  :   Cranes. 

As  already  explained.  Cranes  are  related  to  Rails  hi  essential  points  of  structtire,  though 
more  resembling  Herons  in  tlieir  general  aspect.  They  are  all  large  birds,  some  being  of  im- 
mense stature  ;  the  legs  and  neck  are  extremely  long  (the  latter  witli  about  17  vertebra;) ;  the 
wings  ample,  but  incised  along  ])osterior  border,  from  shortness  of  tlie  outer  seeondaii(!s  ;  tin; 
tail  short,  usually  of  12  broad  feathers.  The  head  is  generally,  in  part,  naked  and  paiiillose  or 
wattled  in  the  adult,  with  a  grovvtli  of  hair-like  feathers,  or,  in  some  caM's,  an  upriglit  tnft  of 
curiously  bushy  plumes.  The  general  plumage  is  compact,  in  striking  contrast  to  that  of 
Herons  ;  but  the  inner  wing-<iuills,  in  most  cases,  are  enlarged  and  Howhig.  In  some  species, 
the  sternum  is  enlarged  and  hollowed  to  receive  a  fold  of  the  windpi])e,  as  in  Swans,  and  some 
of  the  Storks  and  Ibises  (p.  202).  Hill  equalling  or  exceedhig  the  head  in  length,  straight,  rather 
slender  but  strong,  comprcss(!d,  contracted  opposite  the  nostrils,  obtusely  pointed  ;  nasal  fossa- 
short,  broad,  shallow ;  nostrils  near  the  middle  of  the  bill,  large,  broadly  opi-ii  and  completely 
jiervioiis  ;  tibia;  naked  for  a  great  distance;  tarsi  scuttdlate  in  front;  toes  short,  webbed  at 
base  ;  liallnx  very  short,  iiiglily  elevated  ;  inner  anterior  claw  large.  About  1.5  species  of  various 
parts  of  tlie  world ;  only  3  of  them  American.  Most  of  them  fall  in  the  g(>nus  (irun  ;  the 
elegant  "demoiselle"  cranes  of  tlie  Old  World,  Ahthrnjm'ides  (or  Tetniptery.x)  rirfio  and  para- 
disfffi,  and  tli(>  African  IMearicn  (or  Gernnarchus)  pnvonimi,  are  tlie  principal  ex('e])tioiis. 
GBUS.  (Lat.  (frux,  fern.,  a  cran(>.)  Craxes.  Of  maximum  size  and  length  of  neck  and 
legs  ;  color  white  or  gray.  Head  with(>ut  crest :  more  or  le^.*  bare  of  feathers  in  adult,  cariin- 
culate,  with  hair-like  bristles;  rorehea<l  low.  Character  of  bill,  legs,  and  wings,  typically  as 
above  said.  Tail  short,  12-feathored.  Tarsus  broadly  scutellate  in  front.  Toes  sliort,  the 
middle  about  third  as  long  as  tarsus  ;  inner  rather  exceeding  outer,  with  enlarged  claw.  Inner 
wing-quills  lengthened,  curved,  pendent  beyond  jiriinaries  when  the  wing  is  ftdded.  Nest  on 
t\)e  ground  ;  eggs  f(>w. 

AnnhjsiA  of  Sprrh's, 
Adult  white,  wltli  lilack   prlmnrlcs.    Nakedness  extending   I)ac'kward  In  a  point  on  top  and  side  of 

Iiead amrriijiiiia    0C8 

AdiiltH  gray.   Nakedness  forked  on  top  of  head  by  a  point  of  fcatlicrs,  and  not  rcacliing  on  aide  below  eye. 

Snmllor:  wing  under  20.(10;  1)111  4.00  or  less ;  tarsus 8.0(1  or  loss canailinsiH    Cfiit 

Larger:  wing  over  20.00;  bill  5.00  or  more;  tarsus  9.00  or  more praUnsis    (i70 

O.  america'na.  White  Crane.  Whoopino  Crane.  Adiih  with  the  bare  part  of  the  head 
extending  in  a  jioint  on  the  occiput  above,  on  each  side  below  the  eyes,  and  very  hairy.  IJill 
very  stout,  gonys  convex,  as(^ending,  that  part  of  the  under  mandibh-  as  deep  as  tlie  upper 


GliUID^E:    CllANES.  —  ARAMIDJE:    COURLANS. 


667 


opposite  it.  Adult  plumage  pure  white,  with  black  primaries,  primary  uoverts  and  alula ;  bill 
dusky  greenish  ;  legs  black  ;  head  caniiiue,  the  liaii-likc  feathers  blackisli.  Young  with  the 
head  feathered ;  general  plumage  gray  f  varied  witli  brown.  Leiigtli  about  50  iuclie.s  ;  extent 
90.00;  wing  24.00;  tail  9.00;  tarsus  12.00;  middle  toe  .5.00;  bill  6.00.  In  tiie  adult,  the 
windpipe  is  quite  as  long  as  the  bird  itself —  .50  inches  or  more,  and  over  two  feet  of  it  is  coiled 
away  in  the  keel  of  the  breast-bone,  which  is  entirely  hollowed  out  to  receive  these  extraordi- 
nary convolutions  (fig.  99)  ;  the  voice  is  singularly  raucous  and  resonant.  Temperate  N.  Am., 
but  apparently  of  in-egular  distribution,  not  W(>11  made  out ;  said  to  be  or  to  have  been  common  in 
the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  and  to  have  extended  up  the  loast  to  the  Middhi  States. 
Now  scarcely  known  in  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States.  Tiie  chief  line  of  nugration  appears  to 
be  iu  the  interior,  along  the  Mississippi  Valley,  I'exas  to  Minnesota  and  Dakota,  wliere  tiie  bird 
breeds,  iind  thence  spreading  in  the  interior  of  tiie  Fur  Countries.  So  wild  and  wary  a  bird 
must  bo  much  influenced  by  the  settlement  of  the  country.  Eggs  2  (or  li  ?),  about  3.7.)  X 
2.05,  light  browiush-drab,  rather  sparsely  marked,  except  at  great  cud,  with  large  irreguhir 
spots  of  dull  chocolate-brown,  with  paler  obscure  shell-markings  ;  shell  rough,  witli  numerous 
warty  elevations,  and  jtunctulate. 

669.  G.  canaden'sls.  (Of  Canada.)  Northern  Brown  Crank.  General  character  of  the 
species  next  to  be  described;  nakedness  of  head,  and  color  of  plumage  substantially  the  same. 
SnuiUer;  M-ing  18.00-19.00;  tail  7.00;  tarsus  6.75-8.00;  bill  along  culinen  :}. 00- 1.00!  middle 
toe  scarcely  3.00.  Alula,  edge  of  wing,  primaries,  and  tlnMr  shafts,  black  f  Head  of  adult 
less  naked  ?  Supposed  to  be  confined  in  the  breediug  sea.son  to  Arctic  America,  tiience 
migrating  through  Western  U.  S.  to  W.  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  and  soutiiward. 
(Supposed  to  be  the  true  G.  canadensis  Linn.,  1758,  ex  Edw.  Is  G.  fraterculus  Cass.  ? 
I  mu.st  retain  my  doubts  about  this  bird.) 

670.  G.  praten'sis.  (Lat.  pratensis,  relating  to  pratum,  prairie,  field.)  Southern  Saxd-iiill 
Crane.  Co.m.mon  Brown  or  Sand-hill  Crane.  Adult  with  the  bare  part  of  the  head 
forking  behind  to  receive  a  j)ointed  extension  of  tlie  occipital  feathers,  not  reaching  on  the 
sides  below  the  eyes,  and  sparsely  hairy.  Bill  moderately  stout,  with  nearly  straight  and 
scarcely  ascending  gonys,  that  jiart  of  the  under  mandible  not  so  deep  as  tlie  upper  at  the  same 
phice.  Adult  plumage  plumbeous-gray,  never  whitening;  primaries,  their  coverts,  and  alula, 
ashy-brown,  little  darker  than  the  general  plumage,  the  shafts  of  the  primaries  wliite.  Young 
with  head  feathered,  and  plumage  varied  with  rusty  brown.  Nestlings  quite  reddish.  Smaller 
than  G.  americana;  larger  than  No.  (W.)  •  length  -t-i.OO;  extent  80.00;  wing  23.00;  tail 
9.00;  tarsus  9.50-10.00;  bill  along  culmeu  5.00-6.00;  middle  too  3.50-4.00.  This  species 
has  been  said  to  lack  tracheal  convolutious,  which  is  not  true  of  the  adult.  The  traduMi  is  at 
first  simple  and  straight,  not  ci'ir  ing  the  sternum  ;  in  the  adult,  about  8  inches  of  windpipe 
is  coiled  away  in  the  breast-bone,  tin  anterior  half  of  the  keel  of  which  is  excavated  to  receive 
the  folds  (fig.  100).  Tlie  disposition  is  the  same  as  in  G.  iimericnna,  but  nnich  less  extensive  — 
8  iuches  as  against  about  27  —  a  ditt'erence  in  degree,  not  of  kind.  Temperate  N.  Am.,  rare  or 
irregular  in  the  east,  very  abundant  in  the  south  and  west  :  apjiarently  breeds  in  suHiciently 
wild  places  througiiout  its  range.  Eggs  (2)  camiot  be  distinguisaeil  fr<im  tliose  of  G.  amerkuna 
by  c(dor  or  te-xture  of  shell,  or  dimensions  ;  the  specimens  examined  average  less  capacious, 
and  relatively  more  elongate;  from  4.10  X  2.40,  down  to  3.65  X  2.10;  average  nearer  3.90  X 
2.00 ;  series  probably  including  eggs  of  No.  669.     {G.  canadensis  Auct.,  an  Liim.  .') 

48.   Family  ARAMID^:    Courlans. 

Consisting  of  a  single  genus,  with  probably  only  one  sjiecies,  of  the  warmer  portions  of 
America;  closely  allied  to  Gruidtr  in  essential  points  of  .structure,  and  forming  a  connecting 
link  with  liallidce.     The  osteological  and  pterylographic  characters  are  completely  crane-like; 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  ALECTOItlDES—  GUriEOL'MES. 


tho  digestive  system  is  as  in  the  Kails  ;  tlie  circa  are  two,  situate  cldsp  tofrether.  Carotids  two; 
syriiigeal  muscles  one  pair;  fcuioro-caiulal  absent. 
269.  A'RAMUS.  (Etym.  ignot.)  CoiuuAXS.  Hill  twice  as  long  as  the  liead,  slender  hut  strong, 
coniiiressed,  grooved  for  ahotit  lialf  its  U'ngtli,  contracted  opposite  tiie  nostrils,  the  terminal 
portion  enlarged  and  decurved.  Nostrils  hmg,  linear,  pervious.  Head  completely  feathered 
to  the  bill;  tibiiu  half  bare;  tarsus  scutellate  anteriorly,  as  long  as  the  hill,  h)ngerthan  middle 


071. 


'mi 


Fia.  A(\3.  — Parrajarniiii.i  nat.  fhe.    (From  Ilrclmi.) 

too;  toes  cleft,  the  hinder  short,  elevated,  the  outer  longer  than  inner;  wings  short,  rounded, 
with  falcate  1st  )>rimary,  the  inner  (|uills  folding  over  the  primaries  when  closed;  fail  short, 
of  I'i  broad  feathers. 

A.  ple'tiis.  (I,at.  jncfiis,  iiainfed.  spotted.)  Scoi.ni'.ACKof.s  CofRLAN.  ('nYixr,-Rini>. 
("auat.  LlMI'KIN.  Ohocolate-hrowii  with  a  sliiiht  olivaceous  or  other  gloss,  paler  on  the 
face,  chin,  and  throat,  most  of  the  plumage  .sharply  streaked  with  white.  Length  2l-.00-28.()0; 
I'xtent  K).nO-l4.<IO;  wing  12.00-14.00;  tail  (1.00-7.00;  bill  ami  tarsus,  each,  about  5.00. 
FUirida,  and  West  Indies. 


PAJiiiiD.i-j :  ja(;ana:s. 


«!♦»!) 


16.    SuBonoER  llALLIFOKMES :    Kallifoum  Hmns. 

Represented  in  North  Aniericii  l)y  ilio  ilircc  Iciidiii!;  groups  of  liallida'  —  i\w  Kails,  tliiUi- 
nulcs,  ami  Coots.     (For  position  o{  Vnrrida:,  sec  IhIow.) 

49.    Family  PARRID-^:    Japanits. 

A  small  family  of  small  wailiiig-birds,  of  W  genera  and  fewer  than  H  species,  eombiniiig 
characters  of  Plovers  and  l{ails,  outwardly  distinguisiu'd  from  eitlu'r  by  the  excessive  develop- 
meat  of  the  toes  and  especially  of  the  chiws.  These  are  slender,  compressed,  acute,  nearly  or 
quite  straight;  tluit  of  the  hind  toe  much  exceeding  its  digit  in  length.  The  spread  of  feet  thus 
ac-|uired  eiuihles  the  birds  to  run  with  ease  over  the  lloating  vegetation  of  the  marshes  they 
inhabit.  The  American  gemis  is  I'tmn  (lig.  ;i(i;5)  ;  the  Old  World  genera  are  Mctojiotliux, 
Hi/dntledor,  and  Ili/drophmiaiiiis.  The  systematic  jiosition  of  the  family  has  been  much 
(|uestioned.  On  nearly  all  counts,  it  would  iippciir  to  be  Limivoliiii;  not  Alccloridiiiv,  and 
should  be  removed  to  the  other  order,  next  to  Cliunidriidir.  The  bill  of  Parrn  is  (piite  plover- 
like; the  spur  (m  the  wing  and  skin-tlaps  about  the  bill  -.m-  like  those  of  llDplniitrnis  and 
Lohiranellns  (I'lovers).     With  this  understiniiliiig,  I  leave  tiie  family  where  I  tind  it. 

270.  PAll'RA.  (Lat.  jiitrni,  name  of  some  bird.)  ,Iai,anas.  1)111  plover-like,  contracted  in 
continuity,  enlarged  terminally;  with  cnhnen  depressed  to  end  of  nasal  groove,  then  couvc-x 
and  decurved;  outliiK' of  mandibular  rand  about  straight  to  the  gonys,  which  is  ascending; 
connnissnre  about  straight  to  the  decurved  end.  Nasal  grooves  along  the  contracted  portion 
of  the  bill;  nostrils  small,  I'lliptical,  situati"  in  advance  of  the  base  of  the  bill.  Angle  of  mouth 
with  a  leaf-like  lobe  of  skin  (rudimentary  in  our  spi'cies).  Fori'liead  with  a  large  leaf-like 
lobe  of  skin,  with  free  lateral  and  posterior  edges,  atUierent  centrally  and  anteriorly  where 
reaching  base  of  upper  nnindible.  A  sharp  horny  spur  on  bend  of  wing.  Primaries  10,  not 
peculiar  in  structure;  outer  .'{  about  eipial  and  longest,  overhiid  by  the  inner  nuills  in  the 
closed  wing.  Tail  very  short,  with  soft  rectrices  concealed  by  the  coverts.  Tibia-  bare  lielow, 
aiul  with  the  tarsus  scntellate  before  and  behind,  the  scutella  tending  to  become  conltnent  in  a 
eontiimous  sheath.  -Ml  tin?  toes,  claws  included,  longer  than  tarsus;  middle  toe  alone  nearly 
as  long  as  tarsus;  outer  toe  alone  about  as  long  as  niiddh-,  its  claw  shorter  than  that  of  middle 
toe;  inner  toe  a  little  shorter  than  outer,  its  claw  longer;  hind  toe  only  about  as  long  as  ba.sal 
joint  of  middle  toi',  but  its  claw  much  longer  tlian  itself;  all  the  claws  slender,  al)out  straight, 
very  acute. 

072.  1*.  gymiio'stoiuii.  ((Jr.  •yi;/ii'oy./7H»i«o.s',  naked  :  oro^a,  .s7i);»f/,  nniuth.  Fig.  .VWcr.)  Mi;xican 
Ja<;AnA.  Adult :  (Jeueral  plumage  rich  purplish-chestmit,  briuhtest  on  wings  and  tail,  darkest 
on  back,  breast,  and  sides,  fading  on  lower  belly.  (Quills  |)ale  yellowish-green,  with  <lusky 
edging  in  increasing  4'xtent  from  the  secondaries  to  the  outermost  ]irimary  :  alula  and  i)rimary 
coverts  blackish.  Hill,  frontal  leaf,  and  wing-spur  yellow;  base  of  ujiper  mandible  whitish, 
and  space  between  it  and  the  frontal  leaf  carmine;  feet  greenish  ;  iris  brown.  Young:  (irayish- 
brown  above,  streaked  with  brownish-yellow;  below,  butly-wliitisli,  darker  across  breast,  tin? 
sides  and  lining  of  wings  dusky  ;  a  light  sniierciliary  and  dusky  postociilar  stripe  ;  wing-quills 
greenish-yellow  as  in  adult  ;  tail-feathers  like  u])per  parts.  Frontal  leaf  rudimentary. 
Wing  abimt  5.00  ;  bill  l.-J.')  ;  tarsus,  and  middle  toe  without  claw,  2.00.  West  Indies,  .Mexico, 
to  Texas  on  the  Lower  Kio  Grande. 

50.    Family  RALLID.iE:    Rails,  etc. 

This  is  a  large  and  imiiortant  family,  abuiuhnitly  re|)resented  in  most  jiarts  of  tin;  world. 
They  are  birds  of  medium  ami  small  size,  geneially  with  compressed  body  and  large  strong 
legs  (the  nniscularity  of  the  thiirhs  is  very  noticeable),  enabling  them  to  run  rapidly  and  thread 


070 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  ALECTOUIDES—  ItALLIFOliMES. 


with  ease  the  iimzcs  <if  the  reedy  iiuirHhes  to  whieli  they  are  uhnoift  exclusively  confined ; 
while  by  means  of  their  lout;  toes  they  are  prevented  from  sinking  in  the  mire  or  the  Hoiiting 
vegetation.  The  wings  aiv  never  long  and  pointed  as  among  Limicola;  being  in  fact  of  tiie 
shortest,  most  ronnded  and  concave  form  found  among  waders ;  and  the  flight  is  rarely  pro- 
tracted to  any  great  distance.  The  tail  is  always  very  short,  generally  of  10  or  12  soft 
feathers.  Details  of  the  bill  and  feet  vary  with  the  genera  ;  but  the  former  is  never  sensitive 
at  the  tip,  and  the  hitter  have?  the  hallux  htnger  and  Ufwer  down  than  it  is  in  the  shore-birds. 
The  nostrils  an!  jiervious,  of  variable  shape.  The  head  is  completely  feathered  ;  the  general 
plumage  is  ordinarily  of  subdued  and  blended  coloration,  lacking  much  of  the  variegation 
commonly  observed  in  sliore-birds  ;  the  sexes  are  usually  alike,  and  the  changes  of  plnnuige 
not  great  with  age  or  sea.'son.  The  food,  never  probed  for  in  tlu!  nnid,  but  gathered  from  the 
surface  of  the  ground  or  water,  consists  of  a  variety  of  aquatic  animal  and  vegetalde  substances. 
The  nest  is  a  rude  structure,  placed  on  the  ground,  or  in  a  tuft  of  reeds  or  other  herbage  ;  the 
eggs  are  numerous,  generally  variegated  in  color ;  the  young  are  hatched  chith<'d.  The 
general  habit  is  gregarious,  and  migratory  ;  many  species  occm-  in  vast  nmltifudes,  though 
their  skulking  ways,  and  the  nature  of  their  resorts,  withdraw  tiiem  from  casual  observation. 
Some  species  swim  habitually. 

There  appear  to  be  upward  of  150  species  of  the  family,  falling  in  several  well-nnirkcd 
groujts.  The  Ucydromiruc  are  an  0\A  World  type  of  some  35  species,  ranking  with  some 
authors  as  a  distinct  family.  Mr.  Gray  nuxkes  the  AhivMi  Himaxtuniis  lucmatopus  the  typo 
and  single  representative  of  another  sul)family.  Excluding  the  Parridce  and  Helioniithuhi; 
both  of  whicli  are  sonu-times  brought  under  MalUdcc,  as  subfamilies,  the  three  remaining 
groups  are  rej)resented  in  this  country. 

Amilyn'm  of  SulifamUii  s  unit  (Iciiini, 

ItALLiN.f':.    Ilaih.    Nu  frontal  Hliieltl,  tliu  rvatherH  of  foruheatl  re.icliiiig  bill.    Toch  simple.    Bo<ly  com- 
prcssud. 
Bill  Mlcnder,  longer  tliuii  lieiul,  c-iirvol,  with  long  imrrow  iiiiwil  groove  and  linear  noBtrlls    .    .  llallui    271 
liill  Htoiil,  not  longer  tliuii  head,  Htritiglit,  with  broiid  iiHHal  gr<K)vu  and  oblong  iioHtrilH     .     .    I'orzana    272 

Ah  in  the  last;  wings  longer,  folding  neiirly  to  end  of  tiiil Crix    273 

Oai.i.iniilin.i:.     Oallinulcs.    A  bare  horny  frontal  shield.    Toes  simple  or  niorcly   margined.     Body 
less  compressed. 

Toes  without  eviili'Mt  lateral  margins;  nostrils  oval Innornis    275 

Toes  with  lateral  margins;  nostrils  narrow ' (•alliiiula    274 

KeiJcix.i:.     CootH.     A  bare   horny    frontal    shielil.     Toes   lobate.     Hody  depressed.     Nostrils    narrow 

FuHca    276 

62.    Subfamily  RALLIN^ :    True  Rails. 

I'iiis  is  the  largest,  and  central  or  typii'al,  group,  to  which 
most  of  the  foregoing  j)aragraph  is  especially  applicable.  The 
species  are  strictly  paliulic(de ;  tiie  coiuiu-ession  of  the  body  is  at 
a  nuixiininn ;  the  form  is  blunt  and  tiii<-k  behind,  with  a  very 
short  tip-up  tail,  and  tapei's  to  a  point  in  front ;  the  whole  fig- 
ure being  thus  a<lapted  to  wedge  through  narrow  places.  The 
wings  arc  extremely  short  and  rounded,  and  tin'  ordinary  llight 
appears  feeble  aiul  vacillating,  tiiough  the  migrations  of  many 
Fio.  464.- Carolina  Uail.  (From  «l>w'''«  »"'  very  extensive.  Tiie  tail  has  12  feathers.  The 
Teiiney,  after  Wilson.)  flank-feathers  are  commoidy  enlarged  aiul  conspicuously  col- 

ored; the  thighs  arc  very  muscular;  the  tibia-  are  generally  if  not  always  naked  below;  the 
tarsi  scutellate  in  front ;  the  toes  are  long,  cleft,  without  lobes  or  any  obvious  marginal  mem- 
branes. The  bill  occurs  under  two  principal  modificaticms  :  in  Ralhis  proper  it  is  haiger  than 
the  head,  slender,  (compressed,  slightly  curved,  long-grooved,  with  linear  nostrils  ;  in  Vorzana 
and  most  genera,  however,  it  is  shorter  or  not  longer  than  the  head,  straight,  rather  stout. 


271. 


'1 


RALLID^  —  liALLINA': :  HAILS. 


(171 


which 

TlU! 

'  in  lit 
vny 

The 
llight 
iijiiiiy 

TIio 

;  th<i 

IM'III- 

than 
zona 
itout. 


271 


with  short  broad  nasal  fossa-,  and  liiiwu-ohlong  nostrils  —  altof,'rthrr  somewhat  as  in  gallina- 
ceous birds.  The  ciiliiK'n  more  or  less  obviously  parts  antial  extension  of  th(!  frontal  feathers, 
but  never  forms  a  frontal  siiiehl,  as  in  the  ("oots  and  (iallinules.  Of  about  ;15  American  sjx'cies 
or  varieties  only  10  occur  in  this  country,  to  which  must  be  added  one  strafjfgler  from  Europe. 
Tiiere  are  some  25  Old  VViirld  sjiecics. 

Tile  Rails  inhabit  all  temperate  countries ;  they  are  remarkably  distinguished  by  the 
extniuie  narrowness  or  compression  of  tlie  body,  wliicli  enables  them  to  thread  a  way  through 
the  closest  reeds  and  rushes  of  the  marslies  where  they  always  live.  Instead  of  long,  flat, 
pointed,  narrow  wings,  with  flowing  tertials,  diaracteristic  of  tlie  great  Plover-snipe  group, 
they  have  short,  concave,  rounded  wings,  and  tiieir  fliglit  is  consequently  of  a  ditterent  sort. 
They  are  neither  swift  nor  vigorous  on  wing.  When  flushed,  a  nuitter  of  some  ditticiilty, 
they  fly  in  so  feeble  and  vague  a  way  that  it  is  not  very  easy  to  understand  how  they  make 
the  extensive  migrations  for  which,  n(^v(!rtheless,  they  are  noted.  The  legs,  as  well  as  more 
particuhirly  the  feet,  are  large  and  strong;  tlie  tliigiis  extremely  muscular;  they  trust  rather 
to  these  members  tiuin  to  their  wings  in  avoiding  pursuit  or  ctM-aping  danger  ;  pndtably  no 
birds  are  more  accomplished  pedestrians  tlian  they  are.  There  is  generally,  if  not  always,  a 
sliyht  membrane  between  the  bas(!  of  the  toes,  but  nothing  amounting  even  to  semipalniation  ; 
nevertheless,  some  of  the  species  swim  short  distances  with  ease.  While  not  exactly  grega- 
rious, since  they  do  not  go  in  flocks  that  are  actuated  by  a  common  impulse  and  the  instinct  of 
socialism,  nevertheless  they  fre([uent,  through  comniimity  of  tastes  and  wants,  the  marshes 
in  immense  numbers ;  where  they  breed,  and  where  they  appear  during  the  migration,  jiar- 
ticuhuiy  the  autumnal,  the  marshes  appear  full-stocked  with  them.  Their  cries  are  loud, 
dry,  and  harsh ;  in  the  spring-time  the  mar.shes  resound.  They  scream  piteously  when 
wounded  and  caught,  and  fight  as  well  as  they  can  with  their  strong  claws.  Their  food 
consists  of  all  sorts  of  aciuatic  animals  small  enough  to  be  swallowed  —  little  crabs,  snails, 
and  other  small  mollusks,  grubs,  worms,  and  insects.  They  pr<d»ably  all  live  at  times,  and 
in  a  measure  at  least,  npim  the  seeds  and  tender  shoots  of  aquatic  plants.  They  lay  many 
white  or  whitish,  nnich-spotted,  oval  or  elliiitical  eggs,  in  a  rude  flat  nest,  built  of  sticks, 
rush-stalks,  and  gras.ses,  upon  the  ground.  The  young,  of  whii-h  more  than  one  brood  nuiy 
be  anmuilly  raised,  are  generally  black  in  the  downy  state,  whatever  the  c(dor  of  the  adults. 
They  appear  to  be  of  somewhat  nocturnal  habits,  and  probably  migrate  mostly  by  night. 
Th(!  flesh  of  some  of  our  species  is  esteemed  good  eating,  and  great  numbers  are  aimually 
destroyed  for  the  table,  in  the  fall,  when  tlu^y  an,'  generally  very  fat. 

KAL'LUS.  (Low  Lat.  ralliis,  a  rail,  from  rasle,  rCtk,  a  rattling  cry.)  Hails.  Markii  Hrns. 
Hill  longer  than  head,  sleuih'r,  compressed,  decurved,  with  long  nasal  groove  extending  beyond 
middle  of  bill.  Nostrils  linear,  sub-basal.  Hind  toe  not  half  as  long  as  tarsus.  Wings,  tail, 
and  legs  as  in  l{allin<c  at  large.  I'lumage  variegated  above,  plain  below,  excepting  the  con- 
spicuously barred  flanks,  and  lining  of  wings  and  tail.  Sexes  alik<';  young  little  different. 
Swamps  and  marshes  exclusively.  Kggs  numerous,  butt'  and  spotted.  Very  clamorous  in 
breeding  season.     We  have  \\  good  s])ecies,  (in(!  of  them  of  U  varieties. 

Analysis  <>J'  Sjii ciin  and  f'drirlirii. 
Large:  length  12.00  or  inoro  ;  wiiiK  n.OO  <ir  luoru  :  bill  2.00  or  more. 

FlunkH   gray,   with    iiiirrow  wliito  linrs.      Ahovo,  olive-brown  or  olive-gray  without    chcHtnut  on 
wingH ;  below,  jialc  rnfoim  or  iisliy. 
Upiicr  iiartH  ollve-browii  obHciirely  varied  with  olive-gray  e<lge»  of  the  feathers;   below  with 

little  riifoUB.     Atlaiith^ crrpilnnt    C73 

Upper  parts  ollve-gniy,  with  olmeiiro  dark  stripes  below,  breast  quite  rufous.    I'acille    obsdlclim    074 
Upper  parts  olive-gray  with  disliiict  dark  Btriiics  ;  below  iluU  rufous,     (iulf    ....  snliinilini    075 
Planks  dusky,  with  broad  white  bars.    Above,  variegated  with  ollvo-brown  and  blackish;  wliig- 

covcrls  (piifc  ehestuut;  below,  rich  rufous iliiiinm    676 

Small:  length  under  12.00;  wing  under  4.60;  bill  under  1.00. 

Colors  us  in  cUtjans virijinianus    (177 


672       SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  ALECTOMIDES  —  liALLIFOliMES. 


673. 


674. 


Fiii.  4iw.  —  Clapiwr  Kuil,  reduced.    (Altered  from  Lewis.) 


B.  longiros'tris  cre'pitans.  (Lat.  longirostrU,  limtr-billcd.  Lat.  crepitans,  cropitatim;, 
clattering.  Fig.  4().).)  Ci.ai'PKU  K.Mh.  fSAi.T-WATiou  Mar.sh-he.n.  Mik-iikn.  (J?,  adult: 
Above,  variegated  witli  diirk  olive-hrown  and  i)ale  (ilive-a.sli,  tlio  latter  edging  the  featliers, 

the  variegation  dull  and 
blended.  Below,  ])ale  dull 
oclirey-browii,  whitening 
on  the  throat,  freijueiitly 
ashy-shaded  on  the  brea.st, 
without  derided  ciunaniou- 
brown  shade.  Flanks,  a.\- 
illars,  and  lining  of  wings, 
fuscous-gniy,  with  .sliarj) 
narrow  white  bars.  Quills 
and  tail  plain  dark-brown, 
without  chestnut  on  the 
ct)verts.  Eyelids  and  .short 
superciliary  line  whitish. 
The  general  tone  is  that 
of  a  grai/  bird,  without 
any  reddishnesa.  Young 
mostly  soih.'d  whitish  below;  when  just  from  the  egg  ('ntirely  sooty  black.  Length  ]4.0{)- 
10.00;  extent  about  20.00 ;  wing  5.00-G.OO;  tail  2.00-2.50;  bill  2.00-2.50;  tar.sus  1.67-2.00 ; 
middle  toe  and  claw  2.00-2.33.  9  smaller  than  the  <J.  .Salt  nuirshes  of  Atlantic  States,  ex- 
tremely abundant  southerly;  N.  regularly  to  the  middle  districts,  sometimes  to  Massachusetts. 
Kesident  from  the  Carolinas  southward.  IJreeds  in  profusion  in  the  mars'nes  of  the  Caroliuas, 
etc.,  where  its  clattering  is  almost  incessant  during  the  nuiting  season.  Nest  a  rudo  platform 
of  reeds  and  grasses  just  out  of  the  water  on  the  ground.  Eggs  G  to  12,  averaging  1  .()7  X  1-12. 
whitish,  creamy,  or  buff,  variously  speckled  and  blotched  with  reddish-brown,  with  a  frw 
ob.scure  lavender  marks. 

R.  I.  obsole'tus.  (Lat.  ob.ioletus,  obsolete;  referring  to  the  markings  of  the  upjier  parts  in 
comparison  with  those  of  R.  ekgans.)  California  Clapper  Kail.  Hack  and  scai)ulars 
grayish-olive,  indistinctly  striped  with  dusky ;  breast  deej)  cinnamon.  General  aspect  of  the 
la.st,  but  quite  reddish  below.  Wing  6.50;  bill  2.23-2.50,  its  lea.st  depth  0.33;  tarsus  2.1(1- 
2.25.     Salt  mai-shes  of  the  California  coast. 

R.  1.  satura'tus.  (Lat.  satioutus,  saturated,  satiated,  i.e.  dark-colored.)  Louisiana 
Clapper  Kail.  In  general  similar  to  crepittDw;  above,  olive-gray  or  ashy,  broadly  striped 
with  brownish -black  ;  br<>ast  dull  cinnamon.     "Louisiana." 

R.  elegans.  (Lat.  ekgaiin,  choice.)  Kino  Kail.  Fresh-water  Marsii-iien.  With 
a  general  resemblance  to  crepitans,  but  larger  and  nmch  more  brightly  colored.  Adult  $  ?  : 
Above,  distinctly  streaked  with  brownish-black  and  tawny-olive,  the  darker  color  being  the 
central  field  of  each  ft^ather  ;  becoming  rich  chestnut  on  the  wing-coverts,  and  plain  dark  brown 
on  the  hind-neck  and  toji  of  head.  Below,  rich  rufous  ot  cinnamon-red,  brightest  on  breast, 
fading  on  throat  and  belly  ;  a  \\w  of  the  same  over  the  eye,  and  dusky  line  through  eye  ;  lower 
eyelid  white.  Flanks  and  lining  of  wings  blackish,  broadly  and  distinctly  barred  with  white; 
some  of  the  crissal  feathers  similar.  Si)ecimens  vary  much  in  the  richness  of  the  lints  and 
distinctness  of  the  markings,  but  the  reddish  and  streaky  tone  is  always  quite  diH'erent  from 
the  dull  blended  co\ws  ol  crepitans.  Length  17.00-19.00;  extent  23.00-25.00;  wing  6.00- 
7.00;  bill  2.10-2.50;  tarsus  2.30;  middle  toe  and  claw  about  the  same.  U.  .S.,  rather  south- 
erly, Texas  to  the  Middle  States  regularly,  t  .  vjounecticut  casually  ;  in  the  interior  to  Kansas 


RALLIVJE  —  liALLINJE :  HAILS. 


678 


677. 


678. 


and  Missouri  at  least.  Winters  in  the  St)Uth.  Inhabits  prefonibly  swamps  and  iimri<bos 
above  tide-water.  Nesting  tlio  same  as  crejutdnn;  ejfi^s  not  distiniruisbablc. 
B.  vlrginla'nus.  ViucHNiA  Hail.  Coloration  exactly  as  in  elegans,  of  which  it  is  a  iHTffct 
miniature.  Length  8.50-10.50;  extent  about  14.00;  v;iug  4.00,  always  luider  l..')it;  tail 
1.50;  bill  1.35-1.65;  tarsus  1.25-1.50;  middle  t<*  and  elaw  1.50-1.75.  TenuMTate  N.  Aim., 
ehietly  eastern  U.  >S.,  migratory,  abundant,  both  in  fresh  and  .salt  marshes.  JJreeds  coiiimnnly 
in  New  England;  winters  in  th(!  S.  States  and  beyond.  Although  a  regular  migrant  along 
the  Atlantic  coast,  it  never  occurs  in  such  iuunense  numbers  as  the  Carolina  Hail.  Kggs  liUc 
those  of  the  foregoing  in  color,  but  much  snuiller,  about  1.^5  X  0.95.  They  agree  in  size  nearly 
with  those  of  I'orzana  Carolina,  but  the  latter  are  greenish  or  drab,  not  butfy. 
2V2.  PORZA'JJA.  (Ital.  porsana,  Venetian  name  of  P.  maruetta.)  Crake.s.  Hill  shorter  or 
not  haiger  than  head,  stout,  high  and  compressed  at  base,  tapering,  (dituse ;  nasal  fossiu  ample. 
Nostrils  linear-oblong,  near  niiddhi  of  bill.  Otherwise  generally  as  in  Ralliis  ;  hind  toe  longer. 
Tarsus  moderately  shorter  than  middle  too  and  claw.  IMumage  of  upiH-r  parts  sjHitty  as  Vi-ell 
as  streaky.  Snmll.  Sexes  alike.  The  3  N.  Am.  species  are  very  ditfercut  (subgenerically), 
but  Carolina  closely  resembles  maruetta  of  Europe. 

Analynia  of  Species, 

Small:  length  S.OO  or  more.    Face  of  ailult  Miicklsli,  the  breast  slate-gray. 

Bill  orange,  with  re<l  base.    Breast  simtted.    (Kiiropean.) mnruetin  C7S 

Bin  not  orange,  without  red  base.    Breast  not  »iiotteil eaitiliiia  (iT9 

Smaller:  length  about  (i.OO;  wing  over  .'i.OO;  yellowish-brown,  barreil  with  white    .    .      noreliorai-iu.iis  GCO 
Smallest:   length    about    5.50;   wing    scarcely  3.00;    blockish,    Hiieckle<l    with   white  ami   chestnut 

JaiiiaVo  HUM  681 

P.  marnet'ta.  (Fr.  maroiiette,  name  of  this  si)ecies.)  European'  Spotteu  Ckake.  ^  9  i 
adult :  Above,  dark  red- 
dish-brown shaded  witli 
olive ;  hind  neck  tinc- 
ly  dotted,  other  tipper 
parts  spotted  and  short- 
ly striped  with  white, 
and  marked  with  black- 
ish. Helow,  slate-gray, 
fading  to  whitisli  on 
belly,  the  brettst  sjiot- 
ted  with  white,  the 
flanks  biirred  witli 
wiiite,  the  crissum  butt'. 
Top  and  front  of  head, 
and  upper  tliroat  black- 
ish, the  crown  streaked 
with  this  c(dor  and  dark 
brown.  Quills  and  tail 
dark  olive-brown.  Iris 
retldish  -  brown  ;  bill 
orange,  nnl  at  base ; 
legs  yellowish-green, 
livid  on  the  joints. 

toe  and  claw  1.75.    Young  lack  the  black  face;  chin  whitish, 
occurring  in  Greenland. 

P.  caroli'na.    (Fig.  lOfi.)    Carolina  Crake.    Common  Rail.    Sora.   "  Ortolan."  Above, 
olive-brown,  varied  with  black,  with  numerous  sharp  white  streaks  and  specks ;  flanks,  axillars 

43 


Fiu.  4C0.  —  Carolina  Rail.    ( From  Lewis. ) 

Length  about  8.50;  wing  4.75;  tail  2.00;  bill  0.S5  ;  tar.susl.ij;  middle 

Eurojie.    Only  N.  Am.  sis 


670. 


674        SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  ALECTORIDES—  IULLIFOHMES. 


and  lining  of  wings,  bniTcd  witli  white  and  bliickisli ;  bi'lly  wliitiNli ;  crissuin  riifescont.  Adult 
(J  9  '■  t''"'L'  imd  fcntval  line  of  tliroat  bliiclj,  tlie  rost  of  the  tlirout,  line  over  eye,  and  espe- 
cially the  breast,  more  or  less  intensely  slate-gray,  the  sides  of  tiie  breast  usnally  also  with 
some  obsolete  wbitisii  barring  and  speelding.  Yoinig  :  Without  tiiis  l)lacl»,  the  throat  whitish, 
the  breast  brown.  Lengtli  S.OO-'J.OO  ;  extent  12.0IJ-13.0U;  wing  i.OO-4.5();  tail  about  2.00; 
bill  0.()7-0.75;  tarsus  l.Ii3;  middle  toe  and  claw  l.()7.  Temperate  X.  Am.,  exceedingly 
abundant  during  the  migration  in  the  reedy  swamps  of  the  Atlantic  States,  in  August  and 
September,  when  tens  of  thousands  are  killed  every  year.  Breeds  from  tlie  Middle  States 
northward:  winters  in  tlie  S.  States  and  beyond.  Has  occurred  in  Greeidaud  and  Europe. 
The  eggs  are  8j)otted  just  like  those  of  the  foregoing  Itulli,  but  are  readily  distinguished  by 
their  strong  drab  ground-color  instead  of  the  white  or  creamy  ami  pale  butty  of  the  former. 
Tliey  are  rather  smaller  than  tliose  of  ]{.  viryinUi)ii(s,  and  perluips  more  obtuse,  measuring 
about  1.20  l>y  O.'JO.  This  is  the  rail  of  spfjrtsnu'u.  It  is  also  called  sora  ttr  soree;  the  word 
is  colloi|uial  and  local.  Tlie  word  "  ortolan '' has  a  curious  connection  with  this  species. 
It  is  Italian  and  Frencli,  eiiual  to  the  Latin  hortttlaiiits,  relating  to  a  garden  :  the  "  ortolan  " 
is  Kndwrizu  hurtiilami,  a  l>unting,  esteemed  a  great  delicacy  by  gourmands  ;  and  our  crako 
has  been  called  uiiuhiu  for  no  better  reason  than  that  it  is  also  edible  and  sapid  !  The  same 
name  is  frecpicntly  a))plied  to  the  bobolink,  IJulidioni/x  ori/zivonts,  because  it  is  found  abun- 
dantly in  the  same  marshes  in  tlie  fall,  and  sells  in  the  same  restaurants  as  the  same  bird  as 
the  rail,  the  two  being  brouglit  in  together  by  the  gunners. 

080.  P.  uoveboraeeii'sls.  (Low  Lat.,  of  Xoveboruviim :  i.  e..  New  York.)  Yki.Low  Ck.vke. 
Yklldw  Kail.  Adult  ,}  9  '■  Above,  streaked  with  blackish  and  brownish-yellow,  thickly 
marked  with  narrow  white  semicircles  and  transverse  bars.  ]5<'low,  ))ale  brownish-yellow 
fading  on  belly,  deepest  on  breast,  where  many  feathers  are  dark-tipped;  tlanks  blackish  with 
uimierous  white  bars  ;  crissuni  varied  with  black,  white,  and  rufous.  Lining  of  wings  white. 
A  brownish-yellow  superciliary  line,  and  dark  transocular  stripe.  Small;  about  G.OO  long; 
wing  3.2.5;  tail  1.50;  bill  0.50;  tarsus  0.87;  niiddle  toe  and  claw  1.12.  Eastern  N.  .\m., 
not  abundant;  X.  to  Hudson's  Hay:  winters  in  the  S.  States.  Does  not  appear  to  have  been 
observed  in  X.  England  X.  of  Mass.,  nor  anywhere  W.  of  the  Mississijipi  Valley,  Te.xas  to 
Minnesota ;  but  it  is  not  common,  is  very  secretive  like  other  Hails,  and  readily  eludes  td)ser- 
vation ;  its  distribution  may  be  more  general  than  it  is  known  to  be.  Eggs  about  (i,  rich, 
warm,  butt'y-browu,  marked  at  the  great  end  with  a  cluster  of  reildish-diocolate  dots  and 
spots  ;  1.15  by  0.S5,  to  1.05  by  0.80  ;  shape  as  in  the  foregoing. 

081.  P.  jamaiceii'sls.  (Of  Jamaica.)  I.,itti-I'.  Ul.vck  t'KAKi;.  Adult  ^  9  :  Upper  parts 
blackish,  finely  speckled  and  barred  with  white,  the  hind  neck  and  fore  back  dark  chestnut. 
Head  and  under  parts  dark  slate  cobir,  paler  or  whitening  on  the  throat,  the  lower  belly, 
flanks,  and  under  wing  and  tail-coverts  barred  with  white.  Quills  and  tail-feathers  with 
white  spots.  Very  small :  length  about  5.50  ;  wing  2.75-3.00 ;  tail  1.35;  tarsus  0.75.  S.  and 
C.  America  and  W.  L,  not  often  found  in  the  U.  S.,  being  one  of  the  rarest  of  our  birds. 
Observed  N.  to  Mass.,  W.  to  Kan.,  and  jirobably  occurs  across  to  the  Pacific.  Eggs  from  Xew 
Jersey  are  altogether  different  from  those  of  the  sora,  or  the  yellow  crake,  being  creamy- 
white,  sprinkled  all  over  with  fine  dots  of  rich,  bright  reddish-brown,  and  with  a  few  sjiots  of 
some  little  size  at  the  great  end  ;  most  like  the  more  finely-speckled  exani])les  of  the  eggs  of 
the  large  Ralli ;  dimensions  1.05  X  0.80. 

082.  P.  j.  coturni'culus.  (Lat.  dim.  of  co<i<r»iia-,  a  quail.)  Fakralloxe  Black  Crake.  Liko 
the  last ;  rather  smaller,  the  wing  2.50 ;  more  uniform  in  color,  the  back  without  white  specks. 
Farrallone  Islands,  coast  of  California. 

273.  CREX.  (Gr.  Kpt'i,  lre.r,  Lat.  crex,  a  crake ;  refening  to  the  creaking  notes.)  Land  Rails. 
General  character  of  Poizana.  Wings  much  longer,  folding  nearly  to  end  of  tail.  Tarsus 
relatively  shorter.     Plumage  above  streaky,  but  uot  spotty. 


083. 


274. 


684. 


275. 


JLlLLIlKiJ  —  GALLIXlLIXyE  :    GAUAXULES. 


676 


083.  C.  praten'8l8.  (Liit.  pmtcmh,  of  ticlds.)  Kiik.i-ean  Land  Kail.  C"(>I!N  ("hakk.  A.liilt 
$  9  :  I'luier  imrts  liliiokisli-browu,  vaiirijiitnl  witli  browuisli-VflldW,  tlu>  wimr-c verts  t.ntli 
above  uiul  bi'K)\v  nisty-reddisli,  tho  iinill.s  riifoiis-bidwii.  liclow,  bliiisli-i^iuy  cif  viiiyini,' 
intensity,  more  asby-wliitish  on  tiiroiit  and  belly,  the  tlanks  and  crissiini  barred  witii  redcii.sli- 
brown.  Line  over  eye  like  under  jiarts;  a  dark  brown  strijie  tbroiijrh  eye.  Hill  and  eyes 
brown;  legs  pule.  Leni;tb  about  10.50;  wini;  j.dO-ri.OO  ;  tail  2.0(1;  bill  O.SO-l.OD;  tarsus 
l.fiO.  Europe;  casually  in  Greenland  ;  accidental  in  New  Jersey  and  Hernuulas.  (Wedderb., 
Zool.,  IStO,  p.  2591;  t'ass.,  IV.  I'hila.  Aead.,  vii,  1S55,  p.  :J(i5 ;  Heiuli.,  Ibis,  IStil,  p.  11; 
Bd.,  Am.  Journ.  .Sci.,  xli,  ISOO,  p.  339;  Freke,  Zo(d.,  v,  H81,  p.  374.) 


Pig.  467.  —  Enniiionn  Gnlllimlo,  Gdlhmla  chtn- 
oropim.    (Kroiii  Dixcui.) 


63.    Subfamily  CALLINULIN^:    Calllnules. 

Foreliead  shielded  by  a   broad,    bare,    horny 
phite,  a  pridoniiation  and  exjiaiision  of  the  eulnien, 
liill  otherwise  nuu'has  in  the  shorter-billed  rails, 
like   Pur;((HU  ;    general   form   mueli    tlie  same, 
though  the  body  is  not  so  compressed  ;  toes  long, 
simple,    or   slightly   margined.     The   Galiiuiiles 
are  somewhat  liail-like  birds,  of  similar  habits, 
inhabiting  marshes ;  they  agree  with  the  Coots 
in  possessing  a  frontal  shield,  but  the  feet  aro 
Hot   lobate,  nor  is  the  body  dejiressed,   and   the 
siiecies  swim  no  better  tlian  Hails.     Home  are  of 
tlie  richest  and  most  elegant  c(doration.     Thero 
are   about   30    species   of   various    parts    of   tho 
world,  constituting  several  genera,  two  of  which, 
very  distinct  from  cadi  other,  occur  iu  N.  Am. 
274.    GALLI'XULA.    (L.at.  gallinula,  Aim'm.  of  (inllina,  a  hm.   Fig.  4(17.)    Gallixii.e.s.    Water 
Il!:x.s.    Mud  Hexs.    Bill  not  longer  than  head,  stout  at  base,  tapering,  compressed,  the  culmeu 
running  directly  up  on  the  forehead  and  e.viiaiiding  into  a  frontal   plate  of  different  shape  iu 
different  species.     NostriLs  near  middle  of  bill,  linear.     Feet  lai'ge  and  stout ;  tibia'  naked 
below;  tarsus  moderately  compressed,  scutellate ;  toes  very  long,  the  outer  longer  tban  tlio 
inner,  jci7/t  an  evident  though  slight  marginal  m<'mbrane;  claws  long,  slender,  little  curved, 
acute.     Wings  short  and  rounded,   but  ample.     Tail  very  short,  of  12   uealc  feathers,   with 
long   am{)le  under  coverts,   as  iu   Rails.     Plumage  not  rich    blue,   etc.     Several   species  of 
various  countries. 
684.   G.   galea'ta.     (Lat.  gahata,   hehneted.)      Co.mmon    Gallixi'i.e.      Florida    Gat.i.ixi'i.e. 
Red-hilli-.d  Mud-iien.     Adult  $  9  :  Head,  neck,  and  under  parts,  grayish-black,  darkest 
on  the  former,  paler  or  whitening  on  the  belly.     Back  brownish-<dive.     Wings  and  tail  dusky  ; 
crissnm,  edge  of  wing,  outer  M'eb  of  first  pviniary,  and  stripes  on  the   Hanks,  white.     Bill, 
frontal   plate,   and   ring   round   tibite,   red,  the  fonrier  tijiped  with   yellow;  tarsi   and  toes 
greenish,  the  joints  bluish;  eyes  red  or  brown.     Young:    Similar,  but  lacking  the  bright 
colors  of  the  bill  and  legs,   the  former  simply  greenish ;  under   parts   extensively  wliitisli. 
Length  12.00-14.00;    extent  20.00-22.00;    wing  i"). 30-7.50;    tail  3.00;  gape  of  bill   about 
1.50;  tarsus  about  2.00.     S.  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  N.  sometimes  to  New  England,  to 
Canada  West,   Minnesota,   Kansas,   etc.,   and  on  the  Pacific  side  to  San  Francisco;  W.  I., 
C.  Am.,  and  much  of  S.   Am.     Resident  in  the  Southern  States,  and  abundant  coa.stwise. 
Nidification  exactly  that  of  the  coot  (beyond).     Eggs  10-1 2-14.  1.75  X  1-25. 
275.    lONOR'NIS.     (Gr.  lov,  ion.  a  vi<det ;  opvts,  oniis,  a  bird ;  alludintr  to  the  rich  blue  color.) 
Sultan  Gallixules.    Hyacinths.    General  character  of  GalUnula ;  bill  very  stout  and 


670        tlY6Ti:MA'nC  SYNOPSIS.— ALKGTOUIlih      -liALLIFOUMES. 


liifjh,  sliorKT  thiiH  head,  the  nostrils  noar  its  iiiiiUlo,  oval.  Tws  without  lutorul  innrpino. 
I'luina^e  iK'iiutifii!  witli  rich  l)liii',  etc. 
485.  I.  martl'nira.  (Of  Martiiii<iui'.)  I'l'RPM':  (i.MXlN'ri.K.  Aihilt  ^  9  =  Ilcail,  mrh.  ami 
uu(h'r  parts  hcautil'iil  |mr|i]isli-hlii(',  hhifkciiiii)^  on  thf  hcily,  tlic  sides  ami  lining  of  wings 
bluisii-gret'n,  the  crissnni  wliitc.  AIjovc,  oiivaccous-grcon,  the  trrvix  anil  wing-covcrls  tinted 
witii  hluo.  Quills  and  tail-feathers  blackish,  glossvd  on  the  outer  webs  with  greenish. 
Frontal  shield  blue;  bill  carmine,  tii)i>ed  with  yeUow ;  legs  yellow.  The  frontal  shield  is 
obovate,  witli  a  point  behind.  Yoinig  with  the  head,  neck,  and  lower  back  brownish,  the 
under  parts  mostly  white,  mixed   with   ochrey.     Length  10.00-12.00;  extent  iiliout  22.00; 

wing  0,,>0-7.00;  tail  ^.jO-IJ.OO  ;  bill  from  gape  about  1.2.5;  tarsus 
about  2.2.) ;  middle  toe  and  claw  about  li.OO.  S.  Atlantic  and  Gidf 
States,  N.  casually  to  Now  Kngland,  etc. ;  resident  hi  the  Smith. 
Also  inhabits  much  of  C.  and  8.  Aim.,  and  W.  I. 

64.   Subfamily  FULICIN^  a. 

IJill  and  frontal  plate  much  as  in  the  tiallinules.  Body  depressed ; 
the  under  plumage  thick  and  duck-like,  to  resist  water.  Feet 
highly  natatorial ;  toes,  including  the  hinder,  lohate,  being  furnished 
with  large  semicircular  membranous  Haps.  The  ("oots  are  emi- 
nently afpiatic  birds,  swimming  with  ease,  by  means  of  their  lid)ate 
feet,  like  pha1aro])es  and  grebes  ;  but  this  ability  results  from  very 
slight  moditi<-atinn  of  a  structure  shared  by  the  Kails  and  Oallinules. 
There  are  about  ten  species,  of  both  hemispheres,  distinguished, 
among  other  characters,  by  the  size  and  shajie  of  the  frontal  shield. 
That,  for  instance,  figured  (tig.  KJS)  is  of  an  exotic  species,  much 
larger  than  that  of  Fiilica  ameiicnna,  and  differently  shajied.  One 
sjH'cies  is  remarkable  for  having  the  forehead  singularly  carun- 
culate;  the  others  closely  resemble  our  conunon  species. 
276.  FU'LICA.  {Lfit.  J nlica,  or  /»/(>,  a  <!oot,  from  the  sooty  c<dor ; /h//(/o,  soc  t.)  Character 
essentially  as  above.  Tarsi  shorter  than  nnddle  toe,  stout,  very  broadly  scntellate.  Nostrils 
linear,  in  a  broad  fos.sa,  towards  middle  of  bill.  Tibiie  bare  below.  Wings  moderate,  rounded, 
the  2d  and  .'Id  ([uills  usually  longest.  Tail  very  short,  12-feathercd.  I'lumage  dark  slaty 
color  ;  sexes  alike. 
086.  P.  aineriea'iitt.  Amkhican'  ("oot.  WiiiTE-niu.KD  Mud-hen.  Cnow  Ditck.  Dark 
.slate-C(dor,  paler  or  grayish  below,  blackening  on  the  head  and  ned?,  tinged  with  «dive  on  the 
back,  ("rissum,  whole  edge  of  wing,  and  tips  of  secondaries,  white.  Quills  dusky,  the  outer 
edge  of  the  first  primary  wli>t;.  Tail  blackish.  Hill  white  or  flesh-color,  marked  with 
reddish-black  near  the  end  and  at  ba.se  of  frontal  plate;  feet  dull  (divaceous  or  livid  yellowish- 
green  :  iris  carmine;  claws  black.  Young  similar,  paler  and  duller.  Length  11.00-1  fi. 00  ; 
extent  2:J.0l  1-27. 00;  wing  7.00-S.OO  ;  tail  2.00;  bill  from  the  gape  1.25-1. .50 ;  tarsus  about 
2.00 ;  middle  toe  and  claw  about  3.00.  The  frontal  phite  is  much  smaller  in  this  than  in  some 
other  species,  in  which  it  covers  all  the  forehead.  Entire  temperate  N.  Am.,  even  to  Alaska 
and  sometinu's  Greenland  ;  Mexico,  Cent.  Am.  and  W.  L  ;  abundant,  and  breeds  throughout 
its  range ;  migi-atory  northerly  ;  resident  in  the  South.  Inhabits  during  the  breeding  season, 
and  mostly,  reedy  sloughs,  poids,  and  sluggish  streams,  seeking  safety  in  concealment  rather 
than  by  tlight.  Nesting  most  like  that  of  grebes ;  a  hollowed  heap  of  bits  of  dead  reeds, 
just  out  of  the  water,  sonietimes  "  floating"  in  the  sense  that  the  mass  of  bndven-down  reeds 
ujxm  which  it  rests  lies  on  the  water.  Eggs  about  a  dozen,  1.75  to  2.00  long  by  1.20  to  1.35 
broad,  shaped  like  au  average  hen's  egg,  clear  clay-color,  uniformly  and  minutely  dotted  with 


Fio.  408.  —  Frontal  slilelil  of 
a  apuciu8  of  cuot. 


RHS 


LAMELUROSTIiES:   AXShlilXE  /?//.7>.s'. 


077 


(lark  hrowii,  tlit»  H\)tt\n  usimlly  iirto  iuu-Iu'iuIh,  Hoiiu'tiiiics  hn^v  l)l(itclu's.  'I'lic  not  is  ••cum'- 
tiiiM's  nil  dry  (Jii'cimiil  a  little  away  t'nuii  watt'f.  'I'lir  yoiiiii;  liaii-li  nivcrril  with  Madi  ilowii, 
fantastically  Htripcil  with  hrij,'hl  uraugc-rcd,  with  Vfriiiiliim  liiii  i1|i|m'(1  with  lil.u'k. 
H85.  (addriiihi.)  F.  u'trft.  (Lat.  «^y(,  Idark.)  Klitdi'KAX  ('i»iT.  I.ikc  the  la.st.  Hill,  iiiclud- 
iwfi  frciiital  idatr,  entirely  white  ;  edye  <<(  winir.  and  nf  tii>t  priiiiary,  white,  lint  no  white  on 
the  crissum.     Kiiroiie;  imly  N.  Am.  lis  uccuning  in  (Jrteidaiid. 


X.    Order  LAMCLLIROSTRES :   Anserine  Birds. 

Hill  himelliilr :  tiiut  is,  licith  niaudihle.-  t'iirni>lied  alontr  their  tnmial  edi.'es  with  series 
(if  laminar  or  teeth-like  imijeetinns,  alternatini;  and  lillini;  within  eaidi  ullier.  Covering  of 
liill  meinbranoiiH,  wludly  or  in  i,'reaiest  jiart.  'ron;.'Me  lleshy,  iisunliy  with  lioiny  tip,  ami 
serrate  or  |)aj>illate  edges  corresiiondin^'  to  the  dentienlations  of  tlie  liill.  Fee,  palmate  ;  hallux 
elevated,  free,  simple,  or  lohed  (rarely  ahsenl).  Winijs  never  e.\oeeilini;ly  lont;,  rarely  very 
short.  Tail  Koiiorally  short  and  many-feathered.  OOsophaifUs  narrower  than  in  the  lower 
llesh-eating  orders,  usually  with  a  more  or  less  specially  formed  crop:  ir'/.zar'l  stronirly 
muscular;  in'  -^tines  and  their  cceca  hing  ;  (doaca  capacious.  I.ei!;s  near  centre  of  ecpiiirtiriimi  ; 
position  of  bi.,i_\  in  walkiiiu  horizontal  or  nearly  so.  I{ci>rodMction  pra'cocial.  Sexual  haldt 
freipiently  jMilyganioiis.  Diet  various,  commonly  rather  vei,'etarian  than  animal.  There  aro 
two  remarkalily  diverse  tyju's  of  lamellirosiral  hirds,  of  more  than  family  value,  hy  some  now 
made  the  bases  of  .separate  orders.  The  matter  at  issue  may  he  hert  compromised  hy  the 
recognition  of  two  series,  or  suborders,  as  was  done  in  the  somewhat  parallel  ca..-.  s  of  Coliiiiibic, 
G(tlUii(P,  and  Alectoridcs. 

17.    Suborder  ODONTOOLOSS.i: :    Grai.latouial  Axseue.s. 

Consisting  of  tho  single  family  of  the  Flannngoes ;  the  Odoutoglosxn;  of  Xitz.seh,  the 
AmphimorjilifC  of  Huxley,  the  /'/l(P/llC(/y(^')•/(/f/■  of  most  authors.  " 'l"he  genus  l'li(ini(<ii>t<Tiis 
is  so  completely  iiitermecliate  between  the  Anserine  birds  on  the  oiu-  side,  and  the  Storks  and 
Herons  on  the  other,  that  it  ean  be  rangetl  with  neither  of  these  groups,  but  must  stand  as  tho 
tyjie  of  a  division  by  itself.  Thus  the  skull  has  the  long  lacrymo-nasal  region,  the  basi- 
pterygoid  facets,  the  prolonged  and  recurved  angle  of  the  mandible,  the  laminated  horny  sheath 
of  tho  ClienomorphfP  [Anntidic] ;  but  the  maxillo-palatines  are  sjiongy,  and  the  general  structure 
of  tho  rostrum  is  quito  similar  to  that  foiiml  in  Storks  ami  Herons.  The  lower  end  of  the  crus 
is  bare,  but  the  feet  are  fully  webbed  ;  and  the  pterylosis  is  said  by  Nitzsch  to  be  com])letely 
stork-like."  (Huxley.)  According  to  (Jarrod.  two  carotids  are  present,  but  the  right  is  much 
larger  than  the  left,  which  joins  it  low  down  in  the  neck  (uniiine  in  iletail,  but  similar  to  tho 
dis|>ositiou  found  in  Hitterns  ami  certain  Parrots;  fig.  94).  The  femoro-caudal  is  absent ;  tho 
iimbiens,  accessory  femoro-caudal,  semitendinosus  and  accessory  senutemliiiosus  are  jiresent 
(difl'ering  both  from  Ilcrodiones  and  Aiuilidti).  The  tongue  is  thick,  deshy,  paiiiUate,  with 
terminal  nail,  and  closely  tied  down;  (esophagus  extreimdy  narrow,  with  special  crop;  gizzard 
very  muscular ;  intestines  ample,  both  in  length  and  calibre  :  two  long  cu'ca,  constricted  at 
base;  a  capacious  cloaca,     liill  of   niii(|ne   shape,  but   perfectly  laiii(dlatc.     (Jeiieral   contigur- 

atiou  of  body  and  members  grallatorial ;  legs  and  very  slender  neck  ex dingly  long,  exhihit- 

ing  even  an  exaggeration  of  the  proportions  of  Cranes,  Storks,  and  Herons;  but  toes  webbed. 
The  external  characters  are  so  nicely  balanceil  betw<>en  those  of  wadiuir  .-iiid  swimminu:  birds, 
that  tho  Flamingoes  have  been  )ilaced  indifferently  in  both  groups;  l.iit  nearly  the  wliid(> 
organization  corresp(ui(ls  essentially  with  that  of  the  duck  tribe,  the  grallatorial  ndationship, 
in  fonn  and  habits,  tlioiigh  so  evident,  being  rather  of  analoiiy  than  of  atfinity.  The  jihysi- 
ological  nature  is  said  to  be  pra'cocial ;  the  young  hatching  clothed  and  takitig  directly 
to  tho  water. 


678     SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS— LAMELLIROSTBES—  ODOXTOGLOSSJE. 


087. 


51.   Family  PHCENICOPTERIDjE  :    Flamingoes. 

Bill  miiinio  in  shape,  abruptly  bout  in  tlio  middle,  so  that  the  iijiper  surface  fares  the 
ground  in  the  act  of  feeding  ;  in  length  niueh  excirding  tie  heail,  very  large  and  thick, 
entirely  invested  with  membrane  (witiiout  the  distinct  terminal  horny  nail  of  Anntidfc). 
Mandible  narrower  than  maxilla  at  base,  broader  in  the  rest  of  its  extent,  ridged  near  the  end. 
Edges  of  upper  mandible  furnished  with  a  great  number  (some  150)  of  obli(|ue  laminic  ;  of  lower 
incurved,  similarly  furnished.  Nostrils  sub-l)asal,  nearer  commissure  than  culmen,  linear, 
long.  Tibiiu  bare  below  for  a  great  distance,  and  with  the  tarsi  broadly  scutellatt;  before 
and  behind.     Toes  short,  the  anterior  i)ahnate  with  incised  webs;  the  hallux  elevated,  free, 


Fio.  4C!>.  -American  Flanilngoos.    (From  a  iihotogrnph  of  a  group  mounted  by  F.  S.  Webster.) 

very  small,  or  absent.  Wings  moderately  long,  amjde,  with  enlarged  inner  stM-ondaries 
folding  over  and  beyond  the  ]>rimaries  when  closed.  Tail  short.  There  are  about  7  s|iecies  of 
Flamingoes,  inhabiting  the  warmer  parts  of  both  Hemis)>heres ;  three  of  Americii  besides 
ours,  and  three  or  four  Old  World.  Tliey  rejiresent  several  genera  of  late  sy.stemafists,  the 
most  marked  being  that  rein-e.^ented  by  /'.  amlinus,  which  is  three-toed.  Our  species  falls  in 
the  restricted  genus  I'hcDiicorndian  of  (Iray. 
277.  PH(KNICO'PTKRUS.  (Or.  (^oiM(C(i7rTf/)or,  j)IioinHop1erns,  Lat.  phiruicopterits,  a  flamingo: 
1.  e.  red-wing.)  Fi,.\MiNti()KS.  Character  as  above.  Head  bare  between  bill  and  eyes. 
Hind  toe  jiresent.  Claws  flattened,  obtuse.  Wings  ample,  pointed  ;  Ist  three  lu'iinarios  sub- 
oqnal  and  longest ;  inner  secondaries  elongated  and  tapering. 


PH(ENICOVrEl{II)jE :  FLAMING OES. 


679 


«87.  P.  ru'ber.  (Lat.  ruber,  rod.  Fii;.  If)'.).)  AMr.ificAX  Hkd  ri.AMixiio.  Adult  ^  9  :  I'lu- 
liiiitfc  sciirlot,  th''  iiriiimnps  and  iiicist  of  the  sccoiidiuics  Idack.  I.cirs  lake-red.  Mill  Mack  mi 
tlio  teriniiial  part,  orange  in  the  middle,  the  liase  and  bare  skin  .it'  head  yelhiu'.  Ycinntr  the 
first  yi-ar  white  or  rosy.  Statnrc  nearly  a  feet ;  weight  0  or  8  llis.  Length  ahotit  i  feet;  extent 
of  wings  5  feet  orniore ;  wing  K)  inehei  ;  tail  (I:  hill.");  tihia  hare  !) ;  tarsiislli;  middle  toe  and 
cdaw  ;{*.  9  '''^''  i  in  eolor.  hilt  smaller.  Florida  and  (iulf  coast,  and  .soiithwanl ;  .said  to 
liav(!  been  \.  to  S.  Carolina.  Eirgs  2,  '.li^i  X  ^.10,  with  thiek  sludl,  roughened  with  white 
flaky  substanee,  bluish  when  this  is  scraped  away.  The  nest  is  describt>d  as  a  heap  of  earth 
and  other  material,  whi(di  the  birds  bestride  in  an  ungainly  attitude;  but  it  is  not  hiyh  enough 
to  ])ermit  their  long  letrs  to  danirle,  as  re])resented  in  .some  iiopui.ir  accounts  and  pictorial 
pflTorts.  A  recent  writer  iipmi  one  of  the  (lid  World  species  states  positively  that  the  incubating 
bird  doubles  her  legs  under  her  in  the  usual  way  ;  so  that,  unless  the  American  species  does 
dirt'erently,  the  accoiiipaiiyiii^  illustration  must  be  consiilered  conventional.  The  yoiiiii,'  are 
said,  on  good  authority,  to  take  to  the  water  as  soon  as  hatched. 

18.   Si'BORnEU  AXSKRP'S:   Axskuink  Bird.'!  1'uoi'f.i;. 

f^imply  erpiivaleiit  to  liamellirostres  as  above  .letined,  minits  the  (irallatorial  type.     For 
further  characters,  see  on,  under  head  of  the  single 


Fl(i.470.  — Willi  Diiek. 


52-.   Family  ANATID-^ :   Geese,  Ducks,  etc. 

Bill  Imnelliiti',  stout,  more  or  less  elevated  and  compressed  at 
base,  widened  or  flattened  at  the  obtuse  tip,  invested  with  soft, 
touiili,  leathery  membrane,  except  at  the  end,  which  is  furnished 
with  a  hard,  horny  "nail,"  jjenerally  somewhat  overhaimiiiir, 
.sometimes  small  and  distinct,  sometinn's  larire  and  fused;  that  is, 
chaiiiiing  insensibly  into  tlu^  general  covering.  (This  soft  <'over- 
ing  is  regarded  by  some  as  a  ju'oloiiged  cere ;  but  this  is  purely 
thi'oretieal.)  Body  full,  heavy,  flattened  beneath;  neck  of  variable 
length;  head  large;  eyes  small.  \o  antiie;  the  frontal  feathers 
encroaching  on  the  culmen  with  a  convex  or  pointed  outline,  iiiul  forming  other  ])roiections  mi 
the  sides  of  the  bill,  and  in  the  inti>rranial  s])ace,  which  latter  is  broad  and  long,  the  inandib- 
nlar  crura  being  united  only  at  the  end  by  a  broad  short  bridge;  no  culminal  ridife  nor  keel 
of  gonys.  Nostrils  snbbasal,  median,  or  subterminal,  elevated,  open,  naki>d,  usually  broadly 
oval.  Wings  of  moderate  length  (rarely  v<'ry  short),  stiff,  strong,  pointed,  conferring  rapid, 
vigorous,  whi.stling  flight;  a  wild  duck  at  full  s])eed  is  said  to  make  ninety  miles  an  hour. 
Tail  of  variable  sha])e,  but  usually  short  and  rounded,  never  forked,  sometimes  cuneate,  of 
12-2  !■  feathers,  usually  14-10,  the  under  coverts  very  long  and  full,  forming  a  conspicuous 
crissal  tuff.  Legs  short;  knees  buried  in  the  general  integument  ;  tibiie  feathered  nearly  or 
ipiite  to  the  suft'rago  ;  tarsi  reticulate  or  scutellate.  or  both  ;  toes  palmate,  the  hinder  always 
present  and  free,  simple  or  lobate.     Wing  occasionally  spurred. 

Like  the  gallinaceous,  the  anserine  type  is  a  familiar  one,  comprising  all  kinds  of  '•  water- 
fowl," among  which  are  the  originals  of  all  our  domestic  breeds  of  swans,  gee.se,  and  ducks, 
that  vie  with  poultry  in  point  of  economio  coiLsecpience,  ornament  our  ]>arks,  or  furnish  exi|uisite 
material  for  wearing  appand,  as  wtdl  as  the  fllling  of  our  piUows  and  couches.  Hut  additional 
ii)foniuitlon  re.speeting  the  structure  of  thi«.  the  largest  and  most  important  family  of  .swimming 
birds,  nuiy  be  desirable.  It  is  definitely  characterized  by  many  important  points  besides  those 
external  features  just  stated.  In  jtalatal  structure,  Anntirhc  are  desmognathous  (fit:.  78)  ;  ''  tlio 
hicrymal  region  of  the  skull  is  remarkably  loni;  [tlie  lacrynnil  bone  itself  is  large].  The  basi- 
Bphcnoidal  rostrum  has  oval  sessile  basipterygoid  facets.    The  flat  and  lamellar  uiaxillo-]iulatiue8 


680 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LAMELLUiOSTRES — A  KSEHES. 


1' 


unitt'  iiiul  form  a  bridge  across  tlic  palate.  1'lie  angle  of  tlse  mamliblo  is  jnoduccd  and  greatly 
recurved"  (i/iu/ey).  Tiie  iiitemrhital  septuin  is  more  or  less  completely  ossified,  and  the 
orbits  are  better  defined  than  in  iiiaiiy  birds,  by  well-developed  lacrynuil  and  poM-frontal  jiro- 
C08S0S.  The  jiremaxillary  is  large,  and  its  three  prongs  are  so  extensively  fused  that  only  a 
slight  nasal  aperture  remains.  Sometimes  the  top  of  the  skull  shows  crescentic  depressions  for 
lodgment  of  the  siii)raorbital  gland,  the  secretion  of  which  lubricates  the  nasal  jiassages ;  but 
this  feature  is  never  so  marked  as  in  most  of  the  piscivorous  swimmers  (fig.  (i.Sl.  The  sternum  is 
long  and  broad,  more  or  less  transverse  posteriorly,  M'ith  a  simple  notch  or  fenestra  on  each 
Bide;  sometimes  its  keel  is  curiously  ludlowed  out  for  a  pur]iose  stated  beyond.  The  vertebra' 
vary  a  good  deal  in  number,  owing  to  the  variability  of  the  cervicals,  which  run  up  to  21  iu 
gome  swans.  The  pelvis  is  ample,  arched  and  extensively  ossified,  with  small  foramina,  showing 
uothing  of  the  straight,  constricted,  largely  fenestraleil  figure  pri'valent  among  lowe.  wiiter- 
birds.  The  oil-gland  is  jiresent,  tufted.  The  carotids  are  two.  The  ainbiens,  feme  o-caudal 
and  its  acccs.sory  and  .s<>mitendinosus  arc  present.  'J'he  tongue  is  large  and  fleshy  ,  its  miiiu 
bone  {(jlosso-hyal ;  fig.  fi)  is  highly  dcjveloped;  its  sides  show  jirocesses  corre-'()onding  to 
tin-  lauielhe  of  tlu!  bill.  'I'he  gullet  is  not  so  ample  as  in  the  Hetdi-eatiug  swiir.iners.  The 
giz/ard  resembles  that  of  a  fowl  iu  its  shajie  and  great  mu.scularity ;  the  muscles  are  d<'ep- 
eolored,  and  well  show  \\w  typical  disposition  of  large  hemispherical  lateral  mas.ses  converging 
to  central  tendons.  'I'he  c(eca  vary  with  the  geiu'ra  aecoriling  to  food;  they  are  very  lonj;  — 
12  or  15  inchi's  —  in  .some  of  thi?  herbivorous  species.  The  male  genital  armature  merits 
special  notice.  "  In  some  yalaloirs  which  copulate  on  the  water  there  is  provision  for  more 
effi<Mi'nt  coitus  than  by  simple  contact  of  everted  cloaca';  and  in  the  AnuiiiUr  a  long  ]ienis  is 
developed.  It  is  essentially  a  sacular  production  of  a  highly  vascular  i>art  of  the  lining  mem- 
brane of  the  cloaca.  ...  In  the  passive  state  it  is  coiled  up  like  a  screw  by  the  elasticity  of 
associated  ligamentous  structure.  ...  A  groove  connnencing  widely  at  the  base  follows  the 
spiral  turns  of  the  sac  to  its  termination;  the  sperm  ducts  open  upon  papilhe  at  the  base  of  this 
groove.  This  form  of  jienis  has  a  muscle  by  which  it  can  be  everti'd,  protruded  and  raised." 
{Oircii.)  Among  the  most  interesting  structures  of  the  AnatitUc  are  the  curious  modilicalious 
of  the  \vind|iipe,  prevailing  iilniost  throughout  the  fanuly.  Iu  a.  nmnber  of  swans,  this  organ 
enters  a  cavity  in  the  keel  of  the  sternum,  doubles  on  il.xelf  and  then  emerges  to  (lass  to  the 
lungs,  forming  either  a  horizontal  or  a  vertical  coil.  Iu  some  geese  the  windpipe  coils  between 
the  pectoral  muscles  and  the  skin.  Thest'  vagaries  of  the  windpipe  are  not,  however,  confined 
to  the  ]iresent  family,  occiUTing  in  sonu'  of  the  crani's,  ibises,  certain  (idlliiup,  and  also,  it  is 
said,  in  the  curious  snipe,  lilii/iichtra  aipensis.  In  most  of  the  thn-ks,  furthermore,  and  in  the 
jnergansers,  the  lower  larynx  is  a  singularly  enlarged  and  complicated  affair;  several  of  the 
lower  rinys  of  the  trachea  being  soldered  together  and  greatly  nuignitied  to  iMnduce  a  largi' 
irri'gidarly  shnped  capsule.  Its  use  is  not  known  ;  in  some  sense  it  is  a  sexinil  character, 
since  it  is  only  fully  developed  in  the  male;  it  viiries  greatly  in  size  and  shape  iu  ditl'erent 
81>ecies  (tii,'.s.  '.i,  !tS).  Finally,  it  should  be  addeil,  that  the  pterylosis  of  the  family  is  perfectly 
definite,  a  certain  type  of  tract-fonnatiou  prevailing  throughout,  with  very  slight  minor  modi- 
fications. 

It  is  not  easy  to  overrate  the  economic  inijiortance  of  this  hutie  fiiniily.  It  is  true  thai  the 
mergansers,  sonu' of  the  sea  ilueks,  and  crrtiiiu  maritime  geese,  that  fei-d  chiefly  upon  animal 
Hubstani'es.  nre  scarcely  fit  for  fo4id  ;  but  the  irreal  majority  afford  a  bounteous  supply  of  sapid 
nu'at,  II  chief  <lep<'nilence,  indeed,  with  the  populiiliou  of  some  iidiospilalde  reuious.  Such  is 
the  case,  for  example,  in  the  boreal   ])arts  of  this  eontiuent,  whither  vast   bands  of  WMlci-fowl 

resort  to  )>r 1  during  the  tleetiu^  iirelic  suunuer.     Their  comiui:  m.ivks  a  season  of  compiira- 

tive  jilenty  in  places  where  hunirrr  oi'ti'u  piiu-hes  the  belly,  and  their  warm  downy  covering 
is  patched  into  garments  almost  cold-)iroof. 

The  general  traits  of  the  anseri..e  birils  are  ttio  well  known  to  rei|uire  more  than  jmssiug 


ANATIDJE  —  CYGXIX^l'J  :   SWANA. 


081 


f 


notice.  Thoy  nro  salaciotis  to  a  dpijrro  roiiiarljuMc  pvou  in  tlip  liot-hltHxlt'd,  iiassioiiatc  class  of 
birds;  a  circumstance  rcndcrini;  tlic  priidiiction  of  liybiids  tVctiucnt,  and  favorini;  tiic  study  of 
this  sul)joct.  If  we  recall  the  peculiar  actions  of  f^ecse  ni|ii>iiiu;  lierl>a,u;e,  and  of  duclis  "ilah- 
Ming"  in  the  water,  and  know  that  some  speeies,  as  the  merpmsers,  imrsne  tish  and  other  live 
prey  under  water,  wo  have  tlu^  jirincipal  modes  of  feeding;.  Ni.iitication  is  usually  on  the 
f^roimd  ;  sometimes  in  a  hollow  tree ;  the  nest  is  often  warmly  lined  with  liv<'  feathers;  the 
Cgijs  arc  usually  of  some  plain  pale  color,  as  greenish,  dral>,  ta- creamy  ;  the  clutch  varies  in 
number,  couunonly  rani^ing  from  half  a  do/en  to  a  dozen  and  a  half.  The  younu;  are  clotlied 
with  stiHisli  d(»wu,  and  swim  at  once.  Amont;  the  ducks  and  merpmsers,  marked  sexual  diver- 
sity in  cidor  is  the  rule ;  the  reverse  is  the  ease  with  swans  and  ijeese.  A  noteworthy  color- 
ation of  nnniy  species,  especially  of  ducks,  is  the  siHriilinn  ;  a  l)rii;htly  colored,  i;eneral!y 
iridescent,  area  on  the  secondary  nuills.  Most  of  the  sitecies  are  mii;ratory,  particularly  those 
of  the  northern  hemisphere  ;  the  llij^ht  is  performed  in  hands,  that  seem  to  preserve  discipline 
as  well  as  companionship  ;  and  with  .such  regularity,  that  no  hirds  are  hetter  entitled  to  tlu^ 
claim  of  weather-prophets. 

There  are  u]»ward  of  1/5  species  of  this  family,  iidiahitinij  all  parts  of  the  world.  They 
differ  a  jjood  deal  in  minor  details,  ami  re]iresent  a  mnuher  of  p<'culiar  i;enera  aside  from  the 
ordinary  tyiH's,  thouju;h  none  are  so  aberrant  as  to  endanger  the  integrity  of  t!i(>  group.  It  is 
diilicult  to  establish  divisions  higher  than  generic,  becaii.se  the  swans,  geese,  and  ducks,  if  not 
also  the  mergansers,  are  elo.sely  united  by  intermediate  genera.  Hut  the  live  groups  presented 
as  subfamilies  in  the  tidlowing  pages,  aiid  re]iresenting  the  whole  if  the  family,  may  be  con- 
veniently rect>gnized,  and  are  readily  dislinguislied,  so  far  as  our  species  are  concerned,  by  the 
characters  assigned.      The  genera  will  be  found  analyzed  under   heads  of  their  res[>ectivo 

Bubfamilies. 

ylnah/aii  of  Siilifnmiliif. 

CviiMN.*:.    Sirnni.    LnrcB  pnrlly  iiiikoil.    Tiiisi  rcliiulutc.    Iliilliix  Klmiile.    Scxps  nllke. 

Anskuin.I':.     diisi:    l.in-os  foiitliured.    Tiusl  ri'lliiilatc.     llulliix  hliii|ilc.    .Scxcm  iilll<i'. 

Anatin.v:.    Hirer /Im-ks.    Lorcii  ruatlierod.    'i'lirsi  Miitclliid' in  front.    Iliilinx  sthnjilo.    DiU  flnttoncd.   Scxoh 

iiiiliki'. 
Fei.ioi'i,i.N.i':.     .s'i'd  /Hirkn.     Unea  rcatlicroil.    TiirHt  Kcntclliito  tn  front,     lliilinx  lubnto.    Kill  lliklluni'il 

SexcH  luilikc. 
Mkuiiin.i:.    .I/i'IV/(Iii.ii r.i,    I^rcs  fcallicroil.    TiUiil  iwMitellato  In  front,    llullux  lobato.    Itlll  cyltmlric.    Suxch 

unlike. 

65.    Subfamily  CYCNIN^:  Swans. 

A  strip  of  hare  skin  Mireeii  the  ri/e  and  liill :  fnrsi 
rdiculdtf,  iiiul  shorlir  than  mithllc  toe  iiiul  vhiir  ; 
hind  lor  siwpir,  or  with  very  .slight  hdte.  in  the 
Swans,  the  neck  is  of  extreme  length  and  llexitdlity, 
exceeding  the  truidi,  with  up  to  ii  or  '2(\  vertebra-; 
the  movements  and  attitudes  on  the  water  arc  pro- 
verbially elegant  and  graceful.  The  bill  eciiials  or 
exceeils  the  head  in  length  ;  it  is  high  and  com- 
press<'d  at  base  (where  sometimes  tuberculutc),  Hat- 
ter anil  wideiu'tl  at  the  end  ;  thi'  nostrils  arc  median. 
The  lores  are  naked  in  the  adults,  tlioiiuli  usually 
feathered  in  the  young.  Some  of  the  inner  remii;es 
are  usually  eidarged,  and  when  elevated  in  a  pecu- 
Fio.  471.  -  Mulo  Swun,  <'//../hh,i  nhr.  (Knini  liar  position  of  the  wing,  they  act  as  sails  to  hel|i  the 
'•I"""  )  course  of  the  bird  over  the  water.     The  reticulate 

tarsi  are  shorter  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw.    The  hallux  is  scarcely  or  not  lobate.     'I"he  legs 
are  placed  rather  fur  back  for  this  family,  so  that  the  gait  is  awkward  and  eonstraiaed.     'i  Iw 


682 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LAMELLIIiOSTRES  —  AN  SERES. 


tail  is  short,  of  20  to  2\  feathers.  Although  the  voice  is  sonorous  at  times,  an  hahitual  reti- 
cence of  Swans  e(»ntra.sts  strongly  with  the  noisy  gabhliug  of  Geese  and  Diieks ;  it  is  hardly 
necessary  to  add,  that  their  fancied  musical  ability,  either  in  health  or  at  the  approach  of 
death,  is  not  confirmed  by  examination  of  their  vocal  ap])aratns :  this  is  in  many  cases  con- 
voluted as  already  described,  but  there  are  no  syriiigeal  muscles  nor  other  apparatus  for  modu- 
lating the  voice.  There  are  eight  or  ten  species,  of  various  countries,  among  them  the  cele- 
■  Lrated  black  swan  of  Australia,  Cheuopsis  atratd,  the  black-necked  swan  of  South  America, 
Stiinwiiis  mrhniovorjipha  (<'i/g)iiis  niiirivollis  of  authors).  'J'he  Ci>iiCoroha  anato'ide.i  of  the 
same  country,  a  species  with  feathered  lores,  often  referred  here,  is  perliajis  bettor  placed 
among  Auatiiup.  In  none  of  these  does  flie  trachea  enter  the  breast-bone.  The  Pnhroci/ciiiis 
fiih-oiwri  is  a  large  fossil  species  from  Malta.  Our  two  species  belong  to  the  restricted  genus 
Olor,  distinguished  from  I'l/qnufi  proper  by  absence  of  a  tubercle  at  the  ba.se  of  the  bill 
(seen  in  lig.  471).  The  sexes  are  alike  throughout  the  grou]). 
278.  t'YG'Xl'S.  (dr.  KVKvui.  lidnos,  Lat.  vi/niiis  or  '7/_(/>ii<s,  a  swan.)  WillTK  SwAXS.  \<'ck  of 
extrenu'  lengtii.  Trachea  normally  <'ntenug  sternum.  Hill  tuberculate  or  not,  the  skimiy 
covering  in  the  adults  reaching  to  the  eyes ;  not  shorter  than  heatl,  very  high  at  base,  where 
deeper  than  wide,  liroader  and  tlatt<'ning  toward  the  roimdi'd  end ;  cnlminal  ridge  at  ba.^e 
about  horizontal,  very  broad  and  flat  or  even  excavated,  the  sides  of  the  bill  there  nearly 
vertical.  Nostrils  near  middle  of  bill,  high  up.  l..ei;s  behind  centre  of  eipiilibrium  when 
the  body  is  horizimtal.  Tibia*  bar4'  below.  Tarsus  .shorter  than  middle  toe  and  chiw,  entirely 
reticulate;  toes  long,  with  full  webs,  the  anterior  reticulate  on  to]i  for  a  distance,  then  scu- 
tellat<'.  Hallux  small,  elevate,  with  slight  lobe.  Wings  very  long  and  ample.  Tail  short, 
rounded  (in  Olor)  or  wedged  (in  C'i/()uit.i  proper),  of  twenty  or  twenty-four  feathers.  Size 
large:  adults  entirely  white,  with  black  bill  and  feet,  former  usually  in  part  yellow:  young 
rusty  on  head  ;  younger  gray  or  ashy.  Sexes  alike.  Our  sjjecies  1-.')  feet  lon^.  They  all  belong 
to  Olor,  having  non-tnberculate  bill,  rounded  tail,  the  young  with  the  down  on  the  sides 
of  the  bill  forming  distinct  antia' ;  and  the  inner  webs  of  the  outer  three  primaries,  with  inter 
vebs  of  the  2d,  'M,  and  4th,  sinuated. 

.Iiinhfsh  of  Spfrit'S. 
Tail  of  24  fcntlicrs  (iinrnmUy).    ISill  entirely  liloclc,  rntlicr  longer  tlian  head,  nostrilH  fuirly  in  itH  lianni  Imif 

hllirilliltiir  CSS 
Tnil  nf  20  frntlierH  (nnrnmlly).    Bill  nnrmnlly  witli  n  sninll  yellnw  K|iot  not  rencliiiig  the  n<wlrilH,  Hiircely 

or  not  Inrgor  tlmn  licnd,  nostrllH  nt  the  niiiiillo ntlumliiiiiiiin    G89 

Tnll  of  20  feathcrH  tn'irnniliy).     Hill  norninlly  with  a  great  yellow  fipnco  c.xtoniling  lieyoml  the  noHtrilH, 

(tearcely  or  not  longi-r  than  heail,  noRtrilH  at  the  miiidle muaicii»    690 

688.  C.  biicolnii'tor.  (Lat.  buccinator,  atrumix'ter:  hiwciiia,  a  trumpet:  liiicca,  the  cheek.) 
TmMPKTEU  Swan.  Adult  <J  9  =  •Mumag<'  vliite,  with  or  witlmiit  wa.sh  of  rusty  on  head. 
Hill  and  feet  entirely  black.  Hill  more  develnpeil  in  the  terminal  portion  than  that  of  ('. 
aiiitricaiiHS,  throwing  the  nostrils  fairly  within  the  basal  half,  and  making  the  distance  from 
the  anterior  angle  of  the  eye  to  the  hind  edge  of  the  no.stril  eipial  to  the  distance  thence  to 
the  end  of  the  bill.  Tail-feathers  normally  ii.  Largest :  length  .5  feet  or  more  when  full 
grown,  and  extent  about  S  feet ;  wing  i  feet  or  more;  tail  S-lt  inches.  Hill  about  4. .50  inches 
along  culmen,  from  I'ye  to  tip  nearly  (l. 00  ;  tarsus  4.,")()-.).00 ;  middle  toe  and  claw  5.50-(>.00. 
Young  smaller;  bill  and  feet  not  ]>erfectly  black  :  |p|innage  grayish,  the  head  and  upj>er  neck 
rusty-brown.  This  swan  chit'Hy  inhabits  N.  Am.  from  the  Mississippi  valley  westward,  Texas 
to  the  fur  countries;  (!reat  Lakes;  Iludsim's  IJay ;  Cainula;  casual  on  the  Atlantic  Coast. 
Hreeds  from  Iowa  and  Dakota  northward;  in  M'inter  south  to  the  Gulf. 

680.  C.  ooluinbla'niis.  (Of  the  Cidumhia  River.  Fig.  472.)  Com.mon  Amekica.n  Swan.  Wiiist- 
LlMi  Swan.  Adult  ^  9=  Plumage  as  before.  Bill  with  a  yellow  spot  or  blotch  in  front  of 
eye,  usually  snuill,  sometimes  wanting.  Hill  less  lentitheiu'd  and  expanded  terminally  than  iu 
C.  hiicciimtor,  the  nt)strils  across  the  middle ;  the  distance  from  the  anterior  angle  of  the  eye 


f 


AX  A  TIDJE  —  A  XSEIiLW^ :   GEESE. 


688 


( 


to  tlio  bind  odpc  of  the  nostril  more  than  tlionco  to  tlio  cnil  of  tli(>  bill.     Tnil-fpnthrrs  nonnally 

20.     Length  nntlor  .5  foct ;  oxteut  (J  or  1  tVct ;  wing  under  -'  feet ;  tail  7  or  S  inehes.     Hill  about 

4.00     along     culnien  ; 

fri  ini  t'j'o  to  tij)  of  bill  un-  ' 

der  .5.00;  tarsu.s  l.Od; 

middle   toe    and    eUiw 

.')..")0.     Young  sniallor; 

jilmnage     ashy  -  gray, 

with      reddish  -  brown 

wash  on  head  and  npiirr 

neek  ;  bill  in  part  tlesli- 

(■(diired,  the  lores  [dn- 

ninlnse;   feet  yellowish 

tlesh-cobir.    X.  Am.  at 

large,  U.  S.  in  winter 

and  during  the  migra- 
tion ;  the  usual  speeies 

along  the  Atlantieeoast, 

and  more  numerous  on 

eitlier  eoast  than  in  in- 
terior U.   S. ;   rare   or 

casual,      however,     in 

New  Kngland  and  eastward. 

to   1..50  X  !i.30,  with  rough  dull  white  shell,  witli  more  or  less  brownish  dis<'<doration. 
01)0.    ('.  niu'sioiis.     (Gr.  /iova-iKos,  mousikos,  Lat.  miisicus,  musical.)     Wiiooi'iN(i  S\vA\.     Similar 

to  (\  colunihiinum,  and  having  the  same  shape  of  the  bill,  but  instead  of  a  snni.'  y(dlow  spot 

behind  the  nostrils  there  is  a  great  yellow  blotch,  occupying  one  half  or  more  of  the  bill  and 

extending  beyond  the  nostrils.     Only  X.  Am.  as  occurring  in  Greeidand :   Heinh.,  Ibis,  18(11, 

p.  LS  of  the  reprint;  Freko,  Zoiil.,  v,  18S1,  p.  373. 
0»I.    [C  be'wickl.      (To  Thos.   IJewick.)     Hkwuk',s  Swax.     A  European  .species,  incorrectly 

attributed  to  X.  A.  in  the  M  ed.  of  the  ("heck  I^ist,  which  see,  p.  111. J 


Fio.  471!.  —  Wlilstlliig  .Swnii.    (From  l.cwls. ) 
Breeds  only  in  the  high  north.     Kggs  H-'t,  from    l.OO  X  2.25 


66.    Subfamily  ANSERINE:    Oeese. 

/,o;r.s-  rnmpMclii  frnthnril  :  tnrxi  entiirhj 
ri'tivnhle;  hind  Uie  simjile.  Neck  in  length 
between  that  of  swans  and  of  ducks;  cervical 
vertebne  about  Kl ;  body  elevated  and  not  so 
much  llatlened  as  in  the  du<'ks  ;  legs  relatively 
longer ;  tarsu.s  generally  exceeding,  or  at  least 
not  shorter  than,  the  middh"  toe;  bill  generally 
rather  short,  high  and  conii)ressed  at  base,  and 
tapering  to  tip,  which  is  less  wideneil  and  flat- 
tened than  is  usual  among  ducks  and  almost 
wholly  occupieil  by  the  broad  nail.  The 
species  as  a  rule  are  more  terrestrial,  and  walk 
better,  than  ducks  ;  they  are  generally  herbiv- 
orous, although  several  uuiritim.'  species  (Philacte,  an.l  an  allied  South  Ameri.-an  group)  are 
animal-feeders,  and  their  Hesb  is  rank.  Ib.th  sexes  attend  to  the  y,.ung.  A  notable  trait, 
shared  by  the  swans,  is  their  mode  of  resenting  intrusion  by  hissing  with  out.-t retched  neck, 


Fio.  473.  — Common  (a)  nnd  Ularlt  (/.)  Brant. 


r 


C84 


S  Y STEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LA  MKLLIliOSTBES  —  ANSKKES. 


270. 


002. 


003. 


and  fttrildn^  with  tlio  wiii^.s.  With  Ronic  pxcoptioiis  the  phniuigo  is  not  so  hright  nnd  varicgiitcil 
m  tiiiit  (if  tiiicks,  and  tiic  siicciihiin  is  wanting  ;  \\u'W  \»  only  an  aiiiiiial  iiitmlt,  and  no  Hoasimal 
chanp«  (if  |ihiniagc  ;  the  xcxcs  an;  generally  aliiu*.  Mdst  (if  the  frccsc  fall  in  or  vory  near  tin' 
genera  Atixvr  and  licniicln,  and  ar<>  niodelled  in  tlie  lilteness  of  tlie  (l(iniesti(r  breeds.  'I'lie  iiinri' 
notable  exotic. forniH  are:  the  Anstralian  Atisrrdmis  mflinioleiica  and  (Jeiropsis  twf(P-liolliiii<liir, 
tlie  former  havint;  the  feet  little  more  than  Hemipalmate,  the  latter  wuircudy  a(|uatic,  with  very 
lon^  l(%'.s,  much  l>ar(>  above  tin*  siiflVa^o,  and  the  bill  Hmall,  very  mendtranous;  the  African 
PUriroiiteniH  fiumhensis,  a  |>ur|>lish-blacU  bird  with  spurs  on  the  winjjs  and  a  Inberch"  at  the 
base  of  the  bill  ;  the  AMiatie  CiiHOjinis  viiijudidcs,  fre([uently  domesticated,  a  true  goose  with 
a  Hwan-lil<e  aspect;  the  Egyptian  go(<.je,  Clinuilopcr  <rtii/i)li(icn.  The  geese  appear  to  pass 
directly  into  the  dncks  through  the  rather  large  shieldrake  group,  the  species  of  which  resemble 
the  latter  in  many  external  features,  but  are  more  essentially  like  geese.  Characteristic  exam- 
ph's  of  this  group  are  the  Kumpean  Tiulornn  riiliiiniscr  »Ui\  ('a/«irc(i  rHliln;  there  are  several 
others  in  the  southern  hemisphere;  our  long-legged  arboricole  genus  l>e)ulr(tciiijmt  belongs 
in  the  immediat(!  vicinity,  while  the  domesticated  ninsk  duck,  Cairinu  nioschtita,  is  not  far 
removed.     Through  such  forms  as  these  we  are  brought  directly  among  the  dncks  projier. 

Analj/aia  nf  (lenrrti. 

Bill  pink;  feet  yullow;  iiiiiler  partB  uxtciiHivuly  black.    Bill  tn]ierlni;,  nut  longer  than  head.    Lnnicllm 

MiiHleruloly  ox|kimmI Aiimr    27U 

IMII  iinil  finil  |iliik.    riumui;o  wliito,  or  uiouli  varied.      Illll  tiiiirrlii);,  nut  lunKcr  than  head.    Lanielliu 

cimi|il«t(Oy  ('X|ii»mmI ('Inn    L'SO 

I'At'i  and  feet  lihick  ;  lioiul  and  neek  black,  with  white  H|iacc8.    llill  tapering,  nhertcr  than  head,    hainellu) 

hidden lUrmi-lii    281! 

Bill  ai:d  I'cet  lii;1il ;  pliimuKu  bluiiih,  Willi  lilack  erciH-cntii.    Bill  taiierlng,  nut  lunger  than  head.    LHinclliii 

partly  expuwni I'liilaclf    'jsl 

Bill  and  Teot  variuim;  pliiniagu  niiicli  variegated.  Bill  Hrarrely  la|i«rliig,  lunger  than  head  Itenilruriiyiia  2s:i 
UliH.  —  Thenc  eliaraeterit  nnly  Indieale  llio  N.  Am.  ii|iceieii. 

AN'SKIt.  (Lat.  otisei;  a  goose.)  (!uAV  (iKESi;.  Hill  shorter  or  not  longer  than  head, 
very  stoill,  tapering  to  obtuse  tip,  at  base  rather  higher  than  broad.  I^ateral  laiilelhe  some- 
what exposed  by  bevelling  of  tomia.  No.strils  in  basal  half  of  bill,  their  anterior  edge  only 
reaching  its  middle.  Tibia*  naked  below.  Tarsus  rather  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw, 
entirely  reticulate.  Anterior  toes  full-W(dibe(l,  on  top  reticulate  at  base,  then  scutellate. 
Hind  toe  moderate,  reaching  the  ground.  Tail  of  Ki-j-  feathers.  Color  not  white,  nor 
with  black  head,  neck,  bill,  or  feet ;  the  bill  piidt,  the  feet  yellow  (in  our  species). 

Analynia  i\f  I'uriilift. 

Bill  Hmall;  eulinen  1.60-l.Tn <tll>(ih<iiH    filfJ 

Hill  large;  eiilnii^n  I.7n-2.il0 (/xin'x/i    f>'Xi 

A.  iil'blfruiiH.  (I-at.  <i/6i/N,  white; //"X.v,  forehead. )  KlItoi'KAN  WlllTK-KHONTKK  (ioosH. 
The  above  is  the  slight  character  which  appears  to  separate  this  from  the  next.  Only  N.  Am. 
as  (KTurring  in  tireeidand. 

A.  II.  KKiu'lieli.  (To  Will.  (Janibtd.)  Amkkic.xs  Whitk-khonti'.ii  (toosK.  Si>f;(ki.i:- 
Iii;i,l.v.  Tiiil  normally  I (i-fealhered.  llill  sinooth  ;  the  lamiiue  moderately  exposed.  Adult  ^ 
?:  llill  pink,  pale  lake  or  carmine,  the  nails  white.  Feet  yellow.  Kyes  brown.  Claws 
white.  A  while  band  along  base  of  upper  mandible,  bordered  behind  by  blackish;  upper  tail- 
coverts  white.  Cnder  parts  whitish,  the  breast  and  belly  more  or  less  extensively  patched  or 
blotcheil  with  black,  in  high  plumage  perhaps  mostly  black,  the  sides  of  the  rump,  and  th(( 
rrissum,  white.  Head  and  neck  dark  grayish-brown,  paler  on  the  lower  neck  in  front,  where 
passing  into  the  whitish  blaidv-blotched  breast.  Hack  dark  ashy-gray,  the  feathers  anteriorly 
tipped  with  brown,  fartiier  back  with  p.ile  uray.  Secondaries  and  ends  of  primaries  dusky, 
more  ashy  toward  base,  the  primary  coverts  and  outer  webs  of  primaries  ashy,  tlu*  greater 
coverts  and  secondaries  bordered  with  whitish,  the  primaries  and  covert',  edged  and   tipped 


280. 


OUI. 


AlK'i. 


ANATIVyE  —  AMiJiUJyyK ;    GEEHE. 


686 


L'MO 


with  wliito  ;  shafts  of  (iiiills  white.  Yniinj,' ;  Darltcr,  hrowiicr ;  the  jjray  and  asliy  cdiors  ratluT 
brown,  tho  base  of  the  tail  not  jiurc  wliilc,  no  wiiitc  on  t'orchcail,  which  is  ilarkcr  tiian  rest 
of  iicad,  no  bhu'k  on  undci-  parts,  tho  hill  obstcnrcil,  the  nail  hlacUish,  the  feet  jiaU'.  l.in>;th 
ahont  -27.00  inches;  extent  (iO.UO;  winjj  ICi.lO-lJ.OO ;  tail  ,')..j();  tarsus  J.7.')  ;  iiiiililh'  toe 
and  claw  rath- r  more;  bill  nji  to  2.01).  N.  Am.  at  larye,  hrceilini;  in  the  far  north,  winterinj; 
ill  the  U.  S.,  in  greater  mnnhers  on  the  Pacific  side  than  in  the  interior  or  along  the  Athmtic. 
Kggs  ()-7,  2.1)0  to  ;<.;{()  htng  by  2.10  broad,  elliptical,  smooth  dull  yellowish  with  an  olive 
shade,  in  phuM^s  discolored  will)  a  darker  tint. 
280.  CIIKN.  (Ur.  xhof  *^l"'>h  11  goo.se.)  Snow  (»ki:sk.  Hill  ahont  as  hmg  as  head,  very  stout 
and  higll  at  ba.se,  wliere  higher  than  broad,  the  under  mandible  very  deep.  Tomial  edges 
of  mnch  bevelled  oH",  and  receding  from  each  other,  leavim;  an  ellijitical  space,  in  which  lli(> 
large  prominent  teeth  are  fidly  e.xpo.scd.  Nostrils  in  basal  half  of  bill.  Fn-t  as  in  Anscr,  bnl 
tarsns  if  anything  longer  than  niiddli!  toe  and  claw.     Color  white,  at  K'ast  on  head.     Kill  and 

feet  reddish. 

Aiuili/ai* i;/'  Sjitcift. 

Not  white.    Nearly  the  size  o(  the  next citruleseeni    6M 

Pure  wliitn,  with  lihick  wiiit;-li|m',  huiiil  riiHly  iir  ii»t. 

I.iirKo:  loii|!lli  utioiit  :i(l.ilil;  wing  IT.mi  or  iiioru.     Hill  Diiiuotli hyperhireua    6M 

Siiiiill:  li'iigth  ulniiit  L'.'i.lHI:  wiiiK  Iti.lNliir  li'Mt.     Hill  kiuohIIi tillHtlua    I'llW 

VcryHniall:  uiiiliir 'J4.(H);  wliit;  in.OOiir  Ii'KH.     IIIIIiiIikIiU'iI  wUIi  iiii|iilla) ronai    tlU7 

001.  V.  ewniles'ecas.  (I.at.  cwnilesiriin,  bluish.)  Itl.tii:  .Snow  (ioiisi;.  Kill  and  feet  flesh-pink, 
former  with  tlni  rece.ss  between  the  mandibles  black,  tlie  nails  whitish  ;  iris  dark  brown  ; 
claws  dusky.  Head  and  neck  above  white,  tht^  neck  below,  passing  on  to  the  back  and 
breast,  diisky-gray,  then  fading  into  whitish  on  tin*  imder  parts,  changing  on  the  wings  into 
fine  blnish-gray,  or  silvery-ash  ;  rnnip  and  npper  tail-coverts  whitish ;  i|tiills  and  tail-feathers 
dusky,  e<lgeil  with  whitish,  the  primaries  black.     .Size  of  the  snow  gooso  or  rather  less,  and 

blackish.     Adult    put-  ^ 

mage   l)nre   white,   the  Km.  471.      Kinin'mr  (iiHwe.    tPnun  Dtkll.) 

heati  usually  washed  with  rusty-brown,  like  a  swan's,  the  ends  of  the  prinuiries  blackening. 

Young  resembling  tho  last,  but  the  heatl  not  white  while  other  parts  are  colored.     Large: 

length  27.00-.S  1.00;  4'xtent  57.00-('.2.00 ;  wing  I7.00-I<l.00  :  tailC.'.O:  bill  2.:<.'>--'.tiO  :  tarsus 

3.00-3.50;  uiiddlo  too  uud  flaw  the  same.     Weight  o  orb  lbs.     The  dimensions  grade  down 


686 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLIROSTRES—  ANSEliES. 


000. 


OUT. 


281. 


G08. 


282. 


to  those  of  the  next.  N.  Am.  at  large ;  breeds  in  high  latitudes,  migrating  and  wintering  in 
tlie  U.  S.  Abundant  in  the  interior  and  along  the  Pacific  coast,  less  so  on  tlie  Atlantic. 
Casual  in  Europe.     Eggs  about  3.00  X  ^00,  yellowish-white. 

C  li.  alba'tus.  (Lat.  idbutus,  wiiitencd.)  Lesseu  .Snow  Goose.  Coloration  precisely 
as  in  the  last ;  size  less,  but  grading  up  to  tliat  of  hi/perboreus.  Length  about  25.00 ;  wing 
15.50;  tail  5.50;  bill  ;J.00-2.12  ;  tarsus  2.90-3.00.  Western  N.  Am.,  probably  also  Eastern ; 
accidental  in  Ireland. 

C.  ros'sl.  (To  H.  K.  Ross.)  Ross'  Goose.  IIouned  Wavey.  Least  Snow  Goose. 
Coloration  as  in  tiie  foregoing.  IJiil  witli  tlie  outline  of  the  feathers  on  the  side  nearly  straiglit 
instead  of  strongly  convex,  studded  at  base  with  numerous  papillee,  and  less  exposure  of  the 
teeth.  Very  small,  no  larger  than  a  mallard  duck.  Length  about  21.00;  wing  14.50;  tail 
5.00  ;  bill  1.50;  tarsus  2.50.  Arctic  America,  U.  .S.  in  winter,  western.  A  curious  little  white 
goose,  so  different  from  the  other  species  of  Chen  as  to  have  been  made  typo  of  a  genus 
E.viinflicmops. 

I*IIIL.\C'TE.  ((Jr.  tpiXos,  phUos,  h)viug;  axTri,  akte,  the  seashore.)  Painted  Geesk. 
Sujjerticial  aspect  of  Clien.  Skull  with  superorbital  depressions  (wanting  in  other  N.  Am. 
gee.x.0.  Teeth  of  bill 
exposed  posteriorly; 
the  nail  prominent ; 
•bill  moderately  ro- 
bust. Tarsus  not 
longer  than  middle 
toe  and  claw.  Plu- 
mage variegated,  but 
no  metallic  tints;  hill 
and  feet  light-colored. 
Webbing  of  the  toes 
incised.  Sexes  alike. 
Arctic  and  maritime. 
I*.  eunu'Kioa.  (Of 
the  island  of  Kanaga. 
Fig.  474.)  Painted 
GudSE.  Emi'EKou 
Goose.  Wavy  blu- 
ish-gray, with  laven- 
der or   lilac    tintinir  Fio.  476. —Common  Brant.    (From  Lewis.) 

and  sharp  black  crescentie  marks  ;  head,  nape,  and  tail  white,  former  often  washed  with  amber- 
yellow  ;  throat  black,  white-sjieckled ;  fjuills  varied  with  black  and  white;  eye  brown:  feet 
Hesh-c<dor.  Length  25.00-28.00;  wing  15.00-17.00 ;  tail  5.00-6.00;  hill  1.50;  tarsus  3.00. 
N.  W.  coast :  abundant  at  mouth  of  Yukon  ;  wintering  chiefly  in  S.  Alaska  and  the  Aleutian 
Islands,  breeding  N.  to  Hchring  Strait  at  least;  also  on  the  Siberian  side.  A  remarkable 
8|H'cies,  unlike  any  other  goose  of  our  country;  strictly  nniritime.  Its  flesh  is  rank,  and 
scarcely  fit  for  food.  Eggs  about  5,  3.35  X  2.00,  white,  with  fine  pale  brown  dotting,  giving  a 
general  pale  dirty-brown  color. 

BKK'NICLA.  (Latinized  from  P'nglish  barnacle.)  Baunacle  Geese.  Bkant  Geese. 
Bill  short,  the  nostrils  at  its  middle.  Lamina;  of  bill  not  exposed,  the  commissure  being 
straight.  Head  and  neck  black,  with  white  spaces.  Bill  and  feet  black.  Hiiul  toe  vt-ry 
small.  Tail  of  16-1 S  feathers.  Sexes  alike.  Several  species,  of  both  Hemispheres.  (The  name 
"  barnacle  "  commemorates  the  fable  that  these  birds  sprouted  from  the  little  cirripeds  called 
barnacles ;  "  brent "  or  *'  brant "  is  simply  "  burnt "  goose,  from  the  dark  C(dor,  as  if  charred.) 


009. 


700. 


^^Y.l  TID^i:  —  .1  SSL'IilN^E :    GEESE. 


687 


' 


Anali/sii  of  Sji,ck»  ami  fitrietie: 

Forehead,  cheeks,  011(1  chin  wlillo.    (Kiiroiiuiiii. ) Uucoptii    lay 

Foreliua<l,  cheeks,  nml  cliiii  bliuki  whitu  HtripcM  (in  neck. 

Black  of  neck  well  (leliiitid  iigaliiHt  light  lower  |iikrt8 hnntu    TIH) 

Hliick  of  neck  extending  over  breast id'ym.iiu    TOl 

Fortlieud  bluck ;  cheeks  and  chin  white;  no  white  stri|ics  on  neck. 
Tail  normally  18-feathercd.    Large, 

No  white  collar  In  black  of  hiwcr  neck cdiKK/t  nki'ii    70J 

A  white  collar  In  black  of  lower  neck nccitleutalit    7k;(» 

Tail  normally  10-featliored.    Small. 

No  white  collar  In  black  of  lower  nock hulchiiiMi    704 

A  white  collar  in  black  of  lower  uuek hucniuirvi    7(i;i 

609.  B.  leucop'sls.  (CJr.  \tvK6i,  Icimis,  wliitc ;  u\l/if,  oii^is,  aiiiMiiram-e :  tin-  face  wliito. ) 
Harxacle  (lOOiSK.  Tail  uornially  of  10  ftatluTs.  Bill,  fi-et,  and  claws  Mack.  Iris  lirowu. 
Friiut  ami  sides  of  liead 
and  cliiii  wliitc,  witli  a 
dark  lino  at  base  of  bill, 
and  tlu'iu'C  to  vyi'.  Rest 
of  head  and  iiirk  all 
around  black,  ]ir(>l(iii(;c(l 
on  the  back  and  wiiif^s, 
the  feathers  of  the  latter 
bluish,  |L;ray  at  base  and 
edged  at  end  with  whit- 
ish :  runi]>  and  tail  black. 
Upper  and  under  tail- 
coverts,  sides  of  nnn)>, 
belly,  and  hind  breast, 
white  or  whitish,  tlio 
sides  shaded  with  i;ray. 

Quills  dusky,  blackeniiii;  .^M^^^^^^i^K^f  •"» '< 

at  ends,  tinned   on   the  ^^^^^^^^mmtLS  /ru 

PX]Hised     surfaces     with  ^^^K^fW^Vt^WBt 

ashy.    .Sexes  similar;  9  ^^f^,'.    A  ^  •»•    -.^  * 

duller c(dored  and  smaller 
than  $.     Lentftb  of   $ 

28.(10;     extent    55.00; —^       -----     — ^    ^W  ^_^--_      ^^ 

wing    17.00;  tail  6.00;         —    ^^fcfctei^^SiiH^    --« — ^^*^~- 

bill  1.50;  tarsus  2.75; 
middle  toe  and  claw  the 
same.  EuroiM';  very  rare 
and  casual  in  N.  Am.  ex- 
cepting Greenland,  where  "       •  "    ---. .^=~.-.—-S^ .^±r-^jp^ 

regidar.   (Hudson's  May, 

Am.  Xat.ii,  1808,  p.  49. 

.,     ,,       ,.  .         ',  Fid.  470.  —  Black  Brant.    (From  American  Field  ) 

N.  Carolina,  Am.  Nat., 

V,  1871,  p.  10.     Long  Island,  Bull.  Xutt.  Club,  ii,  1877,  p.  18.    Illinois,  Forest  and  Stream, 

Nov.  23,  1870.) 

700.    B.  bren'ta.    (Qunsi-Lat.  hrenthm,  hrcntus,  burnt.    Fig.  475.)    BnAXT  Goose.    Rill.  fe«t.  and 

claws  black  ;  iris  brown.     Head  and  neck  all  around,  and  a  little  of  f((n>  part  ><(  iHxly,  i;l(issy- 

bluck,  well  defined  against  the  color  of  the  breast  :  on  each  side  of  the  neck  a  small  j>atch  of 

white  Btreuks  ;  frequently  also  white  touches  ou  eyelid  and  chin.     Breast  ashy-tn^iy,  beginuinir 


688 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LAMELLIIiOSTUES—  ANSEUES. 


abruptly  from  tliu  black,  fading  nn  the  belly  anil  crissuiii  into  wliito,  Hhailcd  alon^;  the  siilcs 
of  the  body ;  iqiper  iiarts  brownish-gray,  the  feathers  of  the  dorsal  region  with  paler  gray 
tips;  rump  darker;  uitper  tail-coverts  white.  Tail-feathers,  wing-(|uills,  and  primary-coverts 
blackish,  the  inner  (juills  whitish  toward  base.  Length  24.00;  extent  48.00;  wingl.'J.OO; 
tail  4.50;  bill  1.33;  tarsus  2.23;  middle  toe  and  daw  about  the  same.  Europe.  In  North 
America,  chieJiy  along  tlie  Atlantic  Coast,  being  more  maritime  than  other  II.  S.  geese,  hut 
still  found  inland  on  the  great  lakes  and  rivers.  U.  S.  only  in  winter,  and  during  the  migra- 
tions, when  abundant.  Breeds  in  iiigh  latitudes,  to  the  Arctic  Coast. 
701.  B.  b.  iilg'rlcans.  (Lat.  »ii(/n'ca>w,  being  blackish.  Fig.  470.)  IlLArK  HitAST.  Similar  to  the 
last ;  black  of  jugulum  e.xtending  over  most  of  under  parts,  fading  on  belly  and  crissum,  without 
abrupt  line  of  dcnmrcation  on  breast;  white  neck-patches  usually  larger  and  meeting  in  front. 
Size  of  the  hwt.  Hoth  coasts  ;  very  abuudaut  on  the  Pacific  side,  not  common  on  the  Atlantic. 
Migrations  and  breeding  resorts  the  same. 
70S.  B.  canuden'sls.  (Of  Canada.  Fig.  477-)  Canada  Goose.  Common  Wild  Goo.se.  Tail  nor- 
mally 18  -  feathered. 
Dill,  feet,  head,  and 
neck  black;  on  the  chin 
a  broad  white  ])atch 
mounting  on  sides  of 
head  behind  eyes,  some- 
times broken  on  chin  ; 
not  e.Ktending  forward 
to  jaws;  white  touches 
usually  on  eyelids.  V\v- 
per  taik'overts  detiniti>- 
ly  white  ;  rump  black- 
ish ;  tail-feathers  black. 
General  color  brown- 
ish-gray, i)aler  or  more 
ashy-gray  below,  all 
the  feathers  with  jialer 
gray  or  whitish  edi;es, 
tliose  of  sides  of  body 
usually  <larker  than 
rest  of  under  pails,  the 
lower  helly  and  crissmn 
definitely  white.  Iris 
brown.  Length  3  feet 
Fio.  477.  —  Canada  Oooge.    (From  Lewis.)  or  more  ;  e.xtent  5  fei>t  • 

winsi  18-20  inches ;  tail  7.00;  tarsus  3.00-3.50;  middle  toe  and  claw  more;  bill  about  -i.OO. 
N.  Am.  at  large.  This  is  the  most  generally  distributed  and  on  the  whole  the  most  abundant 
goose  of  our  cou!itry.  It  breeds  in  various  jiarts  of  the  U.  S.,  sometimes  in  trec.i,  but  the 
greater  number  of  individuals  pass  further  north  to  nest.  Eggs  5  to  9,  usually  5  or  6,  ellij)- 
soidal,  smooth,  pale  dull  greenish,  about  3.50  X  2.50. 
70Sa.  B.  f.  oeoldenta'Iis.  (Lat.  owiV/w^rZis,  western.)  LAimKn  WniTE-rnEF.KEi)  Goose.  Similar 
to  the  last  ;  of  e(pial  size,  and  tail  18-fcalliered.  Ccdoraticm  averaging  darker  than  in  the  last, 
the  mider  parts  especially,  against  which  the  white  of  the  anal  and  crissal  region  is  well-defined. 
Black  of  neck  bounded  Ixdow  in  front  by  a  white  half-i-ollar.  Hill  averaging  shorter,  and 
tiirsns  relatively  longer.  The  best  samjdes  are  well  marked ;  others  shade  into  the  common 
form.    Pacific  coast,  especially  Alaska.    (The  bird  here  inilicated  is  B.  occidentalis  Bd.   Whether 


103. 


701. 


283. 


705. 


700. 


ANA TIDJE  —  A NA  TLWK :   HI VKH  DVl  KS. 


♦)H!t 


kucopnrin  Hrdt.f     But  mtt  kucopnria  Cimh.     Not  in  the  Chock  List,  18S2,  not  hiiviiiK  Wen 
there  tbnniilly  rceogiiizeil  as  ii  su)is|ie('ies. ) 

■J03.  B.  o.  leiic-uparl'tt.  ((ir,  XtvKiis,  Ifitkas,  whiw  :  mifitM,  jxirein,  cheek.)  SMAU.F.n  WlllTE- 
cilKKKKii  (iooHE.  Similar  t"  tlie  hist  ill  ciilor;  Imt  niiich  Hiiiallpr,  ami  tail  lii-fealliered,  thiix 
resembling  No.  ZOl,  from  which  <listiiit;iiislieil  a>  nccidcHtiilifi  is  Iroiii  ciiHdtlniKin.     Length  HJ)*) 

or  less;  wing  alioiit   l.'j.OI).     This  is  the  small   '•white-i lied  goose  "  ligured  hj-  Cassiii.  III.. 

])1.  4.1,  as  Jt.  Iciicupiirid,  Hraiidt.     I'aeitic  coast,  especially  Alaska. 

701.  n.  c.  hut'fliliisl.  (To  .Mr.  lliitchins.)  Ill  T(1IIN.s'  Goosk.  Tail  normally  Ifi-t'eathered, 
Coloration  as  in  tiiu  Canada  goo.sc.  Siz(,'  much  less.  l,eiii;th  ;J.).0((-:i(i.()ll;  extent  ahoiit 
4  feet;  wing  1.5.()n-17.(JO  ;  tail  .'(.OH-Ci.OO ;  hill  l..")0;  tarsus  nmh'r  li.OM.  Tli.re  .seems  little 
prohahility  of  estahlishing  goiul  character  of  mori'  than  one  species  of  the  anititlfnsis  group, 
with  jirohahiy  four  varieties:  large,  no  collar  (70:.');  small,  no  collar  (TUt);  large,  collareil 
(jUiii);  small,  collared  (H)'\). 
283.  DKXI>HOCY'<lNA.  (dr.  Sfvifrnv,  ilrndrDti,  i\  tree;  I^at.  r//(/»/i/.s-.  a  swan.)  TitF.i;  DiCKs. 
l)uck-liko  arlioricole  gee.se,  with  the  hill  loiiifer  than  the  head,  terminated  hy  a  prouiiuent 
deciirved  nail,  the  lameihe  not  projecting  ;  nostrils  small,  oval,  in  has.il  half  of  hill  :  let;s  very 
long,  the  tihia-  extensivijy  denuded  helow  ;  hind  toe  leut;thened,  more  than  one-third  as  loni; 
as  the  tarsus;  tarsi  entindy  relicidate,  as  in  geese  proper.  Wings  ainiih-,  rouiideil ;  1st  (piill 
shorter  than  1th.  Coloration  variegated.  Sexes  similar.  Nest  in  trees.  In  addition  to  the 
two  following  species,  a  third,  U.  arboren,  of  the  West  Indies,  may  occur  in  the  .South. 

AmihjMn  11/'  SjHi-ii  K. 


Bill  and  feet  l>lnckiHli ;  c'i>l(>nitioii  largely  cliiiiaiiioii;  im  wlilti' wini;-|>'itch    . 
Bill  unci  fuet  rL'<lcli8li;  culnrutioii  lar);i'ly  lilaiki.tli ;  a  lar|>o  wliUu  wiuh'-patcli. 


.    .   fiili-a    7IIS 
autuniiKi/io    '(III 


705.  I>.  fiil'va.  (Lat.  fiilva,  fulvous,  reddish.)  Fii.vms  Thkj:  Ditk.  Hill  Idnish-hlack ; 
feet  slaty-blue.  I'ale  cinnamon  or  yellowish-hrowii.  extensive  and  uniform  on  the  lower  parts, 
ilarker  on  head;  nape  and  hiiid-ne(d«  with  a  black  line;  scapulars  aiicl  fore-back  blackish  with 
jiale  cinnamon  edgings  of  the  feathers.  Rump  and  tail  black:  iijip.T  and  under  tail-coverts 
white.  No  white  speculum  on  wing  ;  les.ser  wing-coverts  eiiocolate-brown  ;  rest  of  wing  black 
on  both  suri'aces.  Length  about  20.00;  extent  ."{fi.i  10 ;  wing 'J..)0 ;  tail  .'J.ii.') ;  tarsus -'.2.j  ;  bill 
J. 30,  with  hooked  nail.  S.  W.  U.  S.  and  southward,  in  summer,  Louisiana  to  Cala.  ;  common 
lUi  the  Hio  (tVande. 

700.  D.  aiituniiiii'lis.  (  Lat.  (iiitiimtudis  or  (luclumnnlis,  of  the  period  of  iiirrcasc  of  harvest  ;  riucliis, 
increased,  augmented.)  Al'Tf.MX.M.  Tur.K  Hi tk.  Hill  <'or.il-ied.  witli  oraui.''  above,  and 
bluish  nail;  feet  pinkish-white.  A  large  white  speculum,  ciuisisliiu;  of  greater  wing-i'ovcrts 
and  basal  parts  of  most  of  the  i|uills,  as  well  as  spurious  (|uills  and  outer  webs  of  mie  or  two 
jirimarie.s.  Head  and  neck  reddish-ehoi'olate,  paler  oil  cheeks  and  idiiii,  with  black  stripe 
down  nape  and  hind-neck,  passing  throiit;h  more  yellowish-biowii  on  tiu'  I'oie-parts  of  the 
body  to  blackish  on  lower  back,  runiit,  tail,  belly,  sides  of  body  and  lininii  of  wiiiirs  ;  llauks 
and  crissum  ino.stly  white.  Length  about  20.00;  extent  .Sd.OO-Iis.Od ;  wiiii:  '.l..)0-lO..-)ii ; 
tail  ;J.OO;  bill  along  irajie  -2.00;  tarsus  2.2.").  S.  and  C.  .\m.  and  Mex.  to  Texas,  abuinlant 
from  April  to  <Jctober  on  the  Hio  (Jramle.  wIutc  called  "coriitield  duck  ;  "  a  comiinui  market- 
bird  in  8(une  places.  Nest  in  hollows  of  trees,  often  at  a  i;reat  distance  from  water,  to  which 
the  young  are  transported  by  the  parents  in  the  bill.  Kggs  12-1(1,  2.1m  x  1..')0,  of  usual  duck 
shape,  biiffy-white. 

67.    Subfamily  ANATIN^:   River  Ducks. 

Tarsi  scutcUuie  in  front :  liiinl  lor  sinipir  (in  Ftdujnlivrr,  the  hiud  toe  witii  a  Hap  or 
lobe.)  This  ex)ire.ssion  sejiarates  the  jiresent  uroiip  from  all  the  North  .\mericau  examples 
of  tlio  foregoing  and  succeeding  subfamilies,  although  it  is  not  a  perfect  iliatjuosis.  The  neck 
and  legs  are  shorter  than  they  average  in  geese,  while  the  feet  are  .snialh-r  than  in  the  .sea- 

44 


690 


HYSThMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LA MKU.IUOSTHES  —  ANSKliKS. 


(]iu*k8,  tlin  too8  and  lluir  wi'bs  nut  bcin^  no  lii^lily  iI<>vi'|ii|h'(1.  None  nf  tin-  Anntinw  arc 
extensively  iiiaritiuii',  lilu*  most  of  tin-  FuUijuUtitr  ;  yet  tliey  are  hy  no  means  eoiitined  to 
fresh  waters,  and  sonui  Hjieeies  constantly  associate  wilii  the  seadueks.  'I'liey  feed  exten- 
sively, llko  moot  geese,  ii|Mm  viieenlent  a(|natie  herlmKc,  but  also  u]Hin  varioim  aniniMJ 
snhstanees  ;  their  Hesh  is  almost  witliont  ej^eejition  exeeilent.  Tiiey  do  not  dive  for  tiieii- 
food,  'riie  inoult  is  donhle  ;  the  sexes  are  almost  invariably  markedly  distinct  in  color; 
,         ,  ,      .;  -.^  the  yoniiK  resemble  the 

"■  "*     ^U  •  '  "  .       9  ;    «li<'  M'ii'i;  lias  usu- 

ally a  brilliant  s|ie('nliiin, 
which,  like  iIks  other 
wintf-nunkiii^'s,  is  the 
same  ill  both  sexes.  I'n- 
like  mese,  tlnseand  oth- 
er ilucks  are  not  doubly- 
miinoi;annius,  but  simply 
so  if  not  |iidygamiMis ; 
the  male  pays  no  atten- 
tion to  the  yonii>;.  Kx- 
cliidini:  the  shii'ldrake 
t;i'i>M|),  already  nieiitionid 
as  iiertaining  rather  to 
the  ireesi-  than  the  ducks, 
there  are  about  fifty  spe- 
cies, generally  distrib- 
Fia.  47S.  —  .MiiUiirils.    (From  IxwIb.)  uted     over     the     World. 

They  are  split  into  a  large  miinher  of  modern  gein-ra,  most  of  which  indicate  litth'  mori!  than 
specific  characters;  the  majority  are  represented  in  this  country.  Of  those  here  fidlowintr. 
two,  S)w»^//rt  and  vli.r,  represent  decided  structural  peculiarity;  the  re.-'t  might  all  be  referred 
to  .i4 ««.<(,  type  of  tbo  group.     The  Malacorlii/iiclins  mcwhvni>iiro»ii,  <^'    \ui»trulia,  is  a  notable 

exotic  fonii. 

Aualf/Kh  <:i  lliwr 

Heiiil  iTcBteil ;  lilll  iinrrow.  tlie  tip  f(iriiu'<l  wiilclv  1"   (Ije  unC 
Ileiiil  iiiit  crcKlt'il ;  liill  t;ri'atly  wiiltT  at  I'liil  tliaii 
Ifoail  imt  (TuMlril  ;  liill  licit  H|Ki(iii-Hlia|ioil. 

Tail  tiiiiiMile.  Willi  iiarniw  rciitral  fcatlicr'i  in«  m  lialf  a; 

Tail  mil  I'lincatc,  licit  lialfas  IcniK  iih  wIiik. 

mil  slicirtcr  than  licacl  ;  tall-rcallicrx  laiiciMuiiU' .  licnci  ' 
Hill  ulicntiT  tliaii  lieaci  -,  lail-fcalliLTH  not  ncuto  ;  cniwii 
Bill  nlinnt  ax  IciiiK  as  liiail,  or  1<iiii;it. 

Wliitf-fiHciiliini  wliltc;  wliiR-i'iivortii  ('lii'!"tiMil ;  liill  dark  ;  fct-t  iiningo  .  .  .  Cli' 
Wlnn-siioriiliini  vliilcl,  lil.ic  k-liorcliTccI;  liill  criniisli.  cir  clunky  ami  uraiigo;  feet  or 
Wiiii!.K|Hviiliuii  Krceii ;  Ithnur  I'civertH  liliic  cir  iicil ;  bill  dark.     Wry  ^'lllall    .     .      (,' 

Ob.s.  —  The  old  males  of  all  our  species  are  unmistakable,  havinu  strong 
size,  anil  form;  but  the  females  and  young  may  not  always  bo  nrognized  ai 
examining  any  "  iliick "  of  which  you  are  in  doubt,  Hrst  notice  X\w  hill :  if  it 
cylindrical,  with  sharp  saw-like  teeth,  very  conspicuous,  the  bird  is  one  of  the 
<ir  "  Fishing  Ducks,"  scarcely  tit  for  food.  Next,  examine  the  hind  Uiv  :  if  it  has  a  tlap  or 
lobe  hanging  free,  the  bird  is  one  of  the  Fiilitfuliiur,  which  may  or  may  not  be  good  for  the 
table;  if  the  hind  too  is  simple  and  slender,  it  is  one  of  the  Aiidliiuc,  and  sure  to  make  a 
trood  <Ush,  if  in  order.  .Ml  the  red-  or  orange-footed  species  are  Antitiiuc  (excfptinf/  the 
Mergansers);  but  not  all  t\w  Aiiutiiuc  have  the  feet  thus  colored.  In  determining  fiuiale 
and  young  Aniitina;  IcMik  to  the  wing-niarkings  rather  than  the  body-colors.  The  species 
of  Querqueduht  are  very  small  "teal  "  ducks,  1(1  im-hes  or  less  in  length. 


Al.r  aiO 

.     .  S'piiliilit  'M'.t 

m  whitj       (f  hiijiln  '.'s.'i 

It  wliilc;  lielly  wliito     yg.  anA  <i  Dajila  'JS.'S 

I  liully  white    .         .l/iin  crt  1!87 


''l«HH»     2S(> 
tmin    2S4 

<.  </!(/(•      2SS 

of  color, 

Jauce.      Ill 

.irrow  and 

Mergttusers, 


AX. I  ill)  a:  - .  I  AM  visa:  .•  m  veu  nrchs. 


(iiH 


284.   A'NAS.    (liftt.  finas,  u  .liick.i    Common    IhtKs.     Mai.i.aho   aki>   Ui.ai  k    Dkkh.     Hill 

iiiil  (.liciiicr  lliaii  lifiul,  lailur  \..uc<\  lli.iii  Imimis,  l.iuiiil  ami  alioiit  i.anilltl-»i.li.|,  Ui^hvr  tliiiii 
witic  at  liuM',  then  iiiiit'ii  iIi|hv>miI  ami  llaiiincil,  ihc  mil  miiiiilci,  tlic  nail  imiinw,  |i>s  tliiiii 

niii'-tiiirti  ii.s  wide  as*  ll ml  h|'  tlu'  liill.     NnMril.'*  liiuh  ii|>,  in  l.axal  hall'  I'f  liill.     Fiatlnis 

rcacliiiifj  ti'  aliipiit  llic  Haiiii'  ili>lamT  mi  lonlnail,  cliiik.-,  ami  iliiii.  Tail  rcMimliMl,  Ic.-.^  tliaii 
liall'  UH  loiij;  as  wiim,  i>f  Iti-l^  |M.iiitr<|  t(alli<i>.  Hill  irin  ni.-li.  ni-  MacM^li  MuIcIdmI  with 
(irungo.  Fret  ItriKlit-ci.li.rcil.  Siicciilmu  vi.iltl,  .tc,  iVaimd  in  Mark  ami  while  (in  Ih.iIi 
sexes).     S<'X('s  iinliUe  (liosvas)  or  alike  (nlixriini). 

(f  lli'iiil  iiiicl  iiuik  k.'ri'cMi,  iii<k  Willi  wlillii  rliitf.  lirciiKi   |>iir|iUi«li-rlii'i.lniii,  I'ic.     ^  viirli'galo<l  wllli  iliiiiky 

mill  yilliiwlBli-lirdwii Imimiiu    7(17 

(f  9  t'litlrc'ly  ilimky,  viirleiiiilul  Willi  yullowlnli-liriiwii  I  lliiiiiKorwIiiKK  wliitu iiliicuni    '(m,  Tmt 

707.  A.  Ixis'cas.  (iir.  (ioaKtis,  Imshis;  l.at. ''((NCfx  m' 'losc/.s.  lunlialily  this  very  s|ieeies.  Fiu'.  17"*.) 
MAI.LAItU.  Wll.lMilt  DoMKSTK  1)1  I  K.  ( i  UK.KN-llKAIi.  Ailnil^J:  Hill  Kieelii.s|i-yel|..\v.  Feet 
(iraiij;e-rt'il.  Iris  brown.  Mead  ami  iiiniir  nerk  ulcissy-;,'reeii,  siureeileil  liy  a  wliiie  riii>,'.  Hrea;-! 
|iiir|)li>li-elieslniit.  Lower  liai-k.  niiii|i,  ami  tail-cMi\erts  i;liis>y-lilack.  'I'ail-t'iatlicrs  inostlv 
wliiti.sli.  I'mler  parts  tVoni  the  lirea^t,  anil  seapulars,  >ilvery-uiay,  liiiely  iimliilalril  willi 
iliisky;  crissinn  hliick.  .S|ieeiiliini  violet,  |iiir|ili>ii  ami  ui'i'i'iii>li.  I'raiiieil  in  Mark  ami  white 
tips  of  the  yri'ater  coverts,  ami  hlaek  lenuiiiul  honler.  9  •  '"hill  :  l'''et  ainl  wiiiirs  a>  in  the  (^, 
Hill  Markisli,  hlotcheil  with  oranire,  esperialiy  at  l»a.-e,  tip  ami  alon^  iili,'e;<.  Knliie  hotly- 
colors  with  (Insky-hrowii  and  tawny-hrowii;  the  tone  pale,  , •mil  in  liner  pattern  on  the  head, 
mrk,  and  under  parts  than  on  the  hack.  I^enijtli  •i2.liii--.'t.(l();  extent  'MMU  liii.llt);  wiiif? 
10. 1(0-1 1. (»0;  tail  H.OO-kdO;  hill  alioiit  2.00;  tarsus  ratlur  less;  inidille  toe  and  rlaw  more. 
In  the  drake,  a  tnit  of  enrly  leathers  on  tail.  \Veii;lit  l' or  .'i  poiimls.  Ilaliitat  nearly  eos- 
mop(ditan;  nearly  everywhere  iloineslieated,  lieini;  the  well-known  ori;;inal  of  tlie  harn-yal'd 
duck.  Wild  in  ahiindance  thro'.iiihoiit  N.  .\iii.,  hreeilinj;  spariiii;ly  in  the  I'.  S.  as  well 
as  farther  north;  rare  in  New  Knt;laml,  and  scari'ely  found  heyoml  MassaeloiMtts,  liein;,' 
replaced  farther  N.  K.  Ity  the  dusky  duck.  Nest  on  ^'roiiiid,  of  trash  and  feathers;  ef;j^s 
usually  8-10,  2.25  X  l-W,  smooth,  diii«y  yellowi>li-dral>. 

I  OllH.  — .\n  anomalous  duck,  with  the  iiemral  aspect  of  a  mallard,  hut   nearly  as  laiX'e  a.s 

a  piose,  is  occasionally  taken  on  the  Atlantic  coast;  it  is  imi|Uestional>ly  |iart  mallard,  the 
Imhmcu  of  its  parentaiie  supposed  to  hemii.scovy;  Anas  imi.rimii  (losse;  Fiiliijiilii  rinlit  Hell. — 
A  snpposod  liyhrid  of  mallard  x  triidwall  is  Anas  (jtiicitiinx  or  .1.  hiririri  .\uil.;  .1.  (iinliiliiiiii 
Hp.  The  mallard  is  known  to  x  with  various  other  species,  rpwanl.'-  of  .'tO  kinds  of  hyhrid 
ducks  are  recorded;  some  of  them  jirove  fertile.     There  is  even  a  ('liiiiijiilii  X  Miiyits. 

708.  A.  obseu'ra.  (Lat.  o/asck/v/,  dark.)  DtsKY  Dl'iK.  Hi.ack  Dii  k.  .*<ize  of  the  mallard, 
and  reseinliliuf'  the  9  "f  t'uit  species,  but  darker  and  without  white  anywhere  I'Xcept  the 
linini;  of  the  wiiifjs  in  ^  9»niiil  a  narrow  white  line  aloiii;  proximal  lioider  of  >peciilimi 
of  (f.  flexes  alike.  Hill  yellowish-f,'reen,  willi  dusky  nail:  feet  oiamre-red,  with  dusky 
webs.  Iris  brown.  General  plumat;<'  dnsky-hrowii,  paler  ImIow  tlian  above,  variegated 
with  pale  rusty-brown  edi;ini;s  of  the  fe.ilhers:  top  of  liead  darker  than  sides  and  throat, 
the  former  blackish  with  pale  brown  streakini;  in  tine  pattern,  the  latter  iri'ivish-brown  with 
dark  streakiiit;.  Winij-coverts  dusky-irray:  the  L're.iter  tipped  witli  black,  edirinu  the 
imrplish-blue  or  viidef  speculum.  The  i;eiiinil  lilai-ki>h  mlor.  contrastiiii.'  with  while  linini; 
of  wiuijs,  and  the  violet  speculum  framed  in  velvety-black,  are  diatrnoslic.  9  ^'oC'r*' is  much 
litfhtc^r  in  toiu',  aiul  more  varicijated  with  tawny-brown.  Chietly  I'.astern  \.  Ain. ;  Western  .' 
Abundant  aloiiir  the  Atlantic  ("oast.  Texas  to  Labr.idor.  One  of  the  commonest  ducks  in 
sninnuT  in  New  Knt,'land  and  N.  K.-wanl.  W.  to  Kansas,  Iowa,  etc.,  but  not  positively 
known  beyond.  Nest  on  tfrouiul,  of  weeds,  t;rass,  and  feathers  :  egf;s  8-10,  dirty  pale  yellowish- 
drab,  about  2.30  X  1-75.     One  of  the  best  table  ducks. 


692 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOJ'SIS.  —  LAMKLLlliOSTJiES—  AI^ SEliKS. 


TOO.  A.  o.  fulvl'Kula.  (Liit. /i(/n«.v,  rctldiHli ;  (7«/f»,  tlinmt.)  Fu)Kin.\  DrsKY  DrcK.  Riniil.ir: 
liglitrr-citlnriMl;  tiiriiat  pliiiii  |)alr  l)riiwiii.>sli ;  hill  olive,  with  hlacU  nail  ami  liaHi*  of  coininiHsiirt', 
A  liM-al  rai!c,  roisidciit  in  Flurida. 
285.  1>A'KILA.  (A  n<iii-scns«  wmd  )  I'iS-TAII,  l>I»KH.  Tail  (in  adnlt  ^)  namw.  ciincatc, 
when  hilly  di'vi'lupnl  ncai'ly  as  loni;  iih  win^,  thu  ii  cfulrul  It-nlhciH  liing-i>XM'i1fd,  lincar-ucut)' : 
in  9  ""'I  }'<'iin>;  the  tail  nicridy 
tajH'rinK,  with  ariitc  frallii'rs;  tail- 
fcatlit'i's  l(),  inchidin^'  the  Inn^  mid- 
dle pair,  liill  ^4|ll>l-ter  than  head, 
lunger  than  tarnii.x,  marly  paralh! 
silled,  wideniiii;  a  little  to  the  end, 
the  nail  small,  the  narrow  nostrils 
liii^'h  np  in  hasal  third  of  hill. 
Feathers  of  clieeUs  sweeping  in 
stroniily  convex  outline  alnniK  side 
of  n|iper  maiii'iide,  heyond  those 
on  side  of  lower  niandihie.  Winu 
ariite,  the  Jst  and  ;!d  primaries 
sulieipnil  and  longest,  rest  rapidly 
graduated.     Neek    uniisnally   lon^  Fi...  47I>.-Henil  of /*,.«'«.  9.  nnr.  n1™.    (A.I  imt.  .IH.  K.C.) 

mid  slender,  and  form  le^s  "stocky"  than   that  of  most  ducks.     .Sexes  and  yoiiiif;  very  unlike 
ill  cidor,  even  to  the  wiiiu-markiiif^s,  as  well  as  in  shape  of  tail.      Itill  and  feet  dark.     I'mler 
parts  white  or  whitish.     >S]ieciiliiin  of  f  framed  in  hntf,  while,  and  Mack. 
7IO.     I>.  acii'ttt.     (Lat.  f(iw///(,  acute,  as  the  tail  is.     Fijjs.  I/'.',  i''^ll. )     I'IN-IAII,  DliK.     Si'llIO-TAI!,. 

Adnlt  i:  Itill  Idack, 
with  (.'rayish  -  Idiie 
edye  of  upper  nian- 
dihie; feet  grayish - 
Idile  :  claws  Idack  : 
Iris  hi'own.  Mead  and 
neck  ahove  rich  dark 
lirown,  iilosseil  with 
f.;i'<'ei,     and     purple  : 

side    of    I k    will;    a 

IciliU  white  stripe  riiii- 
iiiii!.'  lip  from  the 
while  miller  parts  ; 
hack  of  neck  'villi  a 
hiaci,  stripe  pas>iiii; 
helow  into  the  ^rav 
I'olor    of    the    hack ; 

the     lower    forelieck, 

hreast,      and      iiinler 

parts  Usually,  white, 

the  sides  finely  waved 

with  hlaids,  the  crissiini  hiack,  white-hordered.      Fore  hack    liiiely  waved  with  narrow  hars  of 

hlack  and  while  or  whitish  :   the  scapulars  and  loni;  tertiaries  lirnily  striped  lent;thwise  with 

velvety-hlack  anil   silvery-irray.     Lesser  winc-coverlH  plain  irray  ;  ureater  lipped  with  reddisli- 

hiiff,  franiiiii;  the  speculum  anteriorly;  this  is  of  coppery-  or  pur)ilisli-violel  iridescence,  framed 

posteriorly  with   Idiu'k   siih-tijis  iiiid  while  lips  of  the  secondaries,  internally  with  silvery  and 


Km.  4sn  ^    I'lii  tnll  luirk.  V  .'      iKr I.c«Ib  ) 


286. 


/ 
711.    { 


287.  I 


ANATlDuE  —  ANATIS.K :   HIVKti  DICKS. 


(um 


I'lKlfl 


MiK'Ii  stripoB.     Tail-fcatlHTs  Krny,  llir  loiii;  central  cmcs  lilarki.sli ;  siilcs  ami  nnits  of  tail  varinl 

with  Iilackisli  ami  Imtl'.      It  is  thus  a  very  liamis IncU  in  I'lili  |iliiiiiaui',  asiiii'  I'imiii  the  trim 

aii<l  clipiMT-liki'  hiiild.  I.cniilh  vi-ry  variahif,  ii|)  to  H(i  inches,  accordiiii;  t<i  ileveli>|inieiit  <■!■ 
tail,  which  is  sfinietinies ',(  iiicjpes  luni:,  iisnally  .")  nr  (1 :  extent  H(i.(i(»;  wiin;   ll.tKi;   hill  -.'.J,!; 

tarsus  1.07  ;    iniildle  toe  ami  claw  :{.:.'.">.     Aihilt    9:  Smaller;   lackiin;  ilie  il('velo|> nt   of  the 

tail  :  length  2jr  or  kss.     Only  traces  of  the  s| nhini.  in  irreen  ^|ieck.-.  in  a  hrowii  area  lieiwcm 

white  or  whitish  tips  of  the  secomlaries  ami  those  of  tlie  greater  coverts.  Kill  hlaikish  ;  feci 
ihill  iii'ayifli-hhie  ;  iris  hrown.  Whole  head  tinely  speckled,  and  whole  neck  tincly  streaked, 
with  dilsky-hrown  and  urayi.sh-hrown  or  yellowish-hrown  ;  niidei  parts  pale  ochrey-hrown, 
freckled  with  dnsky  :  upper  parts  variegated  with  hrownish-hlack  ami  yellowisli-hrown.  on  the 
fore  parts  the  lii;hter  color  in  angular  or  roimderl  hars  on  each  feather.      ^'onn^  drake  like  the 

duck,     'riioiiiih  the  resenihlam-e  is  close  to  sonie  others] ies,  observ dor  of  hill  and  feel,  tijisof 

secondaries  and  greater  coverts,  and  size  and  ueneric  characters.  Northern  hemisphere;  N.  .\ni. 
at  larp',  wintering  and  ini).;ratinK  in  l'.  S.  and  heyond.  hreedinu  from  northern  horders  northward  ; 
in<ire  iinineroiiH  in  the  interior  than  alont;  either  coast.  I  have  found  it  hreedini;  ahiimlantly 
in  parts  of  \.  Dakotit  and  Montana.  Nest  on  i;ronnd  ;  ei;i;s  li-IO  \i,  smooth,  elongated 
ellipsoidal,  'i.lO  to  'i.'M)  loni;  hy  ahont  l..'i^' ;  uniform  .iull  urayisli-olive,  without  any  liiitf  tint. 

286.  niAn^KliAS'MrS.  (tir.  xnvXws,  <7i'<»/»<w,  protiiherant  :  «X(nrf*(ir.  (Vif.vHKW,  a  layer,  plate; 
referriim  to  the  teeth  of  the  liill.i  (i AliWAI.I.s.  Itill  ahont  as  lony  a>  lieail,  rather  exi'cedinij 
tai^ns,  t\w  HJdeH  parallel  to  the  rounded  tip,  the  lanieihe  not  concealed,  the  nostrils  hiuh  up  mar 
the  hase,  the  rei'litrance  hetweeii  the  feathers  on  cidmen  and  those  on  side  of  hill  short  and 
open,  in  advance  of  feathers  on  siile  of  lower  nianilihle.  \Vini:s  pointed,  1st  primary  louyest. 
Tail  short,  roumh'd  or  cniieate,  with  pointed  feathers.  J  with  most  of  the  plinnap'  harreil  or 
half-rini;ed  with  Idack  and  white,  or  whitish  ;  middle  winu'-coverts  ilirstiiiil,  (,'reater  coverts 
liliirk,  siiiriiliim  irhilr  :    9   "i'h  similar  irliilf  specniinu.      Feet  yellowish. 

711.  <'.  Htr«>'|M'riiH.  (Ijat.  .s/iv'/KTK.s,  noisy,  '  ohstreperons.'i  (i.vnwAi.i,.  (Jii.w  Mitk.  Adult  J; 
Kill  hlue-hl.'ick  :  feet  dull  iiraiii;e,  with  dusky  wehs  and  claws:  iris  reddish-hrown.  Head  and 
neck  hrownish-white,  darker  on  crown  and  iia|ie.  harred  and  specked  with  dusky.  Lower  neck, 
hreast,  sides  of  hody  and  fore-hack  waved  with  i-rescentic  hars  of  hiackish  and  white,  the  cres- 
centic  marks  ^ivin^  a  scaly  appearance  most  distinct  on  the  neck  and  hreast,  elsewhere  liner, 
iiiorc  iiiidtihilory  and  transverse.  I iower  hack  dusky,  passim;  to  lilaid<  on  the  rump  and  tail- 
coverts.  Kelly  white,  minutely  uiarlded  with  ^ray.  Scapulars  linp'd  with  rusty  hrown  ;  loiiuest 
inner  iplills   hoary  i;ray  ;   lininii  of  wini;s  white;   lesser   upper  coverts  ;;ray  ;  middle  coverts 

chestnut-red;   Hpeeiiluiu  white,  formed  hy  part    or   the  whole  of  the   outer  wehs  of  thi'   si iid- 

aries,  frauu'd  in  velvet  Idack  of  the  t;realer  I'overt",  li  rminally  hordered  with  Idack  anil  hoary 
Uray.  Lenuth  ahont  'J2  inches  ;  extent  :it.lM» ;  wiiiu'  |(l.."i»t  II.Ull;  tail  (..•.II;  tarsus  l.fiD;  hill 
l.7.'i;  middle  toe  and  claw  -i.'.'H.  Adult  9:  Smalkr  than  ^.  Kill  dusky,  hlotched  with 
orange.  Keet  diuiry  yellowish,  with  ilusky  wehs  and  cd.iws.  I.ackini;  the  reuular  eresceiitic 
and  wavy  markings  id'  the  ^f  ;  varieijated  with  dusky  and  tawny  hrown,  like  9  "f  other 
HpecleN  ;  the  chestnut  of  the  ^f  waiitiiii;  or  restricteil  ;  hut  tin'  wiuu'-markini.'s  are  snilicienlly 
distinctive.      Youiin  drake  resemhlint;  the    9-     "'"'  of  the  most   widely  iliH'u.sed  of  iliicks,  in 

most  parts  of  the  world  ;  in  N.  Am.  nearly  throuuhont,  hut  not  specially  arctic  in  the  hr liiii; 

seascui,  nesting  anywhere  in  the  I'.  S.  Nest  lui  irround,  sometimes  in  trees;  ei;t;s  creamy -hull', 
II  trille  over  '2. (Ml  hy  ahout  l.."itt. 

287.  RIAKKTA.  (S.  Am.  minnn,  Kra/iliau  name  of  a  kin<l  of  te:il.)  WKil.oS  Kill  shortir 
than  head,  rather  hiyh  and  narrow  at  hasi'.  parallel-sided,  with  rounded  euil,  the  nail  occupy- 
ini;  the  middle  third;  the  upper  lateral  reeiitrance  short  and  open:  no-.irlN  hi^di  up  ami  near 
liaHe.  Tail  pointed,  of  |(>  feathers,  not  half  as  loiiu  as  wiuir-  Kill  and  t'eit  dark  colored; 
helly  and  middle  and  fffcatiT  win^j-coverls  white  :  top  of  head  while  or  lit'lit  ;  speculum  ureeu, 
bliirk-liorih-riMl. 


694 


SYSTEMATIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  LAMKLLUiOSTllES  -ANSEHES. 


AnnlyaU  of  Sjirrifg. 
Head  anil  neok  cinniimoii-reil ,  Rcarccly  vnrictl ;  witU  mere  traces  of  green,  If  any ;  top  of  lieail  vreaniy  or 

brownlHli-wliite piiiilii/ir    71'.' 

Heail  anil  nuok  gruylali,  Hi>eukleil  with  dusky,  tlie  stiles  of  the  head  with  a  broad  iiatch  uf  green,  llie  tup 

white  or  nearly  n> iimiriennu    Till 

7ia.  M.  peiie'lope.  (J'eiwlojn;  ti  iiiythologiwil  imiiii.)  KnioPEAN  Wujkon.  .Sizi'  and  gennral 
chariU'ti.'r  of  tlif  next  siMrics  ;  ditieriiig  as  abnvc.  F.urii]M' ;  (Jn't'iilaml  ;  rare  or  t'asuul  aloiij; 
tlir  wliolt'  Atlaiitii^  coast  ;  iiiiirc  nuiiiurous  on  tlir  N.  I'acitic  foast  ami  S.  to  Calit'oniia. 
713.  M.  Miiierica'iiu.  (Fig.  481.)  Amekkax  WiuEitx.  IJald-pate.  Adult  ^:  Hill  grayish-blur, 
with  black  tip  and  cxtrcnif  base;  fert  similar,  dnllci',  with  dnsky  webs  and  claws;  iris  brown. 
Top  of  head  while,  or  nearly  so;  sides  the  .saiiii',  or  more  buti'y,  sjieckled  with  ilusky-greeM, 

purer  green  fnniiinu:  ii 
)>riiad  |iatch  from  ami 
below  eye  to  hind 
head  ;  chin  dusky. 
Fore  neck  and  breast 
light  brownish  -  red, 
or  very  jiale  purplish- 
cinnamon,  ea(di  feath- 
er with  paler  grayisii 
edge;  along  the  .-iiics 
iif  the  body  the  same, 
finely  waved  with 
dusky;  the  iireasi  and 
belly  pure  white,  the 
crissum  abruptly 

blaidi.  Lower  liiml 
neck  and  fore  back 
and  scapidars  finely 
waved  with  the  same 
FII1.4S1.-  .\ni'iioiin  Wiunm  (Kr.mi  l.i»is.)  reddish  color  and  with 
dusky:  lower  back  and  rump  similarly  waved  with  dusky  and  wliitish.  Lesser  wing-coverts 
plain  irray  :  middle  and  greater  coverts  pure  white,  funning  a  lart:e  area,  the  greater  black- 
tipjied,  forming  the  fore  border  of  the  speculum,  which  is  glossy  green,  bordered  behind  by 
velvety  black,  internally  by  the  black  and  while  stripes  on  the  inner  s ndaries.  Tail  brown- 
ish-gray, the  lateral  upper  coverts  black:  axillary  feathers  white.  Only  old  drakes  have  the 
crown  immaculate  white,  the  chin  dusky,  the  auricular  patch  detinilcly  green  ;  generally  the 
whole  head  and  upper  neck  are  pale  brownish-yellow  or  reildish-while,  >i| kled  with  greenish- 
dusky.  9  resembling  the  immature  ^  on  the  head:  the  peculiar  brownish-red  is  interrupled 
with  dusky  and  whitish  bars.  The  wing-pattern  is  nearly  as  in  the  ^  ;  but  the  white  is  re- 
stricteil  or  intermixed  with  tiray,  the  greater  coverts  nuiy  lack  black  tips,  the  s|)eculum  is  faint, 

and  the  black  stripes  of  the  inner  s ndaries  aie  repla 1  by  brown.      I'lie  normal  variability 

ill  coloration,  aside  from  at'c  or  sex.  is  ureal,  but  the  bird  cannot  be  mistaken  under  any 
conditions;  the  extensive  white  of  ilie  under  parts  and  wings  is  recognizable  at  unn-slioi 
range.  Length  1S.(I()-:>1.()() ;  extent  ;i(I.IM»-;5.').(IO ;  wing  10.1)0-1 1.00 :  tail  l.(IO-l..")0 ;  bill 
l.fiO;  tnrsiiH  L50;  iiuddle  toe  and  claw  more.  N.  Am.  at  large,  breeding  aiiywhcre  ;  Kurope, 
casually.  Kl'L's  H  l-i,  >2.()o  x  l..')0,  dull  pale  butt'. 
288.  Ql'KUQrK'Dl'L.V.  (Lai.  i/iwriiiieiliiln,  a  small  kind  of  duck  ;  related  to  English  qiuuk.) 
Teai,  Ducks.  Hill  nearly  or  ((uite  as  long  as  the  head,  longer  than  tarsus,  narrow  and  par- 
ullel-sided,  the  nail  narrow,  \  to  \  of  thi'  tip.  Size  smallest  aniouir  our  duidss.  Sexes  more  or 
less  unlike.  Speculum  glossy-green.  IJill  blackish.  The  genus  contains  two  .sei^tions,  perhaps 
aa  wurthy  uf  distiiictinn  am  hoiiio  of  the  forogoiiiK  genera. 


711. 


71.1. 


ANA  TID^  —  ANA  TIN^i: :   lU  \  Eli  D  L'CKS. 


605 


Anahj»is  nf  Snhgenrm  and  Spfrlea, 
Nettich.  Head  sulxrestcd.  Bill  very  narrow ;  imll  about  J  Im  tip.  Keeiitrnnce  nffeathrTiion  rldea  of 
ciilnieii  III  advance  of  bane  of  bill  Iwlow,  lluail  ami  nei^k  elieslnui,  wllli  a  broad  glotwy  gnvu  baiul  on 
eafli  side  bclilnd  eye,  borderetl  with  wbltliih,  lilackenliig  where  nicellni;  on  na|»>.  L'tider  iniris  while, 
Willi  circular  black  i>|)OtH;  criiinnni  black,  varied  with  wliite  or  creamy ;  upper  parts  and  Hides  of  Innly 
closely  waved  with  black  and  white.  S|K'i>uluni  rich  tjreen  bordered  in  fpiiil  wiib  buiV  tips  of  ide  cov- 
erts,  behind  with  white  tl|m  of  the  sccoiidarh's;  no  blue  on  wing;  feet  dark;  bill  blaik.  9  illrt'criiig 
cs|ieclally  in  tliu  hea<l  markings,  those  of  wings  similar. 

No  white  on  side  of  body  In  front  of  wing;  long  scapulars  black  externally,  creamy  while  iiiier- 

nally cn.r.i    714 

A  white  crescent  on  sUle  of  body  before  wing ;  scapulars  plain       nmiliii- iish    71.'> 

QuKliqiiKDiTL.v   iiroi)or.     Head  close-fcalhcreil.     Bill  broailcr  than  In  .S'lllinm,  the  nail  about  }  iu  tip. 
Iteentranco  on  sides  of  ciilmcn  not  in  advance  of  l)ase  of  bill  lulow.    \Ving-<!overts  in  ^  J  >ky  liiue, 
the  greater  whlte-tlfipcd ;  wapulais  of  J  i-lripcd  willi  blue  and  Imft' 

tf  Mead  and  neck  lilacklsh-iilunibi'ous  ;  a  large  widte  cresceiil  In  front  of  eye ilitmni    "la 

J  general  coh)r  purpllsh-chcsl mil ;  no  white  on  bead ...     ri/iinn/ilirit    717 

711.    Q  i^-)  frcv'va.    (Lat.  crtcca,  funned  like  cir.i;  crnUc.  i|iiiick,  etc..  to  c.viiriss  the  .sdiiuil.)    F.iho- 

l'i;.\N  GUKKN-WINdEI)  TkAI..       Liko  tlu,'  lic.\t   to  lie  ilrsciilird  :    N.i  wllitr  ciCSTlit  lii't'orc  willtf  ; 

l^rcon  ;»iiiid  in  clK'stimt  of  side  of  licud  iMirdcriMl  witli  diridcd  wliiti.-*!! ;  ItiiiTiiiK  of  .sides  and  iqipiT 

parts  ln'oadi'i'  and  ooaivsci' ;  lonif  sca|mlars  as  well  as  iunrr  .si'ccuidai'ics  crt'aniy  wliiic,  lilack- 

liordcrcd  cxfcriially.     Kiiro)i(';  riivcnland :  casually  on  N.  Am.  .\llanrK' coast. 

715.   Q.  (N.)ourolliieii'sls.    (Fitr.  4Si>.)  A.MKKUAX  (Jur.r.N-wiMiKH  Thai..    Adult  ^  :   IJillldack; 

fiii't  bluish -gray ;  iris  brown.     A  wliitc  civscfiit  in  front  of  wing.     Head  and  u|ipir  nick   litdi 

,(  .  '  clicstniil,    blackinini; 

f,'f     "  ,'/  ^.'  on  cliin,  wilh  a  tflossy 

'    n  >,(j/y  /iiTcn    jiatcli     licliiiid 

wJ         ...  I'acli   tyi'    Idacki'iiiiiu 

W^^  ■]"  ''  y'        ""    '''^    lower    border 

y^'  /■L-^'^h" :/.,''■,       where    it     meets    its 

,^^^^^\  /''Ml   rl'^  fellow      ainoin;      the 

^^^^^^^^^"^  '         /'\\h'    .,  ,'  i-        lengthened      teatliers 

•jF^a^^^^^^m^^^^Jkg^aJLW]  / ■!      below   by  a  or 

ll*'''^>-?~SB™-sS^    '•iJIL:.-:^^^^^Bi^^^^B^^^Bi|'  //      l,.ss    eviilent    whitish 

line,  which  may  often 

Wt/  '    be  traceiltoihe  aiitrle 

of   the    month.      I'p- 

>/      Iter  iiarts  ami   flanks 

r/i/^IW^?^^i»i^V^^^B^iMBf^K>Ji}  rfi ' ''  ^tfflHBBc^'*'        waved    with    narrow 

; ricJm.ii,-^'^  -.r  <^'^K^-"  black  bars  on  a  whil- 

Fio.  4ti2.  -  AnierlcnnOnHm-wingeil  Teal.    (From  Lewis  1  ish    ground.        I'lider 

parts  white,  liecoiiiini;  buff  or  fawn-rcdored  on  breast,  nebniated  with  irray,  on  the  breast 
with  nnniprons  sbar])  circular  black  spots;  fore  neidi  ainl  sides  of  breast  waved  like  the  upper 
part.x.  I'rissum  black,  with  a  butf  or  creamy  patch  on  each  side.  I'rimaries  and  winir-covtrts 
leadi-n  gray;  speciiliim  velvety  |mritlish-black  on  outer  half,  the  inner  half  rich  irrecii  :  bor- 
dered in  front  with  chestnut,  fawn  or  whitish  tips  of  the  ureater  coverts,  behind  by  while  tip8 
of  the  secondaries,  interiorly  with  pnrplish-blaid\  stripes  on  the  oiiti-r  webs  of  the  leiiL'theiieil 
sceoiidaries.  Adult  9:  Nearly  like  ^  on  the  winu's.  the  yreeii  .s|.eeuliMii  less  |ieifect :  no 
crpsi  ;  head  and  nock  streaked  with  lii;lit  reddish-brown  on  a  dark  brown  trrouiid  :  upper  parttt 
mottled  with  dark  brown,  barred  and  streaked  with  tawny  or  grayish  ;  lower  parts  white,  more 
or  less  biiiry-timieil  on  lower  fore  neck  and  breast,  which  bavi'  nebulous  du.sky  sjiotting.  A 
"l's,  ono  of  the  iiuist  prettily  colored  of  all,  of  uiisurpas.sed  excellenco  "f  Hi-sh : 


^•ory 


spi 


696 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LAMELLlliOSTRES  —  AXSKUES. 


k'liiu'fh  iib«mt  U.OO ;  fxteiit  23.00 ;  wiiij,'  7.00-7.50  ;  tail  .{.(10  ;  Mil  1.50  ;  tarsus  1.20.  X.  Am. 
at  large,  extrfiii»-ly  abiiiulunt ;  ca.sual  in  Kiimpe.  Urocds  fmin  tlif  X.  bordprs  of  the  U.  S.  It 
is  one  of  the  oarlu'St  arrivals  anioni;  tlic  lumlcs  of  watiT-fowl  that  coini'  tliron||;in^  from  the 
north  in  fail.  Xcst  on  tlu'  >;roinul,  of  weeds,  grass,  and  feathers:  eggs  about  S,  1.75  to  l.'.IO 
by  1.20  to  1.30,  ]iah'  dull  greeni.sh  in  color. 

716.  Q.  «H8'cor8.  (Lat.  dincors,  discordant.)  ni,iK-\viS(JF.l)  Tk.M,.  Adult  (J  :  Hill  grayish- 
black  ;  feet  dingy  yellow,  with  dusky  webs  and  claws:  iris  brown.  Heatl  deep  leaden-gray, 
with  |iuri)lisli  gloss,  blackening  on  top;  a  large  white  black-edged  crescent  in  front  of  eye. 
I'nder  parts  purplish-gray,  with  ininimerable  black  spots,  rounded  or  oval  on  the  breast, 
changing  to  bars  on  the  tianks,  becoming  nebulous  on  the  belly.  Crissum  black,  a  patch  on 
each  side  of  rump,  the  a.\illars  and  most  of  the  lining  of  the  wings,  white.  Lower  bind  neck 
and  fore  back  varied  with  brownish-black  and  yellowish-brown;  lower  back  and  rump  dark 
brown  with  a  greenish  tinge.  Wing-coverts  and  outer  webs  of  .some  of  the  scapulars  sky-blue  : 
speculum  rich  green,  set  between  white  tips  of  the  greater  poverts  and  secondaries,  some  of 
the  inner  sectmdaries  and  longest  scapulars  velvety  greenish-black  on  outer  web,  greenish- 
brown  on  iinier  web,  striped  lengthwise  with  reddi.sh-butf.  9  retaining  the  sky-blue  on 
the  wing-coverts  and  nuicli  of  the  other  winu'-niarkings,  hence  easily  distinguished  among  our 
ducks,  excepting  9  cijaiwittfra.  Hill  greenish-dusky:  feet  very  jiale  or  tlesh-tinted.  Head 
and  neck  streaked  with  browni.sh-black  on  a  <lull  biitf  irroinid,  the  cheeks  and  chin  whitish, 
unmarked.  Above,  dark  brown,  with  jiale  edtres  ot  the  leathers;  ludow,  whitish-gray, 
mottled  with  ob.scure  spots.  Length  IJ.OO-IC.IKI  ;  extent  2r).(l()-;{0.(IO ;  wing  7-00-7.50; 
tail  3.50:  bill  I.. 50:  tarsus  1.20.  X.  Am.,  chieHy  H.  of  the  K.  Mts.,  to  the  Pacific  in  Alaska; 
goes  to  hiu'li  latitudes,  but  also  breeds  indetinitely  throughout  its  range  ;  abundant  in  the 
r.  S.  in  winter  and  durini.'  the  niit;rations. 

7IT.  Q.  eyano'pterii.  (tJr.  nvavat,  kiiiiHos,  blue;  Trrc'/iov.  /iteroii,  wing.)  ("IXSAJIOX  TlCAi,.  Adult 
(J  :  Hill  black:  feet  orange,  joints  and  webs  dusky;  iris  oranu'e.  Head,  neck,  and  entire 
under  jiarts  rii-h  purplish-chestnut,  darkenini;  on  cmwn  anil  chin,  blackening  on  middle  of 
belly:  crissum  ilark  brown.  Fore  baj-k  liijhter  cinnamon,  varied  with  brown  ciu'ved  bars, 
several  on  each  feather;  lower  back  and  rump  greenish-brown,  the  feathers  edged  with  ])aler. 
Winii-coverts  sky-blue,  as  in  discors;  some  of  the  scapulars  Idue  on  outer  webs  and  with  a 
central  butf  stripe,  otlu  rs  dark  green,  with  bntf  strijie.  ,><peculnin  green,  set  between  white 
tips  of  gri'ater  coverts  and  white  ends  of  the  secondaries.  Wings  thus  (|nite  as  in  disvors,  but 
the  body-colors  and  head  entirely  ditlerent  ;  rather  larger :  length  Ifl. 00-17. 00 :  extent  25.00; 
wing  7-50-8.00;  bill  1. (>0-1. 75,  ah>ng  commissure  about  2.00.  Adult  9^  Similar  to  ^  discors, 
and  not  ea:  "  to  distinguish  :  larger  :  bill  longer  :  under  parts  at  least  with  a  ting<>  of  the  pecu- 
liar chestn..:  olor ;  head  and  es|iecially  chin  more  speckleil,  without  the  innnaculate  whitish 
of  those  parts  of  9  diyii)rs.  Hill  dusky,  paler  below  and  along  edges;  iris  brown;  feet  yel- 
lowish-drab.  \  generally  <listributed  .'^.  Am.  teal,  now  abundant  in  V.  S.  west  <if  the  K. 
Mts.,  and  of  casual  occurrence  in  the  (Julf  States.  Nest  on  ground,  of  grass  an*l  featliers, 
anywhere  in  its  l'.  S.  range;  ('(dorado,  I'tah,  Nevada,  California,  Idaho,  Oregon,  etc.  Kggs 
"J-12.  laid  in  June,  oval,  «ine  end  snntller  than  other,  creamy  white  or  pale  buff;  l.'JOX  1-30 
to  2.10  X  1.40. 
280,  SPA'Tl'LA.  (Lat.  nimUilit  or  spathHlii,  a  simmhi,  s))athe,  spatula;  shape  of  the  bill.) 
Si'dox-Hll.l.  I)fCK.s.  Hill  much  longer  than  head  or  tarsus,  twice  as  wide  at  end  as  at  base, 
broadly  rounded  i>|><Hin-fashion  at  end;  the  nail  narrow  and  prominent,  the  lamina- very  nunu'r- 
ous  ami  iirotrusive.  'I'.iil  short,  jiointed,  of  fourteen  acute  feathers.  Feet  small,  reil.  The 
|iecnliarity  of  the  bill  characterizes  this  genus  almost  as  strongly  as  I'lnUdeii  among  ibises, 
or  Kin'jfnorhijnchus  among  sandpipers  ;  the  form  is  otherwise  that  of  ordinary  Atiatimr. 
There  are  several  species,  one  X.  American. 

7IR.    g.  clyp«a'ta.    {\a\\.  cltiptum,  u  shield:  shape  of  the  bill.     Fig.  4S3.)     SiioVELLEH  DlTK. 


290. 


AXA  TID.E  ~AXA  TlXJi :    lUVKH  DICKS. 


697 


Broao-hill.  Adult  (J  :  Hill  Idackish  :  iris oraiittc-itil :  t.ct  vcniiilicni-icl.  Hi-ad iind  lu'ck  dark 
ulcissy  irrccn.  Lower  neck  and  tnic  lircast  (mrc  white.  Alnloiiieii  iMiriilisli-eliestniit.  Wiiiir- 
c.verts  .sky-blue  ;  .«peeulimi  rirli  trreni,  set  liet  ween  wliite  tips  (if  u'reater  (•«. verts,  .uid  l.laek  suii- 
tijis  and  wliite  tijis  of  soroiidaries  ;  iniHr  seeoiid.iries  t;reeiiish-l>laek,  with  loiitr  white  stri|M' : 
Iiiiie:  seapulars  Idiie  on  outer  wehs,  striped  with  white  and  Kreeiiish-hlaek  on  inner:  siiorl 
aiitiTior  seajinlars  wliite.  Hninp  anil  upper  ami  nnder  tail-cipverts  hhu'k  ;  a  white  pateh  on 
eai-h  side  at  root  of  tail.  Adult  9=  I'i'l  'hill  ureenisli  :  iris  yeUow  ;  feet  orantje.  Wini;- 
niarkiiitrs  similar  to  tliosp  of  jj,  tliou>;h  iniperfeet  :  trai'es  of  ehestnut  on  lielly.     lleail  and 

nerk  brownish-yellow,  .sixrkled  with  dusky.      In  any  pluniau'e  the  s| ies  is  of  course  at  onre 

rero«;nizi-d  by  the  peenliar  bill.  Lenirth  \7.'>'>--2\.^»\:  extent  I^H.OU-Xi.OO  ;  winj;  '.I.SO  ;  tail 
'A.W;  bill  about  2.70;  ahuit;  eoniniissure  .i.OO ;  tarsus  l.:i;5.  Kurope,  Asia,  etc. ;  in  N.  Am. 
at  large,  breediiijf  tlirouifhout.  and  winteriui.'  in  abundance  from  the  middle  districts  to  C.  Am. 


'1  ^'t  An  'I 


?  1 


Kid.  4h;I  —  Sliiivi'llcr  Diiik,  1  iiiil.  ^lzl•.  Frmii  Hrtliiu.i 
EjjRS  about  8,  averaffinu  2.111  X  1.50,  smooth,  elliiitical,  in  ccdor  dull  i)ale  i;''''''"ish-trray, 
sometinies  faintly  bluish.  In  full  dress,  which  is  comparatively  infrcfpient,  since  it  (diaracter- 
izes  only  tin-  breeding  season,  this  is  a  viry  smart  and  jaunty  ilnike,  trickeil  out  in  parti-color  ; 
the  great  majority  <if  specimens,  however,  ari'  fouml  in  a  phiniage  more  like  that  of  the  duck. 
The  bird  is  amoni;  the  best  of  the  duck«>  for  the  table. 
290.  AIX.  ((ir.  n»|  or  m^,  nix  or  (I'ir  :  ••ipplic.ition  not  obvious.)  nitlHAI,  DfCK.s.  IFead  cresicd. 
Hill  shorter  than  head,  no  lontrer  tli.in  tarsus,  very  hiuh  at  base,  the  recntrances  at  siiles  of 
culineii  iniidi  jirolonged  towards  the  forehead.     Nostrils  larye,  oval,  set  little  in  advanei'  of  the 

feathers  on  cnlmen.     Terminal   nail  upying  the  whole  end  of  the  bill,  and  niiieh  curved 

downward.  Lamellie  small,  few,  aiicl  distant.  Tarsus  incompleU'ly  sciitellate  in  front,  much 
shorter  tlnin  middle  t(H'.  Claws  compressed,  ciirvetl,  and  acute,  that  of  the  middle  toe  dilated 
on  inner  edge.     Tail  luilf  as  loiitr  as  wimrs,  rounded,  of  si.vteen  rounded  fi'athers,  and  very 


698 


SYSTLMATJC  SYyOPSIS.  —  LAMELLUiO^TliES  —  ASSKHES. 


IdiiK  cnvorts.  A  i)cculiar  as  well  uh  most  beiiiitifiil  goniiH;  tlu>  Cliiiirso  Maiitliiriii  Duck,  A. 
(jnlvricuhilii,  is  still  inoro  rt'iiiarkiildy,  though  not  iiion-  i'lct;aiitly,  culorcd  than  ourn. 
119.  A.  spoil 'sa.  (I^at.  .vyMXwi,  Ix'trotlu'tl :  i.  <>.,  as  it'  in  wcililiii;;  (Ircss.  I'i^.  ISt.)  Woiiii  Dim'k. 
SiMMKU  Dick.  "Tiik  Uhikk."  Adult  <J  :  Hill  jiinkish-wliitc  with  lakc-rrd  liasc,  Idack 
ridt^c.  ti]>,  and  under  iiiaiidi1>h> ;  iris  and  <'dj;rs  of  rjt'lids  red:  fi'ft  oraiiur,  with  Muck  claws. 
lJ|)I)('r  ])art  of  the  head,  iiidudint;  crest,  vrlisteniiijLT  green  and  |iur|de  :  a  narrow  white  line  over 
eye  from  hill  to  occiput,  and  another  liehiiid  eyi>  to  nape,  these  white  lines  mixing  in  the  crest. 
A  liroad  white  patch  ou  the  throat,  forkint;  hehind,  one  hraiich  mounting  head  heliind  eye,  the 
other  i>assing  to  side  of  neck.  Sides  and  fnml  of  lower  neck  and  fore  hreasi  rich  )iurplifih-chesl- 
nut,  prettily  nuirked  with  several  chains  of  angular  white  spots.  A  lariie  white  hlack-edged 
crescent  of  enlarged  featliers  in  front  of  the  wing.  I'nder  jiarts  ]iure  white,  the  sides  yellow- 
ish-gray vermiculaled  with  black  and  white  wavy  hars:  the  enlarged  tlank-feathers  limadly 
rayed  with  Mack  and  white;  the  lining  of  the 
wiuv's   white  liarreil  with   grayish-hrown.  of 


.      ->  .      -*V  -V...      \/<' 


Kiiilii  'IViiiiry.  iifli'i-  .Viiililbuii.i 


which  color  is  the  crissum.  I'pjM'r  parts  yeu- 
erally  lustrous  with  lirou/y-u;reen  and  purple: 
scapulars  and  iniu'r  secondaries  velvet-black, 
glo.ssed  with  l)uri)le  and  trreen  ;  a  green   spee- 

illinn,  sutrceeileil  liy  white  lips  of  the  si uda- 

ries  ;  primaries  frosted  on  outer  webs  near  i  nd. 

,\dult   9  '■    l-iltle  or  no  <'rest,  but   lent;tlieneil 

feathers  on  inipe ;  no  eidargemeiit   or  special 

cidorings   of  feathers  about   the  wings.      Hill 

dusky:  feet  yellowish-ilusky.      Head  and  neck 

gray,   darker  on   crown,  tlii'  chin   and    parts 

about  bill  and  eyes  white.       Fore  neck,  breast 

and  sides  of  body    yellowish-browu,   uiotlierl 

with  dark  gray,  the  lireast  spotted  with  brown, 

the   belly   white.      I'pper    parts   dark    brown    Kio.  4k4.  — WimhI  Dm  k. 

with  considerable  gloss  :   winus  much  as  in  the  male,  but   the  velvety-black   reduced.      I.eutrlh 

18,()0-:.'0.rH);  extent  about   ;2S.I)U ;  wiiu;   '.l.nO;  tail  4..')():  bill    I.411:  tarsus  the  same  :   miiMI. 

toe  aial  claw  2. (Ml.     X.   .\m.   at   larire.   but   especially   V .   S.,   brecdiui;  tliroii^hont   its  raiiue. 

wintering  chietly  in  the  South.     This  exipii^ile  bird  is  comniouly  ilisp-rsed  in  wnodeil  porlioMs 

of  the  couiury  near  water;  it  nestles  usually  in  the  hollows  of  trees,  whence  the  young  are 

transported  in  the  bill  of  the  parent.      Kirgs  about  a  do/en,  very  variable  in   number,  of  pale 

drab  color  and  the  usual  smooth  shell  aial  elliptical  shajie,  about  :.'.(l(l  X  l.")'l. 

68.  Subfamily  FULICULIN>E:    Sea  Ducks. 

'Idrsi  siiililliilr  in  Jri'iil :  hitnl  Im- 
liihdtr.  The  large  membranous  llap 
dependint;  from  the  hinil  toe  dis- 
tinguishes this  group  from  the  pro- 
ceiling,  proli.'ibly  without  excejition. 
While  the  geiu-ral  form  is  the  same 
as  that  of  the  AtialiiKr,  tlie  feet 
are  notably  l;irger,  with  relatively 
shorter  tarsi,  longer  toes  (tin'  ouli'r 
scarcely  or  not  slioilpr  than  the  mid- 
dle), ami  broader  webs;  thry  are 
uImii  placed  tiomewhat  further  back, 


Flo.  485.  —  Caiivnii-l>ook.  (From 
LewU,) 


Flo.  im.  —  Kcil-liiiiil.  (From 
I/:wU.) 


^.v.i ri/Kii:  —  Fi'i.iaruN.i: .  ska  jjicks. 


i;*)') 


in  ronwHiuonco  <if  which  tho  gait  is  still  moro  awkwiird  ami  cimstniitipd  than  tlic  "  wadiiii"  <>f 
orilinary  dtiolts;  hut  swiuiMiiui;  imwcrs  arc  tiiiiaiicfd,  ami  divini;  is  liu'ljitati'd.  A  lamp 
iiiiiiiImt  "f  tin.'  spccifs  arc  cxcliisivfiy  iiiariliiiic,  liiit  tlii.s  is  im  inure  the  fasc  wiili  all  iif  ilicm, 
than  is  the  ri'vcrw  with  the  river  ducks.  These  hirds  Iced  iimrc  ii|iim  iiicdliisks  ami  "ther 
animal  slihstances  (mit,  huwever,  iipiiii  tish,  like  tlic  iiieri;aiiser>)  than  the  river  ducks  do,  and 
their  llcsh,  as  a  rule,  is  coarser,  if  not  entirely  too  rank  to  he  eaten  ;  tlicre  are,  however,  sii;nal 
exceptions  to  this,  as  in  the  case  of  the  canvas-hack.     The  sexes  arc  uidike.  a>  anioiii;  the 

AdiiHikp  :  and  hcsides  the  ditt'crencc  in  ccdor,  the  9  's  often  distiiwushcd  \>\  the  ah.seia r 

slitrht  devclo|inicnt  of  certain  tnherosities  of  the  hill  that  the  (J  of  S4'ver,il  s|iecies,  as  of  s<'oters 
and  eiders,  possesses.  .\  larije  majority  of  the  species  inhahit  the  Northirn  lli'misphere;  there 
arc  some  forty  in  all,  cxliilpiliiii.'  a  ti"'»\  deal  of  cliver.-ity  in  minor  details,  really  rc(|iiirinu 
recognition  of  many  tjenera.  .\nionij  iiotahic  exotics,  we  have  the  soft-hilled  lliime)iiiliniiii>s 
niiiliii'iirliiiiiihii.i  of  New  ''ealand.  and  the  shorl-winued  Mitro/ilfnis  iiiiiTiiis  of  .Sdulh  .\merii-a, 
hotli  related  to  mir  i.'emis  ('iiiiiiitnlriiiiiis:  there  are  hut  few  others.  The  ^enns  Hiisiiiiitiiin  is 
the  type  of  a  small  uroU|i  remarkalde  for  the  I'liaracter  of  the  tail,  as  dcscrihed  heyond,  and 
sometimes  consiilered  as  a  suhfamily  apart.  ISi.iiiiii  lolmlii  of  .Vnstralia,  with  a  tlcshy  appen- 
daiic  under  the  liill,  the  .\fiieali  I'liilliiisonils  Inicinnilii,  the  SraoHCltit  Htwklnttilial,  and  .several 
species  of  I'Jiisiiiiihirii  and  Xoiiioiii/.r,  i'oinpo-e  tills  •.'roup. 

.tlitthiaiM  »»/■  Oi  III  ril  'init  Suhi/mn-'t. 

Tall-fcri'liiTs  rl«|i|.  imrniw,  llni'ar,  ('V|«iiii'il  tn  tholr  hiisis  liy  s'linrtiii'iui  of  covt'rl*. 

Null  "f  liMI  oiihiiiiry .Vnmoiii/ ''    -■"!• 

Nail  .in.ill  iiariiiw  liliMVi',  iivirliMiiuliiK  uiiil  wi.l.iiidlM'in'.illi  ll|inri.lll Erimmliirn    'i!)K 

Tall-I'i'iilliir>  jhhI  llnir  invirls  (iriliii.iiy  u  iiilriil  pair  vii  y  loiii;,  lioHivir,  hi  Uniilnii  (f). 
Itill  vari•Hl^ly  u'li*l"*ii)<.  <'i'  appfinhmct),  i<r  IVatlh'i't><l  lifymiil  ii<»strilr4 

Hill  tfll.li.ius  al  l.ari...  Ilii'ii  iT.iail.  ilo|in>s,.|,  «llli  larj,'.-  I'iihiI  nail,  Willi. uil  frontal  pr.Mifws 
CiMiosily  ol'liill  Miixrior,  <  Iri'iiiiin  rll.i.r  fiallii'is  n.il  inoji'iicil  mi  iiiliiieii. 

Tall  lil-fi  allicri'.l.     (f  :  (Jul. ir  iiiliri'ly  Mark  .0'.lii:MIM 

(iiMi.»ily  i.f  1.111  siiiieri'ir,  rlniniiMillM'.l ;  IVullins  i.i-...!iili'.l  i.ii  riilimMi      'i'all  U-  ,       ,).;i,.„,i„    .jji; 

IcatliiTi'il.     (f  :  Cnlor  l.l.iik  nr  ilark,  Willi  wliilf  wiiiniial.  Ii  (Ml  I.VMTTAI  . 
(illiU.isily  latiral  as  well  as  -iipriha':  I'railnrH  |ii'oJiM'tr<l  on  rnliin  11. 
Tail  II  ri-alliiiiM|      ,/:   Color  l.la.k,  willi  wlillo  In-ml-imtrlies  1 1'i:l.l()Nt:TTA) 
Hill  kIIiIioiim  at  liani',  Willi  lai'ijc  frontal  pnu'iKMn. 

I'"roiitai  |ii"iis»cH 111  lino  with  lulnii'ii  (SoMATiitiA  |iro|«Ti 

Frontal  |iiocii.-«'<  lmli;iiii;  iiiit  iif  lino  with  iiilnioii  (KuioMViTA  I \  Sniiidli  rln    '.tifi 

Itill  not  uililinii^,  lull  foalliori'il  on  I'liliiion  lioyiiiiil  nostrils  lAlieioM  TTA)      .... 
liill  not  nihil.. IIS  loll  a|.|ii'iii|ai:i'.|  with  liathory  (•x|iaiisi.iii ..!'  mIiIo  of  ii|i|.or  liiaiiililili', 

cliooksiiol  hrislly  llll'.XIlONl.TTAI 

mil  ii.it  .'Ihh.iiis.  hilt  ap|Kii.lai;o.|  with  a  l..tK.al  hasoof iiiis-iiro Iliitrnmiiii:     Jtf. 

Illll  not  Kilil s,  hill  ai.inii.lanocl  wiili  a  luatliory  expaimion  of  si.U:  of  »p|Mr  iiiainlihlo;  lin-ikit 

Itrisllv  ....  '  iiiiifiliitu miiA    *JIt4 

Bill  orilinary. 

Nail  of  hill  laruo,  fiisf.i.     Tall  (of  ,f  1  alioiit  ii»  Liiiu  as  wiiiu Iluiililn    JXU 

Nail  ..thill  iiamw,  .lisliinl.     Tail  ..I'or.llnary  hiiiiMi  aii.l  sIiiiikv 

Hill  Bliort.r  tlian  li.-a.i.  lilu'h  at  hasc.     Ili'inl  of  ^  pnlly  nv  i-icKloil,  Irlilomeiil.  wllli  i 

Hliitc  pat.liis;  rrl««iiiii  wliilo;  col.irs  hlai'k  aii.l  whili',  In  inasKos '    r/nni/ii/.i    '.'»J 

,f.  whili' spot  iKloro  oyo  (I'l.vxoi  i.A  proiHT) I 

cf,  wlilli' patrli  iMliin.l  oyodti  1  I  I'UAl.Ai 1 

Kill  alK.iit  nti  I.Mii;  a«  lioail.     Iloaci  of  <f  hiack,  ml   or  hrowii,  witliiiut  ii|kiIh;  crln-    \ 

mini  ilark ' 

nilliliiHky.     Ilonilof  ,f  ilii»ky  nvMli'li     (.\litsToxi:TTA) ■ /•h/iV/h/u    L'.iI 

Illll  hliiinh  or  hlarMsh      llia.l  of  (f  hiark  or  iihI      iKiI.lX) | 

Illll  rcl.    Ilca.l  10.1.  irislo.l  (KnroiM.aiil.    iFll.liiilA  pro|ior) ' 

Norr.  —  Sec  fnrllicr  aiinlvsoK  of  llic  8iiliBciicr(i  (some  of  wUlch  arc  of  generic  value!  uinler  lioadii  of  (Kttrmin, 
Somntiriii,  iiiul  h'tiHiinln. 

291.    FITLI'OIXA.     (Lat.   fnUijiih  or  fiiliciila.  dim.  of    Mir  or  fiilirn,  a    coot;   fidiijo,    soot.) 

Hi.AcK-iiEAi)  and   Heu-iikad    Dtt  k.**.      Si  aii's  and   Tix  hakhs.      Hill  ordinary,  witl i 

special  pihbosity  or  jteculiar  outlii f  feathers  at   hasc,  only  in   one  species  (/•'.  r«//i.«tH»nVi; 


700 


SYSTKMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LAMELLIliOSTRES  —  AN SEUKS. 


886. 


not  Hhortor  than  head  and  risiiiK  liigh  on  fi)rclu'ud ;  unil  at  rud  dixtinct,  dfciirved,  narrow, 
less  than  onu-tliird  as  wide  aH  cud  of  bill;  frontal  fcatlR-rs  extending  to  a])|>roxiinati'ly  cijiial 
<li8taiu-('8  on  top  and  tiidcM  of  \\\\\tvt  niandildr,  with  a  well-niarkcd  ri'i'iitraucr  lii'twcrn  tlicin 
reai'hini;  hack  to  ahoiit  o|l|>o^iitc  aii^lc  of  the  month,  those  of  chin  aiivancin^  rather  farther. 
N'oxtrils  in  haoal  two-tifthx  of  hill  (iieiirly  nicdiiin  in  F.  vaUmieriu).  Outline  of  u|i|ier  nian- 
dihle  j^cntly  concave  to  the  decurved  nail;  siden  nearly  |iarallel,  or  widenin^'  toward  end  (whole 
hill  nnicli  i\»  in  ordinary  Anatinw).  Tail  xhort,  roinided,  lexs  than  half  ax  lon^  ax  wini;, 
14-H>-fcathered.  Tarsus  lesx  than  S  {\-%)  as  loni;  as  middle  tiK'  ami  claw.  Mead  not  crested 
or  notahly  imtfy  (in  our  species).  llea<l  and  neck  hlack,  hrown  or  chestnut  (not  ^reen  with 
^reat  white  patches).  Sitlex  and  hack  tinely  waved  with  hlack  and  white.  Lining  of  win^x 
white.  Crissuni  hlack.  Hill  blackish,  or  hlack  and  blue.  Le^x  dark.  Speculum  white  or 
iiray.  (("oinprisiny  several  species  of  ••  hlack-heatl"  and  "red-head"  ducks,  includiuK  the 
"  canvax-back  " ;  characters  drawn  uj>  on  consideration  of  these  species;  re<|uirin^  modifica- 
tion, es|K'cially  as  to  c(dor,  to  include  the  Kuropean  /•'.  riijimt,  by  some  consith'red  type  of 
the  genus.  K<|uivalent  to  Fuli.r,  Aiftliifii  and  A rlstoiirlld  of  IJaird,  18.")S,  and  a)iparently  sepa- 
rable into  thn'c  full  {u'eiiera  —  one  for  thi'  crested  piH-liar<ls  of  Europe  ;  une  for  the  bla<'k-heads 
and  red-heads  together;  and  one  for  the  canvas-hack  alone.  The  type  of  Fuligulu  is  said  by 
Sundevall  to  be  F.  crisldta  ;  in  which  ease  Callivhen  is  available  for  nijiiia.) 

.Aniilytit  of  Sjirriri. 

roiiKlilriiiiiisl.v  create*!;  lilll  bikI  feet  rc<l   Fiiliyuln) rii.tfna    880 

Not  orvHle*);  lilll  niul  feet  diirk. 

Bill  not   lunger  tlian  lieml,  wltli  concave  line  of  nulinen,  not   notnlily  liiuli  on  forehead ;  clioril  of 
culnii'ii  luiiler  '.'  InrlirK.    NoHtrilii  fairly  In  liiiiuil  lialf  of  bill,    {f'lili.e  ) 

llliirk-hriuh:  ^  with  heail,  iieclc,  luKly  anteriorly,  lower  hack,  rump,  tail  and  itH  coverlii.  hlack, 
tliti  lieail  glooHv;  lielow,  Int'liiiiinK  liniii);  of  wIngH,  while,  with  line  lilaik  wavhiK  on  MileH  Hml 
lower  liolly;  Mil  hlack  anil  blue,  or  ilUHky  ;  feut  dark.     $  with  licad  and  nci'k  hrown,  with  or 
without  white  around  liill,  and  other  hlavk  parts  of  J  rather  hrown.    (Fulije  proper.) 
No  ring  arounil  luH'k. 

(f  !>|)eruluni  white;  hack  and  nlde*  finely  wavott  In  zig-zag  with  hlark  and  whilliih  ;  bill 
lilue,  with  hlai'k  nail.     $  with  the  face  while. 

Length  ahout 'JO. on;  «ing!lO(l:  glo»8  of  head  green tmiriln    7;!0 

U'ngtii  alKiut  Iti.iK);  wing  K  (Ml;  gloiw  of  iieail  purple ojHiiit    Til 

An  orange-lirown  ring  round  ne<'k  of  J. 

.S|MH:uliini  gray:  hack  nearly  nniforni  hlarkliih  ;  hill  hlack,  pale  at  ha8e  and  near  end; 

9  without  collar;  loreH  and  cldn  whillHli,  and  ring  round  eye mlliiriii    722 

Knl-hrailf :  <f  Willi  head  ami  neck  cheHlnut,  In  9  p'»l>'  hrown  ;  iMidy  anteriorly,  runi|i,  tail,  ami 
llB  coverlH,  Mark,  in  9  hrown  ;  hack,  iwapulara,  and  aide*  linely  waved  wilh  Mack  aii<l  white  or 
aHhy-while  In  e<|nal  amnuntK ;  H|iet!uluni   gray.     Hill  Mue  witli  lilack  belt  at  end.     Hack  dlii- 

llnclly  verniiculate<l  with  hlack  on  an  afhy-white ground  (.f.'/A.(/i<i) iinirririiiiii    723 

Bill  longer  than  lieail,  wlHi  scarcely  coiu'ave  ciilinen  riBiiig  liigli  on  forehead  ;  ch<iril  of  cull    in  over  2 
inchcH.     NoMrilii  reaching  ndddlo  of  Mil. 
Cunrat-lmrk :  cf  head  dark  cliestnul-hrown,  much  olmcurcd  with  du»ky  on  lop  and  alwut  hill, 
Silvery-wbitioh  of  hack  prevailing  over  the  hlack  waved   lineH,  which  are  narrow  and  much 
broken  Into chaliiH  of  (lulu  (..irJWoN<y/'il rnlliHiiirUi    724 

h'll.Klt  I.A. 

(addenda.)  V.  riifl'na.  (F.at.  rufiua,  reddish.)  I{f;i>-(HK«TKI>  I'lMiiAitn.  Adult  f  : 
{'onspicuonsly  crested.  Kill  vermilion,  white-tipp<'d ;  feet  orange-red;  eyes  brown.  Head 
and  upper  neck  rusty-red,  with  a  rosy  tint.  Lower-  and  hiiid-neck,  fore-hack,  breast,  and 
miihlle  of  belly  black.  Hack  >;iayish-hrown,  with  a  huge  while  patch  on  each  side,  blacken- 
ing (lu  rump  and  upjior  tail-coverts.  Tail  ashy-gray.  Primaries  whitish,  edgeil  and  tijiped 
with  dusky-gray ;  s|M'cu1uiii  and  siiles  of  belly  white.  9  '■  "'"  dusky  with  ]iink  tip,  and  leet 
pinkish,  with  dusky  webs.  Tpju-r  parts  generally  rufoiis-brown,  umhr  pails  brownish- 
white,  the  throat  and  upper  fore-neck  whitish:  crown  and  rump  darker  than  other  upper 
parts,  the  dorsal  feathers  with  jmle  edges;  ipiills  brown,  edged  and  tipped  with  darker,  the 


rn 


Til 


Tfl 


AyATJD.K  —  FCLiaiLIX.tJ.    SKA  Dirh'S. 


f(M 


>i]MTiiluiii  gray,  b«miul«'d  tfriniimlly  with  lirowii.  KLir<i|M',  fU:  IJin-  fmiud  in  Fiiltoii  Mark*'!, 
Nuw  York,  Ffl).  iHli.     ^^iut•  Clifck  Lint,  M  i-il.,  ISSji,  \<.  liJti.) 

Fii.ix. 
^•iO.    F.  inarl'ltt.      (tin.   ihuimt  iiit ?     (^i.   (Jr.  pi/jiAi;,    inurile,  c-liamml.  fmiii  tin-  i.itili-l.link 

f.in-|>ait.s  f)        (JUKATKU    S»  Al  I'    Kkk.        Klli     Kl.At  K-IIKAIi.        Itl.rii-lill.l..        \xM\     l>liK. 

Fi.o(  KINO    Fowl.     Sihpfi.iiu.     Adult  ^  :  No  riiiK  ar id  mrk.     S|m-i-iiIiiiii  wliitf.     ItjII 

iliill   Mill',  witli    lilai'k    liinikril  nail,  liroail  ami   flat   at   cini,  wlitn ii>iili'ralily  wiiicr  tliiiii  at 

Uisv.  Ii'In  yi'llow.  Fi'i't  liviil  lilarki>li,  cir  dark  |diiiiilM'iiii>,  wiili  darker  \\i\».  Wlmlr  lirad, 
lurk,  aiitl  fiirc-parts  i>(  Imdy  piti-h-ldai'k,  nn  the  licail  with  I'liictly  •.•n-i'ii  iridrMTiiiT.  l^nwrr 
back,  rinii|i,  tail,  with  hoth  ii|i|M'r  and  innli'i'  cnvii'ts.  hiai-k  or  Ma>-ki.-li.  Middli-  nf  liark. 
.si-a|inlars,  and  innst  of  iiiKlcr  |)ai'ts,  white,  the  inti'rsc-a|iiilar>.  ><'a|>iilar>,  >idi->  of  ImhIv,  llaiik>, 
and  lower  lielly  wavi'd  with  fine  /iy-zai;  ero>.s-liiie.s  of  Idaek.  "|iiite  in  ••(•anva>-l>ai'k  "  >tyli'. 
Winu-ei (Verts  similar  to  haek,  lint  darker  yray  and  more  oli>enrely  marked:  the  i;realer 
coverts  tippi'd  with  Idark,  foriiiini;  the  anterior  liorder  of  the  white  ■|N'i'iilnm,  wliieh  is  formed 

liy    the    s iidaries,    the    white   exteiidini:   <|iiite    across    them,   their    ti|i>    Mack.     I'rimaries 

hrownisli-black,  liecomini;  yray  inwardly.  .\.\illars  and  most  of  iiinler  winii-c.iveris  white. 
9  :  Mill,  eyes  and  feet  as  liefure.  The  liliick  parts  of  the  ^  rephiced  liy  dusky  or  dark  lirown, 
whicli  latter  is  tlie  color  of  the  head.  A  til'oad  helt  of  pure  icliile  aroiuid  l>a>e  of  upper 
niandilde,  forinintr  a  conspiciioiis  white  "face."  The  Idack-iHid-white  veriiiiculatioii  less 
distinctly  deveh.peil.  Length  of  ff  9  IS.OO-Jil.Ot) ;  i-.xieiit  :{it.Ml-:i.j.( HI,  usually  over  lUi.iMi; 
Willi;  S..')(I-'.).<MI'.  tail  .'{.(ID:  hill  4.00:  tarsus  I..'i0:  middle  t.M'  and  claw  i.M.  Knrope.  Asia. 
etc.,  and  N.  Am.  at  lari;i':  on  the  whole  more  northerly  than  !■'.  iijfitiis.  \u,\  priH-eedint:  so 
far  .south  ill  winter.  thoui,'li  hreedini;  no  farther  north  —  from  X.  Ixtnh'rs  of  l'.  S..  northward. 
The  more  freipient  r.  S.  scaup  in  winti'r  is  /•'.  «//('»('>■.  Nest  mi  irrotnul,  down-lined:  eiri."' 
diah-coloied,  i.Vt  X  \ri- 

Til.  F.  afll'iilH.  (I,at.  nl/iiiis,  ml  and  Jhiis.  allied,  allineil.)  I.k.ssku  .""i  All*  l»l  <  K  1,1111.1 
Hl.ACK-iiK.vii  (uitli  other  names  of  the  foreu'oinu).  K.\tremely  similar  to  the  last:  t.'lo>i4  of 
head  idiietly  |>urple,  sides  and  Hanks  less  closely  wavec  with  Mack  f  Smaller:  leiitrth  1.').50- 
17.00:  extent  under  liO.OO;  willu'  S.OOorless:  tail  :;..iO  :  hill  I.J.'i;  tardus  l..'.fl:  miildle  toe 
and  claw  J.:!0.  It  is  dillicult  to  deliiii'  this  liird  spi'citically.  hiit  it  apjoars  to  preser\t'  its 
characters,  ihouuli  I'onstantly  associated  with  ihi'  last.  N.  .\iii.  at  lar>:e  ;  hreeds  from  the 
X.  Iiorders  of  the  r.  S.  northward:  winters  in  and  miirrates  through  the  T.S.  tot".  Am. 
ami  W.  I 

Tl'l.    K.  collii'ris.     (l,at.  ro/A/c/.v,  pertiiiniiiu   to  nillniii.  \]u-    neck:  coljare.l.)     l{lM;-NKrK    iMtK. 

.\ihill   (J  :    .\   chestnut  or  oraiiue-luowii   rinu  round   neck.     Spe.-iil yray  (not  white).      Mill 

Idack,  the  ha.se  and  edt;es,  ami  a  helt  near  end  of  upper  iiiaiidiMe.  pale  Miiish.  Iri>  yellow. 
Feet  urayish-hliu',  with  dusky  wehs.  Mead  and  neck  ahove  the  collar  lustrous  Mack,  with 
ureeii,  violet,  and  purple  iridescence,  the  extreme  chin  white.  l,oWer  lieck,  fore-hreast, 
upper  parts  nenerally,  hiackish,  tlu'  scapulars  scarcely  waveil  or  only  dotted  with  u'rayisli. 
Crissum  lilack  :  iiniler  parts  generally,  inclndini,'  liniiii:  of  winu''.  white,  tin-  lowi  r  iMlly  and 
siiles    finely    Waved    with    Mai'k.      WiiiL's    plain    dark    hrown,    with    an    asliy-uray   speculum 

formed  hy  outer  wehs  of  SOI f  the  secondaries.     Tail  of  |t»  feathers.     Adult   9-   NiM'idlar: 

head  iimher-hrown  darker  on  toji,  with  whitish  i-heeks  ainl  chin,  ami  white  eye-iini:  :  other 
hlack  parts  of  jj  dark  hrownish  :  uiiiler  parts  less  extensively  and  less  purely  white:  winit 
and  it.s  speculum  as  hefore.     Lcimtli  l(i.(M)-lv.iM);  ».xteut  IHMW  or  less;  w'mti  alM.nl   '<.<"i:  iail 

-'.7.">  ;  tarsus  l.-i."):  hill  l.7.'i,  not  so  1 h  wideiii'd  at   end   as  that  i«f  the  scaups.      X.  .\m    at 

larsie  ;  hreeds  from  X.  liorder  of  l'.  S.  to  far  north,  winter-  in  and  iniL'rates  ihroUL'h  V .  S. 
to(".  Am.  and  W .  I.  Xest  on  tiroiiml,  of  L'tass  and  mit>s  :  euys  alsiut  '.I.  pale  u'reenish. 
2.1:,  X  l.lilt. 


702 


a  YSTKMA  TIC  H  IWOl'SlS.  -  LA  MELLIUOSTHES  —  A  MiEllKS. 


■yt<:.:y.- 


^^•^r^l; 


.1,47 


J^^.^V' 


:^^''[n 


f^''-;ii^';':> 


S 


W<^ 


Tii.    V,   rerlnn  uin<>rira'na.      (Lat.  ferimi,  fcrnl,  wild.      Fins.   48ft,  4S7,   4S*«.)      ItF.D-iiF.AP. 

AMKitiiAN    l'(u  iiAlti).     Atliilt  ($  :    'I'lir  fcutliiTM  of  tlio  lii-ttd  siiiiit'wliat  full  mill  piitTy,  tlHiii^h 

fiii'iiiiiitr  11(1  crcKt.     Kill  liruail  iiml  tliitti'iinl, 

!i   litlli-  wiilciiril  fnwanl  mil,  niiiiiiiiK  into 

till-   fiirrlit'itil   wliicli   uri'lics  aliriiptly   nvcr 

ami  away  from  it,  not  riHin^  ^'i-ailiially  into 

liiir  with  fiH'i'lii-ail ;    shorti'i'  or  not  ioii^i-r 

tliaii  iicail,  -i  iiiriic:'  or  U't^A  in  li'n|L,Mli  alouu 

cnlini-ii,  till'  nostrils  witliin  its  )>asal  half; 

till'  forwani  I'lul  of  nostril  alimit  jj  thr  way 

iVoiii  upprr  roriK'r  to  imhI  of  hill.     Kill  iliill 

ltliii>  with  a  hlark  hi'lt  at  tin*  cinl.     (('oniiiarx  head  and  hill  of 

r.'iiivas-hari<.)     Iris  oiaiii,'!'.      Pi't't  iliill  urayish-ldiif,  with  diisUy 

wi'hs  and   hlark   rlaws.      |[i-ad  and  iii'i-k  all  around  rii-h   |inr(i 

I'hrstniit,   not  olisi-iirrd  with   diisky-hrown,   lint   with  hmn/.y  or 

ni|i|irry   ird    ri'lh'i-tions.       Lowrr  ni'rk    and   fori'  parts  of   hody 

aliovc  and  hi-low,  with  riini|i  and  lail-i'ovi-rts  iihovi*  and  hrlow, 

hlai'kish.       Kark    niixi'd    whitish    and   hlarkish    in   ahoiit    I'lfiial 

ainonnts,  thr  dark  wavy  lini's  dislinct   and  iinlirokrii.     (In   thi' 

Kiiro|M'aii  piNdiard,    /•'.  frfiwi,    from   whirh  onr  hird  ditl'i'is,   thr 

hark  is  also  distinrtly  and  coniph'trly  wavrd  with   Mark,  hut  thr 

Ui'oniid  is  ipiili'  whiti'.  as  in  oiir  I'aiivas-hark,  in  whirh  tin-  dark 

lini's  art'  iiinrh   hrokrii  up.  thr  wliiii'  thns  pri'vailiiiir.     This  tiiii' 

vi'miii-nlatioii.   whrii   not  t 'losriy  i'\ainiiii'il,  uivrs  a  drlii-ali' 

sihrry-tiray   toin-,  of  ditlrri'iit    sliailr   in    thr  dilh'rrnt    spcrir.-. ) 

Siili'N  of  hody  under  the  wiii^s  vcrinirnlatcd  ninrh  like  thr  hark, 

the    nndnlations   siihsidini;  in   thf  i;rayisli-whiti'  of  thi'  niiddh' 

iinilfr    parts.      \Vini{-i-ovrrt.s  a.shy-^'i'ay,    niinntcly   dotli'd   with   whili';    sp<-cnluiii  Imary-ash, 

honli'i'i'd  internally 
^  N,\' _      /  Uj'.'.       liil^'.  with  hlack ;  liniiif;  of 

wiiiiis  mostly  white. 
9:  Kill  ohsinreil  hlii- 
ish,  with  hlack  helt 
near  end;  iris  yi-llow; 
feet  as  in  (J.  Same 
Mliape  of  hill  and 
head.  Mead  and  up- 
per nei'k  dull  reddish- 
lirown,  jtaler  or  whit- 
ish on  eheek.s  and 
hehind  eye ;  upper 
parts  lirownish,  the 
feathers  paler  eilued. 
Willis  iiineli  as  in 
(^,  the  white  lining' 
restrii'ted.  Leiiirth 
2().tlO  iU.lKJ;  extent 
iilioiit  33.00 ;  win^ 
9.(Mt-l(i.()(l;  tail3.0(t, 

of  14  foathcrs;  tarsus  1.50;  middle  toe  and  claw  2.75.     N.  Am.  at  large,  hut  |(articularly 


Km.  Is7.  —  Uicl-lioad,  J  iiiit.  hI/.o. 
(Kriiiii  iiiitiii't'  li\  .1.  I..  UlilKwiiy.) 


Km. 'KM.  -  Ki'il-honila.    <  From  Lcwii.) 


AXATID.K  —  I'CIJGILLWK :    Sj:.i    DICKS. 


r(i:l 


K.  of  tlic  MisitiHHiiipi  uiul  uUnin  Atlantic  Ci.ii.si;    lnccils  in  liiijli  iiiiiiinits,  uiuicrs  in  I'.  S. 

One  <if  the  cKniiniiiii'.Ht  tnurkct-diu'lis  in  tiolcrn  c-itics  in  wintrr,  si 

buck,  and  nioro  liki'iy  ti  Ih-  ili.stini.'nisli<'il 

tlicrcfroni  with  the  ffutlwrM  "U  tlian  ntF! 

Xcst  iin  jiriiiintl,  or  aniont;  rci'ils  over  water 

likr  a  coot's,  liown-lincil.    Ku'us  7-s,  hntt", 

■i.2:>X  1.70. 

AUISIONKITA. 

TH.    '''■    vitlllMiiorlii.      (Name  of  a  i;i'Mns  of 

agnatic    pianls,    the    wild    4'i.li'i'y,     \'.    .yjiinilin,    ilnlicalrcl    to 

Antonio  N'ailisncri,  an  Italian  naturalist.     Tiiis.  |s.">.  |.>!l,  Hhi.) 

Canvan-IIACK.       Adult    (J:    'I'lic  head  closc-rca'lnrcd.      Itil' 

liiuli  at   till'  liasr  and  narrow  tlii'out;liout  or  scarci  ly  widciird 

toward  rlid,  slo|iiiiu  t;radual1y  il|i  to  llir  top  o|'ilii.  hiad  in  line 

with   the  HWi-i-p  of  tilt!  fori'lirad,  altoi;i.tlii'r  souiiwliat   like  a 

U'oose's   ill   shape  :    decidedly    loiu:er   than   head,    -Jt    iiiclirs   to 

nearly  or  ipiite  li  in  leimtli,  measured  aloiii;  the  ciilmen  ;  the 

nostrils  reaching  the  middle  of  the  hill,  their  fore  end  hull-way 

from  upper  I'lirner  to  eiiil  of  hill.      Kill  not  Idiie,  Mack-heltcd, 

hut    Idacliish    ihroiiuliinit        Kyes    red.       Keel    i;rayi>li  Mile. 

Head   and   ii|ipei    neck   not    coppery   hrownish-ii-il,   Imi 

reddish-hrown,    further   much   cdiscuii'il  with   dusky  oi-  i|uiti. 

Idackish  ahoiit   the  hill  and  on  top,      (iroiiiid  color  of  hack 

white,    very   finely   verinicnlated    with    ziuza^   hlackish    hars 

much   narrower  than  the  interveniiii;  spaces,  and  tendinis'  to 

break  iiii,  or  mostly  broken  up,  into  little  chains  of  dots  across 

the    feathers;    the    resiiliiiii;   silvery-irray   tone    consec|iienily 

.several  shades  lighter  than  in  the  red-head.     Oilier  characters 

Hiibstantially  as  in  that  species.     9  dill'ers  as  9  red -head  does;  ,.. 

head  dark  snulfy-brown.  etc.  but  tlie  bill  is  cidmed  as  in  the  ^,  ami  sntticieiitly  preserves  its 

peculiar  shape  ;  eyes 
reddish -brown.  .*«i/.e 
of  the  red-head,  or  a 
little  laiL'er;  tarsus 
l.r.') ;  bill  longer,  as 
abo\e ;  cnlnieii  much 
over  '2  inches;  t;ape 
about  2.<i7  :  line  from 
upper  corner  to  ti| 
nearly  or  ipiite  :t.(M>. 
of  which  distance  tin 
nostrils  reiich  hall 
way.  N.  Am.  ai 
lariTc;  breeils  froii 
the  northern  tier  "' 
States  northward,  in 
the  I{.  .Mis.  further 
south,  and  in  upper 
Cahfornia ;  winters  in 
the  r.  S.  and  soiith- 


KliJ.  4K!i.  —  t'linvim-liai'k,  1  iiiit. 
ri/.c  (Friiiii  iiiituiu  l>y  ,1.  I..  ICIiIk- 
way.l 


Kio.  490.  —  t'BiiVRit-lxick.    (From  lA>wi».) 


7u4 


ayaJUMA IIV  sySOfSlS.  —  LAMKLLllUtsJUKS  —  ASSKHES. 


ward  to  (iiiati-iiialik:  al>iiiiilant  aloii)^  tin-  Atlmitic  coaitt,  from  llic  iiiiililli'  ilixtrii-tH  to  Tt-xas. 
i'H|H'i'ially  in  llif  ('li('wi|>cakc.  Wliiii  lifiliny  on  tin-  wild  ridcry  tin-  lli'sli  ac<iiiirt'«  ii  iicculiarly 
tine  lluvor,  wliicli  lias  giiiiicd  tor  tli<'  liini  ureal  renown  anioni;  uaMtronoinerx;  Itut  itx  tle!>li  ix  of 
no  s|)e<-ial  exeeileiiee  under  other  eirenni.ttanceK,  in  fact  iiderior  to  !liat  of  nioMt  |{iver  DueliK 
(AtinliiKi).  'I'here  i.>  little  reiiKon  for  »i|iieiilinu  in  liarl>arir  joy  over  this  over-rated  and  p'li- 
erally  nnder-doiie  hird  ;  not  one  person  in  ten  tlionsaiid  can  tell  it  from  any  other  diiek  on  the 
talde,  and  then  only  under  the  celery  circumstance  just  said. 
303.  CKAN<H'LA.  ( Lat.  t7«m/ii/<«,  dim.  of  (/<i/(//"''i  "  •'"!'*<•)  Wiiisri.Kiis.  tiAitituTN.  Hill 
much  shorter  than  heail,  aliout  as  hmu  as  tarsus,  very  hii;h  at  hase,  laperinu  \«  \  ml  with  ilefinile 
nail,  and  acute  upiier  corners;  frontal  and  mental  feathers  liiile  in  advaui'e  of  h.ral.  Nostrils 
median.  'I'ail  ahout  half  as  loni;  as  winu.  Ki-feathired,  jHiinied.  ItiHly  |duni|i ;  neck  short; 
feet  far  liack.  ^  with  the  head  iiuH'y  or  slinhlly  crested,  dark-colored,  irideso'Ut,  with  ureal 
wliile  |ialches;  lower  neck  all  around,  under  parts  includinu  sides,  and  most  of  the  winu- 
coveHs,  seapulars,  and  secondaries,  white ;  linini;  of  winusilark:  most  of  upper  parts  Idin'k  ; 
no  wavini;  on  hack  or  sides;  cri>suui  not  Idai-k  :  Mil  ilark  ;  feel  liuhl  or  liriuht.  9  >vith  less 
puify  dark  hrowii  or  uray  head,  and  traces  or  iiotof  ihe  white  patches.  Mediuni-sixed  ami  suuill 
ducks,  mostly  black  and  white.  They  include  two  ty|H's  of  at  least  suhueueric  value  ;  4ine 
(I'ltiHijiiUt  proper)  repre.seiiteil   l»y  the  parrots,  the  other  {Biurfihiilii)  hy  the  hullie-head. 

.tniili/nin  ,[/'  Sjit  fit tt. 

NiMtrlls  rntlicr  Iwrnrc  nililillo  of  t>lll.  J  Imul  luiirnrinly  iiiiDy.  tlii<  kIcisk  urvi-ii;  »  rnuiul  >ir  i>vul  ulille 
KIHit  Ijcfciru  i'}'i-,  nut  ri'iiililni;  ii|i|H'r  ninii'r  nf  lilll ;  wliilc  nf  wliitiH  rniitiiiuinia:  lliiiiiK  of  wlni;s  I'liliivly 
ilitrlt;  vyu  yulliiw;  fui'l  i>riiiii!<'.     9  ''*-''"' ''»■''' ''r"*!!,  iuini:irki'il.    i' /,o<i/ii/ii| iilniuiiim    'Hi 

NuHtrllH  Its  Imforc.  (f  licn<l  Holinuliiil  iTi'Mcil,  llic  kI"s><  purple  ami  tiolci  .  an  lUiKiiliir  nr  iTi'MViitk'  wliilc 
ii|iucu  livforuvyc,  itiiiiliiHl  iiKahisI  wlmlu  Ihimi  of  hill;  wliili' nf  uiiiKi,  ill\  jiicil  liy  it  liurK  line;  lininK  »t 
winK' ciitiruly  ilitrk;  (•yi>  yi-ilnw  ;  fcvt  iinint;i'.     $  lit'iiil  ilark  lirowii,  iiinnaikiHl inlniiilirn    "SM 

Niwtrils  ratlicr  U'liinil  iniilillc  of  liill.  (f  licail  cxtrcnii'ly  |iurty,tlii' uliiks  varlnim.  No  wliili' lieforc  eye, 
lull  Kreiit  wliite  spare  on  side  of  lieiiil  liclilnil,  nieetliiK  Its  ti'liow  on  iiais';  ulilte  of  wliiK  contliiiioun; 
iiniiiK  of  niiiu  Willi  some  wlille;  eyuliMWu;  feet  llcsli-color ;  ^  liiail  ilurk  ((ray,  witli  truce  of  the  wliile 
aiirienlar  pateli.     (Itiivi iihiiln) .    iiIIhxIh    T'.'T 

72.1.  *'•  Rluu'eliiiii.  (<ir.  y\avKiov,  <jUinkiim\  ].,at.  (//i(i«<-ii(»i.  a  duck,  perhaps  this  one.)  Coi.iiKN- 
KYK.  WlllsTI.K.K.  ti.Mtltn'i'.  Itill  with  nostrils  rather  hefoie  tli:in  hehind  its  middle  line. 
Head  moderately  uniformly  puffy.  Adult  $  :  lilo.ss  of  head  chielly  ureeii.  A  larije  roimil  or 
oval  spot  liefiire  eye,  not  toiichint;  hase  of  hill  throughout  ;  no  white  liehind  eye.  Hill  Idack, 
or  ureeni.sh-diisky.  Iris  fioldeii-yidlow.  Feet  nranue,  with  dusky  wehs  and  Idack  claws. 
Lower  neck,  under  parts  at  larije,  middle  and  ureater  wiinj-coverts,  many  secondaries,  and 
nhorter  .scapulars  in  iiarl,  while,  that  of  the  wind's  perfectly  cciutiuiioiis.     .'^hoiter  .scapulars  in 

j)art,  loni;   scapulars,  inner  and   outer  s ndaries,  edue  of  winu'.   primary  covci-ts,  |irimaries, 

and  hack  at  larue,  Idack.  llie  latti'r  flossy.  Liniim  of  wiiii-s  dusky,  as  are  some  feathers  at 
insertion  of  let;s  and  on  sides  of  rump.  The  while  greater  coveits  have  dark  l>;ises.  not  e.Meii- 
Mive  enough,  Intwever.  to  divide  the  while  winu-surface.  9  :  Hill,  eyes,  and  feet  as  in  ^. 
liut  former  usually  varied  with  yellowish  at  end.  Head  less  piill'y.  Miiilly-hrown,  wilhoiit 
white  loral  space.  Mlack  parts  of  ^  iiudinini;  to  hrownish  :  white  of  winus  less  extensive  and 
com]ilete,  often  wiivcil  with  jrray  tips  of  some  of  the  coverts  ;  white  of  under  parts  often  waved 
with  irray  or  hi-own  on  lower  neck  and  aloni:  sides.  Length  17.iHl--'ll.tMi :  extent  i7.ll'>- 
\\iM)\  wing  s.lttl-'.l.iH) :  tail  .'i.(M>-l.')(l  ;  tarsus  l..'{o-l..Vt ;  niidiUe  toe  and  claw  ;;..")0  :  hill 
l.:U)  along  culmeii,  ahout  iM^  alonu  gape.  9  snuiller  than  f.  Kuir.pe.  etc. ;  X.  Am.  at 
lariie,  a  common  winter  duck  of  the  I'.  .*<.,  lireeding  chietly  in  hiuh  latitudes,  hut  also  in 
r.  S.     All  expert  diver.     Meat  had  —  rank  and  Kshy.     Nest  in  trees. 

726.  <'•  •slii"'<ll«'ii.  (Of  island  or  Iceland)  Maiihow'.s  Cni.nKN-KVK.  IJimkv  .Motxr.MX 
(i.MtituT.  Very  similar  to  the  last.  Hill  with  nostrils  as  hefore.  Head  moderately  ]iutfy, 
and  with  lengthening  of  coronal  and  occipital  feathers   into  a  slight    <'resi.     Closs  of  liead 


737. 


AyATW^  —  FULWrUS.K:   ShA    DrVKs. 


»0.) 


rliii'riy  i"ir|tl<'  iitiil  vinlct.  A  liirift-  triiiiiL'ulitr  i>r  I'lT^cciitii'  wliiti'  ^imt  licfmi'  cyr,  rmiiiiiiir  up 
ill  II  |iiiiiit,  iipplinl  at;aiiist  tin'  wlicilr  Mr  i>(  Imm'  nf  l>ill.  Wliitr  ai'iu  mi  wIiik  iiioir  nr  Ii'hm 
iliviili'il  liy  II  <lai'k  Imr  n'miltiiij;  fi'mii  t'Xti'iiKicni  nf  ihr  dark  Imws  of  iKr  nrriitrr  cnVfitH. 
Avfraiiini;  larirtT  tliaii  tlir  lasi  :  Init'th  1'.I.«MI-l'J..')0  ;  cxtriii  .'|t).iH»  ,,v  iihui'  ;  nini;  '.l.on- lii.iio  ; 
tarsus  1.(1(1;  Mil  as  lifliiri',  thus  rilativtly  slmrtiT.  Kiiinpf,  Ii'ilaml :  (trifnlaiiil  ;  \.  Am., 
iKirllnrly;  in  wiiitfi- S.  ti>  X.  Y.  ami  I'tali;  Itrmis  in  ilic  |{.  Mt».  of  I".  S.  ami  in  liiuli  litt- 
itmli'M.  Not  cniiiiiioii  with  UK.  Smns  wi'll  ilLstiiit'iii.-ln  i|  from  I',  ijlnm-iiiiii,  though  the  9 
is  not  easily  tlisfrimiiiatt'il.  It  may  usually  lir  riroi.'ui/.ril  liy  ihr  ocripiial  rrrst,  tin-  ■lixisimi 
of  tlif  wlilti-  urea  oil  tilt'  wiiiir,  uu<l  the  cxtiiisivcly  pitrii-colond  l)ill,  wliii-ii  is  lilotvluil  wlili 

rrdilisli. 
Til,  V.  ullKt'olu.  I  Lat.  iillwiilii  or  iillmlii,  dim.  of  nlhiis,  wliiic.  Kiij.  Wl.)  HcFi-'i.K-iiCAii. 
lllTTf.ii-ii.Vl.l,.  Si-iiiii-DiiK.  I)ii'i'i:it.  Hill  Willi  iii.r.irils  ralliiT  lirliiiid  tliaii  lirfor.'  itM 
iiiidillr  liiif.  Adult  (J  :  lli-ad  partit'iilarly  pull'y  with  miicli  Iruutlu'md  frathi'i's  of  lateral  and 
liiiid  parts,  H]ili'ndidly 
various  with  piirplr- 
violi't  and  nrrrli  iridrs- 
Ci'liri';  a  laru'c  siiowy 
patrli  on  carli  side  lii'- 
liiiid  ryr,  Idnidiiu.'  on 
iiapi'  with  its  IVIlow. 
Hill  dull  Idiiish  with 
dusky  nail  and  lia.si'. 
Kyrs  hrown.  Fct't 
palf  th'sh-color,  with 
hliuduHh  claws.  I'p- 
prr  (iiirts  at  lari{ii 
hiack,  fading  to  i;ray- 
i>ih-wliitt»  posto-iorly. 
Lower  iii'ck  all  around, 
niidrr  parts  at  lai't;t', 
srapillars  in  part, 
marly   all    tiic   wiiit;- 

Covcrts,    and    most     of  Fui.  tin.  — Huffle-luMil     (Kmm  Ij'wIk. i 

the  sccondarit's,  whiti-.  Outer  si'a|)ulars  wliite,  edued  with  hlaek;  inner  seeondaries  velvet- 
black;  sides  and  .sometimes  across  lower  lielly  shaded  with  dusky:  liiiinu  of  winijs  mixed 
dusky  and  white.      9  iniich  smaller  than  ^  :  head  scari'ely  putfy,  hut  ii  thin  compressed  nuchal 

idoncation  of  the  feathers;  dusky  trray,  wilii  traci'  at   least  of  the  white  spa f  the  ^,  and 

commonly  a  wliite  touch  under  eye.  Hill  dusky  ;  feet  livid  Iduish-trray,  with  dusky  wehs. 
Abovi'  lit  liirgu  ilii.««ky-gniy  or  Idackish,  with  white  speculum  on  outer  welis  only  of  five  or  six 
secondaries;  lielow  wliiti'.  shaded  intodark  aloiii;  sides  and  across  fore-hreast  and  lower  helly. 
Thus  a  very  small  insijjnilicant-lookini;  duck,  hut  easily  recoi;ni;;ed  on  that  very  score  ;  notice 
flap  of  liinil  toe,  liviil  feet,  ilark  hill,  white  spot  on  dark  head  heliiml  eye,  etc  Leum;.  of  ^  9 
12.?.')-l."i.(K):  extent  -i-i.'lO-.'.'i.dO ;  wiiii;  f'l. 00-7.00 ;  tarsus  i.|(i-l.;>l:  middle  toe  and  claw 
2.()()-2.2.')  ;  hill  1.0(1.  aloiiir  nape  I.  ML  9  at  or  !>liout  tiie  lesser  of  these  dimensions.  N.  Am. 
at  lar^e,  and  ca-siial  in  Kumpe ;  V.  S.  in  winter,  one  of  the  most  ahiimlant  ducks;  breeds  from 
X.  border  of  V.  .S.  to  liiirh  latitudes.  The  drake  in  full  feather  is  one  of  the  hamlsomest 
ducks,  dressed  in  broad  black  and  white  iii  artistic  contrast,  to  say  nothini;  of  the  brilliancy  of 
the  head.  Xoteil  for  its  adroitness  in  divine  to  escape  a  shot,  as  smartly  a.i  a  irr'd.e.  and  on 
that  ncconnt  known  in  some  of  our  elesraiit  vernacular  as  ''hell-diver."  TJie  tiesh  is  little 
estt'cineil.  so  it  is  just  as  well  there  is  so  little  of  it.     Xest  feathery,  in  a  tree;  iggs  ujf  to   11, 

45 


r, 


700         SYSTKMA  TIC  SYSOrsLS.  —  LA MELLlliUSTRES  —  ASSKUKS. 

»'li|>8«)idal,  ulxmt  2.00x1 .50,  iu  lint  buffy-Ur.ib  (between  gmyinli-olivo  aiii  ricli  creiiniy- 
while.) 
203.  ilAKk:iVI>A.  (Till'  Iceluiulio  iiuiiip.)  LoNo-TAiL  DfiK.  Kill  uliortcr  than  licad,  about  aH 
Imii^  as  tarHii.H,  ^\\\^\i  at  ba^-,  nearly  ))arallel-Miileil  to  tlie  roiiiiiled  ciiil  iK-<-ii|iieil  by  the  bi'nail 
liuil  ;  th<'  ii]i|iei'  lateral  aiiKlei*  of  imiNt  liuckH  iilmoleie,  the  l'eather:«  MWeejiiii^  <iblii|iiely  ilowii- 
wurd  from  thuHe  mi  <'idiMeii :  thoM-  of  ehiii  reaehiiit;  about  o|)|K>i«ite  uoHtrilx,  which  are  plaeed 
hiuh  ii|i  ill  iiaxal  l:..ll'  c.f  bill;  the  coiiiniitisiire  ai«'eiidili^  near  end,  tiieii  deenrved  iii|4i  the 
|ir<>iiuneiit  nail.  'I'ai!  of  II  feathers,  in  f  as  loni;  a.s  wini;  by  exeer<Nlve  <'li-nL;ation  of  the 
III'. row  iiiiddle  feat  bent  (iiiunt  mo  than  iu  IhijHit  of  Awitilur)  :  ^  xeapiiiais  aUo  loii^  lanee- 
linear,  iinidnced  htraight  over  the  wini;.  .^exnal  and  seiiNoiiai  |i|iiniai,'i's  unlike.  CrisNinn 
while;  no  white  on  win^'  nor  any  Hpeeiiliiiii ;  roloralioii  eliietly  blaek,  while,  and  brown,  with 
K'dditth  on  baek  in  Hiiniiiier. 
TZ%.  II.  Klut'iu'lU.  (I,ai.  iiliuiiilis,  iey.y  I^(»Nu-TAii.r.i>  DitK.  Sor rii-.s(irTiiKKi.v.  Oi.ii- 
vin:.  (M.i>-Nyi'A«v.  (f,  in  bieedint;  tlress :  Hill  blaek,  bmadiy  or,ini.'e  toward  1  nd  ;  irih 
e.iniiine  ;  feet  livid  bluish,  with  dusky  '.vebs  :iiid  black  claws.  Ilciid  oii  top  and  iH'liiiid  blaek- 
i^h,  with  a  Kreat  patch  of  silvery-^'ray,  wliileniiu;  around  an<i  behind  eye.  Neck  all  around 
an<l  fore  bnast,  very  dark  choeolate-brown,  'diiiost  blackish;  <|uills  anil  liiriii^  of  \.  v  -s  the 
saiiM-;  under  parts  frmu  the  breast  abnii^tly  wiiile.  I'pper  parts  at  laru'e,  and  loin;  tail- 
feathers,  lilackish,  the  lou^'  scapulars  varieil  with  bright  reddish  ;  the  shorter  tail-l'ealhirs 
whitisii,  the  lateral  wludly  so,  the  in'i'uiediate  ones  iu  part  dark.  I,ei;i?tii  very  variable, 
aci'oriliiii;  to  drvilnpiiu  ul  of  the  tail,  up  lo  ■.':!  iiiclies  ;  middle  taill'ealliers  up  »o  S  ur  [)  inclics 
loll:;,  till  lateral  only  about  i.'tH  :  w  iiii;  S..V)-',».."il) ;  extent  li'l. (HI ;  bill  l.ij;  tardus  the  same  ; 
middle  toe  ami  claw  twice  us  iiiuch.  Adult  ^,  in  winter:  No  reddish  on  up|M'r  part>.;  the 
.scapulars  iiearly-^ray.  Head,  neck,  and  fore  back  white  or  wiiili>li,  with  uray  cheek-pafcli, 
anil  dark  browu  or  blackisli  patch  below  ear.  Tore  brea~l  of  the  latter  cohir,  >.(■{  nipiarely 
belweeii  white  of  neek  iilid  belly.  I'pper  ;)arti<  except  as  said,  and  four  middle  lail-featliers 
(less  developed  than  in  summer)  blackish;  the  re.st  white.  Kill  extensively  orani;e,  with  nail 
anil  broad  saddle  on  niandibie  black.  Youiii;  ^  iu  tirst  winter  with  bill  and  feet  dusky.  .Adult 
9;   No  eloiiiration  of  tail  or  scapulars;  lenuth  about    l'».(H);   extent   under  IKI.OII;  wiiit;  >i. (Hi- 


lt.(M);   'ail  about  H.dO.     Kill  and  feet  ilusky-itreenish;  iris  yelh 


it. 


mil  upper  parts 


dark  ^'rayisli-brown,  paler  on  throat,  with  laru'e  (;rayish-white  patch  aroimd  eye  ami  another 
on  side  of  >ii  .k  ;  under  parts  white,  shailed  .iloiui  the  ^idrs.  Thus  an  ob>cure  medium-si/ed 
duck  ;  notice  jjeneric  eharacteristics  of  bill,  li  tail-leal liers,  110  white  nu  win;,',  ^;ray  head  and 
ueck-patelies  in  daik  surromidinus.  N.  Ileinisphcre,  northerly,  es|Krially  maritime;  also  on 
.  S.  in  winter  onlv,  br Iin^•■  iu  hiu'h  latitudes.     A  lively  voluble  duck, 


pa 


iijrc  111 

Hel 


laud 


watiTs ;   t  .  N.  in 
■'undevall  melodious 


•  All  :s  r<iiii)iii.  III)  <iiiihi'ii  rrniiiliiii  siiiimii  it  suiinniiii' 


an 


<l" 


rt  diver,  rank  aniiual  feeder;  meal  bad.     Ne^t  m  t,'r.'unii  ;  <  j;t's  (1  /,  smooth,  iliab-colmcd, 


2.20  X  l.Iiii,  to  I.'.XIX  1.40. 
204.    <'AMl'T<>I...<KMf>i.      ((Jr.    Ko^nrrur,  kitnii>liis,  Me.<ible  •    Xmjiot.    hdiims,   throat;   referiinu   to 

f  the  hill.)      I'ii:i>  Ih  IK.     Kill   marly  as  lonir  as  bean,  longer  than 
'urlv  |Mi.illel->ided,  but    widened  toward  end  by 


the 


Mthi 


•ry  eNp.iuHioii  o 


tarsus,  not  l,ii:he<   tliau  broiul  at  the  has 


leathciV  expansion  of  edu'e  of  upper  maiiilible,   ilie  nail   distini-t.     Teeth  of  upper  mandible 
sliiiht,  obliipie;   ol   under  maiililde  very  prominent 


rtical.      Frontal  anulc>    -li-lii.      Nostril 


liii:li  up  iu  biLial  third  of  bill.  Ciieek-featliers  alilli.sh  and  bristly,  with  enlaiu'cd  horny  cuds, 
extending  on  side  lif  upper  inaiidibli'  iu  tiioder.itely  convex  outline,  to  about  opposite  those  of 
chifi.     Wilifs  short,  vaulteil,  with  ciirveil  priiuarii  s,  the  l>t  and  lM  subciiual  and  loiure.-i  ,  inner 


Keeoiidaries  loiij?  and  taperini;. 


'I'ail  shirt,  al'oiii  iwo-ri'tiis  'hewing',  I  l-feathered,     Colon- 


tioii  of  (J  black  and  whi.e  :    9  bmwii.  ),'ray,  and  white.     One  reiiiarkable  species. 
780.   V.  Intiriulu  r'lia      (Of  Labrador.     V\it.  HI2.)     I-aiiiiaihiu  Dick.     I'iki.  IMik.     Adult  ^: 
lliil  biack  with  orange  at  bare  and  along  edges,  and  grayish-blue  along  thu  ridge;  iriu  reddish- 


AXATiDJ-:  —  Fruari.ix.i-: :  ska  hicks. 


ro7 


browu;  <'c<'t  (;niyi»h-l>lu«>,  with  diinky  «cb» iiti.l  claw*.    Ilt-iui an<l  tip|Mr  iicok  wliite,  w ith  n  l>\\ti\. 

tiiiliiiiil  liliwk  MtriiH- (III  the  <T<iwii  hikI  iii(|K'.     Nfck  l>flu\v  riiiin-d  with  Iilii4'k   contiiii h  with 

that  of  tipiKT  iKirtH,  tlicli  liHlf-rnlland  with  white  ri.|jtiiiii..ii>  with   that  i.f  Ma)iiiiaih.      Ih  h.w, 
fi^Mii   thi.s  whitf,  entirely  hhuk.  exeeptiny  wiiite  axillars  hikI  lining  of  uinuK.     Ah..ve.  hhuk, 

except  It8   Huiil;   the    willjf-eovertM   uiiil   w iihirirh   white,    some   of  the   latter   iiiarti I  with 

hiaek  ;  Mime  of  the  Imit;   Keapnlars   pearly-cray  :   primaries  and  their  riivertx  aiiil  tail-frathrm 

hrowiii.sli-hlaek.      9  '■   I*'!'-  <'y<'».   i"i<l  f»'<t   as  in    (J  :  Hevinil    weoiiilarien   white,   foniiinu  a 

Hpeciiliiin,   hut   no  wliite   on  wini.'-eipvert.i  or  srapiilars  :  axillars  ainl   liiiini:  of  winifs  iiio>ily 

white;   inner  wconilarie«  etljied  with   hiark  ;  f.  Miial  mlor  ilappled   lirnwni>h-i;ray,  paler  ami 

more   a.thy   or    pluniheoiis   on    wint'-eoverts   ami    inner   >eronilarieH.      Lenuth    l**,'!*  •.'((. (Ml; 

extent   ahont    :iO.()0  ;  winj,'   ahont   9.(H);  tail  IJ.jO;  tarsus  I.JO;  niiilille   ti«-  and  claw   i.M; 

Itill  alont;  culineii  1.75,  alon^  pipe 

i.2'}.       N.    Am.,    aloni;    Atlantie 

I'oast  ;    breeds  or  did  lireeil  from 

Labrador    iiorthwanl,    in    witjter 

ranuiiiii;  or  did  rnunv   S.   to  the 

Chesape.Hke.         Kxtreniely      rare 

HOW,  and  apparently  in  fair  way 

to    hecoiMi'    extinct.       '1  lie    same 

pa.r,    jirocured    liy   I)aniel    W'eli- 

titei.    has    Herveil    for    AiMlnhmi's 

iind  Itaird's  descriptions,  and  for 

the  present  one;  two  tine  mounted 

specimens    have    been    lately   ac- 

ipiired  by  the  National  .Museimi. 

In  Kniilatid,  AJHO  has  hern  oll'ei-.ii 

for  a  i.'oimI  pair. 

IIISTKIONK  IM.       (Lat.    Iiis- 

triintiviiK,    histrionic,    relatini;   to 

liisln'o,   a  slatre-player.   the   bird 

beini;  U'icki'il  mit  in  various  colors, 

a.s  'f  to  play  a  part.)      IIaki.k- 

WI'IN><-     Kill  very  small  and  short, 

►horter  than   hea<l  or  tarsw>.  rap-  •'"'  *'■'•    "  I-'*''""'"'-  ""'  ^ 

idly  taperinu  to  rounde4l  ti|i  which  is  whidiy  occupied  by  the  lart;e  fused  nail  ;   hut  liiuher  lli.in 

wide  at   base,  and  with   lateral   upper  corners  a>  in   Fiiliiiiiliiitr  generally,  and  convex  .-«iip 

Hcross  its  side  of  feathers,  intei'mediatc   in    extent    between   the  frontal    and    mental    I'lojeclions, 

fiinner  reaching  farthest.  A  nienibranoiiN  lobe  at  base  of  commissure  formed  by  production  of 
Hkill  of  cheekn.  .Nostrils  in  basal  half  of  bill.  \Vini;>  and  tail  short,  latter  |H>inted  and  about 
half  118  loiii;  as  fonner.  I.onijer  scapnl.irs  and  terti.rii's  cnrvini;  oiitwanl  over  the  w  inij  as  in 
eiders,  with  which  this  ifeiius  connects  by  means  of  llniiniiirthi,  tlioii;»li  in  both  these  uenera 
thi'  hill  is  simple,  as  iisinil  in  Fiilitiiiliiuv,  without  tiic  peculiar  ^'ibbosity  and  .--iH-cial  i  utliiU'ti 
of  feiithem  characteristic  of  eiders.  Otie  »|M'cies,  remarkable  for  its  fantastic  learkinirs,  heiiiK 
jialched  with  ilitferent  colois;  a  metallic  specuhmi,  here  only  anioni;  our  Fiih'li'ln"'',  rxceptiui; 
.S'.  >l,-llrri. 
730.    II-  iiiImu  tiiR.     (I.at.  niiniilii.i.  vei 


295. 


il''ri)iii  i;iii\    llrh  I 


ilill 


olivaceous  ;     HIS    rei 


hhsli 


lall :  not  well  chosen.)  llAiii.K.yiis  I'l  i  k  .Vdnli  ,;f  : 
fei-l  uriiyish-blue,  with  dusky  «ch>  ami  pale  chiws. 
Aside  from  the  definite  markiiiu's  to  be  L'ivcii,  tfciieral  cdor  deep  liMdru-blue  with  a  purplish 
tinue,  bhickeiiini;  on  top  of  i  ad  on  lower  hack,  rump,  and  tail  alwive  and  l>e!ow,  ilurker  on 
head  and  neck  than  on  breast  and  hack,  chanuiiiit  from   breast   backward,  jticliulinx  linim,'  of 


n 


I 


7UH 


SYSmM.inc  SYXOrsiS.  —  LAMKLUHOSmES  -  A.\SKHi:s. 


206. 


1 

•  I 


wiiiUH,  til  Miiiity  liriiwii,  nil  tilt'  llaiikN  tn  rlirMtiiiit-lirowii.  A  wliiti-  |iati'li  lii'twri'ii  liill  ami  cyi', 
riii'viiii;  ii|>waril  uikI  liackwanl  ti>  inai'Kio  tlx'  Mark  ■'•irmial  Nlri|ir.  cliaiiuiiit.'  ti>  clii'iitiiiil  rioiii 
over  i-yt'  In  iia|H'.  A  roiiiiil  \\-|iitc  ii|Hit  on  Mr  of  liiml-lirail  ;  u  Iniit;  wliltr  s|iiil  mi  Mv  of 
ii|i|H'r    neck;    a   wliili liar  ar<iiiii<l    ui-rk,   iiiti'rrii|iti'il   m-  nnl    liirorr  aiul   '■."irnni ;  a  whitt' 

<T<'r«'riit  nil  siil<<  nf    lil'raMt     ill    riMIlt    n|'   uiliKN;    llii'sr    lliarkN    lilack-lini'iji'l'i'il.       A   wllitr   M|int  nil 

wiim-i'nvcrlH  ;  a  wliilr  l>ar  iirmss  nuis  nf  jjrratcr  i-ovcrtH  iiinl   uni if  ilic  sri-nmlarirH ;  niitiT 

wtrliH  nt'  inner  Hi'<-niiclarics  tiiuKtIy  wliiti' ;  Nca|iiilars  iim.stly  wliiti-.     A  wliilr  N|int  nn  cacli  ^i(U> 

nf  I'nnl  nf  tail.  S)M'l'llllllll  lllC- 
ti-.llii'  |illl'|ili.s|l  nr  vinh't.  Twn 
or  llirt'f  years  ii|i|iear  In  lie 
rei|nireil  In  perfeel  tills  |illl- 
liiat'e;  tile  ,(  is  fnilliil  ill  alliinst 
every  eninlilinii  lielweeii  lliis 
ami  tile  I'lllliiaue  nf  the  9  :  (lie 
linal  sl:iLie  :>  llie   enlll|lletin||  nf 

tlie  u  liile  riiii;  arniinil  iieek  ami 
white  li|is  nf  seenmlaries.  9  '• 
Itill  .lilvky:  leel  Willi  lillli.sli- 
uray.  Iiis  lirnwii  A  wliilisli 
>|inl  111  line  eye  ami  lieliimi  ear. 
lieii.  ill  |i|lllMaue  nil  lieail  ailil 
ii|<|M'r  |iiM'ts  ilai'k  lirnwii,  ilaik- 
est  nil  lieail  ami  rillii|i.  the 
ln«er  parts  similar,  iimie  gray- 
ish, |ia»iiiu  thi'iiiii.'h  ifiay  iiml- 
tliiiU  In  w  hitisli  nil  lielly.  Thus 
Ihe  9  i'*  "  ^''<'3  sniall  ami 
nlisi'lire  iltiek,  «  iilely  ilitl'eielit 
finiM  the  ,(  ;  iiliM  Tve  till'  small 
si/e,  very  .-liml    hill,  nlily  alinlll 

1.0(1  alniiL!  riihiieii,  hiulier  than 
wiile  at  hase  ;  |i|iliiiai;e  witlinlll 
■  leliiiili'  iiiarlvini;s  e.xeejitinu  the 
iHii  ><|.ii|s  nil  eiii-li  (tide  nf  the 
liiail  :  extent  nf  ila|i|ileil  (;ray 
ami  while  mi  (he  iiinler  jiarls 
ver\  viiriahle.  I,en>,'lh  nf  (f 
Ifi.OM  :;.(H);  exteiil  :,'I.(M(- 
:.'7.(M):  wiiiK  7.'M)  S.OO;  tail 
I'i.lHl- I.IKI;    larHiiii    I. Ill);     hill 

|f|ii.*«       IMIU.ir  KM^r..  I  nm.  .!/...  vl-w.-l  frmii  nl-.v.-  nii.l  In  imitlU..    '''■'"«  '"I""  "    '•  1".  "'""H  «''l"' 
I,  .V  iniii/i<i>iiiM .  'J,  .*>'  ni   i/ii>.<>ri.     iKriiiii  .Sinn  |n'.  i  I..'i0.       I''.nr'i|>e,    Amii,    N.    .\|II., 

iinrtherly  ami  ehielly  ennstwise,  hill  alwi  ill  iiilerinr  ;  S.  in  winter  In  Miihlle  States  ami  Cala.  ; 
hreeils  in  It  Mln.  nf  I'.  ."*.,  anil  nnrihwaril,  a-  fnmi  Newlmimllam!  i"  Alaska.  NeM  in  the 
hiill.iw  nf  a  tree  or  Htuiii|i,  nf  weeils  ami  uraKws  anil  i>arentH'  .Inwii;  eKKx  (l-S,  Sj.ld  X  Mill, 
i;reeiii>li       'I'iie  harlei|iiiiis  are  in  smne  [ihirt  s  ealhil  "  Innls  ami  ladies. 

HOMATK'UIA.  (lir,  aitfin,  .rii/i.mii,  we  m,  siniiiilon,  the  ImmIv  ;  /(Moh,  ifiiin.  wnnl.  d.iwn.) 
I•.lll^;lc>^.  Hill  varyinu  iiMniilminalimi  Willi  llie  Hiieeies  ;  in  niie  siiii|de.  iniieh  as  in  //("/W"- 
mills  fi.r  i'xain)ile,  « ilhniH  H|ieeia!  4rild»>sily  nr  |(eiiliar  .iiilline  nf  feathers;  in  the  nsl 
viirimwly  titniid  nr  (;il't»"Ui«,  Willi  very  varimis  diH|MiHiliniin  nf  fmnlal  jm-'eMeH  and  mitliiies  nf 


51 


tmumfUHmtf 


ANATID.K—Fri.mri.lS.K:    SF..\    lili'KS. 


rif.i 


fj-iitliiTH.    Tliis  is  as  ill  the  s.-..tcrs,  (F.iknua  :  in  l..,tli  ,,f  wliirli  pniTa  the  |mriiciil;irs  ..f  ili..  I. ill 

bciiii,'  siMTilic  aiul  in  a  nicasnrf  srxnal  rliaiiirli  i>,  t..  Immh.I  u.n.ra  u|i<>n  ihrni  wmilil  U'  t ike 

ont'  I'mi-  aliiioM  I'Vfiy  s|Hrirs.     NiviTtli<lrss.  1  am  \><>w  siliKli.d  that  I  iiavc  ^'..lu'  fix.  far  in  iiniliiii; 

llniironrtla  ami    Airloiitlla  willi  Somtilniu.      l'\w  siil.iri  iiiric   rank   at r.lr.l  t..  lli.x    la   il,. 

fi.iiijuint' analysis  is  to  I nsiilii.d   as  iji  n.  rir  :  an<l  a im  tlir  ciili  i>  |.r.i|.<r  I  w.miI.I  n^iw 

H«|iaral<tlir  kiii>,'fiili  rsnlmincricaiiy,  nn.lir  llic  nana  ..f  Kiumiiln.  Ihmm  ■SniiKilrnn  |irii|»r.    'I'la' 

cliaraclcrs  arr  ^'ivrn  Im|..w.      In  llir  wla.lr  ui \,  Uwr  |.rrscnt.'.l  iin.Irr  lli.-  nana'  •>(  S4,mtiliriii. 

(MIMIC  fiirtlirr  ••liaracicis  may  W  in.li  .1  as  I'mIIows  :    NoMrils  avnamtii;   niriliaii.  varialijr  in  |m.si- 

liiiii  ;    I'l-aliicrs    iiacliin^'  nvcr,  iin.Irr,  or  init  t"  tliiin.      Kioiilal  aiiulis  ..f  l>i||    i ir  s|>c.-i.  s  as 

lioriimliy  in  Fiiliifiilimr,  in  (.lli.is  vari..iisly  .■xam.'rralci.      Nail  .ifl.ill  laii-''.  fiisc.i,  fiinnini;  tlir 

wliolr   li|>.      Iiiiirr  s< iiilariis  ami   sfa|iiilars  sirkli-.-iiaiii'il,   nirviil  iHilwaicI  ami  falliin;   "'>• 

li.;ilrly  iiViT  tlir  vviin;.  Sixes  viiy  iinlikr.  J  rliirlly  lilai'k  anil  wliitr,  with  sia-mrrli  nii  llir 
lirail  ;  fcatlii'is  of  Inail  in  |iart  slii.rt,  eliw-wl,  anil  frccl,  like  pilr  nf  mIm  t,  in  |iarl  usually 
Htillisli  ami  lirislly.     Si'Vi-ral  rciiiarkaMr  s|tiTii's,  nf  tin-  NnrtliiTti  llrmisiiiirrr. 

Aililliitif  i't'  (  (!•  Ill  til ,,  Kuhiiittrni,   .v/nrinc,  iiiiir    rurii/iri 

(f  9  "III  >•■>(  kII>I><>i»<i  witlioiii  (yiiiitiil  iiriNTNH'ii,  mil  ri'iitlinreil  In  tliu  iiiNilrllH.  IlKiiiiiliiti  lauu  illliiliil 
mill  li'iitlii'ry  :  im  iinimiial  iilitiini  or  niitlliii'  iiriVniitKl  rnilliiTH.    OIi^nikini  rrA.I 

A  \liil»«l  N|N'riiliiiii. ,  ...         . tiitUri    VM 

(f  S     I'lll  II"'  itllilii'ii".  wllli.iiil  frniitiil   |irmTw.iii.  f.Millini'il   ..ii  iiii t..  ii  |>..|ii|  iKiyDiul   h.ri,|i||ii.  mi,) 

llh'iKi'  in  IliM'  sni'i'|i|iii;  Uliiinl  ii>ihIiII»  I<i  .iii^'Ii'  nf  iiiniilli.     (.XiiiriiM  i  i  t.i 

Nil  H|H'i'iiliiiii :  iiii  I'li'Miiiil  roiiiiillNli  nliilc  liliic'k-lHirili  riiil  linn  iilxiiil  ■'>!' nx. /i.  ri     7;i',' 

,f  mil  kIIiIxiiis  lit  liiinr  nf  ii|>|ii'r  iii.'iiiilllili' :  iiiilliiii' nf  riiliiii'ii  tarl<iiiAl>  I'lirvi-il;  Willi  Viwf,  iii'iilc  i.r 
rliihlii'il,  liiiiilil  |iiiN'i'M<  I'th'iKlliit;  ill  Hill'  Hitli  riiliiii'ii  nil  iwli  nlili'iif  rnri'liruil.  illvlilnl  liy  i'<(li'iiiii<iii  .if 
fiMlliiTH  nil  riiliiii'ii;  rntiliiTo  nf  kMi' nf  hill   u<lviiii('iiii;  til  Hiniiit    umliir  uiwlrllii,  fnr  U-yoiiil  llioiii' mi 

Clllllll'll        Nil  i-|H'i'llllllll.      (SiiM.klKIIIA    |ir.i|«l    ) 
(f    Nil  lilllrk  \'-iimrk  nil  rlllll 

Kmniiil  iifiHi'SM'K  hlmrl.  iinrrnn,  iK'iitr,  iiiirnlli'l      SiiiiiUiT mollimiiiiiii    7X1 

■''iniiiiil  in'iHi'MHi'ii  IniiK,  liriMul,  rlulilivil.  iliviTKi'iit.     I.iiriii'r ilrimnri    T.'ll 

,f   A  liliiik  V  iii.irl,  nil  rlilii i-iiiiinim     7.'W 

(f   Hill  rxiri'iiii'ly  till'lxiiiH  III  liiiM'  nf  iipiu'i  iimiMlllili',  willi  IhhikI  M|iiarli>li  iiriirly  virllnil  fmnial  |inH'i'iM«'i< 

lll'l^ini;    IlllUlllnl'ly  nill    nf    lll f  rillllll'll,  nll     rlKll    >>l<l<-    nl    rnrilll'llll,  iU>  I'IihI     l>y  I'Mrrlllr    |ilnji>i'llnll  nf 

fi'iitliiTH  nil   rillllll'll    t'lir    lH'\niiil    tliiiM'   nll   Hlili'H   nl'   iiiiiiiilllili',  mIiIi'Ii   iln   lint    iimrly    rem  II   tinhlrlU. 
(KuiiiN|-rr  \  Nl 

if    .V  lillti'k  V   limrk  nll  I'lilli tliirlilhilis     IM 

(IlK.NIrnNKII'A.) 

731.  H,  (II,,  Hlrri.Tl.  Cr..  (J.  \V.  Slrll.r.)  S  rii.i.ni'.s  Kliif;it.  A.liill  ,f  :  Uill  ami  fn  I  ilnll 
grayish  liliir,  tlir  wi'lis  rallirr  ilaikrr ;  iris  lirnvvn.  'I'nii  aiul  siilis  nl  Inail  aini  inllai  mi 
iin'k    silvrry-w  liitr,  waslii'il   armss  fmrlirail   anil    liimi  Ih-.-hI   ^^illl   sra-^rrrn,  tlir  rlun  willi  a 

Mark    jiatrli    nari'<i»ili;{   In  run  ijnvvn   linaKim;   tlirmiuli   iIh'  vvliil >llar  ami  rniitiniioiis  witli 

a  liriiail  Mark  riii^  iirniliiil  iiirk  ;  a  similar  |iatfli  aniiiml  ryr,  llirsr  Mark  anas  willi  varimis 
Instil'.  riilxT  jiiirls  at  lai<{i-  flimsy  |iiir|ilisli-liliir-lilark :  winu-rnvcrtH  wliilc  ;  srnunlarii'N 
viiilrl  in  tlirir  )'X|iii.si'il  |iiirtiiiiis,  li|i|ii'il  with  wliiti',  tli<'  rrst,  am)  tlir  trrtials  ami  niitrr 
Hi'a|iiilars,  silvrry-wliitr,  llir  inmr  sra|iiilars  vinlrt,  stri|iril  witli  wiiilr  riliirs  ;  liniiii;  uf  winus, 
iiiiislly,  ami  axillars,  wliiti'.  rmliT  jiarts  iliill  I'lii'stniil-lirowa,  jiassiii);  In  Himty  Mark  <im  llir 
lirlly  ami  rrissiini,  with  an  isnlalnl  Mark  s|»il  mi  rarii  siilrnf  llir  lirrast.  Tin-  yniiiii;  J  I'lnwly 
ri'SfiiiMi-s  till'  9-  Ik  '"■iI>  »'>:<'>  iIk'  liiH  aiiii  li'ii  air  i if  an  iimli'liiiaMi'  ilark  nilnr  in  ilrini 
s|irriiiiriis.  9  'liHi'i's  as  ill  all  tin-  liilrrs:  ilark  rrililisli-lirnwn,  M.iikrniiiL' mi  liilly  iiDil ''ris- 
sniii,  niiirli    iiintllril  ami   harrnl  willi   Mai'k  ;   im  wliilr   i'Xfr|il   nti  liiiiiii;  nf  wint:s  ami  ti|is  nf 

^rraliT  i-iiVfrlH  anil  nf  w mlarii'H,  tlicsr  fnrniint;  twn  wliiti'  liars  em-lnsini;  llir   iiii|irrfirl   s|ii'i'- 

nliiiii.  Linulli  Is.lid-I'.I.IKI;  wiiiL'  '<.(MI  S..-|ii;  tail  :;..'in ;  liijl  I..MI  alnm;  imiIiiiiii,  I.7''>  almii; 
Kapr  ;  lar-iis  I.J.'i;  niiilillr  tm-  ami  I'law  l'..'0.  Nnrtlirrn  r.-finii-  nf  Kiirn|ir,  Asia,  ami  W. 
AiiktIim  ;  iml  yrt  rninnimi  in  rnllrrlinns,  tlinii),r|i  altniimliiii,'  ami  -niiiriinu's  catlii'rin^  in  I'lmr- 
llinllH   llni'ks   nil    tlir    islaiuls   ami    liiilll  sllnii'S  nf   Itilir'.ntl's   Sia  aiul  llir  Al'i'lii-  cnaHl   nf   N.    K. 


i 


•to 


SYSTHMA  TIC  SYXOI'SIS.  —  LAMKLUUOSTUKS  ~  AXSJ-mi.S. 


HilM'riii;  winti'riiiK  muiiily  on  tlic  Aleutian  IhIuihIh;  nMiinlly  fimmi  hi  («iin|iuiiy  with  l'iu>ilir, 
ii)M'i-liu-li'<l,  aiiil  kiii^  I'iilt'n*.      llriiiK  nliwrvi'tl  to  Itn-'oit  in  »  |iluniiiK<*  rt'm-iiil>liiit;  tliiit  ol'  tlii>  9. 

this  I'iilrr  |iriil)uMy  r<'i|iiirrK  at  Irast  twn  yearH  tn  iiri|iiii-i'  tin niph'ti'  iIi-i'hh.     '\'\u<  must  Ih'au- 

tit'iil  i>r  many  N|HM'lnii'nH  1  havi'  liamllril  liavf  hccn  wintrr  liinis.  Kui;m  "J -'J,  2.25  X  KdU, 
oxiu'tly  like  thoHo  of  thai  uuiuinou  liiiirr  in  Hl".i|if,  color,  atul  loxtnrc  of  hIm'II. 

(AunnNKiTA.) 

T3*i.  H  (A.)  tlnVliprl.  (To  (!..ttli.  I-'im-lur,  u  l{n«.-<ian  iialinalist.  Kij,'.  I'.tl  )  Si'K<tA('I.KI>  Kiuku. 
Itill  I  in  lioili  si'M'f.)  |ii'<-uliai'  in  tin-  i-xti>nhion  upon  it  of  iiiiisi>  vrlvrly  fratlirrs  wliirli  rrarli  to  a 
|Kiint  on  till'  riilnirii  liryoml  tlir  inmlrils,  tlii'iiri-  i<\vi'i'|iini;  past  tiir  nosiriln  olilii|iii-ly  ilnvviiwaiil 
anil  liarKuanl  In  llii*  ronmiissin'r,  tlir  no.stiils  n|iiiiitii'  jiisl  lirnratli  tlir  liiii'  of  fialliris.  rriithirs 
iif  I'liin  I'xtt-nilin^  in  a  jHiint  nearly  as  far  as  tlio.se  on  cnlmen.     A  |ieciiliarly  ilrnse  ami  |iiill'y 

|ialeh  of  velvety  feallii  nt 
alioiii  till'  eye,  sii|;i.'i'stinK 
h|iii'Iai'lrs ;  I'mnlal  featli- 
ers  eliTl.  |iiliiiis,  in  the  ,f 
Hoiiiewiia!  stitlrliril;  lu'- 
ripital  fiMlhiTN  li'litlllielii'il 
into  a  nesl  ;  these  ehar- 
artel's  iif  the  iieail  fiatlnl'- 
in^  lii'sl  nijirlti'il  in  tin'  ,(, 
hill  inilii-aleit  also  in  llii' 
f  .  Nail  of  hill  ilisliiii'l. 
Ailnll  /  :  tii'iii  ral  i-mIih- 
f^nivisli  hlai'k,  the  melt 
anil  niosi  nf  ihe  hiieK 
while  :   h'HHer  anil  ineilian 

winu-i'ovei'ls,    ll MIA  I'll 

tl'rlial^,  till'  liiiiiii;  of  u  inus 
ami  axillars,  uliife;  llanlts 
while.      (In    ihe   hiail,  liie 

S,„.,'l.,.'l.',|   I'l.irr.      (|.'r,.||,   llllll.l  „|,|,..      ,,|'     ,|„,      ,|,,,.|^     ^,|^,.^ 

way  to  rieh  sea-uieeu,  es|M'cially  on  ihr  iM'ri|iilal  rnsl :  ihe  fronlal  feathers  are  iilso  tinueil  with 
greenish:    hut  the  '  sjieelai'les'  are  |iMr.'  siixeiy  while,  franieil  in  iilai'lt.      Hill,  ill  the  ilriiil  stale, 

ilinu'V   yelloW'i'<li  :    fiel    ihi    -^ame,  with   chisKy  wehs.       Snmller   than  !l > ion   eiiler  ;    wiiii; 

ID.tltl:    tiiil    l.tlO:    t.'irsMs   1.7')  :    miilille  <<»'  am!  elaw  'i.?') :    hill  Hilly   al I   all  liieh    lonu  on 

nihiieii,  hilt  ahoiii  ,'.•.•.'>  aloiii,'  uape.  9  •  ••I'eaily  iliirereni,  iis  mi  all  the  eiileis.  Kill  hiai'h, 
with  whilish  nail  o|  miiler  iiiamlihle  ;  feel  i|iiile  ilark.  (ieiienil  |i|iiiii.iue  like  thai  of  the  eom- 
lliiill  filler,  liarreil  almost  tliroiii;hMiit  with  hliieU,  ehestiint-hrowii,  ami  yellow isli-hrown,  ijivini; 
way  on  the  helly  1.1  iliill  hrownish  iiehiilateil  with  iliisUy  ;  on  the  heinl  to  |iiile  hrown  olreakeil 
.ir  otherw'is"  'ihsriireil  with  ihisliy  ANillars  white.  'I'lion^'h  llnm  ho  siiiiilar  to  the  eninnion 
niih'r  in  |ilitMia;;e,  the  peeeliar  fi'iilherimr  of  the  lieail  ami  hill  siiUii'es  to  ilistini;nish  the  hinl  at 
n  Klaiiee,  NortliwesI  eoiisl,  eoninion  ii,  some  loealities,  frimi  rmilashlta  iiorlhwaril  to  Niirtoii 
ami  iloiililh'HM  Koi/ehiie  Soiiml ;  hnt  itn  oriliiiary  raiiKe  ii|i|ii>arN  to  he  a  resliieleil  one,  nearly 
iMiineiilenI  with  that  of  the  eiii|ienir  ^imiw. 

(SuMATKHIA.) 

1:1:1.  H.  liioliU'iilniii,  (I,nl.  miii/Zmiimix,  very  soft  ;  nferriiiL' to  the  ilown  of  the  eiiler.  Til's.  'I'.IH, 'HI.*!  ) 
KrimrKVN  Minrn  |)n'K.  Hill  (in  holh  sexes)  with  lateral  frontal  proeess  rxicniliim  mi  eaeh 
i«iile  of  the  fornheiiil,  tietwern  tin*  Hhort  |Hiinti'il  «>xtri)f<iiin  of  the  feathers  on  tli ilnieii  ami  ilie 


Klil.-tDl 


PLWJIIfllWIMWKIillMWf^WlH 


ANA  riiLi:  -  Fn.iniLis.r. .  sk\  dicks. 


:n 


iiiiich  Kr»'ut.>r  ..xt.'imi..ii  ..f  th..Hi.  ..n  the  M,„  „(  iho  hill,  whirl,  iva.-l.  i,.  1.,  I,.w  il„.  u..stnU.  uIh.iii 

•Tl"'"''''  '•'<""•  ""  <1 1'i"-     'i'Uv  K.-n.rul  ii|.|..t  nutlin.-  ..)  ||„.  |„||  nmrly  Mniiiilii.  uu-l  tin- 

fn.niiil  |iiiKM'HH.'M  imm.w,  anitr,  :.i„|  ,„.,irly  |mnillrl  (>.•.■  tii;.s.   iiii.l  rni,i|.ai.-  .l..-.,-ii|,ii,.t,  ,,f  n.xl 

mil.^.|..'firs).      Aililll    J  :    I'Imnai;.'  mI si  nilir.  I>  l.hirli  iiihl  wl.ilr.       Ini.  ..(  |,r...l  Kl..,>y  |,|„.. 

blark.  iiK'lii.liuK  <•>.•«,  mill  forking  IhIiIu.!  t,.  imiv  llir  wliil,.  ..f  il.,-  Imi.l-li.  a.l.     0,-i-i|mt  liimv 

4!^ 


I'm.  lun  -  l''.l<liir  I'lirKn.  ,<„  nut.  M/n     (Kriiiii  llrnhin.l 

or  It'sH  waHlird  willi  Hca-nri'i'ii.  Xii'k  all  aiMiinil,  fiirr  Ixi'asl,  iiniHt  ..f  the  'larK,  iihinI  nl'  (Ii«» 
wiliu-rnvrrls  alMiV4'  ami  lirlnw,  llii'  <'Mily  Irrlials,  ami  nhIi's  nf  rii;ii|i,  uliilr,  nii  lii>  luraxt  liiiunl 
with  |ial<>  crraiiiy-l'riiwii.     Miililli'  liiu'  of  riiiiip,  ii|i|M'r  tail ■■■nvcrlx,  ami  iiinl)')'  |mrti'  frmii  tin- 

hnaxt,  MiK')!  or  MacKiMli.      I.rni.'ili  al <   ,>I.IHI;  i-xtciit   lO.IHI  ;   wlimll.no;    ail  t.'Nl  :  tamilil 

l,7.'i  ;  iiiiilillc  till'  anil  rlaw  '^.J't  :  I'lilnirii  nf  liill  "i.'*"  it  Iris,  fn.iii  a|>rx  nf  fniiital  piiMTOHrH  to 
tip  ^. III) ;  nliiii^  Ki*!"'  •■  ("■     Ailiill  9  '  ^'iiHTii'li'iitly  similar  t<>  tlif  ^^   m  rlianx 'rr  nf  liill,  uiitl 


,1 


I.' 


s)sii:m.i  lie  s).\orsi.s.     i..imi:ij.iIx(>siI{I:s     .\.\si  i;i:s 


fcallii'iiii^  III'  IIh  Iiiim<  ;  |)liiiiiiii'i'  I'lilii'cly  ilillri'i'iit,  Im'iii^  iii.irly  cxi'i  \  u  lirrr  miiii'iI,  cIiii'Mn  m 
liai'N,  \tilli  lilai'li,  rlii'ntiiiil  lnuvtii,  iiiiil  \rllii\M>li  limuii,  l;imii^  way  mi  lln-  iiiiiln  parlK  In 
Kl'iiyi^li  lilnWIi  willi  illlnlt)  lii'liiilalliill.  Sl/r  Iini  ill. Ill  llial  i>l'  llii<  .(.  Tliln  Im  llic  ciiiiiiiinii 
riili  r  III    l.iiiii|ii',  M'liiiiloiiii'Mlii'alril    III  Miiiii'   |ilact'M,  Nil  I'aiiiuiiH  I'm'   \irliliiit;  iIk*  |iii/ri|  ilnwii  nl 

■  'Mliiiiii'li'i',  wliirli  llir  jiairiil  |i|llrU'<  limn  liri  llll'a^<l  In  riiViT  llli'  I'ljUH,  It  ii  alM>  IkiiiiiI  ill  N. 
Aiii.,  ah  nil  I 'iiiiilii'i  laiiil  Siiiiiiil  .  liiil  llii'  rniiiiiinn  Aiiirrii'.iii  I'lilrl'  l.-<  nl  llii'  I'nilnuiiit;  I'liaiai'li  1. 

7:11.    N  III.  <lr<-H'Hi<rl      (  I'n  II.  I'!,  llii'NXfr,  of  I'liiulaiiil.     I''ii;.  I'.M  )     .\.Mi:i(irA.N  l'.li>i:il  iH  ik.     I.iKi- 
llii<  lail  ;   |i|iiiiiaK<'  IIk'  xaiii)' I   I'nnii  nf  ||ii>  liijl  iliU'i-ii'iit,  i-xliiliililiu  an  a|i|irnii)-li  In  tlit<  Hlnirtiiii' 

■  if  llial  nl'  S,  N/iri7ii/>i7M.  <ii'liri'al  |iinlili'  nl' riihiii'ii  rniicavi',  llit'  Imiilal  |i|'iH'i'Mit's  liciiii;  wiilcr, 
liiKJii'i',  ninir  nliliiNi',  ami  inmi'  ili\aijraliiii{  lliaii  in  >'  iHttllinHiiiin  |iin|H'i'  (cniniiiiri'  lii^n.  ami 
^n^l•^nill|>  ili'Mi'ii|ilinii).  'I'lii'  iliiri'iriirc  ii  MTV  nliviniiN  nil  i'niii|)ariMnii  nl'  h|M'riiiii'iiit,  aiitl  may 
Im-  Iii'IiI  nrH|irriHr  \aliii'  il    iin  iiili'niicili.ih'  »|ici'liiii'iiN  ale  Ini  llirniiiiiiL;.      riilini'll  iMNI  or  llinii' : 

IVnlii  a|M'\  nl'  I'l.iiil.il  |ii wf^  In  li|i  nl'  lull    altmil    it  III) ;    alnlii;  i;.i|i<'    .'  .ill        V    ilill'i'm  an  ill  llir 

ram'  nf  ,V.  iiinlli-^iiiiil  |iin|H'r.  \.  .\iii  ,  nmlliri  ly ,  i"'|m  ri.llly  nii  llir  Allaillh'  cnasl  ;  alnn  nil 
liiii'i'  I II  1. 1 1 II I  walri:.  :  I  ml  iinii'il  liniii  I  III'  N.  racillr  ;  S.  11  MialU  in  »  iiiln  in  New  i'.nijlaiiil,  iimri' 
lariiy   In   lln-    Miilillr   Stalrn;    Imriiiiit;   I'lnin   llir    Maini'   rna't    imi'liMaiil    alinnilaiilly   in  Niu 

rnlllllllMllll   ami    I  ..llilllllnl  ,    vvlirt'l'     il     Ik    nlic    n|'    llll'    I'liallll'lall  <tli'   l>illl-<.         \l"<t     nil     llir     l>l>lllllil,    n| 

IliimM'H,  licliciiH,   liay ,    ami   nca    wrril,    In   MJiirli   ri'allii'i-<   aii'   aililiil  ;   fnnif  I'l    III,  nmially   I'l'Wt-r, 
|ilaili  iliill  i.-ririii:li  ilrali,  almiil  It  llll  '<  ;'.llll,  laiil  111  .liiii>'    iml  .liil\ 
7:15.     N.  V    IiIk  I'lliil.     (t.lii.iM    l.al.i    iMi/t  (fill,  iinliiii;  llic  lilarK  \      'li.l|ii'il  liiai  l>  mi  llir  llnnal )       I'villU 

l''.ll>l:|(       l.iln'  llir  Ian  |ii'i litm,  lull  ttilli  a  lai'i{i'  lil.irU  \     '<lia|ii'il  iiiaili  nii  llii<  llilnal,  |>nilillii»- 

InrMaiil  ami  Imliini^  lirliiml,  an  in  >'   f'/xTlnhilis      Wlnli'  llir  |iliiiiiaiv'  i'  nllirrwlHc  aH  in  ilir  I'mn 
llinii  riili'i,  llll'  hliajM' nf  III!    lull  ami  rliaiai'ln  nl' ilt  rratlin  ini;  aii'  a|i|iii'i'ialil\   illllrlriil,  riiiiii'<li 
illK  IIM  llll  rlialarlrli',  t'hjiri'lally  in  tin'  r.i-o'  nl'  llii    ^  ,     'I'lii'  I'iniilai  |irni'i'Mni'N  all'  arillr  iiml  |i4iialirl, 
IIN  ill  tV  niiiltissimii,  lull  till'  ^■ililiii'.itN  nl'  llll'  lull  i'4  i;it'ali'i'  lliai  in  .V  ihyssiri  :  w  liilc  ilu  I'latlii'm 

n|Hl|l   ilH  nIiIi'X  (III  llnl    l'\ll'llil   hn  I'lir   (NCalrrly    nr   iml    I'l'lll'llillt;   n|l|ln'<lti'    llll'    lilllil    I'llll   nf    llll'    iiim- 

ll'lU),  ami  liaM'  iniimli'il  iiiHi  a<l  nl   anili'   li'iniinalinn  ,    ilnii    ImMi    Imnlir   ir<   aLsn  innri'   iii'ail\ 

|ialallrl   Mllli  llir  rilt;r  nl'  ll i||iiiii:<i<liri'.        Tin'  1  vli'ii'inii  nl'  llic  li'allii'lx  nti  ||ii>  cliili  i'i|iial><  ni 

I'Vrii  Mll|iahhr"  llial  nii  llin  hiili'  nl'  llir  lull,  i.illirr  llii'  iim'Imi'  liiini;  llir  I'a-M'  «\illi  .S'.  im>lli^>iiiiii 
aiiil  i/if^M't  I.  I'iD'llir  I'nai'l  I'min  llir  .Virlir  Ocraii  In  I '.ililm  iiia,  ■'niniiinii  in  Miilalilr  InralllirK 
mi  linlli  rmiHlN  illiil  iMialiilr'  nl  llrliillii^M  Sra,  aiiil  llir  |inlai'  i'nat<lr<  nl  ,S||iiiia  ;  ir|i|arill^  till' 
I'niiiiiinii  riilri,  allil  IINhdi'lalril  ttilli  tlir  kill)*,  h|irrlai'li'il,  aiiil  Sli'lli'l''n  I'IiIitn. 
7UII.  N  I  !■:  )  N|M<i-lit  IiIISn  (l.al  .s/iri7iW>(/i'<,  ■'niiM|iii'iimir.,  n|irrlai'iilai  )  KiNii  l''.l|iKII.  4'huiai'lrrH 
nl  lull  ami  ir  ti  .illii  1  iiii^  iiiiiir  ililli  inu^  limii  llmur  nl  nlln  r  riilri^,  ami  nimiuM'i  miimii^  ininli, 
iml  nlil)  III  llll'  l\ln  Ni'NrK,  Iml  III  llir  ,(  al  illHi'l'rlil  m'aHiiiiH.  In  llir  aililll  ,(,  ill  ||||>  liit'riliiiK 
hraMin,  llir  lull  i|rM'|n|ih  iniinriihr  iniinilnl  nr  rtijuariKli  lalrral  Imnlal  iHnrrH'-rH,  lmluim{  liii;li 
mil  nl  Inn  Ullli  llir  Irnl  n|  llir  lull:  llirt<r  |ilnn'hH<'H  ar<<  Hnll,  mill  innlfnMi  ilr|irliil  Im  llirii 
|ii'iiMiiiiriii'r  n|Min  llir  ilr\i'ln|inirnl  nl' a  liiiinn  nl  tally  hlllmlaiii'i'  ii|inn  \«  liiili  lliry  an  "iiiiiHirlril  , 
lllt'V  kIiiiiiIi  'IIIiI  liri'mnr  iiimr  i|r|irrhr'i'tl  in  \v  iiilrr,  wlirii  tlir  ^riirial  tniniallnii  nl'  llir  |iiHi-<  in 
lliil  M'ry  ilillrri'lil  I'lnin  llial  nl'nlliri  riilris        I'lii'  I'miilal  I'rallnrx  r\ti  inl  in  a  ilrltnllr  liiir  ainiit; 

llir  rli'Mllril  I'lllliirli    In    alimit  n|i|>ni<lti'    llii     liiml    rliil  nl'  llir    1 ||||:<  ;    iIium'    n|'   llir    hlilr    nl'   llir 

lull,    nil    ll niriiv,    I, ill    lar    hliml    nl    llir    nn-itlll'',    llm'rnl    llir    rlilli    Ir.n  li    iilimil    njiiin-ilr 

lllnnr    nl    llir    I'llllm  li  .    llir   »  linir    I'clllirlril    nlllllt I'   llir    lull    In  IIIU    lliU'    M'ly    ilill'l'l'l'lll    I' I 

lll,il  "I'aliy  nlliri  ililn.  In  llir  y  ,  llmn^li  .ill  lln  |>allK  rnin'rinnl  .nr  Ir.-,'!  i|r\  rln|iril,  llir  n,iinr 
lrl,lll\r  r\li  iranll  nl  rr,llllr|M  nlil, nil',,  hn  llial  till  luiil  I'  illht  lllflllhliril  r,|hll\  llnlii  t||r  f  nf 
am    nlliii     I  kIi'I  ,    llir   riiliiiiii.il    .iinl    liiriil.il    l-alliri,    Iml  li   irai'lilllu  aliniil  n|i|inhili    llir  lin.ilnlit, 

lliiih llir   hhlr  nl'  llir   lull    ii'>l    rxlrmliui-    in  ally    in    lai.      .\iliill    ,(  ;    IlLirlt  ;    ||ii>   nri'lt   ami 

Inlr  |ia|l  nl  llir  linily,  innhl  nl  till'  Mlllif  •n\il|-<  illlil  lllllllU  n|'  ^UII|•^,  illlil  a  ^pnl  nil  r,li'li  '■lili  "I 
llir  riiiii|i,  wliilr  ;   tin    \\  Inlr  ..|    llir    lai.rl    lini'i  <l  \i  illi   nraiiix   lunw  n  ;    lln    ,iiil«   Irili.il      lil.n  It 

IMJllll     III   ntlli'    <lllrl'<)  .V    lil,l<  k    \      "ll,l|>iil    III.IlK    nil   lln     illlil,  ,l.->   III     N      I     IIIiIHIIII  rn|lnl    lli.nl 


U»k7 


A.SMUi.i:     iniui  i.is.K    si:.\  inchs. 


7tB 


•JJ>V. 


mill   iiiljir    lii'itllliflll    |Hail  Kliiy  ;    hhli- ol    llir  In  .i.l  vuinIh'iI  wiiIi  wh  i;ririi  ;   ryilnU  lil.irk  ;    |>i.i- 

.-.hM'f.  Ill    liir    lull    lliniiiil    111 I    Willi    ^',lll^N^    l.l.t.l,.      jtill    ii.li|i>|i;    liil    iiililrni  il,    Willi   ilii^kv 

ui'Iin;    iiin  IhiUmi.       I.iimlli  .iIm.iiI  '.'.MMI  ;  «  inn    II. mi;    t,iil    J.OH  ,  lull  .ili.im  niliii.ii   I  ■.'.i  ;  ul.iiin 

K.i|ir    '.'.•.'.'i  ;    IViilii  iipcx   III'  |iiinThhi'»   In   ii|i   ,il I    ill,,   naiiii'  ;   IVmiii    IrallHis  mi   »iilr  i.l    ii|i|i|.r 

liialiilil'li'  111  ll|>  illmill    I. (III.      .\ililll    V       liiili.-<liiii-iiii.lmlili'  tViiiii  iilliii   lini.ili'   i'iilri'.i  in  |iliiiiiiii;i., 

lull  irailily  ri uiii/i'il   l>\   llir   lull,  a^  iiIium'  ^alll.      llill   ami  t'rri   lil.irlusli  ;   ilinii'iiMiHis  m|    lull, 

a-iili'  iViiiii  llii-  iViinlal  |  in  in  •Hum,  iiraily  a.  in  llir  ,(.  TIiih  lifaiilll'iil  ciiliT  ih  a  <'ii<'iini|i.i|,ii' 
f.|ii.rir.N,  alMiiiiiiliiit;  al  Miriiiilfi  |iiiiiiIn  alniin  llir  hlmir^  III  III!'  Arrin-  IVraii,  lliriirr  mnilli  m 
winli'i  nil  llir  I'ai'illc  Hiilc  in  t;i'i'itl  liiiliilii't><  In  tlir  Alriiii.in  |.<lani|A  ami  Im'MhhI,  tliiiiitjli  laii-  nii 
llii'  \la"Kan  rnaf-l  n|  jlrliiini-'N  Sra  ;  mi  lln  Vll.iiilir  ;.|ilr  mHiiIi  niiily  alul  iiirfiiilail)  In  Ni  « 
^mU 

O'llM'.'^ll  A  (lir.  iMi'ii/fiii,  imliiiiii,  l.M.  ivilniiii,  a  nWilliiiL;)  SriirillN.  .^l  III  IMiK.s. 
Itlll  liiiiilil  m  t;lliliiil|:<  III  \.iiimiM  rliai.nlrr  arrnnllliL;  In  llir  N|ii'i'lr^<.  aiiil  .•rxrn  nf  Mtllir  ^|l^■'l^■<, 
ami  niillimnl  lr:illii.|.<  ri|ii,illy  N  .11  i.ililr,  lull  alua\»  laiiln'r  mi  iiilt;i'  tliiiii  nil  miIix  nl  ii|i|ii'l' 
niaiiililili',  wiiliniil  :iiii/iil.ii  ii'i'iili.iiiri' .  lit  iiiiiiallN  i'\|iaii>l\  r,  \«  II  II  laii;r,  ili'Miliil,  ami  ili 
riiiM'il  nail,  In.-!  il  \miIi  .iml  m  rii|iMiii;  wlmli'  li|i.  Nnsiiil..  ni  ninlilli'  ii(  lull  m  licMiml. 
(■'fjillii'ln  nl  rliiii  rnnnini;  l.ii  lm\Miiil,  nimr  m  Iinn  iiiaily  n|i|iiihiir  nnnlnU.  ('nlm  n|  J  lilaik, 
irlhM'il  m  linl  Willi  \tliili'  jiali  Ill's  nil  lir.nl  ni  w  illKx,  nl  linlli  ;  lull  siiii-llllll'lv  i;llilimiN  al  lntM', 
|iaili  rnlmi'il.       y  snni  \    liinw  II,  lull    i<iiii|i|\    liir(;iil,  niiirli  wnliniil  .it   rml.      \  iiillii;  ,(    llUr    9- 

I'liiiliriii'ini*    llii     lilai'k    m.i  iliirltr<,  still  iliirlt.-<,  si-nli'iM,    m    Is,   an   lliry    illr    vaiiminly  ralliil  ; 

liiai  llliiii'  iiinllil'lt  t'lllllilt  n|ii'rii'N,  M-iil'i'rly   lit   Im    I I        lliii     lliirr    N|H'rii'N    IIiImiIhI    Imlli  rnanlK, 

MiiiirliiiirM  llti'  laivri  itilaiiil  walnx,  Imriliiii;  imilliw  ,iiil,  iiiiiii  mm  aluimlalilly  in  wiiiti'i' 
alnlm   till'  wltnlr    I',  S.   .nasls 

Im.i/i/m*'*   *'J    -^uttlti  Itrttt,     N/'n'ii  M,    illlt/     I  •Ir4«  fl<  ■ 

,r  lull  aiilli'lilv  rill  l.iili  lli'il  ii|i.>li  liy  hiilllill  IkiiIIii'Ik  nhlrll  hwokii  illlisilv  itilnna  llli'  Imi«' ,  ||llilii>iillv 
NII|Hi|lnl  ,  I'lli-lllllm  I  ILiiil.    ..Itllltji.       NonlllK    till. II, ill        Null     liiill.ilM.il   .ilili'l  |.<l  h        t  uliM    ullllll'l)   lilui  k 

l''i'i<l  iliiik      'i'litl  I ii.ilh   III  li'iillii  ii'.l      ii|';i>iui«  I 

',    Sinil\    liliinii.  imli'i  In  !.>»,  nhlllxli  .'■■  II I    iinl  nl.lis  ..I  lir^nl ,  Mil  ii.il   lillilKiim,  I. In,  k     >••«•  it.   iiia     ;;IT 

if  lull  liliiililh  I'll!  Iiilli  liril  lllmli  li\  llt.liliil  li'illlirlH,  till  ,  iilllli.tl  ll|.||ll\HI  1)111111  l<*  ll.iMll  tia,  Mil  llNIi  n  111 
tl'M*  l'«li.|ll.  nI|iiII|.|  IIiiiII  Iii'iiiI,  lllli  t:ll*ls.^ll%  Hit  |  H'l  lul ,  I  1 1 1  ll  1111*1  1  IIm'i  I  Nxnllllii  Ih<miIiiI  llllililli.  Null 
1.......!      1     ..1.,..^..  lull     1.1...  L      ..•.. I I         I.... I      I'..l...      1.1...  L       ulll>    i^lill..    (kill..    ■uAl.'l.      ..>..l 


III'IIII,    III,.     |^ii..».~iii     niiinii,.|,iiiii|iiin>i|i>i-ii  .i..ni,i<n     i<>-i..,,,|     iiioiit,.'  .itiii 

liliii  K    ..iitntli  il|i|'ri|     li'i'l   iitiiiitiK      Ciliii    liltii  K,  hHIi  ttlilli' «|ii|^|M|li'li   mill 


llliillil    lllfl    •.lilllm         Hill 

■>>i<  ii|iiil       lull  iii'iiiiiillt   M  ll  iiilii'iiil      iMi  I  tM  11  t 


|i>v%|v*Tf  <ivviti<-a«iii«*ai      p«aafvaiiBi«<i  ivi«iiv«ti«i 

V   SiHilyliiiiuii.  Mllli  nlilli' wliiu  (iiilili     Mil  nil  liliii  k,  li'iin  liiiiilil       , .n(».it    IM 

,f    mil  llillliinit    |. Ill  null  IlKil  lllmtl  lit    lliilll.ll  li.illlli'lli.    nil  I  lllllirll  IlKllllv  III  iihIIii  III  Iii'IiIiIIk,  .'II    lIlK    nl.liw 

■ml    il  nil.   hIiiiiiI  im  lolix    is  lii'inl,  Ilii'    lill'l'""!!)  Iilli'iiil  il"  will   itn  >il|>i'l  l.>i       N.mlilU  Is  >.iii.|   iiilililUv 
lllll  III iinui' mill  wlilli'    ullli  Mill  k  hilrlnl  ii|..il       I  nli.l  lilm  k    mllli  wlilli-   liniil.il   .ilnl  lim  Iml  |.<il.li.  lull 

..>.....•.     u  I  ...i  ( ..,..  I     .It     lilt       1  1      ■•.,4l  I t.l  .  1*1     I     I.Ik  1     I     I     I 


r.ft. 


IIIIIII  III!  WlliU.   Ii'i'l  .'lilllUi'        I  lit  li.'llliulU    tl  Ii'iiIIii'IimI       .|'i  I  liiM  I  I  I 

y    HiHilt  litnwii,   I  III  III     lii'liin  ,  nlilllnli   .11    I'l'ul,  1  lililli  In    I. mil   nii.l   iiiii  li  illni  iiiililim     Mil   Mink, 
liTl  lllll  k. 

Ii'liitllrll  nlllli.    imli'tl  ii'lillllli!  I'li'h,   rillllllll.il    l>  ..ll'ii    iKm  lilliu    .'|.|..ii,ll wlllln        Itlll  iiIhuiI   »m 

liili)4  III*  lii'inl  ff,  ,'/<!,  ,i    ,fi     l:9t 

|''iiiiil.il  nliHi'  piilili   I  Lul  I,.  1 1,1     .  iiliiiliiiil   Ivitlliiii*  mil   K'lii  Mutt  I'liisiiillu  iinaiiiU      lllll   ,  iilim 

I'tiiiilliill  liiiiil     ,                                                           .                    .  fi..i|.|.iiif,, I.     ;il) 

«!•:  iilili<rli-M  lilt  (  l''iK  I'.tll.)  \mi  i;ii  \s  111  M  k  Hcnilli  Sr\«'iiiir  Mill,  I'tr  ,  as  .ilmM' s.ml. 
.\iliill  ,(  I'liiiitapt'  I'liliiily  lilaiU,  It  ^.s  tin- '  \  ainl  |iil>  U  Inw  titan  altuM',  i;ra\  isli  hi  lit*-  m,  ht 
Wilis  111  llir  i|iiills.  hisliiiiwit  l''iit  lilai'l.i  It  >iiiiii<  ,r  11  siHililiiii;  V  9  .''•••ilV  *«i<i»'i», 
|ialrl  111  Inw,  lii'i'mtiini'  Kliiyi'-ll  wliilr  mi  Inllx,  tin  n  i|tisli\  -.ih'.  kli'il,  nil  Hlilfh  ainI  llisiil-fc 
iliis|,\  w.iviil;  llii'iiiit  ami  siilr .  nl'  In  nl  iiniNlly  ■■miltiiii.nis  wliilisli,  iml  in  H|M'i'hil  -iint*.  , 
lull  lilai'liisli,  iinl  liiili;iit|i  ,  lilt  litiil  iilivari'iiils  witlt  lilmit  Wilis  I  >m  Uliii^-s  iininil  »i<ll 
lilili-k    ilimil.       I utii   i;iMI    .'mill      ivlinl    :ilMHI    HilMI  ;    wiiit;    S  IMI    iKtIII,    i.iil     lllll,    laixilM 


hlili'h    iliiUll.       I.fliuth   l(  III!   '.Miitii      I  Mini     imwi    111  IBP  ;    wiiin    -^ '"'    in  >"■  ,    i.iu     i  ■•"  ,    nii^n" 
l.7:»;   iiiiililli'   |.H'    ami  flaw   il.v'i  ,    lull    I  .  •    '"HI       y  muih    sinalln    ll-.m  f      »""  i»»»mil  iIi<h»< 

IfHii'i    liuMiii's       Ihllfis   Ifniii    llir   l''.tiiii|n'aii  </■'    iiii/iii  III  slia|ii'    ami    >-<'l '    i'~     |iinltilM'iniM-»> 

111    llii'   lull    111   ,f        S     .\iii  ,  fliirlly  i'iia>*lwisi',  wln-n    almtiilanl  ;  almi   nn    lai»r.    linn  1    »a(«:-; 
r.  S.  Kiuirally  m  wiiilii  ,   liiiiil-i   in  limit  I mlfs       hmiSM  •■  H,  l».i4.\  l.ljll,  twitf;   U«»l  «tu  thi' 


714 


SYSTKMA  TIC  SYXOl'SIS.  —  LA MKl.LHiOSTUES— AXSHUKS. 


Fill.  4tiil  —  A'>  m>i/>' llliu'k  SciitiT     (Ail  mil.  ilfl    Kr.i 


gniiiiiil,  in  Jiiiio,  July.     (N.I).   The  iijip-r  ti^-  4<.)ll  hIiowm  rxtnit  uf  t'tallioni  uiulrr  Itill  —  lu 
first  iiriito  aiiji;!)'  fniiii  tlii'  left  —  iiiiil  Hliit|ii-  of  iiuiiitliliiiliir  riiiiii,   rciu'liini;;  to  next  nliliim 
rri'iitraiiri'.) 
738.   4K.  fiiH'cii.     (I.nt. /««<i.  iliiHlty ;  adult  ^  is  hlai-i*.)    Vki.vkt   .Scoter.     Wiiitk-winukk 

HinF  1)1  t'K.  Hy.A 
f'ouT.  IJili,  rtc,  a* 
almvc.  Ailiilt  <J  :  I'lii- 
iiuiKi'  iilai-li,  palrr  In  • 
liiw  ;  a  wlilir  s|H'i-uliiiii, 
rnriiii-il  liy  iiiiist  lit'  till' 
)«rn iiiilarit'H  aiiil  ti|m  i>t 
urratcr  ciivrrtH ;  a  Hiiiall 
wliitc  h|iiit  iiiiiliT  ryi'. 
Iri«  ji'lliiw.  Pert  or- 
aiii;i'  III'  rariiiiiii- -  I'l'il, 
witli  liliii'li  kvi'lis.  Yiiiiiii.' 

J  rrM'liiliIrs  9  •  9  : 
Itill     ll'HM     lllll);ill^,     I'll- 

tiri'ly  (lark  :  cyrx  ainl 
fcrl       IIH      liflnrt',       lr<«- 

briulit.  Siiiity-I)riiuii,  |iaif  ifrayinli  lirlnw,  liiit  irlaiiiinu  tin- wliiir  s|iri'iiliiiii ;  wliiti.-ii  mi  liiail 
ti'iiiliiiK  til  fiiriii  liiral  ami  auricular  M|iiit.s,  as  in  7'l'.l.  imt  J-i?-  Larurst :  li'ii^tli  l<.),(IO--.'-^.IM) ; 
fxtciit  aliiiiit  :{f').<H);  wiiiK  1  l.(HI-l:i.()() ;  liill  almii;  uapr  ;2..')<)  nr  iiinri';  tnrHiiit  alHUit  2. INI; 
iiiiililli'  tiM'  anil  rlaw  I!. .111.  9"<<?-  '"^"i"!  •"  ilitl'-r  fnnii  Kuri>|H'aii  In  urratcr  riicri>ai-liiiirnt 
of  trallicrs  nil  liill :  luit  the  iLsi-rilinl  fraliirr  is  imt  tanuilili'  (var.  r< I irii nil).  X.  Am.  at 
larijc,  rhii'lty  cna.Htwi.s)' ;  also  on  larK*'  inlaii<l  waters;  aliumlaiit.  WiiittTx  in  V.  H.,  Iirccils 
ill  liiuli  lati. Mill's. 

730.    «K.  iicniiilcillii'tM.     (I,at.  })frn}tiaU»Ut ns|>iruiiiiH.  H|HM>tn<'ular.     V\\i.  4'.I7.)     Si'KK  UlTK. 

Ska  t'ltiiT.  Ailiilt  <J  : 
Mill,  rlr.,  as  aliiivi-, 
hiiiuularly  varii'traiii! 
in  rolor,  mostly  white  ^-____^      — .^^  , 

or   |>inkisli,    anil    or-  __^        j  1 

iiiii;e,    with    a    ^'leat 

iiiiiiiil      or      .siiiiarisli     x'j  j ,  .  , ,    ,    777,  , ,      ■       m^ -"Z-^ 

lilarU     .••|>ot     on     Mile  ^ 

near  haw;  iris  pale 
yilliiw;  feel  "iraiiu:e, 
Willi  iliisky  welis.  I'lii- 
map'  flossy  lilaek, 
•liiller  lii'liiw  ;  no  white 
oil  win^s,  liiit  a  tri- 
niiKiilar  w-liite  imteli 
on  fiii'elieail,  )iiiiiiiiiii; 
fnrwaril,    reaehiiiu   to 


Yia.  407.-1111!  at ynunu  J  Surf  Duck,  iml   ulii*.    (Ail  nul  ilil.  K  r  ) 


or  lieyiind  ii[i,M)site  eye,  ami  another  on  nape,  imintinn  ilownwanl.  Yniin^j  $  resemli|en  9. 
iM'fnri'  the  bill  aei|nire*'  ilistinrtive  shajie  ami  rolor.  9  '■  "'"  hlarkish,  ..ot  tiitniil,  feathers  of 
eiilinen  rentrieteil,  m>t  reaeliiiiK  o|i|)osite  iiostriU;  feet  ilark,  tinueil  with  reiiilish,  the  wilis  hlaek- 
ish.  j'liimap'MMity-liri'Wn,  Im'Iow  silvery-irray;  siile  of  heail  with  iiiueli  whi,,sli,  ehielly  in  two 
imtihes,  toral  ami  aurieiilar  ;  no  frontal  or  nuehal  white.     I.enuth  ! 8.00-2 1.01 1 ;  uxtuui  lU.OO- 


.I.V.I rni.i:—  I'ri.mrus.E:  ska  dicks. 


208 


711 


209 


13 


3fl.(H);  witiB  •l.iM)-l((.(Hl:  tawiM  1.(17  ;  miiMJ,.  i,„.  aii.l  claw  .I.*.'  ;  Itill  i.i:,-i:,i)  ,\\.,ng  c,i|i€. 
N.  .\iii.  lit  hiiu'i'.  riiniml  ill  Kiirc>|H' :  chiilly  rnattui^r.  uImi  nn  laru'tT  iutiTinr  «.iiir->;  1".  .•>.  In 

winter,  alHiii.laiit,  lir liiiK   in  liii;li   laiiiucjcH.     (N.  It.   In  ii|i|H'r  tit.  Hi7  tin-  lin.t  nVtitraiiif 

iniliiNili'K  PXtrnt  nf  riatln'rinu  iiiDJir  tin-  liiJI,  tlii>  iipxI  tlir  nmiiilil>iilar  rami.) 
140.  (K.  p.  IrowlirlilKli  ?  (T..  \V.  I".  Tmwl.ri.iuf.  Fij;.  H>s.)  Willi  lln-  Kill  l.nivMr,  .xmsl- 
iiit;  till'  lirail,  iinil  ol'  NJiulitly  <iil'- 
Irn-nt  Hlia|HS  fi>allifi-i<  lailinu  Klmrl 
iif  ■■■■'•iriJH;  i;a|M- aliiiiit  ;'.7.'i ;  wliili' 
t'i'iilitiil  )>alrli  .>liiall,  ilx  |iii!>ti'i'iiir 
iHinlt-r  anifriiir  to  a  line  iM'iwt'iii 
t'yi'H,  iiixii-ail  iif  rcai'liiiiK  nr  |iai»M- 
iiit;  lii'Viiiiil  tliii*^  CiiaM  of  Cala. 
SiMirrlv  tcnalili'. 

l-:itlH.M.Vn"l{.\.       (In.    i,,n,T^„. 
irriniiiii,   a   itlay,    |>i'<i|i,    piiT,  aii<l 

...•(Hi.    o,n.,,    .ail.    a.    ih..    Millrnr.l  *'"'    '•«  -Trn«..r|,|«...  H,.rf  |.«.k.  ,«l,..-,l     .K,..«,  Kill.,.  • 

iiiiiiilMr  iiiitrlit  mtni  til  Im.  )  |{|  nKKit  iH  ikm.  |{iinarkal>ly  ilixtinu'ninlMil  fr.nn  ntli»t 
I'tiliijiiUmr   ix«'f|itiiu{    Siimiitiii.r  l.y    llir    Klill'iniil,    lim  Hr-laiicii.latc    tail-rrallHi^,    lli-.'O    in 

imiiiiIhi,    i>x|Nihi'il   III   till'   liasc   liy    iimmui   iif  rxlrrtiii'   >liiirlni'»i>   nf  ll vitIr,   llirir    «liaftK 

I  iilaii.'<'<l,  fliaiini'lii'il  unilii'iiiatli;  a|i|H'araiii'<' uf  tail  xtrikiiiuly  like  tlial  »(  a  rMnimrant.  Hill 
aliiiiit  aH  liitii;  ai<  licail.  nrarrrly  lii^'lii-r  than  limail  ai  Iuim-,  wiilt-iml  niul  ili'|ir<>»Mtl  ai  )'iiil, 
wliii'li  \*  aliiiii>t  tiiriinl  ii|i.  Nail  aN  vli'«vi'il  fruiii  alHivt>  viry  Hiiiall.  iiarMW,  auil  liiii.ir.  cri'iitly 
i'\|iaiiiliuK  nil  a  ilrcnrvnl  |iart  Ih'IiI  iiihIi'I'  tlir  rinl  nt'  tlic  liill  (iMii<|iii').  Iliail  >iiiall.  ami  iiii-k 
thick;  yiiii  can  ilraw  th"  nIijii  nl'  the  rmlily  iluck  uvt-r  the  hcail.  vvhicli  i«  iiii|iracticalilf  with 
iniiNt  iliickM.  TarNiiH  itlinit,  tncit  vrry  Imit.,  llic  miililli'  with  rlaw  twice  .\*  l.mi;  a.o  tar^im. 
<  Ine  (•|ie4'iert. 

K.  ru  l>l<hi.  (l.at.  M('>ii/>f,  rililily.)  Hi  uuv  IMtk.  (^.  in  iNrficI  (iliiiiiaL'e  :  N<vk  all  arxiinil 
aiiil  the  u|i|iei'  pai'I.s  aliil  .■<iileN  nf  hmly  rich  lirnwiiihli-riil,  nr  hriuhl  uli>M<y-chi-rliiiit.  LmWit 
|iartit  hilky  xilvery-white  '  watereil'  with  ilni»ky,  yieliliiii;  uray  iiiiilnhitinnM.  Cliin  aiiil  riilen  nf 
lirail  ileail-white;  cmwii  ami  iia|ii'  ulns'-y-lilai'k.  \Viiii;-ciivertK,  iinilN,  ami  tail.  Iilaclti-.h- 
lit'iiwn.  Itill  ami  eiiues  nf  eyi'liiU  urayish-lijiir ;  iri»  redili-.h-lirnwii ;  feet  hlni^h-uray.  with 
ihlNky  WeliH.  Nut  nflell  >eell  ill  tIliN  failltlcHN  ilrcHK  ill  the  I'.  S.  .V't  uelierally  nliMTVeil,  ailil 
9.  Iirn'.i'li  ahiive,  liiirly  ilntleil  ami  wa\<<l  willi  ihi-ky;  IhImw  pahr  aiul  iliillrr.  iiinre  i;rayi*<li, 
with  ilarU  iiiiilnlalinns,  ami  ntlen  a  iawii\  wanh,  an  alxn  iH'ciirri  nii  the  w'  ite  nf  tin-  lieiul;  cmwii 
aiiil  iia|Mi  ilark  hrowii;  cric^nni  while;  hill  ihiHky.  Leiik'th  1.*i.<ni-17.ini;  extent  io.iNi-^tt.lHI; 
Willi;  ."i.."i(Ml.(t(l:  tail  .'l.'iO;  tardus  I.J.'i;  iiiiilille  tiM'  ami  claw  ■.'.■Hi;  hill  l.jii.  .\  ciirimiK  ami 
iiitereKtiiii;  iliii'k,  ahiimlant  in  .\.  .Viii.  at  Luce,  winliriiit:  in  1'.  S..  Iin-eilini;  fmiii  N.  iMinler  nf 
\\  S.  iinrthwaril.     It  Ih  an  e\|iert  iliver,  ami  Kwiiii»  will  iiiiiler  water,  w  hen  it.*  nnhliT  ctimeM 

intii  iiite,  like  a  cnrninrant'ii;  it  i«  lirM  < keii  ii|i  when  imi  in  ii!>e,  no  that  thi--  i!iick  iI<m-s  nnt  N|n|M- 

<lnwn  iM'hinil  ari  imiHt  iln  nn  the  water.     Winn  alarineil,  it  ><ninetinie«  xiiik»  <|iiieily  hackwani 

iiitn  the  water,  like  a  urelie;   hilt   Niiine  ntlier  Hea  iliick',  ai  the  harli'<|iiin,  w'll  iln  the  Name. 

The  tail  well  iiliixtrateN  a  inetluHl  in  which  early  ilnwii- feat  hern  an-  i>ii|i}ilantiil  hy  true  •jiiilli). 

I'p  t«t  till"  time  the  tlapiient  iiro  S  nr  10  inchex  Imiir,  the  triii'  tuil-feather  iM'nm  nl  it»  eml  th«' 

iiilii|ile  Nieiii  nf  the  ilnwii-fealher.  teriniiiatiiit.'  ill  a  hilHliy  tuft  nf  I>«hm-  harlm:  the  whnle  affnir 

then  hreakH  nff  ami  fall*,     (.''ee  Am.  Nat.,  x\\,  |h7h,  y,  \1.\,  fij;  ) 

NOMO.WX.     (tir  fiS^or,  HOiNfM,  law,  nnh'r;  W^,  (»ii>r,  nail:  iinil  nf  hill  nnlinnry.  i     ltl'l> 

HKIt    lll'CKN.     Character  nf  h'.riamiilma,  hut   nail  nf  hill  imt  |H'cnliar.     Inner  wrniiilarii*  «i 

li'iii;lheneil  iiM  to  fnhl  nver  the  |iriiiiariefi  in  the  clnoeil  wini;. 

N.  (lonii'nU'M.     (Of  ,H|.   DoininKo-)     !*T.   DuMlMut    iMiK.     tieiieral  .'nhir   ferrnciiinnn,  or 

cheHtniit-reil,  iiiorii  or  lexit  exteiinive  anil  contiiiiiniix  on  iimler  |>artK  aiul  nniiiml  neck,  varietl 


ll 


716 


s Ysi i:ma tk •  s y\(U:sis.  -  y..i miillirosiuhs  —  asskues. 


with  liliick  ••>>  thi'  liKck  ;  crnwii  nf  licinl  liliick  :  a  larKi'  wliito  an'ii  mi  tlic  wing  fonni-il  liy  iiuiiin 
of  till'  niMTlH  ami  liaMM  nl  tlir  NcciiiHlai'ii'H  ;  iixiilai'M  iilmi  wliilr.  A  9  *'r  youiiK  ^  s|>i'i'iiMi  n 
liax  till'  liark  lilarkiKJi,  r>|Hilti'tl  with  yrlinwihli-liruwii  ;  tlic  ^riiiral  Irri'iiuitinUN  nilur  ihi|i|ilM| 
with  iliiHky  ;  ami  two  hliu'kii*ii  i<lri|i<'H  nii  each  xiilf  of  hcail.  l.iiiKtli  aliniit  IK. Ill) ;  » ini;  .Vim  ; 
tail  H.dii;  t.ii>ii.s  I. (Ml;  fiihiirii  1.40.  A  »iiiall  ami  riii'iini!*  ditrk  of  ('.  ami  S.  Am.  ami  \V.  I., 
at'i'iilriiliil  ill  till'  r.  S.,  a.'<  on  l^akc  ('liaiii|ilaiii  ami  in  \ViM'on>in  (mi-  I'rof.  Iliint.  Sih'.  Nat. 
Hint.,  \i,  ;t;.i  ;  xlv,  IjI  ;  Aunr.  Nat.,  v,  441  ;  ami  llniril,  \\.  N.  A.,  iH.'iS.  tl^.'i). 

00.   Subfamily  MERGING :   Mergansers. 

Mill  narrow,  niorr  or  Icmm  ncai'ly  rylinilrii'iil,  the  nail  hookt'il  ami  ovcrhaii^'ini;.  tin 
lanirlhr  iiiifhly  ili'Vi'|o|ii'<|  into  in'oininrnt  KrrralioiiN,  thr  miMil  Iks^w  Ii'Ii^iImiii'iI  ami  nan'owrij. 
K.vi'r|>iinK  ilif  rhai'iK'tcr  of  tlit'  hill,  ihi'  '  Niw-hiil  '  or  '  lisliinn-iliirks '  arr  sunply  i'liluinliii,, , 
lutnirwliat  iiiotlilit'il  in  aiia|ilalion  |o  a  niorr  cxi-hlHivcly  animal  ri'^imi'ii :  thr  hinirlla' nl'  iIh- 
hill    iH't'oMir   (li'tainrrs  of  larur  ohjcfti',  not  ^i^tl'^.sor  hlraimi's  of  niiiiiili'  lliilii:s.      'I'lir  |>riiii'i|Ml 

|Hiint    ill   tlirir  rrononiy   ix  ahility   to   |iiirMir   IIkIi   iimlrr  watir,   liUr  ('orniorant.M,  I n>,  ami 

other  hinlH  of  lower  onlcrH.  Thi'  naturrofthiir  fooil  ri'iiilriN  their  tlehii  rank  ami  iin|ialatahle ; 
In  hiiyiiii;  a  '  ilm-k,' iioiiee  the  hill,  that  it  he  not  ryliiulrii-,  hookeil,  ami  haw-toothiil ;  the 
lla|i  of  till'  liimi  to«>  is  iiM  ill  any  Sea  l>iiek;  the  \;\\>\  are  iiinrh  i'oiii|ireh.seil.  The  ^i/zanl 
IN  rather  lexit  itinsciilar  than  in  iiioi-t  ilneks  ;  the  intestines  ami  their  eieea  are  Klmrter  :  the 
xyriiiKeal  ea|).siile  of  the  ^  ix  very  lai'L'e,  irreunlar,  |iartly  nieiiihraiioiis ;  the  trarhea  has 
other  ililatatioiiN  (lii;.  ■'().      Ilinls  of  this  ^n'oii|i  inhahil    fresh  ax  well  ax  salt  water,  ainl  are 

ahlimlalll  in  imiiv  iihials  if  not  in  s|ii  eies.  'I'liere  are  ahoiit  S  sjierirs.  rliieljx  of  the  Noiljn m 
lleiiiis|i|iere,  hut  several  oeeiir  in  South  Anieriea:  we  have  .'t,  roiiiuioiiiy  aiiil  |H'rlia|ix  |iro|iirl\ 
relerri'il  to  'i  p'liera,  Mrriius  ami  Luiiliniliilvs. 
300.  MI-Ut'lJI'M.  I  i.at.  mrn/i/.v,  a  liiver  ;  mifijii,  \  nierirein.)  Miti(iANsi:nN.  risiiiMi  iMiKs. 
Saw -nil. I. s.  {till  as  ahove  saiil.  Nostrils  nieilian  or  siih-hasal.  Tarsi  eoiii|iresseil,  anteri 
orly  seiiteliatr,  with  xinaller  |ihitex  on  xiiles  ami  heliiml,  one-hulf  to  t\«  o-thinlx  iix  loiiK  ax  niiililli' 
toe  ami  riaw.  IlimI  toe  Inhale.  Tail  roiimleil,  usually  one-half  or  more  the  leiif;th  of  the 
|Hiiiiteil  win|:x.      lieail  nsiially  cresteil. 

AnitliinU  of  Siiliiiiinrti  iiinl  Sin  rim. 

KIM  mil  slinrtiT  lliiili  lii'iiil,  iiiiiiilly  nil  Srrriillniis  nf  lilll  iiniU-,  ri'riii\r.l,  ,  liiw  lllov  'I'lirKiiii  iiIhuiI  Iwii- 
ItilntHiislniiit  Its  liiiilillc  t»v.     'I'oil  iil">iil    Imll'  iin  Imiti  iik   h  liit;s      IiiaI    I"»  ,  IIIiiis),  m  <  I|>IIiiI.  If  uiiy. 

Ili'itil  i,'ii'< r  l>ri>«ii      (Ml  lti,l  s  I 

Ncwirllx  iii'io'  nii<l'll>'  >'*'  l'll>      l''ri>iitul  featlium  bvyuinl  lliiw  mi  slilc  nl'  lilll.    I'loi  tuiirrfly  il<>vclii|xil. 

rf  Willi  I'O'iisI  iiiii'iil"ifil min/iiii«.r    74;! 

Niislrlls  iK'io   l>"M'  cif  lilll.     Kriiiiliil  fi'illliurM  lint  Ih')-i>iiiI  |||imu>  nil  slilu  nf  lilll,     Cri'iil  U'llrr  <l)'Vi'lii|ii',| 

,f  Willi  I'liasI  iiinl  sliirs  niliiiTil n  inili'i-    'H 

lilll  nliiirtiT  llinii  lii'iiil.  iiMwII)  liliiik.  Si-rrnllniiK  iir  lilll  Inw,  iilil|i|iii-.  nni  IkhiWi'iI  Tiimiiii  uIkmiI  luiiriis 
tuiiu  :iH  iiilililli-  l<M'  'I'lill  III""'  """I  liiiir  I'"  l"'i|!  ""  «'iil!-  I'it'»l  III  cf  I'lu'il.v 'li''"'!"!"''',  •••'<■''', ''"i"- 
|.riHM'il,  iM'iiiirlniilar.  ...rniml  »»  »<'ll  ii»  ■«■•  i|illiil.    |l.oi'iiiii>\  n  x.) 

Xnnlrlts  near  liiiwnr  lilll       I-'iiiiiImI  fcalliurx  |iri«luciMl  iM'yniiil  lliiiiMi  nimlili-x  nf  lilll     .     .     .  ruiulltilUH     T4.'i 

743.  M.  iiiiTKaii'MT.  (I,at.  iiuriin-  ami  niisrr,  iliver-t;<"'se.  !•'!«.  I'.l'l.)  Mt:iiiiANsi:u.  (omls- 
AsiH'.li.  Nostrils  near  niiihlle  of  hill.  Trontal  feathers  exlemlini.' aeiiiely  on  eiiliiieii  ahoiit 
half  way  from  those  on  xiih' of  hill  to  nostrils;  loral  feathers  xwee|iiim  in  nearly  verlieal  line 
aerosx  siih'  of  hase  of  ii|  |>er  liiamlihie.  ahoiil   o|.|iositi'  those  on  siile  of  lower   niamlihie.       Ileail 

xeareely   in  sleil.    merely  a    lii f  litlle    leiiiilh.  n.  <1   feathers  aloiiy   .i.Tiiml   ami   iia|ie.    h.lier 

ih'veh.|H'.l,  however,  ill  9  than  in  ,(.  A. hill  ,(  :  Hill  ami  te.i  \enMilioii-r,.,|  in  hneiliiitf 
season,  with  hhuk  hook:  iris  eariiiine.  lleail  ami  iieeK  s|ilemliil  dark  L-neii.  I'mler  parts 
xjihiioii-eoloieil,  the  llaiilis  ami  lower  hilly  niaihliil  or  walereil  with  iliisky,  r|i|ier  parts 
KlitxHvhIaek,  failinir  to  axliy  on  riini|i  and  tail  ;  xiirfaee  of  winir  inoxtly  |iiire  white,  ••roxxeil  hy 
a  hiaek  har  foriiieil  hv  haxex  of  greater  eoverts.      I'riniaries  and  outer  seeoiidaries  Idark.  inter- 


niediil 

iln^l.N 

ill  J  ; 

le.'«x    s 

ri'slrii 

l.i'iii;! 

iiiliiii 

the  h  1 

liiWi'f 

rolllli 

lilird  ; 


AXMiii.i-:     Miiiiiiwh:  Ml  ii(,.i.\st:i{s. 


T 


iiiciliiitt'  w'ciiiiiliiricM  wliiii',  iimiT  h mlarit'H  ami  wi\|MiliirN  liliii-k  ami  wliiic.     9  '   "i"  '"'  "I'l' 

(lu^liv  I'liliiH'ii,  irix  y<'lliiwi>li,  fcrt  clinii r  oraiii;)'  \(  lili  iliiKJiv  wi'li!<,  ri'i'!<i  U'llir  •ii'\<  lnjii  il  tliaii 

ill  J  ;  Htill  tliniMy,  Imwi'Vfr  lorn;,  jjiail  ainl  inrk  rrilili>li'liri>\vii  :  tlirnat  \«liilr:  hihIit  |>arlH 
IcKH  Halniiiii-linlul.  iliai'lt  parlN  nf  J  asliy-uiay  ;  !>i'ii|>iilarx  williniil  wlnlr;  wliiti'  uf  \viiii{ 
rt'Mlrii'li'il  to  Ni'i'iimlarii'N  ami  KrcatiT  I'livirt-,  wliii'li  arr  lilark  at  Imim' ;  Kinalli-r  ■■uvrrlN  anliy. 

{.I'liUtli    j;t.:i(l-:.'7.(H) ;  t-Mciit   :il.(H>  iir  ri':  winu    lu.iii)  n.(Hi;  tail   'i.INi:  liill    i.iNl  al<iiiu 

riilini'ii,  H.OO  aiiiiit;  i;a|ir  ;   lai'-*ii.»  \.7't  :  iiiiijdlr  icir  aiiii  i-la\v  i-l'i:    9  ■nm'li  ^iiiallrr  lliaii  /.  at 
till'  li'hKiT  or  licliiw  llii'  .«iiii;lc  iliiiirii-iiiii-  III  ri-  civni.      N.  Am.  lunl  ^aiil  In  ilillVr  in  nliulilir  ami 
lower  cri'iit,  anil  i>vlilriit  lilai-k  liiir  in  wliiir  nf  winu,  coiircali'il  in  Knri>|H'iiii.     N.  Am.  at  larui't 
niintiiiin;   V.  S.  in  wintiT,  ami   liri'iiliiiL;  riniii  N.  Stati'x  nortliwanl.     Not  on  t:r<>nml,  ilovvn 
limil;  «'gK>t  <•-.'*,  t'lliiilical,  Itnll-roloml,  i'.7."i  X  i'.'HI. 


t^l^S^ 

arfs 

ril^Pi^^a9NIM***' 

IM^ 

^*^,-;.  r-.  :      ■ 

^^>, 

'^nK^Hiiimi 

11 

Eg— 1  jl/- 

^^^^  ■^^^HHBal 

^Bmim^^^- 

~     -    '  ...  '  e 

"i 

^■p^ '«.-.»' 

'^ 


Km  4l»n  —  M.rijuiiiMT,  J,  I  iml.  nl/e  fFmin  nnOnii.) 
lit.  M.  Hcrra'tor.  (I,at.  «(»ni^i»-.  a  wiwyrr.  Ki«.  .VIO.)  |{K.i«-nui..\MKi>  Mi-.liii.\N(*K.li.  Nostriln 
mm- l.aM' I.I'  Mil.  Fionial  I'ratlnTH  cxti'iiilinif  olitiiHcly  on  riiliiirn.  aii.l  m.i  lnyoiid  ili.w  a 
Hi.lrs  of  ii|i|.i'r  inamlililr;  tlir  loial  swii|iiiiir  foivvanl  roiivix  l.cyomi  ili.w  on  fi-lr  of  lowir 
niamlililr.  A  lonu,  lliill,  ])oiiilcil  on-ipilal  an.!  liiirlial  rii'^l  in  I'olli  .-fxi's.  .\ilnll  t(  : 
llrail  ami  mrk  all  aronml  .s|ilcmliil  ilaik  urrni.  A  whit.'  riiiu  loiiml  m.k.  I'mln-  |miIs 
wliitr,  iiioro  or  li'ss  sMliiioii-litiui'il.  llir  fori'-liiiiiNl  liro\viii>li-ri-.l  (.lirakiil  willi  ilii>liy,  iIh- 
.siilih  linrly  waved  with  dusky.  A  wliile  l.laek-l>ordertil  paleli  of  liio.id  f.allier^  in  front  of 
the  Willi;.  Fori'-liaek.  iiiter.tea|inlars,  and  lon«  iiim-r  wa|iiilars.  Iilaek  ;  iiiiddli'  ami  I'wer  l>ark 
uray,  waved  wiili  wliiti.sli  and   dusky.     Surfaee   of  winu;  mostly  while,  in.  Iiidiiiu  ■'ui.r  sea|>- 

illars  ;   inner  t* mhnies  edu'ed  ou  oiiirr  weh  willi  l.la.-k,  and  win«  en.ssed  l>y  two  Idaek  liarn 

at   liases  and   jiist  bejoml  eildx  of   u'realer  eoverts.      Hill  earmine-red,  dusky  aloiiL'  the  lo|i; 
pyes  earmine;    feet    liriuht  red,       9=    I'l"    "'i''   •'' t  duller  eolored  :    head   l■l■aylsh-ehe^tnut  i 


il 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


■tt  iU   12.2 


II        S;  Ufi    1 2X) 
I.I         S.         ""^ 


11.25 


H^l 


1.6 


6" 


Hiotographic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


^.^' 


23  WEST  MAIN  STUIT 

WIUTfR.N.Y.  14S80 

( 71* )  172-4503 


'^ 


^4^ 


9 


1 


718 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  STEGANOPODES. 


throat  and  under  parts  white,  shaded  with  ashy-gray  along  the  sides.  Upper  parts  plumbeous- 
gi'ay,  the  feathers  with  paler  edges ;  white  of  wiug  restricted  to  a  patch  formed  by  the  ends 
of  the  greater  coverts,  and  much  of  the  outer  secondaries;  not  divided  by  a  black  bar.  No 
peculiar  feathers  in  front  of  wing.  Length  about  24.00  ;  extent  34.00;  wiug  8.50-9.50 ;  tail 
4.00;  tarsus  l.CO ;  middle  toe  and  claw  2.60;  bill  2.20  on  culmen,  2.60  on  gape.  Young 
(J  like  9 .  Nestlings  in  down  curiously  patched.  N.  Am.  at  large,  more  numerous  tlmn 
the  g(j08ander.  U.  S.  abundantly  in  winter,  and  breeding  in  many  ])laces  as  well  as  farther 
north.  Also  European,  etc.  Nest  on  ground,  down-lined;  eggs  8-10,  elliptical,  buff,  2.50 
X  1.65. 
T45.  M.  (L.)  cueuUa'tus.  (Lat.  cucullatus,  wearing  a  hood).  Hooded  Merganskk.  Bill 
shorter  than  head.     Nostrils  in  its  basal  half.     Frontal  feathers  extending  fur  beyond  those  on 

side  of  bill,  these  beyond 
those  on  lower  mandi- 
ble. A  niaguiiicent  erect 
crest,  compressed,  semi- 
circular in  outline,  in 
both  sexes,  but  in  9 
smaller,  r.nd  less  stiiot. 
/  'l"lt  S  :  Bill  blacii ; 
r-  ;>  \tlHnv  ;  foot  liglit 
brow  I.  \y\  'lusivj  slaws. 
Head,  i.ov    ,   am!   ujumm' 

parts  black,  changrig  to 
-  Bill  of  Ked-brcasted  Merganser,  nat.  size.    (Ad  iiat.  del.  E.  C.)         bro.vn    on    lower    1  i  •]•  • 

crest  elegantly  centred  with  snowy  white ;  lower  fore-neck  and  under  parts  white,  the  ;  ides 
regularly  and  finely  waved  with  brownish-red  and  black ;  crissum  waved  with  dusky.  Lining 
of  wings  and  uxillars  white.  Enlarged  white  doubly  black-barred  feathers  in  front  of  wing. 
A  white  speculum,  with  two  black  bars,  the  white  being  on  outer  webs  of  secondaries  and  ends 
of  these  and  greater  coverts ;  inner  secondaries  with  white  central  stripe.  Young  $  like  9 . 
9 :  Bill  dusky,  with  orange  base  Ijolow.  Head  and  neck  grayish -chestnut,  darker  brown  im 
crown,  the  throat  and  under  parts  whiti-sh  ;  back  and  sides  dusky-brown,  the  latter  not  undu- 
lated, the  feathers  generally  with  paler  edges.  No  black  and  wliitc  bars  before  wing ;  white 
of  wing  restricted  or  impure.  Length  10.50-18.00 ;  extent  about  25.00 ;  wing  7.00-8.00 ; 
tail  4.00 ;  tarsus  1.20  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  2.25 ;  bill  1.50  along  culmen,  2.00  along  gapo. 
N.  Am.  at  large  ;  common  ;  breeds  at  large  in  U.  S.,  as  well  as  fartiier  north;  winters  in 
U.  S.  Europe,  etc.  TJiis  beautiful  species  appears  to  usually  if  not  always  uost  in  trees,  like 
the  wood  duck  and  some  others,  the  young  being  transported  to  the  water  in  the  beak  of  the 
mother.     Eggs  6-8,  1.75  Xl.35,  elliptical,  buflF-colored. 


Fig.  000.- 


XI.    Order  STEGANOPODES:    Totipalmate  Birds. 


Feet  totipalmate,  with  three  full  webs  (as  in  fig.  52,  for  example) ;  hind  toe  semi-lateral, 
larger  and  lower  down  than  in  otiier  water  birds,  connected  vith  the  inner  toe  hij  a  conijiletc  iveb 
reaching  from  tip  to  tip.  Nostrils  minute,  rudimentary,  or  entirely  abortive.  A  gular  poucii. 
Bill  not  membranous  nor  lamellate ;  tomia  sometimes  serrate  ;  usually,  a  long  sulcus  on  upper 
mandible  re.iching  alongside  the  culmen  nearly  to  tip  of  bill,  whidi  is  commonly  hooked  witii 
a  more  or  less  distinct  nail ;  mouth  much  cleft. 

This  is  a  definite  and  perfectly  natural  group,  which  will  be  immediately  recognized  by 
the  foregoing  characters,  one  of  which,  the  complete  webbing  of  the  hallux,  is  not  elsewhere 


STEGANOPODES :    TOTIPALMATE  BIKDS. 


719 


observed  among  birds.  It  is  represented  by  six  genera,  all  North  American,  each  the  type  of 
a  family. 

The  nature  is  altricial.  The  eggs  are  very  few,  frequently  only  one,  usually  if  not  always 
plain-colored,  and  encrusted  with  a  peculiar  white  chalky  substance ;  they  are  deposited  in  a 
rude  bulky  nest  on  the  ground,  on  rocky  ledges,  or  on  low  trees  and  bushe&  iii  •lie  vicinity  of 
water.  The  dietetic  regimen  is  exclusively  carnivorous,  the  food  being  chietiy  fish,  S(Muetinies 
pursued  under  water,  sometimes  plunged  after,  sometimes  scooped  up.  In  accordaacc  witli 
this,  Wi)  find  the  alimentary  canal  to  consist  of  a  capacious  distensible  oesophagus  not  develop- 
ing a  special  crop,  a  large  proventriculus  with  numerous  solvent  glands,  a  small  and  very 
moderately  .uuscular  gizzard,  rather  long  and  slender  iutestinct,,  with  small  ca'ca,  if  any,  and 
an  ample  globular  cloaca.  The  tongue  is  extremely  small,  a  mere  knob-like  rudiment  (as  in 
the  piscivorous  kingfishers).  The  characteristic  gular  pouch  varies  greatly  in  development. 
The  ctmdition  of  the  external  nostrils  is  a  curious  and  unexplained  feature ;  they  appear  to  bo 
open  at  first,  and  in  some  species,  like  the  tropic-bird,  they  remain  so ;  but  they  are  generally 
completely  obliterated  in  the  adult  state.  There  are  probably  no  intrinsic  syringeal  muscles 
in  any  birds  of  this  order.  But  the  most  notable  fact  in  connection  with  the  respiratory  system 
is  the  extraordinary  pneumaticity  of  the  body,  which  reaches  its  height  in  the  pelicans  and 
gaunets.  The  interior  air  receptacles  are  of  an  ordinary  character,  but  the  anterior  of  these 
cells  are  more  subdivided  than  usual ;  from  them,  the  air  gets  under  the  skin  tlirough  the 
axillary  cavities,  and  dift'uses  over  the  entire  pectoral  and  ventral  regions,  in  two  large  parallel 
inter-communicating  cells  on  each  side,  over  which  the  skin  does  not  fit  close  to  tlie  body,  but 
hangs  loosely.  It  is  further  remarkable  that  tlie  skin  itself  does  n<it  form  a  wall  of  these 
cavities,  a  very  delicate  membrane  being  stretched  from  the  inwardly  projecting  bases  of  the 
contour-feathers.  Thus  there  is  yet  another,  although  a  very  shallow,  interval  between  this 
membrane  and  the  skin,  this  also  containing  air,  admitted  from  the  larger  spaces  by  immerous 
minute  orifices  close  to  the  roots  of  the  feathers.  This  subcutaneous  areolar  tissue  is  that 
wliich,  in  ordinary  birds  and  mammals,  holds  the  deposit  of  fat,  no  trace  of  which  substance 
is  found  in  these  birds. 

The  pterylosis  adheres  throughout  to  one  marked  type,  there  being  little  variation  except 
in  the  density  of  the  plumage,  which  would  seem  to  accord  with  temperature,  the  tropical 
forms  being  the  more  sparsely  feathered.  Excepting  PhaeOion,  the  gular  sac  is  wludly  or  in 
part  bare.  The  contour  feathers  appear  to  always  lack  aftershafts.  The  remiges  are  from 
26  to  40  in  number,  of  which  10  are  always  long,  strong,  pointed  primaries.  Tliere  are 
usually  22-24  tail-feathers  in  the  pelicans,  but  12,  14  or  16  in  the  other  genera.  All  have  the 
oil-gland  large,  with  a  circlet  of  featliers  and  more  than  one  orifice ;  sometimes,  as  in  the 
pelicans,  it  is  protuberant,  heart-shaped,  as  large  as  a  pigeon  egg,  with  two  sets  of  si.v  orifices ; 
in  the  ganuets  it  is  fiat  and  disc-like. 

The  palatal  structure  is  extremely  desmognathous ;  there  are  no  basiptcrygoids ;  the 
maxillo-palatines  are  large  and  spongy ;  the  mandibular  angle  is  truncate  ;  other  cranial 
characters  appear  under  two  aspects,  one  peculiar  to  the  pelicans,  the  other  common  to  the 
rest  of  the  order.  The  sternum  is  short  and  broad,  witii  transverse,  entire  or  emarginate, 
posterior  border  ;  the  apex  of  the  furculum  commonly,  if  not  always,  anchyloses  witii  the 
sternal  keel.  The  upper  arm  bones  are  very  long ;  the  tibia  does  not  develop  the  very  long 
cnemial  apophysis  or  so  called  'rotular  process'  seen  in  many  Pygopodes.  (See  fig.  502.) 
The  carotids  are  double ;  tufted  oil-i,land,  cceca  and  ainbiens  muscle  are  present. 

The  species  of  this  order  are  few  —  apparently  not  over  fifty,  of  which  the  Cormorants 
represent  half  —  very  generally  distributed  over  the  world. 


720 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  STEGA^Ol'ODES. 


\ 


301. 


746. 


63.  Family  SULIDJE  :    Gannets. 

Bill  rather  longer  than  head,  cleft  to  beyond  eyes,  vei'y  ftout  at  base,  tapering  and  a 
little  decurved  toward  tip,  which  however  is  not  hooked,  the  t(jniia  irregularly  serrale,  oi' 
rather  lacerate.  An  evident  nasal  groove.  Nostrils  abortive.  Gular  sac  little  developed, 
but  naked.  Wings  rather  long,  pointed.  Tail  long,  stiff,  wedge-shaped,  12-14  feathered. 
Feet  stout  and  serviceable,  more  nearly  beneath  centre  of  etiuilibriuni  than  in  some  other 
families  of  this  order.  General  configuration  somewhat  that  of  a  goose;  body  stout;  wwk 
rather  long  ;  head  large,  uncrested  ;  plumage  compact.     Marine. 

Two  carotids.  Oil-gland  disc-like.  Ca'ca  very  small.  Gall-blr.dder  large.  Pneu- 
niaticity  extreme,  even  to  intermuscular  air-cells.  Ambiens,  femoro-caudal,  and  semitendi- 
nosus  present;  accessories  absent;  former  with  a  peculiarity  of  insertion.  The  relationships 
of  the  family  are  decidedly  with  the  Cormorants. 

Gannets  are  large  heavy  sea-birds  of  various  parts  of  the  world.  There  are  only  live  or 
six  well-established  species,  of  which  the  two  following,  with  the  S.  piscator  of  the  Indian 
Ocean,  and  the  Australian  S.  ctjanops,  are  the  principal  ones.  They  are  piscivorous,  and  feed 
by  plunging  on  their  prey  from  on  high,  when  they  are  completely  submerg('d  for  a  few 
moments  ;  but  they  do  not  appear  to  dive  from  the  surface  of  th<'  water  like  Cormorants.  Tiie 
gait  is  firm  ;  the  Hight  vigorous  and  protracted,  performed  with  alternate  sailing  and  Happing. 
Although  so  heavy,  they  swim  lightly,  owing  to  the  remarkable  pneumaticity  of  the  body, 
already  noticed.  They  are  highly  gregarious;  the  common  Gannet  C(jngregates  to  breed  in 
almost  incredible  numbers  on  rocky  coasts  and  islands,  of  high  latitudes,  while  the  ISooby 
similarly  assembles  on  the  low  shores  of  w-armer  seas.  Tlie  nest  is  a  rude  bulky  structm-e  of 
sticks  and  seaweed,  placed  on  the  rock  oi'  in  low  thick  besiies  ;  the  egg,  generally  single,  is 
plain  in  color  and  encrusted  with  calcareous  matter.  IJoth  sexes  apjiear  to  incubate  ;  they  are 
alike  in  color,  the  youi'g  being  different. 

SU'LA.     (Norse  s»7f.  a  booby.)     Gannets.    Character  of  the  family,  as  above.     The  wliitt^ 
Gannet,  type  of  Siila,  differs  subgcnerically  from  the  brown  Boobies  (Bi/sjMms) . 

Analysis  of  Species. 
Wliite,  with  black  primaries,  head  washed  with  amber-yellow ;  bill  not  yellow ;  lores,  sac,  and  feet  black- 
ish.   Young  spotted         basmmi    74« 

Brown,  below  from  the  neck  white;  bill  and  feet  yellow.    Young  not  spotted leitcoi/astra    747 


S.  bassa'na.  (Of  Bass  Kock,  Firth  of  Forth.)  Common  Gannet.  White  Gannet. 
Solan  Goose.  Adult  <J  9  :  Bill  pale  grayisli,  tinged  with  greenish  or  bluish;  the  nasal 
groove,  lores  and  gular  sac  blackish,  as  arc  the  feet ;  iris  white.  Plumage  white,  the  prim- 
aries black,  the  head  washed  M-ith  amber-yellow.  Length  3  feet  or  more;  extent  6  feet,  more 
or  less:  wing  17-21  inches;  tail  9.00-10.00,  pointed,  12-feathered ;  bill  along  culmen  4,  along 
gape  0  ;  tarsus  2.00  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  4.00.  Young  :  Bill  brownish,  the  lores  livid  bluish  ; 
feet  dusky  ;  iris  green.  Plumage  dark  brown,  spotted  with  white,  below  from  the  neck  grayish- 
white,  each  feather  darker-edged  (character  much  as  in  a  young  night-heron)  ;  wing-quills 
and  tail-feathers  blackish.  Atlantic  Coast,  swarming  in  summer  at  certain  northern  breeding 
places,  as  at  "Gannet  Rock"  in  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  S.  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  in  winter. 
Nest  of  seaweed ;  egg  single,  3.00  X  2.00,  pale  greenish-blue  flaked  over  with  white  chalky 
substance.  Young  hatch  naked,  blackish,  pot-bellied :  then  are  covered  with  thick  yellowish 
down. 
74T.  S.  leucogas'tra.  (Gr.  XtvKos,  leiicos,  white;  yaor^p,  gaster,  belly.)  Brown  Gannet. 
Booby.  Adult  ^  9  :  Bill  and  bare  spaces  about  head,  and  feet  yellow,  former  paler  or 
flesh-color  toward  end.  Tris  white.  Plumage  tlark  brown,  below  white  from  the  neck. 
Young:  Bill  dusky;  feet  dark;  plumage  grayish-brown,  paler  below.     Length  about  30.00; 


m^mmmfmsm 


PELECANIDJE :  PELICANS. 


721 


extent  48.0IJ ;  wing  16.00;  tail  S.OIJ,  lu/iutoil,  li-feutheml;  tarsus  1.5U  ;  middk' Km?  un.l  daw 
3.50;  bill  along  ('ulnii'u  3.75,  along  gapo  5.U0.  S.  Atlantic  ami  Uulf  State.s,  voiy  abui-dant, 
.swarming  at  its  breeding  idaws  along  the  low  shores  and  keys  ;  nest  of  sticks  and  weeds,  in 
bushes  ;  egg  single,  cliaracter  as  before,  2.50  X  1-7J. 


Flo.  501.  —  IJill  of  Nortli  Amorlciiii  WMte  Pelican. 


64.    Family  PELECANID^:    Pelicans. 

15111  several  times  as  long 
as  the  head,  eomparativtdy 
slender,  but  strong,  straight, 
broad,  tiatteued,  grooved 
liirougliout,  ending  with 
a  distinct  <'law-like  hook. 
.Mandibuhir  rami  joining 
only  at  their  ape.x;  the  long 
broad  interramal  si)ace,  and 
tiie  throat,  occupied  by  an 
enormous  membranous  sac. 
Nostrils  abortive.  Wings 
e.\treniely  long,  in  the  uj)- 
per-  and  fore-arm  portions,  as  well  as  the  })inion,  with  very  numerous  remiges.  Tail  very 
short,  of  20  or  more  feathers.     Feet  short,  very  stout.     Size  large. 

The  rennirkable  pneumaticity  of  the  body  (shared  however  by  the  ganuets)  has  been 
already  described.  A  jirincipal  osteologica)  character  is,  that  "  the  inferior  edge  of  the  ossiiied 
iuterorbital  septum  ri.ses  rapidly  forward,  so  as  to  leave  a  space  at  the  base  of  the  skull,  which 
is  filled  by  a  triangular  crest  formed  by  the  union  of  the  greatly  developed  ascending  proci.'sses 
of  the  palatines.''  The  sternum  is  short  ami  broad,  with  shaUow  emargination  on  each  side 
behind  :  the  furcnlum  is  tirndy  anchylosed  with  it.  The  ca'ca  are  an  inch  long.  The  tongue 
is  a  mere  rudiment.  Hut  the  most  obvious  peculiarity  of  these  birds  is  the  immense  skinny 
bag  hung  to  the  bill,  capable  of  hohling  .several  quarts  when  distended^  its  structure  is  as  fol- 
lows :  The  covering  is  onlinary  skin,  but  very  thin;  the  linirg  is  skin  modilied  somewhat  like 
mucous  membrane;  between  these  '"  is  interposed  an  eipially  thin  layer,  composed  of  two  sets 
of  very  slender  muscular  fibres,  .sejiarat<'il  from  each  other,  and  running  in  opposite  directions. 
The  outer  fibres  run  in  fascicles  from  the  lower  and  inner  edge  of  the  mandible,  those  from  its 
base  passing  ibiwnward,  those  .irising  more  anteriorly  passing  gradually  more  forward,  and 
reach  the  ndddle  line  of  tin;  pouch.  The  inner  fibres  have  tlii^  same  origin,  and  ))ass  in  a  con- 
trary ilirection,  backwards  and  downwards.  F'roni  the  hyoid  bone  to  the  junction  of  the  two 
crinvi  of  the  inaudible,  there  extends  a  thin  band  of  longitudinal  muscular  fibres,  in  the  centre 
of  which  is  a  cord  of  elastic  tissue.  By  means  of  tliis  apparatus,  tiie  sac  is  contracted,  so  as  to 
occupy  but  little  space.  When  the  bill  is  ojx'ned.  the  crura  of  the  lower  inandible  .separate  from 
each  other  to  a  considerable  extent  [in  tlieir  continuity  —  not  at  the  symidiysis],  by  the  action 
of  muscles  in.serted  into  their  base,  and  the  sac  is  ex])anded."  This  organ  is  used  like  a  dip-net, 
to  catch  fish  with  ;  when  it  is  filled,  tlie  bird  closes  and  throws  up  the  bill,  contracts  the  j)oiicli, 
letting  the  water  run  out  of  the  corners  of  its  mouth,  and  swallows  the  )>rey.  Pelii'aiis  fei'd  in 
two  ways;  most  of  them,  like  our  white  one,  scoo])  up  tish  as  they  swim  along  on  the  water; 
but  the  brown  sjiecies  plunges  headlong  into  the  water  from  on  wing,  like  a  gannet,  and  makes 
a  graij,  often  remaining  submerged  for  a  few  seconds.  Neither  s|)ecies  often  catches  large  tish  ; 
they  prefer  small  fry  of  which  .several  hundred  may  be  rei|uired  for  a  full  meal.  The  prevalent 
impressitm  that  the  pouch  .serves  to  convey  live  fish,  swimming  in  water,  to  the  little  pelicans 
in  the  nest,  is  untrue;  the  young  are  feil  with  partially  macerated  fish  disgorged  by  the  parents 

4(5 


302. 

748. 


722 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  STEGANOPODES. 


T49. 


from  the  crop.     As  Audubon  remarks,  it  is  doubtful  whether  a  pelican  could  fly  at  all  with  its 
burden  so  out  of  trim. 

The  gular  poucli  varies  in  size  with  the  diiferent  species,  reaching  Its  greatest  development 
iu  the  brown  pelican,  where  it  extends  half-way  down  the  neck  in  front,  is  a  foot  deep  wlien 
distended,  and  will  hold  a  gallon.  Besides  this  singular  adjunct,  the  bill  of  our  white  pelican 
has  another  curious  structure,  not  found  in  other  species.  The  cubnen  is  surmounted  near  the 
middle  by  a  high  thin  upright  comb  or  crest,  the  use  of  which  is  not  known.  It  is  found 
during  the  breeding  season  alone,  being  shed  and  renewed  in  a  manner  analogous  to  the  casting 
of  deer's  horns.  Its  structure  explains  how  this  can  be  :  "  The  crest-like  excrescence  on  the 
ridge  of  the  upper  mandible  is  not  fonned  of  bone,  nor  otherwise  connected  with  the  osseous 
surface,  which  is  smooth  and  continuous  beueath  it,  than  by  being  placed  U[)ou  it,  like  any 
other  part  of  the  skin ;  and  wlien  softened  by  immersion  in  a  liquid  may  be  bent  a  little  to 
either  side.  It  is  composed  internally  of  erect  slender  plates  of  a  fibrous  texture,  externally  of 
liorny  fibres,  which  are  erect  on  the  sides,  and  longitudinal  on  the  broadened  ridge ;  these  fibres 
being  continuous  with  the  cutis  and  cuticle." 

Pelicans  are  found  in  most  temperate  and  tropical  countries,  both  coastwise  and  inland  ; 
they  are  gregarious  birds  at  all  times,  and  gather  in  immense  troops  to  breed.  A  large  rude 
nest  is  i)repared  on  the  ground,  or  built  of  sticks  in  a  low  bush  near  tlie  water;  the  eggs  appear 
to  bo  <me  to  three,  plain  dull  whitish,  with  a  thick  roughened  shell.  The  gait  of  these  cum- 
bersome birds  is  awkward  and  constrained;  but  their  flight  is  easy,  firm,  and  protracted,  and 
they  swim  lightly  and  gracefully,  buoyed  up  by  the  interior  air-sacs.  The  sexes  are  alike ;  the 
young  different ;  most  species  are  white,  with  yellow  or  rosy  hue  at  times,  and  a  crest  or  length- 
ened feathers,  at  the  breeding  season ;  while  nearly  every  one  of  them  has  a  peculiar  contour 
of  the  feathering  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  by  which  it  may  be  known.  There  are  only  six  un- 
(luestiouable  species,  although  some  authors  admit  eight  or  nine.  The  four  exotic  ones  are  : 
P.  onocrotalus  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa  (including  tlie  P.  mhwr  and  javanicus  of  authors), 
with  tiie  frontal  feathers  extending  in  a  [)oint  on  the  culmen  ;  P.  cris2)its  of  the  same  countries, 
the  largest  of  the  genus,  and  P.  rufescens  (with  j>/ii7i'/j^)()i)<s)  of  various  parts  of  the  Old  World, 
in  both  of  which  the  frontal  outline  is  concave  on  the  base  of  the  culmen ;  and  finally,  the 
Australian  P.  conspicillatus,  in  which  a  strip  of  feathers  cuts  oft'  the  naked  circumocular  region 
from  the  base  of  the  bill.  This  is  an  entirely  peculiar  feature ;  and  our  white  pelican  shows 
another,  having  the  sides  of  the  under  mandible  feathered  at  base  for  a  short  distance. 
PELKCA'NUS.  (Gr.  pelecanus,  a  pelican.)  Pelican.  Character  as  above. 
P.  trachyrkyn'chus.  (Gr.  Tpaxvs,  trachtis,  rotigh ;  pvyxoi,  hrur/chos,  beak.  Fig.  501.) 
A.MER1CAN  White  Pelican.  Adult  <J  ?  :  Plumage  wiiite,  witii  black  primaries,  their  coverts, 
alula,  and  many  of  the  secondaries,  the  shafts  of  the  ijuills  wliite.  Lengthened  feathers  of  occiput 
and  breast,  and  some  of  the  lesser  wing-coverts,  pale  straw-yeUow.  Tail-feathers  said  to  l)e 
ii)sy  at  times;  and  a  dark  spot  to  appear  on  the  occiput  after  the  breeding  season.  Iris  pearly 
white,  at  tunes  or  in  youug,  brown  or  dusky.  Bill  and  feet  ordinarily  yellow;  much  reddened 
in  tiie  breeding  season,  when  the  general  tone  of  the  bill  is  reddish  salmon  color,  the  under 
mandible  brighter  than  the  upper,  wiiich  has  the  ridge  whitish  ;  pouch  passing  from  livid 
whitish  anteriorly  through  yellow  and  orange  to  red  at  base  ;  bare  skin  about  eye  orange  ;  eye- 
lids red  ;  feet  intense  orange-red.  Length  5  feet ;  extent  S-9  feet ;  wing  2  feet  or  more ;  bill 
a  foot  or  more ;  fore-arm  about  15  inches  :  tail  6.00,  2-1-featliered  ;  tibia  bare  1.00 ;  tarsus  4.50  ; 
middle  toe  about  5.00.  This  magnificent  bird  ranges  i>ver  temperate  N.  Am.  at  large,  but 
irregularly;  rare,  casual,  or  wanting  in  Middle  and  Eastern  States  and  beyond;  S.Atlantic 
and  Gulf  States,  common  ;  and  generally  in  the  West  abundant  in  suitable  places,  inland  as 
well  as  coastwise,  up  to  61°  N.  at  least.  Breeds  in  colonies,  sometimes  of  vast  extent ;  nest 
tnerely  a  heap  of  earth  ;  egg  single. 
P.  fus'cus.     (Lat.  fuscm,  brown.)    Ameiiican  Bkown  Pelican.    Adult  ^i  Bill  mottled 


PHALACKOCOEACIDJE :   COHMOliANTS. 


723 


with  light  and  dark  colors,  much  tinged  in  places  with  canninc  ;  eyes  white ;  bare  space  around 
them  blue ;  eyelids  red ;  pouch  blackish ;  feet  black.  Plumage  dark  and  much  variegated. 
Head  mostly  white,  tinged  with  yellow  on  top,  the  white  extending  down  the  neck  as  a  border- 
ing (if  the  pouch  and  somewhat  beyond  ;  rest  of  neck  dark  chestnut.  Upper  parts  dusky,  each 
feather  pale  or  whitish-centred,  the  paler  gray  color  prevailing  on  the  wing-coverts.  Prima- 
ries blackish,  their  shafts  basally  white ;  secondaries  dark,  pale-edged  ;  tail-feathers  gray. 
Lower  parts  grayish-brown,  striped  with  white  on  the  sides ;  the  lower  fore-neck  varied  with 
ytiiow,  chestnut,  and  blackish.  9  said  to  lack  the  chestnut  coloring  of  the  neck  (?)  Length 
about  4.50  feet ;  extent  6.50  feet;  wing  2  feet;  bill  a  foot  or  more,  the  gular  pouch  extending 
about  the  same  distance  along  the  neck.  Tail  7.00,  22-feathered ;  tarsus  2.50;  middle  toe  and 
claw  4.30.  The  bill  and  soft  parts  very  variable  in  color  with  age  or  other  circumstance.  Young 
lack  the  special  coloration  of  the  neck,  which  is  simply  dark  brown.  At  first,  covered  with 
whitish  down.  The  feathers  of  the  neck  of  the  adult  are  peculiarly  soft  and  dtiwny  ;  there  i^ 
a  slight  nuchal  crest,  with  stiff  bristly  feathers  on  the  forehead,  and  lengthened  acute  feathers 
on  the  lower  foreneck  and  breast.  The  brown  pelican  is  exclusively  maritime,  iidiabiting  both 
coasts  of  America  from  tropical  regions  to  Carolina  and  California.  It  plunges  for  its  prey  like 
a  gannet,  not  S(H)oping  it  up  swimming  like  the  white  pelican.  Breeds  in  colonies,  indiffer- 
ently on  the  ground  or  ou  bushes  and  low  trees.  Eggs  2-3,  white,  chalky,  elliptical,  15.00  X 
2.00. 

66.    Family  PHALACROCORACID-ffi :    Cormorants. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  stout 
or  slender,  more  or  less  nearly  terete, 
always  strongly  hooked  at  the  end ; 
tomia  generally  found  irregularly 
jagged,  but  not  truly  serrate  ;  a  long, 
narrow,  nasal  groove,  but  nostrils 
obliteiated  in  the  adult  state;  gape 
reaching  below  the  eyes,  wliich  are  set  in  naked  skin. 
Gular  pouch  small,  but  forming  an  evident  naked  space 
under  the  bill  and  on  the  throat,  variously  encroached 
upon  by  the  feathers.  Wings  short  for  the  order,  stiff 
and  strong,  the  2d  primary  usually  longer  than  the  'M, 
both  these  exceeding  tjie  1st.  Tail  ratlier  long,  large, 
more  or  less  fan-shaped,  of  12-14  very  stiff,  strong 
feathers,  denuded  to  the  base  by  extreme  shortness  of 
the  coverts;  thus  almost  "scansorial"  iu  structure, 
recalling  that  of  a  woodpecker  or  creeper,  and  used  in  a 
similar  way,  as  a  support  in  standing,  or  an  aid  in 
scrambling  over  rocks  and  bushes.  Tiie  body  is  com- 
])act  and  heavy,  with  a  hnig  sinuous  neck ;  the  general 
c(mfiguration,  and  especially  the  far  backward  set  of  tlic 
legs,  is  much  like  that  of  pygopodous  birds.  While  other  Sleymoimdes  can  stand  with  the 
body  more  or  less  nearly  approaching  a  horizontal  position,  the  connorants  are  forced  into  a 
nearly  upright  posture,  when  the  tail  affords  with  the  feet  a  tripod  of  support.  They  also,  like 
the  birds  just  mentioned,  dive  and  swim  under  water  in  pursuit  of  their  prey,  using  their  wings 
for  submarine  jirogression,  which  is  not  the  case  with  the  other  families,  excepting  l'h,ti(l<e. 
In  both  these  families  the  body  is  noi  \n  the  least  pneumatic  under  the  skin  —finite  the  reverse 
of  Pelicans  and  Gannets. 

Among  osteological  characters,  aside  from  the  general  figure  of  the  skeleton,  a  long  bony 


Fio.  502.  —  Kiiee-juiiit  of  Plmlacrocornx 
bicrUtatua,  nat.  size,  from  nature  by  Dr.  K. 
W.  Shufeiat.  F,  femur ;  P,  patella ;  T,  tibia ; 
Fb,  fibula. 


1  I 


724 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  —  STEGANOPODES. 


style  in  the  nape,  in  the  position  of  the  ligamentum  nuchm  of  many  animals,  and  articulated  with 
the  occij)ut,  is  the  most  remarkable  (fig.  505).  It  occurs  in  the  Anhiuga  also,  but  is  there  much 
smaller.  The  desmognathous  structuve  is  seen  in  its  highest  dovelopnient ;  the  palatincjs  being 
not  only  soldered,  but  sending  down  a  keel  along  their  lino  of  union;  the  iuterorbital  septum  is 


»f*i;''l*ili" 


m 


if 


.Jii^'S.--;-  , 
;,.:;,i|i.M;.i>i;,- 


very  defective,  with  hori- 
zontal inferior  border  (a 
general  character  of  the 
order  except  in  the  Peli- 
cans). The  sternum  and 
shoulder  -  girdle,  and  the 
knee,  are  shown  in  figs.  501, 
502.  In  the  knee-joint, 
there  is  a  bulky  free  j)atella, 
coexi.stcnt  with  a  short  cne- 
niial  apophysis  or  rotular 
process  of  the  tibia,  but  per- 
fectly distinct  therefrom,  as 
in  Podicips.  The  muscles 
of  the  Icg.s  are  as  in  Siiliihc. 
Tlie  ]iteryl<isis  agrees  essen- 
tially with  the  ordinal  ptery- 
lograi>hic  characters,  but  the 
plumage  is  peculiar  in  cer- 
tain details.  Excepting  a 
few  s))eckled  species,  and 
some  others  that  arc  largely  white  below, 
the  jilumage  is  glossy  or  lustrous  black,  often 
higlily  iridescent  with  green,  pur)ile,  and  violet 
tints,  commonly  unifonn  on  the  head,  neck,  and 
under  parts,  but  on  the  back  and  wing-coverts, 
where  the  feathers  are  sharji-edged  and  distinct, 
the  shade  is  more  apt  to  be  coppery  or  bronzy,  each  feather  with  well-defined  darker  border. 
This  concerns,  however,  only  the  adult  plumage,  which  is  the  same  in  both  sexes;  the  y<Hing 
are  plain  brownish  or  blackish.  The  Cormorants  have  other  special  featbei'ings,  generally  of 
a  temporary  character,  assumed  at  the  breeding  season  and  lost  soon  after ;  these  are  curious 


Fio.  503.  — The  nest  of  the  rnrniorant  (P.  bicris- 
ta.tiis).    (Designed  by  H.  W.  Elliot.) 


PHALA CROCOBA  CIDJE :    CORMORANTS. 


725 


Itmg  filamentous  fciithers  (considcrnl  by  Nitzsch  filopluinaccous),  on  tho  hoatl  and  neck,  and 
eveu,  in  some  cases,  on  the  upper  and  under  parts  too.     Tiieso  feathers  are  commonly  white,  a« 


is  also  a  large  silky  flank-patch  acquired  by  several 
species.  Many  Connorauts  are  also  crested  witli 
ordinary  long  slender  featliers;  the  crest  is  often 
double,  and  wlieu  so,  the  two  crests  may  bo  either 
one  on  each  side  of  the  liead,  or  tliey  may  follow 
each  other  on  the  middle  line  of  the  hind  head 
and  nape.  Our  species  illustrate  all  these  various 
featlieriugs.  The  naked  parts  about  the  liead 
vary  with  the  species  and  afford  good  characters, 

3t.O. 


Fio  SOB  -Skull  of  Phalacrocorax  bicrhfatm,  showing  sfo.  occipital  style  or  nuclml  bone;  nat.  Bize.    (From 
nature  by  DrB.W  ShufeWt.    The  style  is  somewhat  tilted  upward  from  its  natural  position.) 


726 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  STEGANOPODES 


especially  considering  tlie  sliapo  of  the  pouch ;  the  skin  is  usuully  brightly  colored,  and  sonio- 
times  carunculate.  The  eyes,  as  a  rule,  are  green  —  a  color  not  common  among  birds.  Thesf 
birds  are  higiily  psiloptedie  as  well  as  altricial ;  the  young  are  for  some  time  blind,  naked,  and 
perfectly  helpless. 

Twenty-live  species  of  Cormorants  may  bo  considered  established.  Their  study  is  difficult, 
owing  to  the  great  changes  in  plunmge,  the  high  normal  variability  in  size,  and  their  dose 
inter-relation,  which  is  such  that  the  single  genus  Graculus  docs  not  apjiear  cnjwblo  of  well- 
founded  division.  Species  are  found  all  over  the  world,  excepting  the  uttermost  jiolar  regions, 
and  are  usually  very  abundant  in  individimls ;  they  are  all  very  much  alike  in  their  habits. 
Many  are  maritime,  but  others  range  over  fresh  waters  as  well.  They  are  eminently  grega- 
rious, especially  in  the  breeding  season,  when  they  congregate  by  thousands — the  boreal 
kinds  generally  on  rock-begirt  coasts  and  islands,  those  of  M-ann  countries  in  the  dense  fringes 
of  shrubbery.  They  often  migrate  in  large  serried  ranks.  The  nest  is  rude  and  bulky ;  the 
eggs  are  commonly  two  or  three,  of  elli]>tical  form  and  pale  greenish  color,  overlaid  with  a 
white  chalky  substance.  The  Cormorants  feed  principally  upon  fish,  and  their  voracity  is 
proverbial,  though  probably  no  greater  than  that  of  allied  birds.  Und<'r  some  circumstances 
they  show  an  intelligent  docility;  witness  their  semi-domestication  by  the  Chinese,  who  train 
them  to  fish  for  their  masters,  a  close  collar  being  slijiped  around  the  neck  to  prevent  them 
from  swallowing  the  booty. 
303,  PHALiACBO'CORAX.  (Gr.  </)aXa»rpoitdpof,  jihahh'olcorax ;  Lat.  phnldcnicora.r,  a  cormo- 
rant, sea-crow,  corvus  marinufi :  (^uXaxpot,  phalalros,  biild,  and  Kopaf,  kora.r,  a  raven.) 
C0RMORANT.S.  Character  as  above  said.  There  appears  to  be  but  one  genus  in  the  family, 
but  several  groups  of  species  may  be  cited  subgenerically.  There  are  three  such  groups  among 
our  species,  res))ectively  exemplified  by  P.  carbo,  P.  dilojjhus,  and  P.  violaceus. 

Analysis  of  Species, 
Tail  of  14  feathers. 

(iiilar  R«o  lienrt-slmped  bcliind,  borJereil  with  white carbn    "SO 

Tail  of  12  feathers. 

Gulnr  sac  convex  or  nearly  stratght-edgeil  behind. 
No  white  border  behind  gular  sac. 

Lateral  crests  of  curly  feathers  on  sides  of  head. 

Largest :  length  about  36.00.    Developing  wliitc  fllaments  on  head  In  bree<ling  season. 

N.  W.  Coast ciiiciiinatus    752 

Me<lium :  length  30  00-33.00.    Scarcely  or  not  developing  wliitc  filaments  on  head  in  breed- 
ing season.    At  largo ililojihus    751 

Small :  length  30.00  or  less.    Probably  not  developing  white  filaments.    S.  E.  Coast 

Jhiriilanun    753 
Small:  size  of  the  last.    Developing  white  filaments.    S.  W.  Coast.    .    .    .   allmpiliatiis    7.53a 
A  border  of  white  feathers  behind  the  sac. 

Very  small;  length  about  24.00 mv.tinimis    754 

Qular  sac  heart-sliaiwd  l>ehind.    (No  lateral  crests. ) 

Sac  dark-blue,  bordered  by  a  fawn-colored  gorget     Feathers  of  back  distinct,  dark-edged 

P'liirillntua    7i)5 
Sac  not  bordered  with  a  colored  gorget.    No  distinct  colored  edges  of  feathers  of  back. 

Shafts  of  tail-feathers  said  to  be  white Jierfpirillatuj    756 

Shafts  of  tail-feathers  not  white. 

Frontal  feathers  not  reaching  bill,  which  is  entirely  surrounded  with  red  skin  ;  l)ii8e  of 

bill  blue bicristalua    767 

Frontal  feathers  reaching  bill. 

Larger:  wing  10.00  or  more violaceus    758 

Smaller:  wing  under  10.00 bairdi    769 

780t  P.  car'bo.  (Lat.  carbo,  carbon :  from  the  black  color.)  Common  Cormorant.  Skao. 
Adult  ^  9  :  Tail  of  14  feathers  (here  only  among  our  species).  Gular  sac  heart-shaped 
behind.  Bill  blackish,  whitish  along  edges  and  at  base  below.  Iris  green.  Skin  about  eyes 
livid  greenish,  orange  under  the  eye ;  sac  yellow,  bordered  behind  by  a  gorget  of  white 
feathers.     General  plumage  glossy  greenish-black  ;  feathers  of  back  and  wing-coverts  distinct, 


PHA  LA  CROCniiA  CIDJE :   CORMORA  NTS. 


727 


10- 

iid 


751. 


753. 


753. 


bronzy-gray,  blank-p.lgeil ;  quills  ami  tail  jjrayiah-bluck ;  ffct  black.  In  summer,  wln'ii 
breeding,  a  wiiite  Hiiuk-pateii,  miiiii'rotis  long  tiiready  white  iduines  scattereti  on  head  and 
neck,  and  a  small  black  oeciiiital  and  nuchal  crest.  Length  30.00;  e.\tent  (iO.OO;  wing 
12.00-14.00;  tail  fi.00-7.00  ;  tarsus  over  2.00  ;  hill  3.10  along  ridge,  4.00  along  the  gape.  In 
winter  no  crests  or  white  feathers  on  neck  or  Hanks,  Young;  liill  grayish-brown,  black  on 
top  and  at  tip  :  bare  skin  and  sac  yellow.  Top  of  head  ami  liind  neck  hrowuish-hlack  ;  back 
and  wing-coverts  brownish-gray,  the  feathers  with  dark  margins,  some  of  them  also  edyed 
filially  with  whitish.  Throat  brownish-white,  and  unihT  parts  generally  whitish,  Idacki.-li 
along  th(!  sides,  dusky  under  the  wings  and  across  lower  belly.  The  naked  young  in  the  ui'st 
arc  unpleasant  livid  purplisli  objects,  witli  protuberant  bellies,  and  large  feet ;  the  tirst  ilown  is 
blackish.  Eggs  3,  sometimes  4,  bluish-green  coated  with  white  chalky  substance,  ;J.(')0  X  1.75 ; 
nests  of  sticks,  moss,  and  seaweeds,  very  tilthy  and  offensive.  Atlantic  Coast  of  Kiirope  and 
North  America  ;  breeds  in  great  numbers  on  the  rocky  shores  of  Labrador  and  Newfoundland  ; 
S.  to  the  Middle  States  in  winter. 

P.  dilo'phus.  (Gr.  8/j,  dis,  twice  ;  \6(f)ot,  lophos,  crest.  Fig.  50fi.)  Doijdi-e-cukstf.k 
Cormorant.     Tail  of  12  feathers.     Gular  sac  convex  behind.     No  coloreil  gorget.     Glossy 


Fio.  606.  —  Double-crested  Cormorant,  nat.  Bize.  (Ad  nst.  del.  E.  C.) 
greenish-black ;  feathers  of  the  back  and  wings  coppery-gray,  black-shafted,  black-edged. 
Adult  with  curly  black  lateral  crests  in  the  breeding  season,  but  few  if  any  other  filamentous 
white  ones,  over  the  eyes  and  along  the  siiles  of  the  neck;  white  flank-patch  not  olxserved  in 
any  specimens  examined,  probably  not  occurring ;  iris  green ;  gular  sa(^  and  lores  orange. 
Winter  spec,  with  bill  bright  yellow,  blackening  along  culnieu,  gular  s.ic  red  anteriorly,  ochrey- 
yellow  posteriorly ;  legs  dull  black.  Length  30.00-33.00  inches;  extent  50.00;  wing  12.00- 
13.00;  tail  6.00-7.00;  bill  .ilong  gape  3.50;  tarsus  a  little  over  2.00.  Young:  Plain  dark 
brown,  paler  or  grayish  (even  white  on  the  breast)  below,  without  head-plumes.  \.  Am.,  at 
large,  the  commonest  species,  the  only  one  diffused  over  the  interior;  eggs  3-4,  2.50  X  1.55. 
P.  d.  cincinna'tus.  (Lat.  cincinnatm,  having  curly  hair.)  White-tufted  Cormorant. 
General  character  of  the  preceding,  of  which  it  apjiears  to  be  a  large  northern  variety.  While 
lateral  crests,  of  a  superciliary  bundle  of  long  curly  filamentous  feathers.  Larger :  size  of 
P.  carho.     Alaska. 

P.  d.  florida'nus.  Florida  Cormorant.  Similar  to,  smaller  than  P.  dilophits.  Length 
30.00  or  less;  extent  45.00;  wing  12.00  or  less;  tail  G. 00  or  less  ;  tarsus  a  little  under  2.00; 
but  bill  as  large  if  not  larger;  gape  nearly  4.00.  The  plumage  is  exactly  the  same.  There i 
are  said  to  be  certain  differences  in  the  life-ctdors  of  the  bills  (blue  instead  of  yellow  on  under 
mandible  and  edges  of  upper  —  Audubon),  but  none  show  in  my  specimens.  This  is  simply 
a  localized  southern  race  of  dilophus,  smaller  in  general  dimensions,  with  relatively  larger  bill, 


728 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  STEGANOI'ODES. 


as  usual  in  such  cases ;  tlio  w\c  sroms  to  bo  more  oxtcnsivoly  dcnu<l<'il.     Rpsidcnt  on  tlic 
Kloridan  and  Gulf  couHt,  liiccdinji;  by  tlKiiiMiuidM  on  the  inanyrovu  biiylics;  in  suniinor,  ranging 
np  the  Missianippi  valjpy  to  Oliio,  ami  along  the  coast  to  North  Carolina. 
753a.    P.  d.  albocilla'tus.     (Kidgw.  MS.)    .Small :  liUe  Jloridanus,  but  with  white  nuptial  crests  us 
in  chwhtHatus.     I'aciiic  coast,  breed  from  tlie  Farallono  Islands  to  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

754  P.  mexlca'nus.  Mexican  Coumokaxt.  Uesembling  the  last;  lustre  more  intense,  ratlicr 
violet-purplish  than  green  ;  long  filamentous  wiiitc  feathers  on  head  and  neck  (but  no  definite 
black  lateral  crests  ?)  ;  sac  orange,  white-edged  witii  feathers.  Small :  leugtii  about  2i.()() ; 
extent  40.00;  wing  about  10.00:  tail  O.OO-O.aO,  thus  relatively  long;  tarsus  under  2.00; 
gape  of  bill  under  3.00.  The  .sac  is  not  strongly  ctmvex  in  outline  beliind,  the  feathers 
))assing  across  in  a  straight  or  even  convex  line.  Central  America  and  West  Indies;  Texas; 
U|i  the  .Mississippi  to  Illinois  and  Kansas. 

755.  P.  peniclUa'tus.  (Lat.  2ienicillatus,  pencilled,  brushy.)  Ti.kteu  Cok.mouant.  Urandt's 
CoKMouANT.  Deep  lustrous  green,  changing  to  vi(det  or  steel-blue  on  the  neck;  the  I>aek 
jiroiier  like  the  under  parts,  but  the  scajiulars  and  wing-coverts  showing  narrow  dark  edgings 
of  the  individual  feathers  (much  less  cons|)icuous  than  in  any  of  the  foregoing  s]tecies;  notiiing 
of  the  sort  is  seen  in  any  of  the  following  ones).  Sac  dark  blue,  surrounded  by  a  gorget  of 
fawn-col(!red  or  mouse-brown  phunage ;  iienrt-shajied  behind,  owing  to  a  narrow  jjointed  forward 
extension  of  the  feathers  on  the  middle  Hue,  as  iii  /'.  carlo,  but  largely  naked,  the  feathers  ex- 
tending on  it  little  if  any  in  advance  of  those  on  the  lower  mandible.  White  filamentous  ])luiues, 
2  inches  or  more  long,  straight  and  stiffish,  spring  in  a  series  down  each  side  of  the  neck  ; 
a  few  others  are  irregularly  scattered  over  the  back  of  the  neck  ;  many  others,  still  longer, 
grow  on  the  upper  part  of  the  back.  No  black  crests,  nor  white  flank-jiatch,  ob.served. 
Wing  nearly  12.00  ;  tail  scarcely  or  not  0.00,  thus  relatively  very  short ;  bill  along  culmeu 
2.75;  tarsus  2.50.  Does  not  particularly  resemble  any  other  si)ecies  here  described.  Yoimg: 
Blackish-brown,  rustier  below,  the  belly  grayish  ;  scapulars  and  M'ing-coverts  with  edges 
of  the  feathers  paler  than  the  centres;  gorget  fawh-colored,  as  in  the  adult  {P.  totctisendii ! 
Aud.).     Pacific  Coast,  T'.  .S.,  connnon. 

750.  P.  perspicilla'tiis.  (Lat.  j^fxpicillatiis,  conspicuous,  spectacular.)  I'ai  las'  Cokmouant. 
Deep  lustrous  green,  above  and  below,  with  blue  gloss  on  the  neck,  aud  lich  purplLsh  on  the 
sc!ii)ulars  and  wing-coverts,  the  dorsal  feathers  not  shar])-edged  nor  bordered,  as  in  all  the 
foregoing.  Shafts  of  tail-feathers  (said  to  be)  white;  if  this  holds,  it  is  a  uni<|ue  character 
among  our  species.  Adult  with  coronal  and  oceiiutal  crests  (not  lateral  paired  crests)  ;  a 
white  fiauk-patch  in  the  breediug  season  ;  face  and  neck  with  long  sparse  straw-yellow 
plumes;  sac  orange,  heart-shaped  ;  bill  blackish.  Large:  length  150.00;  wing  13.00;  tail  7.00? 
9.00  f  tarsus  3.00;  bill  (along  gape  f )  l.OO,  very  stout,  two-thirds  of  an  inch  deep  at  base. 
N.  Pacific  Coast.  I  have  not  seen  this  species,  which  seems  to  be  well  marked.  Tjiere  arc 
no  known  specimens  in  this  country,  and  none  of  the  ornithcdogists  who  have  lately  visited 
Alaskan  shores  have  found  the  bird. 

757.  P.  blcrista'tus.  (Lat.  hicristnius,  twice-crested.  Figs.  502,  503,  504,  505.)  Red-faced 
CoHMORAXT.  Frontal  feathers  not  reaching  base  of  the  culmen,  the  bill  being  entirely  sur- 
rounded by  naked  red  skin  which  also  encircles  tlie  eyes,  somewhat  carunculate,  forming  a  kind 
of  wattle  on  each  side  of  the  chin  ;  ba.se  of  under  mandible  hJite  ;  feet  black,  blotched  with 
yeUow.  Crown  with  a  median  bronzy  black  crest,  and  nape  with  a:iother,  in  the  same  line. 
In  the  specimens  examined,  a  large  white  flank-patch,  but  few  if  any  white  plumes  on  neck. 
Plumage  richly  iridescent,  mostly  green,  but  violet  aud  steel-blue  on  the  neck,  purplish,  violet, 
and  bronzy  on  the  back  and  wings,  the  feathers  there  without  definite  dark  edging.s.  Length 
33.00;  extent  48.00;  wing  12.00;  tarsus  2.97  ;  gajie  of  bill  3.00.  Alaska,  both  on  the  coast 
and  islands ;  swarming  on  the  Seal  Islands  of  Behring's  Sea,  where  resident.  Nests  on  the 
rocky  cliffs;  habits  in  all  respects  those  of  other  species.     Eggs  as  usual  3-4,  2.50  X  1.50. 


T.'iH. 


7.'»0. 


rHALA CHOCORA CIDJE :   Cnii.:r()I{ANTS. 


720 


^:,H.  P.  viola'ceus.  (Lat.  riolairiis,  vicilct.)  VioLKT-dUKKN  ('(iumdkaxt.  FmiitMl  IV.ithcrs 
iciicliiiif,'  culiiH'ii ;  Kiiliir  sue  iiinpiispiciiouH,  very  cxtcnsivi'ly  fi'iitlinvd,  the  fciitlicr..*  rnicliiiiK  on 
flic  NJdcs  of  the  under  inauilildc  tn  Ixdinv  the  eyes,  and  niiiiiiiii,'  in  a  iHiiiil  on  tlif  siic  far  in 
advance  of  tlii.x.  Small:  IciikiIi  -il.dO-JS  (H);  cxti'iit  alxnit  4l).iM(;  winn  Kl.dd-il  .(Ml;  tail 
('..()()  or  less;  tarsus  2.(10  or  less;  Mil  alont;  niij'i'  H.OO  or  lc»«,  very  Hlrndcr,  and  .■^inootli  on 
tliu  sides,  its  depth  at  base  about  ().;i;i.  Deep  lustrous  j{reen,  iniludiiiir  tlie  back,  the  I'eaihcrs 
of  whicli  are  not  margined;  tlie  scapulars,  vviny-coverts,  and  sides  of  the  body  irnh'scent  wiiii 
pur]disli  or  coppery,  the  neck  with  ricli  vioh't  and  blue;  gular  sac  orange;  feet  black.  Two 
median  lent;thwise  crests  as  in  the  last  two  species.  Among  the  xpeci-eens  before  me.  one 
has  no  white  flank-patch,  but  a  few  white  scattered  plumes  on  the  neck;  antither,  marked  9, 
has  n(Uie  of  these,  but  a  large  snowy  tuft  on  the  thinks.  I'acitic  Coast  of  \.  Am.,  verv  abun- 
dant ill  suitable  places  ahuig  thi'  Alaskan  coast ;  breeiling  on  <'litl's.     (!'.  i (■sy/ZoK/c/is,  ,\ni|.) 

730.  P.  V.  Imlr'rtl.  (To  S.  F.  Haird.)  IJaiiid'.s  Coumouant.  Like  the  h,st;  very  small,  tiie 
wing  being  under  10.00.  tlu;  tarsus  1.07,  the  gape  iXiJ  ;  the  bill  extremely  slender.  II;  s 
both  the  Hank-tufts  and  the  neck-plumes;  the  .sac  in  life  said  to  be  dusky  stndd<  d  with  red. 
Possibly  represents  a  small  southern  race,  bearing  somewhat  tiie  relatinu  to  rinlnirii^i  tliat 
Jloridaniis  does  to  (lifapliits.     Farallone  Islands,  Cala. 


56.    Family  PLOTIDiE :    Darters. 

Hill  about  twice  as  liuig  as  the  head,  straiglit,  sleiuh'r,  very  acute,  parngnathous,  the 
tomia  with  fine  serratures.  Gular  sa<'  moderate,  naked.  Nostrils  minute,  entirely  ipbliterated 
in  the  adult.  Wings  moderate,  the  'M  iinill  longest.  'I'ail  rather  long,  still',  broad  ami  fan- 
shaped,  of  12  feathers  widening  towards  the  end,  the  outer  web  of  the  middle  i)air  curiously 
crimped  (in  our  sjiecies). 

There  is  an  occipital  style,  as  in  cormorants,  but  it  is  very  small.  There  are  remarkable 
peculiarities  of  the  cervical  vertel)ra',  in  tlu'ir  conforinati(ni  and  articulation,  the  jiassage  of 
tendons  through  bony  eyelets,  etc., —  a  nu'chanism  |)roduciug  the  strong  kink  observable 
near  the  middle  of  the  neck,  and  the  ability  of  tiu'  bird  to  thrust  forward  and  retract  the  head. 
'I'hero  are  20  cervical  vertebne  in  /'.  mihhifia.  The  digestive  system  shows  a  remarkable 
feature;  instead  of  the  lower  jjart  of  the  (esophagus  being  occupied  by  the  proventricular 
ilhinds,  these  are  placed  in  a  small  distinct  sac  (u>  the  right  side  of  the  giz/ard,  which,  as 
in  other  Stcf/fniopodes,  dev(dops  a  special  pyloric  cavity,  the  orifice  of  which  "  is  ju'otectei! 
by  a  nuit  of  lengthy  hair-like  processes,  much  like  cocoa-nut  fibre,  whi(^h  nearly  half  fills 
the  sectuid  stcunach."  There  is  a  single  small  cu'cuni,  as  in  herons.  The  tongue  is  very 
rudimentary.     The  carotid  is  single  in  1'.  auhbigu.     Sternum  as  in  ("onnorants. 

The  darters  are  birds  of  singular  ai)pearance.  somewhat  like  a  cornuirant,  but  much  more 
slightly  built,  and  with  e.weedingly  long  slender  neck  and  small  constricted  head  that  seems 
to  taper  directly  into  the  bill,  the  head,  neck,  and  bill  resembling  those  of  a  heron.  As  in  the 
Connorants,  there  are  long  slender  feathers  on  the  neck  ;  the  sexes  are  ctiuuuoiily  distinguish- 
able, but  the  9  is  said  sometimes  to  resemble  the  $.  Other  changes  of  plumage  appear 
to  be  coiisiderable,  but  not  well  made  out.  The  feet  are  short,  and  placed  rather  far  I>ack, 
but  the  birds  perch  with  ease.  I'nlike  most  of  the  order,  they  are  not  maritime,  sliunning 
the  seacoast,  dwelling  in  the  most  impenetrable  swamps  of  warm  countries.  They  fly  swiftly, 
and  dive  with  amazing  ease  and  celerity.  They  are  timid  and  vigilant  birds  ;  when  alarmed 
they  drop  from  their  perch  into  the  water  below,  noiselessly  and  with  scarcely  a  riitjile  of 
the  surface,  .ind  swim  beneath  tlu'  surface  to  a  safe  distance  before  reappearing.  When 
surprised  on  the  water,  they  liave  the  ciiriiais  habit  of  sinking  quietly  backward,  like  grebes; 
iind  they  often  swim  with  the  body  submerged,  only  the  head  and  neck  in  sight,  lo(diing  like 
some  strange  kind  of  water  serpent.     They  feed  on  fish,  which  they  ilo  not  dive  down  upon. 


730 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  STEGANOPOBES. 


but  dive  for  and  pursue  under  water  like  comiorants  and  loons.  The  eggs  are  three  or  four, 
pale  bluish,  with  white  chalky  incrustation.  There  are  only  three  or  four  species :  the 
African  P.  kvaillanii ;  the  P.  melatiogaster  of  Southern  Asia,  with  the  Australian  P.  tioim- 
hollandia;,  if  distinct  from  the  last;  with  the  following: 
304.  PLO'TUS.  (Gr.  ffXiUToi,  jjlotos,  swimming  well.)  Darters.  Character  as  above. 
760.  P.  anliin'ga.  (Portuguese  anhitia,  Lat.  auguina,  snaky.)  Darter.  Anhixoa.  Sxakk- 
BIRU.  Water-tl'RKEV.  <J  :  Glossy  greenish -black "  a  broad  silver  gray  wing-baud  foruicil 
by  most  of  the  coverts  ;  lower  neck  behind  spotted,  and  scapulars  and  tortiaries  striped 
with  silvery-gray ;  tail  pale-tipi)ed ;  lilamentous  feathers  of  neck  purplish-ash.  9  :  with 
parts  of  the  head,  neck,  and  back  brown,  the  juguliun  and  breast  fawn-color  sharply 
margined  with  rich  brown.  Bill  yellow,  dusky-greenish  on  the  ridge  and  tip ;  sac  oraug<' ; 
eye-space  livid ;  eye  carmine  ;  feet  <lusky  and  yellow.  Length  about  30.00  ;  extent  nearly 
4.00  feet ;  wing  13.00-14.00  ;  tail  10.00-11.00 ;  bill  3.25  along  culmen ;  tarsus  1.33.  S.  Atlantic 
and  Gulf  States,  common;  in  sumuier  to  \orth  Candina,  and  up  tlie  Mississippi  to  Illhiois  and 
Kansas  ;  New  Mexico.  Nest  bulky,  placed  on  trees  and  bushes  over  the  water,  of  sticks, 
leaves,  lOots,  moss,  etc. ;  eggs  3-4,  like  (-ormorant  eggs  in  color  and  texture,  but  narrow  and 
elongate,  2.60  X  1-25,  Young  with  butf-colored  or  white  woolly  down.  Fed  in  the  nest 
by  regurgitation,  like  cormorants. 

67.    Family  TACHYPETID^ :    Frigates, 

Bill  longer  than  the  head, 
epignathous,  stout,  straight, 
wider  than  high  at  the  base, 
thence  gradually  compressed 
to  the  strongly  hooked  extrem- 
ity, where  the  under  as  well  as 
upper  mandible  is  decurved. 
Nostrils  very  small,  linear, 
almost  entirely  closed,  in  a 
long  narrow  groove.  Gular 
.sac  small,  but  capable  of  con- 
siderable distension.  Wings 
exceedingly  long  and  pointed, 
of  about  34  remiges,  of  which 
the  10  pi'imaries  arc  very  pow- 
erful, with  stout  <iuadningular 
shafts;  upper  and  middle  jior- 
tion  of  the  wings  greatly 
lengthened.  Tail  very  long, 
deeply  forked,  of  12  strong 
feathers.  Feet  exceedingly 
small,  the  tarsus,  in  particu- 
lar, extraordinarily  short,  featli- 
ered ;  webbing  restricted,  tiiat 
between  inner  and  next  toe 
very  slight;  middle  claw  pec- 
tinate. Bulk  of  body  slight 
compared  with  the  great  length 
of  the  wings  and  tail.  Here 
only  iu  this  order  is  found  the 


305. 


161, 


FlO.  607,  —  Frigate,  with  Tropic  Bird  in  the  distance.    (From  Miclielet.) 


PHALA  CROCOliA  CIDJE :   CORMORANTS. 


731 


)nr, 
tlio 
rn- 


ire; 
i.-ly 
itic 


OS  iincinatum,  a  ppculiar  skull-hone  occurring  in  nearly  all  the  petrels,  the  turucoua  (Musopha- 
gulai),  and  many  cuckoos;  and  iiere  only  the  stomach  (leveh)p»  no  pyloric  cavity.  CVeca  'i, 
but  very  small.  Sternum  very  broad  for  its  lengtii,  die  furculuni  firmly  anchylosed,  the  jioste- 
ri()r  border  entire.  The  femoro-eaudul  and  ambieus  are  present ;  the  accessory  t'cmoro-caudal, 
scmitendinosus,  and  its  accessory  are  absent. 

The  frigates  are  maritime  and  pelagic  birds  of  most  warm  parts  of  tlie  globe.  Their 
general  contour  is  unique  among  water-birds,  in  the  immense  lengtii  and  sweep  of  the  wings, 
length  of  the  forked  tail  and  extreme  smallness  of  the  feet.  In  (■oniniand  of  wing  they  are 
imsurpassed,  and  but  few  birds  apj)roach  them  in  this  respect.  They  are  more  nearly 
independent  of  land  than  any  other  birds  excepting  albatrosses  and  petrels,  being  often  seen 
hundreds  of  miles  at  sea,  and  delight  to  soar  at  an  astonishing  elevation.  They  cannot 
dive,  and  scarcely  swim  or  wallv  ;  food  is  procured  by  dashing  down  on  \viiig  with  unerring 
aim,  and  by  harassing  gulls,  terns,  and  other  less  active  or  weaker  birds  until  they  are  forced 
to  disgorge  or  drop  their  prey.  Their  habit  is  gregarious,  especially  during  the  breeding 
season,  when  thousands  congregate  to  ncfst  in  low 
thick  bushes  by  the  water's  edge.  Tlie  nest  is  a 
shallow  Hat  structure  of  sticks;  the  eggs,  two  or 
three  in  number,  arc  greenish-white  with  a  thick 
smooth  shell.  "  The  young  are  covered  with  yel- 
lowish-white down,  and  look  at  first  as  if  they  iiad 
no  feet.  'J'hey  art;  fed  by  regurgitation,  but  grow 
tardily,  and  do  not  leave  the  nest  until  they  are  able 
to  follow  their  parents  on  wing."  The  following  is 
the  principal  if  not  the  only  species. 
305.  TACHY'PETES.  (Gr.  Taxvirirr,,,  t(ichilj)eteit,  fly- 
ing rapidly.)  FRKfATES.  Character  as  above. 
761.    T.  a'quilus.     (Lat.  nquilus,  dark,  swarthy.     Figs. 

507,  508.)     Frioate.     Man-of-war  Bird.      ^  FiG.508.-Gu)ariM)uduif  Frigate, 

brownish-black,  glossed  with  green  or  purplish,  duller  on  the  belly,  wings  showint;  ln'own 
and  gray;  9  '^^'ith  white  on  neck  and  breast.  Length  about  .'5.50  feet:  extent  7.00-8.01); 
wing  2.00;  tail  1.50;  bill  5  or  (i  inches;  tarsi  1  inch  or  less!  S.  Atlantic  and  Gulf  Coa.st. 
Eggs  2-3,  2.'J0  X  2.00. 

68.    Family  PHAETHONTID^  :    Tropic  Birds. 

Bill  about  as  long  ah  the  head,  stout,  straight,  compressed,  ta)ieriug,  acute,  paragn.ithous. 
Gular  sac  rudimentary,  almost  completely  feathered.  Xostrils  small,  linear,  but  remaining 
patulous.  Tail  with  the  two  middle  feathers  in  the  adult  filamentous  and  extraordinarily 
prolonged,  the  rest  short  and  broad.  Among  anatomical  characters  it  is  to  be  noted  that  the 
muscles  of  the  leg  arc  as  in  Larklce,  as  might  be  expected  from  the  outward  resemblance  of 
these  birds  to  terns;  they  having  the  accessory  semitendinosus,  lacking  in  <)ther  families  of 
the  order. 

The  tropic  bird  resembles  a  large  stout  tern  in  general  figure ;  the  bill,  especially,  being 
almost  exactly  like  that  of  a  tern.  The  principal  external  jieculiarity  is  the  developnient 
of  the  middle  tail-f<'atliers  ;  the  feathering  of  the  gular  sac  and  the  jjermanent  i)atulance  of 
the  nostrils  are  other  features.  They  are  graceful  birds  on  the  wing,  capable  of  jirotracted 
flight,  venturing  far  from  land.  They  arc  gregarious  at  all  times,  and  nest  in  commimities 
along  coasts  and  on  islands,  in  rocky  places  or  among  low  trees  and  bushes.  As  implied  in 
their  name,  they  are  birds  of  the  torrid  zone,  though  in  their  extensive  wanderings  they  visit 
Southern  seas,  and  have  even  been  reported  from  beyond  latitude  49°  X.  There  are  but  three 
well-determined  species :  P.  flavirostris,  P.  athereus,  and  P.  ruhricaudu. 


732 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONGIPENNES. 


806.    PHAETHON.    (Gr.  *ai^a)»',  P;jae7?j(m,sonof  thesun.)    Tropic  Birds.    Clianiptcr  .-is  above. 

762.  P.  tethe'reus.  (Lat.  (Cthereus,  pertaining  to  tho  upper  air.)  Red-billed  Tropic  Bird. 
liill  red ;  tarsi  and  part  of  toes  light  colored ;  rest  of  toes  black.  Plumage  pure  wliite,  on 
nearly  all  the  upper  parts  finely  barred  with  black  ;  black  markings  on  sides  under  wings  ;  a 
transocular  fascia,  outer  webs  and  part  of  inner  webs  of  most  of  the  primaries,  most  fif  several 
inner  secondaries,  and  most  of  the  shafts  of  the  tail-feathers,  black,  the  shafts  of  the  long  middle 
pair,  however,  white  in  most  of  their  extent.  Length  about  36.00  inches,  including  the  long 
tail-feathers;  without  these,  about  18.00;  wing  12.00  ;  long  middle  tail-feathers  up  to  18,00; 
tarsus  1.00  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.75 ;  bill  2.50  along  culmen,  nearly  1.00  deep  at  base.  Trop- 
ical and  subtropical  America,  accjidontal  in  N.  Am. :  sail  to  have  straggled  to  Newfoundland 
in  one  instance  {Frckc,  Pr.  Roy.  Soc.  Dublin,  187!)) 

763.  P.  flavlros'trls.  (Lat.  flavirostris,  yeih)w-billed.)  Yellow-billed  Tropic  Bird.  Bill 
and  tarsi  yellow  ;  toes  black.  Plumage  white,  ting(ul  with  salmon  or  rosy  on  the  under  parts 
and  hing  tail-feathers;  lacking  the  barring  with  black  of  the  last  species,  but  with  detinilo 
black  areas  —  a  transocular  fascia,  an  oblique  band  on  lesser  wing-coverts  and  thence  on  scap- 
ulars and  inner  secondaries,  shaft-stripes  on  outer  five  or  six  ])rimaries,  stripes  on  tho  flanks, 
and  most  of  the  shafts  of  the  tail-feathers,  including  the  middle  pair.  Smaller  than  the  last; 
develiipment  of  middle  tail-feathers  about  the  same;  wing  11.00;  bill  notably  smaller,  only 
about  2.00  along  culmen  and  0.75  deep  at  base.  Tiiis  is  the  species  figured  by  Audubon  (8vo, 
pi.  427)  under  the  wrong  name  of  P.  <cthereus,  which  belongs  to  the  foregoing.  Tropical  and 
subtropical  America,  rare  or  casual  in  the  U.  S.,  as  on  the  Gulf  coast.  Has  strayed  to  Western 
New  York  in  one  instance  {Cones,  Bull.  Nutt.  Club,  v,  1880,  p.  fi.S). 


ZII.    Order  LONGIPENNES :    Long- winged  Swimmers. 

Long-whiged  Natatores  icith  open  nostrils  and  small  free  or  no  hind  toe.  — Wings  long, 
pointed,  reaching  when  closed  beyond  the  base,  in  many  cases  beyond  the  end,  of  the  tail,  which 
is  usually  lengthened  and  of  less  than  20  rectrices  (oftenest  12).  Legs  more  or  less  perfectly 
beneath  centre  of  equilibrium  when  the  body  is  in  the  horizontal  j)ositi(in ;  the  crura  more  nearly 
free  from  tho  body  than  in  other  Xatutores,  if  not  completely  external.  Anterior  toes  j)almate  ; 
hallux  never  united  with  the  inner  toe,  highly  elevated,  directly  posterior,  very  small,  rudi- 
mentary, or  absent;  tibia;  naked  below.  Bill  of  variable  form,  but  never  extensively  membra- 
nous nor  lamellate,  the  covering  horny  throughout,  sometimes  discontinuous.  Nostrils  variable, 
but  never  abortive.     No  gular  pouch.     Altricial. 

This  order,  which  may  bo  recognized  among  web-footed  birds  by  the  foregoing  external 
characters,  is  less  substantially  put  together  than  either  of  tiie  two  preceding,  — not  that  its 
conqKinents  are  not  sufficiently  related  to  each  other,  but  because  the  essential  points  of  structure 
are  shared  to  a  considerable  extent  by  other  groups.  Thus  the  osteological  resemblances  nf 
longipenninc  birds  with  loons,  auks,  and  plover,  are  quite  dose,  while  tho  digestive  system 
agrees  in  general  characters  with  that  of  other  fish-eating  birds.  In  some  of  the  lower  mem- 
bers nf  the  order,  the  tibia  develops  an  apojdiysis,  as  in  the  loons;  while  even  in  external 
characters,  one  genus  at  least  (Halodroma)  resembles  the  AlcidcE.  It  is  not  certain  that  tlie 
order  must  not  be  broken  np,  or  rather  enlarged  and  differently  defined,  to  include  some  t)f  tlie 
genera  now  ranged  under  Pggojiodes. 

The  palate  has  the  schizoginithous  structure;  "the  maxillo-palatines  are  usinilly  lamellar 
and  concavo-convex,  but  in  the  Procellariidw  they  become  tumid  and  spongy"  {Hii.rh;/)  ; 
basypterygoid  processes  may  be  wanting,  but  they  are  certainly  present  in  many  cases.  'I'lie 
nasal  bones  are  schizorhinal  in  Laridte,  holorhinal  in  Procellariidfn.  There  is  ajiparently  one 
pair  of  syringeal  muscles  throughout  the  order.  The  oesophagus  is  capacious  and  distensible  ; 
there  is  no  special  crop  ;  the  proventiculus  is  a  bulging  of  the  gullet :  the  gizzard  is  small  and 


LARWJE:   GULLS,   TERNS,   ETC. 


733 


vo. 

HO. 

(Ill 
;  a 
'lal 

(iiig 
0: 


irts 


little  muscular;  tho  coeca  are  vuriablo;  the  cloaca  is  large.  Certain  genera  oflVr  peculiarities 
of  this  general  type  of  alimentary  canal.  A.ror.ling  to  Xitzsch,  tho  pt.-rylosis  ..f  the  g.iU.s 
"approaches  very  closely  that  of  the  Sculopucidcc,  and  can  hardly  be  distinguished  therefrom 
with  certaiuty  by  any  character."  In  the  terns,  "  in  conscpience  of  the  slender  and  .l.-aut 
form  of  the  body,  tho  tracts  are  very  narrow,  and  perfectly  scidopacine."  Tlie  jiigers  ifitter 
"in  having  tho  outer  branch  of  the  inferior  tract  united  with  the  main  stem  in  the  first  part  of 
its  course,  and  all  the  tracts  still  broader  and  stronger  tiian  in  "  tlie  gulls ;  while  in  the  petrels, 
"the  tract  formation  of  the  jiigers  is  eh'vated  into  the  type  of  a  group,  undergoing  scarcely 
any  change  in  the  form  of  the  inferior  tract,  but  showing  some  little  modifieati.pu  of  the  dorsal 
tract." 

As  here  constituted,  the  order  embraces  two  superfamilies  or  suborders,  to  be  known  by 
th(!  character  of  the  nostrils ;  both  are  well  represuutud  in  this  country,  where  occur  all  the 
leading  genera  excepting  Halodroma. 

lU.     Suborder  GAVI.^E  :   Slit-noseu  Lonu wings. 
The  character  of  this  group  is  the  same  as  that  of  its  single 

69.    Family  LARID-^.    Gulls,  Terns,  etc. 

Nostrils  not  tubular  (linear,  liuear-obloug,  oval  or  droi>-shaj)ed),  sub-basal  or  median, 
lateral,  pervious.  The  hallux,  though  very  small  and  elevated,  with  its  tip  hardly  toudiiiig 
tho  ground,  is,  except  in  Bissa,  better  developed  than  in  the  petrels.  Tiie  hai)itat  is  Huviatile, 
lacu.strine  and  maritune,  rather  than  pelagic.  The  family  contains  four  leading  genera,  each 
of  which  may  bo  assumed  as  the  basis  of  a  subfamily ;  all  four  occur  in  North  America.  Fuller 
characters  are:  Hill  of  moderate  h)ngth,  entire,  or  furnished  with  a  cere,  the  upper  mandible 
longer  than,  as  long  as,  or  shorter  than  the  under;  the  culnien  convex;  the  commissure  very 
larg(>,  tlie  cutting  edges  without  lamella-,  the  syuijjhysis  of  the  inferior  mandibular  rami  com- 
plete for  ii  considerable  distance,  an  eminence  being  formed  at  their  junction.  No  gular  sac. 
Feathers  usually  extending  farther  (m  the  sides  of  tho  upper  mandible  tiian  on  the  culnien,  and 
farther  between  the  rami  than  on  the  sides  of  the  under  mandible.  Nostrils  linear  or  tival ; 
direct,  pervious,  lateral,  openuig  on  tho  basal  half  of  the  bill.  Eyes  of  moderate  size,  ]daced 
about  over  tho  angle  of  the  mouth.  Wings  long,  broad,  strong,  pointed,  with  little  (pr  no  con- 
cavity. Primaries  very  long,  more  or  less  acute,  the  first  longest,  the  rest  ra]>idly  graduatrd. 
Secondaries  numerous,  .sliort,  broad,  with  rounded  or  excised  tips.  Tortials  of  mo(h'i'ate  length, 
straight,  rather  stiti'.  Legs  placed  well  forward  on  the  abdomen,  more  or  less  perfectly  ambu- 
latorial.  Thighs  entirely  covered  and  ccuicealed.  Tibia'  jirojecting  ;  feathered  alxive  ;  a  cim- 
siderablo  portion  below  naked,  covered  with  more  or  less  dense,  sometimes  reticulated,  skin. 
Tarsi  of  moderate  length  or  rather  short ;  compressed  ;  rather  slender  ;  anteriorly  transversely 
scutellate,  posteriorly  and  laterally  reticulate.  Anterior  toes  of  moderate  length,  tli<'  middle 
usually  about  equal  to  the  tarsus;  the  outer  shorter  than  the  middle,  iiiternrediate  between  it 
and  the  inner;  scutellate  superiorly;  all  of  nornuil  number  of  segments  (U,  4,  5).  Hallux 
present ;  very  small,  short,  elevated  above  the  plane  of  the  other  toes ;  entirely  five  and  clis- 
connected  ;  of  the  normal  number  of  .segments  (i) — excejit  in  liissa.  Webs  broad  and  full, 
extending  to  the  claws  ;  their  surfaces  finely  reticulated,  their  edges  usually  more  or  less  incised, 
sometimes  rounded.  Claws  fully  deveUiped.  compressed,  curved,  more  or  h'ss  acute,  tlie  edge 
of  the  middle  dilated,  but  not  serrated.  Tail  very  variable.  Body  generally  rather  full,  and 
sometimes  slender.  Neck  rather  long.  Head  of  moderate  size.  IMiiniam'  soft.  dose,  thick  ; 
its  colors  simple — white,  bhick,  brown,  or  pearl-blue  predominating  ;  bright  tints  hardly  found, 
except  on  the  bill  or  feet,  or  as  a  temporary  condition  ;  the  sexes  alike  in  c<dor.  but  the  plmnage 
varying  greatly  witli  age  and  season.     Eggs  generally  three,  light-colored,   with  numerous 


734 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONGIPENNES  —  GA  VI^. 


heavy  dark  blotches.    Nidification  normally  terrestrial;  reproduction  altricial;  young  ptilo- 

psedic. 

Analyaia  nf  Suf)familie». 

Bill  epignatbbuB,  cered.    (Jugorii) Lgstbidin^ 

Bill  epigiiutliouv,  not  cereil.    (Gullx) Laui>'£ 

Bill  puraguathoua.    (Terns)       Steknix^: 

Bill  liyi)oguatbous.    (SldmrnerH) , RHVNcnoi'iN^ 


70.    Subfamily  LESTRIDIN^ :  Jtigers,  or  Skua  Culls. 

Covering  ot  hill  discontinuous,  the  upper  mandible  being  saddled  with  a  largo  horny 
"  cere,"  beneath  tlie  edges  of  wliich  the  nostrils  open  (uniciue,  among  water-birds)  ;  bill  epigiia- 
thous.  Tail  nearly  square,  but  the  middle  pair  of  feathers  abruptly  long-exseiled.  Feet 
strong;  tibia-  naked  below,  the  podotheea  granular  or  otherwise  rougliened  beliind,  seutclliite 
in  front ;  webs  full ;  claws  large,  curved,  acute.  Certain  pterylographic  characters  have  been 
already  noted.  A  leading  anatomical  peculiarity  in  the  large  size  of  the  ca'ca,  as  compared 
witli  the  cases  of  the  other  subfamilies.  Another  is  that  tlie  sternum  is  single-notched  behind, 
tliere  being  two  notciies  on  each  side  in  the  other  subfamilies.  There  is  but  one  genus,  and 
only  four  species  are  well  detennined.  They  belong  more  particularly  to  the  northern  hemi- 
sphere, altliougli  some  also  inluibit  southern  seas  ;  they  mostly  breed  in  boreal  regions,  but 
wander  e.ictensively  at  other  seasons.  They  inhabit  sea  coasts,  and  also  large  inland  waters ; 
the  nidification  resembles  that  of  the  gulls  ;  eggs  2-3,  dark-colored,  variegated.  The  sexes; 
are  alike;  the  young  different,  excepting  one  species;  there  is  also  a  particular  melanotic  plum- 
age, apparently  a  normal  special  condition.  At  first  the  central  tail-feathers  do  not  project, 
and  they  grow  tardily.  The  skua  gulls  are  eminently  rapacious,  whence  their  name  of  "  jiig<'r'' 
(hunter)  ;  they  habitually  attack  and  harass  terns  and  the  smaller  gulls,  until  these  weaker  and 
less  spirited  birds  are  forced  to  droj)  or  disgorge  their  prey.  Their  Hight  is  vigorous  ;  lashing 
the  air  with  the  long  tail,  they  are  able  to  accomplish  the  rapid  and  varied  evolutions  rei[uired 
for  tile  successful  practice  of  piracy.  Thus  in  their  leading  traits  they  are  marine  Kaptores ; 
whilst  the  cored  bill  furnishes  a  curious  analogy  to  the  true  birds  of  prey. 
307.  STKRCOBA'RIUS.  (Lat.  stercoranws,  a  scavenger.)  Jagi:i{S.  Character  <if  the  subfamily, 
as  above.  The  species  of  Megalestris  differs  decidedly  from  the  rest,  and  might  form  a  genus 
apart. 

Analysis  qf  Spicks 

k 

Bill  shorter  tlian  middle  toe  without  claw ;  tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw ;  central  rectriees  little 
projecting,  broud  to  tlie  ti]i.    {Mtnali'stris.) 

Of  great  size,  and  rolmst  form.    Bill  about  2  inches  long skun    764 

Smaller ;  bill  and  tarsi  relatively  longer  than  in  the  foregoing,  latter  not  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw ; 
central  rectriees  finally  projecting  fur  beyond  the  rest. 

Central  rectriees  jirojecting  about  4  inches,  broad  to  the  end pomatorliiints    705 

Central  rectriees  projecting  about  4  inches,  acuminate parasilicus    "(iO 

Central  rectriees  projecting  8-10  inches,  acuminate biijimi    7G7 

764.  S.  sku'a.  (Fieroeso  name.)  Skua.  Bill  shorter  than  the  middle  toe  without  the  claw  ; 
exceedingly  robust ;  %vidth  at  base  about  equal  to  the  height,  which  is  a  third  of  the  length  uf 
culmen.  Strise  an<l  sulci  numerous  and  well  marked.  Encroachment  of  feathers  on  bill 
moderate,  and  nearly  the  same  on  both  numdibles.  Occiput  scarcely  ci'osted.  Wings  only 
moderately  long  for  this  subfamily  ;  the  primaries  very  broad,  and  rounded  at  their  tips.  Tail 
very  short,  broail,  nearly  even,  the  feathers  truncated  ;  central  pair  projecting  but  little,  and 
broad  to  their  very  tijis,  which  are  also  trimciited.  Feet  large  and  stout;  tar.si  shorter  than 
the  middle  toe  and  claw.  Size  large  ;  form  robust  and  heavy ;  general  organization  very 
powerful.  C(dors  much  the  same  over  the  whole  body  :  not  subject  to  iiny  very  remarkable 
changes  with  age,  sex,  or  season.  Adult  ^  9  ;  Latoro-nuchal  feathers  elongated,  rigid,  with 
long  disconnected  fibrillse.     Above,  blackish-brown,  more  or  less  variegated  with  chestnut  and 


' 


LARID^  —  LESTIUDINJE :  JAGERS. 


(35 


Inilo- 


705. 


whitish ;  each  featlier  beiug  dark-colored,  with  a  s\wt  of  cliestnut  toward  its  oxtreiiiity.  wlii.li 
in  turn  fades  into  wliitisli  along  tlie  shaft  toward  the  \\\i  of  each  feather.  On  tlic  latcro-michal 
region  and  across  the  throat  the  i;lie.st:iut  lightens  into  a  decided  reddisli-yelluw,  the  white 
being  us  a  well-defined,  narrow,  longitudinal  streak  on  each  feather.  The  crown,  i»o»t-ocuIar, 
and  mental  region  have  but  little  wiiitish.  Inferiorly  the  iiluiuage  i.s  of  a  blended  fusco-riifous, 
ligiiter  than  on  the  dorsum,  with  a  i)eculiar  iudetinite  iiluuibeous  shade.  Tlie  wings  and  tail 
are  blackish;  their  shafts  white,  except  toward  the  tips  ;  the  reiniges  and  rectrices  white  for 
some  distance  from  the  bases.  This  white  on  the  tail  is  coueeah'd  by  the  loiur  tail-coverts, 
l)Ut  ajipears  on  the  outer  priinnries  as  a  conspicuous  sixtt.  Hill  and  chiws  blackisli-hnrii  ; 
feet  black.  Bill  from  base  to  tip  ^.10  ;  to  end  of  cere  l.;»0  ;  gape  ."{.OO  ;  height  at  base  ll.7,j ; 
width  a  little  less;  gouys  0.50;  wing  Ki.OO ;  tail  (J.OO ;  tarsus  2.70:  middle  toe  and  claw 
15.10.  Young-of-the-year :  The  size  much  less,  bill  weaker  and  slenderer;  cere  illy  developed; 
striae  not  apparent,  and  its  ridges  and  angles  all  want  sharpness  of  definition.  Wings  short  and 
rounded,  the  quills  having  very  difl'erent  proportioual  length  from  those  of  the  adults;  the  lA 
beiug  longest,  the  3d  next  and  but  little  shorter;  the  1st  about  e(|ual  to  the  4th.  The  inuer 
or  hmgest  secondaries  reach,  when  the  wing  is  folded,  to  within  an  inch  or  so  of  tlie  tip  of  the 
longest  primary.  Central  rectrices,  if  anything,  a  little  shorter  than  the  next,  t'ulors 
generally  as  iu  the  adult,  but  everywhere  duller  and  more  blended,  having  few  or  no  white 
spots;  the  reddish  spots  dull,  uumerous,  and  large,  especially  along  tlie  edge  of  the  forearm 
and  on  the  least  and  lesser  coverts.  On  the  under  parts  the  colors  are  lighter,  duller,  and  still 
more  blended  than  above.  The  prevailing  tint  is  a  light,  dull  rufous,  most  marked  on  the 
abdomen  ;  but  there  and  elsewhere  more  or  less  obscured  with  an  ashy  or  plumbeous  hue. 
The  [irimaries,  secondaries,  and  tertials,  together  with  tlie  rectrices,  are  dull  brownish-black  ; 
their  shafts  yeUowish-white,  darker  terminally.  At  the  bases  of  the  primaries  there  exists  the 
ordinary  large  white  space,  but  it  is  more  restricted  than  in  tiie  adults,  and  so  much  hidden  by 
the  bastard  quills  that  it  is  hardly  apparent  on  the  outside  of  the  wing,  though  very  conspic- 
uous (m  the  inferior  surface.  Legs  and  feet  parti-cidoied, —browuish-ldack,  variegated  with 
yellowish.  Bill  ahmg  culmen  i./6  ;  along  gape  '2.7 j;  heiglit  at  base  0.50;  length  of  goiiys 
0..'15  ;  tarsus  2.(50;  middle  toe  and  claw  the  sauiy ;  wing  \i.ia\  tail  5.75.  N.  Am.,  north- 
(Tly,  rare  or  casual.     "California." 

S.  pomatorlii'nus.  (Gr.  Trw^a,  iranaToi,  ponia,  pomatoft,  a  flap,  lid  ;  pi's,  pivos,  hris,  hrhws, 
nose.)  PoMATOKHlNE  Jageu.  Adults,  breeding  plumage  :  Hill  shorter  than  the  head,  or  J- 
the  tarsus,  about  2i  times  its  own  height  at  tlu'  base ;  width  about  the  same  as  tiie  height. 
Tail  somewhat  less  than  iialf  the  wing.  1st  piiuuiry  but  little  surpassing  tlie  2(1.  Occijiut 
subcrested.  Feathers  of  the  neck  rigid  and  acuniiuate,  their  fibrilhe  disconnected.  Tail- 
feathers,  including  the  central,  broad  (piite  to  their  tips,  which  are  truncated,  tlie  rhachis 
projecting  as  a  small  niucro.  The  central  pair  project  about  'i  inches  ;  are  broad  to  near  tlie 
tilt,  where  they  form  an  angle  of  45°  witli  the  rhaciiis  :  their  fibrilhe  exceedingly  lout:  (2f 
inches),  while  those  of  the  lateral  feathers  are  only  1}.  Tail  slightly  graduated.  Tibia-  bare 
for  i  of  an  inch,  scuteUate  for  i  inch.  Tarsi  very  rough;  anteriorly  covered  with  a  single 
row  of  scutella,  except  toward  the  tiltio-tarsal  articulation,  where  these  scutella  gradually 
degenerate  into  small,  irregular  ludygonal  plates,  with  which  the  whole  of  the  rest  of  the 
tarsus  is  reticulated.  These  plates  largest  on  the  sides  of  the  tarsus  externally  ;  on  the  heel- 
joint,  and  posterior  aspect  of  the  tarsus  generally,  they  become  raised  into  small  conical  pyr- 
amids, acutely  pointed.  The  scutella  of  the  anterior  portion  of  the  tarsus  are  continuous  witli 
the  superior  surface  of  the  toes,  while  the  polygonal  reticulation  occupies  both  surfaces  of  the 
webs,  and  the  inferior  surface  of  the  toes.  Hallux  extremely  short,  its  nail  stout,  conical  at 
the  base,  acute,  little  curved.  Anterior  chiws  all  very  strong  aiul  sliar]) ;  inner  most  so  ;  the 
middle  expanded  on  its  inferior  edge,  n(»t  serrated.  Webs  broad,  full,  unincise<l.  tlieir  free 
margins  a  little  convex.     The  "cere"  has  a  straight,  smooth,  convex  culmen ;  its  inferior 


736 


i:IYSJ.LMATIV  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONGIPENNES  —  GA  VIJE. 


bonier  cun-es  gently  upward  to  give  passage  to  the  nostrils.  The  union  of  tiie  two  hitcnil 
halves  leaves  a  well-marked  aeiitely-angiilar  recess  over  the  euluien.  There  is  a  well-marked 
lateral  longitudinal  groove.  Curve  of  nail  regular,  gradual.  Comnd.ssure  straight  to  tlir 
nostrils,  then  gradually  deoliuato-couvex.  Eiiiiuentia  symphysis  slightly  marked;  eommis.-iurc 
long,  goiiys  short,  a  little  concave,  gapo  wide.  Outline  of  feathers  on  the  bill  much  as  in  the 
Larhut;  hut  supero-laterally  they  do  not  run  so  far  forward,  nor  with  so  aeute  an  angle.  Nos- 
trils plaeed  far  forward,  lateral,  linear,  direct,  pervious,  their  opening  a  little  club-shajied. 
Bill  horn,  deepening  into  black ;  feet  black,  i'ileum  and  occipital  crest  brownish-black  ;  this 
color  extending  mucii  below  tlie  eyes,  and  occupying  the  feathers  on  the  ramus  of  the  inferior 
maxilla.  Acuminate  feathers  of  the  neck  light  yellow.  IJacU,  wings,  tail,  upper  wing-coverts, 
under  tail-coverts  as  far  as  the  tlanks,  deep  blackish-brown.  Under  parts,  from  chin  to  abdo- 
men, and  neck  all  round  (excejjt  the  acuminate  feathers i,  ])ure  white.  Length  about  20.00; 
extent  48.00;  wing  14.00;  bill  1.75;  tarsus  2.00.  Nearly  adult:  Generally  as  in  the 
preceding,  but  with  a  row  of  brown  spots  across  the  breast ;  the  sides  under  the  wings 
transversely  barred  with  white  and  brown;  the  purity  of  the  dark  color  of  the  abdomen 
interrupted  by  some  touches  of  wliite.  The  legs  wh(dly  black,  and  the  tail-feathers  project- 
ing as  much  as  in  the  fully  adult.  Intermediate  .stage  :  The  band  of  dark  spots  across  the 
breast  is  widened  and  enlarged,  so  that  the  whole  breast  ap])ears  brown,  mottled  with  white  ; 
the  sides  under  the  wings  are  conspicuously  barred  with  white  and  brown ;  the  white  of  the 
under  parts  is  continued  down  over  the  abdomen  to  the  uud<.'r  tail-coverts ;  the  pure  brown 
of  these  parts  which  obtains  in  the  adult  now  only  appea  ing  as  transverse  bars  among  the 
white.  Ujiper  tail-coverts  and  some  of  the  wing-coverts  barred  with  wliite.  Hases  of  pri- 
maric.  iufcriorly  white.  Central  tail-feathers  only  project  an  inch.  Tarsi  irregularly  blotched 
with  clirome-yeUow  —  the  hind  toe  and  nail  being  of  this  cohtr.  Young-of-the-year :  Hill 
much  smaller  and  weaker  than  in  the  adult,  light-coh)red  to  beyond  the  nostrils,  when  it 
becomes  brownish-black.  Feet  and  toes  mostly  bright  yeUow,  the  terininal  ])ortions  of  the 
latter  bhick.  The  whole  body  everywhere  transversely  waved  with  dull  rufous.  On  the  head, 
neck,  and  under  parts,  this  rufous  forms  the  predoi.iinating  ctdor;  and  the  bauds  are  ex- 
ceedingly numerous,  of  about  the  same  width  as  the  intervening  dark  cohjr.  On  the  tlanks 
and  under  tail-coverts  the  bars  become  wider,  anil  almost  white  in  color.  On  the  back  and 
wing-coverts  the  brownish -black  is  the  predominating  color;  and  if  any  rufous  is  present,  it 
is  merely  as  narrow  edging  of  the  feathers.  Quills  and  tail-feat!iers  brownish-black,  darlver 
at  tips;  whitish  toward  bases  of  lu-imancs  on  inner  webs.  Light  rufous  predominating  on 
head  and  neck  ;  a  dusky  spot  before  eye.  All  tlie  above  stages  traceable  from  one  to  another. 
Dusky  state  :  The  bird  is  very  nearly  iiniculur  ;  blackish-brown  all  over  ;  tliis  color  deepening 
into  quite  black  on  the  pileuui ;  lightening  into  fuliginous-brown  on  the  abdomen,  with  a 
slight  gilding  of  the  black  on  tlie  sides  of  the  neck.  The  whitish  l)ases  of  the  jinmaries 
exist.  The  feet  are  in  the  chnimo-variegated  condition.  Thi'  central  lail-feathers  scarcely 
l)roject  half  an  inch.  N.  N.  Am.,  ranghig  to  the  Middle  States  in  winter  ;  not  common. 
100.  S.  parasi'tlcus.  (Lat.  parasiticii.'i,  parasitic.)  I'AiiAsnic  J.\(;i:u.  Adult,  breeding  plum- 
age: Hill  much  shorter  tlian  head  or  tarsus;  as  high  as  broad  at  the  base.  Culnien  broad, 
flattened,  scarcely  appreciably  convex  to  the  unguis,  which  is  moderately  convex.  Hand  very 
long;  gonys  very  short ;  both  somewhat  concave  in  outline.  Eminentia  .symphysis  small  but 
well-marked.  Toinia  of  superior  mandible  at  first  as(!ending  and  a  little  concave ;  then 
descending  and  a  little  convex  ;  very  concave  toward  the  tip.  Cere  without  oblique  strife  ; 
with  a  straight  longitudinal  sulcus  on  each  side  of  the  culnien.  Feathers  extending  far  on 
superior  mandible,  with  a  curved  free  outline,  so  broad  that  the  feathers  of  the  sides  meet  over 
the  culmen.  Feathers  on  lower  mandible  also  projecting  considerably,  almost  filling  the  tri- 
angular sulcus  on  the  side  as  well  as  the  angular  space  between  thi>  rami.  Wings  moderately 
long,  strong,  pointed ;  first  primary  much  the  longest ;  rest  regularly  and  rapidly  graduated  ; 


LAIiW^—LESTUWlKJE :   JAGEliS. 


Vil 


all  rather  narrow  and  taporiiig  to  an  acute  apex,  somewhat  rigid  and  faloate.  Secondaries 
short  and  inconspieuoiis ;  broad,  the  tips  <if  the  outer  ones  nearly  miiiare,  of  the  inner  ohli(|iieiy 
incised,  the  apex  being  formed  by  tiie  iiini'r  web  alone.  Tertials  long,  soft,  flexible.  'I'ail 
moderately  long,  contained  not  quite  two  aiul  a  half  times  in  the  wing  ;  very  slightly  rounded, 
the  graduation  being  only  half  an  inch.  Feathers  moderately  broad  (piite  to  their  tips,  whieh 
are  truncated.  The  central  jiair  project  three  to  four  inches.  They  begin  to  taper  about  four 
inches  from  their  apices,  and  regularly  converge  to  a  very  acute  tip.  Feet  rather  short  and 
(piito  slender;  tarsi  as  long  as  the  middle  toe  and  claw.  Tibia  naked  half  an  inch  above  the 
joint.  The  scutellation  and  reticulation  is  the  same  as  that  already  described,  but  the  nails  are 
weaker  and  less  arched,  though  fully  as  acute.  A  decided  occipital  cre.st  and  a  calotte. 
Nuchal  region  with  the  feathers  acinninate  and  rigid,  with  loosened  Kbrilhe.  I'ileum,  occipital 
cre.st,  and  wh(de  upper  parts  dee])  brownish-black,  with  a  somevvhat  slaty  tinge,  and  a  slight 
but  appreciable  metallic  shade;  this  color  deepening  into  ([uite  black  on  the  wings  and  tail. 
Kiiachides  of  prinniries  and  rectrices  whitish,  except  at  their  tips ;  the  inner  vanes  albescent 
ba.so-internally.  Chin,  throat,  sides  of  head,  neck  all  round,  and  under  parts  to  the  vent,  pure 
white  ;  the  feathers  of  the  latero-nuchal  region  rigid,  acuminate,  with  disconnected  tihrillie, 
light  yellow.  Under  tail-coverts  like  the  up])er  parts,  but  somewhat  of  a  fulit;inous  tint ;  the 
line  of  demarcation  from  the  white  of  the  abdomen  very  trenchant.  Smaller  than  No.  7(1,). 
Wing  12.00-i;5.00;  tarsus  1.7.5-1.87;  bill  l.;}5-l..-)0;  tail  a.OO-li.OO,  the  long  feathers  up  to 
9.00.  Nearly  nuiture:  Pileum  and  latero-michal  region,  and  wlnde  upjier  |)arts,  as  in  the 
adult.  The  under  parts  white  (aa  in  the  adult),  but  clouded  everywhere  with  dusky  patches, 
most  marked  across  breast,  on  sides,  flanks,  and  under  tail-coverts,  and  leaving  the  middle  of 
the  belly  and  throat  nearly  pure.  Varying  degrees  of  this  dusky  nubilation  ap])roach  in  some 
specimens  nearly  to  the  uniform  dusky  below  characterized  ;  in  others  fade  almost  into  the  pure 
white  of  the  adult,  connecting  the  tv.o  states  perfectly.  The  tarsi  of  the  mo.st  dusky  specinu'us 
have  small  yellow  bh itches  ;  the  others  not.  Dusky  stage  :  Wholly  deep  dusky  ;  ilarker  and 
more  plumbeous  superiorly:  lighti'r,  and  with  a  ftdiginons  tingi',  inferiorly ;  the  pileiun  ([uite 
black;  the  latero-michal  region  yellow:  the  remiges  and  rectrices  quite  black;  feet  black. 
Immature:  Size  and  general  i)roporti(ms  nearly  of  the  adult.  Hill  and  cere  perfectly  fonned  ; 
feet  mostly  black,  but  with  .some  yellow  blotches.  The  upper  parts  unadulterated  with  any 
rufous  bars ;  the  deep  brownish-ldack  pileum  has  appeared,  and  the  sides  of  the  neck  luivc 
obtained  their  yellow  shade,  which  contrasts  conspicuously  with  the  fuliginous  back-ground. 
Evidences  of  immaturity,  however,  are  found  <m  the  under  parts,  where  the  dark  c<dor  is  mixed 
with  the  illy-defined  transverse  bars  of  ochraceous.  Kufous  is  al.so  found  at  the  bend  of  the 
wing  and  on  the  under  wing-  and  tail-coverts.  The  primaries  are  still  whitish  at  the  outside, 
as  are  also  the  rectrices.  The  central  rectrices  project  2i  inches,  and  have  the  taiiering  form 
of  these  of  the  adults.  Younger:  Small  size,  delicate  bill  and  feet,  little  itrojection  of  the 
central  rectrices,  general  mollii)ih)se  condition  of  plumage,  etc.  The  rufous  of  the  very  young 
bird,  instead  of  giving  way  everywhere  to  dusky,  yields  to  this  color  oidy  on  the  upper  parts 
and  crown ;  on  the  sides  of  the  head,  neck,  and  the  wlnde  under  ])arts,  whitish  being  the  ))re- 
doniinating  c(dor;  the  continuity  of  this  last  being  interrupted  by  indistinctly  marked  dusky 
bars.  The  yellow  of  the  sides  of  the  neck  has  not  yet  appeared.  There  is  the  same  white 
space  on  the  bases  of  the  wings  and  tail  that  exists  in  the  very  young.  The  central  tail- 
feathers  only  project  about  2i  inches.  Younar-of-the-year  in  August :  Size  considerably  less 
than  that  of  the  adult,  form  every  way  more  delicate.  Wings  more  than  an  inch  shorter;  bill 
and  feet  much  slenderer  and  weaker.  Rill  in  some  specimens  light  bluish-liorn ;  in  others 
greenish-olive,  the  terminal  portion  brownish -black.  Tarsi  and  greater  ])art  of  the  toes 
yellow.  The  bird  is  everywhere  rayed  and  barred  with  rufous  ami  brownish-black.  On  the 
head  and  neck  the  rufous  has  a  very  light  ochraceous  tinge,  and  is  the  predominating  ctdrir, 
dark  only  appearing  as  a  delicate  line  along  the  shaft  of  each  feather.     Proceeding  down  the 


738 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —LONGIPENNES—  GA  VI^. 


neck  to  the  back,  the  longitudinal  lines  become  larger,  aud  gradually  spread  wider  and  wider, 
until  between  tlie  shoulders  tliey  occupy  the  whole  of  each  feather,  exeejit  a  narrow  border  v{ 
rufous,  which  latter  is  of  a  deeper  tint  than  ou  the  head.  Passing  down  the  throat  to  tJie 
breast,  the  rufous  becomes  decidedly  lighter — almost  whitish  —  while  the  brown,  which  ou 
the  throat  exists  only  us  a  light  longitudinal  line,  changes  ou  each  feather  to  trausverse  bars  df 
about  equal  width  with  the  light  rufous  bars  with  which  it  alternates.  This  pattern  prevails 
over  the  whole  under  parts,  tlie  trausverse  bauds  being  broadest  on  the  Hanks  and  under  tail- 
and  wing-coverts,  narrowest  in  the  middle  of  the  belly.  The  primaries  are  brownish-bhick, 
narr(jwly  tipped  with  rufous,  their  shafts  yellowish,  their  inner  webs  fading  basally  into  while. 
The  tail  has  the  same  coloration  as  the  wings.  The  ci'utral  feathers  project  about  J  of  an  inch. 
Northern  N.  Am.;  U.  S.  in  winter;  chiefly  coastwise,  but  breeds  in  interior  Arctic  Am. 
Eggs  resembling  those  of  Xumenius  horeuUs,  aud  (|uite  as  variable  in  ground-color  and  nnirk- 
higs  ;  size  from  2.00  to  2.10  long,  by  1.50  to  1.70  broad,  averaging  nearer  the  larger  of  these 
dimensions;  }iointed,  but  not  so  pear-shaped  as  those  of  the  Curlew. 
767.  S.  buf'foni.  (To  the  Count  de  Buffon.)  AncTic  Jagek.  Long-tailed  Jageu.  Aduh, 
breeding  plumage :  Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  less  than  the  middle  toe  without  the  claw  ; 
stout,  compressed,  higher  than  broad  at  the  base,  its  sides  regularly  converging.  Ceral  por- 
tion of  culmen  broad,  flat,  depressed,  slightly  concave  in  outline ;  ungual  portion  very  de- 
cidedly declinato-convex  to  the  greatly  overhanging  tip ;  narrower  than  the  ceral.  Tomia  of 
superior  mandible  sinuate;  at  first  concave  and  ascending;  then  convene  aud  descending  ;  again 
very  concave  as  they  decurve  toward  the  deflected  tip,  just  posterior  to  which  there  is  an  im- 
perfect notch.  Tomia  of  inferior  nnixilla  nearly  straight  to  the  tip,  where  they  are  decurved. 
Gonys  very  short,  slightly  concave  in  outline.  Eminentia  symphysis  acute,  but  not  very  large; 
rami  very  long  as  compared  with  the  gonys,  but  absolutely  rather  short,  from  the  encroach- 
ment of  the  feathers.  Cere  very  short,  being  scarcely  if  at  all  longer  than  the  unguis ;  its 
lower  border  curving  upward  to  give  passage  to  the  nostrils.  The  encroachment  of  the  feathers 
on  the  bill  is  greater  than  that  of  any  other  sjiecies ;  on  the  upper  mandible  they  exteutl  within 
half  an  inch  of  the  distal  end  of  the  cere,  having  a  broad,  rounded  termination,  the  feathers  of 
the  two  sides  meeting  on  and  covering  the  culmen  some  distance  from  its  real  br.se.  The 
feathers  on  the  sides  of  the  lower  mandible  extend  nearly  as  far  as  on  the  upjier,  and  those 
between  the  rami  quite  to  the  symphysis.  Wiugs  exceedingly  long ;  first  primary  much  the 
longest ;  rest  rapidly  graduated ;  all  rather  naiTow,  tajiering,  falcate,  actually  pointed,  their 
rhachides  stiff  and  strong.  Secondaries  short  and  inconspicuous ;  rather  broad ;  their  apices 
as  in  the  other  species.  Tertials  moderately  long,  very  straight,  flexible,  rounded  at  their 
extremities,  the  edges  of  their  vanes  convoluted.  Tail  very  long ;  longer,  both  ahsidutely  and 
relatively,  than  in  any  other  North  American  species,  being  half  as  long  as  the  wings  ;  gradu- 
ated, the  lateral  feather  being  i  of  an  inch  shorter  than  the  next  to  central  pair ;  all  the 
feathers  moderately  broad,  converging  somewhat  to  their  rather  broad,  rounded  tips.  Central 
rectrices  extremely  lengthened,  exceeding  the  wings  ;  projecting  8  to  10  inches  beyond  the  tips 
of  the  lateral  ones.  They  are  extremely  rigid  at  the  base,  being  tiiere  much  stitfer  than  the 
other  feathers,  but  gradually  become  flexible,  and  at  length  filamentous  in  character,  but  pre- 
ser\-e  great  elasticity  throughont.  Feet  quite  slender ;  tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw. 
Tibia;  bare  of  feathers  for  f  of  an  inch.  The  reticulation  of  the  feet  identical  with  that  already 
described  under  other  species.  The  scutclla  of  the  anterior  face  of  tlie  tarsus,  however,  show 
a  tendency  to  degenerate  into  minute  plates  near  the  tibio-tarsal  joint.  Proportions  of  the 
toes  as  in  other  species,  but  the  claws  are  comparatively  small  and  weak,  and  but  moderately 
cur^-ed  and  acnte.  Occiput  decidedly  suberestcd.  The  latero-nuchal  region  has  its  feathers 
lengthened,  with  disconnected  fibrillfp,  but  they  are  hardly  acuminate  or  rigid.  The  plumage 
about  the  bill  is  short,  thick,  and  compact ;  that  of  the  upper  parts  is  soft  and  flexible,  only 
moderately  imbricated  and  compact ;  that  of  the  under  parts  is  long,  soft,  and  very  thick.     Bill 


LABIDJE -  LARISJE :    G VLLS. 


739 


dusky,  its  nail  almost  black.  Tarsi  dfcp  l«ulcii-bluc ;  tibia-,  plmlanccs,  intordiieitiil  iiifin- 
briiues,  and  claws  black.  Occiimt  siibcrcstcd,  hkpic  .lc<-idcdly  than  in  any  ..tlirr  Kpccics,  (■..rul- 
ing a  calotto  of  brownish-black,  wliidi  cob.r  extends  downward  on  the  cbpcks,  thi'  fcatliors 
before  and  below  the  eye  and  on  the  sides  of  the  bill  being  (,f  thi.s  c.dor.  Neck  all  n>iind,  but 
f specially  the  sides  of  tlie  head  and  the  |iecnliarly-t'(irined  feathers  on  the  latero-niiehal  region, 
light  straw-yellow.  AVhole  upper  parts,  with  tipper  wing  and  tail-coverts,  deep  slate,  wiiieli, 
on  the  primaries,  secondaries,  lateral  tail-feathers,  and  distal  half  of  central  jiair.  deepens  iuK. 
a  lustrous  brownish-bhick.  Under  surface  ..f  wings  and  tail  deei)er  slate  than  the  Id.ick.  Imf 
not  so  deiq)  as  the  upper  surfaces.  Chin,  throat,  and  upper  breast  white,  gradually  beciming 
id)scured  with  dusky-plumbeous,  which  deepens  posteriorly,  so  that  the  alidomen  and  under 
tail-coverta  are  nearly  as  dark  as  the  back.  Hliachides  of  first  two  or  three  i.rimaries  pure 
white,  deepening  into  brownish-l>lack  at  their  tips;  of  the  other  piiuiaries,  and  of  the  tail- 
feathers  (including  the  central  pair),  brown,  except  just  at  the  base,  blackening  terminally. 
Under  surfaces  of  all  the  rhachides  white  for  nearly  their  whole  length.  Lenutli  of  culmen 
1.13  inches;  gapo  l./O  ;  cere  0.60;  unguis  about  the  same;  gonys  O.IJd  ;  from  feathers  on 
sides  of  bill  to  tip  O.'JO  ;  wing  12.50;  tail  0.2.5;  central  pair  1  i.OO  to  Ki.OO;  the  projection 
8.00  to  10.00  inches;  tibiic  bare  0.75;  tarsus  l.(iO ;  middle  toe  without  claw  1.40.  All 
changes  and  states  of  jduinagc  identical  with  those  of  No.  7<)().  N.  Am.,  northerly;  breeds 
in  Arctic  regions.  Eggs  not  distinguishable  from  those  of  No.  "iWt,  averaging  smaller  but 
dimensions  overlapping;  a  fair  specimen  is  2.10  X  1-50  ;  from  this  down  to  1.90  X  1-40. 

71.    Subfamily  LARIN/E:   Culls. 

Covering  of  bill  continuous,  horny  throughout ;  bill  more  or  less  strongly  epignathous, 
compressed,  with  more  or  less  protuberant  gonys ;  nostrils  linear-oblong,  median  or  sub-basal, 
pervious.  Tail  even  or  nearly  so,  rarely  forked  or  cuneate,  without  projecting  middle  featln'rs. 
Certain  of  the  smaller  slenderer-billed  species  alone  resemble  terns,  but  may  be  known  by  the 
not  forked  tail  (e.wept  Xema);  in  all  the  larger  species,  the  hook  of  the  bill  is  distinctive. 
Gulls  average  much  larger  than  terns,  with  stouter  build  ;  the  feet  are  larger  and  more 
ainbulatorial,  the  wings  are  shorter  and  not  so  thin ;  the  birds  winnow  the  air  in  a  steady 
course  unlike  the  buoyant  dashing  flight  of  their  relatives.  They  are  cosmopolitan  ;  species 
occur  in  abundance  on  all  sea-coasts,  and  over  large  inland  waters ;  in  general,  largo  numbers 
are  seen  together,  not  only  at  the  breeding-places,  but  during  the  migrations,  and  in  winter, 
when  their  association  depends  upon  community  of  interest  in  the  matter  of  food.  This  is 
almost  entirely  of  an  animal  nature,  and  consists  principally  of  fish  ;  the  birds  .seem  to  be 
always  hungry,  always  feeding  or  trying  to  do  so.  Many  kinds  procure  food  by  plunging 
for  it,  like  terns;  others  pick  up  floating  substances;  some  of  the  smaller  kinds  are  adroit 
parasites  of  the  pelicans,  snatching  food  from  their  very  mouths.  They  all  swim  lightly  — 
a  circumstance  e.\plained  by  the  smallness  of  the  body  compared  with  its  apparent  dimensions 
with  the  feathers  on.  The  voice  of  the  larger  species  is  hoarse,  that  of  the  smaller  shrill ; 
they  have  an  ordinary  note  of  several  abrupt  syllables  during  the  breeding  season,  and  a 
harsh  cry  of  auger  or  impatience  ;  the  young  emit  a  riuerulous  whine.  The  nest  is  commonly 
built  on  the  ground ;  the  eggs,  2-3  in  number,  are  variegated  in  color. 

Several  circumstances  conspire  to  render  the  study  of  these  birds  diflBcult.  With  some 
exceptions,  they  are  ahnost  identical  in  form ;  while  in  size  they  show  an  unbroken  series. 
Individual  variability  in  size  is  high ;  northerly  birds  are  usually  appreciably  larger  than 
those  of  the  same  species  hatched  further  south ;  the  <^  exceeds  the  9  a  little  (usually)  ; 
very  old  birds  are  likely  to  be  larger,  with  especially  stouter  bill,  than  young  or  middle-aged 
ones.  There  is,  besides,  a  certain  plasticity  of  organizati(ra,  or  ready  susceptibility  to  modify- 
ing influences,  so  marked  that  the  individuals  hatched  at  a  particular  spot  may  be  appreciably 
different  in  some  slight  points  from  others  reared  but  a  few  miles  away.     One  pattern  of  color- 


740 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  S  YXOPSIS.  —  L  OXGIPEyXES  —  GA  VI^. 


atioii  runs  through  nearly  all  the  specios;  they  aio  n'/nVf,  with  a  darker  timiitli' (.sYw/k/ioh), 
and  ill  most  cases  with  Mack  crossing  the  iiriiiiarics  near  the  cud,  the  tijis  of  the  (luills  white. 
The  .shade  of  the  iiiuuth'  is  very  variable  in  the  .same  siiecies,  according  to  climate,  action 
of  the  sun,  friction,  and  other  causes;  the  iHitleru  of  the  hlack  on  the  ([tiills  is  still  more  so, 
Bincu  it  is  coHtimwlbj  changing  with  age,  at  least  until  a  final  stage  is  reached.  lucredihle 
as  it  may  ajipear,  species  and  even  genera  have  heeii  based  uj)ou  such  shadowy  characters. 
One  group  of  species  has  the  head  enveloped  in  a  dark  hood  in  the  breeding  season,  the  under 
piirtH  tinted  with  peach-blossom  hue.  The  sexes  aro  always  alike;  the  moult  ajipears  to  be 
twice  a  year,  so  that  a  winter  plumage  more  or  less  different  from  that  of  summer  results; 
while  the  young  are  never  like  the  idd.  The  change  is  slow,  generally  re(|uiring  2-3  years  ; 
in  the  interim,  birds  are  found  in  every  stage.  They  are  always  darlirr  than  the  old,  often 
quite  du.sky  ;  usually  with  black  or  Hesh-colored  bill  ;  and  if  with  black  on  the  jirimarica 
when  adult,  the  younu;  usually  have  these  quills  all  black.  There  being  no  jjeculiar  e-ttra- 
limital  species,  those  nf  our  country  give  a  jierfect  idea  of  the  whole  grouj*.  Some  75  species 
are  current ;  there  are  certainly  not  over  30  good  ones. 

Aniili/nh  of  (li'nera. 
Tall  miiiaro. 

Ucnd  never  tiooilcd ;  iiiuler  partH  ncTcr  roBy-tiiited ;  size  medium  and  largo ;  bill  stout. 

Hallux  well  devcldped,  wllli  perfect  claw. 

Adult  while,  wIthacolDred  mantle,  nr  dark,  with  wliite  head Lnrxm  ,108 

Ailult  entirely  white;  feet  black J'aijnjihild  .110 

Hallux  usually  ilefecllvc.    (Tail  emarginate  in  tlio  young) Itinsn  'M> 

Head    in   summer   hooded,  and  under  partH   rosy-tinted;   size   medium  and  small;    hill  slender 

( lirdUtiiiphiilua  .11 1 

Tall  wedge-shaped ;  neck  collared  ;  small         Illmdnstelliiu  .'112 

Tall  forkeil ;  head  hooded Xema  313 

308.  LA'KUS.  (Gr.  Xapoj,  hiwx,  Lat.  htrus,  a  gull.)  Gfi.l..S.  l{ill  .shorter  than  the  head  or 
tarsus,  large,  strong,  more  or  less  robust,  usiiiilly  very  stout,  deep  at  the  base,  higher  than 
broad,  compressed  throughout,  the  iipex  not  very  acute  and  never  much  attenuated  or  deeurved. 
Culnien  about  straight  to  beyond  the  nostrils,  then  convex,  the  aiiuuint  of  curvature  increasing 
toward  the  end,  varying  in  ditl'ereut  species,  ('ommissure  slightly  sinuate  at  its  extreme  base, 
then  about  straight  to  near  th(>  end,  where  it  is  more  or  less  tircuato-declinate.  Eminentia 
sympli3'sis  always  large,  jiroinineut,  and  well-detined,  rather  obtuse,  stddom  acute.  Nostrils 
placed  rather  far  forward  in  a  well-defined  nasal  fossa,  lateral,  longitudinal,  pervious,  rather 
broader  anteriorly  than  posteriorly.  Feathers  of  forehead  extending  cousidtrably  farther  on 
the  sides  of  the  ujiper  mandible  than  on  its  culnien,  but  falling  considerably  short  of  the 
nostrils.  Wings  when  ftdded  reaching  beyond  the  tail,  the  remigcs  .strong,  not  vtTy  acute, 
first  longest,  second  but  little  shorter,  rest  rapidly  graduated.  Tail  of  moderate  length,  always 
even,  never  forked  nor  rounded.  Legs  rather  slender,  of  moderate  length  ;  iibia>  bare  for  a 
considerable  distance  above  the  joint,  the  naked  part  smooth.  Tarsi  iibout  equal  to  or  a  little 
longer  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw,  varying  but  slightly  in  in-oportions  among  the  different 
species ;  anteriorly  scutellatc,  posteriorly  and  laterally  reticulate.  Hallux  fully  developed 
and  always  present.  Anterior  claws  stout,  strong,  little  curved,  rather  obtuse,  the  inner  edge 
of  the  middle  one  dilated.  Webs  full  and  broad,  scarcely  iiici-sed.  Of  very  large  orniedium 
size,  never  very  smtill.  Robust  and  powerful.  Comprising  the  largest  species  of  the  subfamily 
and  those  typictil  of  it.  White,  with  a  darker  mantle,  without  a  hood;  the  head  and  neck  in 
winter  streaked  with  dusky  ;  one  species  dark  with  white  head  and  red  bill. 

Analynh  nf  Species. 

I.  Tail  and  under  parts  white  in  adult ;  bill  anil  feet  not  reddish.    {Lants.) 

A.  Large  and  robust :  mantle  whitish  or  pale  i)early  ;  no  black  on  primaries  at  any  age. 
Mantle  very  pale ;  primaries  the  same,  fading  insensilily  into  white  far  from  the  tips. 

Larger:  length  about  30.00  inches;   wing  18.00  or  more;  bill  and  tarsus,  each,  alxiut  3.00 

glaucus    768 


LAIiin.1-:  —  LAlilX.E :    G  I'LLS. 


r-ii 


Smnller:  length  nlmiit  24.00  InclicH;  wlna  IT.IKI  or  less;  Mil  about  L'.OO;  tllr»U8  2.2S/.H(•»/<^l•lM    7c.!i 

Maiilli' llKlit  liliiu;  liilmiiiks  thewiiiie,  «illMlelliiHi>  wliltf  lipn ijlitun  n,;  itn    TTo 

Mttiitlu  very  imlf  liluo,  u»  liWi  H<•<7)^  ™,< ;  iniiiiiiika  willi  hliilu-uray  nmrkliiKS  .  .  .  .iiim/Lni  TTon 
B.  Ver.  lurfe;  iiiautlu  »laty-l)lai'l(lsli;  iirlinailuntrimKi'd  wllli  blink  ;  hIzu  of  lliullrKt  .  .  murtuun  771 
C  Laife;  inaiitlo  HOiui;  hliaileof  bliif,  ilarkur  tliaiiiii ./,  llglitfi  lliaii  !••  /;.  inliiiarliKciiwMCil  witli  black. 

Mantle  Biaylsli-blao  ;  bill  iiiiMliialely  nibust ;  I'l-et  lleHli-coloied  iiryviilulua  or  fiiiilhtiimiiiitiiii    77l',  77;i 

Mantle  slaty-bliiOi  bill  very  robiisl;  feel  llesli-uolored uviilmliilU    771 

Mantle  iliirk  graylsh-bliie  i  bill  UKulei.il  ;ly  rubust ;  feet  yellow ;  uyu-rlng  oriingo    ,      c<iiliiii>iiin.i    77:. 

Mantle  dark  slate;  bill  nioileralely  robiiitl ;  leel  llenh-eolured iijlhii»    770 

1).  Mrdlniu  and  Hiiiall;  iiriniarles  trosBed  wit li  black;  feet  dark-greenlitb ;  webs  yellow. 

TarBus  obviously  longer  llian  tbe  middle  too  and  claw  ;  bill  of  adult  grui'id.tli-yellow,  encircled 
with  a  blitck  band;  tlrHt  iirlniary  UHUally  with  a  HUb-a|ilcal  wbitu  kiioI  ;  leni^lli  about  tK.(lo-2'.'.0(l 

ililiiiriin  iisiH    778 
TarsHH  little  If  any  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  bill  with  a  red  Hjiot,  but  an  iniiHrfui  i  blaik 
band,  If  any;  llrst  primary   usually  with  the  end  broadly  white;    length  about  JU.(K)-l".'.(io 

riilijin'tiirii.-i    777 
Tarsus  little  If  any  longer  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw;  bill  slender,  grecidsli,  witboui  a  lilack 
band  or  red  spot  ;  size  very  small ;  length  Iti.OiJ  or  IS.UU   ....    ckhili  or /)n((/i;//-/(;/io7iii.<  77!i,  7no 
II.  Tall  anil  under  parts  dark  In  adult.    Head  white;  bill  and  feet  reddish.    (/;/ii.<(>«.<.) 

Hacksbity-leadcobir I„,nji,(,u,i    7sl 

7(jS,  Ij.  glaii'ous.  (Gr.  yXavKiis,  f/liiiiJco-'^,  Lut.  f/hiiioix,  liliii.sh.)  (Jl.\1(ih  s  (iri.L.  Ici:  Cili,. 
IJritiio.MA.sTnu.  Vfi'y  liiigc  ;  Iciigtli  nboiit  .'iO.UU  ;  (■.\t<'iit  00.00:  wing  ui>  to  lb..")0;  l.iU  -i.j:)- 
'•i.W\  (chord  of  ciiliufii),  along  gapu  15.75,  its  di'iitli  opiiositf  iiostrii.s  O.SO,  at  iiiigic  O.h,)  ;  tatsiis 
li.OU-3.25  ;  luiildlo  tut;  and  claw  2.7o.  Xo  bliirk  auywiicrc  at  any  agf.  Adult  ^  9  '■  Hill  lait;(^ 
and  strong,  very  wide,  but  not  ,so  doep  tit  iinglc  nor  so  convex  at  cud  a.s  in  iiKiriiiiis,  about  its 
long  as  iidddlo  foe  and  claw;  chrome  yellow,  tlie  tip  diiiphanoiis  yellow,  a  verniilinii  s|ini  ;it 
the  iingle.  Legs  and  feet  pale  llesh-color  or  yellnwish.  Iris  ytdlow.  I'riniarie.s  entirely  wiiiie, 
or  palest  possible  pearly-bliie,  fading  insensibly  into  white  ut  some  distance  from  their  tiji.'*,  tinir 
shiifts  straw-yellow.  Maiitlt!  very  pale  pearl-blue.  Otherwise,  wholly  white.  Jn  winter: 
Head  and  hind  neck  liglitly  touciied  with  pale  browiiish-griiy.  An  iiiimatiire  stage:  Entirely 
white;  bill  flesli-cidored,  blaclc-tipjH'd.  Voting:  Hill  tle.sh-colored,  black-tipped:  ]dumiige 
im])ure  white,  mottled  with  pale  reddish-brown,  sometimes  (|uite  dusky  on  the  biick  ;  under 
parts  a  nearly  uniform  pale  shiulc  of  brownish  :  (luills  and  titil  imperfectly  barred  with  tlie  same. 
Smaller:  wingl7..")0;  bill  L'. 40  ;  tarsus  :J.tO,  etc.  Northern  and  Arctic  seas,  circiimpolar  :  .>^. 
ill  winter  in  N.  Am.  to  the  Middle  States,  coastwise  ;  lu'c^eds  only  in  the  high  north.  This  is  one 
of  the  very  largest  and  most  powerful  birds  of  the  wlnde  family,  fully  e(|Ualling  Li  mariniis  in 
these  respects. 

769.  L.  Iciieop'teriis.  (Gr.  Xf uxor, /^((cos,  white ;  TrTtpdv,  j)^ero»,  wing.)  WiiiTK-wixtir.ii  Gri.i.. 
1'ieci.sely  like  the  last,  but  smaller.  Length  2kOO,  rather  less  tliiiii  more;  wing  10.00-17.00  ; 
bill  iilong  culmeii  1.75-2.00,  tilong  gape  about  2.75  ;  de])th  iit  angle  0.05  ;  ttirsiis  2.00-2.25, 
not  longer  thiin  middle  toe  and  tdaw.  This  counterpart  of  L.  ghutcHK  inhabits  the  same  north- 
erly regions,  coining  south  to  the  same  degree  in  winter.  It  appears  to  be  much  le.«s  char;icter- 
istic  of  N.  Am.  than  of  Europe. 

770.  ^-  glauces'eens.  (Lat.  (jhuceaccufi,  growing  bluish.)  Gi-AfCof.s-wiNGF.i)  Gri.i,.  Like  a 
herring  gull  with  the  black  of  the  ])riinaries  washed  out ;  primaries  of  the  ccdor  of  the  mantle 
to  the  very  tips,  wliich  are  occupied  by  detiiiito  sintill  white  spots;  the  1st  also  with  a  liiri:e 
wliite  sub-terminal  spot.  Hill  long  and  rather  weak,  the  upper  mandible  acut<'  and  projecting 
considerably  beyond  tip  of  the  under,  the  convexity  near  the  end  conipiiratively  slight  :  iingle 
pretty  well  defined,  the  outline  between  it  and  the  tip  about  straight.  Tarsus  rather  longer 
than  middle  toe  and  claw.  Length  about  27-00 ;  wing  16.75  ;  bill  along  culmon  2.25  ; 
gape  3.25  ;  depth  at  angle  0.70  ;  tarsus  2.60  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  2.50.  Adult  in  summer  : 
Bill  light  yellow,  an  orange  spot  at  angle  of  lower  mandible,  and  a  dusky  one  just  above. 
^Ltndible  pearl-blue,  much  the  same  shade  as  in  nrgentntiis.  Primaries  scarcely  darker  than 
the  back,  all  with  well-defined,  rounded  apical  spots  of  white.     First,  the  base  not  ajipreciably 


T48 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONGIPENXES  —  GA  VLE. 


liglitrr  tlmii  till'  biiily  of  the  fciitlier,  with  ii  u-cll-dcfinod  wliitc  spot  on  l)o(li  Wflxt  iirar  tlic  riid, 
B('imnit»'cl  I'ldlii  tlic  wliiti'  tiji  Ity  ii  tnilisvii'«(^  hiiml  of  tlic  color  of  tlic  body  of  the  fcatlirr  ;  >ccoiicl 
tliird,  anil  fonrtli,  basal  portions  notaldy  lii-litcr  than  the  ti'niiii  il,  fading  into  pin-o  whiti'  at 
tliL'ir  jiinctnru  with  the  lattrr,  withiait  spots  cxft'pt  at  the  a|)('X  ;  fifth,  sixth,  basal  portions  the 
Ctdor  of  the  ba(fU,  fading  into  \vhitt»  uuar  tlii<  cud,  separated  from  the  whilii  apircs  by  a  band, 
narrowest  on  the  sixth,  of  the  eolor  of  tiie  onter  primaries.  Iniu'r  primaries  like  the  second- 
aries, with  ]ilain  broadly  white  emls.  Feet  light  llesh-cohir.  Adnlt  in  winter :  Head,  neck, 
and  breast  thickly  nelmlated  with  liglit  grayish-ihwky,  tlie  throat  mostly  immacnlate.  Approach- 
ing maturity  :  Itill  dark-C(dored,  yellowish  along  the  cuhiien  and  gonys.  Wings  and  tail  ii^lit 
gri'yish-ashy,  the  former  without  sharply-deliued  white  tips  or  spots.  Under  parts  generally 
marked  with  dusky,  tho  wing-coverta  nntrkcd  with  dusky  and  white.  Feathers  of  the  back 
iiarr  iwly  edged  with  gray.  Intermediato :  liill  Hesh-colored,  tlie  terminal  portion  black.  \Vini:s 
and  tail  darker  than  in  the  preceding  especially  on  the  outer  webs  of  the  former.  Everywhere 
dusky-gray,  more  or  loss  mottled  with  white,  the  guU-blne  of  the  upper  jiarts  appearing  in 
patches  of  greater  or  less  extent.  Young-of-the-year  :  Hill  black.  Kverywhere  grayish-dusky, 
somewhat  mottled  with  whitish  ;  the  feathers  of  the  back,  wings,  aial  upper  tail-coverts  edged, 
tippeil,  and  crossed  with  more  or  less  regular  transverse  l)ars  of  grayish-white.  Downy  young: 
Hill  and  feet  black  ;  head  and  neck  dull  whitish,  i^jiotted  with  blackish  ;  ujiper  parts  s]iotted 
with  grayish-black  and  grayish-white ;  under  ])arts  more  uniforudy  gray,  the  abdomen  white. 
Pacific  coast  of  N.  Am.,  of  U.  S.  in  winter,  breeding  northerly;  common.  Also  on  the 
Asiatic  coast. 
T70a.  L.  kuniUeiil.  (To  L.  Kumlieu.)  GuAV-wiXdEU  Gft.L.  Adidt  ^  :  Like  glaucescem ; 
rather  smaller,  with  lighter  mantle  and  ditt'erent  c(dor  and  ))attern  of  the  primaries.  Mantle 
about  as  in  leucopicnts  ;  priuuiries  and  secondaries  mostly  white  on  their  exposed  surfaces, 
with  markings  of  dull  slate-gray.  First  jjrinuiry  white  on  both  webs  at  end  for  about  two 
inches,  the  itnier  web  white  to  the  base  excepting  a  slate-gray  strip  next  the  shaft,  the  outer 
web  (except  at  end)  slate-gray  fading  into  white  toward  the  base.  Sitcom'  primary  with  the 
gray  confined  to  a  space  of  about  four  inches  on  the  outer  web,  and  Ixith  Webs  tinged  with  the 
Color  of  tho  mantle  which,  on  the  inner  web,  fades  into  white  about  three  inches  from  the  tip, 
but  on  tho  outer  web  is  deepest  where  it  joins  the  darker  gray  area.  Third  primary  with  sub- 
apical  gray  bar  on  both  webs,  half  an  inch  wide  on  inner  web,  but  running  along  the  outer  web 
for  two  inches;  the  tip  of  this  fi'iitlier  white,  tho  rest  tinged  with  the  cidor  of  the  mantle. 
Fourth  primary  with  a  slate-gray  subterniiual  bar,  but  narrower  and  \)nhr ;  fifth  with  a  pair 
of  subtcrminal  gray  spots;  remaining  priuuiries  and  all  the  secondaries  jilaiu  and  eoncidor  with 
mantle  to  within  about  two  inches  of  their  tijjs,  where  the  poarl-blue  changes  rather  abrujitly 
into  white.  Iris  cream-color;  bill  yellow  with  red  s))ot,  as  usual ;  orbital  ring  reddish ;  feet 
flesh-color.  Length  21.01);  extent  .50.00  ;  wing  16.00-17.00  ;  tail  6.50;  chord  of  culmen  1.7.5 ; 
gape  2. GO ;  tarsus,  or  middle  too  and  claw,  about  2.150.  Yiamg  said  to  be  even  darker  than 
that  of  argentnUts  (J)  Cumberland  Sound  and  Greenland,  8.  in  winter  to  New  England,  the 
citations  of  "//?ai«cc.sce>!,s"  from  Maine  belonging  here.  (Description  compiled  fr.  Urewster, 
Bull.  Nutt.  Club,  viii,  1883,  p.  216.  The  bird  is  probably  i.  chalcopterus  of  Bruch,  Lawrence, 
and  Coiios.) 
771.  L.  mari'nus.  (Lat.  marinus,  marine).  Gueat  l^LACK-BArKED  Gull.  Saddle-back. 
CoFFix-CARRiER.  CoBB.  Adult,  breeding  plumago :  Size  very  largo  ;  general  form  strong, 
compact,  and  powerful.  Bill  very  stout,  deep  at  the  angle,  rather  short  for  its  height;  culmen 
toward  the  end  exceedingly  convex,  so  much  so  as  to  make  a  tangent  to  it  at  the  point  where 
the  tip  of  the  lower  mandible  touches  it  perpendicular  to  the  connnissure.  Syinphyseal  enu- 
rcnce  very  prominent ;  tarsus  but  little  if  any  longer  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw,  compressed, 
rather  slender  for  the  size  of  the  bird.  Bill  bright  chnr.r.c,  the  tip  of  both  mandibles  diapha- 
nous.    A  largo  bright  vermilion  spot  occupies  nearly  the  ter.'ninal  half  of  the  lower  mandible 


nn 
on 
M 
br 

li^ 
wl 
siv 

t'l 

at 

tl 

as 

wl 

ai 


LAlillU-:  —  LAlilS.E  :    G LLl.S. 


\:\ 


an.1  fiiproiiclicH  a  litflr  .m  tlic  \\\^\»r.    K.lu'is  dfjawM  l.ritrlit  vrrmilicii.    Paliitr  uihI  toimn.'  imlc 

.ll•all^l■-l•..(l.      Ey.'li.lM  vrinilini,.      Iii.s  i,„l,.  l.iiiun-y.ll U%^  aii.l  frft  jmlf  tl.'.H|i.rnl,,r, 

Miiiitlo  inteimo  Hlati'-folor,  iifiirly  Muck,  witli  u  iMir|ili>h  ivHtrtioii ;  k mliirii'M  ami  tntial.s 

iH-dudly  tii)])i'il  with  wliitc,  tlic  line  of  il. maivatidii  iliMinct.  I'riniarics  :  tii>t,  l-la.'li,  .sraicdy 
lif,'litiT  at  its  basf,  it.-*  tip  wiiilc  tur  •.'!  iurl;c>,  its  siialt  wiiitc  iiit'.'iidijy,  ami  Niipcriurly  aii.iiu  ilic 
\vliit(^  IMirfioii  (if  the  fcatlier ;  scctimi,  lii«i!  tlir  tiwt,  but  it.s  bast'  liKlitiT,  tlir  wliito  tip  \vm  cxtni- 
Hivc,  aial  iiiti'rru]if('(i  by  a  iiarmw  l)ar  nf  blaclj  im  niic  nr  liotii  webs  ;  tliinl,  fniiiili,  tifili,  luMadly 
tiiUMMl  witli  wiiitf,  tiicii-  bases  nf  a  IIkIiIit  siiadc  nf  slat.'  tiiaii  tiic  sinniil,  ami  failing,'  into  wliitc 
at  till)  jmu'tioii  with  the  broad  black  siibtcriniiial  baud.  Adult  iu  winter :  As  in  siinnncr,  but 
the  head  and  iK'ck  streaked  with  dusky.  YounK-if-the-ycar  :  As  larp' as  the  adult;  the  bill 
as  hir^e,  but  not  so  strong,  nor  tho  eminence  so  well  developed  ;  wholly  black,  rpiier  parts 
wliidly  dusky  chocolate-brown,  mottled  with  whitish  and  lii;hl  rufous,  the  latter  on  tiie  ba(di 
and  wings,  the  feathers  being  tipped  ami  the  wiui,'-cnverts  deeply  indented  with  this  color. 
Umler  jiiirta  niotth'd  with  white  or  ruf(uis-wliite  and  dii.Nky,  the  throat  mostly  imrjuu'ulato. 
Primaries  ami  tail  deejt  brownish-black,  the  former  tijiped,  subternuuaily  barre<i,  and  its  enter 
feather  nnittled,  with  whitish.  Diuu'usicais  :  length  .'iO.OH  inches  ;  extent  O.'i.DK ;  win;;  i'.MM); 
bill  alxfvi)  2. .50;  rictus  .'V.jO;  height  at  nostril  0.85;  iit  angle  ().<,),')  ;  tarsus  ;>.()0 ;  middle  too 
and  claw  slightly  less.  This  great  bird,  the  dark  rival  of  the  ice-gull,  inhabits  the  .\tlani',c 
coasts  of  Europe  and  \.  Am.,  ranging  south  coastwise  in  winter  to  Florida,  breeding  beyond 
the  II.  H.,  especially  in  Labrador.  Foinul  on  the  hirger  inland  waters  as  well  as  coa,stwise. 
Nest  on  the  grouml,  of  moss  and  .seaweed  ;  eggs  .'{,  S!.'.)0  X  2.1.'),  pale  drab  or  olive-gray,  irreg- 
ularly bhttched  with  dark  brown  and  blackish,  with  pinplish  or  neutral-tint  shell-spots. 

713.  fj,  urKeiitiv'tus.  (Lat.  iin/vntdtiis,  silvered,  silvery.)  KlUol'KAN  Hi;i{|{IN(i  (111. I,.  I'recisely 
lik(^  the  next  to  be  described,  excepting  the  tbllowing  [larticulars  :  Average  smaller  size  ;  wing 
av<'raging  1.50  inches  shorter;  feet  abiait  (•..50  shorter  on  an  average;  bill  shorter  and  slenderer, 
])articularly  at  base.  The  1st  prinniry  has  usually  a  white  termimil  s])ace  2  inches  hu'g ;  the 
2d  a  largo  rounded  sub-terminal  white  sjiot,  occupying  both  webs.  The  1st  primary  of  the 
American  bird  bus  usually  a  rounded  white  subterminal  spot  much  like  that  on  the  2d  ju'lmary 
of  the  Enroi)ean,  alnuist  always  sejiaratcd  from  the  white  apical  sjiot,  and  if  a  spot  is  present 
on  the  2d  primary  it  is  small.  A  variety  is  pn'dicable  upon  theses  average  diH'erences.  IJirds 
ty]>ically  like  the  European  occur  in  X.  Am.,  where  the  next  is  the  ordiiniry  "  herring  gull." 

773.  L.  a.  siiilthsoiiia'iius.  (To  the  8.  I.)  Amkuican  IIi;uuiN('t  fJi'i.i-.  Adult:  ISill  rather  less 
than  tarsus,  shorter  than  head. ;  nditist,  its  height  at  the  angle  slightly  more  than  at  the  base. 
Culnieu  nearly  straight  at  the  no.strlLs;  then  rajiidly  convex  to  the  stout,  deflected,  overhanging 
ajM'x.  Outline  of  rami  sliglitly  concave  ;  gonys  about  straight;  emineiu'c  at  symphysis  large 
and  prominent,  but  its  apex  not  very  acute.  Breeding  plumage:  Hill  bright  chrcjuie,  its  tii) 
diaphanous ,  a  vermilion  s))ot  at  the  angle,  with  sometimes  a  small  black  one  just  anterior  to  it. 
Legs  and  d'ot  j^ale  Jlesh-color  ;  claws  blackish.  Manth'  typical  "gull-blue,"  miU'h  lighter  than 
in  occidcntalis  ;  lighter  than  in  brachi/rhi/)ichus  ;  of  much  the  sanu'  shade  as  in  (kluwitnnsis  or 
gldiicescetis  ;  darker  than  in  glaiiciis  or  leiicopterun.  The  basetdf  the  primaries  are  the  sanui 
as  tlie  back,  or  very  slightly  lighter,  not  so  light,  nor  of  so  great  extent  (being  exceedinuly 
short  on  the  first  primary),  nor  so  broad  at  the  end,  as  iu  crilijhrnicus.  On  the  first  prinniry 
this  light  basal  portion  is  very  short,  hardly  reaching  within  six  or  seven  inches  of  the  tip  of 
the  jirimary.  Tt  is  not  lighter  at  its  junction  with  the  black,  nor  does  it  exteml  furthi'r  on  the 
central  portion  than  on  the  edge  of  the  feather.  On  the  second,  third,  and  fourth  primaries  the 
bluish  of  the  basal  jxirtions  of  the  feather  extends  about  the  same  di.stanco  on  each  (within 
four  inches  of  the  tip  of  the  second),  and  runs  up  further  on  the  <'eiitres  of  the  feathers  than  on 
their  edges,  and  grows  nearly  white  at  its  junction  with  the  black  piation  of  tlu;  feathers. 
First  primary  with  a  subapical  white  spot  near  its  tip;  .small,  rounded,  not  much  over  an  inch 
in  diameter ;  generally  not  longer  on  the  outer  vane  than  on  the  inner;  sometimes  wanting  on 


744 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LON  GIPENNES  —  GA  VI.E. 


the  fonner;  in  oldest  birds  this  spot  enlarging  to  coalesce  with  the  white  tip  of  the  feather ; 
second  primary  usually  without  a  subapical  spot,  or  if  one  is  present  it  is  small.  All  the  j)ri- 
maries  with  small  rounded  wliito  apices,  and  black  from  these  apical  spots  to  their  bluisli-wliite 
bases;  this  band  of  black  growing  narrower  from  the  first  toward  the  seventh,  where  it  is  a 
mere  point.  Winter  ]duniage  :  Head  and  nedi  streaked  with  dusky;  bill  less  brightly  colori'd. 
Otherwise  as  in  summer.  Immature  :  The  feathers  of  the  back  have  gray  margins;  the  upper 
wing-coverts  mottled  with  dusky-gray.  An  imperfect  subterminal  bar  of  dusky  on  the  tail. 
Young  of  first  winter:  Head,  neck,  and  whole  under  parts  more  or  less  thickly  mottled  with 
dusky,  as  are  the  wing-coverts,  secondaries,  and  tertials.  The  gull-blue  of  the  up]i('r  jiarts 
appears  in  irregular  patches,  mixed  with  gray.  Kemiges  and  rectrices  brownish-black,  with 
very  narrow  whitish  tips,  th<>  former  wanting  both  ai)ical  and  subapical  white  spots.  l$ill  llcsli- 
ctdor,  its  terminal  third  black.  Feet  dull  liesh-ctdor.  Younger  :  Entirely  a  deep  dull  brown- 
ish ;  the  throat  lightly  streaked  and  the  rumi)  transversely  barred  with  whitish;  the  feathers  of 
the  back  with  yellowish  or  grayish-white  edges ;  wings  and  tail  black;  bill  black;  legs  and 
feet  dusky  ilesh-ccdor.  Dimensions  of  adult:  li'ugtii,  2i  to  25  inclies;  extent  54  to  5S; 
wing  17.00  to  18.00;  bill  along  culmen,  2.10;  height  at  nostril,  0.73  ;  at  angle  O.SO;  tarsus 
2.7') ;  middle  toe  and  claw  the  same.  Female  a  little,  and  youug  cmisiderably  less  than  the 
above.  Wing  down  to  15. .50;  bill  to  2.30;  tarsus  to  2.40.  N.  Am.  at  large,  abundant,  buth 
coastwise  and  in  the  interior,  especially  numerous  along  the  Atlantic  coast  in  winter;  casually 
on  the  Pacific  coast.  Breeds  from  New  England  and  the  great  lakes  northward,  especially 
about  the  St.  Lawrence,  Xewfoundland,  and  Labrador;  but  not  specially  arctic.  Ne.st  nn 
the  ground,  exceptionally  in  trees;  eggs  normally  3,  averaging  2.80  X  1-05  ;  ground-color  from 
light  bluish-  or  greenisli-white  to  dark  l)rowiiish-(dive;  markings  of  every  size  and  shape,  very 
irregularly  disposed,  dark  brown  and  blackisli,  jialer  brown  and  neutral-tint;  June  and  early 
July.     Nestlings  covered  with  whitish  down,  mottleil  with  angular  dusky  spots. 

774.  L.  oeeideuta'lis.  (Lat.  occidentnlis,  western.)  WicsriouN  HniiuiNii  (iri.r,.  15111  large,  very 
stout  and  deep ;  culmen  unusually  c(mvex  at  the  end  ;  angle  strongly  developed,  making  the 
under  outline  doubly-concave.  Feet  large  and  stout :  tarsus  eijual  to  middle  toe  and  claw. 
Adult,  sununer  plumage  :  Hill  bright  chrome-yellow  ;  a  vermilion  spot,  more  or  less  extensive, 
at  the  angle.  Mantle  dark  blnish-asli,  almost  slate-color;  the  tips  of  the  secondaries  and  ter- 
tials white;  the  line  of  demarcaticni  distinct.  Primaries:  first  three  black  throughout  their 
exposed  pin'tions,  the  outer  white  for  some  distance  at  the  tip  (1.75  inches),  cros.sed  near  the 
end  with  an  irregular  black  bar,  the  shafts  entirely  black;  second,  without  a  white  spot,  but 
its  tip,  and  the  tiiis  of  all  the  others,  white.  Legs  and  feet  llesh-cidor.  Approaching  matu- 
rity :  As  in  the  preceding,  but  the  upper  parts  rather  lighter,  and  the  tail  with  an  imperfect 
subterminal  bar  of  black.  Intermediate:  15)11  much  as  in  the  adult.  White  of  the  head, 
neck,  and  under  parts,  more  or  less  mottled  with  dusky;  ''gull-blue"  of  the  upi)er  parts  ap- 
pearing in  irregular  i)atches  ;  most  of  the  feathers  tipiied  with  light  gray.  Primaries  and  tail 
uniform  deep  blackisli-browu,  witli  scarcely  lighter  tips,  the  former  without  spots.  Young-of- 
the-year:  15111  entirely  black,  rather  .•shorter  than  in  the  adults,  but  at  the  same  time  with 
great  comparative  depth  at  the  angle.  Everywhere  a  deep  blackish-brown,  mottled  with 
grayish-white,  the  feathers  of  the  U])i)er  parts  being  tipped  and  <'(lged  with  that  color.  Kump 
and  upper  tail-coverts  ban'ed  with  whitish  and  dusky.  Wings  and  tail  as  in  the  preceding. 
Winter  plumage:  This  .species  seems  to  form  an  exception  to  the  rule  which  obtains  so  exten- 
sively among  large  gulls,  siiu-e  in  winter  the  head  and  neck  l)ehind  are  not,  ordinarily  at  least, 
streaked  with  dusky.  Dimensions  of  adult:  length  2t  inches;  extent  55.00;  M'iug  1G.50; 
bill  above  2.30  ;  along  gape  .'5.10  ;  height  at  nostril  0.75  ;  width  0.40  ;  height  at  angle  0.85  ; 
tarsus,  and  middle  toe  and  claw,  2.75.     Pacific  Coast  of  \.  A.,  very  counn(m. 

775.  Li.  caohlii'nans.  (Lat.  ciichiDiirnis,  laughing  iunuoderately.)  Pai.l.vs'.s  Gi'll.  Size,  pro- 
portions of  parts,  pattern  of  primaries,  etc.,  as  in  a  common  Herring  Gull.     Feet  yellow  (not 


776. 


777. 


778. 


LAliW.E  —  LAlUX.E :    GULLS. 


r4r, 


flesh-color);  ring  round  eye  in  the  livoctling  season  onuiije-rca  (not  yclluw).  Miintle  dark 
bluish  —  much  darker  than  that  of  argentuUis,  yet  not  slate-colored  us  in  oaitlcntuli^.  Euidi.e, 
Asia,  and  X.  W.  coast  of  N.  A. 

L.  affl'nis.  (Lat.  offinis,  allied  to  L.  fiisciis.)  Rkixhardt's  Otll.  rnkii.iwn  i..  me; 
Descrilied  as  a  slaty-hacked  bird,  rcxcnihlinj,'  /..  fiisnis,  but  bclipn<;iuij  t<>  the  herring'  uuU 
group  in  the  pattern  of  the  priniavics ;  feet  liesh-colnrccl,  siiuill,  toes  shorter  than  tarsi.  Asia; 
only  X.  American  as  occurrini;  in  Alaska  aud  accidentally  in  Greenhind. 

L.  ealifor'iiieus.  ('.\lifou\iax  Gl'l.l..  Adult,  suunucr  phnnasre:  l?ill  iimderately  stout, 
the  angle  well  developed  ;  varying  in  size,  lnUirer  than  in  (Irlawdiensis,  snuicliiiies  ncirly  <i|ual- 
liug  ari)e)it(ifi(s.  Tarsus  ecpial  to  or  slightly  louucr  than  middle  toe  aud  claw.  Itill  chr.>uie- 
ycllow,  tinged  with  greenish;  a  vermiliiui  spcit  on  lower  nuindilde  at  aimlc  :  a  black  spot  just 
above,  forming,  with  a  very  snuiU  black  spot  on  the  upper  maudilile.  au  imperlect  transverse 
band.  Feet  dusky  hliiixh-greeii,  the  webs  yellutv.  Mantle  pearl-blue,  much  as  in  hnwhiirhim- 
chiis,  lighter  than  in  atnus,  sliglitly  darker  than  in  unjenUdux.  I'liniarics  :  liases  of  all  liuht 
blnish-wiiite,  internally  almost  white,  especially  on  outer  webs,  and  of  irreat  extent  on  all  :  1st 
with  a  white  si)acc  at  the  end  for  alxiut  i  inches,  the  shaft  white  along  the  white  portion  of 
the  feather;  2d  with  a  white  spot  near  the  end  on  the  whole  of  the  inner  and  most  of  the 
outer  web,  divided  by  the  black  shaft ;  tijis  of  all  white  ;  black  forming  merely  a  narrow  sub- 
terminal  band  on  the  6th.  Tips  of  iuner  primaries  white,  as  are  also  the  tips  of  the  second- 
aries and  tortials,  the  lino  of  demarcation  between  the  white  and  the  blin-  of  the  mantle  jireity 
distinct.  In  breeding  jdumage:  Kyelids  bright  satt'ron-yellow  or  red.  Kyes  brown.  I'pper 
niauilihlo  bright  chrome,  the  greater  part  < if  the  lower  vermilion,  the  rest  chrome.  (Jape  of 
nioutli  deep  crimson.  Feet  green.  Winti'r  ]iluinagc:  IJill  dully  coloreil.  Head  and  neck 
behind  streaked  and  mottled  with  dusky.  Nearly  nuiture  :  As  in  the  preceding.  Tail  with 
an  imperfect  subtermiual  bhud?  b'r.  Sonu'  of  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  edged  with  irray. 
White  space  at  end  of  1st  prinuny  crossed  by  a  trausvi;rse  bhndi  bar:  no  sjiot  on  iA  primary. 
Young:  Bill  ycdiowish  llesh-color,  black  on  the  terminal  half.  Head,  neck,  rump,  wim;- 
coverts,  tertials  and  secondaries,  iuottle(l  with  dusky.  I'rimaries  and  tail  uniformly  hrowiiish- 
bhudi,  scarc(dy  lighter  at  the  tijis.  Hack  as  in  the  adults,  but  the  feathers  with  grayish  edges. 
Diuu-nsious :  Length  -.'O.OO-^.S.OO  ;  extent  50.00-.)  J. 00  ;  wing  15.00-17.0(1;  hill  1.00-2.00; 
depth  at  emiiu'utia  symphysis  0.50;  tarsus  2.00-2.25;  middle  toe  and  (daw  about  the  same. 
Adults  near  the  larger  of  these  dinu'usious.  Western  and  Arctic  X.  Am.,  breeding  abundantly 
in  U.  S. 

L.  flelawaren'sis.  (Of  Delaware.)  IJixci- milled  (Jfn,.  Common  Ami:uic.\n'  (ifi.i,. 
Adult  in  sumnu'r:  15111  rather  stout,  as  louif  as  the  middle  toe  aud  claw  ;  tin'  upper  maudilile 
considerably  convex  at  the  end  ;  under  nuiudihle  inucdi  thiidieued  at  the  ausile.  which  is  prom- 
inent;  the  outline  from  l)as<!  to  angle,  and  from  angle  to  tip,  both  concave.  .Miildle  toe  aud 
claw  .scarcely  more  than  j-  the  tarsus.  Hill  fireeiiish-yidlow,  at  tip  chrome,  encircled  at  the 
angle  with  a  broad  band  <if  black.  Lei;s  and  fi'ct  dusky  blui  :'i-green.  Mantle  liixht  pearl- 
bine,  fading  into  white  at  the  ends  of  the  secondaries  aud  t<  rtials,  the  line  of  demarcation  ju- 
di.sttnct.  I'rinmries:  1st  black,  the  basal  jMirtiou  of  the  inner  web  very  liuht  bluish-white, 
(almo.st  white),  witli  a  spot  of  white  about  1.25  in(du's  louir  ne.ir  the  end,  of  ei|Ual  ixteui  on  both 
webs,  divided  by  the  hX-M'k  shaft  :  2d  with  a  small  white  spot  on  the  inner  web,  and  the  inner 
web  whitish  at  base  for  a  longer  distance  ;  the  whitish  of  the  bases  of  the  primaries  reirularly 
increases  inward  and  the  bhudt  decreases,  luUil  on  the  (ith  it  is  mendy  a  transverse  bar.  .\]ie.v 
of  1st  in-imary  black,  of  othi'rs  white,  the  sjiot  being  very  minute  on  the  2d.  aud  trradiially  in- 
creasing;  7th  and  innermost  primaries  without  any  black,  like  the  secondaries,  .\dult  in 
winter:  As  in  snnnner,  but  the  head  ami  neck  btdiiud  spotted  (not  streaked  nor  n(bidateil) 
with  dusky.  Youiur,  first  winter;  Tpjier  ])arts  irrcirularly  mottled  with  dusky  brown  and  the 
pearl-blue  of  the  adults,  the  wing-coverts  being  almost  entirely  dusky,  with  lighter  margins 


SYSTE3IA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONGIPENNES  —  GA  VI.E. 


to  tlio  feathers.  Head,  nock,  and  under  parts,  mottled  with  white  and  dusky.  Primaries 
uuifnnuiy  black;  socoudaries  witli  a  patel  of  brownisli-blaek  near  the  ends;  tertials  wholly 
brownish-black,  narrowly  tipped  with  whitish.  Tail  with  a  broad  subterminal  band  of  black, 
uari'owly  tipped  with  white.  Terminal  half  of  bill  black,  the  extreme  tip  yellowish.  Youiii;- 
of-tlic-year  in  August :  Everywhere  mottled  thickly  with  brownish-black,  on  the  ujjper  jmrts 
the  feathers  with  yellowish-white  edges,  the  pearl-blue  of  the  adults  scarcely  apjiarent,  excejit 
on  the  wing-coverts.  Terminal  two-thirds  of  bill  with  the  tip  black,  the  rest  light  iiesh- 
coh)r.  Dimensions:  length  19.75;  extent  iS.aO;  wing  14.73;  bill  above  1.70;  gape  2.30; 
heiglit  at  nostril  0.43;  at  angle  0.50;  tarsus  2.10;  middle  toe  1.80.  N.  Am.  at  large,  on 
the  whole  the  commonest  species,  both  coastwise  and  in  the  interior ;  breeds  in  the  U.  S.  as 
well  as  far  nortli. 

7T9.  1".  ea'nus.  (Lat.  canus,  hoary  gray.)  European  Mew  Gitll.  Assigned  to  N.  A.  on 
strength  of  a  specimen  shot  by  me  in  Labrador  in  18(30.  It  is  entirely  like  the  next  to  bo 
described  excepting  the  following  particulars:  Tarsus  a  fourth  longer  than  the  middle  toe  and 
<'law.  Hill  stouter,  with  less  convex  culmen  and  better  developed  angle.  The  bluish  bases  of 
the  primaries  darker,  not  fading  into  white  at  their  junction  with  the  black,  not  running  so  far 
ahing  the  feathers,  nor  farther  "in  the  centres  than  along  the  edges  of  the  inner  webs.  .Size 
jireater.     Probably  not  more  than  varictally  distinct  from  the  next  to  be  described. 

780.  li.  brachyrliyn'ehus.  (Gr.  ffpaxvs,  bnichus,  short;  pvyxos,  hrugchos,  beak.)  Ameuican 
Mew  Gi'LL.  Bill  small,  sumewhat  stout  for  its  length,  nuich  shorter  than  the  head  or  tarsus. 
Upper  mandible  straight  to  the  end  of  the  nostrils,  moderately  convex  to  the  tip,  rather  more 
f!o  than  in  canus.  Angle  of  lower  mandible  pretty  well-developed,  comparatively  more  so  than 
in  canus  ;  the  lower  outline  considerably  concave  posterior  to  it,  somewliat  so  before  it. 
Commissure  about  straight  to  near  the  tip.  Tarsus  and  middle  toe  and  claw  about  eqiuil,  tlie 
former  but  little  if  any  longer  than  the  latter.  Adult  in  summer:  Hill  bluish-green,  its  ter- 
minal third  bright  yellow.  Legs  and  feet  dusky  bluish-green,  the  webs  yellowish.  Mantle  liglit 
grayish-blue  or  darlc  pearl-blue,  a  shade  darker  than  in  canus,  much  darker  than  in  delaira- 
renxis.  Prinuu'ies :  the  bluish-gray  bases  rather  lighter  than  in  canus,  much  darker  than  in 
dchtirarensis,  but  fading  into  nearly  pure  white  on  all  but  the  first  at  the  jimcture  «-ith  the 
black  portion  ;  these  bluish-gray  bases  of  the  feathers  extend  toward  the  ends  nmch  furtlu'r 
than  in  canus,  as  far  as  in  delawarensis,  and,  as  in  that  species,  on  the  2d,  3d,  and  4th.  extend 
further  along  the  central  portions  of  the  inner  web  than  at  the  eilges,  so  that  they  are  bordered 
for  scpuie  distance  with  the  black  of  the  terminal  portions  of  the  f<>athers.  The  black  takes  in 
the  outer  web  of  the  l.st  primary  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the  inner,  but  rapidly  becomes  nar- 
rower, till  it  is  merely  a  subterminal  transverse  bar  on  the  Gth.  The  7th  has  frequently  a  s})ot 
of  black  on  one  or  both  webs.  First,  with  a  large  white  spot  near  the  end  two  indies  lung, 
longer  on  the  outer  than  on  the  inner  web,  not  divided  by  the  black  shaft,  the  tip  of  the  feather 
black  ;  2d,  with  a  similar  spot,  but  smaller,  not  longer  on  the  outer  than  on  the  inner  web, 
and  divided  by  the  black  shaft  ;  the  extreme  apex  white,  as  are  the  apices  of  all  the  other 
primaries  except  the  1st.  Adult,  high  breeding  plumage:  Eyelid,  ocular  region,  and  gape  of 
inoutii,  bright  orange-yellow,  which  color  extends  over  the  tip  and  cutting  edges  of  the  bill. 
The  green  of  the  bill  with  a  peculiar  hoary  glaucescence.  Legs  and  feet  bluish-green,  the 
webs  bright  gan.iboge-yellow.  Sometimes  a  faint  pink  blush  of  the  plunuige  of  the  under 
parts.  Adult  in  winter  :  The  hca<l  and  neck  all  round,  with  the  upper  part  of  the  breast,  UKit- 
tled  with  dusky.  Approaching  maturity:  Head  and  neck  faintly  mottled.  Primaries  brown- 
ish-black, without  decided  white  tips;  the  spots  on  the  1st  and  2d  restricted.  Tertials  with  a 
dusky  spot  on  each  web  near  the  end.  Tail  with  a  more  or  less  perfect  subterminal  band. 
Young,  first  winter:  Bill  flesh -color;  black  (m  the  terminal  half.  Legs  and  feet  light  yellow- 
ish. Head,  neck,  rump,  and  whole  under  parts,  mottled  irregularly  with  dusky.  Back  as  in 
the  adult,  but  the  feathers  with  grayish  edgings.     Wing-coverts,  secondaries,  and  tertials 


LAlilD.T-:  —  LARINJE :    G  ULLS. 


747 


dusky;  darkest  on  the  latter;  all  with  light  edgings.  Primaries  uuif„n.,  l.ruwnish-l.lack, 
without  white  spots,  tips,  or  lighter  bases.  Tail  almost  emirelv  l.rownish-hla.'k.  witli  a 
narrow  border  of  white.  Young  in  August :  I5ill  and  Irgs  as  in  the  i.nrr.liui:.  Kveivwhero 
whitish-gray  ;  the  white  of  the  under  i)arts  appearing  as  mottling,  and  th.-  hhu'  of  tii."  uj-prr 
parts  as  irregular  patches.  Dimensions:  lenjith  17.50;  extent  42.00;  wing  i:}.?:.  ;  bill 
above  1.10;  gape  2.00;  width  at  nostrils  O.^J5  ;  height  0.35,  height  at  angle  ().;i5  ;  tarsus. 
and  middle  toe  with  daw,  1.80.  Interior  of  Aretic  America,  and  PaeiKc  roast  generally.  N,)t 
authentieated  as  occurring  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  The  American  representative  of  L.  caiim. 
781.  L.  heer'inanni.  (To  Dr.  A.  L.  Heermann.  Fig.  50'J.)  Wiiiti;-hk.\I)i;i)  Gill.  Very  different 
from  any  of  the  foregoing,  belonging  to  a  ditlerent  section  of  the  genus  {Bliisij)i(s).  Hill  shorter 
than  head  or  tarsus,  rather  slender,  nioderat(dy  comiircssed,  the  tip  rather  acute;  its  color  re.l  in 
part  in  the  adult.  Folded  wings  reaching  beyond  the  tail.  Tail  of  moderate  length,  even,  slightly 
einarginato  in  the  young.  Feet  rather  large.  Tarsus  equal  to  the  middle  toe  and  cla«-.  ( ieu- 
eral  colors  dark  ;  tail  mostly  blackish.  Adult,  breeding  idinnage  :  Hill  bright  vermilion  red, 
black  for  its  terminal  third,  sometimes  whidly  red  ;  a  red  ring  around  eye.  Head  white;  this 
c(dor  gradually  merging  on  the  neck  into  plumbeous-ash,  which  extends  over  the  whole  under 
parts,  being  lighter  on  the  abdomen  and  under  tail-coverts  than  elsewhere.  The  back  is  deep 
plumbeous-slate,  lighter  on 
the  rump.  Upper  tail-cov- 
erts clear  ashy.  Upper  sur- 
faces of  wings  like  the  back; 
the  ))rimaries  black ;  tiic  tips 
of  all,  except  the  two  or 
three  outer  ones,  narrowly 
white.  Tail  black,  nar- 
rowly   tipped    witii    white.  

Legs  and  feet  reddish -black.  .---^^'^-  <?#>^ 

Young-of-the-vear  :   Smaller  ^'*''  509.  —  Wliltc-headetl  Gull,  Jimt.  size.    (From  Sclatcr  mul  Sahin.) 

than  the  adult.  Bill  and  feet  brownish-black.  Entire  plumage  deep  sooty  or  fidiiriieins- 
blackish ;  all  the  feathers,  but  especially  those  of  the  back  and  upper  wing-coverts,  edged 
V.  ith  grayish-white.  Primaries  and  secondaries  black,  as  in  the  adults,  with  only  traces  of 
white  tips  on  the  former.  Tail  black,  very  narrowly  tipjied  with  tlull  white.  Inunature: 
Bill  as  in  the  adult.  Head  all  round,  and  the  tliroat,  mottled  with  brownish -black  and  dull 
white,  the  latter  c(dor  predominating  on  the  forehead  and  throat.  T'liper  tail-coverts  lighter 
than  ill  the  adult,  and  the  white  tips  of  the  tail-feathers  broader;  otherwise  generidly  as  in  the 
adult,  but  with  all  the  ctdors  rather  deejier.  Dimensions:  "  li>nirlh  about  17.50:  winir  13.50; 
tail  5.50";  length  of  skin  18.50;  wing  14.00;  tail  5.75;  bill  ab'Uir  culmeu  l.S();  along  gape 
2.40;  depth  at  base  0.55;  at  angle,  about  the  same  ;  tarsus  2.2li;  niidille  toe  and  claw  a  little 
less.  Young:  wing  12.25;  tail  4.7.) ;  bill  along  culmen  1.00;  dejnh  at  base  0.50;  at  auule 
0.45  ;  tarsus  1.90.  Length  of  some  skins  up  to  about  20  inches.  Pacific  coast  of  N.  Am.,  fmin 
British  Columbia  to  Guatemala  ;  singular  among  all  our  species  in  dark  lead-color  with  white 
head  and  red  bill ;  common  on  the  California  coast. 
309.  KIS'SA.  (Icelandic  name,  rmn  or  ritsn.)  Kittiwakes.  Hill  st<iut.  rather  short,  little  com- 
pressed at  the  base,  shorter  than  the  head,  equal  to  miildle  toe  without  claw,  longer  than  tarsus ; 
tip  decurved  and  attenuated  ;  cimvexity  of  culmen  regular  and  trrailua'  from  base  to  tiji :  tronys 
concave,  in  consequence  of  the  great  ileHectiim  <if  the  apex  of  lower  mandible;  outline  of  rami 
slightly  C(meave;  eminentia  symidiysis  well  marked  and  ac.ite,  but  not  larire.  Winers  very 
long,  pointed,  reaching  beyond  the  fail;  the  j)rimaries  pi»itifed,  first  longest.  Tail  moderately 
long,  even  or  (in  young)  emarginafe.  Legs  stout  and  short.  Tarsus  remarkably  short,  less 
than  middle  toe  alone ;  anterior  toes  all  long,  and  united  by  broad,  full  webs  with  uninci.-ied  mar- 


748 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  LONGIPEXNES  —  GA  VIJE. 


gius.    Hallux  riidiinentary  or  not  well  developed,  the  ungual  phalanx  being  generally  obsolete 
Pattern  of  priuiaries  and  livery  of  the  young,  peculiar.     Nesta  on  crags. 

Analysis  of  Species. 

Feet  (lark;  bill  clou(le<l  with  olivaceous,  about  1.50  long;  wing  12.00. 

Hallux  rudimentary,  witliout  a  claw-bouring  pbalanx triilactyla    782 

Hallux  better  formed,  bearing  a  claw l:otr.i'ljiiii    783 

Feet  coral  red  (drying  yellow);  bill  clear  yellow,  about  1.20;  wing  13.00 bnriroslrin    784 

782.  R.  triilactyla.  (Lat.  tris,  thrice ;  dacli/lus,  digit.)  Common  Kittiwake.  Hind  too  (july 
ajjpcaring  as  a  minute  kn<d),  its  claw  abortive.  Adult,  breeding  plumage:  Bill  light  yellnw, 
clouded  witli  olivaceous.  Head  and  neck  all  round,  tnider  parts  and  tail,  pure  white.  Jlniitlo 
rather  dark  bluish  or  cinereous-blue,  thi^  tertiaries  and  secondaries  of  the  sain(^  color  nearly  to 
their  tips,  which  arc  white.  Primaries:  the  first  very  light  bluish-white,  without  white  apex, 
its  outer  web,  ai.d  its  inner  web  for  about  two  inches  from  the  tip,  black  ;  second  like  the  first, 
but  without  the  black  outer  web,  its  tij)  being  black  for  nearly  the  same  distance  as  the  first, 
its  apex  with  a  minute  white  spot;  on  the  third  and  fourth  the  black  tips  grow  shorter,  while 
the  apices  are  niort?  broadly  white ;  this  lessening  of  the  black  on  each  feather  is  exactly  pro- 
portional to  the  shortening  of  the  successive  quills,  bringing  the  bases  of  all  the  black  tips  in 
the  same  straight  line  (a  pattern  peculiar  to  the  species  of  Jiissa).  A  .sub-apical  black  sput  is 
usually  present  im  one  or  both  webs,  but  is  sometimes  ab.sent.  Legs  and  feet  blackish.  Iiis 
reddish-brown;  eye-ring  red.  Adult  in  winter:  Occiput,  nape  behind,  and  sides  (if  tlie  breast, 
clouded  with  the  c(dor  of  the  back,  deepening  into  slate  over  the  auriculars.  A  very  small  but 
well-defined  black  crescent  before  the  eye.  Otherwise  as  in  summer.  Young  :  IJill  black  ;  an 
ante-ocular  crescent,  and  a  ))o.st-ocular  spot,  du.>iky-slate.  A  broad  transver.«ie  bar  across  the  neck 
behind,  the  whole  of  the;  le.'iserand  median  wing-coverts,  the  bastard  <(uills,  the  tertiaries,  except 
at  their  edges,  and  a  terminal  bar  on  the  tail,  black.  The  outer  four  primaries  with  their  outer 
webs,  outer  half  of  inner  webs,  and  tips  for  some  distance,  bhick,  the  rest  of  the  feathers  jiearly 
white.  Tips  only  of  the  fifth  and  sixth  black,  their  extreme  apices  with  a  white  speck.  Leiiiith 
lG.00-18.00;  extent  30.00;  wing  U.2o;  bill  above  1.40  to  1..50  ;  ah.ng  rictus  2.10;  height 
at  base  0..50 ;  at  angle  0.40;  tarsus  1.30;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.80.  Arctic  America  and 
Europe,  chiefly  coastwise,  very  abundant ;  breeds  from  New  England  northward ;  ranges  in 
winter  S.  to  the  Middle  States.  Xests  preferably  not  on  the  ground  like  most  gulls,  but  on  tlie 
ledge-s  of  rocks  and  cliffs  overhanging  the  water,  such  as  the  guillemots  select ;  nest  of  sea- 
weeds, etc.     Eggs  like  those  of  other  gulls,  2.2.5  X  l.SO. 

783.  R.  t.  kotzebiii'l.  (To  Otto  von  Kotzehue,  the  Russian  navigator.)  Kotzeiujk's  Kitti- 
wake. It  is  a  curious  fact  that  the  common  kittiwake  of  the  North  Pacific  usually  has  the 
hind  toe  better  formed  —  sometimes  nearly  if  not  quite  as  long  as  in  ordinary  trulls,  with  a 
nearly  or  quite  jterfect,  though  small,  claw.  But  I  cannot  predicate  a  specific  character  on  this 
score,  since  the  development  of  the  toe  is  by  in.sensible  degrees.  (See  CofE.s,  Proc.  Pliila. 
Aciid.,  1809,  p.  207  (footnote)  ;  Birds  N.  \V.,  1874,  p.  014.)     N.  Pacific  coa.st.  abundant. 

784.  R.  breviros'trls.  (Lat.  hreriiostris,  short-billed.)  Short-billed  Kittiwake.  Red- 
LEOGED  Kittiwake.  Adult,  brc'>ding  plumage:  Bill  very  short,  stout,  wide  at  the  base,  the 
upper  mandible  much  curved,  though  not  attenuated  nor  very  acute.  Convexity  of  culmen 
very  great  toward  the  tip ;  the  culmen  being,  from  the  nostrils  to  the  apex,  almost  the  arc  of  a 
circle,  whose  centre  is  the  symphyseal  eniinence.  Outline  of  rami  of  under  mandible  and  gonys 
both  .somewhat  concave;  the  eminentia  symphysis  but  slightly  developed.  Tarsus  very  short, 
hardly  more  than  two-thirds  the  middle  toe  and  claw.  Wings  exceedingly  long,  reaching, 
when  fidded,  far  beyond  the  tail.  Tail  of  moderate  length,  even.  Bill  a  uniform  clear  light 
straw-yellow,  with  little  or  no  tinge  of  olivaceous:  iris  hazel  ;  eye-ring  red.  Head  and  neck 
all  round,  under  parts  and  tail,  juire  white.  Mantle  deep  leailen  or  bluish-gray,  much  darker 
than  in  i?.  triilactyla  ;  the  color  on  the  wings  extending  to  within  half  an  inch  of  the  apices  of 


the  s 

vane 

the 

defin 

feath 

same 

light 

in  fa 

a  spi 

bluis 

third 


310. 


785. 


311. 


LAlUD^i:  —  LAlUX^i: :   G I  'LL  S. 


U9 


the  secondaries,  whicH  terminal  half-inch  is  wliite.  Primaries  :  the  first  lias  its  shaft  aiul  cmt.T 
vane  black,  bnt  has  un  its  inner  vane  a  spaee  of  .luU  ir,uy  (iidt  wliile).  wliieji  at  tlie  h;ise  ,,f 
tlie  feather  oecnpies  nearly  all  tli(;  vane,  hut  unnliially  irr.nvs  narrower  nntil  it  ends  liy  a  well- 
detineil  ronndeil  termination  iuilf  as  liroad  as  tiie  vane  itself,  ahoiit  ih  inelies  from  tiie  tii.  ot  tln^ 
feather,  tiieso  2^  inches  being  black,  liiic  the  outer  vane.  Second:  tlie  onter  vane  is  of  tiie 
same  leaden  gray  as  the  back,  to  witliin  four  indies  of  tlie  tip:  tlie  inner  vane  is  of  a  rather 
lighter  shade  of  the  same  cohir,  to  within  three  inches  of  the  tip,  tliegray  ending  .ibrnptly,  beiui; 
in  fact  almost  truncated.  Third:  like  the  second,  but  the  gray  extends  further,  leaviiig  only 
a  space  of  two  incdies  black  ;  and  tiie  tip  has  also  a  minute  apical  gray  spot.  Foiirth  :  wholly 
bluish-gray  to  within  U  indies  of  tlie  tip,  wliidi  lias  a  larger  gray  apical  sjiot  than  iias  the 
third,  so  that  the  black  is  less  tlian  1^  inches  long.  Fifth  :  the  gray  extends  so  far  that  it  is 
separated  from  the  well-defined  white  ajiical  spot  by  a  band  of  bla(dc  less  than  H  indi  wide. 
Sixtli  :  gray,  fadhig  into  white  at  the  tiji,  and  with  the  black  reduced  to  a  small  subapical  sjiot 
on  one  or  botli  webs  ;  other  primaries  like  tlie  sixth,  minus  the  blad:  spot.  (This  "gray"  of 
the  primaries  is  the  c(dor  of  the  mantle.)  Legs  and  feet  coral-red,  especially  the  toes  and  webs 
(tlie  tarsi  not  (jiiite  so  bright)  ;  drying  yellow.  Claws  black.  Young  not  seen.  IJird  at  times 
said  to  have  a  black  eye-ring  and  dark  spot  Ixdiind  eye.  Nestlings  covered  with  white  down,  with 
whitish  bill  and  feet.  Dimensions:  15111  along  ciilmen  1.21)  inches;  along  rictus  about  l.?*!; 
from  nostril  to  tip  0.60;  depth  at  base  0..jO;  width  i)Ai;  depth  at  sympliyseal  eminence  i)A-2; 
wing  13.00;  tail  altont  5.00;  tarsus  1.25;  middle  toe  and  claw  nearly  2.(10;  length  of  the  whole 
bird,  apparently  about  14  inches.  A  beautiful  and  very  distinct  species,  swarming  by  thou- 
sands in  islands  in  Bering's  sea,  where  it  is  a  permanent  resident;  nests  on  shelves  of  the  most 
inaccessible  crags,  Imilding  a  substantial  structure  of  grass,  moss,  and  seaweeds,  mixed  with 
mud;  eggs  2-3,  size  and  sliape  of  a  lien's  egi;s,  of  tlie  usual  ]iattern  of  colipration  :  .June,  July. 

310.  PAGO'PHILA.  {(ir.  iToyos,  pogos,  lev;  (f>iKos,  jiliilos,  hty'uii;.  I  IcK  Gfi.L.s.  15111  very  short, 
much  less  than  the  head,  only  about  e(|ual  to  the  short  tarsus,  very  stout,  little  comjiressed,  tlie 
nasal  fossa  deep,  tlic  nostrils  |daced  far  forward.  Legs  an<l  feet  very  sliort  and  stout,  the  scales 
of  the  tarsus  and  toes  large  and  rough.  Tibia  feathered  to  near  the  joint;  tarsus  short,  about 
as  long  as  middle  toe  without  daw ;  claws  hirge,  strong,  and  nuadi  curved;  webs  narrow  and 
much  incised;  a  slight  connection  of  liind  with  inner  toe.  Size  moderate;  form  stout;  cidor 
entirely  white.     One  species. 

785.  P.  ebiir'nea.  (Lat.  ebiiniea,  of  or  like  ebur,  ivory.)  Ivouv  Gfl.l..  Adult,  breeding  plu- 
mage :  Culmen  straight  to  the  nostrils,  then  regularly  convex  ;  commissure  gently  curved  to  the 
tip,  where  it  is  considerably  decurved;  goiiys  straight  to  near  the  angle,  which  is  well  definedi 
the  outline  from  angle  to  tip  perfectly  straight.  Feathers  extending  between  the  rami  nearly  to 
the  angle.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  reaching  beyond  the  tail;  primaries  gradually  attenuated 
to  the  tip.  Color  entirely  pure  white,  the  shafts  of  the  primaries  straw-yellow.  Hill  dusky 
greenish,  yellow  at  tii)  and  along  tiie  cutting  edges.  Legs  ami  feet  bla<'k.  Eye  brown,  the 
edges  of  the  eyelids  red.  Young  :  Front,  ciiin,  and  sides  of  the  head,  grayish-dusky ;  the  upper 
part  of  the  neck,  all  rouml,  irregularly  spotted  with  the  same.  Scapulars,  and  upper  and  under 
M-ing-coverts,  spotted  with  brownish-black,  the  spots  most  numerous  along  the  lesser  coverts. 
Tips  of  the  primaries  and  tail-feathers  with  a  dusky  spot.  Dimensions:  Length  I'J.OO;  extent 
41.00;  wing  13.25;  bill  above  L40;  along  gape  2.10;  height  at  nostrils  0.15;  tarsus  about 
1.45 ;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.75.  Arctic  seas  of  both  hemispheres,  coming  southward  in  win- 
ter, bnt  rarely  to  the  U.  S. 

311.  CHROICOCE'PIIALUS.  (Gr.  xp<"«to'r.  f/iroi'te,  colored  ;  Ktri)a\f).  krjMJe,  hond.)  IfonnEn 
GULL.S.  Rosy  Gtlls.  Form  as  in  Jmhis,  but  general  organization  averaging  less  rolmst, 
size  smaller,  and  bill  usually  weaker,  slenderer,  more  acute  and  less  hooked.  Head  envdopcd 
in  a  dark  hood  in  the  breeding  season,  when  white  of  under  parts  usually  blushim.'  jiiiik  or 
rosy.     Markings  of  the  prinu»rics  .-arying  with  the  species,  but  ditlereut  from  that  of  the  larger 


750 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LOXGIPENNES—  GA  VIJE. 


gulls.  Tail  square,  or  uearly  so.  There  are  no  nmrked  peculiarities  t)f  form  of  this  genus, 
the  pattern  of  coloration  being  mainly  its  basis.  Tiie  numerous  si)eeies  average  uiiich  under 
tlidse  of  Larus  in  size  (thougli  oue  at  least  is  among  the  largest  of  Laruuc) :  they  approximate 
toward  Xema  aud  lihodustethia  in  souio  respects,  but  the  tail  is  neither  forked  nor  cuneatc. 


78T. 


Analysis  of  Species. 

Tarsus  longer  than  middle  too  and  claw. 

Dill  reddi»li,  feet  the  sauie.    Length  18.00  or  more 

Tursus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

Dili  rcddisli,  feet  tlio  same.    Lengtii  a()out  14.00  inches fmultiiii 

Bill  blaclt,  feet  red  or  yellow.    Length  about  14.00  Inches philaihliMn 


alricilla    'HO 


7>7 
7S8 


788.  C.  atrlcil'Ia.  (Lat.  «?Wt'(Wa,  black-tail :  only  applicable  to  the  young.  Fig.  510.)  LAUiiiiiNO 
Gull.  Black-ueaded  Gull.  Bill  longer  than  middle  toe  and  chiw,  shorter  than  tarsus  or 
head,  moderately  compressed,  rather  stout  for  this  genus.  Culmeu  and  commissure  hotli  decurvcd 
at  the  end,  the  latter  somewhat  sinuate  at  the  base.  Gonys  considerably  concave  in  front 
of  the  angle,  somewhat  so  between  the  angle  and  tip ;  although  the  angle  is  mtH  defined, 
the  tip  of  the  bill  ij  so  decurvcd  that  a  chord  from  tip  to  base  does  not  touch  it.  .Middle  toe 
barely  three-fourths  the  tarsus.     Adult  in  summer :  Bill  and  edges  of  eyelids  deep  caniiiue ; 

legs  and  feet  dusky-red;  iris  blackisji.  Hood 
deep  plumbeous  grayish-black,  extending  further 
on  tlie  throat  than  on  the  najie.  Eyelids  wiiite 
posteriorly.  Neck  all  round,  rump,  tail,  broad 
tips  of  secondaries  and  tertials,  and  whole  under 
l)art.>i,  white,  the  latter  with  a  rosy  tinge  (like  tli(^ 
tint  of  ))each-blossonis).  Mantle  grayisli-plum- 
beous.  Outer  six  primaries  black,  their  extreme 
tips  white ;  th(nr  bases  for  a  very  shoi't  distance 
Fig.  610.— Bill  of  Laughing  QuUiUat.  size.  (Ad  on  the  first,  and  only  on  the  inner  web,  aud  for  a 
nat.  del.  E.  C.)  successively  increasing  distance  on  both  webs  of 

the  others,  of  the  color  of  the  back.  Adult  in  winter :  Under  parts  simply  white,  not  rosy ; 
hood  lost,  the  head  being  white,  mi.xed  with  blackish.  Bill  and  feet  more  dull  in  color.  Innna- 
ture  :  Bill  and  feet  brownish-black,  tinged  with  red.  Plumbeous  of  the  upper  parts  more  or 
less  mixed  with  irregular  patches  of  light  grayish-brown.  Primaries  wliolly  brownish-black, 
fading  at  the  tip.  Secondaries  brownish -black  on  the  outer  wel).  Tail-feathers  more  or 
less  tinged  with  plumbeous,  and  witli  a  broad  terminal  baud  of  brownish-black,  the  extreme 
tips  of  tiie  featiiers  wiiite.  Upper  tail-coverts  white.  Young-of-the-year :  Entire  u)ijper 
parts,  aud  neck  all  round,  light  brownish-gray  ;  tiie  feathers  tipped  with  grayish  or  rufous- 
white,  broadly  on  the  scapulars  and  tertials,  the  blue  of  the  adults  appearing  (m  the  wing- 
coverts.  Eyelids  whitish  ;  a  dusky  space  about  the  eye.  Forehead,  tiiroat,  aud  under  parts, 
dull  wiiitish,  more  or  less  clouded  with  gray,  especially  on  the  breast,  where  this  is  the 
prevailing  color.  Wings  and  tail  as  before.  Length  about  16.50  ;  extent  41.00;  wing  13.00; 
tail  5.00;  bill  1.75,  ahuig  gape  2.25,  its  heiglit  at  nostril  0.45  ;  tarsus  2.00;  middle  too  and 
claw  1.50.  Tropical  Am.  and  temperate  N.  Am. ;  in  tjie  U.  S.  north  coastwise  in  sunnner  to 
Maine,  in  tiio  interior  to  Ohio  or  beyond  ;  on  the  Pacific  side  to  California  ;  Central  America, 
both  coasts,  and  various  W.  I.  islands;  S.  Am.  to  the  Lower  Amazon;  casual  in  Europe. 
By  thousands  along  the  Atlantic  coast  during  the  migrati(ms,  breeding  in  colonies  anywhere 
along,  wintering  in  the  South.  Nest  on  the  ground,  of  eel-grass,  seaweeds,  and  other  vege- 
table material;  eggs  mostly  15,  sometimes  2;  2.10  X  L55  ;  ground  cohir  some  olive  sliade, 
ranging  from  dull  grayish  to  dark  greenish,  thickly  marked  all  over  with  spots  and  irregular 
splashes  of  brown,  blackish,  dull  reddish  and  pale  purplish  ;  sometimes  the  markings  ciiiefly 
wreathed  about  the  large  end. 


LAlUDJt:  —  LAIUNJK :   G  ULLS. 


^,"1 
(.)1 


78T.   C.   frank'Iinl.     (To  Sir  John  Franklin.)     Fuaxklin's  Rosy  GuLr,.     Adult   in   bncling 
plumage  :   Hill   ratiifr  sUmkIi'i-,  atttiiuatcd  and  a  little  dtTurved  at  tlu;  tip,  widcli   is  acute  ; 
outline  of  both  rami  and  g"nys  I'oni'avc.     I$iil  slua'tcr  than  head ;  tarsus  eiiual  tiiiiiiddlc  toe 
and  claw.     Bill  red  (carmine,  lake,  or  vermilion),  crossed  with  black  near  tiie  end.     l,ei,'s 
dusky-reddish.     Edges  of  eyelids  orange.      Kyeliils  white,   tliis  color  also  reaching  a  little 
behind  the  eye.     Hood  deep   slaty  or  pluniheous-black,  encircling  the  upper  [lart  cif  the  ucck 
as  well  as  tlio  head,  and  extending  further  (mi  th(ahroat  than  on  the  nape.     Mantle  not  iiuite 
so  dark  as  in  atriciUa  (more  blue),  darker  than  in  jihilttclvljihia.     First  primary  with  the  uulcr 
vane   black  to  within  an  inch  of  the  tip;  the   iimer  pearly-white,  crossed  an  indior  more  from 
the  tip  by  an  isolated  black  bar  an  inch  broad,  thus  leaving  the  feather  white  on  both  webs 
for  an  inch  or  more  from  the  ti]).     The  ne.\t  live  primaries  are  basally  of  tiie  color  of  the  hack, 
paler  on  the  inner  web,  and  both  webs   fading  toward  their  tips  into  wliite ;  each  is  crosseil  by 
a  black  bar  near  the  end,  two  inches  wide  on  the  second  primary,  narrowing  on   successive 
feathers  to  a  snuiU  bar  or  pair  of  little  spots  on  the  sixth  ;  the  tips  of  all  these  primaries  pnro 
white.     Other  primaries,  with  secondaries  and  tertials,  cidored  like  the  back,  fading  at  the  tijis 
into  white;  shafts  white,  simietimes  black  along  the  black  portion  of  the  feather.     Tail  very 
pale  j)early-bluc,  the  three  Literal  pairs  of  rectrices  wliite  —  or  rather  tail  white,  liglitly  washed 
with  pearly  (m  the  si.x  central  feathers.     Xeck  all  around,  rump,  broad  tips  of  secondaries  and 
tertials,  and  whtde  under  ])arts  white,  the   latter  rosy.     Younger,  that  is  to  say,  in  summer 
pUnnage,  and  with   a  perfect  hood,  red   bill,  etc.,  but  the   primaries  not  yet  having  altaiued 
their  perfect  pattern:  General   coU)ration  e.vactly  as  before.     Shafts  id'  first  three  prinniries 
black,  of  the  rest  gray,  except  along  the  black  portion  of  tlie  feathers  ;   1st  primary  with  tlie 
outer  web  wholly  bhick,  tiie   inner  web   jiearly-gray,  mucii  like  the  back  but  ligliter,  to  witiiin 
two  or  three  inches  of  the  tip,  then  black  for  the  rest  of  its  extent;  2d  like  tlie  1st,  but  tin- 
base  of  the  outer  web  like  the  inner;  on  the  'M,  M\,  and  5th,  successively,  the  black  decreases 
in  extent,  till  on  the  6th  it  is  merely  a  little  bar,  or  pair  of  spots ;  tips  of  all  the  primaries 
white;  that  of  the  1st   primary  smallest,  that  of  the   others  successively  increasing  in  size. 
Winter  plumage  :  As  in  summer;  the  hood  wanting o!'  indicated  by  a  few  slaty  feathers  about 
the  eyes,  on  the   anriculars  and  naiie  ;    the  rosy  '.canting ;    the  bill  and  feet   dull-colored. 
Young:   Bill  blackish,   with   ])al(    base   of  under    mandible;    feet   flesh-colored:    eye    black. 
Traces  of  a  hood,  or  nape   largely  shity,  etc.,  ac>'ording  to  precise  age.     Outer  five  or  six 
primaries  wholly  bhick  in  th"ir  contiiiuity,  rather  lighter  and  somewhat  slaty  at  base,  with 
or  without  a  minute  white  speck  at  the  tip.     Mantle  gray  or  lirown,  more  nr  less  mixed  witli 
blue,  according  to  age.     Tail  ashy-white,  with  a  broail  lilack  subterminal  bar.     I'nder  i»arts 
white.     This  ap] tears  to  be  the  usual  jdumage  of  birds  of  the  first  autumn.     Dimensions: 
Length  about   li.OO  inches;  extent  IJj.OO;  whig  11.25;  tail  about  4.5((;  bill  along  ciilmen 
1.30;  nhmg  gape  1.75;  height  at  nostril  0.;15  ;  tarsus  1.(10;  middle  toe  and  claw  tlie  same. 
Young  smaller  than  adults;  bill  1.10-1.20;  wing  10.00,  etc.     S.  and  V.  Am.  in  winter;  in 
N.  Am.  migrating  through  the  interior,  chiefly  west  of  the  Mississiiii)i,  to  the  Arctic  i-egioiis, 
abundant;  has   never  been   observed  in   the  Atlantic  States.     Breeds  from  the  X.  Ixinicr  of 
the  U.  S.  northward.     Eggs  2.12  X  1-  !0,  closely  resembliiii;  tliose  of  tlie  EskiiiKi  curlew  in 
size,  shape  and  cohu-;  though  tlie  dark  splasln'S  are  more  evenly  distriiiuted  over  thi'  surface. 

788.  C,  philadel'phia.  (T(.  the  city  of  that  name.)  Box.ap.MITk's  Rosy  Gfix.  .\diilt,  breeding 
plumage:  Bill  shorter  than  the  head  or  tarsus,  much  compressed,  very  sh'iider.  like  a  tern's  : 
both  mandibles  witli  a  .slight  but  distinct  notch  near  the  tip.  Convexity  of  culmen  slidif, 
gradual  from  base  to  apex ;  rami  slightly  concave;  ironys  about  straight.  Nostrils  very  narrow. 
Tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw.  Tail  .s.unewhat  eiiaririnato  in  the  younu.  Bill 
black.  Mouth  and  eyelids  carmine.  Leits  and  feet  coral-red.  tinged  with  vermilion.  Webs 
bright  vermilion.  Hood  idumbeous-slat<',  not  so  deep  as  in  frmd-Uni.  envidoiiintr  the  Inad 
and  upper  part  of  the  neck,  reaching  further  before  than  behind.     White  patches  .m  eyelids 


752 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYyOPSIS.  —  LOXGIPENXES—  GA  VIJE. 


312. 


narrow,  and  lialf  piisti'ricir  to  the  cyi'.  Mantle  iicarl-bhic,  niucli  lighter  than  iu  franklini 
Ends  of  the  teilials  and  seaimlars  seareely  lighter  than  tiie  baek.  Primaries:  shafts  of  the 
fii-st  five  or  six  white.  exeej)t  at  their  extreme  tijis,  the  others  dark-eolored ;  first,  <mter  weh 
and  extreme  tip  Idaek,  rest  white;  second,  while,  its  tip  lilaek  for  a  greater  distance  than  the 
first,  and  on  one  or  both  webs,  for  a  greater  or  less  distance  (sometimes  half  M'ay  down  the 
feather)  narrowly  bordered  with  black  ;  third,  fonrth,  fifth,  sixth,  black  at  the  ends  for  about 
the  same  distance  on  each,  the  black  borch'ring  the  inner  web  mnch  further  than  the  outer  ; 
the  imier  webs  of  the  third  anil  foin'th,  and  both  webs  of  the  fifth  and  sixth,  of  a  rather  liu:liter 
shado  of  the  color  of  the  back.  Other  prinuiries  like  the  baek,  the  seventh  and  eighth  with 
a  touch  of  black  on  one  or  both  webs  near  the  tip.  The  third  to  sixth  prinuiries  witii  a  white 
or  pearly-white  speck  at  extreme  tip.  As  is  not  the  case  with  either  of  our  other  sjiecies  of 
the  genus,  the  prinniry  wing-coverts,  bastard  quills,  etc.,  are  wholly  or  in  great  part  white, 
causing  the  whole  win^  to  be  bordered  with  white  as  far  as  the  carpus.  Neck  all  around, 
and  under  parts,  including  under  wing-coverts,  pure  white  ;  the  belly  rosy  in  breeding  time. 
No  difference  iu  color  between  the  sexes.  Adult,  M'inter  jdumage:  Hill  light  cidored  at  base 
beh'w;  feet  tiesh-color.  Crescent  before  the  eye,  and  patch  below  the  auriculars,  deep  slate. 
Crown  and  occiput  mottled  with  grayish-black  and  white.  Hack  of  neck  waslieil  over  with 
the  <'oh(r  of  the  mantle.  Forehead,  sides  of  the  head  and  throat,  white,  continuous  with  the 
white  of  X\w  under  jiarts.  Young,  first  winter:  lUU  dusky  Hesh-color,  except  tttward  the 
en<l;  legs  and  feet  light  flesh-cidor.  Without  the  slaty  mottling  of  the  crown.  Auricular 
patch  distinct.     Lesser    wing-coverts    and    tertials  dusky-brown,    lighter  ahaig   their   edges. 

H indari' s  with  a  p.tih  of  dusky  near  the  end,  which  <iu  the  innermost  three  or  four  becomes 

restricted  to  the  outer  web.  First  jirimary,  witli  about  half  the  inner  web  along  the  .^haft, 
bhick  :  second  and  third  with  the  outer  webs  wlndly  black,  and  a  narrow  line  of  black  on 
the  inm-r,  along  the  shaft.  'J'ail  with  a  subterminal  brownish-black  bar.  Very  young  :  Hill 
•fle.sh -color,  dusky  on  the  terminal  half,  ("rown  of  head,  aial  neck  behind  to  the  interscapulars, 
chiud".;  with  du.'^ky  bluish-gray,  heightening  on  the  sides  of  the  neck  into  light  grayish- 
ochrei  us.  Scapulars  and  middle  of  the  back  light  gull-blue,  as  in  the  adult,  but  the  feathers  so 
broadly  (fori  inch)  tipped  with  grayish-brown,  fading  into  dull  white  at  tip,  that  the  original 
color  is  nearly  lost.  Lesser  wing-coverts  and  tertials  brownish-bhudv,  the  latter  edged  with 
the  c(dor  of  the  edgings  of  the  back.  Hastard  <piills  and  feathers  along  the  edge  of  the  wing 
variegated  with  black  and  white.  Primaries  black;  the  outer  two-tliirds  of  the  inner  vane 
of  the  first  four  bluish-white  to  near  the  end  ;  both  vanes  of  the  otiiers  of  that  cidorfor  a  little 
distance ;  the  extreme  tips  of  all  but  the  two  first,  white.  Secondaries  light  gull-blue,  each 
with  a  large  terminal  blackish  s)iot  coiitiimous  with  the  black  ends  of  the  inner  primaries. 
Tail  with  a  broail  terminal  bar  of  black,  and  very  narrowly  tipped  with  dull  white.  Uinien- 
sions :  Length  ILOO  inches ;  extent  32.00;  wing  10.25;  bill  above,  1.20;  gape  1.75  ;  height 
at  nostrils  (t.25  :  tarsus,  or  miildle  toe  and  claw,  1.40.  N.  Am.  at  large,  both  coastwise  and 
iu  the  interior,  migrating  through  and  wintering  in  the  U.  S.,  breeding  in  high  latitudes  ; 
abundant;  esjiecially  numerous  ah mg  tho  Atlantic  coast  during  the  migrations ;  accidental  iu 
Europe.  One  of  the  most  airy,  graceful,  and  elegant  of  the  family.  Eggs  rare  and  scarcely 
known;  one  has  been  described  as  1.8(1  Xl.'^O,  olive-gray,  with  a  close  wreath  of  very 
dark  and  lighter  brown  splashes  around  the  larger  end,  and  «)ther  scratches  and  spots  of  the 
same  scattered  over  the  whole  surface.  In  the  interior  this  species  and  the  last  m.ay  often  be 
seen  winnowing  over  ploughed  land.  pr<d)ably  after  earth-worms. 

RHODOSTE'THIA.  (Gr.  pobov,  hrodon,  tho  rose  ;  (rr^floj,  stethos,  the  breast.)  Wedge- 
TAII,  Gir.L.  Tail  cuneate  (here  only  among  Laridec).  Otherwise,  form  much  as  in  other 
small  gulls ;  bill  weak  and  slender,  with  little  salience  of  the  angle ;  wings  folding  beyond 
the  tail.  No  colored  hootl,  but  a  black  ccdlar  round  neck.  Under  plumage  blossoming  in 
breeding  season. 


791. 


LAIillJ.i:  —  LAlilN.'E :    GULLS. 


7r)8 


789.  B.  ro'sea.  (Lilt,  romt,  rosy.)  Wkikie-taii.ei.,  or  Hoss'  Rosy  fii'i.i,.  .V.lnlt :  Whit.', 
i-osy-fhitca ;  a  Muck  collar,  but  ik.  Ii.hmI  ;  iiianth'  i)caiiy-l)lu(>;  i.riinaiics  inailud  wiili  l.Ja.U  ; 
bill  black,  gape  and  odtfc  (if  cydids  ivd;  fn't  vcniiilimi.  Li-umli  II.IIO;  winy  lii.:.():  bill 
0.75,  very  sIciuUt;  tar.sus  littb'  over  l.Oi);  tail  .")..')(),  tvofm^c,  tb,.\'radiiati..ii  iHiiji;  our  iud,. 
Young  extuusivfly  mottled  with  bladu.sli.  Aivtii-  ivuious;  a  ciiruniiiolar  siiicir.s,  diiiliy 
inhabiting  the  Arctic  Leasts  of  N.  Am.  and  SilHiia,  thoiii.'ii  known  to  cmiic  southward  to  the 
FiiTocs  and  Heligoland  in  Kuroiie,  and  to  St.  .Mifharl's  in  Alaska.  This  cx.|uisitf  i;iill,  fanird 
for  the  beauty  of  its  phliuage,  remained  until  recently  oni'  of  the  rarest  of  birds  in  colhrfions; 
oidy  about  a  dozen  being  known  to  exist,  not  one  of  them  in  any  Anu'rican  inu.seum.  In  1S7<», 
Mr.  H.  L.  Xewcotiib,  naturalist  of  the  ill-fateil  "  ,b  annetle,"  secured  eight  sjiecimens  on  the 
Siberian  coast,  oldy  three  of  them,  however,  beinu  jireserved.  Mr.  K,  \\,  Nelson  took  one  at 
St.  Michael's,  Alaska.  More  recently,  a  very  large  numlier  of  speciniens  have  been  secnreil  at 
Point  Harrow,  on  the  Arctic  coa.st  of  Alaska. 

313.  XE'MA.  (A  noiisen.so  word  —  sviiiin  svu.sk  airois.)  Fuuic-tail  (iti.i.s.  Tail  foiked  (iiere 
only  in  Liiritu/).  Head  hooded,  with  a  more  or  less  evident  darker  collar,  liill  lilack.  with 
light  tip.  Size  nujderate  and  small.  With  a  geiu'ral  bearing  toward  Clin/icDiijilinliix,  in  tlie 
hooded  head  and  other  features,  the  genus  is  distinguished  from  this  or  any  other  groii|i  of 
LariiKc  by  the  tern-like  character  of  the  forked  tail. 

.Iiiitlyxin  of  SpicU'S. 
Siimll:  Wing  11  iiieliCH  or  less;  tall  lightly  forked ;   a  iletliiite  black  collar  boiimling  tho  liooil ;  fiot  Mack 

.■<iiliii,ii    790 
Large:  Wing  ID  inches  or  mure;  tall  tleejily  forked  j  black  collar  iiicoiisplcuous;  feet  reililisli   .    .  fuinila    7'Jl 

790.  X.  sabi'nii.  (To  E.  Sabine.)  FoiiK-TAiLEi)  GuLL.  Adult,  breeding  plumage:  Hill  black 
to  the  angle,  abruptly  bright  chrome  from  anglt^  to  tip.  Mouth  briirht  orange  ;  eyelids 
orange;  legs  ami  feet  black.  Hood  uniform  clear  dee})  slati',  bouniled  inferiorly  by  a  ring, 
narrowest  on  the  impe,  of  velvety-black.  Lower  part  of  neck  all  round,  tail  and  its  coverts, 
four  inner  jiriinaries,  secondaries,  greater  jiart  of  greater  coverts,  tijis  of  tertials  except  the 
innermost,  ami  whide  under  parts,  pure  white.  Mantle  slate-blue,  extending  (piite  to  the  ti])s 
of  the  inner  tertials.  Ertge  of  wing  from  the  carpal  Joint  with  the  bastard  wing,  bhick.  First 
five  primaries,  with  their  shafts,  black;  their  extreme  tips,  and  the  outer  half  of  the  inner 
webs,  to  near  the  end,  white.  Other  primaries  white,  tho  si.xtli  with  a  tou<'h  of  bla<'k  on  the 
(juter  web.  Ennirgination  of  tail  1.25  inches.  Length  13.?.") ;  wini;  ID. 7.");  bill  1.0(1;  along 
gape  1.30;  height  at  angle  O.ISO;  tarsus  L2.5  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  same.  Adult  in  winter: 
Without  the  hood.  Yonng-of-the-year :  Tail  forked,  neiirly  as  in  the  aihilt.  liill  small 
and  weak,  Hesh-cidor  and  dusky.  Legs  a]iparently  He.sh-c<dored.  N<i  hood  nor  c(dlar. 
Most  of  the  head,  the  back  of  the  neck,  and  upper  parts  in  general,  slaty-gray,  triinsversely 
waved  with  brownish-white;  each  feather  being  tipped  with  this  color.  Under  piirts  white. 
Tail  white,  with  a  broad  terminal  bar  of  black,  an  inch  wide  on  the  central  rectrices, 
growing  narrower  on  tho  others  successively;  on  the  outermost  sometimes  invadinu  oidy 
one  web.  This  black  bar  very  narrowly  edged  with  white.  Wings  surprisingly  similar  to 
those  of  the  adult,  but  the  white  on  the  inner  webs  more  restricted,  and  the  white  tips  very 
snmll  or  wanting  altogether.  Dimensions  a  little  less  than  those  of  the  adult.  Y<iunu  not 
distinctly  resembling  the  same  iigi' of  CIi.  philiiih'lphiu.  Arctic  America,  both  coastwise  and 
iu  tho  interior,  irregularly  sotith  in  winter  through  the  V.  S. :  Hennudas  :  Peru  I  Euro|pe. 
Cominou  enough  in  high  latitudes,  but  seldom  seen  in  the  V.  S..  and  still  ratliei'  r.ue  in  col- 
lections. Eggs  3,  L7.")  X  l.-"),  much  like  a  curlew's  iu  general  asju'ct,  brownish-olive,  sparsely 
si)lashed  with  brown. 

791.  X.  furca'ta.  (Lat.  fiircatit,  forked.)  S\VAi,T,n\v-TAii.i;i)  ftti.t,.  Immature?  Head  and 
nearly  all  tin'  neck  grayish-brown  :  a  white  mark  on  each  side  of  the  forehead  ;  mantle  uray- 
ish-white;  tail  white,  much  forked;  lesser  wing-coverts  white;  greater  slate,  white-bordered; 

48 


. 


m 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONUIl'ENNES—  GA  VLll. 


bill  bliu'k  lit  base,  white  tit  cud;  eyes  (iml  fcpt  ri'(l ;  cycruls  oniii^tf;  chiw.s  black.  Lc'u>,'tli 
abimt  2  ft'i!t.  "  California"  (?)  Tho  fon-yiiiiit;  i.s  uiiiiipilcJ  frinii  tlip  original  ilcscriiition. 
Only  tliroi'  sjK'cinu'Us  of  tiiis  excessively  rare  gull  are  known  ;  one  ascribed  to  Monterey,  Cali- 
forniu ;  another,  adnlt,  from  Chatliani  island,  one  of  the  (ialapagoes.  The  latter,  in  thr 
Ilritish  Mnseuin,  is  thns  described;  '•  Head,  neck,  and  throat,  of  a  sootier  color  than  in  A'. 
sabinii)  darkening  toward  tiie  base  of  tho  hood,  but  not  forming  a  distinct  black  c<dlar,  as  in 
this  species;  a  white  frontal  band;  under  jiarts  anil  tail  jiun!  white,  the  latter  more  deeply 
forked  than  in  subhni ;  mantle  pale  pearl-gray,  somewhat  darlu'r  on  the  wing-coverts;  piiniii- 
ries  blackish-brown  on  outer  webs  and  continuation  of  inner  webs,  thence  white,  except  at  ti|i: 
seconilaries  white,  tiiij;ed  «itli  gray  at  their  tips;  bill  blackish,  tipped  with  horn-yellow  fmin 
tiie  angle.  Wing  Hi. 50  inches ;  tarsi  nearly  2  inches;  middle  toe  the  same;  hind  toe  very 
snuill.  but  bearing  a  well-developed  claw."  A  third  has  lately  been  announced  from  I'aracas 
Hay,  Peru  ;  tliis  is  a  yoimg  one,  with  black  bill,  reddish  feet,  the  manth*  spotted  and  the  tail 
barred  with  blackish.  Adult  and  young  are  figured  by  Saunders,  1*.  Z.  S.,  1882,  p.  52.'{,  pi. 
34;  see  also  1*.  Z.  S.,  1878,  p.  210.     Tho  spech's  is  very  (|uestionably  N.  Am. 

72.    Subfamily  STERNIN^:  Terns. 

Covering  of  bill  continuous  (no  i-ere),  hard  and  honiy 
throughout.  IJill  jxtrdgiidtlioiis,  relatively  longer  and  slenderer 
than  in  the  gulls,  very  acute,  the  conunissure  straight  or  nearly 
8t>  to  the  very  end.  Curve  of  culmen  gentle  and  gradual  tVom 
base  to  apex.  Symphysis  of  inferior  mandibular  rami  niucli 
more  extensive  than  in  LeMridiiKC  or  Larinw,  but  the  emineutia 
symphysis  less  marked.  Interramal  space  narrow.  Encroach- 
ment of  feathers  on  the  bill  as  in  iMriiiw.  Nostrils  linear- 
obhing,  lateral,  direct,  iiervious,  varying  with  genera  as  regards 
degree  of  approximation  to  the  base  of  the  bill.  Wings  ex- 
tremely lengthened,  narrow,  and  acute,  th('  first  prinuiry  nuicli 
the  longest,  the  rest  rapidly  gradinitcd'.  Secondaries  short  and 
inconspicuous.  Tail  usually  much  elongated  aiul  deeply  forked, 
Fio.Stt.— Roseate  Tern.  (From  the  lateral  feathers  being  more  or  less  attenuated  and  filiform; 
Tciiiicy,  after  Aiiaubon.)  only  occasionally  short  and  broad  (Gelocltflidnii),  or  graduated 

(Aiwiis,  etc.).  Legs  jdaced  rather  further  back,  and  less  decidedly  ambulatorial  than  in 
Larincf.  Tibia  denuded  for  a  varying  distance.  Tarsi  short  and  usually  slender ;  scutellate 
and  reticulate,  as  in  Larinw.  Toes  of  moderate  length,  and  of  the  usual  relative  proportions. 
Webs  rather  narrow,  and  (e.xcei>t  in  Aiwiis,  etc.)  more  or  less  incised.  Claws  small,  com- 
pressed, but  much  curved  and  acute.  Sizt-  moderate,  or  very  small.  (Jeneral  form  slender 
and  delicate.  Plumage  as  in  other  subfamilies,  but  the  ))teryla'  narrow ;  the  sexes  hardly 
differing  in  coloration,  but  the  variations  with  age  and  season  very  great. 

The  terns  are  not  distinguished  from  the  gulls  by  any  strong  structural  peculiarities,  but 
they  invariably  show  a  special  contour,  in  the  production  of  which  the  longer,  slenderer,  and 
acutely  paragnathous  bill  is  a  conspicuous  element.  Only  one  species  has  the  bill  in  any  no- 
ticeable degree  like  that  of  a  gull.  A  few  of  the  terns  are  as  large  as  middle-sized  gulls,  but 
tho  normal  stature  is  much  less  ;  and  they  are  invariably  of  a  slenderer  build,  more  trim  in 
shape,  with  smoother,  clo.ser-fitting  plumage.  The  great  length  and  shar[)ness  if  tlu^  wing 
relative  to  the  bulk  of  the  body  confer  a  dash  and  buoyancy  of  Hight  wanting  in  the  gulls;  in 
Hying  over  the  water  in  search  of  food,  they  hold  the  bill  pointing  straight  downward,  which 
makes  them  look  curiously  like  c<dossal  mosquitoes  ;  and  they  secure  their  prey  by  daiting 
impetuously  upon  it,  when  they  are  usually  submerged  for  a  moment.  The  larger  kinds  feed 
priiudpally  upon  little  fish,  procured  in  this  way;  but  most  of  the  smaller  ones  are  insectivo- 


LAIilD^  —  STEItNlNJE :    TKHNS. 


766 


rous,  and  flutter  alumt  (ivor  marsliy  siidts  like  swiillowa  or  nijtlit-lmwks.  Tho  Rcnrriil  iipiicar- 
aiice  ami  iiioilc  of  tliglit  luivc  siiggcsinl  the  niiiiu'  cf  "  Mca-swall-.w,"  the  (■((iiival.'Ui  ..f  which 
is  apiiliod  ill  Hourly  all  i-ivilizcd  laiiniiMi,'cs.  A  fnijuiig  (,f  the  lail  is  an  almost  universal  char- 
acter. In  the  Caspian  ami  niarsii  terns,  tlie  black  tern  and  its  allies,  and  sonic  others,  tiio 
forking  is  moderate,  and  not  accomiiaiiied  Uy  altcniiation  of  the  lateral  I'eathcis  ;  l.nt  orli- 
iiarily,  tlicso  are  reiiiarkalply  hngtliened  iind  almost  tilanientons,  as  in  tiie  barn  swallow.  It 
should  be  observed  that  in  all  such  cases  the  narrowing  elongation  is  gradual,  uud  coii»ec|ucnlly 
less  evident  in  the  ycaiiig  ;  and  that  it  is  very  variable  in  its  devejopiiieiit.  The  noddies  oiler 
the  iieciiliarity  of  a  tail  lightly  forked  centrally,  but  muiided  Ulerally.  'I'lie  feet  are  small  and 
rtdatively  weak  tlirouglnmt  the  group;  the  terns  walk  but  little,  iind  scarcely  swim  at  all. 
Ordinarily  the  webbing  is  rather  narrow,  and  inciseil,  particularly  that  between  the  middle  and 
inner  toe;  hi  Ifi/druchelidoii,  this  occurs  to  such  extent  that  the  toes  seem  sinndy  semipalniale. 
The  W(d>s  are  fullest  in  Anoiin,  where  also  the  hallux  is  unusually  lung;  in  some  species,  this 
toe  is  slightly  connected  with  the  tarsus  by  a  web.  'I'he  inner  tue  is  shortiT  than  the  outer, 
and  much  less  tliuii  the  middle,  which,  especially  in  Uiidi-mliclitlon,  is  much  lengthened,  and 
has  the  inner  edge  of  its  (daw  ililated,  or  even  slightly  serrate.  'I"he  c(diiratiou  is  very  con- 
stant, almost  throughout  the  subfamily.  .Most  of  thi'  species  are  white  (oftin  insy-tiuted  lie- 
low),  with  a  pearly-blue  mantle,  a  black  cap  on  the  head,  aial  dark-colcred  priumries.  along 
the  inner  web  of  which  iisikiIIi/  runs  a  white  stripe.  These  (lark-<'<doicd  ipiilK,  wliin  new,  arc 
beautifully  fro.steil  or  silvered  over ;  but  this  hoariness  being  very  superlicial,  soon  wears  nil', 
leaving  the  feathers  simply  blackish.  The  black  cap  is  otteii  interrupted  by  a  while  fiontal 
crescent;  it  is  sometimes  prolonged  into  a  slight  occipital  crest  ;  in  a  few  species,  it  is  reidaceil 
l(y  a  lilack  bar  on  each  side  of  the  head.  One  s[)ecics,  Iiicii  iiii/fitncitlis,  has  a  curious  bundle  of 
curly  white  plumes  on  each  side  of  the  head.  Another,  Oi/f/is  idha,  is  jmre  white  all  over; 
I'roirhtcriKt  c//(C('ef«  is  wholly  ashy;  the  noddies  are  all  fuliginous  ;  the  upjier  parts  of  Uitli- 
2)1(1)1(1  are  dark  ;  the  specit's  of  Ilydrodteliddn  are  largidy  black.  These  are  the  juincipal  if 
not  the  only  exce[)tioiis  to  the  luu'mal  coloraticui  just  given,  '['he  .sexes  are  never  distinguish- 
able, either  by  size  or  color;  but  nearly  all  the  sjiecies,  in  the  progress  toward  maturity, 
undergo  changes  of  ])hiiiiage,  like  gulls;  while  the  seasonal  ditt'erences  are  usually  consider- 
able. As  a  rule,  the  black  cap  is  imiieifect  in  young  and  winter  specimens,  and  the  firmer 
show  gray  or  brown  patching  instead  of  the  pure  tiual  color  of  the  mantle.  In  all  those  species 
in  which  the  bill  is  red,  (uange,  or  yellow,  it  is  more  or  less  dusky  in  the  young.  The  changes 
are  ]UMbably  greatest  in  the  black  terns. 

The  general  ec(uiomy  is  much  the  same  thronghout  the  group.  The  egys  arc  laid  in  a 
slight  depression  on  the  ground,  —  generally  the  sliingl(!  of  beaches,  or  in  a  tussock  of  gra.ss  in 
a  marsh,  or  in  a  rude  nest  of  sticks  in  low  thick  bushes  ;  they  are  l-.'i  in  number,  variegated 
in  C(dor.  Most  of  the  species  are  maritime,  and  such  is  particularly  the  case  with  the  noddies; 
but  nearly  all  are  also  found  inland.  They  are  noisy  birds,  of  shrill  penetrating  voice;  and  no 
less  gregariiMis  than  gulls,  often  assembling  in  nuiltitudes  to  breed,  and  generally  moving  in 
company.  Species  occur  near  water  in  almost  every  jiart  of  the  world,  and  most  of  them 
are  widely  distributed;  of  those  occurring  in  N'oi'tli  America,  the  majority  are  found  in  corre- 
sponding latitudes  in  the  Old  Wculd.  Some  seventy  species  are  currently  reported  ;  the  true 
number  is  apparently  just  about  that  of  the  (!nlls  (about  fifty). 

The  generic  and   subgeneric  groups  of  the  StcniitKC  are  rather  better  marked  than  those 

of  the  Luiiiuc.     ritfCtliKKd,  Gi/i/is,  and  several  subgenera   near  vl kohs  are  extraliiuital.     The 

North  American  forms  may  readily  be  distinguished  by  the  following  analysis.     Jli/dniihclidan 

and  Anoiis  may  be  regarded  as  genera,  the  remainder  being  subgenera  of  Sterna. 

Annlijxh  nfllic  Xorlh  Amrrimn  forms  of  SIcmitKT. 

Nostrils  Bub-baB,il.    Frnntal  .inlin!  iininiiiieiit,  embriiclng  base  of  culmcn.     Tail  more  or  loss  forked. 

Tarsus  not  sliortcr  lliioi  niKlclU'  t.jo  without  the  claw.    Lateral  toes  much  shorter  than  the  middle. 


756 


SYSTEM/.  TIC  SY^^OPSIS.  —LONGIl'E^WES  —  GA  VI.E. 


Webi  tnclMxl  (Hrmip  STKRNi:.t:). 

Wobs  mixluriitfly  liiilwid.    Tall  well-rnrmcd,  geiiorally  more  tlmii  liulf  an  long  aa  tlio  wliij,..    I'mlui 
parlH  wbllr  or  light. 

Uinn^r  |Mirl«  iiuiirl-gniy.    Cap  In  mininior  black,  or  a  bliiok  bar  tbroilgli  t'}c. 

Hill  kIioii  unci  vi'iy  Htoiit,  i.omc'wlmtKiill-Uko,  black.    Tumi  niui'li  longer  tlian  tliu  t<ii>ii, 

black.    'I'lill  llglilly  liirkfil.     Mwlliini  hIzo Inliuli.lhhm 

Bill  long,  large,  bright  colorcil,  or  with  yellow  lip.    An  (Hclpllol  crcBl.     Kc.l   black. 

Forklngof  tall  varlulle.    Of  large  size Thnldnnim 

Bill  niiMlerule,  Hlender,  uxinilly  bright  eoloroil,  liku  tlio  feot.    Nocrcat.    Tail  bmg.  deeply 

forked.    Size  nieilluni  and  Mnall Slinm    .'114 

Upper  parlH  chntky.    Ca|>  Uku  the  back. 

Hill  and  feet  bbuk.     A  while  frontal  crescent Ildlijilinin 

Wcbd  deeply  Incised  (feet  little  more  than  Keinlpalinatei.    Tall  nu'rely  einnrglnate,  lianlly  or  not  half 

an  long  a8  the  wing.     Under  jiartii  In  Hummer  black Iliiihinln  liilin    ai."i 

MoHtrlls  nearly  meilian.     No  frontal  unthe,  the  fcatherH  exlinillii^  further  on  cnlinen  than  al  thi' hIiIcm. 
Tall  double-rounded.    Tar»l  very  Hhort.    Toch  leiigilieiied,  the  lateral  nearly  as  long  us  the  ndddle,  with 
full  wclm.    Klroup  Anok.i;.) 
Color  fullglnouH tiiiiti.i    'Mi; 

314.  STKR'NA.  (Liitiuizcd  from  EuLtlisli  xirni  or  tcni.)  Tkuns.  Fofiii  tyi>ic;il  id'  tlic  siil.- 
limiily.  Ndstrils  siib-luiHiil.  Frontnl  iiiitiii'  ](riiinim'iit.  Tnil  iiiorc  fir  Ifss  fnrkcil.  TiiiMis 
tint  .slniftcr  thiiu  iiiidillc  toe  \vitliuut  daw.  I..iit('i'iil  toes  imicli  nlKirtfr  tliiiii  luidilli'.  Wtlis 
iiioilcralcly  incised.  Under  yurta  of  adult  white,  or  iilie  hiivU.  (('liiiracters  of  the  tmhriiinilv, 
exebbsivo  of  llydrochclidon  and  Auoiis.) 

/tnnlynis  of  Siihijeni'm  and  Sperhn  {aihiltn). 

Gl'.l.oeilKr.lDOX.  Hill  very  Htout,  ulmoHt  gull-like,  black.  Tarmis  much  longer  than  looB,  black.  Tall 
lightly  forked,  ctuitained  ubotit  2^  tInieH  In  wing     .Size  moderate. 

Head  ercMte<l.    Cap  bhiuk.     I'early  mantle  e.\teiiillng  over  rump  and  tail iiuiiHin    7!il' 

TiiAi.A8gKUH.    Hill  long,  large,  tern-llku,  bright  colure<l  or  wltb  yolluw  tip.    Feet  black,    lleuil  crei-ied. 
Size  largo  to  largest. 
Tall  merely  enuirgimite,  contained  nearly  or  ubmit  ,'l  tlmcH  In  wing.    PrIniarleH  without  white  space 

on  inner  webs.     Bill  red.     Largest:  wlngabont  Ki.OO;  tall  ."i.rid;  bill  nearly  ;i.lP() iuniiin    793 

Tail  forked.    Prinmrles  with  while  space  on  Inner  webs.    Bill  ornnge,  stout,  about  'J.60,  0.51)  or  more 

deepatbaHo;  gonyH  about  Mil)  long.    Wing  14. .no mii,riiiiii    T!i4 

Tall  forked.    I'rimariea  with  white  space  cm  inner  wclm.    Bill  orange,  slender,  about  2.W),  under  n  50 

deep  at  base,  gonys  about  1.50  long.    Wing  l-'.BO ilninun    "li.l 

Tall  deeply  forked,  w  ith  narrow  outer  feathers.    Trlinarles  with  white  space  on  Inner  webs.    BUI 

slender,  black,  yellow-tipped rniilincit    I'M 

Stf.ijn.v  proper.     Bill  long,  slender,  acute.    Tarsus  not  longer  than  ndddle  toe  imd  daw.    Tail  more  or 
less  forked,  with  acute  or  very  narrow  lateral  feathers, one-bulf  or  more  as  long  as  wing.     Head  imt 
decidedly  crested.    Size  medium  to  smallest. 
Mantle!  jiearly-ljlue. 
No  black  cap. 

Head  whitish,  with  black  bar  through  eye;  under  parts  liku  the  mantle Intiliditi    glfj 

A  black  cap. 

No  white  frontal  <'rc>»cent ;  black  cap  rcaebing  bill. 
Hill  wholly  or  mostly  red  or  recldlsh. 

Bill  red,  blackcnln;;  at  end;  feet  coral-red.    Outer  web  of  enter  tail-feather  white; 

Inner  gray  or  dark.    Tarsus  O.iH)  or  more furstiri    THS 

Hill  red,  blackening  at  end;  fc^ct  coral-red.    Outer  web  of  outer  tail-leather  gray  or 

dark,  Inner  white;  under  parts  jialer  than  upper.    Tarsus  about  0  T."i  .     .     Iiininih    707 
Bin  wholly  red;  feel  vermilion:  outer  tail-feather  as  in  tlie  last.    Tarsus  0.05  or  less 

Under  parts  nearly  like  upper tiinrriirii    7TO 

Bill  black,  or  oidy  red  at  base.    Feet  reddish itouijaUi    800 

A  wldte  frontal  crescent. 

Hill  yeHow,  tipi)ecl  with  Mack.    Feet  yellow aniilliinim    Wll 

Hill  and  feet  black niculira    803 

Mantle  dusky.    A  white  frontal  crescent.    Hill  and  feet  black.    (IlALirLAXA.) 

Mantle  blacklsb-brov.n  :  cap  the  same fuHginosa    804 

Mantle  sooty-gray;  cap  black aiiirstlnlirn    805 

Ons.  Above  analysis  based  on  adult  sumn'cr  birds,  and  not  entirely  avidlablc  for  young  and  winter  ones. 
in  whieb  the  chars,  of  the  cap,  and  colors  of  bill  and  feet,  may  be  entirely  diflcrcnt.  These  must  be  de- 
termined by  reference  to  the  detailed  descriptions. 


7»a.  8. 


793. 


gro 
Hill 


I. .  I UIIKK  —  STKHXISJI-: :    TKIiXS. 


767 


79!:.   8.  (O.)  aii'Klli-a.     (F.at.  f?m///m,  AiiKlican,  Knulish.  i    (;i m.-Muxkii  Tkhn.     Mauhii  Tkkn. 

^   9,  in  siiimnrr:   Kill  nithcr  simitir  than  lini.l.  n.l.nM,  nnt  very  anitc nipr.'HHul ;  culm.'n 

nrarly  .Mtl•ai^ht  t<>  Ivynui  nostril,  then  v.ry  (icrlinati.-n.nvrx  to  ilif  lip  ;  yimys  al»iiit  straight : 

rami  NliKJilly  concave;  Nynipliysi'al  .'njinn w.li  niarUnl  •  toniia  nl  |,,uTr  nmmlil.l.'  inllirt..,! ; 

(■(.niniissiirf  p-ntly  cnrvcil.  Iliiylji  ,,f  l>i||  „t  liasr  a  third  nf  tdtal  lrni;tli.  Nasal  un.ovi) 
Mliiirt  and  broad,  nut  (h'cp  ;  iidsirils  shurl,  widily  nval.  placrd  very  near  ha.Mc  i.f  l.ill,  ju.st 
hcycind  the  tt'riiiinatitiii  of  tin    tVatluis.     Winits  I'xcr.dinirjy  hmL'  and  aiMitr,  .nrh   priniaiy 

surpassiiij,'  the  next  liy  a  full  inch  ;  the  sc idarics  Khnrt,  soft,  o|ilii|ncly   incursfd  at  their 

cxtrt'niitics.     'I'ail  short,  contailud  :2J  tilins  in   thf  wintr;  ihi'ply  cniartrinah',  hut    i'k  iatfral 
fi'allicrs   not    clonuatcd    nor   attcnnati'd.     Vvi\    loni:  ami   >t(inl    lor   this  snlifainily.     'I'lrsnn 
shorter  than  hill,  loimrr  than  middh'  toe  and  rh.u.     Hind  tne  otjiarkahiy  develop,.,!     hoi.t 
shorter  than  ontcr;   iiilerdii;ital  nieinhraiies  deeply  inei^'d,  especinlly  tlie  inner.     Tihia   ij.i  ked 
for  half  an  iindi.     Crown  and  loni,' oi^eijiiial  erest  t'lossy  ureeni>h-hiaeli,  extendiu>{  on  i     '      -r 
Imrder  of  eye,  leavini,'  only  a  very  narrow  line  of  white  to  run   aloni;  the  edtie  of  the  feailurs 
on  side  of  iipiier  inaiidilde.      Neidj   all   ronnd  and   niider  parts,  while.     Mantle   liu'lit    pearl- 
l)lii(',  this  color  exteiidiiii;  on  rnnip  and  tail,  ipiite  to  tlie  tips  of  ilie  nc'trii'es ;  tail-featliers, 
indeed,  deepest  ccdored  at  their  tips,  fading'  into  nearly  pure  wliite  toward  their  hases,  on  that 
portion  of  each  feather  whi.di  is  covered  with  the  lU'Xt  one.     The  color  <if  tin'  mantle  extends 
iplite   to  tips  of  tertials,  lint   dilutes   u   little  toward    the  tips   of  the   .sec<indaries.     Sliafts  of 
primaries   yellowish-white.     Primaries   all  grayish-hhudt,   deepest   on   the  onter  vane  of  tin* 
first  ;  hilt  this  color  so  heavily  silvered  as  to  apjiear  much  lighter.     All  the  primaries  havo 
on  their  inner  wehs  a  space  id'  white,  which  extends  towanl  their  apices  for  a  varyiin:  distance 
on  each  ;  on   the  first  the  white  is  largest,  purest,  and  extends  fnrthest  :  is  distinctly  defineil 
from  tilt'  Mack,  and  has  not  a  mari;in  of  hlack  alonj;  its  inner  lionler,  except   just  at  its  apex. 
'I'he  amoniit   of  the  white  diminishes  in  leiit;th    and  hreadth  with   each   siici'cssivi'   primary, 
until  on  the  last   one  it   is  inconspiciioMs ;    still   it    is  ipiite   perce|itilp|e   on   all.      Kill    hlacd<, 
with  or  without  ii  iiiiniitc  yidlowisti  tip  ;  le^s  and  teet  ^'reenish-ldack  ;  iris  hrown.     In  winter  : 
Differs  in   restriction  of  the  hlack  caji,  chieHy  to   the   hind   lieail  and   nape,  on  sides  of  heail 
riMcliinj;  forward  to  oye;  sometimes  extinct,  excejit   in  dusky  eye-stripe  and  sjiot  hefore  eye, 
when  whole  heail  otherwise  white.     Yoinii;  :    Mill  hlackish-iprown,  pah^  at   base  bidow;  feet 
dull  brownish.      Upper  parts  pearl-blue,  interrupted  hy  numerous  cre.scentic  or  hastate  spots 
id'  dull   brownish,  one  on  each  feather,  the  extremo  tip  <if  which  is  whitish.     A  brownish- 
black   bar  aloiitj   lesser  wini;-<'overts.      Forehead  and  most  of  crown  white,  with   dark  sljaft- 
lines,  increasini;  to  exchnle  white  on  hiinl  head  ami  nape;  blackish  s|iot  before  and  behind 
eye.     NecU    all    around,    njiper   tail-coverts,    and    wlxde    under    parts,   white.      Tail-feathers 
whitening   at   ends,   each   with   a   diisky  space.     Lenytli    l;i.iMi-l.-).li(l:   extent    li.'i.OO-:'.?.'!'! ; 
bill  l.K);  ahiiig  gape -i.OO:   its  height  at  base  (I.  I.")  :  tibia' naked  ().,")0  ;   tarsus  (average)  1.:>»I : 
middle  toe  and  daw  l.Kl;  hind  toe  and  claw  (i.  Ml;    wiiit;   11.73-12.2.");   tail  5. ,50,  forked 
1.20-1.7.").     Nearly  cosmopolitan;  in  N.  Am.,  not  .liiiindant,   and  chiefly  in  Kastern  I'.  S., 
Te.xus    to   New   Kngland.      Not   a   beach-nester ,    breeds    in    marshes,   like  the   black    tern; 
eggs  3,  laid  oil  broken-down  reeds  or  grasses,  1.73  X  l-'''0,  olivaceiais,  laruely  and  irregularly 
splashed  with   iinibcr-brown  and  blackish,  especially  about  the  largest  jiart,  but  very  variable, 
like  all  terns'  egg.s. 
793.    8.  (T.)  cas'plu.     (Of  the  Caspian  Si'a.      Fig.  312.)     C.vsi-iAN  Trkn.     iMi-KiiiAi.  Ti:it\.    Of 
maximum  size.     Length  2<).00-;);{.(Ji)  ;  extent  50.01)-33.(l(l ;  wing  15.00-17.110,  u.-nally  about 
10.00;  tail  <mly  3.00-().00,  forked  about  1.50,  middle  feathers  broad  to  their  rounded  ends,  rest 
growing  successively  more  acute,  hut  lateral  without  any  slender  filamentous  developnieut. 
Bill  extremely  large,  2.73  ahmg  ctiliuen,  1.00  ahuii:  gape,  0.90  .leep  ,it   base,  0.50  wide  at^ 
nostrils;  about  as  long  as  head,  with  ('ulmcn  regularly  cnrvcl  from  ba.'^i'  to  tiji;  outline  <d" 
mandibular  rami   slightly   concave;    goiiys  about   straight;    angle  not   very  well   marked. 


768 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONGIPENNES  —  GA  VLE. 


Tibiae  bare  about  0.75  ;  tarsus  1.75,  rather  exceeding  middle  toe  and  claw,  the  seutella  in 
front  replaced  by  polygonal  scales  similar  to  but  larger  than  those  on  its  sides,  which  are 
rough  ;  hind  toe  extremely  small ;  outer  lateral  nearly  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw,  whicli 
is  1.65.  Bill  dark  vermilion  red,  growing  lighter  and  somewhat  "diaphanous"  toward  the 
tip.  Pileuni  and  occipital  crest  glossy  greenish-black,  extending  to  below  the  lower  level  of 
the  eyes,  and  occupying  the  termination  of  the  feathers  on  the  side  of  the  mandihle  to  the 


■^!'  ~^Sr^- #S.  0  Jl" 


'^Vr^' 


c#= 


~\- 


Fio.  612.  — Cattpiuii  Tcni,  I  nat.  size,    (b'luiii  Kiuliiii.) 

exclusion  of  the  white;  lower  eyelid  white,  forming  a  noticeable  spot  on  the  greenish;  a 
white  streak  along  sides  of  upper  mandible,  not  extending  to  the  end  of  the  feathers.  Mantle 
pearl-bhic,  the  line  of  demarcation  between  it  and  the  wliite  rather  indefinite,  both  on  nape 
and  rump  ;  most  of  the  tail-feathers,  and  especially  the  central  (Uies,  retaining  a  more  or  less 
pearly  tint.  Shafts  of  the  primaries  yellowish-white;  primaries  grayish-black,  but,  when 
new,  so  heavily  silvered  over  as  to  apj)ear  of  a  light  hoary  gray,  ei'pecially  on  their  sujierior 
aspects.  On  the  inner  web  of  all  there  is  a  central  liglit  field  ;  this  is  very  narr4)w,  even  on 
the  first  primary,  although  it  runs  for  .some  considerable  distance,  and  on  the  others  it  ra])idly 
grows  less;  and  it  has  no  trenchant  line  of  division  on  any  of  the  primaries  from  tiie  darker 
portions  of  the  feather.  Wlnde  inner  web  of  secondaries  ])ure  white,  outer  jiearl-blne.  Legs 
and  feet  black.  Adult,  winter  plumage  :  Chiefiy  distinguished  by  a  diminution  in  the  bright- 
ness of  the  bill,  and  by  a  change  in  tlie  character  of  the  ])ileum.  'Die  vermilion  is  rejilaced 
by  light  orange-red,  growing  still  yellower  toward  the  tip  of  the  bill  and  along  th(>  tornia. 


794. 


LAItlBJE—  STEUNIX.E :    TKHXS. 


759 


The  forehead  is  whito,  usiiully  quite  pure  :  cicnvTi  wliito,  with  siiiiili,  narrow,  distinct  strniks 
of  brownisli-black,  along  tlie  shaft  <if  .acii  f.atli.r.  On  tlw  si.U-s  of  tlu>  lira-l.  hr(„u-  and 
behind  the  eyes,  and  over  the  auricuhirs.  tlie  hhick  is  more  hiri;e!y  intennixed  witii  tiir  while; 
and  ou  the  nji.pe  of  tlie  ueek,  tliat  is,  toward  tlie  t<'niiination  of  tlie  oceij.ital  erest.  the  Idark 
is  the  predominating  coh)r,  being  only  sliglitly  variegated  with  white.  Young-of-tli.-y.ar : 
Everyway  much  smaller  tiian  the  ailult,  tlie  hill  especially  smaller,  shorter,  aii.l  w.'aker, 
and  of  a  duller  red,  more  inclining  to  oran;:e.  Cpptr  parts  as  in  the  adidt.  but  tlie  pearl- 
blue  everywhere  s])otted  with  latlier  small  roundish  or  liastate  .spots  of  brownisli-black, 
largest  on  tlie  tcrtials.  Forehead  grayisli-wliite ;  vertex  speckled  with  u'layish-wliite  anti 
black,  the  latter  color  increasing  in  amount  until  it  becomes  nearly  or  ([iiite  ]iiiic  mi  the  sliort 
occii)ital  crest.  Wings  much  as  iw  tlie  adult.  Tail  much  .shorter  and  less  forked;  the  reclrices 
with  brownish  spaces  near  their  tips,  diietly  on  their  inner  webs.  I'uder  parts  dull  white. 
Legs  and  feet  rather  shorter  and  weaker  than  tho.se  of  the  adult,  but  of  nuicli  the  same  color. 
Downy  young  :  Grayish-white  above,  faintly  mottled  with  blackish  not  a<.'t.'n'i;ated  iiitu  spots; 
white  below,  dusky  across  throat.  Northern  IIemispher<' :  In  N.  Am.  irregularly  distributed, 
ehieHy  in  Arctic  regicuis,  and  along  whole  Atlantic  coast ;  has  lately  occurred  in  various  locali- 
ties ill  tli(!  Mississippi  and  Ohio  valleys;  known  to  breed  on  coasts  of  Virt:inia  and  Tixas. 
Eggs  i.  in  hollow  scooped  in  dry  sand  without  nest,  2.().")  to  i.J')  X  l-'^O  to  l.'.Ml,  broader  and 
more  elliptical  than  those  of  S.  maxinui,  with  smootlier  and  harder  shell;  i;rouiid-c(dor  pale 
olive-buff,  evenly  marked  all  over  with  small  spots  of  dark-brown  and  lavender.  Ibciils 
commonly  by  single  or  few  jiairs,  not  in  great  C(donies  like  S.  wii.rinid. 
794.  S.  (T.)  iiiaxima.  (Lat.  J/i'/.i'/mo,  largest :  not  true.  Fig.  .")|l{.)  (".wennf.  Tkkn.  Hovai, 
Ti;hn'.  Hill  about  as  hug  as  that  of  S.  cagpiu,  but  of  very  ditierent  shape,  iiuu'h  slenderer,  its 
height  at  base  only 
from  a  fourth  to  a 
tliinl  of  its  length, 
t'nlmen  gradually  de- 
clinato-eonve.K  from 
ba.se  to  tip, the  amount 
of  curvature  iiicn>as- 
ing  but  slightly  tow- 
ard the  apex,  which 
is  not  very  acute. 
Commissure  some- 
what sinuate  basally,  regularly  decliuato-conve.x  for  the  rest  of  its  leii<;tli.  Kami  decidedly  a 
little  concave  along  their  edges.  Gonys  straight,  shorter  than  the  rami,  the  promiiu'nco 
between  the  two  illy  develo])ed.  Tibia!  bare  for  a  consiileralde  distance  (0.00  of  an  inch). 
Tarsus  not  bmger  than  midille  toe  and  (daw ;  its  anterior  aspect  sliows  a  tendency  toward 
reticulations  instead  of  transverse  .s<'iit(dla,  but  there  are  usually  some  scales  which  extend 
quite  across  it.  Tlie  lateral  and  posterior  aspects  are  thickly  reticulated,  as  in  rii:<pi(i.  but 
the  plates  are  not  so  rough  nor  idevated.  Tail  long  for  this  subgenus,  quite  deeply  forked ; 
central  featliers  broad  to  tlieir  very  ti|)s,  which  are  rounded  ;  lateral  ones  successively  more 
elongated  and  narrower  toward  tiieir  tips,  tlie  external  jiair  slender  and  ipiite  tilamentoiis  for 
some  distance.  Adult  in  summer  :  I'ileum  gh)ssy  green ish-ldack,  not  exteinliui.'  below  eyes,  so 
narrow  (ui  side  of  uj)per  inaudible  that  a  broad  white  streak  extends  to  extremi'  tip  of  the 
feathers.  Mantle  exceedingly  lii;ht  pearl-blue,  fadim,'  imperceptibly  into  white  on  the  rmiqi  and 
toward  the  extremities  of  the  tertials.  'I'ail  white,  with  a  faint  tinire  of  pearly,  especially  on  the 
centr.al  feathers  and  inner  webs  of  the  others,  i^eccuidaries  pure  while  for  their  whole  lenirthex- 
ce]>tastnall  sjiace  on  the  outer  web  near  the  lip,  which  is  trrayish-bhie.  ileeper  than  the  mantle. 
Outer  \v(d)  of  first  jirimary  grayish-black  ;  tlu^  inner  web  of  .he  same  has  a  space  of  black 


Fio.  513.  —  Koyal  Tern,  j)  iiat.  sine.    (From  ScLitcr  ami  Salviii.) 


760 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONGIl'ENNES  —  GA  VIJE. 


extending  the  whole  length  of  the  feather,  very  narrow  at  the  base,  widening  as  it  runs  toward 
the  tip,  witliin  1^  inches  of  which  it  occupies  the  whole  web ;  the  rest  of  the  web  white,  sep- 
arated from  tlie  black  by  a  straight  distinct  line  of  division.  The  second,  third,  fourth,  and 
iiftli  primaries  have  the  same  general  diaracteristics,  but  the  wliite  space  rapidly  grows  nar- 
ntwer  and  shorter,  and  runs  up  further  in  tlie  centre  than  along  the  edge  of  the  web,  so  that  fur 
a  little  way  from  its  end  it  lias  a  Ixu'der  of  hlackisli  along  its  outer  margin ;  other  primaries 
wholly  pearl-blue,  tlieir  inner  webs  margined  with  white.  IJill  coral  or  orange-red,  with  a 
slightly  liglit(T  tip ;  feet  blackish,  their  soles  dull  yellowish.  Winter  plumage :  Bill  less  brightly 
odorcd,  its  apex  and  toinia  dull  yellowish.  Fvont  white;  cuiwn  variegated  with  black  ami 
white,  the  former  color  increasing  on  the  occiput  and  nuchal  crest,  which  latter,  though  shorter 
than  in  sununer,  is  almost  or  quite  unmixed  with  white.  This  black  extends  forward  on  the 
sides  of  the  head  to  the  eye,  which  it  includes.  (Hut  frecfuently  found  breeding  in  tliis 
imperfect  condition  of  the  black  cap,  which  is  much  more  usual  than  the  complete  black.) 
Tail  not  pure  white,  but  glos.sed  over  with  tlie  blui.>ili  of  the  mantle,  which  deepens  toward 
tlie  tips  of  the  feathers  into  dusky-plumbeous;  also  considerably  less  forked,  tin;  lateral  feathers 
having  little  or  nothing  of  a  filamentous  diaracter.  Young-of-tlie-year  in  August :  Bill  con- 
siderably smaller  and  shorter  tlian  in  the  adult;  its  tip  less  acute,  and  its  angles  and  ridges  less 
sharply  defined ;  mostly  reddisli-yellow,  but  light  yeUowisli  at  tip.  Crown  much  as  in  tlie 
adults  in  winter,  but  tlie  occipital  crest  scarcely  recognizable  as  such.  Upper  parts  mostly 
white ;  but  the  pearl-gray  of  the  adults  appearing  in  irregular  patches,  and  the  wlude  back 
marked  with  small,  irregularly  shaped,  but  well-defined  spots  of  brown.  On  the  tertials  the 
brown  occupies  nearly  the  whole  of  eacli  leather,  a  narrow  edge  only  remaining  white.  Lesser 
wing-coverts  dusky  plumbeous.  Primaries  much  as  in  the  .adults,  but  the  line  of  demarcatiou 
of  the  black  and  white  wanting  sharpness  of  definition.  Tail  basally  white,  hut  soon  becoming 
jdumbeous,  then  decidedly  brownish,  the  extreme  tips  of  the  feathers  again  markedly  wliite. 
Otherwise   as   in   the   aduUs.    Dimensions  of  the  adults:  length   18.00-20.00 ;  extent  4<J.0t)- 

44.00;  wing  14.00-15.00; 
tail  ().00-8.00;  the  depth 
of  forking  3.00-4.00;  bill, 
ahing  cuhnen,  2.50  to  2.75; 
ahing  commissure  3.75  ;  its 
height  at  base  0.70  ;  its 
width  0..50;  gonys  1.00- 
1.25 ;  tibiai  bare  0.90;  tarsus 
Fio.  .->14.  -  i:itsaiit  Tern,  S  n»f- "'««•    (From  Selatcr  and  Salvin. )  1.37-    middle  toe  and   chlW 

1.40.  Tropical  and  temperate  America;  Brazil  and  Peru  to  California  and  New  England, 
chierty  coastwise,  sometimes  in  the  interior,  as  in  Nevada.  A  fine  s|iecies,  second  in  size 
only  to  S.  caspia;  linear  measurement  nearly  as  great  as  in  that  species,  owing  to  elongaticm 
of  tail,  but  bulk  much  less.  Breeds  in  great  cohmies  along  our  Atlantic  coast,  drojiping  2 
eggs  (in  the  sand,  2.1)7  hing,  as  much  as  in  caspia,  about  1.70  or  less  broad,  narrower  and 
es[)ecially  more  pointed  than  those  of  cnsjnn,  rougher,  yellowi.sh-drab  irregularly  blotched 
with  dark  umber  and  pale  purplish.  Chicks  spotted  boldly  above  with  dusky. 
705.  S.  (T.)  e'legans.  (Lat.  elegaus,  choice.  Fig.  514.)  P]lf,(JANT  Tk.un.  Pkincely  Tkkn. 
Similar  to  the  last;  smaller  and  dirterently  iiroportimied  ;  bill  as  long,  much  slenderer  ;  tarsus  if 
anything  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw ;  mantle  very  jiale  ;  under  parts  rosy  iu  high  plumage 
Bill  much  longer  than  head,  exceeding  the  tarsus,  middle  toe  and  claw  together;  much  com- 
pressed, very  slender,  scarcely  |  as  deep  at  base  as  hmg ;  culmen  (piite  .straight  to  beyond  nos- 
trils, then  slightly  convex  for  the  rest  of  its  lengtli  ;  commissure  dcclinato-convex  for  nearly  its 
whole  length ;  mandibular  rami  very  short,  decidedly  concave  in  outline,  their  angle  of  divergence 
very  acute.    Gonys  extremely  long,  exceeding  the  crura  of  the  mandible,  its  laitline  straight. 


LA  mn.i-: — srEiixixji-: .-  teuxs. 


rtii 


Toinia  of  both  mandibles  sharp  and  much  indorU'd.  Xusal  groove  long,  fully  half  tlio  .■uliiicn. 
narrow,  not  deep,  diroctcd  oblitiuoly  dowiiwanl  and  forward  toward  tiie  tomia.  A  few  obli.iue 
indiistinft  strire  on  both  uiandiblus.  The  (Hitlini'  c.f  the  fcatluTs  on  the  bill  is  as  usual.  Adult  in 
sniniiier  :  Hill  bright  red,  salnion-eulijred  tcwanl  tip.  I'.ct  black  :  Sdl.'s  and  uudir  suit'a.-<s  „( 
claws  slightly  yellowish.  Crown  of  head,  including  lonir-tlowiini;  occipital  crest,  pure  Mack, 
reaching  down  on  the  sides  of  the  beail  to  a  straiirht  line  just  on  a  level  witli  the  lower  l>onler 
of  the  eye;  the  white  of  the  cheeks  accouiiianyinu  the  black  to  the  foreiuo.st  point  of  extension 
of  the  feathers  in  the  nasal  fossie.  All  the  umhr  jiarts  rosy-white,  with  satin  ttloss.  Tail 
entirely  pure  white,  longer  ami  more  deeply  forked  than  in  winter.  Hack  and  wings  pale  pearl- 
bltie;  the  usual  iiattern  of  ctdcu-ation  of  the  primaries.  •■  Length  1'.);  e.\tent  IS"  (label); 
enlmen  2.75  ;  gape  nearly  4..j() ;  depth  of  bill  at  base  ()..)0;  tronys  l..")0.  not  .shorter  than  man- 
dibular rami;  wing  12.25;  tail?-")!);  dejith  of  fork  ;i..')0;  tarsus  1.25:  miildle  toe  anil  claw 
the  same,  or  rather  less.  In  winter :  IJill  orange,  fadin-:  to  yellow  at  tip  and  alony  cuttlui; 
edges.  Forehead  and  feathers  on  side  of  bill  entirely  white;  crown  varied  with  dark  and  white, 
black  prevailing  on  hind  head,  complete  on  the  occipital  crest  and  sides  of  head  to  eyes.  \o 
pink  blush  of  under  jiarts.  Tail  slunler  than  in  summer,  o.tli)  or  less,  firUed  iiuly  about  2. (Ml, 
washed  over  with  i)early-bhie.  Total  leiitrth  less,  owiuir  to  less  development  of  tail.  Hl.OO- 
17.00.  Young  not  seen.  A  tridy  (degant  species,  resemblinir  the  royal  tern,  but  easily  dis- 
tinguLshed.  S.  and  ('.  Am.  to  California;  unknown  on  our  Gulf  or  Atlantic  coast. 
790.  S.  (T.)  canti'aca.  (Of  Kent,  P^nghind.  Fig.  515.)  Sandwich  Tf,I!N.  Di-cm.  Ti;i!n.  iiill 
much  longer  than  head,  exceeding  the  tarsus,  middle  toe,  and  (daw  together;  (|uite  slendi'r 
and  attenuated  for  this  sub- 
genus, tip  excessively  acute  ; 
convexity  of  culuien,  from 
tip  to  base,  regular,  but 
slight ;  commissure  gradual- 
ly <leelimvto-eonvex  tbrough- 
(uit ;  (uitline  of  mamlibidar 
eruradeeidedly  concave :  that 
(d'  gonys  about  straight ; 
eniinentia  symphysis  hardly 
appreciable.  Adult,  breed- 
ing    plumage:     Hill    black,  Fio.  ,ol5.  -  San.lwK-h  Tom,  nat.  sUe.    U-l  nat.  .lei.  E.  C.) 

the  tip  for  i  to  J  of  an  inch  bright  yellow,  sharply  defined  against  the  black;  "inside  of 
mouth  deep  blue."  Feet  dull  black,  rileiuu  and  occipital  cre.st  glossy  black,  with  a  tinge  of 
green;  the  color  extending  just  btdow  the  eyes,  but  leaving  a  space  aloni;  the  side  of  tlm 
mamliblo  white  to  the  extremity  of  the  feathers.  Mantle  exceedinirly  liirlit  pearl-blue,  fading 
on  the  rump  and  upper  tail-co\  'rts  into  pure  white;  but  the  rectrices  themselves  have  a 
slight  shade  of  pearly-blui.sli.  Friuntries  colored  as  in  iiiaximii.  On  tlie  inner  web  of  the 
first  the  black  space;  is  broad  :ind  <leep  in  color;  when  about  H  inches  from  iIm!  a|ii'x  of  the 
quill  it  (piite  suddenly  grows  wider,  .so  as  to  exclude  the  white  portion  from  the  tip  altosretlier. 
The  second,  third,  and  fourth  primaries  have  the  same  general  pattern,  but  the  white  nuis 
up  further  on  the  central  portion  than  on  the  edsre  of  the  web,  so  tliat  toward  its  end  it 
receives  a  narrow  edging  of  blackish.  The  other  primaries  have  no  blacki.sh,  but  are  simply 
pearl-blue,  with  broad  white  maririns  alont:  the  whole  lenuth  of  their  imiir  webs.  The  outer 
primaries  are  all  heavily  silvered  when  tlie  ipiills  are  new.  Dimi'usioiis  of  the  aduh  :  lentrth 
15.00-10.00  inches;  extent  Ml.OO;  wing  from  the  carpus  12.50;  tail  0.00;  depth  of  emargi- 
nation  2.35  ;  bill  along  culmen  2.25  ;  alonir  cape  3.00  :  its  height  at  basi'  0. 18  ;  width,  ditto, 
0.37;  length  of  rami  from  feathers  on  side  .d'  hnv.T  mandible  l.dO;  gonys  1.20  (longer  than 
rami);  tarsus  1.00;  middle  toe  and  claw,  slightly  hui-er.     .\dult.  winter  iduniage  :  Yellow 


^<^N 


•v>.~" 


702 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONOII'KNNKS      (i.\  VI JE. 


tip  of  bill  loss  in  cxtciit  iuiil  intensity  nf  color  ;  front  wiiitc,  4'iilicr  pun'  or  spccklcil  willi  \<\\\vV  \ 
crown  varii'^atci)  witii   lilacii  iiinl  wliitc,  the  former  color  consistint;  of  small,  narrow,  ilistinci 
Htrealss  aloni;  tiie  sliafi  of  eacli  featlier;  but  tii<!  lon;r  occipital  crest,  which  iloes  not  entiiilv 
(lisap|iear  at  this  season,  nsually  remains  <if  an  nnmixeil  hrownish-hlack.     Lateral  lail-featlii'i> 
shorter  than  in  summer.      Youni;-oi'-the-year  :   Coiisidcrahly  smaller  tlian  the  atliill,  as  is  usual 
in  this  suhl'amily,  the    winj^   heimj;  a  full  half-inch    shorter.     Hill   shorter  ami   weaker,   ami 
without  sharply-tlefineil  unifies  and   ridges,   hrownish-ldack,  the  extreme  point  only  yellow- 
ish,    ("rown,  front,  and  occiput  hrownish-hlack,   variegated  with  white  ;    white  touches  vny 
snnill  on  the   forehead.      Upper  parts  as  in  adult,  hut   <'ver) where  inarkeil  with   irregul.irly- 
shaped  hut  well-delined  spots  iiml  transv<Tse  bars  of  hrownish-hlack.     No  well-formed  occipilid 
(•rest  until  after  the  tirst  nnudt.    Primaries  like  those  of  adult.    The  tail,  however,  is  very  dilferent. 
The  feathers  for  three-foiu'ths  their  length  are  of  the  color  of  the  hack;  this  c(dor  gradually 
deepens,  until  toward  the  lips  it  beciuues  hrownish-hlack,  each  feather  having  a  terminal  irreg- 
ular edge  left  whitish,     'fail  simply  deeply  enuirginate,  the  outer  feathers   being  but   sliulilly 
longer  than  the  second.      \  line  species,  alone  among  the  large  terns,  with  its  hhudi   yelliiw  - 
tipped   hill,  of  wide  distribution   in   holh    Ileniisplicres  ;    in  N.   Am.   observeil   along   Atlantic 
coast,  New  Kngland  to  'i'exas;  both  coasts  of  (".  Am. ;  .'^.  Am.     Kggs  'i-W,  dro]iped  on  the  dry 
sand;   :.M(I  X  1.10;   rather  pointed,  yellowish-drab,  most   irregularly  s|)ottcd  with   dark  brown 
and  reddish-brown,  with  lilac  shell-spots.      Hreeds  in  large  colonies,  like  most  terns. 
707.    8.    Iiii-uii'lu.      (Lai.    hinimli),    a    swallow.)      Com.mon     Tkkn.      Wii.siis's    'i'lnts.      Si;a 
SwAl.l.iiW.      Adult,  sunnner  phnnage  :    Kill  as  long  as  head,  about  ei|nalling  tarsus  and  midillc 
toe  without  claw,  of  moderate   robustness  ;   height   at    base  contained  a  little    more   than    live 
tinu's  in  length  of  <'ulnieii ;  gonys  as  long  as  rami,  measured  from  feathers  on  side  of  mandihic 
to  enunentia  symjdiysis,  which  latter  is  hut  slightly  marked  ;   bright  coral,  or  light  vermilii.u, 
on  basal  half  or  rather  nmre,  the  remaiuiler  blacli,  exci'pl  the  extreme  tips,  which  are   yelinw  - 
ish.      I'ileuui    lustrous  velvety-black,  with   tinge  of  glos.-iy-grcen  ;   it  extends  to  lower   level   nl' 
eyes,  hut  leiives  tho   lower  lids  white,  and  it  is  so  broail  on  the   lores  that  tlu^  white   line  of 
feathers  along  side  of  inandihie  hardly  reaches  to  their  extremity.      Whole   upper  jiarts   pearl- 
blue,  this  cidor  commencing   insensibly  on  back  of  neck,  deepening  on  dorsum,  ami  extending 
(piite   undiluted  ahnost   to  the  extreme  apices  of  the  tertials;  ending  abruptly  and   distini-tly 
on    rump,  the   upper    tail-coverts    being    pure  white.      I'nder  parts  of  a  considerably    lighter 
shade  of  the   color  of  the   back.     On  the  throat,  toward  the  chin  and  along  the  borders  of  the 
black   pilemn,  it  fades  into  nearly  or  i|uite   pure  white,  as  it  does  also  on  the  lower  tail-coverts 
and    the    circumanal    region ;    inferior  surfaces  of   wings    and    axillary   feathers    pure  white. 
Shafts  of  all  the  primaries  white,  deepening  into  blaiddsh   toward  their  apices.     Outer  web  of 
tirst  primary  black,  witli  scarc(dy  any  hoariness.     'I'lie  first  four  or  tivi'  primaries  are  grayish- 
black,  with  a  very  stnmg  silvery  hoariness  ;   their  inner  webs  with  a  space  of  white  along  their 
inner  nuirgins.     This  space  on  the  first  priujary  at  the  ba.^e  occupies  the  whole  web,  becomes 
narrower  as  it  a.scends,  ami  ends,  or  becomes  a  mere  line,  about  an  inch   from   the   ajiex  of  the 
•  piill.     On   the  other   primaries  it  is  of  less  exti'iit,  and  runs  up  along  the  centre  of  the  shaft  a 
little  further  than  on   the  edge.     On   tin'   iunerinost  prinuiries,  again,  it  is  very  inirrow,  but 
forms  an   entire  nnirgin  to  the  inner  webs,  running  ipiite  to  their  lips.     The   inner  primaries 
have  scarcely  any  grayish-black,  but  are  rathi'r  of  the  color  of  the  mantle.     .Secondaries  mostly 

jnu'e  white,  but   toward  their  ends  have  a  sp grayish-hlue  of  about  eipKll  extent  on   holh 

Wi'hs.  'I'ail  moderately  elinigated  and  forki'il,  contained  about  1'^  times  in  the  wing;  the 
ftdded  wings  reach  luie  to  two  inches  beyond  it  ;  central  feathers  broad  to  their  evenly  rounded 
tips;  the  lateral  ones  successivi'ly  narmw'er,  more  laperinu  ami  acute;  their  (»»^r  webs  liglil 
pearl-gray  (very  like  the  back),  their  imirr  webs  nearly  jiure  while.  The  external  pair,  how- 
ever, are  on  most  of  their  inner  wehs,  especially  terminally,  grayish-blue,  while  their  outer 
Webs  are  dark   grayish-black.      Legs  and  feet  light  coral-red.      Dinu'usions :    length  (iivenige) 


LAlUlhK   -  STKUMS.K  .-    THIIXS. 


768 


I  |..r)()  indies ;  extent  illnMit  lU.mt  ;  wiiii;  iVmii  llie  riiipiis  |(I.,MI;  t:iil  Ci.lM)  ;  lirplh  of  (ntk  ;i.."iO 
(:iveril>;e)  ;  liill  nldUi;  ciilnieu  \:.\:,:  h.i-iil  at  La^r  (l.H.i  ;  |V,,in  Icallurs  .m  m,|,.  ,.t  Invvniimil- 
ilililc  111  tip  l.flO  ;  nonys  OX);  uape  ^'.Kl;  lil.ia'  iiaiv  (I.JO  ;  larsiis  (I.SO  i,,  ll.s:,  ;  iniil.llr  toe 
11.;,"),  its  flaw  (l.;iU  ;  (.liter  d./'lt,  its  claw  (l.js  ;  imuM-  II. IS,  its  .-law  0.1 1 ;  hallux  willi  il>  .law 
II. aS;  whole  toot  iib.mt  1.75.  Kxlr.nie  laii^;.' :  lciii,'tli  Ki.iiil  |..  Hi. nil;  cxI.  nt  •.".i.nii  i..  llj.iMl; 
»  Willi;  '.t.75  to  11.75  ;  tail  5.00  t..  ;.(lil ;  tarsus  (I.CiC.  t..  (I.S;  ;  hill  I. •,'.')  1..  1..">II.  I'.inales  av.iai;.' 
a  little  less  than  the  males.  Voiiiit;  I'all  iiM.li-r  the  ah.ive  iiiiniiiia  ;  Icntilii  .lnwii  i..  1-J.iMl,  vviiit,' 
t..  '.1.00,  tail  to  4.00,  bill  t..  l.l-J,  etc.  Niiiiim-nl'-iii.-ycar  in  .\iii,'iisl  :  I'pp.i'  inaii.lihli'  hmw  n, 
l..'C(.iiiini;  hlacUish  on  the  eiiliiieii  towanl  the  ti|i,  ami  s..iii(what  llc.sh-i-o|..r((l  hasallv  al..iiu 
llie  toiiiia.  Uiiiler  nuiiiilihle  lii;lit  yellow,  (laik.'iiiiii;  into  hi'owii  towanl  lip.  M..iith  villow  ; 
I'.i't  iliill  yellow,  with  scarcely  a  tiiine  ol'  ri.l.lish.  Koichtail  tjiayish-white  ;  on  lli.'  vertex  this 
yray  iliteriiiixeil  wilh  laixe,  n.iimlisli,  illy-.l.  liiiiil  spots  ..f  l.la.-kish  ;  ..n  ...•.•ipiil  an. I  nape  l.la.'k 
is  the  prevailiiii;  i'..li.r,  the  extrenii'  tips  ..t'  th.'  I'.alh.is  only  h.inn  i;ray  ;  oii  si.j.s  ..f  hi'a.l,  as 
lar  as  eyes,  tiie  lilack  also  nearly  pure.  Th.'  yr.iun.l-color  .il'  the  iipp.r  parts  is  a  rather  linht.'r 
slia.le  of  the  pearl-hlue  ..t'  the  a. hilts,  hut  every  t'lallnr  is  tipp.'.l  uilh  .lull  liulil  iriay.  an. I  lias 
a  siihtenniiial  sp.)l  (generally  a  cresc.Mit  or  seini.-ircle)  of  liyhl  l.i-owii.  '['h.-sc  spots  an. I  tips 
arc  ipiite  conspicuous,  an. I  i^ive  perhaps  the  pr.'.l.iiiiiiiatiiii;  c.il.ir  to  tin-  iljiper  parts  :  hul  tli.v 
are  n..t  so  ilisliiiclly  .li'line.l,  nor  so  .lark,  as  in  iiiniriun.  Lesser  winir-c.iv.rts  aloiu;  tin-  ..lue 
ol"  the  t'ore-anii  toriii  a  c.iiitiiiu.nis  han.l  ..!'  nearly  piir.^  hrowiiish-hlack.  I.ess.'r  ami  m.'.hau 
c.iverts  are  conspicu.iiisiy  tipp.'.l  with  y.'ll..wish-i;iay  ;  i;riater  s.'.-omlari.s,  ii.iwevir,  la.!.'  int.. 
nearly  pure  white  at  their  tips.  The  secomlaries  are  whit.',  with  tiie  outer  wch,  except  at  tip, 
ami  the  nieilian  portion  of  the  inner  weh,  .lark  phinihi'ous  ..r 
asliy-i;ray.  I'riniaries  .•ol.ire.l  alimisl  exa.'tly  as  in  thi'  a. hills. 
Kiiiiip  white,  with  a  tiiii;e  ..f  pearl-hhi.'.  Tail  sliuhtly  torke.l, 
th(.  einaruinatioii  lieint;  hut  little  more  than  an  in.-li  ;  inner 
wehs  .if  all  the  rectrices  nearly  pure  white,  hilt  the  outer  wchs 
are  pliiniiie.iiis-yray,  iii.'reasiiiij;  in  intensity  from  within  out- 
ward ;   .so  that  tl liter  pair  ..f  rectri.'es,  whi.'h   ar.'  hut  little 

taperint;  or  el.iiifjate.l,  have  their  oilier  wihs  yr.iyish-hla.k. 
ileepest  toward  th.  Ir  tips.  Hnlire  iin.l.r  pinniaiie,  im'lii.lini,' 
the  under  wiiitj-c.iverts,  pure  while,  wilh  ii.i  trace  ..f  the 
phimheoiis  wash  ..f  the  a.lulls.  'i'lie  «  inter  rani;.'  ami  cliaiiyes 
of  plumage  of  this  familiar  species  an'  n.it  will  kn.iwn  ;  il 
d.ies  n.it  appear  t.i  lose  the  hla.'k  cap,  whi.-ii  neverlheless  is 
imperfect  at  that  seas.ui.  N.irth  .\nierica  at  larne,  Knrope, 
etc.  Mreeds  and  wiiiti'i's  vari.msly  in  its  N.  .\.  ranp-. 
Kyi.t?-"*  •'*)  l.*>5  X  l.~5,  n.it  ilistiiiu:iiishahle  tVoiii  th.ise  .if  allie.l 
spei'ies. 
708.  «.  for'storl.  (To  .1.  K.  Torsler.  Fit;s.  "lO.  ,'i  It). )  F.)i!STi:i!',s 
'I'Klt.N.  Similar  to  the  last;  lart;.r;  hill  loim.r.  si. niter  ; 
Willi's  sh.irter,  tail  longer  ;  I'eel  loni;.r  I..'nylh  ahoiit  l.").IMi; 
extent  ;iO.(II);  wiiii;  ',l.50-|il.,"ill ;  tail  ,"i.(l(l-S.II(l,  lork.'.l  -'.50- 
5.00;  hill  ahiiii,'  ciiliiieii  1.50  l.?.-.,  av.raeini;  l.fiO,  its  .h'plli  at  ha.se  0.  Ill  ;  taiMis  ii.'.Kl-l.dH  ; 
miil.lle  too  and  claw  1. 00-1. Hi;  wh..le  f.i.il  aveiatjint;  -'•HO.  .\.lull,  sprint;  pliimatre  :  Itill 
oraime-yeUow,  I. lack  for  iie.irly  its  lerminal  half,  ihe  exMciiie  points  of  l.oth  nian.lihl.'s  yell.iw- 
ish  ;  rohilst,  ileep  at  l>,i.se  :  cnhn.n  .lc.lin,il.i-.'.invex,  einiiii'n.'i'  at  .sympliysis  well  ih'Vel.ipi'.l  ; 
leiiiith  IVoili  -,l„  1.1  ,-,,  .if  an  inch  loiiiiir  than  that  of  .V  liiriimh.  Illa.'k  pil.iiin  not  .xt. 11.11111; 
.so  far  il.iwii  on  si.les  of  hea.l  as  in  liiniiiihi.  hanly  enihra.'iim   eye  (ih.'    h.w.  r   li.l  .'f  whi.'h  is 

white),  ami  leavinu  ,1   wi.l.'r  wiiih'  spa.'.'  h.tw.'.'ii  ll y.' ami  e.lue  .if  siipeli.ir  maxilla  than 

in  hiniiiilo.     The  color  .if  the  ha.'k  hanllv  .lilhr."  fmni  that  sp.'.'ies  ;   p.rha|is  a  sha.l.'   liulHer. 


Fl.i .  niC.  — 'I'lill "!' l''"rsl  .Ts  T.Tii, 
ttb.1111  it  Milt.  bIzu.    il'i'iiii  lllli'il  I 


764 


SYSTKMA  TIC  SYXOI'SIS.  —  LOXdll'hXNKS  -  (fA  VI. K. 


VVintrs  poinpiirutivfly  sliorttT  tliiiii  tluiso  of  AiVioif/o,  ticiiii;  iilisoliitcly  ii  little  sliDrtn-,  tliuiiyli 
Jhrslfi-i  is  a  lai-fjcr  liinl  ;  very  litxlit  cdliircd,  liciii^'  stiMii),'ly  silvcrrd  ;  mitcr  wcli  of  ili,.  |i,M 
primary  is  imt.  MacU,  lint  silvery  liki-  the  iilhers;  all  the  jiriinaries  want  tlie  very  decideil  whilr 
spaee  oil  tlie  inner  wi'h.s  which  exists  in  liinnidit  anil  tiKuriini  ;  there  are  indicalicins  of  ii  i.n 
the  three  or  tnur  (inter  primaries,  lint  the  others  are  a  nearly  nniforni  dnsky  tcray,  inodeiMli  1\ 
hoary.      Kntire    inider    parts   white,    with  scarcely  a  trace    of  the    plninlieons    so    evident    in    ' 


hiniiido,  and   so  decided  a  color   in   iiuuri 
Ih. 


'lail  a   slightly  lighter  shade  of  the  color  ,,t 
mantle,  separated  from  the  latter  for  a  short  space   hy  the  decidedly  white  rninp  ;   hiiii;il 


feathers  mnch  more  lenfithened  than  in  liinniiln,  the  elont;ation   generally  unite  e(|i 
(if  iliacnini,  and   sometimes  even  exceeding  it.      These  two  lateral  featl 


'<|nallinu  tlml 
lers  are  white  on  llic 


iiiili'r  well,  diisl(y-i;ray  on  the  inner.      This   lieiiitt  exactly   the  reverse  of  liiniii(li>,  and  a  m  iv 


lioticeahle  feature,   was  the  tirst   to  dra 


w  attention  to  the 


liird  ; 


.1  th 


aracter  heini; 


tan^ilde  and  convenient,  writerm  have  perhaps  laid  too  much  stress  upon  it,  to  the  exclii-inn 
of  others  (|iiite  as  evident.      I''eet    liritjht  oranixe,  tinned  with  vermilion;   tarsus  shorter  tiian 

middle  toe  and  claw  ;  feet  longer  and  stouter  hy  over  0.  lt»  of  an  inch  than  the  sa parts  in 

hiniiulo.  .Vdnlt,  winter  plnma^e :  The  Idack  of  the  liill  iiu-reascs  so  much  that  Mearl\  liic 
whole   hill   hecomes  dusky,    except  a    small  siiace  at   the  liase  of  the  nnder  mandihle,  ainl  a 

terndnal    spa f  varyinj;    extent.      Tin'  feet   lose  their    veiniilioii   tiiiu:e  and    hecome   dusky 

yellowish.  The  Mack  pilenm  morti  or  less  variegated  with  while  on  forehead  ;  hut  thnv 
is  always  considerahle  lilack  left  on  the  nape,  and  a  more  or  less  hroad  and  distinct  Imr 
always  extends  alonu;  the  sides  of  tlu^  head,  emhracinn  the  eyes.  The  lateral  tail-fcalln  is 
have   not    the  elonij;ation  and  attemiation  of  those  of  siniimer,  heiiit,^  Imt  little,    if  aav,  longer 


tl 


lan   those  of  liinnii 


•ilo  d 


nniitr   the    hreei 


ilini; 


'J'li 


e  color  of  the  inner  wch  is  iisiiallv 


darker,  and  sometimes  extends  on  the  outer  as  well  as  the  inner,  especially  toward  the  tip  iif 
the  feather.  (.V.  Iiiiirlli  .\nd.)  .\t  the  time  of  the  monlt  the  old  primaries  lose  llnir 
silvering  and    hecome   plai 


(iwn    and  white,  their  shafts    lieii 


decided 


iimer  weliH  at  this  season  have  white  spaces,  with  nearly  as  distinctly  delineil  mari;ins  as  arc 
found  in /i/>')/)ir^)  and  iiliicnirii.  Vouni; :  Itill  in  all  its  proportions  cousideralily  smaller  and 
Weaker  than  that  of  the  adults;  lirownish-ldack,  fadint;  into  dull  llesh-color  at  ha.sc  of  niidii' 
mandihle.  rroiit  white,  lint  the  crown  and  nape  show  traces  of  the  Id.ick  that  is  to  appear, 
which  is  now  mixed  with  lii,'ht  lirowu.  I'earl-ldne  of  inu-k  and  « intj-coverts  interrnpled  hy 
irreu;ular  patches  of  li^lit  txrayish-hrown,  showinu;  a  tendency  to  hecome  transverse  liars  ;  tiiis 
f^rayish-lirown  on  the  tertials  deepens  into  lirownish-lda(di,  and  occupies  nearly  the  whole 
extent  of  each  feather.  The  primaries  diU'er  from  those  of  the  adult  in  havini;  less  silvery 
^loss,  and  the  ima-r  white  spaces  more    marked,  lieiiii;  in  tact  like  those  of  the  adult  hiniiiiln. 


1{ 


iim 


(I 


er   parts   pure  w 


hit( 


The   tail    intensities,  so  to  speak,  its  adult    character 


the 


reitards  color;    and,    iialependcntly   of  any  other   feature,    «ill    always    serve    to   identify 
species.      It  is  deeply  emai'^'iliate,  hnl    the    lateral    feather   is    not    ^:reatly  produced,  snrpassii 


th 


le  second  hv  scarcely  more   than    the 


latti 


r  surpasses  the  tlnn 


1.      It 


s  inner  W( 


li,  I' 


or  an  incli  or 


NO  from  tiie  tip,  and  hotli  welis  of  the  other  featl 

and  also  its  extent,  d 

central 


lers,  ijrayis 


the  ilitensitv  of  this  coin 


ecreasilii;   snccessivelv  on    eacli    te 


p.iir  scarcely  ileepi 


Mil  their  cidor  at  the  liiis 


r 


ither   from  without    inward,  so  that  ilic 
e  outer  Well  of  the  lateral  feather  w  iiile, 


lint  sometimes  is  just  at  the  liii  invaded  hv  the  darker  color  of  its  inner  W( 


li.      N.  .\i 


at  lart;r 


790.    8. 


common;  lirtieds  from  Te.vas  to  the  Pur  countries;  ahunditnt  alont;  Atlantic  coast  durini;  th 
mitjrations;  S.  in  winter  to  Urazil.  Nest  in  marshes;  ei;us  '.>-,'!,  I.S,')  X  \.'M,  yellowish-drali 
freely  lint  irreifularly  spotted  and  dashed  with  dill'ereiit  shades  of  lirown. 

erii'rrt.     ((«r.    iJLaKp6s,    mak'nis,    lom; ;    oc^jd,    mini,    tail.)     .Xitcric    Ti'.itN.     Adult    i 


hi'eedin^  pluinai;e  :  Itill  shorter  than  head,  eipial  to  middle  toe  and  tarsus  together,  slendei. 
compressed,  acute,  deep  carmine,  or  lake  red:  usually  without  any  Idack,  hut  Ihiw  color 
wjiuethnL'g  appearing;  in  a  limited  decree.     Keet  remarkaldy  small  and  weak  ;  lihiai  hare  for 


LAUID.i: - STF.HSIS.K .    lEHSS. 


706 


;i  iiiodfialr  .lisiiinci';  tarsi  rxc.r.liiiiily  «li..it,  l.rin^  l,..ss  than  iiii.l.llr  h»-  wiilioiii  .-law,  i.r 
only  (Miiial  t.i  il  :   tors  lalli.r  loiiu;  U-  \\w  Aw  «\   xW  Uv\\  \\u-  (Hil.i'  fall.-  l.ul    little  -l„,il  ,if 

'III'  liii'l'll "■•  "hill'  till'  ti|i  .it"  till'  claw  nf  the  itiiirr  liaiiily  m  m.Ik  >  Imv I  ili,.  tlmd  aiti.iil.i- 

lioii  of  ihc  iiiiilillc  (inc.  Tlic  frit  aiv  a  li-liln  tint  ><'(  \\\r  .•ulur  nf  lull,  iciulini;  inwanl  vcnnilinii, 
ci-  n.i-al-ivil,  l)llt  licit  so  lii;lil  as  tlio-,.  nl  liiniiidii.  W'iiiys  vi'iy  loiii; ;  |iiiiMatirs  iianow, 
la|iciiiii;  111  tlirii-  nmiiilisli  l>iit  sIcikIit  lips;  sliafts  wliilc,  willi  sraicily  ilaikir  tips.  ( (iilrr 
\\il>  of   lii-.st    iiriiiiary   i;iayisli-lilacl,.  li-lit.nin^   into  siK.iy-may    at    tip;    iiiii.r  \m  li   wliitr, 

uilli    only   a  \ri'y    narrow    line  of  yiayisli-diisLy    alono    tin'    shaft;  tliis   diislvv    spac nrli 

narrower  ami  lii^liter  lliaii  in  liiniintn  .-  next  fnin-  oi-  fue  primaries  silvery-uniy,  darkest 
toward  their  lips;  their  inner  wehs  mostly  white  (wholly  so  at  llnir  hases)  ;  hut  the  while 
does  not  exieiid  so  far  toward  the  tips  of  ilie  leathers  as  on  the  tiist  piimaiy,  and  it  iiiiis  up 
farther  in  the  centre  of  the  weh  than  on  the  edye  of  it.  Inner  primaries  of  the  color  of 
the  hack,  liroadly  lipped  ami  margined  inlernally  with  while.  Tail  exceediimly  loiiu,  the 
exterior  friither  lieiiii;  as  iiiilch  l('iij;llieiied,  and  as  narrow  ,  t:ipeiiiii;  and  acute,  as  in  .V.  ilniiiinHi. 
The  tail-t'eathei's   reaidi   lieyond  the  tips  of  the  folded  w  iiiys.       T.iil   pme  white,  the  miter  well 

of  its  exterior  feather   heiiii;  irrayish-ldacU,    liuhter   lias;illy,  and   its  inner  weh,  and   ih iter 

wehs  of  llie  next  two  I'ectrices,  havini;  a  eonsiderahle  wash  of  peail  Miie.  t  .ip  pme.  Iiislroii.s 
t;reenisli- Idack,  so  liroad  on  llie  cheeks  as  lo  leave  only  a  slemler  line  iif  while  to  exieiid  aloni; 
the  eilije  of  the  feathers  on  the  side  of  the  upper  malidilde.  I'ppei  p.nls  pearl  hhie,  of  :iliont 
the  same  .shade  as  in  liiniiidii  :  Ihis  color,  however,  fadiiii;  into  wliiti'  at  tips  of  leilials  and 
inner  secondaries.  I'lnler  parts  hut  a  little  liehier  shade  of  the  ccdor  of  the  hack,  tadiiii; 
iliseiisildy  into  whitish  on  the  chin,  throat,  and  eili;es  of  the  hiack  I'ap,  and  eliding  aliiii|>ll\  at 
llie  under  tail-covei'ls,  which  are  pure  while,  in  maikeil  I'oiiti'ast  to  the  resi  of  llie  iiiider  parts; 
liniiii;  of  winu;s  and  axillars  also  pme  while.  W'inler  plmiia;;e  of  adiill  :  l>illei's  tVoin  the 
aliove  ehlelly  in  thi' color  id'  the  cap;  forehe.id  while;  crown  \tliile,  Init  iii.irked  with  naiiow 
shal't-liiies  of  Mack,  which  increase  from  liefore  liackward  imtil.  on  the  nape,  ihe  Idack  is 
nearly  or  iplite  pure.  .\  lateral  stripe,  more  or  less  pme  and  dislincl,  exliiids  loiward  on 
.siiles  of  lieail  over  tiic  miriciilars,  to  jiisl  in  front  of  eye,  leaviin:,  howe\er,  the  eyelids  while. 
I'pper  jiarts  iiiiich  as  in  smnnier,  hut  under  parls  from  chin  lo  vent,  ninch  liuhlei.  The 
carmine  of  hill  and  feel  liyhler  and  duller,  hill  not  thi'  coral-ri d  lint  of  llie  feet  of  IiiiiiikIh  or 
Jnislni.  I'Inmaue  of  the  yoiinu-of-lhe-year  :  [till  iniicli  smaller  than  in  the  adiill,  heiiii; 
only  1. IIS  imdies  hint;: :  hrowiiish-ldack  toward  tip  ;  ijonys  and  sides  of  lower  mandihle  toward 
tlH>alii<;le  of  the  month  dull  oranm'  ;  feet  only  iiiaiiye-colored  on  the  soles,  otlieiw  ise  hrownish- 
I'l'il.  Tail  ninch  shorter  than  in  adiill,  only  LJi  to  .'i.llll  inches  loiiu,  and  the  oiiler  pair 
of  I'ectrices  Inoader  and  scarcely  at  all  laperiin;  in  form.  I'^orehead  while;  the  crown 
streaked  with  narrow,  loimitndinal  spots  of  w  hile  upon  a  Idack  i^roiiiul  color,  which  e\leiids 
as  far  as  the  eyes,  and  rims  hack  over  llie  leinples  and  anricni.irs  as  far  as  the  nape.  Whole 
under  parts  rroiii  the  chin,  inclndiin;  nnder  lail-coverls  and  mnler  surfaces  of  wiiiys,  pure 
while.  On  the  hack  there  |irediiiniiiates  everywhere  a  nniform,  liiiht  hhiish-eray  (somewhat 
darker  than  in  S.  Iiiniiidn),  all  the  fealheis  lipped  with  yellowishw  liile  or  white,  most  of 
them  with  a  IdacUish-lirown  streak  or  cresceiil -shaped   spnl   near  I  he  end  ;   lliese  spots  darkest 

on  the  lertialsand  inner  s nidaries,  ami  ai;t;rei;aleil  into  a  siimle,  liroad,  slate-colored  streak 

on    the    lea.sl    w  ini;-ciiverls.      The   asheii-ldne   primaries  deepen    into   slale-color   toward    their 

lips;   their   shat'ls    white,  their   inner  welis  with    a   loimilndinal    space  of  while,  ihi lerweh 

of  the  lirst  slaty-ld.ick.  Inner  lail-fealhers  white,  as  are  their  shafts;  their  lips  white,  each 
with  «  siihterininal  crescent-shaped  spot  of  hrowni.sli  Idack.  l>imensioiis  of  ihe  adult: 
leiii,'lli  (extremely  varialde  from  varyinu  leniilh  of  lail)  I  l.nil-|  r.dil  inches:  e\lent  -.".Mi'i 
;i:i.(IO;  wiii^'  |().ill)-|ll.7.'i;  tail  usually  7. im-'^.llii.  somelimes  (i.,-|U-S.."iii:  depth  of  fork  I.IM'- 
ri.OU;  tiliiif  liare  (l.l.-i  ;  larsns  ll.."i."i-ll.ri."i  ;  miildle  toe  and  claw  ll.sil- U.S.'. ;  inner  toe  and 
claw    l)..")."i;    whole    loot    al t     I. .'id;    hill    ahum    ciilmen    l.x'O-l.  10 ;    In  iylit    at    hase    n.IKi; 


^. 


'1  t 


7<5(] 


SYSTJiMA  TIC  SYyoJ'SlS.  —  LONGIPENNES—  GA  VUE. 


from   ft'iithcrs  of  »\Ac  ctf  hiwiT  inaiuli1il<'  to  tip   1.10;  giipc   1.90;  gonj's  0.75.     A  licnutiliil 
spwit's,  t'iisily  rt'cofiiiizwl  liy  points  of  size  iiml  form,  aaiilc  from  color;  tliis  viirios  mucli  with 


ag(^ 


anil 


season,  givintr  rise  to  many  nominal  sppcics;  among  American  synonyms  arc  6'.  iiihii 
Lawr.,  .V.  luiif/iijeniiis  (.'ones,  S.  portlditdivd  Hiilg.  Enrojjc,  Asia,  Africa;  X.Am,  at  l;iii;i', 
northerly;  breeds  from  Massachusetts  northward;  8.  to  MidtUe  States  and  ("aliforniii,  ;niil 
prohaldy   fartlier.     P'ggs  2-'^,   not  di.stiuguishabh^  from  those  of  the   two  foregoing  siiccics, 


hut 


iveraging  smaller. 


800.  S.  Uou'Kiilll.  (Tol>r.  McDougall.  Fig.  .511.)  HdSK.vn;  Tf.rn.  Pakahimk  Tkrx.  Achih  In 
breeding  plumage  :  IJill  about  as  long  as  liead  or  foot,  straight,  slender,  compressed,  verv  acuir: 
gonys  longer  than  rami,  former  .straiglit,  hitt<'r  concave  in  outline,  witli  acute  liiit  ii<.t 
prominent  angle  between  them.  Wings  shorter  than  usual,  l.st  jirimary  little  longer  iIimm 
lie.\t,  all  rounded.  Tail  exceedingly  long  and  deeply  forked,  with  very  narrow  tilauiiiiioiis 
outer  feathers.  Tibia'  slightly  denuded;  tarsus  a  little  shorter  than  middle  foe  and  ihiu. 
Whole  form  trim  and  elegant.  Hill  bhndi,  the  extreme  poiut  yellowish,  the  base  fur  :i  liiili- 
distance,  and  inside  of  mouth,  red.  Feet  bright  yellowish-red;  claws  black.  Cap  hi.siiiiii> 
black,  very  amjde,  reaching  to  lower  border  of  eyes;  under  eyi'lid  white,  as  is  a  .streak  tn  lud 
of  feathers  on  bill,  Xeck  all  around  and  entire  under  jiarts  snowy  white,  tinted  witli  lnv(  Iv 
rose-pink.  Mai;tle  delicate  pale  pearly,  over  all  the  n](per  jiarts  from  the  necdi,  iiicliiiliiii; 
rump  and  base  of  tail,  fading  however  to  white  on  tips  of  tertials  and  inner  webs  of  secondaiics. 
Long  tail-featlu'rs  white,  with  a  faint  (learly  tint.  Primaries  grayish-black,  strongly  silvernl 
when  fresh;  out<  r  wi'b  of  the  fir.st  blackish  :  inner  webs  (pf  all  pure  white  for  more  tli:in  \\:[\( 
their  breadth,  this  white  stripe  broadest  on  the  first,  toward  the  base  of  which  it  occiipiis  tlic 
whideweb.  and  on  all  of  them  continued  to  and  usually  around  th<'  very  tips  ;  shafts  of  all 
the  <|uills  white  both  sides  nearly  to  end.  Adult  in  winter:  l$ill  dull  black,  with  yellowisli 
tip  and  brown  base.  Forehead  and  cheeks  white  :  crown,  hind-head,  ua{)e,  and  sides  of  head. 
brownish-ldack,  ndxed  with  white  on  vertex.  Xo  rosy  tint.  Lesser  coverts  along  edue  nt 
fore-arm  brownish.  Tail  without  nnudi  tdongation  or  forking,  and  pearly  like  the  hiick. 
Young,  newly   tieilgcd  :   Hill   small,    weak,   slender,   greenish -black,   hardly  1.10;  wings  like 


those  of  adults.     Tail   mertdv  forked 


an  inch   or  so,  pearly-blue  on 


outer  webs,  almost  whitt 


on  inner,  with  subtenninal  edging  of  bla<dvisli.  (ieneral  ccdor  of  ujtper  i)arts  light  pearly- 
blue,  variet;ated  on  most  parts  with  a  didicate  mottling  of  blacdv  and  butf,  the  black  cliirlly 
in  narrow  zig-zag  cross-bat's,  broken  by  the  fawn-cidor;  on  the  wings  the  variegation  in 
larger  pattern,   the  feathers  mostly  black  with  ycdhiwish  border.      Forehead  and  cheeki 


1   hind-head   into  streaks   of  blackish   and  tawii 


light  grayish-brown,  re.scdved  on  crown  aiK 
lost  again  in  blackish  on  the  na|)e.  A  silvery-white  spot  before  and  above  eye  :  eye  sin 
roimth'd  by  black.  A  band  of  black  along  edge  of  forearm,  where  some  of  the  feathers  lia\ 
y(dIowish  tips.  I'nder  jiarts  pure  white,  a  little  (di.scured  with  gray  on  the  breast.  Li 
of  adult   11.0ll-l.').00:  extent  about  ;{(t.(IO:  winu  '.».2.")-'.). 


n^ith 
tail  r.llO-S.O(»,  forked  .•{..")0-l-..)(): 


bill  ahing  culmen  1.50:  height  at  base  0.^5  ;  h'ugth  of  gonys  l.dO,  of  mandibuhir  rami  {).',:>: 
tibia'  bare  (».10:  tarsus  0.S5  ;  middle  toe  and  <daw  1.00.  This  e::(|ui,site  siiechs  inhabits 
Knrope,  etc.,  and  in  X.  .\m.  is  known  to  occur  along  the  wlude  extent  of  the  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  States,  in   viirious  W.  L  Islands,  and  (".  Am. ;  breeds  apparently  throughout   its  range. 


wintering  extralinntal.      Kggs  as  in  other  beach  species. 
801.    S.  superoilln'ris  antilla'rimi.      (Lat.  siiiicrciliiiris,  relating  to  the  ey(d>ro' 


to  tl 


le  wliiti 


frontal   crescent;  Aiililluntm,  of  the  Antilles.)     Lkast  Ti;hn.     Mucdi  smaller  tli:i 


i  (i.OO;   tail  ii.SO,  forked  1.75  ;  hill 
iddle  too  and  claw  0.75.     Youin: 


the   forciroiuti;    length   about  9.00;    extent  20.00;    wing 

along  culmen   1.20;  depth    at  base  0.28;  tarsus  0.00  ; 

amaUer;  h'ntrth   8.50;  wing  ().25  :  tail   H.Od  ;  bill  1.00.     Tail   moderately  forked,  the  lateral 

fi'athers  scarctdy  filamentous,  rapidly  narrowing  to  acute  tip.     Hill  about  as  long  as  head, 

rather  shorter  than  whcde  fmtt.  yellow  tiiijied  with  black  for  i-i  inch.     Caji  gb)ssy  greenish- 


LAlilD.E  -  STEHNIX.K .-   TKItSS. 


767 


lihick,  with  a   niirrow  wliitti  frdiitiil 


crfsi'i'iit   the  hnrns  ..('  wliicli   roach  (pvit  tl.i 


(•(.nvcxity  (luitc  to  tlic  lull,  Ixit  cut  dll'  fmiii  tlic  white  df  il,,.  checks  1 


thi 


eye  to  c'Uil  of  foathcrs  on  hill.     Kn 


)y  a  line  of  hiiick  thniiiyh 


tire  iii.|i<T  parts,  iuchuliiit,'  tail,   ]ieaiiy-lihie,   raliier  dark 
an.l  of  a  loailcii   slimlc,  rnichiii;;   .|iiiie  l,,  the  hiack  cap,  la.liiii;  ..ii  si.ies  of"  neck  aii.l  ]iea,l  ii.t  , 
he  snowy  satiiiy-whito  of  all  the   ini.hr  (.arts.     Tail-feathers  like  hack,  hut  jiahr  l.asilly 


and  whitu  on  their  iiiuler  surfaces,  and  outer  web  of  tl 


outer  feather 


Maiit! 


e   exteiidin:;  tn 


very  tips  of  the  torthils  uud  secondaries.  Inn  inner  wehs  of  tii.se  featiiers  nearly  white  towan 
tlie  liaso.     Shafts  of  first  two  priiiiaries  Ipjacls  on  top, 


er  with  a  white  spa(H',  distinctly  oiitlii 


iiite  underneath,  liie  Wi'hs  hlack,  tin 
troni  the  hlack,  not  reacliini;  ends  of  the  feathers 

liol'ilers 


other   prinniries  lik(^  back,   but   darker   |diiiiil us,   fadiiu,'   to  while  on   their   iuu.r 

Keet  orantre-yellow,  claws  black.     Adult   in  winter:    Kill   black;   fiet  ilull   villowish.     V 


head   and    lores  wl 


lite 


own  white,  with  black  slial'l-lines ;  occiput  and  nape  blackish, 
sendins;  forward  a  band  tlirouij;h  eye.  Mantle  d.irker  than  in  snniiiier,  and  niMn^  lestri.'ted, 
leaving   hind-neck  white:  a  haml  of  i,'rayisli-black  ahuii:   f.ne-arni,  ami   wli.de  ..l!,'.'  of  tlio 


•th 


.M 


>st  ot 


tl 


le  priiiiaries  lilai 


kisi 


1,  Witllollt   sllvi'l-llu. 


iinii;  .if  lirsl  winter 


Similar,  forehead  not  juire   white,  nor  hiinl-lieail  (|iiit<'   bhudush,  mauili'   varie.l  with  li>;hter 
tips  of  nuist  of  the  feathers;  tail  with  traces  of  dark  spots.     Voun;;  in  Aiii;iist  :   liill  1 
black,  pale  at  ba.se  Ixd. 


Forehead  niostlv  white ;  cr.ivMi  an.l  liin.l-hea.l  varieil  wi 


•rownish- 
Ih  white 


lid    brownish-bla.dv,    the    latter 


c.dor   especially 


an    auri.'ular   )iat.-li.      I'earl-t;ray 


mantle  (d"  the  ailiilts  apiiearinu,  but    interrupted  with  brown   hastate  or  cres.inti.'  sp.its,  one 
or  more  on   I'acli  feather,  mottliiiif  the  whole  upper  parts.     Primaries  t;rayish-blaid 


filter  from   first  to   last,  iiiaru;ined  on  inner  webs  with  white,   1 


iMMa.Uy  anil 
niter  wt  b  of  first    in 


l»,  trrowini^ 
.iiiti'r 


]irimaries,  more  narrowly  and   lenutliily  on  succissive   ones;  outer  wen  oi   nrst   priiuaiy, 
shafts  id"  all   on    ii](per  side,   bhudi.     Tail    men  ly  emariiinate,   without    <doi.i;ati.iii   id'  oulir 
feathers;   pearly-blue,  shadiiii,'  towards  the  en. Is  <d' the   t'eatliers  to.liisky-i;ray,  tin-  tips  white 


Wh.de 


e  under  parts  pure  w  bite.     A  pretty  little  "  sea-s 


inhaldtiiii,'  teiiiperate  X.  Am. 


especially   aloiii;   the  Atlantic  coast  id'  the  U.  S.,  but   als.i  .m   lar;;er  inlanil    waters;   Pacific 
side  to  ("alifornia  :  South   into  the  Antilles  an.l  .Mi.l.lle   .America;  very  intimat.dv  r(dateil  to 


the  S.  Am.  s)i]ii'fciliiiris  ami  Eiiroiii 


iiitd.     Ki:i,'s  .Ir.ipped  on  bare  .by  saml  .if  heacln 


or  ill  a  little  slndly  depression,  1,  2,  or  15  in  iiuinhcr.  I.;.'l)  to  1..'{I)  by  ().'.)() ;  m-.nin.l  c.dor 
varying  from  pale  clear  greenish  to  dull  jiale  drab,  spe.dilcd  all  over  with  small  splashes, 
irregular  spots  and  dots  of  .several  shades  of  clear  brown,  with  paler  ami  nmre  lilaceoiis 
siudl-spots;  the  markings  often  evenly  distribtit.'.l,  ni.ire  fre.|ueiitly  ten.lini;  t.i  wreathe  at 
.ir  around  the  larger  end,  the  p.diit  often  fre.'  from  marks  ..r  with  only  a  few  il.its. 
802.    S.  trudeau'i.     (To  Dr.  James  Tnnhau.)    Titi  dkai  "s  Tt:i{N.    \ViiirK-iiKAiii;i>  TFlts.    Size 


and  proportions  nearly  as  in  S.  furstcri,  the  bill  esp.'.'ially  ..f  sain.'  si/e  an. 
vpry  ditt'erent,  uiihpie  in  the  subfamily.     A. lull :   IJill  stiaw-y 


(dl.iw  at  en. I,  apiiareii 


1  sh; 
1, 


C.il.irati.iii 


illlv  b 


ht 


dored,  pr.dtably  reddish,  at  base,  with  a  broad  black  intervening  haml.    'I'lie  wli.de  head  pure 
white,  inoludinji  all  the  i)arts  about  the  base  .if  tlii'  hill  :  this  .leepens  insensibly  iiit.i  the  |)early 


color  all  ar.uind. 


rr.iw  .listinct  bar  .d"  slatv-black 


iile  .d"  Ilea. I. 


passiiii;  tliroiigli  eye 


fr 


iin  a  point  just  in  advanci 


tl 


le  auriciilars, 


where  the  fascia  wi.lens  an.l  heii.ls  d.iwu  a  little. 


All  the  rest  <d'  the  plumage,  bel.iw  as  widl  as  ab.ive,  of  a  uiiif.irm  lustrous  pale  pearly,  with 
the  fidlowing  exceptions;  Tiider  surfaces  .d' wings  ])iire  white ;  tail,  with  its  coverts  an.l  the 
rump,  white,  still  with  an  a]ipreiiable  jx-arly  tint  ;  tips,  and  part  .if  inner  vaii.'s  .d'  secomlari.'s 
and  tertials,  white;  primaries  with   the  jiicture  (.'inmon  to  ni.ist  terns,  with  a  whit.'  spa. n 


the  in 

them 

ippei 


IT  wel)s;  their  darker  porti.ins  beautifully  silvered  .iv.r  with  h.iary  gray    w 


ihi.'h 


appear   paler  than   iisiia 


shafts  white   above  ami   below,  except  at  extr.'ine  tips  ;   fe.t 


to  hi 


lave  ix'en  re.t.iisn  .ir  vi 


sh,  certaiiilv  of  somi'  bright  color.     Wing    10. 


tail 


6..5();  depth  of  the  fork  -2.75;  bill  al.nig  culmen  1.50;  its  .leiith  at  lias.'  0.:^  :  lemrth  of  gonys 
1.75;  tarsus  O.'JO;  middle  toe  and  daw  l.Oo.     A  rare  and  reinaikabl.'  species  bel.nitring  to 


I   r    •   I 


768 


SYSTEM  A  riC  SYXOJ'SIS.  —  LONGIPENNES—  GA  VIJE. 


Fid.    rilT.  —  Alculian 
niiii'li  ri'iliu'i'il. 


Tern, 


South  America,  qut-'stioiiably  occiining  in  N.  Am. ;  "  Now  Jersey  und  Loug  IshiuU  "  (Audu- 
bon). 

803.  S.  aleu'tica.  (Of  tlie  Aleutian  I^^le.x.  Fij;.  517.)  Alkitian  Terx.  Adult :  Hill  ..foriliii;iry 
sha]i(',  as  in  hiniudo,  mdcnini,  etc.,  entirely  lilack.  Feet  small,  as  in  the  species  just  niiiind. 
but  tli<'  webs  more  deei)ly  inci.sed  ;  enuiruination  not  so  great,  however,  as  in  Hiidniclidithin  ; 

much  as  in  Hdliplaiiu.  Tibia!  bare  to  the  usual  e.\tent.  WIul's 
and  tail  exactly  as  in  Sterna  proper,  the  latter,  in  its  lenttlli  nud 
depth  of  fork,  recalliuf;  tiutcnint  and  forshri.  ("rown  and  niipo 
black  ;  a  large  white  frontal  crescent,  the  horns  of  whi(di  reacli  to 
the  posterior  border  of  the  eyes,  the  convexity  of  which  extemls  into 
the  nasal  fossii',  tlie  concavity  of  which  is  opposite  the  anterior 
border  of  the  4'yes  ;  thus  broader  than  in  most  species  similiirlv 
marked.  The  black  vertex  sends  through  the  eye  a  baud  that  crosses  the  cheeiis  and  rciidicv 
the  liill  just  posterior  to  tlu'  point  of  greatest  extension  of  the  fealliers  on  the  latter.  'I'he 
<diin,  auriculars,  and  other  jiarts  of  the  head  bordering  this  vitta  btdow,  are  pure  wliite, 
liresently  deepening  insensildy  into  the  hue  of  the  imder  ]iarts.  Tail  wholly  |iure  white;  no 
jiearly  wash  on  either  vane  of  any  of  the  feathers.  Upper  parts  at  large  dark  jiearl-gray,  wiih 
a  didl  leaden  hue,  different  from  the  clear  pearly  of  mticnim,  etc..  yet  not  of  the  smoky  cast 
of  jiatiaifoisix,  etc.  ;  it  is  a  tint  intermediate  between  these,  that  I  tind  ilitlicult  to  name  satis- 
factorily. The  whole  under  ]>arts,  from  the  wliite  of  the  chin,  just  noticed,  to  the  under  t:iil- 
eoverts,  paler  and  more  decidedly  pearly,  more  nearly  as  in  full-plumagecl  miicrura,  yet  nimc 
grayi.sh.  Hoth  under  iind  upper  tail-coverts,  like  the  tail,  white.  The  color  of  the  back 
mounts  on  the  ne<dv  Ixdiind  to  the 
black  of  the  najx-  without  interven- 
tion of  white.  Under  wing-coverts 
and  edge  of  wintr  jmre  white;  as  are 
all  the  siiafts  of  the  primaries.  Pri- 
maries blackish  lead-color,  with 
silvery  hoariness,  and  eacdi  with  a 
large  white  sjiace  on  inner  web;  this 
white  space  on  the  first  jirimary  oc- 
cupies at  the  base  the  wbide  width 
of  the  inner  wel>,  but  grows  nar- 
rower toward  the  tip  of  the  feather, 
ending  about  an  inch  from  the  ti]i, 
which  is  wholly  blackish  lead-color, 
this  color  running  down  as  a  narrow 
margining  of  the  inner  vane  for  two 
inches  or  more.  On  the  other  ju'i- 
nuiries  successively  this  white  spaci!  Fio,    518.  —  Foot    of   Sootv  FlO.  519.  —  Foot  of  Bridled 

diminishes   in   size,  and   is  also  h'ss     Tern,  ..at.  .im  (K.om  .Saunders:*    Tern,  ..at.«i«.  (Kro.n  Suu.i.lers.) 

distinctly  defined.  Secondaries  c(dorod  much  like  the  back,  but  the  greater  part  of  the  inner 
web  of  all  white,  and  a  narrow  (ddicpie  touch  of  white  on  outer  web  near  its  end,  which  forips 
a  bar  across  the  wing  M-hen  (dosed.  IJill  along  culineu  1.40  ;  along  gape  1.70;  height  at  b;isc 
0.30;  length  of  gonys  0.80;  wiug  9.75 ;  tail  G.uO  ;  depth  of  fork  2.40;  tarsus  0.60;  nnddic 
toe  alone  0.80;  its  claw  nearly  0.. '50.  Alaska  and  Aleutian  Islands;  a  notable  late  discovery, 
coming  between  the  species  of  Stcnia  proju'r  and  the  sooty  tern  group;  related  to  S.  hiudtii. 

804.  S.  fiilig^no'sa.  (Lat.  fiiUfjiiwsn,  sooty.  Fig.  .".IS.)  Sooty  Tekn.  Representing  a  sniali 
grou).  ajiart  from  any  of  the  foregoing,  named  IfriJiphtirt  by  some;  approaching  the  noddies 
slightly.     Bill  as  long  as  head,  scarcely  exceeded  by  whole  foot,  straight,  stout  at  ba.se,  taper- 


LAliliLK  -SrrJiSLWK:    TJJl^XS. 


Tt'.i) 


uiix,  acute,  ;:onys  ii.spoiidiii!,',  .•ciiiinissiii-c  not  cliniivnl ;  nostrils  latlur  tar  loiwanl,  VmI 
'  .l.'cjily  forkftl,  iis  in  Slcniii  ;  IV'ct  stout  ;  to.s  slioit,  witli  nnidi  iMciscd  w.l.s.  IMnnmgc  bicolor. 
Hill  and  IVrt  black  ;  iris  red.  On  llir  toivl,cad  a  wliit..  rivsrcnt,  .-.  ludiini:  ov.r  ryrs,  si'iiaratcl 
IVdin  white  of  idiofUs  l.y  u  blac-k  biidlc  tVoni  cy..  ,d,li(iu(  ly  dnwnwaid  an.l  fonvaiil  to  bill.  Kn- 
tirn  uijprr  parts  black,  deep  an.l  unifonn,  witli  sliirlit  u;ivcni--li  i;loss.  Entire  inidcr  jiarls  wliiic, 
reaching  on  sides  of  iiead  to  eyes,  iin.l  more  than  half-wiiy  aronnd  neck.  Priinaries  M.iekish. 
lighter  on  inner  webs,  their  .sbalts  lu'own  above,  white  below;  .secondaries  like  primaries,  hut 
most  of  their  inner  webs  whitish  :  lining  of  winys  white.  Tail  like'  back,  duller  on  under  mm- 
face,  the  hmg  lateral  feathers  wliite,  with  whiter  shafts,  bla.dienin-;  toward  end.  esiMciallvon 
inner  W(d)s.      Voum.':  entindy  dill'erent  :    Hill  black  above,  dull  nd.lisli  below:  eyes  and   feet 

dull   reildish.     Whole   pbnuage  s ky-hrown,  darkest  above,  paler  ami  i,'ravi>li  or  «liilish  on 

bidly,  almost  black  on  primaries,  ujiper  wing-coverts  and  .scapulars  broadly  lipped  with  white, 
giving  a  peculiar  spotty  appearance  :  feathers. d'  back,  rump,  ami  upp.u-  tail-.'.iverts  maraiui.l 
with  dull  rufous.  Tail  lik.'  wings  in  .'.dor,  liltl.'  fork. .I,  lal.ral  leathers  n.d  elonirated. 
Length  about  16.50;  ext.^nt  ab.iut  ;U.(l(J;  winu  \i.W:  tail  r..")ii.  fork.. I  ;i.l)l»-;5.r)0;  bill  al.mg 
.•ulnien  l.Sn,  gape  ;J..")() ;  de|)lh  at  base  il.jO  ;  tibia  liare  O.Jn  :  tarsus  I. OH:  mi.l.lli'  t.i.'  an.l 
claw  \.iV:  \  .r.iter  d.i.  1.0.');   inner  .1...  0.7.");  hiu.l  .lo.  I). III).     A  w.ll-knnwn  inhabitant  .d'  most 

of  the  wanner  parts  of  the  gl.ibe.     In  N.  Am.  N.  akriu;  Atlanti. asi   r.uularly  t..  the  Caro- 

linas,  casually  to  New  Kuglan.l;  bree.ling  s.>  numerously  .)n  .)ur  S.  coast  tha'  thi'  ei;i.'s  ar.'  or 
were  an  article  of  onnuerce.  Kggs  1},  .Inijipe.!  .)n  the  sand,  i.\i  X  1. •')().  buH'  .ir  cr.amy, 
si)aringly  nuirked  with  spots  and  splash,  s  .if  light  br.iwn  and  pal.'  purplish. 
80,).  S.  aiia'stlie'tlca.  ((ir.  dvaiaOr^riKus,  (lUdixthctilcox,  st.ili.l,  a])atheti.'.  Fiu;.  .')10.)  llltlDi.i;!) 
Ti:kn.  Form  of  S.  fiiliijiuoxa,  but  W(d)bing  of  the  toes  less  e.\tensive,  being  nearly  as  .leiply 
inciseil  as  in  Hi/ib-uchrlidoii.  Hill  an.l  teet  black.  Crown,  an.l  stripe  through  eye  t.i  nostril, 
black.  A  white  frontal  lunula,  narr.iwer  than  in  fuliyiitosa,  cxten.ls  smiw  .listance  behin.l  the 
eye.  The  black  pihnim  is,  on  the  naiie,  sharply  defined  against  ashy-white,  which,  as  it  ))r.)- 
feeds  backward,  .h'epcns  int.)  cinerous-brown,  the  prevailing  c.d.ir  .d'  th.'  ny\>vv  ]iarts.  \Viiu.'s, 
and  esi)ecially  the  prinniri.'s,  .larker  than  the  rest  of  tli.'  upper  parts,  an.l  with  s.'arcidy  a  shad.' 
of  cinereous  ;  tail,  with  its  coverts,  much  lighter  and  m.ire  ashy,  approachiiii:  the  nap.'  in  color. 
The  primaries  have  well-. lefine.l,  ])ure  white  spaces  rimning  for  a  c.insi.lerald.'  distan.'.'  from 
their  ba.ses  al.mg  tlu;  inner  web,  while  in  fnliijiiio.fa  the  inner  webs  are  simply  irrayisli-brown, 
with  no  well-nnirked  pictura.  A  large  part  of  inner  webs  .if  s.'on.lari.'s  an.l  t.'rtials  white. 
All  th(!  under  wing-overts  pure  white.  Central  tail-feathers  br.iwnish-ashy,  c.uicidor  with 
their  coverts.  The  lateral  .mes  have  much  white  towanl  th.'ir  bases,  esjic'lally  on  th.'  inner 
webs,  and  this  increa.ses  .m  each  feather  successively  t.i  su.'h  an  ext.'Ut  that  the  next  to  the 
out(>r  one  is  wholly  white  except  a  small  space  at  its  ti|),  whih'  th.'  .iuterm.)st  is  entirely  white. 
Shafts  of  prinniries  brownish-black  above,  white  beneath  ;  of  th.>  rectrices,  dark  al.mi:  the 
cinerous,  ami  white  along  .)ther  p.>rti.ins  .if  the  feathers.  H.'low,  the  bir.l  is  entirely  pure 
white.  Dhnensions:  length  11.00  t.)  l.j.OO  inches ;  wing  10..")0;  tail  (i.OO  t.)  7.00  :  hill  l.iil- 
tol.GO;  height  at  base  0.35  to  0.40  ;  width  slightly  less ;  tarsus  0.8.");  mi.kUe  t.ie  th.'  sam.', 
with  the  claw  1.20;  outer  toe  and  claw  1.00;  inner  0.7.>.  Inunature  iihiuniire  :  Ulack  .if 
pih'uni  imperfect,  largely  mixed  with  white  .m  the  vertex,  so  that  it  fa.les  ins.'iisibly  into  the 
white  of  the  lunula,  which  latter  is  thus  .)hscurcd.  The  black  bridle  is  corresp.>ndini:ly  imper- 
fect. Upper  parts  paler  an.l  gray.T,  s.)nie  of  the  feathers  being  margined  with  whitish.  Lat- 
eral rectrices  n.it  wh.iUy  white.  Under  parts  pure  white,  as  hefor.'.  This  is  probably  n.it  the 
youngest  plumage  (of  which  1  have  yet  to  .see  specimens;  .l.'.scrih.^.l  as  heini;  liirht-.'.il.ire.l 
below  from  the  very  first),  but  rather  represents  a  plmna;:.'  that  cl..sely  r.  s.'ud)les,  if  it  be 
not  identical  with,  the  ordinary  winter  idumagi;  of  the  a.lult.  This  iierfcctly  distinct  species 
inhabits  warmer  parts  of  the  globe  in  b.ith  hemispheres;  West  Indies  an.l  Florida.    (Haliplana 

discolor,  Cones.) 

40 


';,  I 


)  ; 


h 


w 


ITO 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONGIVl 


J—  GA  Vlyl-J. 


316.  HYDKOCHELI'DON.  (Ur.  v6o>p,  hudor,  wMcr ;  x'^tdwi',  chelidon,  ii  hwiiIIow.)  Hlack 
Tkknh.  Hill  a  Hull-  hIiuiIit  tliau  head,  luii{^i'r  than  iiruUllc  toe  iiiid  claw ;  very  (Iclicate,  Hlcndcr, 
aotite  i  ctiliiicii  and  ciiininiMHari'  dcculrdly  dcc-liiiatd-eonvcx,  the  aiiuiuiit  of  curvatiin-  iMcrcaMln^ 
toward  the  tip;  outline  <>f  rami  and  ^ouys  luith  eoneave,  the  lornier  inotit  so;  eniinentia  syni- 
jihy.sis  prominent  and  very  acute.  Wings  exceedingly  long,  pointed,  of  .same  color  as  hack, 
without  distinct  nnirkings  ou  either  web.  I'rimaries  hroad  and  not  very  tapering,  not  acute ; 
tertials  very  short,  rounded,  not  sIcikUt  nor  Howing,  reaching  in  the  folded  wing  only  half-way 
to  tip  of  longest  primary.  Tail  rather  short,  contained  iij  times  in  the  wing,  only  moderately 
cmarginate  (much  as  in  Gdoclielidoii),  the  lateral  feathers  but  little  exceeding  the  next,  not 
tapering  and  acuminate ;  all  the  ft-atliers  broad  and  rounded.  Feet  slender  aiu'.  short  ;  tarsi 
much  abbreviated,  rather  less  than  the  middle  toe  alone.  Toes  moderately  long  ;  the  webs 
rather  narrow  and  very  deeply  incised  (fig.  51).  Size  small,  general  form  delicate  j  colors 
mostly  black,  the  wings  uud  tail  plumbeous. 


800 


Analyilt  of  Sptclet. 

Wings  nnil  tnil  nbovo  like  back 

Wlii^H  whitening  ulong  border  of  forearm;  upper  tall-cnvertit  white 


lari/nrmh    804 
(t  uriiptird     SOT 


H.    Inrlfor'mis.      (Lat.   lailformis,    gull-shaped.)      Hi.ack     i  eun.     Siiokt-TAILEK   Ti:iin. 

Adult,  in  summer :  Head  and  neck  all  around  and  under  jiarts  to  tlie  vent,  jet  black;  under 
tail-coverts  pure  white.  On  back  of  neck,  and  between  shoulders,  the  black  lightening  into 
leaden-gray,  which  extends  over  all  the  upper  jmrts  to  the  very  tips  of  the  tail-feathers.  Ter- 
tials  like  back;  secondaries  darker,  tending  to  the  color  of  the  primaries,  which  are  grayish- 
black,  silvered,  with  paler  nnirgins  of  inner  webs,  their  shafts  white  exce])t  at  tijis.  Lining  of 
wings  ashy-white,  reaciiing  a  litth'  over  border  on  to  lesser  coverts.  Itill  and  claws  black, 
angle  of  mouth  lake  red  :  feet  reddish-brown  ;  eyes  brown.  In  winter:  \'ery  different  ;  fore- 
head, sides  of  head,  neck  all  round,  and  entire  under  parts,  white ;  under  wing-coverts  only 
ashy-gray.  Ujiper  parts  generally  as  in  sumnu'r,  Itut  paler,  many  feathers  with  whitish  edges. 
A  grayish-black  bar  along  lesser  coverts.  On  the  crown,  white  varied  with  grayish  or  ashy, 
darker  on  mipe,  with  bar  through  eye.  While  changing,  bead  and  uniler  parts  jiatched  with 
white  and  black.  Young:  Uill  brownish-black,  base  bi'low  tlesh-color  ;  mouth  yellow;  feet 
light  brown.  Forehead  grayish-white,  deepening  on  crown  and  un\w  to  grayish-brown  which 
reaches  down  to  the  back,  (d)scurintr  the  idumbeous ;  interscapulars  (piite  brown;  on  other 
upper  parts  the  brown  eilges  the  feathers.  Lesser  wing-coviTts  grayish-black.  A  black  cres- 
cent before  eye.  Under  parts  juu'e  wliite,  tiie  sides  of  the  breast  ashy-brown,  the  sides  of  the 
body  and  lining  of  the  wings  ashy.  Quills  as  in  the  adults,  but  the  shafts  of  the  prinuiries 
brown.  Length  about  9.25;  extent  25.00  ;  wing  S. 25  ;  tail  H. 75,  forked  1.00;  bill  along  cul- 
iiien  1.10;  along  ga)ie  1.00;  height  at  base  0.25  ;  gonys  0.(10.  Young  smaller,  about  S.OO  ; 
Lill  1.00  ;  tail  shorter  and  less  forkeil.  N.  Am.  at  large,  interior  and  coastwise,  abundant. 
Breeds  in  large  coloides  anyvhi-re,  in  marshes  and  reedy  sloughs,  in  June.  Egi,'s  on  debris  of 
dead  reeds,  often  wet  and  floating,  without  any  nest  ;  2-;{,  l..'{5  X  "-'.'j  average,  pointed,  yet 
with  considerable  bulge  of  the  sides;  ground  cidor  hrownish-idive,  rather  jmlo  and  clear, 
thickly  marked  with  spots  and  sidashes  of  every  size  froni  dots  to  imisses,  but  mostly  large 
and  bfdd,  of  light  brown  and  Idackish-browii,  anil  the  usual  neutral-tint  shell-markings;  ten- 
dency to  agfrregate  at  or  arounil  the  larger  end. 
807.  H.  leuco'ptera.  (Or.  Xfvicor.  /r)(/vw,  white:  nrtpou,  pterou,  wing.)  Wmite-wincek  Hlack 
Tekx.  Adult  ill  summer:  Hill  black,  tinged  with  red;  feer  red;  claws  black.  Head  and 
neck  all  around  and  under  jiarts  imre  black,  .shading  on  back  and  scapulars  into  dark  slaty 
plumbeous;  wings  dark  silvery-idumbeous,  fading  to  white  along  border  of  forearm,  the  quills 
silvcred-dusky  with  white  shafts  and  dull  white  area  on  inner  webs  of  the  primaries  ;  lining  of 
wings  sooty  blackish,  varied  with  white  along  the  border.     Tail  and  its  coverts,  above  and 


316. 


808. 


LARIDjE  -STEIlNLWf::    TEIiXS. 


771 


below,  white,  abruptly  contruHtiiiiL'  witli  dark  slato  of  tlic  rmiiii  an<l  Mark  ..f  tlir  1..  ||y,  thf  tail- 
ft'iithi-ra  Hliiulcd  with  |)carly-«ray  tnwanl  their  ciids.  Li'iiirtli  (..f  skin)  N,UO  ;  wiiii;  7..',0  ;  tad 
2.75,  forked  uudiT  0.50  ;  liill  aldiij;  oidrucn  O.UO,  aloim  pipe  1.:.'0.  lifi^lit  at  lias.' ()..'()  ;  tai-iiit 
0.73;  middle  too  and  (daw  0.S7-  KcMciiildini,'  tlic  last,  atid  cliaiims  ,>(  pliiiiiai.'.'  i(prr(sp<pudtut ; 
disfiiiguiidicd  in  any  pininai;f  by  wliitc  upper  taii-covi'rts  and  lesM  r  wiiiji-inverts.  litirupc; 
nccideiifal  in  N.  A.  in  one  instance  ( WisciMisin). 
310.  ANOU9.  (Gr.  (ivovt,  (dioita,  mindless,  regardless;  i.  e.  slujiid.)  Noddikh.  Mill  alicnil  as 
lont;  as  liead  or  loinrer,  mueli  |iMi(.'er  lljan  tarsus,  moderately  rol>ust  or  very  sleniler,  depressed, 
us  liroad  as  liitfli  at  base  ;  (dsewliere  depressed,  taperiiii;  to  au  aeuniinate  and  somewhat  ile- 
curved  tip.  Fore  end  of  no.strils  nearly  iiall'-way  to  end  <it'  hill,  the  fossie  lonj;  and  diep.  Nn 
frontal  aiitiie;  outline  of  feathers  on  base  of  bill  convex  (reverse  id  Strrun),  Wines  hut  mod- 
erately loiif;  for  this  subfamily,  the  second  primary  but  little  shorter  than  the  tirst.  Tail  very 
hmj,',  broad,  fdn-sli'tpcd,  (hmbk-nmiiiM,  i.  e.,  graduated  laterally,  yet  with  central  feulhers 
shorter  than  the  next.  Tarsi  very  short,  robust,  less  than  the  nnddle  toe  without  its  (daw. 
Lateral  toes,  es])ecially  the  inner,  unusually  lem;theneil  ;  hallux  well  develojieil.  Webs  hroad 
and  full,  not  incised.  Chiws  short,  stout,  little  curved,  but  very  acute,  i'lpdothica  nearly 
Binooth,  from  tendency  to  fusion  of  the  plates,  there  beini;  but  a  siiiule  define  1  row  of  scutella 
iu  front,  with  ilicate  reticulations  elsewhere;  s(dea  of  the  webs  perfectly  smM,.'li.  i'.diies  ol 
middle  (daw  tted  and  ^' nu'wliat  pecfimife.  I'lumane  dark  or  nearly  unic( dor.  .\  remark- 
able genus.  Tin  I e  are  several  sjiecies  of  warmer  jiarts  of  the  world,  all  alike  sooty-lnown, 
with  hoary  or  whitish  head.  They  aliglit  with  ease  on  trees  and  bushup,  where  the  nest  is 
usually  (placed. 
808.  A.  sto'lidus.  (Lat.  stolidits,  8t(did,  Rfu|)id.)  Noddy  Tkun.  Adidt,  lireedim;  plumage: 
Uotli  mandibles  marked  with  m<pre  (pr  less  distinct  longitudinal  striie;  their  toniia  intlectdl. 
Nasal  sulcus  deep  and  hpiig,  fiprmed  by  the  rounded  culmen  and  a  pripuuiient  ridge,  which  runs 
along  the  iipjier  numdible  from  its  base  to  beyond  the  nostrils,  where  it  is  gradually  hpst.     Just 

above  the  base  there  is  a  small  but  distiiu't  fossa,  .seiiaratcd  by  an  obli(pie  ridge  fi i  tlie  large 

nasal  sulcus.  C'lilincm  alxput  straiuht  for  half  its  h'ligth,  regularly  decurved  toward  the  tip. 
ba.sally  broad  ami  flat.  (_'(pmmissin-e  slightly  (h'(dinat(P-c(pnvex.  Outline  bipth  (pf  rami  and  gipuys 
concave,  the  fcprmer  most  .sip  ;  eminentia  symphysis  illy  di-lined  and  iupt  acute.  Primaries  iiin- 
eolor,  very  broad  almost  to  their  tips,  which  are  rounded  ;  first  primary  searct  ly  surpassing  the 
secoml.  Tail  very  long  and  mmdi  graduated  ;  but  there  is  also  a  slight  emargination,  the  two 
central  re(!trices  being  a  little  shiprter  than  the  next  pair.  Hill  and  claws  blmdi.  Mouth  black 
to  a  little  bey(pnd  the  anghMpf  the  jaws,  the  fauces  y(dhpwisli.  Kyes  brown.  Tarsi  and  toes 
dark  rcddiali-br<pwn,  nearly  black  in  the  dried  skin.  Occiiiut  bhiish-plumheoiis.  beecpmini: 
pure  white  (m  the  i'vimi.  Sides  <pf  the  head  and  neck  all  npuml  with  a  diriihd  wash  ipf  Ipluish- 
plnmbeous.  The  whole  body  is  a  (h'cp  fuliginous  brown,  gripwing  alm(p.st  Iphnd;  ipu  the  remiges 
and  rectrices,  with  a  very  dark  spot  aiiteriipr  to  and  just  above  the  eye.  DinuMisions  :  length 
1()  inches;  c.Ktcnt  of  wings  ;U.OO:  wing  from  tle.xure  10.00  to  11.00;  tail  abiput  0.00:  Ipill 
'  ahmg  culmen  1.75;  height  or  wi(hh  at  base  O.SS;  tarsus  1.00;  nnildle  t(pe  and  (daw  1.15; 
outer  ditto  but  slightly  shorter;  imier  ditto  1.20:  hallux  O.tO:  Ipreadth  of  w(  bsO.'.l'i  :  diam 
eter  of  eye  O.SO.  Widely  distributed  over  warmer  parts  of  the  gliphe  :  in  N.  Am.,  S.  .\thintic 
and  (Julf  States,  breeding  by  thousands  (Pii  the  low  mangrove  and  ipthor  bushes,  where  the 
bulky  nest  of  sticks  is  plac.'d.  Kirgs  :i,  about  2.00  X  1.35,  warm  buff,  spotted  and  splashed 
with  reddish-brown  and  neutral  tints. 


772 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  L  ONGIPENNES  —  GA  Vl^. 


! 


FlO.  520.  — Bill  of  Skimmer,  iiat.  size. 


73.   Subfamily  RHYNCHOPIN^:  Skimmers. 

Bill  hypogna- 
thous.  AiiioDi; 
I  till'  singular  bills 
^  of  birds  t''ut  fru- 
quciitly  fxcito 
our  wonder,  tluit 
of  tbo  skimmers 
is  one  of  till- most 
auoiiiiilous.  Till) 
under  inuudible 
is  much    louder 

than  the  upper,  compressed  like  a  knifi'-bliide  :  its  cud  is  obtuse ;  its  sides  conic  abruj)tly 
together  and  are  completely  soUlered  ;  the  U])pt  r  edge  is  as  sliarp  as  tlie  under,  and  fits  a 
groove  in  the  upper  mandibh! ;  the  jawbone,  viewed  apart,  looks  like  a  short-Iiaiidled  pitch- 
fork. The  upper  mandible  is  also  compressed,  but  less  so,  nor  is  it  so  obtuse  at  the  end;  its 
substiince  is  nearly  hollow,  with  light  cancellated  structure,  much  as  in  a  toucan  ;  it  is  freely 
movable  by  ineuiis  of  an  elastic  hinge  at  the  forehead.  There  arc  cranial  jieculiaritics.  Con- 
formably with  the  shaiie  of  the  month,  the  tongue  ditt'ers  froii  that  of  other  IjwgipcnncH  in 
being  very  short  and  stumjiy,  as  in  kingfishers,  and  the  Stegatiop.xks.  The  wintjs  are  exceed- 
ingly long,  and  the  flight  more  measure<l  and  sweeping  than  that  of  terns;  tli(^  birds  fly  in  close 
flocks  moving  simultaneor.sly,  rather  than  in  straggling  companies.  They  seem  to  feed  as  they 
skim  low  over  water,  with  the  fore  parts  ineliiu'd  downward,  the  under  mandible  probably 
grazing  or  cutting  the  surface  ;  but  they  are  also  .said  to  use  their  otld  bill  to  ])ry  ojien  weak 
bivalve  mollusks.  The  voice  is  very  hoarse  and  rau(!ous,  rather  than  strident.  They  are 
somewhat  noctunial  or  at  least  crepuscular;  their  general  economy  is  the  .same  as  that  ot  terns, 
as  are  all  points  of  structure  excepting  those  above  specified.  Hesides  the  following,  there  are 
only  two  species  :  B.  flnriroslris  and  7i'.  albicollis,  of  Asia. 
317.  RHYN'CHOPS.  ((ir.  pvy\os,  hritgchoa,  beak;  «>//■,  opx,  the  face;  well  ajiplied  to  the  bird 
whose  l)eak  is  such  an  extraordinary  feature.)  Ski.mmkk.s.  Charai'ter  as  above. 
800.  R.  ni'Krn.  (Lat.  »nV;;o,  black.  Fig.  .520.)  Black  Skimmku.  Adult  ^J  9  :  Hill  with  basal 
half  carmine-red,  rest  black.  Iris  hazel.  Feet  cannine-red,  ilrying  yellowish,  with  black  claws. 
Crown  <»f  head,  its  sides  to  just  below  eyes,  back  of  neck  and  whole  upper  parts,  glossy 
iet-black.  Forehead,  sidi's  of  head  below  eyes,  sides  of  neck  and  whole  under  )iarts,  jmre 
white,  tinted  rosy  or  creamy  in  the  nu]ttial  .season.  Lining  of  wings  and  tli(!  bordering 
under  wing-coverts,  black.  Primaries  black,  with  black  shafts,  their  inner  webs  duller 
blackish,  the  inner  four  with  inner  webs  and  tips  of  both  webs,  white;  sec-ondaries  white, 
with  a  space  of  dark  color  on  outi'r  and  small  part  of  inner  webs,  increasing  in  amount 
inwards,  till  the  inner  four  are  dark  with  only  white  tips.  Tail-feathers  white,  the  inner 
web.s  more  or  less  ob.scured  with  dark  brown.  Length  16.00-20.00  ;  extent  42.00-50.00  ; 
wing  i;i.00-lf).50 ;  tail  lOIVd.OO,  forked  about  1.50;  tibiw  bare  1.00;  tarsus  1.45;  middle 
toe  and  claw  l.tJO.  Length  of  under  mandible  3.50-4.50,  of  upper  about  15.00  ;  height  opposite 
nostrils  0.65  ;  width  0.45  ;  gape  4.50  or  more;  fused  toinia  or  gonys  of  under  mandible  4.00 
or  less;  greatest  depth  of  under  mandible  0.00.  9  smaller  than  ^.  Young  at  niiniinnm 
dimensions  given.  Young-of-the-year  :  Hill  smaller  than  in  adult,  thinner,  weaker,  its 
ridges  less  sharjdy  defined,  and  the  two  mandibles  of  less  unequal  lengths.  Hill  brownish- 
black  for  three-fourths  of  its  length,  fading  into  dull  bom-color  just  at  its  tip,  lightening  into 
more  or  less  inten.se  flesli-ctdor,  or  light  reddish,  toward  the  ba.ie.  The  strire  on  the  siiles 
of  the  lower  mandible  are  as  numerous  ns,  but  much  less  distinct  than,  in  the  adult.     Tail 


riiUCELLA  liJIlJJE :   I'E  TliELS. 


(3 


ehortiT  and  let"?  dfcply  .'iimrgiiuito.  Lpj;s  and  fpot  dull  light  reddish.  Entiro  ii|>prr  parts 
a  ratht-r  light  gi'iyish-umwu,  deepest  mi  the  wing-eoverts  and  tertials :  eacli  fialhir  willi 
a  tolerably  broad  .iiargin  and  tip  of  white,  lnoadest  and  most  eonspienous  on  the  wiiig-eoverts 
and  terthils.  Forehead,  sides  of  the  liead  helow  the  eyes,  the  neck  all  round,  the  edge  of 
the  fore-arm,  inferior  surfaees  of  the  wings,  and  whole  under  jiarts,  white.  [Viniaries  almost 
exactly  as  in  the  adults,  except  that  tie  innermost  have  more  white,  and  there  is  a  slight 
wliite  terminal  margin  as  far  as  the  fourtli  or  tifth.  iSeeondaries  about  as  in  the  adults,  hut 
their  brown  jtortious  lighter  and  duUer.  Tail  white;  the  greater  part  of  the  two  central 
reetrices,  and  the  inner  webs  of  the  others,  with  a  ting<'  of  dull  grayish-brown,  deepest  on 
the  middle  pair.  8,  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  strictly  maritime,  abundant  ;  casually  N.  to 
New  Kngland.  Nesting  like  that  of  terns,  iu  communities;  eggs  ilroppcd  on  the  sand, 
3  in  number,  pure  white,  spotted  and  splashed  with  dark  browns  and  blackish,  and  jiale 
ueutral-tint. 

20.   SrnoHDKU  TFIJIXAHES:   Ti'be-nosed  LoxowiNos, 
Character  and  deKiiition  of  this  group  the  same  as  of  the  single 

60,    Family  PROCELLARIID-a: :   Petrels, 

Xostrils  tubular. 
Bill  e]>ignathous  ;  its 
covering  discontin- 
uous, consisting  of 
several  horny  jiieeea 
separated  by  deep 
griKives.  Hallux 

small,  elevated,  fune- 
tionless,  ajii)earing 
merely  as  a  sessile 
claw,  often  minute,  or 
absent. 

These  are  oceanic 
birds,  rarely  landing 
except  to  breed,  un- 
suq>assed  in  jiowers 
if  flight,  ami  usually 
strong  swimmers.  Ex- 
cepting the  Sea-nin- 
ners  {Halothomintr), 
none  of  them  dive. 
With  the  siune  excep- 
tion, the  wings  are 
long,  strong,  and 
IHiinted,  of  10  stiff 
jtrimaries  and  numer- 
ous short  secondaries; 
Fio.  621  —Nest  of  tlie  Fulmar.    iDeslgiiod  by  H.  W.  Elliot.)  jj,p  Imiiicral  ami  anti- 

brachial  portions  are  so,n..ti,nes  extren.ely  lengthened.     The  tail  is  short  or  ;■';;'-•;;•  ;"^;- 
than  -20  Lthers,  variable  in  shape.     The  feet  are  usually  short,  w.th  long  full-webW  ft... 
t.K.s,  and  a  rudhnentary  hallux,  or  none.     In  size,  these  birds  vary  ren.arkably.  rang.ng  from 


774 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONGIFENNES—  TUBINAHES. 


that  of  a  swallow  up  to  the  immense  albatrosses,  probiibly  unsurpassed  by  any  birds  whatever 
in  aliir  expanse,  and  yielding  to  few  in  bulk  of  body.  The  plumage  is  compaet  and  oily,  to 
resist  water ;  the  sexcfs  appear  to  be  always  alike,  and  no  seasonal  ehangcs  are  determined  ; 
but  some  variation  witii  age,  or  as  a  matter  of  individual  peculiarity,  certainly  occurs  in  many 
«ases.  Tile  food  is  entirely  of  an  animal  nature,  and  fatty  substances,  in  particular,  are  eagerly 
devoured.  Wlien  irritated,  many  species  eject  an  oily  fluid  from  the  mouth  or  nostrils,  and 
Bome  are  so  fat  as  to  be  occasionally  used  for  lamps,  a  wie.k  being  run  tlirougli  the  body. 
The  eggs  are  few,  or  only  one,  laid  in  a  rude  nest  or  n(me,  on  the  ground  or  in  a  burrow. 
Petrels  are  silent  birds,  as  a  rule,  contrasting  with  gulls  and  terns  in  this  particular;  many 
or  most  are  gregarious,  congregating  by  thousands  at  their  breeding  places  or  where  food 
is  plenty. 

Birds  of  this  family  abound  on  all  seas  ;  but  the  group  is  yet  imperfectly  known.  IJona- 
parte  gave  6'J  species,  in  185G  ;  my  memoirs  upon  the  subject  (lS(ii-6(j)  present  92,  of  wh. -li 
17  are  marked  as  doubtful  or  obscure ;  in  1871  Gray  recorded  112;  there  are  probably  a'/oiit 
75  good  species.  They  are  sharply  divided  by  the  character  of  the  nostrils  into  three  gMups; 
two  represented  in  \orth  America,  as  beyond,  and  the  Halodrominte.  These  last,  co'i  listing 
of  one  genus  and  three  sj)ecies  or  varieties,  are  remarkably  disiiuguished  from  .'le  rest, 
resembling  Auks  in  external  appearance  and  liabits;  the  wings  and  tail  are  very  .short  ;  there 
is  no  hind  toe;  the  skin  of  the  throat  is  naked  and  distensible;  the  tubular  nostrils,  in  fact, 
are  the  principal  if  not  the  only  outward  petrel-mark,  and  these  organs  are  nni(|ue  in  ojicniiig 
directly  upward,  the  nasal  tube  being  vertical  instead  of  horizontal  as  in  all  the  rest. 

74.   Subfamily  DIOMEDEIN^:  Albatrosses. 

Nostrils  disconnected,  jilaced  one  on  each  side  of  the 
bill  near  the  base.  Hallux  rudimentary,  so  .small  as 
to  be  usually  called  wanting.  Of  largest  size  in  this 
family.  There  are  eight  unquestionable  species,  with 
two  or  three  doubtful  or  (d)scnre  ones.  Oidy  tlirce 
have  proven  their  right  to  a  place  here.  There  i.s  no 
well  authenticated  instance  of  the  occurrence  of  the 
great  Wand(;ring  Albatross,  I),  exiilnns,  off  our  coasts  ; 
but  it  lias  been  taken  in  F^uro]ie,  and  is  liable  to  ap- 
pear at  any  time.  It  is  distinguished  from  the  first 
spe(nes  following  by  its  great  size,  and  the  outline  of 
the  fnmtal  feathers;  deeply  concave  on  the  culmen, 
strongly  conve-x  on  the  sid<'s  of  the  bill  to  a  point  nrarly 
ri(i.  622.  — mil  anil  Foot  of  Sliort-toilcd  opj)osite  the  nostrils.  The  Yello>v-no.sed  Albatross, 
AibntroBs.    (After  canBin.)  jj  cJdornrhijncha  (of  Audubon,  not  of  Gnielin),  is  the 

Z).  culminaia,  a  species  of  Australian  and  other  Southern  seas,  said  to  have  been  taken  "  not 
far  from  the  Columbia  river,"  but  there  is  no  reason,  as  yet,  to  believe  it  ever  comes  within  a 
thou.<<and  miles  of  this  country.  It  luus  the  bill  black,  with  the  eulmcu  and  under  edgi;  yellow. 
Other  well-known  species  of  Southern  seas  are  I),  chlororhyncha,  cauta,  and  mclanophn/s. 

Analyiii»  r\f  (Jrnera. 

Tall  rounded,  containeil  3  or  about  3  times  In  lenRtli  of  wing.    Bill  stout,  evenly  encircled  by  fcathprc  i\t  bnso 

Dinmiiliii    318 
Tail  cuneate,  containe<l  about  twice  in  Icngtli  of  wing.    Bill  comprcsseil,  with  Arontal  retintrniicu  ami 
lateral  salience  of  feathers  at  base I'haMria    31!i 

318.  DIOMEDE'A.  (Gr.  Ato/iijdi/r,  TWomerfcs,  a  Grecian  hero,  Jove-counselled.)  Albatuo.sses. 
Bill  thick,  stout,  and  heavy,  especially  broad  at  base,  without  colored  gr(M)vc  along  lower 
uiaudiblo,  or  other  apeoial  parti-eoloratiou.     Nasal  tub«a  ample.     Tail  short,  rounded,  less 


PKOCELLAIillD^: :   DIOMEDKIX^i: :   ALBATliOSSES. 


775 


than  half  the  wing  (in  one  species  uhout  (Uio-third  the  wing"!.  Coloration  variogatod  with 
white  and  black,  or  uniformly  fiiliiriimus.  Of  largest  size  in  the  snlifauiily.  It.  exuhiHf  is 
type  of  this  group ;  our  two  species  fall  in  a  subgenus  I'hoebantria. 

Analysis  <>/  Species. 

Adult  white,  with  (lark  wings  ami  tail;  bill  and  fuel  light bracliynm    Klii 

Adult  fuliginous  ;  bill  and  feet  darl( nigripts    Ml 

810.  D.  bracliyu'ra.  (Gr.  ^paxis,  brachiis.  short ;  ovfjd,  uum,  tail.)  Siiokt-taii.ku  Alhatkoss. 
Bill  5.00  or  6.00  ini'hes  long,  with  nioilerately  ciiiioave  nihiicn  and  prominent  hook.  Frontal 
fe.ithers  forming  almost  no  reentrance  on  oulinen,  runniii;;  nearly  straight  around  wl'olc  base 
of  upper  mandible,  and  extending  scarcely  farther  on  sides  of  under  inandii)le,  with  hardly 
any  convexity.  Tail  very  short,  contained  rather  more  than  U  times  in  length  of  wing. 
Total  length  about  3.00  feet,  with  spread  of  about  7-00  feet;  wing  20.00  inches;  tail  .")..")0- 
6.00  inches;  tarsus  nearly  4.00  inches.  Adult  plumage  wliite,  tlie  heail  and  neck  usu- 
ally washed  with  shining  rusty-yellow  ;  wings  and  tail  dark  or  blackish,  with  a  wholly 
indeterminate  amount  of  white  (Ui  the  coverts  and  inner  ipiills  —  soinetinu's  nearly  all  the 
wing-coverts  white  excepting  a  line  ahuig  the  border  of  the  fore-arm  —  sometimes  the  wliite 
restricted  to  a  small  space  at  the  elbow.  Hill  pale  reddish-yellow,  <lryiMi;  pah'  dingy- 
yellowish  ;  feet  Hesh-ccdor.  Young  dark-cidored,  resembling  nigripei^,  but  easily  distinguislied. 
Pacific  Ocean  at  larg<' ;  abundant  oti"  our  coast.  This  albatross  drops  a  single  egg  on  the 
grotind,  nearly  equal-ended,  wliite,  1.20  X  ^-60 ;  both  se.xes  incubate. 

811,  D.  ui'gripes.  (Lat.  nigripcs,  black-footed.)  IJi.ACK-kooted  Aliiatiioss.  Bill  about 
4.00  (never  5.00)  inches  long,  extremely  stout,  with  the  culmen  almost  perfectly  siraiiilit 
to  the  hook,  which  is  comparatively  small  and  weak,  scarcely  rising  above  level  of  the  cnlnien. 

T!ie  horny  piece  forming 
the  culmen  very  bi-oad, 
especially  at  ba.>.e,  where 
it  widens  and  descends  to 
overlap  the  lateral  jtiece. 
Outline  of  feathers  nnich 
as  in  hriivhi/iira,  yet  a 
slight  reentrance  on  fore- 
head, and  feathers  on  sides 
of  under  numdible  salient 
with  a  slight  convexity. 
Connnissure about  straight 
to  the  hook.  Itill  about 
one-third  longerthan  head, 
slightly  longerthan  tarsus, 
eijual  to  middle  toe  with- 
out claw;  1.50  deep  and 
1.-25  wide  at  base.  Tail 
PlO.  B23.     Sooty  Albatross,  ranch  reilucod.    (Prom  Tenney.  after  Auilubon.)       cntained    ll    times  in   the 

wing.  Bill  dark-colored :  feet  black.  Phunage  dark  chcn-olate-brown,  paler  and  grayer, 
rather  plumbeous,  below,  lightening  or  whitening  on  head;  feathers  of  the  upper  ])arts  with 
paler  edges,  as  if  faded  ;  spot  before  eye  and  streak  over  eye  quite  black.  Primaries  black, 
duller  on  inner  webs,  with  yellow  shafts  to  near  the  end  ;  tail  blackish,  duller  below,  with 
whitish  shafts  except  at  tip.  A  final  jdumage  may  be  lighter  than  as  .lescriWd,  but  is  never 
white,  and  otJier  characters  prove  the  validity  of  the  species.  Chord  of  culmen  4.00,  its  curve 
4.60 ;  distance  from  feathers  on  side  of  upjMjr  mandible  to  tip  3.50 ;  ditto  lower  maudihlo  3.20  ; 


II 


£ 


fl 


77G 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  LONGIPENNES—  TlBlXAliEH. 


tarsus  3.70;  middle  or  outer  toe  and  claw  4.50;  inner  do.  4.00.  Wing  19.00-20.00;  tail  about 
C.50.  Pacific  coast  of  N.  Am.,  abundant. 
319.  PHCEBE'TRIA.  (Gr.  ^otySijrpia,  phoibetria,  a  soothsayer,  presager.)  Ulack  Albatross. 
Bill  comparatively  slender,  strongly  comiiresscd,  with  sharp  culmen  ;  side  of  under  mandible 
with  a  long  ccdored  groove.  Frontal  feathers  fonning  a  deep  acute  reentnuuv  on  culmen; 
a  long  acute  salience  on  sidc^  of  lower  mandible.  Nostrils  low  and  strict.  Tail  cuneate, 
contained  twice  in  the  length  of  wing.  Plumage  uniformly  dark.  One  species. 
812.  P.  fuligino'sa.  (Lat.  fuUgiiwsa,  sooty.  Fig.  52;}.)  Sooty  Albatuo.ss.  Hill  with  shape 
and  outline  of  feathers  as  above  said  ;  chord  of  culmen  4.00-4.50;  height  of  bill  at  base  1.50, 
at  hook  1.00;  width  at  base  0.75;  from  feathers  on  side  <»f  upper  nuindible  to  tip  3.50,  ditto 
lower  mandible  2.50.  Wing  20.00-22.00  ;  tail  10.00-11.00,  graduated  .'5.50-4.50  ;  tarsus  about 
3.00;  middle  toe  and  claw  4.75,  outer  do.  4.50,  inner  do.  4.00.  Plumage  ordinarily  unifonn 
sooty-brown;  quills  and  tail  blackish  with  white  shafts;  eyelids  wliite ;  bill  black,  with 
long  yellow  (perhaps  in  life  pink  or  red)  groove ;  feet  pale  or  Hei>h-coU)r,  drying  yellow. 
In  some  cases  the  plumage  lightens  to  a  clearer  more  ashy-gray  C(jloration  on  various  part.-i. 
The  head  and  neck  frequently  washed  with  rusty-yellow.  Pacific  ocean  at  large ;  off  coast 
of  N.  Am. 

75.   Subfamily  PROCELLARIIN^:    Petrels. 

Nostrils  united  in  one  doubU'-barrelled  tube  laid  horizontally  on  the  culmen  at  base. 
Hallux  present,  though  it  may  be  minute.  Five  groujis  of  petrels  may  be  distinguished, 
although  they  grade  into  each  other  ;  four  of  them  are  abundantly  represented  on  our  coasts. 
The  fiihimrs  are  largt;  gull-like  species  (one  of  them  niif,'lit  be  taken  for  a  gull  were  it  not 
for  the  nostrils),  usually  white  with  a  darker  nuintle,  the  tail  hirge,  well  formed  (of  14-16 
feathers),  the  nasal  case  prominent,  with  a  thin  partition.  They  .»;hade  into  the  group  of 
which  the  genus  (Entrclatn  is  tyjjical,  embracing  a  large  number  of  medium-sized  species, 
cliieHy  of  Soutliern  seas,  in  wliich  the  bill  is  short,  stout,  very  strongly  hoidied,  with  ]irominent 
nasal  case;  the  tail  rather  long,  usually  graduated.  The  sheanraters  (I'uffiiius)  have  the 
bill  longer  than  usual,  comparatively  slender,  with  short  low  nasal  case,  (di!i<iuely  truncate 
at  the  end,  and  the  ]iartition  between  the  nostrils  thick;  the  tail  short  and  roimded ;  the 
wings  e.xtremely  long:  the  feet  large.  The  elegant  little  "Mother  Carey's  chickens"  or 
"stormy  petrels"  ("  Thtdassuhoma"  of  authors;  PrweUaria  proper  and  its  relatives)  are 
a  fourth  groiijt,  marked  by  their  snuill  size,  slight  build,  and  other  characters;  their  Hight 
is  peculiarly  airy  and  flickering,  more  like  that  of  a  butterfly  than  of  ordinary  birds;  they 
are  almost  always  seen  on  wing,  ajqiear  to  swim  little  if  any,  and  some,  if  not  all,  breed 
in  holes  in  the  ground,  apparently  like  bank  swallows.  Like  other  jn'trels  they  gather  in 
troops  about  vessels  at  sea,  often  following  their  course  for  nuniy  miles,  to  pick  up  the  refuse 
of  the  cook's  galley.  Some  of  them,  as  the  species  of  OcenttHes,  have  renuirknbly  long  legs, 
with  fused  scutella,  flat  obtuse  claws,  and  the  hallux  exceedingly  minute ;  in  the  rest,  tho 
feet  are  of  an  ordinary  character.  The  exotic  genus  Priou  typifies  a  fifth  firoup,  of  five  or 
six  species:  here  the  bill  is  expanded,  and  furnishe<l  with  strong  laminte,  like  a  duck's ;  tho 
colors  are  bluish  and  white. 

Annhinit  qf  ftenern. 

Fulmam,  with  prominent  nasal  tube,  vcrtlrnlly  trniicato  and  witli  tliin  partition ;  under  inandil>lc  not 
hoo1(e<l  at  end.    I.ength  16.00  or  nmro. 

Tail  16-rcRthcre<I.    Length  about  3  feet Otti/raga    320 

Tail  14-feathcre<l.    length  l.''>-20  iiichci. 

Bill  very  stout,  mucli  sliortcr  than  tarsuB Fulmanm    321 

Bill  slenderer,  little  shorter  than  tamus /Yiiieella    322 

Petrels,  with  nasal  tul)ci(  ns  tiefore,  tho  bill  very  stout  and  strongly  hookol.    Length  10.00  to  16,00. 

Plumage  i<iKitte<l  alKivc,  white  below nnplium    328 

Plumage  uniformly  dark  alwvu,  and  white  lielow  ;  or,  entirely  riiligtnous (Ktlrelala    324 


320.  o 

in 
h( 

Cil 

of 
F 


cl 
cl 

J," 

813.    O 

ol 

7. 


321. 


814. 


PROCELLARIIL.E :   PliOVELLAmiy^ :   FULMARS. 


Stormy  Petrels,  with  nasal  tube  ns  before,  the  bill  variable.    Length  uiiilor  10.00. 
CiaWB  hooked,  acute;  tamuH  little  if  any  longer  than  niiiliile  toe  anU  claw. 

Tail  cuneato.    Color  uniform  fuliginous Ilitlori/plenn    325 

Tail  nearly  square.    Color  fuliginous,  with  white /•nu'ellaria    :fM 

Toil  forked.     Color  fuliginous,  or  dark  with  white Cymiirlnn-ni    3i'7 

Tail  forked.    Color  bluish  or  grayish,  with  white Ocniiimlrr.mn    JKS 

Claws  flat,  obtuse;  tarsus  niiiili  longer  than  inldille  too  and  claw. 

Color  fuliginous;  u|ii)crlail-c,)vcrtp  white;  webs  yellow Orninites    329 

Color  dark,  the  underparts  whi' .' ;  wcbs  l>lack I'mniia    330 

Sheancaters,  with  low  broad  nasal  case,  and  end  of  umler  luanilible  hooked  like  the  upiier.    Leiigih  U'.OO 
or  more. 

Nasal  tube  truncate,  with  the  partition  thin,  as  in  fulmars Priniiuua    331 

Nasal  tube  obliquely  truncate,  the  partitiou  thick J'liiHiius    332 

320.  OSSI'FRAGA.     (Lilt,   ossifraifd,   boiie-bivakiiif,' ;   o.s  and   frmujo.)     Giant    Fii.m.vr.     Of 

iminense  size  and  powerful  orgaiiizatioii;  as  large  a.s  ninst  of  tlie  albatrosses.  Bill  iiiiijrcr  than 
head,  about  as  biiig  as  tarsus,  very  robust,  deeidy  grooved;  nasal  tube  very  long,  depressed, 
carinate,  with  contracted  orifice;  reaebiug  half  way  or  more  iVoni  ba.xe  to  tip  of  bill.  Hook 
of  bill  large  and  sti-ong.  Coinniissure  sinuate  ;  gape  restricted,  not  reacliing  under  eye. 
Fnintal  feathers  extending  obtusely  upon  root  of  nasal  ca.se ;  mental  feathers  extending  to 
gonys.  Outline  of  lower  mandibular  rami  about  straight;  gonys  stiaiglit,  ascending,  with 
(dituse  angle.  Feet  large;  tibise  bare  btdow  ;  tarsus  short,  nuieli  less  than  nuildle  toe  witli(uit 
chiw,  reticulate;  outer  and  middle  toes  with  claws  <if  equal  lengths;  bind  toe  merely  u  .stout 
claw;  webs  full.  Wings  short,  not  very  acute,  folding  short  of  end  of  tail.  Tail  moderate, 
graduated,  lf)-feathered.     Out!  species. 

813.  O.  gigau'tea.  (Lat.  giqnntea,  gigantic.)  Giant  Fi'LMAK.  Bone-hreaker.  The  largest 
of  the  petrels,  equalling  most  of  the  albatrosses  in  size.  Length  about  U.OO  feet;  spread 
7.00  feet;  wing  20.00  inches;  tail  8.00;  hill  ;{..")0-4.00,  the  iiastil  case  netuly  i.m;  taisus 
3.50;  middle  or  outer  tot;  imd  claw  nearly  (i.OO ;  inner  do.  4..")().  I'lumagc  vei-y  variable 
with  age  or  other  circumstances;  usually  dark  dingy  gray,  or  uniform  fuliginous  above,  paler, 
whitish  or  white  below;  wings  and  tail  uniform  dusky;  bill  mostly  yellow  (dried,;  •  feet 
dingy  yellowish  or  brownish-bhick.     Pacitic  Ocean  ;  "  common  otf  Montei'ey." 

321.  FULi'MARUS.  (Latinized  from  Eng./(//»i((r.j  Fri.MAUS.  Of  m.iderate  size,  and  general 
gulUlike  aspect;  white  with  pearly-blue  mantle.  Hill  shorter  than  tarsus,  about  two-thirds 
as  hing  as  head,  very  robust,  especially  at  base,  with  turgid  sides;  hook  short,  stout,  very 
convex,  rising  almost  from  the  end  of  the  nasal  ciise ;  commissure  greatly  curved  ;  outline 
of  mandibular  rami  a  little  concave;  gonys  ascending;  grooves  of  both  mandibles  i)rofoiiiid. 
Nasal  tube  long,  nearly  half  the  culmen,  j)rominent,  tui'gid,  with  straight  upper  outline, 
truncate  emarginate  end  and  thin  partition.  Wings  of  moderate  length,  folding  about  to  end 
of  tail;  primaries  broad,  tapering  ra|)idly  to  rounded  ends,  2d  nearly  as  long  as  1st.  Tail 
of  14  feathers  broad  to  their  ends,  somewhat  graduated.  Feet  rather  small,  gull-like ;  tibiae 
bare  below;  tarsus  compressed,  three-fourths  as  long  as  midille  toe  and  claw.  Outer  ami 
middle  toes  with  claws  of  about  ctpial  lengths ;  hind  toe  appearing  as  a  stout  sessile  claw. 
One  species,  of  several  varieties. 

814.  P.  glacla'Us.  (Lat.  glacialis,  icy.)  Fri.MAR.  Length  13.00-20.00  inches,  averaging  16.50; 
wing  11.00-13.00;  tail  4.00  or  5.00  ;  chord  of  culmen  1.50  (l.:iO-I.^O);  bill  about  O.?.')  deep 
at  base,  and  nearly  as  wide  ;  na.sal  tube  O.GO  long  :  tarsus  2.00  (average)  ;  middle  toe  without 
claw  2.25.  Adult  f  9  :  White;  mantle  pale  i)early-blue,  restricted  to  back  and  wings,  or 
extending  on  head  and  tail;  usually  a  ilark  spot  in  front  of  eye;  quills  dark  ashy-brown. 
Bill  yeUow,  tinged  with  sea-green  on  culmen  and  lower  mandible,  the  opening  of  the  nostrils 
black  ;  feet  drying  dingy  yellowish,  said  to  be  delicate  French  gray  in  life ;  iris  brown. 
Young:  Stnoky-gray,  paler  below,  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  with  darker  margins; 
primaries  as  in  the  adult ;  cfllora  of  bill  and  feet  obscured.     Extraordinarily  abundant  in  the  X. 


lit' 

Ilk 


778 


815. 


AlO. 


322. 


S17. 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —LONGIPENNES.  —  TUDINAUES. 


.  tlaiitic,  swarming  at  some  of  its  fuvoritc  brooding  places,  especially  St.  Kilda,  wido  ntnging  at 
otluT  seasons ;  S.  to  U.  S.  in  winter.  Nest  on  crags  over  tli«!  sea ;  egg  .><ingle,  white,  with 
rougii  brittle  shell,  resembling  a  hen's  egg  in  size  and  shape ;  young  covered  with  whiti.sh 
down  ;  fed  in  the  nest  by  regurgitation  of  an  oily  Huid.  The  fulmars  are  very  greedy  of  fatty 
substances,  and  constantly  attend  the  whale-fishery  to  feed  upon  the  blubln'r. 
F,  g.  paci'flcus.  (Lat.  jmcijicus,  pacific.)  Pacific  Fitlmak.  Averaging  darker  than  No. 
814,  the  mantle  bluisii-cinereous  rather  tiian  pale  pearly-blue;  tiie  bill  rather  weaker  and 
le.ss  strongly  hooked.  N.  Pacific,  in  vast  numbers.  Changes  of  plumage,  habits,  etc.,  the 
same  as  those  of  the  conmion  species. 

F.  g.  rod'gersi.  (To  t'omin.  John  Kodgers,  U.  S.  N.)  Rouoeks'  Fitlmau.  The  nuintlo 
dark,  as  in  pucijicus,  but  much  restricted,  most  of  the  wing-coverts  and  inner  (piills  being 
white;  primaries  mostly  white  on  inner  webs,  their  shafts  y'.low.  Size  and  shape  as  before. 
N.  Pacific,  swarming  on  some  of  the  rocky  islands  in  I5ehriiig's  sea.  Nest  on  the  crags  ; 
single  egg  white,  nearly  equal-ended,  rougli  with  innumerable  pits  and  points,  2.90  X  l.'JO; 
chick  hatches  like  a  pufl'-ball  of  white  down. 

PKIOCEL'LA.  (rrioti -\- rrocella.)  GiLL  Filmahs.  Character  of  Fulmanis  jiropcr; 
bill  little  shorter  than  head  or  tarsus,  about  f  the  middle  toe  and  claw,  compressed,  higher 
than  broad  at  base,  not  very  robust,  sides  regularly  ta|)ering  to  rather  narrow  tip  ;  grooves 
not  so  well  marked  as  usual ;  hook  moderate;  commissure  a  little  curved;  outlines  of  inferior 
mandibular  rami  and  gonys  both  .slightly  concave ;  nasal  tube  i-§  the  ciilinen,  depre.s.sed  at 
base,  high  and  narrow  at  end.  Feet,  wings,  and  tail  as  in  Euhnarus.  Two  sjjecies;  ours 
curiously  resembling  a  gull. 

P.  tenuiros'tris.  (Lat.  temtirostiis,  sleadcr-billod.  Fig.  52i.)  Si.exuek-hiixkij  Fn.MAK. 
Adult  <J  9  '•  Plumage  white,  with  clear  pearly-blue  mantle,  and  black  i>rimaries,  just  like  a 


Fro.  624. —Slender-billed  Fulmar,  nat.  Rize.    (From  Elliot.) 

gull ;  the  mantle  beginning  faintly  on  the  nape,  continuing  over  whole  back,  rump,  tail,  wing- 
coverts  and  inner  quills  ;  edge  of  the  wing  slaty-gniy ;  primaries  black,  their  shafts  yellowish- 
whito  at  base,  their  inner  webs  pearly-white  to  near  the  ends ;  white  of  first  prinmry  extending 
to  within  two  inches  of  the  tip,  further  on  the  rest  successively,  reaching  the  end  on  the  6th  ; 
outer  webs  of  secondaries  slaty-black,  inner  white ;  a  small  dusky  spot  before  eye ;  a  faint 
pearly  shade  on  sides  of  breast  and  body.  Bill  and  foot  (dry)  yellow ;  nasal  tube  and  lnK>k 
obscured  with  bluish  horn-color.  Length  about  18.50;  extent  alHtut  36.00;  wing  13.00; 
tail  5.23 ;  tarsus  2.00 ;  middle  toe  and  claw  2.60 ;  outer  do.  2.70 ;  inner  do.  2.95 ;  chord  of 


323. 


HIH. 


324. 


810. 


81 


PBOCELLAIilJD.i:  —  PROVELLARIIX.E  :   PETRELS. 


(7! 


at 
rith 

itty 

No. 
aud 
the 


NIN. 


324. 


culinrn  2.00;  lioiiilit  or  width  of  bill  at  base  0.7.) ;  iia.xal  ttibo  0.67;  tln>  bill  i><  really  very 
stout,  ouly  "slt'Uiler"  in  coinimrisoii  with  thi'  short  rolui..*t  orpin  of  tlio  coiiimou  fdlinar. 
Youiifi  not  seeu;  changes  of  plumage  probably  coincident  with  those  of  Eitlmdrus.  A  species 
described  under  a  largo  and  not  select  assortment  of  names,  both  generic  and  specitii',  but  easy 
to  identify;  wide  ranging  over  much  of  the  water  of  the  world;  occurs  on  the  I'acilic  coast 
of  X.  Am.,  as  at  Kotzebiie  Sound. 
323.  DAP'TIUM.  (Or.  3<ijrT<a,  dapto,  I  devour.)  PuiEOX  1'etkel.  Bill  much  shorter  than 
head  or  tarsus,  very  stout  and  especially  wide,  as  broad  as  hiuli  as  far  as  the  hook,  where  ab- 
ruptly compres.sed;  culmeu  nearly  straight  from  tu!"  to  hook,  wliicli  latter  is  neither  large  nor 
much  deeurved;  sides  of  bill  turgid,  with  convex  outline  from  base  to  ho(d{  ;  forks  of  lower 
inaudible  wide  apart,  enclosing  a  flat-iron  shaped  space  :  rictus  ample  ;  skin  of  throat  loose  anil 
distensible,  pjutly  naked  ;  gonys  very  short,  with  slight  angle;  inside  the  edge  <>f  the  upper 
mandible  a  series  of  obli<|U(!  ridges;  nasal  ca.se  i  as  long  as  culnien,  broad,  depressed,  with  cir- 
cular truncate  oritiire.  (Chars,  of  bill  a])proaching  those  of  Prion.)  \Vini;s  folding  about  to 
end  of  the  short  rounded  tail,  which  is  contained  i^  times  in  length  of  wing.  Tibia'  little  bare 
below  ;  tarsus  nuich  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw,  .stout,  compressed,  reticulate  with  small 
circular  plates  out.side,  large  inside  ;  outer  toe  without  claw  longer  than  niidtUe  toe  alone  ;  bind 
toe  well  devcdoped  for  this  family.  Small  ;  phmiage  spotted.  One  species. 
D.  capen'se.  (Of  the  I'ape  of  Goo<l  Hope.)  I'intaix)  I'ktukl.  Cait.  ricF.iix.  Damieh. 
.Spotted  above  with  blackish  aud  white ;  white  below;  tail  black-barred  ;  bill  black.  Lenirth 
15.00;  wing  11.00;  tail  4.30;  bill  1.33;  tarsus  1.(17.  Southern  Seas  at  large ;  accidental  ou 
coa.st  of  California  and  of  Maine.  (See  esjiecially  X.  Kng.  Bird-Life,  ii,  188.3,  ji.  SSfi.) 
<KSTRK'IjATA.  ((Jr.  oiVrpijXaror,  oistnhilos,  goaded  ou  by  a  gad-fly.)  (Jadki-Y  l'Eri!F.i..s. 
Diabolic  Petkfxh.  Bill  about  as  h>ng  as  tarsus,  stout,  compressed  throughout,  with  nearly 
straight  converging  lateral  outlines,  the  hook  particularly  large,  high-arched,  long-decurved, 
rising  almost  imnuHliatidy  from  tlie  end  of  the  nasal  tube,  leaving  but  a  short  concave  cubnen 
proj)er.  Lateral  horny  piece  of  the  bill  very  large,  turgid,  rising  high  at  root  of  nasal  ca.se, 
c<>nv(>.v  along  under  outline;  commissure  strongly  sinuate  throughout;  outline  of  mandibular 
rami  nearly  straight,  of  gonys  a  little  concave,  the  tip  of  the  under  mandible  being  curved 
down  to  fit  the  arch  of  the  hook.  Grooves  of  both  nnindibles  distinct.  Xasal  case  of  moderate 
length,  high,  not  carinate,  about  straight,  truncate  at  end,  with  thin  ))artition  between  the 
tubes  coming  well  forward.  Interramal  space  narrow,  tally  feathered.  Winfjs  ]>ointed,  very 
bing,  folding  beyond  end  of  tail.  Tail  long,  with  graduated  feathers,  wedge-shaped  or  nuu-h 
rounded.  Keet  of  miHlerate  size;  tarsus  reticulate,  about  as  long  as,  or  little  shorter  than, 
middle  toe  without  claw;  outer  toe  alone  rather  bmger  than  middle;  with  its  claw,  about  as 
Itmg  as  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  tip  of  inner  claw  reacbinij  ba.se  of  middle.  Hallux  a  short  .ses- 
sile claw.  A  genus  of  numerous  (about  20)  medium-sized  and  rather  small  species,  inhabiting 
the  southern  seas;  some  bicolor,  others  uniform  fuliginous.  Our  four  are  mere  stragglers  to 
N.  Am.,  unless  (E.  Jhheri  should  prove  otherwise. 

CE.  Iiaesita'ta.  (Lat.  htesitata,  stuck  ;  Mie  describer  was  in  doubt  about  it.)  Black-caited 
1'etkel.  Adult :  Forehead,  sides  of  head,  neck  all  round,  ujtjK'r  tail-coverts,  base  of  tail  and 
all  under  j)arts,  white;  back  clear  bistre-brown  (nearly  uniform,  but  the  feathers  often  with 
paler  or  ashy  edge.s),  deepening  on  the  quills  and  terminal  half  of  tail ;  crown  with  au  i.solated 
blackish  cap,  and  sides  of  head  with  a  black  bar  (younger  birds  with  the  white  of  the  bead  and 
neck  behind  restricted,  so  that  these  dark  areas  run  together)  ;  bill  black  :  tarsi  and  ba.s<>  of 
toes  and  webs,  flesh-colored  (drying  yellowish)  ;  rest  of  toes  and  webs  black.  Young  exten- 
sively dark  below?  Length  Ki.OO;  wing  12.00;  tail  .1.2.5,  cuneate,  its  graduation  1..50;  tarsus 
1.10  ;  middle  too  and  claw  2.12;  bill  l.iO,  O.fit)  deep  at  base,  0.40  wide  ;  tuln-  0.33.  (Jf  casual 
occurrence  on  the  Atlantic  Coast,  U.  H.  (/'.  meridionalis,  Lawr.,  Ann.  Lye.  Nat.  Hist.  N.  Y., 
iv,  p.  475;  v,  p.  220,  pi.  15.) 


810. 


780 


SYSTEMA TIC  HYyOPSJU.  —  LoyQIVENNES—  TUBINARES. 


! 


887.    (addenda).      tE.   gula'ris.     (Lat.   gularis,   pertaining  to  the  throat.)      Pkale's    Pktuei,. 
Form  typically  of  lEntrelatu  as  above  >;iveu  ;  size  smaller.     Adult :    Upper  jiarts,  iiieludiiiK 

tail-coverts  and  exposed  .>iiirtiu-es  of  tail-feathers,  pure  cinereous,  deepeuiuq  to  pluinl us  ou 

hiud-head,  rmiip,  and  lesser  wing-eoverts,  the  feathers  of  the  back  and  greater  and  middle 
wing-coverts  tipped  with  ashy-white.  Under  parts  pure  silky  white,  the  ash  of  the  upper 
coming  down  the  sides  of  the  neck  and  deepening  as  it  extends  nuire  broadly  along  sides  and 
cjuite  across  abdomen,  which  is  plumbeous,  this  color  with  vayue  and  nebulous  bounilaries ; 
under  wing-  and  tail-coverts  white.  Sides  of  head  white,  with  a  distinct  narrow  dark  bar 
through  eyes  ;  a  white  superciliary  line;  forehead  and  crown  mixed  white  and  ashy.  Primaries 
and  secondaries  with  distinct  i)ure  white  areas  on  inner  webs;  ou  the  primaries  these  areas 
occupying  the  whole  webs  at  base,  sending  a  narrow  wedge  forward,  included  between  dark 
areas  of  the  webs  ;  prinuiries  lightening  from  without  inward,  secondaries  abruptly  darkening 
again.  Hill  black  ;  tarsus  livid  flesh-c<d<ir;  basjil  third  of  toes  and  contained  webs  yellowish, 
the  rest  black.  Young;  Darker;  especially  more  cloudy  below  ;  throat  and  crissum  white. 
Chord  of  culmcn  1.05  ;  height  of  bill  at  base  0.15-0.50 ;  width  0.10-0.15;  tarsus  l..'{5;  middle 
toe  and  clawl.GS;  outer  do.  1.65;  inner  do.  1.40.  Wing  9.80;  tail  3.90;  graduated  0.75. 
Southern  Seas  ;  a  waif  caught  in  X.  Y.  State,  Livingston  Co.,  Apr.  18S0.  (Hull.  Nutt.  Club, 
vi,  18S1,  p.  91.) 

887a.  CE.  fisheri.  Fi.sher's  Petrel.  Closely  related  to  the  last ;  perhaps  requiring  confirnuition. 
Above  plumbeous-gray,  blackish  on  lesser  wing-coverts,  the  edges  of  the  secondaries  hoary 
white ;  head  and  lower  parts  white,  the  crown  spotted  with  blackish,  the  belly  overlaid  by  a 
wash  of  smoky  plumbeous.  Wing  10.15;  tail  1.00;  euluien  1.00;  tarsus  1.35;  middle  toe 
1.40.    Off  coast  of  Alaska  (KtKliak).     (Pr<K-.  U.  S.  Nat.  .Mus.,  v,  1883,  p.  650.) 

820.  OS.  bul'werl.  Hulwer'.s  Petrel.  A  small  sooty-c<dored  species,  with  cuneate  tail  more 
than  half  as  long  as  wings,  not  typical  of  lEslretttta,  perhaps  forming  a  genus  apart  {ISiilireria). 
Length  about  10.00;  wing  8.00;  tail  4.50,  graduated  1.75;  bill  0.85  (chord  of  culuien),  ot 
ordinary  (Estrelata  shai)0 ;  tarsus  0.90-1.00;  middle  or  outer  too  and  claw  l.lO;  inner  do. 
0.85.  i'lumagc  entirely  fuliginous,  ahnost  black  on  wings  and  tail,  lighter  and  more  brown- 
ish below,  somewhat  ashy  on  head,  gray  ou  greater  wiug-covci1s.  Caiuiry  Islands,  etc. ;  has 
once  occurred  in  Greenland  (or  Labrador).  (Pr.  Phila.  Acad.,  1866,  p.  158 ;  Zoiil.,  18S1,  p. 
378.)  Egg  white,  1.60  to  1.75  by  1.20,  laid  in  rocky  burrows;  young  covered  with  sooty 
down. 

Obs.     There  is  a  Jamaican  species,  (E.  carribeea  N.,  which  should  ily  to  N.  Am.  st)me 
time. 

325.  HALOCYPTE'NA.  (Gr.  oXr,  hah,  the  sea,  uxiis,  okiis,  swift,  tmjvos,  pfenofi,  winged.) 
Pygmy  Petrel.  Like  a  uiinmture  (Estrelata  or  I'lerodroma ;  unic<dor,  fuliginous.  Hill  nnicli 
shorter  than  head,  about  \  the  tarsus,  weak  and  slender,  acutely  hooked  ;  nasal  tubes  as  in 
Procellaria  proper.  Wings  folding  In'yond  tail,  2d  primary  lougest,  3d  nearly  e(|ual,  1st 
about  equiil  to  4th.  Tibia  briefly  bare  below;  tarsus  little  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ; 
outer  toe  without  claw  as  long  as  middle  ;  tip  of  inner  claw  reaching  base  of  middle;  hallux 
mimite ;  webs  nuMlerately  full ;  claws  compressed,  curved,  acute.  Tail  rather  long,  wedge- 
sha])ed  ;  central  feathers  projecting  ;  lateral  regidarly  gniduated,  narrowly  rounded.    One  species. 

821.  H.  mlcroso'ma.  (Gr.  niKpos,  mikroK,  small :  irwpi,  soma,  boily.)  Lea.st  Petrel.  Plumage 
lustrous  brownish-black,  darker  above,  blackeniiii;  on  wings  and  tail,  browning  on  under  parts, 
graying  on  greater  wing-coverts  and  inner  quills  ;  bill  and  feet  black ;  no  white  anywhere. 
Length  5.75;  wing  4.75;  tail  2.50,  graduated  0.35;  bill  0.50;  gape  0.62;  lieight  at  base 
0.19,  width  0.21;  nasal  tul>e  0.22;  tibia  bare  0.30;  tarsus  0.90;  middle  toe  and  claw  0.82  • 
ttuter  do.  0.80  ;  inner  do.  0.68.     A  queer  little  bird,  from  the  coast  of  Lower  Cala. 

326.  PROCKLLA'RIA.  (Lat.  procella,  a  tempest.)  Stor.my  Petrels  ;  "  Mother  Carey's 
Chickens."    Diminutive,  fuliginous,  with  white.     Hill  small,  short,  compressed,  sides  rapidly 


822. 


convert 
folding 
bare  b( 
rouudei 
distingi 
r.  pelt 
ish-bla 
on  crisi 
webs, 
breed  < 
chickei 
the  mi 
diate,  1 
CYMt] 
Petkf 
as  or  li 
as  cull 
than  i 
short; 
rather 
Three 

Upi 

No 


823.    C;.  leu 


327. 


824. 


825. 


Willi 

formii 

of  a 

recog 

black 

wing 

1.00; 

both 

N.  A 

Nest 

C.  II 

Hla» 

r<dui< 

whit< 

l)row 

feet  1 

bare 

base 

C.Ik 

smal 

No  ^ 

lowe 


FUOCELLAlillDurE  —  PROCELLAUIINJE :  PETRELS. 


i«l 


■.I,. 

'IK 

llU 

11." 
icr 
111(1 


couvcrfing  to  narrow  tip  ;  less  tliiiu  half  us  Imi!,'  as  hnul,  nbont  lialf  tlif  tarsus.  Wmii;s 
folding  boyoiul  tail;  2d  iiriiuary  Imiircst,  3.1  litil..  sii.nti'r,  1st  less  than  Hh.  Tihia  hri.'lly 
baro  below;  tarsus  cjual  to  nii.ldle  toe  and  claw;  eluws  comiiressed,  curve.l,  a.'Uie.  Tail 
rouudcd  or  nearly  siiuare,  with  broad  feathers  ;  under  tail-eoverts  very  ample.  Several  spoeies, 
distinguishe.1  by  shape  of  tail  fr.nn  tli.ise  of  tli.-  preeediui,'  or  followint;  t,'i'nns. 
822.  P.  pela'gica.  {(i\:  vtXayiKot,  pehujikos,  wvnuw.)  Stihi.my  rKTiiKh.  Ab..ve,  f,'h>ssy  brown- 
ish-black,  below  luoro  fuliginous;  upjier  tail-coverts  whit.',  with  black  tips;  white  streak ini; 
on  crissuni,  and  usually  white  touches  un.ler  the  wintjs.  Itill  an.l  feet  bla.-k  ;  n.>  yellow  on 
webs.  Size  of  the  last;  wiiif;  ab.iut  1.50.  fonnn.m  (.')  ..tt'  the  Athmtic  Coast  ;  not  kn.iwn  to 
breed  on  our  side.  This  is  the  rarest  of  the  three  little  black  white-runiped  "  Mother  Carey's 
chickens"  of  our  Atlantic  Coast,  easily  .listinyiiished  by  its  sh.irt  l.'iis  an.l  s.iuare  tail;  Leai'li's, 
the  nioiit  numerous,  is  also  short -l.'irired,  but  larg.'r  an.l  f.irked-taii.-.l  ;  Wilson's  is  interme- 
diate, witli  s.|uare  tail,  but  very  loni;  stilt-lik.'  letjs,  flat  .daws,  an.l  a  yellow  spot  on  the  Mcbs. 
327.  CYMOCIIORE'A.  (Gr.  kC^o,  luma,  a  bill.iw;  xopV"-  'i  dancini;.)  SooTV  FdHK-TAII. 
I'KTKKhS.  Hill  much  shorter  than  bea.l,  about  S  as  l.)ng  as  tarsus,  rather  stout,  as  high 
as  or  higher  than  wide  at  base,  the  ho.dv  str.mg  an.l  acute;  nasal  tube  l.'ss  than  half  as  long 
as  cuhnen.  Wings  moderately  long,  f.d.ling  little  beyond  tail;  2.1  primary  longest;  1st  louijer 
than  4th.  Tail  very  long,  deeply  forked,  the  feathers  all  broa.l,  obtusely  r.mn.le.l.  Legs 
short;  tibia  little  bare  btdow;  tarsus  e.pial  t.i  middle  t.ie  an.l  claw,  or  sli;,'iitly  l.mger.  Of 
rather  larg.  size  (for  this  group)  and  robust  f.irm.  Color  fuligiuous,  unicd.ir  or  nearly  .so. 
Throe  or  four  species  are  known. 

Analj/niii  nf  Species. 

Upiwr  talI-<!overt8  wliite. 

General  pliuniigo  »oot)-bri>wii leucorrhnn    S'.',! 

No  wlilto  anywhere. 

Sooty-brown;  large;  wlngC.TS;  tail  4.00,  forked  1.00  nr  more niFlirnn    824 

Sooty-gray;  small;  wing  5.00;  tall  a.'.'o,  forkeil  about  0.50 homoclinin    KJ5 

H'Z'.t.  C  leucor'rhoa.  ((J.  Xtuxdr, /tfi/Avw,  M-liite;  o/J/5or,  r»7iro.s',  rump.  Fig.  525.)  Lkach's  1'ktkki.. 
WiiiTK-iU'Ml'ED  rETKEL.  C.doratioii  as  in  the  last  speci.'s,  with  white  u]>per  tail-coverts, 
f.)rniing  a  c.insi)icuous  nnirk;  but  apt  to  be  lighter — rather 
of  a  grayi.sh  or  even  ashy  hue  on  s.mie  parts ;  but  easily 
rowgnized,  whatever  the  sha.le  of  cd.ir.  ISill  an.l  feet  m^, 
black;  iris  br.>wn.  Length  about  S.OO;  extent  17.50; 
wing  0.00-0.50;  tail  3.00-3.50,  f..rkeil  about  0.75;  tarsus 
1.00;  mi.l.lle  toe  and  claw  the  same;  bill  0.07.  N.  Am., 
both  coa.st8,  and  W.  coast  of  Kur.ipe.  Abundant  on  our 
N.  Atlantic  coast,  breeding  fr.nn  New  England  n.irthward. 
Nest  in  burrows  in  the  gr.tun.l;  e^jg  single,  white. 

824.    C.  luelaD'na.     (Gr.  fiiXatva,  mrlnina,  black.     Fig.  520.) 

Black  I'etkei.,.  Form  of  the  last  very  nearly;  bill  more  f,o  r.2.^.  —  i,pncir»  Petrel,  mnrii  re- 
robust  ;  tarsus  a  little  longer  than  mi.ldle  t.ie  and  claw.  No  <l"ceU.  (From  Tenncy,  aner  AikIhIhim  ) 
white  anywhere.  Plmnage  sooty  brownish-black,  darkest  above  and  on  he.i.l,  more  smoky- 
brown  on  under  parts,  grayer  on  wiuir-overts,  quite  black  on  wing-  an.l  tail-feathers  ;  bill  and 
feet  black  ;  iris  brown.  "  Length  9.00  ;  extent  18.50  ;  "  wing  0.75  ;  tail  4.00,  f.>rke.l  1.20  ;  tibia 
bare  0.50;  tarsus  1.25;  mi.l.lle  toe  and  claw  1.10 ;  bill  0.00;  gape  0.(15;  heitjht  .ir  wi.lth  at 
base  0.25  ;  iui.sal  tubes  0.30.     Cape  St.  Lucas,  L.  Cala.  ;  a  rare  and  little  kn.iwn  species. 

62S.  C  liomo'chroa.  ((ir.  ofios,  omos,  like,  e.pial  :  xP^Oj  chroa,  ol.ir.)  .Somewhat  like  the  1,'ist : 
smaller,  with  short,  weak,  conipresse.l  bill,  and  tarsus  no  longer  than  nii.ldle  too  and  claw. 
No  white  anywhere.  Plmnage  dull  plumbeous  or  slaty-blackish,  more  smoky-brownish  on 
lower  parts,  lighter  grayish-browu  on  greater  wiug-coverts ;  wings  and  tail  black.     2.1  primary 


n 


782 


SYSTEMA TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONGIPENNES—  TUBINAPES. 


Flu.  020.  —  Bliick  Petrel,  iiui. 
8i7.o.    (Ad  nut.  del.  £,  C.) 


longest,  'M  nearly  equal,  Ist  longer  thiiu  4th.  The  general  pliinibeoua  or  l»liu»h-nsliy  ca>t 
of  the  pluuiage  is  (luite  differuut  frmii  tlie  sooty  shade  of  C.  meltcna,  aiiproaeliiiig  the  eouditiou 
Been  in  species  of  Uceatwdroma.  Length  about  7.2J  ;  wing  about  5.00;  tail  3.25,  forked  O.GO; 
tarsus  O.yO  ;  uiiddle  toe  and  claw  the  .same ;  bill  0.50 ;  gapo 
0.75  ;  height  or  width  at  base  0.20  ;  nasal  tubes  0.24.  Farul- 
lone  Islands,  ("ahi. ;  another  rare  and  little  known  species. 

328.  OCEANO'UROMA.  (Gr.  'QKtavos,  Okeaiws,  Lut.  Oceaiius, 
the  divinity  of  the  sefi ;  fi/jtijios,  drvmos,  running.)  Gkay 
FoKK-TAiL  I'ETiiELS.  Bill  snittU,  Weak,  much  compressed. 
Wiugs  short;  2d  and  3d  i)riniaries  e<iuul  and  longest,  Ist  shorter 
than  4th.  Tail  loni,',  deeply  forked,  with  broad  medium  and 
narrow  external  feathers.  Feet  as  in  Cymochorca.  t'oloni- 
tion  peculiar;  bluish  or  grayish,  and  white. 

820.  O.  furctt'ta.  (Lat.  furcata,  forked.)  Guay  Fohk-tailed  1'ethkl.  Hluish-ash,  palrr 
or  whitish  below  and  on  the  greater  wing-coverts,  dusky  about  the  eyes;  leaser  wiiig-covert.s 
Booty;  fpiills  and  tail  brownish,  the  primaries  pale  or  white  on  their  inner  edges,  outer  web 
of  outer  tail-feather  white ;  bill  and  feet  bhick.  Length  about  8.00;  wing  0.00;  tail  4.0(1, 
deeply  forked;  bill  0.00;  tarsus  O.S?;  middle  toe  and  claw  the  same.  X.  racilic  eoa.^t, 
common. 

827.  O.  korn'byi.  (To  Admiral  Hornby,  U.  N.)  lloitxnY's  Fokk-taii.ed  1'etkel.  Front, 
cheeks,  throat,  cidlar  round  neck,  breast,  and  abdomen,  j)ure  white;  crown,  hind  head,  a  hroml 
baiul  ill  front  of  neck,  bend  of  wing  and  lesser  wing-coverts,  sooty-gray ;  upper  part  of  liacli 
gray;  lower  part  of  back,  and  tail  ashy-gray ;  greater  wiiig-coverts  brownish-gray;  tertiariis 
and  (piills  black.  Length  8.25;  tail  3.75;  tarsus  1.00;  middle  toe  about  the  same;  bill  aloiii; 
ciiliiK'U  O.OU;  along  rictus  0.1)0.  N.  \V.  coast.  I  have  never  seen  this  rare  species,  of  which 
there  are  not  to  my  knowledi;e  any  specimens  in  this  country. 

329.  OCKAXI'TES.  (Gr. 'Q«ni;injf,  OA«»ii7e,«i,  son  of  thesea.)  WlLSoSIAX  Stoumy  rKTHEl.s. 
Very  diH'erent  from  any  of  the  foret;oiiig  "stormy"  petrels  in  great  length  of  the  htrs.  like 
stilts.  ISill  short,  weak,  eompres.sed,  not  i  as  long  as  head,  abniit  §  the  tarsus,  with  sides 
a  littlt^  c<tncave,  ho<ds  small,  and  nasal  tubes  perfectly  horizontal.  Wings  very  huig,  2il 
primary  niiich  the  longest;  1st  and  3d  about  eipial;  4th  much  shorter.  Tail  moderate,  about 
8(pnire  (as  in  I'lvcelluria)  ;  ample,  with  feathers  broad  to  their  very  tips.  Tilda  denuded  an 
inch  or  more.  Tarsi  presenting  the  character,  remarkable  if  not  uni<|iie  among  water  birds, 
of  being  covered  in  fnuit  and  on  sides  by  a  continuous  plate  or  "boot,"  as  in  a  thrush,  the 
ordinary  scutella  being  fused.  Toes,  though  long,  only  about  S  the  greatly  lengthened  tarsi; 
hind  toe  so  minute  as  to  be  liable  to  be  ()verlocd<ed.  Claws  broad,  Hat,  (dttuse.  There  arc 
several  species  of  this  notalde  genus. 

82S.  O.  oeeu'nieus.  (Lat.  oceniiiciis,  oceanic.)  WlL.sox'.S  Stokmy  PmitEf..  Coloration  much 
as  in  J',  pdiujica  or  C.  leiicorrhori  ;  dark  .sooty-brown,  pale  gray  on  the  wing-coverts,  black 
on  wings  and  tail;  the  upper  tail-coverts,  and  fre(|nently  the  crissuni  and  siiles  of  rimip  ami 
base  of  tail,  white;  bill  and  feet  black,  but  webs  with  a  yellow  spot;  iris  brown.  Length 
7.00-S.OO;  extent  about  10.(1(1;  wins;  about  0.(10;  tail  3.00,  nearly  even;  tibia  bare  l.OD; 
tarsus  1.30;  miilille  too  and  claw  I.IO;  bill  0.50.  (Mie  of  the  conmuuiest  and  best  known 
species,  widely  dispersed  over  the  globe;  said  to  breed  on  our  X.  Atlantic  coast.  Nest  in 
burrows  in  the  ground;  eiri;  single,  white. 

330.  FKEOET'TA.  (Ital.  frcquUi,  a  fritjate.)  Stilt  .'^tohmv  Pethei.s.  Resembling  Ocemiilc.i 
in  the  great  length  of  leg.  Hat  obtuse  claws,  and  other  characters.  Hill  stout,  about  as  liiuh 
as  broad  at  base,  half  as  long  as  head,  with  long  high  nasal  tube.  Wings  moderately  long, 
folding  just  beyond  the  tail;  2il  primary  longest ;  3d  nearly  equal ;  1st  between  3d  and  Ith. 
Tail  niiiple,  square,  with  broad  feathers,  squure-tipped.      Tibiiu  bare  an  inch  or  more  ;  tarsus 


H'i9. 


331 


630. 


332 


nearly  ' 
broiid,  1 
to  our  t 
F.   gra 

I'ETRE 

under  \ 
of  all 
8.00;  ' 
0.50;  I 
Flori.h 
PRIO' 
form, 
rowing 
corres] 
broad, 
mnriis] 
of  12 
gradui 
outer  t 
marka 
more  1 
1*.  nif 

Hl.Atl 

with  I 

jiarts ; 

sides  I 

intern 

cuttiii 

feet   ( 

weds,' 

1.80, 

claw 

the 

Desc 

Nat. 

ciner 

1801 

viiri 

180s 

Pill 

as  1 

com 

ma  I 

dep 

and 

rou 

equ 

inu 

kn< 

dai 


PROCELLAHIIlJyE  —  I'liOCELLAlillXA: :   SHE  AH  WA  TEliS. 


7«3 


least 
ItiiMi 


nearly  half  as  long  again  as  m'uldlr  tiic.  Tops  short,  with  stnall  narrow  wrhs ;  daws  Hat, 
broad,  roinult'd.  Colors  blackisli  and  white.  ScviTal  sitceii's  of  Soiitiicni  Seas,  ono  strajigliug 
to  our  fonntry. 
Wi9.  F.  gralla'rla.  (Lat.  (irnUn-,  stiltf.)  Lawi!1-N(  r.'s  Sm.r  rr.TUKi..  Wihtk-hii.i.if.d 
rKTREL.  Blackisii-gray  of  variatdc  intensity,  idiiciicnini:  on  the  <iiiills  ami  tail,  lh<'  \\li<di' 
iindor  parts  from  the  breast,  thi-  upper  tail-poveilH,  most  of  tlie  under  wiiitf-eovertw,  ami  bases 
of  nil  the  tail-feathers,  except  tiie  middle  pair,  white;  bill  and  feet  \>hwk.  Leiik'th  ab.Hit 
8.00;  wint;  6.0(M').5();  tail  .'l.OO,  ahont  even,  witli  very  bioml,  siiiiare-tipjied  feathers;  liill 
0.50;  tarsus  l..'W ;  hmgest  toe  (outen  and  rlaw  I.IKI  or  less;  tihiiu  bare  1.00  or  imire, 
Florida,  accidental,  on<'  instance  (Lawr.  Ann.  Lye.  Nat.  Hist.  \.  Y.,  v,  117). 

331.  PRIO'I'MMJS.  (Prion  +  J'uJ/iiiiin.)  Fii,.m.vu  Shkakw.\ti;rs.  »>(  larue  size  ami  rohust 
form.  Hill  a  little  shorter  than  head,  about  3  as  Ion;;  as  tarsus,  broiul  and  stout  at  base,  u;ir- 
rowing  regularly  to  the  strong,  much  compressed  and  hooked  tip  ;  under  mandible  hooked  to 
correspond  with  the  upper,  with  concave  gonys  (as  in  I'li/fiiiiis).  Nasal  tubes  loiii;,  verv 
broad,  depressed  (as  in  Pii/finiis),  but  vertically  truncate  ami  with  thin  partition  'as  in  P'hI- 
niiiriis).  Wings  rather  short,  the  primaries  broad  and  still',  2d  as  long  as  1st.  Tail  rather  short, 
of  12  feathers,  the  central  projecting  and  a  little  acuminate,  lateral  nmre  rounded,  ami  rapidly 
graduated.  Feel  laru'e  and  stout,  as  in  PiiJ/iiiitx  ;  tarsus  shorter  than  niiildle  toe  iiud  claw  ; 
outer  toe  longer  than  middle ;  tip  of  outer  (daw  about  reaching  base  of  middle.  A  ycnus  re- 
markably connecting  the  fuhnars  with  the  shearwaters;  nearest  the  latter.  A  lew  spcciis,  if 
more  than  one,  chieHy  of  Southern  Seas. 

830.    V,  niplanii'rus.     ((Jr.  /le'Xar,  iiirliis,  bhudi ;  ovpii,  mini,  tail,  i     .><Mi"n"V-Niisi;ii  Sm;Aii\v  \  ii:it. 

Hl,ACK-TAII,KI)  SlIKAIlWATKU.    I'pper  parts  ciuer Is,  nearly  uniform,  but  some  of  the  leathers 

with  paler  edges  ;  uiuh'r  jiarts  white,  without  line  of  demarcation  from  the  color  of  the  upper 
parts;  tail,  crissinn,  and  reut  hiacki.ih  ;  lining  of  wings,  axillars,  and  .some  feathers  on  the 
sides  of  the  body,  brownish-cinereous;  ([uills  btaidtish-ciuereous  ou  outer  webs  ami  tips,  pjiler 
infernally  and  basally,  with  brown  shafts.  Hill  iiiUitir.  the  nasal  case,  culmeu  as  far  as  the  hook, 
cutting  edge  and  groove  of  lower  mandible,  liUuk,  these  varied  colors  very  conspicuous  in  life; 

,  feet   (dried)   diniry  greenish  with  yellow  webs.     I-artre:    MI.OO;  wim;    IM.OO;  tail   .'i.tK )-."). 7 •'>, 

wedge-shaped,  l:J-feathered,  the  outer  feathers  an  inch  or  more  shorter  than  the  middle  ;  bill 
1.80,  0.()7  high  and  O.OO  wiile  at  base,  the  nasal  tubes  nearly  (L.^) ;  tarsus  2.40  ;  noddle  toe  and 
claw  2.SS.  Accidental  ott"  the  coast  of  California.  A  ])e<'uliar  species,  very  dirt'erent  from  any  (d' 
the  fcdlowing,  apjn'oaching  the  fulmars.  Proc.  miliniiini  Homu.  J'inr.  Inisiliiln  Torst., 
Descr.  Anim.,  |S|4,  p.  20'^  ;  (loiild.  H.  Aust.,  pi.  <)7.  Pnl/iiini  lin:<itiiliis  I.Mur.,  Ami.  Lye. 
Nat.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  vi,  p.  .5.  I'rnc.  ailamastitr  S(ddeg(d.  Ailniinisliir  ti/piis  llouap.  I'liffiinis 
cinereiis  liawr.  in  Hil.,  15.  N.  A.,  bS.'iS,  p.  s:i.').  AilmiKisttir  cineieiis  t'mies,  I'roc.  I'hila.  .\r;id., 
1801.,  p.  119;   Priiifiiiiis  cinereiis  Coue.s,   I'roc.  K.ssex  Inst.,  v,  ISilS,  p.  ;Wl     Pi-iojiiiiis  mrhi- 

viiriis,  Cones.  2d  ed.  Check  List,  ISS-',  p.  127.     PuMixx^  ^•"/'/'«  Cass.,   I'l IMiila.   Acad., 

18(52,  p.  Wr,  (err.) 

332.  PlIK'FIMTS.  (Latinized  from  Kuet.  puffin.)  Siikaiiwatf.iis.  Hill  nearly  or  about  as  long 
as  head,  S-J-  as  long  as  tarsus,  varying  in  slemleria'ss,  a  little  hii;lier  than  broad  at  base, 
compressed  for  the  rest  of  its  extent  ;  the  end  mu(di  hoidied,  ti])s  of  both  mandibles  decurvi-d, 
making  the  g(mys  concave.  Nasal  tubes  short,  only  about  \  the  lentrth  of  culmen,  broad  and 
depressed,  (ddiquely  truncate  at  cud,  the  i>artition  thick,  the  nostiils  oval.  Wimrs  lom:,  thin, 
and  pointed,  folding  beyond  the  tail ;  1st  primary  lonixest.  Tail  more  or  less  lengtlaueil, 
rounded  or  rather  wedge-shaped,  of  12  feathers.  Feet  very  large  and  stout ;  tarsus  compressed, 
equal  to  middle  toe  with  or  without  claw ;  outer  toe  about  as  long  as  middle,  but  its  claw 
much  smaller;  tip  of  inner  claw  scarcely  or  not  reaching'  base  of  niiildle;  himl  toe  a  mere 
knob.  Embracing  numerous  species,  of  moderate  and  small  size;  a  pi)rtion  of  them  bicolor, 
(lark  above  and  white  below,  the  others  uniformly  sooty. 


\1 


784 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOl'SIa.  —  LOMUPEyXhS—  TVlilNAHES. 


Annlysin  <\f  Sptcki. 
TwcH;()lorc(l ;  white  below,  ilnrk  nbovo. 

I^r|{o;  leii|(tli  tll.(N)  (ir  iiiiiris  wint;  I'.'.OU  or  iiinrv. 

I'lilc  l>iiiniili<li-ii»li ;  iiihIi'I' lall-('ii\i>i'l!i  while,  ii|>|H'r  liirKi'ly  ilni'k.    Alluiitic    .    .  Imrealiii  ut  hilili    KM 

Diirk  hi'iiwii :  iiiiihT  lall-<'>iverlii(hirk,  ii|i|iei  liii'k'el.v  wlitle.     Alhinllu iimior    Ki'j 

Uiirk  hniwii;  iiiidiT  mill  iipiier  tiill-idvertH  iluik  ;  feetllehh-ioldr.    J'aelllu rriitlniniH    Ktl 

Muilliiiii ;  leiiKlh  iiliilei' lli.UU,  liver  111  IMI;  wliiK  tl.L'.'i.     Alnivu  hliickUh.     Atluiillu     ....     aiii/lnnim    K.'ll 

Siiiiill :  leiiuth  1.1.(1)1  iir  Iohh;  win);  !>  DU  nv  Ickh. 

I'liiler  Inll-CDverlH  liiimtly  while.    .iMIiintle nliHrurut    KV, 

t'liiler  tnll-uovertH  nioKlly  black,    riullle opiHlhoinclim    K3tl 

Olio-i'n|i)reil;  HiMily. 

Larue:  Iviiglh  Ili.Onnr  iiinri' :  win;;  11.01)  nr  iimru. 

I'liiler  wiiiK-eiiverlh  niiiiilly  ilark.    Allanlle /ii/if/imwin    i<37 

I'licler  wliiK-eoverlH  iiiiwtly  white,     raillle aiiiiiiiiuKiiiiiii    k;w 

.Small ;  leiiKtli  about  14.0(1 ;  wing  1().(H).     Pacillc Iinmnmlris    KW 

831.  I',  kiilil'l,  (Til  Dr.  il.  Kiilil.)  CiSKHKors  Siikakwatkh.  Meihtkuuanka.n  Siikau- 
WATKii.  IJill  .scaiccly  or  imt  sliurtcr  tliaii  licail,  t'([iiul  to  farsll^^,  iiioiU^ratcly  linokdl  fm-  a 
tilicaiwatiT,  with  nlmrt  nasal  liilirs,  alidul  \  \\»  Imit;  as  ciiliiu'ii,  but  I'litluT  high  I'm-  thi.-*  gciiiis, 
with  trace  of  u  intMlian  rid^c  ;  iKLStrilii  opciiiiig  roiiiiditih  ;  wings  fuldiiig  a  little  bpyinul  the  tail, 
which  is  graduated,  with  lengthened  middle  leathers;  feet  rather  weak ;  oilier  toe  and  claw 
longer  than  middle  toe  and  (daw;  tip  of  inner  (daw  ahoiit  reaching  hase  of  middle,  riipir 
|iiirts  light  siiioky-gray,  or  pale  hrownish-ash,  nnilorin  on  erowii  iind  nape,  interrupted  on  liaidt 
hy  white  or  grayish-white  edges  of  the  feathers,  especially  on  tlie  scaimlars,  darkening  on  tlic 
wing-coverts  and  tertials  to  grayish-hidwn.  K'ump  like  haid; ;  upper  tail-coverts  siicce.'isivcly 
aeipiiring  white  till  the  longest  ones  are  mostly  of  this  color,  only  touched  with  hiowii.  I'li- 
maries  grayish-hlack,  with  large  white  spaces  on  ha.sal  half  or  two-thirds  of  inner  wehs.  Outer 
wehs  and  tips  of  secondaries  grayish-plniiiheons ;  most  of  their  inner  widis  white.  Kiitire 
niider  parts,  from  chin  to  ends  of  under  tail-coverts,  jmre  white,  e.xceptiiig  some  slight  touches 
of  gray  on  the  Hanks  ;  lining  of  wings  and  axillars  white,  exeejit  just  along  the  edge.  On 
Hides  of  head  and  neck,  no  lino  of  (leinarcatioii  between  color  of  upper  and  under  jiarts,  the 
two  merging  through  a  cloudy  or  wavy  area  ;  under  eyelid  white.  Hill  y(dl(iwish,  darker  on 
cnlnieii  and  hook;  feet  yellowish,  the  wehs  dearer.  Length  about  IS. 00;  wing  IH.OO;.  tail 
5.50,  graduated  0.75  ;  chord  of  culineu  1.90,  gape  2.C0 ;  height  of  bill  at  ba.so  0.70,  width  0.()0  ; 
tarsus  1. ',)•);  middle  toe  and  claw  2.50,  outer  do.  2.55.     (Deseribeil  '  '  ,,u  speci- 

men.)     X.   Atlantic.    iMiropeau  coast,   especially  of  the  .Mi  'ilerr  nl  f     |   am 

not   yet  satisfied  that  bird  really  oceiir.s  on  our  coa.st.     I  in'tswl'ii-.  ji,  1S72,  in 

the  orig.  ed.  of  the  Key,  but  upon  strength  of  its  genei  gelV         ipfiim  of  it 

to  (Jreeiiland  ;  and  have  never  .s(M'n  an  unquestioiialile  .N  i.  speciiic         It  j'    •lialdy  occurs, 

however. 

888.    (itddenda).      P.   liorea'lls.      (Lat.    iiorailis,    northern.)      ('oitvV    Mir.AUWATKU.      "Above 
brownish-a.sh,  the  feathers  of  the  back  becoming  pale  at  the  tips,  luose  on  the  nape  and  sides 
of  the  neck   ntiiTowly  tijiped  with  white  ;  on  the  sides  of  the  head  and  neck  the  a.sh  and  wliil" 
gradually  mingling  as  in  P.  kiihlii.     'I'ips  of  the  ujiper  tail-coverts,  white.     Under  eyelid 
white,  showing  clearly  in  contrast  with  the  ashy-gray  of  the  head.     The  first  three  priinnrii 
are  light  ash  on  the  inner  webs.     Wings  and  tail  brownish-gray.     Under  parts  white,  slit' 
touched  with  ash  on  the  Hanks,  lining  of  wings  white.     Under  tail-coverts  white,  the  long. 
tinged  with   ash  near  the  ends,  which  extend  nearly  to  the  tips  of  the  longest  tail-featla  . 
Outside  of  foot  greenish-black,  inside  and  webs  dull  orange;  bill  jtale  yellowish  at  the  ba> 
shading  into  greenish-black,  but  again  becoming  jiale  near  the  tip.     Length  20.50  iiadies  ; 
wing  14.50;  bill  (straight  line  to  tip)   2.25;  (h-pth  at  base  0.75;  tail  0.50;   tarsus  2.20." 
Coast  of  Ma.ssi>chusetts ;  several   specimens  now  known.      I   copy  the  original  de.«crii)tion. 
(Hull.  Xutt.  Club,  vi,  18S1,  p.  84.)     The  bird  is  jierfectly  distinct  from  P.  major,  but  very 
near  P.  kuhli,  if  really  different. 


I'liOCKLLAnilD.i:  -  I'ltOCKLLA  UIISJE :   SIIKA H  WA  TKRS. 


isr) 


83a.  p.  major.  (Lat.  wifyor,  Kmitcr.)  (Iiikatek  Siikahwatkii.  WAxnFiiiSd  Siif.auwatkk. 
Common  Ati.antu    SiiKAiiWAiKit.     Hill  .-ciimly  Hlioit.r  tlmii  Ii.m.I  ..r  tMiMi>.  M..iit  aii<l  miI.- 

cyliiHlriciil  at  liasc,  tiirn  •(■  ami  iiKirc  i i|iiv>,c.|  t<,  tj,,.  (.tmiiu  Imnk.     Nasil   tnl.c  ctraiuhl, 

altiiiit  \  as  IdUj;  aw  ciil ii,  willi  wiilcly  Hciiaiatnl   siilii'lli|itii-al   n|>.iiiinrs.     Ciil i,  li^hm  with 

(•liKJit  cinitiiiiKPUS  niiicavity  I'loiii  iin.strils  ti>  top  of  the  jiuok:  nuiiiiiisMiir  a  Imiu  huhImi-  .•iiivc. 
convex  downward,  tVoiii  fcatlicrN  til  I'liivc  of  tlir   iiiiuU.     Oiitliiir  nl'  inrciinr  niainliliiilai'   mini 

iiliimt  dtraiuiit.      IHI!  alimit  :;  ti s  a.s  Imiur  as  liij;li  at  liaxi' t  no  wide  a.s  liii.'li.     WImcm   lout; 

aial  iKiiiitcd;  Ixt  and  :.'d  iiriiiiaiicH  neaily  iiiual.  'I'ail  (•initaiiiid  almiit  J.|  liiiic.x  in  liiiirtli  ot" 
wliiiu',  iiincli  rouiidi'd,  ainmst  wedded.  'I'aiMns  as  limu  as  iiiidillr  tm' witimnl  rlaw  :  nnici  tor 
as  long  as  or  lonircr  tlian  niiddlf.  Imt  it>  idaw  nnialli  r,  fallinc  .siiurl  nf  tip  of  middle  claw  :  tip 

of   iiiniT  claw  nut   rcaciiing   liasc  nf  niidillc.     Aliovr,  dark    liintn-inow n   head   incliniiiir  a 

little  to  pliiiiil ns  or  ^l•ayisll-lll•own  ;   ii.-iially  liuiiirr  on   hind   neck,  daikest  on   tiriial-  and 

rnnip  ;  I'aidi  fi  atlier  of  liack,  ninip,  and  winu-coveits,  edued  with  pale  liriiwiii>li-asli  m- even 
ashy-whitish.  ( hi  the  head  tlie  cidor  wnit'nnn.  wilhunt  these  liyht  niarniiis,  oxlendini;  hid'iw 
eyes  to  level  of  the  gape,  with  distiia-t  line  of  demarcation  fmai  while  of  the  thmat.  On  side 
of  iH'ck  the  white  reaches  farther  aroniul,  and  is  less  distinrtly  ontliMed  ;  further  hack,  on  sides 
of  lireast,  the  dark  color  encroaches  on  the  white.  'I'lie  iipjier  tail cuverls,  especiallv  the  long 
IHiHtcrior  OIK'S,  lire  mostly  white,  with  dark  liars  ou  central  lields.  I'liniaries  hrownish-hlack, 
lightening  on  inner  webs  towards  l>ase.  I'nder  parts  white  tVoni  chin  to  anus,  witli  laiue  dark 
brown  patches  on  Hanks  ;  under  tail-coverts  dark  grayish-hrown,  with  whitish  tips;  iiniiii,' of 
wings  white,  mottled  with  dark  along  the  border  and  on  ends  of  axill.irs.  Tail -feathers  like 
primaries,  liill  dark  blackish  horn  color;  mitside  of  tarsus  and  miter  toe  brownish  :  rest  of 
ft't't  and  webs  yellowish  tie.sh -color  ;  iris  brown.  The  intt'iisily  and  uniformity  of  coloration  of 
the  upper  parts  varies  much  with  ago  of  the  plumage.  Fresh  plumages  are  deep  phiinlieoiis- 
brown  with  narrow  pale  or  wiiitish  margins;  old  worn  feathers  are  duller  brown  wiih  broader 
less  distinct  grayish-brown  edgings.  Observe  line  of  demarcation  of  dark  and  while  on  head, 
neck  and  breast ;  uniform  feathers  of  head;  dark  under  and  partially  white  upper  tail-coverts. 
Audubon  gives  "  bill  yellowish-green,  the  tips  brownish-hlacdi,  tinged  with  green  ;  feet  li^ht 
greenish-gray,  webs  anil  claws  yellowish  Hesh-color."  Length  lS.O()-:iU.O() ;  extent  k'.UO- 
45.00;  wing  about  lU.OO  ;  tail  .5. 7j.  graduated  1.00;  tarsus  :>.iO ;  inidiUe  toe  and  claw  ::'.'.MI ; 
outer  do.  2.7.'i ;  inner  do.  i.'M)  ;  idiord  of  cnlmen  2.00  ;  <le|itli  of  hill  at  base  O.li.'i,  width  O.liO. 
Wanders  over  the  whole  Atlantic,  Greenland  to  Cape  Horn  and  (iood  Hope.  Aliundant, 
8oinetini<>s  seen  in  (locks  of  thoiisanils,  shearing  the  crests  of  the  waves,  and  skiinmini;  the  hil- 
b)wa  with  marvellous  ease,  without  a  visible  motion  of  the  pinions. 

833.  I',  crea'topus.  ((Jr.  K/j«ar.  kreiix,  ilesli,  ttoCs,  poim,  foot.)  Fi.F.sii-ronTKK  .'siiKAitWATKU. 
liesemhling  the  last,  but  i|uite  distinct,  Hill  short,  less  than  head  or  tarsus,  turgid  at  basse, 
where  as  wide  as  high.  Na.sal  tubes  short,  hardly  J-  the  length  of  ciilmen,  turgid,  with  slight 
median  furrow  and  very  olili(pn'  triincatioii.  Frontal  feathers  ninniiii.'  forward  on  median  line. 
Form  otherwise  as  in  1'.  miijor.  liill  juile  yellowish  llesli-color,  the  nasal  tubes,  ciihneii,  and 
tip  blackish.  Feet  flesh -colored;  claws  whitish  with  brown  ends.  I'pper  parts  .ihoiit  the 
.same  sliade  of  brown  as  in  1'.  major  ;  upper  tail-coverts  entirely  dark.  No  white  on  inner 
webs  of  ])riniaries.  On  sides  of  head  and  neck,  tiie  color  of  the  upper  parts  extends  entirely 
jiround,  without  any  distinct  line  of  demarcation,  the  chin  and  throat  mottled  with  dark  and 
white  in  about  eipial  amounts.  <tn  the  sides  of  the  breast  the  color  more  restricted  than  mi  the 
neck.  Lower  eyelid  white.  Sides  of  body  and  linini:  of  wings  mottled  with  ihisky  and  white 
in  about  e<iual  amounts  ;  long  axillars  entindy  dark  except  just  at  base.  Middle  of  belly  and 
vent  region  variegated  with  dusky  and  while.  I'lider  tail-coverts  entirely  fnlijiniais  black. 
"Length  19.00;  extent  15.00  :  "  wing  U'..">n;  tail  5.00,  irradiiated  l.flU;  tarsus  2.10;  outer 
toe  and  claw  2.50;  middle  do.  2.()5;  inner  do.  2.00;  chord  of  eiilmen  l.Cil):  gape  2.:V);  height 
or  width  of  bill  at  base  O.fiO  ;  nasal  tubes  0.10.  San  Xiclndas  Ishiiid,  Coast  of  Cala.;  a  curious 
species  of  wbicli  little  is  known. 

50 


786 


SYSTEMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  LONGII'ENNES—  TUUIXAliES. 


834.  P.  annIoTum.  (Liit.  ^1  >i///or«m,  of  the  Eiiylisli.)  Manx  t<HF.AK\VATEU.  (Siimllcr  and  otlier- 
wisf  vcTy  ilitrcrcnt  I'roin  any  of  tin-  tin-fgninj;.  rppiT  jiarts  uiiil'iirm  lustrous  blacU,  or  blackisli 
with  slight  browu  shade,  rathor  ashy  aornss  hind  iifck ;  the  dark  ccdor  cxtciurmj;  on  sidos  of 
htsul  niiicli  hell )W  cyi's,  but  there  inarided  with  white ;  uniler  eyelid  white,  set  in  bhieU.  On 
.-ides  of  neck  the  white  reaches  part  way  around  ;  mi  sides  of  breast  the  dark  extends  sonic 
ihstanee,  dilute  and  inarbh'd  with  white.  I'riniaries  blaek,  with  blaek  shafts,  their  inner  webs 
dull  grayish-brown;  tail-feathers  lik..' primaries.  Entire  niKh'r  parts,  from  chin  to  anus,  jinro 
white,  except  a  few  featheis  of  the  ll.inks,  and  the  outer  welts  of  th<!  outer  under  tail-eoverts, 
wiiieh  arc  plinubeous-bhiek.  Lining  of  wings  and  axilhtrs  wliitc,  inottletl  with  blaek  just 
along  the  edge.  Length  about  1:5.50;  exti'Ut  ;i0.00  ;  wing  9.2.5;  tail  4.00,  graduated  0.75  ; 
tarsus  1.80;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.1)0;  outer  tlo.  ;i.00 ;  inner  do.  1.55;  chord  of  culnien  1.40; 
gajieii.lO;  height  or  width  of  bill  at  base  0.1-5.  Varies  much,  but  the  small  si/e  and  black- 
ishness  are  distinctive.  This  species  chielly  iidiabits  the  .\tlantic  coast  ^f  Kiiropc,  and  tlie 
.Mediterranean  ;  it  is  the  commonest  British  species  of  the  genus,  said  to  range  the  N.  Atlantic, 
at  large,  and  to  occur  on  our  coast  ;  but  those  who  suppose  it  to  be  one  of  our  common  species 
are  ajiparently  nnstaken.  Xest  in  burrows  in  the  ground,  <lug  by  the  birds ;  egg  single,  dead 
white,  .smooth,  2.;15  X  1.0". 

835.  1*.  oliseu'nis.  (Lat.  tihstiinix,  dusky.)  DlsKV  SiiKAitWArr.it.  itill  small  and  weak, 
about  ji  as  long  as  head,  i  as  lon.^  as  tjirsus;  .stout  oidy  at  ba.se,  where  higher  than  with'; 
liook  rising  abruptly  from  line  of  celmeii  ;  commissure  lower,  and  outline  of  bill  almost 
straight  from  feathers  to  hook.     Wing?   fidding  to  eiul  of  tail,  which  is  comparatively  long, 

and  much  graduated.  Tar- 
sus as  long  as  middle  top 
without  claw;  outer  too 
and  claw  ei|ual  to  miihllu 
toe  and  claw ;  tip  of  inner 
claw  reaching  ba.se  of  mid- 
dle, lilackish  of  ujijier 
parts  with  much  grayish 
or  ]duiiibeous  cast,  with 
lighter  borih'rs  of  the  feath- 
ers, especially  on  the  scajt- 
ulars  and  tertials;  darkest 
on  niinp  and  upp(;r  tiiil-coverts  ;  on  sides  of  head  not  extending  below  eyes,  and  even  there 
inarlded  with  whitish;  both  eyelids  white,  and  there  is  indication  of  a  li::ht  superciliary  stripe. 
Quills  and  tail-feathers  as  in  i*.  mujlofum.  I'nder  parts  from  chin  to  vent,  white,  as  are  lining 
of  wings  and  axillars,  only  a  few  plumbeous  black  feathers  on  Hanks.  The  longest  and  out<'r- 
tnost  under  fjil-coverta  are  black,  the  rest  white,  pure  or  M-ith  a  plumbeous  shade.  Itill  dull 
leaden-blue,  blackening  at  lip  ;  iris  bluish-black  ;  edges  of  eyelids  bluish  ;  outside  of  tarsus  and 
outer  toe  bluish-black,  inside  and  webs  of  all  ytdlowish  th'sh-color.  Small;  length  11.00- 
12.00;  extent  20.00:  wing  7.50-8.00 ;  tail  4.25,  graduated  nearly  1.00;  tarsus  1.(10 ;  middle 
toe  and  (daw  1.80  ;  chord  of  culmen  1.25;  gape  1.70;  nasal  case  to  tip  0. 90;  depth  of  bill  at 
l)ase  0.40;  width  0.155.  A  small  bicolor  species,  readily  di.Htintruished  from  any  of  the  foregoing. 
S.  Atlantic  and  (iulf  coast,  common,  .straying  N.  to  the  Middle  States,  (/'.  ulixcitnis  (Jm.  t 
P.  iiuiliiltoni  Fiiisch.) 
836.  P.  oplstlio'nicljw.  (Cir.  omirOt,  opisthe,  hiick\\:\ri\;  /liXas,  nit  Ins.  hUu-h.  Fig.  527.)  Hl.ACK- 
VENTKI)  SiiEAKWATF.K.  Resembling  the  last,  and  little  larger.  Hill  about  |  as  long  as  tarsus. 
Tail  ndatively  shorter,  less  graduated.  Tarsus  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  half  its  claw.  Frontal 
feathers  extending  in  a  point  on  culmen.  Dark  color  of  upper  parts  extending  farther  on  sides 
of  head  than  iu  obacurus,  leaving  no  white  about   eye.     Under  tail-coverts  entirely  sooty- 


Fio.  627.  —  Black-vented  Shearwater,  nut.  size.    (From  Klliot.) 


837. 


83 


8: 


riiOCELLMillD.i: :    I'lKHKLLAniLWK :    SllllAU  11  .1  iHltS. 


rs7 


l.lackisli,  cxni.t  ;i  l«-\v  (if  tli.'  .-linitol  jiiM  :it  llic  vent.  More  dark  n.l.ir  on  tiaiiks,  on  liniMt; 
of  \viiig-»  aiitl  axillars  than  in  ohsciuiis.  In  tlir  dry  ^^tali',  bill  yi'llowisli  or  riddisli-Lniwu,  tli'' 
nasal  tiiix's  and  cnlnicn  i)larkisli,  liic  lionk  mostly  l.liiish-wliitf.  Oiil-iiii'  >.(  tarsns  for  tin- 
most  [lart,  ontcr  toe  and  (ili;i>  of  w,l.>.  Markisli  ;  n-sl  nflo,,!  pair  y.ij.iui^li  tl.sli-r..lor :  "iris 
l.rown."     Wintr  about  'J.liO;  tail  :\.7:>.  t;r,idimtcd  (MiO:  tarsus  I. mi  :  middli'  lo..  and  >l,i\v  ■>  In  ; 

rliord  of  culmtn  l.Hi;  iitiyv  i.W;  . -d  of  nasal  tul.is  to  ti|i  l.ii:, ;  iHJirlit  :,t  l.;i>,.  \\.{i.  at  I k 

i).M.      ("a|H'St.   Lucas.  L.  Cala.      Drridiilly  diir.  rent  iVoiu  I',  iih.siiinis.      (I',  ijmiii  KorM.  .') 
837.    r.  fiiliKiiiuSiis.     (l.aI.7'////7//».sM.<.  sooty,     rii;.  V.'H.)     Sdurv  Sim:aI!\\  atkI!.     Very  tiitf.r.  lit 
from   any  of  ilio  forcnoini.'.       Nearly  iniiforjn    dark    sooty-browii,    Idaekenintr  on  .|uill>  and 
taii-featbers.   more  sooty-mrray  below.  |.aler  still  on  the  throat;  linii  «  of  \vini;s  iiiixnl  sooty 
:ind   wliitish.     Hill   dryini;  an 
nuih'liuable  dark  eolor.  in  life 
dusky    bluish-born    color,    the 
tube,    ridye.  and    hook    blai'k- 
isb  :   fei-t  ilryinir  ilark  outside, 
pale   inside:   in  life  the   inside 
of  tarsus  and  upinr  side  of  feel 
livid  Hesb-color.  the  outside  of 
outer   tiK-  and    under   side   of 
feet    blackish:     eye    blackish. 
Leniitb    about     \^M\,    rather 
less  than  more;   extent   about  Fui.  Mg.-Sm.ty  Slicnrwnti-r.  nat.  »Uc.    i  A.I  n.it.  iM.  K.  C.) 

40.(tU;  \\\i\\i  12.0(1  tail  l.H";  tarsus  i!.i'5;  michMe  toe  and  claw  :i.,iU:  chord  of  cnlmen  1.7.'>- 
2.00;  najM'  2.'.V.\  ;  feathers  on  side  of  lower  mandible  to  lip  1.(17;  depth  ipI  bill  in  front  of  nasal 
tube  (1. 10.  .\  wide-ran^int;  spei'ies;  eonunoii  otf  onr  .\llaiitic  coast,  especially  iiortherlv.  It 
is  |H-rfectly  ilislinct  froni  any  of  the  two-colored  species,  of  several  of  which  it  lia.s  at  times 
boeu  eoiisidered  to  be  the  9  "I'  n  special  state  of  pliimaue.  Ilreeds  in  cidonics,  ofie;.  jf  yjreat 
exti'Ut,  layini;  a  siiiiile  ei;;;  in  holes  binrowed  si'veral  feet  deep  in  the  urouuil. 

N3H.  I*.  ndiuiirosMi'niu.  ((ir.  ci/uiK^ic,  iiiiidiinis,  dark:  awfia,  saiini,  ImhIv.)  I>ai<K-II<ii>IKI> 
SiiEAKWATEK.  .Similar  to  llii'  last,  from  which  perhaps  not  specitically  tlistinct.  I'lider 
winii-coveils  white,  only  interrupted  by  some  dusky  marblinu.  Itill  'dry)  brownish-black, 
honi-colored  at  tip.  Feet  (dry)  lii;hl  yellowish  tlesh-cidor,  tini,'ed  with  brown  on  outsiile  of 
tarsim,  outer  tiH',  aiul  tips  of  claws,  ."^mailer:  winir  11.00;  tail  I. ',*.'>.  trradnated  O.'.KI ;  tai-sns 
•2.0't;  middle  toe  and  idaw2.  Id;  outer  do.  i.'M):  chord  of  culmen  1.7".  ('a|«-  ."»t.  lan-as, 
Cala. 

830.  I*.  tenuirostrU.  (hat.  trnids,  slifjht,  thin  ;  lostnim,  beak.)  Si.KXiiKi!-mi.i.Ki>  Siikak- 
WATKIl.  Distinct:  a  small,  weak-bilk  d,  short-tailed,  very  dark-colored  .-pecii ,-,  siH.ty-black 
above,  quite  black  on  ipiills  and  tuil-featliers,  beneath  mnoky-nniy,  palest  on  throat,  the 
under  tail-coverls  nearly  as  blackish  as  the  upper  parts.  (Jroove  of  under  siile  of  |irimary- 
shafts  yellow.  Kill  (ilry)  dusky  j;reenish-yellow.  brii;iiter  aloiii:  edi.'es  and  at  lip:  feel  (dry) 
yelldwisli,  the  hinder  edi;e  of  tarsns  and  uinU'r  surface  of  webs  blackish.  Lenulh  about 
It.OO:  wini;  10.00;  tail  :i..")0,  irradiiated  0.7.'i ;  chord  of  cnlmen  l.-Jd;  .1.  pili  of  bill  at  base 
0..'iO:  width  0.1(1;  tarsns  l.'.IO;  iniildle  or  outer  tiH'  and  claw  -2.2.'>.  N.  I'acilic,  ."^itka  to 
Japan. 


ZIII.     Order  PYOOPODES:    Diving  Birds. 

In  the  birds  of  this  order  the  natatorial  plan  reaches  its  biu'liest  dcveiopnenl.  .Ml  the 
8|»eciei»  swim  and  dive  with  jierfect  ease;  many  are  cajiablc  of  reniaiainir  bum  snlmierui  «l, 
and  of  tnversinj;  f:reat  distances  ninler  water,  jiroirreos  beiinr  effected  by  the  winijs  as  veil 


788 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PYGOl'ODES. 


as  l>y  the  feet.  Few  (itlier  birds,  sueh  lis  connonmts  and  anhiiigas.  roscinblo  the  Pygnpoden 
ill  tliis  respect.  Tlie  legs  are  so  emiiph'tely  iMisterior,  tliat  iti  standing  tiio  hni'izontal  position 
of  the  axis  of  the  bmly  is  iin])<)ssii)ie ;  tlie  liirds  rest  upriglit  or  nearly  so,  the  whole  tarsus 
beinii  often  a))plied  to  the  ground,  wliilo  the  tail  att'ords  additional  support;  jirogression 
on  land  is  awkward  and  constrained,  only  accomplished,  in  most  cases,  with  a  shiiHIini; 
motion,  when  the  belly  jiartly  trails  on  the  ground.  One  sjiecies  of  auk  could  not  Hy  at  all, 
because  the  wings,  although  perfectly  formed,  were  too  small  to  siippoi-t  the  body.  The  rest 
of  the  order  Hy  swiftly  and  vigorously,  with  continuous  wing-beats.  The  rostrum  varies 
in  sliJijK)  with  the  genera;  but  it  is  never  extensively  membranous,  nor  lamellate,  nor 
furnished  with  a  pouch.  The  nostrils  vary,  but  are  neither  tubular  nor  abortive.  The 
wings  are  short,  never  reaching  when  folded  to  the  end  of  the  tail.  The  tail  is  short,  never 
of  iNTiiliar  shape,  generally  of  many  feathers;  there  are,  however,  no  perfect  reclri<'es  in 
the  grebes.  The  crura  are  almost  completely  buried,  and  feathered  nearly  or  (piite  to  the 
heel.  The  tarsus  is  usually  compressed,  sometimes,  as  in  the  loons,  extremely  so.  The  front 
toes  are  completely  palmate  in  the  loons  and  auks;  lobate,  with  basal  webbing,  in  the  grebes; 
the  hallux  is  present  and  well  formed,  with  a  membranous  expansion,  in  loons  and  grebes, 
wanting  in  the  auks.  The  idumago  is  thick  and  completely  waterproof:  once  observing 
some  loons  under  peculiarly  favorabb;  circumstaniM's  in  the  limpid  water  of  the  I'acifie,  I  saw 
that  bubbles  of  air  cIuiik  to  the  plumage  whilst  the  birds  were  under  water,  givi'ig  tliein  a 
beautiful  spangled  appearance.  The  pterylosis  shows  both  contour  and  dtiwn-feathers,  both 
after-shafted;  there  are  deKiiite  apteria;  the  auks  have  free  <iuter  branches  of  the  inferior 
tract-bands,  wanting  in  the  loons  and  urebes.  The  oil-^land  is  htrye  with  .several  orifices. 
Among  osteohigical  characters  should  be  particularly  mentioned  the  long  apophysis  of  the 
tibia  found  in  the  looiis  and  grebes,  but  not  in  the  auks.  In  auks,  the  elbow  has  two 
sesamoids.  The  thoracic  walls  are  very  extensive;  the  bmg  jointed  ribs  grow  all  aloiit; 
the  backbone  from  the  neck  to  the  pelvis,  and  form  with  the  long  broad  sternum  a  bony 
box  enclosing  much  of  the  abdominal  viscera  as  well  as  those  of  the  chest,  perhaps  to  pri'vent 
their  undue  compression  under  water.  The  top  of  the  skull  has  a  pair  of  crescentic  depres- 
sions for  lodgi  cut  of  a  large  gland;  the  palate  is  .scbixot;iiathous.  'I'he  sternum  has  a 
different  shajie  in  eui'h  of  the  families.  There  are  two  carotids,  except  among  the  grebes, 
and  ill  AUe.  The  digestive  8yst(>iii  shows  iiiiiior  modifications,  but  accords  in  general  with 
the  piscivorous  regimen  of  the  whole  order.  'I'he  sexes  are  alike:  the  young  different;  the 
seasonal  changes  often  great.  The  auks  are  altricial,  the  loons  and  grebes  pra-<-ocial. 
There  are  three  families  of  PijgojHHleit,  sharply  distinguished  by  external  characters  ;  all  of 
them  are  fully  re|>resented  in  this  country,  where  all  th<'  known  species  of  loous  and  auks 
occur.  The  |ienguiiis  {Sphnmcomnrph'f),  formerly  iiichuled  in  this  order,  are  better  left  to 
stand  by  themselves;  they  are  confined  to  the  Southern  lleinisphere,  where  they  are  represented 
by  several  genera  (as  Ajiletwtli/tes,  I'l/ffosreliH,  Kioli/ptes  and  Sjihenixcus)  and  about  IH  sjM'cies. 
The  wind's  are  reduced  to  mere  flippers,  without  true  reniifji's,  until  for  flight,  but  xery  eHicient 
as  fins  in  swimming  under  water.  Much  of  the  ]ilumat;e  is  harsh  and  ."caly.  There  are  numerous 
osteological  char-.i-ters,  among  thi'iu  the  flatness  and  solidity  of  the  winy-bones,  and  the  iiicom 
plete  fusion  of  the  metatarsals.  The  elbow  has  a  pair  of  sesamoids,  and  the  kneu  u  large 
irregularly  shajK-d  patella.     The  feet  are  four-toed,  and  )mlniatc. 

Analytit  nf  Fumilies. 

Ltmni.    Foot  4-t(M<l,  |iAlinat« CoLVMninj! 

Urrliff.    Ki'i't  4-tiM><l,  liil)ate Poi)l('IPKI)IIi.« 

Aiiki.    Kcet  3-t(>e<l,  |>alniate Au:iliA£ 


COLYMBID.K:  LOONS. 


78!) 


61.    Family  COL YMBID-ffi :    Loons. 

Hill     stout,    mmiiiiit,    foin- 

.ife.  _    :  ••"  •*<!i  r-  pn"*"**"'!,  taiKTiii!.',  aciiic,  idiriifi;- 

<■  '^'*'*U^SfeMiS^^^^t«dfc^-  liMtliMiis,  ciitiivly  linn  v.     Xoa- 

ti?-''      .■^'^^^^mamS^SsSat^SK'^^  trilsnamiwly  linear,  tlicirupiicr 

.ic;    '^Ml^^fil^BlI^lTl'irgaiiffim^iffiir"  ^'^^'''   '"'"''-     "*''"'  coiiiiili'tt'ly 

loathiTcil,  till'  aiitia-  proiiiiiicnt, 
iicuti'.  rcacliiiif;  tlir  iiosirils;  im 
crests  imr  riiti's.  Winjjs  strmi:,', 
with  still"  jiriiiiaries  ami  slmrt 
inner  iiuills.  l.ei;s  r.inipletely 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  jxisteriiir.  linrietl,  feathcrcil  im  In 
'**"^^  *I^Bi^^»      the  lieel-ji lint ;  tarsi  entirely  re- 

tienlate,  extremely  eimiiiressed, 
the    haek    edtre    .sniimth;    toes 
li^^^gig^^^^Hf  .-tf^^^^^^^^^^H^^^^HDauai^B^      '"'"''  '''*'  ■'>nteri<ir  jialniate, 

tpJMK^^^^^^SiKtB^^XSS^^^m       posterior  seniilateral  and  liavinfr 

11  lohe  conneetinL'  it    willi    tlm 

liase  of  till'  inner.     Tail  short, 

lint  wi'll  fonned,  of  many  feath- 

.-fc    -,:P^._ir-     .  j_|^       Capitids    ildiihle.      'I'ihia 

"^^^^^^-T--""  with  loiiiL'  apojdiysis.     Steninni 

-  ^_.  with  louj;.  broad,  ei'iitral  iiroj 

tioii  liackwanl.  and  shorter  lat- 
Fio.  820. -Loon..    (From  MIchelet.)  ,.^,.1    ,,r.„.,.s,,.,.     (•„,.,,   ,,,,„.,„. 

Accessory  soinitemlinosns  absent.     Haek  spotted.     Head  of  yonnir  not  striped.     I ns  are 

largo  heavy  birds  with  broad  flattened  Itody  and  rather  long  sinuous  neek,  abundant  on  th« 
eoasf-s  and  large  iidand  waters  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere.  They  are  noted  for  their  powers 
of  diving,  being  able  to  evade  the  shot  from  a  gun  by  disappearing  at  the  flash,  and  to  swim 
liuiliy  fathoms  underwater.  They  are  migratory,  breedini;  in  high  hititudes,  being  generally 
disiKTscil  further  south  in  winter.  They  are  pra-em-ial,  and  lay  two  or  time  dark-eolored 
spotted  I'ggs  in  i.  ruile  nest  of  rushes  by  the  water's  edge.  The  voii-e  is  extremely  loud,  harsh, 
and  restunint.  The  sexes  are  alike,  the  9  smaller  than  the  ^  ;  the  young  ditlireut.  There 
is  but  one  genus,  M-ith  only  tliroo  well-determined  siM-eies. 
333.    COIiYM'KlTS.      ((Jr.  (to^l;/l^o^,  /•o/(/Hi/(o.«,  a  diver.)     Loons.     Character  as  above. 

Amitfin'mof  Si>erii»iinil  Varirtim  (.lilitllf). 

Hen<l  nnil  neck  black,  nitli  Krccn,  liliic,  nml  |iiir|ilu  rt'lliriiun,  ami  patclioii  orwiiitt  utrcnkH. 

mil  nioatly  or  wholly  liliick,  tlio  I'lilmcn,  coninilNiiiri',  nml  goiivM  iill  Konlly  riirvnl ;  fi'.itlier!)  fnlllni; 
Hhort  orintclilloof  MOHtrlla;  cnlmcM  IMNlur  Icms;  ^a|K3  4.00  or  more:  IifIkIiI  nf  bill  at  mwlrils  ii-iMally 
iimlcr  1.00,    (Ilonsiif  licailaml  iKH'k  niodlly  (jrocii:  wliltc  KiKilsof  bark  m-iirly  iKiiiart'    .     ,  inriiuntun    MO 
lilll  moHtly  yellow;  riiliiioii  nearly  iitraiKlit ;  conimiiwurc  otralglit;  K"0.v>*  "O'iilclit .  reathcrs  ri'iuliiiii; 
nililillc  of  MOHtrllH:  ciiliiu'ii  about  ll.T.'i;  gajH'  al>oiit  .'•.DO;  liclglit  <>r  bill  .it  nnKirllH  iimially  urer  I. mi 
(Horn  oflicml  iinil  na^k  nicmtly  IiIiir;  n-liltc  K|>ots  ofbai'k  longpr  than  liroad  .....    .  mlamti    Ml 

Top  of  lii'ucl  liliilHh-aHli,  front  of  nock  bbio-lilnck ;  nci-k  wllli  whlti-  Blri|H'(<. 

I.j»rgcr:  wing  about  I'.'.OO;  lilllalmiit '.'50,  giMiir,  with  convex  iiilmcn nrrlicun    M2 

Smaller:  Willi;  alKiiit  ll.iKi;  liill  alioiil  L'.OO.  ulciulcr,  with  Btraiulit  culmen /wirirftiM    M.I 

Tliront  and  kIiIix  ol'liencl  l>liilHh-a»h;  fnmt  of  iieik  witli  rml  patch $rplmtrinnitli>    M4 

840.  C.  torqim'tii!).  ( 1. at  ^ov/Hfi^rt,  collared.  Fig.s.  .ji'.t,  ."ilJO.)  Common  L<viv.  Oheat  Xoinii- 
KU\  DiVK.K.  Adidt  :  IVill  black,  the  tip  and  cutting  tH'ires  sometimes  yellowish.  Keet  black. 
Iris  roil.     Head  ami  neck  deep  glossy  greenisth-black,  with  lustrous  purplish  relUrtions  on  the 


790 


SYSTEHIA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  I'YGOl'ODES. 


froi  t  iiiiil  sides  of  the  head.  A  patch  of  sharp  wliitc  streaks  on  the  throat,  and  another  larfjcr 
tria  igiihir  patch  of  tlie  same  on  eadi  side  of  tlie  iiecli  h)wer  down,  tiic  two  hist  nearly  or  (iniic 
meeting  behind,  separate  in  front.  Sides  of  breast  striped  witli  black  and  white.  Entire  uppiT 
part*,  wing-coverts,  inner  secondaries,  and  sides  inider  tiie  wings,  ghissy  black  ;  all  except  the 
sides  thickly  marked  with  white  spots;  thosu  uf  the  scapulars,  tertials,  and  middle  back,  large, 
s(iuare,  and  regnhir;  those  of  other  pails  sinaller,  oval,  smallest  on  rump,  most  numerous  on 
wing-coverts.  Upper  tail-coverts  greenish-black,  immaculate.  Wing-<piills  brownish-black, 
lighter  ou  inner  webs.  Under  surface  of  wings,  axillai's,  and  under  parts  generally  from  the 
nock,  pure  white  ;  the  lower  belly  with  a  dusky  band.    The  white  throat-patch  consists  usually 

of  five  or  six  streaks;  in 
this,  aa  in  the  lateral 
ueck-striiH's,  the  individ- 
ual feathers  are  broadly 
black,  with  sliarp  wliifj- 
edges  toward  their  ends. 
The  texture  of  tlie.se 
feathers  is  peculiar,  —  the 
outer  surtace  is  hollowed, 
with  raised  eilges  of  s)>e- 
cially  tirm,  smooth,  pol- 
ished character,  so  tliat 
these  patches  may  1m'  filt 
i\»  Well  as  .seen.  The 
Fio.  530.  —  Coniinnn  I/wn.    (After  Wllwm.)  white  >iMits  on  the  back 

occur  in  a  jiair  on  each  feather  near  its  end,  llieir  aggregation  in  any  n'gion  being  therefore 
detennined  by  the  .size  of  the  feathers  thein.selves.  Yount; :  Kill  smaller  than  in  the  .idiilt, 
bhiish-whiti',  with  dusky  ridge.  Iris  brown.  Crown  and  hind  neck  dull  brownisli-black  ; 
other  up|M>r  parts  similar,  but  the  fealhe>'s,  especially  of  the  fore  back,  with  light  gray  edgings. 
Primaries  black,  with  bnivvn  inner  webs.  Tail-leathers  with  gray  tips.  Traces  of  liuliter  and 
darker  lineation  on  sides  of  breast.  Sides  of  hea<l  mottled  with  ashy  and  whitish:  chin,  throat, 
neck  in  front,  and  whole  under  pails,  white.  I)imensions:  leinfth  'M  to  'M\  inchis;  extent 
about  :>iM{) ;  wing  1J..")I»  to  ll.-i.'j;  bill  -i.?.')  to  li.OO  ahmg  euliiieii :  gajM-  4.<MI  to  l.i.") ;  height 
at  nostrils,  about  0.80;  width  there  about  0.40:  tarsus  H.OO  to  .'{..^O ;  middle  t  >e  and  claw 
4.25  to  ."i.llO.  Inhabits  the  Northern  Hemisphere.  In  winter,  generallv  dispersed  in  the  l".  S.  ; 
breeds  in  portions  of  the  U.  S.  and  thi'iice  iiortliwanl.  Kggs  i,  .'{..jO  X  i.'i'>,  eloimate  and 
pointed,  dull  greenish-drab,  with  (hirk  brown  spots.  Young  covered  with  .stillish  black  down. 
841.  r.  t.  u'dainsl.  (To  ;*r.  ('.  H.  .\danis.)  Yki.I.hw-iui.I.KK  Loon.  Lart'er  than  T.  /(»(/(//(//(>, 
with  th(^  bill  rather  la.  ^r  and  somewhat  iliM'ereiitly  shaped  and  coloreil.  ISill  alxiiit  icjiialling 
head,  hniger  than  tarsus,  mneb  compressed,  tip  very  acute,  not  at  all  decurved,  the  culmeii 
In-ing  almo>l  perfectly  straiuhl.  as  the  commissure  also  is.  fJony-*  straii:lit  i>r  nearly  so  to  the 
angle,  which  is  very  prominent.  (Fig.  ')'">0  shows  the  shape  of  the  bill  better  than  it  does  that 
of  No.  840,  for  which  it  is  intended.)  Frontal  antia'  reachini;  beyoiul  middle  of  nostrils.  Itill 
light  yellowish  horii-<'olor.  only  dusky  at  base.  Mead  :ind  neck  diep  steel-blue,  with  iiurplish 
and  violet  retli'cfioiis,  irlossed  only  on  the  cervix  with  (freeii.  Throat-patch  of  while  streaks 
piiialler  than  in  torqtiiiliis,  but  the  individual  streaks  larger,  .-is  are  those  of  tiie  iHH-k-patches. 
While  spots  of  upper  parts  larger  than  in  torqiintiis,  lonuer  than  broad  insti'ad  of  sipiare  on  the 
scapulars  aiicl  tertials.  Mill  alont;  culiiieii  :t..')0  to  '.\.7'>:  along  i:a)N-  .'i.OO  to  .j.J.J  :  height  at 
nostrils  0.<).")  to  1.10:  wiilth  0. 10  to  0..")0  :  tarsus  ;(..")( I ;  outer  to«>  l.fi.'i  to  .').10.  General  dimen- 
sions somewhat  exceeding  tho.se  i>(  torqiintn.i.  Arctic  .\inerica,  common;  ]H'rhaps  speciti<'ally 
distinct  from  the  last. 


844. 


COI.YMIUIKK:    J.OOXS. 


791 


Hia.  C.  iiri' tlfiis.  (\m\.  (irdiciis,  ■.iirur.)  nhACK-TiruoATKi)  DivF.u.  Bill  goiiprally  as  ill  ^*r- 
qualKs,  l)iit  sinalli'i-;  v,>\„r  l.la.-k.  Cliin,  ilnvat,  au.l  n.rk  in  fi,.iii,  Mark,  wiili  piiiplisli  ami 
violft  roHfctidlis  oil  tlic  si.lcs  ><(  tlic  lira.l.  u'lailtially  ladiiii;  inti,  a  tiiw,  clear  l.lui^li-i.'i;iy.  d.ci.- 
C8t  on  lorc'lioail,  liKlitost  iMliin.l,  aial  .sqiaratid  iVuiu  ih,.  l,h,ck  uf  tlic  tliroat  by  a  scries  '<>(  wiiito 
streaks.  A  crcweiit  of  slioit,  wliite  streaks  aemss  iipiHr  tliroal :  si.lcs  «(  l)icast  striiic  ,|  with 
puro  whittt  and  glossy  l.lack,  these  stii|Ms  neaily  lllcetill^  in  In.iit.  Kniiiv  upper  parts  .jeep, 
ghissy  >;reenish-l»hic'k,  cadi  leather  of  scapulars  and  interscapulars  with  a  white  spot  near  eii.l 
of  oach  wcl>;  tlioso  of  the  scapulars  lari;e^l,  fniuiini;  four  patches  in  tranverse  rows.  Witii;- 
covorts  thickly  speckled  with  small  ovale  white  spots.  Iiini  r  wehs  of  (|uills,  and  tail-feathers 
below,  linlit  grayish -brown.  Sides  under  wings  like  back.  I.ining  of  wings  and  entire  under 
part.s  from  the  neck,  pure  white,  with  a  narrow  dusky  band  across  lower  bidlv;  under  tail- 
coverts  dusky,  tii)ped  with  white.  Young:  ISill  light  bliiish-gniy,  dusky  ahmg  the  riduc 
Iris  brown.  Feet  dusky.  I'pper  part  of  head  and  neck  dark  L'layish -brown  ;  >i.les  of  head 
dull  grayish-white,  minutely  streaked  with  brown.  I'pper  parts  with  a  reticulated  or  .-^caly 
appearance,  the  feathers  being  brownisli-bla<di  with  broad  bluish-gray  margins ;  the  rump 
dull  brownish-gray.  Primaries  ami  their  coverts  brnwiii.-h -black  ;  secmidaries  and  tail-feathers 
dusky  margined  with  gray.  Ton'-part  of  neck  grayir-h-white,  ininutely  and  faintly  dotted  with 
brown  ;  its  sides  below  streaked  with  the  same.  Lower  paits,  iucludiiii:  under  surface  of 
wings,  pure  white,  the  sides  of  the  body  and  rump,  with  part  of  the  luwer  tail-coveits,  dusky, 
edged  with  bluish-gray.  (.Viiduboii.)  Dimensions:  length  about  HO.IIO;  e.Meut  4(1.01); 
wing  I^.OIt;  bill  along  culmeii  2.  b);  along  s;ape  ;{.{();  its  height  at  nostrils  ().(>.■) ;  its  wiillh 
there  O.X) ;  tarsus  -2. •.)();  outer  toe  ami  (daw  .S.MO.     N.  Ileinisphere  ;  not  common  in  the  I".  S. 

843.  <'•  "•  pat'l'fk'us.  (Lat.  pncijicus,  jiacitic.)  I'.\(  iKic  i{|..\(K-Tiiiin.\Ti;i>  Divku.  Like  the 
ia.sf,  colors  tlm  same.  Size  less  ;  leiifih  21.0(1;  wing  1 1.00.  Kill  shorter,  slenderer,  .somewhat 
ditl'ereiitly  shaped,  with  straight  culmeii  -  much  like  the  diH'erence  between  ylulimojihoi-Hs 
occiilfniiilis  niu\  ylC.  tlnrki.  Hill  along  culmeii  I. ',10-2.20;  gape  U.OO  ;  length  of  bill  (/..lO  or 
less;  tarsus  about  2..V).     N.  \V.  .Vinerica;  abundant  on  I'acitic  coast  of  V.  ,S.  In  winter. 

844.  C.  s€'pU'iitrloiin'lls.  ( Lat.  .v(7/<(/(/n()m//i,x,  northern.)  Ui:i>-riiKoATi:i)  DiVK.ii.  Mill  usually 
slenilerer  than  in  the  foregoing;  culnii'ii  slightly  concave  at  the  nostrils,  gently  convex  to  tip, 

which  is  rather  obtU.se  and  a  little  decurved.     Oiitlii f  rami   nearly  str.iiirht  ;  goiiys  slightly 

conve.N'.  Frontal  antia'  .scarc-ely  exti  ndiiig  beyond  base  i if  nostrils.  'I'arsus  relatively  rather 
longer  than  in  foregoing  species,  about  four-lifths  the  niiildle  toe.  .\diilt :  Itill  black,  nither 
lighter  at  the  tip.  Crown  and  broad  cervical  stripe  glossy  greeui>li-black,  the  latter  thickly 
streaked  wiili  wliite,  which  streaks,  on  the  sides  of  the  breast,  s|ire:i<l  so  as  to  nearly  meet  iu 
front.  Throat  and  sides  of  head  clear  bluish-gray.  A  large,  well-th'tined,  triangular,  chest- 
nut-brown throat-patch.  Kiitire  upper  |>arts  and  sides  iimh'r  the  wings  deep  brownish-black, 
with  greenish  gloss,  everywhere  profusely  spotted  with  white,  the  s]iots  small,  oval.  I'riiii- 
aries  blackish,  paler  on  the  inner  webs.  Tail  narrowly  tipped  with  while.  I'mler  parts  and 
lining  of  wings  while,  the  axillars  with  narrow  dusky  shaft-streaks,  and  the  lower  belly,  with 
some  of  the  under  tail-coverts,  dusky.  Yoiiim  :  Still  mostly  liubt  bbiish-white.  with  dusky 
ridgo.  Crown  of  head  anil  neck  behind  bliiish-i.'ray.  the  feathers  nf  the  termer  bordered  with 
whitish.  Kiitire  u|)]ier  jiarts  brownish-  or  irrayisli-black.  everywhere  profusidy  markeil  with 
small  oval  and  linear  s|)ots  of  white.  Throat  without  red  patch,  its  sides  and  those  ot  the 
head  mottled  with  dusky.  Other  parts  as  in  the  ailull.  LeiiL'th  2.'>.00  :  extent  U.oo  :  winir 
U.OOorless;  bill  ahmg  culmeii  2.00 :  ahuig  gape  It.OO  :  hei^'ht  at  nostril  0..")(i;  width  there 
0.S5  ;  tarsus  2.7")  :  outer  toe  I^.-iO.  Varies  greatly  in  size,  and  in  the  size  and  siia|M!  of  the  bill; 
recognized  by  the  profuse  spottiiic  of  the  uiijier  parts,  as  well  as,  when  adult,  by  the  red  throat- 
piitcli.  The  s|tols  are  smalle>t  and  most  immerous  on  the  wing-coverts  and  upper  hack,  where 
tliey  grade  into  the  streaks  of  the  hind  iiei  k  ;  larirest  on  the  tcrtials,  scapulars,  and  sides  nniler 
tlie  wings,  where  they  are  rather  lines  than  spots,  and  are  fewest,  iir  almost  wantiiiir,  on  tlio 


792 


SySTiJMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  1'  YUUl'ODES. 


micldlu  of  tho  bnck.  The  iiiiirkin^  results  frnin  a  isiiiall  spot  or  Htripc  near  tin;  on<l  i>f  cki.), 
f(!atlicr,  oil  tho  cdj^o  of  cafli  well ;  tlu're  is  oiTJisioiially  a  swoml  pair  iifari-r  the  base  ..|  tin. 
fcatlior.  Tln>  atnoiiiit  of  siMitting  is  vory  varialilo  with  imlivithials  ;  in  llii?  joiiiii;  tin-  spms  miv 
always  larger  and  more  numerous  tliau  in  tiie  adults,  and  usually  lengthened  into  oliliipu' 
lines,  produeing  a  regular  diamond-shaped  retieulation.  Northern  ilemisphere  at  large;  most 
of  the  U.  S.  in  winter ;  breeds  in  high  latitudes.     Kggs  2-A,  3.00  X  1.75. 

62.    Family  PODICIPEDID-ffi  :   Grebes. 

Hill  of  variable  length,  mueh  longer  or  shorter  than  head;  eidmen  nsinilly  about  straight, 

sometimes  a  little  eoucave,  or  ((iiile  eonvex,  esj ially  at  ihi'  enil.     Coniniissure  nearly  straight, 

but  more  or  less  corresponiling  with  the  eurve  of  the  eulmen,  usually  sinuate  at  base,  riuhr 
outline  iif  bill  in  gem-ral  eonvex,  with  slight  gonydeal  an;;le  or  none.  Sides  of  bill  more  or 
less  striate.  Nasal  fossa-  well  marked,  the  nostrils  near  their  termination.  Nostrils  lineiir  and 
pervious   (broader  in  l'i)dHiiinliiix),  ujtper    edge    straight,  not    lobed.     Frontal    extensiciu   of 

featheix  eonsiderable,  and  usually  antia-  run  still  further  into  the  nasal  fossa.     A  gi ve  aluni.' 

the  symphysis  nf  the  mantlilde  extends  often  nearly  to  the  tip.  Kyes  far  fnrward,  with  a  lnml 
strip  of  bare  skin  running  thence  to  ba.-se  of  upper  mandible,  very  narrow  in  the  typieal  forms, 
l.Toader  in  Tavlii/ha/ik's  and  J'odiliiinhiix.  Head  usually  adorned  in  the  breeding  season  with 
variously  lengthened  eolored  eri'sis  or  rutt's  :  when  th<'se  :ire  wanting  the  frontal  feathers  niav 
be  bristly.  N<'ek  usually  long,  slender,  and  sinuous.  I'lmnage  thiek  anti  rompaet,  sninntlilv 
inibrieated  above,  bcdow  of  a  jM-euliar  smooth,  satiny  texture.  AVinns  short  hut  ample,  verv 
eoneavo-eonvex  ;  primaries  eleven,  narrow,  somewhat  falcate,  graduated,  the  three  or  fmir 
outer  ones  attenuate  on  one  or  both  webs  ;  seeundaries  short  and  broad  :  tertials  very  long, 
hiding  the  rest  of  the  ipiills  when  the  wing  is  closed.  Itastanl  quills  unusually  long,  their  tips 
reaching  over  half-way  to  the  ends  of  the  ]irimaries.  (Sreater  coverts  al.sn  very  hmg.  'I'ail 
riulimentary,  represented  by  a  tuft  of  downy  feathers.  Characters  of  the  feet  peculiar;  for  in 
other  Itdie-footed  birds,  as  l'halaro]>es  and  Coots,  the  lobation  is  of  a  ditferent  character.  'I'arsi 
exce(Hlingly  compressed,  with  only  a  slightly  thieUened  tract  within  which  the  tendons  pass. 

Front  edge  a  single  si th  row  of  overlapping,  the  hinder  ser- 
rate with  a  double  row  of  pointed,  scales ;  sides  n'guhirly  trans- 
versely scutellate,  as  are  the  upper  surfaces  of  the  toes,  the  latter 
being  inferiorly  reticulate,  with  an  edging  of  pectinated  scales. 
Toes  flattened  out  and  further  with'iied  with  broad  lobes,  esjie- 
cially  wi(h'  toward  the  end,  and  at  base  connected  for  a  varying 
distuueo  by  interdigital  webs.  Hind  toe  highly  elevated,  broadly 
lobate.  free.  Claws  short,  broad,  flat,  obtuse,  ofsipnirish  shape: 
that  of  the  hallux  miinile. 

The  (irebes  are  strongly  nuirked  by  the  ft>regoing  charae- 
t<'rs,  es]ieeially  of  the  feet  and  tail,  though  thi'y  agree  closely  with 
■■*'  'tbi-  Loons  in  general   structure  and  ecnuomy.     i'rincipal  internal 
characters  are  the  absence  of  mie  carotid,  and  of  the  ambi<-ns, 
femoro-caudal  and  ai-eessory  Hemiteialinosus  niu.scles,  the  greatei- 
innnber  »(  cervical  vertebra-  (lit  instead  of  l.'l)  and   shnrtness  of 
Fin.  mn  hh.  —  F.  fltmln;  T,    '''•'  sternmn,  with  lateral  priK-esses  reaching  beyond  tin-  transverse 
tiliiit,  Willi  n,  iiH  rnrmliil  pfdcciw.    main  part  (the  reverse  of  tin-  t^ase  in   Loons),     'i'liere  is  a  long 

anil  r,  Inrizi!  iintclla,  of  n  irrdHi;  .   >  r  .i      .-i  '  i  ■        i  ■    i      i    .      .i      i  .        :   ■   . 

iiBt  flip  -•'«■".    ,.,!,, ,„|„|   |,ro(-ess  of  the  tibia,  reaching  high  above  the  knee-joint, 

backed  by  a  large  jiatella  of  about  e<|ual  altitude  (tig.  fi.'to  hin.). 

The  gizzard  has  a  sp«-cial  pyloric  sac;  then-  are  e<pea  and  a  tufted  oil-gland.     These  birds  are 

ex]iert  divers,  and  have  tin-  curious  habit  of  sinking  back  (piietly  into  Ihi-  water  when  alarmed, 

like  Anliiiigas.     Owing  to  tho  virtual  absence  of  tho  tail,  the  general  as|M>et  is  singular,  ren- 


P 


■  a. 


334.    JKVtlM 


P01)I(U'i:i)W^E :    GUEltES. 


798 


tlerfd  still  innro  .m.  Iiy  the  almost  umtcsfni.'  imrti-colnir.!  lulls  aixl  crfsts  that  most  siH^cicn 
|M»sw'88.  Tlnw  ..riiaiiH'iits  an-  v.ry  traii^iciii  ;  i.l.l  l.injs  in  wiiit.r,  and  lii.'  y.Mim;,  aiv  v.ry 
.liffcrnit  from  tlir  uiIiiIIh  in  l.ri'.Mlini:  ;iiiiiv.     ■rh,.  ,.t;ys  aiv  ni..iv  nnnxToiiM  than  in  ..tii.r  pyuo. 

|mm1oiih  liirds.  fiv.|n<'iitly  numhciini.'  (i-^  ;  .liipiirMl.  nf  a  [.iiir  ..r  whiiisl lor,  nnvini.iiatrci ; 

commonly  covcn-tl  with  chalky  snliMancc.  'I'lu'  niM  i-  I'nrnicil  of  niaitnl  viuiiation,  vlor  to 
the  wati'r,  or  even,  it  \n  saiil,  tloalini;  anionu  iKiuatir  |ilants  ;  the  yoimir  swiiri  dirictly.  (irchcd 
arc  the  only  cosmopolitan  hirds  of  the  oi.jcr,  h.iim  iil.nn.lantly  disirilintcd  over  the  lakes  and 
rivers  of  all  (tarts  of  tlic  \v<irld.  tlioii^rh  they  arc  h.-s  maiitiinc  than  tiie  siMcics  of  cither  of 
tlic  other  families.     There  are  not  over  Iwcniy-live  well  dclerniiiicil  siiccics. 

Auiihitit  11/'  (iitiirn. 
Bill  iili'iiiliT  iir  niilv  iiKHlcrntely  Htoiit,  parnKiiiiilhniH,  uciilc.    X.wlrllii  narnnv  .ir  linear.     I.onii  oiire  »trl|. 
niirrou.     Frontal  l'uallici»  iinrniikl.    Tarsus  Krnirally  lull  Hi  lie,  If  any.  sIi.tIit  ihan  lliii  iiiM<l!i'  i.k'-  at 

least  tlin-i-f.Mntlis  as  ionu.     Scinlpalnialinn  ..fi.HS  nnslurali'.     I,iil r  liallux  l.r..aM.     l-\iall)  »illi 

oniis|i|i'iiiiiiHi'ri'sts  or  riitVs  cliiriiiK  tin-  lirecilint;  'Oawm. 

Hill  liinj{er  tliiiii  IhmlI,  rxlruiiu:l>  slimlct   and  ai'Mo.    Tarsus  niual  I.,  lliu  nil<iilli'  I.k'  ami  ilaw. 

('rests  anil  nitt's  slight.     Large 1.,  Iiim^iilfinit    33| 

mil    ml   InntfiT  iliaii  licail,  iinHloratcly  stout.    Tiirsu*  iliorter  than  niliMlo  toe  and  claw      (rusts 

and  riill's  i|i'i'id>-<l.    Size  nviT  HI  ini'lii'S /'i«/hi/iik    33B 

mil  iniicli  slicirtvr  tliaii  licjid,  nut  lwi>-llilrds  tlie  tarsus,  i|iiitt<  stunt.    Tarsus  iilxiiit  tlini'-fiUirtliH 
tlio  nilildli'  lot',    Oulur  ami  nilddlu  Iocs  o<|iml.     No  <lvcidu<l  LTeatii  or  riilTs.    Small;  Imiitli  to 

liii'liOH  or  li'ss T.i./ii/ (»!/./,  t 

Dill  stout,  cjiiKiiBllious,  olitus4'.     Xostrlls  liroailly  ovni.     Loral  liarc  strip  lironcl.    Frontal  fiailn  rs  lirisily. 

Tnrsiis  not  tliro'-fourtlis  llio  iniildlutiHV    Si'inl|ialniation  of  Iik'H  rxtcnsivc.     I.olio  of  liallnv  i liraliv 

Noiliviiled  creslior  r.ills I'-uUhjmlnif    XVi 

334.    /KCIIMO'l'llOlll'S.      ((ir.   ni'x^^.  oithmr,   a   spear:  (/lo/jdr,   iilioriis,  bearing'.)     Sl'i:.\lt-lill.l, 
(illKlir.s.      Hill  very  lony,  cxcceilinu'  the  head,  >ti'aii.'hl   or  >lii;htly  recurved,  very  slender  and 

aciile  ;  ciilnicn   straiirlit   or  sliuhtl\ iicavc;  coiiiiiii.s<iire  alioiit  .-itraiiiht,   or  slitrhtly  sinuate 

at  liase;  under  outline  concave  at  hasc,  Hitli.uit  piotiilieraiice  at  symphysis.  Marc  'oi-al  spaci- 
extremely  imrrow.  \Vini;s  coniparalivdy  loni;,  with  much  attenuated  outer  priniaries.  Lei;s 
loiif;  ;  tarsus  in.t  shorter  than  hill,  as  loiit;  as  middle  toe  and  claw;  hasal  wehhiiitr  of  toe,, 
slight.  Size  larue;  neck  very  loni; :  liody  slender.  Crest  and  rntl's  iiicoiispicnous,  not 
specially  colored  in  our  sitecies.  One  species,  western,  of  which  two  varieties  may  usually 
lie  reco)j;ni/e(l  liy  the  followinir  characters; 

.tutihjHii  lit'  t'ltrii'th'H. 

Largo:  Iciigtli  (extreme)  iilsnit  '.".iiHt  Imlies:  wiiiu  alioiit  s.ixi;  liill  and  tarsus  each  alsiut  ;i(K).  Illll  ei|ual 
to  tarsus,  KtralKlil.  mostly  dark  olivaceous,  lirl|{liler  yellouisli  at  lip  ami  aiotiK  cutting  etiises.  t'ndiT 
outline  of  Illll  straiglil  from  bam)  to  the  sll);lil  angle,  lionya  ilienee  straiKlit  to  tip.     Uires  ashy-gray. 

iH'Cftintiilii*    &45 

Snnill:  length  iiboiil  '.".MH)  Inches:  wing  alMiiil  7  ml;  hill  l>.L'.'i .  tarsus  1' T."!.  Hill  sliorter  than  tarsus. 
Hllghtly  riH'iirveil,  under  outline  alniosl  regularly  convex  from  base  to  tip,  with  liarcly  appririahlo  angle. 
Lores  pure  v»hito r/(irii'    IH« 

845.  /K.  ot'fltlontn'IU.  (I^at.  tx-iiilnitdlis,  western.!  Wkstkhn  (iliKliK.  Hill  oliscurely  oliv;i- 
ceoiis,  lirinhter  aloiij;  edires  ;ind  ;il  lip.  Iris  ontut'e-red.  pink  or  c;irniine,  with  a  white  riiiK. 
Hard  |iarts  of  |ialate  like  liill  ;  soft  p;irls  purplish  or  lavender.  Outer  side  and  sido  of  foot 
Idackish,  rest  dull  olivaceous,  more  yellowish  on  widis.  Foreliciid  ;inil  lores  dark  sil\ery-;ish. 
.\  short  occipital  crest  and  putVy  cheeks,  luit  luither  lirit'ht-coloreil,  aureeini;  with  white  and 
dark  colors  of  the  respective  parts.  'Cop  of  head  and  line  down  li.u'k  of  neck  .s<m it y -Idackish, 
clianj;iii^  on  tijiper  parts  into  ;i  Ijoliler,  more  hrownish  hiack.  the  fc;itheis  of  the  lp;i(k  with 
lirayish  maririns.  I'rimaries  mostly  dark  chondate-lirown,  with  while  liii.ses,  their  sli;ifis 
white  at  liasc.  Secoiidarii'H  iiioslly  white,  lull  more  or  fewer  of  them  d;iik  on  most  or  all 
of  the  outer  welis.  Sides  under  the  wiiiL's  washed  with  a  pale  shade  of  tin-  color  of  the  li;ick. 
Linitm  of  witijts  and  wlade  under  parts  from  the  hill  pure  while,  with  s;itiny  uloss.  I,eui.'th 
•2i.00-i«.(K);    extent  40.00  or   tliercalioiits ;    wiii^:   about  >.(MI;  bill,   tarsus,   middh'  toe  ami 


794 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYXOPSIS.  —  J'YGOPODES. 


cliiw,  all  about  IJ.OO  ;  papo  of  hill  .■{.(iO  ;  liciulit  at  liaso  0.50.  Wrsfcrn  IT.  S.,  coiiiinnn. 
As  lifH!  dcseribcil,  tin;  bini  i.s  given  in  its  jmrfst  rliaractiT;  but  It  jjradrs  in  n'v/x'  <lirectly  into 
tlio  nest,  and  some  of  the  largi-r  individuals  have  a  mostly  ytllow  and  soniowliat  rt'curvcd  bill, 
with  white  lori's. 
840.  .cK.  o.  flurk'l.  (To  J.  II.  Clark.)  Ci.akk'.s  Ckkiik.  Hill  about  as  long  ai<  luwl,  sbtntcr  than 
tarsus,  sliiihtly  ri'curvcd,  rxtrrnwly  .sli-ndcr  and  acute;  euliuen  a  little  eoncave ;  luider  outline 
almost  on<^  unbroken  eurve  from  bas<- to  tip.  .\dult  in  breeding  |>luniage:  I'nder  mandible, 
and  tip  anti  cutting  edges  of  the  U|i|mt,  ehrome-yellow,  in  marked  <Mintrast  to  black  of  culnien. 
Loral  bare  strip  leaden-blue.  (Vown,  <M'ciput,  and  hinil-ueck  deep  grayish-black;  almost 
pure  black  on  the  hind-head,  fading  gradually  along  the  neck  into  tlie  lighter  blackish-iiray 
of  the  upper  parts  generally.  Lores  broadly  pure  white,  as  are  the  entire  under  parts,  with 
a  sharp  line  of  demarcation  along  the  sides  of  tlit>  head  and  neck.  A  decided  occipital  crest, 
the  feathers  about  an  inch  long  and  ipiite  tiliform,  but  not  colored  a))art  from  the  general 
cidoration.  No  decided  ruffs  —  no  colored  rufts  at  all;  but  the  while  feathers  of  tin;  sidiH 
of  the  head  behind  anil  across  tin;  throat  are  longer  an<l  fuller  than  elsewhert!  —  about  as  in 
grini'if/i'iiti.  Wings  and  general  coloration  (excei)t  the  white  lores)  exactly  as  in  oiTiilriiliilis. 
Winter  dress  not  materially  different.  Dimensions:  length  about  22.00  inches;  extent  2S.,')() ; 
wing  7.00;  bill  along  culnien  2. .'10 ;  along  uape  2.7">  ;  height  at  nostrils  0.40;  tarsus  and 
middle  toe  with  claw,  each  alMiut  i.J't.  Thenci-  grading  up  to  iicridciitdlis.  With  only 
extremes  before  us  of  the  two  varieties,  one  nnght  well  consider  them  distinct  species;  but 
other  sj)ecimens  show  the  intergradation  ;  we  fr<'i|uently  find  specimens  as  small  as  typical 
claiki,  and  with  eipially  slender  bill,  yet  with  the  color  of  tin;  bill  wholly  olivaceous  and  the 
lores  ashy,  as  in  tyi)i<'al  iMX-iilenttiiis.  Western  I'.  S. 
335.  POOICU'ES.  (Lat.  7Xk/w,  gen.  yxx/iW.s-,  the  rump  ;  yjt'.s,  foot.)  (Jukiiks.  Hill  nnulerately 
.stout,  usually  more  or  less  comjiri'-ssed,  I'lpialliiii;  or  shorter  than  the  heail  or  tarsus.  Tarsus 
obviously  shorter  than  the  middle  tiM'  and  claw.  Outer  lateral  toe  a  little  longer  than  tin; 
middle.     Head  in  tin;  breeding  .season  with  lengtheiu'd  colored  crests  or  ruffs,  or  both. 

NoTK.  —  Believing  /'.  rrUlnlut  niay  liave  beeil  lioatlly  ellaiiiiuteil  fruiu  uur  Tuuiiu,  I  uuulyzu  iiiiil  iIuhctIIhi  it 
Willi  llio  rest,  without  number  oMtiKiied. 

.'In»///xm  nj'  .s'/w  cicjt  (lulnltii), 

Ijtrge:  length  over  15  incbm.    Itill  more  nr  Iohh  nearly  c<|iiniliiii;tlio  hea<l  or  tarHiiK  In  lonittli. 

CreHtfi,  anil  vtipefiaily  rutfx.  lont;  nnil  riinii|>i<'iitiii».     Nirk  williniit  ret  I  or  gray  In  front;  iimiiT  imrtH 

pure  8ill(y-white.    TumiiK  avcraginK  equal  to  lliv  nif'Mii!  toe  witliout  ilH  claw criHtuliiH 

Cri'Htii  nioileratc ;  rutlii  iiiconspifumisi     Seek  witli  rnl  or  gray  In  front ;  nniler  par tn  watereil  wllli 

ilunky  (Hometimeti  hut  xliglillyl     Tarxiis  averaKliit;  Ii'sh  llian  tlic  iniiliilo  tot;  ami  elaw    .     .    hnllinUi    K47 
Small:  lenKtli  under  l.'i  iiiclios.     Kill  much  nliorlcr  tlinn  liiail;  little  ovim-  lialf  tlie  tarsUH. 

Bill  c'DinprcMcil,  liiglier  than  broail  at  the  norlrilii     CrcKls  ami  rutin  very  coimpicuoUH ;  neck  rcii  In 

front inriiiiliiA    Mh 

Bin  ilepreiwcil,  brnailer  than  high  at  the  noNtrils.    Crostii  in  form  of  aurieular  tufts;  neck  I'Mick  in 

front iiurilUH  849.  or  nil:     miiitu    Wil 

F.  crista'tus.  (I'St.  rrulntu;  cmlml.)  Crcrted  ORt:nK.  A<lult,  lireciiini;  plumage:  <.'ri>wn  ami  Iniii; 
nccipilal  I'leiitH  Kloiuiy  Mark;  emi  of  riifl  the  sanic,  the  rext  reiiilinli-lirown,  railing  into  .liiky-wliile  of  tliroal  ami 
HlileH of  lieail  Neck  Iwhiml  ami  up|ier  |>arls  ilark  brown,  the  feathers  uilli  gray  niai gins.  I'riiiiarieH  iliocolale- 
brown,  with  blark  iihanii,  the  tl|is  of  the  Inner  oiien  white,  aH  are  all  tlie  HeconilaricH  ami  terliarim,  excepting  a 
little  of  the  outer  web»  of  the  former ;  greater  wliig-coverts  while  on  inner  welw.  iriiiler  part"  pure  silky  white, 
without  a  traceof  iliisky  mottling,  the  j<l<les  c)f  the  ncek  ami  iKKiy  llngcil  with  reihllHii,  ami  on  the  tlanks  mixed 
with  ilusky,  where  the  fe.ithem  have  dark  shaft-lines.  Louglli  about  24.00;  extent  3,1111);  wing  TOO;  liill  2  01), 
the  ga|«  2.70 :  lamus  2..'iO.     Kuro|ie,  etc.    N.  Am  ? 

847.  I*.  Krlsclgc'iitt  liolboclli.  (Low  Lat.  firiseiii,  gray ;  ^enn,  cheeks.  To  (".  Ilolboll. )  Amkiiican 
Ukd-NKckkk  (Jkkiik.  Adult,  bn-eding  plumage:  Crests  short,  and  ruffs  scarcely  apparent. 
Iris  eanninc.  Hill  black,  the  tomia  of  up|M'r  mainlible  at  base  and  most  of  lower  iinindiblo 
yellowish.  Crown  and  iM-eiput  i;los.sy  creenish-black  ;  back  of  neck  the  same,  less  intense, 
and  up|MT  parts  geneniUy  the  same,  with  grayish  edgings  of  the  feathers.     Wing-cuvuits  and 


POincil'EDUhi: :    (iHKHKS. 


Iirimnrios  miifnnii  cli liito-l>r..\vii,  tlip  >lMlts  of  th,.  lattir  Mark.     S nlari.s  \vhit.>,  in..>ily 

with  Miick  Nliiifl«  ami  l.r.pwuisli  tips.  Liiiini;  .iCwiims  aii<l  a.xillars  wiiitr.  .V  l.inu.l  jiatrfi 
.,f  Nilvi-ry-asli  on  llir  tlimat,  f.\t.i„iiiii;  aioim,!  ,,|,  m,1,.s  ,,f  hrail.  wliiirtiinu'  aluni;  iln.  ,,f 
junctiiri'  with  \\w  l.lii<-k  of  thf  <Tn\vii.  N.^.-k,  i..\r.|.i  tlic  ilorsiil  lin...  .1.'..,,  I.r..wi.i.sl|.,r.|.  wl.i.l, 
e.vti'lHl.s  ilililtcil  soiiir  .liMaiicr  .m  tiir  l.r.ast.  rii.j.T  paits  silky-whilr,  with  :i  >liaclr  ..f  >iiv.ry- 
aHJi,  <'ilfh  fcalhiT  liaviiij;  a  liark  .shat'l-liii.'  and  tcniiiuai  >|M.t,  iiimhiciiii:  .i  |Hciiiiar  il,i|.|.|.'.| 
apiicaraiicc.  Wilit.T  phlinaK.-,  uiiil  joiiim;  CnM.-*  >rar.vly  apprcrial.lf.  Itiii  m,..>tly  y.llnw- 
i.-h,  till"  ritli{<!  iiioi-f  or  h'.s.s  dusky.  Kid  nf  \\\v  lack  nplaicd  l.y  1.im«  iii>li-asli  ..f  vatialdc 
sliaih',  fnmi  iinitc  dark  to  whitisli.     A.-ii  of  throat  ami  >iilr»  ot  head  nphiicd  hy  piuv  whii.'. 

I'lidiT  part.-*  ashy-whitf,  the  iiiotlliiii;  not  so  foiispinioii.- as  in  ..ii nr.     I  >iim'iisioiis  :   Length 

ahoiit  l'.).<)0;  c.xti'lit  MM);  wiuir  7.<)lt:  hill  aloim  cidimn  I.'.M)-1K),  aiom,' yapf  :;.pl- :(.  Id  ; 
lii'ii{lit  at  iiostrilH  ().,").');  tarsus   2..')lt ;  middle  toe  and  idaw  li.S.'i.     'rhi>  l.inl  rould  onlv  \»- 

I founded   with    rrisliitiis  in    inimatiin-  dress:  it   is  smaller,   stouter,   more   thirk-set.   with 

stouter  bill,  nehiilated  umler  plumaye,  less  white  on  the  wini:.  and  usually  has  rather  slmrter 
tarsi,  —  only  ahout  four-fifths  the  luiddlo  toe  and  elaw,  instead  of  ahoiit  eipial  to  the  midillr  toe 
alone,  as  in  cristiiliis.  The  Amerieau  bird  is  a  laru;er  variety  of  the  Kuropean,  the  hill, 
espeeially,   dispropoi'tioiiately    longer,    dill'erently    shajied    and    coliin.,!  ;    tarsn>    lonu'er,    both 

ab.sobitely  and   relatively   t<>  leiiL'th   of  toes.     N.    Am.  at    l.irue  anil   ( J  rein  land  ;  ( nmn   in 

the  r.  ,S.  in  winter,  breedinir  northerly.  Ki;i.'s  -i.lo  to  iM'i  X  ^--'i  \>>  l.l.'i,  ronirh.  wliiiisl,. 
either  inelinini;  to  pale  greenish  or  with  bully  discoloration,  of  the  narrow-eloiij^ate  shape 
usual  in  this  family. 

Oils.  Speeiiiiens  more  like  the  ty|iieal  firisrifiniii  from  the  N.  W.  eoast. 

|§4t).    I*.    ooriiirtiiH.      (Lat.    roniiilKs,    horned.)      lloitNi'.i)   CiiKiti:.      Adult,    br line    plumaue : 

Kill  blaek,  lipi)ed  with  yellow.  Keet  dusky  externally,  internally  yellowish.  Iris  earmiiie, 
with  a  fine  while  riiu;.  A  brownish-yellow  stripe  over  eye,  wideiiinir  behind  and  deepening 
in  color  at  the  ends  of  tlii'  lout;  crests,  and  beiii^;  dark  chestiuit  between  eye  and  bill.  Crown, 
chin,  and  the  very  full  rutf  jilo.ssy  ^reenisii-hlack.  r|i|ier  par's  brownish-hlaid»,  with  paler 
edjrcs  of  the  feathers.  I'rimaries  rather  liulit  chocolate-brown,  with  black  shafls,  e.\cept  at 
till!  base.  Soeoiularies  white.  Neck  all  round,  except  stripe  down  behind,  and  sides  of  the 
body,  rich  dark  l»rownish-red  or  purpli.sh  wine-red,  mixed  with  dusky  on  the  ll.iidxs.  I'lnler 
jiarts  June  silky-white.  Winter  pluinai:e,  and  yoiini;:  Itill  dusky,  much  of  tin'  umler 
mandible  bluish  or  yollowish-while.  Indications  of  crests  and  rulf  in  the  leni;tli  anil  fulness 
of  the  feathers  of  the  parts.  Crown  and  neck  behiml,  ami  sides  of  the  body,  sonly-hlackish. 
Other  upper  parts  and  the  wint;s  as  in  the  adult.  Chin,  throat,  and  sides  of  head,  pure  white, 
this  color  nearly  eiicirelinij  the  nape.  Neck  in  front  and  lower  belly  liirhlly  washed  with 
ashy-ijray,  ITnder  parts  as  before.  Newly-Hedged  youni;  are  curiously  striped  on  the  head 
with  rufous,  dusky,  ami  white.  Ditneiisions :  lenuth  about  I  I. OH  iiii'lies:  extent  .'I.Di': 
wiiiR  ii.J'i  ;  tarsus  1.7">;  middle  toe  and  (daw  -i.lO;  bill  aloni;  culmen  about  H.IIO,  alotu;  i;a|M' 
].'M);  its  liriubt  at  the  nostrils  ().:l(>,  its  width  there  U.i:>.  Hill  eoin|>ressed,  laperim;.  with 
considerably  curved  culmen, — (piite  dillereiil  from  the  broad  depressed  hill  with  straiuhl  tip 
ami  inucli  asccndint;  iroiiys  of  I',  miriliis.  It  varies  much  in  si/, ,  even  amoni;  eipially  adult 
examides ;  in  the  younjr  it  is  always  smaller  and  weaker  than  in  the  old.  Mhick,  yellow- 
lipped  in  the  nbl,  we  fimi  it  variously  liijbler  in  the  youni.'.  ~  usually  dusky  on  the  riilue, 
(dsewhere  tinued  with  olivaceous,  yellowish,  or  even  oranije  or  4-xlensively  hluish-wliite. 
In  breeilini;  plunn\u;e  (his  bird  is  ciuispiciiously  dillereiil  from  any  other  ;  hut  the  ynuui;  are 
mueh  like  those  of  J',  iiiiritiis,  reipiiriiii;  careful  discriinimition.  N.  Am.  at  larjje,  abundant, 
ami  jjeiierallv  diH'u.sed.  Kucs  laid  on  soaking;  or  lloatim;  beds  of  decayed  reeds,  while  or 
slijjbtly  shade.l.  elliptical,  1.70  X  I.-'"- 

M*.  I*,  ani-rtiw.  (hat.  aiiritiis,  eared.)  Kruni'K.W  K.\UI-.I)  OitFiiK.  Like  the  next  to  Jm- de- 
scribed, excepting  imiri'  white  on  ih.'  wini: :  inner  four  primaries  entirely  white,  all  the  rest 
more  or  less  white,  senMidaries  ull  entirely  while.     Only  N.  Am.  as  occmrini;  in  (ireeidand  (f). 


IW 


SYSTKMA  TIC  SIWOJ'SIS.  —  VYaOl'ODES. 


\n\ 


850.  I'.  ».  ciillfor'nlcuit.  Amkkican  Kaiu'.o  (iiiKiiK.  Ailiilt,  lirt'cdiii^  ]iliniui|L;)! :  Itill  sliiirtti 
than  licatl,  riitlicr  Hloiit  at  banc,  iiiiich  ilcpn'ssi'il,  lihiailcr  lliiiii  lii^l>  at  the  luiNtrilit,  tip  aciiic, 
not  (Knirvril,  (.'miys  Htrai^'lit.  ax-ciiiliii^',  culincii  a  little  coiicavi'  ha.sally,  iii'iiriy  i«ti'ai|L;)it  tcrini- 
lially.     Tai'Mis  alxnit   ciiiial  In  niiiiiilc  tm'  wilhniit  its  claw.      Hill  ciitiicly   lilack.      Feet  iliill 

tiliva iiH,  lilackisli  oiitsiilc  aial    i>ii  .«cil<'.      |')y<>   scarlet.     Kyeliil    iintii^e.     ('iiii.x|ruMiiiiiN  Inn^r 

auricular  tufts,  i;ii|ileii-lirii\vii  ur  tawny,  finely  ilisitlayeil  U|iiiu  a  black  KriMind.  Crnwn,  cliiii, 
anil  neck  all  rouml.  Mack.  All  the  |iriniaries  entirely  chi'cnlute-liriiwn,  with  usually  a  wash 
III'  iliill  reililish-liriiwn  exlerually.  .'^ecnuilaries  white,  hut  lUe  lias<'s  i>!'  all,  anil  a  cuiisiilerMhle 
|iarl  lit' the  twii  iiuter  lines,  ilusky  ;  their  shafts  nmstly  all  ilusky.  Sides  deep  purplish-limwn 
(ir  wine-red  ;  this  cidur  washed  across  the  breast,  behind  the  black  of  the  neck,  and  also  ncrnss 
the  anal  reiiioli.      I'mlir  parts  silky-white,  the  abdoiiien  yrayish.      Yimni.':    Itill  shaiud  j:ener- 

ally  as  in  the  adiill.  but  smaller,  with  less  lirni   outliiH's,  so   that   its  disliiu-tive  shape  is  sm 

wiiat  (disctired.  hittle  or  no  trace  of  tho  auricular  tufts.  Crown,  sides  of  head,  and  neck  all 
aniund.  sniity-u'riiyisb,  paler  and  more  ashy  on  the  fureneck.  I'pper  parts  rather  lighter  and 
didler  cnliired  than  in  the  adults.  Primaries  as  in  the  adults,  but  witlioiit  the  reddish  tinp' ; 
a  few  of  the  innermiist  ones  sometimes  white-tipped.  Sides  under  the  wings  washed  with  a 
lii;hter  shade  of  the  ciilur  of  the  back:  lower  belly  urayish.  Dimensions:  length  1 2  to  I  I 
inches,  usually  \'A  or  less;  extent  i\.'^)-i\.W^\  wins,'  X.l^t-'t.i't  ;  bill  1.00  or  less;  along 
ffape  \.-l'>\  height  at  nostril  (I.-22  ;  width  there  O.id  ;  tarsus  1.(10;  middle  toe  and  claw  l.'.l."). 
While  the  breeding  pliimau'es  of  /'.  conilltlis  and  the  present  species  are  widely  ililh'rent, 
there  is  much  similarity  between  the  young  and  winter  dress  of  the  two  species.  As  a  rule, 
nfiW^/.v  is  smaller ;  even  traces  of  ruH's  are  less  appreciable;  the  (ore  neck  is  warcely  lighter 
tinin  the  hind  neck;  the  back  is  rather  deeper  colored  and  more  uniform.  The  shape  and  pro- 
portions of  the  bill,  however,  furnish  the  most  reliable  characters.      Western  \.  Am.,  the  coni- 

inonest   species  of  grebe  br ling  in  the  ]iools  west  of  tiic  Mississippi;   K.  to  Illinois.      Kggs 

not  distinguishable  from  those  of  7'.  coniittiis. 

8A1.  i*.  <lunii'nicii8.  (Of  St.  Domingo.)  St.  Domin(si)  (iitKnic.  liepreseiiting  a  genus  or  subgenus 
ajiart  from  the  foregoing  (Tiichifhtiiitfs).  ISill  very  short,  much  less  tlian  the  head,  .scarcely 
over  half  the  tarsus  ;  stout,  little  compri'ssed,  rather  obtuse.  Lateral  outlines  nearly  straight  ; 
cnlineli  slightly  concave  at  tin  nostrils,  elsewhere  convex  ;  commissure  straight,  except  a  litth) 
sinuation  at  ba.se;  under  outline  straight  to  angle,  gonys  thence  straight  to  tip,  the  angle 
well  delined.  Wings  short,  and  with  abriipl  attenuation  of  the  outer  primaries.  Tarsus 
Htout,  little  over  three-fourllm  the  middle  toe  and  (daw  ;  outer  lateral  about  eipial  to  the  mid- 
dle toe.  Si/e  ve,-y  small ;  body  full:  neck  short;  no  decided  crests  or  rutl's.  Adull  :  Crown 
and  occiput  deep  glossy  steel-blue.  Sides  of  head  and  neck  all  around  dark  ashy-gray,  darkest 
IM-Iiiiid,  where  tinged  with  bluish.  Chin  varied  with  ashy  and  white.  I'liper  parts  brownish- 
black,  with  glossy-gri'enish  retlections.  Primaries  cbocolafe-browu,  the  greater  portion  of  the 
inner  vanes  of  all,  and  nearly  all  of  the  inner  four  or  five,  together  with  all  the  secondaries, 
pure  white.  Fialer  parts  silky-white,  thiidily  nmttled  with  dusky.  I'pper  mandible  ilusky, 
the  lower  nn)stly  y<dli>wish.  Dimensions:  length  about  '.I.."i0;  extent  1(1.00;  wing  II. (10;  bill 
along  culmen  0.7<l;  along  gape  1.00;  tarsus  1.;!.");  middle  toe  and  claw  1.7.").  Warmer  parts 
of  .\merica.  \.  to  the  Hio  (irande  of  Texas. 
336.  POniLYM'Hrs.  (Poilirij>cs-\-('ol!imliiis.)  Tiii(K-ii!i.!.i:ii  (iui:nKs.  Hill  shorter  than 
head,  stoniest  in  the  family,  compressed,  with   obtuse  and  hooked  lip;  culmen  about  straight 

to  the  nostvils,  then lecdinato-couvex ;  gonys  regularly  convex  without  (h'cided  angle;  com- 

iidssiire  slightly  sinuate  at  base,  then  straight,  then  much  deth-ded.  ri»per  mandilde  covered 
with  soft  skin  to  the  nostrils,  between  which  are  two  fossil',  the  anterior  shallow,  oblong,  the 
other  deep,  triangular,  se)iarated  from  the  bare  loral  sjhk'c  by  an  intervening  ridge.  Nostrils 
broadly  oval,  far  anterior.  No  <Te.sts  or  niH's,  but  shafts  of  frontal  feathers  jirolonged  into 
bristles.     Kj'elids  peculiarly  thickened.     Outer  three  or  fonr  primaries  abnijitly  siiiuutc  near 


M.(  llt.K:    AlhS 


Tit" 


till'  oml.  TarmiH  niiicli  aldnwiatcd,  ininpuiMiivcly  sioiit,  iilM.ui  ilmr-toiiitlis  ii>  Liiii;  us  inhUIr 
toe  tiiid  cliiw,  Miil.llr  anil  imtrc  tnr>  u.mU-  m|||ii|.  ll^isil  >i'iiii|ialiiiMti.>ii  of  lo.s  i,i..rv  i  xt.  ii- 
bivc  tliail  ill  I'lillidjiii'.       Lcilic  ul'lilinl  tuc  i IiimIc. 

8.Vi.    P.    po«ll'«>l|)e».     (For  7H«//'ti>c,s,  xr  nl.nv,..)     I'ii;i.-iiii.i,i:i,  (Jmhi;.     Paikhkk.     iMiprii. 

l)lKI.Al'Pi:il.      WATnitWlTCII.      Adult.  Invcliii-    l.|iiiii:ii.T  :    ISlll    liniil    .lull    Miiisl,.   ,,i-    l,|iu.|,. 
wliltc,  ilu>i|«y  (111   riilm'  or  at   tip,  Miriirliil  willi  a  lunail  Mark   liaml.     i-i.-  limwn  ami  wlnli' ; 
cyt'liils  wliiti'.      Feet   j;rcciiisli-l)lai'k  niit.siili,  Icaili'ii-itray  iii^iilr.     Frnlital  ami  ronmal   IniMlis 
Mack.     Crnwii.   lu-cipiit,   ami   lark   liiliiml,  i.'rayisli-Mai'k,   llir  IVntliir-   witli   sjiulitly   ii-litii- 
('ili;i'.-<.     Siilfs  of  hi'ail  ami    lu'fk   lirii\viii>li-i.'iay.     A  limail  Mark  tliiuat-palili,  ixliiiilliiu  .ai 
f-iilrs  of  lower  iiiaiiiliMi'.     Tpi"'!'  I'aits  lirii\Mii>ii-Mai'k,  tlii'  fiallit  i>  willi  w'airily  liirlilir  i  ilui>. 
I'riiiiaricM  ami  M'coiularic.s  (•liocolali'-ln'owii,  tlir  lattir  liri|iii'iiily  wiili  a  whiir  ana  mi  thr  inmr 
Wilis.     Uuilcr  parts  ashy,  waslii'ii  ovir  wiili   .-ilvrry-m-ay,  tliirlily  iiioiiliil  with  iliisky  :  iIum 
ilai'k   spots  iiiiisl   imiiicroiis   ami   rviiiiiil   mi  tlir  >i.|i>.      I.ovmt   In  lly  marly  uiiiloniilv  iln>kv. 
Winter  iililliiap';     Hill   liylit   ilnli   yrliowisli,  willmiil  a  ilini>  liaiid,  iiime  m-  li>s  ilii>kv  mm  tlir 
riilgi'.     Nil  glllar   jtatrli.     Crown   ami  orripiit   (lii>ky  limu  n.      I'ppir  pMrt>  wiili  mmi' iviili  nl 
pale  ('iliiiiins  of  till'   fi'iitlirrs   than   in   siiiiinirr.      Nirk.  liira>I.  ami   >iili >.  liijlit    limwii.  iliirkrr 
posli'riorly,  whcri'  more  or  less  emispicnoiisly  tmillleil  willi  i|ii>ky.     I'mlir  piirl>  niiii  twIm   pine 
silky-wliite,   iliiMiaeiilate;  lower   helly  grayish.     YouiiK-of-tlie-year :   While   unhiv   jialeh   in- 
vaded  by   streaks  of   the   liniwiiish  of   the   heail,  ami   the   lattir  iinirli    stnaknl   with   white. 
Diineiisioiis  :   leiiirtli  ahont    Hi. 00:  extent   :.'|.00:   wiini  ahmit  ,VOII ;   hill  aimm  enlniiii  O.7.")  ; 
all iiii;  jini'i' 1.20  ;  height  at  nostrils  II. lO  ;  width  ili't ;  tarsus    L.'il);  middle  toe  and  elaw  i.  l.'i. 
Varies  irreatly  in  size.     Inhaliits  the  greater  part  of  S.  and  ('.  Am.  and  all  temperate  N.  Am.  ; 
the  most  abundant  s]ieeies  of  the  family  in  Kasterii  I".  S. 


63.    Family  ALCID-E:    Auks. 

Feet  palmate,  three-toed  (halhi.x  wanting).  Tarsi  retieiilate  or  partly  seiiti  Hate.  Tihio- 
tarsal  joint  naked.  Claws  ordinary.  Hill  of  wholly  inditerminate  sh.ipe,  ol'tin  mneli  as  in 
ColymhUUc  or  I'odicipediilfC  ;  often  curiously  shaped,  witli  various  ridyes,  furrows,  or  horny 
jirotubenmct's.  Tail  perfect,  of  few  feathers.  Lores  cmiiplelily  feathered.  Nostrils  wholly 
variable  in  shape  and  position,  naked  or  feathered.  Legs  very  variable.  Color.ition  \iiri- 
able  ;  head  often  with  long  ciuiy  crests.  No  tibial  apo)iliysis.  I'siially  (always  .')  an  aiicmial 
sesamoid,  soiiietiiiies  doiihle.  Carotids  usually  doiihle  (single  in  .1//').  Cieci  ddi  pres- 
ent; ambiens  muscle  present,  accessory  semiteiidiiiosiis  absent;  oil-iilaml  tutted  Palatal 
structure  schi/ogtiathous ;  nasal  schizorhinal.  Nature  allricial  and  ptilnpiiilir.  lit'iis  lew  or 
single,  plain  or  variegated.     The  imnierous  species  coutined  to  the  Nnrihiru  llriiiisphere. 

Birds  of  this  family  will  be  immediately  recognized  by  the  I'met.'oin';  circiunstaiices,  taken 
in  eiinni'ctioii  with  general  pygopudons  characters.  Airieiiiu;  closely  in  essential  nspects,  ihey 
dill'er  among  themselves  to  a  remarkable  dciine  in  the  lorm  of  the  bill,  with  every  uiiiiis  ami 
.■ilinost  every  specios  ;  this  organ  frequently  assuiniiii:  an  odd  shape.  devilopiiiL'  horny  pro- 
cesses, showing  various   ridges  and  furrows,  or  beiiii:  brilliantly  cnloied.     It  is  the  rule  that 

any  soft  jtart  that  may  be  observed  on  the  bill  will  linally  bei hard,  or  form  ai tiirowth. 

or  both  ;  and  such  processes,  in  .some  cases  at  hast,  are  temporary.  a|ipeariiii.'  only  dnriiiir  the 
breeding  seasou. 

The  hi.st  sentence,  reprinted  as  it  stands  in  the  original  edition  of  the  Key  (1*^7-')  hints  .it 
the  extraordinary  <diaiiges  undergoiie  by  the  bill  in  several  geiier.i  of  Aliiiln.  so  nbly  rlmidateil 
in  1877  and  187'.l  by  L.  Mureaii,  who  showed  that  in  many  species  parts  ol  the  horny  coverinu' 
of  the  bill  are  regularly  shed  or  moulted,  in  a  manner  analoi;ous  to  the  castim.'  of  deer's  antlers, 

(juite  as  .shown  by  H.  I{iil!,'way  in  the   ease  of  our  White  I'llican.  which   dmiis   tl eiitie- 

board."     In  the  Common  I'lillin,  for  example,  no  fewer  than   nine  pieces  of  the  bill   fall  ofl 


7l»8 


SYSThMA  TIC  SY\(U'SIS.  —  J' Y(!0l><H)E8. 


i«t'|iarut<'ly, iit'trnlic  liiiiii-  '    . 

illi;    sriiMili,  til  lie  niicwcil 
.i:.'ilill  iViilil    till'   Mill    liil.irlni'llt  Ini'liilinilic. 
'I'iic  llllKi'lirr,  III  irililfr,  nrtllf  linriiy  platt' 
at    llir    ailu'lr    nf   llir    lllnlltll     "I'    SlllinrllilUi 

crist'itilliiM,   hail   lici'ii   iiiitril  (Kiv.  |i.  Mi), 

Well  a«  tlu'  Jircsclii r  alirria t"   iIm'  Imri. 

('eriiliirhinii  ;  Imt  \vr  liail  iii>  kiiuw  Inliir  I'l' 
|iriii'<'!<!«  liy  wliicli  the  rhaiiur  wasiMirliil.  |i 
til  ItiircaiiV  stiiilii's.  Ill  till'  i'nlliiis  tlirrr  U  i 
II  iiiiiiill  111'  till'  I'xcrisi'iiiri's  ii|Miii  tln'  <'yrl 
Hiiil  a  i^lirivi'lliiit;  of  the  cnlnml  rnsi'ttc  at 
ciiriiiT  lit"  till'  iiiiiiitli. 

Tlif    Aiilis    arc    I'niiliiiiil    111   till'    Niii'il 
Ilt'iiiis|ilii'ri'.      Siiiiii'   ri'iiiiM'iiIiitivi'!*  Iiavr 
fiiiiliil  as  far  imrlli  as  rx|iliiri'rs  liavr  |i(iirlr; 
'I'lic  urcat  iiiajiuity  live  in  iimrr  t(iii|ii'rati' 
tiiili's.     A  iiiiin-  <ir  less  ciiiiiiilctc  ini;;i°atiiiii  tii 

Jilarr  willl  llliist  sliri'li'S,  wllii'll  stray  snlltliwi 
MHIirtillirs  t<<  a  ciilislilrl'alili'  ilistaiirr,  ill  til)' 

tiiiiiii,  ami  rrtiini  imrtli  again  to  linril  in 

i>|trin;.'.      A  Irw  s|prrifs  apiM'ar  marly  staliciiii 

'I'lii'    iiKKst    MHitlirrn    rt'i'iirili'il    haliilat    ■>!'  • 

iiii'iiilitr  of  tilt'  Caniily  is  almut  lutitiiilc  il" 

(III  till'  I'at'ilii'  ciiast  of  N'mtli  Aini'rica,  Imt 

is    railiiT   i'xri'|iliniial.     'i'lii'   spcfii's  arc 

iin<'i|iially  iliviilnl  iMtu'ccn  tlu*  twn  iM'oaiii'. 

Atlaiitii'  lias  liiit  frw  r<'|ir('s('ntativ('s  ciiiiipi 

Willi    till'   I'aritii'.     (Ml   tlii'  iinrtliiTn  coasts 

tin-  latter  the  laiiiily  readies  its  liiu'licst   ilc 

i)|Mnciit  ;  till'  greatest  iiiiiiilicr  <if  s|>icics,  of  i 

must  ilivcrsilicil  I'nniis,  arc  t'niiml  tlicrc,  tlm 

the  iiuinlicr  nl"  imliviiliials  uf  any  sjH'cics  i 

not  surpass  that   nl'  several    Atlantic    spci 

Coinparativcly  few  spccicH  arc  CDniiiinii  to 

oceans.      All  the  inenibers  nftlie  family  arc 

clusivcly  marine.     They  are  ilcciili'tlly  >;rei 

rioiis,  ]mrticiilarly  in  the  hreciliiitf  wasdii,  when         vm  mi.  -  KgeUig  in  .vinnkii  nii  i  liiVs  iiiiiui>lte<l  iiy 

some    species  coiiirrciratc  in  niillltless   niimliers.      Kllllwuki's  (p.  74S).  AnkB.  .'Ir     (Ki'hIuiiciI   l.y    II.    W. 
,,  Klllnit.     Pniin  lliirfior  ItriitliurH  I 

I  snally  one,  often  two,  rarely  tliri'c  I'^ux  arc 

IttiJ,  citlier  upim  the  biirc  nM'k  or  gnmiid,  or  in  crevices  hctwecn  or  umlvr  riH'ki<,  or  in  burrowH 


MrUKK:   MKS. 


7!»U 


n 


►  r* 


(■\c;HMt.  .1  f.,|  ill,-  |iiir|M.M'.  Aiikn 
art'  nil  iilliin.i,   iiuil   art'    Inliiv..! 

ti»    !>«•  rliiclly   iM.iiii.ca IH.      Tlif 

yoiiiiU  iirr  at  Hr>i  lov.rr.l  with 
\'<\\\i  M.Cr  w.H.llj-  ,|,,„„  ;  rarily 
-iilli>li  lmir.<ii|i|i.ar  on  ....iiii'  part;.. 

'"I"'  ' ilf  i»  ■I'Hil.lf.     Till'  )..iMii; 

lit'  tlif  yiar  ii-iiiilly  ilitlir  tV,„„  i|„. 
iiiImIi-.  ;  tijr  l.iti.  r  iiMi.illy  iliHir  in 

till  II-  ■'IIMlllli  V  iiIkI  \\\uWy  |l|lllili(l,'«>«. 

A  viry  invMili  lit  finiiiiv  i,  tin- 
|i..-M»>i..ii  .,r  nvMs  ,.r  iiliiincN  ,.r 

••lohUMtlll  li.llllllS  nt  I,  |l.rl||i,ir 
■•''•'1 11     III.'     >i,|,.s     .,f    III,.     1|,.,„|. 

All  iIm  >|Hii.'.  walk  liiiilly; 
Li^  "I Hill'  M-ali'iij  walk  at  all. 
Till'  ii..«iti..ii  III'  ill,.  I,,,,  „|,|, 
ri  I'l  niiii.  ti.  ill,'  a\i«  ,if  til,. 
liMily  Mill  s^jiatc  ,  an  ii|iiiulil 
liii-iliiiii  will  II  MaiiiliiiL'.  'I'll,' 
liiril>  ;i|i|ii'ai'  tu  ri>t  uii  ili,  ir 
iiiiiijiN,  «illi  ill.- 1,  It  i-xli  inliil 
li,i|-izii:itally  liil'm-i  tliiin,  iii.„t 

111'      llll-      tal-MI^     I Iiilii;     ||„. 

uriiiiiiil.  Till'  I'lidiiiN.  Iic,«. 
rvir,  mill  a  I'l-w  nilni-s,  ^taml 
Will  nil  tliiir  |',,t.  All  tin- 
s|itrir.s  liiit  ,iii,'  llj-  Will,  with 

ni|.ill   vit.'iil°l>ll.->    lllnlillll    n|'  ill,' 

Wilms,    ill    a    Ntiai^'lii,    tiriii, 

will  -  Mistainril    ii-M-.     All 

|irii(.'i-,'.s>  mi  iir  w\,\i\-  ili,> 
watir  «illi  till-  iitiiiiisi  I'aciliiy, 
Tliiy  all'  vi'iy  sili-iit  liinl.-,; 
llii'  viiicr  is  riiiii.'li  anil  liarsli  ; 
till'  lliitrs  all'  IMiilliitiilii'il. 
TIh'V  fi'i'il  t'Xrliisiviiy  ii|iii|i 
l-'Ki.  .VlL'.  — A  ni'i-ill,'  riK-lt  i,'iiiiiii.'<|  liy('.,rm"rniii».|..  7>,  X.i.  T.-.T),  Aiikn.  animal  snlistalK'cs  iinii'Miiil 
8lc.     ili,>.|'{ii,'.l  l.y  11.  W.  Klliiiii      l''roiii  MariHi- lli.ilhti>.)  ,.  , 

liiMii  till'  vvati-r. 

Till'   fainily   is  ili\isilil,'  iutn  iwn  .siilifaiiiilirs  ai-ciiriliii^  ti>  tin-  Iratlii'iiiii;  uf  tiii'  imstiils 
ami  iitlnr  rliaracti'i's. 

Auiihinh  of  Sul'fiimiliiii  iiml  (Itllrrtl 

I'll.\M-:iltl>lN'.i:.     NoHtrllH  nnki'il.  ri'iiini,^  rnmi  t'l'allii'm.     KIM  i>(  viirliiMf  i>lia|x',  alwayii  <<iiiipni>MH|, 

lil|{lirr  lliiiii  Willi',  a!>  Tar  as  kimwii  a|i|>ciiila:;<'il  ulili  il,,  iiliioiin  I'liiiii'iilx      llrail  nearly  always  rn-sli-il 

No  Kl't'at  hi'iiHiiial  iliaii^i'S  nl'  iiliiinai:i'. 

Kyt'lMii  Willi  <lerii|iiiiiis  appi'iiilaKi-K      Nn  i-rrslK      Hill  ,>xlri'iMi-l>    liii;h  ami   lliiii.  i  iilini-ii  nilli  on,' 

<'iirvi<:  ImiIIi   iiiiiiiilililri'  lirni'vi'il     A  rnmtli'  at  aiii.'li'  nl   iiinulli.    Cnvrrliiu' nl'  I  ill   iiiiiulnil  m  i-!i 

pli'i'i'H.     liiiHT  lati'ral  (law  I'lilarKoil.     Tarsus  Miiti'llal,' in  fripiil         .  hrfihrmhi    S.17 

Kyi'llilH  siiiiiili'      l.iiiiu'  iahTal  i  nsis     Hill  ,'xlri'im'ly  lii;;li  ami  thin.  i'iiliiii!ii  wiili  tw.irarv,-s.  iipisT 

iiianililil,)  ^riiiivcil,  iiiMirrsiinHitli.    A  riiw'tli'  al  aii;,'li'i>t'  iiiniilli.    i;iivcrliii(i>ri>ill  in  aiUuiliii  7  pi, h. 

Itiiii'r  liilcnil  I'law  riilai-k'i'il.     Tarsus  vulillali' in  Iriuit     .     .         I.timlit    ;)38 

KyuUilH  Hiuiplu.     Uitvrul  (-rcslH.     Hill  nitli  a  iluciiluiiiiH  liurii  al  liasi-  nf  U|>|>i'r  mumlib'U.    Nu  ruMilto 


m 


systi:m.i  tic  syxopsis  --  v Ycoi'ohi'.s. 


Ni'lllii'r  iiiiiiiilililu  ^'riuivi'l.    <'.j\i'rlii!;  I't  Mil   iii'miIIi'iI  Iii  '.>  |i|irui<.    Inner  latvrnl  cinw  nurnial 

Tai>iii«  M'uirllali*  In  hoiit .     .         1 1  ratin-fthni    'Xi'J 

Kvillil-  >iiiiiilr.     Vurlniihly  iii».l«il.     Hill  "f  liulHtiTiniii.ih'  »Iiiiik;,  viirloun  imrlii  inoulti'il  in  1-7  iiliriii. 

No  siifl  i(ii«ctli>.     Inm  T  .  Ia«  ii"iiii:il.     Tiirciiit  nllinlalr Siiiiiirliiiinhm    31ii 

Kyili'ls  niiupli'.    Noi  croii'il '.'    Hill  iiiiitv:  n|>|K.'i'  niamiihlu  Atrlali':  no  moult  nf  liill  kmiun.    Nn 

iHwIli'.     Inmr cliiw  Miirnml.    Taixiii' ivilriil.iit: /'Iiiilifrliumjiliiif    ;ill 

Al.<'lN  I  .  Nojiiiils  Ml  II'  i>r  i'.'.-o.  iimi|.lt  tily  IimiIhti'iI.  Hill  of  vmiiililr  hliiipo,  iih  far  ii»  kiinwn  not 
iippc  iiilau'i'cl  u'.ili  ili'i'iiluonh  I'ltnu'nlK.  tlra<l  ho!  irchtcil  itMcpt  onu  p|ivl'1('ii).  8rui><>nal  cliungiK  of 
liiiiniau'c  ii»uiilly  uiarKril. 

liill  rloii^alr,  nioir  or  li^w  nioiilir,  willioot  Tirllial  crooM'x. 

NoKlrih  iK-ariy  I'iri'iilar,  ini'oni|ili'l('ly  fcallu'ri'il.     Illll  Hlmrt  ami  .xtoiit    for  tliln  i;ronp.     TarHUs 

HI ari'i-ly  roll, prt'Mi'il,  M'lili'llair  ill  front !//<     '^\'i 

NoHirilH  liroailly  oval.  Iiiioinpli'icly  ffatlirriMl.     Hill  niiir'i  i'oni|irt"'M'i|.    Tail  ni'iirly  c-vi.'ii.    TiirMii 

L-Mruiiifly  I'oiiipiciwil,  N  •■Hall' 111  front  ami  liilrniilly SiiiilhHI:ii-h:iiiii>hn»    34:i 

}<oKtrll.'<  oval.  IVatlii'i'i'il.     Hill  virv  miall,  ►liii'ifr,  ariiic.     TarKii"  riliiiilali'  .     .Ilrm  liurliiiiiiiiliin    :ill 

No^trilK  narrow,  fcallirreil      Hill  al>oiii  i',|iial  to  lai»u>'.    TarKiis  ri'tlriilati' Irin    3t'i 

Noririli*  narrow.  ,||.|i>.>ly  f,  iiliiml.     Hiil  ion.-iT  tlian  tarMiit.     '{'arniis  Miiii'llali)  In  Ironi     Aowiiu    :Hi; 
Hiii  I'loii^atc.  Ntoiit,  liiuli,  narrow,  virtiially  uroovcil.     No»trli»  liin'ai .  il'iiMly  fualiirrcil. 

\Viin!«  fully  ili'n|o|Kil.  Ill  lor  liitflil llniiimiUi    M' 

Willi's  n-lini-.l  in  i.i/.i-,  until  for  lllKlit .     .U,n    'M* 

Olii4.  Many  aiMliioiial  cliarat  trix  of  llasi'  riMnarkaMi'  Kciicra  arr  liivcn  iiii:!i;!'  tlii.'lr  r('i>|Hu'llvi'        ijit. 


w 


jji;^ 


76.  Subfamily  PHALERIDINiC:  Parrot  Auks,  etc. 

C'liiirartcfs  a.-*  alinvr.  'I'liis  siiltfainily  ciiiilaiiiM  a  luitnlpcr  nt'  ciiiinit^  liiiil.-^  nf  tlic  AuU 
family  J'i'i'  w'lirli  llirrr  i.s  im  .•."m^lc  F,in;li>li  iiaiiic.  With  niic  cxciiitiiiii  (tliai  nf  ilii-  ('iiiiii:iiiii 
I'ltlliii  III'  .S'a  I'aiTiii  III'  till'  Atlaiilii')  all  art'  ciiiititii'il  tn  N'lirtii  I'acilir  ami  i'nhii'  vvalri>. 
Without  known  rxci'ptioii  (litil  i|ii.  I'ti/iliorlKiiiijiliitu .')  all  thi'Sf  liinls  have  tin-  hill  a|.|ii'!iiliit.'<'<l 
with  ilfciihiotis  i'li'iii('iit!<,  whii'li  is  not  ihi'  casr  with  tin'  Ahiiitr  iii'Mpcr  :  hiil  thf  MihCainily  i> 
iml  very  .sliar|ily  ili.'^iiiitrirt.-^hi  ,1  IVinii  ..  i /<•/((«■,  mu-Ii  fnrtn.s  a,".  I'li/rli(iiii'iiiii>liiin  ami  Allr  htiiiy 
•'iiiitH'cliiii;  links.  'I'li;'  j;cii<ia  Frtilmitln  ami  Liitidii  arc  toiri'thcr  ^n  ilitli'i'riit  frmn  the  r«•^t 
that  M'liir  iiiitliiifs  M'|iat'ali'  thnii  as  a  family  Murimiiiidif  ;  hut  thi.-i  si'ciiih  srarrrly  aiivisahh". 
337.  KKATKU'CrLA.  (Dimiii.  i>i  J'ltilir,  ii  hiiithiT :  what  a|iiilii'atii>ii  ?)  Si;,\  I'.vitiioTK. 
Ma»KIN<'  I'll  tins:  the   t,'r<jt('^c|iii'   hill    lifiiiiT   likcnt'il  to  thr  rcimir   mask   of  ri'vcllcrs  at  a 

cartiiva!,   ainl  1h'- 

iiijr  II"  i'  wrri'  put 

oil  for  thr  iittjilial 

f(';itivilii  s,  ami  af- 

Icrwanl   nimivid. 

Mill  alioiil  as  Imiu' 

us   lirail,  ahoilt    as 

IukIi      as      Ions,'. 

cxlrciiirly      roin- 

jirt'ssiil,      \v  it  h 

licHily         vrrlii'al 

hiilcH,     its    lateral 

|irotili'    soiiii'whal 

t  riaitiriilar,    itn 

ili'|itli    at    liiiKc 

Fin.  B.T.1  —  Ifc'iil  of  Sea  rorroi  (/■' (irr/iV.ii,  iiat.  i^ir.e     i  Ail  nat   ilil.  i:  <'.)  {'(iii.il    to    that    of 

thi'licail;  fiiltiini  hcuinnittir  mi  a  Icvil  with  tin'  forilnail,  thi'iii'i  rnrviiii:  ilowiiwar.l  wit!i  rr^iilat 

(•oiivi'.\ity  to  tin'ovi'rliatii.'iiiL'  ii|',  its  riiltre  sharp  ami  tmhrokcii  tliioiiixlioiit  :  ('oinmissiitr  straight 

iiiitl  horizontal  to  the  il.'i'iirvi-il  tip;  coiiys  sharp,  a.sn'mliiit.',  ir«'iitly  siiiiioiis.     'I'lrmimil  |MirtioiiH 

of  hoth  iiiaiiilihh's  h.iiil.  hnriiv,  ami  pri'si>ti'iit,  iliprrssi'il  with  srvcral  iil,rti|ii<'  riirviil  uroovi's, 

fdiivcx  forward.      Ha.^al  portion  ot  iip|M'r  mamlihlc  formini;  a  luirrow  ohtusc-iiiigh' i  triaiijjiilar 


AJ.cin.i:  -  ruM.i.iiihiwK:  rrriixs. 


SOI 


ml 

inn     3u'.i 

■in. 

/(»..    311) 

N.. 

.'Ill 
Hot 
i.f 


US 

;h:i 

/•■ 

ait 

ill 

34.-. 

III 

34i; 

'* 

.117 

M 

M- 

airace,  <.r  imwil  f..sHa,  iir-  .-Ihxt  1,a«e  horizontal,  iti.  1..,,;.  >i,i..,.  riMi.j:  »,..!  ,|..,,„,k  l.;..-kwanl 
to  iiici-t  at  an  a.-uw  aiiu'l.    al    l.a«r  nf  .■iiIiimmi  ;  tiiv   lin-ar  u..>UxU  li..ri/,.utal,  .-I.-m,  i..  .•,.n.- 

n.i^Miii-at    l.as thi.s  .s|,a,v.  wl.irl,  i„  w  iiitrr  in  i.ak.  ,1  ai„l  iiuii.l.ran...,,.  in  .siiininrr  .-..v.nil 

with  u  cymiu.'lrii'al    h..niy  ••  Ha.i.ii.."  Kh.-all.iui;  ih.   ua.«all,«>a  :   willi  a  l..i>«l  raiw.l  ••  n.llar " 

siirmiin.liiii,'  l.a.s.- ..f  iipi....'  inan.iiMr,  tl,i.,M«l;  i r..ii.>  p.  if..rati..nr.  ..f  whi.-h  prniniiir  ni.ii- 

lii.iitary  fiatii.rs;  wilh  a  xiiiall  nanuw  lioii/,,nlal  li.  riiy  >trii.  nti  .•arii  si.jr  l„  |.,w  ii..>iril.«; 
with  usnally.  alx.,  a  lont;,    luiircw,   ..l,li,,ii,|y   v.rti.'al    Mri|.   l...iMi.iiiii:    thr  triaiiu'iiiar   s^wv 

uuliri.ir.      Ilasal  pcirtioii  .,|'  nmhr  nian<lil>l< nliacli-.l  an<l  iii.ihliraii..i|.  in  w  ini.r.  in  muimiuit 

with  a  syniinilriral  h..rny  ••  xiior  "  wlii.li  rarii.r.  tlir  linr  ..l'  li,.'  u..ny>  .i..w  nwani  an.!  l.a.l<Har.| 
to  a  point,  ami  a   narrow  liorny   slrip   ajoni;   l-a.-r.     ThfHf  .U'riaiioan  .liinrnls  ilm.-   t..rinini; 

tlircc  ?*yniinrlricMl  |ii •-..  .siinonn.linu  llii-  hill,  ami  liir r  two  pairs  of  latrnil    pir.-o :  in  all. 

It  or  7  pieces  ('.I  in  inriiai  an<l  ijhui>tlis,  7  in  inniiviiluto)  wliirli  ar.-  r.-t'nlarly  inonlti.l. 
An::!''  of  inontli  willi  a  lositti'  of  nalicil  skin,  frslooncil  In  >ntnin.r.  >lirnnkiii  in  winter. 
Kyeli.ls  surnioMiite.l  atiovc  l.y  a  lriani.'iilar.  ol.lii>r  or  aetiic,  Ih  low  hy  a  horizontal,  h'imtliene.l. 
rallo.Hity.  No  rre.-tM  on  Inail.  hut  a  furrow  in  pliini:i:;i  iH-hinil  eye.  \Viin,'>  nov  |H'iMiliar. 
Tail  nnimlei!,  Init  eentral  leather."  shorter  than  the  next,  rontaine.l  alMint  ij  tMi..s  in  lein^th 
iif  vvini;,  Hl-leathered.  Tarsus  very  short,  only  npial  to  inner  toe  without  ri.iH.  stout,  liitli- 
eotnpre.HSftl,  retieulate  exeept  for  .1  small  spare  in  front,  wljich  is  seutellate.  tliit.r  toe  alnnit 
•■•,nal  to  the  iiiiilille  ;  its  elaw  shorter  than  the  uti<l<lle  elaw,  IhiiIi  -lightly  eiirvi. I.  not  very 
aei.fe,  upright  ;  iniildle  claw  ililateil  on  inner  i.li;e  ;  inia'r  elaw  iiilart.'e<l,  nirviil  to  a  s«-nii- 
rin-ic,  very  aente,  nsinilly  lyiiiir  hori/onlal.  .S'xe«  alike;  m'a.xonal  eliaiitfeH  of  phmiaue  sliuht, 
liuI^M•  <-i)iiiieeteil  with  thi'  inoiilt  of  ihi'  hill  very  yreat.  Ku'i;  siiiu'li  .  white  or  M-are.  ly  niarkeij, 
laiii  ill  riM-ky  i-reviee.s  or  hiirrowr*  in  u'roinnl. 

Anitlyni*  nf  Sprciff. 

KxiTcMvni'v  nr  ii|i|K>r  rycilhl  fiirniliiK  n  kIi'ImIit  aiMitc  Iimni     llui|{lil  of  lilll  muili  (raster  than  Ivngth  nf 

<'<.nniilii)iiiri.      lllai  k  nf  lliroiit  r<  miIiIii^' hill ihkhI-iI.i    'Kl 

KxiTi'mTMci'  of  iii'inT  I'Vi'llil   I'liriiilii;;  :ii>  lililiiMi   (iriK'i'HS      Itliirk  of  lliroat   not  ri'ih^liliiK  Mil 

Ciilnirii   miMliT.'ilily  loiivi'X,  Itn  ili.ml  iiIhiiU  ■.'()();  Itn  iirc  '.•10.  Mil  iin.lcr  I  .'«•  .I.t'i.  .11   Ihum-      Wliiu 

anili  r  T.IMI .ir./..  .1    H.-.I 

t'uliiK'ii  wry  i-onvux,  ilx  rliopt  aJHUit  2.40;  iin  iirc  '.MM;  lilll  over  t  U>  <lw|>  »t  liom.      WliiK  *  idi  or 
Mtort. y/fifiii/ix    HAS 

H53.  F.  rornletila  til.  (I. .11  (■(yr)//(((/<(^(,  ha\  iiii»  a  little  horn  fover  the  eye).  Fii:.  .'i.'}  J.  1  iliiiiNi:i> 
Ma.skino  i'n'I'lN.  Ailnit  ill  Hiinmier  :  Appemlaue  of  the  Mp)M'r  eyeliil  pr<Mhi<i-.l  into  a  lone, 
tileiiiler.  aente,  upiiuhl  Imrti  ;  that  of  lower  eyiliil  linear-ohtiiM-,  horizontal.  Hill  very  l.irue, 
fspeeialiy  l.l'jli  foi  its  lenirth,  its  hi'ii;ht  ahoiit  eipial  to  elionl  of  enlnien  exi-ln.sivi-  of  the  hasal 
<iillar,  iiMieli  greater  than  lenixth  of  ^Mpe  ;  hase  of  lulinen  .iikI  point  of  t,'ony!<  Uilh  priMJiieeil  t  ir 
ba<-k\varil.  ^iviii^  a  \ery  ennve.\  ontline  of  fiatherK  alon^Kide  ihi'  hill  ;  siilis  of  hill  not 
diftliiietly  iliviileil  into  niL^al  eonipartiiniit  and  jjriMived  portion,  nearly  !<in<H>th,  with  only 
three  short  shallow  grooves;  eulineli  very  i-onvex,  aliiio..t  the  wM.int  of  a  eirelf;  tip  of  np|HT 
inanilihh  mneh  hooked:  rii-tiis  sunrt,  that  |iorlion  in  .idvanee  of  the  ha'>;il  rim  of  up|M'r  niaii- 
(lihle  only  ahoiit  aM  ioii^  a.s  upper  niaiidihle  Is  deep:  outline  -if  L'otiys  xiniiate.  at  firvl  eolivex. 
then  iMori'  aHceiiditit.'.  with  slit,lil  eoneavity  ;  ehord  of  t>onys  im  ar!y  .1-  Iomk  as  thai  of  up|M'r 
liiaiidihie,  exeliisive  of  the  ha.sal  rim  or  eollar.  Form  otlMrni.M.  not  iHi-iilmr  lU  the  i;eniiM. 
Crown  of  head  ^rayit>!i-hlark.  narriiwiiiL'  to  a  point  at  haw  ..f  eiiliiieti.  ."iitU-*  of  head  wliiUt; 
the  |h■^tol•ldar  furrow  and  shies  .pf  lower  jaw  achy.  .\  distiiiet  nnn^'vr  line  ■•<  while  ahmr 
clge  of  fore-arm.  Kntire  upper  partn  .',;lossy  him  Idaek  ;  a  WH.tii  r  shade  i.f  Idaek  •  nrirehutf 
the  fori'. neck,  .•Uliniliu  forward  on  throat  to  hill.  Other  uiid>r  parts  while,  exo-pt  a  few 
ehumated  hlacki.-h  feathers  ou  wdeH  if  tlaiikr^^.  laniiit;  ■•(  witiifs  jMarly-iwh.  Hill  mtireiy 
Veriiiilioii-red.    even    the    '    isal    Cidllir  :    edires    ..f  eyehd*    red;    eicre«i-eni-«'S    of  eyelidn    Idllish- 


^nly  ;  iriH   hrown 


fell    onitiue  riij.  the   weh-  lintfeii   with   Vermilion:  elaW!"  hrownirh-hlaek  : 


rwctte  of  mouth  hriu'ht  yelhiw-orHntfe.     I*enj.'th    U.:V»:  extent  it.tH;   wiuu  J.i.'i :  tail  :i.7»: 


hi 


802 


SYSTKMA  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  VYUOPODES. 


turousl.lO;  iniildli' toe;  and  claw  2.0U ;  outer  do.  l.'JU;  iiiticr  do.  1.35;  chord  uf  ciilinon  2.00; 
curvf  i.i'.t  \  Ka|pc,  friiiii  liasal  collar  to  (iii,  l.:iO;  diord  of  j^ouyH  1.7j  ;  depth  <.f  bill  at  h»»p 
l.SU;  fjrfalc-ht  widih  0.(10;  iio,->lril  O.IU;  horn  over  eye  0.35.  lit  wif*">-:  The  moult  of  the 
bill  not  known  ;  NU|iiiosed  with  i,'ood  reason  to  siied  3  Hyininetrical  pieces  and  two  pairs  of 
pieces,  in  all  7,  namely,  the  collar  at  ha.se  of  upper  nuiudihie  ;  the  Maddle  of  nasal  fossa  ; 
the  shoe  of  under  niandilde  ;  the  pair  of  suh-nasal  strips  ;  the  pair  of  nuindihular  strips  ;  if  so, 
all  the  same  as  in  /•'.  (intiai,  excepting'  the  pre-nasal  strijis.  The  proces.ses  of  the  eyelids 
full;  the  colored  rinn  round  eye  pales;  the  rosette  of  mouth  shrivels  and  pales;  feet  yellow; 
the  denuded  mendiranoiis  part  of  hill  doubtless  blackish.  In  any  state,  the  species  is  easily 
recognized  by  extension  at  the  black  collar  to  the  bill.  N.  Pacific,  both  coasts,  and  adjoining 
pidar  seas  ;  not  known  in  N.  Atlantic  ;  S.  to  .Sitka  at  least.  Kconomy  in  all  respects*  that 
of  the  better  known  sjiecies.  The  single  egg  seen  is  dead  white,  rough,  2.75  X  1-75. 
854.    F.  urc'tlert.     (Lat.  arclica,  arctic.  Fig.  533.)     Com.mi).n  I't  kkin.     Sk.\   I'ahkot.     Ailult  in 

summer:  Appendage  of  up|M'r  eye- 
lid   upright,    obtusely    triangular; 
of  lower  eyelid  linear,  obtuse,  hori- 
zontal.   Itill  moderately  i.irge,  with 
moderate  convexity  of  culmeii,  its 
height   less  than  chord  of  eulin(>n, 
Hull   more  than  from  posterior  bor- 
der of  nostril  to  tip;  ba.se  of  cul- 
ineii  anil  point  of  gonys  not  pro- 
duced far   backward,    leavin::    hut 
nioderetely  convex  outline  of  feath- 
ers along  side  of  bill'  sides  of  bill 
distinctly  divide     into  an  anterior, 
hard,   horny,  deeply   grooveil   por- 
tion,   diH'erently  colored   from   the 
8inooth  basal  portion;  rictus  long, 
that  portion  in  advance  of  the  bas;>l 
rim  of  upper  nuindible  much  longer 
than  upper  miinilible  is  deep  ;  out- 
liia-   of  uniler   mandible    n'uularly 
curved  from   base  to  tip;    chord  of 
goiiys  much  shorter   than   that   of 
culmcn.     Crown  of  head  grayish- 
hlacl',  sharply  detined  against  color 
of  HUleti   of   iiead,    separated    by  a 
slight  ashy  cervical  coi;..r  fi.im  the 
dark  cnhn-  of  the  upper  parts.    .Sides 
of  head,  with  ehili  and  throat,  asliy- 
wliite,  nearly  while  beiween  e' es  and  hill,  with  a  dirk  ashy  patch  on  sitb-  of  throat.      I'pper 
|>aris  flossy  blue-black,  coniintioUH  with  a  broad  collar  around  the  neck  in  front,  not  extending 
to  the  hill.      \  narrow   line  of  while  aloiiii   l.ordi  r  ot  for.-arm.      I'nder  parts  from   the  lu'ck 
luue  while,  the  long  feathers  ..f  the  sides  ami  Hanks  blackish.     I'nder  surface  of  wings  pearly- 
gniy;  inner  webs  of  priinarie-  and  secondaries  grayish -brown,  the  iihafts  hniwu,  willi  bhn-k 
pnds  and   whitish  bases.      In.-  bro«  ii.      Kyidids  vermilion-red.  the  excrescences  grayishblue. 
na.-.id  roll.ir  of  bill  .iiid  tif-t  ridge  dull  yellowish  ;   nasal  sadilh  and  corresponding  shoe  of  hiwer 
mandible  grayish -bliii'  ;  rest  of  bill  vermilion-red,  the  tip  of  the   lower  nnindible  ami  two  ter- 
iiiiiial  grooves  often  yellowish;  I'wiie  of  month  orange-yellow  ;  feel  coiul  or  ViTmilion-red  : 


I'K.ri.ll       I.i'fi,   iioi I    I'lilIlM  ;   rluhl,  Tiirit'il   I'liflln.     iMriiwM 

by  li    W.  Ullliill.     Kr.iiii  llitriivr  llmtlr  i».| 


.d*^V 


ALCIUJE  —  rilALEliWlS.i: .    rCFI-I^iS. 


803 


claws  blaoli.  Lonpth  13.50;  cxtrnt  il.Ou;  wiuu;  0.30;  tail  2.23;  tar»u«  1.00;  mi.l.ilo  t..c 
alouu  1.10,  its  claw  0.10;  outer  do.  1.10.  it*  daw  ii.30;  iun.r  .io.  l.OO.  it.-  rlaw  0.10  (it.n  lionl 
—  the  curve  inoro)  ;  clu.rd  of  culmen  2.00,  itsi  arc  2.10.  tlu-  onliiiatf  O.lio  ;  .l.ptl.  of  oill  Mo; 
paiic  1.23  ;  ffoiiys  1.43  ;  prciitc.^t  wiiltli  of  l.ill  (at  las.-  of  n,,..tnl!.)  O.Co ;  i,.,Mrils  0.:i3.  9  ;,\  - 
era^iiiuf  li'HM  than  ^.     In  winter :  No  colorcil  vm 


iiK  nor  a|>iK'n.la(;i'.s  (,f  cjclids.     IJosctn-  of 


inoiitli  shrunken  and  piih-.  Fei-t  orantre,  not  riU.  Face  hhiokUh  around  ,.y,.,  the  uNhy-whit.. 
ohscureil  with  dusky.  Masai  |iarla  of  hill  nuMnl.ranous  and  Idackis-li,  and  wholf  hax'  ..f  l,iil 
contracted,  tiic  [i-lnt  of  tin-  ^onys  cut  oil',     'the  foll,.uini.'  iiincs  lia\.'  Ihm  n  .-ht  d  :    I,  t!ir  ha.sil 


rim  or  ccdlar  ;  2,  the  na»al  case  or  saddle  ;  3,  the  I'luudihular 


CUM'  or  Slloe 


tile  Mr 


base  of  inaiidil)le,  one  on  each  side;  (i,  7,  ilie  suhnasal  slri|iS,  oi n  each  si.lr  ;   •«.  '.•,  tl 


nasa 


1  stri| 


Ks,  one  on 


each  side  (li  symnietrieal  |iieee.s  :t  jiaired  |.i.ees.  'J  in  all).      Yi 


1 1  IN  at 
■  |.re- 


fall  and  winter:   Iteseuihle  the  ailults  in  wiiitrr,  hut  liiU  ^till 

jdmnaye  is  tlie  same,  with  hiackish  face.     Tiiis  loni,'  k< jit  u>  in  i^'norance  of  tin 


lunt;,  lirst 

Weaker  and  less  developed  ;  the 

>ull  .if  the 


bill,  the  aihilt.s  in  winter  beini;  initilaken  for  vouni;  birds  hv  all  author>  till  It 


iireau   exiilai 


tlie  case,      inhahils  the  coasts  and  i>lands  of  the  N.  All, 


intic 


hreedii 


Id., 


ned 


Nolllllrril 


Cireeniami,  l<ahrador,  Newfouudhind  and  S.  to  \V,\\  nf  Fuudv  ;   r; 


ire  in  the  N.  I'ai-ilic  (I'alhi.s), 


where  chielly  replaced  by  /•'.  corniailiild  ;  replaceil  on  n>o>t  of  the  Kuropeali  coast  by  a  snialle 
weaker-billed  variety,  and  in  I'oiar  ."^eas  hy  tin'  iarircr  sti.uter-hilhd  /■'.  iilnciiilis  In  wiutrr, 
ranging  or  I'.riveu  soutli  irregularly  aioui,'  nio.-t  of  the  l".  S. ;  not  regular  hryiMul  Nrw  F.nulaiid. 
The  inoult  of  the  hill  as  well  ii8  of  the  pluuuige  <KTUr»  in  August  and  Septemh.  r,  when  the 
birds  are  unable  to  lly  for  a  |perioil,  and  many  i<rri>h  if  caut;ht  at  .sea  in  .-loniis  at  this  time. 
Nest  hy  thousands  on  coast.s  and  i.-laud>,  liiir'ouini;  in  the  ltomiiiI  like  rahl>it>.  to  arm's  lent.''h 
or  more.  The  singh*  egg  is  laiil  late  in  .luiie  and  in  July,  on  a  slight  grassy  nest  i<l  the  end  <>f 
the  burrow  ;  in  shape  rouiuled  ovate,  with  greatest  diameter  nearly  at  the  middle;  averaee  sizr 


2.50  X  lw3  ;  siull    urauular,   white   or   hrownish-'vhiti-,  colorless  or  marked    with    < 


spots,  dots,  aiul  scratches  of  pale   ]iMrpli.-.li,  sometimes  willi  a  few  spla: 

I  with  hiackish  down,  whitish  helow  from 


bro 


Nesll 


ing.^  are  coverei 


H,'i.5.    K.    tt.    Kbiela'llii.      (Lat.  ghdalin,   icy.)      l.,.\l(iiK-ltll.l.Kl>    PfKKlX. 
!•'.  (ircliv(l  ;  si/e    urraler,    ihe   hill    esprcially    lari,'ir.    and   dilferiiitly 


.h.s 

of 

the 

hr 

i^l 

)ec 

h\\n 

p... 

h>o|i  le 


pale   yillowisli- 
east. 

itic  character  of 
I.      Protuberance' 

of  U|iiH'r  eyelid  higher  and  sharper.  Kill  very  deep,  rising  high  on  forehrad,  with  viry  convi^x 
riihuen,  dropjiing  nearly  |icrpendicularly  at  end.  Four  gixMives  of  upper  anil  ihriT  of  Ihwit, 
distinct;  gonys  (piile  convex  Length  14.30;  extent  20.00;  wing  7,23;  tail  2.25;  tarMis 
1.20;  middle  toe  and  claw  l.'.Ml,  outer  do.  l.'.tO,  inner  do.  1.13;  ehonl  of  <'ulmeu  2.40,  its  arc 
2.00,  the  (irdiuatc  0.45;  depth  of  hill  at  base  1.70;  uajM'  1..30;  gonys  1.00;  greatest  width 
of  bill  0.05;  imsal  slit  0.45.  I'olar  Seas:  Spit/heri.'<n  :  N.  (Jreruland.  Sol  authentic  as 
occiu'riug  in  the  U,  .S.  The  s<vi.sonal  changes  are  in  all  respects  the  siune 
!•'.  inrlicii. 


th' 


i.f 


338.  M'N  1>A.  (Vox  barb.)  TlFTKli  M.\sKI\<!  I'lKflX.  (ieneric  character  of  /•Vn<crcM/ri,  ex- 
cepting crest,  eyelids,  and  delalis  of  hill.  A  long  tuft  i>f  feathers  on  <'ach  side  of  head.  Kye- 
lidH    imt    appendaged.      Nostrils   very   sm.ill.   limai',   mari;!ii:il.      Tpper   mandible   dividfd   inti 


distinct  but    not    dith'renlly  colored   compartt 


ruts;    its  base  with  a  deciduous  raised  rim  or 


lar,  perforated  for  the  pa.ssagc  of  feathers  as  in  Fralrrciilii,  but  this  ndhir  not  so  pnimiuent, 
and  the  deciduous  snuMiih  basal  saddle  not  so  .li,iiiieily  M-paratfd  from  »lu'  ridt'cd  part  of  the 
bill  beyond,  where  are  three  well  uuirkcil,  widily  separalcl  ciirvnl  irri»>ves.  conc-ave  forward 
(the  reverse  of  Fniti-rcula).  Culineii  arched  in  two  separat<>  curv.s,  the  basal  oni'  suniiounled 
by  a  prominent  wiih'tied  ridu'c-pole.  endiiiir  abruptly,  thr  tirrniual  one  sharp,  stronirly  eonvrx 
t')  the  hooked  tip  of  the  hill.  Lower  ni:indihle  with,  the  >id.s  |Hrf.-clly  sueHilh  tliroUL'hout.  th- 
limt  dcwendinif,  then  roundini:  upward  and  thence  alsiut  straiirht  to  tip  of 


lutlhio  (if  gonys  at 


bill  :   the  bi 


,{  lie 


idihte  with  a  narr.>w  di<i.luoUH  Ik  rder  ;  ordinarily  no  evidiiire  ol 


f  tie 


cxisteiice  of  the  deciduou*  bIuh.'  o 


f  the  lower  nMndible.     The  j-.trts  of  the  bill  iiiouIIimI  are  the 


, 


804 


SYSTEM  A  TIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  J'  YGOl'oUES 


biiwil  ciillnr,  tlio  numtl  i>ad(ll(>  iiml  piiir  of  Biibnu.xul  strips;  tliu  iiiuiulilxilar  rIioo  niid  bai*al  Atrip; 
tlirc't'  lilr^<'  syiiiiiii'triL'iii  piirrs  ami  twn  pairs  >il  small  lateral  picrrs,  in  all  seven,  ('i'lius  as  in 
y.  arcticti,  laeUiu^  only  the  pair  of  pronasul  strips  ;  tliiis  exactly  us  supjMweil  tu  lie  the  vnsv  in 
/■'.  corniculata.  The  losit  of  the  |iieces  of  .hi;  iip|)er  niantlihle  niaki-s  the  muiie  ilitference  in  the 
hill  as  occurs  in  F,  ardica  ;  but  the  moult  of  the  umudibulur  shoo  eifects  less  chunf;e  in  the 
appearance  of  the  hill). 
H&O.  L.  clrra'ttt.  (I^at.  c(n«/rt,  havini:  curly  loeks.  Fii;s.  ,")IU,  5;)ri.)  Ti;ftei>  I'fFKlN.  Adult 
iu  Huniincr:  CreHts  about  1  inches  lon^,  Htruw-yellow,  some  of  the  ]»isterior  feathers  hlacU   at 

liMse  ;  the>e  bundles  i>f  >ilky,  i;lossy 
feathin)  with  very  delicate  shaftK  and 
lotisened  webs;  they  ehielly  ^prllllt 
friim  what  corresponds  to  the  furrow 
in  the  plumaue  of  /•'.  orrlirii.  I'ace 
white,  broadly  of  this  color  on  sidex 
•  if  '"ad  to  iH'yond  eyes  (as  far  as  the 
crest>),  u:irri>wly  across  forehead  and 
chin,  the  bill  bcint;  thu.H  entirely  :  iir- 
rouiiiled  by  white.  Crown  between 
the  crests,  anil  entire  u|iper  parts, 
••xeeplini;  the  extreme  forehead  and 
'^  n  line  aloui;  the  forearm,  ({lossy  blue- 

^  black.     Kntire  umler  parts,  exct'ptini; 

Fio  63a.-niIlofj/oi.H(;Tuflo.lI'umn,nai Klze  extr.  me  chin,  and  includin.^'  sides  ..f 

hind  head  and  Hides  of  neck,  wooly  brownish-black,  inon-  (jrayish  on  the  belly,  the  lininit  of 
wintis  smoky-(;ray,  the  under  tiid-coverls  ipiite  blai-k.  \ViuL'>  and  tail  black,  their  inner 
webs  brownish-black,  tie  shaft  of  the  tir.-t  primary  whitish  imderneath  near  base.  Kill,  feet, 
and  «'ye-nii>5  vcnnilioii-rcil ;  tho  basal  parts  of  the  bill  wlu  u  about  to  desi|uaiiiate  showini; 
more  yellowish  or  einnuel  color,  or  even  showini;  the  livid  cidor  of  thi'  sulijacent  membrane. 
llt)t*ctto  of  uiouth  yellow.     C'luwb  black.     Lyes  "  browui.sh-yenow."     Len^,'th    lu.OO-Ui.UO; 


Flo.  KM.  Ilorn-blUwl  Auk,  »>lult  In  mmnuT,  nat.  sl^c.  (Kr.)iii  Kll|i)l  ) 
extent  27.00;  whiK  7.7'i ;  tail  2.75  ;  tarsus  1.30;  middh'  i.k>  2.00,  its  clawO.,'iO;  outer  do.  1.80, 
its  claw  0.40;  inner  do.  I.'i.-),  its  daw  0.50  ;  greatest  depth  of  bill  l.'.M);  urealest  width  n.'.K); 
chord  of  .idm.  n  i.W,  of  which  the  terminal  part  is  1.10;  ira|M'  almiit  l.'.»0;  pmys  l.flO;  ureatest 
<loi>f!i  of  i.pper  mandible  1.15  ;  nostrils  0.-25.  .\dult  iu  winter  :  Fluinat'e  ns  i'l  summer  ;  crests 
retaiueil :  iris  "pale  blue."     liasjil  part  of  bill  dark-colored,  without  tlu< iibove-nuined  deciduous 


ALCIJKK      I'llALEUnnS.K:   AUKS. 


MOrt 


pirroR  ;  tho  rhiiniic  in  iipixT  inaiKlililc  is  cl.ci.lccl,  as  in  /•'.  arclirn,  l.iit  ihr  tlifT.rcnrr  In  tin- 
lower  inaiKlil.l.'  is  cnniparativcly  sli^lit.  In  l.iids  ..f  ili..  lirst  .-iirini;  tli.-  t.Tiniiiai  i".rlinii  ,,f  \Uv 
bill  may  U-  siiiix.tli.  iil«'  tlir  nn.ic  r  maii.lil.lr,  ami  tlir  liill  and  feet  ratlicr  Mianuf-rr,!  tliau  v.r- 
miliiin  ;  at  lliis  time  liii-  fan-  \vliit(ii>  ami  tiic  rrcsis  spriMit.     Ymiiiu:  Nocrrsis,  ami  im  wliiii' 

alxmt      till-     lace. 

Till'    Mil   likr    t|,;lt 

"f    till-    ailiills    ill 

winter    after    the 

niiiiilt,         haililint 

witli  >ortilark-.'.i|- 

iireii  sl»in  at  lla^•(', 

lint      every     way 

snialli.r,     weaker, 

nml  i|nite  mi th 

(  '•  Siiiimntiirliniit 

hithtiini,"  til.',  .i.'tj,! 

nml,   like  the  feet, 
Km    .MT.  —  ll.irii-liillcil  Aiik,  adiill  III  winliT,  ii:it.  >i/.i-.    (Ki..iii  t'.lil.itt.l  nlher      VrllnW 

orniiRP  than  nil  ;  the  |i|nMiai.'e  entirely  hlaekisli  almve,  snntyhrown  helnw,  the  feathers  <>{  i)ie 
belly  iinil  llaliks  whitish  at  the  hase:   iris  hrnwn.     Ciasts  ami   Islands  cif  liir  N.  I'aiilie,  S.  in 

winter  on  the  Aniericau  side  to  (':ilifornia  ;  nf  easnal  'leeiirreii n  the  Atlaniir  Coast  lo  Niw 

EnfjIiiUil.  (leneral  IniliitH  and  eennoniy  of  the  eoinimm  |iiitlin  ;  nestint;  similar.  K^'u  sintiie, 
roii;;li,  dead-white,  lint  showinir,  liesides  frecnient  discoloraticiiis,  ohsolete  shell-iiiarkiiiL's  >'( 
pale  ]inr|p|islii;ray  ;  size  from  ^.ti.")  to  ■i.s.'i,  \>\  l.'.l:.'  to  -^.Od  ;  hroailer  and  more  cajiarioiis  than 
that  of  /''.  coniidiliilii,  thoiiiih  no  loniier. 
339.  C'KUATOItlirXA.  ((Jr.  ic/jKif.  niimTot.  I.rni^:  Lriiiliis.  a  horn  :  ^'r,  /kciIv.  /iri',-.', /in/m.i,  the 
nose.)      lilllNix  I'.ltos    Al'KS.      Helaled  to /y((»l(/(l  and  /■V((/fRl(/<I  ;   no  lieeiiliarily  of  eyelids   or 

inner  elavv;  hill  siikhiiIi; 
base  of  njiper  inandihie 
with  it  lar){i  n|>rii;ht 
born,  and  under  mandi- 
ble with  an  aeeessory 
borny  pieee  lyiiitr  he- 
tween  its  rami  ;  this 
pieee  iind  the  horn  deeid- 
mms,  when  bii.se  of  up- 
per mandible  eovered 
with  a  noft  cere.     Kill 

gliortcr  than  head,  HtoUt,  *"><'•  •'>;'*'•  -  lloni-t.lll.Hl  .\nV,  ym\ie.  imt.Kii'.i'.    (Fphii  lUllDt.) 

deep  at  base,  nineli  coinpri-.s.sed  a:id  rapidly  taperini;  to  aeiite  deenrved  tip.  sidss  erect.  sniiHith, 
oiilmeii  very  eoiivex.  >;ape  gently  eiirvrd.  coiiys  nearly  straight,  with  aimle  at  symphysis. 
Nostrils  short,  linear,  siibbasnl,  iiiaririmil,  iinpervioiis,  at  b;i.se  of  the  hum  or  e.ere.  Two 
Heries,  jiostoenlar  and  niaxill.iry,  of  h'tiLMhemd,  siraidit,  stitli-h  lam-e-aeiite  white  feathers  on 
eaidi  side  of  head.  (Jemr.il  forni  of  Fnilnruhi.  Size  larire.  One  sjieeies. 
857.    O.   liionoeoni'tu.      ((!r.  jiiW.  woxos-,  only.  siiiL'le  ;    Kt fias,  hrni,  h,<rn.      l'ii;s.  .Vifi.  .Vl*.  ■')''l''.) 

rvirouK    Al'K.      llni{N-iiii,i.  AiK.     Adults  in  slimmer :    IJil!  oriint:e-yeUow.     Cnlinei 1 

base  of  niiper  mandilde  diisky  :  feel  some  yellow  eolor.  the  tarsi  behind  and  the  sob'H  blaekisli ; 
«daws  blaek.  The  sharp  fe.ithers  of  the  head  white,  ahoiil  an  imli  lonir.  Kntire  iip).er  partu 
jrlossy  blm-blaek:  ,i  line  of  white  ahuii.' ediie  of  foii  arm.  Sid.  s  of  head  and  ne.d<,  ..f  ImmIv 
ttbuig  under  ihu  wings,  with  ehin,  throat,  and  fore-lnvast.  elear  ^rayish-ash,  or  pale  bhiish- 


m 


I 


" 


800 


SYSTEMATIC  SYSol'SIS.    -  PY(i01'(U)i:S. 


\  t 

if 


j^iy ;  uiidnr  \iwe\n  fnnii  tin'  liri'iixt  piiri'  wliilc,  Klunlint;  iiiwnciMy  iiili>  \\w  (•nlor  of  tht>  k'hIcm  imil 
lliiiikN.  Iiiiirr  wrliM  iif  Willi;-  ami  tiiil-riatliiTH  i;rayi^li-l>i'<>\vii,  palrr  tovvanl  liaHr,  tlii<  HiniflM  of 
till'  |iriiiiiirirN  iliill  wliitiitli  at  liiiw.  Li'iiKtIi  I.')..'i0;  i-xli>iit  2<1.<M>;  wiiii;  7.:2'>:  tail  i^.TiO;  tarxim 
Ud;  iiiiililii' tnr  ami  riaw  l.sri  ;  iiuIit  iln.  1.7(1;  iiniiT  il<i.  I. Id;  rlinnl  nf  ciiliiii'ii  witlmiit  Imrii 
I. Ill),  with  liiirii  I.  Ml;  t-''M"'  ^'''""  >  ■■■"^(■'il  In  ti|i  nf  ii<irn  ll.7'>  '•  total  ilrjilli  uf  liill,  iiii'liiilini;  liorii, 

l.x''i.      Inwintrr:    IMiiiiiaKi' tin- sniiir  ;   iris  wliiti' ;   im  Imrii    imr  a ssnry  |>irt'i' iimli'i- tlii' liill, 

llirsi'  liriiii;  xlicil  ;  plai'i'  uf  Imrii  i>c<'ii|iii'il  liy  a  xnl't  ihirh-rnlnri'il  liaNrliiriit  iiiniiliiaii)'  i>r  rrri' 
("  SiujiHiiloihinn  niicklri/i,"  V'm.  t)'.\7).  Vmiii):  :  Hill  like  timt  of  iuIiiIih  in  wiulrr,  lai'liiiin 
Imrn,  Imt  rvrry  wjiy  wrakcr,  lianlly  iiicm'  tliaii  lialf  as  larur.  Mnstly  ilai'li-i'iilnii'il.  No  >\|iiti> 
Iratlicrs  nil  siilr  nf  licail.  Wliilt'  nf  iniilvr  |iari.s  nvrrlaiil  ami  iiiai'lilctl  with  ilaik-^ray  i'IhIn  nf 
till'  fi'iillHTs  ;  lilai'k  nf  ii|ijM'r  imrtH  limwiiisli.  'I'lif  lirnl  n|iriin»  tin-  Imrn  KmwH,  the  luvt'Hxnry 
|iit'i'i'  (lt'vrln|i'»,  ami  tin'  [ilniiiai;!'  rlcarn  ii|),  NtsiliinfM  ap'  cnvciiil  witli  siiiciky-limwii  dnwii. 
Itntli  nia.stM  ami  islamls  nf  N.  I'ai-ilii-,  In  hnwrr  Calirnriiia  ami  •la|ian  ;  imt  H|iri'ially  arrtio; 
I',  t;-.  l>r<'*'<l-<  nil  till'  rarallnm'  Nlamls. 
340.  MI^IOIlllYNTimS.  ((Jr.  irift.'ir.  siiimn,  Minliiinsi'il  ;  I'n'ryx'"^'  firiiiii-ht-i,  licak.)  Sni'II-Miinko 
Al  KN.  Of  iiinilrrati'  ami  very  small  .-izi',  ainl  slnrUv  -.jiaii'  llrail  usually  cri'sli'il  nr  willi 
pi'rnliar  fciktliiTs.  Hill  nf  imli'liTininat*'  Hlia|H>,  ililfrriiit;  willi  I'lu-li  H|N<fi<>M,  fiiriiiHiii'tl  willi  ii 
varying  iiiiiiil»'r  nf  clrciclumis  Imriiy  cliiiii'iils.  Nnsiril-*  I'lilirrly  iinfi'atlicn'd.  Wines  ;iiii|  tail 
nnlinary.  FitI  sinall;  tarsi  slmitrr  lliaii  iiiiiklli'  \i»\  rtitinly  iitii'iilati';  t<H's  Iniii;,  iiiiiliilr  anil 
niitiT  nf  aliniit  t'i|iial  li'iiKllis,  claw  of  the  fnrim-r  Iniiiii'st  ;  iniirr  claw  icachiiiu  hasc  nf  micMli'  ; 
all  I'lirvcil  ami  cniii|irrssi'i|.  l-'mir  s|M'«'irs,  very  ilistinci  ;  ihr  i|iicci'<'st  liltlc  auks  in  llir  s»nili|. 
KjicIi  has  Im'I'ii  iiiailc  ly|M<  nf  a  ui'iiiis  ;  .S'.  iinillnriiliis  ililfcrs  iimn'  frniii  llic  rcsl  than  ihrsi  ilii 
IVniii  niic  aiinilnr,  ami  iiMi:ht  staml  a|i:ict  as  a  uriiiis  ( I'linlfii^).  ihr  nlhcrs  hciiiij  rali'il  as  siili- 
^I'lina  {Simiirhi/Hclius  |Mo|icr,  'I'l/lorhniiiiihiis,  aiul  Cirriiiiiiii). 

.'Iii'i/f/ajii  t[/'  ,s'yii<if« 

l'|i|iiir  iiiiiihIIIiI"  "viil,  I'lniT  muiiilllilo  riilciiio,  rlrtiiii<-iirr<xl  ii|iwiiril      No  itpM  i.rh<slrrin)    ,    iifilliinilut  KW 
lT|i|i<'r  tiiiiiiilllili'  IrluiiKiiliir,  inmi  olnilulil.  rtrliiM  lii>rliulitill,  nlhiiiili' 
A  li'iiK  fi'iiiliil  rrnsl.  ti|,  linn  hht  fniwiiril. 

mil' wiliii  nf  wiilli' fiMitliiirn  "II  I'fti'li  uliji' nf  lii'iiil  (SimcWivii. /iin  iiiM|»>r) rrMotrllu*  Will 

Mnl"  llinil  mill  wrii'll  nf  wll'ln  li'rllllrrs  nil  fill  li  xliji   nf  lli'ilil  (  /l(i"i'i'IHI/i//um        ....     iiliiimitnn  MKI 

HlinrI  Willie  liiilr-liknfi'ikllii'rHiiVKr  Ilia  liiri'lii'ikil;  im  I  ri'Kt  ((tr>n>niii|  .     .    ,         />ii<t//ua  Mil 

S.^H.    **•    |»»Mlii'fMlMM.      (I,at.  itsilliiriihis.   a   little   |>annt.      Fii;.    tM'.l.)      I'miuikji  I'.t    At  K.      I'ni- 
Nusi;i>    Al'K.      Hill  iiinileiately  larije,  much   ciiiii|iresseil,  lieiisely  fi'iilhereil  fur  smiie  ilistaiice  at 

liase,  Iml  not  tn  the  iinslrils,  which  are  iiarrnwly 
nval,  nverhiiiii;  liy  a  iirnjectin^'  xciile  or  sliiehi, 
which  is  ili'ciilllnUN.  I'rnlile  of  hill  oval;  of 
n|>|"'r  iiiamliMe  iiarmwly  nval ;  ciilnieii  i:eiitly 

I'nIIVeX,  ill  I'linate,  tnlilial  iili;e  imire  c.'IIMX,  iic- 

clinule,  iiieeliiiu:  Hi  all  ••liliiw  tip;  Inwer  mamli- 
lile  extrciui'ly  sleiiiler,  falcate,  ciirveil  upwai'il, 
with  cniicaM'  Iniiiia,  very  cmivex  umiys,  anil 
aciile  |Mtinl.      Kmnlal    feathiTN  einhraciiii;  ciil- 

men    Willi  u  ri'iMiliai ,  tlieiice  ilrnppinu   per- 

peiiiliciilarly    I niiiiiHHiiii' ;    tlmsc    "ii    lower 

tiiii'iilihle  not  reaching  ipiili' HI)  far;  inlerranial 


y 


Kio.  Wn       I'nrrmiHct  Aiili,  nril.  kI/i'.    (  A<I  iinl.ilol. 
H   W.  Klllnll  \ 


the 


Ailiilt ;   In  Hiiniiner  with 
naoal  nailille,  niniilieil  in  nm   piece  in  winter;  sha] f  hill  iml  m.-iterially  all!-eil,  Imwevi  r, 


space  fully  featluTeil. 


the  pif«i'  lM'in«  mnall  ami  llallish.  Hill  vermilion  or  eoral-reil,  usually  eiiam.  I  yel'nw  al  lip 
ami  alnuK  eilt{«'.'«.  Nn  curly  i  n  st  .  n  fnrelieail,  hut  a  series  nf  Iniii;  while  filamenlmiH  featlu  rs 
frnni  lUt   cj»i  ilowiiwanl  iiml  hackwanl.      Liitiie  upper  purls,   with  chin,  tlim.it,   lin'a»l,  ami 


MJlh.K      I'llM.I  lilhlS.K      MhS. 


,sn7 


KM  I 
MKI 
Mil 


llaiikH  H.M,iy  l.r..\viii-.li-li|.i.li.  tniyrr   Im|..w  tliali  hIm.v.' ;    ntlirr    iiii.l.r  |Mrt«  wMl.. ;   linini;  .,f 

wiiijfs  .link.     Km  .lull  mv.tiisli  ,,i  y.ll..vu>l,.  ,|.,rl<.r  ImIiIm.!  .m.l  l«  l,m-.     I.,  nmli  iil t  '.l.iMt; 

Mini;    .-|.Ht-.-,.7.-,  :   |:iil    I.:,:,;   i;,r.iis    iil.,Mit    I.IMI;   i„|,|,||,.  I,,..  ,i|..ii..    1  10;    .-hnr.!  ..f  nilin.  ii   -r 

,i.,uy«  (».••.() ;  ^,^^H'  I.IMI;  ,|r|.tli  ,.f  |„||  (I.  i;,  ;   wi.lll.  il.Ho.     YmiMi; :    N,,  u|„|,.  liUin.  „i.m^  f.alli- 

rrx  nil  li»>iiil ;  it  wliili'  .■•|iii|  on  lnwrr  i-yi-liil;  iijiiht 

piirlF)  as  lirfiiri',  iiiiilcr  jiartH  wliih',  maililnl  aiiil 

lliiilflnl    with    (liiMliy   i'IiiIm    of   llii'    l'iallirr><.      N, 

Paritir  ami  (Hilar  Nt'af,  liiijlily  ari'lic,  a|i|iari'iitly 

iml  rniniiii;   iiiiirli   hihiiIi.      'I'liix  i|iiMilitly  lirald  i| 

Mill  rcMirls  III  clitl!*  ami  rraits  1"  lirrril,  l.ijiiiL;  Us 

Kiiii;li'  i-i;i;  il(<i>|i  in  ili«  ravitii-H  nf  tlw  iiiuhi  iiiai'- 

rrssilili'  riM'Us  iivrrliaiiL'iiii!  tilt' si'ik ;  it  rcm'tnlilrx 

u  small  iiarriivv  ln'ii's  i m>,  ImImi;  wliilr,  variniisjy 

ibiili'il  ami  ilisniliiri'il,  iiiiiiiiti  ly  iriaiiiilar  ami  rmii'li 

Im  llir  I li.  ■.•.:.'.'i  III  i.Xi  liint.'  liy  \A't  In  I. .Ml. 

N.'VO.  M.  <TlHliil<>riHii.  (Lai.  nittiili'llus,  ilimiii.  >>( 
crhliilits.  i-ri-*\vi\.  Kii;s,  ,"i|ii,  .iH, 'il-'.)  t'lti  sii:i> 
AiK.  SNrii-Niisi;i>  .\iK.  Ilill  riiml.iiiiciiially 
Hiiiall  ami  Hiin|i|i>,  coiiiiiniKNi'il-i'iniii-,  with  rniivi'x 
rilliiirii  ami  liltlr  siiinati'  linri/iilital  niiiiiiii'isiiii' ; 
|»ilt    ill    till'    lirrrililii;    sfasnii     ili'Vr|ii|iilli;    NCVrral 

rnnii'iHis  a|i|H>iiilai;i's,  wliirli  jilliT  its  Hliii|if  (jn-ai 

ly,  iiialii'  il  Hiiimilaily  irnu'ilai',  ami  iiiiHlily  rvin 

llii'   iiiitliiH'   iif  lilt'   f'lallifis  at   its    liaw.      'I'licsr 

u<'i'i'i<Nnry   piiM'i'H  an- :    ii  iiaxiil   |ilal)-.   lilliiit;   tli<< 

nasal   fiis.K.i,  Ni'|iaral)'  rrniii  its  frllnw  i>(  llir  n|i|iii- 

hIIi'  siili'  :  a  siiliiia.sal  >tii|i  |irii|iiiii;i'il  mi  tin-  ciilliiit; 

i"<li.'<' "it  ill"  ii|i|H-i- iii.iiiiliMrs  liai'kwanl  iViiiii  ll-c  imslrilsi  a  riisrllc-lil<i' |ilal<' at  liasr  nf  ii|i|M'r 

liiamlllili'  JMHt  nviT  aiiulr  nl'  till   iiioiiih  ;  a  lari;>'  slmi'  nicasiiiu  tlu'  |<nstiriiir  |uirt  n('  tin-  iiihIit 

iiiaiiililili' :  ill)*  latlrr  siiiiili',  tlif  ntliiT  lliriT  |ii s  in  (uiirs,  iiiakiiiu  m-viii  in  it!l  wliirli  an> 

inniilli'il:  all   tlir-i'   rli'imiiN   vi'miilmii   nr  rm.il  ml  :   I'liil  nf  llit-  liill  riiaiiirl-yi'll<'»       (  lli  fnii' 
niM|uiiiiii;  lliisr  nnnvtli.s  tlic  yniiiiu  liiril  is  UimailuH  «(  iiutlmi-M  ;  tlic  lululi    in   winiir,  aflir 


Kill.  MO       <  ri'NiiHl  Auk, 
W    Kllloll  I 


'Iiii-ih!     (.\iI  nai  ilrl 


Kj 


Pill  .141  —  rrwitPil  AiikJiKMiimn'r.  mil   *itf.  Kln..'H.'      I'nil.'.l  .»iik,  In  "IiiIit  iiui   4I» 

RluililitiK  Ili4'ni,  is  liiihiiis.)     A  lirannrnl  .n-sl  ,if  I  »-.•"  -I.  n.l.  i  H%tiliir>  sfniiiuiiii:  fmin  ili.fnn- 
hr«.|.  nirliiit;  nvrr  fnrvvanl  in  arr  nf  a  cirrlr  In  fall  cLucfiilly  ii|inn  it.,    lull:  this  >«  limi   in 
Miu'UiNli  :  a!  full  Niiirlli  ;^liniil  .'  inWits  Imin  ;  tin-  fi-atliirs  ari'  iml  MlaMi.  iilnns.  l.il   hn\>'  \\i  II 
forinr.1  «ilm.  ami  aiv  Inimllfil  or  iiii|.ai'tr.l  tnirfthir.  ..»i«i»,  t  •  l» Wi<|"M'  aivi.r«<-i -'f  llm 


ii 


mn 


SYSTKMA TIC  SY\(WSIS.  —  l'Y(i(H'01)KS, 


1 ' 
)  i 


I 

I 


wclm  fniin  tlio  »\u\f\,  ai«  in  tlif  p>iiU)i  jAJfiltorli/j'.  A  Hlcndcr  scries  ul'  white  tiliiwioiitouN  feailirrs 
over  ami  lieliiliil  eaeli  eye,  <lriMi|iiii);  iluwiiwanl  unci  liacUwanl.  The  wimh'  |>iiiinaKe  ntherwiKe 
WMity — iiinri'  hni\viii.»h-lilack  alhive,  iimre  lir<i\viii»h-^ray  hejnw.  Feel  hiiii.'.h,  with  darlt 
weliH.  A>i>le  t'riiiii  tlie  tn>ii>ri>riiiitti<>ii  of  the  liill,  the  vihiii^  cmly  (liller  in  lai-kiii(.'  the  cTe>i  aiiil 
white  liiaineiit.t  ;  hut  Inith  are  early  aeijiiirett ;  theri>  is  a  while  s|Hit  Im'Iiiw  eye.  The  suiiiiiier 
aial  winter  |iliiniat:es  are  alike.  Iris  saiil  t<>  he  in  winter  while,  in  siiiunier  with  a  hiaekisli 
iiuler  an<l  hliiish  inniT  riii^' ;  in  the  yniinu,  l>ri>wii.  Length  S..'ill-<l,l)i) ;  wini;  ri.2'>-5.riO  ;  tail 
1.5.1;  tarsns  O.'.MI  I.IMI;  niiihlle  i.h-  ami  elaw  l.lt.'i:  clionl  of  euli.ien  I).  I.'j.  N.  rarilie,  hxth 
eiiaHlM  and  i»lanils,  nii  the  Asiatii-  si  le  l<i.la|>an,  hut  nut  kimwn  to  nitne  S.  In  LI.  S.  Nesting 
ill  vvury  n'8|Hrt  like  S.  jmtiiii-Mhix  ;  single  ej^g,  similar,  smaller,  ^'.  Ml  X  l-IO. 
860.  8.  pyKin>**'u»'  (I-al.  jiijijmfiHs,  dwarf.  I'ius.  .">  J.'J,  .Ml.)  \Viii.sKi;itK,i)  .\i  K.  Kku-Nokkii 
Al'K.  Itill  small  and  simply  riiiiic-eiim|iressed,  htllc  lunger  than  high,  resemhiing  the  yniiiig 
or  winter  bill  of  the  |inTe<linu  ;  having  hut  one  pair 
of  iMM-essory  |>ieees,  the  small  shields  whirli  till  the 
iiitMal  fosHO-,  and  are  4lonhlle.-is  shed  in  winter,  .\diilt  : 
A  very  long  curly  erest  of  slender  tihiinentons  lialh- 
vn  eurving  over  forward  in  are  of  a  einde  |odri"i|> 
U|Hin  the  hill  :  the  i-resi  dark-rolored  and  of  same 
general  eharaeter  as  that  of  ,S'.  crisliilclliis,  hnt  of 
fewer  and  more  thri-aily  feathers.  .\  iiia.\illary  series 
of  slender  filaments  from  the  iinnndssme  of  the  hill 
along  the  side  of  the  jaw:  another  series  from  hase 
of  enlmeii  to  eye;  a  |Kisto«Mdar  series  adown  the  side 


861. 


of    the    neek,    all    tlu'se    white    or     vidlowish-white. 


Klii.  M.'l.  -  Wliihlii'reil  Auk,  yiiuiiK.  mil   nice. 
(Kroiii  Kllliitt.i 


Crest  and  general  |dillnage  as  in  the  last.      Hill  (ciry)  orange-red,  more  salmon  erdor  or  yellow 

enamel  al  eml ;  feel  (ilry)  nndelinaldy  ilark.  Length 
8.(M)  or  more:  wing  .'i.lill;  tail  \.i')',  tarsus  I. mi; 
middle  toe  and  elaw  I..V1;  oiitrr  do.  I.lill:  inner 
do  1. 10;  ehord  of  eulmeli  H.  I^.'i;  dejitli  of  hill  at 
hase  II. ltd;  gape  (I. '.Ill;  rresl  outstretehed  I. .Ml; 
lontiest  while  lilamelits  on  head  I.lill.  Younu: 
Itill  very  small  ami  weak,  niueh  eompl'essed.  No 
siiin  of  eresl  nor  of  white  feathers  on  head.  Ahove 
Idai'ltish-einereoiis,  ipiite  hiaek  on  head,  wings, 
and  tail  :  unde:-  parts  liuditer  and  more  grayish- 
pinmheotis,  hlearhing  on  the  lielly  and  erissum. 
Itill  redilish-dusky :  tarsi  hehind  ami  soles  hIaek  ; 
eye  Maek  and  white.  (.V  ctissiui.  Cones.)  N. 
I'aeifii-;  apparently  rare  in  most  loealities  ;  there 
(From  K.lllot  I  ari'  as  yet  lint  few  speeimens  in  any  innseuins. 

8.  piisiriiiH.  (I,al./.i(.«i7/i«.-(.  puerile.  Figs.  .')  l.'),  .Hd,  547.)  Lkant  AtK.  Kni>H-N<>ski.  Ai  K. 
Adult  ill  summer:  Mill  small  and  simph-,  l.ut  stoiil  for  its  length,  scarcely  hiuher  than  wide  at 
l.a.Mc,  rather  ol.luse  at  tip.  A  small  kiioh  or  tnhercle  at  tli>'  hase  of  the  culmen.  which  is 
deciduous.     No  crest  :  hut  front,  top,  and  sides  of  head  more  or  less  thickly  Pud  with  delicate 

white  threa.ly  fi^athers:  a  similar  series,  ex dinu'ly  tine,  from  tl ye  along  sides  of  hind  head 

and  nape.  Kxceptini:  these  tilameiits,  the  entire  upper  parts  ulossy  hlack  ;  region  ahoiit  under 
inandilde,  mid  a  few  f«alhers  aliMit;  the  sides  of  hody  nnd  thinks,  hlackish  ;  under  parts  white, 
more  or  h'ss  exteiisivelv  iiiotihd  or  doudeil  with  hlai'kish.  I/mim;  of  wiiiL's  wliile,  with  dark 
feathers  aloiii;  the  e<lt:e.  Itill  red.  the  kimh  and  hase  of  upper  mandihh'  chirk.  I.igs  (dry) 
undelinahly  dark,  the  front  of  tarsni.  and   tops  .d"  toes  lighlcr.      I,eui.'th    ft.50  ;  wing    It. 75; 


Pui   rAi.  —  Wlilakrreil  Auk,  ailtilt,  nat  nizc. 


341. 


ALI'UjA:  -  I'llALUltUtlS.K  .    AVKS. 


HK\\\ 


Uiil  l.ii5  ;  taraiiH  0.70 ;  miililli'  t<»' ami  cl.uv  Ijm,  cliitnl  <•!'  i-iiliiitn,  iticliuiiiif{  tlic  iiiNlt-,  0.  H); 
KajK'  O.Cill;  luiulit  «if  liill  at  Iium-  ti.Mi),  wiilili  Kcamly  Uhn.  In  wiiUrr;  'riic  kiiolt  jjimi- ; 
llic  little  wliitf  Idi.Hlli'it  of  liiatl  n  laiiinl ;  wliitf  nf  uiulir  parth  rxtrii-ivc  rcarhint;  far  arnmiil 
iii(lt>M  of  iirrk  ;  iiiiiiH'ral  ami  M'a|>iilar  fiatlnrx  ainl  many  i>l  tlii'  Mmnilarii'it  uiarkiil  wiili  \\lilii', 
|irii(lui'int!  |iat(-lii'.t  nf  ilii.H  rnlm'  .mi  tlic  ii|i|m  r  |>arti<,  nukiiown  in  <'tlii  r  I'liiiliiuliiur  ;  »nrli 
M'aMinal  I'lianuc  of  iilumiuir  iniliraliiii;  an  a|>|>ro,it'li  to  MiniiiliiH  or  llruihitrhnmiihn*.  Yoiinu  : 
Like  til)'  ailiiltH,  liiit  tlie  wliitc  of  lilt'  nniUr  partit  ni'lmlatrii  with  llu^ky  I'lnln  ot  llic  ffatliirv; 
tluH  cliiUilinK  (Iocs  Hot  clear  up  until  the  knob  of  liiil  anil  liristles  of  luail  have  lieen  a<'<|iiir4'il. 


y' 


^> 


FlO.  Mn.  —  l.<'»i>l  Aiik,  ailiilt.  iiiir    kI/i>,  Kki   r>l(l     '  Ij'iial  Aiik,  ynitiiK,  tiiit.  iitKi' 

Thii*  enrioils  liltie  hinl,  the  sm.ilii -t  of  mII  the  aiil<>,  ami  one  of  thi'  |i'a<.|  nf  all  water  hinU, 
inhahit!*  the  eoasis  ami  isianij-i  of  thi'  \.  I'aeilir,  reitortim;  to  favorite  hreeilim;  |.li.'C!.  hy 
inillionx,  with  «V,  psilliwulun  ami  X  < ristnlillns.  'The  nestiiii;  \'<  i»iniilar,  the  ninule  ruti  !»  iim 
lai<l  in  the  re<'ei««4's  of  roeky  shin;,'le  ovi  r  liie  water;  i<i/e  l..'i.">  X  \.\'l.  The  hinl  i--  not  known 
t<>  eonn'  S.  HO  far  as  the  1'.  S. 


-^' 


-"       tic 


'»•.. 


Km.  B47. -(Ir»ii|i"fl..'ai.l  Aiik..    .m-.trfiii-l  !>  II- W    KHIoH  ) 

341.    ITYrilOUIIAM'IMIl  H.     ((;r.  nri^.  nrv\'ii.  lilni;  /)^<(7ww,  a  folil ;  (niiifpot.  /ir/iHi/»/i<w,  Ixak.) 
WlllNKl.K.-NnsKI.    Al  KS.      Si/e    nio.lerale:   form    Htont:   m.  ereMH    m,r    any    peenliar    feather* 

alH.nt   hea.l.     11.11    al...nt  il  as  h.n^  as  hea.l.  sI..m|,  straiu'hi.   liill |Tesse.l,  .•onie-aei.le ; 

eiiiinen  little  eonvex,  l.road  at  baw.  where  In  th.'  .Irie.l  stale  trauHVOi^ely  eorrn«ate.i;  m  I'la'je 
of  whirl,   wrinkles    there    may   ho    son.e   forn.atioii    ..ow   ....known;  .-hh's   of  u|.|.er   n.an-lll.le 


fl 


'4 


MIO 


SYSThMATir  SYNOPSIS.      rvatH'ODFS. 


tHTfi\i\,  with  iiitlcctol  toiiiial  iiiiiri;iiis;  <>(  iimlir  ii|irii;lit,  ^r|'ll<>v<'ll  li'iii;tli\vi.si<;  pi|i)>  Ntriiiirlit  ; 
gniiys  Ntriiiulit  or  iiiarly  xi<,  \iry  Ikhh.     ^a^<ill  (»!*>iv  laryr,  nliallow,  cnvcri'tl  with  wifi  Hkiii 

ill  tl liy  Htulr  kiHiwii ;  whirh  tlaicH  civcr  the  rathir  Imi^,  iiarmwly  oval  Niih-haHul  iiostriln 

at  the  liottoiii  of  thi'  fossa.     Oiitlii f  I'miital  rraliitTs  iiraily  traiisvt'i-si'  across  ciihiH'ii,  llu'iicn 

nln'aliiiK    ohiii|mly    to    ti niiiissiirc.     Tarsi    rciicuiatr,   inm-li    shorlir    than    iniilillr    lor 

witlioiit  (law.  'litis  nciiiis  u|i|iarriiily  coniMrts  tlir  I'hdleriilimr  with  the  Alchitr,  haviiit; 
iiiiii-li  tlw  as|Mct  of  MrnjnlHK  or  Itriivlii/rhnmiihus,  with  siii  jjciii-ris  sha|>it  of  hill ;  its  position 
will  only  111'  sfiili'il  hy  Icarnlni;  what,  if  any,  arc  ihr  tninsfornnitions  of  thrhill. 
Ha'i.  I*.  ali-irtlciiM.  ((If  ihr  .Mintian  islaiuls.)  Ai.F.rTiAN  Al'K.  Mill  hlaik,  tlit>  skinny  part 
pair  in  till'  only  stall'  ohsi'rvnl ;  IVri  hlackish  iM-hiiiil  iinil  liclow,  Ithiish  in  front  of  tarsiiH  ami 
(III  tops  of  tins.  A  touch  of  white  ahoiil  eye.  I'ppi'i'  parts  lilackisli-phinihcoiis,  the  head, 
winus,  anil  tail  nearly  hlack.  This  dark  color,  ililiilcil  to  urayish-pliinihcoiis,  cxtciiils  aroiinil 
till'  head,  neck,  and  forc-hrcaMt,  aloiiK  tlm  Hides,  and  on  linini;  ol  win^s,  fadini;  to  while  mi 
helly  and  crissiini.  No  special  states  of  plmiiaL,'i'  are  known.  I<eni;lh  H.III)-',).50 ;  extent 
IC..IMI-IH..VI;  winii  4.7."i-.").2."> ;  lii'l  l.."ill-l  7."i  ;  tarsus  alioiit  I.IIO;  midine  toe  and  claw  l.M); 
outer  do.  |.:<();  inu(  r  do.  I.IH;  ciihneii  0.7.'>  ;  (.'ape  D.'.in;  pmys  O.iiO;  depth   of  hill  at    hamt 

0.  Id,  width   O.'M).     I'acilii ast   of  N.  .A.,  Aleutians  to  L.  Cala.,  thus   not   npecially   Arctic. 

Mri'i'ds  as  far  soiiih  at  le.tst  as  the  Faralloiies. 


77.    Subfamily  ALCIN^  :  Guillemots,  Murres,  and  Auks  proper. 

See  analysis  on  p.  7W,  and  characters  of  siihfaiiiily  I'hiilfniliiur.  Ainoni;  the  Alriiur, 
that  is  to  say,  Anks  with  feaihered  nostrils  and  iinappenilai;eil  hill,  there  is  a  gentle  i;railalion 
from  those  genera  in  which  the  hill  is  simplest  and  slenderest,  as  in  the  (inillemols  and  Mnrre- 
]ets,  to  those  in  which  it  is  stiiiitest,  as  in  some  of  the  liiiillemots,  and  in  the  ra/or-hilled  and 
(;reat  auks,  in  which  it   is  i;reatly  compressed  and  silicate,  recallim;  that  of  a  piillin.     .Some  of 

the  uenera  ar nliiied  to  the  North    I'acilic,  as  Siitillililiiirliuwiihus  and  Ilniiliiirhitmfihiis: 

others  arc  circiiniptdar.  as  I'rin  and   Ltiinrin  :  several,  as  Allr,  I'riii,  Lomriii,  I'liiiiinnin  and 
Aliii,  represent  the  family  in  the  North  .Atlantic,  to);elher  with  Frtittrriild  of  the  Phalrridiiur. 
342.    AI/liK.     (\   local   name  of  the   hinl.)     Si;.\    Dnvi-;.     Si/e  small;  form    sipiat   and   hiinchy. 

. Mill  very  short,  stout,  and  cditiise,  as  wide  a--  hif{li  at  h.ise, 

the  KiilcM  of  holh  mandihles  turbid,  the  edue  of  the  upper 
much  inllecti'd  ;  ciilmcn  very  convex;  rictus  ample,  de- 
curved  at  end  :  ^onys  straight,  very  short,  the  mandihiilar 
rami  correspondiliuly  lont;,  and  widely  divaricated  ;  nasal 
fossil'  short,  wide,  deep,  partly  feathered.  Nostrils  siih 
hasal,  liioie  nearly  circular  than  in  any  other  >;eniis  except- 
ini;  the  next.  Willis  rather  loiii;  for  this  family;  tail 
lunch  rounded,  with  narrow  pointed  feathers.  Feet  small 
and  weak;  tarsus  scarcely  compressed,  hroadly  sciitellale  in  front,  finely  reticulate  hehind. 
One  species. 

863.  A.  iit'KrlrnnH.  (I,at  niiiriravs,  Idackenini,'.  Kit;.  .'^ilH.)  Sf:A-i)i)Vi';.  Dovkkik.  Ai.i.k. 
Adults  in  summer  :  Ileail  and  neck  all  around,  and  entire  upper  parts,  very  f;lo.'<sy  hhie-hlack  ; 
^capillars  edyed  and  .secondaries  tipped  with  white,  formim,'  two  conspicuous  patches;  touches 
of  white  alwiiit  eyes.  I'nder  parts  from  the  neck  pure  white,  some  of  the  lont;  feathei-s  of  the 
flanks  rayed  with  hlack  ;  lining;  of  wini;s  dusky.  Mill  hlack  ;  month  yellow  ;  feet  hlack  hehind 
mill    helow,  in    front   and    ahove   llesh -colored  ;  eyes  hrown.      In   winter:  The  while  of  under 

parts  extendini;  to  the  hill,  ami  on  sides  of  i k  nearly  around.      \'oMni;  like  adults  in  winter, 

but  upiMT  parts  duller;  liill  smaller  ;  feet  dusky  ureeiiisli,  the  scales  ohscured.     i-en^tli  HM); 
extent    l.')..'')0;  winu  4.7.')  .I. J.')  ;  tail    l..'iO;  tarsus  O.SD  ;  middle  toe  and  claw  1. '20,  outer  do. 


Km  .'.Is   -  Scii-ciiivc,  nut.  slro. 


rli.j 

trilH 
I'lii'ii 

I'irii; 
liiiri 

iiirl 
ami 
kI. 
n.l 
I'll 
lit 
0: 


Al.rin.K-M.cf.WK:   MlliUKUns.  Ml 

nt   liiH.  (..  1„     N.    Atlaii  I...    l..„|,   ...,,.,..     In   suuur  S.  „.  ,1,..   M.,1.11..  s,... r  lH.v.,i..i 

(  v.T.akni  l.y  M..nnH  at  tin.  H-a.,,,.  ,|.i,  hnl..  i.inl  .,  ,„.,  ...1.1.„„   |.|„«i,  „,U,..|.     1.  ./..tv 

nJ...,Mla.it  at  Its  Lnrilin,-   crn,„.,|,s  i,.  ,|,..  ,„,  ,„„„,,  ,..„,^,  .„ ,.  „^^,  ,__,,^^  ,_^_^^      _  • 

Kiii;  -nil,'!.'.  I. fid  x  I.H",  |mI.'  ^nviiHl,-!.!,,,.. 

343.    HVVniMI.OUl,A>ll.,l,S.      „;,..    ,„,^.,„,    „,„„,,.,    ,    ....,,„...,    .;^^,    ;„, ,„, 

lMal<.)      M.M.KU-N.mK.,    Ml  KUK..K.M.     ( M'  |..,a...  H...  an,|  ,„„.,   ..,ri„;  ..^.ral  aM« . ,  „f 

All>-:   vyiti,    nr    witli-.u,    a    .■ri.t.      Kill    .,„n..«l,at    a,   in   llnulnnl,n,n,,l,„s,  l,n<    m.-i...  r   an,l 

;''■'•'"'''  '"'■  '"^  ''■'"■'"' i  *•''•'"">•  ' 'I'>'-<'I  tliin.mli.mt.  ii«  .|..,„|.  H,  I,,,.,  .,i„.,„  !,.,„  ^,.  „„„.,,  „ 

Irimlii  nt  .•i.lin.n;  riili.irn  iii.Hl..ralrly  n.nv.x.  «..nyK  awTn.iiiiK.  N..MiiIh  «,.!,. I,a>al  l.r.M.lh 
oval  .,r  ii-arly  .•uvular;  iiasii  lossa.  Mnall  an.l  .l.all..«,  IVallirr,.,!  t,.  u....|ril..  Fralli.rH  li, 
aJH.iit  ..|i|.nsil..  |,„inls  „n  .iilnim  aii.l  k.vl,  iIh  nr-  r.Ir.aliim  r.ii.i.lly  l.arkwar.U.  S.rnn.larirH 
wry  slic.it.  a.  in  Hr,i,l,,nhm,,lms.  il,..  l„nu..Nt  iint  mu-liiuK  murli  iiior.'  ll.aii  Imlf  «av  lr..n, 
••arpal  jmnl   U,  il,..  |.nint   ..f  ||„.  ,.|„s,..l  winu.     (Tlii.  Myl..  ,.f  winu  U  .•liarart.Ti.iir   of  il,.. 

liiiirrrl.'I.M,  wiiirl,  '•  |.:„l,llr  "  iIm'  air  ill  a  |..rnliar  uay.)     Tail  >|„,rl.  n.aily  .,,,mrr.  will,  l,i Ilv 

r..iiiHlr.l  tVatli.is.     Tarsi   1,   n.ini.rr.Hr.l,   lik..  il„.  I.ill ;  trai.M-.Twly  hnil.llal..  in  IVmih  anil 

on  tiic  Nidi',  rrti.'iilali'  licliimi;  al I  as  Inin;  as  midilli'  \„v  wiiln.nl  claw.     With  ilir  l--  n.  lal 

i-liaractiT  of  llriiili!iili<imi>liiis,  \\,is  p'niis  .lillirs  In  tlic  .lc.|Hr.  sinnl.  r  lilll.  and  niu.l.  ...m- 
prrssr.l  sciitrllatii  tarsi;  it  iiichidi's  tw.  Vfiy  . stylish  sp.rirs  .,f  tlir  N.  I'anli.'.  v.  ry  ditl.  r.  nt 
from  c'licli  otin'r. 

Atl>thl*i*  of  S/ii'rir», 
II..,..lcInH.lyrr.il1„T.-l;  iK.ptli  nri.lll  m..irlhaii  hairiu  I.iikiI,  ,  wlillB  nf  »|.|,..  of  (Town  iml  n.lKii.Hni: 


Itof'iri'  ryrM 


N 


llcnil  cr.mli'il;  iliplli  ..f  liilj   nl>„iii   liajf  ||„  i.mkiIi;  wlilto  of  kIiIi'h  .>r  i  r.inn  nUvniidiiK  iii>nrlv   l„  U 


nnlviHuii    t*'A 


Mil 


Hrtl.    S.   aiitl'<|iiiiN.     (Lat.  iiiiliiiiius,  aiiciini;  i.  f.  t'ray-linulfd.     I'ii;.   JUi.)     lli.M  k-tiiiiiia  rKii 
Ml :iiH1;i.i:t.     Adnll    in   linrdini;  divss  :    Itill  wliilisli  or  yrllnwisli.   its  hasr  and   ridirr   Idai-k. 
Feet  wliilish  or  ycllnwisli,  llii'  tarsus  lii'liiml  and  Imlh  snrl'arrsnl'  Wfhs,  Idack,     llrad  all  arniiiid 
and   throat,  Mark,  piiri'  almvc,  sooty  on  i-liiii  and  throat.     A 
nins|iirnons  wliilr  slripr  lidni   ovrr  tai'li  cyr  to  sidrs  nl'  na|ii', 
wlicrr  coiinri'ti'd  l>y  soini'  while    tVallicrs   wilh   its  IVlldw,  and 
HprradiiiK  on  tlio  siilrs  and  hark    i<<  ncfk   into  a  mI   nf  sharp 
wliiti-  streaks;  trare  nf  white  on  each  eyelid.     I'ppev  parts  ilark 
pliiniheiins,  Idackeliini;  on  tail;  upper  sin  tare  nf  w  inu  the  same, 
tiici  rd^iii^'  of  tlio  wiiiK  all  aloii);  rrom  the  clliow,  and  ihe  ex- 
posed parts  of  the  primaries,  Maekish;  .s mdaries  like  th v-        Kui  Mo.  -  lllni-k-thrmtlnl  IMiir- 

fits,  or  rather  darker;  hasal  portion  nl'  inner  uelis  and  shat'ls  r<l>'i."'>i  "'««'■ 
of  primaries  whilish;  mnler  surface  of  winii  while,  niollled  willi  dusky  just  aloin;  liie  edues. 
Sides  of  liody  nmler  the  wiiii;s  velvi'ty-hlack ;  the.se  Idaidi  leathers  li'iictheiiini:  hehiml.  anil 
overlying'  the  Hanks,  which  are  seen  to  he  white  on  ruislin;  ihein.  Anteriorly  this  Marl  extends 
in  front  of  the  win^s  and  (Miitiniles  on  to  the  nape  of  the  neck,  when'  it  mixes  wilh  the  \>liite 
Htreaks  ahiive  said.  The  sooly-hlack  of  the  throat  is  contimiiiiis  with  that  of  the  sidi's  n|'  the 
lioiid  as  far  as  the  aiiriciiiars.  heyond  which  il  narrows  lo  a  |Niiiii  on  the  throat,  lieiiii;  separateil 
from  the  hiack  of  the  na|><'  l>v  a  lar<;e  white  area,  an  extension  to  the  aiiricnlars  <>f  the  while 
which  is  the  cidnr  of  the  wliole  under  parts,  except  as  said.  Li'ni;lh  '.l.."ill-|0.  j(l  ;  extent  l'l.7'>- 
I'S.:^,)  ;  wiiiK  ,'i..'in  :  tail  l.tiO;  tarsas  1. 00;  i.'iiildle  toe  and  claw  l.i.'i,  outer  do.  I.l.'i.  inmr  do. 
1.00;  Mil  aloni;  culmeii  (I.CiO,  tape  I  JO,  uonysO.pi;  depth  al  ha.se  0.:iO.  width  i).i»,  V, ,11114; 
or  winter :  I  'p|"'i'  parts  darker,  the  plnmheous  heini;  ohscured  hy  dusky,  espcially  on  the  wim;- 
iind  tail-coverts  and  rump.  Forehead,  iTowii,  nape,  siHiiy-hlack,  not  relieved  hv  while  streaks. ) 
or  only  with  traces  of  the  latter;  eyelids  soinetiiiics  lamely  white.      No  Mack  on  throat,  only 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


■^  I2£    122 

1 2.0 


us 

Itt 

■it 

•a  ^ 


■40 


t 


1 

1-25  1  1.4   1 1.6 

< 

6"     

► 

Sciences 
Corporalion 


23  WEST  MAIN  STiCET 

WIBSTiR,N.Y.  145M 

(716)  •72-4S03 


'^ 


!^ 


812 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PYGOPODES. 


some  dusky  mottling  about  base  of  bill ;  the  white  of  the  under  parts  extending  on  head  nearly 
to  eyes,  and  far  around  on  sides  of  nape,  so  that  only  a  narrow  median  line  is  left  dark.  Sides 
of  body  under  wings  merely  dusky,  not  continuous  over  the  flanks,  where  the  feathers  are 
partly  white,  and  scarcely  advancing  in  front  of  wings.  The  course  of  the  seasonal  plumuges, 
or  those  dependent  upon  age,  is  not  yet  fully  traced  for  this  species  ;  the  clarity  of  the  ash,  the 
intensity  of  the  black,  and  the  purity  and  distinctness  of  the  white  striping,  indicate  the  more 
perfect  feathering,  and  conversely.  N.  Pacific,  both  Asiatic  and  American,  S.  iu  winter  to 
the  U.  S.,  breeding  from  Sitka,  Alaska.  Accident.al  in  one  instance  in  Wisconsin. 
865.  8.  umizu'sume.  (The  Japanese  name.  Fig.  550.)  Japanese  Murrelet.  Temminck's 
Auk.  Bill  more  elongate  and  acute  than  in  the  typo  of  tlie  genus,  less  compressed,  not  so  deep 
for  its  length.  Bill  yellow,  with  black  ridge  ;  feet  livid-bluish,  with  dusky  webs.  A  large  crest, 
of  a  dozen  (more  or  fewer)  feathers  springing  from  extreme  forehead,  not  recurved^  but 
drooping  backward  over  the  occiput.     A  conspicuous  series  of  wliito  feathers  on  each  side 

of  head,  from  origin  of  the  crest  over  eye  to  nape, 
where  more  or  less  confluent  with  those  of  <t\i\w- 
site  side,  and  then  dispersed  iu  streaks  over  tlie 
sides  of  the  neck  to  the  shoulders.  Kt  '  ^f  head, 
including  throat,  sooty  or  ashy-blackist.  hi.  ■■'•■  IrK" 
extending  as  far  as  the  interscapulars,  wheu^-  th  - 
upper  parts  are  more  plumbeous,  only  darker  o 
wings  and  tail.  Sides  under  the  wings  plumbeous- 
black  to  tho  flanks,  this  color  advancing  in  front 
Fig.  B50.- Japanese  Murrelet,  nat.  size.  ^,f  ^.jugg  ^nd  continuous  with  that  on  the  sides  of 

neck  and  head.  Lining  of  wings  white,  except  some  dark  mottling  along  the  edge ;  bases  of 
primaries,  and  most  of  their  inner  webs,  white,  shading  through  gray  to  their  dusky  tips. 
Whole  under  parts  white,  except  as  said.  Length  10.50-11.00;  extent  18.00-18.50;  wing 
5.50;  tail  1.75;  tarsus  1.00;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.25,  outer  1.20,  hmer  1.00;  bill  along 
cuhnen  1.00,  gape  1.10;  gonys  0.40  ;  height  or  width  at  base  0.25-O.aO.  Younger  :  No  crest ; 
bill  obscured;  little  or  no  trace  of  white  about  head,  which  is  dusky  plumbeous;  other  tipf.er 
parts  similar,  the  back  lighter;  white  of  under  parts  extending  to  bill  iind  far  around  on  sides 
of  neck.  Tliere  is  much  variation  in  different  specimens,  the  full  significance  of  wliich  remains 
to  be  detemiined  ;  but  the  species  is  unmistakable.  N.  Pacific,  both  Asiatic  and  American ; 
S.  to  U.  S.  and  Japan. 
344.  BRACHYRHAM'PHUS.  (Gr.  /Spa^u'r,  brachus,  short :  pdiufios,  hramplwn,  beak.)  Peaked- 
nosed  MuRRELETS.  Approaching  Una  in  generic  character.  Bill  small,  slender,  much 
shorter  than  head,  not  longer  than  tarsus,  compressed,  very  acute;  culmeu  gently  curved, 
rictus  and  gonys  straight ;  tomial  edge  of  upper  mandible  much  inflected  toward  base,  notched 
near  tip.  Nasal  fossre  small  and  shallow,  nearly  filled  with  feathers,  reaching  to  the  broadly 
oval  nostrils.  Wings  very  narrow,  falcate,  pointed,  with  extremely  short  secondaries.  Tail 
nearly  squiire,  \vith  obtuse  feathers.  Feet  very  small  and  sliort ;  tarsus  of  variable  length 
relative  to  the  toes,  entirely  reticulate.  Outer  and  middle  toes  of  equal  lengths,  the  claw 
of  the  fonner  smaller;  inner  toe  short,  its  claw  not  reacliing  base  of  middle  claw.  Claws  all 
small,  compressed,  acute.     Containing  several  species  of  diminutive  murres,  all  confined  to 

the  Pacific. 

Analysis  of  Species. 

TarsuH  shorter  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 

Upper  parts  blackish  and  chestnut,  lower  blackish  and  white  (summer),  or  upper  parts  cinereous  and 

white,  lower  white  (winter) vmrnwratus    866 

Upper  parts  ashy,  barred  and  spotted  with  dull  yellowish ;  under  parts  whitish  barred  with  dusky. 

"    tlitzi    867 
Tarsus  as  long  as  middle  toe  without  claw. 


806.    I 


868. 


ALCID^—ALCINM :  MURltELETS. 


813 


Lining  of  wingg  white 

Lining  of  wings  dark 

Tarsus  said  to  be  longer  than  middic  toe 


hypnieuouf    868 

.     .  rriifiiii    (>uy 

.  br<u-lif,;'tirus    H7c 


866.  B.  marmora'tus.      (Lat.   mamoratus,  marbled.)      Marbled   Mikrelet.      Wraxcc/./s 
MURRELET.     Adult  lu  suinmer  :  Hill  black  ;  tarsi  belaud  and  both  surfaces  of  webs  blackisli ; 
tarsi   in  front  and  top  of  toes  livid  Hesh-color,   or  dull   l>luisli-gray ;  iris   brown.     Alx.vei 
bi-ownish-black,  barred  crosswise  with   chestnut-brown,  or  bright  rust-color,  e.vcopt  on  the 
wings,  whidi  are  uniform  brownish-black,  the  jjriinaries  darker,  their  inner  webs  gray  toward 
the   base.     Lining  of  wings   smoky  brownish-black.     A  few  whitish  feathers,  varied  with 
chestnut  and  dusky,  on  the  scapulars.     Entire  under  jjarts,  including  sides  of  head  and  neck, 
marbled  with  sooty  brownish-black  and   wliitc,  the  feathers  being  white   witii  dark  ends. 
Adult  in  winter:  No  chestnut,  and  entire   under  parts   pure  white,   innnaculate,  excepting 
some  dusky  streaks  on  the  long  feathers  of  the  sides  and  Hanks.     Upper  parts  very  dark 
cinereous,  the  centres  of  the  feathers,  especially  of  the  back  and  rnui)),  blackish  ;  the  crown, 
wings,  and  tail  almost  black,  the  greater  coverts  narrowly  edged  with  wliite;  the  scapulars 
almost  entirely  A\-hite,   forming  two  conspicuous  patches.     On   the  lores,  the  white  invades 
t')  the  level  of  tlie  eyes,  and  extends  into  the  nasal  fossas ;  it  then  dijis,  leaving  thi'  eyes  in 
dark  color;  on  the  na])e  it  reaches  nearly  across  the  middle  liue ;  on  the  sides  of  the  rump 
it   leaves    a   band   of  dark   color   about    an    inch   wide.      Sjiecimcus    are    found   in   every 
stage  intermediate  between  the  two  here  descrilted.     Young,  iirst  plumage,  with  bill  only  a 
third  as  long  as  head :   Resembling  the  winter  adult,  in  absence  of  chestnut.     I'])pcr  parts 
blackish,  with  only  a  shade  of  cint>reous,  therefore  darker  than  in  the  winter  adult ;  white  on 
scapulars  present,  but  restricted,  and  intcrrupte<l  witii  dusky.     Entire  under  i)arts  white,  as 
before,  but  thickly  marked  with  fine  wavy  dusky  linos,  most  mnnerons  across  throat,  largest 
on  sides  and  Hanks,  finest  on  lower  breast,  the  chin,  middle  of  belly  and  crissum  unmark<'d. 
Lining  of  wings  as  before.     Leugth  10.00;  extent  IS.OO;  wing  5.00;  tail  1.30;  tarsus  0.70; 
middle  too  alone,  1.00,  its  claw  0.20;  outer  toe  and  claw  1.15;  inner  do.  0.90;  bill  along 
culmen  0.00-0.70,  gape  1.25-1.35,  gonys  0.15-0.55,  height  at  base  0.21,  width  0.2<).     (^^'oasts 
and  islands  of  the  N.  Pacific;  on  tin-  American  side,  S.  in  winter  to  S.  Cala.;  breeds  as  far 
south  at  least  as  Vancouver,  and  apiiarently  does  not  jjenetrate  far  north. 

867.  B.  klttUt'zl.  (To  F.  H.  v.  Kittlitz.)  Kittlitz's  Murrelet.  Related  to  the  last,  and 
belonging  to  the  same  section  of  the  genus,  liaviug  the  tarsi  .shorter  than  middle  toe  without 
claw.  Bill  about  one-third  as  lor.g  as  the  head.  Length  about  fl.OO.  Al)ove,  ciuereotis  <if 
lighter  and  darker  shades,  sjxitted  and  barred  with  dull  yellowish.  IJelow,  whitish,  undulated 
with  dusky.  Wings  blackish.  This  is  the  sub.stanco  of  Brandt's  description  of  this  species, 
which  is  quite  distinct  from  tlii^  foreg<ping.  The  bird  was  originally  described  from 
Kamtschatka ;  two  specimens  have  lately  been  takeu  from  the  Aleutian  Islands  by  Mr.  E.  W. 
Nelson  and  Mr.  L.  M.  Turner.  They  are  preserved  in  the  National  Museum,  whore  I  inive 
handled  one  of  them,  but  are  not  at  present  accessible  to  mi>  for  description. 

868.  B.  hypoleu'cus.  (Gr.  vjro,  /ihjw,  below,  XtvKos,  leukos,  vrhiU^)  White-bellied  Mi'RRelet. 
Adult  in  winter  :  Bill  i  the  head,  f  the  tarsus,  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  half  its  claw,  very 
slender.  Tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  without  claw.  Entire  upper  parts  unvaried  cinereous, 
slightly  darker  on  head;  this  color  extending  on  head  to  include  eyelids,  and  a  little  farther  down 
on  the  nape ;  thence  in  a  straight  line  along  middle  of  side  of  neck  to  shoulders,  thence  along 
sides  of  body  in  a  strip  nearly  an  inch  broad,  the  elongated  Hank-feathers  being  also  of  tiiis  color : 
other  under  parts  pure  white,  including  lining  of  the  wings.  Primaries  black,  the  greater  part 
of  their  shafts  and  inner  webs  whitish.  Bill  black,  the  base  of  lower  mandible  pale  ;  feet  whit- 
ish-blue, black  below.  Length  10.00-10.50;  extent  10.00-17.50;  wing  4.75  ;  tail  1.75 ;  tarsus 
0.95;  middle  toe  without  claw  0.95,  its  claw  0.20;  outer  toe  and  claw  1.10;  inner  do.  0.90; 
bill  0.80 ;  gape  1.30  ;  gonys  O.iS ;  depth  of  bill  at  base  0.22 ;  width  0.19.    S.  and  L.  Cola. 


814 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PYGOPODES. 


869.  B.  crave'ril?  (To  F.  Craveri.  Fig.  551.)  Craveri's  Murrelet.  Resembles  the  last; 
questiuuably  dlstiuct  ;  diilers  in  having  the  under  surface  of  the  wiug  dark.  L.  California, 
both  sides. 

870.  B-  brachy'pterus ?  (Gr.  /Spap^tr,  brachus,  short;  nripov,  pteron,  wing.)  Short-wixged 
Murrelet.  Tarsus  said  to  be  longer  than  middle  toe.  Bill  about  i  as  long  as  head. 
Above,  cinereous,  the  wings  and  tail 
blackish.  Neck  on  sides  and  below, 
breast  and  belly  white.  Length  9.00. 
Unalashka.  (This  is  the  substance  of 
Brandt's  original  description.  The  al- 
leged species  is  unknown  to  me,  and  no 
specimens  are  known  to  exist  in  tliis 
country.) 

345.  U'RIA.  (Gr.  ovpia,  oun'a,  a  kind  of 
waterfowl.)  Black  Guillemots.  Bill 
much  shorter  than  head,  about  equal  to 
tarsus,  straight,  rather  stout,  moderately 
compressed ;  culmen  at  first  straight,  then 
decurved ;  gape  straight  to  near  tip ; 
gonys  short,  straight,  ascending,  about  J  Via.  651.  —Craveri's  Murrelet,  nat.  size.  (From  Elliot.) 
as  long  as  culmen.  No  nick  or  groove  near  tip  of  upper  mandible ;  its  tomial  edge  scarcely 
inflected.  Nasal  fossae  large  and  deep,  partially  filled  with  feathers  which  do  not  entirely 
cover  the  nostrils.  Feathers  salient  in  rounded  outline  on  side  of  lo".  er  mandible.  Tail  little 
rounded,  contained  2t  times  in  length  of  wiug.  Tarsus  entirely  reticulate,  slightly  shorter  tlian 
middle  toe  witliout  claw.  Claws  compressed,  arched,  acute,  the  outer  grooved  on  outer  side, 
the  middle  dilated  on  inner  edge.  No  postocular  furrow  in  plumage.  Color  black,  relieved 
with  white  on  head  or  wing,  bill  black,  feet  red;  in  winter,  largely  white.  Eggs  plural, 
colored.     Three  or  four  species. 

Analysis  of  Species. 

A  large  white  mirror  on  wing  above  and  below,  entire ;  no  white  about  head grylle    871 

A  largo  white  mirror  on  wing  above,  partly  divided ;  none  below ;  no  white  about  head     .    .    .  .colutnba    872 
No  white  mirror  on  wing;  parts  about  eye  and  bill  white carlo    673 

871.  U.  gryUe.  (N.  European  name  of  the  bird.  Fig.  552.)  Black  Guillemot.  Sea-pigeon. 
Adult  in  full  dress  :  Plumage  sooty-black  with  a  tint  of  "  invisible  "  green ;  wings  and  tail  pure 
black ;  former  with  a  large  white  mirror  on  both  surfaces ;  biU  and  claws  black ;  mouth  and 

feet  carmine,  vennilion  or  coral  red ;  eyes  brown. 
This  faultless  dress-suit  is  only  worn  about  two 
months.     In  August,  the  wings  and  tail  fade  to 
gray ;  the  body-color  loses  the  green  gloss ;  the 
white  mirror  is  soiled  with  brown.    When  the 
quills  and  tail-feathers  have  fallen,  and  new  ones 
partly  grown,  the  progress  of  the  moult  gives  a 
new  clean  white  mirror,  smaller  than  in  midsum- 
mer; head  and  neck  all  around,  rump  and  under 
parts,  marbled  with  black  and  white,  the  bird 
looking  as  if  dusted  over  with  flour ;  back  black, 
the  feathers  mostly  edged  with  white.     Completion  of  the  moult  gives  the  following  winter 
plumage:  Wings  and  tail  black,  the  white  mirror  faultless;  head  and  neck  all  around,  rump 
and  under  parts,  white ;  back  and  more  or  less  of  the  hind  neck  and  head  black,  variegated 
with  white.     Youc  j  in  firat  plumage  :  Bill  black,  feet  dusky  reddish.     Upper  parts  plumbeous 


Fia.  632.  —  Black  Guillemot,  nat.  size. 


ALCID^  —  ALCIN^ :   G UILLEMOTS. 


815 


872. 


8T3. 


Fia.  653.  —  Pigeon  OuiUemot,  iiat.  size. 


or  sooty,  little  varied  with  white ;  under  parts  white,  marbled,  rayed  and  waved  with  dusky; 
incipient  mirror  spotty.  Nestlings  arc  covered  with  sooty  brownish-black  down  ;  bill  and  ft"et 
brownish-black.  Perfectly  white  and  entirely  black  birds  arc  rarely  seen.  The  mirror  on  the 
upper  smface  of  the  wings  is  composed  of  the  terminal  half  (more  or  less)  of  the  greater  coverts, 
the  rest  dark  ;  of  the  several  next  rows  excepting  their  dark  bases,  tlic  white  of  these  coverts 
normally  overlying  and  concealing  the  dark  basal  portions  of  the  greater  coverts,  so  that  the 
oval  mirror  is  usually  unbroken  ;  the  anterior  border  of  the  mirror  is  the  line  through  the  union 
of  white  tips  with  dark  bases  of  the  row  of  lesser  coverts  about  i  an  inch  from  the  fore-arm 
edge  of  the  wing.     When,  as  not  seldom  happens,  the  row  of  greatest  coverts  are  dark  beyond 

j the  extent  of  the  next  row,  this  dark  being  tlius 

uncovered,  shows  as  a  wedge  partly  splitting  the 
mirror,  as  normally  occuis  in  U.  columha.     Or, 
the  greater  row  of  coverts  may  be  enlh-ely  dark, 
when  the  mirror  is  unbroken,  as  before,  but  much 
smaller  ;  or,  again,  the  middle  row  of  coverts  may 
be  tipped  with  dark,  making  a  break  across  tlie 
mirror,  but  in  a  different  method  from  that  first 
described.     Finally,  the  mirror  may  bo  only  in- 
dicated by  isolated  white  feathers,  or  wholly  want- 
ing.   Length,  average,   13.00;  extent,  average, 
22.50;  wing  5.50-6.25 ;  tail  about  2.00;  tarsus  1.25;  middle  toe  and  claw  1.75;  bill  1.30; 
gape  1.75  ;  gonys  0.65  ;  depth  of  bill  at  base  0.45,  width  0.35.    Eur.  and  N.  Am.  coasts  and 
islands  of  the  N.  Atlantic,  very  abundant;  rare  or  casual  in  the  N.  Pacific,  where  replaced  by 
the  succeeding  species ;  occurring  in  the  Arctic  Ocean,  but  apparently  mostly  replaced  by  U. 
mandti ;  in  N.  A.  occurring  in  Hudson's  Bay,  and  S.  in  winter  to  the  Middle  States.    Gregari- 
ous ;  flying  in  close  flocks  low  over  the  water ;  nesting  scattering  in  rifts  of  rock  near  the 
water;  eggs  2-3,  sea-green,  greenish-white  or  white,  spotted  and  blotched  most  irregularly 
with  blackish-brown,  and  with  purplish  shell-markings ;   size  2.25  to  2.50  X  1.50  to  1.60 ; 
shape  nearly  elliptical,  not  pyriform  like  those  of  Guillemots ;  laid  in  June,  July. 
U.  coluin'ba.     (Lat.  columha,  a  pigeon.    Pig.  553.)     Pigeon  Guillemot.    Bill  stouter  than 
that  of  grylle,  and  more  obtuse.     No  white  on  under  surface  of  the  wing.     White  mirror  of 
upper  surface  nearly  split  in  two  by  an  oblique  dark  line,  caused  by  the  extension  of  the  dark 
bases  of  the  greater  coverts,  in  increasing 
amount  from  within  outward,  till  the  outer- 
most are  scarcely  tipped  with  white ;  con- 
sequently there  is  a  dark  wedge  between 
the  white  ends  of  the  greater  an<l  middle 
rows  of  coverts.     Plumage  and  its  changes 
otherwise  as  in   the  foregoing;   general 
habits  and  nesting  the  same.    Asiatic  and 
Am.  coasts  and  islands  of  the  N.  Pacific ; 
breeds  as  far  south  as  California. 
U.    car'bo.      (Lat.    Carho,    a   coal;     i.e.  F,o.  RU  -  Sooty  Guillemot,  nat.  size. 

black.  Fig.  554.)  Sooty  Guillemot.  Spectacled  Guillemot.  Like  the  last ;  larger, 
especially  the  bill.  No  white  on  either  surface  of  wings.  A  i)air  of  white  spectacles  on  the 
eyes,  and  whitish  about  base  of  bill.  General  plumage  and  its  changes  as  in  others  of  the 
genus ;  bill  and  feet  the  same.  Length  14.00-15.00;  wing  7.75 ;  tail  2.50 ;  tarsus  7.35 ; 
middle  toe  and  claw  2.10 ;  bill  1.55-1.70  along  culmen,  along  gape  2.20,  from  feathers  on 
side  of  lower  mandible  1.50  ;  depth  at  base  0.50;  width  0.38.  N.  Pacific,  in  higher  latitudes; 
British  Columbia  to  Japan.    An  interesting  species,  still  rare  in  collections. 


I! 


810 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —PYGOPODES. 


346. 


I; 


874 


LOM'VIA.  (N.  European  name  of  birds  of  tliis  kind.)  Murues.  Guillemots.  Egq- 
uiRDS.  Hill  shorti'r  than  head,  longer  than  tarsus,  straight  or  slightly  decurved,  much  com- 
pressed ;  culmeu  regularly  t"ur\-ed  throughout ;  rictus  curved  in  most  of  its  length  ;  gonys 
straight,  or  little  curved,  nearly  as  long  as  culnien  ;  upper  mandible  grooved  on  the  side  near 
tip,  its  commissural  edge  greatly  inflected.     Nasal  fossae  fully  feathered.     Feather's  on  lower 


Fig.  555.  —  Giitlioriiig  Murre's  eggs  in  Al.i»ka.    (I)esigneil  by  H.  W.  Elliott.) 

mandible  retreating  in  straight  oblique  line  from  interramal  space  to  rictus.  Tail  short,  much 
rounded,  contained  over  'A  times  in  length  of  wing.  Tarsus  compressed,  much  shorter  than 
middle  toe  and  claw  ;  outer  claw  not  grooved  on  outer  face.  A  furrow  iu  plumage  behind  eye. 
Colors  dark  above,  white  below.     Egg  single,  pictured,  pyriform. 

Analysis  t\f  Species. 


Deplli  of  bill  opposite  nostrils  not  more  than  J  the  length  of  (.'iilmen. 

Bill  comparatively  slemlttr,  not  dilated  along  edgeof  iijiper  mandible  at  base,  theculmen,  commissure 

and  gonys  curveil.    Atlantic troile 

Bill  stouter,  somewhat  dilated  along  edges  of  upper  mandible  at  base,  the  culmon,  rictus,  and  gonys 

nearly  straight.    Pacific calif'oniica 

Depth  of  bin  opposite  nostrils  more  than  }  the  length  of  cnlmen. 

Bill  very  stout,  thick,  deep,  much  dilated  along  edges  of  upper  mandible  at  base ;  culmen,  commissure 
and  gonys  curved arra 


874 


876 


870 


L.  troile.  (Norn,  propr.,  of  uncertain  reference.  Figs.  556,  557,  560.)  Common  Guillemot,  or 
MUUKE.  Adult  in  summer  :  Head  and  neck  all  around  rich  dark  maroon  brown,  changing  on 
upper  parts  into  dark  slaty-brown,  nearly  uniform,  but  most  of  the  feathers  of  the  biick  and  rum)) 
with  slightly  lighter,  more  grayish-brown,  edges.  Secondaries  naiTowly  but  distinctly  tipped  with 
white.  Under  parts  from  the  throat  ptirc  white,  the  sides  and  tlanks  marked  with  dusky  or  slaty, 
the  lining  of  the  wings  varied  with  white  and  dusky.  Bill  black  ;  mouth  yellow  ;  eyes  brown ; 
feet  blackish.     In  some  cases,  not  iu  most,  a  white  "  eye-glass,"  consisting  of  a  rim  around  eye 


I     I: 


ALCID^  —  ALCIX.E :  MUliJlES. 


817 


Eaa- 
com- 

gonys 
near 

liiHTr 


875. 


876. 


and  hand  e  back  of  eye  m  the  furrow  „f  tiio  pUm.ago.  lu  winter :  White  of  under  ,mrt.s  rearhi,,.. 
to  the  bill,  on  sides  ..f  head  to  level  of  the  c<mnnis«ure,  farther  around  ou  «ia,.s  „f  n.rk  l.ujn., 
only  a  narrow  isthmus  of  dark  color;  the  two  colors  shudiuf;  without  distinct  line  of  .Icnuirc'i" 
turn  ;  usually  a  spur  of  dark  color  in  the  furrow  behind  eye.  Y.,ung,  first  winfr,  like  the 
adults  at  that  season  ;  bill  shorter  and  weaker,  and,  like  the  feet,  in  part  light-colored  Fh.dg- 
lings  dusky  brownish,  with  white  breast  and  belly,  au.l  whitish  about  h.'ad  and  neck.  Lcni;tli 
17.00;  extent  30.00;  wing  8.00;  tail  2.25;  tars...  l.W;  middle  toe  and  claw  2. lU;  outer  do 


2.00;  inner  do.  1.70;  bill  along  culnieu  1.75; 
gape  2.50 ;  gonys  1.15  ;  depth  at  base  0.55  ; 
width  0.30.  European  aud  American  coasts 
and  islands  of  the  N.  Atlantic,  to  or  beyond  80° 
N. ;  on  the  Amer.  side  breeding  from  Nova 
Scotia  northward  ;  in  winter  to  the  Middle  States.  Fio.  556.  -Common  Guillemot,  or  Murrc,  nearly 
Myriads  of  murres  congregate  to  breed  on  rocky  '""•  *'""■    l^™™  ^'"°'-) 

islands,  incubating  their  single  eggs  as  closely  together  as  they  can  find  standing-room  on  the 
shelves  of  the  cliffs  ;  their  ranks  serried  on  ledge  after  ledge,  and  clouds  of  birds  whirling 
through  the  air.  The  eggs,  so  numerous  as  to  have  conunercial  value,  are  notorious  for  their 
variability  in  coloration.  The  size  is  great  for  that  of  the  bird,  averaging  8.25  X  2.00,  run- 
ning unusually  from  3.00  to  3.50,  with  half  as  much  variation  in  breadth.     The  ground  color 

ranges  from  creamy  to  pure  white,  then  through 
earthy,  grayish,  bluish,  or  greenish-white  to 
sea-green  and  every  darker  shade  of  green.  The 
markings  of  the  creamy  and  white  varieties  are 
generally  .spots  and  blotches  of  different  shades 
of  l)rown,  pretty  unifonidy  dispersed,  and  eggs 
of  this  type  resemble  tho.se  of  the  razor-bill, 
but  may  usually  I)e  distinguished  by  larger  sizo 
Fio.  657.  —  Common  Guillemot,  nat.  size.  (in    length)    .md  more   pyriform   shape.     The 

green  eggs  are  endlessly  varied,  in  pattern  of  the  markings,  but  are  normally  more  streaked  iu 
sharp  angular  zigzag  lines,  inextricably  confused,  reminding  one  of  Chinese  literature. 
L.  t.  callfor'nica.  (Fig.  558.)  Calikounian  Guillemot.  Like  the  last.  Bill  averaging 
somewhat  longer,  about  1.90;  cidinen,  commissure,  and  gonys  nearly  straight ;  upper  mimdiblo 
somewhat  dilated  toward  the  base  along  the  cutting  edges,  and  less  feathered ;  gonydeal  angle 
prominent.  The  bill  consequently  approaches  that  of  the  next  species,  in  width  and  depth,  but 
exaggerates  the  length  and  straightness  of  that  of  the  last  species.  Pacific  coast  of  \.  .Am., 
breeding  from  islands  in  Behring's  sea  to  California. 

L.  ar'ra.  (Russian  name,  arrie.  Fig.  559.)  Thick-billed  Gi'ILLEmot.  Ahrie.  Like  tho 
foregoing  in  plumage  and  its  changes.  Form  very  robust.  Bill  short,  stout,  wide,  deep  ;  culmcn 
curved  throughout;  commissure  decurved  at  end;  gonys  if  anything  concave  in  outline,  the  angle 
very  protuberant ;  cutting  edges  of  the  upper  mandible  dilated  and  denuded  toward  tho  base, 

52 


'•1 

n 

! 

i   r 
i;  i- 


I' 


818 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  —  PYGOrODES. 


347 


877. 


FlO.  658.  —  Californian  OuiUemof,  iiat.  size. 


this  bare  turgid  space  flesh-colored  in  life,  drying  pule  yellowish.  Length  18.00;  extent  32.00; 
wing  8.50;  tarsus  1.25;  bill  along  cuhnen  1.40,  along  gape  2.20;  gonysO.OO;  depth  at  angle 
0.55,  width  at  base  of  nostrils  0.30,  at  angle  of  mouth  0.80.  N.  Athintic  and  Polar  and 
N.  Pacific  shores  and  islands,  in  myriads ;  on  the  Atlantic  S.  in  M'inter  to  the  Middle  States, 
breeding  from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  northward.  The  N.  Pacific  form,  unquestionably 
of  the  "  thick-billed"  species,  does  not  exhibit  the  extreme  of  shortness  and  stoutness  us  just 

described  for  the  At- 
lantic ;  with  a  cul- 
men  of  about  1.67. 
the  depth  opposite 
nostrils  is  hardly  0.(17, 
thus  less  than  hulf 
the  length  of  culmon, 
instead  of  about  hulf; 
gape  nearly  3.00. 
The  sides  of  the  up- 
per mandible  are  char- 
acteristically diluted 
and    denuded,    of    a 

glaucous  bluish  color ;  the  tip  of  the  bill  is  less  deflexed,  though  more  so  than  in  the  connnon 
guillemot.  This  is  the  great  "  egg-bird  "  of  the  high  N.  Pacific ;  on  St.  George's,  one  of  the 
Prybi'iv  group,  for  example,  the  birds  "go  flying  around  the  island  in  great  files  and  platoons, 
always  circling  against  or  quartcriug,  on  the  wing,  at  regular  hours  iu  the  morning  and  the 
evening,  making  a  dark  girdle  of  birds  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  broad  and  thirty  miles 
long,  whirling  round  and  round  the  islund,  and  forcing  \ipon  the  most  casual  observer  a  lasting 
impression."  The  N.  Pacific  form  is  L.  arra  proper;  that  of  the  N.  Atlantic  is  "  Billunich's 
guillemot,"  difleriug  as  said,  and  perhaps  constituting  a  subspecies  apart  (L.  a.  svarbag). 
UTAMA'NIA.  (Cretan  name  of  the  bird.)  Razor-bill  Auk.  Size,  form,  and  general 
aspect  of  the  last  genus.  Bill  about  as  long  as 
head,  densely  feathered  for  hulf  its  length,  the 
feathers  extending  on  upper  mandible  beyond  mid- 
dle of  commissure,  those  on  lower  somewhat  fur- 
ther. Bill  greatly  compressed,  cultrate,  sulcatc, 
hooked;  culmcn  ridged,  regularly  convex;  com- 
missure straight  to  the  hook ;  gonys  about  straight. 
Nostrils  linear,  marginal,  densely  feathered.  Tarsi 
scutellate  in  front  Tail  short,  pointed,  of  stiffish, 
acute  feathers.  Wings  nonnal,  eflcctive  for  flight. 
Bicolor.     Egg  single,  colored.     One  species. 

U.  tor'da.  (Name  of  the  bird.)  Razor-billed  Auk.  Tinker.  Adult  in  summer :  Bill 
and  feet  black,  the  former  with  a  white  line  occupying  the  length  of  the  middle  sulcus  on  both 
mandibles ;  mouth  yellow;  eye  bluish.  A  strict,  sunken  line  of  white  from  eye  to  base  of 
culraen.  Head  and  neck  all  around  and  upper  parts  black,  glossy  and  intense  on  the  latter, 
lustreless  opaque  brownish-black  on  the  sides  and  front  of  the  former.  Tips  of  secondaries 
and  entire  under  parts  from  the  neck,  including  lining  of  wings,  white.  In  winter :  White 
reaching  to  bill,  and  invading  sides  of  head  and  neck  ;  the  dark  parts  duller.  Young :  Like 
the  adults  in  winter ;  smaller ;  duUer ;  bill  unformed,  and  like  the  feet  not  black.  Nestlings 
clothed  with  sooty  down,  paler  or  whitish  below.  In  the  adults,  the  shai^  white  line  from 
bill  to  eye  is  very  characteristic,  appearing  with  the  first  feathering,  but  sometimes  fails  in 
winter  birds.     Length  about  18.00;   extent  27.00;  wing  7.75;  taU  3.50,  graduated  1.25; 


Fio.  669.  —  Thick-billed  Guillemot,  nat.  size. 


348. 


878. 


ALCIDJE  —  ALCINJE :   GREAT  AUK. 


819 


tarsus  1  25 ;  middle  .u-  outer  toe  and  claw  2.00,  inner  1.40 ;  chord  of  cul.non  1..30,  arc  L.'-.O : 

gapo  2.25;  gonys  0.75;  greatest  depth  of  bill  0.90.    This  auk  abounds  in  the  N.  Ath.ntio 

both  coasts,  and  parts  of  the  Polar  seas;  casual  in  the  N.  Pacific;  Japan.    On  our  coast' 

brecls  in  great  numbers  in  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  about  Newfoundland  and  Labrador! 

strnys  a.  in  winter  to  the 

Middle  States,  like  other 

Alcida.     The    eggs   are 

usually  laid    in    caverns 

and  fissures  of  the  rocks 

along  precipitous  shore- 
lines, often  with  those  of 

sea-pigeons  and  puffins; 

about  3.00  X  scant  2.00, 

white    with     creamy    or 

milky-bluish   tint,   never 

green  like  those  of  murres, 

spotted  and  blotched,  but 

not    fantastically    traced 

over,  with  difierent  shades 

of    umber  -  brown  ;    less 

pointed ;  laid  in  June  and 

July. 
348.    AL'CA.     (Lat.  from  alk 

or  auk.)      His  Guace, 

The  Auk,  who  lost  the 

use  of  his  wings,  and  per- 
ished off  the  face  of  the 

earth  in  consequence. 
878.   A.     Impen'nls.       (Lat. 

impennis,  wingless.    Fig. 

561.)    The  Great  Auk. 

Largest  of  the  family: 
length  about  30.00  inches; 
wing  6.00;  taUS.OO;  bill 
along  gape   4.25;   chord  Fio.  860.— Murres. 

of  culmen  3.15;  greatest  depth  of  upper  mandible  1.00,  of  lower  0.67;  greatest  width  of  bill 
0.67;  tarsus  1.67;  middle  toe  and  claw  3.25;  outer  do.  3.00;  inner  do.  2.25.  A  great  white 
oval  spot  between  eye  and  bill.  Hood  and  mantle  dark;  under  parts  white,  extending  in  a 
point  on  the  throat;  ends  of  secondaries  white.  Bill  black,  with  white  grooves;  feet  dark 
Special  interest  attaches  to  this  bird,  which  is  now  doubtless  extinct,  largely  through  human 
agency.  It  formerly  inhabited  this  coast  from  Massachusetts  northward,  as  attested  by  earlier 
observers,  and  by  the  plentiful  occurrence  of  its  bones  in  shell-heaps;  also  Greenland,  Iceland, 
and  the  N.  W.  shores  of  Europe,  to  the  Arctic  Circle.  On  our  shores  it  was  apparently  last 
alive  at  the  Funks,  a  small  island  off  the  S.  Coast  of  Newfoundland;  while  in  Iceland,  its 
living  history  has  been  brought  dovra  to  1844.  For  some  years,  it  was  currently,  but  prema- 
turely, reported  extinct.  Mr.  R.  Deane  has  recently  recorded  (Am.  Nat.  vi,  368)  that  a  speci- 
men was  "found  dead  in  the  vicinity  of  St.  Augustine,  Labrador,  in  November,  1870;"  this 
one,  though  in  poor  condition,  being  sold  for  8200,  and  sent  to  Europe.  But  there  appears  to 
be  some  question  respecting  the  character,  date,  and  disposition  of  this  alleged  individual;  and 
it  seems  very  improbable  that  the  species  lived  down  to  1870.    I  know  of  only  four  speci- 


820 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS.  — PYGOPODES. 


mens  in  this  country,  —  in  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  in  the  Philadt-lijhia  Academy,  tlin 
Cambridgo  Museum,  and  Vassar  College,  Poughkeepsio  (the  latter  the  original  of  Audubon'H 
figures).  There  is  an  egg  in  each  of  the  first  two  mentioned  collections.  In  pattern  of 
coloration  the  egg  is  like  that  of  the  razor-billed  auk,  though  it  is  of  course  much  larger,  meas- 
uring about  5.00  X  3.00.  About  70  skins  appear  to  be  preserved  iu  various  museums,  M'ith 
as  many  eggs,  some  half  dozen  more  or  less  complete  skeletons,  and  other  bones  representing 
perhaps  a  hundred  individuals. 


Fia.  £61.  — Great  Auk.    (From  Sport  with  Gun  and  Rod.    Tbe  Century  Co.,  N.  Y.) 


Part    IV. 


1:1 


n 


SYSTEMATIC   SYNOPSIS 


OF   THE 


FOSSIL  BIRDS  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


Therp  is  at  present  mi  satisfactory  pvidcncc  that  Birds  existed  in  North  America  hefore  tlio 
Jurassic  period  ;  the  fnotijviiits  in  the  sandstouo  of  the  Connecticut  Valley  attributed  to  IVirds 
having  probably  all  been  made  by  Dinosaurian  Reptiles  (p.  63).  A  number  of  Cretaceous 
Birds  have  been  known  for  some  years,  as  given  in  the  original  edition  of  this  work  (1872) ; 
but  it  is  only  since  1881  that  tliis  class  of  vertebrates  has  been  traced  back  to  the  Jurassic 
by  the  discovery  of  Laopteryx  prisms  on  a  geologic  horizon  ne'>rly  that  of  the  fauKitis 
Arcli(Eopteryx. 

The  Tertiary  Birds  of  North  America  belong  to  genera  identical  with,  or  nearly  related 
to,  those  now  living  (p.  64).  The  case  is  otherwise  with  the  earlier  forms  from  the  Cretaceous 
and  the  Jurassic,  which  represent  difl'eront  primary  divisions  of  the  class  Aves  (p.  237),  com- 
parable in  taxonomie  value  to  that  one  (Sauiur<e)  which  is  based  upon  the  Archaopkryx,  or 
to  those  afforded  by  the  Ratitc  and  the  Carinate  birds  respectively.  Most  of  these  forms  are 
Odontornithes,  or  Birds  with  teeth  ;  having  the  teeth  implanted  eitlier  in  grooves  (Odon- 
tolcce),  or  iu  sockets  {Odontotorma:),  as  illustrated  by  the  genera  Ilcsperornis  and  Icldhyornis 
respectively. 

In  the  original  edition  tif  the  Key  these  Cretaceous  types  were  ranged  with  those  from  the 
Tertiary,  their  characters  not  having  been  fully  worked  out  at  that  time.  They  have  since 
become  well  known,  through  Professor  Marsh's  splendid  restorations  and  illustrations,  iu  his 
great  work  entitled  'Odontornithes'  (Ito,  Washington  and  New  Haven,  1880). 

It  is  deemed  advisable  to  present  the  Fossil  Birds  of  North  America  under  the  three 
categories  of  the  Tertiary,  the  Cretaceous,  and  the  Jurassic  forms;  the  first-named  bemp 
ranged  under  the  several  orders  to  which  they  are  supposed  to  belong,  as  described  in  this 
work  ;  the  remainder,  with  few  exceptions,  being  Odontornithes. 


f  ^ 


822 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  OF  FOSSIL  BIIWS. 


A.  —  Tertiffi'!/  IHrds* 

CAKINATJE  (p.  ii:tH). 

FASSERES  (p.  238). 

PALiEOSPIZA   BKLLA. 

Ful(eoK])i~u  hella,  Allkn,  Bull.  U.  S.  Gool.  Siirv.  Torr.,  iv.,  no.  2,  May  3,  1878,  pp.  443- 
44.5,  pi.  i,  figg.  1,  2.  —  Am.  Jourii.  Si-i.,  xv.  May,  1878,  p.  381.  —  Ainer.  Nat.,  xv.  Mar., 
1881,  p.  253. 

Based  iii)on  soino  beautifully  preserved  reinainn,  froui  the  insect- bearing  .sliales  of  Floris- 
sant, Colorado,  now  deposited  in  the  Museum  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History.  Tiicy 
consist  of  the  greater  part  of  the  skeleton,  including  all  the  bones  of  the  wings  and  legs  ex- 
cepting tlie  femurs,  but  unfortunately  lacking  the  bill.  Tlie  impression  oi"  the  feathers  of  the 
wings  and  tail  are  remarkably  distinct,  showing  not  only  the  general  shape  of  these  parts,  but 
the  shafts  and  barbs  of  the  feathers  themselves.  The  bones  are  all  in  situ,  "  and  indicate  be- 
yond question  a  high  ornitliic  type,  probably  referable  to  the  oscino  division  of  the  Passeres. 
The  lack  of  the  bill  renders  it  impossible  to  assign  tl>c  s])ecies  to  any  jjarticular  family,  but  the 
fossil  on  the  whole  gives  the  impression  of  Friugilliue  atBuitics."  The  approximate  length  of 
the  specimen  is  seven  inches. 


PICARUB  (p.  444). 

2.  UINTORNI8   LUOARIS. 

Uintornis  lucaris,  Marsh,  Am.  Jouru.  Sci.,  iv,  Oct.,  1872,  p.  259.  —  Coues,  Key,  1872, 
p.  347. 

This  bird  was  about  as  large  as  a  robin,  and  apparently  related  to  the  woodpeckers.  The 
only  known  remains  are  from  the  Lower  Tertiary  formation  of  Wyoming  Territory.  They  are 
preserved  in  the  Museum  of  Yale  College. 

RAPTORES  (p.  496). 

3.  AQUILA   DANANA. 

Aquila  damna,  Marsh,  Am.  Joum.  Sci.,  ii,  Aug.,  1871,  p.  125. — CoUES,  Key,  1872, 
p.  347. 

This  sjiecies  was  nearly  as  large  as  the  golden  eagle  (A.  chrysaetiis) .  The  only  known 
reiiiiiins  were  found  in  the  Pliocene  of  Nebraska,  and  are  preserved  in  the  Yale  Museum. 

4.  BUBO   LEPTOSTEUS. 

Bubo  leptosteus,  Marsh,  Am. "Joum.  Sci.,  ii,  Aug.,  1871,  p.  120.  —  Coues,  Key,  1872, 
p.  347. 

A  species  about  two-thirds  as  large  as  the  great  horned  owl  (B.  virginiannn).  The  re- 
mains were  discovered  in  the  Lower  Tertiary  beds  of  Wyoming,  and  are  now  in  the  Yale 
Museum. 

5.  PAL^OBORVS  UMBROSUS. 

Cafhartes  iimhrosus,  Cope,  Proc.  Phila.  Acad.,  xxvi,  1874,  p.  151. — Ann.  Rep.  Cliief  of 
Eugrs.  U.  S.  A.,  1874,  p.  G06. 

Vultitr  umbrosus,  Cope,  Proc.  Phila.  Acad.,  xxvii,  1875,  p.  271. — Ann.  Rep.  Chief  of 
Engrs.  U.  S.  A.,  1875,  p.  993.  —Rep.  Surv.  W.  100th  Merid.,  iv,  pt.  ii,  p.  287,  pi  Ixvii,  figg. 
10-18,  pi.  Ixviii,  figg.  1-19. 

From  the  Pliocene  of  New  Mexico;  remains  found  in  the  sands  north  of  Pqjuaque,  repre- 
senting a  rapacious  bird  in  size  intermediate  between  the  golden  eagle  and  the  turkey  vulture ; 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  OF  FOSSIL  JilRDS. 


823 


(1 


rcfcrrcil  at  first  ti>  tlio  gcmw  Cuthitrten,  at'tcrward  lunvisionally  ti)  the  tcnu.s  Viiltiir.     As  tli« 
(Icscriptidii  uiitl  figuros  cluiirly  iiulioatu  a  l)inl  ),'ciicri(ally  distiiict  frmn  Cdlluiitis,  ami  a.s  llm 

improbability  of  tbo  occurrciuM"  (if  a  tnu'  Vultiir  in  Nmtli  America  is  vxu-f ,  it  is  siignistcil 

tlmt  this  sppcica  hv.  iiiailo  tins  type  of  a  new  gciiim,  I'alwohorus,  busi'il  upipu  tliu  cliaractiirs 
given  by  the  describcr. 


OALLINiB  (p.  571). 

6.  MELEAORIS   ANTIQUUS. 

Mcleagrin  antiqiim,  Mausii,  Am.  Joiini.  Sci.,  ii,  Aug.,  1S71,  \>.  12(1.  —  Coues,  Key, 
1872,  p.  347. 

This  species  was  nearly  aa  large  xw  tlie  wild  tiirUey  (.1/.  gallijxini).  The  remains  repre- 
seiiting  it  were  fimnd  in  the  Miocene  of  t'olorailo,  and  are  preserved  in  the  Yale  Mus(>un). 

7.  MELKAGRI8  ALTUS. 

Mcleagris  nltiis,  Mahsii,  Proc.  Pliila.  Acad.,  Mar.,  1870,  p.  11.  —  Anier.  Nat.,  iv,  July, 
1870,  p.  317. —  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  iv,  Oct.,  lS7;i,  p.  2IJ0.— Cdue.s,  Key,  187-^  p.  348. 

MclcatjriM  superhm,  Cdpf;,  Syn.  Ext.  IJatrach.,  etc.,  p.  239. 

"  Kepre.sented  by  portions  of  three  skeletons,  of  different  ages,  which  belonged  to  birds 
about  the  si^e  of  the  wild  tnrUey,  althougli  proportionally  mncli  taller.  The  tihiie  and  tarso- 
metatarsal bones  were,  in  fact,  so  elongated  ns  to  resemble  those  of  wading  birds."  From  the 
Post-plioeeno  fif  New  Jersey.     The  remains  are  mostly  in  the  Museum  of  Yale  College. 

8.  MKLEAGRIS    GRLER. 

Meleagrin  celer,  Mausii,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  Oct.,  1872,  p.  201.  —  Coues,  Key,  1872,  p.  31-8. 
A  species  much  smaller  than  the  foregoing,  but  with  legs  of  slender  proportions.    Also 
from  the  Post-plioeeno  of  Now  Jersey,  and  preserved  in  the  Y'alo  Klusouni. 


i' 


LIMICOLiE  (p.  596). 

9    CHARADRIU9   SHEPPARDIANUS. 

Charadiius  sheppardiantis,  Cdi'K,  Hull.  IT.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Terr.,  vi,  no.  1,  Feb.  11,  1881, 
pp.  83-85.  —Amor.  Nat.,  xv,  Mar.,  1881,  p.  233. 


ALECTORroES  (p.  665). 

10.  GRUS   HAYDENI. 

Grus  haydeni,  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  .\lix,  March,  1870,  p.  211-.  — COUE.S,  Key,  1872, 
p.  348. 

A  species  about  as  large  aa  the  sandhill  i-raiie  (G.  camdensis).  From  the  Pliocene  of 
Nebraska.     Remains  jireserved  in  the  Mnseum  of  the  Philadelphia  Academy. 

11.  GRUS   PROAVUS. 

Grus  proavus,  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  iv,  Oct.,  1872,  p.  261.— Coues,  Key,  1872, 
p.  348. 

This  species  was  nearly  as  large  as  a  sandhill  crane.  The  remains  representing  it  weiv 
found  ill  the  Post-pliocene  of  New  Jersey,  and  are  now  in  the  Yale  Museum. 

12.  ALETORNIS   NOBILIS. 

Aletomis  nobilis,  Mausii,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  iv,  Oct.,  1872,  p.  236. -Coues,  Key,  1872, 

P-  348.  ,        .       ,  „r 

Nearly  as  largo  as  the  preceding  species.     Found  in  tbo  Eocene  deposits  of  Wyommg, 

and  now  in  the  Museum  of  Yale  College. 


824 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  OF  FOSSIL  BIRDS. 


13.  ALETORMS   PERNIX. 

Aletornis  jpernix,  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  iv,  Oct.,  1S72,  p.  256.  —  Coues,  Key,  1872, 
p.  348. 

About  half  the  size  of  the  above,  and  from  the  same  locality.    Also  in  the  Yale  Museum. 

14.  ALETORNIS   VENUSTUS. 

Aletornis  vennstus,  Mahsii,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  iv,  Oct.,  1872,  p.  257.— Coues,  Kov,  1872, 
p.  348. 

A  smaller  species,  about  as  large  as  a  curlew  (Numenins).  From  the  same  locality,  ami 
likewise  in  the  Yale  Museum. 

15.  ALETORNIS   GRACILIS. 

Aletornis  gracilis,  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  iv,  Oct.,  1872,  p.  258. —  Coues,  Key,  1872, 
p.  348. 

A  bird  about  the  size  of  a  woodcock  (Philohela  viinor').  From  the  same  fornuition  and 
locality,  and  now  preserved  in  the  Museum  of  Yale  College. 

16.  ALETORNIS   BELLVS. 

Aletornis  hellus,  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  iv,  Oct.,  1872,  p.  258.  —Coues,  Key,  1872, 
p.  349. 

A  still  smaller  species,  probably  belonging  to  a  different  genus.  From  the  same  locality, 
and  also  in  the  Yale  Museum. 


24. 


LAMELLIROSTRES  (p.  677). 

17.  CYGNUS   PALOREGONUS. 

Cygnus  paloregonus,  Cope,  Bull.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Terr.,  iv,  no.  2,  May  3,  1S78,  p.  388. 

Represented  by  numerous  bones,  especially  by  four  metatarsals,  two  of  which  are  nearly 
perfect,  indicating  a  species  very  near  those  now  existing,  but  apparently  distinct.  From  the 
Pliocene  if  Oregon.     Remains  in  Prof.  Cope's  Collection. 

18.  BERMCLA    HYPSIBATES. 

Anncr  Jnjpsihates,  Cope,  Bull.  IT.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Torr.,  iv,  no.  2,  May  3,  ]878,  j).  3^7. 

Based  upim  a  metatarsal  bone  lacking  the  hypotarsus,  indicating  a  goose  nearly  related  to 
Bernicla  canadetusis,  but  probably  !;),'-ger  or  with  longer  legs.  From  the  Pliocene  of  Oregon. 
Remains  in  Prof.  Cope's  Collection. 


STEGANOFODES  (p.  718). 

19.  SULA  LOXOSTYLA. 

Sula  loxostgla,  Cope,  Trans.  Amer.  Philos.  Soc,  xiv,  Dec,  1870,  p.  230.  —  Coues,  Key, 
1872,  p.  31<). 

A  gannet,  not  so  large  as  the  common  living  species  (S.  hassana),  from  the  Miocene  of 
North  Carolina.     The  reiiinins  are  preserved  in  Professor  Cope's  Ctdlection. 

20.  PHALACROCORAX  IDAHENSIS. 

Gracidus  idahensis,  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  xlix,  Mar.,  1870,  p.  21G.  —  Coues,  Key, 
1872,  p.  349. 

A  typical  cormorant,  rather  smaller  than  P.  carbo.  From  the  Pliocene  of  Idaho.  Most 
of  the  known  remains  are  deposited  in  the  Yale  Museum. 

21.  PHALACROCORAX  MACROPUS. 

Graculus  macropus,  Cope,  Bull.  IT.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Terr.,  iv,  no.  2,  May  3, 1878,  p.  380. 

From  the  Pliocene  of  Oregon,  in  wliich  it  appears  to  have  been  numert)us ;  represented  by 
various  bones,  those  upon  which  tlx^  species  is  based  being  three  nearly  jierfect  metatarsals  in 
the  collecticm  of  Prof.  Cope,  indicating  a  bird  somewhat  larger  than  the  living  Phalacrocorax 
ddophtis,  and  agreeing  closely  in  size  with  Ph.  idahensis. 


STSTE3IATIC  SYNOPSIS  OF  FOSSIL  BIRDS. 


826 


LONQIPENNES  (p.  732). 

22.  PUPFINUS  CONRADI. 

Puffimts  conradii,  Marsh,  Am.  Jouru.  Sci.,  xlix,  Mar.,  1872,  p.  212.  —  CoUES,  Key, 
1872,  p.  350. 

A  shearwater  about  the  size  df  P.  cinereus.  From  the  Miocene  of  Maryland,  anil  now- 
preserved  in  the  Museum  of  the  Pliiladcliihia  Academy. 

PYGOPODES  (p.  787). 

23.  LOMVIA  ANTIQUA. 

Catanactes  aniiquus.  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  xlix,  Jlar.,  1870,  p.  213.  —  Coues,  Kcv, 
1872,  p.  350. 

A  guillemot  rather  larger  than  the  common  niurrc  (L.  troik).  From  the  Miocono  of 
North  Carolina.     Deposited  in  the  Philadelphia  Academy. 

24.  LOMVIA  AFFINIS. 

Catarractes  affinis,  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  iv,  Oct.,  1872,  p.  259.  — CofES,  Key,  1872, 
p.  350. 

A  species  about  as  large;  as  the  preceding,  and  nearly  related.  From  the  Post-pliocene  of 
Maine.     The  origiual  specimen  is  in  the  Philadelphia  Academy. 

MATIT.^  (p.  'J38). 

26.    OASTORNIS  GIGANTEUS. 

Diatryma  gigantea,  Coim;,  Proc.  Piiila.  Acad.,  1870,  p.  11.  —  Kep.  Surv.  W.  100th  Merid., 
iv,  pt.  ii,  1877,  i)p.  60-71,  pi.  xxxii,  figg.  23-25. 

From  the  Eocmie  of  New  Jlexieo,  of  the  Wahsatch  epoch;  based  upon  a  tarso-metatarsal 
bone  lacking  a  part  of  the  shaft  and  the  external  condyle.  The  species  was  of  great  >^m'.  the 
proximal  end  of  the  bone  being  nearly  twice  the  diameter  of  that  of  the  ostrich.  "  Its  discovery 
introduced  this  group  of  IJirds  [liulUw]  to  the  known  faume  of  North  America,  and  ilemou- 
strates  that  this  continent  has  not  been  destitute  of  the  gigantic  forms  of  birds  now  confiucil  to 
the  southern  hemisphere  fannie"  ((-'ojie).  The  proximal  cud  of  the  bone  is  described  as  rescui- 
bling  the  same  part  in  the  ostriches  (Struthionkhc)  and  moas  (Dinornithidii:) ;  wliilc  the  distal 
end,  as  far  as  that  is  preserved,  is  similar  to  that  of  Gastornis  of  the  corresponding  Iiorizon  in 
France. 


S.  —  Cretaceous  Birds. 

The  following  synopsis  is  based  upon  that  givi'U  in  the  appendix  of  Marsh's  great  work 
already  cited  (*  Odiuitornithes').  The  nine  genera  and  nineteen  species  presented  are  sujipused 
to  be  referable  to  one  or  the  other  of  tlio  two  types  exemplified  by  Iclithyonm  and  Hesperoniix 
respectively  ;  but,  as  many  of  them  are  still  known  only  by  remains  so  fragnunitary  that  it  is 
impossilile  to  say  whether  they  are  OdontotortruB  or  OdontokeB,  an  alphabetical  arrangement 
of  the  genera  is  followed. 

Most  of  the  known  remains  of  Cretaceous  birds  of  North  America  have  been  discovered 
on  the  eastern  8l()i)es  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  in  beds  of  middle  Cretaceous  age  whicli  have 
been  termed  by  Marsh  "Pteranodon  beds,"  from  the  genus  of  toothless  Pterodactyles  found 
in  them.  These  Western  Cretaceous  birds  were  all  found  in  Kansas,  excepting  some  from 
corresponding  -itrata  in  Texus.  The  Eastern  Cretaceous  forms  from  the  green-sand  of  New 
Jersey,  all  of  i-hich  are  <iif<tiiH't  from  the  western  ones,  are  from  a  higher  horizon,  representiui; 
a  division  of  the  upper  Cretaceous.    No  jaws  or  teeth  of  these  birds  having  been  found,  it  is 


826 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  OF  FOSSIL  BIRDS. 


itiiposssible  to  say  as  yet  whether  or  not  they  are  odontornithic.  All  the  deposits  of  Cretaceous 
age  in  North  America,  in  which  birds  have  been  found,  are  marine,  and  the  species  appear  to 
have  all  been  aquatic. 

26.  APATORNIS  GELKB. 

Ichthyoniis  celer,  Maush,  Am.  Joum.  Sci.,  v,  Jan.,  1873,  p.  74. 

Apatoniis  celer,  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci..  v,  Feb.,  1873,  p.  162.  —  Id.,  ibid.,  v.  Mar., 
1873,  p.  230.  — Id.,  ibid.,  x,  Nov.,  1875,  p.  401.  — Id.,  Am.  Nat.,  ix,  Dec,  1875,  p.  f>m.— 
Ii>.,  Gcol.  Mag.,  iii,  Feb.,  1870,  p.  50.  — Woouw.,  Pop.  Sci.  Rev.,  Oct.,  1875,  p.  349.  — 
Marsh,  Odont.,  1S80,  p.  192,  pU.  xxviii-xxxiii. 

A  bird  about  the  size  of  a  pigeon,  from  the  middle  Cretaceous  of  Western  Kansas  ;  related 
to  IchtJnjornis.     The  two  known  specimens  are  preserved  in  the  Yale  Mu.'seum. 

27.  BAPTORXIS  ADVENUS. 

Bupiornis  adccnus.  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  xiv,  July,  1S77,  p.  80. — Id.,  Journ.  de 
Zool.,  vi,  1877,  p.  3S7.  —  Id.,  Odont.,  1880,  p.  192,  figg.  37-39. 

Based  upon  a  nearly  perfect  tarso-nietatarsal,  closely  reseiiibling  the  same  part  of  Hexjier- 
ortus,  and  indicating  an  aquatic  bird  about  as  largo  a.s  a  loon.  From  Western  Kansas,  in  the 
same  Cretaceous  beds  witli  Odontornithes  and  Pteranodontia.  The  type,  and  a  second  speci- 
men referred  to  the  sauKi  species,  Jire  preserved  in  the  Jliiseum  at  Yale  College. 

28.  GBACULAVUS  VELOX. 

Gruculavus  velox.  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  iii,  May,  1872,  p.  303.  — Id.,  ibid.,  v,  Mur., 
1873,  p.  229.  —  Id.,  Odont,  1880,  p.  194.  —  Coies,  Key,  1872,  p.  349. 

A  bird  about  two-thirds  as  large  as  a  cormorant.  The  remains  were  found  in  tlie  green- 
sand  of  the  middle  marl  bed,  or  ujiper  Cretaceous,  near  Ilomerstown,  New  Jersey,  and  are  all 
jireserved  in  the  Museum  of  Yale  College. 

29.  GBAOULAVUS  PUM1I-,US. 

(xraciilavus  immilufi.  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  iii.  May,  1872,  p.  304. — Id.,  ibid.,  v, 
Mar.,  1873,  p.  229.  — Id.,  Odont.,  1880,  p.  195.  —  CoiiE.s,  Key,  1872,  p.  350. 

A  smaller  species  than  the  foregoing,  from  the  same  formation  and  locality.  Remains 
also  in  the  Yale  Museum. 

Note.  Several  western  species,  provisionally  referred  to  the  genus  Graculavus,  haw  since 
been  identified  with  Ichihyorim,  which  see. 

30.  HESPERORNIS  REOALIS.     (See  p.  63,  fig.  15.) 

Hesperonm  regalis.  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  iii,  Jan.,  1872,  p.  50.  —  Id.,  ibid.,  iii, 
May,  1872,  p.  360.  — Id.,  ibid.,  x,  Nov.,  1875,  p.  403.  —  Id.,  ibid.,  xiv,  July,  l'^77,  p.  85,  pi. 
v.  — Id.,  Am.  Nat.,  ix,  Dec,  1S75,  p.  025.— Id.,  Geol.  Mag.,  iii,  Feb.,  1870,  ]).  49,  pi.  ii.— 
Id.,  Odont.,  1880,  pp.  1-117,  p.  195,  pll.  i-xx.  — Coites,  Key,  1872,  p.  195.  — Woodw.,  P<.p. 
Sci.  Rev.,  Oct.,  1875,  p.  337.  —  Seeley,  Journ.  Geol.  Soc,  xxxii,  1S76,  p.  510.  —  Huxl., 
Pop.  Sci.  Monthly,  x,  1876,  pp.  215-218.— VooT,  Uevuo  Scient.,  xvii,  1879,  p.  247.  — Dana, 
Man.  Geol.,  1880,  pi.  iv. 

Reference  to  ]i.  238,  antea,  will  show  the  essential  characters  of  the  order  or  subclass 
Odontolca,  of  which  the  present  species  is  a  tyjw.  Hesperornis  may  be  tersely  characterized 
as  a  gigantic  diver,  some  six  feet  in  length  from  the  point  of  the  bill  to  the  end  of  the  toes, 
standing  over  three  feet  high  in  the  position  represented  in  the  above-cited  figure.  While  the 
general  configuration  of  the  skeleton  may  be  likened  to  that  of  a  loon,  the  conformation  of  the 
sternum  is  ratite,  like  that  of  struthious  birds,  and  the  wings  are  rudimentary  or  abortive,  only 
a  renmant  of  a  humerus  being  left  ;  other  struthious  characters  are  noted  in  various  parts  of 
the  skeleton  ;  the  jaws  are  long  and  furnished  with  sharp  recurved  teeth  implanted  in  grooves, 
but  the  vertebree  are  heterocoelous,  or  saddle-shaped,  and  the  coccyx  is  short,  as  in  ordinary 
birds  ;  most  of  these  characters  separating  this  odontolcous  type  of  Odontornithes  sharply  from 
both  OdontotomuB  and  Saurura.     Comparisoa  of  the  three  Mesozoic  genera,  Hesperornis, 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  OF  FOSSIL  lilRDS. 


827 


Ichthyornis  luid  Archceopteryx,  shows  greater  diversity  from  one  another  tlmn  tluit  pxisti.i-; 
among  iill  known  birds  of  hiter  geologii;  and  of  the  present  epoch. 

The  first  remains  of  this  now  famous  species  were  found  I)y  Prof.  Marsli  in  November, 
1870,  in  the  yellow  chaliv  of  the  Pterauodon  beds,  near  the  Smoky  Hill  river  in  Kansas.  The 
type  specimen  was  found  in  July,  1871,  on  the  south  bank  of  tiic  same  river,  about  twenty 
miles  east  of  Fort  Wallace,  imbedded  in  gray  calcareous  shale,  ifany  other  remains  have 
also  been  collected,  representing  in  all  some  forty  different  individuals,  all  from  the  same 
geologic  horizon  in  Wcsteni  Kansas,  and  most  of  them  near  the  locality  of  the  original  ones. 
They  are  all  preserved  in  the  Museum  of  Yale  College. 

31.  UESPERORMS  CRASSIPE9. 

Lestornis  crassipes,  Mar.sh   Am.  Jouni.  Sci.,  xi,  June,  1870,  p.  .')<)9. 

Hesperornis  crassipes,  M.vusii,  Odont.,  18Si),  p.  190,  fitrg.  il)  a-d.  pll.  vii,  xvii. 

Based  upon  a  nearly  complete  skeleton  from  the  yellow  chalk  of  Western  Kansas,  indicat- 
ing a  bird  considerably  larger  than  H.  regalis,  and  one  tliat  may  provi;  to  he  <renerically 
distinct.     Deposited  in  the  Yale  Museum. 

32.  HKSPERORNIS  GRACILIS. 

Hesperornis  gracilis,  Maush,  Am.  Jonrn.  Sei.,  xi,  June,  1S70,  p.  510.  —  Id.,  Odont.,  IS'^O, 
pp.  09,  197. 

A  third  species,  from  the  same  horizon  and  locality,  represented  by  two  specimens,  one  of 
them  a  nearly  complete  skeleton.     Deposiited  in  the  Yale  Museum. 
03.    ICHTHYORMS  DISPAR. 

Ichthijornis  clispur,  Marsh,  Am.  Jonrn.  Sci.,  iv,  Oct.,  1S72,  p.  314.  —  In.,  ihi<].,  v,  Peh., 
1873,  p.  101.  —  lu.,  ibid.,  Mar.,  1873,  p.  2:50.  —  Couks,  Key,  1872,  p.  350.  — Owex,  .Joiwii. 
Geol.  Soc.  Lond.,  xxxix,  1873,  p.  520.  — Woonw.,  Pop.  Sci.  Rev.,  Oct.,  1875,  p.  348.  — Maksii, 
Am.  Nat.,  ix,  Dec,  1875,  p.  625.  —In.,  Geol.  Mag.,  iii,  1870,  p.  49.  —  IIu.xi..,  Pop.  .Sei. 
Monthly,  x,  1870,  pp.  215-218. — Maush,  Jonrn.  dc  Zoid.,  iv,  1875,  p.  494,  pi.  xv;  vi,  1877, 
p.  385.  — Id.,  Od.mt.,  1880,  pp.  119-183,  197,  pll.  xxi-xxvi. 

This  remarkable  bird,  forming  a  tyi)(;  of  the  w1k)1c  grou])  Odontoiormw  (p.  237)  of  Odont- 
ornithes,  with  general  characters  of  the  skeleton  like  those  of  ordinary  birds,  yet  with  socketed 
teeth  and  biconcave  vertebraB,  was  discovered  in  1872  near  the  Solomon  river  in  Northwesteni 
Kansas,  in  the  Pteranodon  beds  of  the  middle  Cretaceous.  It  was  about  as  large  as  a  jjigeon. 
The  remains  of  about  nine  individuals,  all  from  the  same  region,  are  jireserved  in  the  Musemn 
at  Yale  College. 

34.  ICHTHYORMS  AGILI8. 

Graculavus  agiJis,  Marsh,  Am.  Joum.  Sci.,  v.  Mar.,  1873,  p.  230. 

Ichthijornis  agilis.  Marsh,  Odont.,  1880,  p.  197. 

From  the  same  horizon  in  Western  Kansas,  on  Butte  Creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Smoky 
Hill  river,  where  discovered  in  October,  1872.  The  remains  are  preserved  in  the  Yale  College 
Museum. 

35.  ICHTHYORMS  ANCEPS. 

Graculavus  anceps,  Mar.sh,  Am.  Jouni.  Sci.,  iii.  May,  1872,  p.  304.  —  CouE.s,  Key, 
1872,  p.  350.— Marsh,  Am.  Joum.  Sci.,  v,  Mar.,  1873,  p.  229. —  Id.,  Odont.,  1880,  pp. 
124,  198. 

Resembling  J.  disjmr,  but  with  slenderer  jaws  and  more  teeth.  The  right  lower  jaw  of 
the  type  specimen  of  I.  dispar  shows  twenty-one  distinct  sockets.  Discovered  in  November, 
1870,  in  the  gray  shale  of  the  middle  Cretaceous,  on  the  north  f«n-k  of  the  Smoky  Hill  river  in 
western  Kansas,  where  other  specimens  have  since  been  found.    All  are  preserved  at  Yale. 

36.  ICHTHYORNIS  L.ENTU8. 

Graculavus  lentus.  Marsh,  Am.  Joum.  Sci.,  xiv,  Sept.,  1877,  p.  253. 
Ichthyomis  kntus.  Marsh,  Odont.,  18S0,  p.  19S. 


828 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  OF  FOSSIL  BIRDS. 


Based  upon  part  of  a  tarso-metatarsus  from  near  Fort  McKinney,  Texas,  in  beds  of  middle 
Cretaceous  age.     Deposited  in  the  Yale  Museum. 

37.  ICHTHYORMS  TENEB. 

Ichthyornis  tener,  Marsh,  Odont.,  1880,  p.  198,  pi.  xxx,  fig.  8. 

From  the  Pteranodon  beds  of  the  middle  Cretaceous,  Wallace  County,  Kansas  ;  two  speci- 
mens, secured  in  1876,  and  now  preserved  at  the  Yale  College  Museum. 

38.  ICHTHYORMS  VALIDVS. 

Ichthyornis  validus,  Marsh,  Odont.,  1880,  p.  198,  pi.  xxx,  tigg.  11-14. 
Discovered  in  1877,  in  the  yellow  chalk  of  the  middle  Cretaceous,  near  Solomon  River,  in 
northwestern  Kansiis.     The  known  specimens  are  deposited  in  the  Museum  of  Yale  College. 

39.  ICHTHYORMS  VICTOR.     (See  p.  64,  fig.  16.) 

Ichthyornis  victor,  Marsh,  Am.  Jouru.  Sci.,  xi,  June,  1876,  p.  511.  —  Id.,  Odont.,  1880, 
p.  199,  pll.  xxvii-xxxiv.  —  Dana,  Man.  Geol.,  1880,  pp.  466-468,  pi.  v. 

A  species  of  the  genus  rather  larger  than  a  pigeon,  of  which  more  than  forty  specimens 
have  been  found  in  various  localities  in  Kansas,  all  apparently  from  the  same  geological  horizon 
in  the  middle  CretJieeous.     These  are  preserved  in  the  Museum  of  Yale  College. 

40.  LAORMS  EDVARDSIANUS. 

Laornis  edvardsianus,  Marsh,  Proc.  Phila.  Acad.,  Jan.,  1870,  p.  5. — Id.,  Am.  Joum. 
Sci.,  xlix,  Mar.,  1870,  p.  20G.  — Id.  ibid.,  v,  Mar.,  1873,  p.  230.  — A.  Milne-Edw.,  Rech. 
Ossem.  Foss.,  ii,  1871,  p.  540.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  p.  350.— Marsh,  Odont.,  1880,  p.  199. 

This  species  was  nearly  as  large  as  a  swan.  The  remains  by  which  it  is  represented  were 
found  in  the  middle  marl  bed,  of  upper  Cretaceous  age,  at  Birmingham,  New  Jersey,  and  are 
now  in  the  Museum  of  Yale  College. 

41.  PAL^OTRINGA  LITORALIS. 

Palceotringa  Uttoralis,  Marsh,  Proc.  Phila.  Ac.id.,  Jan.,  1870,  p.  5 Id.,  Am.  Joum. 

Sci.,  xlix,  Mar.,  1870,  p.  208. —A.  Milne-Euw.,  Rech.  Ossem.  Foss.,  ii,  1871,  p.  540.— 
Coi-ES,  Key,  1872,  p.  349.  —  Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  v.  Mar.,  1873,  p.  229. — Id.,  Odont., 
1880,  p.  199. 

A  bird  about  as  large  as  a  curlew.  The  remains  representing  it  were  discovered  in  the 
green-sand  of  the  upper  Cretaceous,  near  Hornerstowu,  New  Jersey,  and  are  preserved  in  the 
collection  at  Yale  College. 

42.  PAL^OTRINGA  VAGANS. 

Palaotringa  vagam,  Marsh,  Am.  Joum.  Sci.,  iii,  May,  1872,  p.  365.  —  Coues,  Key, 
1872,  p.  349.— Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  v.  Mar.,  1873,  p.  229. 

From  the  same  fonnation  and  locality  as  the  lust;  of  smaller  size,  being  intennediate 
between  the  other  two  species  of  the  genus.  The  specimens  upon  which  this  species  is  based 
are  preserved  in  the  Yale  College  Museum. 

43.  PALCEOTRINGA  VETUS. 

Scolopajc,  Morton,  Syn.  Organic  Remains  of  the  Cret.,  U.  S.,  1834,  p.  32.  —  Harlan, 
Med.  and  Phys.  Res.,  1835,  p.  280. 

Palteotringa  vetus,  Marsh,  Proc.  Phila.  Acad.,  Jan.,  1870,  p.  5.  —  Id.,  Am.  Joum.  Sci., 
xlix,  Mar.,  1870,  p.  209 — A.  Milne-Edw.,  Rech.  Ossem.  Foss.,  ii,  1871,  p.  540.  — Coues, 
Key,  1872,  p.  349.  — Marsh,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  v.  Mar.,  1873,  p.  229.  —  In.,  Odont.,  1880, 
p.  200. 

Tlie  first  fossil  bird  of  North  America  appears  to  have  been  noted  by  Dr.  Morton  in  1834, 
as  that  of  a  snipe-like  species.  The  specimen,  consisting  of  a  femur  imperfect  at  the  upper 
extremity,  was  presented  by  S.  W.  Conrad  to  Dr.  Harlan,  who  remarks  that  "the  bone 
appears  to  be  jwrfectly  mineralized."  It  was  found  near  Arneytown,  New  Jersey,  in  the  lower 
marl  bed  of  the  Cretaceous  fonnation.  This  same  specimen  (which  meanwhile  had  been 
generally  regarded  as  of  H  recent  species,  notwithstanding  its  condition  and  the  position  in  which 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  OF  FOSSIL  BISDS. 


829 


it  had  been  found)  furnished  Prof.  Marsh  the  basis  of  his  Palaotringa  vetus,  a  smaller  species 
than  ei(her  of  the  others  of  this  genus.    The  known  remains  are  in  the  Philadelpliia  Academy. 

44.  TELMATORNIS  PRISCUS. 

Telmatornis  priscus,  Mausii,  Proc.  Phila.  Acad.,  Jan.,  1870,  p.  5.  —  In.,  Am.  Journ.  Soi., 
xlix,  Mar.,  1870,  p.  210.— A.  Milxe-Edw.,  Rech.  Ossein.  Foss.,  ii,  1871,  p.  541.  — Colls, 
Key,  1872,  p.  349.  — MAR.Sir,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  v,  Mar.,  1873,  p.  -229.  — lu.,  Odont.,  ISsO,  p. 
200. 

A  species  about  as  largo  as  the  king  rail  {Rallus  elegam) ;  from  the  middle  marl  bed  of 
the  upper  Cretaceous  formation.  The  remains  were  found  near  Hornerstown,  New  Jersey,  and 
are  preserved  in  the  Museum  of  Yale  College. 

45.  TELMATORMS  AFFINIS. 

Telmatornis  qffinis,  Mausii,  Proc.  Phila.  Acad.,  Jan.,  1870,  p.  5.— In.,  Am.  Journ.  Sci., 
xlix,  Mar.,  1870,  p.  211.— A.  Mii.ne-Euw,  Rech.  Osscm.  Foss.  ii.  1871,  p.  511.  — Coues, 
Key,  1872,  p.  349.  —  Mar.sii,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  v,  Mar.,  1873,  p.  229. —Id.,  Odont.,  1880, 
p.  201. 

The  known  remains  are  in  the  Yale  Museum. 


1;, 


C.  —  Juransic  Birds. 

The  single  representative  of  birds  at  present  known  from  this  formation  is  odontomithic. 
46.    LAOPTEKYX  PRISCUS. 

Laoptenjx  priscus,  Mausii,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.,  xxi,  Apr.,  1S81,  p.  341. 
From  the  upper  Jurassic  beds  of  Wyoming.     The  known  remains  are  deposited  in  tlie 
Museum  of  Yale  College. 

The  interest  attaching  to  this  fossil  induces  me  to  transcribe  the  original  description :  — 

"  The  type  specimen  of  the  present  species  is  the  posterior  portion  of  the  skull,  wliich 
indicates  a  bird  rather  larger  than  a  blue  heron  (Ardea  Herodias).  The  braincaso  is  so 
broken  that  its  inner  surface  is  disclosed,  and  in  other  respects  the  skull  is  distorted,  but  it 
shows  characteristic  features.  The  bones  of  the  skull  arc  jineumatic.  The  occijjital  condyle 
is  sessile,  hemispherical  in  form,  flattened  and  slightly  grooved  above.  Tliere  is  no  trace  of  a 
posterior  groove.  Tlie  foramen  magnum  is  nearly  circular,  and  small  in  proportion  to  the  con- 
dyle. Its  plane  coincides  with  that  of  tlie  occiput,  which  is  slightly  inclined  forward.  The 
bones  around  the  foramen  are  firmly  co-ossified,  but  the  supra-occipital  has  separated  somewhat 
from  the  squamosals  and  parietals.  Other  sutures  are  more  or  less  open.  On  each  side  of  the 
condyle,  and  somewhat  below  its  lower  margin,  there  is  a  deep,  rounded  cavity,  perforated  by 
a  pneumatic  foramen. 

"The  cavity  for  the  reception  of  the  head  of  the  quadrate  is  oval  in  outline,  and  its  longer 
axis,  if  continued  backward,  would  touch  the  outer  margin  of  the  occiiiital  condyle.  This  cav- 
ity indicates  that  the  quadrate  had  an  undivided  head.  The  braincase  was  comparatively 
small,  but  the  hemispheres  were  well  developed.  They  were  separated  above  by  a  sharjj 
mesial  crest  of  bone.  A  low  ridge  divided  the  hemispheres  from  the  optic  lobes,  which  were 
prominent. 

"  The  following  measurements  indicate  the  size  of  the  specimen  :  — 

"Width  of  skull  across  occiput  (approximate) 24  mm 

"  Transverse  diameter  of  occipital  condyle 5  " 

"  Vertical  diameter ■»  " 

"  Width  of  foramen  magnum B  " 

"Height 8  " 

"  Distance  fi'om  occipital  condyle  to  top  of  suprv.-occipital 11  " 


880 


SYSTEMATIC  SYNOPSIS  OF  FOSSIL  BIRDS. 


th..t  "/"  '*'  '"'!"'/'^^\"''««'  *'^«  P'-««ent  specimen  resembles  the  skull  c.f  the  Matitec  ,„ore  th„n 

tooth  l}';;;:;::p;^r:;;i::;'tf'"'  '^  -f  .^-^^  --  ^-n^.  -hieh  most  .sembios  the 

and  also  bico;Z  vit  '    ""      '  "  ''"''^'^'^  ''"'  "'"''^^^''^^  ^"^-^  '^^'^' 


INDEX. 


Note, 
Turilus 
irood. 


foTE.  —  (1)  Scicntifiu  names  of  birds  consisting  of  two  terms  nre  entered  but  onco,  undur  the  conns-  as 
lus  mustflinus.  (li)  But  vernacnliir  names  of  iwo  terms  are  entered  twice;  as,  ir<»«/  thrush,  ami  Thniah' 
.  <3)  Anatomical  and  other  tedinical  terms  are  fnlly  iiidexuil  as  nccunin;,'  in  I'ait  II  ,  where  they  are 
dellneU  and  explained;  but  not  as  occurring  in  Parts  111.  and  IV.,  where  tliev  are  siniiily  used  In  descrlhlne 
birds.  (4)  Names  of  birds,  both  sclentitlc  and  vernacular,  are  fully  Indexed  as  occurilni;  in  Parts  HI  and  IV 
7,1/  not  as  Incidentally  occurring  in  Parts  I.  and  II.  in  Illustration  of  the  zoologlcsl  and  anatomlcai 
there  noteil.  (5)  Names  merely  appearing  in  the  te.xt,  not  as  headings,  are  uaiially  not  Indexeil;  many 
■ver,  will  lie  found,  especially  such  as  are  not  elsewhere  formally  treated.    («)  Synonyms,  both  sclentitlc 


but  UHudl!!/  not  as  Incidentally  occurring  in  Parts  I.  and  II.  in 'illustration  of  the  zoologlesl  and  anatomlcai 

characters  t' *- '     ••>  ■>^' — ■■  ' 1.._  !..  .,.. _^.    _> — .,  ..  ... 

sucli,  liowe\ 

and  vernacular,  are  Indexed.  (7)  Stiitters  of  lield-work  and  taxidermy 'treated  In  l»art'l.  are  fully  indexed  by 
one  or  more  leading  words;  as,  lunect  peal.i.  anil  /'(■s•^«,  innect.  (8)  Names  of  persons  mentioned  cir  of  authors 
quoted  an;  not  Indexed.  (9)  The  whole  work  Is  so  fully  indexed  tliat  the  Index  will  serve  as  a  glossary  of  the 
terminology  of  ornithology.    (.10)  All  the  tigures  refer  to  pages. 


AnnoMEN  95,  96 
Abducent  nerves  177 
Abduction  of  wing  108 
Abert's  towhee  3'J8 
Acadian  owl  513 
Acanthisitta  2G9 
Accentor 

a(|uatio  .109 

golden-crowned  308 
Accessory 

bone'  of  shoulder  107 

metatarsal  119 
Accidents  from  the  gun  19 
Accipiter  irll 

cooperi  .V28 

fuscus  528 

nisus  194,  527 
Accipitres  49(>,  498,  517 
Aceipitrinic  526 
Accommodation  of  evo  178 
Acetabulum  119,  148 
Acromial  pi-ocess  146 
Acromion  146 
Acromyodi  240 
Acromyodian  205,  239 
Acropodium  124 
Acrotarsium  124 
Acrylliuni  vnlturinum  575 
Actodromas  625 

acumiimta  628 

bairdi  G25 

bonapartii  627 

cooperi  627 

nmculata  G26 

miimtilla  625 
Adduction  of  wing  IDS 
Adrenals  46,  216 
.^Echmophorns  793 

clarki  794 

occidcntalis  793 
ililchmnrhynclius  parvirostris  618 
i£gialites  600 

cantianus  003 

clrcumciiictus  602 


.^Egialitcs 

curoniciis  003 

hiaticiila  60:1 

melodus  002 

microrliyiuhus  603 

niv(jsus"603 

seniipalniatus  602 

vociferus  (iUO 

wilsonius  601 
yEgiotlius  ;)52 

e.xilipes  353 

holboelli  353 

honicnianui  353 

liuaria  252 
yF,f;llhogiiatliism  172 
yE;iillionnatlious  skull  172 
^Ejjotiieles  44S 
.^Epyornis  maxinuis  05,  221 
Aetiimorplue  400 
AilVrunt  function  of  nerves  174 
After-shaft  84 

Age,  recognition  of  a  bird's  46 
A-eIaMiu«  400 
AgclaMis  403 

guberindor  404 

pha'uiceus  404 

tricolor  404 
Agclastes  meleagrides  575 
.Aiivrtria  liiuuei  459 
Aii--bone  168 
Air-cells  200 
Air-gun  3 
Aix  «!(7 

galericulata  09S 

sponsa  698 
Ajaja  051 

rosea  651 
Alaskan 

jay  425 

winter  wren  279 
.Via  spuria  109 
Alauiia  2S2 

arvensis  2S3 
Alaudidie  69,  239,  280 


Alaudime  282 
Albatross 

black  776 

black-footed  775 

sliort-tailed  775 

sooty  770 
Albatrosses  774,  776 
AIca  819 

imp<>nnis  819 
Alcedinidie  468 
Alcedinime  469 
Alcedo  ispida  469 
AlcidiB  7117 
Alcinic  810 
Alcohol,  use  of  21 
Alcyone  126.  127 
AlectoriJes  065,  823 
Aleetoromorplia^  171,  672 
Alcctoropodes  573 
Aletornis 

bcllus.  824 

gracilis  824 

nobilis  823 

pcrni.x  824 

venustus  824 
Aleutian 

auk  810 

sandpiper  629 

tern  708 
Alexander  lumiming-bird  462 
Aliethmuid  153 
A  imentarv  canal  209 
Alinasal  15» 
Aliseptal  i53 
Alisplienoid  158 
Alle  810 

nigricans  810 
Allen's  rosv  (inch  350 
Allied  robiii  244 
Altrices  88 
Aluco  501 

fiammcus  502 

pratincola  502 
Aluconidtt!  500 


832 


INDEX. 


Alula  106, 107,  100 
AiiiaziU  huinniunj  466 
Aiiiuiiilin  4(ili 

ccrviniveiitris  406 

fuscucauduta  4U(i 
Anibieiiii  1U3 
Americaii 

avocct  611 

bitturn  664 

black  scoter  tl'i 

black-tailed  godwit  636 

brown  pelican  'ii 

continental  gyrlaicuu  532 

coot  670 

crow  417 

cuckoos  474 

dipper  235 

dunlin  631 

eider  duck  712 

fljcutcliers  428 

golden  plover  5'Ji) 

goldtincUcs  354 

goshawk  530 

green  sandpiper  63!) 

green-wiiiHeu  teal  695 

harritr  521 

hawlincliCK  342 

hawk  owl  511 

herrinj;  gull  743 

jnbiru  653 

lunner  falcon  534 

long-eared  owl  507 

marr-li  huwk  521 

nicalv  red-poll  353 

merlin  537 

mew  gull  740 

oyster-catcher  006 

niglit-jars  450 

nutcrackers  417 

partridges  588 

pochard  702 

quail  588 

raven  416 

red  cross-bill  349 

red  flamingo  679 

red-necked  grebe  794 

redstart  316 

rough-legged  buzzard  549 

shrike  338 

siskin  354 

snipe  6)7,  621 

spoonbills  651 

starlings  399 

stint  625 

swan  682 

titlark  286 

vultures  557 

warblers  287 

white-iyonted  goose  684 

-tvhite  pelican  722 

wigeon  694 

woodcock  619 

wood  owl  509 

-wood  stork  653 
Amlierstian  pheasants  575 
Ammodramus  367 
caudacutus  368 
maritimiis  367 
nelsoni  368 
iiigrescens  368 
Ammunition  4 
Amotus  128 
Ampelidie  325 
Ampelis  325 

cedrorum  327 
garrulus  326 


Amphiecelotii  vertobriB  138 
Aniphimorpha-  677 
Anipliispi/.a  375 
belli  376 
bilineata  376 
nevuden.sis  370 
Ampulliv  189 
Aiuilogy  67,  6S 
Anarhynchus  Iroiitalis  597 
Anas  691 

auduboni  601 
boscas  69 1 
breweri  691 
fulvigula  692 
glocituns  091 
maxima  01)1 
obscura  691 
Anastomus  052 
Anatida)  679 

trachea  of  50 
Anctinoi  089 

Anatomical  structure  133 
Anatomy  133 
Anchylosis  134 
A neon  100 
Ancylochilus  031 

subar(|uatus  632 
Angeiologv  195 
Anglo  of  tlie 
jaw  98 
nmndible  166 
mouth  105 
wing  109 
Angular  bone  166 
Angulus  oris  105 
Ani  472 

groove-billed  472 
Animalia  81 
Animation  174 
Anis471 
Ankle  joint  120 
Ankylosis  134 
Anna  humming-bird  404 
Anoea;  750 

Anomalogonatous  birds  195 
Anorthura  278 
nlascensis  279 
hiemalis  278 
pacilicus  279 
troglodytes  278 
Anous  771 

stolidns  771 
Anscr  684 

albifrons  084 
gambeli  084 
hj'psibates  824 
Ansefaims  melanolcuca  684 
Ansercs  679 
Anserina!  683 
Anserine  birds  677 

proper  679 
Anteorbital  region  97 
Anthracite  buzzard  552 
Anthina<  285 
Anthus  385 

ludovicianus  286 
pratensis  285 
spinoletta  285 
Anthrenus  scrofulariie  55 
Atbropoldes  666 
paradissea  666 
vlrgo  666 
Antlo!  105 

Antibrachium  106,  107 
Antitrochanter  148 
Antrorae  105 


Antro8*omus  450 
arizoiuu  452 
caroiinensis  451 
vociferus  452 
Aorta  197 
Apatornis  celer  826 
.\phulocoma  423 
arizonie  424 
californica  424 
Horidana  423 
sordida  424 
idtrainarina  424 
woodhousii  423 
Aphriza  605 

virgata  605 
Aphrizidie  005 
Aphrizina'  (i(l5 
Aplonuiilo  fuli'on  530 
Apophyses  134 
Appendicular  skeleton  134 
Ajilcria  87 
A(|uatic  accentor  309 
A(iueous  humor  179,  183 
Aquila  653 

chrysaiitus  654 
danana  822 
Arachnoid  176 
Arinnidit  007 
Aramus  008 

pictus  608 
Arch 

pectoral  145 
pelvic  147 
jxist-orul  152 
l)re-oral  152 
scapular  145 
visceral  152 
Arclm'optervx    lithographica   62, 

63,  237,  821 
Archetypes  70 
Arclietypic  characters  70 
Archibuteo  549 

fcrrugineus  561 
lagopus  549 
sancti-johannis  549 
Archsaurian  112 
Arctic 

american  saw-whet  owl  512 
blue-bird  258 
jiiger  738 
tern  764 
towhee  396 
Arctonetta  710 
Ardca  657 

cinerea  655,  658 
herodias  147,  657 
occidentalis  658 
wardi  658 
Ardeida;  654 
Ardeime  654,  656,  657 
Ardetta  664 

exilis  664 
Argus  pheasant  575 
Argusanus  giganteus  576 
Annas  495,  496 
Aristonetta  703 
Arkansaw 

goldfinch  355 
tyrant  flycatcher  433 
Arizona 

chipi>ing  sparrow  380 
goldfinch  355 
jay  424 
quail  593 
summer  finch  374 
thrasher  262 


INDEX. 


833 


Arizonik 

wliippoorwill  463 
Arin-boiio  107 
Arquatcllu  U28 

coucsi  02U 

murithim  020 

ptilucncini!!  630 
Arsuiiic  26,  D7 
Arsenical  Hoap  2G 
Arrio  817 

Artcinisitt  sparrow  376 
Arterial  system  195 
Arteries  l'i)7 

Articular  bone  of  jaw  100 
Articiilatioii  of  bones  134 
Artillcial  "Keys"  22T,  2.i0,  231 
Arytenoids  20-1 
Asli-colorcil  sandpiper  032 
Asli-throuted 

crested  flycatcher  436 

flycatchers  4-".4 
Asiatic  golden  plover  000 
Asio  507 

aeeipitrinus  507 

otus  ,507 

wilsonianus  130,  507 
Astra(;alinus  354 

urizono!  355 

lawrcncii  355 

mcxicanus  355 

notatus  350 

psaltria  355 

tristis  354 
Astragalus  120 
Astur  530 

atricapillus  530 

palumbarius  530 

striatulus  531 
Asturina  551 

plagata  551 
Asyndcsnius  490 

torquatus  490 
Atlas  139 
Atmostcon  168 
Atthis  405 

heloiso!  405 
Attic  hummers  405 
Attypic  characters  70 
Audition  184 
Auditory 

meatus  97 

nerve  177,  187 
Audubon's 

oriole  410 

thrush  247 

warbler  302 
Auk 

alcutian  810 

crested  807 

great  819 

horn-bill  805 

least  808 

knob-nosed  808 

parroquei  800 

pug-nosed  <i00 

razor-billed  818 

red-nosed  808 

snub-nosed  807 

temniinck's  812 

unicorn  805 

whiskered  808 
Auks  797 

parrot  800 

rhinoceros  805 

snub-nosed  800 

wrinkle-nosed  809 


Aural  region  97 
Auricles  of  heart  196 
Auricular  region  97 
Auriculars  97 
Auiipiirus  2(J!) 

Ilaviceps  209 
Auris  97 

AHtuninul  tree  duck  089 
Aves  (ate  also  Birds)  2'!7 

definition  of  the  class  01 

aiirea!  81 

aquatiou  81 

terrestres  81 
Avian 

foot,  niodilicatiiins  of  12\) 

stenuuu  143 
AvoCL't,  american  Oil 
Avocets,  009,  010 
Axial  skeleton  134,  135 
Axilla  111 
Axillars  111 
Axis  139 
Azure  warbler  301 

Bachma.n's 

summer  tinch  373 

warbler  294 
Bahamun  honey  creeper  317 
Uaird's 

cormorant  729 

rosy  linch  351 

sandpiper  025 

savanna  sparrow  300 
Baking  birdsknis  57 
BaliBUiceps  rex  654 
BiiLcnicipitidio  054 
Balosarica  pavonina  000 
Bald  eagle  555 
Bald-pate  694 
Baltimore  oriole  408 
Band-tailed  buzzard  540 
Bank 

pigeon  505 

swallow  324 
Baptornis  advenus  826 
Barbicels  of  feathers  84 
Barbs  of  feathers  84 
Barbules  of  feathers  84 
Barn 

owls  500,  501 

swallows  321 
Barnacle  geese  036 
Barred  owl  509 

Horida  510 

western  510 
Barrow's  golden-eye  704 
Bartramia  641 

longicauda  641 
Bartramian  sandpiper  041 
Bertram's  tattler  641 
Basal  phalanges  127 
Basibranchial  107 
Basihyal  107 
Basilihnu  400 

xantusi  400 
Basioccipital  150 
Basipterygoid  processes  159,  163 
Basis  cranii  149 
Basisphenoid  158 
Basisphenoidal  rostrum  158 
Basitoniporal  155,  156 
Bastard 

baltimore  407 

quills  109 

wing  109 
Batrachostomus  448 

53 


Bay-breasted  warbler  304 
Bay-winged 

l)unliug  304 

loiigspur  359 

sunnner  linch  375 
Beak  of  birds  100 
Beaked  savanna  spuirnw  :iii3 
Beardless  llyculcher  443 
Hoards  99 
llee-martin  432 
IkU's 

linch  376 

greenlet  335 
Bellv  !I5 

Beltod  kiriglisher  470 
Beiiil  of  the  wing  100 
Ben/.ino  57 
Bcrniclu  liSO 

brunta  087 

canadensis  088 

hutchinsi  68:i 

hypsibates  824 

leucoparia  089 

leucopsis  087 

nigricans  088 

occidentalis  688 
Bewick's 
swan  683 
wren  277 
Bicarotidinie 

abnorniales  198 
normales  197 
Big  black-head  701 
Bile  215 

Bill  of  birds  100 
Bill-hook  52 
Bills  clasaitied  101 
Binomial  nomenclature  79 
Biogen  192 
Biogenation  192 
Biology  65 
Birdskins 

baking  57 

how  to  make  28 

instruments  for  making  25 
Bird  of  Washington  555 
Birds  and  reptiles  00 
Birds  of  prey  406 
Birds 

anatomy  of 

classilieution  of  80 

carrying  home  safe  18 

class  of  61 

contour  of  91 

cretaceous  825 

definition  of  00 

exterior  parts  of  82,  02 

fossil  821 

geologic  succession  of  02 

handhng  bleeding  17 

how  many  of  a  kind  wanted  I  i 

how  to  approach  15 

how  to  find  10 

huw  to  mount  40 

how  to  skin  and  stuff  28 

inrassic  829 

killing  wounded  10 

recovering  16 

structure  of  59 

synopsis  of  n.  american  237 

tertiary  822 

topography  of  01 
Bittern 

american  664 

least  604 
Bitterns  663,  664 


884 


INDEX. 


Uittcrns 

dwarf  664 
Biziura  lubutu  699 
Uluck 

albatross  770 

brant  088 

duck  091 

grouse  678 

guillemot  814 

hawk  549 

oystcr-ciitcher  007 

petrel  781 

pewit  (lyctttchcr  437 

rail  U74 

red-tail  &46 

scoter  713 

skimmer  772 

snow-bird  377 

tern  770 

white-winged  tern  770 

vulture  600 

Warrior  643 

witch  472 
Black-and-white 

creeper  290 

spotted  woodpeckers  480 
Black-and-vellow 

oriole  40!) 

warbler  304 
Black-backed     three-toed    wood- 
pecker 485 
Block-bellied 

plover  598 

sandpiper  631 
Black-billed  cuckoo  475 
Blackbird  404 

brewer's  411 

marsh  404 

red-winged  404 

red-winged  marsh  404 

red-and-Duff  shouldered  marsh 
404 

skunk  400 

red-shouldered  marsh  404 

red  -  and  -  white     shouldered 
marsh  404 

savanna  472 

thrush  411 

white-winged  387 

vellow-headed  404 
Blackbirds  etc.  399 

crow  410,  412 

marsh  400,  403 

thrush  411 

yellow-headed  404 
Black-breasted 

longspur  359 

sandpiper  630 

woodpecker  487 
Blackbuniian  warbler  302 
Black-capped 

flycatching  warbler  313 

gnat-catcher  201 

greenlet  330 

petrel  779 

titmouse  205 
Black-chinned  sparrow  381 
Black-crested  titmouse  265 
Black-crowned  night  heron  062 
Black-eared  bush-tit  268 
Black-faced 

grass  quit  392 

sage  sparrow  376 
Black-headed 

ducks  099 

goldfinch  356 


Black-headed 

gull  750 

jay  422 

oriole  410 

sojig  grosbeak  380 

turnstone  009 
Black-footed  nibutross  776 
Black-ncckcd  Htilt012 
Black-poll  wurliler  303 
Black-shouldcreil 

kite  S25 

longspur  358 
Black' throated 

blue  warbler  30O 

bunting  387 

diver  791 

pacific  791 

gray  warbler  300 

green  warbler  298 

niurrelet  811 
Black-vented  shearwater  780 
Black-whiskered  greenlet  332 
niudder  217 
lllade-bone  146 
Blanding's  finch  398 
Blasipus  741,  747 
Blastoderm  226 
Itlustodermic  membrane  225 
Blustula  225 
Itlastulation  225 

B'cachcd  vell.-wing'd  sparrow  300 
Blood  190" 

corpuscles  106 

stams  37 
Blowing  eggs  51 
Blow-gun  3 
Itlow-pipe  61 
Blue 

crow  418 

golden-winged  warbler  294 

grosbeak  390 

grouse  579 

hawk  521 

hen  hawk  530 

joy  421 

quail  693 

snow  goose  085 

yellow -backed  warbler  290 
Blue'and  white  herons  001 
Blue-bill  701 
Blue-bird 

arctic  258 

mexican  258 

rocky  mountain  258 

western  258 
Blue-birds  250,  257 
Blue-eyed  yellow  warbler  298 
Blue-fronted  jay  422 
Blue-gray  gnat^atchcr  201 
Blue-heacled 

grackic  411 

greenlet  333 

quail  dove  571 

quake-tail  284 

saw-bill  408 
Blue-stocking  611 
Blue-throat,  red-spotted  258 
Blue-throated  redstart  258 
Blue-throats  258 
Blue  winged 

teal  090 

yellow  warbler  293 
Boat-billed  heron  054 
Boat-tailed 

crow  blackbird  412 

grackle  412 


Bobolink  400 

Bob-white 

Body  proper  92.  93 

"topographv  of  94 
Bog-bull  004 
Bog-sucker  019 
Bohemian  waxwing  326 
Bonaparte's  rosy  gull  761 
Bonasa  584 

betulina  678 

sabinii  685 

umbelloides  686 

umbella  585 
Bone,  structure  of  134 
Bone-breaker  777 
Bone-tissue  149 
Bones 

of  the  hind  limb  118 

of  the  wing  106 
Bonv  basis  of  the  tail  114 
BooI)y  720 

Book-keeping,  ornithological  22 
Booted  tarsus  124,  125 
Botaurina-  054,  050,  603 
Botaurus  604 

mugitans  004 
Boucard's  sinnmcr  finch  376 
Bow-billed  thrasher  262 
Bower-birds  224 
Brachial  plexus  177 
Brachium  100 
Brachyotus  507 
Brachyrbamphi(s  812 

bfacliyjiterus  814 

craverii  814 

hvpoleucus  813 

kittlitzi  813 

mamioratus  813 
Brain  of  birds  175,  176 
Brandt's 

corniornnt  728 

rosy  fiucli  351 
Brant 

geese  086 

goose  080 
Brant,  white  685 
Brant-bird  009 
Brass 

cowbird  403 

grackle  413 
Breast  95 
Breast-hone  143 
Breech-loader  2 
Brewer's 

blackbird  411 

sparrow  381 
Brewster's  linnet  363 
Bridal  ducks  097 
Bride  098 
Bridled 

tern  709 

titmouse  205 
Bristle-bellied 

curlew  040 

woodpeckers  490 
Broad-tailed  humming-bird  463 
Broad-winged  buzzard  648 
Bronchial  syrinx  205 
Bronchiales  206 
Broncho-tracheal  syrinx  205 
Broncho-tracheales  205 
Bronzed 

cowbird  403 

crow  blackbird  413 
Brotherly-love  greenlet  332 
Brown  crane  667 


INDEX. 


886 


Brown 

creeper  273 

gaiiiict  720 

my  41!) 

lark  28U 

owU  508 

tbrusli  251 

towlieo  397 
Brown-biu'k  622 

Urown-backod  oyster-catcher  606 
Browii-huudvd 

cactus  wren  276 

nuthatch  271 

woodpecker  486 
Bubo  503 

arcticua  604 

leptostvus  822 

pacilicus  504 

saturatiiB  604 

virginiuiius  604 
Buboninnt  503 
Bucconidic  446 
liucephala  704 
Bucerotidii!  212,  446 
UudytcH  284 

flavua  284 

taivnnua  285 
Buff  flycalcliers  443 
Buff-breasted  sandpiper  642 
BufHe-liead  705 
Bugs  55 

to  destroy  57 
Bulla  ossea  50 
Bull  bat  454 
BuUflnch 

cardinal  393 

cardinals  393 

cassin's  344 
Bullfinches  344 

pine  343 

purple  346 
Bull-head  509 
Bull-head  plover  598,  699 
Bullock's  oriole  409 
lUilweria  780 
Bulwer'3  petrel  780 
Bunting  {see  I'incli) 

bay-winged  364 

black-throated  387 

lark  386 

le  conte's  366 

painted  391 

silk  387 

snow  356 

towhee  395 

townsend's  388 

varied  391 
Buntings  (see  Finches) 

lark  386 

towhee  395 
Burion  347 
Bush  warblers  309 
Bush-quails  571 
.  Bush-tit 

black-cared  208 

least  268 

plumbeous  268 
Bush-tits  267 

Bustard,  gular  pouch  of  210 
Bustards  597,  665 
Butcher-bird  337 
Buteo  541 

abbreviatus  546 

albccaudatus  542 

albonotatus  546 

bairdi  548 


Buteo 

boroalis  644 

bracbyurus 

cahinis  545 

cooperi  543 

elcgans  546 

fuligiiiosuB  640 

giittiiralis  548 

harlniii  543 

harrisi  542 

iiisigiiatus  548 

kridcri  545 

linentus  545 

luoasuniis  545 

montanus  548 

obxoletuH  548 

oxypterus  548 

pcnnsylvanicus  548 

Bwansoni  546 

unicinctus  542 

vulgaris  547 

zonoccrcus  646 
Buteonina'  541 
Butter-ball  705 
Butoridcs  665 

virescens  662 
Buzzard 

ainerican  rough-legged  549 

anthracite  552 

baud-tailed  546 

broad-winged  548 

common  american  546 

cooper's  543 

ferrugineous  rough-legged  651 

fuliginous  549 

gray  star  551 

cruber's  553 

Earlau's543 

harris's  542 

red-shouldered  545 

red-tailed  544 

rough-legged  549 

swauison's  546 

turkey  559 

western  red-shouldered  646 

white-tailed  542 
Buzzards  541 

antliracite  552 

clawed  552 

hare-footed  549 

star  551 

Cahinkts  56 
C'acatuiniv  495 
Cactus  wren 

brown-headed  275 

St.  lucas  275 
Cactus  wrens  274 
Caducous  parts  of  bill  103 
Cwca  or  ca'cuni  214 
Cairina  moscliata  684 
Calamospiza  386 

bicolor  387 
Calamus  84 
(^ttlaudritiuiB  281 
Calcaneum  120 
Calcar  114.  133 
Calico-back  609 
Calidris  6:)3 

arenaria  633 
California 

clapper  rail  672 

condor  558 

gnome  owl  514 

gull  745 

jay  424 


California 

partridge  592 

sage  sjiarrow  376 

screecli  owl  506 

si|uirrel  hawk  551 

thrasher  2.'i4 

towhee  .197 

woodpecker  489 
Caliologv  227 
Callichen  700 

Calliope  humming-bird  466 
Callipepla  5!i:> 

squaniata  59.') 
Calu'iias  uicobarica  563 
Calothorax  4(i6 

lucifer  466 
Calypte  464 

anna;  464 

costo)  464 
Calyx  of  ovisac  221 
Cumpephilus  479 

priiuipalis  479 
Camphor  !>1 
Camiitoliemus  7IX> 

labradoriu:.  706 
Campylorhynihiuic  274 
Campylorliynclius  274 

alVniis  276 

coucsi  275 

bruuneicapillus  276 
Canace  578 

canadensis  .578 

falcipenuis  578 

fraiiklini  579 

fuliginosa  580 

obscura  579 

ricliardsoni  579 
Canada 

goose  688 

grouse  578 

jav  425 

nuthatch  271 

warbler  314 
Cancroma  cochlearia  654 
Cancromidffi  654 
Cane-guu  3 
Canon  towhee  397 
Canon  wren 

dotted  276 

mexican  276 

speckled  276 
Caiion  wrens  276 
Canthus  of  eve  97,  180 
Cantores  204' 
Canvas-hack  703 
(Jape  may  warbler  .305 
Capo  pigeon  779 
Capercaillie  578 
Capitonidic  446 
Capitulum  of  rib  143 
Caprimulgida;  447 
Caprimulgina!  448 
Caps  for  gun  4 
Capsules,  supra-renal  46 
Caput  97 
Caracara  539 
Carau  668 
Cardcllina  314 

rubra  314 
Cardinal 

bullfinch  .393 

grosbeak  393 

red-bird  393 

fierv-red  .394 

texas  .393 
CardinaliB  393 


I 


886 


INDEX. 


Cardinalia 

iaiicuR  304 

virgiiiianus  303 
Cam  i>{  a  vnlluctioii  64 
Cariuma  crixtata  605 
Cariaiiildu)  U05 
Curinn)  1U3 
Carinatoj  238,  822 
Carinate 

bird.s  238 

Btornuin  143 
Carlo  665 
Carolina 

chickadee  266 

cruko  673 

dovo  608 

nuthatch  260 

parrnquet  496 

rail  073 

waxwinor  327 

wren  277 
Carotid 

arteries  107 

canal  169 
Carpal 

angle  109 

bones  100,  107,  108 
Carpodacus  346 

cansini  347 

frontalis  347 

purpuvcu!)  340 

rhudoculpua  348 
Carpophaga  664 
Carpus  108,  107, 108 
Carrion  crow  660 
Cartilage  134 
Cartridges  2 
Carunctea  98 
Carunculie  103 
Casarca  rutila  084 
Cases  for  storage  56 
Caspian  tern  767 
Cassidix  411 
Cassin's 

bullfinch  344 

greenlet  333 

purple  (inch  347 

summer  tinch  374 

tyrant  flycatcher  433 
Casuarius  170 
Catarractes 

aflinis  826 

antiquus  825 
Cat-bird  250 
Cathari^'ta  560 

atrata  600 
Cathartes  658 

aura  669 

burrovianns  561 

umbrosus  822 
CathartidoB  557 
Cathartides  497,  657 
Catharus  243 
Catherpes  270 

conspersus  276 

niexicanus  270 

punctulatus  276 
Cat  owl  603 
Caudal  vertebras  141 
Cayenne  tern  759 
CecomorphoB  171 
Cedar-bird  327 
Cedar  waxwing  327 
Centre  of  gravity  91 
Centrocercus  580 

urophasianus  107,  680 


Centrophanos  357 
lupponicuH  357 

ornatus  358 
pictiis  358 
Centrum  of  vcrtcbm  137 
Cenfurus  487 

aurifroiH  488 
carolinuH  488 
uropygialis  488 
Cera!  102 

Corato-broiu'liial  167 
Cerato-hyal  107 
Cerutorhinii  805 

monocorata  805 
Core  102 
Curcbcllum  175 
Cerebral  vehicles  176 
Cerobro-spiiuil  system  174 
(!crcbrum  175 

Cereopsis  n()vn>-hollandia!  684 
Certliia  273 

nmcricana  273 

britannica  273 

fusca  273 

mcxicana  273 

montunu  273 

occidcntalis  273 

rufa  273 
Certhiidie  272 
Certhiino!  272 
Certhiola  317 

bahamensis  317 

flaveola  316 
Cerulean  warbler  301 
Cervical 

region  96 

ribs  138 

vertebra!  92,  138 
Cervix  90 
Ceryle  469 

'alcyon  470 

am'cricana  cabanisi  470 
Ccyx  120,  127 
Chaclialaca  673 
Chaitura  457 

pelasgica  467 

vauxi  468  > 

Choiturinic  467 
Chafllnch  339 
Clmluzn;  222 

Chalazifcrous  membrane  222 
Chamiea  262 

fasciata  262 

hcnshawi  202 
Chamx-idiG  202 
Chamoipelia  669 

passerina  669 

pallescens  569 
Chaparral  cock  474 
Characters 

anatomical  71 

attypic  76 

archctypic  76 

embryological  70 

etypic  76 

pr'ototypic  76 

seasonal  71 

teleotypic  76 

valuation  of  74 

zoological  70 
Oharadriidn;  607 
Charadriinn;  597 
Charadriomorpbo:  171,  696 
Charadrius  599 

dominicus  699 

fulvus  600 


Charadrius 

pluvialis  000 

shcppurdianus  823 

virginicua  699 
Chat 

long-tailed  312 

yellow-broastnd  312 
Chats  242,  260,  311 
Chatterers  325 
Chnulolasmus  093 

strcporus  003 
Chauna  005 

chavariu  065 

dorbiana  006 
Chock  98 

(Jholidon  urbiea  320 
Cholonia  02 
Chen  685 

nlbutua  680 

cccrulescens  685 

hyperboreus  686 

rossi  086 
Chenalopcx  u'gyptiaca  684 
Cheiium(>r]ilin!  677 
Chonopsis  atruta  082 
Ch<)rry-bird  327 
Chestnut-backed  titmouse  207 
Chcstnut-collurcd  loiigspur  368 
Chestnut-headed  warbler  298 
Chestnut-sided  warbler  304 
Chettusia  597 
Chewink  396 

Chiasm  of  optic  nerves  176 
Chickadee  205 

Carolina  206 

long-tailed  266 

mcxican  266 

mountain  200 

vrestern  200 
Chicken  hawk  528,  530,  545 
Chimney 

swallow  457 

swift  457 
Chip-bird  380 

winter  379 
Chipping  sparrow  380 

arizona  380 
Chipping  sparrows  370 
Chippy  380 

Chlamydodera  maculata  224 
Cholornis  126,  127,  238 
Chondestes  384 

grammica  384 
Chordediles  463 

acutipennis  texensis  464 

henryi  454 

minor  454 

popetue  454 
Choroid  membrane  182 
Chrolcocephalus  749 

atrieilla  75U 

franklini  751 

Philadelphia  761 
Chrysolophus  575 

amherstiiv  576 

pictus  675 
Chrysomitris  363 

pin  us  364 
Chrysotino!  495 
Chuck-will's- widow  461 
Chunga  burmeisteri  006 
Chyme  212 
Cicatricle  of  egg  221 
Ciceronia  806 
Cichlopsis  328 
Ciconiidi!  662 


INDi:X. 


83T 


CIconiiformoii  053 
('iconiina;  (ini'l 
Ciliary 

fittllKll(ln  177 
gamuiit  1H.3 
miint'lo  IH.'I 
proi'edBPK  IS'I 
Cliu'iiiimti  wurlilor  203 
Clncrpoiis 

Hlioorwiitcir  784 
I  »iiow-l)iril  .■I7!t 

HoiiK-Npiirrow  .'172 
Clmliiiii' 24-2,  2.')ri 

(lilK'lllS  '2f)lt 

a(|imticuH  2'i4 

inoxicniuiH  2r),'i 
(^iiirianioii  teal  fl'.M! 
(y'iri'«  hutnimTH  41(7 
CIrru  luinimin^-tilrd  407 
Circiiia^  621 
Circle  of  Willis  litS 
Circulatory  svi-lciii  l!).') 
CIrciiiiiorbltal  region  i)7 
Circus  521 

liuilsoiiiiis  .Vil 

cvuncuK  622 
CixtothnriiH  280 

Htellaris  280 
CladorlivncliiiH  poctoralis  010 
Claniatnros  2;i!t,  427 
ClaiiKiiIa  704 

allioola  705 

glaucium  704 

islandica  100,  110,  202,  704 
Clapper  rail  072 
Clarke's  crow  418 
(-lark's  Rrelie  704 
Class  72,  7;i 

of  birds  01 
Classes  of  birds'  bills  101 
Classification 

of  birds  69,  80 

of  N.  Am.  birds  2.')4 

macliinory  of  78 

principles  and  practice  of  65 

morphological  (ill,  08 
Clavicles  147 
Clavicular  process  148 
Clawed  buzzard  S52 
Claws 

of  foot  1.12 

ofwinglOS,  114 
Clay-colored  sparrow  381 
Cleavage 

cavitv  225 

cell  2'24 
Clefts,  visceral  152 
Cleido-trachealis  202 
Cliff  swallow  :12:) 
Climacteris  272 
Clinoid  walls  153 
Cloaca  214 
Cloud  swifts  457 
Cnemial  process  119 
Cobb  742 

Coccothraustes  342 
Coccygeal  vertebra;  114,  141 
Coccygina;  474 
Coccygus  474 

americanus  476 

crythrophthalmus  475 

seniculus  470 
Coccvx  114,  142 
Cochlea  151,  188 
Cock 

chaparral  474 


('(M'k  sago  580 

«'(Kk  of  the  plains  580 

('<iT»2l4 

•  iiciini  214 

•  'iirclia  317 
t'lirebidie  317 
Cullin  carrier  742 
Coluplcs  4!ll 

auralo-nuixicanUH  113,  492 

aiiralus  4!I3 

ayrei-i  4!i2 

iTirysiildes  493 

hyHridus  4!l2 

nicxicaiiiiH  41)3 
('oliidii'440 
Collar-bones  147 
Collared  woodpecker  400 
Collecting 

birds  1 

iiesis  and  eggs  60 
Collecling-ilu'si  27 
Colleclioii,  care  of  n  .^)4 
Collector,  to  be  a  good  ',1 
(!olIe(  torsliip,  livgiciic  uf  19 
Collo>'alia224,  4.'>0 
ColUiniOO 
Colorado  screech  owl  600 

turkev  053 
Colunilia  004 

crylhriiia  .Idft 

fasciata  MU) 

leiK'occpliela  606 

livia  .nii.") 

o'oas  nij.'i 

paliiMibus  .')02 
Coluiuba!  601 
(!uIunibidiG  602 
Colunibiiiic  604 
Columbine  birds  .VII,  602 
Columella  auris  185 
(Jolyinhidie  789 
(Jolymbus  789 

adamsi  790 

arctiiuis  791 

pacilicus  791 

septeiitrionalis  791 

torijuatus  789 
Combatant  040 
Combs  98 
Commissural 

line  105 

point  10.") 
Commissure  105 
Common 

atlantic  shearwater  785 

brown  crane  007 

caracara  639 

cormorant  720 

cow-bird  402 

crow  blackbird  413 

europcan  buzzard  547 

galliuule  076 

gannet  720 

kittiwakc  748 

loon  789 

puflin  802 

quail  of  europc  595 

rail  073 

red-poll  362 

savaiinnli  sparrow  363 

sliarp-tailcu  grouse  681 

teni  762 

wild  goose  088 
Common  american 

buzzard  640 

crow  417 


Common  ami  rican 

gull  74.') 

shrike  338 
C(im|ilii   te  tail  118 
Comiiticationa  in  nklnning  34 
Cciuijire»se<l  tarsut  126 
Conditions  of  envirunmeut  72 
Condor,  califurnlan  b&H 
Condj  les 

orclpital  160 

of  fiiuur  llU 

of  huniiTus  107 
Conirostral  |ii| 
Ciiii^unitiva  179,  IHl 
l"unj»nrt<)-<aroliilinie  198 
CduiU'cticut  warbler  309 
Cons('i(jusui'Ks  174 
Ciiiispccies  79 
Cuutopus  4.18 

borcalis  438 

pertiuax  439 

richardsiihi  440 

vireus  43!) 
Contour  of  a  bird  91 
Contour-fealhcrs  H6 
(.'ontracujr  Irailieu'  202 
Counrus  490 

carolinitiisis  490 
('ooiHir's 

buz/.ard  643 

crested  llyiatcher  436 

hawk  528 

Banilpi|K'r  027 

tanager  318 
Coot 

american  670 

curoi)can  077 

sea  71.3,  714 
Coot-foot  pimlaropcs  014 
Coot-footud  triiiga  014 
(  oots  670 

( Copper-tailed  trogon  408 
Corucitdos  440 
Coracoid  bone  107,  140 
('oracomorpha!  172 
Cormorant 

baird's  729 

brandt's  728 

common  726 

double-crested  727 

florida  727 

mexican  728 

pallas's  728 

red-fiKc^l  728 

tufted  728 

violet-green  729 

white-tufted  727 
Cormorants  723 
Corn  crake  075 
Cornea  179, 182 
t'orneous  covering  of  bill  103 
(.'ornua  of  byoid  107 
Corona  97 

Coronoid  process  106 
(,'orpora  bigemina  175 
( 'orpus 

callosum  176 

striatum  175 
Corrosive  sublimate  57 
Corvidffi  414 
Corvina:  415 
Corvus  415 

caurinus  417 

corax  416,  172 

cryptoleucus  416 

tloVidanus  417 


888 


Corvus 

frugilegus  200     • 

frugivoriis  417 

moncdula  414 

maritimus  417 
Cory's  shearwater  784 
Coscoroba  anatoldes  (i8'2 
Costa  humming-bird  4(i4 
Costal  process  of  sternum  143,  144 
Costiferous  part  of  sternum  145 
Cotilc  323 

riparia  324 
Cotton,  use  of  26 
Cotuniiculus  3G5 

hcnslowi  368 

lecontii  306 

maninibe  365 

passerinus  365 

perpallidus  3ij6 
Coturnix  594 

dactylisonans  595 
Couch's  nvcatcher  434 
Coues'  flycatclicr  439 
Courlan,  scolopaceous  668 
Courlans  CG7,  668 
Coursers,  niglit  449 
Covering  of  bill  102 
Coverts 

tail  115 

wing  110 
Cowbird  ^ 

brass  403 

bronzed  403 

common  4*12 

dwarf  402 

rcd-«.'ved  403 
Cowbirds"401 
CracidiB  572 
Cracinic  572       ' 
Crake 

Carolina  674 

curonean  spotted  674 

farallone  black  674 

little  black  674 

vellow  674 
Crak'cs  073 
Crane 

common  brown  667 

northern  brown  667 

sandhill  667 

white  666 

whooping  666 
Cranes  etc.  665,  666 
Cranial  bones  proper  160 

nerves  175,  176 
Craveri's  murrelet  814 
Creeper 

bahaman  honey  317 

black-and-white  290 

brown  273 

honey  316 

mexican  273 

small-billed  200 
Creepers  272 
Creeping  warblers  290 
Crescent  swallow  323 
C«c;tcd 

auk  807 

blue  jars  421 

grebe  794 

lapwing  605 

titmice  264 
Crested  flvcatcher 

ash-throated  436 

cooper's  large-billed  436 

great  434 


INDEX. 


Crested  flycatcher 

lawrence's  436 

rufous-tailed  435 
Crested  flycatchers  434 
Crcstless  blue  jays  4'J3 
Crests  of  birds  9i) 
Cretaceous  birds  61,  62,  63,  825 
Crex  674 

pratcnsis  076 
Crimson  llnch  346 
Oinison-fi'ontcd  (inch  347 
<  )rimson-lieaded  tanager  319 
Crissal 

thrasher  255 

towheu  3!I7 
Crissuui  96 
Crista;  99 
Crop  of  birds  212 
Cross-bill 

american  red  349 

mexican  350 

white-winged  348 
Cross-bills  348 
Crossoptilon  575 
Crotaphyte  depression  167 
Crotophaga  471 

ani  472 

sulcirostris  472 
Crotophagina;  471 
Crow 

blue  418 

carrion  560 

Clarke's  418 

con.mon  americuii  417 

northwostern  fi^b  417 

southeastern  fish  417 
Crow  blackbird  410 

boat-tailed  412 

bronzed  413 

common  413 

fan-tailed  412 

tlorida414 

purple  413 
Crow-duck  676 
Crown  of  the  head  97 
Crown  sparrow 

intermediate  383 

gambol's  383 

golden  383 

hooded  384 

white-browed  383 

white-throated  382 
Crown  sparrows  381 
Crows  414,  415 
Crows,  blue  418 
Crura  cerebri  175 
Crmal  119 

feathers  123 
Crus  119,  125 
Crying-bird  668 
Crypturi  674 
(?n>-stalline  lens  183 
Cuban 

night-hawk  454 

sparrow  hawk  538 
Cubit  107 
CuculidiG  470 
Cuculiform  birds  467 
Cuculiformes  466,  467 
Cuculus  canorus  471 
Cuckold  402 
Cuckoo 

black-billed  476 

ground  474 

mangrove  476 

vellow-bilbd  476 


Cuckoos  470 

american  474 

ground  473 

tree  474 
Culmen  104 
Cultrirostral  101 
Cuneiformo  106,  107, 108 
Cupidonia  583 

cupido  123,  583 

pallidicincta  684 
Cupola  188 
Curassow.s  572 
Curlew 

bristle-bellied  646 

eskimo  646 

hudsoniun  646 

jack  645 

long-billed  645 

otaliiti  646 

Spanish  651 
Curlew  sandpipers  631 
Curlews  618,  643 
Cursorial  foot  129,130 
Cursoriina'  597 
Curve-billed  tlirasher  252 
Cyanecula  258 

suecica  258 
Cyanocitia 

annectens  422 

coronata  322 

cristata  421 

diadenmta  422 

florincola  421 

frontalis  422 

niacrolopha  422 

stelleri  421 
Cyclarhis  330 
(Jygnina!  681 
Cygnopsis  cvgnoides  684 
Cygnus  082" 

bewicki  683 

buccinator  082 

columbianus  682 

musicus  683 

nigricollis  682 

olor  681 

palorcgonus  824 
Cymocliorea  781 

homochroa  781 

Icucorrhoa  781 

mel.xna  781 
(\vpsclidaE  455 
('\  pseliformcs  446,  447 
("ypselinae  456 
C'}pselus  456 

apus  87 
Cytula  224 


DAm:iiiCK  797 
Dacelonino!  469 
Dafila  692 

acuta  692 
Damier  779 
Danger's  method  51 
Daptium  779 

capense  779 
Daptrius  539 

Dark-bodied  shearwater  787 
Darters  729 
Darwinian  logic  60 
Day  owl  511 
Decomposition  39 
Degrees  of  likeness  71 
Demoiselle  egrets  660 
Dcndragapus  578 


Dendrocygna  689 

autumnalia  689 

(ulva  68!) 
Dciidrocca  2'JO 

adelaida'  297 

lEBfiva  2!)8 

albilora  306 

aiiduboiii  802 

aureola  297 

hiackburnic  302 

bryanti  298 

capitalis  297 

castanca  304 

clirysopnria  300  ^ 

cocruica  301 

ccpriileRCcns  300 

coroimta  301 

discolor  305 

dominica  300 

eoa  297 

cracias  306 

h ,  pochrvsoa  307 

kirtlandl  306 

maculosa  304 

iiigrescena  308 

occidentalia  299 

palmarum  307 

poiinsylvanieii  304 

petccbia  2117 

pharetra  297 

pimis  307 

pityophila  297 

striata  303 

tigrina  305 

townsniidi  299 

vioilloti  298 

virens  298 
Dendrortyx  588 
Doiitary  bone  108 
Doiitirostral  101 
Derby  flycatcher  430 
Dcrinestes  larilarius  55 
Design,  evidences  of  477 
DcsmamfEba  192 
Desmognatliisni  171,  172 
Dcsmognathous  skull  171 
Determination  of  sex  45 
Development 

of  feafliers  82 

of  skull  151 
Diabolic  petrels  779 
Diaphragm  193 
Diapophyses  137 
Diatr}'ma  gigantca  825 
Dicholoplius  144 
Dichroic  egrets  661 
Dichromanassa  OSl 

rufa  661 
Didacfvic  birds  126 
Didi  5(i2 

Didunculus  strigirostris  563 
Didu3  incptus  65,  562 
Dieda|ipcr  797 
Digeslivn  system  209 
Digiti  120 
Digits 

of  foot  121,128 

of  wing  101) 
Diglossa  317 
Dinomithcs  65 
Dinosaurs  63,  821 
Diomedca  7"4 

bracliyiira  776 

nigripcs  775 
Diomedcina;  774 
U;pper  705,  797 


Dipper 

auiorican  255 

cinopean  254 
Dippers  242.  254 
Directions  for  using  the  keys  227 
Discogastrula  225 
Dissiiuraniamiari  053 
Distal  phalangi's  127 
Disticlidus  iirrangcniunt  114 
Diurnal  birds  of  prey  017 
Diver 

black-thriiiitcd'ni 

groat  niirllK'ni  78!) 

piii'ilic  lihick-throated  791 

red-lliniatcd  791 
Diving  birds  7X7 
I)(iilo  05,  562 
Dogs!) 
Uollihonyx  400 

oiyzlvnrus  400 
Domestic 

duck  091 

pigeon  505 
Dorsal  verlebrii!  139 
Dorso-bunbar  vertebra'  140 
Dorsum  94 

1  totted  <anon  wriMi  276 
DoublcKTcsteil  ((innorant  727 
Double-forked  tail  117 
Dmihle-roundcMl  tail  117 
Dough-bird  646 
Dove 

blue-hcadeil  571 

carolinii5ii8 

ground  569 

inca  570 

key  west  571 

mourning  568 

quail  571 

scaled  570 

sea  SIO 

white-fronted  567 

white-winged  569 

wild  568 

zcnaida  569 
Dovekie  810 
Doves 

dwarf  569 

love  568 

lustre  570 

pin-tail  508 

I)iii-wirig  567 

quail  571 

shell  570 

white-wing  509 
l)»witcher«22 
Down-feathers  86 
Downv  woodpecker  483 
Draco'82 
l)rill3  for  eggs  51 
I)rom;eognathic  69,  170 
Droina-ognathism  108 
Droinojognathous  skull  109,  170 
Droma!US  170 
Dnmi  of  ear  185 
I)ruuislick  119 
Ducal  tern 761 
Duck 

black  691 

black-bead  701 

bufflc-heail  704 

canvasback  703 

crow  076 

domestic  091 

dusky  0!)1 

cider  708,  710,  713 


Duck 

florida  dusky  892 

gray  t)!l3 

golden-eye  704 

greater  scaup  701 

barleciuin  707 

labrador  70(i 

lesser  scaup  701 

■  Mig-tail  706 

pied  7llti 

jiin-tail  ti!l2 

raft  7110 

reil-head  7C2 

ring-neik  701 

ruililer  715 

rufhly  715 

shoveller  096 

summer  698 

St.  doniingo  755 

surf  714 

wild  001 

wliite-wingcd  surf  714 

wood  «!)8 
Ducks 

blackhead  699 

bridid  6!l!» 

eider  708 

lishing  716 

pintail  6!)7 

redhead  699 

river  689 

rudder  715 

sea  698 

spoonbill  696 

surf  713 

teal  694 

tree  68!) 
Duck  hawk  534 
Dunlin 

american  031 

eiiropean  031 

sandpipers  631 
l^uodcnum  213 
Dura  mater  176 
Dusky 

duck  691 

horned  owl  .504 

grouse  579 

shearwater  786 
Dusky-tailed  bununing-bird  466 
Dwarf 

bitterns  664 

cowbird  402 

doves  56!) 
Dynamamoebie  215,  218,  219 
DysponiH  720 


bald  555 

golilcn  .554 

harpy  S53 

ring-tailed  554 

sea  5.")5 

white-headed  sea  566 

white-tailed  sea  555 
ICagles  519,  541 

lishing  554 

golden  553 

harpy  553 

sea  554 
Kar  of  birds  92,  184 
Kared  grebe 

american  796 

curopcan  795 
liared  owls  507 


II 


840 


INDEX. 


Eastern 

bluebird  257 

fox  sparrow  385 

hermit  thrush  247 

house  wren  278 

snow-bird  377 
Eaves  swallow  323 
Ecdvsis  88 
Ectoderm  226 
Ectopistes  565 

migratorius  566 
Educabilia  76 
Efferent  nerves  174 
Egg  216 

anatomv  of  222 
Egg-drills  61 
I':gg-laying  223 
Egg-pod  2S2 
Egg-shell  223 

reinforcing  53 
Eggs 

collecting  50 

labeling  53 

preparing  51 

shapes  of  223 
Egret 

great  white  658 

little  white  660 

louisiana  661 

peale's  661 

reddish  661 
Egrets 

demoiselle  660 

dichroic  661 
Eider 

spectacled  710 

steller's  709 

european  710 

american  712 

pacific  712 

king  712 
Eiders,  708 
Elnodochon  86 
Elanoldes  525 

forficatus  526 
Elanus  525 

glaucHS  525 
Elbow-joint  100,  107 
Elegant  tern  700 
Elf  owls  515,  516 
Emargination  of  remiges  112 
Emberiza  hortulana  401 
Embernagra  398 

rufivlrgatn  398 
Embryological  characters  70 
Embryology  210,  224 
Embryos  216,  217 

extracting  52 
Emperor  goose  686 
Empidonax  440 

acadiciis  441 

diflicilis  442 

flaviveiiti'is  442 

hammondi  443 

minimus  442 

obscurus  443 

pusilltis  442 

pygmii'Hs  443 

siibviridiii  441 

trailli  441 

wrighti  443 
Enccphalon  175 
Endoderm  226 

cells  225 
Endolymph  190 
Endoskeleton  134 


Endysis  88 
English 

pheasant  574 

snipe  614.  621 

sparrow  344 
Engyptila  667 

albifrons  567 
Environment,  conditions  of  /2 
Eocene  birds  04 
Epapophysis  cerebri  175 
Epiblast  22G 
Epibranchial  167 
Epicleidium  147 
Epidermic  structures  82 
Epididymis  217 
Epigastrium  96 
Epiglottis  204,  210 
Epignathous  bills  101 
Epiotic  157,  187 
Epiphyses  134 
Epipleural  processes  142 
Epipubic  bone  149 
Equilibration  190 
Equivalence  of  groups  73 
Eremophila  281 

alpestris  281 

chrysoliema  282 

leucolirma  282 
Ereunetes  624 

occidcntalis  625 

pusillus  624 
Erismatura  715 

rubida  715 
Erythrocnema  542 
Esacus  597 
Eskimo  curlew  646 
Ethmoid  160 
Etypic  characters  76 
Eudocimus  651 

albus  651 

ruber  651 
Eugenes  461 

fulgens  461 
Euplocomus  575 
Rupodotis  australis  212 
Eupsychortyx  688 
European 

black-tailed  godwit  636 

blue  heron  658 

coot  677 

cuckoo  471 

curlew  644 

dunlin  631 

eared  grebe  795 

cider  duck  710 

great  white  egret  659 

golden  plover  600 

goshawk  629 

green-winged  teal  695 

hawk  owl  612 

herring  gull  743 

jackdaw  414 

jay  419 

kingfisher  409 

land-rail  675 

lesser  ring  plover  603 

little  white  egret  660 

mew  gull  746 

oyster-catcher  006 

partridge  588 
■   ring  plover  603 

snipe  021 

sparrow  owl  513 

spoonbill  650 

spotted  crake  073 

■potted  woodpecker  477 


European 

whimbrcl  645 

white-fronted  goose  684 

wigeon  694 

woodcock  620 

wren  273 
Eurynorhynchus  034 

pygma-us  034 
Eurypyga  helias  605 
Eustachian  tube  158,  183,  210 
Evening  grosbeak  342 
ICverglade  kite  523 
Evidences  of  design  77 
Evolution,  theory  of  00,02,  06 
ICxantliemops  686 
Exoccipital  ISO 
Exocoetes  82 
Exoskeletal  structures  82 
Exoskelcton  134 
lOxplanation  of  frontispiece  236 
Extension  and  flexion  of  wing  106, 

109 
Extensor  muscles  199 
"Extent"  24 
Exterior  of  a  bird  82,  92 
Extinct  birds  04 
Eye  92,  178.  179 
Eye-water  38 
Eyes,  glass  44 

Facial 

bones  161 

nerve  177,  187 
Falcate  bill  102 
Falco  532 

sesalon  537 

candicans  533 

colunibarius  536 

fu«cica'rulesccns  539 

gyrfalco  532 

isabcllinus  538 

islandicus  532 

labradora  533 

lanarius  534 

mexicanus  534 

obsoletus  532 

pealii  536 

peregrinus  534 

polyagrus  534 

ricl'iardsoni  537 

sacer  532 

sparverioides  538 

sparverius  537 

suckleyi  537 
Falcrtn 

aplomado  539 

femoral  539 

peule's  peregrine  536 

peregrine  534 

rusty-crowned  537 
Falcoiiidie  519 
Falconinn'  531 
Falcons  519,  531 
Fallopian  nerviduct  187 
False  cere  102 
Family  72,  73 
Fan-tuiK'd 

crow  blackbird  412 

wrens  274 
Farallonc  block  crake  674 
Fasclic  192 
Fat,  fatness  37 
Fatigue  and  hunger  20 
Fauces  210 
Feathered  tracts  86 
Feather-leg  sandpipers  628 


INDEX. 


841 


Featlicrs  82,  84,  85,  109 
Feet  of  birds  118 
Females,  full  suites  of  14 
Femoral  fiilcoii  53!) 
Fcmoro-caudal  195 
Femur  119 
Fenestra 

ovalis  153,  154,  185 

rotunda  185 
Ferrugiueous 

buzzard  S51 

owl  514 

sandpiper  632 
Fibula  119 
Kibulare  120 
Field 

lark  406 

naturalist's  duties  21 

ornithologj'  1 

plover  598,  599,  641 

sparrow  380 

work  9 
Fierj'-rcd  cardinal  394 
Fisliting  sandpipers  040 
Filopluinaceous  feathers  85 
Filoplumes  86 
Finch 

alien's  rosy  350 

arizona  summer  374 

bachman's  summer  373 

baird's  rosy  351 

blanding's  398 

brandfs  rosy  351 

boucard's  summer  375 

bay-winged  summer  375 

black-throated  376 

bell's  370 

cassin's  purple  347 

cassin'B  summer  374 

crimson  346 

crimson-fronted  347 

florida  sea-side  308 

grass  364 

green  398 

house  347 

Illinois  summer  373 

indigo  391 

lazuli  391 

lincoln's  370 

nelson's  sharivtailed  368 

painted  391 

pallas's  rosy  352 

pine  354 

purple  346 

purple  painted  391 

ridgway's  rosy  350 

rufous-crowned  summer  374 

sea-side  367 

sharp-tailed  308 

swainson's  rosy  351 

western  grass  365 
Finches  339 

painted  390 

rosy  350 

summer  373 
Fire-bird  408 

Fire-crowned  flycatchers  444 
Fish 

crow  417 

hawks  556 
Fisher's  petrel  780 
Fishing 

ducks  716 

eagles  554 

Fissirostral  101 

Fixtures  25,  27 


Flag  of  hawks  123 
Flamingoes  (178 
Flamniulated  owl  506 
Flunks  95 
Flaps  of  toes  98 
Flesh-footed  shearwater  785 
Flexion  of  wing  106,  109 
Flexor 

digitorum  perforatus  195 

longus  Imllucis  193 

muscles  109 
Flicker  493 

mcxicaii  493 
Flickers  491 

Flight-featluvs  88,  109,  HI 
Flocculus  17G 
Flocking  fowl  701 
Florida  (i(il 

barred  owl  510 

c(crulea  661 

cormorant  727 

crow  417 

crow  blackbird  414 

dusky  duck  692 

gallinule  075 

heron  058 

jay  423 

quail  591 

sea-side  lineh  368 

screech  owl  506 

wren  277 
Flycatcher 

acadiau  441 

arkansaw  tyrant  433 

ash-throated  crested  436 

black  pewit  437 

beardless  441 

cassin's  tyrant  433 

cooper's    large-billed   crested 
435 

couch's  tyrant  434 

coues'  439 

derbv  430 

dirtv  little  443 

fork"ed-tailed  431 

gray  little  443 

great  crested  434 

green-crested  441 

hammond's  443 

lawrencc's  crested  436 

little  buff-breasted  443 

little  western  442 

least  442 

olive-sided  438 

pcwee  437 

pewit  437 

rutous-tailed  crested  435 

say's  pewit  437 

small  greou-crcstcd  441 

sulphur-bellied  striped  431 

swallow-tc'ded  431 

train's  441 

vermilion  444 

•western  wood  pewee  440 

western  yollow-bellieu  442 

wood  pewee  439 

Wright's  443 

yellow-bellied  442 
Flycatchers 

american  428 

ash-throated  434 

beardless  443 

crested  434 

derby  430 

fire-cniwiied  4-14 

king  432 


Flycatchers 

little  olivaceous  440 
pewit  430 
rufous-tailed  434 
strijied  431 
swallow-tailed  431 
true  tyrant  428 

woi  id  pewee  438 
Flvcatcliing  thrush 

tiiwnsend's  329 
Flvcatcliing  thrushes  328 
Flycatehiiig  warbler 

black-capped  313 

Canadian  314 

hooded  313 

painted  315 

red-fronted  314 
Flvcatehing  warblers  312,  313 

rose  314 
Fly-snapper,  shining  328 
Fly-snappers  327 
Fontaiiclles  iif  sternum  144 
Foot  118 

integument  of  124 

modilications  of  129 

plumage  of  122 
Foramen 

lacerum  160 

magnum  156 

of  monro  175 

ovale  of  skull  156 

ovale  of  heart  196 
Forceps  25,  52 
Forearm  106,  107 
Fork-tail  petrels  781 

gray  781 

horhbv's  782 

sooty  782 
Forked-tailed 

flvcatcher  431 

gull  753 
Forms,  generalized  78 

specialized  76 
Formulation  of  knowledge  78 
iMirnix  176 
I'orster's  tern  763 
Fossa,  nasal  104 
Fossil  birds  62,  821 

cretaceous  825 

Jurassic  829 

tertiary  822 
Four-toed  plover  598 
Fowls  571,  573 

pigeon-toed  572 

true  573 
Fox  sparrow 

eastern  385 

large-billed  386 

slate-colored  386 

townsend's  385 
Fox  sparrows  385 
Francolinus  576 
Franklin's 

rosy  gull  751 

spruce  grouse  579 
Fratercula  800 

arctiea  802 

coruiculata  801 

glacialis  803 
Freg'etta  782 

grallaria  783 
Fresh-water 

ducks  i;R9 

marsh  hen  672 
Frigates  730 
Fringe-footed  phalaropcs  61? 


842 


INDEX. 


Fringilla  coclebs  339 
FringillidiK  339 
Frontal 

antiiE  105 

bone  156 
Frontlets  99 

Frontispiece,  explanation  ef ! 
Fronto-facial  hinge  15li 
Fulgent  hummers  461 
Fulica  676 

americann  676 

atra  677 
Fulicinai  076 
Fuliginous  buzzard  549 
Fulipula  099.  700 

atlini.s  701 

nmorieana  702 

collaris  701 

feriiui  702 

niarila  701 

rulinu  700 

vallisncria  703 
Fuligulinai  698 
Fulix  701 
F'ulmar  777 

giant  777 

pacific  778 

rodgers"  778 

slender-billed  778 
Fulmar  shearwaters  783 
F^ulmars  777 

gull  778 
Fulmarus  777 

glacialis  778 

pacificus  778 

rodgersi  778 
Fulvous  tree  duck  089 
Furcate  tail  117 
Furculum  107,  147 

Gadfly  petrels  779 
Gadwall  693 

Gairdner's  woodpecker  483 
Galbulido;  446 
Gall-bladder  215 
Galeoscoptes  249 
Gallinaceous  birds  571 
GalliniB  571,  823 
Gall  in  ago  615,  020 

gallinula  623 

coolest  is  622 

media  621 

wilsoni  621 
Gallinula  675 

galeata  675 
Gallinule 

common  676 

florida  675 

sultan  676 
Gallinules  675 

sultan  675 
Gallinulinn-  675 
Gallo-colunibine  series  571 
Gallus  bankiva  575 
Gambel's 

crown  sparrow  382 

partridge  593 
Gnmbetta  640 
Gamin  344 
Ganglia 

of  brain  175 

of  nerves  174 
Gannet 

brown  720 

common  720 

white  720 


Gannets  720 
Gape  105 
Garrot  704 
Garrulimc  419 
Garrulus  glandarius  419 
Garzetta  659 

candidi^iiinm  660 

nivea  UliO 
Gastornis 

giganteus  825 

pai'isiensis  VA 
Gastra'um  94,  95 
Ghstrula  225 
Gastrulation  225 
Gaviif  733 
Gcothlj-pis  310 

niacgillivrayi  311 

Philadelphia  311 

trichas  310 
Geotrj'gon  570 

marlinica  571 
Gcranarclius  660 
Geranomorplue  171 
Germinal 

spot  220 

vesicle  220 
Germination  224 
Germ-velk  224 
G(Sant65 
Geese  683 

barnacle  686 

brant  686 

gray  684 

painted  686 

snow  685 
Gelochclldon  756 
Gemitorcs  562 
Gena  98 
Genera  72,  73 
General  ornithology  69 
Generalized  forms  76 
Generative  organs  215 
Genetic  relations  78 
Genio-hyoid  211 
Genital  glands  215 
Genns  72,  73 
Geococcyx  473 

calitbrnianus474 
Geologic  succession  62 
Geopclia  564  < 

Giant  fulmar  777 
Gigerium  213 
Gila  woodpecker  488 
Gilded 

woodpecker  493 

woodpeckers  491 
Ginglvmus  121 
Gizzard  212 
Glabrirostres  449 
Gland,  oil  86 
Glareolidn'  597 
Glass  eves  44 
GlauciJiuni  614 

ferrugincum  514 
gnoma  514 

passerinum  514 
Glaucous  gull  741 
Glaucous-winged  gull  741 
Glenoid 

cavity  146 
process  146 
(;ios»o-hval  bone  167 
(ilosso-pliaryngcal  nerve  177 
(ilnssv 

ibis  049 
ibii^cs  649 


Glottis  204,  210 
Gnat-catcher 

black-cap)>ed  261 

blue-gray  260,  261 

plumbeous  261 
Gnat-catchers  242,  260 
Gnathotheca  103 
Gnome  owl 

californian  514 

ferrugincous  614 
Gnome  owls  514 
Goatsuckers  447 

true  448 
Godwit 

american  black-tailed  630 

eur(ip(!an  black-tailed  636 

great  marbled  635 

luidsoniau  63.*) 

pacific  biir-tailed  036 

white-tailed  636 
Godwits  616,  634 
Golden 

crown  sparrow  382 

eagle  554 

eagles  553 

pheasants  575 

plover  599 

robin  408 

swamp  warblers  291 
Golden  warbler  298 

chestnut-headed  298 
Golden-cheeked  warbler  300 
Golden-crested  kinglet  200 
Golden-crowned 

accentor  308 

thrush  308 

wag-tail  warbler  308 
Gulden-eye  704 

Golden-winged  woodpecker  493 
Goldfinch 

american  354 

arizona  355 

ark  an  saw  355 

bluck-liendud  350 

lawrence's  355 

mcxican  355 
Goldfinches  354 

american  354 
Gold-tits  269 
Gonys  103,  166 
Goosander  716 
Goose 

american  white-fronted  684 

barnacle  687 

black  brant  688 

blue  snow  685 

brunt  687 

Canada  688 

common  wild  088 

emperor  680 

europcan  white-fronted  684 

hutcliins'  689 

large  white-cheeked  688 

least  snow  686 

lesser  snow  686 

painted  686 

ross'  686 

smaller  white-cheeked  689 

snow  685 
Gorget  hummers  461 
Gorglets  99 
Goshawk 

american  530 

european  529 
western  631 
Goshawks  630 


Gour 
Graa 
Grac 
Grac 


Grac 
Gra( 


Gra( 


Gra( 
Gra' 
Gral 


Gra 
Gra 
Gra: 


Gra 
Gra 


Grai 
Gra 
Gra 
Gra 


On 
Gri 
Gr 
Gr 
Gr 


INDEX. 


843 


Goura  563 
Groatian  follicle  220 
Grace's  warbler  306 
Grackle 

blue-hcadcd  411 

boat-tailed  412 

brass  413 

green  414 

purple  413 

rusty  411 

texas  112 
Grackles  410 

rusty  411 
Gracuiavus 

agilis  827 

anceps  827 

lentus  827 

pumilus  826 

vclox  826 
Graculus 

idahcnsis  824 

macropus  824 
Gradation  of  tail  117 
Grallntores  altinares  648 
Grallatorial 

anscres  677 

foot  129,  130 
Granatellus  287,  311 
Granulation  of  podothcca  125 
Grass 

quit  302 

plover  041 

sparrows  364 
Grass  tincli  304 

western  305 
Grasshopper  sparrow  366 

henslow's  366 

le  conte's  366 
Grasshopper  sparrows  365 
Grass-snipe  026 
Gravity,  centre  of  91 
Gray 

duck  693 

forked-tailed  petrel  782 

geese  684 

greenlet  334 

grouse  579 

Iays  425 
Lingbird  433 

little  tlvcatuhcr  443 

owls  5(58 

plialarope  614 

rulTed  grouse  585 

shrikes  337 

snipe  622 

song  sparrow  372 

star  buzzard  551 

towhee  398 
Gray-back  632 
Gray<heeked  thrush  247 
Gray-headed  snowbird  379 
Gray-winged  gull  742 
Great 

black-backed  gull  742 

blue  heron  057 

Carolina  wren  277 

crested  flycatcher  434 

egret  herons  658 

gray  owl  509 

herons  657 

horned  owl  503 

marbled  godwit  636 

northern  diver  789 

northern  shrike  337 

white  egret  658 

white  heron  658 


Greater 

coverts  110 

lonnl)eak  023 

hiuup  duiU  701 

sliearwater  "85 

telltale  038 

titmouse  2(i-) 

yi'Uowshanks  038 
Great-footeil  hawk  534 
Grebe 

amcricaii  eared  79(i 

anicrican  rid-iiecked  794 

crested  7!)4 

Clark's  794 

european  eared  795 

homed  "!)o 

pied-billcd  797 

St.  dominni)  796 

western  793 
Grebes  792,  794 

spear-bill  793 

thick-bill  796 
Green 

finch  398 

grackle  414 

heron  062 

jays  424 

sandpijicr  039 
Green-backed  humming-bird  463 
(Jreen-created  flycatcher  441 
Green-liead  091 
Greenland 

gyrfalcon  533 

nicaly  red-pull  353 
Greenlet " 

bell's  335 

black-capped  336 

black-whiskered  332 

blue-licaded  333 

brotherly  love  332 

cassin's  333 

grav  334 

button's  334 

ler..-st  335 

plumbeous  334 

red-eyed  331 

solitary  333 

Stephens'  335 

vellow-green  332 

yellow-throated  333 

warbling  332 

western  warbling  333 

white-oved  3'14 
Grecniets  329 
Green-shanks  039 
Green-tailed  towhee  398 
Groove-billed  ani  472 
Grosbeak 

black-headed  389 

blue  390 

cardinal  393 

evening  342 

pine  343 

rose-breasted  389 
Grosbeaks  340 

blue  390 

cardinal  393 

song  388 
Ground 

cuckoos  473 

doves  500,  569 

sparrows  360 

warblers  310 
Groups 

higher  than  genera  284 

taxonomic  equivalence  of  73 


Groups 

zoological  72 
(innise  570,  577 

black  678 

blue  579 

Canada  578 

common  shurp-tailed  581 

dusky  579 

franljlin's  spruce  579 

gray  579 

gray  ruffed  585 

northern  sharjvtailed  579 

Oregon  ruflcd  585 

pale  pinnated  584 

pine  579 

pinnated  583 

|)in-necked  583 

pin-tailed  581 

red  riifTed  585 

ricliardson's  dusky  579 

Tockv  mountain  snow  583 

ruffed  584,  585 

sage  580 

sharp-tailed  581 

snow  585 

sooty  580 

spotted  578 

sjjnice  578 

tree  57S 

willow  586 
Gruber's  buzzard  553 
Gruidie  COO 
Gruiformes  066 
Grus 

americana  203,  666 

canuden.-is  203,  667 

fraterculiis  007 

huydeni  823 

pratensis  007 

proavus  823 
Guan,  texan  573 
Guuns  573 
Guillemot 

black  814 

briinnich's  818 

californiun  817 

common  810 

pigeon  815 

sooty  815 

sjiectacled  815 

thick-billed  817 
Guillemots  810.816 
Guinea-fowl  074 
Guiraca  390 

eiirulea  390 
Gulu  90 
Gular  90 
GuJur  pouch  210 
Gull 

amorican  herring  743 

ainerican  mew  746 

black-headed  750 

bonaparte's  rosy  751 

californian  745 

common  american  745 

european  herring  743 

european  mew  740 

fork-tailed  753 

franklin's  rosy  761 

glaucous  741 

glaucous-winged  741 

gray-winged  742 

great  black-backed  742 

ice  741,  749 

iv()iv  749 

kitti'wakc  748 


844 


INDEX. 


Ottll 

laughing  750 

puUas's  744 

swallow-tailed  753 

reinhardt'a  745 

ring-billed  745 

ros8'  rosy  753 

western  herring  744 

white-headed  747 

white-winged  741 
Gull  fulmars  778 
Gulls  733,  739.  740 

forked -tailed  763 

liooded  749 

ice  749 

ivorj-  749 

rosy  749 

skua  734 

wedge-tail  752 
Gull-billed  tern  757 
Guns  1,  5,  6,  7 
Gustation  191 
Guttur  96 
Gygis  alba  755 
Gymnocitta  418 

cyanoccphala  418 
Gypietus  barbatus  519 
Gyparchus  pajia  557,  561 
Gypogeranides  497 
Gypogerauus  serpcntarius  497 
Gypohierax  angolensis  519 
Gyrantes  562 
Gyrfalcon 

american  continental  532 

american  lanner  534 

greeniand  533 

Iceland  533 

labrador  532 
Gyrfalcons  532 
Gyps  fulvus  519 
Gypsum  27 

H.£MAL 

arch  136 

spine  137 
Hamapophyscs  137 
Hoimatamccba  cruentata  196 
Haematic  system  195 
Hamatopodidiv  606 
Htematopus  6U6 

nigcr  007 

ostrilegus  606 

palliatus  606 
Hxmatothcrmal  196 
Hair-bird  380 
Hairy  woodpecker  483 
Half-webbed   foot  131 
Haliaetus  554 

albicilla  555 

leucocephalus  555 

pelagicns  556 
Haliplana  756 
Hallux  128 
Halocyptena  780 

microsonia  780 
Halodroma  732 
Halodrominie  773,  774 
Halones  of  egg  222 
Hammond's  tlvcatcher  443 
Hamulate  bill '102 
Hamuli  84 
Hang-nest  408 
Hardcrian  gland  179,  181 
Hare-footed  buzzards  549 
Harelda  706 

glacialis  706 


Harlan's  buzzard  543 
Harlequin 

duck  707 

quail  594 
Harpagornis  65 
Harporhynchus  250 

Dcndirii  252 

cinereus  253 

crissalis  254 

curvirostris  232 

lecontii  254 

longirostris  231 

palmer!  252 

redivivus  233 

rufus  251 
Harpy  eagle  553 
Harriers  521 
Harris's 

buzzard  542 

sparrow  384 

woodpecker  483 
Haunch  bones  148 
Haversian  canals  134 
Hawfinches,  american  342 
Hawk 

american  mar^h  521 

black  549 

blue  521 

California  squirrel  551 

chicken  528,  530,  545 

cooper's  528 

Cuban  sparrow  538 

duck  534 

tish  556 

great-footed  534 

hen  530 

isabel  sparrow  538 

marsh  521 

piKCun  528,  536 

ricliardson's  pigeon  537 

shariKshiuned  528 

sparrow  537 

winter  545 
Hawk  owl  511 

american  511 

europcan  511 
Hawks  519,  526 

sharp-shiniu'd  527 
Head  of  birds  !)2,  97 
Hearing,  sense  of  184 
Heart  196 
Heel  120 

Heermann's  song  sparrow  372 
Heliornithidie  6(J6 
Helmet   ' 

hummers  464 

quail  591 
Helmintherus  291 

swainsoni  202 

vermivorus  291 
Helminthophaga  292 
Helminthophila  292 

bachmani  294 

celata  295 

chrj'soptera  294 

cincinnatiensis  293 

lawrencii  293 

leucobronchialis  293 

luciic  294 

peregrina  295 

pinus  293 

rulica|]illa  294 

virginiic  294 
Heloise  huinming-bird  465 
Hemiglottides  648 
Hemipodii  571,  572 


Hemispheres  of  brain  175 

Heniconetta  709 

Hen  hawk  544 

Hen,  sage  580 

Hens,  marsh  671 

Henshaw's  wren-tit  262 

Henslow's 

bunting  SCO 

grasshopper  sparrow  366 
Hepatic  tanagcr  318 
Heredity  66 
Hermit 

thrush  247 

warbler  299 
Herodio!  04ii 
Herodias  658 

alba  659 

egretta  658 
Herotlii  654 
Herodiones  647 
Heron 

black-crowned  night  662 

europcan  liluo  058 

florida  658 

great  blue  637 

great  egret  G08 

great  wliito  658 

{freeu  602 
ittlc  blue  661 

little  white  661 

night  G62,  663 

snowy  660 

wUrdeniann's  658 
Herons  654 

ond  their  allies  647 

blue  and  white  661 

great  657 

great  egret  658 

green  662 

small  egret  659 

night  662 

thick-bill  night  663 

true  657 
Herpetolheres  519 
Herring  gull  743 

american  743 

europcan  743 
Hesperocichla  243 
Hesperoplionu  342 
■    vespertina  342 
Hesperornis  63 

crassipcs  827 

gracilis  827 

rcgalis  63,  826 
Heteroccelous  vertebra;  138 
Heterodactyli  448 
Heteroscclus  643 

incaniis  643 
Hiator  652 
High-holder  493 

"High,"  in  scale  of  organization  77 
Himantopus  611 

nigricollis  611 
Himantornis  hicmatopus  670 
Hind 

limb  118 

toe  128 
Hip- joint  118 
Hirundinidiv  319 
Hirundo  321 

crythrogastra  322 

horreorum  322 

rustica  319 
Histrionicus  707 

minutus  707 
Hobbies  532 


INDEX. 


846 


HolbiiU'R  red-poll  353 
Holobla^tic  cp^n  220 
Ilolorhiiial  165 
Ilolothccal  podotlieca  125 
llomalogoiiatous  birds  105 
Homology  67,  68 
Honey  creeper,  bahaman  317 
Honey  creepers  317 
Hooded 

crown  sparrow  384 

flj'calclung  warbler  313 

merganser  718 

oriole  40!) 
Hnndlum  344 
Hooklets  of  feathers  84 
Hooks,  foroggs  52 
Floot  owl  503,  509 
Hoplopterus  597,  669 
Horn-bill  auk  805 
Horned 

grebe  795 

lark  281 

owl,  504 

puflin  801 

screamers  605 

wavy  686 
Hornby's  petrel  782 
Horns  of  liyoid  bone  167 
Horny  integument  of  foot  124 
House 

finch  347 

martin  320 

sparrow  344 

wren  278 
Hudsoninn 

curlew  645 

godwit  035 

titmouse  207 
Humero-scapulnrc  145 
Humerus  106,  107 
Hummers 

amazili  466 

attic  465 

circe  467 

fulgent  461 

gorget  461 

lielmct  464 

lightnini;  462 

lucifer  466 

queen  460 

starry  465 

xanttis  460 
Humming-bird 

alien  463 

alexander  463 

anna  464 

broad-tailed  463 

calliope  465 

circe  467 

costa  465 

dusky-tailed  466 

heloise  465 

lucifer  466 

red-backed  rufous  462 

refulgent  461 

ruby-tliroatcd  461 

rufous-bellied  466 

xantus  460 
HuMiming-birds  458 
Hunger  and  fatigue  20 
Huschke's  process  189 
Hutchins'  goose  089 
Mutton's  greenlet  334 
Hyacinths  675 
Hyaloid  membrane  184 
Hvbrid  snow-bird  378 


Hydralector  669 
llydranassn  660 

tricolor  OGl 
Ilydropliasinnus  669 
Hygiene  of  collectorship  19 
llylocichla  80 
HVlophilus  330 
Ilylotonuis  480  „ 

pilentus  480 
HymenolaMiuis  ninlacorhjruchus  699 
Ilyoid  bono  153,  167 
Hj-papopliysis  137 

cerebri  175 
Hypoblast  220 
Hypochondria  95 
Ilypocleidiuu)  146,  147 
Hypoglossal  nerve  177 
HypognathoHs  bill  101 
Hyporliachis  84 
Hvpositta  269 


Iaciie  467 

latirostris  467 
tbidorhvncha  strulhersi  618 
Ibidcs  6*48 
Ibidido!  648 
Ibis  series  648 
Ibis 

glossy  649 

scarlet  651 

white  051 

white-fuced  651 

glossy  649 

wooir653 
Ibises  048 

glossy  049 

scarlet  O.jl 

white  051 

wood  652 
Ibycter  539 
Ice  gulls  740 
Iceland  gyrfalcon  533 
Iclithyopsida  60 
Ichthyornis  63,  64,  70,  77,  237 

agilis  827 

anceps  827 

celer  826 

lentus  827 

tener  828 

validus  828 

victor  828 
Icteria  312 

longii'.iuilft  312 

vircns  312 
IcteridiB  399 
IcteriiniB  288,  311 
Icterin*  406 
Icterus  407 

afliiiis  408 

nudubnni  410 

bulhicki  409 

cuciillatus  409 

galbula  408 

melaiiocephaUis  410 

parisoruni  409 

spurius  407 

vulgaris  407 
Ictinia  523 

subeirrulca  523 
-Ida;  (suHix)  78 
Ideal  plan  of  vertebra  135 
Ilium  148,  213 
Illinois  summer  finch  373 
Imperial  tern  757 
Impeyans  575 


Implements  for  collecting  1 
-inw  (suflix)  78 
Inca  dove  570 
Iiic:i  mystaoulis  755 
Incubation  226 
Incumbent  hallux  128 
Indian  hen  064 
Indicatorida'  446 
Indigo  painted  linch  391 
Indigo-bird  391 
lufra-nrbilal  region  97 
Infuudibulum 
of  ear  188 
of  ovidiiii  221 
Ingluvies  212 
Innominate  bone  148 
Insect  pests  55 

Insessores  238 

Insessorial  foot  129 

Insistent  hallux  128 

Instruments  25 
for  eggs  51 

Integument  of  foot  124 

luterelavicle  147 

Intermaxillary  bone  100,  164 

Intermediate  ciown  sparrow  382 

Intermedium  120 

Internasal  plate  151 

Internodes  of  foot  121 

Interorbital  septum  153 

Interramal  space  97,  104 

Interscapulare  95 

Intestine  213 

lonornis  675 

martinica  676 

Ipswich  sa>'^ii.na  sparrow  361 

Iridoprocne  322 
bicolor  3!?2 

Iris  of  eye  183 

Iris  swfi'llows  322 

Isabel  sparrow  hawk  538 

Ischiac  artery  199 

Ischium  148 

Isomeres  229,  233 

Isotonics  :^29,  233 

Isthmu!;  uf  oviduct  222 

Ivory  gull  749 

Ivory-billed  woodpecker  479 

lyngida;  446 

lynx  torquilla  105 


Jabiru  653 

american  653 
Jaij'ann,  mcxicau  669 
Ja^aniu)  609 
Jack  curlew  645 
Jackdaw  412 

european  414 
Jack^nipe  621,  626 
Jiiger 

arctic  738 

longed-tailed  738 

parasitic  736 

poniatorhine  735 
Jiigers  734 

Japanese  murrelet  812 
■Fuw-bone  106 
Jaws  of  birds  100 
Jay 

alaskan  425 

arizonn  425 

blue  421 

blue-fronted  422 

black-headed  422 

brown  419 


846 


INDEX. 


Jay 

California  424 
canadu  4'25 
crvslvd  blue  421 
crcKllesii  blue  423 
florida  423 
lun);-cre9ted  422 
Oregon  425 
rio  ^rande  424 
rocky  mountain  425 
smutty-nosed  425 
stcllcr's  421 
woodhouse's  423 

Jays  414,  419 
brown  419 
crested  blue  421 
crCMtless  blue  423 
gray  425 
green  424 

Jejunum  213 

Jerfalcon  tee  gyrfalcon 

Jugal 

bar  162 
bone  162 

Jugulum  06 

Juncn  377 

aikcni  378 
anncctcns  379 
caniceps  379 
cinereus  379 
connectens  378 
dorsalis  379 
hiemalis  377 
oregonus  378 

Jurassic  birds  61,  62,  829 


Kaimak  song  sparrow  372 

Kagu  665 

Kemiicott's 

screech  owl  505 

warbler  259 
Kentucky  warbler  310 
Kestrels  532 
Key 

to  the  families  231 

to  the  orders  230 
Key  west  dove  671 
Kevs 

urtificial  227 

directions  for  using  227 
Kidneys  317 
Kildeer  plover  600 
King 

cider  712 

rail  672 
King  bird  432 

gray  433 
Kingfisher 

belted  470 

texan  green  470 
Kinglishcrs  468 

belted  469 

piscivorous  469 
Kinglet 

golden-crested  260 

ruby-crowned  259 

western  golden-crested  260 
Kinglets,  242,  259 
Kirtland's  warbler  306 
Kitchenmiddens  64 
Kite 

black-shouldered  525 

everglade  523 

mississippi  524 

swallow-tailed  526 


Kite 

white-tailed  526 

Kites  522 
lead  523 
pearl  525 
sickle-billed  523 
swallow-tailed  525 

Kittiwake 

common  748 
kotzebuc's  748 
red-legged  748 
short-billed  748 

Kittiwakes  747 

Kittlitz's  raurrelet  813 

Knee  120 
cap  119 
joint  119 

Knives  25,  52 

Knob-nosed  auk  808 

Knot  632 

Kotzebue's  kittiwake  748 

Krider's  red-tail  545 


Labellino,  21,  23,  53,  70 
Labels  23,  24 
Labrador 

duck  700 

gyrfalcon  532 
Labyrinth 

of  ear,  187,  188.  190 

of  trachea  50,  202 
Laciymal 

bone  165 

duct  179 

gland  170, 181 
Lacteals  109 

Ladder-backed   three-toed    wood- 
pecker 485 
Lady  of  the  waters  661 
Lasvo-carotidino!  198 
Lagena  189 
Lagopus  585 

albus  48,  586 

atkensis  588 

Icucurus  588 

mutus  688 

reinhardti  588 

rupestris  687 

scoticus  577 
Laletes  osburni  330 
Lamellate  bill  102 
Lamellirostral  101 
Lanielliroslres  077,  824 
Lamina 

spiralis  188 

terminalis  175 
Laminic  of  tarsus  125 
Laminiplantur  tarsus  125 
LaminiplantatioM  126 
Lanipornis  mango  459 
Land  rails  674 
Laniido!  336 
Laniino!  336 
Lanius  337 

borealis  337 

excubitorides  338 

ludovicianus  338 
Lanner,  american  634 
tenners  532 
Laopteryx  priscus  829 
Laomis'edvardsianus  828 
I^pland  longspur  357 
Lap  owl  509 
Lapwing,  crested  605 
I   Lapwings  604 


Large-billed 

fox  sparrow  386 

puflin  803 

wag-tail  warbler  309 
Larger  white-cheeked  goose  688 
Laridoi!  733 
Larinse  739 
Lark 

bunting  387 

finch  384 

savanna  sparrow  363 

sparrows  384 
Lark 

brown  286 

field  406 

horned  281 

meadow  406 

meadow  mvxican  406 

meadow  western  406 

shore  281 

western  282 

southwestern  282 

sky  282,  283 
Larks,  280 

meadow  405 
Larus  740 

afiinis  745 

argentatus  743 

brachyrhynchus  745 

cachinnaiis  744 

califoniiciis  745 

canus  745 

delawarensis  745 

glaucescens  741 

glaucus  741 

beermanni  747 

kumlieni  742 

leucopterus  741 

marinus  742 

occidentalis  744 

smithsonianus  743 
Larva;  of  insects  55 
Larynx  202 

lower  204 
Latitores  665 
Laughing  gull  750 
Law  of  priority  80 
Lawrence's 

crested  fly-catcher  436 

goldlinch  355 

stilt  petrel  783 

warbler  293 
Lawyer  611 

Lazuli  painted  finch  391 
Leach's  petrel  781 
Lead  kites  623 
Least 

auk  808 

bittern  664 

bush-tit  268 

flycatcher  442 

greenlet  335 

petrel  780 

sandpiper  625 

snow  goose  686 

tern  706 
Le  conte's 

bunting  366 

grasshopper  sparrow  366 
Leg 

plumage  cf  122 

relative  length  of  123 
T^guatia  gigantea  65 
Length  of  leg,  relative  123 
"Lengths "  of  parts  24,  26, 
Leptosomatida:  446 


L 
L 
L 
L 


L 
L 
L 


INDEX. 


847 


Lesser 

coverts  110 

scaup  duck  701 

snow  Koosc  686 

tell-Ule  638 
Lestornis  crassipr^  827 
Lestridince  7<')4 
Leucocytes  1!)G 
Leucostictc  !)5U 

arctoa  352 

atrata  350 

australis  350 

griseinuclia  351 

Rtofftlis  361 

tephrocoti.s  351 
Lewis'  woodpecker  490 
Lightning  hummers  463 
Likeness,  degrees  of  71 
Limicoia  platyrhyncha  617 
Limicolie  5U6,  823 
Limosa  616,  634 

legocepliala  636 

foeda  635 

hsemastica  635 

lapponica  636 

novw-z-ciilundiie  636 

uropygialis  636 
Limpkiii  608 

Lincoln's  song  sparrow  370 
Lingula  151 

Lining  of  wings  110,  111 
Linnet 

brewster's  353 

pine  354 
Linnets  340,  353 

red-poll  352 
Linota  353 

fiavirostris  brewsteri  353 
Little 

black  crake  674 

black-hcuded  duck  701 

blue  heron  661 

buff  flycatchers  443 

horned  owls  504 

olivaceous  flycatchers  440 

seed-eater  3U2 

western  flycutclier  442 

white  egret  060 

heron  661 
Liver  215 
Lobate  toot  131 
Lobation  131 
Lobe-foot  phalarope  613 
Lobes  98 
Lobipes  013 

hyperboreus  013 
Lobivanellus  597,  609 
Loddigesia 

mirabilis  115 
Loggerhead  shrike  338 
Lomvia  816 

afHnis  825 

arra  817 

antiqua  825 

californica  817 

svarbag  818 

troile  816 
Long-billed 

curlew  645 

marsh  wren  279 
Long-crested  jay  422 
Long-eared  owl  507 
Long-exserted  tail-feathers  116 
Longirostral  101 
Lonsipennes  732,  825 
Long-legged  tattler  638 


Long-shanka  611 
Longspur 

bluck-brousted  359 

black-shouldered  358 

bay-whiged  359 

chestnut-collared  358 

laplund  357 

painted  358 

white-tuilid  358 
LouR-spurs  357,  3u9 
Long-tuik'd 

chat  312 

chickadee  2GG 

duck  706 

jager  738 
Long-winged  swimmers  732 
Loon 

black-throated  791 

pacific  black-throated  791 

red-throated  791 

vellow-billud  780 
Loons  789 
Loose  plumage  30 
Lophodytes  710 
lx)phola'nius  504 
Lophophanes  2li4 

atrocristatus  265 

bicolor  204 

inomatus  264 

woUweberi  266 
liOphophorus  575 
Lopliortyx  591 

californica  592 

ganibcli  893 
Lophosteoii  143 
Loral  98 

I^ords  and  ladies  708 
Lore  98 
Loruni  93 
Louisi;inu 

clapper  rail  672 

eprct  (iOl 

pipit -JSO 

water  thrush  309 
Love  doves  508 

'•Low"in  scaleof  organization 77 
Lower  larvnx  204 
Loxia  348' 

amcrlcana  349 

leucoptera  348 

mexicana  350 
'.oxiine  finches  340 
Lucifer 

hummers  466 

humming-bird  466 
Lucy's  warbler  294 
Lumbar  vertebra;  140 
Lunda  803 

lirrata  804 
Lungs  of  birds  200 
Lustre  doves  570 
Lymph  199 
Lym|)liutic  system  195 
Lvmphatics  199 
Lyre-bird  no 
Lyrurus  tctrix  578 


Macartnevs  575 
Macgillivrav's  warbler  311 
Machetes  040 

pugnax  640 
^lachinery  of  cltissification  78 
Jtacrodaclyli  665 
^fairopvfria  564 
Macrorhamphus  622 


MacTorhamphus 

griseus  t)±J 

scolopui'cus  (123 

semipahiiatus  016 
ilaguolia  304 
Magnum  107 
.Magpie  420 

yelU.w.billcd  421 
Magpies  421) 
Muize-thief  404 
Mala  98 
Malacorhvnchus    membranaceoai 

690 
Malar  region  98 
Mallard  690,  691 
Malleus  162 
Mannnalia  60,  69 
Mandible  100,  166 

under 1U3 

upper  104 
Mangrove  cuckoo  476 
Mantle  95 

Man-of-war  bird  731 
Manubrium  144 
Manus  106,  108 
Manx  shearwater  788 
Marbled  murrelot  813 
JIarble-wing  sandpiper  643 
Mareca  093 

americaiia  694 

penelope  694 
Marginal  fringes  of  toes  131 
Marlin  635 

ring-tailed  636 
Marsh 

blackbird  404 

blackbirds  400,  403 

hawk  521 

hen  672 

hens  071 

owls  507 

robin  396 

tern  757 

wren  279,  280 

wrens  279,  280 
Marsupium  184 
Martin 

house  320 

purple  325 

sand  324 
Maryland  yellow-throat  310 
JIasked  woodpeckers  483 
Jfasking  puffins  800 
Massena  partridge  594 
Materialization  174 
Materials  for  taxiilemiy  25,  26 
Matrix  of  feathers  82 
Maxilla  98 
Maxillary 

bone'  162 

line  98 
JIaxillo-palatine 

bar  152 

bone  162 
Jfeadow 

pipit  285 

starlings  405 
Meadow  lark  406 

mexican  406 

western  406 
Meadiiw-wink  400 
Mealy  red-poll  353 

amcrican  353 

grcenland  35! 
Measurements,  direetions  for  24 
Sleatus  auditorius  97,  158 


848 


INDEX. 


Meatus 

externua  185 

internus  187 
Mechani.'im 

of  leg-bones  121 

of  wing-bones  106, 107,  108 
Meckel's 

cartilage  160,  162 

(ganglion  177 
Median  coverts  110 
Medio-palatinc  ossification  173 
Medio-tarsai  joint  121 
Mediterranean  shearwater  784 
Medulla 

oblongata  175 

spinalis  176 
McgapodidiE  672 
Mcgapodius  572 
Memnerpes  480 

angustifrons  490 

bairdi  400 

erythroccphalus  489 

fofmicivorus  489 
Meleagrididic  676 
Meleagris  576 

altus  833 

americana  676 

antiquus  823 

celer  823 

gallipavo  576 

superbus  823 
Melittarcbus  432 
Melopelia  569 

leucoptera  569 
Melospiza  369 

cinerea  372 

fallax  372 

fasciata  371 

guttata  372 

hcrmanni  372 

lincolni  370 

palustria  370 

rulina  372 

samuelis  372 
Members  of  birds  92,  100 
Membrana 

putaniinis  222 

tyinpani  154 
Membranous  labyrinth  188,  189 
Meninges  of  brain  175 
Mentum  98 
Menura  superba  116 
Merganser 

hooded  718 

red-breasted  49,  717 
Mergonsers  716 
Merginic  716 
Mergus  716 

cucullatus  718 

merganser  716 

serrator  717 
Merlin,  american  537 
Merlins  S32 
Meroblastic  eggs  221 
Meropidic  446 
Merry-thought  147 
Mcrula  243 
MeseiiccphalDii  175 
Mescthinoid  160 
Mesoblast  226 
Mesometrv  221 
Mesomyodi  427 
Mcsomyodian  205,  239 
Mcsozo'ic  62 
Messina  quail  595 
Metacarpus  106,  107 


Metagnathoua  bills  101 
Metatarsal 

accessory  121 

bones  I'il 

spurs  133 
Metatarsus  110 
Metoncephulon  175 
Metopodius  669 
Metosteon  144 
Mctovum  221 
Mexican 

bluebird  258 

brown  towlicc  397 

caiion  wren  276 

chicki  Jeo  260 

cormorant  728 

creeper  273 

cross-bill  350 

flicker  493 

golddnoh  355 

javann  689 

meadow  lark  406 

snow-bird  379 
Miasm  19 
Micraster  619 
Micratbene  615 

Whitney i  516 
Micropalama  623 

himantopus  623 
Migratory  quail  595 
Milvago  530 
Milvinic  522 
Milvulus  431 

forlicatus  431 

tvrannus  431 
Milvus  523 
Mimiiin>  242,  248 
Mimiis  249 

carolinensis  250 

polyglottus  250 
Miocene  birds  64 
Mississippi  kite  524 
Missouri  titlark  286 
Mitrcphanes  443 

fulvifrons  pallcscens  443 
Mitrcphorus  443 

(lallesccns  443 
Mniotilta  200 

borcalis  200 

varja  290 
Moas  65,  825 
Mockers  249 
Mocking-bird  250 

mountain  249 
Mocking  thrushes  242,  248 
Modiolus  188 
Molothrus  401 

ffineus  403 

oter  402 

obscurus  402 
Momotidie  468 
Momotus  cffiruleiccps  408 
Monerula  224 
Monogamy  226 
Moose-biril  425 
Morclet's  pygmy  finch  302 
Morphological  classification  66,  68 
Morphology  67 
Motacilla  284 

alba  284 

ocularis  284 
MotacillidiE  283 
Motacilliiuc  284 
Moths  55 
Motor  nerves  174 
Mottled  owl  505 


Moult  88 

of  bill  103 
Mound-birds  572 
Mountain 

chickadee  266 

plover  804 

mucking-bird  240 

quail  591 

sparrow  345 
Moimting  birds  40 
Mourning 

dove  568 

warbler  311 
Mouth  92,  210 
Miicronutc  tuil-feath'^rs  116 
Mud-hen  672 

white-billed  676 
Mud-hens  675 
Mud  swallow  323 
Mulluriun  ducts  215 
Muininification  47 
Murrc  816 
Murrelet 

black-throated  811 

craveri's  814 

kittlitz's  813 

Japanese  812 

marbled  813 

short-winged  814 

white-bellied  818 
Murrelcts 

nipper-nosed  811 

pealvcd-nosed  812 
Murres  810,  816 
Muscicapa 

acadica  441 

fulvifrons  443 

querula  441 

subviridis  441 
Muscles  of  birds  192,  194 
Muscular 

sense  191 

system  192 

tfssue  192 
Musoplmgidiv  446 
Mute  swan  681 
Mutilation  38 
Muzzle-loader  2 
Mycteria  863 

americana  653 
Mvclenccphalon  176 
Myiadcstcs  329 

townsendi  329 
Mvumoeba 

la;vis  192 

striata  192 
Myiarchus  434 

cincrcsccns  436 

conperi  436 

criiTitus  434 

crj'throcercuR  435 

lawrencii  486 

mexicanus  436 
MyiodioctCR  313 

canadensis  314 

mitratus  313 

pilcolatus  314 

pusillus  313 
Myiodynastes  431 

luteiventris  431 
Mviozetetes  texensis  430 
MVlo-hyoid  211 
Myology  192 
Mvrtle  bird  301 


INDEX. 


849 


Nail  of  bill  103 

Nulls  of  toi'8  132 

NanicK,  scieiititle  78 

Niirio  UU 

Niii-fs  104,  178,  210 

Niirrow-f routed  uuodpcckcr  490 

Nusnl 

bonca  105 

foHsu  104 

Kland  178 

Hcale  105 

turblnal  17-'l 
Nasliville  warbler  -21)4 
Natatorial  foot  12!),  131 
Natural 

atrinitic!<  72 

selection  0(1 
Nauulcrus  5211 
Neeli  112,  UU 
Neochloe  330 
Neocorys  280 

spru^uii  280 
Xeopliron  pcrcnopterus  519 
Neplia'cetcs  457 

ni);er  borealia  457 
Nerve-tissue  174 
Nervous  system  174 
Ncsonetta'aui'klandica  091) 
Nestor  product  us  05 
Nests  aud  viiii",  eolleclin);  50 
Nests,  plea  for  study  of  54 
Netting  birds  4 
Nettiuni  095 
Neural 

arch  135 

spines  137 
Neurapophyses  137 
Neurology  174 
Neuramucba 

Candida  174 

cinerea  174 
Nevada  sage  sparrow  376 
New  york  water  thrush  309 
Nictitating  mcuibraue  179,  180 
Nidilicatiou  227 
Night  heron 

black-crowned  002 

yellow-crowned  003 
Nigl'it  herons  002,  003 
Night-courser,  whiie-throated  450 
Night-coursers  449 
Night-hawk 

Cuban  454 

texaa  454 

western  454 
Night-hawks  453 
Nightingale,  Virginian  393 
Night-jar  452 
Night-jars  448 

anicrioan  450 
Nipper-nosed  murrelets  811 
Nocturnal  birds  of  prey  498 
Noddies  771 
Noddy  tern  771 
Nomenclature  78 

binomial  79 

rules  of  80 

trinomial  80 
Xomonyx  715 

dominica  715 
Non-melodious  passeres  427 
Nonpareil  391 

western  391 
Nootka  humming-liird  402 
North  american  birds 

classitication  of  234 


North  Rmcrican  birds 

Hystenialie  synopsis  of  237 
Norlhcrn 

black  cloud  swift  457 

brown  cninc  007 

plmluidpe  013 

>liiirp-tailed  grouse  581 

-hiike  337 
Norlhwcsl  lisli  crow  417 
N(iHtrils  1114 
Nolii'uni  94 
Notiocorys  285 
Notocliord  151 
Nolornis  143 
Nucha  90 
Xuclial 

bone  725 

regie  pu  90 

\voo(l|ieckcr  488 
Nucifraga  caryocatactes  418 
Number 

of  phalanges  127 

of  Iocs  120 
Numbering  of  toes  127 
NumeniusOKS,  043 

anpiatus  041 

iKU'eiilis  040 

lmd>onicus  045 

lougirostris  045 

plui'opus  045 

taitensis  040 
Nuniida  mcleagris  574 
Nuinididiv  574 
N  utcrackcr 

american  417 

brown-hcadeil  271 
Nuthatch 

Canadian  271 

Carolina  270 

curopean  270 

pvgmv  271 

red-bellied  271 

slender-billed  271 

white-bellied  270 
Nuthatches  209 

tvpicnl  270 
Nuttali's 

poorwill  45-'! 

woodpecker  483 
Nyctala  512 

acadica  513 

albifrons  513 

richardsoni  512 

tengmalmi  512 
Nyctca'510 

scandiaca  510 
Nycterodius  003 

violaceus  063 
Nyctiardca  062 

grisca  na'via  002 
Nyctibiime  448 
Nyctidromus  449 

albicollis  450 

Oak-woods  sparrow  373 
Obliquus 

inferior  181 

superior  181 
Observations,  record  of  21 
Obturator  foramen  149 
Occipital 

bone  150 

condyles  156 

style  725 
Occiput  97 
Oceanites  782 

64 


Oceanites  occanious  789 
Oceanodronm  7H2 

fineala  782 

lionibv  i  782 
Oculi-nu)ior  nerve  177 
Ocyilromina'  070 
OcVpbaps  504 
Odonlou'lo-^iv  077 
OduMloid  process  139 
<»<lomol,jeO:),  238,  821 
()donlo|,liorina'588 
Oclontcjpborus  MS 
Oclonlornilhe.s  821 
(tdonldiornuu  03,  237,  821 
a;demia713 

inuericana  713 

Iusca714 

per>pleillala  714 

Irowliridnii  715 

velveliiia  714 
(Eiticnemina-  597 
(K-ophagus  211 
ItMrelata  77U 

bidwi'ri  71-0 

iisheri  780 

gularis  780 

lucsilato  779 
Oil-gland  80 
( )id-lield  lark  406 
( lld-sriiuiw  700 
<  ild-wife  700 
•  lid  world 

partridges  694 

quail  694 

vultures  519 
Olecranon  107 
Ollaction  178 
Olfactory 

foramen  160 

lobes  175 

nerves  176 
Olivaceous  llvcatchers  440 
Olive  warbler  290 
Olive-backed  thrush  248 
Olive-black  towhec  390 
Olive-sided  flycatcher -138 
()lor682 
Omi.s  100 
Onychiiles  5ri2 

gruberi  653 
Ontogeny  71 
Oiilogy 

described  215 

study  of  oO 
Oiiphoroii  masculinum  218 
Opttiorliyncbus  205 
Ophthalmic  nerve  177 
Opisthocadous  vertebra?  138 
Opislhoconii  071 
Opisthocomus  cristntus  143,  571 
(Jplstliotic  bone  157,  187 
Opomrnis  309 

ngilis  309 

formosa  310 
Optic 

foramina  159 

lobes  175,  170 

nerves  170,  184 

limlanii  175 
Orange-crowned  warbler  29S 
Orbicularis  ocnii  180 
Orbit  of  eye  97,  179 
Orbital 

process  of  quadrate  102 

region  97 
Orbito-uasal  septum  160 


850 


INDKX. 


Orbito-nphenoid  168 
Orcliiinl  oricilu  407 

tuxus  4U7 
Ordur  72,  73 
Oregon 

juy  426 

olivi'-bnckod  llirubli  247 

NiKiw-liird  ;I78 

8011^  xpurruw  U72 

robin  246 

riiflvd  grouse  680 

towiicv  aun 

OrcopliuKiiiii!  572 
OreopbusJH  dvrbiiinuH  572 
Orcopliiliis  totuiiinisilris  607 
Orguiiization,  scale  of  77 
OrgaiiN 

o(  circulation  106 

of  digestion  2UII 

of  generation  217.  219 

of  loconiotiun  100 

of  respiration  lUU 

of  special  senses  174 
Oriole 

audubon's  410 

baltimoro  408 

black-and-vc'llow  409 

l)lack-bca(fcd  410 

bullock's  400 

hooded  409 

orchard  407 

paris'  400 

texas  orchard  408 
Orioles  400,  407 
Oniithichnites  02 
Ornithium  443 

imbcrbe  444 
Ornitholite  63 

Ornithological  book-keeping  i 
Ornithology  dclined  53 
Omithoscclida  62 
Orortyx  691 

picta  591 
Oroscoptes  249 

montanus  249 
Ortalis  573 

vetula  maccalli  673 
Ortolan 

(rced-bird)  401 

(sora  or  rail)  673 
Ortyx  689 

floridana  601 

tcxana  691 

virginiana  089 
Ortyxelos  mciffreni  672 
Oscine  podothcca  125 
Oscines  69,  239,  240 
Os 

humero-scapularc  145 

innominatum  148 

lacrymo-palatinum  165 

magnum  107 

promincns  108 

uncinatum  165 
Ospreys  656 
Osseous  system  134 
Ossicles 

of  ear  136 

of  wing  108 
Ossicula  auditfts  136 
Ossific  centres  134 
Ossifraga  777 

gigantea  777 
OsteamcebEC  140 
Osteological  preparations  48 
Osteology  134 


Of<te<>!<ea  134 
Ostrich,  Hkuli  of  IflO 
Otaliiti  curlew  04U 
Otic 

capsule  156 

ganglion  177 
Otididic  OltT,  (iOO 
Otis  tarda  210 
Otocruiic  lt<7 
OtogvpH  niiriiulinls  510 
Otoli'tlH  I!K) 
Ouzel  255 

water  2'i0 
Ovaries  45,  4(1,  216,  210 
Oven-bird  308 
Oviduct  220 
Ovisac  220 
OvipoRition  223 
Ovulation  220 
Ovum  210 
Owl 

acadian  013 

anicrican  hawk  611 

anierican  loug-carcd  607 

nniorican  wucid  Ol)!l 

orctic  umerican  saw-whet  612 

barn  002 

barred  509 

burrowing  5(! 

California  screech  606 

California  gnome  514 

cat  503 

Colorado  screech  600 

day  611 

dusky  horned  504 

elf  5i(i 

enropean  hawk  512 

ferriigineous  gnome  514 

flammulated  screech  006 

florida  barred  610 

florida  screech  100 

florida  burrowing  517 

great  gray  609 

great  horned  603 

hoot  603,  600 

kennicott's  screech  505 

lap  509 

little  horned  506 

mottled  606 

red  5')8 

saw-whet  613 

screech  505 

short-cared  507 

snowy  510 

spectral  609 

texas  screech  606 

western  barred  510 

white  horned  604 
Owls,  498,  600,  602 

barn  50O,  601 

brown  508 

burrowing  618 

eared  607 

elf  516 

gnome  514 

gray  608 

great  horned  503 

hawk  611 

hoot  603 

little  homed  604 

marsh  507 

other  502 

pygmy  514 

saw-whet  512 

screech  604 

snow  510 


Owls 

sparrow  514 
Ox-eyi.  OIIH 
Oyster-catcher 

auK'rican  (106 

black  607 

europeiiii  (i06 
Oy«tcr-<utclicrM  606 


Pacific 

bar-tailed  gfidwit  636 

black-throated  diver  701 

cider  712 

fulmar  778 

orange-crowned  warbler  205 
Pagophila  749 

euurnea  749 
Painted 

biniling  391 

tinch  391 

indigo  301 
lazuli  301 
purple  301 

fluches  300 

Hvcatching  warbler  316 

glcse  680 

goose  086 

k)ngspur  358 
Paisano  474 

Pahi'oborus  umbrosus  822 
Palu!0cycnus  I'alconeri  683 
Pnlivornilbidir  495 
Palo'ornithina'  495 
Palniospiza  bella  822 
Paln!otringa 

litoralis  823 

vagans  828 

vctus  828 
Palamcdeu  corniua  666 
Palamedcida'  665 
Pallas- 
cormorant  728 

gull  744 

rosy  tinch  362 
Palatal 

bones  1C3 

structure,  tvpes  of  168 
Palate,  hard  163 
Palatine  bones  163 
Pale  ring-neck  602 
Palm  warbler  307 
Palmate  foot  131 
Pahnation  131 
Palpebriu  97 
Pancreas  215 
Pandion  556 

haliaetus  556 
Pannicnlus  carnosus  200 
Panyptila  456 

saxatilis  466 
Parabutco  542 
Parachordal  cartilage  151 
Paradise 

tern  706 

trogon  467 
Paragnathons  bill  101 
Parasite  344 
Parasitic  jiigcr  736 
Parasphcnoid  105,  159 
Paraucbenia  06 
Paridic  263 
Parinic  263 
Paris'  oriole  409 
Parietal  bones  156 
Parovaria  215 


INDEX. 


861 


Pnrra  (Mil) 

Kyiiiiiofttnma  133,  (16!) 

jiieana  008 
Parroquct  auk  80(1 
I'arrnquct,  Carolina  4i)0 
ParroquetH  4!l(l 
PurrotH  4!I4,  4UH 

Hi-a  8(M) 
Part  I  I 

1169 

III  2.17 

IV  821 
Partridge  570,  685,  590 

blue  5U:i 
eallfnriiiaii  593 
ciiropi'iiii  688 
floriila  6!)  I 
gamhi'l's  593 
massvna  604 
old  world  594 
pluinod  591 
■calc'd  69.1 
spruce  578 
texas  691 
virf;iiiia  689 
Parula  290 

aiiiericuim  290 
niftrilora  291 
pitiuvunil  291 
Pariis  205 

atrlcapillus  266 
carnliiiciisis  200 
cinctUH  207 
evura  207 
hudsoiilcus  207 
mcridionalJH  266 
montanus  200 
ncglectua  207 
occidentnlls  266 
rufesccns  207 
BcptcntrioimlJ!)  2GU 
Passenger  pigeon  500 
Passer  344 

domexticus  344 
montanus  345 
Passerculus  360 
alaudinus  303 
anthinus  303 
bairdi  300 
guttalus  364 
princcps  301 
rostratus  303 
sanctorum  304 
sandvicensis  362 
savana  303 
PaiscrcIUi  385 
iliaca  386 
megarhyncha  386 
schistacca  380 
unalasccnsis  385 
Possercs  69,  238 
acromyodi  230 
mesomyodi  427 
Passerina  390 
amoena  391 
ciris  391 
cyauea  391 
versicolor  391 
Passerine 
foot  129 
sternum  145 
Patella  119 
Pathetic  nerve  177 
Pavo 

bicalcaratus  133 
cristatus  575 


I'pabody-l.ird  382 
I'l'BciHk  57 'i 

I'caki'il-nuKcd  niurreleta  812 
I'ealo'H 

cgri't  001 

IxTcgriiH'  630 

iiclrul  7H0 
IVnrl  kitt's  526 
IViliii  184 
I'cctiimtiiin 

ofrliiw..*  132 

<>r  Iocs  132 
IVctiiial  arch  145 

of  I'lu'inalii'  140 

iif  niiitir  14(1 
Pcclonil 

uiukcIi'm  1!I3 

Hundiiipcr  (126 

yiiudpipcr!!  (125 
I'ci'tiiralls 

major  103 

niciliui  193 

niiiiiir  193 
Pectus  95 

Pedicle  of  qua<Iratc  bono  102 
I'cdiocorvs  285 
Pedid'celes  681 

pliuslaiU'lluH  140,  681 

columliianUK  581 
Pcdiononius  torciuatus  572 
Peep  024,  (125 
Pelargi  048,  (162 
I'clargoniorpliic  648 
Pelecanidu!  721 
Pelccanus  722 

conspicillatus  722 

crispus  722 

fuscus  722 

onocrotalus  722 

rufesccns  722 

trachyrhynchus  722 
Pelican,  amefican 

brown  722 

white  722 
Pelicans  721 
Pelidna  631 

alpina  631 

americana  031 

pacilica  031 
Pelvic  arch  147 
Pelvis  147 
Penclopinic  573 
Penguins  788 
Pennaceoiis  feathers  86 
i'ennic  85 
Pentosteon  107 
I'crchers  proper  238 
Pcrdicina!  594 
Per(Ux  676 
Peregrine  falcon  634 
Peregrines  632 
Perilymph  190 
Periofteura  134 
Periotic  bones  166,  157,  187 
Pcrisoreus  426 

canadensis  425 

capitalis  425 

fumifrons  425 

obscurus  425 
Perissoglossa  207,  306 
Pcristeric  602 
PeristeromorphiP  562 
Peristeropodos  572 
Pernis  apivorus  523 
Pessulus  205 
Pests,  insect  66 


Petrel 

black  7KI 
black-cappcil  770 
liulwor's  780 
(Inlicr's  780 
Kray  (ork-tiiiled  782 
iKiruby's  fiirk-lailiMl  789 
lawrci'icc'h  »tilt  783 
leach's  781 
least  780 
liealc's  7H0 
l.inc-,iii  7711 
pyumy  7H0 
stil(  storm \  782 
stnrmv  7Mi 
whilcllidlicd  783 
wliili'-runqicd  781 
wiJM.n's  atorniv  783 
Petrels  773,  776 
ilialicdic  779 
gudth  779 
gruy'l..rk-(all  783 
pigeon  779 
»(io(y  fork-tail  781 
slormy  "n) 
stilt  s'tonny  782 
wiKdiiian  stormy  783 
Petrocliclidon  323 
lunirrons  323 
Petrosal  bone  157,  187 
Peucaa  373 

lestivalis  373 
arixonii'  374 
boucardi  376 
ciirpalis  376 
cassini  374 
cremirca  376 
illinoensis  373 
niliceps  374 
Pencedramus  290 
olivaceus  200 
Pewee 

water  437 
wood  439 
Pewit  437 

Pewit  flycatchers  436 
Pezophaps  solitarius  66 
Phaelhon  731 
a'thereua  732 
(lavirostris  732 
rubricuuila  731 
Phaiithonlidu!  731 
Phnsthusa  755 
Phalnopepla  328 

nitens  328 
Phaleridinrt-  800 
Pluileris  800 
Phalacrocoracidn'  723 
Phalacrocorax  720 
albociliatus  728 
bairdi  729 
bicristatua  728 
carbo  720 
cincinnatus  727 
dilophns  727 
floridauus  727 
idahensis  824 
macropus  824 
mexicanus  728 
penicillatus  728 
perspicillntus  728 
violaceus  729 
Phal.Tnoptiliis  452 

nuttalli  453 

Phalanges  106,  108 

of  foot  121 


862 


INDEX. 


Phalanges 

number  of  127 

caprimiilgiiic  127 

cvpseline  127 
Phalanx  1U6,  108,  121 
Phalarope 

grav  614 

northern  613 

red  614 

red-necked  613 

Wilson's  612 
Phalaropcs  612 

coot-foot  614 

fringe-foot  612 

lobe-foot  G13 
Phalaropodidu;  G12 
Phalarupus  614 

fulicarius  614 
PhalcobaMius  539 
Phaps  !>64 

Pharomacrus  mocinno  115,  467 
Phnrynx  210 
Phasianido.-  575 
Phasianus 

colchiens  574 

recvesi  575 
Phasidns  niper  576 
Pheasant  (Lnglish)  574 
"Pheasant  "  (Anu'rican)  585 
Phegornis  mitchelli  5U7 
Philactc  686 

canagicn  686 
Philip  sparrow  G44 
Philohela  615,  619 

minor  619 
PhlogoDi^as  564 
Pfaodilus  badius  500 
Phoebe  437 
PhoenicoptcridoB  678 
Phoenicoptcri's  678 

andinus  678 

ruber  679 
Phocnicorodias  678 
Phonipara  392 

zenn  392 
Phylloscopus  259 

borcalis  259 
Phvlogcnv  71 
Phj-Ium  66 
Pia  mater  176 
Pica  420 

hudsonicn  420 

nuttalli  421 

rustica  420 
Picarioc  444,  822 
Picarian  birds  444 
Picicorvus  417 

columbianiis  418 
Picidoe  477 
Picifomi  birds  476 
Piciformes  446,  476 
Picoldes  484 

americanus  485 

arcticus  485 

dorsalis  485 
Picumnidic  446 
Picus  480 

borcalis  481 

gairdneri  483 

harrisi  483 

lucasanug  482 

major  477 

nuttalli  482 

pubosce'     483 

scalaris  481 

stricklandi  482 


Picus 

villosus  483 
Pied  duck  706 
I'icd-billed  grebe  797 
Pics  420 

smoky  419 
Pigeon 

guillemot  815 

hawk  528,  536 

petrel  779 

woodpecker  493 
Pigeon 

band-tailed  565 

passenger  566 

prairie  641 

red-billed  565 

sea  814 

white-collared  565 

white-crowned  565 

wild  660 
Pigeons  562,  504 
Pigeon-toed  fowls  572 
Plicated  woodpecker  480 
I'ileum  97 
Pine 

bulUinclies  343 

finch  354 

grosbeak  343 

f;rouse  579 
innet  354 

warbler  307 
Pineal  body  175 
Pine-crcepnig  warbler  307 
Pinicolu  343 

enuclcator  343 
Pinion  100,  108 
Pink-sided  snow-bird  379 
Pinnated  grouse  583 
Pin-neck  grouse  583 
Pinnatipcdcs  67 
Pintado  petrel  779 
i'in-tnil 

doves  5(18 

duck  692 

grouse  581 
Pin-winged  doves  567 
Pipilo  395 

aberti  398 

albigula  397 

allcni  3!MJ 

arcticus  39'! 

chlorurus  398 

crissalis  397 

erylhroplithalmus  396 

fu'scus  397 

maculatus  396 

megalonyx  397 

mesoleucus  397 

orcgonus  396 
Piping  plover  602 
I'ipit  savanna  sparrow  303 
Pipit 

louisiana  286 

meadow  285 

sprnguc's  286 
Pipits  283,  285 

sky  286 
Piscivorous  kingfishers  469 
Pitangus  430 

derbianus  430 
Pituitary 

body  175,  176 

space  151 
I'Inin  tit-mouse  264 
PInuesticiis  80 
Planta  124 


Plasma  196 
Platalea  650 

leucorodia  650 
Plataleidte  651 
Plates  of  podotheca  124 
I'latycercina'  495 
Platyciclila  328 
Plectrophanes  356 

nivalis  356 
Plcctropterus  gambensis  684 
Pleura;  95 

Pleurapophyscs  137 
Pleurostcon  144 
Plegadis  649 

falciucllus  649 

guarauna  649 
Pliocene  birds  64 
Ploceidie  224,  340 
Plot  idle  729 
Plotus  730 

anhinga  730 

levaillanti  730 

niclanogaster  730 
Plover  597 

american  golden  599 

asiatic  golden  600 

belted  piping  002 

black-bellied  598 

bull-bead  598,  599 

europcan  golden  600 

european  ring  603 

europcan  lesser  ring  603 

field  599,  641 

four-toed  598 

golden  599 

grass  641 

kildeer  600 

mountain  604 

piping  602 

prairie  604 

ring  600,  602 

ruddy  (>33 

semipalniated  C02 

snowv  ring  603 

Swiss"  598 

upland  641 

whistling'  field  598 

wilsonV  601 
I'lougbshare  bone  142 
Plunia-  85 
Plumage  82 

changes  of  88,  89 

of  foot  122 
Plumbeous 

bush-tit  268 

gnat-catcher  2(Jl 

greenlet  334 
Plumed 

partridge  591 

quail  59' 
Plumous  feathers  85 
Plumulaceous  feathers  85 
Plun.ulo;  S6 

Pneumaticitj-  of  skeleton  135 
I'ncumatocysts  200 
Pncumatology  199 
Pncumogastric  nerve  177 
Pochard 

american  701 

red-crested  701 
Pochards  699 
Pocket-lens  27 
Podarginie  448 
Podargus  448 
Podasooys  604 

montanus  604 


INDEX. 


853 


Podicipcdido!  792 
Podicipes  71)4 

auritus  795 

californic'iis  796 

cornutus  795 

crista!  us  794 

domiiiicus  796 

griseigeim  794 

holboelli  794 
Podilyinbus  79(i 

podicipL's  797 
Podium  12(i 
Podotlieiii  124 
Point  of  the  wing  114 
Poison  20,  40 

Pole-baclvfd  woodpecker  485 
Polioptila2Ul 

californica  2G2 

ccerulea  201 

nielanura  201 

pluinbeu  261 
Polioptilinie  242,  260 
Pollex  108 
Polyborinio  539 
Polyboioides  521 
Polyborus  539 

audnboni  539 

cheriway  539 

lutosus  539 
Polj-plectron  575 
Pomutorliine  Jiii;i'r  735 
Pons  varolii  175,  176 
Pooccetea  364 

continis  365 

grainincus  304 
Poor  sliins,  restoriiift  47 
Poor-will,  nuttall's  453 
Poor.',vills  452 
Poi)e  391 
Pope's  nose  114 
Portal  system  of  veins  197 
Portio 

dura  187 

mollis  187 
Porzann  673 

Carolina  073 

coturniculns  674 

maruetta  073 

jainaicensis  674 

noveboracensis  074 
Position  of  digits  128 
Post-frontal 

bone  157 

processes  156 
Post-oral  urch  162,  154 
Post-orbital  region  97 
Post-palatine  processes  164 
Post-sacral  vcrebric  142 
Post-zygapopliyses  137 
Powder,  gun  4 
Powder-down  feathers  80 
Priccoces  88 
Prairie 

chicken  of  the  northwest  581 

hen  583 

falcon  534 

pigeon  041 

plover  604 

warbler  W- 
Preeninfr  plumafje  80 
Premaxillary  100,  104 
Prenasal  cartilage  153,  155 
Pre-oral  arch  152 
Prepalafines  164 
Preparations 

osteological  Vi 


Preparations 

wet  48 
I'ri'ssirdstral  101 
rrespheniiid  158 
I'rc-zygapophyscs  137 
Primaries  112 
I'rinuiry  coverts  110 
Primary,  spurious  113 
Primordial  kidncjs  215 
Princely  tern  700 
Priocclla  778 

tenuirostris  778 
Priolinus  783 

melanurus  783 
Prion  770 
Priority,  law  of  80 
Procclfaria  780 

pelagica  781 
Proccllariidie  773 
Procellariina-  776 
Procelsterna  755 
I'roca-lous  vertebra"  138 
Procoracoid  145,  147 
Prognc  325 

subis  325 
Prometheus  302 
Pronation  109 
Pro-otic  bone  157,  187 
Propubis  149 
I'rosencephalon  175 
Prosobonla  leucoptera  018 
Prothonotary  warbler  291 
Protonotaria  291 

citrea  291 
Protoplasm  196 
Prototype  75 
Prototypic  groups  76 
Protovum  221 
Protozoa  70 
I'roventriculus  212 
I'l-nsiano  391 
I'rybilov  sandpiper  630 
Psiiltriparus  207 

mclanotis  207 

minimus  208 

plumbens  '2(18 
I'seudoitrypluis  558 

californianus  553 
Psilopii'dic  birds  88  ' 

I'silorhinus  419 

morio  419 
Psittaci  494 
Psittacidie  4!)5,  498 
Psophiidic  005 
Ptarmigan  585 

rock  587 

wliitc-lailcd  588 

willow  48,  580 
I'tcranodon  beds  825 
Ptcrocletes  502 
Pterodactyls  62 
PtiTosauria  62 
I'Icrygnid  bones  103 
I'leryla 

alaris  87 

caudalis  87 

crural  is  87 

dorsalfs  87 

femoral  is  87 

humenilis  87 

spinalis  87 

ventralis  87 
Ptcryhv  87 
Ptervlographv  80 
Ptcn'losi8  86" 
Ptilogonatine  327 


Ptilngonys  328 
Ptildimrliynchus  224 
i'tildpadic  birds  88 
I'tildpus  504 
Ptilosis  S2 
Ptinus  briinneus  55 
Ptychorhamphus  80!) 

alcuticus  810 
Pubes,  Pubic,  Pubis,  149 
Pucrasia  575 
Pullin 

common  802 

horned  masking  801 

large-billed  803 

tufted  803 
Putlins  800 

masking  800 

tufted  masking  803 
Puliinus 

umaurosoma  787 

angliirum  780 

Uireaiis  784 

conradi  825 

crealiipus  785 

fnliginosus  787 

kuhli  784 

nuij<ir  785 

obscurus  786 

opistliomelas  786 

tenuirostris  787 
Png-nosed  auk  800 
Pullastra;  563 
Piilmoiiary  organs  199 
Pulmonic  circulation  195 
Pulviplumes  bO 
Pupil  of  eye  183 
Purple 

bullfinches  346 

crow-blackbird  413 

finch  340 

cassin's  347 

gallinule  076 

grackle  413 

martin  325 

painted  finch  391 

sandpiper  029 
Pygmy 

linch,  morelets  392 

finches  392 

nuthatch  271 

petrel  781 
Pvgopodes  787,  825 
Pygostvle  114,  142 
Pvlorus  213 

Pyramidalis  muscle  of  eye  181 
Pyranga  317 

ii'stiva  318 

cooperi  318 

bepatica  318 

luiloviciana  319 

rubra  318 
Pvroceplialus  444 

mcxicanus  444 

rubineus  444 
Pyrrhula344 

cassini  344 

coccinca  344 
Pyrrhuloxia  393 

sinuata  393 
Pyrrhurimi'  495 


Qt;A-Biiti>  002 
()uadrate  bone  101 
(Juadrato-jugal  bono  162 
tjuadratus  muscle  of  eye  181 


854 


INDEX. 


Quail  576, 689.    iSee  also  Partridge 

arizoiia  503 

harlequin  594 

helmet  591 

messina  5U5 

migratory  595 

mountain  591 

old  world  594 

plumed  591 

shell  593 

valley  591 
Quail 

doves  571 

sparrow  365 
Quake-tail,  blue-headed  284 
Queen  hummers  4(i() 
Querquedula  694 

carolinensis  695 

crecca  695 

cvanoptera  696 

dfiscors  696 
Quesal  467 
Quill-feathers  112 
Quiscaliiia;  410 
Quiscalus  412 

aineus  413 

agliEus  414 

macrurus  412 

major  412 

purpureus  413 
Quit,  black-faced  grass  392 
Quits,  grass  392 

Radiale  106, 107, 108 
Radius  106,  107 
Raft  duck  701 
Rail 

California  clapper  672 

Carolina  673 

clapper  672 

common  673 

european  land  675 

king  672 

little  black  674 

louisiana  clapper  672 

Virginia  673 

yellow  673 
Rails  665,  669,  670,  671 

land  674 
Rallido!  669 
Ralliform  birds  669 
Ralliformes  669 
Rallinic  670 
Rollus  671 

crepitans  672 

elegans  672 

longirostris  672 

obsoletus  672 

saturatus  672 

virginianus  673 
Rami  of  bill  103 
Raptatorcs  496 
Raptores  496,  822 
Raptorial  foot  130 
Rasores  571 
Rasorial  foot  131 
Ratitw  69,  238,  825 
Ratite 

birds  238 

sternum  143 
Raven 

aniorican  416 

white-necked  416 
Ravens  415 
Razor-billed  auk  818 
Record  of  observations  21 


Recti  muscles  of  eve  181 
Kectrices  115,  116" 
Recurvirostra  610 

aniericaiut  611 

avocettu  611 
Recurvirostrida!  609 
Red 

cross-bill  349 

flamingo  679 

game  577 

owl  505 

phalarope  614 

ruffed  grouse  585 
Red-and-buS-shouldcred  blackbird 

4U4 
Red-and-white- shouldered  black- 
bird 404 
Red-backed 

humming-bird  462 

sandpi|)cr  631 

snow-bird  379 
Red-bcllicd 

nuthatch  271 

snipe  623 

woodpecker  488 
Red-billed 

mud-hen  675 

pigeon  565 

tropic-bird  732 
Red-bird 

cardinal  393 

summer  318 

western  summer  318 
Red-breasted 

merganser  717 

sandpiper  632 

snipe  622 

woodpecker  486 
Red-cockaded  woodpecker  481 
Red-crested  pochard  700 
Reddish  egret  661 
Red-eyed 

cowbird  403 

green  let  331 
Rcd-taced  cormorant  728 
lied -fronted  flvcatching  warbler 

314 
Red-head  702 
Red-head  ducks  699 
Red-headed  woodpecker  489 
Red-legged  kittiwake  748 
Red-necked 

grebe  794 

phalarope  613 
Red-nose<l  auk  808 
Reil-poll 

american  mealy  353 

common  352 

greenland  mealy  363 

holbiill's  353 

linnets  352 

yellow  warhlcr  307 

yellow-bellied  warbler  307 
Red-shafted  woodpecker  493 
Red-shouldered 

blackbird  404 

buzzard  545 
Rei' -spotted  blue-throat  258 
Redstart 

american  316 

blue-throated  258 
Redstarts  315 
Red-tail 

krider's  545 

St.  lucos  545 

western  545 


Red-tailed  buzzard  544 
Red-throated 

diver  791 

woodpecker  487 
Rcd-wiugcd 

blackbird  403 

blackbirds  404 

thrush  245 
Reed-bird  400 
Reed  wrens  277 
Reeve  640 
liedex  action  174 
Refulgent  humming  bird  461 
Regions  of  the  body  94 
Registration  21 
Regulina-  242,  259 
Regulus  259 

calendula  259 

olivaceus  260 

satrapa  259 
Reinhardt's  gull  745 
Remigcs    11 
Reptiles  60 

Respiration,  organs  of  199 
Respiratory  svstem  199 
Restoration  of  poor  skins  47 
Rete  mirabile  199 
Reticulate  tarsus  124,  125 
Reticulations  of  podotheca  124 
Retina  180 
Retrorse  105 
Rhachis  84 
Hhamphastidie  446 
Khampliotlieca  103 
Hhca  170 

lihinencephalon  175 
Rhinoceros  auks  805 
Rhinochoctus  jubatus  665 
Rhinotheca  103 
Rhodostethia  752 

rosea  753 
Rhyacophilus  639 

ochropus  639 

solitarius  639 
Rhyncho^a  616 

capensis  616 

scmicollaris  616 
Rhynchofaico  539 
Rhynchophancs  359 

"  maccowni  359 
Rhynchopinic  772 
Rhynchops  772 

nigra  772 
Ribs  142 
Riblets  138 
Rice-bird  400 
Richardson's 

dusky  grouse  579 

pigeon  ha'  /k  537 
Rictal  bristles  99 
Rictus  105 

Ridgwav's  rosv  finch  350 
Rima  grottidis'204 
Ring  dove  565 
Ring  plover  602 

european  603 

lesser  european  603 

snowy  603 
Rini^-nei'li 

duck  701 

plover  602 
Ring  plovers  600 
Rlng-Dilled  gull  746 
Ring-tailed 

eagle  554 

marl  in  636 


INDEX. 


856 


Rio  grande  jay  424 
Rissa  747 

brevirostris  748 
kotzcbuii  748 
tridactyla  748 
River  ducks  68i> 
Road  rumicr  474 
Robin  244 
allied  '244 
gulden  408 
marsh  306 
orefjon  245 
St.  Incus  244 
Robin-siindpiper  632 
Robin-snipe  632 
Rock 

ptarniifjan  587 
swift,  wliite-tliroated  456 
swifts  456 
wrens  275 
Rocky  mountain 
blue-bird  258 
garrot  704 
jay  425 

snow  grouse  588 
Rodgers'  fulmar  778 
Rollulus  576 

Rook,  vocal  organs  of  206 
Rose 

flycatcliinp  warblers  314 
tanager  318 
Roseate 

spoonbill  661 
tern  7i>6 
Rose-breasted 
finch  348 

song  grosbeak  389 
Ross' 

goose  686 
rosy  gull  753 
Rostrhamus  523 
plumbcus  523 
sociabilis  523 
Rostrum  100 

of  sphenoid  158 
of  sternum  144 
Rosv  finch 
"alien's  350 
baird's  351 
brandt's  351 
pallas's  352 
ridgway'a  350 
swainson's  351 
Rosy  finches  350 
Rosy  gull 

"bonaparte's  751 
franklin's  751 
ross'  753 
Rosy  gulls  749 
Rough-winged  swallow  324 
Royal  tern  759 
Ruby-crowned  kinglet  259 
Ruby-throated  humming  bird  461 
Rudclcr  ducks  715 
Rudders  115 
Ruddy 

duck  715 
plover  033 
Ruff  640 

Uuflcd  gronso  584,  585 
Ruffs  of  binls  97 

Rufous-bellied  humming-bird  460 
Rufous-crowned  summer  finch  374 
Rufous-tailed 

crested  flycatcher  435 
tlvcatchefs  434 


Ruga- 103 

Rules  of  uomendature  80 

Kump  94 

Runner,  road  474 

liusset-backed  thrush  247 

Rusty 

graekles  411 
song  sparrow  372 

Uustv-ciowiied  falcon  537 

Kutiellla  258 


Sachal 

plexus  141 
verlebrie  140 
Sacro-iliiic  anchylosis  147 
Sacro-sciiitic  notch  148 
Sacrum  140,  141,  147 
Saddle-back  742 
Sage 

cock  580 
grouse  580 
hen  580 
Sage  sparrow 

black-faced  376 
California  376 
nevada  376 
Sage  sparrows  375 
Sage  thrasher  249 
Sagmatorhina 
lathanii  805 
sucklcyi  806 
Saguaro  woodpecker  488 
Saint  domingo 
duck  715 
grebe  796 
Saint  lucas 

cactus  wren  275 
red-tail  545 
robin  244 

savanna  sparrow  364 
thrasher  253 
woodpecker  482 
Salivary  glands  210 
Salpinc'tes  275 

obsoletus  275 
Salt-water  marsh-hen  672 
Samuels'  song  sparrow  372 
Sanderling  633 

San  diego  savanna  sparrow  363 
Sandhill  crane  667 
Sand-pigeons  562 
Sandpiper 

aleutian  629 
amcrican  green  639 
ash-colored  632 
baird's  025 
hartramiun  641 
bl.ick-l>ellied  631 
blaek-hrcasted  630 
buff-breasted  042 
cooper's  027 
curlew  0;)2 
ferrugiiieous  632 
green  039 
least  025 
red-breasted  632 
pectoral  026 
j)ur|)lc  629 
prvbilov  630 
robin  632 
semipalmated  624 
sharp-tailed  028 
spotted  040 
spoon-billed  034 
stilt  023 


Sandpiper 

western  scminalmated  635 
white-rumped  627 
Sandpipers  017 
curlew  631 
dunlin  631 
feather-leg  628 
lighting  040 
marble-wing  042 
pectoral  025 
purple  028 
scmipalnuUed  625 
spotted  040 
spotty-throat  625 
Sandwich  tern  761 
Sap-sucking  wooa|/eckers  485 
Sareorhaniplms  grvphus  657 
Sasia  126,  127 
Saurognathism  173 
Saurognathous  skull  173 
Sauropsida  60 
Saurotherina'  473 
Saurura'  237,  821 
Savanna  blackbird  472 
Savanna  si)arrow 
baird's  3(i0 
beaked  303 
common  303 
ipswich  361 
lark  363 
pipit  363 
san  diego  ?63 
St.  lucas  363 
Savanna  sparrows  360 
Saw-bills  468,  716 
Saw-whet  owl  513 

arctic  nmerican  613 
Saw-whet  owls  612 
Saxicola  256 

cenanthe  256 
Saxicolino!  242,  250 
Sayiornis  436 
fusca  437 
nigricans  437 
sayi  437 
Say's  pewit  flycatcher  437 
Scala 

media  190 
tympani  188 
vestibuli  188 
Scale,  nasal  105 
Scale  of  organization  77 
Scaled 

dove  670 
partridge  593 
Scansores  445 
Scansorial  foot  130 
Scape  84 
Scaphoid  tail  118 
Scaphohinare  106,  107,  108 
Scapula  107,  140 

accessoria  108,  145 
Scapular  arch  49,  145,  146 
Scapulare  94 
Scapulars  94 
Scardafella  570 

inca  570 
Scarlet 
ibis  651 
tanager  318 
Scaups  6»» 
Sehi/ognathism  170 
Sehizognathous  skull  170 
Sehizorhiual  nasals  165 
Scliizolhecil  podolheca  128 
Science  delined  59 


856 


INDEX. 


Scientific  names  78 
Scissors  25,  52 
Scissor-tail  4^1 
Scleroskeletal  bones  VA 
Sclerosteous  bones  lti8 
Sclerotal  bones  182 
Sclerotic  180,  182 
Scolecopliagus  411 

cyanoccplialus  411 

fcrrugineus  411 
ScolopaceuuK  cotirlan  ti68 
Scolopacidiv  G14 
Scolopax  CID,  C20,  828 

rusticula  620 
Scops  604 

asio  505 

bcndirii  506 

flammeola  506 

floriclana  S06 

kennicotti  506 

maccalll  506 

maxwcllir  506 

trichopsis  506 
Scopus  umbrctta  652 
Scoter 

american  black  713 

velvet  714 
Scoters  713 
Screech  owl  505 

California  506 

Colorado  506 

flammiilatcd  506 

ilorida  506 

kcnnicott's  505 

texas  506 
Screech  owls  504 
Scutella  124 

Scutcllatc  podothcca  124 
Scutelliplantar  tarsus  124 
Sea 

coot  713,  714 

ducks  698 

eagles  554 

parrot  802 

parrots  800 
Sea-dove  810 
Sea-pigeon  814 
Sea-shore  sparrow  363 
Sca-sidfi 

finch  367 

florida  368 

sparrows  307 
Sea-swallow  702 
Secondiiries  113 
Secondary 

coverts  110 

sexual  characters  89,  90 
Seed-eater,  little  3!l2 
Segmentation  of  the  vitelluu  224 
Selasphorus  462 

alleni  462 

hcnslmwi  403 

plntycerous  463 

rufus  463 
Selection 
.    natural  00 

sexual  90 
Sella  turcica  198 
Semen  218 

Semicircular  canals  188.  189 
Semilunar  membrane  205 
Semipalninte 

foot  131 

tattlers  036 
Semipalmatcd 

plover  602 


Semipalmated 

sandpiper  624 
Semipalniation  131 
Semiplumes  86 
Semitendiuosus  195 
Scnex  539 

Sennett's  warbler  291 
Sense  of 

hearing  184 

sight  178 

smell  178 

taste  191 

touch  191 
Scnsori-motor  nerves  174 
Sensory  nerves  174 
Septo-maxillarv  163,  173 
Septo-nasal  I'i 
Serrate  bill  102 
Serration  of  tarsus  125 
Serum  190 
Sesamoid  bones  134,  108 

of  wing  108 
Setirostres  449 
Setophaga  315 

picta  315 

ruticilla  310 
Setophagina-  288,  312 
Sex,  determination  of  45 
Sexual 

characters  89,  90 

selection  90 
Shaft  of  feather  84 
Shag  726 
Shank  119 
Shapes  of  tail  117 
Sharp-shinned  hawk  527,  528 
Sharp-tailed 

linch  3G8 

grouse  581 

sandpiper  628 
Sheanvater 

black-vented  786 

black-tailed  ~i'i 

cinereous  784 

common  atlautlc  785 

cory's  784 

dark-bodied  787 

duskv  786 

flesh-footed  785 

greater  785 

manx  786 

mediterranean  784 

slender-billod  787 

smulty-noscil  783 

sooty  787 

wandering  785 
Shearwaters  783 

fulmar  783 
Shell 

doves  570 

quail  593 
Shining  flv-snapper  328 
Shoe-bill  054 
Shoot,  how  to  8 
Shore-birds  596 
Shore  larks  281 
Short-billed 

kittiwake  748 

marsh  wren  280 
Short-cared  owl  507 
Short-legged  tattler  643 
Short-tailed 

albatross  775 

tern  770 
Short-winged  raurrelet  814 
Shot  3 


Shot-gun  1 
Shoulder  106 
Shoulder-blade  146 
Shoulder-girdle  145 
Shoveller  duck  690 
Shrike 

common  american  33S 

great  northern  337 

loggerhead  3.18 

white-rnniped  338 
Shrikes  336 

gray  337 

true  336 
Shuffler  701 
Sialia  257 

arctica  258 

mexicana  258 

sialis  257 
Siberian 

titmouse  207 

wagtail  284 
Sickle-bill  045 
Sickle-billed  kites  523 
Sierra  jay  422 
Sight,  sense  of  178 
Sigmoid  llexurc  of  neck  93 
Silk  bimtings  387 
Silver-tongue  371 
Simorliynclius  SOC 

cassini  808 

cristatellus  807 

dubius  807 

psittaculus  806 

pusillus  8(18 

pygma'us  808 

tetraculus  807 
Sinciput  97 
Singing  of  birds  206 
Sinus  rhomboidalis  176 
Siskin,  american  354 
Siskins  353 
Sitta  270 

aculeata  271 

cffsia  270 

canadensis  271 

carolinensis  270 

pusilla  271 

pygmn?a  271 
Sitteira269 
Sittida;  269 
Sitodrepa  panicea  55 
Siurus  308 

auricapillus  308 

motacilla  309 

na'vius  309 

notabilis  309 
Skeleton  of  birds  134 
Skeletonizing  48 
Skimmer,  black  772 
Skimmers  772 
Skimming  birds  28 
Skua  gulls  734 
Skull  of  birds  149 
Skull,  development  of  fowl's  151 
Skunk  blackbird  400 
Skvlarks  282,  283 
Sky  pipits  280 

Slate-colored  fox  sparrow  380 
Slit-nosed  longwings  733 
Slender-billed 

fulmar  778 

nuthatch  271 

shearwater  787 
Small 

egret  hert)ns  fi.'iO 

green-crested  flycatcher  441 


INDEX. 


867 


Small-billed  creeper  290 
Siiialler  wliite-checked  goose  f 
Smell,  sense  of  178 
Smoky  pies  41!) 
Smutty-iiosed 

jay  425 

shearwater  783 
Snake-bird  7;J0 
Snake  killer  474 
Snnrin;;  birds  3 
Snipe  «14,  020 

amcrican  C21 

englisli  U21 

european  G21 

grass  G26 

gray  r(22 

jacic  021,  C2« 

red-bellied  023 

red-breasted  022 

robin  0:12 

stone  0:i8 

trne  020 

web-toed  022 

wilsoQ's  021 
Snow 

bunting  3oS 

geese  083 

goose  085 

grouse  585 

owls  5IU 

sparrows  377 
Snow-bird 

black  377 

cinereous  379 

eastern  377 

grav-hcaded  379 

hyljrid  378 

mexican  379 

Oregon  378 

pink-sided  379 

red-backed  379 

white-winged  black  378 
Snow-birds  377 
Snowflake  350 
Snowy 

heron  000 

owl  510 

ring  plover  603 
Snub-nosed 

auk  807 

auks  806 
Solan  goose  720 
Solitaire  05 
Solitary 

grcenlct  333 

sandpiper  039 

tattler  039 
Somatcria  708,  710 

dressed  712 

fischeri  710 

mollissinia  710 

spectabilis  712 

gtelleri  709 

v-nigrum  712 
SomatopTeura  220 
Song  of  birds  200 
Song  grosbeak 

black-headed  389 
rose-breasted  389 
Song  grosbeaks  388 
Song  sparrow  371 

cinereous  372 

frav  372 
adiak  372 
lincoln's  370 
Oregon  372 


Song  sparrow 
Vusty  372 

Samuels'  372 

swamp  370 
Song  sparrows  369,  371 
Songless  passercs  427 
Sooty 

albatross  "70 

fork-tail  petrel  781 

grouse  580 

guilleuuit  815 

shearwater  787 

tern  708 
Sora  073 
Soree  073 

Southeast  lish  crow  417 
Southern  sand-hill  crane  667 
South-southerly  700 
Southwestern  shore  lark  282 
Spanish  curlew  051 
Sparrow  344 

arizona  chipping  380 

artemisia  370 

baird's  savanna  300 

beaked  savanna  303 

black-chinnud  381 

black-faced  sage  370 

bleached  yellow-winged  360 

brewer's  381 

California  sage  370 

chipping  380 

cinereous  song  372 

clay-colored  381 

common  savanna  363 

eastern  fox  385 

english  344 

european  344 

field  380 

fox  385 

ganibel's  crown  383 

golden  crown  383 

grasshop|icr  305 

grav  song  372 

harris'  384 

licermann's  song  372 

henslow's  grassnoppcr  366 

intermediate  crown  338 

ipswich  savanna  301 

kadiak  song  372 

lirge-billed  fox  380 

lark  384 

lark  savamia  303 

le  conte's  grasshopper  306 

lincoln's  song  370 

mountain  344 

nevada  sage  370 

oak-woods  373 

Oregon  song  372 

pipit  savanna  363 

rusty  song  372 

sage  370 

saint  lucas  savanna  364 

Samuels'  song  372 

sail  diego  savamia  303 

slate-colored  fox  380     ^ 

song  371 

swamp  song  370 

texas  3!)8 

townseiul's  fox  385 

tree  379 

whitc-crownod  383 

white-'iiroatcd  383 

ycllow-wiiigi'cl  305 
Sparrow  hawk  537 

Cuban  ri38 
Isabel  538 


Sparrow  owls  514 
Sparrows 

chipping  379 

cnjwn  ;t8l 

fox  385 

grass  304 

grassliopiier  365 

gi'iiuud  300 

lark  384 

quail  <t05 

sage  375 

savanna  360 

sea-side  307 

snow  377 

song  309 
Spatula  OUO 

tlvpeata  690 
Spatulate 

bill  102 

tail-fuathcrs  110 
Spear-hilled  grebes  793 
S|)ecializeil  forms  70 
Species  72,  73 
Specitie 

characters  72 

names  80 
Speckle-hellv  G84 
Speckled  cani'U  wren  276 
Speckle-tailed  wren  '278 
Spectacled 

eider  710 

guillemot  815 
Spectral  owl  509 
Spermatozoa  218 
Spermophila  392 

moreleti  392 
Splieniscomorpha^  171,  788 
Sphenoid  bone  158 
SpluMio-palatinc  ganglion  178 
Sphenotic  bone  150 
Spinal 

accessory  nerve  177 

chord  170 

column  137 

nerves  177 
Spine-tail 

gnuise  580 

swifts  457 
Spirit-duck  705 
Spiza  387 

ainericana  387 

tnwnscndi  388 
Spizella  379 

agrestis  380 

arizonic  380 

atrigularis  381 

breweri  381 

domestica  380 

monticola  379 

pallida  381 
Sphyropicus  485 

nuclialis  480 

ruber  486 

thyroidcs  486 

varius  480 
Splanchnology  209 
Splanchnoplcuia  220 
Splenial  hone  100 
Spoonbill,  roseate  651 
Spoonbill  ducks  Oflfl 
Spoon-billed  sandpiper  634 
Spoonbills  051 

anierican  051 
Spotted 

grouse  578 

sandpiper  640 


858 


INDEX. 


Spotty-throat  sandpipen  625 
Sprague's  pipit  2t)6 
Sprig-tail  UU2 
Spruce 

grouse  578 

partridge  578 
Spurious  primary  113 
Spurred  towlico  "397 
Spurs 

of  wing  114 

of  foot  132,  133 
Spur-winged  birds  114 
Squamosal 

bone  157 

process  157 
Squutarola  5U8 

helvetica  5U8 
Squawk  662 
Stake-driver  GG4 
Stands  for  birds  44 
Stapedial 

cartilage  154 

elements  180 
Stapes  185 
Star  buzzards  551 
Starling  427 
Starlings 

american  309 

meadow  405 

old  world  426 

typical  426 
Stamoenadino!  571 
Starnoenas  571 

cyanocephala  571 
Starry  hummers  4(i6 
Steatnornithinic  448 
S'  eatornis  448 
Steganopodes  718,  824 
Steganopus  612 

wilsoni  612 
Stelgidoptcryx  324 

serripennis  324 
Steller's 

cider  709 

jav  421 
Stellufa  465 

calliope  465 
Stenonine  duel  210 
Stephens'  grcenlet  336 
Stercorarius  734 

buffbni  738 

parasiticus  736 

pomalorliinus  735 

skua  734 
Sterna  756 

aleutica  768 

aniesthetica  769 

anglica  757 

antillarum  766 

cantiaca  761 

caspia  757 

dougalli  766 

elegans  760 

forsteri  763 

fuliginnsa  768 

hirundo  762 

macrura  764 

maxima  759 

snpcreiliaris  766 

trudcaui  767 
SterneiB  756 
SterniniB  754 
Stcrno-trai-hcales  202 
Sternum  143 

Sthenelus  melanororypha  682 
Stigma  of  ovisac  221 


Stilt  611 

petrel  783 

sandpiper  623 

stonny  petrel  782 
Stilts  60!l,  61 1 
Stimulation  21 
Stint 

american  U25 

Wilson's  625 
Stock-dove  565 
Stomach,  examining  47 
Stone-chat  256 
Stone-snipe  638 
Storage,  casus  for  56 
Stork  series  652 
Storks  652,  653 

true  653 
Stormy 

petrel  781 

lictrcls  780 
Stragulum  95 
Strcpsilainti!  608 
Strepsilas  608 

interpres  609 

melanoccphalus  609 
Strickland's  woodpecker  482 
Striges  498 
Strigida;  502 
Slrigimu  502 
Stringopino!  495 

Stringops  habroptilus  76,  238,  495 
Striped  flycatchers  431 
Strisores  445 
Strix  508 

allcni  510 

aluco  508 

cincrea  509 

lapponica  509 

nebulusa  509 

occidentalis  510 
Struthio  170 

Struthious  birds  69,  238,  825 
Structure 

anatomical  133 

epidermic  82 

of  birds  59 

of  feathers  84 

types  of  74 
Stuffing  birds  40 
Sturnella  405 

magna  406 

mexicana  406 

neglecta  406 
Sturnellinae  405 
SturnidiB  426 
Stumino!  426 
Stumus  426 

vulgaris  427 
Stylo-hyal  180 
Stylo-hyoid  211 
Sub-,  the  prefix  78 
Subgenus  80 
Submaxillary  line  98 
Subocular  bar  152 
Subspfcies  79 

Success,  qualiflcations  for  6 
Sula  720 

bassana  720 

Icucogastra  720 

loxostyla  824 
Sulcate  claws  133 
Sulci  103 
Sulcus,  nasal  104 
Sulidiu  720 

Sulphide  of  carbon  57 
Sulphur-bellied  flycatcher  431 


Sultan  gallinules  676 
Summer 

duck  698 

linch 

arizona  374 
bachmun's  373 
bay-winged  375 
boucard's  375 
cassin's  374 
Illinois  373 
rufous-crowned  374 

finches  373 

redbird  318 

tanagers  317 

warbler  298 

yellow-bird  298 
Sun-birds  666 
Super-,  the  prefix  78 
Superior  maxillary  nerve  177 
Supcrnature  50 
Snpcrorbital  gland  178 
Supination  109 
Supra-occipital  156 
Supra-orbital  97 
Supra-renal  capsules  46 
Surangular  bone  166 
Surf 

duck  714 

ducks  713 
Surf-bird  605 
Surnia  511 

funerea  511 

ulula  512 
Suspensorium  of  mandible  153 
Suture  of  bones  134 
Swainson's 

buzzard  546 

rosv  finch  351 

warbler  292 
Swallow 

bank  320 

barn  322 

chimney  457 

cliff  323 

crescent  323 

eaves  323 

mud  323 

rough-winged  324 

violet-green  323 

white-bellied  322 
Swallows  319 

bank  323 

barn  321 

cliff  323 

iris  322 

rough-winged  323 

viofet-vclvet  322 
Swallow-tailed 

flycatcher  431 

gull  753 

kite  526 

kites  525 
Swamp 

song  sparrow  370 

warblers,  golden  201 
Swan 

bewick's  683 

common  american  682 

whistling  682 

whooping  683 

trumpeter  6S2 
Swans  681 

white  682 
Swift 

chimney  457 

northern  black  cloud  457 


INDEX. 


869 


Swift 

rock  456 

vaux's  458 

whitc-tliroatcil  456 
Swifts  455,  45li 

cliiinncy  457 

cloud  457 

rock  456 

gpinc-talled  457 
Swiss  plover  598 
Sylvia 

carbonata  308 

montana  308 
Sylvicolidic  287 
SylvicoliniB  288,  28!) 
Symbolic  formulation  wanted  78 
Symmetrical  tigurcs  from  feathers 

83 
Sympathetic  nervous  system  174, 

Symphemia  638 

seniipalmata  637 
Symphysis 

mandibular  166 

pubic  147 
Syndactyle  foot  129 
Syngnesious  foot  129 
Synopsis,  systematic 

of  n.  a.  birds  237 

of  fossil  birds  821 
Synthliborhamplius  811 

antiquus  811 

umizusume  812 
Syrinx  204,  239,  240 
Syrnium  511 
Systematic  synopses  237,  811 


Tabular  view  of  higher  groups 

234 
Taction  191 
Tachybaptes  796 
Tachycineta  322 

tnalassina  323 
Tachypetes  731 

aquilus  731 
Tachypetido!  730 
Tadorna  vulpanser  634 
Tail  114 

shapes  of  the  117 
Tail-bones  114 
Tail-coverts  115 
Tail-sacrals  141 
Taking  cold  19 
Tanager 

cooper's,  318 

crimson-headed  319 

hepatic  318 

louisiana  319 

rose  318 

scarlet  318 

summer  318 

western  summer  318 
Tanagcrs  317 

summer  317 
Tanagrlda!  317 
Tantalinic  052 
Tantalops  653 

loeulator  653 
Tantalus  653 

ibis  G53 

loeulator  653 
Tarsal 

bones  119,  120 

cartilages  of  eye  180 
Tarso-metatarsus  119,  120 


Tarsus,  121,  122,  125,  239 
Taste,  sense  of  191 
Tattler 

bartram's  641 

long-lL'Kged  631 

semipulmntod  637 

short -legged  643 

wandering  643 
Tattlers  U18 

green  (')39 

semlpalmnted  636 

solitary  039 
Taxidermy  28 
Taxononiic  equivalence  of  groups 

73 
Taxonomy  65 
Teal  694 

american  groen-winged  695 

blue-winged  096 

cinnamon  690 

europeaii  green-winged  690 
Tectrices  110,  115 

inferiores  (tail)  115 

inferiores  (wing)  110 

siiperiores  (tail)  115 

superiores  (wing)  110 

majorcs  110 

mcdiiB  110 

minorcs  110 
Tegumentary  system  82 
Tclmatornis 

affijiis  829 

priscus  829 
Teleotype  75,  70 
Teleotypic  groups  76 
Telmatodvtcs  279 

paludlcola  279 

paliistris  279 
Temminck's  auk  812 
Temporal 

bone  157 

region  97 
Tendons  of  wing  109 
Tengmahn's  owl  513 
Tennessee  warbler  295 
Tensor  patagii  193 
Tenuirostral  101 
Terekia  cinerea  617 
Teretristis  287,  311 
Tergum  95 
Tern 

aleutian  768 

arctic  764 

black  770 

bridled  709 

Caspian  757 

cayenne  759 

common  702 

ducal  761 

elegant  760 

forstcr's  703 

gull-billed  757 

imperial  757 

least  706 

marsh  757 

noddv  771 

paradise  768 

princelv  700 

royal  759 

roseate  700 

sandwich  701 

short-tailed  770 

sooty  768 

trudeau's  707 

white-licaded  767 

white-winged  770 


Tern 

Wilson's  762 
Terns  754,  756 
T.Ttials  113 
Tertiarics  113 
Tertiary  birds  64,  822 
Testes,    Testicles,    45,    40,    216, 

217 
Tetradactyle  birds  126 
Tetraonid'a-  576 
Tutraonhm-  577 
Tetrao  unigallus  678 
Tetraptcryx  060 
Texan,  Texas 

beardless  Hycatcher  444 

cardinal  393 

graekle  412 

green  kingfisher  470 

gnan  573 

night-hawk  454 

orihnrd  oriole  408 

quail  591 

Bcrcecli  owl  500 

sparrow  398 

thrasher  251 

woodpecker  481 

wren  277 
ThalamencephaUm  175 
Tlialasscus  756 
Thalassidroma  770 
Thalassornis  leuconota  690 
Thamnophilus  205 
Theory  of  evolution  00,  62 
Thick-billed  nlght-hernns  663 
Thigh  or  thigh-bone  119 
Thinornis  zelandias  697 
Thin  skins  36 
Thistle-bird  354 
Thoracic 

duct  199 

vertebriB  139 
Thorax  142 
Thrasher  251 

arizona  252 

bow-billed  252 

crissal  254 

California  253 

curve-billed  252 

St.  lucas  253 

sage  249 

texas  251 

vuma  254 
Thrashers  250 
Throsyailtus  553 

harpyia  553 
Three-toed 

birds  of  n.  am.  126 

woodpecker  485 

black-backed  485 
ladder-backed  485 
pole-backed  485 

woodpeckers  484 
Throat  90 
Thrush 

brown  251 

gray-cheeked  247 

golden  crowned  308 

hermit,  audubon's  247 
eastern  247 
western  247 

new  york  water  309 

olive-backed  248 

Oregon  olive-backed  247 

red-winged  245 

russet-backed  247 

townsend's  flycatching  329 


860 


INDEX. 


Thnis-h 

variod  245 

water  Mi 

willow  tawny  240 

Wilson's  (or  tawiiv)  246 

wood  24(i 

wvomiiiK  water  ;iO!l 
Thruxli  blackbirds  411 
Thrushes  240,  24:i 

flvcatehiii);  .128,  32!) 

typical  241,  243 

iiiockiiiu241,  248 
Tlirvomanes  277 
Thryothonis  277 

'bcrlaiidieri  277 

bewiiki  277 

lvuco}j;aster  275 

hidovicianus  277 

niianiiensis  277 

sjiiltirus  278 
Thumb  108 

Thyroarvtenoid  muscles  204 
Thyro-cricoid  muscles  204 
Thyro-hyal  107 
Tliyro-hVoid  muscles  2(t4 
Thyroid'cartilagc  204 
Tibia  119 

Tibial  epiphyses  120 
Tibiale  120 
Tibio-tarsus  110,  120 
Tichodroma  murnria  272 
Tichodrominai  272 
Tiga  120,  127 
Tigrisoma  054,  055 
Timeliidn'  202 
Times  to  go  a-shooting  11 
Tinamidn;  574 
Tinamou,  skull  of  170 
Tinamous  00,  574 
Tinamus  rohustus  170 
Tinea  flavifronlclla  55 
Tinker  818 
Tinnunculus  531,  538 
Titlarks  285 
Titmice  263,  205 
Titmouse 

black-capped  205 

black-crested  265 

bridled  205 

chestnut-backed  207 

european  greater  !K3 

hudsonian  267 

plain  264 

Siberian  207 

tufted  264 
Tobacco,  use  of  21 
Todidic  446 

Toes,  number  of  126,  127 
Topographv  of  birds  !»1,  94,  95 
Tomia,  Toinium  103,  105 
Tongue  of  birds  210,  211 
Tooth-billed  pigeon  503 
Totanus  618,  638 

flavines  038 

glottis  630 

mvlanoleucus  038 
Totipahunte 

birds  718 

foot  13) 
Totipalmation  12!) 
Touch,  sense  of  191 
Towhce 

abert's  398 

arctic  396 

brown  397 

californiau  397 


Towhec 

eaiion  397 

crissal  397 

gray  3i)8 

green-tailed  3(18 

mexican  brown  397 

olive-black  spotted  396 

oregiin  390 

white-tlironted  lirown  397 
Towhee  bunting  3<.l6 

crissal  397 

wliitc-(^yed  3!l6 

spurred"  397 
Towhees  395 
Townsend's 

bunting  388 

flycutching  thrush  329 

fox  sparrow  085 

warbler  299 
Trabecula-  of  skull  151 
Trachea  201 

of  ducks  50 

of  merganser  49 
Tracheal 

labyrinth  202 

syrinx  205 

tympanum  202 
Tracts,  feathered  80,  87 
Trngopans  575 
Tramp  344 
Transocnlor  line  98 
Transportotion  of  birds  45 

cases  for  66 
Trapping  birds  3 
Travs  34,  50 
Tread  of  eggs  221 
Tree 

cuckoos  474 

duck,  autumnal  089 
fulvous  089 

ducks  089 

grouse  578 

sparrow  379 
Treron  504 

Trcviranus,  lamclhe  of  189 
Triassic  formation  03 
Tricolor  woodpeckers  489 
Tridnctvle 

foot  126 

birds  120 
Trifacial  nerve  177 
Trigeminal  nerve  177 
Tringa  617,  632 

canutus  632 
Tringa,  coot-footed  614 
Tringoides  040 

macularius  640 
Trinomial  nomenclature  80 
Trivia  190 
Trochanter  119 
Trochilidtc  458 
Trochilus  461 

alcxandri  402 

colubris  401 
Troglodytes  278 

doniesticns  278 

parkmani  278 
Troglodvtidic  273 
rroglodytin;e  274,  277 
Trogon  408 

ambiguus  408 
Trogon,  copper-tailed  468 
Trogonida!  4t68 
Trogons  468 
Tropic  bird 

red-billed  732 


Tropic  bird 

yellow-billed  732 
Tropic  birds  731 
Troupial  467 
Troupialia  405 
Trudeuu's  tern  707 
Trumpeter  swan  082 
Trumpeters  005 
Trunk  of  birds  92,  93 
Tryngites  042 

rufescens  642 
Tuherculum  of  rib  143 
Tubinares  773 
Tufted 

cormorant  729 

pnllin  804 

titmouse  '204 
Tul(!  nnirsh  wren  279 
Turbinal  bones  100 
Turdidic  240 
Turdinie  241,  243,  328 
Turdus  244 

aliciic  247 

anduboni  247 

conlinis  244 

fusccscens  246 

iliacus  245 

migratorius  140,  244 

mustelinus  246 

nuivius  245 

nanus  247 

propinquus  244 

salicicola  240 

swainsoi]!  248 

unalasciu  247 

ustulatus  247 
Turkey 

eastern  wild  576 

mexican  570 
Turkcj'  buiszard  559 
Turkeys  570 
Turnices  571 
TurnicidiD  571 
Turnstone  000,  008,  009 

black-headed  009 
Turtur  504 
Tylari  125 
Tylorhamphus  806 
Tympanic  bone  101 
Tympaniform  membrane  205 
Tympanum 

of  ear  185 

of  trochcB  202 
Typo  75 
Types  of  structure  74 

of  feathers  85 

of  palate  180 
Typical  and  subtypical  groups  75 
Typical  thrushes  241,  243 
Tyrannida;  428 
Tyrannino!  428 
Tyranims  432 

carolinensis  432 

couchi  434 

doniinicensis  433 

irritabilis  430 

verticalis  430 

vociferans  430 
Tyrant  flycatchers  428 

UiNTORNls  lucaris  822 
Ulna,  100,  107,  113 
Ulnare  100,  107,  108 
Umbilicus  of  feather  84 
Unciform  bone  107 
Uncinate  processes  142 


INDEX. 


861 


Under 

mandible  100, 103 

parts  04 

tail-covcrts  115 

wing-covcrts  110 
Unfoathered  spaces  86 
Unpis  nf  bill  102 
Unicorn  niik  805 
Upland  plover  (Ul 
Upper 

niandiblo  100,  104 

parts  94 

tail-covcrts  115 

winB-coverts  110 
Upupido!  446 
Ureters  210,  217 
Uria  814 

uarbo  815 

columba  SIS 

Bn,-lle  814 

mandti  815 
Urinary 

bladder  217 

organs  215 
Urogenital 

organs  215 

sinus  214 
Uro-hyal  167 
Uropygial  gland  80 
Uropyginni  !)4 
Urosacral  vertebraj  114,  141 
Urostcon  144 
Urubitingii  552 

antbracina  552 
Utamania  813 

tordaSIS 

Valley  qnail  692 
Valuation  of  chiiracters  74 
Vane  of  feather  84 
Vanellus  604 

cristatua  605 
Varied 

bunting  391 

thrush  245 
Vascular  system  195 
Vas  deferens  217 
Vaux's  swift  458 
Vcery  246 
Velvet  scoter  714 
Venous  system  I!)5 
Venter  94",  96 
Ventricles 

of  brain  175 

of  heart  196 
Vcntriculus  glandulosus  212 
Vermilion  flycatcher  444 
Versatile  toes  126 
Vertebra,  see.  Vertebra; 
Vertebra-  137 

caudal  141 

cervical  138 

coccygeal  141 

dorsal  139 

dorso-luuibnr  139 

thoracic  13!) 

lumbar  140 

plan  of  136 

sacral  140 

urosairal  141 
Vertebrarterinl  canal  139 
Vertebrates,  Vortcbrata  00,  81 
Vertex  97 
Vesicles 

cerebral  175 

seminal  218 


Vesiculn;  sominales  218 . 
Vcspcr-binl  304 
Vestibule  of  ear  188,  189 
Vibrissa'  0!) 
Violet-green 

cornuirant  729 

swallow  323 
Violet-velvet  swallows  322 
Virei),  »ic  (irecnlet 
Vireo  330 

altiloquus332 

atricapillus  336 

barbatulus  332 

belli  335 

cassini  333 

flavifrons  333 

(laviviridis  332 

gilvus  332 

huttoni  334 

iu)vel)oraccnsis  334 

olivaceus  331 

philadelphicus  332 

plumbeus  334 

pusillus  335 

solitarius  333 

stevensi  335 

swainsoni  333 

viciiiior  334 
Vireolanius  330 
VircoiiidiK  73,  329 
Vireos  329 
Virginia 

nightingale  393 

partridge  589 

quail  589 

rail  073 
Virginia's  warbler  294 
Visceral 

arches  162 

clefts  152,  158 
Virion,  sense  of  178 
Vilolline  membrane  220,  221 
Vili'llus  220 

Vitreous  humor  180,  183 
Vocal 

chords  205 

organs  204,  205,  206 
Vomer 

of  coeevx  114 

of  skull  161 
Vulture,  black  560 
Vultures 

auierican  567 

ol<l  world  519 
Vulturinie  519 
Vultur 

inonachus  519 

umbroaus  822 


Wads  4 
Wagtail 

Siberian  284 

white  284 

yellow  284 
Wagtails  283,  284,  286 
Wag-tail  warbler  309 

golden-crowned  308 

largc-billpd  309 
Wag-tail  warblers  308 
Wall  creeper  272 
Wandering 

shennviiler  785 

tattler  643 
Warbler 

audubon'g  302 


Warbler 

a/.ure  301 

buchman's  204 

bay-breasted  304 

bluckburn's  302 

lilaek-antl-yellnw  304 

lilack-cappcd  llvcatching  313 

lila:k-iHill  303  ' 

black-throated  blue  300 
gray  3tK) 
gre.''U  208 

liluc-eyed  yellow  298 

blue  nolden-wiugcd  204 

blue-winged  vellow  203 

blue  vellow-lmcked  200 

Canadian  llvcatching  314 

cape  may  305 

cerulean' 301 

chestnut-headed  298 

chestnut-sided  304 

Cincinnati  203 

conueetinu  309 

gulden  208 

gdldiiwidwned  wig-tail  308 

goldeu-cheeked  300 

grace's  3(Mi 

hermit  209 

hooded  tlycatching  313 

keimicott's  259 

kenlucky  310 

kirtlanil's  306 

large-billed  wag-tail  309 

lawreni'e's  203 

liRvN  204 

macgillivray's  311 

magnolia  304 

mourning  311 

nashville  294 

olive  206 

oraiige-iTowncd  295 

paeilic  205 

painted  tlycatching  316 

palm  307 ' 

pine  307 

|)iiie-ereeping  307 

prairie  305 

prometheus  302 

prothonotary  291 

red-fronted  flycatching  314 

rose  flvcalchi'ng  314 

seniutVs  201 

sunnner  208 

swainson's  292 

tcnncssce  205 

townscnd's  299 

Virginia's  294 

wag-tail  300 

western  299 

western  ycllow-rumped  302 

western  1)lack-cappeid  flycatch- 
ing 314 

white-browed  306 

white-thioaled  203 

worm-eating  292 

yellow-bellied  red-poll  307 

yellow-crowned  301 

yellow  red-poll  -107 

yellow-runiped  301 

yellow-throated  300 

velldw-throatcd  ground  310 
Warl)lers 

american  287,  288.  312 

blue  vellow-backed  290 

bHsh"3l)0 

creepinc  290 

golden  '298 


862 


INDEX. 


Warblers 

i;rouii(l  -IK) 

tiv-c'iitchin^'  312,  314,  315 

ofd  Wdilil  2f)!) 

Hwaiii|)  2U1 

triif  '28!l 

wn(,'-tiiil  ;1II8 

woikI  2Uti 

wdrm-uutin^  2111,  202 
Warbling 

greeiilot  332 

vire()  ;I32 

western  333 
Warrior,  black  543 
AVasliington,  bird  of  5B6 
Water 

ouzel  2')5 

jicwce  437 
Walcrtlirushes  309 
Watcr-tiirlicy  730 
Wnterwitch  7U7 
WattlcH  08 
Wavi-y,  liorned  686 
Waxwiiifj 

bolK-niiaii  320 

caniliiia  327 

cedar  327 
Waxwingfl  325 
Weapons  for  collecting  3 
Webbed  foot  131 
AVeli-toed  snipe  1122 
Wedge-tailed  gull  752 
Western 

barred  owl  510 

black-capjied  warbler  314 

bluebird  258 

chickadee  2(iO 

dowitcher  (123 

golden-crested  kinglet  200 

goshawk  531 

grass  linch  305 

grebe  793 

nemiit  thrush  247 

lierring  gull  744 

house  wren  278 

meadow  lark  406 

night-hawk  454 

nonpareil  391 

red-shouldered  buzzard  546 

red-tail  545 

shore  lark  282 

summer  rcdbird  318 

warbler  299 

warbling  vireo  333 

winter  wren  279 

wood  pewee  440 

yellow-bellied  flycatcher  442 

yellow-rump  302 
Wet  preparations  48 
Whale-head  654 
Wheat-ear  256 
Whippoorwill  452 

arizona  452 
Whip-tom-kellov  332 
Whiskered  auk "808 
Whiskey  jack  425 
AVhistler  704 
Whistling 

plover  598 

swan  682 
White  brant  085 

crane  660 

fannet  720 
eron  058 
horned  owl  504 
ibis  651 


White  pelican  722 

wagtail  284 
White-bellied 

murrelet  813 

nuthatch  209 

petrel  "83 

swallow  322 

wren  278 
White-browed 

crown  sparrow  382 

warbler  306 
White-crowned 

])igeoii  565 

sparrow  382,  383 
White-eyed 

greenlct  334 

towhee  396 
White-faced  glossy  ibis  649 
White-fronted  dove  507 
White-headed 

gull  747 

sea  eagle  665 

tern  767 

woodpecker  484 
White-necked  raven  416 
White-rumped 

petrel  781 

sandpiper  627 

shrike  338 
White-tailed 

buzzard  542 

godwit  636 

kite  525 

longspur  358 

ptarmigan  588 

sea  eagle  555 
White-throated 

brown  towhee  397 

night  courser  450 

rock  swift  456 

sparrow  382 

warbler  293 
White-tufted  cormorant  727 
White-wing  doves  569 
White-winged 

blackbird  387 

cross-bill  348 

gull  741 

snow-bird  378 

surf  duck  714 
Whooping 

crane  666 

swan  683 
Wigeon 

american  694 

europcan  694 
AVigeons  693 
Wild 

dove  668 

duck  091 

pigeon  506 

turkey  576 
Willet  637 

Williamson's  woodpecker  487 
Willow 

grouse  586 

ptarmigan  586 

thrush  246 
Wilsonian  stormy  petrels  782 
Wilson's 

autograph  58 

bhiehird  257 

phalarope  612 

plover  601 

school-house  58 

snipe  621 


Wilson's 

stint  625 

stormy  petrpi  782 

tern  702 

thrush  246 
AVindnipe  2(l2 

of  merganser  49 
AVing-coverls  110 
Wing-feathers  lOil 
Wings  of  birds  106 
Winker  of  eye  180 
AVinter 

chip-bird  379 

hawk  545 

wren  278 

alaskaii  279 
western  279 
Wish-bone  147 
Witch,  black  472 
WoKlian  bodies  218 
Wood 

diiek  098 

ibis  052,  653 

owl,  american  509 

owls  508 

pcwee  430 

pewee  flycatchers  438 

stork,  american  063 

thrush  240 
AVoodeock 

american  610 

european  020 
W'oodcocks  015,  610,  619,  620 
AVoodliouse's  jay  423 
AVood pecker 

black-breasted  487 

black-backed  three-toed  486 

brown-headed  486 

californion  489 

downy  483 

gairdiier's  483 

gila  488 

gilded  403 

f  olden-winged  493 
airy  483 
harris'  483 
ivorv-billcd  479 
lad(fer-backed  three-toed  486 
lewis'  490 
narrow-fronted  490 
nuchal  480 
nuftall's  482 
plicated  480 

pole-backed  three-toed  486 
red-bcllied  488 
red-breasted  480 
red-cockaded  481 
red-headed  489 
red-shafted  493 
red-throated  487 
saguaro  488 
St.  lucas  482 
Strickland's  482 
texan  481 
white-headed  484 
Williamson's  487 
yellow-bellied  480 
yellow-fronted  488 
Woodpeckers,  477 

black-and-white  spotted  480 
bristle-bellied  490 
gilded  491 
masked  483 
plicated  480 
sap-sucking  485 
three-toed  484 


INJJEX. 


863 


Wijodpockcrs 
tricolor  489 
zubra  487 
Wood-wurbler,  sei  Warbler 
\Voo(l-wn.'ii»  2,')!t 
Work,  a  kooU  day's  16 
Worin-catiiiR  .swiiinp  warblers  2'Jl 

warbler  !i'J2 
WraiiKel's  iniirrclct  813 
Wren 

aluskan  winter  271) 
bewick's  277 
ftoridian  277 
creat  Carolina  277 
lioiise,  eastern  278 

western  278 
marsh,  lontr-billed  279 

short-billed  2S0 
rock  27.'i 

speckled-tailed  278 
texan  277 
tnlt5  27!) 

western  winter  279 
white-bellied  278 
winter  278 
Wrens  27;i,  277 
cactus  274 
canon  27(i 
marsh  27!),  280 
house  278 
reed  277 
rock  275 
true  277 
winter  278 
Wren-tit  202 

hensliaw's  262 
Wren-tits  202 
Wright's  tlyeatcher  443 
Wrist-joint  l()(i 
Wiirdcmann's  heron  058 
Wyoming  water  thrush  309 


XANTIKlCErHALlIS  404 

ictcriKcplnilus  404 
Xaniliura  424 

luxuii(i«a  424 
Xantus  iMiMiniing-bird  400 
XcMia  75:1 

fiircata  7.j;i 

saliinii  753 
Xenopicus  483 

allMilarvatus  484 
Xiphoid  process  144 


Yklk 

of  eggs  220 
Yellow 

crake  074 

red-poll  warbler  307 

wagtail  284 
Yellow-baeked  warbler,  blue  290 
Yellow-bellied 

flycatcher  442 

red-poll  warbler  307 

woodix'ckcr  489 
Yellow-billed 

cuckoo  476 

loon  7!K) 

nnigpie  421 

tropic  bird  732 
Y'ellow-bird  354 

summer  2!I8 
Y'ellow-breasted  chat  312 
Yellow-crowned 

night  heron  S63 

warbler  301 
Yellow-fronted  woodpecker  488 
Y'el  low-green  green  let  332 
Yellow-headed  blackbird  404 
Yellow-runiped  warbler  301 
Ycllowahanks  688 
Yellow-tlirout,  maryland  310 


Ycllow-tliroaled 
greenlcl  3.13 
ground  wiirbliT  310 
warlilcr  3(»i 

Yellow-winged  simrnjw  305 
bliachcd  305 

Yokc-locd  biids  120 

Yn(  ker  4113 

Yunwi  tllra^ller  265 

Zamrijidia  388 

luiloviciaini  389 
nii'luuiii  cpliiila  38!) 

Zebra  w Ipcckers  487 

Zeliriliis  li,")4,  055 
Zenaida  50H 

ainabilis  509 
Zenaida  dove  509 
Zenuidina'  500 
Zenaidura  508 

cariilinciisis  508 
Zona  jii'llucida  220 
Z(jnotricUiii  381 
albicQlli'.  332 
bollerji  374 
coroiinta  383 
pinibuli  383 
nitermrdia  383 
leucophrys  383 
querul»  384 
Zoological 

characters  70 
groups  72 

table  of  81 
Z.vgapophyfcs  137 
ZygiKlacfvJc  445 
bird8"j26 
foot  130 
Zygodactylous  arrangement  126 
Zygoma  102 
Zygom»tic  arch  162 


Univebsity  Press:  John  Wilson  &  Son,  Caubridge. 


